Codename Anastasia Novel (End) - Chapter 31

He shamelessly reached out a hand to Kwon Taekjoo’s buttocks. He could have just grabbed them abruptly, but for some reason, his hand moved slowly. It was just as his fingertips were about to touch Kwon Taekjoo’s rounded glutes. Kwon Taekjoo, who had been silent throughout, suddenly threw his weight back, shaking Zhenya off, then grabbed his wrist forcefully and instantly threw him.

Zhenya was thrown off balance by the sudden judo move. The momentary relaxation in his body might have been Zhenya letting Kwon Taekjoo win. Instantly, Zhenya, who had been inverted, returned to being a hearty comrade. Kwon Taekjoo picked up the towel that had fallen beside him and draped it back around his neck.

“Are you going to call your mommy?”
As he was about to leave the banya, Zhenya taunted him. Kwon Taekjoo responded in kind.

“Yeah. I’m going to tell her to scold you.”
He even gave Zhenya the middle finger. As he left the banya and closed the door, he heard hearty laughter from inside. Crazy bastard. What was so funny that he was acting like that? He shook his head and headed for the changing room.

But after a few steps, he paused. He raised a hand and placed it on his left chest. His heart was pounding so hard it was difficult to breathe. Goosebumps had formed on his skin.

This time, it was truly dangerous. If Zhenya hadn’t been distracted, some part of his body would surely have been broken. Zhenya wasn’t the type to be lenient with an opponent just because they were his partner. If he was in a bad mood, he would mercilessly destroy anyone.

He tightly clenched his trembling hands. It was a feeling he had never experienced before. One doesn’t know the meaning of fear until one encounters it. Kwon Taekjoo was no different.

He needed to finish the operation as soon as possible. Completing the mission and parting ways with Zhenya—that might be the only way to escape this unfamiliar emotion.

No matter how he looked at it, it was crazy. Kwon Taekjoo repeatedly thought this early in the morning, by the snowy lakeside. The weather wasn’t good, and everything was covered in snow, making it impossible to tell where anything was, yet he was cycling before breakfast. If he misplaced his foot, he’d sink knee-deep. Wouldn’t it be much easier to ski? At least he wouldn’t look like a lunatic to others.

While grumbling, a massive hill appeared before him. He had to climb it to overlook the mansion where Hong Yewook was staying. With renewed resolve, he pushed down on the stiff pedals. He struggled to climb the steep slope as if his life depended on it. His wheels spun repeatedly, and after several slips, he finally reached the summit. He caught his breath and observed the mansion’s movements. There were no signs of anyone entering or leaving. Perhaps they had all been erased by the overnight snow.

He flipped the arm of his goggles outwards once. With a faint mechanical hum, his vision became three-dimensional. It was a special device that allowed him to see through buildings and structures. He pushed the arm further, zooming in to maximum.

The mansion resembled a fortress. The chimney was connected to the basement instead of the roof, designed to expel steam through the ground. The numerous tightly spaced windows were far too small for people to enter or exit. All the water and sewage pipes also ran along the cliff side. To infiltrate through there, one would have to climb the dizzying cliff in reverse, battling fierce winds. It was suicide. The conclusion was that the only pathway was the main gate.

He suddenly pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth. Even without lighting it, the tip of the cigarette glowed red. Immediately, the annual, quarterly, monthly, and daily wind direction and speed at Kwon Taekjoo’s position were displayed on his goggle monitor. He had been somewhat resigned, but it seemed impossible to infiltrate the roof using helicopters or parachutes.

All the methods he had considered had been in vain. However, his reconnaissance wasn’t entirely without fruit. Personally confirming the old mansion’s fortification gave rise to a near-certain question: What was it hiding that required such a formidable defense?

A triumphant smile spread across Kwon Taekjoo’s lips. The more carefully something was hidden, the higher its value. After observing the mansion for a while longer, he quickly descended the hill.

“I’m so sick of it, so sick of it.”
As soon as he returned to the guesthouse, he ate breakfast. He chewed the pelmeni as if chewing rubber. He had been shivering for a long time outside, and the reward was just a bowl of pelmeni. Should he find solace in the fact that it was at least warm? Even if the menu changed, he probably wouldn’t be pleased. It would likely just be lamb, herring, cabbage, or potatoes. All food is new and delicious when eaten occasionally, but eating it every day is bound to become tiresome. Just smelling it made him feel like he had already eaten it. Yet, he was consistently hungry, which was even more vexing.

He craved warm, spicy soup desperately. He rummaged through all the spice containers just in case, but couldn’t find anything similar to chili powder. He felt deflated. He was so hungry it hurt, but he didn’t want to eat anything.

He rested his chin on his arm and sighed repeatedly. Having just taken a hot shower, his hair was fluffy, and he was barely clothed in just a pair of briefs. He was wrapped in a blanket, wrestling with the unappetizing pelmeni.

Zhenya entered the kitchen. Kwon Taekjoo didn’t look at him, instead poking at the pelmeni.

“It’s still quiet. No one special coming or going.”
He reported out of obligation. Zhenya offered no particular response. He was just rustling something in front of the stove. Kwon Taekjoo casually turned around and his eyes widened. What Zhenya held was none other than Korean spicy ramen. Just seeing the packaging made his mouth water.

When Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t take his eyes off the ramen, Zhenya subtly lifted it. Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes followed suit. When Zhenya tossed it to his other hand and caught it, Kwon Taekjoo’s anxious gaze followed without fail. Zhenya’s lips formed a long curve.

“They say Koreans go crazy for this stuff. Is it true?”
“Where did you get that?”
“From the owner. A Korean who stayed here before supposedly gave it as a gift.”
Did the host see Zhenya as more Korean than Kwon Taekjoo himself? Why had he given that precious item to Zhenya without a word to Kwon Taekjoo? He blamed the innocent host, staring intently at the ramen.

He unconsciously reached out his hand. His fingertips brushed against a corner of the package, making a rustling sound. As if it were a signal, he suddenly reached for the ramen. He didn’t care that the blanket slipped off his shoulder.

He wished Zhenya would just give it to him, but Zhenya lifted the ramen higher to avoid him. He unhesitatingly jumped up. He waved his hands, as if blocking a ball.

But he couldn’t reach Zhenya, who kept raising his arm and dodging him. However, he didn’t give up easily. He jumped several times, constantly trying to snatch the ramen. Zhenya, who had been annoying him by continually slipping away, chuckled slyly.

“It seems it’s true you go crazy for it.”
At that point, Kwon Taekjoo stopped his attack. He calmly brushed back his disheveled hair. He took a deep breath, then boldly demanded.

“Give it to me.”
“I can’t just give it to you.”
He was being playful as expected. He was nothing short of a devil. Kwon Taekjoo, though clearly displeased, subtly asked for confirmation.

“What do you want?”
“It’s nothing much. It depends on how you look at it.”
Zhenya deliberately spoke evasively, as if to provoke. Then, holding his phone in one hand and the ramen package in the other, he read the cooking instructions. He seemed to be translating the Korean using a translation app.

Soon, a small pot of water was placed on the stove. Zhenya, who had meticulously adjusted the heat, stood in front of it with his arms crossed.

Now, Kwon Taekjoo’s gaze was fixed on the pot. Saliva repeatedly gathered at the corners of his jaws. He looked ready to drool like a dog. But he couldn’t just take Zhenya’s bait. He didn’t know what wicked demand Zhenya might make. As he hesitated, the water began to boil furiously.

He poured the powdered soup into the boiling water. A fierce aroma stimulated his olfactory cells. Kwon Taekjoo tried to act uninterested, returning to his seat and poking at the cold pelmeni. Perhaps his brain was creating a temporary illusion. Maybe he could trick his tongue with the smell. He optimistically took a mouthful of pelmeni, but the greasy taste spread, mocking his meager hope.

Meanwhile, Zhenya placed the finished ramen on the table. Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes silently scanned its appearance. It was pure ecstasy. Just one spoonful would clear his greasy stomach. The moment the Korean spicy flavor touched his tongue, even his deep fatigue seemed to vanish.

He subtly placed his fork on the edge of the pot. Zhenya, as expected, pulled the pot closer, dislodging Kwon Taekjoo’s fork. He tried again, but it was useless. Zhenya kept moving the pot away as Kwon Taekjoo approached. Unable to bear it, Kwon Taekjoo suddenly blurted out a bewildered warning.

“If you don’t eat it now, it’ll get all soggy.”
“Doesn’t matter to me?”
“……”
Right, it wouldn’t matter. Bastard. His fist, holding the fork, trembled. His lost appetite surged, making his vision spin. His reason blurred. If he didn’t eat it now, he didn’t know when he would taste it again. Perhaps Zhenya’s demand wouldn’t be as complex as he was making it out to be. Should he at least hear him out?

While he pondered, the ramen broth gradually diminished. He felt like he would die if he didn’t eat it immediately. The thin thread of his reason finally snapped. He immediately stood up and picked up the pot. Then, he slurped down the broth sweetly, as if it were the water of life. His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed vigorously. The moment the spicy broth touched his tongue, he felt his eyes clear, his nose unblock, and his ears open. The butter-laden feeling in his stomach seemed to dissipate at once.

Zhenya slowly walked behind Kwon Taekjoo. Kwon Taekjoo was too absorbed in eating the ramen to notice his approach. Zhenya lowered his eyes and slowly scanned Kwon Taekjoo’s nape, shoulders, and back. He gazed lingeringly at his straight back, smooth waist, rounded buttocks, and the legs stretching beneath them, then commanded in a low voice.

“Don’t move.”
Zhenya’s fingertips touched the back of Kwon Taekjoo’s thigh. It was a light contact, as if dust had settled there. Zhenya’s lingering gaze constantly followed his fingertips. His two blue eyes didn’t blink for a moment, as if trying not to miss anything. He even suppressed his breathing.

The next moment, his thigh was tightly squeezed. Zhenya, who had been gently stroking Kwon Taekjoo’s skin, suddenly gripped his thigh. Kwon Taekjoo watched this with annoyance, then resumed focusing on eating his ramen. He had expected a rather mischievous demand, but this was mild.

However, that was an utterly complacent thought. It was because Zhenya’s fingers stealthily pushed up Kwon Taekjoo’s briefs and burrowed inside. The hand that had merely been fondling his thigh now traced the line of his buttocks. Even his eyes, cold as ice crystals, were now moist with heat. Zhenya wantonly massaged the plump flesh, which was so firm it could repel his fingers. Unsatisfied with just that, he added a brazen demand.

“Give it some strength.”

What the hell?

Just as he was about to frown and protest, a sharp alarm blared from the location tracking monitor. He put down the pot and first checked the target’s status. Sure enough, the red dot had vanished from the coordinates. It meant that the tracking device, which had been in Hong Yewook’s stomach, had been excreted in some way.

He thrust the terminal he was looking at into Zhenya’s chest.

“He seems to have had a good bowel movement.”
Zhenya showed no particular reaction. He didn’t immediately take the terminal, only staring endlessly at his own hand. He seemed somewhat disappointed. Was he like a dog chasing a chicken?

Kwon Taekjoo chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“Thanks for the meal, by the way.”
He didn’t forget his customary teasing farewell. Kwon Taekjoo, wrapping the blanket that had fallen on the floor around his shoulders again, then scurried out of the kitchen. The pot was empty.

A hollow laugh escaped Zhenya, who stood there blankly.

In the evening, Zhenya went to scout the mansion’s movements. With him gone, Kwon Taekjoo could finally breathe. He sprawled on the bed, savoring the rare moment of permitted rest. His body and mind were at ease. It seemed solo missions were truly best suited for Kwon Taekjoo. Looking back, he had often received help from Zhenya. But a partner with more losses than gains was better off not having at all.

Suddenly, a vibration sounded from somewhere. He instinctively pulled out his phone, but it was silent. Since it was a device Zhenya had given him, there was no one to contact him other than Zhenya. If it wasn’t his own phone, did Zhenya leave it behind? It might not be an important call. He might have mistaken the common sound of wind for a vibration.

Even while considering other possibilities, he didn’t mind the trouble of getting down from the bunk bed to find the source of the vibration. He lifted Zhenya’s bedding. His phone was under the pillow. As expected, a new message had arrived. When he tried to check the content, the lock function activated. Thinking he had nothing to lose, he entered the password Zhenya had used for the armory. Incredibly, the security was unlocked.

“……”
After that, he hesitated. Looking at someone else’s phone without permission was shameless. Kwon Taekjoo’s motto was to not meddle with others and not to interfere with himself. Should he violate that principle and check the message? It might be a completely private communication, utterly unrelated to Kwon Taekjoo. No, precisely because of that, wouldn’t it be an opportunity to discover Zhenya’s true nature? Two thoughts sharply conflicted.

After long deliberation, he turned on his laptop and connected the phone. It would take a while for Zhenya to return. He was reluctant to do this, but he needed certainty about Zhenya. What exactly he did, whether he really joined this operation just to get the blueprints as he claimed, who his close associates were. He felt he needed to know at least one of these things to drop his suspicion and guard against Zhenya.

He inserted his USB into the laptop’s slot. It was one of the few belongings he had carried with him since the hotel explosion. Though specially made to withstand most impacts and moisture, he didn’t know if it would work properly. With an anxious heart, he scanned the file list in the storage device. Fortunately, the hacking program was intact.

He ran the program and retrieved all the files from Zhenya’s phone. When he entered a specific command, all the information was instantly displayed. Even arbitrarily deleted or modified files were flawlessly recovered. Immediately, he disconnected the phone from the laptop and returned it to its original place. The phone screen still showed an unread message icon. It would be nearly impossible to find traces of hacking.

He checked the most recently arrived message among those loaded onto the computer. It was a long MMS.

[We have finally resolved the ‘SS-29’ error. We are currently conducting additional checks for other defects. The final results will be announced in two days, at a meeting with all attendees. Please come and grace us with your presence.]
It was unexpected. SS-29. The fact that the weapon had encountered problems and that the issue had recently been resolved was all information he already knew. However, he couldn’t understand why that message had arrived specifically on Zhenya’s phone. The content of the message suggested that all recipients were involved in the development of ‘SS-29.’ Wasn’t Zhenya unrelated to that?

“You did something unnecessary.”
“……!”
He flinched at the sudden voice. Zhenya was already standing by the door. Instantly, a chill ran down his spine, and the back of his head tightened. When had he returned? He hadn’t detected Zhenya’s presence at all. It wasn’t because Kwon Taekjoo’s senses were dull. It was simply that Zhenya was like a ghost. Because of this, he was caught red-handed at the scene of the hacking, with no way out.

“If you had asked me to show you, I would have.”
His nonchalant tone was astounding. Although Zhenya was inherently brazen, even he wasn’t in a position to act like this now.

“How did this happen?”
“I stole it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you remember when I went to Bogdanov’s mansion and met a woman named Olga? Before we parted, she asked me for my contact information. While I was inputting the number, I also installed a cute little app. It’s different from typical hacking programs or viruses. An expert wouldn’t even know it’s installed, and it spreads naturally to other recipients through messages. Thankfully, Olga seemed to contact her family often. Seeing how I can view all messages going in and out of Bogdanov’s men’s phones, that must be it.”

Zhenya explained as he took out his own phone. He even unlocked it himself and casually tossed it to Kwon Taekjoo. Kwon Taekjoo looked at him unhappily, then shifted his gaze to the phone. Just as Zhenya claimed, all the messages exchanged between Bogdanov family members and others were accumulated there. Not only that, but all individual information—from past call records to contacts, photo albums, notepads, and schedules—was saved in folders. It seemed that hacking Bogdanov’s people was indeed true.

“These days, even things like that can be weapons. They sell better than bulky, heavy chunks of metal.”
The era of hot wars was over. While countries around the world still steadily developed weapons and focused on strengthening firepower, it was mostly a conceptual act. The means of rivalry between nations had been replaced by espionage. In a time where securing the latest information and secrets was paramount, Zhenya’s hacking program was truly welcome. The fact that he’d chosen the Bogdanov family as his first experiment was also worthy of praise. And yet, the questions weren’t completely resolved.