Chapter 21: 1.21 – The train through Siberia – It seems to be Zhenya

The sun came out again. Another day to come. Kwon Taek Joo walked out after washing his face, which was also the announcement that the train would soon arrive in Irkutsk. Only now did he understand why the inside of the waggon was so messy. Irkutsk, the municipality of Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world, is the tourist attraction of the trans-Siberian train. Most travellers get off the train there. Louise is no exception.

Zhenya has not been seen since early morning. Kwon Taek Joo also doesn't know what's wrong with him alone. Although he had a reputation as an associate, he never told him where he was going and what he would do. So what's the difference between the present and when you do the task alone? It seems that he is just wasting his time on unnecessary things.

What happened last night suddenly came to Kwon Taek Joo's mind. His mood suddenly calmed down. He washed his face many times whenever he thought about it, but the discomfort never went away. Kwon Taek Joo still feels the characteristic mucus on his cheeks. Zhenya said it was his fault but it was clearly a provocative and deliberate act. Just like that, the uncomfortable feeling in his heart became more and more boiling.

Kwon Taek Joo gritted his teeth and shook his head to dispel his thoughts. The more you get caught up in that joke, the more you will be true to that kid's intentions. Useless thoughts will only distract him from work. A madman who doesn't know if he's a colleague or a vandalism is driving him crazy and dirty his eyes, Kwon Taek Joo has to stay calm.

He broke his knuckles while looking at the monitoring screen.

Surprisingly, Hong Yeo Wook's seat was empty. Does he go to work errands? For the past few days, he has only left his seat about once or twice in the morning to go to the bathroom. So wait a little longer, he will probably come back soon.

But Hong Yeo Wook did not appear after a while of waiting. There is no reason to delay any longer. Kwon Taek Joo quickly brought the Colt and left the room.

The entrance to the special room remained quiet. He thought Zegna was on the phone outside but he wasn't even there. He must disappear when something important happens.

Kwon Taek Joo walked along the hallway while plugging in both headphones. A volume control device appears on the connected phone screen. It's not that he intends to leisurely listen to music at this time. Kwon Taek Joo carefully manipulates the touch ring and holds the phone near the closed door of each room in the special car and first-class waggon. As he increased the volume to the maximum, every move inside the door was vividly transmitted through the headphones. A deep breath sounded in one room, and a voice inviting coffee for the group sounded in another room, but he also found no suspicious signs.

It would be better if you went straight to the second room and found Hong Yeo Wook. Kwon Taek Joo wears headphones across each train waggon.

Most of the passengers in the second class room were tourists, so the whole room shook when the train passed through an endless snow field stretching outside the window. Even if it's just a tree standing alone, it creates sounds of admiration and everyone competes to take pictures. And as a result, it is more difficult to pass by the train waggon.

Kwon Taek Joo took a step-by-step while carefully checking each seat. Or did Hong Yeo Wook find out that he was being watched and was hiding somewhere? The train has been running non-stop since last night. Hong Yeo Wook can't suddenly fly to the sky, nor can he disappear from the ground. So if you look closely, Kwon Taek Joo will be able to find him.

Obviously, but when the target disappears, Kwon Taek Joo can't help but feel insecure. If Zhenya cooperates a little as a partner, the two can alternate and shift for each other so that they never take their eyes off the subject. No, he was born like that, so even Kwon Taek Joo himself had to keep an eye on him. Instead, he regrets being caught up in his temptation. He moved forward as if he was being rushed to pursue.

Kwon Taek Joo passed by the second class cabin, his luggage and people hitting him made him feel exhausted. A cramped and boisterous third-class cabin was right in front of him. Since the train is about to enter the station, it will definitely be no different from a stalling market.

He took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Oa oaaa oaaaaaa oaaaa...!"

The first is the echos of children's cries. Even finding a place to put your feet on the floor is very difficult. The air is stuffy with a musty smell and everyone around is noisy or lying there completely exhausted. Merchants focussed only on unloading and arranging huge packages with scowls. Just passing by is tired, it's harder to find Hong Yeo Wook meticulously in a place like this than to die.

Kwon Taek Joo kept rolling his eyes looking as he passed the luggage area. He checked his faces one by one, looking at every corner of his seat and the packages of luggage piled up. But I don't see Hong Yeo Wook anywhere. Did he go to the toilet or went down to the restaurant? Kwon Taek Joo stroked his crumpled clothes while moving to the restaurant compartment.

The smell of fragrant coffee hit his nose as soon as he opened the door. It's only early in the morning, so there are not many people. Thanks to that, it is much easier to find. Among the passengers sitting far apart was a single Asian who was a woman sitting alone. There is no doubt because it can't be Hong Yeo Wook in disguise, because of the difference in physique. He also didn't have enough time to disguise himself as a Westerner. Kwon Taek Joo finally had to leave the train waggon without collecting anything.

At the same time, Kwon Taek Joo tilted his head before a new question appeared. Apart from Hong Yeo Wook, he hasn't even met Zhenya until now, even though he has scrutinised it and has not missed anywhere. It was impossible for him to pass by without realising his large body and presence. Where is he after all?

Kwon Taek Joo looked suspiciously out the hallway window. No matter how far you go, there is only a snow field outside. Even sparse old trees seem to be covered in heavy snow. The glittering moon snowdrops wherever the sun shines, looking as if gold dust has been poured on it. I looked at it in vain and reorganised my thoughts in my head.

It was then.

'...'

Kwon Taek Joo quickly turned his head. There is a toilet in the front. It is mainly used by second and third class passengers. A while ago it seemed that someone was there.

He slowly approached and pressed his ear to the door but did not hear any sound. Kwon Taek Joo took the phone out of his pocket and brought it closer to the door. Through this phone, he could only feel the sign of someone's collar gliding too much. Is it Hong Yeo Wook? Or Zhenya?

Kwon Taek Joo did not hesitate to turn the doorknob, but the door was locked inside. It's weird. On cross-border trains, when the stop is approaching, the use of toilets is prohibited between 10 minutes and 30 minutes. Large stations such as Irkutsk usually lock their doors for about 30 minutes and limit their use. Kwon Taek Joo left the room with only about 40 minutes left before arriving at the station, so now there are about 20 minutes left. Who went to the toilet and locked the door? It is also possible to be a train employee. Even so, Kwon Taek Joo still has to check again.

He took a few steps back and took out the Colt on his side and aimed it at the door.

At that moment, he suddenly felt tight behind his head. As a signal of instinct, Kwon Taek Joo immediately turned his head to look back. In the rapid change of vision, a man in jersey is passing by. He was wearing a hood and a mask so he couldn't see his face. Without hesitation, Kwon Taek Joo pointed Colt at that man. Almost at the same time, this man also pointed a gun at Kwon Taek Joo. Stretched arms crossed in the air.

Who is that? Is it Hong Yeo Wook?

Kwon Taek Joo pulls the trigger in half and tries to identify the opponent. But the next moment, a heavy shock hit the back of his neck.

"Bang!"

In an instant, his vision turned yellow and shattered like pieces of glass. A surprise attack without the sound of the toilet door opening, and there was no warning sign either.

Kwon Taek Joo hugged his head staggered. The place where he was beaten seemed to break off and something murmy flowed down the back of his neck. The smell of fishy blood spread in the blink of an eye. He remained vigilant even though his mind was spinning. He alternately pointed a gun at the man in his coat and the bathroom door.

But for a while, his knees trembled and fell. His body, which was almost impossible to stand, finally collapsed. He touched the floor and tried to somehow get up, but it was just a struggle of reason. His body soon softened and was motionless.

In the increasingly blurred vision, the silhouettes of strangers approaching dimly appeared. Kwon Taek Joo's vision is no longer normal. It is impossible to clearly distinguish which of them is wearing black, but why do you have a strong déjà vu feeling?

While consciousness became turbulent, he seemed to have seen Zhenya.