PTT - 63

At 10 PM, Min Young-nam’s summons to Si-heon was an unparalleled opportunity. He moved through the darkened corridors of the administration building toward her Chief of Staff office.

Equipped with a specially designed miniature earpiece for communication with his team—Ra-on, Ray, Mabel, and Rock—they were all in position, ready to act when needed.

Knock, knock. Two soft taps echoed down the quiet hallway. Permission to enter came from the other side of the door. As he stepped inside, dry air brushed against his skin.

The target sat at her desk, clad in a wine-colored suit. Glancing briefly at him, Young-nam pulled out a cigarette pack. She smoked over a pack daily, as if drinking water.

As usual, she placed one between her lips, and Si-heon naturally produced a lighter. Ping. The Zippo lid flipped open, sparking a small flame. Leaning forward, he lit it for her before perching casually on the edge of her desk, looking down at her.

“Mayor Bang?”

“That pig? Probably fooling around with his female aides.”

“Aren’t you one of those aides?”

“…You’re unusually bold today, Baek Si-heon. Not bad.”

Perhaps it was her striking face. Taking a deep drag, she exhaled smoke while gripping his chin. Turning his head left and right like inspecting merchandise, she murmured meaningfully:

“You’re too clean as you are. A little flaw might suit you better.”

“Will you add it yourself?”

“I’ll carve it. Who else would dare?”

Her lips curled into an amused smirk, though her eyes remained cold and unsmiling. As always, she betrayed no flicker of emotion.

With her poised demeanor, she obliterated others effortlessly. Tapping ash off the cigarette held between her index and middle fingers, she gazed at him.

“You saw what happened to the man who damaged my porcelain.”

“Do you kill without feeling? Has it always been this way?”

“Did I say I’d kill him? He insisted on repaying me. His life was simply the most convenient method.”

Swallowing his disgust, Si-heon forced a relaxed smile. She was a veteran adept at reading minds. Over four years as a black agent, he’d faced countless people—but none as dangerous as Min Young-nam.

It wasn’t just guns or knives that made her threatening. With mere words, she wielded cruelty far deadlier than any weapon. Baek Si-heon knew even a momentary lapse could ruin the operation.

He had to remain vigilant yet reveal nothing of his emotions to Min Young-nam.

Lowering his gaze slightly, he tilted his head and whispered softly:

“I don’t have a hobby of being discarded after use. Can I trust you?”

“You still act like you don’t know me. Are you slower than I thought?”

Since witnessing murder at Min Young-nam’s house, Si-heon had met her several more times. Each time, he recorded their conversations, gathering evidence. But tonight was critical. He needed to shock her, make her feel betrayed by him.

“What good is a hunting dog with no skill? It only wastes prey.”

“What if that dog becomes affectionate?”

“Getting expensive, aren’t we? Changed your mind?”

Young-nam flicked away long strands of ash. Extinguishing the butt in the ashtray, she gestured with her fingertips for him to lean closer.

From their third meeting onward, Min Young-nam had shown clear interest in him. He instinctively understood she wanted more than just an informant’s role.

Though aware, Si-heon maintained control, pulling and pushing appropriately. Now it was time to exploit the red and black desires swirling in her eyes.

No room for error. Slowly leaning forward as if about to kiss her, he closed the distance. Amused, she grabbed his nape with one hand, raising a corner of her mouth. Just as their lips nearly touched, Min Young-nam closed her eyelids.

Seizing the moment, Si-heon opened the cap of a fountain pen hidden in his coat sleeve. In less than a second, with clinical precision, he pressed the silver needle into her neck muscle—a clean, flawless strike.

“Ugh…!”

What pierced her neck wasn’t a fountain pen nib but a silver tranquilizer dart, similar to the one Ra-on used on Cheonsung-won. Eyes fluttering open, Min Young-nam clutched her shoulder, furrowing her brow.

She tried to speak, lips trembling, but the drug coursing through her veins silenced her. Feeling unconsciousness encroach, she finally collapsed.

Replacing the pen in his pocket, Si-heon exhaled deeply. He then retrieved her phone from her pocket.

“Phone secured. Ray.”

- Good. Start decrypting.

Si-heon connected an OTG adapter and USB to Min Young-nam’s phone. Unlocking it with facial recognition, he accessed the file directory.

He tapped an APK file stored on the USB, installing an app developed over years by the NIS. It allowed remote device control and call interception.

While it installed, Si-heon inspected the desk drawers. Opening the last one revealed a 30cm safe. After scanning its surface, he pressed Young-nam’s unconscious hand against the fingerprint scanner. With a soft click, the lock disengaged.

- Found what you were looking for, boss?

“Yes. Easier than expected.”

Opening the safe, Baek Si-heon extracted a thick ledger documenting weekly profits, kickbacks, and slush funds from Cheonji Village. Quickly reviewing its contents, he placed the ledger, fountain pen, and mini recorder into his briefcase.

- Nice work, bro. This lady’s got loads on her phone. Check the settings; there should be an app-hiding feature. Tap that.

“Done. Don’t forget to connect us during future calls.”

- Dude, this ain’t my first rodeo. Get outta there quick. If they catch you, we’re screwed.

Chuckling faintly at Ray’s exaggerated concern, Si-heon slid the drawer shut and glanced at the unconscious Min Young-nam slumped in her chair.

The tranquilizer worked instantly but wouldn’t last long. Likely, she’d awaken within thirty minutes, realizing she’d been double-crossed.

Now it was a race against time. Pulling a bulletproof vest from the briefcase, he slipped it on under his shirt and coat. Exhaling slowly, he opened the door. So far, everything had gone according to plan.

---

Emerging onto the bustling nighttime streets, Baek Si-heon blended into the crowd. Soon, he spotted Rock approaching from across the street. Even beneath a black cap, the towering figure was unmistakable.

3, 2, 1. Without a word, they passed each other, and Rock smoothly took the briefcase containing the ledger and recorder.

Si-heon continued walking, expression unchanged. Rock’s role was to deliver the goods to Director Kwon.

‘She should wake up soon.’

Checking his watch, Si-heon heard Ray’s voice through the earpiece almost simultaneously.

- Boss, Target woke up. She’s making a call—I don’t recognize the number: 010-341-2984. Probably a burner phone, but I’ll check. Oh, it’s connected. You hear me?

“Yes. Good work.”

Slipping into an empty alley, Si-heon focused on the chilling voice emanating from the earpiece.

- Tsk… No need to repeat myself. Contact Vice President Hwang Jae-pil. Leak Baek Si-heon’s betrayal of classified intel to outsiders… That arrogant brat. I thought his eyes showed promise, so I tried nurturing him.

So Deputy Director Hwang was Min Young-nam’s pawn. His lack of reaction to false reports about Cheonji Village now made sense. Narrowing his eyes, Si-heon raised an eyebrow. Then, a frigid sentence pierced his eardrums.

- No, killing him is the better option.