How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

I couldn’t blindly trust Commander Kwak Taesu’s words.

If this was a trap meant to harm me, everything could end in the worst possible way.

”Better safe than sorry.”

Without wasting a second, I called NIS Director Om Giyeon.

Something felt off.

It was the middle of the night in Korea—already past two in the morning.

I expected the phone to ring several times before anyone answered.

Instead, the moment the call connected, his voice came through the speaker.

”Managing Director Cha, I’m listening.”

”Director Om, you’re still awake?”

”There’s been an emergency in North Korea. We’ve been called into an emergency meeting.”

I immediately understood what kind of ”emergency” he meant.

Director Om Giyeon had also received intelligence that Commander Kwak Taesu had defected from North Korea.

Wanting to confirm my suspicion, I asked directly.

”How did Managing Director Cha find out about it?”

”Commander Kwak just called me himself and asked for my help.”

”What did you say?!”

Director Om Giyeon’s voice rang out with undisguised shock.

”He got my phone number from Deputy Director Jo. Please verify immediately whether that’s true.”

”I’ll contact you again as soon as I know. Please wait.”

Click.

Clearly pressed for time, Director Om Giyeon hung up first.

As if he’d been waiting for exactly that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan immediately turned to me.

”Managing Director Cha, what’s the situation?”

”Commander Kwak Taesu, the commander of North Korea’s Guard Command, has defected.”

”What did you say?!”

Everyone present, including Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, froze in shock.

They all knew perfectly well how important Commander Kwak Taesu’s position was.

”Commander Kwak said Dandong is swarming with police and soldiers. He asked us to pick him up.”

”Could... this be a trap?”

As if voicing everyone’s thoughts, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan expressed serious doubt.

”The same thought crossed my mind. That’s why I want Deputy Director Jo to confirm everything.”

”Ah, now I understand what you’re planning.”

”It may take quite a while to reach Deputy Director Jo. Rather than waste time, Director Lee should head to Commander Kwak’s hiding place immediately.”

”Director Lee, wait a moment.”

However, Team Leader Seo Donghun stopped Director Lee Menghong, who sat back down on the sofa.

I looked at Seo Donghun, trying to understand his intention.

”Managing Director, what if we take Saho with us, just in case the worst happens?”

I immediately understood what he meant.

He wanted Saho to scout the area around Commander Kwak Taesu’s hiding place.

Since I’d already seen through his idea, there was no reason to pretend otherwise.

”That would be the best approach.”

”Director Lee hasn’t built a rapport with Saho yet, so I’ll go with them.”

In the end, Director Lee Menghong, Team Leader Seo Donghun, and Saho left to rescue Commander Kwak Taesu.

No sooner had they departed than my phone vibrated.

Seeing the caller’s name, I answered immediately.

”Director Om, I’m listening.”

”Managing Director Cha, Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol is here with me. I’ll hand him the phone.”

Judging from the echo in Director Om Giyeon’s voice, the call was on speaker.

A moment later, Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol spoke.

”Managing Director Cha, Commander Kwak Taesu is my childhood friend.”

”Yes. Commander Kwak mentioned that.”

”I see. He has always deeply resented the fact that the Kim Ilsung dynasty has remained in power for three generations. Then Kim Jonghun publicly declared his intention to extend the dictatorship into a fourth generation. When he began putting his ten-year-old daughter in the spotlight, Kwak’s dissatisfaction finally reached its limit. But...”

As if emphasizing the importance of what came next, Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol paused before continuing.

”Information leaked. Rumors reached Kim Jonghun that Commander Kwak opposed the hereditary transfer of power.”

”I see...”

”From that moment on, he began preparing his escape from North Korea. Then yesterday morning, he suddenly called me.”

Ordinary mobile phones in North Korea couldn’t make international calls.

Yet somehow Commander Kwak Taesu had managed to contact Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol.

Curious, I carefully asked how that had been possible.

”The border regions of North Korea are covered by Chinese cellular towers. If you have a Chinese mobile phone, calls can go through. Both Commander Kwak and I have one.”

”Now I understand. Please continue.”