The other patients in the ward slowly drew their curtains. The scrape of the rings against the rails grated sharply on his nerves.

　　Fuck, this is humiliating…

　　He had learned judo while getting beaten to a pulp. Guk Jiho truly loved the sport.

　　Because he knew the taste of that bright red joy blooming in his chest, because his heart swelled with a heat so intense it was almost overwhelming, even the violent culture of the training center was bearable.

　　He had never experienced letting go of something he loved so deeply. He’d always thought that if he ever quit judo, it would be on his own terms, not someone else’s.

　　The boy curled into himself, feeling as if his entire body had been pummeled.

　　The scratch-like crack on the floor seemed to slowly widen, its maw swallowing his feet… His vision went black.

　　You’re nothing.

　　A voice whispered in his head.

　　So what if you’re a promising eighteen-year-old?

　　Other kids his age had stuffed their heads full of Math, Korean, and English.

　　He had a sinking premonition that his life was about to get terribly twisted.

* * *

　　I had a premonition that my life was going to get terribly twisted. Looking back, it was a matter of survival I felt right before becoming an adult. I had done nothing but sports my whole life, with no other path in sight, and then my career suddenly changed.

　　What do I write next?

　　Riding the Line 4 subway, he opened the memo app on his phone. He hadn’t progressed a single word past the sentences he’d written two days ago.

　　Guk Jiho cracked his neck from side to side and just glared at the screen.

　　It’s not like I’m submitting this anywhere. Should I just wing it with my personal charm?

　　Tomorrow, he was scheduled to give a mentor lecture for the Police Special Operations Unit (SOU) juniors training at the Central Police Academy.

　　It wasn’t a task suitable for someone like Guk Jiho, who was only in his second year. But when the senior originally slated for the lecture got injured during an operation and ended up in the hospital, this rewarding yet annoying job fell to him.

　　“I don’t do things like that.”

　　“Just do it for me. Who else is there to do it? It’s just you.”

　　“Other people will be disappointed if you say that.”

　　“That’s why I’m telling you this secretly. I didn’t want to go this far, but…”

　　“Then don’t.”

　　Even though he answered bluntly, his senior, Min Jaegyu, despite the cast on his leg, flailed around and launched into a lengthy speech.

　　“You know how the Nazis badgered designers back in the day to make sick uniforms? That’s how they conscripted all those kids who fell for it. People are moved by visuals. If you just go there equipped with that face, lower your voice, and tell them to ‘Work hard,’ their patriotism will soar. Plus, you’re not a Nazi, you’re an alum of the Police Special Operations Unit (SOU).”

　　At his sunbae’s words, Guk Jiho lightly kicked the innocent hospital floor.

　　“Do it because I’m handsome? No way.”

　　“Hah… You act like being handsome is no big deal? Hey, hey, hey, you’re number one in marksmanship. Huh? When we go on operations, you bypass all the seniors and take the shot. You’re practically a human textbook. You always make me spell it out. Just listen to me, will you?”

　　He didn’t answer.

　　“Anyway, you hound your juniors relentlessly, but you never obediently follow your senior’s orders.”

　　It was awkward to refuse when he put it like that.

　　“…When did I ever hound them?”

　　“I can hear Hansol, Jiseok, and Gyeongcheol wailing from hell all the way over here.”

　　Min Jaegyu looked over at Hansol, Jiseok, and Gyeongcheol, who were standing right behind Guk Jiho with their hands behind their backs.

　　“Jiho, look at them right now. The kids are so frozen they can’t even smile.”

　　“Hey guys, was I scary?”

　　“No, sir!”

　　As if to prove a point, Guk Jiho looked down at Min Jaegyu lying on the bed, and Min Jaegyu only gave a hollow chuckle.

　　“This stop is Dongjak. Dongjak Station. The doors are on your left.”

　　Back in the present day, a few people got off, freeing up a seat. Readjusting the bag on his shoulder, Guk Jiho sat down and checked the time.

　　11 minutes to Seoul Station. Then I transfer to a bus and get off at the National Police Agency stop, so…

　　The appointment was in two hours. It was barely a forty-minute trip from the SOU office at Namtaeryeong Station to the National Police Agency Headquarters at Seodaemun Station, but arriving an hour early was a given when Headquarters called.

　　Although the SOU team belonged to the National Police Agency, the two groups simply did not mix. As the police’s anti-terrorism unit, SOU was responsible for terrorist situations, but in a country where terrorism was rare, they were often used like mercenaries for dangerous and urgent cases.

　　Since they didn’t directly investigate criminal cases, and their roles in the field frequently overlapped with the Regional Investigation Unit, their relationship with the detectives at Headquarters could sometimes be tense.

　　That was why today’s summons from Headquarters was so unexpected.

　　They treated the entire unit like mercenaries; what business could they possibly have with a single individual from it?

　　“From Headquarters? Why me…”

　　“It came from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, but I don’t know the details either. They specifically asked for you by name, so just go.”

　　“Is it okay if I go during work hours?”

　　“You’re off duty the day after tomorrow. Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with your work.”

　　“Yes, sir.”

　　There had been no hint in the Commander’s words. Guk Jiho had only noticed that the Commander seemed displeased.

　　Did I do something wrong? Even if I did, they’d send down an inspector. They wouldn’t tell me to come directly to Headquarters.

　　Tilting his head in thought, Guk Jiho tapped his memo app again.

　　After building my body back up through rehab, I applied to the special forces because I wanted to utilize my experience from judo training. Military life suited my constitution, and there wasn’t really anything difficult about it.

　　The train entered the above-ground section crossing the Han River.

　　In the midday sun of early autumn, towering apartments and buildings lined the riverbanks like decorations, while the surface of the river that bisected Seoul sparkled with rippling light.

　　The passengers admired the peaceful scenery out the window, but Guk Jiho kept his head bowed low.

* * *

　　The solid wood desk and chairs in the Chief’s office gleamed, freshly oiled. The tips of the leaves on the orchid by the window were withered, and muddy water in the saucer had dried into drop-shaped stains.

　　A green baize cloth was spread under the glass of the central desk, with a regional map of South Korea and the National Police Agency’s objectives tucked underneath.

　　Located in the deepest part of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the Chief’s office featured no flashy interior decor whatsoever. Nevertheless, it exuded the solemn aura of a sanctuary, forbidding entry to just anyone.

　　Guk Jiho had been dragged straight into the Chief’s office the moment he announced himself. Now, he fiddled with his tie in dismay.

　　He should have worn his uniform. Who would have ever thought he’d have a private meeting with the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau herself?

　　“Drink.”

　　Furthermore, Director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau Jang Eunhyeong, a woman in her early sixties, was in full uniform. Dozens of ribbon bars were pinned to her chest, and a Taegeuk Mugunghwa was embroidered on each side of her collar.

　　She took a can of orange juice from a mini-fridge and placed it in front of Guk Jiho.

　　“Thank you.”

　　His hands were hot, so he simply held onto the cold can. Director Jang prompted him, “Why aren’t you drinking it?”

　　“Ah, thank you.”

　　Director Jang Eunhyeong scrutinized Guk Jiho carefully as he popped the tab and took a sip of orange juice. The experience of having a high-ranking official’s gaze glued to him was deeply unpleasant. He was so tense that it felt like every hair on his body was standing on end.

　　“Drink while you listen.”

　　There was no way he could dare to drink while the Chief was speaking. Having barely wet his throat, Guk Jiho quickly set the can down.

　　“There’s an important operation. Our police force has put a lot of effort into it, and we’ve been pouring manpower into it for eight years now.”

　　The Chief, having cut straight to the chase without any small talk, tapped the glass of her desk with a fingernail.

　　“Yes, Director.”

　　Guk Jiho swallowed hard, barely managing an answer. An important operation. A police matter. Ongoing for eight years.

　　But why tell me this…

　　The Chief irritably brushed her bob hair behind her ear.

　　“The problem is, our detectives keep dying whenever we send them in.”

　　“Is that so?”

　　“Three have died. Naturally, I interrogated the person in charge. And you know what? He asked me to send him someone who can use their body. The bastard is blaming the dead cops.”

　　Guk Jiho couldn’t quite follow her. Even if he understood the literal meaning of her words, he couldn’t guess the Chief’s underlying intentions. Since the moment he walked in, he felt like he was constantly scrambling just to keep up.

　　“Yes…”

　　It makes no sense for the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau to have a private meeting with me, but sharing a classified operation’s status? Isn’t this way above my pay grade?

　　“If you’re in SOU, you must know how to use your body. And you’ll be quick to assess situations.”

　　The Chief dropped her tea bag into a cup of hot water. As the light brown tea spread, her true objective seemed to peel away its layers and reveal itself.

　　So, she intends to deploy an SOU agent into that operation.

　　Guk Jiho shoved the juice can aside and leaned forward. I only drink this crap right before working out. I normally don’t even touch it.

　　“What you’re saying right now… Does my Commander know about this?”

　　“Hmm… You don’t need to worry about that. Naturally, I politely asked your hyungnim for his understanding.”

　　It meant his Commander couldn’t protect him from being drafted. Feeling his blood run cold, Guk Jiho spoke up hastily.

　　“Director, I still have a lot to learn.”

　　“How hasty. I haven’t even brought up what the mission is yet.”

　　The Chief shot him a sidelong glare.

　　“I’m too inexperienced to be deployed on an important mission…”

　　“I’ve looked into everything. You may be lacking in some aspects, but you are the most suitable fit for what we’re looking for, Guk Jiho.”

　　“…Is this something I can’t refuse?”

　　“I hear you handle firearms exceptionally well. Which means you use them frequently, and because of that, you’ve been accused of using excessive force before?”

　　Director Jang Eunhyeong fished out her black tea bag, set it on her saucer, and spoke nonchalantly. Several incidents quickly flashed through Guk Jiho’s mind.

　　“I have never fired without orders.”

　　“What kind of situations on South Korean soil would absolutely require a police officer to use a gun? I suppose we’ll have to investigate the bastard who gave the order, too. The more experience you accumulate, the more dirt you have. Making it easy to strip someone of their uniform.”

　　Going by her voice alone, Director Jang Eunhyeong sounded like she was in her thirties or forties. Clear, with an undercurrent of friendly intonation… He thought she might be using that tone on purpose. Like someone who had set a trap and waited countless times for their prey to get caught…

　　Either do as I’m told, or cause many people, including myself, to be stripped of their uniforms.

　　Guk Jiho realized he was left with only two choices. It was a threat used tiresomely often in an organization where you simply had to do as you were told.

　　He had been targeted from the start. Once a superior made up their mind, there was no way for a subordinate to go against it. At least not in this organization.

　　Shaking off his lingering hesitation, Guk Jiho asked a straightforward question.

　　“…If the project succeeds, will you give me a special promotion?”

　　“You really are hasty, aren’t you? Without even hearing what the job is?”

　　A major National Police Agency project that had been running for over eight years. A highly dangerous and secretive operation where only a small, elite team was deployed, and where three detectives had already died.

　　If it were North Korea-related, it would fall under the National Intelligence Service’s jurisdiction… Then what could it be?

　　Guk Jiho’s mind raced.

　　“You’re a Corporal right now, Guk Jiho.”

　　“Yes, I am.”

　　“I promise you a three-rank special promotion.”

　　A three-rank promotion would be Captain. A team leader at a police station. It was something that would normally take decades. At that unprecedented offer, Guk Jiho’s face stiffened.

　　“Director…”

　　This is a huge deal. Guk Jiho adjusted his posture and sat up straight again.

　　“There’s no need to be moved already.”

　　“I haven’t been moved yet.”

　　“I guess you’re not the type to be easily moved.”

　　Director Jang looked at him dryly, feigning surprise. To her, this kind of back-and-forth was just another annoying chore.

　　“There is nothing easy and good in this world, is there?”

　　“Right, that’s true.”

　　“…Is it a gang undercover investigation?”

　　The Director took a sip of her black tea, a barely perceptible smile forming on her lips