“Ha-ha-ha!”
Suddenly bursting into mad laughter, Lee Yonghyeon glared at as if he wanted to kill .
“I was stupid. When I killed your mother, I should have killed you too.”
“Why did you do it? Did you really have a reason to kill my parents? Was it just to gain Cheon Sooman and his brother?”
“Reason... Do I need a reason? Or do you want to comfort yourself with one? If I tell you everything, will you spare ?”
He tried to sound calm, but the desire to live was obvious.
“Of course not. What matters is that you killed them. Why you did it doesn’t matter.”
“That’s a fair point.”
Lee Yonghyeon chuckled, then suddenly clenched his teeth, spitting out his words like a curse.
“But do you really have the luxury to be so relaxed right now? Heh... If Cheon Taesan’s going to be your companion to the afterlife, at least you won’t be lonely.”
His words struck my ears like a hamr to the head.
“...What the hell do you an by that?”
“Who knows?”
“Chief Ma!”
At my call, Ma Chief imdiately dialed soone.
Lee Yonghyeon smirked and sneered.
“Isn’t it fate? How coincidental that we both have guns pointed at each other at the sa ti. You and that Cheon Taesan bastard really are tied by a cursed bond.”
“Shut the fuck up. There are plenty of people guarding Pyeongchang-dong.”
“You’re underestimating . Doesn’t it feel strange to you? Doesn’t it bother you that there were so few guards here? That you won this place too easily?”
He was right. There had been fewer guards than expected.
Mr. Pyo hadn’t shown himself either.
We had used firearms, but we’d subdued everyone inside the mansion and captured Lee Yonghyeon far faster than anticipated.
The unease I had been feeling now had a na—Lee Yonghyeon’s words.
“For decades, I’ve been the man pulling Korea’s strings from the shadows. I am Lee Yonghyeon. If Cheon Taesan has hidden fangs, did you think I wouldn’t? So where do you think my hunting dogs are right now?”
“Shut your fucking mouth!”
I kicked Lee Yonghyeon hard in the face. He tumbled, but even then, he laughed through clenched teeth.
My mind spun rapidly.
I had left one Black Bear team behind, but all of Ha Chief’s forces were here.
If they launched an all-out attack over there...
I clenched my fists in frustration.
Could one Black Bear team and the Korea branch mbers hold them off?
At that mont, Ma Chief returned.
His face was grim—worse than I had ever seen it.
“Pyeongchang-dong has been attacked. And...”
* * *
“Did Muhyuk say he’s avenging Misook today?”
“Yes, he said he would finish everything.”
“Will he succeed? Lee Yonghyeon isn’t an easy man.”
“He said he has been preparing for a long ti. He asked you not to worry and to stay by the Chairman’s side.”
Cheon Taesan stared blankly into the air, then shook his head.
“So now it’s my turn to worry about that boy.”
“Chairman...”
Ha Chief’s gaze was like that of a son looking at a father.
Seeing it, Cheon Taesan gave a bitter smile.
“...Feels like just yesterday when I first saw you at the orphanage. Ti has flown.”
“Thanks to you, Chairman, all of us grew up to be who we are today.”
Cheon Taesan’s lips tightened.
“I only did that to turn those children into my blades. I don’t regret it, but... I am sorry. If it weren’t for , all of you could have lived ordinary lives.”
“I don’t see it that way. If not for you, I wouldn’t even be alive. None of us would. It’s thanks to your grace, Chairman.”
“Grace, huh... No, it was suffering. I’m sorry, Myeonghun.”
“That’s not true, Chairman.”
Though Ha Myeonghun imdiately denied it, Cheon Taesan still shook his head.
“How many children died because of my orders? I rember all their faces. I’ll apologize to them in the afterlife... After I’m gone, help Muhyuk as much as you can. He’s going to be lonely.”
“I am always your man, Chairman. And I should take so rest too. Seokdae is already doing more than enough in my place.”
“I never imagined Seokdae would return here.”
At Ma Seokdae’s na, Cheon Taesan’s eyes flickered with regret.
“Seokdae’s younger sister was Minjeong, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“He must still resent .”
“You did your best. Seokdae knows that. He just needed soone to bla. Saying he missed his sister’s final monts because of your orders—that was just an excuse.”
“It’s true, though. He asked to let soone else go because his sister was sick, but I didn’t.”
“That was because you trusted him. That’s why you didn’t stop him when he left for abroad, isn’t it?”
Cheon Taesan didn’t reply, but Ha Myeonghun knew.
To outsiders, Cheon Taesan was rciless and cold-blooded, but to those he accepted into his circle, he was endlessly soft-hearted.
Ha Myeonghun had never once regretted serving Cheon Taesan.
Then suddenly, noise erupted outside.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll check.”
Ha Chief reached for the phone, but the door opened faster than he could dial.
Ha Myeonghun imdiately stood in front of Cheon Taesan, blocking him, and looked toward the door.
It was one of the n Kim Muhyuk had left behind for security.
“What’s happening? You can’t just open the door without a word. Haven’t you been given instructions? Is this how you work?”
“Apologies. Unidentified vehicles have entered the street. Please do not leave this room under any circumstances.”
“Understood.”
“Sorry, it’s urgent.”
“It’s fine. I was startled too. Be careful.”
The man bowed and closed the door.
Only then did Ha Chief step aside, bowing apologetically.
“Forgive for blocking you.”
“It’s fine. It’s going to be a noisy night.”
“According to Seokdae, the team handling security are ex–U.S. Navy SEALs. The Koreans with them are all forr special forces.”
Cheon Taesan already knew but only nodded.
The night sky outside looked unnaturally red.
Inside the study, the Black Bear team leader spoke into his radio.
“From now on, no one gets inside ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) the mansion. Treat anyone approaching as an enemy. Understood?”
― Yes, sir!
“The outer periter will be handled by the team from headquarters. We guard the mansion like a fortress. Not even an ant gets inside. This is live combat. Everyone to your positions!”
He radioed the outer periter team.
“Status report.”
― Approaching the mansion now. We’re holding them off, but there are too many. We can’t use guns, so it’s tough. But we’ll trust you to hold the mansion.
“Got it.”
Then suddenly, sothing crashed loudly over the radio.
“What’s going on?”
― Hey! Hold the line! Keep that barricade!
The connection cut out soon after.
He called several tis, but there was no response.
Rushing upstairs, he peered out the window.
The only road up to the mansion was in chaos—his team and unknown attackers clashed violently, and several vehicles raced up toward the mansion.
“Enemies approaching the mansion. Draw weapons and hold your ground.”
― Yes, sir!
The mansion guards raised their weapons.
This was Seoul, in Pyeongchang-dong, no less. A heavily ard attack in the heart of Korea?
Most neighbors here were high-ranking figures of the Republic of Korea, so he had felt a little at ease—foolishly so, he thought bitterly.
“Never thought I’d miss an assault rifle in my life.”
He reached into his pocket.
A business card Kim Muhyuk had given him—one to call for backup if needed.
“This is Pyeongchang-dong. Ard attackers are assaulting the mansion. Requesting support.”
The voice on the other end said sothing, but he hung up imdiately.
KWAANG!
Just then, vehicles ramd the mansion gates.
Masked attackers poured out of vans and sedans, carrying various weapons.
“Who knew I’d live to actually miss an M16.”
Gripping his baton tightly, he moved back down to the first floor.
Staying out of the line of fire, he fixed his gaze on the front door, ready.
Outside, crashes, shouts, and curses echoed, but the mansion itself was eerily quiet.
Faintly, police sirens approached in the distance.
Kim Muhyuk’s business card had the Jongno Police Station chief’s personal number.
“It’ll be over soon.”
He muttered just as a movent behind him made him whirl around.
Soone was descending the stairs—clearly had entered through the second floor.
How the hell?
Unless he could fly, it should have been impossible, but apparently not.
The team leader clenched his teeth, gripping the baton tighter.
“Is it just you?”
Even with the mask, the man’s eyes radiated killing intent.
“It’s over. Riot police will be here soon. Give up and surrender.”
“Before that, I can kill you.”
The masked man pulled out a dagger.
“That dagger...”
“You recognize it?”
It was a distinctive combat dagger used by special forces.
The fluorescent light glead off the sharp blade.
In a flash, the masked man lunged.
The team leader blocked with his baton, but the attacker, as if expecting that, transferred the dagger to his other hand mid-swing.
Then he slashed at the team leader’s arm.
Swiish!
The unpleasant sound of flesh tearing echoed in the room.
They exchanged several quick blows.
But soon, the team leader realized he was outmatched.
Bloodied, he collapsed to the floor.
“Tch, boring. Better finish up before I miss my chance.”
The masked man turned toward the study where Cheon Taesan was.
The team leader tried to grab him but failed.
“Ghh...”
A short gunshot rang.
The team leader fell again, a bullet lodged in his thigh.
“Don’t be annoying.”
Clicking his tongue, the masked man moved toward the study.
Watching his back, the team leader clenched his teeth.
“...Myeonghun.”
“Chairman, no matter what happens, don’t move.”
Ha Myeonghun stood in front of Cheon Taesan, aiming his gun at the door.
The silence outside was unnerving, but he could feel soone there.
The mont the door opened, he was ready to fire.
BANG! BANG!
Gunshots rang out simultaneously.
The masked man fell forward in front of the study.
“What the...”
Barely holding himself up, the team leader staggered toward the study, leaving a trail of bloody footprints.
The attacker lay motionless at the door.
Kicking him to confirm, the team leader called into the study.
“Are you all right? I’m coming in!”
No answer.
Feeling uneasy, he looked inside.
Inside, Ha Myeonghun, bleeding, was shielding Cheon Taesan.
“Myeonghun! Ha Myeonghun!”
The team leader rushed in, quickly checking for a pulse at Ha Chief’s neck.
“He’s alive. Probably fainted from shock. Chairman, are you all right?”
“Call an ambulance! Hurry!”
“The situation isn’t clear yet. Your safety cos first. I’m sorry.”
Though Cheon Taesan raised his voice, the team leader didn’t budge.
Instead, he grabbed a cardigan nearby and pressed it to Ha Chief’s wound.
“Luckily, the wound isn’t in a fatal spot, but the bleeding’s heavy. Please apply pressure. I’ll guard the door. Once it’s safe, we’ll get him to a hospital imdiately.”
No one knew how many enemies remained outside.
Seeing the man’s resolve, Cheon Taesan finally nodded.
The team leader staggered back to the door, watching carefully as he radioed for updates.
“Myeonghun... you can’t go first like this.”
Cheon Taesan bit his lip, looking down at Ha Myeonghun.
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