Chapter 213.2: Something I’ve Always Dreamed About (1)
“Can you make a promise to the sitting president that you will do your best to strengthen South Korea so the Eurasian Rail will be connected before I die and so the citizens of our country will never be in danger like this again? I want South Korea to become a nation that no one will ever dare to touch, one that the citizens of other countries across the world will be envious of. Would you promise me that you will do your best to make South Korea powerful?” Moon Jae-Hyun solemnly requested. People with convictions were truly scary. Even Kang Chan found his eyes intimidating.
Damn it!
Since he was reborn, too many people had been making a space for themselves in his heart.
There was no way Kang Chan could refuse a request as genuine as this.
“I will do my best, sir,” he responded equally gravely.
Moon Jae-Hyun smiled from ear to ear.
“Director Hwang, I have a favor to ask,”
“Of course, sir,” Hwang Ki-Hyun replied.
“We can’t fall behind France. I want Kang Chan to be the head of the National Intelligence Service’s counter-terrorism special forces. I also want him to be appointed as the assistant deputy director. His status as a special-grade agent of the special forces will be maintained as it is.”
“I will process the paperwork right away.”
Jeon Dae-Geuk’s cheek twitched due to the force he was clenching his teeth with.
“I will also grant him the ability to mobilize the special forces in Jeungpyeong,” Moon Jae-Hyun added.
“But Mr. President—!”
“I grant Mr. Kang Chan the ability to proceed with operations without needing approval. He will give a report to the Director of the National Intelligence Service within twenty-four hours of his return.”
“For that, the Jeungpyeong special forces have to be put under the National Intelligence Service. As its assistant deputy director and the head of its counter-terrorism special forces team, he will naturally have the authority to mobilize our agents. It is also advisory for him to only proceed with operations after receiving approval,” Hwang Ki-Hyun worriedly commented.
Moon Jae-Hyun turned to look at Hwang Ki-Hyun.
“The Jeungpyeong special forces is the core of our military, so there will be strong opposition from them. If we have to explain each of these situations to them, Mr. Kang Chan’s identity will inevitably be revealed to the public,” Hwang Ki-Hyun continued.
Moon Jae-Hyun sighed quietly and glanced at Kang Chan with a small smile. “Being the president doesn’t mean I can do everything I want.”
Why were there so many of these kinds of men in South Korea?
“All right, then! I would like the head of the counter-terrorism team to command the hostage rescue operation in Afghanistan. I pray for the safe return of our citizens,” Moon Jae-Hyun said.
“I will do my best,” Kang Chan assured him.
Moon Jae-Hyun stood up and held out his hand toward Kang Chan.
Things are getting complicated.
Jeon Dae-Geuk proudly watched on like an uncle watching his nephew being promoted.
***
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Allo?” Lanok answered the phone on his desk.
- Monsieur Kang has procured his path through China.
Lanol had a smile in his eyes. He looked quite amused.
- As you expected, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has given Monsieur Kang the position of assistant deputy director as well as leader of the counter-terrorism team.
“It was expected, but at the same time, it’s a bit unexpected. I see South Korea is steadily becoming stronger. A country that recognizes talent and knows how to use it will become proportionally as powerful as that talent.”
- You knew the National Intelligence Service would react sharply because of the double agent protocol, no?
“Yes, I was expecting it. But for the great France to prosper, Monsieur Kang needs to have some power.”
- I know this is all according to plan, but I can’t help but be worried.
“Anne,” Lanok said her name softer than usual. “Maintain your composure at all times. If you show any weakness, people will inevitably want to exploit them. Focus on helping Monsieur Kang so he can grow as quickly as possible. That is our best course of action.”
- Yes, Father.
“What about the approval from the Afghan government?”
- South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has contacted them, but if the DGSE hadn’t pressured them, it would’ve fallen through.
“I see they still lack experience in that aspect. And the forces surrounding the hostages?”
- There are approximately two hundred fifty armed Shia forces waiting within a ten-kilometer radius.
“Knowing Monsieur Kang, he won’t ever resort to bombing, so this will be quite a challenge. This incident will be a good opportunity for you to learn as well. I believe you can handle it,” Lanok said with conviction.
- Papa?
Lanok just silently listened.
- Everything really will be okay, right?
“Become stronger, Anne. Now is the time for resolute action, not weak sentiments,” Lanok firmly warned her. He then hung up the phone.
“Moon Jae-Hyun and Hwang Ki-hyun. They’re definitely not easy,” Lanok muttered to himself before taking a deep breath. “Monsieur Kang, this is where everything starts.”
Lanok glared sharply at the clock.
***
Kang Chan only went to the meeting to create a plan for the emergency situation, but he ended up coming out of it as the assistant deputy director of the National Intelligence Service and head of its counter-terrorism team. Returning to Samseong-Dong, he felt as if he had just been hit by a truck.
It was already ridiculous enough that Kim Hyung-Jung had a map of Afghanistan spread out in front of him with an expression that seemed to say that he was awaiting Kang Chan’s instructions. However, Jeon Dae-Geuk also looked like he was so proud of Kang Chan that he wanted to give him a kiss.
“What are you doing, sir?” Kang Chan asked Kim Hyung-Jung.
“We need a plan on how to rescue the hostages. If you want to rescue them before the hostage video is made, please issue an order to mobilize the special forces team first, Mr. Kang Chan,” Kim Hyung-Jung said.
Kang Chan felt genuine irritation bubbling up inside of him.
“Please don’t misunderstand. Right now, we need instructions from you, Mr. Kang Chan—I mean, Commander Kang. We have to request assistance from France and China for this affair, and your rank is necessary for that,” Kim Hyung-Jung explained.
“Then for the time being, let’s go on like we’ve been doing until now. We’ve already got our hands full, and we do not have the time to be concerned about other matters at the moment,” Kang Chan stated.
“Chan is right,” Jeon Dae-Geuk agreed.
“Shall we begin by requesting the mobilization of the special forces team?” Kim Hyung-Jung asked.
“That sounds good,” Kang Chan responded.
Finally! Things are finally moving along.
“How many personnel would you like to deploy?” Kim Hyung-Jung asked.
“Let’s go with twenty-four. Have gas masks prepared as well. I also want Woo Hee-Seung and Lee Doo-Hee to join the team, so you only have to select twenty from the Jeungpyeong special forces.”
Kim Hyung-Jung picked up the phone on the desk to proceed with Kang Chan’s commands.
“Are you planning on commanding them yourself?” Jeon Dae-Geuk asked.
“Yes, sir,” Kang Chan replied.
“Don’t you think you should leave the special forces team to handle this one?”
“I don’t think they’re ready for me to leave them to their own devices just yet, especially since Cha Dong-Gyun and Choi Jong-Il won’t be there either.”
Jeon Dae-Geuk’s face was back to how it normally was.
***
Seok Kang-Ho, Cha Dong-Gyun, and Kwak Cheol-Ho looked on with nervous expressions as the deputy hung up the phone.
“We’ve received orders to send twenty armed soldiers to Osan,” the deputy said.
Cha Dong-Gyun stood up from the chair next to the bed.
“Kwak Cheol-Ho, compose a list and arm the team,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Kwak Cheol-Ho replied before rushing out.
“Please do my part for me, sir,” Cha Dong-Gyun said as he looked at Seok Kang-Ho. He still appeared to be quite pale.
“Do you know what someone with subpar combat skills has to do to become the boss of the class?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.
Cha Dong-Gyun didn’t seem to understand what he meant.
“He has to fight like his life is on the line. There will be an endless number of these kinds of operations in the future. The captain I know doesn’t start things without properly seeing them to the end,” Seok Kang-Ho continued.
He dug through his pocket and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter, offering them to Cha Dong-Gyun.
Click.
“Right now, the best you can do is recover quickly. Come with us on the next operation.”
“Yes, sir,” Cha Dong-Gyun replied. He puffed on the cigarette once before immediately putting it out.
“What’s wrong?” Seok Kang-Ho asked, puzzled.
“I was told to keep away from alcohol and cigarettes if I want to recover quickly,” Cha Dong-Gyun explained, looking quite determined.
Seok Kang-Ho couldn’t help but smirk.
***
The preparations proceeded swiftly.
With a single phone call, they obtained approval for the operation, and through a satellite operated by France’s DGSE, they received detailed photos of the hostages’ approximate location.
That wasn’t all the DGSE was capable of. They sent over detailed information on the enemy’s armed personnel, their types of weapons, the mastermind behind the kidnapping, individuals involved in it, and even nearby armed forces likely to support the kidnappers. All of this was provided in so much detail that Kim Hyung-Jung shook his head in admiration.
“I’m honestly envious,” Kim Hyung-Jung remarked.
“Hopefully we’ll reach this level soon,” Kang Chan agreed.
“These kinds of abilities provide better safety for the agents going on the operations,” Jeon Dae-Geuk said approvingly, a bit of jealousy in his eyes.
“Since they left Jeungpyeong, they should arrive in about two hours and thirty minutes,” Kim Hyung-Jung informed them.
“Fatigue is likely going to be a problem. If the enemies have nuclear weapons like Mystras or Iglas, taking a helicopter is going to be dangerous. Whatever the case, I will receive as much help as I can from the French DGSE. Please prepare satellite phones and codes in case we decide to travel by land,” Kang Chan requested.
“Understood,” Kim Hyung-Jung said as he noted each of Kang Chan’s requests.
Is this everything?
A map, team, weapons, satellite phones, and paths with escape routes. Kang Chan slowly reviewed the map from the beginning.
Sometimes, one could feel a gaze on them without seeing it. Kang Chan turned his head to see Jeon Dae-Geuk looking at him with a heavy expression.
“I must be getting old,” Jeon Dae-Geuk said.
“How so?” Kang Chan asked.
“I’m anxious about you going on this operation.”
When Kang Chan smirked, Jeon Dae-Geuk nodded. “This is something I’ve always dreamed about. But now that it’s actually happening, I finally understand a bit of how Choi Seong-Geon felt.”
“I’ll return home with everyone rescued safely,” Kang Chan assured him with a smile.
“Of course you will. Good luck,” Jeon Dae-Geuk said.
Kang Chan couldn’t help but grin. It was strange, but South Korea had many incredible people like Jeon Dae-Geuk.
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