God of Blackfield

Chapter 281.1: Let\'s Wait and See (1)

“I can’t believe thirteen of our agents have been killed! Those fucking sons of bitches! I should just go there myself!” Seok Kang-Ho growled.

“Go where?”

“Algeria is right beside Libya, isn’t it? I’m sure I’ll be helpful to the agents if I go to Libya with them.”

Kang Chan carefully sipped his hot coffee and then placed the cup down.

“We’ll both have targets on our backs, so don’t be reckless,” he responded.

“If we fight them this way, more of our people will die in vain. I’m sure you know that as well as I do.”

Seok Kang-Ho looked out the window, his eyes filled with spite. He seemed to be remembering that there were agents on standby somewhere.

“The agents assigned to us have the same look as the Jeungpyeong special forces team had before. They’re hungry for experience. I bet they’re so worried about what everyone thinks that they can’t even shoot anyone without worrying about it first. Shouldn’t we teach the agents not only how to fight but to have confidence in themselves as well?”

“Calm down. Now that you’ve mentioned it, we’re only skilled in combat. We don’t know much about the information warfare that the agents go through every day.”

Seok Kang-Ho frowned. “I doubt it’s any different from actual combat.”

“Daye,” Kang Chan quietly called. “It’s good that you care about the soldiers in Jeungpyeong and the agents, but you’ll just cause problems if you lose your cool or try to interfere in every matter. Don’t you know how the soldiers who look up to you and respect you will react if you get worked up?”

Seok Kang-Ho quietly sighed. “You’re right.”

“Let’s just observe for now. We can’t take care of everything, can we?”

Seok Kang-Ho blankly stared at his cup.

“Did you know any of the fallen agents?” Kang Chan asked.

“That’s not it.

“Why are you acting this way, then?”

Seok Kang-Ho looked at Kang Chan. “I just feel bad that they died. I’ve grown close with the agents. We’ve eaten and even played jokgu together.”

Kang Chan smirked, remembering Dayeru sobbing after being beaten up multiple times. In his previous life, Dayeru had been very lonely.

“Both the soldiers in Jeungpyeong and the agents around us are putting their lives on the line to do their duty. Don’t you think the least we can do is make sure that no one dies unjustly?” Seok Kang-Ho asked. He still looked quite upset.

“Got any cigarettes?” Kang Chan asked.

Seok Kang-Ho took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed one to Kang Chan. When Kang Chan took it, Seok Kang-Ho put a cigarette in his mouth and flicked his lighter.

“Right now, we have to prioritize constructing the power plant and connecting the Eurasian Rail. We also need to identify the son of a bitch who sent us to Africa,” Kang Chan explained.

“Got it,” Seok Kang-Ho answered. He picked up his coffee as he exhaled cigarette smoke.

Kang Chan stared at him.

In the past, Dayeru couldn’t completely understand how soldiers could genuinely care for their comrades. Hence, it used to always confuse him whenever Kang Chan’s lid flipped for losing men he genuinely cared about.

That same person had accepted the soldiers in Jeungpyeong. Now, he was starting to genuinely care about all of the agents as well.

“Hoo.”

After blowing out the smoke, Kang Chan took a sip of his coffee.

How painful would it be for Seok Kang-Ho if we were to lose someone he truly cares about?

It could drive Seok Kang-Ho insane. He might even fly to Algeria and take revenge by himself.

Dayeru was starting to go through the same things that Kang Chan and Gérard had experienced.

They sat in silence for a moment, drinking about half of their coffee.

“What are you going to have for dinner?” Seok Kang-Ho asked, breaking the silence.

“I’m going to eat at home. The graduation ceremony is in two days. I have to go home early and tell my parents that I won’t be able to attend.”

“Good thinking. They’d probably be very upset.”

“What else can I do? I’ll at least do my best to explain.”

Kang Chan stood up with Seok Kang-Ho.

It was just a little past six.

Kang Chan parted ways with Seok Kang-Ho in front of his apartment building. When he opened the front door to his apartment, Yoo Hye-Sook welcomed him in.

“Good timing! I was just about to call you to ask if you’d be eating out for dinner,” Yoo Hye-Sook commented.

“I’m sorry—I should’ve called you before coming home.”

“It’s okay! You came home right on time. Would you like to eat now?”

“Where’s Father?”

“It seems like he has plans today.”

“I see. Let me go get changed and wash my hands first.”

Kang Chan went into his room and put his pistol and radio back into his desk drawer. He then changed to more comfortable clothing and washed his hands.

Heading to the kitchen, he found Yoo Hye-Sook scooping rice into bowls.

“Why are there so many side dishes?” Kang Chan asked.

“Those are the japchae and the pork bulgogi we had yesterday.”

Lettuce, which they could use to make a wrap, crown daisies, perilla leaves, and blanched squid were also on the table.

“Let’s eat!” Kang Chan exclaimed.

“Alright, Channy.”

Yoo Hye-Sook served Kang Chan some kimchi, then sat across from him.

Kang Chan had missed the taste of Yoo Hye-Sook’s cooking so much. He couldn’t say that it was more delicious than food from restaurants, yet for some reason, he seemed to always crave it. Eating her food made him happy.

“Did Father say he’ll be home late?” Kang Chan asked as he was scooping up some soup.

Beep beep beep beep.

As if on cue, the front door opened, and Kang Dae-Kyung walked in.

“Huh? Is that you, honey?” Yoo Hye-Sook asked.

“Welcome home, Father. Didn’t you have plans?” Kang Chan asked.

“We finished early. Honey, is there food for me?”

“Yes. Go wash your hands before you eat.”

Kang Dae-Kyung went into their bedroom and took off his jacket. He then walked over to the table.

“Here you go!” Yoo Hye-Sook exclaimed.

She served Kang Dae-Kyung rice and soup while Kang Chan prepared his utensils and water.

“This makes me happy. Time to eat!” Kang Dae-Kyung said.

With a joy-filled expression, he picked up his spoon. The three ate together.

Should I tell them while we’re eating or would it be better to tell them after?

Kang Chan decided to finish dinner.

After cleaning up after themselves and doing the dishes, Yoo Hye-Sook brought over half of a melon that she had wrapped in plastic wrap. It probably wasn’t the other half of the melon that they had eaten with Kim Mi-Young.

The three sat at the table and ate the fruit together.

“My graduation ceremony is in two days,” Kang Chan said.

“Yeah.”

Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook already seemed aware of it.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to go,” Kang Chan said, choosing not to beat around the bush. “They’re planning to construct a power plant in South Korea, which would be connected to the Eurasian Rail. The countries that supply crude oil are very opposed to this new technology, so the government thinks it would be dangerous for us to be in crowded areas for the time being.”

Once done with his explanation, he looked at his parents.

Kang Dae-Kyung was staring back at him, his eyes seemingly saying that he felt bad for Kang Chan. Yoo Hye-Sook was trying her best to hide that she was upset.

“Won’t you be upset for not getting to attend your graduation?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.

“It doesn’t really matter to me. I feel guilty for you two, though.”

Kang Dae-Kyung nodded. “Are you involved with this power plant you speak of?”

“A little. Since it’ll be using France’s technology, it’s hard for me to just back out of it.”

“Is that why assistant manager Kim seems a bit more sensitive than usual lately?”

“Is he?”

Glancing at Yoo Hye-Sook, Kang Dae-Kyung responded, “I just felt like he was. Honey, I know you’re upset about not getting to attend Channy’s graduation. What should we do?”

“It’s fine. If Channy is going to be in danger, then it would be best not to go. We shouldn’t force our son to attend just for our sakes.”

Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook appeared to have an easier time accepting the news than Kang Chan had expected. Perhaps it was because of the gunfight at the basement parking lot, which forced them to stay in a hotel for a few days, and because they had been around agents for a while now.

“Will the school send your diploma over at least?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked Kang Chan.

“I think so.”

“We should take a picture with it once it arrives, then.”

Perplexed, Kang Chan looked up.

“We can take a picture somewhere like the bench in front of our apartment building. That way, after you get married, your mom and I can look at it and reminisce about it,” Kang Dae-Kyung explained.

Wouldn’t that just make them feel more miserable and heartbroken?

Contrary to his thoughts, however, Yoo Hye-Sook looked dead serious.

“I’ll be sure to dress up for that day,” Kang Chan said.

“You should wear your school uniform,” Kang Dae-Kyung responded.

“Will do, Father. Mother, will you be giving me a bouquet?” Kang Chan asked.

“A bouquet?”

“Yes. In every graduation photo I’ve seen, the graduates were holding a bouquet.”

“If you want a bouquet, then I’ll be sure to pick a nice one,” Yoo Hye-Sook replied.

“Let’s have dinner together as well,” Kang Chan suggested.

Kang Dae-Kyung chimed in, “It’ll be my treat.”

Despite their acceptance, Kang Chan still felt bad for his parents.

“This must be hard to take in. I’m sorry.”

“Seeing assistant manager Kim and the agents always makes me feel bad. They probably have their own families and important occasions, yet I’ve never seen them take a day off,” Kang Dae-Kyung said.

“That’s right, honey. Miss Min-Jeong has never taken a day off either.”

“Right? That’s why we should be thankful we even get to take a picture together in front of our apartment, especially since Channy came back home safely from Af—!”

Kang Dae-Kyung immediately stopped himself and glanced at Yoo Hye-Sook, observing her mood. Had he been even just a second late, he would have said ‘Africa.’

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Yoo Hye-Sook asked.

“Just felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I’m okay now, though.”

“Is it serious? When did it start hurting?”

Fortunately, Yoo Hye-Sook was naive enough to believe Kang Dae-Kyung and his acting skills.

“I’m fine, really. I just need to go to the bathroom.”

“Why are you like this? You’re not a child anymore!”

Kang Dae-Kyung looked at Kang Chan before responding to Yoo Hye-Sook’s grumbling. “Going back, we should be glad that Channy is back home, not out in Mongolia. Let’s take a picture and have dinner after we get your diploma.”

“I’ll make sure to give you a pretty bouquet, Channy,” Yoo Hye-Sook said.

“Thank you.”

Kang Chan felt much better now.