PTT - 65

“May I ask one last question?”

“We don’t have time for that.”

Si-heon echoed Ra-on’s earlier words. At the same moment, the distant sound of a helicopter began to grow louder.

Exactly one minute and thirty seconds later, it would land on the helipad here. The night breeze brushed against her cheeks, causing her short hair—barely grazing her shoulders—to flutter lightly. Emotions she had desperately tried to suppress now threatened to spill over. Even as she moved her lips, regret lingered in her heart.

“Do you… trust me?”

Since their reunion, Ra-on had always trusted Si-heon without hesitation. But she couldn’t be certain about trusting herself. Perhaps what she really wanted was his reassurance—that he trusted her completely, so she could pull the trigger without wavering.

Without uttering a word, Si-heon spread his arms wide. The faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips was an unspoken answer. His eyes, filled with deep affection and trust, already conveyed everything. She realized her question was ultimately meaningless—this operation was impossible without absolute faith from the start.

“…”

Ra-on slowly closed her eyelids. Once again, the truth of the mission’s conclusion—the death of Baek Si-heon—flashed through her mind. Finally, she curled her index finger around the trigger and pulled.

A deafening gunshot rang out, striking her eardrums. Si-heon’s body tilted backward as his eyes crinkled shut, disappearing entirely from her sight.

“Haa…”

Exhaling a pale breath, Yoo Ra-on tilted her head back. Thud-thud-thud-thud. The approaching roar of the helicopter grew louder until it finally landed on the helipad. Fighting the urge to look down at the building below, she boarded the helicopter. The motor whirred, lifting the helicopter off the ground.

“Agent Yeon, mission complete. Proceeding to the next phase immediately.”

---

The moment Ra-on gave the signal, nine police officers waiting on the 43rd floor of the Hilton Hotel burst into Park Seung-woo’s room.

“Shit, what the hell!”

Caught off guard, Park hastily swung his rifle toward the door, but the officers were prepared. Shielded by large riot shields, they wore full tactical gear—bulletproof vests and helmets—and swiftly blocked all escape routes.

Kim Byung-ryul, the leader of the Regional Investigation Team 4, approached with a revolver in both hands. By now, Park’s face had turned ghostly white. He couldn’t comprehend how the police had discovered his location so quickly. Realizing he was outnumbered, he placed the sniper rifle on the floor and raised his hands.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court…”

Team Leader Kim recited the Miranda warning as he cuffed Park’s wrists. Overwhelmed, Park hurriedly glanced at his phone screen. The call with Min Young-nam had already been disconnected.

‘Damn, when did they…’

Park wasn’t the only one shocked by the sudden loss of contact. In Bang Won-gyeol’s living room, Min Young-nam furrowed her brow slowly as she received updates on the situation. Just as she reached to redial the number, BOOM! A loud explosion reverberated in her ears.

“What the…?”

“Chief Min! What was that sound? Huh, huhk.”

Bang Won-gyeol, who had been snacking in the kitchen, emerged holding slices of bread, visibly shaken. Both their gazes darted toward the entrance. The doorknob was completely blown apart by the intense blast.

“Wow, nice place you’ve got here. Is this what mayors live like?”

Kicking open the shattered door was Mabel, followed by a team of special forces and police officers armed with pistols. Click, click. Her high heels clicked confidently as she approached, flashing a bright smile.

“Nice to meet you. Mayor Bang Won-gyeol, and Chief of Staff Min Young-nam? You must be surprised. Honestly, we’re even more shocked. Committing crimes like this isn’t good behavior, you know.”

“Who the hell are you?! Are you insane? How dare you barge into someone’s house without permission…”

“The warrant will be shown by Detective Kim here. Let’s not waste energy. Your sniper has already been arrested.”

At the mention of “sniper,” Min Young-nam’s jaw twitched. Beside her, Bang Won-gyeol trembled uncontrollably, unable to believe the situation. Mabel inwardly sneered—what a perfectly matched pair of cockroaches. She flicked her gaze toward Detective Kim, giving him a subtle nod.

“Min Young-nam, you are under arrest for attempted murder solicitation. And Mayor Bang Won-gyeol, you are also under arrest for fraud, embezzlement, and sexual assault charges.”

“You think you know who I am? Release me at once! I’m Bang Won-gyeol, mayor of Seoul!”

“Yes, sir. We’ll escort you. We can discuss details at the station. We’ll listen all night if necessary.”

“All of you bastards want to lose your jobs? If you don’t get out of my house right now, you’ll regret it tomorrow!”

Bang Won-gyeol shouted, his face red as he dropped the bread on the floor. But as if anticipating his reaction, Detective Kim signaled to his subordinates. Two armored officers grabbed Bang’s arms and cuffed him.

“And now, Chief of Staff Min. Not only are you charged with soliciting Baek Si-heon’s murder, but you’re also a suspect in multiple homicide cases. The sins you’ve committed behind Mayor Bang’s back are numerous.”

“…What did you just say? Attempted murder?”

“Yes, attempted. Consider yourself lucky it didn’t succeed. Still… murder alone is enough for the maximum sentence.”

Mabel stared coldly at Min Young-nam. To think this woman was behind all the cases they’d chased so far sent chills down her spine. Though Min showed no visible change in expression, her lips quivered slightly before she erupted into laughter.

“Ha, hahaha! HA!”

“Chief Min? Snap out of it. Damn, these crazy civil servants have lost all fear…”

“I told you to shut up. You useless maggot who can’t do anything but stuff your face.”

Brushing off the officer’s grip, Min Young-nam glared at Bang Won-gyeol with murderous intent. This surreal situation was too much for her to accept or process. Her ruthless words froze the handcuffed mayor in place.

“M-Min, Chief…”

“And you. Who do you think you are, ordering me around? Where I go and what I do is my decision.”

Bloodshot eyes revealed the fury boiling within Min Young-nam. Despite her intimidating glare, Mabel didn’t blink. Taking handcuffs from a nearby officer, she personally cuffed Min’s wrists while murmuring softly:

“You seem confused. Do you not understand the situation?”

“…”

“You’re screwed.”

So maybe don’t commit crimes, yeah? She leaned in, whispering sweetly.

“Crazy bastards.”

Though her lips trembled, Min Young-nam maintained her haughty demeanor—a final desperate attempt to appear dignified. The two were led away by police, escorted out of the apartment.

Finally, silence settled over the scene. Mabel exhaled deeply, feeling the end drawing near. Pressing the button on her earpiece, she chuckled.

“Honey, mission accomplished on this side too.”

---

Upon receiving Mabel’s message, Ra-on immediately redirected the helicopter. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. Within two minutes, the helicopter landed again on the rooftop of the Retuchia Hotel.

Tossing aside her earplugs, Ra-on sprinted to the elevator. 32, 31, 30… With each descending number displayed on the LED panel, she felt as though her own life was being shaved away.

Finally reaching the lobby, Ra-on dashed toward the alley behind the hotel without looking back. Her breath came in ragged gasps. Please let everything be okay, she prayed, hoping she wouldn’t come to hate herself.

With fervent prayers to God, Ra-on spotted the massive air mattress. Emergency responders were already deflating it, signaling the situation was resolved. Her nape was drenched in sweat.

“Oh my, what’s going on at this hour…”

“I was so startled. Is that person alright?”

The scene buzzed with paramedics and onlookers. Pushing through the crowd, Ra-on scanned the area with trembling eyes.

“Excuse me, I’m involved. Please step aside!”

Finally reaching the innermost area, her eyes fell upon Baek Si-heon lying there. In that moment, the world seemed to fade into monochrome, leaving only him in focus. Clenching her fists, she ran toward him, shouting with a shaking voice:

“Senior!”