Free Web NovelAfter ending his call with the Director of the General Political Bureau, Kim Jongil confirmed the safety of the South Korean businessmen.
Chairman Kim Byungwoo and the rest of the delegation were all being “protected” under State Security’s watch at their hotel. Only then could I let out a sigh of relief.
“Mr. Kim, are you satisfied now?”
“Thank you. Their safety must be guaranteed.”
Kim Jongil nodded.
“I will go check on my subordinate’s condition.”
“Wait, Mr. Kim.”
“Yes, Comrade Chairman.”
“Once the rebel bastards are cleaned up, I will summon you again. Until then, rest comfortably.”
“Understood.”
I rose, opened the door, and stepped out.
Soldiers stood guard outside.
“Where are you going?”
Baek Cheolsu was nowhere to be seen. A young-looking soldier questioned me.
“Please take me to the infirmary where my subordinate is being treated.”
“...One moment.”
The soldier exchanged glances with his comrade.
The other quickly left down the corridor.
Though they guarded the supreme leader’s secret bunker, their faces were gaunt, their complexion pale.
Even soldiers protecting the nation’s ruler were not properly fed?
After a few minutes, the comrade returned.
“Captain Baek has given permission. Escort him to the infirmary, and when he comes out, guide him to his room.”
At that, the young soldier nodded and turned to me.
“This way.”
I followed him through the maze-like passageways, passing door after door.
“This is it. I will wait outside.”
Inside, several men and women who looked like medical staff were at work.
“Where is he?”
Without preamble, I asked. One doctor, seated, pointed to a curtained corner.
“His life isn’t in danger?”
The doctor nodded, then muttered with disbelief.
“But who is he? We removed the bullet without anesthesia, and he just clenched his teeth and endured. Any other man would’ve fainted from the pain.”
I stopped mid-step and turned to him.
“Why didn’t you use anesthesia?”
“He refused. I’ve done countless bullet removals, but never seen someone like him.”
The doctor shook his head as if shaken himself.
“He refused anesthesia?”
“Yes. I tried to insist, but he was stubborn. So we proceeded.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Pulling aside the curtain, I found Manager Ma lying with eyes closed.
He stirred as if to rise, but I pressed his shoulder down.
“Stay down. Don’t strain yourself.”
“Forgive me, Boss.”
“No. I’m sorry—for making you suffer because of me.”
A faint smile crossed his face, though his skin was ghostly pale with pain.
“It’s nothing. I’ve been shot before. I’m used to it. Don’t worry.”
“I will never forget this.”
I left the rest unsaid—too many North Koreans were present—but my intent was clear enough.
Ma’s expression turned strangely mixed—pleased, yet apologetic.
“Your safety comes first, Boss. Don’t overextend yourself.”
“We’ll be stuck here a few more days. Once we’re back in Seoul, you’ll have a proper examination.”
“Yes, Boss.”
His face became expressionless again, as if that brief smile had never existed.
“I should rest as well. Don’t worry about me—there’ll be no danger now.”
I patted his arm a few times and left.
Outside, the young soldier was waiting.
“I’ll take you to your quarters.”
We walked down another winding hall. I suddenly asked,
“How old are you?”
The soldier froze, turned, and frowned.
“Why do you ask?”
“You look young. Not even twenty, I thought.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
He turned again, walking faster now.
Soon, we stopped at a door.
“You’ll rest here. Do not leave on your own. Guards will be posted.”
I nodded and stepped inside.
A small room with only a bed, a table, and a chair.
“Phew...”
I loosened my tie and sat heavily.
Even before this coup, I’d been exhausted from the Kaesong inspection. Now, the standoff with Kim Jongil had drained me further.
‘The coup is already as good as failed. The outcome is obvious. Still...’
Tired as I was, I couldn’t relax. Until things shifted, I had no choice but to wait in this room.
So I began devising ways to steer the situation to my advantage.
* * *
Upon waking, Kim Jongil immediately summoned Baek Cheolsu. He must have been waiting nearby, for he appeared at once, lighting the cigarette Kim Jongil placed between his lips.
“How is it?”
“Most of the rebels have been dealt with. There was little fighting. We promised the company-grade officers that if they handed over the ringleaders, all would be forgiven.”
“What? What are you saying?”
Kim Jongil’s eyes sharpened. The cigarette filter crumpled between his teeth.
“To capture them without bloodshed, we had no choice but to use them.”
“Don’t spout nonsense. Ordinary soldiers maybe—but every officer above lieutenant must be executed.”
“But—”
“Cheolsu, my patience has limits. You begged me to give them a day. I did. Arrest every officer.”
“Yes, General.”
He glared as he crushed the cigarette into the ashtray.
“By tomorrow morning, all of them must be in custody. Resist, and kill them all. If you disobey again, there will be no next time. Even you, Cheolsu, will die.”
Baek snapped to attention and saluted.
“I will carry out your order, General.”
Only then did Kim Jongil’s expression soften slightly. freewebnσvel.cѳm
“And Mr. Kim... what do you think? Did he know about this? For some reason, I keep suspecting him.”
His doubts about Kim Muhyuk remained.
“It’s strange. The moment South Koreans arrive in Pyongyang and Security’s eyes shift, the rebels move their troops as if on cue.”
“Yes.”
Frowning, he added,
“Investigate the Director of the General Political Bureau and the Guard Commander too. It makes no sense they knew nothing of such a large coup plot.”
In that seat, trust was impossible.
“And I heard even some in the Guard Bureau turned traitor? Just how deep does this go?”
“The truth will soon come out.”
“Good. Go.”
With a wave of his hand, Baek saluted and left.
Alone, Kim Jongil lit another cigarette and muttered,
“Bastards. I’ll kill them all.”
Murderous fury filled the room, with no clear target.
* * *
As expected, Kim Jongil never summoned me the entire next day.
Until the crisis shifted, this stalemate would hold.
Meals were brought to my room. I could do nothing.
But I gained something precious—a full day to think alone.
At last, I reached a decision.
‘I must help Jang Songthaek take power.’
Even if Kim Jongil accepted peace with America now, he could change at any moment.
How could I partner with a man I couldn’t trust?
Jang Songthaek, at least, had revealed his ambitions to me. He was far more useful. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
What I would demand in return for his rise remained to be decided.
“The General summons you.”
The soldier who entered was not the same boy from before.
“Mr. Kim, did you rest well?”
Kim Jongil’s face had regained color. He too must have reached conclusions of his own.
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
“Good. Sit.”
I calmly took my seat opposite him.
“The rebel bastards have all been captured.”
At his words, I merely nodded. The coup was doomed the moment they failed to seize him.
“But I heard something interesting.”
His snake-like eyes fixed on me.
“We extracted a confession—the Russians were behind it.”
Russia, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° behind the coup?
“Is that true?”
“You didn’t know? Aren’t you Putin’s friend? Was that a lie?”
“...I know nothing of this.”
Was he bluffing? Or was Russia truly involved?
“Really?”
His suspicion lingered.
“If I had known, I wouldn’t have come to Pyongyang. Who walks into a potential war zone knowingly?”
“That’s true enough.”
He nodded.
“In an hour, I return to Pyongyang. You will come too. Once there, return to Seoul with your delegation.”
“Are negotiations with America suspended?”
The coup had prevented any talks from even beginning.
“Until every rebel is rooted out, all dealings with the South are on hold—including the joint complex. Same with America.”
“Comrade Chairman.”
His heart had hardened. Pyongyang would soon drown in blood.
“My decision is made. Think of this as my final courtesy to you.”
Still suspicious of me, he made it clear.
It was time to retreat.
“Understood. I will depart with the delegation once we arrive in Pyongyang.”
“Then let’s end it here.”
An hour later, with his escort detail, we set out for Pyongyang.
Our car followed directly behind his.
“Can you manage?” I asked Manager Ma beside me.
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
“Endure a little longer. Once we’re in Seoul, you’ll get proper treatment.”
“Yes, Boss.”
As we neared Pyongyang, ranks of tanks and heavily armed soldiers filled the roadsides.
We passed through and entered the city.
“We will take you straight to the hotel,” our driver from the Guard Bureau said.
Even the hotel was under guard.
“Be ready within an hour. Then depart.”
Helping Ma out of the car, I led him inside.
Chairman Kim Byungwoo hurried over in the lobby.
“Mr. Kim!”
“Prepare for departure. Gather everyone here.”
He glanced at Manager Ma, then nodded.
Within thirty minutes, the entire delegation assembled.
The Vice Minister of Unification checked the headcount, and soon we were all boarding the same bus we had arrived in.
At last, it was time to leave this wretched place.
