Codename-Anastasia

Chapter 7: 1.7 New Mission: Face to Face

Kwon Taek Joo entered the room. He ignored the bag that had been brought before and just took off his clothes and went to the bathroom. He walked in and stood under the shower and pulled the lever. Hot water slowly poured down on his head. Kwon Taek Joo stood still under the water for a moment and then leaned his upper body against the wall. He needed time to organize his thoughts.

He agreed with the police explanation that the kidnapping upon arrival in Russia was the action of forces opposing the energy facility contract. There is no other doubt. But what he couldn't understand were the crocodile leather shoes that appeared at the scene. Who exactly is that person, and what is his purpose in coming there? In the end, he received help from him, but it was difficult to guarantee that he was his ally. Did he have no intention of harming Kwon Taek Joo from the beginning, or was he just unable to do anything because the police arrived too quickly?

Just thinking about him being there right behind Kwon Taek Joo was enough to make him suffocate. He could barely move, it felt as if there was a crocodile living nearby, and if he were startled just a little, it would tear him to pieces. Kwon Taek Joo felt like he was thrown into a barbaric world without a single armor on his body. This was the first time he didn't even dare to fight back. He tried with the will to survive but was defeated with unbelievable ease. What will happen if his brother is determined to harm Kwon Taek Joo?

Pointed shoes, the smell of cigars, a calm voice and violence without any hesitation. His violence is not simply controlling the opponent, but it is more like the process of gradually engraving fear in the prey and destroying it little by little.

Kwon Taek Joo gritted his teeth and shook his head. He forced himself to shake off that lingering afterimage. If it's a bad memory, it's best to forget it as soon as possible.

Kwon Taek Joo was trying to finish showering quickly, but the bandage on his arm was really making him uncomfortable. He removed the wet bandage without thinking too long. His wrist ached, but not unbearably.

The artificial skin covering the face was also decisively peeled off. Instead of the tired face that had fallen off, there was Kwon Taek Joo's refreshed face. He quickly washed his face and hair and put on his robe.

He walked out and opened his bag. The bag had been bumped here and there like Kwon Taek Joo himself, messy with mixed belongings. Above the pile of clothes were razors, game consoles, watches, tablets, cameras, etc. He lined them up and took out a small screwdriver from the hand tool box and began to disassemble them. Brand new items in the blink of an eye.

He took out the necessary parts from each item and put them together. A small device that connects to a mobile phone is used for such completed work. It's a high-tech device that periodically changes IP using the hotel's communication network and can prevent eavesdropping or hacking. He plugged it into his laptop and booted it up.

Kwon Taek Joo entered the password and waited a moment. Soon a simple screen appeared. Among the countless icons, he clicked on a commonly used SNS messaging application. Immediately after logging in, the National Intelligence Agency logo appeared and Kwon Taek Joo was quickly connected to headquarters. Chief Lim's face appeared on the screen immediately after saying "You're late". Kwon Taek Joo also complained.

"If you're going to hide my identity, shouldn't you choose someone safer?"

"You have to be valuable enough to be kidnapped to meet high-ranking people."

"It seems like you knew this was going to happen, huh?"

"Why is it like that? I just figured it could happen. Because you are an excellent agent, even if you are in danger, I believe you will survive."

He can say anything. Kwon Taek Joo asked again with a dissatisfied expression.

"What happened? Apparently you said Gazprom would pick me up."

"Yes. That party contacted me saying they would send someone to the airport."

"Did you really receive contact from Gazprom?"

"What's up?"

His identity was almost revealed. They waited for a long time, then said he didn't show up and immediately called the Itochu Group. I diverted the call and blocked it. I heard your flight didn't arrive on time due to chaos on the plane? It seems there was a mistake with the Gazprom staff who came to the airport to pick him up. I heard that an Asian person who entered Russia before you impersonated Hiro Sakamoto. Only later did I find out he was not Hiro Sakamoto. Meanwhile, he was kidnapped by a fake employee.

That's right, everything started to get messy on the plane because a stupid Russian guy was drunk and behaved rudely. Kwon Taek Joo leaves the airport late and meets Vasily, a fake Gazprom employee.

"But it's much later than expected, isn't it?"

"There was a small commotion in the plane."

"Are there any drunk people causing trouble again?"

"..That, how do you know?"

This is remembering the story with the name Vasily.

How do you know what? Because it's the same group, so what? As expected, he killed Vasily so easily. Kwon Taek Joo clenched his fists in rising anger and then frowned, because his wrist suddenly throbbed.

He looked down at his right arm. The place where the killer grabbed it was still bruised with a hand clearly printed on it. The shame he had suppressed the moment he encountered him surfaced again. No matter what, Kwon Taek Joo must reveal this guy's identity, otherwise he will have to live with that terrible feeling of surrender forever for the rest of his life.

Kwon Taek Joo confides in Chief Lim about the murderer. His plan was to borrow the information capabilities of headquarters. But Chief Lim reacted with disappointment.

"Let's see. If you haven't seen his face, there's no way to confirm who he is. According to his research, 4 thousand packs of cigars were sold, meaning there could be up to 4 thousand buyers. Trying to keep track of everything would take a lot of time. Furthermore, the shoes he wore were not limited edition products."

Kwon Taek Joo opened his mouth but then closed it again. It's not wrong either.

"It's just the first day but it's already a lot of hard work, right?"

Ignoring Chief Lim's comfort. Kwon Taek Joo just held his head in frustration. Chief Lim observed for a moment then leaned forward.

"No matter how much you like working alone, if you're such a mess from the beginning, how can I feel secure in this far away place? I will be very worried about you."

"Why do you suddenly say such itchy words?" He continued, "I'm afraid something will go wrong."

"I found someone to help you."

"You didn't say that before."

Kwon Taek Joo frowned. This mission is only for him to perform. He did not announce that he would have a partner until just before departure.

But only now, after coming this far, did he secretly reveal that truth. This sly person is no different from a snake. Kwon Taek Joo stared at the screen. Chief Lim didn't mind and continued talking.

"That friend not only understands the geography of that place but also the movement of power and money. It will help a lot. Looking at the situation, I think that party will contact you in advance the day after tomorrow. When I have time I will send a photo of that friend so please check carefully."

He brazenly blurted out what he wanted to say and then as if remembering something, he went "Ah." raised a voice.

"Since you will meet directly with the people involved in the contract tomorrow, let's learn more about the LNG equipment project."

The communication was cut off before Kwon Taek Joo could speak. A file arrived from Chief Lim. He opened it discontentedly. Soon after, details of the contract signed between Russia and Japan and documents related to the construction of the LNG facility appeared in the form of a 527 page PDF file.

Kwon Taek Joo stared intently at the pile of documents filled with tiny words and then suddenly turned his head. The soft bed without a single wrinkle was seducing him. But he had no other choice.

Kwon Taek Joo let out a sigh that made his shoulders droop and stood up. He opened the minibar and took out beer. drank half the can, then returned to the table. He took a deep breath and sat down. Finally, my academic luck is booming after a long time.

______

Kwon Taek Joo sat in the main restaurant with an extremely depressed expression. Key Russian and Japanese figures are expected to enjoy lunch there. Fortunately, there was no suspicion from Japanese officials about him, because there was no need to focus attention on a lower-level employee. All vou have to do is finish today's lunch safely and attend the celebration party that will be held in a few days. The moment he left the gathering of Russian political and business tycoons, his role as Hiro Sakamoto ended.

Suddenly Kwon Taek Joo looked at the clock. The scheduled lunch time was noon, but the minute hand had passed the number '12' and was heading towards the number '6. Those who arrived on time were forced to stay for about 30 minutes, because the Gazprom representative did not arrive. The person in charge of Gazprom called the company several times to confirm. The sight of him struggling to stand still looked extremely pitiful.

"... Mr. Sakamoto?"

Kwon Taek Joo was so distracted by that distracting scene that he even missed a question from a Russian official.

"Yes? Ah, sorry. What did you just say?"

"I heard you had some bad luck on the day you entered the country. Are you okay?"

"Ah yes. The Russian police arrived just in time so I was safe. He even kindly took me to my place."

"I don't know how to apologize for this... I'm sorry for putting you through something like that."

"No, why do you have to apologize? I should have paid more attention, I really have no face."

Kwon Taek Joo replied politely but his eyes did not show any shame at all. He said it was okay but the other person kept apologizing. After that, even the Japanese delegation began to bow their heads in unison. They apologized for making him scared, saying it was their fault so he didn't need to worry. They apologized, he apologized, everyone was in chaos.

Then Kwon Taek Joo suddenly felt uncomfortable. He stood up, drawing the attention of both delegations to him. Kwon Taek Joo was about to try to sneak out so he smiled wryly and asked for sympathy.

"Please excuse me for a moment."

He even pretended to wash his hands and then went out. A deep sigh rang out as soon as he closed the door. Kwon Taek Joo was loosening the tie that was tightening his neck when he suddenly stopped. Gazprom's CEO was still standing in the aisle making a phone call. He was talking to the person on the other end of the phone in a somewhat angry tone, but in the quietest tone possible.

"Where is the chairman? Has he departed? Is he not coming?"

The patience until now suddenly melted into soap bubbles. Not long after, the employee broke out in his suppressed anger.

"Representative? What are you talking about? Is the

representative coming??"

That was the moment where all his patience thus far came to naught. Kwon Taek Joo clicked his tongue and leisurely went to the bathroom.

To find the bathroom, he had to go down a separate hallway. He opened a door that reached the 5 meter ceiling and entered. Kwon Taek Joo checked inside the room as usual and let out a long breath when there were no suspicious signs. He came to stand in front of the sink.

Kwon Taek Joo wiped his hands and looked back at his activities. The other day he fell asleep looking at the PDF file that Chief Lim sent. That night wasn't too bad except for a rather vague dream. I don't know if it was because he was so tired that he fainted for a while.

Yesterday morning he finished reading the remaining PDF files and this afternoon went to the airport to welcome the Japanese delegation. Even after examining each situation, it doesn't seem like there were any major mistakes. Studying was indeed just cramming, but thanks to the contract documents he had read in the past two days, Kwon Taek Joo was able to understand the conversation without any difficulty.

At the same time, a sound rang out from outside the door. Someone's voice. If he wasn't talking to himself, it sounded like he was talking on the phone. Is that the person in charge of Gazprom's affairs just now? The door opened, and that voice reached Kwon Taek Joo more clearly. His body stiffened for a moment.

"...No. I'm here but it will probably be boring."

It seems like you've heard it somewhere before. Where?

That memory is not too old. Although he didn't hear it often enough to be familiar with it, that moment was so powerful that it was imprinted in his mind.

While Kwon Taek Joo was trying to recall the memories that seemed to have disappeared, the voice from before rang out again. Exactly right behind him.

"Let's be clear. If it's support, then what happened last time is enough."

It's him. Kwon Taek Joo can be sure without looking back. This was the killer he met in that makeshift building two days ago. As soon as he realized that fact, all his senses become sharper. The first thing to wake up is the sense of smell.

Kwon Taek Joo could feel the strong scent of wet leaves gently burning. An unmistakable scent of delicate cognac and rich Aroma. Cohiba Behike. The excitement that couldn't be ignored seemed to weigh heavily on his shoulders, even though the other person hadn't smoked a single cigar.

His voice still echoed in the background. He stopped right at the door and continued the call.

Then, Kwon Taek Joo suddenly felt a gaze. He still didn't look back or look in the mirror, but that was certain. He is looking at Kwon Taek Joo. A chill ran down his spine.

"That's enough... I know."

Maybe it was just an illusion, but his tone sounded a bit longer. The call ended. The eyes following him became much clearer. Now only he and Kwon Taek Joo were left in the closed bathroom.

He constantly washed his hands and watched his movements. He always looked down at his hands without appearing to recognize who he was. The atmosphere quickly became heavy. Time passed so slowly.

How long has it been? The man's footsteps, which had stopped, echoed again. He walked to the sink right next to Kwon Taek Joo. Soon the water poured out with a clicking sound. He began to gently rub his hands.

With just that small movement, Cohiba's scent became stronger, along with memories of the first day he smelled that scent rushing back.

Kwon Taek Joo tried to act as calmly as possible. He turned off the water as if he didn't know him and then used a prepared towel to dry his hands.

I wonder why that murderous bastard appeared at this moment right here. If it's random then what a damn coincidence. Just considering the economic situation, this is not a place he cannot go to. The only problem is that he is locked in a closed space with him.

Must avoid. The thought that he shouldn't be in the same space as him took over his entire body. Kwon Taek Joo felt the pressure on his brain increase in tension.

He threw the wet towel into the trash and tried to escape. At that moment, a sudden word was thrown out that made him choke.

"You didn't even say hello? It seems like we know each other."

"So Japanese people aren't that polite?", he continued. Kwon Taek Joo didn't look back. He couldn't even open the door handle he was holding. Don't know what will happen if you act hastily. Even if something bad happened here right now, even if he killed Kwon Taek Joo by smashing his body, no one would know. And if someone finds out, it will be too late.

He continued sarcastically, hesitating, "That's all a Samurai's manners are, right?" The tone was calm but didn't sound entirely comfortable.

He didn't say anything more after that. Kwon Taek Joo put all his senses behind him and walked out without saying a word. As soon as the door closed and he got rid of him, Kwon Taek Joo breathed a sigh of relief. His heart was pounding. Maybe he hadn't realized it but it seemed like it had been like that a while ago. He didn't remember the last time he was this stressed.