Codename Anastasia Novel (End) - Chapter 7

Was there some kind of mistake? While his questions multiplied, the polite staff member knocked on the deputy director’s office door. Soon, permission to enter was granted from inside. It wasn’t Director Im’s voice. The staff member personally opened the door and ushered Kwon Taekjoo inside.

Kwon Taekjoo forgot to greet them and looked at the First Deputy Director across from him. What could be a more obvious sight than the First Deputy Director occupying the First Deputy Director’s office? Yet, his current situation, facing him, felt ironic. Director Im, the one who had called Kwon Taekjoo here, was sitting beside him. Kwon Taekjoo stared at him as if asking for an explanation. Director Im merely offered a peculiar smile.

The atmosphere was unusual. Silently, he shifted his gaze between the First Deputy Director and Director Im. As if to ease his vigilance, the First Deputy Director spoke with a gentle face.

“I hear you just finished your mission in Busan.”

“Yes. I did my best.”

He retorted as soon as the First Deputy Director finished speaking. Although there had been some disturbance, it was a clear abuse of authority for the First Deputy Director to reprimand Kwon Taekjoo. Seeing Kwon Taekjoo’s rather defensive demeanor, the First Deputy Director and Director Im exchanged peculiar smiles. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

“I didn’t call you here for that. So, there’s no need to passionately defend yourself. While more commotion than necessary did occur during the operation, it’s a minor thing compared to national secrets being leaked. Isn’t that right, Director Im?”

The subtle sarcasm was typical of a seasoned executive. Kwon Taekjoo did not release his suspicions and watched Director Im closely. Director Im merely nodded with a smile. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but become even more bewildered. If it wasn’t because of the Busan incident, then why was he summoned at this late hour? He thought about it constantly but couldn’t reach any conclusion.

Director Im did not torment Kwon Taekjoo further. He placed the tablet he was holding on the table.

“What is it?”

“Just take a look.”

He shrugged and docilely picked up the tablet. He turned the first page with a bored expression. His eyes, languidly scanning the lines, gradually picked up speed. He scrolled down. Silently, yet breathlessly, he read through the text and quickly checked the next page. Watching his reaction, Director Im began to speak.

“It’s a top-secret intelligence report we recently acquired. Rumors about it have been circulating for a long time, but this is the first time we’ve secured evidence to ascertain the truth. As you’ve just seen, the main content is that North Korea and Russia have joined hands and embarked on the development of a new type of weapon three years ago. This weapon is said to boast firepower never before seen in any country in the world, right? They also say that if it’s completed, the global balance of power will shift. It’s unofficially called ‘Anastasia.’ We don’t know if that accurately refers to the name of the weapon, or if it refers to the secret agreement North Korea and Russia made to produce the weapon, or if it signifies the weapon’s blueprint or its designer. We also don’t know if the weapon is complete or not yet.”

He finally understood what the combination of the First Deputy Director and Director Im signified. If North Korea and Russia had joined forces to create an unprecedented weapon of mass destruction, who would be in trouble? Without much thought, it would be South Korea and the United States.

“We need to know what the true nature of that weapon is. A lack of information leads to an imbalance of power. If ‘Anastasia’ is not yet complete, and if possible, we should prevent it from appearing on the world stage.”

“What wouldn’t we do for world peace and humanity? If it’s a minor evil to prevent a major evil, then even stealing isn’t entirely bad.”

So, they wanted him to find out the true nature of the weapon jointly developed by North Korea and Russia. If possible, steal its blueprints or related secrets, and if not, destroy it so it would never see the light of day. Who? Kwon Taekjoo himself.

Since joining the National Intelligence Service and beginning his career as an agent, overseas assignments were commonplace. In fact, he spent more days abroad than in Korea. Therefore, the order to travel was not new. However, the mission area being Russia was a concern. It was a land he had never set foot on, either during operations or personally.

Of course, the conditions were not a major problem. Kwon Taekjoo had been continuously trained in Chinese, Persian, and Russian since joining the NIS. Even if he were dropped in Moscow right now, he wouldn’t have difficulty with language.

But that was all. Kwon Taekjoo lacked the most crucial thing: local experience. What could be more important for an agent than practical experience? This mission was no different from telling Kwon Taekjoo to jump into the middle of a battlefield without a gun. It was incomprehensible why this mission was assigned to him in the first place.

He stared at Director Im with a displeased expression. Director Im nodded as if he understood everything.

“Strictly speaking, you are not the right person for this operation.”

“Then you should find the right person.”

“Of course, we found one. And send them.”

“So?”

“……”

Director Im merely scratched his eyebrow in silence. The First Deputy Director also gave an awkward laugh. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but know the answer they had swallowed without uttering.

“It didn’t go well, I suppose.”

Director Im nodded again and then spread three photos on the table. The first photo showed someone’s hands, with the tips of all ten fingers bluntly severed. The bloodless flesh was swollen from being in water.

Another photo showed the forehead of a corpse covered in white cloth. An unknown pattern was etched precisely in its center. He soon realized it was a tattoo. Judging by the condition of the skin, it didn’t seem to have been recently inked.

The last one was a neat identification photo. Given the circumstances, he presumed it was the original appearance of the mutilated corpse. He knew the person in the photo.

“Dominic Morgan. An elite agent dispatched to Russia by a U.S. intelligence agency. He was found dead four days ago by the Nara River. At the time, he was on a solo mission to identify ‘Anastasia.’ He was quite adept at collecting Russian intelligence, so it’s regrettable what happened. Russia reportedly processed him as an unidentified individual. That’s a natural measure since he entered disguised. Though it’s questionable whether they truly considered him just an unidentified person.”

“So, because Russia’s surveillance has become stringent due to that incident, you want us to do their dirty work?”

“You’re very good at understanding the nuances of words. But let’s not call it dirty work. Since North Korea is involved, our country can be considered a party to this, can’t it? We can’t just stand by and watch. Right, you knew Agent Morgan from the last ROK-US joint training, didn’t you?”

“To be precise, I only knew him then. At most, for about a month. We happened to be assigned the same room.”

He clearly drew a line. Director Im smiled faintly. He shrewdly aimed at Kwon Taekjoo, who tried not to show any weaknesses.

“That’s why I chose you. Emotions that cloud judgment tend to ruin things.”

He was truly a sly old fox. Just as he was about to burst out in protest, a sudden vibration sound rang out. It was the First Deputy Director’s phone. He excused himself with a quick, “Just a moment,” and brushed past Kwon Taekjoo, stepping out. The open door closed behind him. Director Im, as if he had been waiting, commanded:

“Find ‘Anastasia’ in place of Agent Morgan.”

The lightness from earlier was gone, replaced by a serious tone. Kwon Taekjoo stared blankly at him without responding. Was this really the best option? Perhaps there was someone more suitable for this mission than himself. Surely, there must be at least one such agent somewhere within the agency… just one… No. He racked his brain, but no one came to mind.

Director Im’s expression was calm, as if this wasn’t something to be so troubled about. Yes, it probably wasn’t a big deal. Just dangerous enough for an elite agent to be found dead overnight, just that much. He wanted to retort sarcastically, but instead, he closed his mouth.

He had learned the ropes under Director Im since he joined the NIS. Now, they were close enough to exchange jokes, but he was still his superior. If Director Im gave an order, Kwon Taekjoo had to obey. He was in no position to refuse.

Director Im smiled contentedly at his resigned expression.

“I promise full support. We’ll also put together a team exactly as you wish.”

“It’s much easier for me to do it alone in many ways.”

“It won’t be easy this time, will it? It will be quite arduous.”

“Knowing that, there’s no need to push more people into harm’s way.”

He replied indifferently. Director Im chuckled, saying he knew he’d say that. Then, he handed him a thick envelope, calling it a gift. Kwon Taekjoo snatched it. The unsealed envelope contained various documents and a forged passport. He opened the passport to see an unfamiliar face.

“Sakamoto Hiro?”

“A contract was reportedly signed between a Japanese energy company and Gazprom, a Russian state-owned gas company, for the construction of an LNG facility. The expected profit alone is estimated to be tens of trillions of won. To celebrate the signing of this contract and to explore the planned construction site, Russia has reportedly invited officials from the energy company, the major bank responsible for cooperative financing, and an international trading company. Key officials from both countries, including prime ministers, and economic magnates will all attend the event. I hear that an international trading company called ‘Itochu’ played a significant role in securing this contract. ‘Sakamoto Hiro’ is their Europe regional manager. He is also prominently listed on the schedule of visitors to Russia.”

He would infiltrate Russia disguised as Sakamoto Hiro. It wasn’t a bad plan. If North Korea and Russia had indeed developed the weapon, only a very small number of people would have been involved or privy to related secrets. These were individuals in top positions in Russia. Approaching them wouldn’t be easy. However, it was a different story with Sakamoto Hiro. He would naturally meet them without much effort.

Of course, that was only if his identity wasn’t exposed. Besides Sakamoto Hiro, countless other officials were invited. If anyone among them noticed that Sakamoto Hiro was acting differently, the entire plan would be ruined. Just imagining it, Agent Morgan’s fate flashed through his mind.

Director Im soothed the clearly reluctant Kwon Taekjoo.

“Relax. Unless another Sakamoto Hiro appears, your identity won’t be compromised. Sakamoto Hiro is scheduled to depart a day before the delegation. Of course, agents in Tokyo will assist so he can’t actually depart.”

He added, our disguise skills are good enough to fool your mother. There seemed to be no need to worry about the fact that Japanese people are relatively short. Sakamoto Hiro’s height is 180cm. Kwon Taekjoo was about 2-3cm taller, but ordinary people wouldn’t perceive that difference. If anyone suspected, he could simply say he was wearing insoles.

Normally, he wouldn’t have thought about it for long. As long as he didn’t resign, he had no right to refuse orders from above. Yet, he couldn’t readily say yes. For some reason, he kept feeling uneasy.

Was it because Agent Morgan, who had taken on the mission before him, had died? It would be a lie to say it had no impact, but it wasn’t just that. His instincts were feeling a vague anxiety about something that hadn’t even happened yet.

“This is about reshaping the global balance of power. If this goes smoothly, your standing will change considerably.”

Director Im subtly urged his decision. Kwon Taekjoo looked at him silently, his gaze steady and upright. Director Im met his gaze with his characteristic smiling face. For a while, no words passed between them.

Kwon Taekjoo soon crumpled the prepared envelope into his jacket. He also added a word, as if to make things clear.

“I’m not interested in standing or power. Those things are unnecessarily fierce.”

“Then why are you, who has no interest in such things, accepting this operation?”

“When it’s an order from a high-ranking director, does a mere subordinate have the right to refuse?”

“There must be another reason besides that, right?”

“If I refuse this, my career, which has always achieved 100%, will crumble.”

“Of course, of course.”

“May I go now?”

“Ah, before you go, there’s one thing you must keep in mind.”

He asked, annoyed, “What is it?” Director Im’s face had hardened. His gaze, silently observing Kwon Taekjoo, seemed quite serious. His voice, which followed, also seemed a little subdued.

“Psikh Bogdanov.”

“Psikh Bogdanov? That’s… not a person’s name, is it?”

He frowned and tilted his head. ‘Bogdanov’ would be a Russian surname, but ‘Psikh’ didn’t look like a person’s name no matter how he looked at it. What parent would name their child ‘crazy bastard’ or ‘lunatic’?

Director Im elaborated, as if he hadn’t misheard.

“He’s generally called that rather than his real name.”

A name is inherently used more often by others than by the person themselves. Therefore, alternative names or nicknames can also serve as a basis for reputation. The fact that the Russian mentioned by Director Im was called ‘Crazy’ Bogdanov instead of his real name meant that he was indeed such a character. He didn’t know what kind of person he was to be referred to that way even in this distant foreign country.

“In Russia, he’s like a nuclear bomb.”

“Nuclear, as in ‘center’?”

He asked, uncertain. It was due to the ambiguity of the language. ‘nuclear’ had another meaning entirely different from ‘core’ or ‘center.’ Surely, they wouldn’t liken a person to such a weapon of mass destruction. He made a hasty assumption and looked at Director Im, who smiled faintly again.

“Yes, it also means that.”

It seemed to be closer to ‘nuclear’ referring to a nuclear weapon. He unconsciously distorted his face. What kind of person was he, to be called ‘lunatic’ more often than his own name, and even symbolized as a ‘nuclear bomb’?

Thoughts about ‘Psikh Bogdanov’ gave rise to another question. Why was he specifically mentioned in this operation, whose purpose was to find ‘Anastasia’?

“Does he have anything to do with Morgan’s death?”

“It’s not certain. There’s no physical evidence, only strong circumstantial evidence. You won’t be able to avoid a confrontation with him if you want to approach the Russian bigwigs. ‘Nuclear’ isn’t ‘nuclear’ for nothing. So, avoid him if possible. Even if you run into him, don’t try to engage him.”

A chuckle escaped him. The more warnings he received, the more curious he became about that lunatic.

Around that time, a knock was heard from outside the door. When Director Im said, “Yes,” the same staff member who had guided Kwon Taekjoo there entered. In his hands, he held a large bouquet of flowers and a trunk, respectively. He practically dumped them on Kwon Taekjoo, then bowed silently and left.

“I’ve packed everything you need. It saves time, and you don’t have to worry about packing. Isn’t that good? Especially since you hadn’t bought underwear for two months, I’ve put in all new ones, considering your preferences. No need to thank me.”

“You know my underwear situation better than I do?”

“That’s nothing much. And take the flowers home. It’s your mother’s birthday, right?”

Truly, a sly old fox of a man.

He swallowed the words he couldn’t utter and retorted gruffly.

“I won’t tell her it’s a gift from the Director. If she knew it was from a man who drags her son away even on her birthday, it would only spoil her good mood.”

“Thanks for thinking of me.”

Director Im smiled shamelessly.

“Don’t die.”

He turned to leave, but Director Im suddenly urged him. Kwon Taekjoo paused briefly and nodded perfunctorily.

When he stepped outside, the hallway was empty. He shuffled towards the exit. Sensor lights illuminated where Kwon Taekjoo walked, then sequentially turned off from far behind. The darkness, descending as the lights extinguished, crept closer, as if to swallow him whole.

“……”

He suddenly stopped and looked back. In the stillness, even the last ceiling light went out, and Kwon Taekjoo’s figure was submerged and disappeared into the thick darkness.