Codename Anastasia Novel (End) - Chapter 42

When Kwon Taekjoo visited, Salman was just having his cast removed. The doctor sternly told him that he wasn’t fully recovered yet and absolutely shouldn’t overexert himself. Only after receiving Salman’s promise did he leave. Salman glanced at Kwon Taekjoo, then awkwardly moved his arm.

“The nurse said you’ve been gone since dawn. Where did you go?”

“Are you really planning to end it like this?”

He didn’t answer the question, but pressed him abruptly. Salman stared at Kwon Taekjoo, then shrugged.

“What if I don’t?”

“What were your gains if you completed this mission?”

“You’re unpredictable. What good is that now?”

“I think it’ll be useful, so tell me.”

He couldn’t fathom why he was suddenly acting this way. Salman observed Kwon Taekjoo without answering. For some reason, he was extremely agitated. Had something happened overnight?

He answered meekly, thinking it would be more troublesome if he ignored him.

“I was promised financial support for independence.”

“Chechen side?”

To the next question, he only nodded. Zhenya had said that he, a Russian, joined this operation to obtain the ‘Anastasia’ blueprint. He said it was a worthwhile endeavor, but it was hard to believe him. It was dangerous enough to risk his life, and even if he completed the mission, it would be an act of treason. Certainly, Salman’s story was far more convincing than Zhenya’s, who was already part of the establishment.

He also understood that Zhenya and Salman knew each other. The ‘FSB,’ to which Zhenya belonged, regularly monitored Chechen movements. Some Alfa units were even stationed in Chechnya under the pretext of preventing unrest. If South Korea and the U.S. had separately contacted Salman and brought him into the operation, it suggested the extent of his influence. He must be a thorn in the side of the Russian government. And likely a natural enemy to Zhenya.

However, after learning Salman’s identity, a question arose. Director Lim had instructed him to secure the ‘Anastasia’ blueprint if possible. The same request must have been delivered to Salman. So, if the blueprint fell into their hands, whose property would it become? South Korea, which dispatched Kwon Taekjoo? Or the U.S., which dealt with Salman?

“If we get our hands on Anastasia, what happens next?”

The next moment, Salman suddenly pulled out a gun. The black muzzle was aimed at Kwon Taekjoo.

“I had one more mission.”

Salman’s expression had hardened. His clear eyes were fixed on Kwon Taekjoo and didn’t waver. His extended arm was also steady. It was the gaze of a sniper. Facing his cold face, as if he would pull the trigger at any moment, another memory came to mind.

‘By the way, do they hate you over there too? For a national intelligence agency to mistakenly send my photo… There’s no way.’

At the time, he had listened lightly and dismissed it. He didn’t have the luxury to consider such things.

‘Or you found out about some corruption by a superior you didn’t want to expose.’

It was merely Zhenya’s speculation. There was nothing specific he could infer. But now that things had come to this, it seemed good to confirm.

“Is that a U.S. directive? Or South Korea?”

“I can’t say.”

“Can’t you grant a dying man’s last wish?”

He pleaded with good-natured bluster. Salman, who seemed impervious to a needle prick, lowered his gun and let out a wry laugh.

“What’s the point of knowing, when it’s all over anyway?”

“I’m asking precisely because it’s all over.”

“If you really want to know. It was a South Korean directive. The U.S. side was the one talking about independence funds. Speaking of which, I was quite curious myself, what on earth did you do in your home country? What did you do to almost get killed all the way here?”

“Indeed. I’d like to know too.”

Salman made a bewildered face. And truly, Kwon Taekjoo also didn’t know why he had become a target for elimination. He intended to thoroughly inquire about it when he returned to South Korea.

Something else was important now. He reminded himself why he had burst in on Salman. He hadn’t fully organized his thoughts yet. As a result, the story he was telling was rambling.

“Zhenya… no, that Psikh bastard shot and killed a politician who attended his family’s party. I thought he’d be immediately wanted, but nothing happened. Being formally invited to the Bogdanov mansion means he’s quite influential, doesn’t it? How can that be?”

“I heard about that too. Believe it or not, that’s just how they are.”

“Then what about leaking state secrets, knowing full well I’m a foreign spy? Is that also because they’re ‘Bogdanovs’?”

“State secrets. It depends on their gravity.”

“I heard Russia is developing a new ballistic missile. ‘SS-29’, wasn’t it? A major flaw was found there, but a North Korean technician recently came and fixed the problem. I thought that was ‘Anastasia’. That’s why I chased it all the way to Alkhon Island.”

Salman, who had been listening silently, made an incomprehensible expression. He took a foreign intelligence agent to a party, leaked secrets related to cutting-edge weapons, and not only that, but even murdered an influential politician, knowing he was a foreign spy. In addition, he didn’t hesitate to engage in anti-state acts while acting as Kwon Taekjoo’s colleague.

But Salman had not heard any news of Zhenya being disciplined or in trouble. Even if he was a member of the Bogdanov family, could he truly be so unaffected? As doubt arose on Salman’s face, Kwon Taekjoo proposed a possibility.

“Could there be a reason why whatever he does is tolerated?”

“Whatever he does is tolerated?”

“For example, if he possesses ‘Anastasia’.”

Salman was dumbfounded by the sudden inference. Then he strongly refuted it, saying it was nonsense.

“There’s no way. It’s a weapon that two countries, Russia and North Korea, worked on for years. They wouldn’t have let a young punk under thirty get his hands on it.”

He handed Salman the materials he had brought. Briefly summarized there were articles related to various incidents and accidents.

“All the deceased listed there are people who participated in the development of ‘Anastasia’. Coincidentally, they all died on the same day. They either suffered unavoidable accidents or died by unknown means.”

“Are you saying these were all murders?”

“If everything Psyche said was true, then think about it. What would have happened if the ‘Anastasia’ development had failed? Russia and North Korea would have wanted to keep that news from leaking out. A never-before-seen weapon of mass destruction. That title alone had put the entire world on edge, even with an unfinished ‘Anastasia.’ The fact that you and I are facing each other like this is proof. Conversely, if ‘Anastasia’ had ultimately not been completed, the repercussions wouldn’t be limited to the failure itself. The existing power that ‘Anastasia’ held would also be damaged. Even if they were to develop it again afterward, it would be difficult to regain the same awe it once commanded. Isn’t that why they tried to conceal not only the research results but even the fact that they had commenced development? To do that, they would have had to silence those who knew every detail of Anastasia’s identity and development achievements first.”

Salman’s brow progressively furrowed. As a look of disbelief flickered in his eyes, Kwon Taekjoo nodded, asserting definitively.

“They killed them all. To prevent anyone from revealing that the ‘Anastasia’ development had failed. And to prevent such a weapon from ever being developed anywhere again.”

A low gasp escaped Salman. It was something two countries could accomplish. No, he felt a certainty that they surely would have done it.

“They would have had to deal with dozens of people in a short amount of time. Without a sound. Who would have been in charge of that?”

“For something like that, naturally the FSB would have…”

“They couldn’t have sent just anyone. It was such a unique situation.”

When Kwon Taekjoo mentioned that much, only one person came to Salman’s mind. The sole member of Alpha Unit 3, a special forces unit belonging to the ‘FSB,’ and the third son of the Bogdanov family, who had provided massive funding for the ‘Anastasia’ development. It seemed there was no one more suitable for the final stage of the research—the annihilation.

Perhaps the government had intended to eliminate him and even his family once Zhenya completed all the work and returned. However, they couldn’t. The Bogdanov family remained strong afterward. No, their influence seemed to have grown even more powerful than before. That part was perplexing. Why on earth was the Kremlin carrying such a time bomb?

Perhaps the reason lay with Zhenya. For instance, if he hadn’t fully obeyed the order to slaughter all the developers and destroy the blueprints. If the failed blueprints had fallen into Zhenya’s hands, and assuming he had found the problematic factors based on his extensive knowledge of weapons, the answer emerged. It was said to be a weapon powerful enough to rebalance global hegemony. If that was in Zhenya’s possession, the Kremlin might not be able to do anything to him. They would have no choice but to turn a blind eye to whatever he did.

“But that’s just your conjecture…”

As he tried to retort, Kwon Taekjoo handed him something else. It was a local Irkutsk newspaper published yesterday. The front page featured an article about a mysterious corpse found in Lake Baikal. Though short, a photo was also attached. The unidentified body was presumed to be Asian, found dismembered. Since there were no traces of a bladed weapon used to damage the body, it was tentatively concluded that he had been attacked by a wild animal.

Having read the entire article, Salman’s expression turned blank.

“Why is this relevant?”

“It’s Hong Yewook. The North Korean technician they called to fix the ‘SS-29’ defect. You saw him at the Bogdanovs’ villa. And…”

“And?”

“His father was also on the Anastasia developer list.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hong Yewook came here not just to fix the ‘SS-29,’ but to meet Psyche. Because if the equipment malfunction was resolved, Sergei would summon the Bogdanov family and government officials. And indeed, he did. Perhaps he recognized Psyche from the moment he boarded the Trans-Siberian Railway. He just pretended not to know. Ultimately, they met again at Sergei’s villa on Olkhon Island, and I suspect he tried to avenge his dead father but was instead taken down. Looking back, Hong Yewook seemed to be subtly conscious of Psyche quite often.”

If Hong Yewook had no other reason to attack Zhenya, then his death corroborated all the previous suspicions. Salman’s mind became complex, yet also cleared up.

Kwon Taekjoo confidently demanded of Salman, who was still staring blankly at the newspaper.

“Cooperate. Then I’ll make sure you get the support funds you were promised, properly.”

His tone and expression overflowed with confidence. Did he have a secret ace up his sleeve? Salman briefly hoped, then shook his head, looking at Kwon Taekjoo’s haggard appearance. With a low sigh, Salman reminded him of their predicament, as if he had already forgotten.

“I told you, didn’t I? Headquarters’ support ends with hospital bills.”

“I don’t need the headquarters’ support.”

“What are you talking about? With your injured body, and no support, what are you going to do?”

“Stop complaining. You can move quite well now, can’t you? If you’re worried about not having weapons, that’s fine too.”

“That’s not the only problem. What you’re trying to do is an unauthorized, solo operation. If you fail, that’s it, and if you’re unlucky, you’ll die. Do you think headquarters will even collect your body?”

“You must have been prepared for that when you came here, weren’t you?”

“Yes. At that time, the situation was much more hopeful. Why don’t you just face reality? They already know who we are. If we stand out, we’ll immediately be under surveillance. And we don’t even know where that damn ‘Anastasia’ is.”

“Well, Psyche has already revealed how to defeat the immortal Koschei.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“I think I know where the blueprints are.”

He confidently unfolded the satellite photo he had been holding. It seemed to be the Bogdanov mansion. He had seen it once before, so it looked familiar. But what did that mean? Salman’s expression grew even more puzzled.

Kwon Taekjoo pointed to various spots on the photo and began recounting an enigmatic story.

“Psyche said there’s a castle on a vast plain where no one lives, and you can’t get there by walking, riding, or even by being a fish, insect, or flying animal. I think the vast plain refers to the mansion grounds, and the castle where no one lives means the Bogdanov mansion. Psyche let slip something similar before. Their mansion has double and triple security, and surveillance is strict, so you can’t approach it without official visiting procedures.”