PTT - 54

Even the most physically resilient agents couldn’t escape fatigue after an over ten-hour flight. Ra-on and Si-heon decided to rest briefly until 1 AM. Though the mattress creaked slightly, the bed was large enough for both of them.

However, deep sleep in an unfamiliar environment was impossible. The space felt alien, and they had to remain alert for any incoming messages from headquarters or Seok-tae.

Just past midnight, Ra-on—still on high alert despite her closed eyes—sensed movement in the darkness. Someone was approaching, deliberately muffling their breathing.

Without opening her eyes, she lightly touched Si-heon’s hand beneath the blanket. Fortunately, he too seemed aware of the intruder. Communicating silently through touch, they maintained the pretense of being asleep.

“…”

Judging by the footsteps, at least two people were inside. Ra-on focused all her attention on listening, running simulations in her mind. It was possible Jeong-suk had given them a key. If these intruders were armed, how should they neutralize them? The sound grew closer.

Yet, like a well-rehearsed act, both Ra-on and Si-heon continued feigning sleep. Finally, one of the unknown men stood over her, staring intently.

‘Not yet.’

Though his piercing gaze made her skin crawl, Ra-on kept up the illusion of slumber, emitting soft, rhythmic breaths. However, she remained ready to counterattack at the slightest provocation.

The man rummaged quietly in his pocket, producing something small. A knife? A gun? No—the movements suggested it wasn’t bulky. She braced herself, every nerve on edge.

Ting. Something sharp clinked against its case. Between his thumb and forefinger, the man held a slender needle-like object—a large sewing needle. Slowly, silently, he lowered its pointed tip toward Ra-on’s right eyelid.

‘…!’

What could his intent be? Her assumption of a weapon had been wrong. She felt the sharp object inch closer, poised to pierce her eye if she so much as flinched. But Ra-on resolved to endure. Only someone with extraordinary composure could suppress the instinct to recoil in such a situation.

If she moved even slightly, their cover would be blown. Suppressing the urge to swallow, she maintained a serene expression.

At that moment, the needle halted mid-air. After a prolonged silence, the man whispered softly to his companion:

“It’s not them. Let’s go.”

The two intruders exited the room as quietly as they’d entered. Once the front door clicked shut, Ra-on cautiously sat up. Si-heon, who had been gripping her hand under the blanket, rose alongside her, exhaling deeply.

“So we’re under suspicion.”

“…Who sent them? Jeong-suk? Or Bang Won-gyeol?”

“Get your coat, Yeon-ah. We need to follow immediately. Can’t lose them.”

Si-heon retrieved the concealed pistol from the suitcase before opening the door. Despite spring, the night air was chilly and dry. Ra-on followed swiftly, keeping her eyes on the two figures about 100 meters ahead. The jackknife in her pocket felt heavy.

They tracked the men silently. Fortunately, the intruders didn’t suspect pursuit, walking without looking back. Contrary to expectations of returning to nearby buildings, they headed toward the mountain connected to the village. After twenty minutes of tailing, rows of shooting targets and metallic human silhouettes came into view.

“Were they rats?”

“No reaction suggests otherwise. A couple worried about infertility, huh? The woman looked pretty decent. Guess checking gets tiresome.”

“Go grab some water and start training. Kim Ji-won said your accuracy has dropped lately.”

“Damn, that was just bad condition… Ugh.”

So there was a sniper training ground hidden in the mountains. Including the two who had broken into their house, five men were cleaning their weapons. Si-heon’s eyes narrowed as he identified a Dragunov rifle fully equipped with a scope.

‘Dragunov.’

Had Ra-on been thinking the same thing? Their serious gazes met. Why did these men possess Russian rifles? Judging by their handling skills, they appeared to be professionally trained snipers.

“By the way… didn’t they say the operation starts in May? Better launch before it gets too hot.”

“That’s up to the higher-ups. Our job is to keep our skills sharp.”

“You’re really FM… Were you like this back in the special forces? Your subordinates must’ve hated you.”

Unaware of Ra-on and Si-heon’s presence, the men chatted casually. What operation were these snipers preparing for? Did “higher-ups” refer to Mayor Bang Won-gyeol? Ra-on furrowed her brow, holding her breath.

“Alright, new 15x scopes arrived today. Get familiar with them—they’re sensitive, so easy to miss shots.”

The men geared up and began sniper training, practicing hitting targets placed about a kilometer away. The surroundings fell utterly silent, devoid even of rustling leaves.

Watching closely, Si-heon curled his left hand into a fist, extending only his pinky—a nonverbal signal to retreat. Nodding subtly, Ra-on moved carefully, avoiding stray twigs that might snap underfoot.

Fortunately, the men remained oblivious, absorbed in their training. Once safely out of sight, Si-heon exhaled sharply. Confirming no one was around, he checked his watch in the dark.

“We’re definitely under suspicion. Further intel gathering should be left to Zero.”

“I agree. More exposure to villagers won’t help. Still… I’m worried about leaving Zero behind.”

“He’s specialized in unexpected situations. We’ll retreat and investigate Bang Won-gyeol’s connection to this village.”

Though they’d planned to stay at least a week, missions rarely went perfectly according to plan. Regardless, spending more time on the plane than in the village mattered little—it was part of an agent’s skill set to strike and withdraw at the right moment. Sending a message via the secondary phone, Si-heon opened the door.

“Fever. Come pick us up near the village ASAP. Plans have changed. Yes, we’ll leave within an hour.”

While Si-heon spoke to the local operative who’d supplied their weapons, Ra-on packed. Her cover identity, Kim Ji-yeon, was portrayed as someone fond of luxury items, so her suitcase overflowed with unused perfumes and dresses.

After ending the call, Baek Si-heon exhaled softly, gazing down at Ra-on. Both Gwak Seon-gi and Cheonsung-won, whom Special Team 4 had pursued, were linked to Mayor Bang Won-gyeol. Such coincidences were implausible.

〈What information do you seek from me? I asked clearly.〉

〈You’ll find out soon enough, whether you want to or not.〉

〈What do you mean?〉

〈Exactly what I said. I’ll contact you when the time comes. Until then, wait.〉

Suddenly, Min Young-nam’s cryptic words from days ago replayed in Si-heon’s mind. Was this what she meant? His expression hardened as he stared out the window, past the curtains. Dozens of stars blinked in the darkened sky. Satisfied or not, it was time to return.