Codename-Anastasia-Chapter 51 - 4.5 Hide and Seek 6

The sauna house was almost empty after work, only Kwon Taek Joo and two elderly people.

Thanks to that, he rented a private sauna. The hot air covered his tired body. Kwon Taek Joo comfortably rested his neck and enjoyed the hard-won peace. It is a luxury that he does not know when he will be able to enjoy it again. He looked up at the ceiling with countless drops of water forming. Kwon Taek Joo meaninglessly counted them and rearranged the complicated thoughts in his head.

The key character in this case is not Kim Young Hee or Department Head Lim but Deputy Department 1. The important thing is whether he only has a pure love relationship with Kim Young Hee or something more. If Chief Lim affirms that Deputy Chief 1 is also just a victim of Kim Young Hee, then his crime is limited to neglecting the case. However, if he helped Kim Young Hee despite knowing her identity, or if he acted on direct orders from North Korea, the punishment would be much harsher. The nature of the evidence that must be found to clarify the truth will also be different.

Kwon Taek Joo met Deputy Head 1 at headquarters before going to Russia. At that time he appeared extremely calm. That has never been the attitude of someone who has just lost a lover. If the relationship between them was so deep that it promised a future, could he be so calm after hearing the news about the other's true identity and death?

Kim Young Hee suddenly made a move after a period of silence at a time when the NIS and the prosecutor's office were busy. It could have been just a coincidence, or there could have been orders coming from North Korea at the time. Maybe someone proactively revealed the incident between Kim Young Hee and Lee Cheol Jin. One thing is for sure, if Deputy Director 1 is interested in the NIS head position, he will definitely want to cut off all ties with Kim Young Hee.

If Deputy Chief 1 went beyond the level of mere participation and interfered in operational activities, there is a high possibility that he also contacted Lee Cheol Jin. Lee Cheol Jin is the only survivor among the key figures of the incident. First, it's best to meet him.

Kwon Taek Joo took a quick shower and then went out to the dressing room. He took out his phone and turned it on. A pile of missed calls and texts, all from Yoon Jong Woo. He must have gone to work so he must have heard the news from headquarters. Kwon Taek Joo called the worried Yoon Jong Woo. Before the call connection sound could be heard, Yoon Jong Woo picked up the phone. He asked without stopping.

-Where are you? Are you alright? I heard you came here last night? The atmosphere right now is no joke. Senior, you almost became a terrorist.

"That's all?"

-Really? So what? Why is the senior so calm! They said that the senior tried to kill the department head, which was attempted murder. The arrest warrant has also been strengthened. There will be a request to cooperate with the national investigation agency.

Yoon Jong Woo seems to be hiding somewhere talking on the phone. He lowered his voice as much as possible and whispered very softly but his mouth was moving non-stop. "Jong Woo", Kwon Taek Joo spoke while using his teeth to tear the plastic layer of his underwear.

- Yes. What?

He spoke softly.

"Do you think I shot Chief Lim?"

-That.. I don't know anymore. If it wasn't the senior, then who shot? It's true that you came here last night and met the department head. Really.. What are you planning to do next?

"The others don't know, but you have to trust me. There's no other way now. Chief Lim must have realized that you were helping me."

- Yes? What do we do now?!

"There's no one else there but you who can help me. I forced you to be my accomplice a long time ago. Although.. I wonder if I can reduce your sentence based on the condition that you leave the NIS.."

-It's gone!

"That's why I said that if I get caught, it probably won't work, right? If you don't want to get into trouble, then tell me what you investigated."

-He's deputy chief 1. Did you know he previously worked at the Korean Embassy in the US?

Yoon Jong Woo opened his mouth in a low voice as to say more.

-It seems he met Kim Young Hee around that time. Both were active in a relief organization called 'POC', and also regularly participated in volunteer activities abroad. It is possible that he contacted North Korea at times when he used the excuse to go to a third country. It is highly likely that he contacted Lee Cheol Jin, who took on a role related to communications and transportation in Kim Young Hee's operations. Coincidentally, the time and country Deputy Chief 1 participated in volunteer activities were almost identical to Lee Cheol Jin's movements.

"As expected, we have to meet Lee Cheol Jin first. It's going to be difficult. Jong Woo, please continue to dig deeper for information about Deputy Chief No. 1 and those close to him. If I'm not going to be arrested, the chief Lim won't do anything to you so don't worry."

Kwon Taek Joo gave instructions and ended the call. He turned off the phone immediately as usual.

A new guest entered the sauna. This time it was also a gray haired old man. Kwon Taek Joo started getting dressed as if nothing happened.

Suddenly a look was directed towards Kwon Taek Joo. That old man looked at his belt and frowned. As soon as their eyes met, he clicked his tongue and turned his head away.

Kwon Taek Joo looked at his back in the full length mirror. A clear tattoo appears just above the butt. During this time, he didn't have time to look in the mirror, so he completely forgot about it.

The existence of the tattoo caused embarrassing memories to come back. The sharp feeling of the needle piercing his skin mercilessly, the painful feeling of the ink applied to the wound, even the fingertips gently pressing down on the skin.

Kwon Taek Joo shook his head. He quickly took out his clothes and put them on. He already knew the first thing to do today.

--

"It's going to hurt a lot."

Kwon Taek Joo nodded at the doctor's warning. A drape is immediately placed over the surgical site.

"Hm, looks like it hasn't been long since the engraving."

The doctor muttered to himself as he touched the tattoo. A moment later, the laser turned on with a clicking sound.

"Then I'll start."

Kwon Taek Joo closed his eyes tightly. Laser treatment begins with a characteristic mechanical sound. It felt like there was a flash of light on his tense skin. Kwon Taek Joo suddenly shivered. The throbbing, burning pain continued to spread, and the smell of burning raw meat also rose.

Laser beams are continuously fired into damaged areas causing sharp pain. Kwon Taek Joo had made up his mind, but he still automatically groaned at the repeated stimulation on the rough flesh.

"Shit."

Because the dye has penetrated the dermis, the wound that needs to be treated is also deeper. The doctor was examining the burn site with a laser and clicked his tongue.

Treatment was paused for a while and then started again. Cold sweat continuously poured out from the sharp pain, Kwon Taek Joo gritted his teeth. When the laser light shined on the tattoo, the feeling of contempt that day also suddenly arose.

Some people say this is a symbol of lust.

As if trampling him like that wasn't enough, he also marked him like cattle or a slave. The burning sensation from the burning red needle was still vivid. The feeling of ink seeping bitterly into the wound still hurts.

This is just a contract connecting a lord and a servant.

Kwon Taek Joo clearly remembers Zhenya's sarcastic smile.

He frowned. He was determined to cut everything off, but the events in Russia still appeared indiscriminately in his mind and occupied his complicated mind. The moment Kwon Taek Joo escaped from that prison-like island, that bastard's meaninglessly painful face was still like a dark afterimage in his heart. It gave him goosebumps. His chin was also tense.

The reason Kwon Taek Joo was drawn to him in an instant was because that space was isolated with only the two of them. Because Zhenya is the only person he can talk to, in dire situations, he will turn to him as a place of refuge. There is no room for emotion in temporary compromises for survival. Therefore, nothing has changed in his nature and feelings towards him. Just like that, rationalization was like a mantra that Kwon Taek Joo repeated many times.

Kwon Taek Joo recalled unpleasant memories and then realized his heart started pounding again. It was like having a terrible nightmare. A nightmare that he never wanted to return to.

The skin is being burned and fluid is flowing from the wound, along with that terrible pain, the memories of the past will fade with it.

There's no reason to go back there.

--

Incheon International Airport arrival hall. Large electronic billboards continuously announce flight arrivals. People who came to welcome family, relatives, customers, business partners gathered in front of the gate. Passengers passing through customs poured out endlessly. Because everyone comes from different places, their appearances and costumes are very diverse.

Among them, there was one man in particular who attracted attention. He is so tall that he can be seen from afar. That's why the accompanying passengers and the surrounding receptionists all glanced at him. Some people even stopped and looked back. It's unknown whether this special attention comes from his unusually colorful appearance or not.

The man slowly looked around the airport without paying attention to the looks of the people around him. Around every corner are the faces and voices of Koreans. A quiet smile appeared on his lips, his blue eyes sparkled a strange light.

--

"Fortunately, it was only a muscle rupture. If you slide down a little further, the prognosis will not be good. But you should not overexert yourself. You must rest absolutely until you completely recover, and Monitor rehabilitation well."

Chief Lim just nodded vaguely at the request of the doctor in charge. After completing the examination, the medical team went out, and Deputy Chief 1 walked in. Chief Lim tried to stand up as usual, but Deputy Chief 1 told him to lie down and held him back. Chief Lim finally sat up, Deputy Chief 1 clicked his tongue.

"That person is also real."

In addition to the two people, plainclothes police were always on duty in the hospital room. It's part of personal protection.

"Sorry, I have some personal business to attend to. Please step out for a moment."

At Deputy Room 1's request, the policemen looked at each other. "Just a little," Chief Lim added. There was no reason for them to follow orders from someone other than their superiors, and they had no obligation to follow the plans of the other two. However, they still left quietly.

As soon as the door closed, the friendly smile of Deputy Manager 1 immediately disappeared.

"You still don't know your friend's location?"

"This has already attracted the intervention of the police, so it won't be long before there will be contact. After all, he is a notable talent at NIS, so he won't be caught easily. That's why I advised you to choose another friend from the beginning, is that what I said?"

"You're so calm at the moment."

Deputy Head 1 expressed discomfort. Chief Lim smirked and changed the subject.

"Isn't silencing Lee Cheol Jin more urgent?"

"If that's the case, then there's no need to worry. Since he failed to carry out his orders, he will know clearly that all that remains for him is death. Even if he is killed, everyone will think it's North Korea's actions."

Deputy Chief 1 boasted while whispering another word.

"Maybe we won't make it through today."

--

The sound of an iron door opening could be heard from afar. The warden passed through many doors one after another and stopped in front of a room.

"No. 342. Talk to the lawyer."

He unlocked it and the door opened. However, Lee Cheol Jin sitting there had no intention of getting up immediately. The warden pulled him out as if he was used to it. He handcuffed Lee Cheol Jin's bony wrists and gently pushed him in the back.

It took a long time just to get to the interview room. Lee Cheol Jin's lawyer, who had been sitting there before, stood up. "Please sit down." The two sat down at the warden's request.

"Long time no see."

The lawyer nodded in greeting afterwards. He observed Lee Cheol Jin's absent-mindedness. It seems that the arduous life in prison was not the only reason why Lee Cheol Jin's face was so ruined. There were clear marks of self-injury on his neck and arms. It was said that last night he tied an electric cable to his neck and strangled himself.

"Lee Cheo Jin-sshi, why do you keep trying to harm yourself?"

"Do you know the feeling of someone who just waits for death?"

The outcome of the trial in Korea did not seem to matter, it did not concern him, and he seemed to believe that he would die somehow. Instead of waiting to be eliminated, he chose to volunteer.

Even in that heavy situation, the lawyer still smiled, then he slowly leaned back. The lawyer took off his glasses with one hand and placed them on the table. There was something strange about the eyes that appeared, the feeling of those eyes being so sharp that Lee Cheol Jin didn't know if it was originally like that.

"I heard that Kim Young Hee already has a lover?"

The words were suddenly different. Even the lawyer's tone completely changed, and he seemed to be a completely different person. However, that voice was strangely familiar. Where did Lee Cheol Jin hear it?

"I saw it clearly on the boat, but it disappeared. It was the ring that Kim Young Hee wore."

The lawyer raised his left hand and lightly moved his ring finger. Lee Cheol Jin's eyes opened wide. It seemed he finally knew the cause of the unpleasant feeling of deja vu. The man in front of Lee Cheol Jin was not a lawyer, but that person, a Korean agent who fought with him at a vending machine on the ferry. The person who caused Lee Cheol Jin to be imprisoned here.

Lee Cheol Jin jumped up from his seat. Then, the lawyer, no, Kwon Taek Joo disguised as a lawyer, quietly looked up at Lee Cheol Jin. Kwon Taek Joo looked straight into the eyes of Lee Cheol Jin, who was trembling with panic, and nodded for him to sit down again.

"I even covered her mouth so she wouldn't die easily. Even that disappeared."

Lee Cheol Jin's face added to the chaos. He clearly understood the meaning of the clues that Kwon Taek Joo had just thrown at him. The two people's eyes were tense. Lee Cheol Jin's eyes were full of doubt.

"Sit down, I didn't come here to compromise with you."

"So what did you come here for?"

"I wonder if you know you were stabbed in the back?"

Lee Cheol Jin's eyebrows furrowed, his suspicion deepening. Both he and Kim Young Hee seem to believe that they failed their mission simply because of their own mistakes. Kim Young Hee's death is just self-responsibility. Looking back at the situation at that time, there was nothing suspicious. However, Kwon Taek Joo appeared again and is giving a completely different story.

Kim Young Hee's death in a state of being unable to commit suicide, and the ring's disappearance. Just with those two questionable points, there is already a character associated with it. However, Lee Cheol Jin did not act hastily, he kept his mouth shut and endured even though his eyes wanted to inquire about many things.

"Anyway, that author might be the next head of NIS."

"You said director of National Intelligence?"

"Even if he is a great man who sells his country, he still has to covet that position. Perhaps he can enter the political world starting from being the head of the National Intelligence Agency, but there are two other opponents. half a competitor and it was not a position that could be won with just small achievements. Meanwhile, they were also constantly looking for dishonesty in each other. Perhaps he was very worried. If Kim Young Hee's identity is a secret, or their relationship is discovered, then even maintaining the status quo will be difficult."

Lee Cheol Jin's face darkened even more, his eyes wavering, showing confusion. Kwon Taek Joo sat up straight, looked intently at Lee Cheol Jin and continued.

"If you have something to say, you better do it now. I won't come back here anymore, no one will listen to you except me. Not even your lawyer."

"Why are you trying to reveal the truth? Isn't this a very troublesome matter?"

"Of course it's troublesome. But I've already been hit, so what can I do? I have to return what I received."

Kwon Taek Joo smiled, revealing straight teeth. Lee Cheol Jin's expression wavered slightly. They say you can't spit on a smiling face, but Kwon Taek Joo is an exception. Every time he smiled, Lee Cheol Jin didn't feel comfortable at all. It has been like that from the beginning.

The trial, which has been going on for several months, is about to end. Lee Cheol Jin could guess his sentence just by the atmosphere in court. At least 10 years, if he's lucky not to be eliminated before then.

"There's no need to think complicatedly. He abandoned you first. Is there a need to be loyal to someone like that?"

Kwon Taek Joo persuaded Lee Cheol Jin again, but he just kept his mouth shut and bowed his head, not even moving.

It certainly didn't work, but it's very difficult to believe the words of the person who personally arrested Lee Cheol Jin and put him in prison. Furthermore, to prove the crime of Deputy Division 1, Lee Cheol Jin must completely reveal himself, the organization, and the purpose of infiltration. This is an act of neglect of duty and betrayal of the country.

Even after waiting for a long time, Lee Cheol Jin still had no reaction. There is no sign of compromise. This was not a place to stay for long, Kwon Taek Joo did not hesitate to stand up from his seat.

Until then, Lee Cheol Jin still did not move. However, there are signs of something a bit strange. Looking closely, his body was convulsing. Kwon Taek Joo immediately grabbed his neck.

Ugh

White foam poured out of Lee Cheol Jin's mouth and he collapsed on the table. The eyelids are completely inverted and only the whites are visible.

"Hey! Is there anyone outside?"

Kwon Taek Joo shouted at the closed door. At that time, Lee Cheol Jin, who was having a seizure, grabbed Kwon Taek Joo tightly. Then, he struggled and peeled off the bandage from his lower abdomen, where there was a fresh wound from the stab wound that had just been stitched.

"Ugh!"

Lee Cheol Jin ran his fingers through the wound. The area was stitched open and blood flowed from the wound that had not yet fully healed. A groan came from clenched teeth due to the unbearable pain. Just by looking at it, it seemed like the pain was completely transferred away.

Right after that, a small chip was picked up from Lee Cheol Jin's bloody hand. He gave it to Kwon Taek Joo without hesitation. When Kwon Taek Joo frowned and just stared at him, Lee Cheol Jin even directly placed the chip in Kwon Taek Joo's hand.

"What's this?"

Immediately the security guards came running. They took Kwon Taek Joo out of the interview room and gave first aid to Lee Cheol Jin. The area around the quiet interview room suddenly became noisy.

A prison guard approached Kwon Taek Joo.

"Did he try to harm himself again?"

"No. He had a sudden seizure during the interview. I wonder if he has any problems with his diet or any illness?"

"That's not true.. Things like that.."

The warden stammered and looked away. He did not know whether his words would be caught red-handed by the prisoner's lawyer.

Kwon Taek Joo finally left the detention center as if he was being chased. The prison said they will contact you again when the cause of the seizure is determined. The last time Kwon Taek Joo checked, Lee Cheol Jin was completely unconscious. His face was pale, not knowing whether he was alive or dead. Perhaps Deputy Chief 1 is also trying to eliminate Lee Cheol Jin. If Kwon Taek Joo is discovered to be a fake lawyer, his accusations will continue to be added.

Kwon Taek Joo peeled off his artificial skin and threw it away as soon as he left the prison. He had to move faster.

--

What Lee Cheol Jin gave me was a memory card. What's in this? Just looking at the tearing of flesh and hiding it deep inside, this is definitely not an ordinary document.

Kwon Taek Joo was accidentally walking towards the avenue when he stopped, because three or four patrol cars passed by one after another with sirens blaring. He turned into the next alley and moved restlessly to the narrow road that cars couldn't pass through.

Then Kwon Taek Joo found a photography studio. As soon as he stepped inside, the photographer who was eating quickly stood up and said "Welcome". Kwon Taek Joo immediately gave him the memory card.

"Here, thanks."

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The photographer took the memory card and inserted it into the reader. Kwon Taek Joo tried to wipe off the blood but it was still unreadable, so he took it out several times and tried again. There are only photos and videos in the card.

"There's pretty much.. all of these?"

The photographer turned to Kwon Taek Joo to ask for confirmation. Just as he said, there were hundreds of photos saved. Inside, Kwon Taek Joo could see Lee Cheol Jin, Kim Yeong Hee, and Deputy Chief 1. There was also a scene where only Lee Cheol Jin and Deputy Chief 1 were taken. Given the different appearance and background of the subjects, it seems that the place and time the photos were taken are different. If Lee Cheol Jin did not serve at 'POC', it is clear that he took these scenes to prepare for the possible betrayal between his accomplices.

"How long will it take to print these photos?"

"There are so many that it will take several hours."

The photographer replied and then moved all the images to the print folder. Then, the siren sounded outside again, this time not far away but right in the next alley. Was Kwon Taek Joo's travel route recorded by CCTV?

"What's going on outside? It's been so noisy since just now."

The photographer glanced out of the store and returned the copied memory card. Kwon Taek Joo silently wrote something on paper and then gave it to him.

"Can you send it to me as soon as you have the picture?"

"Is it the prosecutor's office?"

On the paper were the words 'Prosecutor Seok Jae Hee's Office, Prosecutor's Office 1, Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office'. Kwon Taek Joo also did not explain the situation to the confused photographer but only took out 50,000 won bills.

"Then thank you."

The photographer nodded bewilderedly. Kwon Taek Joo bowed slightly, took the memory card and left the photo room.

The photographer was left alone, looking at the money lying on the counter in disbelief. Big profits always come with a corresponding price. Perhaps he is involved in unpleasant matters. He was worried, but the place where the customer had just asked to send the photo was not anywhere else but the prosecutor's office. At least it doesn't seem like this has anything to do with crime.

The photographer immediately put the money in his pocket and started printing.