Chapter 164 ·It Doesn't Matter

It ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Doesn't Matter

The UID safehouse on the outskirts of Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi Province, had brightened as the sun had risen.

There, In-hyuk, wearing a skull mask, gazed at Im Deok-chang, who had a bullet hole in his forehead.

Just moments ago, Im Deok-chang had ranted endlessly about the Hongu Society—its name, its structure, his position in it, and recent activities. He had provided far more information than expected.

*Tread, tread—*

At that moment, Hong Yu-geon came down from upstairs and spoke.

"That Elder guy, he had a much looser mouth than I thought."

Behind him were Van Hester and Jin Jong-man.

As he looked at them, In-hyuk muttered blankly.

"He was one of those guys who valued his own safety over the organization. More importantly, since Director-nim heard everything from upstairs, you probably understand what's going on, right?"

The question was thrown to Jin Jong-man.

The information spilling from Im Deok-chang's mouth had left his mind complicated.

"If that guy told the truth, then those pursuing their own interests with power and force are moving in an organized way behind the scenes, and Im Deok-chang was among the elders, right?"

"You understand it well."

In-hyuk originally hadn't expected Im Deok-chang to divulge this much information.

He had brought him just to show Jin Jong-man a fragment of the situation, but they ended up sharing substantial intel.

"Just from the names they gave themselves, it seems likely the organization originated from Japan. And if I speculate further, odds are high it's a pro-Japanese group."

The 'Hongu' of the Hongu Society was pronounced the same as Kooou, the name In-hyuk had found.

The elders' names were Hakushikijou, Tengu, Hannya, Hyottoko, Kitsune, and Shojo.

Im Deok-chang of the National Intelligence Service was Hyottoko, Kwon So-jeong from W&W Group was Kitsune, and Jung Yoon-ju from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office was Shojo.

As all the names were in Japanese style, it was only natural for Jin Jong-man's thoughts to drift in that direction.

"I think the same. So, what will you do next?"

Jin Jong-man fell into thought again, then spoke up.

"First, we need to carry out some internal reshuffling at the National Intelligence Service before launching any investigation."

"That won't be easy."

Among the new information was the fact that Im Deok-chang was actually the real boss of the Songchon, a secret group within the National Intelligence Service.

That alone showed how rotten things had grown internally.

"We can't just let guys like that fatten themselves on power and the economy."

Through the eyeholes of his mask, In-hyuk scanned Jin Jong-man's expression. It looked as if he had made up his mind.

"I trust you'll handle things well. As for the situation here, just proceed with the investigation as things appear on the surface."

"On the surface?"

In the meantime, Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester had gone outside, only to return with a bundle of bags and laid their contents out.

"These are records and ledgers about collusion between Hwain Techon and Notex. The two people connected to this were killed while trying to leak this information. The initial investigation will be run by the prosecution and police, but the National Intelligence Service can't just sit idly. The evidence shows it involves foreign firms, after all."

Jin Jong-man nodded as he understood the contents.

"You're telling me to uncover the truth about the Hwain Techon case. But what's truly important is the link to W&W Group, right?"

He, too, had heard from Im Deok-chang that the real owner of Hwain Techon was Kwon So-jeong from W&W Group.

"Do you think any evidence remains?"

"Well......"

Even the traces found so far had only been barely discovered, and that was thanks to someone outside the National Intelligence Service.

Jin Jong-man had to accept that reality.

In-hyuk continued.

"If you can uncover it, then do so. But it won't be easy."

"I'll do my best."

Before he realized it, Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester had gone upstairs to collect all the equipment installed there.

When preparations were complete, In-hyuk again looked at the face of Im Deok-chang, who lay dead with open eyes.

"You'll need to be more careful from now on."

With that, the four of them erased all other traces from the safehouse and left.

* * *

[Two men found dead in an abandoned house on Yeoju's outskirts—evidence of firearms use discovered... a pile of result sheets left at the scene? Connection to recently bankrupt H Company?]

[Two bodies found in Yeoju abandoned house! Investigators secure documents related to H Company's bankruptcy. Background investigation intensifies!]

[Intentional bankruptcy at H Company? Two bodies found alongside traces of missing large funds!]

[Police: "Clear signs of firearms use; investigating connections to H Company bankruptcy documents."]

.

.

Four days had passed since the chase in Gangwon Province.

During that time, various articles filled the media.

Jin Jong-man, head of the National Intelligence Service, was sitting in his office reading those articles.

Then, there was a knock, and Choo Jae-min, the First Division head, entered and spoke.

"We've ensured that the identities of the third deputy director and the agents involved in the case are not exposed, and regarding the Hwain Techon bankruptcy, the prosecution is coordinating the investigation with our First Division."

"... Good work."

With his answer, Jin Jong-man sighed and furrowed his brow. Even now, Im Deok-chang's agonized screams from the Gyeonggi Province outskirts seemed to echo in his ears.

Choo Jae-min watched him with concern before continuing his report.

"We are tracking the whereabouts of agents who have been unaccounted for since four days ago, but so far, there is no account, credit card transaction, or communication record."

"They've all gone into hiding."

"That seems to be the case."

There was a moment of silence.

After gauging the mood, Choo Jae-min carefully spoke up.

"Director-nim... May I ask—just what happened?"

The sudden deaths of Im Deok-chang and his associate, Choi Dong-hoon.

The result sheets and ledgers related to Hwain Techon's slush fund found at the scene.

The missing National Intelligence Service agents...

Everything was shrouded in confusion.

But Jin Jong-man, as if he'd expected it, had directly assigned the case to Choo Jae-min and given detailed instructions on how to proceed.

Anyone would find that strange.

Jin Jong-man again fell into thought, then spoke cautiously.

"In the early morning four days ago, I went to meet the Hwain Techon informant, and I was chased and almost killed by an unidentified group. Thankfully, I survived thanks to the informant. That's also when I learned Im Deok-chang was the real boss of Songchon and a traitor within the National Intelligence Service."

He withheld the events that took place at the safehouse.

If he revealed even that, he would have to specify by whose hand Im Deok-chang and Choi Dong-hoon had died. Of course, as he did not know HERMIT's true identity from their encounter, there was nothing more to say.

"I see."

Hearing his answer, Jin Jong-man's gaze sharpened.

"I know what you're thinking. But there's not much I can tell you right now. I can't say it's necessarily in the National Intelligence Service's best interest, either."

"Then..."

"But if it were truly a threat to us, I wouldn't be handling it this way."

What concerned Choo Jae-min most was the identity of the informant.

Circumstantially, that person was the prime suspect in the Im Deok-chang and Choi Dong-hoon murders.

But Jin Jong-man's words weren't wrong, so he couldn't just press ahead recklessly.

"I understand what you mean."

"For the time being, the third deputy director position will be vacant, which means more work for you. Until the President appoints someone new, I'll need you to endure a bit more hardship."

With his request, Choo Jae-min bowed and left.

Left alone, Jin Jong-man sighed once more and made a call on his cellphone.

.

.

.

In-hyuk sat in his office, replaying in his mind all the information Im Deok-chang had divulged.

Hakushikijou, Tengu, Hannya, Hyottoko, Kitsune, Shojo.

The Hongu Society had six elders, each leading the organization from a different sector within Korea.

With just W&W Group's mistress, the National Intelligence Service's deputy general manager, and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's deputy general manager, the scale was already impressive.

Yet even those three, he'd said, were below Hakushikijou, Tengu, and Hannya.

'What kind of guys are these?'

Even though he seemed to know more, Im Deok-chang claimed ignorance to the end, likely to leave himself some chance to survive.

'It's possible one of the other elders is in Seunghwa as well.'

That was because of the suspicious flow of capital found in Seunghwa Trading and a security system more robust than expected.

Furthermore, among the companies linked to the real business behind Areum Cleaning, there was also Seunghwa Chemicals. However, that company was closed right after Jung Yoon-ju and the agents were dealt with by Areum Cleaning.

The timing was too perfect to ignore the connection.

bzzz— bzzz—

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. In-hyuk checked the display and pressed the call button.

"I didn't expect you to call back so quickly."

The caller was Jin Jong-man, director of the National Intelligence Service.

Of course, In-hyuk's voice was being modulated, just as it was during the last meeting.

[The situation is quieter than I expected, so I got worried.]

With the deaths of Im Deok-chang and Choi Dong-hoon, the truth about Hwain Techon's bankruptcy was beginning to surface.

At the same time, it had come to light that the owner of the $1.4 billion found in the Notex shipment was Hwain Techon, so the government was handling things as discreetly as possible.

But because nothing was getting stuck in the process, a sense of unease was beginning to creep in.

"The guys must have given up trying to deal with this incident. If they act carelessly, they could be exposed, just like Im Deok-chang."

[True. Up until this incident, we hadn't even the slightest inkling of their existence... They must move very cautiously.]

"Is that why you called?"

In response to In-hyuk's question, Jin Jong-man was silent for a moment, then continued.

[Later, I realized those guys came after my child. If I hadn't evacuated them ahead of time, things could have ended very badly. It's thanks to your warning. I'm grateful.]

His voice carried sincerity.

"If they wanted to control you after losing Im Deok-chang, that's the only way. Still, don't let your guard down."

[Naturally. Also... last time, I didn't get the chance to ask something.]

"What is it?"

[Can you guarantee that your organization isn't an enemy to us?]

He had been saved himself, and his child's life as well, but it wasn't an issue he could pass over without suspicion.

"Regardless of my answer, would it really be a confirmation for you?"

[What do you mean?]

"Relationships depend on perspective. Just as yesterday's friends can become today's enemies, nothing is certain when you don't know where each party stands."

Perhaps understanding, Jin Jong-man fell silent for a moment.

[I was careless with my words. Then, may I ask: do you mind telling me what HERMIT's goal is?]

In-hyuk's skills, confirmed both at Hanggye-ryeong and at the safehouse: tactics that seemed to predict events before they happened.

That alone showed he was many times more capable than any current National Intelligence Service agent.

On top of that, the group's organizational capabilities were beyond comprehension.

At least for now, he didn't want to make an enemy of them, and hoped to discern their direction through their goals.

"As of now, what I can tell you is: our target is the organization behind Im Deok-chang. What comes after that, I don't know."

[And if a state itself is behind it?]

That was the broadest scope possible, considering the code names among Im Deok-chang and the other elders.

"It doesn't matter to me where it is."

His reply was flat and emotionless.

On the other end, Jin Jong-man felt a palpable chill.

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