Chapter 208.2: What's The Purpose? (2)
“Monsieur Kang, throughout the DGSE’s history, no foreigner has ever joined this training as France’s representative or gone up the ladder to become DGSE’s assistant director,” Pierre began. Noticing that Kang Chan was looking at him, he continued, “It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that High Commissioner Lanok risked his entire political career for this. After all, for as long as you’re doing well, you will be responsible for all of France’s important intelligence work.”
High commissioner?
If Kang Chan heard Pierre right, then he just called Lanok ‘High Commissioner.’
Kang Chan was more bothered about that title.
“We’ve only known each other for a short while, but I think it was enough for me to learn about your character and personality. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the DGSE won’t understand you. High Commissioner Lanok definitely sent Anne and Louis to the DGSE because he was worried about this,” Pierre added.
Kang Chan had never even thought about it. Was the situation really dangerous enough for Lanok to send Anne to the DGSE to protect Kang Chan even though the DGSE’s very first step in dealing with dangerous people was to remove them?
“The DGSE’s current Director General is very ambitious, monsieur Kang. He still isn’t powerful enough to fight the High Commissioner, but the moment he gets the chance to, he will definitely cause everyone trouble.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“I’m certain that the High Commissioner chose you for the development of France. If it turns out I’m right, then the best thing you can do is to establish yourself within the DGSE as soon as you can and bring stability to it. I was hoping to ask you to do this.”
“Pierre, can I refuse to become the DGSE’s assistant director?”
“You can’t. Not while you’re alive, at least,” Pierre firmly answered.
“But I don’t even know anything about France’s internal situation.”
“Don’t worry. The High Commissioner will continue to support you.”
“Can the DGSE remove me?” Kang Chan prodded on.
Even though Kang Chan was asking completely different questions in an informal way compared to before[1], Pierre looked more comfortable with that.
“Monsieur Kang, please get your hands on the Foreign Legion’s special forces.”
Kang Chan cocked his head. To him—someone who knew more about the Foreign Legion than anyone else—Pierre’s statement meant the same thing as telling him to completely take over France.
“You have to establish your position while the High Commissioner and Anne can still protect you. If you succeed, your position alone will serve as a shield that can protect the High Commissioner and Anne. It will also solidify France’s foundations for development, which is in line with the High Commissioner’s decision,” Pierre continued.
“How do you suggest I accomplish that?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot help you with that. You’re going to have to do this on your own.”
Kang Chan could see Pierre’s strong will in his eyes. He wasn’t determined just because of reasons as conventional as simply being devoted to France. Only people risking their lives could have this level of resolve.
“Pierre, it seems telling me all this puts your life at risk,” Kang Chan commented.
“That’s right. The DGSE is that powerful.”
“Why still tell me all of this, then?”
“I believe that if the High Commissioner was in my position, he would’ve made this kind of decision for France. I’m also just following my sense of duty, which is pushing me to pass on necessary information to you for France’s sake. However, I’m also doing this because I want to trust you,” Pierre answered so quickly that it was as if he had already prepared those answers beforehand.
“How much authority do I have as the DGSE’s assistant director?” Kang Chan asked.
“Enough for you to even issue orders to kill the leaders of African countries.”
Kang Chan took a deep breath. That kind of authority made it difficult to call his new position as just the assistant director.
“Do I actually have enough power to issue that kind of order?” Kang Chan asked again.
“A new phone number will be saved to your phone. If you call it, you’ll be immediately connected to the DGSE so you can issue all the orders you want.”
“How many people are above the assistant director?”
“Two Deputy Director-Generals and one Director-General.”
Damn it! No wonder I didn’t want to do the training!
“The United States and France have a military agreement that gives us the authority to use the US military’s Osan air base at our discretion. Likewise, you’ll have the authority to call your own private plane to Osan whenever you want. You’ll also have the authority to issue an emergency decree on the Foreign Legion, mobilize them, and even issue orders to kill and assassinate anyone with level 2 classification in the DGSE, which is everyone below the Deputy Director-Generals,” Pierre explained.
This is bullshit!
Kang Chan didn’t want to have this much authority at all. He couldn’t even understand why Lanok suddenly gave him this much power.
Pierre looked even more puzzled than him, though.
“You don’t seem that surprised,” Pierre commented.
I am surprised! I’m so surprised that my heart is pounding right now!
However, Kang Chan didn’t let his emotions show. He felt as if his ability to hide his emotions had become even more effective after absorbing the energy of Blackhead, that damn rock.
Buzz— Buzz—Buzz—
Amid their conversation, Kang Chan’s phone briefly rang.
Could it be?
Noticing that Pierre was looking at him, Kang Chan immediately held up his phone and checked the caller ID.
000-001-0003.
For the first time in his two lives, Kang Chan realized that people could pressure others with mere numbers.
“You should call back to confirm who called you,” Pierre said.
After Kang Chan looked away from Pierre, he called the number that left him a missed call.
- We await your orders, monsieur Kang.
Kang Chan couldn’t help but smirk.
“Anne, you don’t have to act so stiffly.”
- I will be your direct contact to the DGSE. I look forward to working with you.
“Is Louis doing well?”
- He’s in charge of executing your commands. Louis and I have been assigned the confidential tasks that you’ll order.
What’s going on?
Kang Chan could only smile.
- Monsieur Kang, this is the only phone call we’ll have before we officially start our duties. After this, your calls will be automatically recorded. Before that, however, I have one last favor to ask you.
Anne sounded different from what Kang Chan remembered. This difference would be very clear in Western cultures, but it seemed even more evident in Anne.
- Please protect my father.
However, she sounded as if she reverted to the Anne that Kang Chan knew when she said those words.
The least he could do for someone asking him for such a sincere favor was to give some thought to his answer.
“Anne.”
- Yes, Monsieur Kang.
“When I told the ambassador that I was going to Mongolia, he asked me a question.”
Kang Chan remembered the emotion that he felt at that time.
“He asked me if I would behave the same way for you as well—if I would protect and rescue you as I did for the agents. I promise that I’ll protect your father the same way I protect you.”
- Thank you, Monsieur Kang.
“I didn’t expect to feel happy about becoming the DGSE’s assistant director. I’m glad I get to work with you.
- Louis always says that he’s thankful that you helped me become who I am today.
Kang Chan just laughed in response.
Now that things had turned out this way, he was given no choice but to join another fight that he couldn’t back out of.
He had a lot of work to do in this new life of his.
“Anne, I’d like to make two requests.”
- Go ahead, Monsieur Kang.
Pierre quickly looked at Kang Chan.
“Look into Wui Min-Gook’s location. He’s a North Korean special forces soldier who sneaked into South Korea. I also want you to find and look into how I can meet Gérard in the 13th regiment of the Foreign Legion’s special forces. Keep it a secret from him.”
- I’ll have your orders executed immediately.
Kang Chan hung up. Pierre finally looked relieved.
“Pierre,” Kang Chan called.
“Yes, Monsieur Kang.”
“Doesn’t this put you in danger?”
Pierre didn’t answer.
“People might try to remove me if they find out what kind of relationship I have with Anne, which is why I can’t help but wonder if this also puts you in a tough spot,” Kang Chan continued.
“Establishing your position will also keep me safe.”
Kang Chan laughed, finding Pierre's answer quite appalling. In the end, Pierre was ultimately telling him to quickly spread his influence over the DGSE.
“I don’t like to drink, but for some reason, I feel like we should at least have wine together,” Kang Chan commented.
For the first time since Pierre came into the room, he smiled like an ordinary person.
“It seems you completely understand how French people feel now. For some reason, I sometimes find myself feeling as if you’ve lived in France for quite some time already. I’m actually feeling that way right now.”
“Then let's have wine. Ah, but before we do, there’s something that I’m curious about.”
“I’ll answer to the best of my ability.”
“Is there any other reason you only told me that I have become the DGSE’s assistant director now?”
Pierre immediately stiffened. “Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about that, Monsieur Kang.”
“Let me ask you just one more thing, then. Can I trust you?”
Kang Chan knew that was a childish question. However, he still wanted to hear his answer—even if it was just a lie to evade this situation. Pierre’s answer right now would be an important factor in deciding what to do if they faced an unexpected situation in the future.
At the very least, that was what Kang Chan experienced during the battles he fought in Africa.
“I will let you decide on that, Monsieur Kang.”
Kang Chan smirked. Pierre smiled as well, looking as if he was admitting his defeat.
“I think I need to drink wine now,” Kang Chan said afterward.
“I’ll have it prepared,” Pierre answered and walked over to the phone.
Kang Chan missed the somaek[2] that he drank with Seok Kang-Ho. These fuckers definitely lacked such beverages. But more importantly, these fuckers didn’t have Seok Kang-Ho, and South Korea did.
1. KC had been speaking formally to Pierre, but then started to speak informally in a way that shows / hints that he's in a high position ☜
2. Somaek is a cocktail of soju and beer ☜
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