Novel Bin Chapter 330: Things Had Escalated (1)
Chapter 330: Things Had Escalated (1)
While he was distracted by the sound of a distant helicopter, two armed soldiers rushed over. Their surroundings were bustling with activity and flickering lights.
"Monsieur Kang?" one of the soldiers asked.
Kang Chan nodded.
"Come this way," the soldier said in fluent French.
He then led Kang Chan and his group toward the helicopters. There were four Mi-28 helicopters, which rivaled the Apache, and one KA-60 Kasatka transport helicopter.
Considering the firepower they had prepared against a mere commercial ship, Vasili had definitely taken this seriously.
"Where are we going?!"
"Satellite coordinates! Forty-two point sixty-two, one thirty-six point ninety-three!"
"Understood!"
The man gestured toward the helicopter. As soon as they boarded, it took off. Inside the transport, armed agents watched Kang Chan intently.
Thud thud thud thud!
The helicopter blades were deafening.
"Here!"
The soldier handed over a rifle, bulletproof vest, and helmet all at once.
Why is he giving me all these all at once?!
Kang Chan wore the bulletproof vest and then the helmet.
Click. Clack.
The rifle was a modified AK.
"How long will this take?!" Kang Chan yelled, his frustration evident, despite the radio being attached right inside the helmet.
Their guide pointed to the radio button on the helmet and pressed it.
Chk.
"About an hour, sir!" the soldier answered afterward.
This fucking idiot yelled anyway!
Thud thud thud thud!
Kang Chan looked at the dark sky outside the helicopter. He then gazed at the sporadic lights below, the dark sea in the distance, and the attack helicopters flying slightly apart.
He smirked toward the sea.
Um Ji-Hwan and the agents had risked their lives to get this information. Hence, Kang Chan felt that he had to be equally prepared.
This night was unpredictable in every sense.
Seok Kang-Ho and Gérard exchanged glances, while Choi Jong-Il looked down with a stern expression.
***
Inside the lobby on the first floor of the International Building, a temporary table had been set up. Five fully armed counter-terrorism agents were standing guard.
Kim Hyung-Jung was honestly scared, but it was not because of the possibility of a bomb exploding or an enemy suddenly rushing out and shooting at them. If those were the reasons, he would already have run to the front to get it over with.
Things had escalated. Only now did the reality sink in.
An armed special forces team currently surrounded the building with fifty-two floors and five basement levels in the center of Samseong-dong.
The 35th Brigade assigned to the perimeter had even mounted machine guns on their jeeps. Surprised, the citizens gathered, and the lights of the neighboring buildings turned on.
How could they be in the mood to watch this after the recent bombings?
As if mocking Kim Hyung-Jung, cars began to crowd around the International Building as if it were rush hour.
Whir, whir!
Despite the continuous gestures by police officers, the number of cars only increased.
What would Kang Chan have done in this situation? What would he look like during such a desperate time?
Chk.
"The control room has been secured,” one of the agents radioed in.
Kim Hyung-Jung hurriedly pressed the radio button.
Chk.
"Block off every light you can. Evacuate everyone in the building and lower the fire barriers in areas that have already been emptied! Deactivate security systems as you search, too."
Chk.
"There are about three hundred people in the main building and about two hundred in the cinema. Announcements are being made, but controlling them is proving difficult."
Kim Hyung-Jung frowned as he looked deeper inside the building. The escalator in the distance would lead to the cinema.
Chk.
"I\'ll take responsibility. If cooperation doesn\'t work, force them out. Hurry!"
Chk.
"Yes, sir."
After finishing the transmission, Kim Hyung-Jung spread out the floor plans laid on the temporary table. The International Building was connected to a hotel, a city airport terminal, the ASEM Center, a theater, and a shopping center. Moreover, the underground parking lot had space for five thousand cars. Agents were searching with bomb-sniffing dogs and equipment, but there were currently over seven hundred parked cars.
Ring, ring, ring.
He was insanely busy. His phone had been ringing nonstop all night.
"Kim Hyung-Jung speaking."
- This is the security office. Any progress?
Jeon Dae-Geuk sounded quite gruff. When heavily armed troops were mobilized within a fifty-kilometer radius of the presidential residence area and when the 35th Brigade, the Special Warfare Command, or other special forces teams were called, the security office immediately received reports about it.
"We\'ve just started," answered Kim Hyung-Jung.
Jeon Dae-Geuk remained silent. He knew Kim Hyung-Jung was investigating a massive building amid uncontrolled external conditions and the stress of live broadcasts.
They hoped that they wouldn’t meet any incidents, but if they did, someone had to take responsibility. This event could potentially lead to significant political backlash, sparking arguments that appointing Go Gun-Woo—a director with limited experience—was the cause of this absurd commotion.
- Manager Kim.
"Sir."
- Since you\'ve started, think about the consequences later and thoroughly investigate. If something happens after we withdraw from doing all this...
Jeon Dae-Geuk trailed off, implying the aftermath could be difficult to manage.
"Understood, sir,” Kim Hyung-Jung responded. At the same time, he heard a soft sigh from the other side of the call.
- Anything you need?
"For now, we\'re okay."
Kim Hyung-Jung turned his gaze outside. Beyond the glass, broadcasting lights intensely surged toward the building.
***
Thud thud thud thud thud thud!
They had been flying for about an hour.
Chk.
"We’re here. This is the location indicated by the coordinates."
Kang Chan leaned out and looked down. Apart from the white clouds around the helicopter, he couldn’t really see anything else. Taking out his phone, he immediately realized that there was no signal. Moreover, it was too noisy to make a call.
Chk.
"We need to find the ship! Connect me to the Russian intelligence bureau via radio!" Kang Chan was shouted in frustration.
Chk.
Right after, he heard a quick Russian conversation on the radio.
Thud thud thud thud!
The helicopter quickly changed direction.
Chk.
"We have eyes from the satellite! They’ve pointed us in the right direction, but our target is about five minutes away! Heading there now!" the guide explained in French.
Five minutes? I’ll wait, then!
Kang Chan used this time to brief Seok Kang-Ho and Choi Jong-Il on the situation.
***
Abibu answered the phone just after midnight. Sitting in the dark, his silhouette was faintly reflected on the window.
"The youngster to Russia? Why?" He asked.
It seemed to be unexpected news to him. He looked up into the void as if pondering. Outside the window, the streets of India were crowded with people and vehicles. After listening to the other party for a moment, Abibu spoke again.
"Korea is certainly an interesting country. Its people gather to spectate despite the threat of a terrorist attack. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our warrior\'s capabilities?" He said.
A brief silence followed.
"If it even makes it to the broadcast, that would be ideal. Spreading fear will change public opinion. It will teach the youngster what excessive ambition brings."
Abibu leaned forward and surveyed the area beyond the International Building.
"Ensure you have accurate reports on the youngster\'s movements."
After listening for a bit, he said, "Not yet. Wait.”
He put down the phone.
The scene outside the International Building unfolded as if it was from a movie, Watching through the window, it overlayed Abibu\'s figure.
"You little child."
The reflection of Abibu\'s eyes on the glass strangely glinted.
"Don’t rush. Otherwise, you might miss a splendid scene."
His expression filled with anticipation.
***
Thud thud thud thud thud thud.
About four minutes later, the five helicopters finally spotted a ship.
Groooong!
A strange engine noise followed as they sharply descended.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud.
Just then, sparks flew from the Mi-28 helicopter leading their formation
Tat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat!
These bastards!
"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Kang Chan yelled.
The attack helicopters—which were made to counter Apache helicopters—had opened fire! In seconds, their 30mm machine guns shredded the ship’s exterior. The guide hastily sent a radio transmission, and the firing stopped.
These untrained idiots! I didn’t fucking order them to fire!
It was a close call; the ship nearly exploded.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud.
Four lights encircled the ship as Russian radio transmissions hurriedly continued.
Chk.
"The satellite has confirmed that this is the correct ship."
How quick.
Kang Chan held onto the door of the helicopter and looked down. It was around a twenty-meter drop. Aside from the waves being pushed out by the propeller, there was no movement from the ship.
"I\'m going down! Lower the helicopter and throw down the ropes!" Kang Chan barked at the soldier he had been guiding.
Chk.
"Send the agents down first, sir!"
Kang Chan thought about it for a moment and then shook his head.
You never know what these bastards might do.
"We\'ll go down first! You guys follow!" Kang Chan firmly ordered.
An agent pulled out the ropes near the entrance.
"Daye! You go down first! Gérard! You follow behind him from this side! Choi Jong-Il will be the last to descend!" Kang Chan said.
Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and Choi Jong-Il nodded in turn.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud!
It was a noisy night over the quiet sea. Only the rough winds and the loud noises of the large helicopter blades could be heard.
"Throw it!"
Whoosh! Swoosh!
The two ropes, lit by the light, writhed like snakes.
Click!
Seok Kang-Ho went down ten meters without any regard for his life. Kang Chan leaned on the doorframe and aimed his rifle downward, unwilling to entrust Seok Kang-Ho\'s life to someone whose skills he had yet to verify.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud!
Dressed in a suit, Seok Kang-Ho was slower than usual but not enough to be boring. Soon enough, he dropped down onto the ship.
Seok Kang-Ho swung his arms wide.
"Gérard!" Kang Chan called.
As commanded, Gérard hung onto the other rope.
‘That bastard!’
Kang Chan swallowed the curse on the tip of his tongue. Gérard descended so quickly that he was at risk of tearing off his palms and ankles.
"Here we go!" Kang Chan yelled at Choi Jong-Il as he slid down the rope.
The cold wind hidden in the darkness and the salty scent unique to the sea rushed at him. Water splashed the moment he landed.
Click! Clack!
The ship was tilting heavily. Seok Kang-Ho swung his arms, and Choi Jong-Il came down.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud!
The place lit by the light was as bright as day. The cabin and its surroundings were riddled with huge holes, leaving the ship a total mess.
Kang Chan gestured largely with his index and middle fingers to Gérard. Gérard nodded and quickly turned to the opposite side of the cabin. While the Russian agents were descending in succession, Kang Chan slowly moved forward.
Step. Step.
He was heading toward the cabin. Seok Kang-Ho supported him from behind, and Choi Jong-Il guarded the rear.
Sigh. Sigh.
Gérard turned back from the other side, and their eyes met.
‘Stay calm!’
‘Understood!’
In this situation, carelessness could mean death.
‘One, two!’
Gérard kicked the door open.
Crash! Bang!
Click!
Kang Chan aimed his rifle inside the cabin. The ship was rocking, but it wasn\'t enough to throw him off balance.
Sigh. Sigh.
Kang Chan stepped inside. The room was as big as the master bedroom of the apartment he used to live in.
Click!
After checking behind the door, Kang Chan looked left and right, then slowly straightened up. Three corpses and rifles were haphazardly scattered on the floor.
"What a mess," Gérard said while kicking one of the bodies.
Even if he hadn’t said anything, looking at the corpses riddled with machine gun bullets would have made anyone have the same thought.
"Check if there\'s anything worth salvaging!" Kang Chan ordered in both Korean and French as he left the cabin.
Damn! Did we come too noisily?
As Kang Chan surveyed the front and back of the rocking ship, Gérard emerged from the cabin.
"They\'re built and trained like soldiers. They all seem to be Greek."
"Greek?"
"Yes."
Kang Chan nodded. Strangely, they kept getting tangled up with the Greeks. Inside, he heard someone rummaging and knocking on walls to find hidden compartments.
"Let\'s leave this to the Russians and head back," said Kang Chan.
"Sounds good."
Just as Kang Chan started heading to the cabin to call Seok Kang-Ho, Seok Kang-Ho\'s head popped out.
"Take a look at this," said Seok Kang-Ho.
He then ducked back in. Kang Chan hurried inside, following him.
"Over here!"
Seok Kang-Ho pointed forward. The space under the ship\'s steering key was wide open. Kang Chan leaned over to look inside and found a metal case.
Better safe than sorry.
Kang Chan closely inspected the space for any sloppy connection linked to a dynamite or grenade.
Creeeak! Creek!
With each sway of the ship, an unsettling noise reverberated. At the same time, the suitcase slightly shifted.
I can’t find any explosive devices.
Kang Chan reached out and pulled the suitcase toward him.
"Check these bastards for something like a key," ordered Kang Chan.
Choi Jong-il and Seok Kang-Ho searched the dead, but they didn’t find anything.
\'Is this a nuclear warhead?\'
It was too light, though.
Kang Chan eyed the suitcase in front of him with a mysterious gaze.
If it contains dynamites or a C-4 attached to a timer, bringing this back to the helicopter could end our life spectacularly.
Kang Chan looked around. A case this small couldn’t possibly have hidden compartments.
C-4s are easy to get in the Middle East or Africa, so would they really put one in a metal suitcase straight out of a 007 movie just to deliver it to this place?
Kang Chan shook his head.
Unless it was to catch fish in the sea, there was no reason they’d secretly deliver C-4 to this place. Moreover, if C-4 was their product, this ship should be half-filled with it. Otherwise, this delivery wouldn’t be profitable.
"Let\'s head up,” Kang Chan said. “Gérard, take this.”
After entrusting the suitcase to Gérard, he left the cabin.
Chk.
"We’re going up. Pull the rope!"
Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho braced the ropes, and they quickly ascended.
"We\'re heading back! Take care of the ship!"
"Yes, sir!"
Gérard and Choi Jong-il then ascended using the thrown ropes. It was after the guide had rattled off something.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
As the helicopters began to move away, Kang Chan peered back. The ship rocked on the pitch-black sea, with the agents visible on it.
"Why don’t we take them with us?!"
"The navy will arrive soon!" the guide shouted.
Cruel bastards. They could have at least left one helicopter.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud!
Kang Chan shifted his gaze back.
The metal suitcase was in front of Gérard.
Is that really as valuable as the agents’ lives?
Kang Chan pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.