Chapter 229: He’s Taking Way Too Much Upon Himself

“Director Cha, you said you had something to discuss with me?” Chairman Park Yeongil asked curiously as he watched me sit down on the sofa.

“Yes, Chairman. Something has come up that requires me to fly to Switzerland urgently.”

“What happened? Tell me.”

“The only son Commander Kwak Taesu had late in life is currently studying in Switzerland.”

I explained the reason for my upcoming trip to Chairman Park Yeongil in detail.

“...We need to find his son before the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau agents do.”

“But shouldn’t the NIS agents be the ones searching for his son?”

“The NIS agents will search for him together with Saho.”

“Well, with Saho’s help, the search will certainly go faster. When are you planning to leave?”

“As soon as the NIS charters a flight, we’ll leave immediately.”

“Why go through all that trouble? Secretary Kang, connect me to Chairman Yoon.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan acted without delay and immediately dialed Chairman Yoon Jongu’s number. After briefly greeting him, he handed the phone to Chairman Park Yeongil.

“Chairman Yoon, lend me your private jet.”

[Why the sudden rush? What happened?]

“Director Cha needs to fly to Switzerland urgently with Saho.”

[I need to know why Director Cha has to go to Switzerland before I can lend you the plane.]

“Commander Kwak Taesu’s only son, whom he had late in life, is studying in Switzerland, and he’s currently missing.”

[Could it be...] Chairman Yoon Jongu’s voice faltered as though he had realized something.

“Exactly. He’s flying to Switzerland with NIS agents to verify the situation on the ground.”

[I see. When are you leaving?]

“We’re extremely short on time. Every hour counts.”

[Understood. I’ll give the order right now and inform Secretary Song.]

Click.

As though he were in a hurry, Chairman Yoon Jongu hung up first. Chairman Park Yeongil returned the phone to Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and gave an order.

“Select ten of our people and have them accompany Director Cha.”

However, I had a different opinion on the matter.

“Chairman, the NIS agents and Saho will find Commander Kwak’s son.”

“I’m sending Secretary Kang and our people to Switzerland for your safety.”

“The NIS people will protect me.”

“But they’ll be busy searching for Commander Kwak’s missing son.”

Bzzzt—

At that moment, the phone in Chief Secretary Kang Inhan’s hand vibrated. He quickly checked the caller’s name, informed Chairman Park Yeongil that it was Chief Secretary Song Dosok, and answered the call. After exchanging a few words with Secretary Song, he ended the call.

“Chairman, Hangang Group’s private jet will be ready to depart for Switzerland in two hours.”

“Director Cha, you heard Secretary Kang.”

“Oh, goodness. When it rains, it pours. This really came out of nowhere.”

With an exaggerated sigh, I hurriedly rose from the sofa.

***

“You only just got back from China, and now you’re leaving again? And for Switzerland this time?”

All I could do was lament the fact that I couldn’t tell my mother the truth.

“What can I do? Such is the fate of a businessman.”

“If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to be done. Take care of yourself and have a safe trip.”

“Don’t worry. By the way, where’s Saho?”

“He must have gotten bored at home, so he went outside for some fresh air.”

At that very moment, Saho leaped into the house through the open window. The moment he spotted me, he sprang straight into my arms. Stroking his head, I spoke softly.

“Saho, come with me on an overseas business trip.”

As expected, Saho shook his head, making it abundantly clear that he had no intention of going anywhere. But I knew exactly how to persuade him, so I wasn’t worried in the slightest.

“Switzerland, where we’re going, is a mountainous country. I hear there are wild animals all over the place. How about running around to your heart’s content and doing some hunting while we’re there?”

“...Rr-meow?” Saho tilted his head as though asking whether I was serious.

Sensing that the hesitant cat needed complete reassurance, I nodded firmly.

“Yep.”

As though suddenly in a hurry, Saho instantly jumped out of my arms, sank his teeth into my trouser leg, and began pulling me toward the door. It seemed that all this time without being able to hunt wild animals had caused quite a bit of stress to build up inside him.

“I need to pack. We’ll leave in thirty minutes.”

With my family seeing me off, I rolled my suitcase through the gate. As expected, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and the driver were already waiting outside the house. After the driver helped load my suitcase into the trunk, I took my usual VIP seat inside the car. As soon as the car started moving, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan addressed me.

“Director Cha, Hangang Group’s private jet is waiting at Seoul Airport.”

“Not Gimpo Airport?”

“I was curious about that too, so I asked NIS Director Om Giyeon. He decided it would be better not to draw attention to your departure from the country.”

“Who would even recognize me there?”

“According to Director Om, you’re under the CIA’s protection and surveillance at the same time.”

“So Director Griffin already knows I’m flying to Switzerland?”

“He probably doesn’t know your exact destination yet, but he’s almost certainly aware that you’re traveling abroad.”

“My head is already starting to hurt... Maybe it’s just a premonition?”

“Looks like plenty of commotion is waiting for us in Switzerland.”

“That’s most likely.”

“Oh, right. Did you select the people who’ll accompany me?”

“I selected ten, including Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok, Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol, and Team Leader Seo Donghun.”

“Isn’t taking three team leaders at once a little excessive?”

“I’m merely following the Chairman’s orders. Incidentally, the NIS has formed a five-man team that includes Agent Hong Jongsu.”

The NIS agents were supposed to take the lead in searching for Commander Kwak Taesu’s missing son. Our company employees and Saho were only supposed to assist them. Even so, NIS Director Om Giyeon had decided to send only five agents to Switzerland. I asked Chief Secretary Kang Inhan if he knew the reason for that decision.

“All NIS agents currently stationed in Europe are being urgently recalled to Switzerland.”

“In that case, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“More than twenty people from the North Korean side have also converged on Switzerland.”

That meant personnel from North Korean embassies all across Europe had been dispatched there.

“Looks like there’s going to be a fierce struggle between the South and the North over Commander Kwak’s son.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Still, why is the North making such a fuss over Commander Kwak’s defection?”

“He must possess far too much confidential information about Kim Jonghun’s family.”

Bzzzt—

At that moment, the phone in my hand vibrated. Looking at the screen, I saw Director Griffin’s name. The CIA agent keeping tabs on me had clearly reported my overseas trip to him. Shaking my head at the CIA’s all-powerful intelligence network, I answered the call.

“Director Griffin, isn’t it the middle of the night in America right now?”

[It is, but there are a lot of important matters piling up.]

“I see. Did Minister Peng Yuxiang arrive safely in the United States?”

[He’s currently resting at a safe house and is completely secure.]

“I see. May I ask why you’re calling?”

[I heard that you’re going on a trip abroad.]

Having expected such a question from Director Griffin, I had prepared my answer in advance.

“It’s not a business trip. I’m simply going on vacation to give my body and mind some rest.”

[Can you tell me which country you’re going to for your vacation?]

“I’m planning to visit Switzerland.”

[Switzerland... A wonderful country for a vacation. And which resort area are you heading to exactly?]

My final destination was Interlaken, but I had no intention of showing my hand.

“I’m planning to visit several resorts, so I haven’t decided on a final destination yet.”

[I understand. Well then, I hope you enjoy your vacation.]

“Thank you. We’ll talk later.”

Click.

As soon as I hung up, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan spoke.

“Director Cha, was there really any need to reveal your destination to Director Griffin?”

“With his capabilities, finding out the destination of Hangang Group’s private jet would be no trouble at all.”

“That’s true, now that I think about it.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan nodded in agreement.

***

Seoul Airport.

The moment I stepped out of the car, NIS Director Om Giyeon approached me.

“Director Cha, thank you very much for agreeing to help with such a difficult request.”

“This is for our country. How could I stand aside?”

“I’m grateful to hear you say that. Please take this.”

NIS Director Om Giyeon handed me a thick paper envelope.

“Director Om, what’s this?”

“Materials concerning Commander Kwak’s son.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“My phone is available twenty-four hours a day, so if an emergency arises, call me at any time.”

After saying goodbye to NIS Director Om Giyeon and the others who had come to see us off, we boarded Hangang Group’s private jet. Once the final preparations were complete, the plane smoothly began taxiing. Settling into my seat, I opened the envelope Director Om Giyeon had given me and pulled out a transparent folder. Opening it, I saw a photograph of a young man in his early twenties. I took out the picture and showed it to Saho, who was sitting in my lap.

“You’re going to have to find this person, so memorize his face carefully.”

Saho stared intently at the photograph, then nodded to show that he had memorized it.

“His name is Kwak Cheolhun...”

I explained everything we knew about Kwak Cheolhun to Saho in detail. Meanwhile, Hangang Group’s private jet lifted off the runway and soared into the crimson dawn sky. Soon, when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign went out, I handed the folder to Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

“Share the information about Kwak Cheolhun with our people and the NIS agents.”

“Yes, understood.”

After giving a crisp reply, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan rose from his seat.

***

After 13 hours and 30 minutes in the air, Hangang Group’s private jet landed safely at Zurich International Airport in Switzerland at around 1:30 a.m. Just as during our trip to Macau, the pilot stopped the aircraft while it was still on its way to the apron. As though she had been waiting for that exact moment, the flight attendant swiftly opened the door. Saho shot outside like a bolt of lightning. The flight attendant calmly closed the door again, and the plane continued toward the apron. Watching Saho’s rapidly disappearing figure, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan couldn’t help asking,

“Director Cha, are you sure nothing will happen?”

“Secretary Kang, you know what Saho is capable of.”

“That’s true. It seems I was worrying for nothing.”

As I talked with Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, the plane reached the apron. The moment the door opened and I stepped onto the jet bridge, I was met with an unexpected sight. An unfamiliar foreigner greeted me with a courteous bow.

“Director Cha Jiham, we sincerely welcome you to Switzerland.”

“...Who are you?”

“I’m Gary Harrison, head of the CIA’s European branch.”

“I see. Who told you that I was arriving in Switzerland?”

“Director Griffin. Please come with me to the VIP lounge.”

Once inside the VIP lounge, Harrison’s insistence left me no choice but to take the seat of honor. Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, the three team leaders, and Agent Hong Jongsu sat opposite him. A CIA agent standing nearby immediately served us drinks. After taking a sip, I addressed Harrison.

“I’m curious why you came to meet me.”

“Director Griffin ordered us to do everything possible to ensure that Director Cha experiences not even the slightest inconvenience.”

“Director Griffin has clearly gone overboard.”

“If my direct superior visits Switzerland and I pretend not to know about it, that would be negligence on my part.”

“I’m your direct superior?”

“Director Griffin informed me that you have command authority over all of us.”

“Good grief. Director Griffin is taking way too much upon himself.”

“I understand.”

“We need to complete the entry procedures for Switzerland, so please hand your passports to our agent.”

“We won’t be going through passport control ourselves?”

“To ensure your maximum comfort, we coordinated the matter with the Swiss authorities in advance.”

“Ah, I see.”

Nodding, I handed my passport to the CIA agent.