Chapter 238.2: Yes, It’s My Decision (1)
Creak.
The door opened, and one of the agents peeked inside. “They say they have finished setting up the Mistral and would like for you to take a look at it, sir.”
“All right. I’ll be on my way soon,” Kang Chan replied, immediately getting up.
The sun was already setting on the horizon the ground, casting a hue that was as red as blood over the desolate land.
When Kang Chan climbed up the barracks, he was greeted by two agents, three of the border patrol soldiers, and Kang Chul-Gyu.
Is it okay for an old geezer to stay outside for so long?
Kang Chan couldn’t help but wonder.
While trying to avoid looking at him, Kang Chan examined the Mistral and then turned back toward the agents.
“After checking it twice, I can confirm that it has been installed properly. However, I don’t know if we can still operate it if the temperature drops further,” an agent said.
Kang Chan nodded, then took the metal stairs back down the barracks.
“Pay him the amount,” Kang Chan instructed.
“Er, Bhat says he has something to tell you,” the interpreter said. Bhat then stepped forward.
Do these bastards not get cold?
Bhat had a strange mustache that didn’t suit his shabby face. He spoke in some Mongolian that Kang Chan naturally didn’t understand.
“He says he has a son and a daughter, and he would like for them to study abroad in South Korea,” the agent said.
It was such a ludicrous request that Kang Chan was about to laugh when the agent spoke again.
“He also says that he will stop the Russian mafia from approaching our location for about a month if you can make it happen,” the agent added.
“Tell him I’ll discuss it with Director Kim and President Oh first and give him a decision tomorrow,” Kang Chan directed.
The agent quickly relayed Kang Chan’s words. Bhat nodded, then turned around to leave.
Kang Chan wanted to know which bastard had given the important role of commander of the border patrol troops to that corrupted punk. He couldn’t help but think that this was probably how people from the intelligence bureaus of the United States or China felt whenever they met greedy Korean politicians or businessmen who were looking for any opportunity to sell off their country.
Clunk.
Kang Chan, Kim Tae-Jin, Oh Gwang-Taek, the agent, and Joo Chul-Bum returned to Kang Chan’s barracks.
“They say in 2009, the Democratic Party, which is the minority party, will produce a president for the first time. All the ministers and key positions in the government will likely be replaced. There are a lot of people who are eager to get their share before stepping down,” Kim Tae-Jin explained, likely having read Kang Chan’s expression. “In my opinion, it’s not a bad idea to grease Bhat’s palm a bit and collaborate with the Russian mafia.”
“I’m the one leaving this place soon. If that’s what you decide after talking it over with Gwang-Taek, I won’t oppose it,” Kang Chan replied.
“So it’s not something you’re inclined to do, huh?” Kim Tae-Jin asked.
Kang Chan nodded in response.
“Whether it’s bribing someone or giving someone some money so they wouldn’t attack us, once you start giving, it will never end. And when we start profiting from this business, don’t you think their demands will only keep getting bigger?” Kang Chan questioned.
“If we grow bigger, won’t they be more careful about rushing in to raid us?” Kim Tae-Jin countered.
“I don’t know,” Kang Chan answered, glancing at Oh Gwang-Taek. “Their demands will most definitely grow in the future. They already have a habit of taking money, and we’ll likely have to get their permission to build a factory on top of that. The moment they consider us an endless source of money, they’ll start coming at us with everything they’ve got. They don’t have any other choice either if they want to keep what they’ve been enjoying with that money.”
“Good point.” Oh Gwang-Taek nodded in agreement. “Once you start paying bribes, you won’t be able to stop. Channy’s correct about that.”
“Hmm, It will be tough to fight them once you’ve gone off to Africa, though,” Kim Tae-Jin commented, concern evident in his voice.
“When will the second team be coming in?” Kang Chan asked.
“At the very least, it’ll take them at least three weeks.”
“How many combat personnel are among them?”
“Some of them would be those who served at the DMZ with me, one of which would be Sang-Hyun. It took a bit longer because a few of them were restricted from leaving the country,” Kim Tae-Jin explained. Seeing Kang Chan’s curious gaze, he continued, “Well, there were a few guys who committed some crimes outside of the military after they were discharged.”
I suppose that makes sense.
Kang Chan just moved on instead of dwelling on it too much.
***
Feeling the coldness of the gun in his hands, Kang Chul-Gyu observed the darkness falling on the desolate horizon. He didn’t expect he would ever pull another trigger again in his life.
As he watched the blood-red setting sun, he thought that his wish might just come true.
I could die here.
Kim Tae-Jin said he would help him find his son’s belongings, and more importantly, he heard that the young man named Kang Chan knew his son.
The moment Kang Chul-Gyu heard that, he almost grabbed Kang Chan and begged him to talk about his son. What were his last moments like? What was he like in everyday life? What was he like on the battlefield?
His father? Bullshit. Kang Chul-Gyu was no father.
Even if he put himself in Kang Chan’s shoes, he probably would have jumped on him, grabbed him by the throat, and beaten him to the ground. In fact, Kang Chul-Gyu was grateful to Kang Chan for caring about his son so much.
Kang Chan hadn’t even turned twenty yet—no, he was now twenty. Seeing the twenty-year-old’s eyes, Kang Chul-Gyu was reminded of his younger self. Would Kang Chan believe that?
Kang Chul-Gyu would bark like a dog if Kang Chan ordered him to, and he would stand guard every night if that was what Kang Chan wanted.
As for his son... Kang Chul-Gyu couldn’t even remember what he looked like even if he looked at a picture of him.
My son probably resented me so much.
That was the only thing Kang Chul-Gyu could think of.
His son was already dead, so he wouldn’t know about Kang Chul-Gyu’s feelings, apologies, or regrets. His son was dead.
Kang Chul-Gyu had grown older. Now, when he thought about his son, there were times when tears welled up in his eyes.
I’m sorry, my son!
Kang Chul-Gyu wanted to scream those words at the top of his lungs. He wanted to cry out loud and voice out that he regretted his actions. However, doing those things felt as if he would be dishonoring his son. He knew better than anyone what it was like to die on the battlefield.
How could Kang Chul-Gyu scream and wail just to have some peace when he was the one who had set him up to die like that? Kang Chul-Gyu didn’t deserve to cry. Even dogs would know better than to cry in his position.
In this place, in my current state, I should be there soon. When I get there, you can swear, spit, and punch me as much as you want. If that’s what it takes to make you feel better, do it all. If I fall too far to the bottom of hell for you to reach me, I’ll grit my teeth and climb higher for you.
Kang Chul-Gyu looked at the edge of the ground, which looked as if the darkness had almost completely devoured it.
Suddenly, a terrible pain shot up from the back of his head. Kang Chul-Gyu grimaced and then smiled, thinking of it as his punishment for leading his son to his death. He could only hope that death was waiting for him at the end of this pain.
If I die at the hands of the enemy... I want it to be in the most cruel way possible.
He wanted to pay for his sins by having to struggle through pain.
He had lived for his motherland.
He had lived as if his team members were the most important thing in the world.
Yes, Kang Chul-Gyu had made a decision. It was only right for him to pay the price for it.
Click!
Kang Chul-Gyu saw something move in the dark, so he quickly slung his rifle over his shoulder.
He wouldn’t let anyone touch the people here, especially Kang Chan. He wouldn’t let anyone get to a man who got angry in his son’s stead.
The King of the DMZ. None of you knows the weight of that name. I will protect Kang Chan with my own hands so he can get out of this place safely.
Was it because of Kang Chul-Gyu’s sharp gaze? A few wolves lifted their heads in his direction, but they didn’t budge after that.
Clank.
Kang Chul-Gyu slung his rifle around his right arm again.
***
“All right. We’ll leave in four days,” Seok Kang-Ho told Kang Chan.
- That soon?
“We were informed that if the National Assembly passes the motion tomorrow, we will be leaving the country immediately,” Seok Kang-Ho answered. He turned around to glance at Cha Dong-Gyun before asking, “Anyway, how was it during the night? Since all the people who came in the morning ended up dead, didn’t the rest come to take revenge or something?”
- I don’t know, to be honest. I think we managed to get by with the help of the border patrol soldiers for now. Tomorrow’s the real problem, though.
“What about electricity? Will you be able to charge your phone?”
- We have a generator that runs on gasoline here.
“So you have pretty much everything you need, then!” Seok Kang-Ho exclaimed half-sarcastically.
- Wow, shocker!
Seok Kang-Ho laughed, then continued, “Don’t worry about us over here and take care of yourself while you’re over there. I’m more worried about the people you’ll be leaving behind when you fly over to Africa.”
- Yeah, me too. But it’s not like I can just sit around waiting for the second team to come over. They’re going to be here in three weeks. It’s a mess.
“You should see how things turn out first before leaving.”
- I will. Anyway, be careful.
“Got it, Cap,” Seok Kang-Ho replied light-heartedly.
After hanging up, he picked up a cigarette.
Click.
“Apparently... whew, it sounds like things aren’t looking too good over there. I heard they already fought the mafia today, killing six of them. They also took their Mistral,” Seok Kang-Ho told Cha Dong-Gyun.
“I was only told that they fought the Russian mafia. I didn’t know they showed up with such advanced weaponry,” Cha Dong-Gyun replied, surprise clear in his expression.
“Argh! Now isn’t the time to worry about others, though. Here, have a smoke,” Seok Kang-Ho said, offering him a cigarette, which Cha Dong-Gyun readily accepted. “How’s the interpreter doing?”
“I saw him going in earlier. He looks like he’s about to pass out any minute because this is their first time working together.”
“Phuhuhu,” Seok Kang-Ho laughed cruelly. “We took a guy who has only ever interpreted in an office setting and had him fire a shit ton of live ammo. Honestly, I’m amazed he didn’t piss himself.”
Cha Dong-Gyun tried to muffle his laughter as he chuckled, making him sound as if he was sobbing.
“What if those assholes run away and hide so they don’t have to come tomorrow?” Seok Kang-Ho asked jokingly.
“I’m sure they won’t do that. They’re technically still soldiers, after all,” Cha Dong-Gyun replied, still forcing his laughter back.
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