Chapter 24 : Siege (Part-1)

Geummyeong Security Headquarters.

The door to the office of Manager Yoo Ah-ra swung open, and Team Leader Choi stepped inside, making his presence known as he entered the professional space.

Manager Yoo, appearing visibly annoyed and perhaps frustrated with the day’s demands or the conversations that had preceded this moment, did not bother to meet his gaze.

Instead, she quickly and dismissively tossed a freshly printed business card in his direction, the card fluttering slightly through the air before landing on the surface in front of him.

“Oh, Team Leader Choi. You got promoted. You’re a manager now.”

“Thank you, Manager. I’ll work hard.”

“Sorry I couldn’t give you time for a handover. The others follow you well, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

His straightforward answer pleased Manager Yoo, reflecting the clarity and decisiveness that was appreciated in high-pressure situations.

He listens well and works efficiently, demonstrating a strong ability to absorb information and execute tasks in a timely manner,

But his adherence to the rules was a bit of a flaw, occasionally stifling creativity and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.

Since he was Manager Jeong’s right-hand, he could manage the others well, coordinating tasks and fostering teamwork effectively,

But he lacked charisma or reputation, which was a slight disappointment, as it limited his influence and ability to inspire those around him.

But with Manager Jeong, Team Leader Woo, and Team Leader Kang all gone, there was no one else in the practical roles to take charge.

“Good. Good. Then you take charge of Team 1 and go to Dongyang Department Store. Catch President Han Shirin for me.”

“Yes. Understood. But what if President Han isn’t at the department store?”

“If she’s not there, bring her to me. If you break down the department store, won’t she just come back on her own?”

President Han Siyeon had mysteriously disappeared without leaving any clues behind, but could it possibly be that her disappearance is somehow linked to her younger sister’s actions or whereabouts?

If you manage to capture and confront President Han Si-rin, there is no doubt that the existence and location of her concealed older sister will inevitably come to light.

Furthermore, if Min Cheol-woo also makes an unexpected appearance during this process, it would undoubtedly be considered a significant victory.

Could President Han Si-rin make the decision to abandon the department store and flee from her responsibilities?

No.

That woman would never choose to run away from her obligations.

She had been putting in relentless effort and struggling for over ten years, dedicating herself to her work and professional pursuits, and she had only just succeeded in establishing a solid foundation for her business and career.

Leaving that behind to escape would be akin to making the choice to revert to the hardships and deprivations of being a beggar in Yanbian, a place where dignity is stripped away and survival becomes an endless struggle.

Should they choose to instigate trouble or cause a commotion, it is inevitable that she will concede, ultimately surrendering her pride, and return to the situation with desperate pleas, expressing her willingness to relinquish her older sister as a bargaining chip.

“Did you do kendo?”

“Yes. I was a former player.”

“Take this sword with you.”

“Uh, is it okay?”

“Yeah. You can use it however you want, but just return it after you’re done. Breaking it during a fight is fine, but if you leave it behind or get it stolen, you’ll be in trouble with me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Manager.”

Manager Choi took hold of the sword with both hands, a look of surprise escaping his lips as he exclaimed, “Ooh!”

Even prior to drawing the blade from its scabbard, he could already sense the exquisite balance that the sword possessed, its weight distributed flawlessly across the finely crafted design.

As he carefully and slightly drew the blade from its resting place to inspect it further, he noted its distinctive grayish hue, a clear indication that it was forged from high-quality super steel-grade high-carbon steel, renowned for its durability and performance.

Such an extraordinary sword, with its remarkable craftsmanship and materials, must command a price of over a million, right? Manager Choi’s hands began to tremble, overwhelmed by the sheer extravagance of the weapon before him.

“I’m going to visit the military airport with my direct team.”

“Yes. Have a safe trip, Manager.”

After Manager Yoo put on his outerwear and exited the office, Manager Choi observed him departing with a bewildered and somewhat stunned expression on his face.

Even though the Geummyeong Group exerts influence over a vast array of establishments and sectors, they are unable to extend their control over military facilities, which operate under a different set of regulations and oversight.

While the chances are exceptionally slim, it remains within the realm of possibility that Min Cheol-woo might manage to escape the country via a military airport, potentially collaborating with the National Intelligence Service to facilitate such an action.

By acquiring the detailed flight schedule for both transport planes and refueling aircraft that are scheduled to land on foreign soil today and tomorrow from high-ranking generals, he only needed to make a visit to the military base in order to verify and confirm the information provided to him.

This was not a task that could be easily accomplished by just anyone, but due to Manager Yoo’s extensive military background and experience, he possessed the necessary skills and capabilities to successfully manage such an undertaking.

“Shh…”

Team Leader Choi’s hand, which was firmly gripping the radio that crackled with static, trembled slightly as he stood amidst the bustling environment of the operations center.

The abrupt transition to a managerial position, along with the responsibility of overseeing Team 1, was an enormous challenge that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

This unexpected advancement was not something he had anticipated, nor had he actively sought out this role, but perhaps due to his years of dedication and extensive experience in various capacities, he found a way to navigate the complexities of this new situation.

Surprisingly, despite the weight of the moment and the pressure of expectations, Team Leader Choi remained composed and unflustered, exuding a sense of calm that served as a stabilizing force for those around him.

Had he anticipated that such a precarious and dangerous situation would arise? That couldn’t possibly be the case.

How could he have ever predicted that Manager Jeong would meet her untimely demise due to a grenade explosion in her very own office, a place where she should have felt safe and secure?

How could he have expected, in any realm of possibility, the abrupt and alarming order to launch an assault on one of Seoul’s largest department stores with the aim of capturing the president and bringing him back?

The sudden promotion and operation that occurred were indeed unexpected and caught many by surprise; however, Team Leader Choi remained calm and collected in the face of this unforeseen situation.

This wasn’t the first time anything of this nature had transpired within the organization, and Choi, having experienced similar scenarios previously, knew how to navigate through the complexities with poise and confidence.

After dedicating many years of service to this company, it was almost anticipated that one would become somewhat desensitized to the unpredictability and fluctuations that characterize the corporate environment.

“I’m Manager Choi Jun-young. From now on, I’ll be taking full control of Team 1.”

[Please speak, Manager.]

“Tomorrow at 07:00, we’ll begin the encirclement of Dongyang Department Store. We’ll block the nearby roads under the guise of a movie shoot, and we’ve also blocked the broadcast helicopters. All forces will be lightly armed except for the first team. I’ll join them in heavier gear.”

[How much heavier?]

“We’ll be geared up enough that we can’t even put a finger on the trigger.”

[Ah…]

Dealing with the department store’s security guards who were equipped with revolvers wasn’t particularly difficult.

Rather than opting for a strategy that involved heavily arming themselves, which would only serve to slow them down and complicate the operation, it was far more advantageous to execute a swift and efficient assault.

The primary objective was to neutralize the threat posed by the security personnel swiftly and to subsequently carry out the kidnapping of the president before she could make her escape.

Nonetheless, there existed the ever-present possibility of encountering unexpected and formidable resistance.

As a precautionary measure, a heavily armed unit was being readied to address any unforeseen challenges that might arise during the operation.

It wasn’t a bad idea to have one assault squad strategically prepared and on standby, ready to respond swiftly in case they encountered unexpectedly heavy fire during their operations.

At times like this, it was crucial to prioritize the well-being of the first team, ensuring that they were adequately equipped and supplied with all necessary resources to handle any potential challenges they might face.

“By the way, did you catch the runaway kid?”

[Are you referring to the sniper who took on a second job with Team 2? Yes, we’ve caught him. He swore he wouldn’t run away again. He’s right here with me—should I switch him out?]

“It’s fine.”