Chapter 210: I Couldn’t Leave Here (2)
The sadness in Lee Yoo-Seul’s eyes prevented Kang Chan from leaving the church even after comforting her. Hence, he picked her up isntead and watched the rest of the ceremony with her. Surrounded by soldiers in formal attires, Lee Yoo-Seul remained in Kang Chan’s arms for quite some time after she stopped crying.
“Come here,” Lee Yoo-Seul’s mom said with puffy eyes when the ceremony finally ended, but Lee Yoo-Seul shook her head.
“Please let her be. If it’s okay with you, I would like to hold her for a little longer,” Kang Chan replied.
Lee Yoo-Seul’s mom pursed her lips, struggling to hold back her tears. “Did anyone see my husband’s final moments? Was he lonely or afraid?”
Jeon Dae-Geuk looked out the window, and Kim Tae-Jin wiped his eyes as if he were wiping away his sweat.
“I was with him,” Kang Chan answered. The entire special forces team with him listened to what he was about to say.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save him. None of us here could’ve survived in that dire situation if it wasn’t for Yoo-Seul’s father,” Kang Chan continued.
Lee Yoo-Seul’s mom covered her mouth.
“He was braver than anyone. He never even showed anyone that he was struggling. I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t be. I was frustrated because no one ever told me what happened in his final moments, but you all coming here today shows that he wasn’t lonely and that he died honorably, which puts me at ease.”
Tears fell from Lee Yoo-Seul’s eyes again, perhaps because her mom was crying.
“Yoo-Seul, your dad saved me and everyone here. I’ve never met anyone as brave as him,” Kang Chan said.
Lee Yoo-Seul burrowed into Kang Chan’s arms. She was still a child, after all. She cried for about ten minutes, then fell asleep in his arms.
Kang Chan took her to her family’s old compact car and laid her down.
“If you’re going through a hard time, please contact us anytime,” Kang Chan told Yoo-Seul’s mom.
“I’m already grateful enough to have you all here remembering my husband. It gives me the courage to continue living.”
Lee Yoo-Seul’s mom bowed to Kang Chan and the soldiers several times, then left the church. As she did, Jeon Dae-Geuk approached Kang Chan and patted his back.
Kang Chan’s party headed back to the military camp after. As soon as they arrived, the soldiers took off their formal attire and put on clothes for cold weather. They then lit a bonfire in the yard.
Swoosh!
The flames soared up. As they listened to the sound of the wood burning, Yoon Sang-Ki and the general’s former aide handed paper cups to everyone.
“What’s your plan now?” the sharp-eyed Cha Dong-Gyun looked at Kang Chan as he broke out in a cold sweat.
Smirking, Kang Chan looked at the soldiers. These fuckers had already found a deep place in his heart.
No matter their age or rank, they could trust each other with their lives.
“Cha Dong-Gyun,” Kang Chan called.
“Yes, sir?”
Jeon Dae-Geuk, Kim Tae-Jin, and Kim Hyung-Jung focused on what Kang Chan was about to say.
“I need the strongest special forces team in the world—soldiers that are full of so much pride that they can suppress the pain that you all saw today. If you are all okay with it, then I want to turn South Korea into the center of the Eurasian Rail.”
Cha Dong-Gyun’s expression hardened as he looked at Kang Chan.
“Living up to our name? We have already defeated the Spetsnaz and SBS, blew up China’s airport, and even infiltrated North Korea to kille Jang Kwang-Taek. As you all can guess by now, the intelligence bureaus across the globe are already aware that we did all that. Still, I need a special forces team that’s even stronger than that,” Kang Chan added.
The soldiers’ faces reddened, perhaps because the wind was blowing the firelight from the bonfire toward them.
“With your confidence and help, I can make South Korea the center of the Eurasian Rail. However, nobody will ever know your names and your families will likely go through the same pain that we just witnessed and felt today.”
Unable to suppress his excitement, Jeon Dae-Geuk’s hand trembled. He had dreamed of this moment his entire life.
He had always hoped that someone would stand on the frontlines and lead them.
Kang Chan wouldn’t fail to take responsibility for such a goal because he didn’t just say them due to a fleeting feeling. He had the capabilities and qualifications to actually make it happen.
Still smirking, Kang Chan looked at the soldiers. “Do you want to try becoming that team?”
Cha Dong-Gyun smiled at him, then slowly looked around their surroundings. “The God of Blackfield just gave us a chance. If any of you don’t want to be a part of this, feel free to back out now.”
No one answered or moved.
“Kwak Cheol-Ho!”
“Yes, sir!” Kwak Cheol-Ho answered energetically when Cha Dong-Gyun called him.
“You’re going to be in charge of the men’s training until I recover.”
“Please leave it to me!” Kwak Cheol-Ho answered firmly.
“Fuck! We’re really dead meat now!” one of the soldiers exclaimed.
“It would’ve been great if we could have soju on this kind of day!” another responded.
“Hey! Would our enemies rest just because it’s Christmas?”
“I know they won’t! I’m just saying that it’s a pity.”
They exchanged absurd jokes despite the lack of alcohol. The heartwarming atmosphere showed how close they were.
“Thanks.” Jeon Dae-Geuk patted Kang Chan’s back even though he knew it would take more than that to accomplish Kang Chan’s goal.
Kang Chan’s party spent thirty more minutes with the soldiers before leaving the military camp. The soldiers saw Kang Chan off with extremely encouraged looks.
***
Kang Chan and his party arrived in Seoul around an hour past midnight.
Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho sat at the specialty coffee shop at the intersection, which was full of people.
“You were cool today,” Seok Kang-Ho said.
“How can I leave those kinds of men alone? I’ve been put in charge of something else as well, so we’ll go at it together.”
“You’re in charge of something?”
Kang Chan told Seok Kang-Ho that he had become the assistant director of France’s DGSE and told him all the authorities that he now had. He told him everything, even the advice that Pierre told him.
“Ha! I expected nothing less from you,” Seok Kang-Ho commented afterward.
“What do you mean?”
“You attracted attention even back in Africa. It seems you do that wherever you go.”
“I’m tired of it, to be honest.”
No matter the situation, Kang Chan always felt reassured for as long as he was with Seok Kang-Ho.
“Shouldn’t you tell Manager Kim about your position in the DGSE?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.
“I’m going to discuss that with the Ambassador first. I feel like I can’t just rashly talk about it.”
“Good point.”
It took them thirty minutes to finish their coffee.
“Are we going to get a bit busier from now on?” Seok Kang-Ho asked himself.
“Yes, and it’s all because of you!” Kang Chan exclaimed.
“Huh? What did I do?”
“Didn’t things end up like this because you said that you lose your will to live if you don’t go to operations?”
“Phuhuhu.” Seok Kang-Ho responded with a strange laugh. He then suggested, “Let’s go home.”
“Sure.”
The two got in a taxi and returned to their apartment complex. They parted ways in front of their apartments.
Kang Chan opened the front door and went inside, unexpectedly finding Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook sitting in the living room and watching TV.
“Channy!” Yoo Hye-Sook exclaimed.
“Huh? You haven’t gone to sleep yet?” Kang Chan asked.
Kang Chan lightly washed up, changed into something more comfortable, and then went back out to the living room.
“You must be tired. You should get some sleep. We’re going to bed as well anyway,” Yoo Hye-Sook said, looking quite upset that she had to sleep now. It seemed she stayed up just for Kang Chan.
“We should watch that movie together if the two of you are okay with that. What movie is it?” Kang Chan asked.
With Kang Dae-Kyung being reliable and being there for Kang Chan and Yoo Hye-Sook hugging him attentively, Kang Chan really felt like he had finally come home.
“Should we order chicken, then?” Yoo Hye-Sook asked.
“That sounds good.”
The three ordered chicken and watched a movie together, which they hadn’t done in a long time.
After asking Kang Chan if he properly comforted his injured colleague, the three talked about various other topics. Yoo Hye-Sook ended up making Kang Dae-Kyung laugh because she looked at Kang Chan more often than the movie.
The movie ended at about three in the morning.
“Goodnight,” Kang Chan said.
“You too,” Kang Dae-Kyung replied.
“Goodnight, Channy,” Yoo Hye-Sook added.
Kang Chan went into his room after Yoo Hye-Sook happily went inside their bedroom.
“Phew!”
The moment he sat on his bed, he felt as if everything returned was back to normal. Thinking too much would do him no good, though, so he lay down.
***
Still feeling very sleepy, Kang Chan forced himself to stand up as soon as he woke up. He then wore workout clothes and left the apartment.
After warming up and stretching from side to side, he took a deep breath.
The atmosphere was definitely different.
I’ll get some rest later!
He found it strenuous to exercise, and his body seemed to be screaming at him. However, he didn’t let those stop him.
Kang Chan had to do what he could.
If he rested right now because he found working out difficult, then that would mean he would let himself stop during a crucial moment for the same reason. If he wanted to overcome the difficulties that come with saving someone and running over for the precious people in his life, he shouldn’t stop now.
“Huff huff. Huff huff.”
Kang Chan gasped for breath as soon as he returned to the yard of his apartment building.
Barely standing back up, he saw Woo Hee-Seung smiling at him and holding a bottle of water.
Kang Chan had no reason to refuse.
After drinking some of it, he looked back at Woo Hee-Seung. “Did something good happen?”
“Not really.”
Kang Chan couldn’t help but smirk.
Woo Hee-Seung was clearly smiling about something, but Kang Chan wasn’t the type to pry further once a person said it was nothing. Woo Hee-Seung probably wasn’t smiling for a special reason anyway.
After working out, Kang Chan went up to his apartment.
“Channy! Go take a bath before you get sick,” Yoo Hye-Sook said.
Kang Chan smelled delicious food. He then saw Yoo Hye-Sook smiling. Nothing could make Kang Chan want to return home more than these things.
After washing up and changing, he sat at the table and ate with his parents.
“What are your plans today?” Yoo Hye-Sook asked Kang Chan.
“I’m thinking of dropping by the embassy. Do you two have any appointments?”
“Yes. We have to go to the orphanage, so we’ll probably return around the evening.”
The little things made Kang Chan happy.
After washing the dishes, they drank tea together and finished their breakfast.
Kang Chan then went into his room and talked to Lanok. They decided to meet up immediately.
Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook were in the living room.
“It’s cold outside, Channy. You should wear something on top of your suit,” Yoo Hye-Sook suggested.
“Is it that cold already?”
Now that Kang Chan thought about it, it would be too cold to go out in his suit alone.
Yoo Hye-Sook went into their bedroom and brought over a thick coat that Kang Dae-Kyung normally wore.
“Wear this for today. I’ll buy a coat for you,” Yoo Hye-Sook said.
“When did he grow up enough to wear my clothes?” Kang Dae-Kyung wondered.
The way she offered it to him made it impossible for Kang Chan to refuse.
Kang Chan said goodbye to his parents, then headed to the embassy.
***
“Mr. Kang Chan,” Lanok said as he gave Kang Chan a French greeting. He then led him to a table.
“Are you feeling better?” Lanok asked.
“I rested the way you do, so I don’t feel that tired anymore.”
“Hahaha. Are you talking about resting while traveling?”
“That’s right.”
Lanok laughed loudly as he poured Kang Chan some tea. They then took a sip from their respective cups.
Kang Chan first told Lanok about his conversation with Fredric, Pierre, and then his phone call with Anne. He then said, “Honestly, I want to know exactly why you put me in such an important position, Mr. Ambassador. That way, I would know how to act going forward.”
Click.
Lanok looked straight at Kang Chan as he put down his teacup. “It’s been quite a long time since I started to dream of connecting the Eurasian Rail to the world, Mr. Kang Chan. My wife died and Anne got injured when I started dreaming about it.”
Lanok was talking about the time he was shot in his car. It seemed he had already started planning to build the Eurasian Rail back then.
“The time has come for us to officially prepare to establish the Eurasian Rail. This will result in intense competition, and I don’t exactly suit the role of directly participating in such matters,” Lanok explained. “No one is suitable for that role in all of France either. If we miss even a moment in this intense fight, then we will inevitably be ousted. To that end, I think you’re the perfect fit for this role. I also believe that if ever someone of talent emerges in France someday, you’ll protect them.”
Kang Chan sighed softly. He didn’t want to say anything else since the situation had already progressed this much anyway. Right now, Lanok was like a true mentor to him.
“Mr. Ambassador, can I tell South Korea’s National Intelligence Service about my position in the DGSE?” Kang Chan asked.
“You should go with what you want to do for that,” Lanok said as he picked up his teacup. “You’re going to get much busier next year. Consider this a friendly reminder, but if you ever need to issue something to the DGSE, you don’t have to call me or let me know about it unless you don’t need my opinion for it.”
That sounded extremely burdensome to Kang Chan, but he didn’t really say anything else about this either since he had already decided to do this anyway. He believed that Lanok wouldn’t just sit by and watch him make the wrong decision in dire situations.
“Do you have any other appointments today?” Lanok asked.
“No, I don’t.”
“Would you like to have lunch with me, then?”
Kang Chan smiled as he agreed.
With Anne now in France, he didn’t have anyone to eat with during Christmas anymore.
Spending some time with Lanok, Kang Chan told him about his experience in Russia, Germany, and Israel. He also told him what happened when he removed the Blackhead’s energy. Afterward, they had a two-hour lunch.
Lanok burst out with cheerful laughter from time to time as he listened to Kang Chan. Amid it all, he happily held up his wine glass and suggested a toast. He seemed to really enjoy eating with Kang Chan, which they hadn’t done in a long time.
Was Lanok feeling lonely?
Without his mask, Lanok seemed to be revealing his loneliness.
After eating dessert, Kang Chan had coffee, and Lanok some black tea.
“Thank you. I enjoyed this meal,” Lanok said.
“I really missed spending time with you, Mr. Ambassador.”
Smiling strangely, Lanok held up a cigar. “I don’t know what you’ll end up doing from now on, but that just makes me feel excited. I’m looking forward to it.”
After lighting up and puffing on his cigar, he exhaled smoke into the air.
“I’m thinking of working for South Korea for the time being,” Kang Chan said.
“That’s a great choice.” Lanok nodded without even a hint of hesitation. ”Show them what you’re capable of. Eventually, the time will come when what you have to do becomes clear.”
“Will you help me?”
“My goodness! You’re being all political with me now. It seems your training worked.”
The two laughed.
Today, Lanok was welcoming Kang Chan like Jeon Dae-Geuk. Although Kang Chan had spent the most time with him lately, they didn’t really get to spend those times bonding.
Kang Chan thought that he should go to a maeuntang restaurant in Anseong or to a villa in Gapyeong—where he spent a lot of nights—with Lanok someday.
Kang Chan left the embassy at around half past three in the afternoon.
The roads were quiet because of the holidays. At times like this, Kang Chan always thought of Seok Kang-Ho before anyone else.
Seok Kang-Ho swiftly answered when Kang Chan called him.
- It’s me. Where are you?
“I just left the embassy. You?”
- Come to the office. You should see how it looks.
“Sure. I’ll meet you there.”
- Take Hee-Seung with you. He knows how to reach the office directly from the basement.
“Alright.”
After ending the call, Kang Chan called Woo Hee-Seung and headed to the building that he bought.
“The basement parking lot has been nicely renovated. It’s even a lot more convenient than the one in Samseong-dong now,” Woo Hee-Seung said.
“Really?”
While on the road, Woo Hee-Seung explained what changed with the building. Kang Chan couldn’t really understand things like this by just hearing it, though, so he only got what Woo Hee-Seung meant when they arrived.
An automatic door had been installed at one side of the second floor of the basement parking lot to create an area that ordinary cars couldn’t go into. Inside it was a set of double doors.
Kang Chan admired Michelle’s refreshing way of dealing with matters.
As Kang Chan expected, there was a private elevator past the double doors.
“Since a separate door was installed outside the area of where people use this elevator, normal people don’t even know that there’s an elevator in here,” Woo Hee-Seung continued.
“Can we use the other elevators as well?”
“Yes. They are also connected to the top floor, but they require people to input a card first.”
Kang Chan looked at what floor the elevator was at right now. It seemed to be working properly.
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