episode_0185

A size and design that went against the times. It was a satellite phone that only looked plausible after being fully unfolded. It was the first time in his life he had seen one up close like this.

‘…….’

He silently watched Captain Lee attempt to connect with simple operations.

During the short wait for the connection, a myriad of thoughts crossed his mind.

I am also human.

All my emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure—are alive, and I feel them living now.

Because of this, a deep irritation was gently rising within him.

Furthermore, people prefer paths that are comfortable, familiar, and confident.

I am also human.

In his mind, his heart was leaning towards the easy and simple path.

Leave no lingering problems.

He didn’t know exactly what scheme they had concocted.

But the project to follow Taesung’s path was enough to ruffle his feathers.

Before physically unleashing this disturbed mind, he intended to confirm just one thing.

Because he had no intention of just letting it go.

The moment he made up his mind, the awaited connection was established.

“Assemblyman Pyo-nim. It’s me.”

Captain Lee’s voice was calm.

It was a composure difficult to expect from someone with a blade at their throat.

He wondered how much longer he could maintain it.

“The transport is proceeding smoothly. There… a problem has arisen. Seonghan says he has something to say regarding the sample collection.”

A calmness that seemed like a mid-report.

It was hard to tell if he was courageous or simply unaware of the situation.

“Seonghan. Take it.”

Captain Lee slowly handed over the satellite phone.

He slowly took it and put it to his ear, hearing a familiar voice.

“Seonghan. This is Assemblyman Pyo.”

“Put Dr. Jang on.”

“What?”

“I said, put Dr. Jang on.”

He could feel Assemblyman Pyo momentarily flustered by the hostile tone that shot out without any inflection.

“Calm down and tell me what’s happening—”

“Captain Lee-nim’s neck is about to be cleanly severed.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“It means exactly what it says. Keep dragging your feet like that. Next transport, you’ll only receive Captain Lee’s handsome head separately.”

“…Is Captain Lee safe?”

“For now. But if you keep dragging your feet like that, he won’t be?”

“Alright. He’s right next to me. Just a moment…”

A small commotion could be heard from beyond the phone.

Soon, Dr. Jang’s voice was clearly audible.

“I’ve put him on the phone.”

“It’s Seonghan.”

“Seonghan. I heard the st—”

“Dr. Jang-nim. I’ll ask just one thing.”

At the cold interruption, the sound of someone swallowing dryly could be heard from beyond the phone.

“Speak.”

“Are you being threatened right now?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Are you being threatened by Assemblyman Pyo and Daesan?”

“…Ah! No. Not at all.”

The murmuring of people nearby could be heard through the phone.

It seemed they had grasped the atmosphere after hearing his cold tone.

However, it was a different reaction than he had expected.

“Is this about the sample collection? It seems there might be a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“Yes. It’s a misunderstanding.”

His usual warm and gentle tone.

From what he could sense, Dr. Jang didn’t seem to be lying.

But he couldn’t be certain.

If only he could tell him to wave a carrot.

“This isn’t something to discuss over the phone—”

“Understood.”

“Seonghan what d—”

Click.

His mind felt cluttered.

In times like this…

“When the helicopter arrives, let’s go to the shelter together.”

“But…”

When in doubt, acting directly was the fastest and most certain method.

He dropped the knife from Captain Lee’s neck and warned him.

“Remember that I am currently holding back.”

“…Understood.”

As he stepped back, Captain Lee slowly stood up.

He touched the shallow wound and made a complicated expression.

“I can explain…”

“Shut up, unless you want to die right now.”

“Seonghan…”

“If you think I won’t do it, you’re greatly mistaken.”

At the stark threat, Captain Lee clamped his mouth shut.

Turning towards the helipad, he subtly remarked.

“If you want to challenge me, you can. There won’t be another chance after this.”

“…….”

At his somewhat reckless behavior, Captain Lee showed no reaction.

He simply followed silently behind him as he walked.

A commotion arose at the helipad where they arrived quietly.

Captain Lee, bleeding from his neck.

Their atmosphere, so cold it felt chilling.

The soldiers sensed that something had happened and observed them cautiously.

Even as Staff Sergeant Park urgently examined Captain Lee’s wound, the atmosphere felt like it was treading on thin ice.

Even Sergeant Kim, who usually lacked tact, remained silent.

He looked at the two women still asleep inside the pickup truck.

While he was debating whether to take them or not, he heard the sound of a helicopter approaching in the distance.

As he turned in response, the atmosphere among the soldiers was heavy.

It seemed they had grasped the situation, but it was strange that they didn’t show any hostility towards him.

Before he even had a chance to feel puzzled, Sergeant Kim began guiding the helicopter.

He immediately approached Captain Lee.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

As he boarded the newly landed helicopter, he spoke to Sergeant Kim.

“If a single hair on those two women is harmed, I won’t let you die peacefully.”

A simple warning filled with killing intent.

It seemed to have been heard clearly even amidst the loud noise of the rotors.

It was certain, seeing him nod in surprise.

“We’ll be back soon! Keep working!”

“Understood!”

Leaving loud instructions, Captain Lee then ordered them to head to Konkuk University.

“Commander. What about the cargo?”

“This time, we’re just going. At maximum speed.”

“Understood.”

Jo Junwi, who found it strange that only two people were aboard instead of cargo, simply followed the order.

He seemed to have noticed something strange but didn’t voice it.

As a pilot, he had a good eye.

After all, there was nothing to gain by speaking up now.

The helicopter began to take off again without a moment’s rest for its wings.

He fixed his gaze beyond the small window and did not move.

Captain Lee seemed to want to say something, but he didn’t even glance at him.

No matter what he heard now, he couldn’t be convinced.

It would only make his mind more complicated.

His every word, every single word, could lead him to make the wrong judgment.

He was currently considering Captain Lee—no, all the related individuals—as enemies.

It was more beneficial for him not to converse with people who might soon die by his hand.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere inside the helicopter was awkward and uncomfortable.

Even the deafening sound of the rotor blades couldn’t disturb this atmosphere.

This icy atmosphere continued until they arrived at the Konkuk University shelter.

Perhaps because there was no cargo, they arrived and landed more quickly than expected.

It was his first time on a military helicopter, and it was a proper flight, but nothing registered in his eyes.

Captain Lee, who couldn’t utter a single word in the end, sighed.

But even that didn’t register in his eyes.

The moment the helicopter touched down and he stepped out.

From that moment on, he calmed his mind.

More precisely, he lightly covered his sharp emotions with calmness.

So that he could regain his composure even at the slightest ripple.

The people he was about to meet were familiar, but he intended not to waver.

He calmly followed behind Captain Lee, who was walking ahead.

‘…….’

A few people they encountered seemed puzzled by Captain Lee’s sudden return.

But it didn’t escalate into a major commotion.

The atmosphere was somewhat chaotic, but it didn’t register in his mind.

Now was not the time to care about such trivialities.

Silently walking, they soon arrived at Assemblyman Pyo-nim’s office.

Knock knock knock—

“Excuse me.”

“Commander Lee? Are you safe? I was worried because I couldn’t reach you.”

“W-well…”

The owner of the anxious voice was Assemblyman Pyo.

He gently pushed Captain Lee, who was loitering by the door, and stepped inside.

Everyone inside was surprised to see him appear from behind Captain Lee.

‘Perfect timing.’

There were several people in the room.

Assemblyman Pyo, who greeted him with surprise, and CEO Kim, whose eyes were wide.

And Dr. Jang.

He didn’t care about the other individuals.

“What on earth is going on?”

He simply ignored Assemblyman Pyo’s question, which was dripping with bewilderment.

Soon, his expression stiffened, as if he realized something was wrong.

As expected, politicians were quick-witted.

Even CEO Kim of Daesan didn’t rashly step forward this time.

It seemed he at least had a minimum of sense.

He looked at Dr. Jang, silently receiving various gazes.

‘…….’

Dr. Jang’s signature gentleness remained unchanged.

A benevolent complexion and unwavering eyes.

Even the confidence to meet his gaze.

It became clear that there had been no threats, just as he had said.

“I thought this wasn’t a matter for the phone, but you’ve come in person. Please sit.”

“…….”

He did not refuse Dr. Jang’s gentle invitation.

He plopped down into an empty chair and opened his mouth.

“…So you weren’t threatened?”

“Th-threatened?!”

“Shut up.”

“Gasp!”

He silenced CEO Kim, who startled at the unpleasant wording “threat.”

His gaze remained fixed on Dr. Jang.

He showed with his posture that this was not the time for casual talk, continuing their conversation.

“That’s right. There was no coercion or oppression.”

Dr. Jang’s reaction, serious and serene, despite bearing a faint smile, was genuine.

And he wasn’t lying.

“Then, can I take it that you agreed to the sample collection?”

“Yes. To be precise, I requested it.”

“…What?”

For a moment, his head reeled.

“I said I requested it.”

Dr. Jang’s confirmation again left him speechless.

This person couldn’t possibly…

“Dr. Jang-nim.”

“Yes, Seonghan.”

The benevolent voice of the veteran doctor.

For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that that voice was enigmatic.

“I remember the tears you shed in front of me, Dr. Jang-nim.”

“…….”

“And now you’re asking me to believe that?”

“…That’s right.”

“…Hmph!”

At the heavy answer, he took a small, hollow breath.

At his reaction, which had been conveyed over the phone, Dr. Jang continued as if admonishing him.

“I wanted to meet you face-to-face, Seonghan, and explain it in detail.”

“…….”

“Captain Lee-nim and the soldiers don’t know the full story. They were simply asked to collect samples.”

Dr. Jang looked at the traces of treatment on Captain Lee’s neck.

“You’ve suffered unnecessary hardship because of me. I apologize.”

“I-it’s fine.”

“…….”

Dr. Jang seemed at ease, and his dignity as a doctor was palpable.

But this wasn’t the time for that.

Perhaps sensing his growing irritation, Dr. Jang continued.

“Where should I begin…”

“Tell me everything.”

“It might be a bit of a long story, but…”

He chuckled softly.

“Length doesn’t matter.”

“Is that so?”

“You might all die in this spot when this is over, so shouldn’t you prolong your lives a little?”

Instantly, the air in the room pressed down coldly.

People shuddered at the unfamiliar sensation.

He began to genuinely emit killing intent.

Little by little.

Thanks to this, the room became utterly silent.

Sunlight streamed through the window, and faint sounds of daily life could be felt from outside.

It was a scene that, except for the cold sensation, might have been mistaken for an ordinary meeting.

Even in this situation, the old doctor remained unshaken.

Dr. Jang’s opening remarks began to break the strange atmosphere.

“First, let me tell you that the three people representing this place—Assemblyman Pyo-nim, CEO Kim-nim, and Captain Lee-nim—all opposed it.”

“…….”

“I personally persuaded them all.”

His brow furrowed at the feeling of his mind getting tangled.

Had the person who had suffered so much gone mad with guilt?

It didn’t make sense from the start.

“I know what you’re concerned about, Seonghan.”

“…I don’t think you know very well?”

At his words, Dr. Jang smiled faintly.

“Taesung’s reckless actions and inhumane deeds.”

“…….”

“Those circumstances indicate the possibility that they caused this situation.”

Someone who knows that is doing *this*?

As if his thoughts were visible on his face, Dr. Jang quickly continued.

“I have chosen a different path from Taesung.”

“What are you talking about?”

What kind of ghost-shelling-rice-grain talk is this [an idiom for utter nonsense]…

“I will deny them with a direction precisely opposite to Taesung’s.”

‘Is he serious…?’

It didn’t fit the situation, but contrary to his inner feelings, his curiosity was piqued.

It seemed he would have to listen a bit more.