Chapter 179.1: No different from back then (2)
The sea eventually came into view to their right as they made their way from Goseong to the Hwajinpo beach[1].
The car went past a three-way intersection, a checkpoint, and drove a bit longer before reaching a second-story building that looked like a raw fish restaurant on an isolated beach. Kang Chan’s first impression of it was that it had gone out of business.
Not only was it in a secluded area, but it was also fenced in with a lot of wire mesh. Even the god of the sea would find it hard to gain profit from a business started in this location.
The bus blocked the parking lot, completely removing the road at the back from view.
Swoosh.
They could hear the waves hitting the beach and retreating back into the sea.
“Let’s head inside,” Kim Hyung-Jung said as he pointed to the entrance. Kang Chan walked over to it.
Much to their surprise, there were already two soldiers waiting for them inside. The two guided them to the stairs on the right side of the building.
“Damn, this view is amazing!” Seok Kang-Ho exclaimed upon reaching the second floor with Kang Chan and the others.
It wasn’t really good enough to be described as amazing. Even so, Kang Chan thought it wasn’t that bad either.
The soldiers briefly saluted Kang Chan as they were coming up to the second floor.
Including Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho, they numbered twenty-four in total.
Kwak Cheol-Ho, Yoon Sang-Ki, and almost all of the other soldiers who joined the operation in China alongside Kang Chan were present.
Two of the men brought over military gear—which was packed very simply—after they removed everything that could be heavy.
“The Navy’s special forces team will arrive at twenty-three thirty this evening. They will be bringing three boats, so we will be splitting into three teams,” Kim Hyung-Jung told Kang Chan.
“You guys heard that, right? Split into three teams. I’ll lead Team One, and Seok Kang-Ho will lead Team Two. Kwak Cheol-Ho, you’ll take command of Team Three,” Kang Chan told the members.
While they were finalizing the teams, an agent distributed watches.
“Mr. Kang Chan,” Kim Hyung-Jung called Kang Chan as he laid out the map.
“This is where the Navy’s special forces team will be dropping you off.” Kim Hyung-Jung pointed to the boundary of the beach, then drew a triangle with his finger. “And this is where we think armed guards are stationed. Since North Korea is experiencing heavy power shortages, they normally don’t use searchlights.”
They didn’t know how the situation would change if the guide didn't show up, so Kang Chan carefully examined the map as he nodded.
After their conversation, they had packed food for dinner. It tasted so good that Kang Chan even wondered if they came from Jeungpyeong.
Kang Chan could still see spite in the members’ eyes. Unless they had a deep resentment for the packed food, Choi Seong-Geon’s death had to be the reason behind their spite.
].
Sitting comfortably, Kang Chan drank coffee and watched the dark sea. As he did, Kwak Cheol-Ho approached him with another soldier and said, “This is our new member.”
“I’m Master Sergeant Hong Ki-Yoon,” the new member said.
They had never specifically introduced anyone before.
“He has experience infiltrating North Korea. He also has three operations under his belt,” Kwak Cheol-Ho answered when he felt that Kang Chan was looking at him.
He’s going to be helpful.
Their conversation ended with Kang Chan nodding.
They put on a faded black military uniform, then equipped themselves with an MP5SD silenced submachine gun, a Colt pistol, a bowie knife, a magazine, and a radio.
It was a little past nine, and the only source of light they had was a small lamp. It barely let them see each others’ faces.
They were all in so much tension that it seemed as if they would snap and explode if anyone messed with them.
As the fishy sea breeze rushed toward them through the open window, Kwak Cheol-Ho approached Kang Chan once again. “I have something to say to everyone.”
I see no harm in letting him speak.
Kang Chan nodded. “Attention!”
The soldiers, Kang Chan, Seok Kang-Ho, and even Kim Hyung-Jung now looked at Kwak Cheol-Ho.
“I have something that I want to say and a favor to ask all of you.”
The light only let them see the contours of Kwak Cheol-Ho’s face. Nevertheless, they could still see his eyes glinting like an animal’s. “If the general hadn’t been there for me, then I would have ended up becoming a gangster after going from military prison to military prison. I haven’t told any of you about this, but my worthless father was conned and he almost went to jail, but the general got a loan to pay all of it for him. I heard he finished repaying the loan early last year.”
Kwak Cheol-Ho exhaled with a “whoo!” and then turned his head toward the window. “The general hit all of you as well, didn’t he? He slapped me in the face twice. But it wasn’t because I didn’t train properly or said that I was going to be discharged!” Kwak Cheol-Ho gritted his teeth, then immediately continued. “The first time he slapped me was at a police station. It was for kicking up a fuss because of my fucked-up life. The second time was because I defied my father. I can’t believe I fucking lost that kind of man while we were eating.”
Kwak Cheol-Ho stopped talking for a moment, seemingly trying to control his emotions. “Lieutenant Cha Dong-Gyun called me yesterday. He was on the phone as he… as he sobbed nonstop. As you all know, he’s the most committed and steadfast man. Not only was that the first time I ever heard him cry, but I never even thought he would weep like that.”
“I’m passing on Lieutenant Cha Dong-Gyun’s request.” Kwak Cheol-Ho stopped talking, then loudly inhaled. After swallowing dryly, he looked at all of his colleagues. “We’re with the strongest commander in the world now. If you’re afraid, then I will not resent or condemn you if you back out right now. However, if you choose to join us, then don’t ever think about coming back until we’ve beheaded Jang Kwang-Taek.”
Kim Hyung-Jung looked at the seashore while gritting his teeth.
Despite having a hard time talking, Kwak Cheol-Ho pushed through with what he had to say. “I also have a favor to ask all of you. The general did everything to protect me even if that meant slapping me. He protected all of us. Let’s use this operation to show everyone that he taught us properly.”
Kwak Cheol-Ho seemed as if he was about to shout, but his voice calmed down at the end. However, that only tugged at their heartstrings even more.
By the time Kwak Cheol-Ho had returned to his seat, the second floor had been rendered silent.
Chk chk.
Kang Chan bit on a cigarette.
“Whoo!”
The sea breeze roughly whirled around inside the building, then left with the cigarette smoke.
“Let’s have a cup of coffee,” Kang Chan said.
“Alright.” Seok Kang-Ho was the one who answered, but someone else made coffee for them.
After having a sip of the sweet instant coffee, Kang Chan looked behind him.
The soldiers looked as if they were expecting something.
“What General Choi hoped for was for all of you to gain actual combat experience and become a special forces team that’s recognized internationally, wasn’t it?” Kang Chan asked.
Yoon Sang-Ki nodded without meaning to.
“So if any of you has the shitty thought that they’ll be happy even if they die, then leave now. What I want is for all of you to do whatever it takes to return alive with Jang Kwang-Taek’s head. After all, General Choi asked me to turn you all into veterans so that you can pass on your experience to your juniors,” Kang Chan added.
Kwak Cheol-Ho gritted his teeth.
“We have more than an hour left, so get some sleep or smoke as much as you guys want since we won’t be able to smoke for a few days. You may drink coffee as well.” Kang Chan put the cigarette that he finished smoking in the paper cup. Afterward, he turned and looked at the sea.
Chk chk. Chk chk.
From behind him, he could hear the soldiers lighting up cigarettes and drinking coffee.
This is fine. Doing just this much is for the best.
If they were burning with too much sense of duty, they would inevitably find themselves in an accident.
“Urgghhh!” Seok Kang-Ho stretched and twisted his upper body.
“I’m going to get some sleep,” Kang Chan said.
The two got up from their chairs and positioned their military gear just right so they could rest on it.
The soldiers’ stiff expressions seemed to say, ‘They can sleep in this situation?’
It seemed as if they didn’t think of sleeping before leaving, even though they had been napping in France.
If they were really sleep-deprived, then they would fall asleep even if all of the other members on the second floor were corpses.
And if they kept facing that kind of situation, then they would develop the habit of eating when they could eat, and getting even a little bit of sleep when they could sleep.
Kang Chan eventually fell asleep.
***
“Mr. Kang Chan.” Kim Hyung-Jung carefully called, waking up Kang Chan. The reason he woke him up was so obvious that he didn’t even have to say it.
Kang Chan examined his surroundings. Most of the soldiers seemed awake already, which was commendable.
It was already ten past eleven.
They applied the camouflage paint on their faces, then equipped their military gear and weapons.
After about ten minutes, the dim light illuminating the building turned off.
Frowning, Kang Chan looked at the sea. He could see a boat and silhouettes in the space between the rocks in front of the ceasefire line.
Swoosh.
Much to their surprise, when the waves were at their loudest, the lower part of the steel-barred window opened.
“Mr. Kang Chan.” Kim Hyung-Jung called Kang Chan once more. He then nodded.
No word had to be said at that moment.
Kang Chan looked straight into Kim Hyung-Jung’s eyes for a moment, then turned his head away.
“Let’s go,” Kang Chan said.
1. The Hwajinpo beach is a beach surrounded by villas, one of which is the former summer home of a North Korean leader 👈
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