Chapter 112
HERMIT
The reporters, who had been blocking the arrival gate at Incheon International Airport, moved aside in response to In-hyuk's movements.
Even during that time, the questions continued to be thrown at him. In-hyuk watched for a moment and then touched his tablet.
"I've just sent photos to each media outlet."
As soon as he began to speak, the reporters gradually closed their mouths, until only the noise within the airport echoed.
"Some of you reporters are included, so you'll be able to check. And the people in the photos are those who have systematically watched and tailed CEO Tae Ju-ha and me during our business trips to various countries."
At the same time, the reporters' eyes widened.
"Are you saying that the people in the photos are related to the recent attack?"
"Do you know who's behind it? Or do you have someone or an organization in mind?"
"Are they people you personally know?"
In-hyuk waited, making eye contact with the reporters, until they quieted down again.
Overwhelmed by the tension, they quickly snapped their mouths shut.
"I don't know where they belong. But just by seeing that the people changed each time I visited another country, I thought it couldn't be a regular organization. I expect the media won't overlook this and will write about it."
Finishing his words, In-hyuk moved away from the reporters.
Of course, the reporters didn't stand still and pursued him further for more answers.
In response, Taeshin's security guards blocked the surroundings and escorted them safely to the car.
Once they were inside, Tae Ju-ha, sitting next to In-hyuk, stared at him.
"Is this what you meant when you said not to worry earlier?"
"I can't solve it myself, so I have to borrow others' hands."
Tae Ju-ha was dumbfounded.
"And you're not provoking them even more this way?"
"But I can't just sit still, can I?"
"..."
In the passenger seat, Baek Si-hwan poked his head out.
"Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?"
"Yes. Just take us home."
With In-hyuk's firm answer, Baek Si-hwan hesitated momentarily before continuing.
"And... Executive Vice President Tae Seok-ho wishes to meet with Division Director as soon as possible."
"Understood. I'll contact him myself."
The mood grew heavier.
And so, the car carrying In-hyuk and Tae Ju-ha left the airport for their home in Hannam-dong.
* * *
Bang—
The loud noise had come from the office of the Director of the National Intelligence Service.
The director, Jin Jong-man, as before, had the deputy general managers from each division seated before him.
"These are all our agents. What do you think?"
On the table between them lay a stack of photographs.
The brow of Choo Jae-min, first deputy general manager, twitched.
"... I have no excuse."
It was because all the overseas team agents belonged to the First Division.
Already, the problems in Hong Kong and Russia had caused chaos, and now another incident had erupted, leaving Choo Jae-min even more troubled.
Meanwhile, Jin Jong-man swept his gaze over Choo Jae-min and the other deputy general managers with a grim face.
"Is this also the work of Director Nam? Are you saying that man reached beyond his own jurisdiction?"
The one now mentioned was Nam Chan-woo, head of the Asia Branch of the National Intelligence Service, who had been found a few days earlier hanged in his residence.
At the time, a will was found claiming he had moved agents without authorization.
Of course, that alone couldn't excuse the agency from responsibility, so Jin Jong-man had tried to finish the matter as quietly as possible.
He also ensured the police and prosecutors handled Nam Chan-woo's suicide quietly.
However, the problem flared up again when Kang In-hyuk, who had just returned from abroad, distributed the photos during an interview.
Cautiously, first Division's Choo Jae-min opened his mouth.
"To be honest, there are too many suspicious points for it to just be Director Nam's doing. If he were skilled enough to mobilize agents in Europe, wouldn't he have chosen to flee rather than commit suicide?"
"You're saying... he was forced to commit suicide? But they say there were no signs of homicide. The burner phone he used to contact the Hong Kong agents was also found there."
A significant amount of evidence pointed to Director Nam Chan-woo as the culprit.
Yet, given the newly discovered circumstances, even that seemed strange.
"I think more investigation is needed. Including the agents in these photos."
"That would be digging further into the First Division. Are you sure?"
"I can't claim I'm not responsible. But clarifying the doubts must be for the good of the National Intelligence Service."
Listening to Choo Jae-min's reply, Jin Jong-man glanced at Shin Jin-hong and Im Deok-chang.
"What do you two think?"
The pair exchanged wary glances.
Then Shin Jin-hong of the Second Division spoke first.
"I also think a reinvestigation is necessary."
Naturally, everyone's gaze turned to Im Deok-chang.
Meeting the others' eyes, he cautiously spoke.
"I'm of the same mind. If something's suspicious, we need to reinvestigate. If this issue becomes public, it'll be too much for the National Intelligence Service to handle."
Thus all three division deputy general managers agreed.
Director Jin Jong-man wore a dignified expression from his seat at the center.
"For now, I've ordered all agents in these photos to return to Korea. Unless I say otherwise, that won't be revoked. If anyone tries to flee, even if the reputation of the NIS is ruined, we'll pursue them by any means necessary and apprehend them."
At that, Im Deok-chang's expression hardened slightly.
He had secretly warned the relevant agents through other channels to go into hiding, but he didn't know if that was before or after Jin Jong-man's orders.
Knock knock—
At that moment, Nam Min-seong, secretary to the director of the NIS, entered after knocking.
"What is it? I told you not to disturb unless it's urgent."
"There's urgent news from Europe."
"Urgent news?"
"They raided Oruch Al Pasha's hideout in France."
It was the place where Delta Scourge had clashed with Notex's large vessel from Portugal.
The incident, which occurred recently, had made huge waves as all Korean hostages were murdered during the confrontation.
Because of the criticism that the Korean government's response was too slow, the NIS had continued receiving information from surrounding countries.
The other deputy general managers also listened in surprised silence.
"What happened?"
"The raid succeeded. They killed or captured nearly all of Oruch Al Pasha's key members. But..."
He trailed off at the end of his explanation.
Jin Jong-man tilted his head.
"There's more?"
"One of the items Delta Scourge seized from Notex's cargo was over 1.4 billion US dollars in cash. The French are requesting the Portuguese government to investigate Notex."
"One point four billion dollars? That's almost two trillion won... Don't tell me they were caught transporting illicit funds?"
"For now, that seems to be the clear direction of the investigation."
That amount was equivalent to the monthly operational budget of the Korean Ministry of National Defense—an enormous sum that no country could take lightly.
"There's no way Notex didn't know about the funds being transported. What was in the background report on the Korean employees who died during the fight?"
"I anticipated this and prepared it. Briefly, they were all orphans who had been working in Portugal on employment visas."
When Jin Jong-man checked previously, there had been nothing special.
In fact, because they had no relatives, no one stepped forward directly to protest about the incident, which had worked in the government's favor.
"Form a separate team and dig deeper. If any of them are found to be related to the 1.4 billion dollar shipment, that could raise new problems later."
"Understood."
After Nam Min-seong left and the door closed, Im Deok-chang spoke up cautiously.
"If it's all right, can I take charge of investigating those personnel?"
"The third deputy director?"
"You're going to have First and Second Division handle the overseas teams, right? Since this issue can't be taken lightly, it might be better for me, rather than the director level, to handle it."
After glancing around at the others, Jin Jong-man asked Choo Jae-min.
"Is that all right with you, Deputy Director Choo?"
Investigating the deaths of Korean citizens overseas naturally related to the affairs of the First Division, which oversaw the relevant area.
"I don't have a choice."
As he gave his nonchalant answer, Jin Jong-man was about to continue when he felt a vibration inside his jacket.
bzzz—
Reading the message, his expression hardened. He then glanced at Shin Jin-hong and Choo Jae-min.
"Hmmm. Let's do as decided. For the investigation of the European branch agents, Deputy Director Shin Jin-hong will lead, with Deputy Director Choo Jae-min assisting."
Shin Jin-hong looked uneasy. Investigating the inner workings of the NIS meant that any lack of results could put him in serious trouble.
"... Understood."
"You may go now. Ah, Deputy Director Choo, stay behind—I have something to discuss with you. And, call in Secretary Nam outside."
The people in the office changed according to his directions.
Nam Min-seong, who entered later, saw the note Jin Jong-man handed over. He left for a moment, then returned with some equipment.
"Check this, please."
As Jin Jong-man gestured, placing a finger to his lips to signal silence to the surprised Choo Jae-min, Nam Min-seong powered on the equipment and moved around the room.
It was a bug detector.
A little later, Nam Min-seong came closer and reported quietly.
"There doesn't seem to be any unauthorized device installed."
"No issues with the equipment?"
"None at all."
Jin Jong-man made a complicated face and sent him out again.
Choo Jae-min, who had been watching, cautiously asked,
"... Was there a reason? Did someone bug the office?"
The NIS was always extremely vigilant about security.
Of course, wiretapping and bug detection were routine, especially for those in important positions.
The director's office, in particular, was more tightly secured than any other.
"I just received a message like this."
【HERMIT : Hwain Techon slush funds, Notex, Delta Scourge, National Intelligence Service.】
Upon checking the content, Choo Jae-min's face also turned grim.
"Did it arrive just now?"
He recalled seeing Jin Jong-man checking his phone earlier.
"That's right."
"Notex—as in the Gulf of Guinea incident...?"
"Exactly. But an unknown source lists Hwain Techon and Delta Scourge along with the National Intelligence Service... How are we supposed to interpret this?"
"Ah... That's why you checked for eavesdropping."
Since the message matched the contents just discussed, anyone would naturally be suspicious.
"So, what's your take?"
Of all the deputy directors, Choo Jae-min had always backed Jin Jong-man from behind on his way to the top.
So, when the First Division incident broke out, he hadn't initially suspected him.
But as it fell within his territory and was severe, scolding him was unavoidable.
Of course, this actually supported the idea that Choo Jae-min wasn't the culprit.
Anyone in their right mind would know not to cause trouble from a position where they'd be the first suspect.
After thinking for a moment, Choo Jae-min replied.
"... For now, I think this is closer to a tip-off than a threat."
"Your reasoning?"
"Hwain Techon, Notex, and Delta Scourge are names that have recently dominated the headlines. Connecting those three must mean there's something there."
"And why mention the National Intelligence Service? To stir up internal dissent?"
He said this, conscious of the possible ploy to scatter their attention.
"Even to someone like me, in charge of overseas affairs, the Hwain Techon situation looks suspicious. Such a big company suddenly falling into bankruptcy through a funding shortage is odd."
"So you think it's worth investigating?"
"I'd like to look into it if it's all right. Besides, while Deputy Director Shin is investigating, I'll barely be able to handle First Division duties."
Jin Jong-man looked at the message on his phone and answered.
"All right, do it. Keep it as quiet as possible."
"Understood."
"And bring in a specialist in telecommunications for tracing. We need to find where this message originated from. Do it without letting Deputy Director Im know."
"Understood."
Whether the second and third deputy directors could be trusted still remained a question.