PTT - 60

Ten days had passed since that night, yet Baek Si-heon hadn’t shared any special explanation with Ra-on. Having promised to trust him unconditionally, she refrained from pressing or questioning him further.

Still, the frustration of not knowing the truth was unavoidable.

Without variables, today would likely unfold like any other ordinary day. At the outdoor shooting range, Ra-on sighed deeply as she trained with her rifle.

“Haa…”

Through her transparent goggles, the target board 100 meters away came into view. Though her accuracy with rifles wasn’t as sharp as with pistols, today her shots were unusually off-center. Concentration was key in marksmanship—focusing solely on the target without distraction. But Ra-on’s mind was clouded with thoughts, a hazy fog interfering with rational judgment.

Finally setting the rifle down, she massaged the back of her neck. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t slept well for several nights; her body felt stiff, and muscle soreness lingered longer than usual.

‘…I need a break.’

Removing her goggles, Ra-on sat on a bench to rest momentarily. In the adjacent lane, an unfamiliar agent carefully pulled the trigger. As she rubbed her face with both hands to steady her breathing, her phone vibrated lightly in her back pocket.

It must be one of the team members, she thought, glancing at the caller ID. But to her surprise, an unexpected name appeared on the screen. Buzz, buzz. The phone continued vibrating in her palm.

Bang! Amidst the cacophony of gunfire, taking the call here was impossible. After a brief hesitation, she opened the heavy iron door and stepped outside the training grounds.

Clearing her throat with a small cough, Ra-on finally pressed the green answer button. An inexplicable tension coursed through her arm.

“…This is Yeon.”

---

The place Baek Si-heon summoned her to was the central hall of the main building. Upon receiving his call, Ra-on removed her earplugs and headed there without delay. His instructions had been concise, offering no hint of his intentions.

If new orders had come from higher-ups, they would have gathered in the conference room, not the central hall. With a faint sense of curiosity, Ra-on entered the main building.

Baek Si-heon stood just a few meters away, seemingly unaware of her arrival as he stared intently at something.

Blinking slowly, Ra-on swallowed quietly as she observed his profile. Since returning from Cheonji Village, he seemed thinner. Was it her imagination, or had his already sharp nose and jawline become even more defined?

Nevertheless, the charisma and weight Baek Si-heon carried remained unchanged. He was still the pillar of Special Team 4 and the ace of the NIS.

“…You called for me?”

Ra-on finally approached him, and only then did she realize what he had been gazing at—the “Nameless Stars,” commemorating fallen NIS agents who died during secret missions.

Nineteen stars were embedded in the wall alongside the national flag. Just as their motto stated—working in the shadows while aspiring toward the light—NIS agents weren’t allowed to publicly reveal their achievements. Even preventing threats to national security earned them no praise. From the moment they joined, moving in the shadows became not a virtue but a necessity.

Thus, the deaths of agents also remained undisclosed. Who, where, how—they couldn’t be revealed to the public lest their accomplishments vanish like water.

To honor their sacrifices, headquarters added a nameless star for each fallen agent.

“Four years ago, when I first joined…”

Si-heon turned to Ra-on, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. His fingertips traced over the stars one by one.

“I was assigned to the overseas team. My first post was South Sudan.”

Though his story seemed abrupt, Ra-on simply listened silently. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Si-heon spoke in a low voice:

“It had been a few months since I started working… We conducted an operation to rescue thirty-eight Korean hostages held by an armed group. Dealing with dozens of hostages was overwhelming.”

“…Did the mission succeed?”

“Yes. After a firefight, we managed to extract all thirty-eight hostages. A helicopter from the embassy helped us evacuate quickly.”

His gaze lingered on the most recently added star. A faint sense of nostalgia flickered in his dark eyes. Why did it feel like she was intruding on emotions meant to remain hidden?

“But during the firefight, our team leader sustained gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the hospital, but the country’s medical facilities couldn’t stop the excessive bleeding. Eventually… he passed away six hours later. His final moments are still vivid in my mind—the air in the hospital, the smell, his expression…”

“…It must have been difficult.”

How could she comfort him? With only two years of service, Ra-on hadn’t experienced the death of a comrade. Still, she understood the weight of the emotions he must have felt four years ago.

In foreign lands devoid of familiarity, how much agents relied on and cherished one another. Suddenly, a phrase engraved beneath the stars caught her eye:

Following the paths of those who’ve become silent stars, we dedicate ourselves to protecting the nation.

It was a fate that could befall either Si-heon or herself. She didn’t want to think about it, but if Jeong Ah-young’s luck had been slightly worse, she too might have perished. Such was the perilous nature of their work.

“It’s all in the past now, so it’s fine. I wonder if the team leader… stayed behind as one of these stars. Every time I pass by here, I find myself wondering.”

The number of stars didn’t increase immediately after an agent’s death. To avoid confusion among foreign intelligence agencies, additions were delayed by months—or even years.

She could almost imagine the weight in his heart each time he passed this wall. Standing beside him, Ra-on nodded silently. Then, Si-heon turned to her, his gaze piercing as he posed a meaningful question:

“What about you, Yeon? How far are you willing to dedicate yourself for the nation and the organization?”

“…I’ll give my all to the missions entrusted to me.”

“And if it costs you your life? Aren’t you afraid?”

“Who isn’t afraid of death? But… I wouldn’t have joined if I didn’t have some resolve.”

Hearing her unwavering response, Si-heon nodded slowly, lost in thought. Ra-on, staring at him intently, spoke with determination:

“It’s time you told me. Whatever burden you’re carrying alone—I trust you, Senior. No, Team Leader. My trust won’t waver going forward.”

“…”

“So share it with me. As your teammate, I’ll help shoulder the responsibility.”

No matter how perilous the future ahead, Ra-on had no intention of leaving Baek Si-heon to face it alone. Without averting her gaze, she extended her right hand.

“Don’t run away anymore. I couldn’t chase you before, but now I’ll follow you to the end.”

“…You’re quite dependable, Agent Yoo Ra-on.”

“My arm hurts. Aren’t you going to shake?”

Like a steadfast rock enduring fierce waves, Ra-on’s unwavering gaze conveyed deep affection and trust. In that moment, Baek Si-heon realized he was completely bound to her. His heart fluttered softly.

“I promise again—I won’t run.”

“…”

“No matter where this path leads, let’s go together, Yeon.”

Si-heon clasped Ra-on’s outstretched hand firmly, a faint smile gracing his lips. His grip tightened, as though vowing never to let go.