Free Web NovelThe car was still driving along a pitch-dark dirt road without a single light in sight.
Outside the window, there was nothing but darkness, and the vehicle kept jolting violently.
Maybe it was because I had been staring at the same scenery for too long, or maybe because I had just spoken with Myungsoo and Manager Ma. My tension loosened, and I briefly dozed off.
“Boss.”
I slowly opened my eyes at Manager Kim’s voice calling me.
“I think we need to stop the car.”
At his words, my brow furrowed slightly. Manager Kim added quickly,
“We’re about to run out of fuel.”
“...Where are we now?”
“About an hour away from Rason.”
“Drive as far as we can.”
“Yes, Boss.”
About ten minutes later, the fuel finally ran dry.
“It looks like we’ll have to continue on foot.”
Manager Kim stepped out first and surveyed the surroundings. I followed him out of the car.
The bodyguards from every vehicle immediately got out and began moving in perfect coordination.
They opened the trunks, pulling out flashlights and various pieces of equipment, quickly arming themselves.
Leaving them to their preparations, I looked around.
The darkness was so thick that it was impossible to see even a step ahead.
“Boss. Just in case.”
Manager Kim handed me a flashlight.
I took it and followed him to the back of the car, where he shone his flashlight over a map spread across the trunk.
“Traveling along the road is too dangerous. If we run into the enemy, there’s no way we can win with the equipment we have.”
I glanced at the bodyguards and the gear they carried, then nodded.
“We’ll take this route through the mountains. It will take about half a day to reach Rason. Even so, we’ll have to keep moving without stopping.”
Manager Kim traced the route with his finger across the map as he explained.
Under the beam of the flashlight, the North Korean map shimmered strangely.
“Fine. Let’s move right away.”
After explaining the route to the other bodyguards, Manager Kim took his place beside me.
The bodyguards surrounded me at the center and began climbing up the mountain path.
It was about two hours later, after we had been walking along the rough trail.
The early winter mountain wind quickly cooled the sweat on our bodies, and our body temperatures began dropping rapidly.
After checking my condition, Manager Kim spoke.
“Boss. Let’s rest for a moment.”
I barely nodded and sat down on a rock.
“Ha... this is exhausting.”
I was in good shape, but unfamiliar terrain and the sudden onset of North Korea’s winter wore a person down quickly.
“Manager Kim. The satellite phone.”
I took the satellite phone I had entrusted to him and powered it on, then immediately called Igor.
— Boss! Where are you right now?
Igor answered almost instantly. His low voice carried clear concern.
“We abandoned the car and are moving on foot through the mountains. I’m not sure how far we are from Rason...”
I glanced toward Manager Kim.
“Near Chongjin.”
Manager Kim answered immediately.
“He says we’re near Chongjin.”
— Understood. We’ll head toward you. We’ll arrive near Rason soon.
“You’ve already arrived?”
— The Russian military flew us to the border by helicopter. Thanks to that, we’ll arrive earlier than expected.
So Medvedev really had given Igor full support.
If I made it back alive, I’d have to personally thank him.
“Understood. I’ll put Manager Kim on. It’ll be easier for you to coordinate the meeting point with him.”
I handed the receiver to Manager Kim.
While the two of them spoke, I looked over at the bodyguards.
They hadn’t rested even for a moment and were constantly scanning the surroundings. Their lips had turned blue from the cold.
Letting out a deep sigh, I looked up at the star-filled sky.
‘What kind of hardship is this...’
It seemed like this day would be far more exhausting than I had expected.
* * *
Choi Ryonghae slammed his desk and roared.
“What? You lost Kim Muhyuk? You useless idiots! How could you lose him!”
This “revolution” was supposed to truly begin only after Kim Muhyuk had been captured.
But if he managed to escape North Korea safely, there was no telling what might happen next.
“The counterattack from the Guard Command was too strong.”
“That’s exactly why you should’ve crushed them with tanks right away! You gave them time to react, and now look what happened!”
Frustrated, Choi Ryonghae pounded his chest and raised his voice.
Grinding his teeth, he snarled.
“Forget capturing him alive. Chase him down and kill him immediately.”
“They’re already pursuing him.”
“Where is he heading? Is he coming to Pyongyang?”
“No. It seems he turned onto another road midway.”
“Lucky bastard. It would’ve been perfect if he’d come to Pyongyang...”
Choi Ryonghae rubbed his throbbing temples and muttered.
“Director.”
At that moment, Kim Youngchun called him quietly.
“Yes, Vice Marshal.”
Choi Ryonghae calmed himself and sat down.
“Kim Muhyuk is Kim Muhyuk, but we must move the troops immediately. If there’s already been a clash with the Guard Command, Jang Songthaek will have realized our existence by now.”
“You’re absolutely right. We must advance the operation.”
Once Choi Ryonghae gave permission, Kim Youngchun stood and issued orders to all the officers.
“Move all units to Pyongyang immediately. We already control every checkpoint leading into the city. Issue the orders now.”
The officers immediately began contacting their units through communication equipment.
“Hey! Move right now! What? Stop talking nonsense and move the troops immediately! This is an order! Understood?!”
The same order began spreading to every unit.
Leaving the officers to their transmissions, Kim Youngchun turned to Choi Ryonghae.
“We must secure the General first. That’s the fastest way to ensure the success of this operation.”
“Yes. I’ve already stationed troops nearby.”
Kim Youngchun nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting.
“If this succeeds, Director, you’ll become the true power holder.”
“How could I do such a thing while leaving you behind, Vice Marshal...”
“I am already a river that has passed.”
“Vice Marshal!”
“Serve the General and the Baekdu bloodline well and lead the Republic. That is this old man’s request.”
“....”
With that, Kim Youngchun fell silent.
Watching him, Choi Ryonghae lowered his head slightly.
A strange glint flickered in his eyes.
* * *
After receiving Kim Muhyuk’s call, Jang Songthaek immediately summoned the Guard Command commander and vice commander who had been on standby, along with the deputy director of the State Security Department.
“This is Jang Songthaek.”
— Yes, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
“Seize control of every checkpoint leading into Pyongyang. From this moment forward, no one is allowed to enter the city. Tanks may be used if necessary.”
Jang Songthaek gave the order to General Hong Junsu, commander of the Security Bureau.
— Yes! I will carry out the order immediately.
He could not fully trust the Pyongyang Defense Command, which was under Choi Ryonghae’s influence.
“Chairman.”
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
“Come in!”
The door opened, and the Guard Command commander and vice commander entered.
“You called for us, Chairman?”
“Report the situation.”
Guard Command Commander General Won Seonghui swallowed hard and began his report.
“All reactionary elements, including Choi Ryonghae, have gathered at the General Political Bureau. Here is the list of generals currently assembled there.”
Jang Songthaek nodded after checking the paper handed to him.
He then ordered the Guard Command to place the coup forces under surveillance.
After seizing power, Jang Songthaek had completely reorganized the Guard Command, dramatically expanding its authority.
Half of the powers originally held by the Pyongyang Defense Command had been transferred to the Guard Command.
In addition, with Kim Muhyuk’s help, they had received the latest Russian weaponry. freewёbnoνel.com
“Surround the General Political Bureau immediately. Vice Commander, you will go personally.”
The vice commander, who had stood rigidly the entire time, saluted sharply.
“I will move at once.”
“Use every available force. Tanks, anything.”
“Yes, Chairman!”
“And...”
Jang Songthaek’s voice turned cold.
“If they resist, kill them all.”
He had no intention of letting this incident pass quietly.
After the vice commander left, Jang Songthaek spoke to General Won Seonghui, who remained behind.
“Sit.”
Won Seonghui took a seat.
“What happened to the unit escorting President Kim Muhyuk? Have they made contact?”
“...Contact has been lost.”
Won Seonghui answered in a heavy voice.
“Are they all dead?”
Jang Songthaek sighed quietly.
Both he and Kim Muhyuk had been too complacent.
He had never imagined they would target Kim Muhyuk directly. They had only anticipated a coup.
Jang Songthaek closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and ground his teeth.
“These insane bastards! Don’t they realize that if President Kim Muhyuk dies in the Republic, we’re finished?”
Relations with China were already broken.
The only remaining path was to rely on support from South Korea and Russia.
Moreover, Kim Muhyuk had entered the Republic with the official approval of the South Korean government.
He wasn’t merely a guest.
He was the savior leading North Korea’s economic development.
If such a man were killed, what country would ever step forward to help North Korea again?
“I’ve received word that President Kim Muhyuk is safe. He says he won’t return to Pyongyang.”
“That’s a relief. All roads leading into Pyongyang have checkpoints now. The Pyongyang Command has mobilized.”
“You rebel bastards!”
Jang Songthaek slammed his desk.
He should have purged them all when he first seized power.
But at the time, his political base had been too weak to make such a decision.
In the end, he had replaced only those who directly opposed him and left the rest untouched.
“Arrest them all! Not a single one escapes! And tell the Pyongyang Command to arrest every rebel and secure control. And...”
Jang Songthaek trailed off, thinking.
After making his decision, he spoke in a calmer voice.
“Order the guards at the General’s villa to detain the General and his entire family. They are not to step outside even a single step.”
Kim Muhyuk had been the last person to meet Kim Jongil.
He didn’t know what they had discussed.
But perhaps because of that meeting, the coup forces had moved faster than expected.
Instead of marching directly into Pyongyang, they had intended to capture or kill Kim Muhyuk first, then mobilize the military.
“If the General refuses to comply with the restrictions, use force.”
“...Yes.”
General Won Seonghui answered after a long pause.
Jang Songthaek raised an eyebrow.
“Uncomfortable? Shall I give command to someone else?”
“N-No. I’ll handle it myself.”
Jang Songthaek nodded.
“Move immediately. Every second counts now. And if it seems the rebels might seize the General...”
His voice hardened.
“Kill him. Never let the rebels take the General. Understood?”
“Yes, Chairman!”
General Won Seonghui saluted and left the office.
Just as he stepped out, the deputy director of the State Security Department arrived.
The two men ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) exchanged glances as they passed each other.
“Wait a moment.”
Jang Songthaek told Woo Dongcheuk, the deputy director, to wait before making a phone call.
— Yes. This is the commander of the Eighth Corps.
“This is Jang Songthaek.”
— Yes! Chairman!
“Send troops to the General’s villa immediately!”
— The villa where the General is staying?
“Yes. Send them now! There’s no time!”
When no answer came immediately, Jang Songthaek shouted.
“Can’t you hear me?! Reactionary bastards are threatening the General! Move immediately and protect him!”
— Yes! We will dispatch troops immediately.
If the rebels managed to seize Kim Jongil, the situation could escalate into civil war.
All the rebel leaders had gathered at the General Political Bureau.
Even if they were arrested, the officers beneath them might resist until the end.
After issuing the order to the Eighth Corps, Jang Songthaek turned back to Woo Dongcheuk.
“Sit.”
Woo Dongcheuk sat down, visibly tense.
Jang Songthaek threw a file onto the desk in front of him.
“Arrest the families of every rebel listed there.”
Woo Dongcheuk glanced at the list and asked cautiously.
“Arrest all of them?”
“Yes. Every single one.”
“Understood! I will mobilize the State Security agents immediately.”
Jang Songthaek nodded.
“When this is over, I’ll appoint you as the full Minister of State Security, not just acting. You must not make any mistakes. Understood?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Especially Kim Wonhong. If necessary, you may kill that bastard’s family. Understood?”
Choi Ryonghae’s betrayal had been shocking.
But the betrayal of Kim Wonhong—the man placed at his side to monitor him—was even more shocking.
“Yes, Chairman! We will arrest them all!”
“Move immediately.”
Woo Dongcheuk left the office at once.
Left alone, Jang Songthaek rose from his seat and walked to the window.
Watching the soldiers moving busily outside, he fell into deep thought.
