"What are your plans for the Koreans?"
"I intend to send them back and contact the Master. We need to meet and establish future countermeasures."
"Mm. Just a moment……. Sam, Ryan. Is the departure preparation finished?"
Taesu discreetly asked the two.
It was a request for them to step aside.
As if both had caught on, they immediately reacted.
"We'll go check first."
"Please take your time."
Rustle, rustle.
The two immediately moved their feet.
And only Taesu and CEO Gu Seungheon remained.
Taesu spoke in Korean, even slipping in some easygoing humor.
"My head hurts from trying to keep speaking English."
"That can't be helped."
"More than that, sir. This may be a rude question, but you aren't planning to just send them back empty-handed, are you?"
Taesu asked cautiously.
To the point where Taesu was left speechless, CEO Gu Seungheon answered immediately.
"We must make sure they're fully compensated for their hardships."
"That's true, but……"
"I know what you're worried about. As Teacher Choe guessed, it's a bit insufficient."
"If only we'd harvested about two more times, it would have been somewhat better."
Taesu showed deep regret.
CEO Gu Seungheon's expression turned bitter as well.
"What can we do? We need to at least wire them that money and ask for their understanding."
"Rather than doing that, how about using that money to rebuild your business?"
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
CEO Gu Seungheon refused firmly.
Unexpectedly, Taesu didn't press further and held his tongue.
"This isn't something to discuss here."
"More than that, you said you're returning with the soldiers. After putting you through such terrible things……. I have no face, and can only express my gratitude."
"Let's talk about that slowly after we head down."
"What do you mean?"
When CEO Gu Seungheon failed to understand immediately, Taesu spoke more plainly.
"I mean after we go down, send off those who need to be sent off, and let's talk again."
"But you said you were returning."
"That's up to us. Then please get in the car first."
Sseuk.
Taesu walked straight past CEO Gu Seungheon.
At the end of Taesu's steps were the medical staff.
Thock.
It was the moment Taesu arrived.
Bread Kim said something out of the blue.
"Right. Let's go down together and wrap this up."
"I didn't say anything."
"Wasn't it about going down to the city and worrying about the Korean people's problems together?"
"Yes. That's right. But how did you know?"
Just as Taesu was puzzled.
Tuk.
Jeong Minsu spoke while throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"You walked over with such fierce determination in your eyes, who wouldn't know?"
"Is that so?"
"It was an impossible-to-miss sight."
As Jeong Minsu answered, Kim Hyeokgwon added.
"If even Doctor Jeong noticed, isn't the game over?"
"That's right."
"I didn't get in the car because I had a feeling this would happen, and as expected, it was the right call."
Kim Hyeokgwon's answer sounded quite matter-of-fact.
On the contrary, Taesu didn't consider it so obvious.
"Mr. Hyeokgwon, are you alright?"
"Do you think I have no blood or tears?"
"Yes. Huh? No."
Though Taesu quickly corrected himself, Kim Hyeokgwon's eyes had narrowed.
"If you've been wolfing down every meal like that, you have to at least take a shit to be called a human being."
"That's quite a valid point."
"Wait. Now that I think about it, I'm getting pissed. Is being shameless my way of life?"
Kim Hyeokgwon seemed increasingly offended the more he chewed over Taesu's reaction.
Before he grew more heated, Bread Kim stepped in.
"Why are you getting angry like this again?"
"Do I look like I wouldn't get angry?"
"What kind of frame of mind do you think Doctor Choe has right now? Mr. Hyeokgwon, please be magnanimous……"
Swish, swish.
Bread Kim kept a firm hand on Kim Hyeokgwon and gestured behind him.
It was a signal to leave quickly.
Following the gesture, Taesu freed himself from Jeong Minsu's arm and moved away stealthily.
'He's changing bit by bit.'
Muttering inwardly, he smiled slightly.
Kim Hyeokgwon's gradual change of beginning to look around at others was always welcome.
Now, perhaps it was time to revise the assessment that he was a cold man who pushed people away, Taesu thought.
Taesu immediately approached the soldiers on his path.
And he conveyed everyone's opinions to Battalion Commander Valentino and Squad Leader Sam.
The two looked somewhat surprised.
"I didn't think you would go that far……"
"Understood. We will proceed without worrying about other things."
The answer came immediately, but their expressions remained puzzled.
From their perspective, it seemed Taesu and the medical staff were getting too deeply involved.
But what could he do.
They were fellow Koreans; he couldn't simply stand by.
He didn't mind if it was meddling.
In this matter, even with eyes closed and ears covered, his heart was drawn toward it.
It was simply a difference in perspective from them, so Taesu didn't particularly mind.
More than that, he told Squad Leader Sam what was weighing on him.
"Sam, we will definitely keep our promise as soon as we return."
"I'd like to postpone it until after this matter is concluded. That way I'll be able to drink tomorrow without any worries."
"Then please give me a signal when the time comes."
"Yes. And…… I think this turned out for the better. Please return slowly."
Squad Leader Sam advised calmly.
He was hoping Taesu wouldn't worry too much about other matters.
It wasn't a remark meaning to only focus on his main job.
The stronger implication was that Taesu should join forces with his direct superior, Colonel Clark, and protest thoroughly.
As someone affiliated with the External Cooperation Department, he would not be inexperienced in such matters.
Taesu roughly guessed as much.
And because it was not a problem that would end overnight, he could accept it.
"Yes. We'll wrap things up here and return."
"Then we must part ways here."
"The town below is safe, so don't worry."
"As long as the opponent isn't a soldier, I would never worry about Doctor Choe and the medical staff."
He was confident because he had personally taught them self-defense.
Thus they finished discussing their schedules.
He also didn't forget to say goodbye to Battalion Commander Valentino.
"Thank you once again. I wish we could meet more comfortably next time."
"I feel the same. As we both have busy roads ahead, let us promise another day."
"Yes. Then I'll see you again."
Clasp.
Taesu and Battalion Commander Valentino shook hands firmly.
Further conversation was meaningless.
Having intuited that it was time to leave, one also had to know how to turn away without lingering attachment.
Soon everyone boarded the vehicles and departed.
Vroom.
At the forked road below the mountain, they headed in different directions.
As it was truly time to part, they exchanged farewells in loud voices.
"Thank you! Be careful on your way!"
"Awooo!"
Perhaps because they claimed to be wolves themselves, their reaction was unique.
Listening to their clumsy howls, the old truck sped toward the city.
After driving for an hour, the old truck entered a mid-sized city.
There was no sense of war here whatsoever.
Foreigners were enjoying tourism to the extent that it seemed like another world.
"Ha, wow……."
It was bewildering how starkly it contrasted with their own state.
At that moment, Factory Manager Na Duyeong provided information about the city.
"This is a tourist city called Kilshei."
"It's the border between Jamu and Ajid, yet it's a tourist spot."
"It serves a terminal-like role. It's a place with no military advantage whatsoever besides tourism resources."
Factory Manager Na Duyeong explained with a clean face after dusting off soot.
Following that, Namgung Hyeoncheol chimed in.
"I also ended up here while looking for a city unrelated to the war."
"I see. But are you alright, Mr. Hyeoncheol?"
"I'm still not very well, but I think I'll be fine after a good sleep."
"Please take care of your health."
Taesu sent his regards with a faint smile.
On the contrary, Namgung Hyeoncheol looked at Taesu curiously, seeing him so undisturbed.
"Teacher Choe and everyone else are so calm too."
"Well, you could say it's the kind of neighborhood we're from."
"You seemed close with the soldiers earlier too, so it's best I don't pry further."
"As you wish."
Taesu answered flatly and left it at that.
There was still tension remaining, so he wasn't in a state to converse nonchalantly.
Before long, he turned his gaze outside the car.
Swish, swish.
Buildings and people were being pushed back behind them.
Within that gaze, he could gauge the approximate atmosphere of the city.
Kilshei was a mid-sized city but far from modern.
Like Ijambak, most buildings were single-story or two-story structures. Despite being a tourist city, there didn't seem to be many amusements.
It only had slightly more foreigners and shops than other cities.
Just from seeing foreigners walking around comfortably, one could gauge how safe Kilshei was.
While that was happening.
The old truck gradually slowed and soon stopped before a long building on either side.
The name was Hotel, but it looked like a travelers' inn.
CEO Gu Seungheon, having gotten out of the passenger seat, spoke loudly in Korean.
"We will stay here. Let's go in and rest for now."
"Understood……. @#$@#$."
Kim Hyeokgwon interpreted to the village people on the group's behalf.
In fact, with Himan's Korean skills, this was a difficult task.
From Kim Hyeokgwon's perspective, this meant more work, but he didn't seem very dissatisfied.
Perhaps he naturally considered interpreting as his role.
After the village people got off first, the Koreans got off in turn.
Taesu helped them down one by one and spoke deliberately cheerfully.
"Let's go in and wash off thoroughly with warm water first."
"They don't have warm water here."
Taesu flinched at Kim Yeongseon's answer.
"But it's called a hotel."
"Only in name."
"Then let's wash up nice and cool instead."
Taesu awkwardly changed the subject with an embarrassed expression.
Everyone smiled gently at that sight.
Only then did Taesu smile as well.
His face flushed slightly, but just the fact that everyone could smile such relieved smiles was good enough.
The assigned accommodation was a four-person room.
The medical staff naturally ended up using one room.
Creak.
As soon as they entered and saw the bed, Kim Hyeokgwon and Bread Kim brightened.
"It's a bed."
Thud.
"Ooh. The springs are completely worn out, but it's still a bed."
"Yes. I can't feel any cushioning, but it's a bed all right."
It was fascinating to see the two of them happy while spouting words that could be praise or insult.
But that sentiment was brief.
Although it was now afternoon, everyone lay down in their places.
"Let's sleep first and think later."
"Yes. Staying awake is too much for my head right now."
"Anyway, we went through a lot crossing the line of fire."
"Everyone worked hard."
They calmly shared the joy of survival.
Then Bread Kim turned his body and glared at Taesu.
"This is all Doctor Choe's fault."
"Why are you at it again this time?"
"You said it before. That I'd soon experience a life-or-death crisis. Those words took root."
"You've been holding onto that until now?"
Taesu was more amazed at his memory.
To the bewildered Taesu, Bread Kim said one more thing with a bland expression.
"But when it really happened, I ended up doing it."
"Yes. When a person becomes desperate, they can do anything."
"I'm still so dazed it feels like I'm dreaming, but I'm glad I'm feeling how happy it is to just be alive."
"Whether it's a dog-shit field or a cow-shit field, you've got to roll in the living world to feel good, isn't that right?"
"Yeah. Even with broken springs poking my back, it's not bad. Then let's get some rest."
Rustle.
Bread Kim fell asleep just like that, even as he spoke.