DW | Chapter 1.3

Cha Jaeha suddenly grabbed Haedeun’s wrist, preventing him from spilling the coffee.

Thanks to his quick reflexes, the coffee, which was about to overflow, spun once and settled back on the table. His reflexes were truly remarkable.

As Haedeun, startled, merely moved his lips, Cha Jaeha released his grip, making a comment that was hard to distinguish between a rebuke and a question. His tone was calm and polite, making it even more confusing.

“Do you usually have such poor concentration?”

It was probably best not to make the excuse that he was startled because he was focused on his words.

“I’m sorry.”

Feeling awkward, Haedeun stared at the cup, while Cha Jaeha straightened the crooked end of the cup sleeve and added. It seemed he couldn’t stand seeing anything out of place.

‘Perfectionist.’

“From now on, I’ll drive those two over there. Your job is to block civilian access at that location at the right timing.”

The spot Cha Jaeha indicated with a glance was the restroom. Haedeun quickly scanned the area. Although not many, travelers were intermittently entering and exiting.

How could a foreigner control a public facility?

He couldn’t see a way.

While feeling despondent, something suddenly came to mind. He hurriedly rummaged through his bag. As he did, Cha Jaeha, who had been watching him, slowly straightened up and handed him something.

Thud.

Haedeun picked up the object that lightly landed on the bar table and checked its surface. It was an airport employee’s ID card.

How did he know he was going to take out an ID card?

Was it forged? Or stolen?

It looked so convincing that he couldn’t tell if it was genuine or not.

“Team Leader, is this really something I can use?”

He looked at him with curiosity, as if studying a research subject.

Soon, he leaned over, straightened his collar, and whispered.

“Then why do you think I gave it to you? 1. I stole it, so please throw it in the trash. 2. I found it, so please report it. 3. Shut your mouth and just use it.”

His previously polite tone suddenly turned harsh.

He seemed annoyed by the interference in his already busy schedule.

The lack of expression on his face made it even more chilling.

“I know it’s an order, and I appreciate the consideration, but I was wondering if there might be a more legal way.”

He questioned with a genuinely inquisitive expression.

“Legal?”

Their work itself was quite at odds with legality.

Forcing a smile, Haedeun conceded.

“…Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

Cha Jaeha responded with a nod, as if to say, “Figure it out somehow,” and took a step back.

Feeling overwhelmed, Haedeun held it in his palm and stared blankly, then grabbed him before he could leave.

“Uh, Team Leader. Just a moment. I have a question.”

“Make it quick.”

“How do I get the people already in the restroom out? I’m not sure I can keep up with your pace.”

“Adapt flexibly to each situation. We’ll watch from there. Good luck. Don’t make any mistakes.”

“Yes? Uh, Team Leader…! He’s just leaving. Wow, he really left?”

He tried to stop him, but he was already gone.

Adapt flexibly to each situation.

‘What does that even mean?’

Staring blankly at his retreating figure, Haedeun was perplexed by the suddenly vanished cup of coffee right in front of him.

Calm voice, serene gaze, polite tone, and an extremely regal demeanor that didn’t allow any leeway for the other party. He finally understood the source of the discomfort he’d been feeling. He was the source of all sorts of vicious rumors, and it seemed there was no smoke without fire. He was someone who believed his words were the truth and had no interest in others’ thoughts or feelings.

Haedeun had to make an impression on Cha Jaeha.

In the field, Cha Jaeha’s words were law. Neither the deputy director, the director, nor the president interfered. He was always right.

To return to the field, he had to catch his eye.

He had to show his usefulness. So that he could recognize his existence.

‘I have to make it work somehow.’

As Haedeun was about to rise, he paused awkwardly.

Somehow, Cha Jaeha, who had disappeared among the people, was seen brushing past a woman and having a brief conversation. In an instant, the thin scarf attached to her carry-on was wrapped around his hand. He had untied it while pretending to bump into her and greet her. The woman seemed completely unaware. She continued to glance at his retreating figure, her face blushing.

He must have judged that the scarf would be needed soon. Just like when he ordered this coffee.

‘What could he do with a scarf… Could it be that?’

As he swallowed dryly, Cha Jaeha swiftly approached the target. Very naturally, he handed an open cup of coffee to a child, who, caught off guard, bumped into the two men next to him, spilling the hot liquid. The area became chaotic. Taking advantage of the commotion, the instigator nonchalantly passed by as if nothing had happened.

Despite his striking appearance, when he moved, it was hard to see what he was doing.

It was astonishing to the point of admiration.

‘With him, we can succeed this time.’

Gritting his teeth, Haedeun quickly disposed of the still-steaming coffee and took a step forward.

✮⋆˙

Sweat trickled down Haedeun’s forehead as he ran near the airport’s exit gate. The outside weather was chilly, so the inside temperature was quite cool. Worried about looking suspicious, he quickly wiped it off with the back of his hand and scanned the airport interior.

‘It should be around here.’

He found it. Stacked A-shaped signs were visible near the passageway by the departure gate. They were “No Entry” signs used in airport inspection areas. That should be enough to put out the immediate fire.

After quickly surveying his surroundings, he grabbed the signs and approached the restroom Cha Jaeha had mentioned, trying not to look suspicious.

Finally entering the restroom, he took out a small security mirror he carried. Pretending to check his face, he used it to view the interior situation. A man who appeared to be a domestic traveler was drying his hands near the entrance. Further inside, two men, the smuggling brokers, were standing side by side at the sink, washing their clothes or something. Cha Jaeha was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, as the traveler at the entrance threw away a paper towel and stepped out, there was a thud!

“Ugh!”

A rough sound of impact and a short groan came from inside the restroom.

Cold sweat ran down Haedeun’s back. It wasn’t just him who heard it; the traveler who was leaving turned to look back. Instinctively diverting attention, Haedeun pointed to the sign, sweating profusely.

[There is a mechanical issue inside the restroom, so it is closed for use from this time. Your cooperation is appreciated.]

Smiling kindly, the traveler glanced at the ID around Haedeun’s neck and then left.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he secured the sign in place and went inside.

“Gah!”

He almost screamed at the sight before him. He quickly covered his mouth with his palm as a temporary measure. A man with a hat lay like a corpse at Cha Jaeha’s feet. Seeing him stomp on the man’s neck without hesitation made Haedeun’s mind go blank. Chills ran down his spine.

But that wasn’t all. Cha Jaeha wasn’t stopping there; he was strangling the man with glasses from behind with a scarf. He stood precariously at the boundary between the sink area and the partition, seemingly to prevent the man’s face from being seen. That scarf seemed destined to be used that way. As Haedeun furrowed his brow and checked the outside, Cha Jaeha, whose breathing was completely steady, spoke to him.

“What are you doing? Move.”

They were essentially people who did dirty work. Illegal and unethical, but dirty work that someone had to do.

He knew it in his head, but lately, he’d been so focused on desk work, calculating numbers and stamping documents, that he’d unconsciously forgotten. Seeing this made it real.

Finally coming to his senses, Haedeun quickly rushed in. He dragged the man with the hat, who was sprawled on the ground, to the farthest stall and shoved him in. He wanted to check if he was dead or alive, but the situation was too urgent to even think about putting a finger to his nose.

He locked the door with a mop handle and struggled to climb the wall. Ideally, he should block the door from the outside, but to avoid being seen by people coming and going, this was the best he could do. Meanwhile, the man with glasses was groaning, threatening Cha Jaeha.

“Ugh, you think I’ll let you… both… go?”

“I’ve heard that threat about 5,000 times.”

“Ugh!”

“I don’t know why everyone’s mouth is so busy.”

Haedeun, hanging like laundry on the partition, surveyed both inside and out. He glanced at Cha Jaeha outside, easily strangling a man, and then at the man inside, head against the closed toilet.

Even seeing it directly, he was confused, so he moved again and completely got out.

Thud. As he landed, his feet hurt, and he winced. In front of him lay the limp body of the man who had collapsed.

Thud!

“Gah, a… a corpse…”

While Haedeun was looking helplessly at the back of the man’s head, Cha Jaeha kicked the man with his shoe and shoved him into another stall. Then he elegantly gestured with his chin, as if to say, “Lock the door from inside.” His leisurely demeanor made it seem like he was suggesting they go for afternoon tea.

Frozen, Haedeun finally collected himself. Once again, he locked the door and secured the doorknob with cleaning tools. As he climbed the toilet again, his hands kept slipping. He was trapped in a narrow stall with a man who might be dead or unconscious, and the fact that this man was an Interpol-wanted murderer made him anxious.

Somehow, he barely managed to get out. For someone not used to physical work, it was quite laborious, and he felt dizzy for a moment. As he sighed and approached the sink, Cha Jaeha was already washing his hands. His nonchalant demeanor, considering he’d just strangled and stomped on people, seemed surreal.

“Team Leader. Are those people… dead? Don’t we have a cleanup crew or something?”

Not all dispatched cities had a cleanup crew, but he’d heard through the grapevine that Bardiff had one.

The credibility was fifty-fifty.

Watching Cha Jaeha, he wondered if he should ask, but then Cha Jaeha approached, and he stepped back. Just his approach, expressionless, was intimidating.

Rescuing nationals from war zones, infiltrating international crime organizations, assassinating drug lords. He’d thought the urban legends about him were exaggerated. But seeing how he moved, he vividly felt it might all be true.

As Cha Jaeha passed by him, he casually took out a paper towel and nodded.

“I don’t kill people in such conspicuous places. You’ve watched too many movies. The cleanup crew isn’t omnipotent.”

It seemed there was indeed a separate cleanup crew in Bardiff.

That meant Cha Jaeha had killed people here before.