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Nice men in white suits listened to him with thoughtful expressions.

Each chair had a side table to its right. However, the center of the room itself was empty.

Gesturing with his right hand after every word, he continued, “If we bow down to South Korea now, we will forever be under their economic domination!”

“If you approve of my work in Afghanistan, I will end this once and for all!”

Heavy silence then hung around the room. No one seemed to be able to make up their minds.

“Russia, China, and Germany have joined the fight. Do you really think they would just stand around and watch now that their special forces teams have gotten involved?” Uzman, the oldest and gentlest of the group, questioned.

He had been opposing Jibril’s plan from the start. Unfortunately, the majority seemed to agree with it.

“The president of France himself has called. I was told that he has reached an agreement with the relevant heads of state,” Jibril answered.

“Does that mean they will not interfere anymore?”

Jibril moved the blade of his hand as if slicing the air in half. “They promised to stop meddling in Afghanistan.”

“And the United States?”

“They seem happy with how all of this is turning out.”

Jibril looked around the room again. “Remember. We’re the only ones who can punish the UIS, not South Korea!”

As his eyes glinted even sharper, he took further control of the atmosphere.

“That Korean brat is trying to take everything from us! If we eliminate him in this battle, we will be the eternal winners in the energy business!”

Jibril’s strong-willed statement certainly had an effect.

“If the president of France steps up as well, we’ll have to pay for it.”

“Part of the terms state that we’ll give them a share of the next-gen energy facilities in exchange for the rights to buy their weapons.”

“What about the United States?”

“We have agreed to put a US presence in the Gaza agreement so that they would have a favorable stand during the presidential election.”

Uzman’s questions did not deter Jibril in the slightest.

He continued, “Iran suffered humiliation when its Quds were annihilated in Africa. Now, we have another chance to show the world the capabilities of Islamic warriors! We will make South Korea apologize for torturing Abibu by taking out that brat once and for all.”

Uzman groaned inwardly.

The tide had turned. Nevertheless, he still wanted to stop this plan at all costs. His age and experience warned him over and over again of the dangers it posed.

“The Korean brat who’s out to eliminate the UIS leadership will be sacrificed to commemorate the eternal victory of our energy project. He will surely die in Afghanistan!”

However, listening to Jibril made Uzman realize that he couldn't go against this decision.

“Hmmm.”

Uzman swallowed a sigh.

The French arms purchase? The American presidential election?

Jibril didn't know how light and flimsy trust laced only with profit was!

Moreover, he was too young to realize that there were no absolutes in the world.

What if, after all this, the Korean kid won?

Uzman shook his head at the horrifying thought. He then looked at Jibril, masking his doubts as befitted his age.

Jibril was hiding something. Unfortunately, Uzman couldn't tell what it was.

***

It couldn’t hurt the soldiers to greet and familiarize themselves with Kang Chul-Gyu and the rest of the DMZ team. Hence, Kang Chan spent some time in the first-class seats.

The seats were comfortable anyway, and he had coffee and cigarettes next to him. He couldn’t really complain.

“Let’s eat.”

Seok Kang-Ho, who was clearly in perfect condition, had gotten lunch boxes and ramyeon noodles with Lee Doo-Hee and the interpreter.

“How’s everyone at the back?” Kang Chan asked.

“It seems like everyone’s going to eat together. The DMZ King must be pretty impressive!” Seok Kang-Ho answered. “I won’t be surprised if they end up asking him to sign their guns.”

As Kang Chan ate the food in the lunch box with cup noodles, he noticed the Frenchman in front of him blowing on his noodles.

After cleaning up, Choi Jong-Il walked over to them.

“Director Kang would like to speak with you.”

“Now?”

“He’s waiting in the business-class cabin.”

Kang Chan stood up. It would be awkward to have him come over here and lose their smoking area.

He walked to the back and pulled the curtains open, finding Kang Chul-Gyu sitting by a window. Kang Chan sat down next to him.

“Looks like this is going to be a long battle. Are you okay with that?” Kang Chul-Gyu asked.

He had a map of the Rukha district spread out on the table in front of him.

That was boring.

Wasn’t he supposed to ask “Have you eaten?” or “Have you rested?” out of politeness first?

Unaware of Kang Chan’s thoughts, Kang Chul-Gyu ran his index finger along the mountainous terrain. “It’ll take us a while to get to the site too.”

His concern also affected Kang Chan, Kang Myung-Gu, Jeong Won-Min, and the rest of the soldiers.

“We’ll have fighter jets to support us until we get to our destination by helicopter,” Kang Chan added.

Kang Chul-Gyu looked at Kang Chan with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

He continued, “Bombarding them first before launching an attack from the ground should give us a shot at victory.”

“Did you just say we’ll have fighter jets with us?”

Kang Chan nodded affirmatively.

“This is worth a try, then. I think a concentrated hit on this line should be enough. Our boys can then go in first to clear the way…. Yes, this should work,” Kang Chul-Gyu mused. He was looking at the map as if to memorize it.

“Don’t overdo it,” Kang Chan said bluntly. “I know you mean well, but they’ll be coming at us in ways you’ve never seen before. They leave kids wearing suicide belts alone in the mountains. Some even volunteer to be strapped with one and run toward us.”

Kang Chul-Gyu, who was looking away, smirked.

What the hell? I was trying to be considerate! He should change the way he smiles!

His smile was strangely provocative.

“Are we done?”

Kang Chan was about to stand up when Kang Chul-Gyu quietly asked, “Have you eaten?”

Why did it seem so awkward to ask that question?

“There’s cup ramyeon and lunch boxes.”

Kang Chan stood up.

“Get some rest. Things will immediately get rough the moment we land.”

“I will,” Kang Chul-Gyu responded.

Kang Chan made his way back to the first-class cabin. He didn’t expect the conversation to be so stiff.

“Back so soon?”

“Yeah.”

The moment Kang Chan sat down, Seok Kang-Ho tilted his seat back.

Gérard was already sleeping.

They had a battle ahead of them. Getting some sleep while they could would be invaluable at crucial moments.

Kang Chan leaned back in his chair and immediately closed his eyes.

***

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Lights flashed, and the alarm sounded, signaling that they were landing in twenty minutes.

Waking up, Kang Chan sat up and shook his head.

Seok Kang-Ho, who was sitting across from him, cleared his throat. “Argh!”

The more diligent Gérard fetched some water bottles. His eyes were definitely sharper than before now.

Kang Chan opened the bottle and drank it. He wanted to wash his face with it too, but they weren’t on a military transport aircraft. He couldn’t just spill water all over the place on a commercial airplane.

“I’ll go wash my face.”

Kang Chan went to the restroom in the back, washed his face, and returned to his seat.

The time had come to arm themselves.

“Let’s go.”

Everyone in the first-class cabin followed him.

They passed the business-class seats, moving further to the back.

Clunk. Clunk. Click. Click.

Eventually, they found soldiers changing out of their uniforms and strapping on their weapons.

“Here you go, sir.”

Yoon Sang-Ki handed him a large sack of off-white uniforms, rifles, pistols, grenades, bayonets, magazines, and radios.

Clack! Clack! Clunk!

Their usual routine followed.

Within ten minutes, everyone on the plane had finished preparations. Not long after, the landing signal blared.

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

They were still settling in their seats when the plane lurched.

It was still quite bright outside.

Kang Chan looked out the window and saw the familiar airport of Kabul, Afghanistan.

***

Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Park Seung-Young’s sunglasses reflected the military runway.

It had been half an hour since he had arrived at the military airport in Hotan with eight KF-16 fighter jets. He had been staring at the two-story control building and the poorly maintained runway across the desolate field ever since.

“Damn!”

Park Seung-Yong turned around.

It was hard for the Air Force to fight overseas. Depending on whether it was a dogfight or a bombing mission, different weapons were required, and if there wasn’t an aircraft carrier, maintenance and armament teams had to accompany them.

That was why Lee Ki-Do and the other pilots who had come here kept looking around in disbelief.

South Korean fighter jets flying to Afghanistan?

Park Seung-Yong sighed loudly.

He couldn’t believe he could fly a fighter jet across Chinese soil right after he had taken off from South Korea.

North Korea was a different issue, but he didn’t think they could defeat the United States, who had the rights to operate in warfare.

Was this really possible? If it was…

Images of fighter jets had been floating around in his head all night long. Now, he was standing on the edge of China.

Fifteen or twenty minutes from here was their target—Rukha, Afghanistan.

“Lee Ki-Do.”

“Sir.”

Although they were both majors, Park Seung-Yong had more experience. Hence, Lee Ki-Do addressed him with honorifics.

“Have the men rest, but remain on standby. Be ready to leave at any time.”

“Yes, sir.”

Park Seung-Yong returned his gaze to the runway.

A KF-16 fighter jet waited patiently for him, being tended to by the maintenance team.

It was loaded with the weapons they’d need for the bombing run.

In truth, F-15s were better suited for bombing, but the Air Force Operations Command had designated them KF-16s just to be safe.

Park Seung-Young pressed his lips together. He could only hope that their preparations would be enough to take down the militia.

***

There was no time to waste at the airport.

Right after disembarking, the South Korean special forces team immediately piled into US-provided helicopters and headed to Bazar.

Du du du du du du du du.

The noises of the propellers rushed into their ears, the wind past their bodies, and the smell of Afghanistan into their nostrils.

Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and Choi Jong-Il, whose skills had been fully developed, stared ahead with glinting eyes. Meanwhile, the other soldiers mended their weapons or stared into space.

During moments like this, they always remembered the people they sorely missed and whose hearts they would break if they failed to come back alive.

Kang Chan leaned against the wall of the helicopter and looked at the red light inside.

Why did that remind him of the old Song Chang-Wook, whom they had left behind?

Du du du du du du du du.

After about thirty minutes in the air, the helicopter descended to the ground.

“Daye! Gérard!” Kang Chan shouted.

In response, the two men stood on either side of the entrance until the helicopter had landed and the door had opened.

Whoosh.

Wind, dirt, and a faint odor rushed into the helicopter.

“Secure our front!” Kang Chan ordered.

Dash! Dash!

Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and four other soldiers scrambled out.

Bazar was a flat plain with a mountain in front of it.

Chk.

“I’ve got two men up here. All clear,” Seok Kang-Ho said.

Kang Chan quickly exited the helicopter and waved his arms together.

Du du du du du du du.

The helicopters in the distance landed one after another, and the men they were carrying jumped out.

The first to arrive unloaded the luggage that they had brought with them.

Kang Chan scanned the surrounding terrain and pointed down the mountain.

“Cha Dong-Gyun! Set up a perimeter over there and over there. I want a barracks for each team too!”

“Yes, sir!”

The men quickly executed his orders.

Kang Chan looked behind him, finding Kang Chul-Gyu approaching him quietly.

“We want to take a look up the mountain.”

Kang Chan followed Kang Chul-Gyu’s gaze to the top of the mountain. If they could take control of its peak, it would be a lot easier to clear the foot of it.

“Thank you,” Kang Chan said.

“Please inform the others that I’ll have two men posted per point.”

“Why don’t you leave the perimeter to the Jeungpyeong special forces team?”

“I’m worried about the sixty enemy snipers. My boys will be better at dealing with them, so leave this one to us.”

Kang Chan nodded. He then asked, “Why don’t you wear body armor?”

Kang Chul-Gyu and the other DMZ team members weren’t wearing body armor.

“This is just how we’ve always done things. We never wore them in the past either. They’re too much of a hindrance in ambushes and assassinations.”

Everyone had their specialty. Kang Chan insisting that they wore body armor would be like asking a sniper to use a lighter gun.

It took them thirty minutes to set up the barracks and unload the weapons and ammunition.

Afterward, Kang Chan summoned Kang Chul-Gyu, Cha Dong-Gyun, Jeong Won-Min, and Kang Myung-Gu to the central barracks.

“It’s currently twenty-nine minutes past three. Set your watches accordingly. Jeungpyeong team, I want you to guard the base while the DMZ team scouts our perimeter. Make sure to avoid any misunderstandings. Ready? One, two!”

Click.

The soldiers simultaneously pressed a button on their watches.

“We’ll discuss the plan as soon as reinforcements arrive, then leave right after. Until then, spend your time as you see fit. DMZ team, stay within two kilometers of the base.”

“Understood,” Kang Chul-Gyu replied with a stern face. They then dispersed.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Sure.”

Through the scope of his rifle, Kang Chan looked at the tall mountain in front of the barracks. It was dense with thin threes.

On the Saricha Road, they would only be a thirty-minute drive away from Rukha. If they were to go over the mountain to get to Rukha, it would take them approximately eighteen hours.

The helicopter would drop them off the mountain, and they would climb down it.

Feeling a chill, Kang Chan slowly looked from one end of the mountain to the other.

Click, click.

Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and the interpreter approached him, their rifles clanking as they did. The smell of the coffee in their hands wafted over to him.

“When will the others arrive?”

“They should be here any minute now.”

Seok Kang-Ho handed him the coffee.

“I’m already looking forward to seeing that Andrei guy.”

Kang Chan grinned. After listening to the interpretation, Gérard did as well.

Kang Chan kept his eyes on the mountain as he drank his coffee.

What’s with the chill I’m feeling?

He had never felt this before. Rather than a warning from his pounding heart or instincts, it seemed more like ice water running down his spine.

Was it his nerves? Was he anxious because he was in charge of such a huge battle?

“Hoo.”

Kang Chan blew on the hot coffee to cool it down. At the same time, Yoon Sang-Ki urgently approached them.

“It’s a satellite call.”

He didn’t say who it was.

Was this the reason?

Kang Chan handed him the paper cup and took the satellite phone.

“Hello?”

- This is the situation room.

Kim Hyung-Jung sounded as if he was in a rush.

- The NIS has just received word that Russia, China, and Germany have canceled the deployment of their men. Their respective presidents have apparently rejected the notion.

Kang Chan glanced at the mountain.

Why was his gaze drawn up?

- Germany is demanding to speak to you on the phone. Can I give them your number?

“Yes, please.”

- I think it would be best for you to leave as soon as the call is over.

“I’ll let you know after.”

After the call dropped, Kang Chan turned to Seok Kang-Ho and Gérard, who were looking at him curiously.

“Russia, China, and Germany have canceled the deployment of their special forces teams. They say their presidents didn’t give them permission. It’s strange. Ludwig from Germany wants to talk to me, so—”

Ring. Ring.

Kang Chan immediately answered the call.

“Hello?”

- It’s me.

Ludwig spoke in urgent French.

- We’re short on time, so I’ll get straight to the point. Romain has countered us with the French president’s support. Just before I called you, thirty fighter jets and warplanes were launched from Iran, so get out of there now!

That was it.

Kang Chan looked at the sky beyond the mountain.

- They’ll be there in less than thirty minutes. Hurry!

“If they’re that close already, the fighter jets will catch up to the helis in no time.”

- I don’t care what you have to do. Just make sure you escape! They got us with the perfect trap. We’ve even received reports that two hundred Quds have also joined them!”

“I’ll call you back after relocating.”

- Retreat as fast as you can! We’ll do something about Romain.

“Understood.”

No matter how skilled they were, it was impossible to deal with fighter jets with their numbers.

Kang Chan hung up.

Du du du du du du du du.

At that moment, he heard the sound of helicopter engines.

Seok Kang-Ho and Gérard turned their heads and saw the helicopters hovering overhead.

Damn it!

Even if they ran now, they wouldn’t be able to catch them.

Kang Chan quickly put his hand on the radio.

Chk.

“All units, prepare for battle!”

Seok Kang-Ho and Gérard looked around in surprise.

There was no time for explanations now.

“Iranian fighters are headed this way. We’ll give up on cooperation from the helicopters and abandon the barracks, so grab as many weapons and ammo as you can. In thirty minutes, we’re heading to the mountains.”

As soon as the transmission ended, a flurry of activity filled the area.

“Daye! Lead the vanguard with the Jeungpyeong team!”

“Got it!”

Seok Kang-Ho quickly ran off.

Thirty minutes? Kang Chan pressed a button on the satellite phone.

- This is the situation room.

“Thirty fighter jets and airplanes from Iran have set off for us. How many fighter jets do we have?”

- Eight are on standby.

“Whew!”

He might not know much about air combat, but they were obviously outmatched.

Kang Chan gritted his teeth as he glared at the mountain.

- We’ll have them take off now!

“There’s no point. They’ll just be flying to their deaths.”

- They can at least buy you time to evacuate!

Kim Hyung-Jung sounded quite frantic.

***

Ring, ring, ring.

Park Seung-Young, who had picked up the satellite phone, stated the agreed-upon passage. “This is the dispatch center.”

- Iran has sent thirty fighter jets and warplanes to our destination. We need to buy our allies some time to evacuate.

“Do we have permission to engage?”

- I’ll leave that to your discretion.

“We’re on our way.”

Park Seung-Young hung up and immediately turned around.

“Switch weapons!”

The maintenance team looked up in surprise.

“The enemy has sent in planes! Prepare for a dogfight!”

The maintenance team rushed back to the planes.

“Get ready for takeoff!”

Dash!

Park Seung-Yong and the pilots ran as fast as they could toward the fighter jets.