PTT - 40

“…Well, it’s hard to read him. But if it’s Team Leader, you might be able to see through him.”  

Standing beside Deputy Team Leader Jung, Raon gazed at Baek Siheon through the one-way mirror. Though their relationship had grown awkward and strained, as an agent, he was undeniably an ace—trust in his abilities was a given.  

Inside the interrogation room, Siheon stared unblinkingly at Gwak Seon-gi, lost in thought. The meticulous records he had studied countless times flashed through his mind.  

A textbook elite: graduated with top honors from Korea University, earned both master’s and doctoral degrees. How had such a logical man come to embrace these irrational beliefs?  

“Ten years ago, you lost your wife and two daughters.”  

“…”  

“It wasn’t an accident, was it?”  

Though casually tossed out, Baek Siheon’s voice carried sharpness and weight. At this probing question, Gwak’s expression hardened for the first time. The muscles near his jaw twitched faintly with suppressed anger. Not missing a beat, Siheon leaned forward slightly.  

“How did the deaths of those three individuals affect you, Mr. Gwak?”  

“Heh… Digging so deeply into someone’s past, are we?”  

“It’s part of the investigation. Your cooperation would be appreciated.”  

Professor Gwak Seon-gi had been a “goose father,” working alone in Russia while his family remained in Korea. One day, while teaching as usual, he received news that his wife and daughters were in critical condition. He immediately boarded a flight back to Korea, only to be met with their obituary upon arrival.  

For a long time, Gwak couldn’t accept that his entire family had made such an extreme decision without even a word of warning. He drank heavily, causing trouble for those around him, but then suddenly returned to Russia and came back seemingly fine. Recalling these testimonies from the documents, Siheon tilted his head thoughtfully.  

At that moment, having regained his composure for reasons unknown, Professor Gwak smiled faintly.  

“I’ve talked so much my throat is dry. Could I have some water?”  

“A man who hasn’t touched a drop in over 24 hours. Suddenly thirsty?”  

“I believe even someone like you wouldn’t deny such a small act of mercy.”  

Siheon, who had been watching him intently with his cuffed hands resting on the table, rose from his chair and gestured toward the one-way mirror. Though only the two of them were reflected in the glass, it was actually a signal to the agents waiting on the other side.  

“Let’s take a five-minute break. I hope your thirst is quenched. We still have much to discuss.”  

As the heavy iron door opened, a guard holding a bottle of mineral water entered the interrogation room. Exchanging places with the guard as if passing a baton, Siheon stepped out into the control room and focused on the monitor. Taking the bottle from the suited guard, Gwak immediately unscrewed the cap and began drinking.  

After an hour of relentless questioning, Siheon showed slight signs of fatigue. Loosening the top button of his shirt, he sat down in front of the computer. Deputy Team Leader Jung massaged his shoulders and let out a deep sigh.  

“Nox, isn’t that bastard exhausting? Feels like there are at least a thousand snakes coiled up inside him.”  

“No matter how cunning, if we keep digging, he’ll eventually crack under the pressure.”  

“Yeah. I know you’re persistent despite appearances. Any leads yet?”  

“Not quite. It seems today’s work won’t end anytime soon… Deputy Team Leader, excuse me for a moment.”  

Interrupting his massage, Siheon stood and approached Raon. She was staring fixedly at Gwak through the one-way mirror. Watching him gulp down the water, she found nothing unusual about his actions.  

“Raon.”  

“…Yes.”  

“Go back to the team. With Deputy Team Leader and the other agents here, there’s no need for you to stay on standby.”  

At his suggestion, Raon slowly raised an eyebrow. True to his words, Gwak showed no interest in her, and it was better to leave the cramped space to focus on more productive tasks.  

More importantly, staying in such close quarters with Siheon wasn’t exactly comfortable. After a brief hesitation, she nodded and turned toward the door.  

At that moment, CRASH! A loud noise erupted as Gwak collapsed, knocking over his chair. Clutching his throat, he convulsed on the floor, choking and gasping for air.  

Reacting faster than anyone, Baek Siheon flung open the iron door. Raon followed closely behind, as if she’d never intended to leave. The floor was soaked with water, and the guard stood over Gwak with an indifferent expression.  

“What the hell are you doing?! Do something!”  

Rarely raising his voice, Siheon barked at the guard before crouching down. How could this happen the moment he looked away?  

Furrowing his brow, he tried to maintain calm as he assessed Gwak’s condition. His face and neck had turned deathly pale, and he struggled to breathe, his throat straining open. His rounded fingernails dug into the skin beneath his Adam’s apple.  

“Call the internal medical team immediately! And get the dedicated 119 response team on the line! Code Crow. Location: Main Building, Room 1403!”  

Deputy Team Leader Jung’s shout echoed through the open door. Raon, her eyes darting around the chaotic scene, landed on the dented water bottle. Though nearly empty after falling to the floor, about 10ml of liquid remained. Gloved hand picking up the bottle, she stared gravely at Siheon’s profile.  

“Mr. Gwak! Mr. Gwak! Breathe! Take a deep breath! You can’t die like this!”  

“…Ggh, khh… Haaack!”  

With rough hands, Siheon pried Gwak’s fingers from his throat. His gaze burned fiercely, almost feral. Lowering his head, he sniffed the water that had pooled on the floor.  

Contrary to his suspicion of cyanide, the liquid was colorless and odorless. Though the NIS was equipped with antidotes for various poisons, it would take several minutes to bring them from storage to the main building.

In the meantime, Gwak Seon-gi clawed at the floor with his fingernails, his face contorted in agony. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but only incomprehensible sounds escaped. His perfectly chiseled brow furrowed deeply as the suffocating sensation rose to his throat. Baek Siheon, feeling the oppressive tension himself, undid a couple more buttons on his shirt.  

“The paramedics will be here soon. If you don’t want to die, fight with everything you’ve got. Understand? Stay conscious—if you get it, nod.”  

Siheon deliberately pressed Gwak with urgency. If he passed out now, he would slip into critical condition. It was crucial to keep him conscious until they reached the hospital. Striking Gwak’s cheek hard to snap him out of his stupor, Siheon gritted his teeth.  

“Stay with me, Gwak Seon-gi!”  

“Step aside!”  

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed as a woman in a white coat rushed into the interrogation room. It was the same doctor who had treated Gwak’s wrist injury the day before. She pulled a penlight from her pocket and checked his pupil response.  

“Let me take a look. The paramedics will arrive within a minute.”  

“…Haa.”  

Though medical personnel had arrived, it was still too early to relax. Wiping away the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, Siheon straightened up. Moments later, the paramedics entered and swiftly transferred the barely conscious Gwak onto a stretcher.  

“We’re transporting the patient to Marian Hospital immediately!”  

The orange-uniformed team moved with seamless coordination, their actions precise and efficient. Siheon’s gaze instinctively followed the stretcher carrying Gwak. Just then, an unbelievable sight captured his attention like a trap.  

“…”  

As Gwak was being wheeled out of the interrogation room, Siheon caught a final glimpse of his face—etched with a deep, unmistakable smile. For a fleeting moment, Siheon wondered if he’d misseen, but there was no mistaking it: Gwak was smiling. Despite the unbearable pain that wracked his body, forcing harsh, labored breaths from his throat, he wore an expression of bliss, as though death itself was a moment of ecstasy and joy.  

It was an expression beyond comprehension. Moments later, agents clad head-to-toe in black suits stormed in and restrained the guard by both arms. He, who had silently watched Gwak’s deterioration, offered no resistance and allowed himself to be led away without protest.  

In just ten short minutes, a massive storm had mercilessly swept through the interrogation room. As everyone exited and silence returned to the space, Baek Siheon exhaled deeply and leaned his head against Raon’s shoulder. She stood quietly, engaging in a silent exchange with him through unspoken understanding.