Codename Anastasia Novel (End) - Chapter 52

Bajim was, in name and deed, the President’s political partner. The two enjoyed horseback riding together once a week. After racing their horses competitively, they would have informal conversations on the way back, ranging from national affairs to rumors in high society, and even highly private matters. Today was no different.

“So, what are you going to do about that troublesome one?”

The President often referred to Zhenya as ‘that troublesome one’. The implicit question wasn’t simply asking about his well-being. A while ago, Bajim had received an order to return ‘Anastasia’ to the state. That’s why he had urgently called Zhenya.

He swallowed dryly, without a sound. He couldn’t relay his immature younger brother’s answer directly to the subtly expectant President.

“I haven’t received a definite answer yet.”

At the disappointing reply, the President reined in his horse. Though his face didn’t harden, the cold indifference of a ruler was apparent in his calm eyes that gazed into the distance.

“Considering he’s your own flesh and blood, and the trust the Bogdanov family and the Kremlin have built, I’ve just watched until now, but no more. If that troublesome one ultimately doesn’t hand over ‘Anastasia,’ I will have no other choice. The lesser must be sacrificed for the greater good.”

Bajim listened in silence. No matter that it was his own brother, it was difficult to defend Zhenya.

“I hear he’s been frequenting his private property lately?”

“Are you referring to Azhinyok Island?”

“I don’t know the name, but I heard it’s an uninhabited island.”

“Yes. It’s an island my father gifted me on my tenth birthday. It’s on the Arctic Ocean coast, a place inaccessible without a helicopter. He used to hole up there and not come out. He hates being interfered with, then as now.”

“Even so, it wouldn’t be easy to go back and forth so often. What do you think?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but it seems he’s raising some animal. The same guy who used to let cacti die just recently lectured me on how to tame beasts. Even if he’s busy with official duties, he wouldn’t starve a pet, so wouldn’t he go occasionally to feed it?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“What…?”

“Is that troublesome one really the type to be interested in such things? That’s not like him. Unless, perhaps, he’s found a new interest in metal. Like a ‘second Anastasia,’ for instance.”

Bajim didn’t know how much progress had been made on ‘Anastasia’s’ development. Zhenya never mentioned it at all. But if ‘Anastasia’ was already complete, there was only one place to hide it: the remote island only Zhenya ever visited, all year round.

“When the owner is away, I’ll have to have it searched.”

The next words sounded like a declaration of war. He soon realized they weren’t empty words. The Director of the FSB and the Minister of Defense, summoned by the President, were waiting for the two of them in front of the stables.

“Do what?”

Kwon Taekjoo asked back as if he had misheard. Zhenya willingly clarified, “Rock-paper-scissors,” again. He pushed aside the chessboard and pieces scattered on the table.

A bewildered chuckle escaped Kwon Taekjoo. After digging out the chess set from storage after a long time, as soon as he lost, Zhenya immediately proposed another game. And of all things, just ‘rock-paper-scissors’.

“This time, it’s a single round. A man uses his fists!”

Zhenya lightly made a fist and shook it, coaxing Kwon Taekjoo, who didn’t budge. He glared, urging him to comply. Kwon Taekjoo shook his head, then reluctantly raised his hand. Kwon Taekjoo quickly shouted, “Rock-paper-scissors!” His spirited voice echoed with enthusiasm.

Both of them threw rocks. Seeing the tie, Kwon Taekjoo exhaled the breath he had been holding. He even shook his hands, which were tingling from putting too much effort into it. What was there to be so nervous about with something so trivial? He quickly shouted the phrase again, catching the bored Zhenya off guard.

“Again, rock-paper-scissors!”

Again, rock met rock. As it was a tie once more, Kwon Taekjoo suddenly stood up from his seat. He turned his back, breathing heavily as if constricted. The outcome was purely determined by luck, yet he was wasting more energy than necessary.

Kwon Taekjoo watched as Zhenya leaned back, rubbing his hands together. Kwon Taekjoo quickly renewed his resolve and spun around.

“Rock, paper, scissors…!”

He squeezed his eyes shut as if he couldn’t bear to watch. Zhenya merely watched the unfolding result with indifference.

Kwon Taekjoo let out a long exhale and slowly lifted his eyelids. His eyes, alternating between their two hands, were extremely cautious. Zhenya hadn’t changed his hand once from the beginning. And Kwon Taekjoo’s hand was spread wide open.

Did I win? Really?

He saw it clearly but couldn’t believe it. He pinched his own flesh before belatedly grinning.

“I won.”

He cheered, clenching his fist tightly. Kwon Taekjoo’s joy, as if he owned the world after winning just one round of rock-paper-scissors, made Zhenya smile faintly.

“Alright, what’s your wish?”

Kwon Taekjoo answered without hesitation, “I want to leave this island.” He expected Zhenya to be a little flustered, but to his surprise, Zhenya calmly nodded.

“Any other conditions?”

“Just me, healthy, on my own two feet.”

“And?”

For some reason, Zhenya was openly giving him an opening. Kwon Taekjoo was still a little suspicious, but he didn’t decline and listed the necessary items. He didn’t care if Zhenya thought he was shameless.

“I’ll need a change of clothes, my passport, a Colt pistol too… and I think I should have some cash.”

Zhenya nodded as if he’d granted anything. He was being so compliant that it made Kwon Taekjoo feel uneasy. There was only one restriction Zhenya placed.

“Instead, leave when it gets light.”

“…What’s your game?”

“You lost the chess game, didn’t you? You can go, but that needs to be properly settled first.”

Zhenya suddenly threw something at Kwon Taekjoo, who was still looking at him suspiciously. Kwon Taekjoo caught it instinctively and found it was the helicopter ignition key.

Everything felt surreal. He could escape so easily, so why had he suffered so much? His past efforts and futile struggles flashed through his mind like a slideshow. It felt quite empty, but since his wish was granted, nothing else mattered. In his mind, he was already safely back in his room, lying on his bed.

But the euphoria didn’t last long. It was because Zhenya abruptly stood up and approached him without warning.

“Why?”

Kwon Taekjoo instinctively stepped back, wary. Zhenya didn’t reply, slowly closing the distance. Kwon Taekjoo stumbled back and tripped over the bed. Zhenya naturally climbed onto his fallen body. Kwon Taekjoo tried to push him off, saying, “Get off,” but Zhenya easily pinned down his arms.

“I said I’d let you go when it’s light, didn’t I?”

Zhenya whispered slyly, then unhesitantly tore Kwon Taekjoo’s shirt open. The buttons came off weakly. He pressed his lips to Kwon Taekjoo’s exposed neck, then pulled down his pants in one swift motion. The naked body, now revealed, was covered with traces of their lovemaking. There was no more space for hickeys. Yet, Zhenya stubbornly bit at the mottled skin, tearing down the last remaining brief. He grabbed Kwon Taekjoo’s legs, which were bent upright and preventing close contact, and lifted them up.

“Ugh…”

His center of gravity abruptly shifted to his head and shoulders, causing blood to rush to his face. His face turned bright red, and he squeezed his eyes shut. As he squirmed in discomfort, Zhenya lifted Kwon Taekjoo’s legs onto his shoulder. The back of his thighs touched Zhenya’s chest, and his body completely folded in half. Zhenya propped himself up with both fists on the bed and firmly pressed his lower abdomen against Kwon Taekjoo’s exposed buttocks.

Before long, Zhenya’s erect penis rubbed against Kwon Taekjoo’s buttocks. Kwon Taekjoo desperately clutched the innocent bedsheet in the face of the impending disaster.

Zhenya licked Kwon Taekjoo’s calf and extended his hips. The glans, wet with pre-cum, lightly brushed against the soft opening. The surrounding wrinkles quickly became moist. Zhenya then slowly pushed in, pressing his hips down into Kwon Taekjoo.

“Aah… ugh…”

A pained groan burst from his tightly clenched teeth. Even though they had done it extensively last night, his inner walls tenaciously gripped his penis. Zhenya frowned at the tight constriction, but his gaze never left Kwon Taekjoo’s face. Then he leaned in deeper and gently licked Kwon Taekjoo’s trembling eyelashes, which were shaking with pain. The tender kisses that followed across his face were those of a loving husband, but the penis forcefully plunging and churning inside him was nothing short of a tyrant.

The opening, loosened from their previous lovemaking, continuously opened and closed. Their different skins slapped together with a wet sound, assaulting his ears repeatedly. Each thrust brought added pressure with Zhenya’s full weight. It felt as if a hole would surely be punched through his stomach.

“Ah, ugh, please…”

Kwon Taekjoo instinctively grabbed Zhenya’s arm. At his pleading tone, Zhenya paused his movements and looked at Kwon Taekjoo. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t bring himself to ask him to be gentle. He opened his mouth, then firmly closed it again. He even turned his head away.

At that moment, Zhenya traced his exposed ear with the tip of his tongue. Then he abruptly pushed the tip of his tongue into Kwon Taekjoo’s ear canal and resumed his hip thrusts. His thighs and buttocks slapped together fiercely. His saliva-drenched ear greedily swallowed the explicit sounds.

Zhenya thoroughly stimulated the mucous membrane that, having been aroused all night, tingled at the slightest touch. He precisely targeted Kwon Taekjoo’s particularly sensitive spots and thrust maliciously. Each forceful thrust made Kwon Taekjoo’s toes curl. His vision blurred to a bright yellow.

“Ah-oot, ha, ah…! Ah! Ugh… ah, ahng…!”

His moans, not his own, erupted uncontrollably. Zhenya, who had been pushing him to his limit, forcefully struck deep inside him. Then he leaned his head, rubbing his crotch intimately against Kwon Taekjoo’s buttocks. His face was positioned directly above Kwon Taekjoo’s distorted face.

“…Ugh.”

“If you can leave, do as much as you want.”

Zhenya twisted the corner of his lips into a sardonic smile. Kwon Taekjoo had a sad premonition that tonight would be long and arduous.

Zhenya didn’t let go of Kwon Taekjoo until dawn broke. Kwon Taekjoo, who had slept like a dead man for a full day, lay weakly on the bed. Zhenya, who was about to leave, wearing a fur coat, suddenly turned back.

“It’ll take about two days.”

He abruptly reported his schedule. Since when did he meticulously inform him of such things? Kwon Taekjoo didn’t react, just rolled over.

A moment later, the sound of helicopter blades rotating was heard. The booming noise above his head gradually faded into the distance. Zhenya had left again, and Kwon Taekjoo was once more alone on the island. How much longer would he have to repeat this dreadful life?

It was too boring. He wasn’t used to killing time without anything to do. It felt like he was becoming a useless chunk of meat each day. This feeling of helplessness was new to him.

What would happen if he were left alone here, surrounded by nothing but snow? He would surely go mad. It might even be fortunate if he didn’t commit suicide before that. His sense of time and reality seemed to be dulling more and more. He wanted to escape before his mind deteriorated further. His desire grew more desperate, but the path to achieving that wish remained distant.

He irritably pulled the blanket over his head.

Late in the afternoon, he left the mansion. He planned to get some fresh air. He walked aimlessly until he found himself by the sea. He sat down on a relatively dry rock, then quietly gazed at the distant horizon.

It felt as if he had been dropped into an entirely different dimension. He had no idea what was happening outside, or how the situation was unfolding. He never imagined he would lead such a desolate and aimless life.

Sighing, he stood up. He decided to walk along the sandy beach to stretch his still stiff body. He had grown quite accustomed to the harsh sea wind.

After walking for a while, he saw a twig fluttering in the waves. He quickly picked it up because it turned out to be a disposable chopstick. Where had it drifted from? China, perhaps? Or maybe Korea? He felt his own situation was even worse than that chopstick’s.

Using the chopstick, he drew a large scribble in the sand. Then, on a whim, he picked up some seashells and pebbles from around and placed them on top. The completed message was a distress signal: ‘S.O.S’. If he was lucky, a passing ship or aircraft might see it. If not, then not.

Once that was done, he just flopped down. The thick layer of snow cradled his entire body like a soft blanket. As he closed his eyes, only the sound of waves and wind remained. Endless silence. It felt as if nothing would change even if he disappeared right there. His consciousness drifted down into the abyss.

How much time had passed? A sudden noise echoed in his ears. He wondered if it was just tinnitus, having longed for it so desperately.

He sprang up. He frantically scanned his surroundings and saw a helicopter approaching in the distance. Its appearance was different from the one Zhenya usually took. Perhaps it might see his distress signal? At that thought, he desperately waved both arms.

“Here! Hey, over here!”

He even jumped up and down. But the helicopter passed by, not seeing him. Unable to give up, he ran to the mansion. If he waved something like clothes from a higher spot, it would surely catch their eye.

He ran to the rooftop and waved his shirt. He yelled with all his might, struggling to draw attention. His sincerity seemed to work, as the helicopter made a wide turn and approached the mansion. Joy spread across Kwon Taekjoo’s face.

He moved aside to allow the helicopter to land safely. The helicopter descended onto the rooftop, stirring up a strong wind. The propellers, which had been emitting a majestic mechanical roar, slowly came to a halt. Only then could he open his eyes.

He quickly ran close to the helicopter. Soon, the door opened, and a man in a black suit appeared. While he extended his arm to stop Kwon Taekjoo’s approach, a young woman followed him out.

“…What is this?”

Her reaction was somehow disappointing. The woman then slowly walked around Kwon Taekjoo, scrutinizing him piece by piece.

“I mean. I thought it would be something much grander, hearing he’d hidden it and only saw it himself.”

Kwon Taekjoo had no idea what she was babbling about. Who was this woman, anyway? She seemed much younger than him. Her unusually distinct features looked somewhat like someone, and somewhat not. She was quite beautiful, but perhaps tired from a long flight, she looked rather pale.

Kwon Taekjoo firmly crossed his arms in front of the woman who was appraising him. The woman also stopped walking and met his gaze. Her eyes were bold.

“Who are you?”

Despite his unapproving tone, she smiled, her eyes curving. She even extended her hand without hesitation.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Olga.”

Olga. Where had he heard that name? A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him. Her face was unfamiliar, but her name was very familiar to his ears.

Olga added a remark, resolving Kwon Taekjoo’s doubt. It was also the reason she had come here.

“Olga Vissarionva Bogdanov.”

Olga and Kwon Taekjoo sat facing each other for a long time. He had followed her downstairs when she suggested tea, but neither of them had touched a drop of water.

Olga sat in the chair Kwon Taekjoo offered, staring at him as if to pierce through him. Just like Zhenya, she seemed utterly unashamed. Kwon Taekjoo, still with his arms crossed, met her intense gaze.

Nothing was known about Olga, Vissarion’s only daughter. Not even a photo existed, let alone her birthdate, what school she attended, or what she did for a living. It was unknown whether her path differed from her brothers simply because she was a woman.

“What was so good about that man?”

Olga spoke first. Her tone was subtly blunt. It was hard to grasp her true intentions, making him wonder if he had heard correctly. When he didn’t reply, she shrugged and elaborated.

“I just can’t understand it. I’ve never seen anyone wanting to stick around him before.”

‘That man’ was someone both Olga and Kwon Taekjoo knew. Only one person immediately came to mind, but the question was a bit odd. What was so good about him? It sounded as if Kwon Taekjoo was with him because he liked him, of his own free will.

“You seem to be misunderstanding, but you’re wrong.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“It’s not like I want to be stuck in a place like this.”

“Then?”

“……”

Kwon Taekjoo was about to reply directly, but then closed his mouth again. He truly didn’t know where or how to begin explaining. There was no reason to pour out his heart to a stranger. Either way, she was with Zhenya.

He shook his head as if to say, ‘never mind’. Yet, Olga, who had been making her own assumptions, suddenly gasped in surprise.

“No way, were you kidnapped?”

“Kidnapped…?”

Kwon Taekjoo was speechless. It wasn’t an entirely wrong guess. But to say he was truly kidnapped was a bit ambiguous. Olga took Kwon Taekjoo’s silence as passive affirmation and couldn’t help but sigh. She even muttered to herself, “That crazy bastard finally…”

Olga’s wary gaze towards Kwon Taekjoo suddenly softened. She grabbed Kwon Taekjoo’s hand and apologized for her rudeness.

“I was very rude. I thought you two had something going on… When I heard that man had run off with a terrorist who blew up our house, I thought it was a case of ‘sleeping with the enemy.’ Anyway, I’m sorry for misunderstanding. To think there’d be an idiot who’d fall for that man. I came all this way for nothing, not knowing that.”

Her last words were closer to a monologue. It seemed she had come here to watch a monkey in a zoo. To use her own words, she was looking for an ‘idiot who had fallen for Zhenya and eloped.’ It was absurd.

“So, you came here because…”

“I came for recuperation.”

She brazenly lied, despite what Kwon Taekjoo had clearly heard just moments before. Then, ignoring Kwon Taekjoo, who protested with his eyes, she changed the subject.

“By the way, were you planning to just write silly distress signals like that and keep waiting to be rescued?”

Is this how all people who never cared about what others thought were? Both Zhenya and his sister had no filter.

“You never know. Maybe someone will come to save that poor idiot.”

“…Um, I wasn’t saying you were an idiot.”

“That’s quite comforting.”

“By the way, what’s your name? We haven’t introduced ourselves yet.”

“Don’t be curious. I can’t tell you.”

“What kind of talk is that? How can I not be curious if you don’t tell me?”

“Anyway, no means no. I don’t want to go through all this trouble and lose my job.”

He stubbornly resisted. Olga pouted, displeased. Kwon Taekjoo wouldn’t have blown up the Bogdanov mansion for no reason, and he worked for a company where he couldn’t reveal his identity, so his general identity must have been figured out.

She quickly changed the question.

“Then what does he call you?”

“Zha…”