Chapter 3: 1.3 – Prologue – Psych Bogdanov

Kwon Taek Joo's boat landed in a corner of the pier. He did not encounter any hinderance even without a license because the boat was previously registered for civil service purposes, and he did not need to do any other procedures.

Kwon Taek Joo took his suitcase and went into a nearby warehouse. When he left there after a while, he changed in a neat suit.

Kwon Taek Joo passes through the station where the darkness falls. A taxi he had called before was waiting as he walked out to the main road. He got on the bus and went to Busan station.

The announcement of the departure of the KTX train departing for Seoul resounded when Kwon Taek Joo had just arrived at the station. He joined the group of people heading down to the platform. Trains arriving early are waiting. Kwon Taek Joo walked through the nearby door, checked the seat number, and sat down. It was late, so the waggon was very quiet.

Drrrr... drrrr....

As soon as he sat down, the phone in his pocket halled. It is used for personal purposes outside of work. As expected, the person called his mother. Kwon Taek Joo cleared his throat and answered the phone as usual.

"Mom, I just got on the train. The cleaning after the event was later than I thought, so there was only the last train left. 'Even if the train is not postponed, I will arrive early tomorrow morning, so you should just take a nap."

Kwon Taek Joo replied like reading a story by heart. A series of mother's questions begins. When to depart, exactly when it will arrive, how will Kwon Taek Joo go home from the station, etc. Since his mother only sees her son once or twice a year, the times he comes home is even more special. He could only end the call after promising her that he would go home right away without stopping by anywhere else.

Kwon Taek Joo hangs up. The feeling of fatigue seemed to have been forgotten. He sighed involuntarily. The ship was closed and began to depart for Seoul. He leaned back with his head still drenched in water and felt the vibration of the train intact.

A notification of stops is issued in the quiet train waggon. After the train driver's voice stopped at the terminal of 'Seoul', the light also seemed to darken.

Kwon Taek Joo's whole body sags because of the heat of the heater. His soggy eyelids began to become dreamy. Eyelashes also seem to be heavier because of sea salt. There are still 3 hours before arrival. Should I get some sleep? The moment Kwon Taek Joo compromises with himself and intends to close his eyes.

Drrrr... drrrr....

A shake in his trouser pocket resounded. The phone he used to talk to his mother was still in his hands. So the bell right now is definitely for work purposes. Kwon Taek Joo tried to ignore it and tried to sleep but the phone kept vibrating tirelessly. Obviously they will definitely call until you receive a new call. The noise made the passengers in the same waggon start to feel annoying.

"Ha..."

Kwon Taek Joo finally had to lift the body lying on his side and press the call button.

"- Where are you?"

The person who suddenly asked the question was Head of Department Lim. As expected. If Yoon Jong Woo hadn't been buried under the sea, he would have received a report of the results of his activities directly from him. But why did Head Lim call back? Kwon Taek Joo never felt anything good about receiving contact from him.

"What's wrong?"

"- I want to see you for a while."

So you have to call? What's up?

The only thing Kwon Taek Joo can think of is the newly completed spy arrest. The case should have been handled quietly but there were many witnesses. An innocent citizen was also taken hostage, so senior officials upon receiving the report may have jumped up. In addition, the Coast Guard has also stepped in, so it will not be easy to handle everything. Reporters may have also sniffed the incident, so it is not difficult to guess the persistent questions of Chief Lim.

Although he knew it would be useless, Kwon Taek Joo still tried to make excuses.

"That's really the best way to act this time. You know."

"- Okay. So come here and talk for a bit."

Of course. If he hadn't given such an order, he wouldn't have been the great Chief Lim.

Before starting this campaign, Kwon Taek Joo repeated to him many times, that tomorrow is the birthday of a mother who does not sleep because she is worried about his only son. So no matter what happens, Kwon Taek Joo has to go home. What did Head Lim say at that time? Didn't he promise that even if the Second Korean War broke out, he would definitely return him to his mother?

Kwon Taek Joo asked if he had forgotten and mentioned the conversation at the time.

"Head of Department, have you forgotten? Tomorrow is my mother's birthday."

"- I won't keep you for long."

There is no way to refuse anymore. Head of Department Lim is brazen and even stubborn. Kwon Taek Joo angrily tangled her wet hair. He made the final argument while looking out at the view outside the fast passing waggon window.

"But the train has already left, how can I get there?"

At that moment.

The KTX ship that was running smoothly suddenly stopped. Passengers who are listening to music or playing games on their phones are surprised to look around.

The KTX train was stopped for a while in the tunnel. There was no announcement in the cabin, nor did any flight attendants pass by. It is not strange that the KTX train is damaged and stopped. Because of that, no passenger was too uncomfortable. People who stick their heads out into the aisle and wonder what's going on also quickly lose interest and go to bed.

That's right, this is not a big deal. Kwon Taek Joo wants to believe it. But unfortunate omens always appear like ghosts.

"- Come down, hurry up."

Head of Department Lim skilfully gave instructions. Kwon Taek Joo was just about to ask 'What's wrong?' Then a notification comes out of the speaker.

"Because the track has a problem, the train must stop for a moment and will depart as soon as the problem is resolved, please understand."

'As soon as the problem is resolved.' This means that if Kwon Taek Joo does not listen to the instructions, the train will not move like this.

"- Are you not going to get off the train?"

The gentle urge continued to sound. The voice was leisurely as if he was enjoying the current situation. Head Lim's attitude made Kwon Taek Joo not want to follow his orders anymore. He also didn't pay much attention to the other passengers.

But as long as the train has not moved, Kwon Taek Joo has no way home. He tilted his head irritably. Kwon Taek Joo even hanged up the phone. Head Lim also did not call back, and of course there was no sign that the dormitory would leave.

Kwon Taek Joo sat out for a while, then sighed for an hour and stood up. As he walked through the corridor and went out, the waggon door opened as if already waiting. He shook his head down the stairs and walked on the gravel road.

Kwon Taek Joo called while walking to the back of the train. As soon as he got out of the tunnel, the stopped KTX began to move. 'That was also when he heard a response from the other end of the phone ''Alo''.' It's his mother. Her voice was deeper than before. She must have worried that her son, who had said that he would definitely return, would use the excuse of an urgent job to break his promise.

"Mom, this is me. There is a problem with the train so I will be a little late. 'No, I'll definitely be back this time, it's just a little late."

He paused for a moment and asked.

"So don't light the candles, wait for me."

The place where Kwon Taek Joo arrived in a prepared helicopter was the National Intelligence Agency. An employee waiting at the helipad guided him to the office of Vice Division 1. He followed silently and thought. The person I asked to see him earlier was Head of Department Lim, but I don't understand why he was taken to the office of Deputy Department 1 and not the office of the Head of Department.

The three Deputy Departments are the highest executives of the National Intelligence Agency, each in charge of an independent job. Each Deputy Department may not engage in matters beyond its authority. There is an unwritten rule that departments, consisting of dozens of departments, must obey their direct superiors. So Kwon Taek Joo and Head of Department Lim, who are participating in espionage and intelligence activities under Deputy Department 3, do not need to meet at the office of Deputy Department 1.

Is there anything wrong here? While a series of questions are still repeating in Kwon Taek Joo's mind, the employee knocks on the office door. Soon there was permission to go inside but it wasn't Head Lim's voice. The employee personally opened the door for him inside.

Kwon Taek Joo forgot to say hello but only looked at the Deputy Room 1 sitting opposite him. It is also not surprising that the Deputy of Department 1 is sitting in his office. But the current situation he faces is ironic, because Head Lim, who called Kwon Taek Joo, is also sitting next to him. He looked directly at Chief Lim as if waiting for an explanation. Head Lim just smiled puzzledly.

The atmosphere is not normal. Kwon Taek Joo rolled his eyes to scrutinise Deputy Department 1 and Head of Department Lim. As if trying to appease his vigilance, Deputy Defence 1 spoke first with a gentle face.

"I heard you just finished your mission in Busan, didn't you?"

"Yes. I tried my best."

Kwon Taek Joo replied as soon as Deputy Defence 1's words had just finished. Although there was some commotion, it was clear that Deputy Department 1 reprimanded Kwon Taek Joo was an abuse of authority. Deputy 1 and Head Lim looked at Kwon Taek Joo who was defending and then smiled strangely. This feeling is not very pleasant.

"That's not why I called you here, so there's no need to be too nervous. Although there was more uproar than necessary during the campaign, it was negligible compared to the leak of state secrets. Isn't it, Head of Department Lim?"

The true sarcastic way of talking implicitly of an old fox manager. Kwon Taek Joo does not dispel doubts and watches Head of Lim. He just shook his head with a smiling face, so for Kwon Taek Joo, things just became even more confusing. If it weren't for what happened in Busan, why would you call you this late time? He thought all the time but couldn't draw any conclusions.

Head Lim didn't stress Kwon Taek Joo anymore. He put the tablet he was holding on the table.

"What is it?"

"Just look at it first."

Kwon Taek Joo shrugged and gently picked up the tablet. He indifferently flipped through the first page. The depressed gaze swayed through the news lines gradually accelerated. Kwon Taek Joo pulls the screen down. He held his breath to silently read the information on it and quickly turned to the next page. Head Lim watched those movements for a moment and then opened his mouth.

"This is special intelligence recently obtained. This has been rumoured for a long time, but this is the first time there is real evidence. As you have seen, the main content is that North Korea and Russia began working together three years ago to develop new weapons. A weapon that boasts firepower that no country in the world has ever had. It is said that once completed, the global hegemonic landscape will also change. Its name is Anastasia. I don't know exactly if it's the name of the weapon or the name of the secret agreement between North Korea and Russia for the production of weapons, or maybe even the name of the person who made the weapon. Right now we don't even know if this weapon is finalised or not."

It seems that Kwon Taek Joo has understood what the combination of Deputy Department 1 and Director Lim means. If North Korea and Russia together create an unprecedented weapon of destruction, then who will be in trouble? It doesn't take much thought to know that it will be Korea and the United States.

"We need to know what that weapon is, because the lack of information causes an imbalance of power. If 'Anastasia' is not yet complete, and if possible, we should stop it before it appears."

"Can't we do anything for the peace of the world and humanity? Theft is not always bad if the small bad thing is to stop a big bad thing."

Therefore, it is necessary to find out the identity of the weapons that North Korea and Russia have cooperated with. This means that, if necessary, the blueprints and related secrets must be taken back, and if not possible, they must be destroyed so that they do not have a chance to see the light. Who will do it? Kwon Taek Joo himself?

Since he started working as an agent at the National Intelligence Service, it has been very normal to be sent to campaigns abroad. Rather, the days he was abroad were more than the days he was in Korea. Because of that, business travel directives are nothing new. But it is worth noting that this task was carried out in Russia. That is the land that Kwon Taek Joo personally has never set foot in, let alone implemented the strategy.

But it's not that he's not eligible either. Kwon Taek Joo has been trained in Chinese, Persian and Russian since joining the headquarters. Even if he had to move to Moscow immediately, he himself would have no trouble speaking this language.

But that's all. The most important thing for Kwon Taek Joo is that he has no field experience in Russia. Is there anything more important to an agent than actual combat experience? This mission is no different from asking Kwon Taek Joo to jump out of the battlefield without a gun. And he also couldn't understand why this task was assigned to himself.

Kwon Taek Joo rolled his eyes again to look at Chief Lim with a disgruntled face. He nodded as if he understood everything.

"To be exact, you are not the right person for this action."

"Then you have to find someone who is qualified."

"Of course I found it, and I sent it too."

"But?"

Head Lim just scratched his eyebrows without continuing. Deputy Defence 1 also smiled wryly. Kwon Taek Joo doesn't know what the answer they can't spit out anymore.

"Probably not."

Head of Department Lim nodded again and spread three photos on the table. The first photo is someone's hand with 10 amputations. His skin was not a drop of blood left swollen from the water.

Another photo shows on the forehead of the body being covered with a white cloth with a pattern engraved in the centre of it. Kwon Taek Joo quickly realised it was a tattoo. Judging from the skin condition of the body, it seems that the tattoo was only engraved not long before.

Finally a neat identity photo. Based on a series of circumstances, it can be said that this is the original shape before the damage of the body. Kwon Taek Joo knows the person in the photo.

"Dominic Morgan. He was an elite agent sent to Russia by the U.S. intelligence agency. He was found dead on the banks of the Nara River four days ago. At that time, he was in charge of finding the identity of 'Anastasia', and he was a very knowledgable person in Russian intelligence gathering, but it was a pity. In Russia, he was treated as an unidentified death. Since he disguised himself with a different identity to go to Russia, it's natural. But I wonder if they really see him as an 'anonymous'.

"Because of that, Russia's surveillance has become more rigourous, what do you want me to do?"

"You understand what I say. Anyway, don't complicate this any more. Because it is related to North Korea, our country can also be called a litigant, right? So we can't just cross our arms and look. 'That's right, you know Agent Morgan from the Korean-US joint training last time, right?'''

"We only know each other, at most about a month. I happened to be assigned to be in the same room with him."

Everything was clear. Head of Department Lim grinned. He skilfully attacks Kwon Taek Joo who is trying not to reveal loopholes.

"That's why I chose you. Because emotions that obscure reason can lead to things that are not as desired."

There are no other donkeys. Just as Kwon Taek Joo was about to protest angrily, a trembling sound suddenly sounded. It's the phone of Deputy Department 1. He said 'Wait a minute, please sympathise' and then passed Kwon Taek Joo and walked out. The door that just opened is closed. Chief Lim gave the order as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"Find Anastasia on behalf of Agent Morgan."

The lightness of the past is gone, but instead it is a rather serious tone. Kwon Taek Joo stared at him without answering. Is this really the only way? There must be someone more suitable for this action than Kwon Taek Joo. Obviously, there are not at least employees in the headquarters... Even one person is okay? He squeezed his mind, but no character came to his mind.

Head Lim still looked calm as if there was nothing so special. Yes, it's not a big deal. Only one elite agent was found dead overnight, just that big. Kwon Taek Joo was about to speak sarcastically but then fell silent.

He worked under the direction of Head of Department Lim shortly after joining the headquarters. Now the two have become so close that they can joke, but one way or another he is still superior. When Head Lim assigned the task, Kwon Taek Joo was forced to obey. There is no resistance or rejection here.

Head Lim smiled with satisfaction at his doomed expression.

"I promise to be fully supportive. I will organise the group members according to your wishes."

"Acting alone will be more comfortable."

"This time will not be easy, right? It will be very difficult."

"It's not necessary to put more people to death when you know it."

Kwon Taek Joo responded gently. Chief Lim laughed as if he knew he would say so. Shortly thereafter he handed out a thick envelope containing the document. Kwon Taek Joo snatched it. The unsealed envelope contains various documents and a fake passport. When he opened his passport, a strange face appeared.

"Hiro Sakamoto?"

"I heard that a contract for the construction of an LNG facility has been signed between a Japanese energy company and Gazprom, the state-owned Russian gas company. The expected profit alone is estimated at tens of trillions of won. For that reason, officials of the energy company, the large bank responsible for cooperative lending and international trading companies were invited to Russia to celebrate the signing of the contract between the two countries and visit the planned construction site. Major officials including the prime ministers of the two countries and the big guys in the business world will all attend the event. I heard that an international trading company called 'Itochu' played a big role in signing this contract. Hiro Sakamoto is a European regional officer. Your name is proud to be on the list of people expected to visit Russia."

Will Kwon Taek Joo disguised as Hiro Sakamoto and infiltrate Russia? The plan is not bad. If it were true that North Korea and Russia developed weapons, very few people would be involved or know the secrets involved. They are in the leading positions in Russia so it will not be easy to access. But if it's Hiro Sakamoto, it's a different story, because they will automatically meet without any effort.

Of course, it was only when his identity was not revealed. In addition to Hiro Sakamoto, there are many other officials who are also invited. If any of them find Hiro Sakamoto unusual, all plans will be in vain. Although Kwon Taek Joo only imagined for a moment, the end of Agent Morgan still appeared in his mind.

Head Lim reassures Kwon Taek Joo who is confused.

"Relax. Unless another Hiro Sakamoto appears, it is unlikely that his identity will be revealed. Hiro Sakamoto is expected to leave the country the day before the delegation's visit. Of course, in fact, the agents in Tokyo will help prevent him from leaving the country."

The headquarters's disguise skills are good enough to deceive his mother, and it seems that there is no need to worry about the Japanese being relatively inferior to him. Tohiro Sakamoto's height is 180cm. Kwon Taek Joo is about 2 to 3 cm taller than him, but the average person will not be able to notice the difference. If someone is sceptical, you just need to tell them that you are wearing shoe pads.

If it were normal, Kwon Taek Joo wouldn't have thought much. Unless you take off your shirt, you have no right to refuse the orders of your superiors. But he couldn't agree on himself easily. For some reason, Kwon Taek Joo feels an unrelenting feeling of insecurity.

Because agent Morgan took on the mission dead? It would be a lie to say it doesn't affect you at all, but that's not the only reason either. Kwon Taek Joo's instinct feels vaguely worried about something that hasn't even happened yet.

"It's about reorganising world hegemony. If this is successful, your position will change dramatically."

Head of Department Lim skilfully encourages determination. Kwon Taek Joo looked directly at him without saying a word. His eyes were straight and straight. Head Lim faced him with a characteristic smile. No words were uttered between the two for a long time.

Not long after, Kwon Taek Joo stuffed the prepared envelope into his jacket. He also added as if to clarify everything.

"I don't care about status or power. Those have unnecessarily fierce aspects."

"So why would you accept this action if you weren't interested in it?"

"This is the order of a senior manager. Does a subordinate like me have the right to refuse?"

"Also, is there any other reason?"

"If I refuse this action, my career, which has always been 100% successful, will collapse."

"Anyway, of course."

"Can I go?"

"Oh, there's another, there's one thing to keep in mind."

"What's wrong?" Kwon Taek Joo asked with an annoyed look. Head Lim's attitude has become rigid. His eyes quietly watching Kwon Taek Joo seemed quite cautious. The voice that came out shortly thereafter seemed to calm down a bit.

"Psych Bogdanov."

"Psych Bogdanov? Your name... doesn't seem like that?"

Kwon Taek Joo frowned and tilted his head. 'Bogdanov' should have been a Russian surname, but 'Psych' is not a person's name no matter how he looks at it. Is there no parent who will call their child a 'crazy name'?

Head Lim explained as if Kwon Taek Joo hadn't heard it wrong.

"People often call him that more than his real name."

A name that is used more often by others is that person's real name. Then that nickname can become the basis for evaluating the litigant. The fact that the Russian that Chief Lim mentioned is called the 'crazy name' Bogdanov instead of his real name means that he is a fairly famous name. Kwon Taek Joo doesn't know what kind of person he is, but even in this distant country he is called that.

"In Russia, this man is like a 'nuclear'. "

"If it's a 'nucleis', does the nucleus mean 'centre'?"

Kwon Taek Joo asked again suspiciously. This is due to the ambiguity of the language. In addition to the meaning of 'core' or 'centre', 'core' also has a completely different meaning. But why do people compare a person to such a deadly weapon? He wondered at Head of Department Lim, he grinned again.

"That's right, it can be understood that way."

Either way, that meaning seems closer to the 'nuclear' used to refer to nuclear weapons. Kwon Taek Joo unconsciously frowned. After all, what kind of person is this who is called a 'crazy name' more often than a real name, and even symbolises a 'nuclear bomb'?

Thoughts on 'Psych Bogdanov' raise another question. Why was he mentioned in the campaign with the aim of finding 'Anastasia' this time?

"Did that person have anything to do with Morgan's death?"

"I'm not sure either. There is no concrete evidence at all, although there is a lot of speculation. If you want to approach the big men of Russia, you will inevitably confront this person. 'Nucleor' is not natural but 'nuclear'. 'So damage can happen, so even if you meet, don't confront it."

A burst of laughter resounded. The more warnings Kwon Taek Joo received, the more curious he was to see who the madman was.

At that moment, a knock on the door sounded. When Head Lim agreed, the staff who guided Kwon Taek Joo to come here also walked in. In his hand was a large bouquet of flowers with a suitcase. He handed them over to Kwon Taek Joo then quietly bowed and went out.

"I have prepared everything you need. To save time and money, you don't need to worry much. Is it true? Especially after buying panties two months ago, you don't have any more purchases, so I have considered your preferences and have changed them all. No need to thank you."

"You know the condition of my underwear better than I do?"

"I can only do that much. And bring the flowers home. I remember you saying today is my mother's birthday, right?"

This man is so cunning.

Kwon Taek Joo swallowed the words that could not be spit out and replied gruffly.

"I won't tell my mother it's a gift from the Head of Department. If you find out it was sent by a man who took your son away on his birthday, it would only make my mother's mood on a good day worse."

"Thank you for thinking about me."

Chief Lim smiled brazenly.

"Don't die!"

Kwon Taek Joo was about to turn around and leave when suddenly a request was made. He paused for a moment and nodded absently.

He walked out into the deserted corridor. Kwon Taek Joo trudged towards the door. The sensor lights turn on and off from behind each place he passes. The light faded and the darkness fell as if devouring him.

"..."

He suddenly stopped and turned to look. When not moving, even the ceiling lamp eventually goes out. The silhouette of Kwon Taek Joo is buried in the thick darkness.