Chapter 331

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He shook his head vigorously.

He needed to sort out the countless thoughts swirling in his head.

Once again, focus and a sense of purpose raised their heads.

“From the current position…”

Jin Hyuk, who had spoken up to that point, gave Hwang Je-min a look.

Hwang Je-min raised his index finger and opened his mouth slightly.

1 nautical mile.

The fact that they attempted to intercept the frequency and communicate meant that the patrol ship would know the other side wasn’t to be underestimated.

Finally, a suitable response came back.

– I’m listening. Speak…

“If you come one more nautical mile closer, we will sink you.”

– What are you talking about? Even one nautical mile south is within our North Korean waters…

“We didn’t call you here to discuss territory. This is a warning not to mess with our navy.”

– Hey! Who do you think you’re talking to? You little brat! You were eavesdropping again, weren’t you? You rat. That’s what you are.

“So, what’s your answer? Let’s not make things bloody for each other.”

– Got it. We’ll back off.

As he spoke through gritted teeth, the tone on the other side softened.

It was a reaction that fully demonstrated Hong Ki-jun and Sein’s status.

– But… who are you? I need to know who I’m dealing with…

“It’s not hard for me to reveal my name. But are you ready to pay with your life for your curiosity?”

– Ah, then forget it.

Click.

Sigh.

After finishing the communication, Hwang Je-min let out a long breath.

“Next time, give me the instructions. It’s better to follow the scenario. It’s not that Steve’s method is bad, but it’s too aggressive. If we run into a lunatic, it could escalate into a full-blown war…”

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

I didn’t think about the scenario. Jin Hyuk took two steps back, looking apologetic.

But I need to make sure.

“They might not listen. They’re stubborn. It could be something ordered from above, and they might have deliberately leaked it, knowing we were eavesdropping, to make it seem like it was just between them. If that’s the case, their words and actions might not match.”

“I agree.”

Jin Hyuk pointed to the West Sea 5 Islands area on the display.

“Have the Ardi-class submarine wait around here. If they do anything suspicious, sink them immediately. If there’s any trouble, I’ll take responsibility.”

Responsibility.

Only those with power can bring it up and take such actions.

Hwang Je-min knew that Jin Hyuk, even in Seoul, acted as a shield to reduce the burden on the employees. So, he thought that the responsibility Jin Hyuk spoke of would go beyond a simple apology.

If Jin Hyuk steps forward, Hong Ki-jun won’t stay idle. Given Sein’s capabilities and Hong Ki-jun’s tendencies, it wouldn’t be strange if they pushed North Korea aside and established another country.

Hwang Je-min silently waited for Jin Hyuk’s next words.

“I grant the captain the authority to engage.”

Hwang Je-min stood at attention, straightening his body.

“I’ll deploy the Ardi-class.”

The Ardi-class submarine, meaning “sea serpent,” is a 2,400-ton medium-sized nuclear submarine secretly developed by Sein Technica under Hong Ki-jun’s leadership. Although it could have been made larger, it was downsized to suit the Korean Peninsula’s waters. Armed with 600mm torpedoes, anti-ship, and anti-ground missiles, it can almost permanently roam the seabed.

Above all, its automatic navigation and combat functions allow it to operate with just one highly skilled crew member, setting it apart from other nations. And that was the true power of the Ardi-class. A terrifying weapon that could wage war against the world alone as long as it had ammunition, a reason it could never be revealed. Thanks to the submarine’s unique nature and seabed bases, it could remain hidden.

‘The power Chairman Hong handed over.’

If you have power, you should use it.

To protect our side.

Preemptive strikes are for such times.

“Don’t be afraid to expose it. If you’re going to neutralize them, do it decisively.”

“Orders received.”

Hwang Je-min firmly replied and looked at the large monitor beyond the blinds.

Let’s watch the remaining World Cup matches comfortably. You damn brats.

“Keep monitoring. Enemy ships, our navy ships, fishing boats, Chinese ships, even cruise ships. Chase those who need to be chased, and save lives. In emergencies, act first and report later. As long as I’m in charge, the purpose of the Sakdo Seabed Base is not territorial defense but the protection of lives. When values clash, prioritize our citizens.”

“Understood.”

After organizing the situation, he grabbed the blind control handle.

If the shielding lasts too long, it might arouse the curiosity of the overly nosy outside agents.

“Will Steve stay here again today?”

“That’s the plan. If I go up to the surface, there’s a place to stay and exercise.”

“Well-, you’ll do as you please, but don’t work too much while you’re young-.”

Jin Hyuk chuckled as he raised the blinds.

This guy is trying to act like Cheon Gil-ryong grandpa, huh?

But since they act friendly when off duty, the nagging isn’t so bad.

“Yes, maybe I’ll start living like that from next year.”

***

The bustling year of 2002 passed peacefully.

The promise to attend university with Hong Soo-jung wasn’t kept.

Among the many tasks at hand, there were numerous businesses that required constant vigilance.

I had to admit it.

The dream of strolling through campus with arms crossed was just that—a dream. Even a superhuman couldn’t be free from the priorities and responsibilities of reality.

“Sorry.”

I can’t quit just because I want to date, not when there are so many businesses to expand and things I want to do.

“It’s okay. It was a promise from when we were kids. If every promise were kept, there would be no fights, and that would be nice, but how many promises in the world go unfulfilled?”

“Still, I’m sorry and regretful. I also thought about going to school with Soo-jung.”

“What can we do when situations change? We have to adapt and change accordingly. But thank you for remembering that promise. Apologizing means you think of me as special, and I know that.”

“Yeah. You’re right. Thanks for understanding.”

“You wrote so many letters in training camp, how could I not know? Hehe-.”

I did write a lot of letters.

Over 30 in just 4 weeks of training.

That’s stalker-level.

Hong Soo-jung laminated those letters and made an album.

Luckily, she only showed them to Jin Hyuk, so no unfortunate incidents of digging through mouse holes occurred.

In January 2003, at Gwanghwamun, after watching a performance and exiting the Sejong Cultural Center, snow was pouring down on the frozen road.

Hong Soo-jung, about to graduate high school and enter university, wasn’t upset about not being able to attend university together. Although she resembled her mother, her personality and actions were entirely different, making her mature.

“Oppa is very busy. Even if Dad doesn’t say it, I know how busy and important you are, even if I don’t know the details.”

Hong Soo-jung also said she didn’t have high expectations for university life.

Her standards for people had risen, her view of the world wasn’t as romantic as her peers, and she knew how many people were fighting their own battles at every moment. It was a natural reflection for someone who saw the world from a higher perspective. Hong Soo-jung had a vision that looked down on the world from above.

Hong Soo-jung gave a somewhat weary smile.

“If I had known it would be like this, maybe studying abroad would have been okay.”

“Don’t go.”

Instantly, Hong Soo-jung’s eyes widened as she looked up.

The frozen city seemed to brighten in an instant.

Unfortunately, Jin Hyuk didn’t know what else to say here.

– “Just grab her! Wham! Just grab her and shove it all in!”

He ignored the advice of Choi Mi-kyung, now a fourth-year medical student. She was becoming increasingly eccentric, reminiscent of the married Choi Mi-kyung from the past.

– “At night, lure her to see a UFO and drag her to the warehouse. Of course, grab her by the collar.”

He laughed at the bizarre coaching from Kim Eun-jung, a company employee who joined General. The image of Jo Seol-chan being dragged by the collar to the warehouse also made him laugh. The Ojakgyo Motel was still around, but why were they messing around in the warehouse?

“Don’t go anywhere.”

Worried her hand might get cold, he held Hong Soo-jung’s hand and put it in his coat pocket.

He gently squeezed the hand he was holding.

“Stay by my side from now on. Always.”

Day, night, dawn-.

Ah, dawn might still be a bit much. Thankfully, the rest was just in his thoughts.

Whether she was surprised or pondering the meaning, Hong Soo-jung’s pupils trembled several times, and her chest heaved before she turned into a mischievous face.

She stuck out her tongue once and glared at Jin Hyuk.

“What are you talking about? I’ve always been by your side.”

That’s right.

She’s always been there.

Since she was a kid, her only interest was Son Jin Hyuk.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere because it’s too precious. That’s why I’m always anxious.”

“Don’t be anxious.”

“Like I can control that…”

There were no pebbles on the road, but Hong Soo-jung pretended to kick one.

Her shin, not covered by her boots, stretched out.

“Well, me too.”

“What do you mean?”

Hmm-.

I never thought about it specifically. What exactly makes me anxious.

But I can be honest about it. I had the courage for that. Now, unlike before, I had the heart of an ordinary person.

“I just feel anxious. I worry when I can’t see you, feel disappointed when you don’t answer my calls, get lonely when you don’t reply to my texts, and keep checking my phone even while working out…”

“Wow-. Oppa thinks like that too? Oppa does that too? I thought Oppa never had such feelings. But why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“I was afraid you’d get tired of me and run away.”

He smiled softly as he said that.

He lived pretending nothing was wrong, following Choi Mi-kyung’s advice not to be clingy, but he always thought about her, always missed her.

A feeling carried over from another world, where a star that no longer exists.

Love.

Hong Soo-jung’s reaction was strange.

“Hehehe-.”

Hehehe-. She lowered her head and shrugged her shoulders.

Eek-! She tapped Jin Hyuk’s shoulder with a cat punch.

Ahem! She fanned her flushed face with her hand.

It wasn’t a reaction of dislike.

After all, the hand holding Jin Hyuk’s in the coat pocket tightened.

It wasn’t flashy or passionate.

But it seemed like the sincere confession was accepted, and that made him happy.

‘Damn. Why is my heart beating so fast?’

He pressed his heart with his right hand and steadied his breathing.

He learned from Choi Mi-kyung that it’s not good to be too sneaky.

Even if it’s not flashy, the confession should be clear-.

“Soo-jung, let’s-.”

That’s when it happened.

Thud.

“Ugh-!”

A completely unexpected headache struck.

The hand that had been pressing his chest naturally moved to his head.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Ah, ah-. I’m fine. It’s just my wisdom tooth.”

“Oppa doesn’t even have cavities, what’s going on?”

He reassured Hong Soo-jung with an excuse and calmly continued walking.

‘Hey, what are you doing?’

【I came because you were desperate. Is that woman not listening? Then knock her out first. Your Stone Age ancestors used to knock out the females they liked with stone axes and drag them to caves-.】

What kind of nonsense is this…?

‘I thought you were gone?’

【I have things to do.】

‘Things to do?’

【There are things like that. I have plans.】

This guy’s being unfriendly again.

It must be something unrelated to Jin Hyuk.

‘Anyway, go. See you next time. My head hurts.’

As Dugu Elil faded away, the headache disappeared as if it were a lie.

Hong Soo-jung shook the hand she was holding in the coat pocket.

Her eyes shone with worry and curiosity.

“Oppa, what were you going to say?”

“Let’s officially-.”

Turning thoughts into actions is never easy.

The act of imparting a deeply personal, emotionally driven goal to another person. Social actions that can’t be logically explained require more courage than one might think.

“Officially what? Are you asking me out?”

Hong Soo-jung was a braver soul than Jin Hyuk.

She had been like that before, and she was the same now.

Her sparkling eyes full of expectation and her smiling mouth resembled Hong Soo-jung from another star.

Yes, there’s only one Hong Soo-jung.

Jin Hyuk awkwardly smiled and nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Hmm-.”

Finally, he mustered the courage, but Hong Soo-jung made a bored face and snorted.

‘Huh? Isn’t this reaction bad? Should I have bought flowers?’

While Jin Hyuk was momentarily flustered, Hong Soo-jung pulled her hand out of the coat and started walking ahead.

“First, take off the uniform.”

Already taking it off?

Jin Hyuk’s eyes widened.

You’re a student, and I’m a company employee!

Plus, there are many eyes around, and it’s snowing heavily…

‘Ah, that’s not what she meant.’

Watching her occasionally slipping as she walked ahead, he realized he had misunderstood.

The clothes she’s wearing now aren’t even a uniform, I almost overreacted.

As he hurriedly chased after her, Hong Soo-jung only turned her head.

“I’ll watch what Oppa does.”

Then she stuck out her tongue. Bleh-.

It feels like an old-fashioned aegyo, but when you think about it, Hong Soo-jung is also from the past.

But isn’t this push and pull?

‘Ah… Please don’t do this to me.’

He narrowed his steps to avoid slipping but increased his speed.

His body, rushing to follow, resembled Son Kwang-yeon.

“Hey, Soo-jung-ah… Even if you answer by graduation-.”

“Hehe-. It’s a penalty, a penalty.”

What penalty! What did I do so wrong?

I wanted to argue, but I shouldn’t provoke her.

“Soo-jung-ah-.”

“I’ll ask Mom to buy us dinner in Sogong-dong-.”

All he could do was follow Hong Soo-jung, who was confidently stepping on the icy road.

{Ruby is getting farther away. Follow her.}

{Ouch!}

{The road is slippery. Number 2 fell.}

{The mission comes first. Leave the stragglers behind.}

{It’s too much for dress shoes.}

{No need for words. Steve also wore dress shoes.}

{Thud-.}

{Another one fell behind.}

{Learn to break your fall.}

Even the SSS, hiding in the city’s shadows, stealing glances at the sweet couple, suddenly found themselves on a grueling march.

“Soo-jung-ah-.”

“Hehehehe-. I think I want some beef bone kalguksu-.”