God of Blackfield

Kang Chul-Gyu was already waiting outside.

No matter who had come to the base, Kang Chul-Gyu had always greeted them inside. This time, however, he came out to greet their guests himself.

Kim Tae-Jin, Nam Il-Gyu, Yang Dong-Sik, and the DMZ team members stood behind him, while the foreman cautiously watched them further from the back.

Two women and two men got out of the helicopter. Their bags and the supplies that the base lacked were then unloaded.

The four moved toward the base, seemingly being chased by the wind generated by the propellers.

Kang Chul-Gyu stepped forward.

“Welcome, everyone. My name is Kang Chul-Gyu.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Dae-Kyung, and this is my wife.”

“You’ve traveled a long way to get here.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Not at all. Why don’t we head inside first?”

Kang Chul-Gyu gestured toward the gate and then looked at Assistant Manager Kim and Cha Min-Jeong.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Seok-Jae. NIS.”

“I’m Cha Min-Jeong.”

“Kang Chul-Gyu.”

The two shook hands with Kang Chul-Gyu with honored expressions.

“Let’s head inside for now.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the group entered the barracks, the helicopter lifted off, its engine roaring.

Kang Chul-Gyu led them to the barracks around thirty meters into the base. As if under strict guard, the DMZ team double and even tripled-encircled Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook.

The foreman, who was pushed back a little, tilted his head in curiosity but quickly returned to the barracks when Yang Dong-Sik gazed at him.

Creak.

“This is it.”

The DMZ team member waiting in front of the barracks opened the door for them. As they stepped inside, the dust and wind outside dissipated, replaced by a cozy feeling.

“There are three rooms inside. I know it won’t be the most comfortable, but please make yourselves at home. It also has a separate dining room where you can have some ramyeon if you’re hungry.”

Kang Chul-Gyu led the way through the barracks himself.

“This is Kim Tae-Jin, President of Yoo Bi-Corp.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kim Tae-Jin greeted as he shook hands with Kang Dae-Kyung. Yoo Hye-Sook simply bowed.

“This is Nam Il-Gyu, and this is Yang Dong-Sik.”

They also shook hands with Kang Dae-Kyung and exchanged bows with Yoo Hye-Sook.

“Seo Sang-Hyun, Joo Chul-Bum.”

More introductions followed.

Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook tilted their heads while looking at Joo Chul-Bum. However, they didn’t say anything else. His tanned face and beard made him hard to recognize at first glance.

“If you ever feel uncomfortable, please let any of us know.”

Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook bowed their heads repeatedly in gratitude.

“You’ve come a long way, so please get some rest for now. We’ll see you again tomorrow morning.”

Kang Chul-Gyu led everyone out.

Kang Dae-Kyung, Yoo Hye-Sook, Assistant Manager Kim, and Cha Min-Jeong looked around the room together.

“Goodness!” Yoo Hye-Sook exclaimed. The room was so neatly organized.

There were iron bed frames and wardrobes in both corners, and the room was fragrant.

The four returned to the sofa and sat down together.

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Do we have any green tea?”

Assistant Manager Kim stood up and rustled around. He then returned with bags of green tea in mugs.

Kang Dae-Kyung looked around the living room.

“So our son used to stay here?”

Yoo Hye-Sook’s face showed mixed emotions.

The mugs were placed in front of the four.

It was a long flight, and sleeping on the plane had only tired her out she couldn’t sleep.

“I knew Kang sunbae was here, but I didn’t expect him to welcome us in himself,” Assistant Manager Kim commented.

“Right? I was so nervous when I shook his hand earlier,” Cha Min-Jeong responded.

“Is he a famous person?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.

“I doubt there’s anyone in the National Intelligence Service or South Korea’s special forces who doesn’t know him,” Assistant Manager Kim replied.

Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook exchanged glances. Earlier, they had gotten the impression that Kang Chul-Gyu was the easiest person to talk to in this place.

“There are many stories about him that have been passed down like legends, but what struck me was the respect our instructors had for him. President Kim Tae-Jin and the special forces soldiers have so much respect for him.”

“I see.”

It didn’t seem like Assistant Manager Kim’s impression of Kang Chul-Gyu was getting through to Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook.

After about twenty minutes of small talk, Yoo Hye-Sook said, “Honey, I think I can still hear the helicopter.”

Everyone laughed.

“I’m going to go wash up first.”

Cha Min-Jeong followed her, but Yoo Hye-Sook insisted she stay seated before leaving for the room. About twenty minutes later, she came back out looking refreshed.

“They must have made a new bathroom in the room. I can still smell the cement from the toilet.”

“Really?”

Kang Dae-Kyung stood up.

It was time to sleep.

***

Kang Chan was sitting at the table with Gérard, looking out the window.

Every building in sight now had lights turned on, much like the cars lining up the streets.

Click.

Gérard lit the cigarette in Kang Chan’s mouth.

“Hoo.”

He had been sitting at the table and staring out the window since dinner, which was five hours ago.

Gérard was no different. He sat across from Kang Chan, occasionally bringing him coffee and cigarettes in complete silence.

On the globe, Korea was as small as a stroke of a brush, yet it was even further divided in half by a line that cut through it.

The big, strong, and rich countries had always pushed their nation around or bought them out. As a result, others had begun to think that they could pressure them or punch them into doing whatever they wanted.

After a long moment of contemplation, Kang Chan finally made up his mind.

“Gérard.”

“Oui,” Gérard answered.

For the first time in the past five hours, they had finally spoken to each other.

“I’m thinking of launching a preemptive strike.”

Gérard grinned, causing the scar on his cheek to stretch.

“We’ll take out key UIS officers.”

“What about Romain and Josh?”

“We’ll use Russia, China, and Germany’s intelligence bureaus. We’ll wage an all-out intelligence war.”

Kang Chan flicked his cigarette into the ashtray and looked at Gérard.

“What are you doing here anyway?”

“I wanted you to know that, at the very least, you have me and Daye, that idiot…”

It seemed like Gérard had more to say, so Kang Chan simply wordlessly lifted his mug with the same hand holding his cigarette instead of speaking.

Cold instant coffee had its unique sweetness to it.

“I don’t want you to be lonely, Captain.”

“Punk.”

Kang Chan raised his gaze while waiting for Gérard to continue.

“At the International Building, and when we captured Sharlan earlier today…”

Where is this bastard getting at?

Kang Chan silently looked at Gérard.

“I realized that the officers and agents here are following you just as Daye and I do.”

Kang Chan stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. “So?”

“If you say we’re going to attack the UIS, we will. If you want to beat up Romain and Josh, we’ll help you do that.”

“That’s the plan.”

“You’re worried, though, aren’t you?”

“Me? About what?”

“Me, Date, and the agents and soldiers who’ll have to lay down their lives.”

Kang Chan looked at Gérard in surprise.

“Choy, Krak, me, Daye, and the South Korean agents and soldiers I’ve seen these past few days—none of us are afraid of being deployed to an operation or a battle.”

“You’re being dramatic. My heart aches for those we’ve lost, but losing men has never made me fear operations.”

Kang Chan put another cigarette in his mouth.

Click.

The glass reflected the light of the lighter, then—like a TV changing channels—the red glow of the cigarette and smoke.

“That’s a relief, then.”

This asshole is playing with people’s feelings.

Kang Chan looked back outside the window.

“Sometimes when I’m with you, I get chills.”

What? What is he trying to say now?

Feeling Kang Chan’s stare, Gérard gave him a mischievous expression and took out another cigarette.

“When you shout at us to survive in the most dangerous circumstances, when your eyes glint while leading an operation, and when you hold the sacrifices of your men close to your heart.”

“Well, I am a bit cool,” Kang Chan joked, but it only made his skin crawl.

Gérard didn’t bother to hide his disbelief.

“I’ve never met someone who didn’t want to be in an operation with you. Even the ones who cringe when they hear about the dangers of the operation will grab hold of more magazines if I tell them you’re in charge.”

Gérard blew out a long stream of cigarette smoke. He then added, “I just wish you had more confidence in your orders. ‘I’m sorry you had to sacrifice yourself, but this operation must succeed. I believe in you.’”

Kang Chan slowly turned his head.

“We have all lived at gunpoint and even ran toward it. What gives us the most strength is knowing that we have you in front of us and behind us and that you trust us.”

Afterward, Gérard looked out the window.

“Gérard.”

“Yes.”

Gérard looked back at Kang Chan.

“Tsk! Are you trying to pretend to be cool?”

“Hm? I wasn’t. Aren’t I better than Daye, though? That asshole would probably boil water for ramyeon even at a time like this.”

There was no denying that.

Kang Chan chuckled. Gérard joined him.

“Anyway, those UIS bastards probably think they can get away with messing with you,” Gérard said.

Pft.

The glass captured Kang Chan’s laugh and then, as if surprised by his gaze, quickly reflected the neon signs.

***

It was just after breakfast.

Step, step. Step, step.

The sound of footsteps echoed outside the makeshift city.

“Haah, haah.”

The group had a total of twenty-five men divided into four rows.

Each step they took, the movement of their arms, and the sway of their heads seemed to have been measured to the millimeter with a ruler.

Step, step. Step, step.

Deep in the mountains, the chill of the early March morning made the men’s breaths turn white.

“Haah, haah. Haah, haah.”

They had already completed forty laps.

They had run more than sixteen kilometers, but Cha Dong-Gyun had no intention of slowing them down or stopping.

Sweat drenched their foreheads and trickled down their cheeks to their chins.

“If you’re not confident, you can leave!” Cha Dong-Gyun shouted.

None of the determined soldiers responded.

“First Airborne Forces!”

“Hoorah!” the soldiers responded.

“Second Airborne Forces!”

“Hoorah!”

“Third Airborne Forces!”

“Hoorah!”

Step, step. Step, step.

***

Park Chul-Soo, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the jeep, shook his head.

“Did Dong-Gyun have an argument with his wife?”

Kwak Cheol-Ho hid a smile, unable to answer.

“Why is he working the men so hard so early in the morning? How are they going to do their next training exercises after this?”

Park Chul-Su grinned while glancing at the makeshift city at the end of the road.

“It’s because of Han Jae-Guk, isn’t it?”

“I think so.”

Unlike when they were joking, the expressions of Park Chul-Su, Kwak Cheol-Ho, and the deputy in the driver’s seat were serious.

“The first time we did live ammo training, Captain…” Kwak Cheol-Ho trailed off and glanced at Park Chul-Su.

“Let’s just call him Captain. It’s embarrassing and awkward to call him Assistant Director when it’s just us. And damn you, punk! Don’t say that and then check my reaction! It makes me seem like a prick!”

Hiding another smile, Kwak Cheol-Ho said, “What he said feels more and more true every day.”

“What did he say?”

“He said that he needed men who could survive any situation. To be honest, I thought he was exaggerating at the time, but the more operations we go on and the more brothers we lose, the more I painstakingly understand what he means.”

Remembering the horrible and desperate battles they had fought in Africa, Park Chul-Su nodded. “That’s true.”

He then glanced at Kwak Cheol-Ho. The way he stood with his rifle slung over his shoulder exuded poise and ease.

He wasn’t putting on a front. Although he looked relaxed, Park Chul-Su knew he could pull the trigger at any moment.

“Give me a cigarette,” Park Chul-Su said.

Kwak Cheol-Ho looked at Park Chul-Su with wide eyes.

“Do you have any?”

“You shouldn’t be smoking right now, sir,” Kwak Cheol-Ho said.

“It’s not for me.”

In the distance, they could hear Cha Dong-Gyun calling the men and the airborne forces answering loudly.

“I want to give it to the general.”

Kwak Cheol-Ho pulled out cigarettes and a lighter, then handed them to Park Chul-Su.

“Help me out,” Park Chul-Su said.

Park Chul-Su held out his arm, and Kak Cheol-Ho assisted him out of the jeep.

He walked with difficulty. The deputy in the driver’s seat rushed over and supported Park Chul-Su’s left arm.

Park Chul-Su forced himself to walk down the path to the makeshift city until he reached the spot that offered the best view.

He then put the cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

Click, click.

He propped himself up on his elbows and braced his upper body. With the pain too much to overcome, he frowned as he lit the cigarette.

A smoke that was different from the white air he breathed rose from his mouth and the end of the cigarette.

“Put it over there for him.”

Kwak Cheol-Ho carefully took the cigarette Park Chul-Su gave him in front of the downhill view of the makeshift city.

Kwak Cheol-Ho held Park Chul-Su’s arm again.

“General,” Park Chul-Su said quietly. “I’m sure you’re watching them right now.”

In the distance, he could see the water vapor rising from Cha Dong-Gyun and his men.

“This guy here too.”

Kwak Cheol-Ho looked down. He then slowly raised his gaze to the sky.

“They’ve already grown so much. They’ve become men who will emerge successful anywhere in the world.” Park Chul-Su frowned as he lifted his upper body. “You’re the reason they’ve gotten this far and can now fight for their rightful place today.”

He then forced his arm up and saluted up toward the sky.

Afterward, he heard Cha Dong-Gyun yell, “Back to the base!”

Park Chul-Su put his arm down, turned around with difficulty, and headed toward the jeep.

“Is that live ammo training?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Isn’t it unfair to just ask the men to run? I don’t think I could obey those kinds of orders either.”

“Only Lieutenant Cha goes on the live ammo drills.”

Vroom.

As the jeep started up, Park Chul-Su looked at Kwak Cheol-Ho in surprise.

“If we join them right from the get-go, the training will be a mess.”

Vroom, vroom.

Park Chul-Su grinned and looked at the sky above the barracks.

These wonderful bastards!

Their behavior now was a clear demonstration of what General Choi Seong-Geon had wanted them to be.

Park Chul-Su kept blinking his tears away