Chapter 235: The Situation Changes Rapidly

“What?!”

Branch Chief Harrison shot up from the sofa in a fury and roared into the phone.

Realizing that things were taking a bad turn, I held out my hand to him.

As if reading my thoughts, he hurriedly handed me the phone and carefully lowered himself back onto the sofa.

“Hello. This is Cha Jiham, honorary CIA agent.”

“Honorary agent? What on earth are you talking about?”

“Contact Director Griffin, ask him who I am, and call me back.”

Click.

I deliberately hung up to demonstrate my displeasure.

Handing the phone back to Harrison, I asked,

“Why is Deputy Branch Chief Anderson sabotaging your orders?”

“The thing is, he claims he won’t be able to get the jammers here by the appointed time.”

“Are they really impossible to obtain?”

“If there were no options, I wouldn’t have given him the assignment.”

“Hmm... I see. All right, I’ll explain the operation plan now, so listen carefully.”

“Yes, understood!”

The loud, perfectly synchronized chorus of Harrison and everyone else present filled the living room.

I turned to Saho, who would be carrying out the key task.

“As soon as we give the signal to begin, sneak into the mansion and take out the electrical panel. Then open the gates and head down to the basement.”

“...Meow-r-r?”

“That means you have to protect Kwak Cheolhun from the thugs.”

As though he understood the command, Saho nodded firmly.

I shifted my gaze to Harrison.

“We’ll proceed on the assumption that we’ll get the jammers. As soon as the power goes out, immediately jam all communications around their hideout.”

“Consider it done.”

“Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok, once the electricity is cut, you must neutralize the armed guards at the main gate.”

“Understood.”

“Once you’ve secured the main gate, enter the garden through the doors Saho opens. Our personnel and the NIS operatives will rush the annex and eliminate the guards stationed there.”

At that moment, Harrison asked to speak, wanting to clarify one detail.

“Isn’t there a possibility that they’ve posted sentries directly in the garden?”

“If you carefully examine the footage Saho recorded, there aren’t any guard posts in the garden.”

“Ah, my apologies. That was my oversight. Please continue.”

“The CIA agents will infiltrate the mansion itself and capture Antonio. Everyone else will immediately head down to the basement and evacuate Kwak Cheolhun.”

“You’re really entrusting us with such an important role?”

Antonio’s entourage consisted of elite bodyguards.

Capturing him would inevitably involve a fierce shootout.

And casualties were unavoidable in a firefight.

Naturally, I wanted to dump the main assault operation on the CIA so I could protect the Korea Investment personnel and NIS operatives.

However, I had no intention of telling Harrison my true motives, so I gave him a different reason.

“Let’s just say the CIA and I are in the same boat.”

“Thank you for your trust.”

“No need. If anyone has questions about what I’ve said, ask them now.”

Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol immediately spoke up, as though he had been waiting for that very moment.

“Director, if the thugs quickly discover the cause of the blackout, we could run into serious problems while deploying for the operation. With that in mind, I have a suggestion. Why don’t we simply destroy the electrical panel?”

“I completely agree with Team Leader Lee.”

“Me too...”

Lee Hyeonsol’s idea received unanimous support.

I looked at Saho and asked whether he could break the electrical panel.

The cat nodded confidently, as though it would be child’s play.

“Branch Chief Harrison, prepare an ultra-miniature timed explosive.”

Bzzz—

The phone lying on the table vibrated. Director Griffin’s name appeared on the screen.

Knowing why he was calling, I answered without delay.

“Director Griffin, I’m listening.”

“Director Cha, I’ve decided to recall Deputy Branch Chief Anderson to the States.”

Griffin’s words meant only one thing: Anderson was going to be removed from his position in disgrace.

Did I wonder whether there was any need to go that far? Perhaps, but it wasn’t for me to judge.

“Understood.”

“No matter what happens, I’ll personally ensure that the jammers reach the site by midnight.”

I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

It was already 10:30 p.m.

“But Branch Chief Harrison told me the equipment couldn’t be obtained.”

“I submitted an official request to the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service, the FIS, asking them to provide the necessary technical equipment.”

“Ah, so that’s what you did.”

“Now, let’s change the subject for a moment. Have you confirmed Kwak Cheolhun’s location?”

“Saho infiltrated Antonio’s hideout. He found him locked in the basement.”

“What a relief that you found him.”

Wanting to achieve my own objectives, I decided to put the CIA Director in a slightly better mood.

“I’ve entrusted the capture of Antonio and the rescue of Kwak Cheolhun entirely to the CIA.”

“You’ve entrusted such an important stage of the operation to us?!”

Griffin’s astonished exclamation came through the speaker, exactly as I had expected.

“It’s because I have a high opinion of the CIA’s combat capabilities.”

“Thank you very much for recognizing my people’s professionalism!”

“Director Griffin, you understand why Antonio risked his life to come to Switzerland, don’t you?”

“Of course, but...”

I knew perfectly well why he had suddenly trailed off.

“Our split: 40% to Korea, 40% to the United States, and 20% to Switzerland. What do you think?”

“Twenty percent just for lending us the jammers? Isn’t that a little much?”

“Then give me your proposal.”

“How about 45% to the Republic of Korea, 45% to the United States, and 10% to Switzerland?”

“Agreed.”

After discussing a couple more details with the CIA Director, I ended the call.

The moment the conversation ended, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan immediately spoke up.

“Director Cha, what was that about? What do °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° you mean by 40% to Korea, 40% to the United States, and 20% to Switzerland?”

“Gabriel, Antonio’s former boss, hid a massive fortune earned through drug trafficking in Switzerland.”

“Ah, so that’s what this is about.”

Kang Inhan nodded in understanding.

“We’ll begin the assault and Kwak Cheolhun’s evacuation at one in the morning.”

“What?! Isn’t that too rushed?”

“The North Korean RGB team should already be in Interlaken. Any delay could prove fatal. Besides, Director Griffin promised that the jammers would arrive by midnight.”

“Then there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Well then, shall we head toward their hideout?”

“We’ll deal with the thugs ourselves. Director Cha, it would be better for you to remain here where it’s safe.”

As expected, Kang Inhan immediately objected.

“It would be unpatriotic for the operation commander to sit safely in the rear.”

“Even so, it’s too dangerous.”

“I’ll wait at a safe distance from the target. That settles it. Let’s move out.”

Bzzz—

Just as I was about to rise from the sofa, my phone began vibrating again.

It was Agent Hong Jongsu, who was keeping watch on Antonio’s house.

His call could only mean one thing—something unexpected had happened.

“Agent Hong, what happened?”

“Director Cha, Antonio and his men just left the hideout.”

“What?!”

Even with my composure, it was difficult to keep my expression unchanged.

If Antonio left, our carefully constructed plan would go straight to hell.

“Director Cha, why are you so alarmed?”

“We were planning to storm the place at one in the morning.”

“I see. But it doesn’t look like he’s leaving for good.”

“What makes you think that?”

“He only took seven men with him. The lights are still on in both the mansion and the annex.”

At that moment, a daring idea flashed through my mind.

After quickly shaping it into a concrete plan, I returned to my conversation with Hong Jongsu.

“Contact the CIA agents and have them tail Antonio’s vehicle.”

“They’re already following him.”

“Excellent. I’ll call you back later. This is urgent.”

Click.

After hanging up, I turned to Harrison.

“Antonio just left with seven of his men.”

“Should we intercept him?”

“Exactly.”

“Understood. I’ll move out immediately.”

Burning with impatience, Harrison sprang from the sofa and rushed out of the room.

Watching him leave, I continued,

“We’re changing the plan. Listen carefully. We won’t destroy the mansion’s electrical panel.”

“Why?” Jeong Gwangseok asked with a puzzled frown.

“Antonio took seven of his elite fighters with him. There can’t be more than fifteen people left there.”

“But if the lights in the house stay on, we risk taking casualties during the assault.”

“When the operation begins, we’ll eliminate the five guards at the gate. Saho will neutralize everyone else remaining in the mansion and annex.”

“Ah, now I understand what you’re planning!”

“Team Leader Seo, take the laptop and a flash drive and head straight for the mansion.”

Seo Donghun instantly grasped the purpose of his assignment.

The first task was to get Kwak Cheolhun out of the basement.

The second was to obtain the laptop password from him and download the classified data onto the flash drive.

And the final task was to erase every file from the computer as quickly as possible so the CIA couldn’t get its hands on them.

He looked at me, seeking confirmation of his deduction.

“You’re absolutely right, Seo Donghun.”

“I’ll complete the mission at any cost.”

“Get moving. Chief Secretary Kang, coordinate the start time with Harrison.”

“Consider it done.”

At that moment, Lee Hyeonsol cut into the conversation.

“Director Cha, we’ll need weapons and body armor to deal with the thugs.”

That was when it hit me.

The CIA was supposed to provide us with the equipment.

‘Hmm... How am I supposed to solve this now?’

Bzzz—

Before I could sink too deeply into thought, the phone in my hand began vibrating again.

I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered because the country code was Swiss (+41).

“Yes, Cha Jiham speaking.”

“Hello. This is Jean-Philippe, Director of the Federal Intelligence Service, the FIS. I just spoke with CIA Director Griffin regarding the jammers you requested. I’d like to clarify what exactly you need this equipment for.”

“Have you heard of the Colombian drug lord Gabriel?”

“Of course.”

“His right-hand man, Antonio, has appeared in Interlaken.”

Without concealing anything, I explained to Jean-Philippe why we needed the equipment.

“...We intend to jam communications around their hideout as a precaution.”

“Ah, I understand. The jammers will be installed by midnight.”

“Thank you. However, we also need weapons and protective gear for the operation.”

“Give me a list of the equipment you require.”

“One moment. I’ll hand the phone to our specialist.”

I passed the phone to Lee Hyeonsol.

He clearly listed our requirements before handing the phone back to me.

“Director Jean-Philippe, was there anything else you wanted to add?”

“How about having FIS operatives participate in taking down Antonio and his gang as well?”

I knew that question was coming.

“If your people join the operation too, it’ll create confusion in the chain of command. So I suggest you join us immediately after the main phase is complete.”

“I’m not sure I understand your reasoning, Director Cha.”

“According to FBI Director Nevers, Antonio came to Switzerland to retrieve Gabriel’s hidden money.”

“Ah, now I understand perfectly.”

After discussing several more details with the FIS Director, I ended the call.

“Well then, shall we head to Antonio’s hideout?”