Actually, Dad Was a Hero

Chapter 32: Northward

It was three hours later that the NIS’s 2nd Department, which handles North Korean intelligence, provided information.

Although their original intention was unknown, once information about monster involvement was leaked from the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, the NIS’s 2nd Department could no longer refuse to share information.

Lee Sang-Jun displayed photos received from the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and the NIS’s 2nd Department on the screen and asked,

“This is a picture taken by a US high-altitude reconnaissance plane an hour ago. Do you recognize what this is?”

Jin Beom-Min narrowed his eyes and stared at the black and white photo on the screen.

Although the resolution was low, as if a small photo had been enlarged, it was clear that the creature captured in the center of the screen was not a creature that existed on Earth.

At first glance, it looked like a lion without a mane, but its tail was very thick and long. And its head resembled… a human face.

“That’s… a Manticore, I think…”

“A Manticore?”

“A very ferocious and savage beast. A dangerous one.”

Then, Reaper, who had been closely observing the screen, spoke.

“Doesn’t it look quite large?”

“It’s actually quite big.”

“How big is it?”

Jin Beom-Min recalled his memories for a moment and slowly answered.

“It depends on the age, but… a fully grown adult would be about 12 meters long.”

“Wow!”

“It’s a monster indeed.”

Lee Sang-Jun asked again in a serious voice.

“Can a Manticore shoot down a ballistic missile?”

“Well, I don’t think so. It does fire terrifying poisonous stingers, but… I don’t think it’s enough to shoot down a missile.”

“Then… that means there’s something else besides the Manticore.”

“…Right.”

However, even the US reconnaissance plane couldn’t identify what the other monster was.

Silence fell over the conference room for a moment. Finally, Imp opened his mouth.

“Jin, can you catch the Manticore?”

“Hmm, I’ve never actually fought one, but I know how to deal with it from what I’ve learned. It won’t be that difficult.”

‘Especially with the new ally I’ve gained.’

Jin Beom-Min thought, fiddling with the white skull-patterned ring on his left hand.

“Then the problem is the mysterious enemy that shot down the missile. We don’t know what kind of opponent it will be.”

At Sandman’s words, Lee Sang-Jun shook his head and replied.

“No, there’s a bigger problem than that.”

“What is it?”

“North Korea isn’t requesting cooperation.”

“Ah…”

In a way, it was natural. The North Korean regime was on the verge of collapse due to economic ruin and diplomatic isolation.

Nevertheless, the reason they were somehow maintaining the form of a nation was the legitimacy of the Kim regime, supported by ideology policies bordering on brainwashing.

However, if they were to solve internal problems with the help of foreign powers, this legitimacy would inevitably crumble in an instant.

If that happened, the sandcastle that was North Korea would collapse in an instant.

Therefore, North Korea couldn’t ask for help from the outside, even if they faced problems they couldn’t solve on their own.

“Damn them, seriously. That Manticore or Pantycore or whatever should go to Pyongyang and bite Kim Jong-un to death first.”

For once, everyone agreed with Ogre’s grumbling.

Lee Sang-Jun let out a small sigh and then spoke again.

“The government says they are talking to North Korea through a hotline, so we need to wait and see.”

“Can’t we just wait until they completely collapse?”

Reaper also agreed with Ogre’s suggestion.

“Right. Why should we be the first to step up and help them? They’re not even asking for help.”

“That’s true, but…”

Lee Sang-Jun let out a deep sigh this time and continued.

“If we leave them alone, there’s a possibility that China will intervene. Whether they can defeat the monster is secondary, but there’s a concern that China might snatch up the collapsed North Korean regime.”

“Oh dear, this one and that one are both a pain in the ass.”

“And…”

Lee Sang-Jun displayed a map on the screen again. It was a map of the Hamhung area, where the monster was presumed to be.

“Based on what we know so far, the monster seems to be moving south. If it continues like this…”

The map zoomed out, and the Demilitarized Zone and Gangwon Province appeared on the screen.

“There’s a possibility that it might cross the DMZ and head south. If that happens, we can’t rule out unnecessary military clashes.”

Whether the opponent was a monster or a soldier, if something crossed the DMZ from the north, our military couldn’t help but respond. And the military’s response would naturally provoke North Korea, and further, China.

“What a nuisance. But we can’t just cross over and respond without permission, can we?”

Lee Sang-Jun nodded at Wraith’s words.

“If we cross the DMZ in an airplane without permission, missiles would fly from both the North and the South.”

The area near the DMZ in South Korea was heavily fortified with anti-aircraft guns and missiles.

No aircraft could cross without permission from both countries.

“And if we use an airplane, we’ll be detected by Chinese or Japanese radar. North Korea wouldn’t want the outside world to know that we intervened either.”

Deep sighs erupted from here and there. It was a real dilemma. A situation where they couldn’t do this or that.

“Then we have no choice but to go by land.”

It was Jin Beom-Min, who had been silent until now, who spoke.

“By land…?”

“If we cross the DMZ by land, other countries wouldn’t know, right? Then maybe North Korea could pretend not to know about our intervention?”

“Well, that’s true, but… how are we going to go by land?”

“Well…”

Jin Beom-Min continued with a grin.

“I bought a car recently.”

******

The operation Jin Beom-Min proposed was simple.

Ghost Squad and Jin Beom-Min would cross the DMZ and enter Hamhung in his newly purchased pickup truck.

North Korean roads were notoriously poor, but a four-wheel drive, 450-horsepower truck could easily handle even unpaved roads.

Furthermore, by utilizing the spacious cargo bed, they could transport not only Ghost Squad members but also sufficient equipment and supplies.

“But the DMZ is closely monitored from both sides.”

Jin Beom-Min responded to Reaper’s objection.

“We’ll have to talk to the North Korean side about that. They just need to turn a blind eye while we cross over.”

“So, we’re helping them, but unofficially?”

“Isn’t that what North Korea wants? They don’t want to rely on foreign powers, especially ours, but they can’t solve it on their own either. Then we just need to help them secretly.”

“Do we really have to go that far?”

Jin Beom-Min responded seriously to Reaper’s disgruntled complaint.

“Wouldn’t it be better than having unnecessary casualties and a war breaking out?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“If we help them…”

Lee Sang-Jun intervened.

“We have to receive compensation accordingly. Even if it’s unofficial.”

“Is that possible? From those stubborn people…?”

Lost in thought, Lee Sang-Jun paced back and forth in the conference room, tossing out ideas that came to mind.

“It will be possible. Probably, what they want is… that’s right. What they want is for it to remain unknown to the outside world. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then we just need to leave evidence that we intervened. Whether it’s video or audio. We can tell them that if North Korea doesn’t compensate us, we’ll release it.”

“Then…”

“The regime will collapse. The great leader claimed to have defeated the monster, but it turns out South Korea solved it for them. Their legitimacy would completely crumble.”

Jin Beom-Min, who had been listening silently, asked.

“…Can you lead the negotiations?”

Lee Sang-Jun hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with Jin Beom-Min.

He couldn’t accomplish this operation that Jin Beom-Min proposed alone. He needed the help of someone with connections in the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Unification.

‘Minister of Foreign Affairs Shim Jung-Min…’

Shim Jung-Min, whom he had asked for cooperation a few days ago, would be able to help. This was because he was currently the Minister of Foreign Affairs and had a network of connections in various government ministries like a spider web.

However, asking for help from a big shot like Shim Jung-Min could mean paying a bigger price later.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Lee Sang-Jun made his decision.

“I can do it. Let’s do it.”

******

“Hehehe, I knew it from the first time I saw it. I knew the day would come when I would drive this thing and run wild.”

Ogre chuckled mischievously, holding the car key Jin Beom-Min had handed him.

“…I’m feeling a bit uneasy. Can’t I just drive?”

Jin Beom-Min asked anxiously, but Sandman shook his head.

“Jin, you need to be in the cargo bed. If a monster suddenly appears, you need to respond quickly.”

“Ah, but it’s a new car…”

“Ogre will do well. Right?”

“Oh, don’t even mention it! I’ll treat it like a princess.”

“…I’m still uneasy…”

Jin Beom-Min grumbled as he lifted a heavy ammunition box and loaded it into the cargo bed. However, he knew there was nothing he could do about it.

After loading all the ammunition and equipment and finishing the preparations for departure, Lee Sang-Jun approached with an excited expression. His breath formed white clouds in the cold night air.

“Everything’s been approved.”

“Great!”

“Shall we depart then?”

Lee Sang-Jun handed over a map covered in notes and stickers with tired eyes.

“The entry route is as marked on the map. You absolutely must not take any other route. And when you encounter a checkpoint…”

This time, it was a stack of documents stamped with top-secret markings.

“If you present these documents, you should be able to pass.”

Sandman received the map and documents, putting them away, and patted Lee Sang-Jun’s shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all… Oh, and.”

Lee Sang-Jun handed over the bag he was carrying on his shoulder. Ogre took it and opened it, revealing several attachable cameras with small lenses.

“These are headcams. The batteries aren’t very long-lasting, so turn them on right before the operation begins. We can use these to leave evidence of our intervention.”

“Oh, these will be handy.”

Wraith stepped forward, picked up the headcams, and attached them to the sides of each member’s helmet.

Lee Sang-Jun, watching them, added a slightly anxious reminder.

“And… be careful. I’m a bit worried that North Korea is cooperating so readily…”

“Oh, why are you so worried! Even if we brought a truckload of those skinny North Korean kids, they wouldn’t be able to beat our Jin.”

“That’s true, but you never know.”

Sandman replied in a reassuring voice.

“We’ll be careful. We’ll need your continued support from headquarters.”

“Understood.”

“Then.”

“Good luck!”

Vroom―!

A rough engine roar erupted from the black truck that blended into the thick darkness. Lee Sang-Jun shielded his eyes from the bright white headlights and stepped back.

“Shall we get going then?”

Ogre, sitting in the driver’s seat, asked, and Sandman, in the passenger seat, turned his head to check on the members.

The interior of Jin Beom-Min’s truck was quite spacious, so even with four fully armed soldiers in their bulletproof vests, it felt roomy.

On the other hand, Jin Beom-Min and Imp, who were in the cargo bed, sat perched on the equipment and ammunition scattered around, with sullen expressions on their faces.

“It’s a shame that the owner of the car has to ride in the cargo bed.”

Reaper muttered in a voice that didn’t sound sorry at all.

“It can’t be helped. But in return, he gets paid a lot, so he can buy cars like this.”

“Oh man, I’m going to buy one too after this operation is over. How much is something like this?”

Wraith, leaning back in the back seat and looking at his smartphone, replied indifferently.

“It’s about 140 million won.”

“Whoa…”

Sandman placed a hand on Ogre’s shoulder, who was in the driver’s seat, and said.

“You’ll have to be content with just driving it today.”

“Damn… We’re departing!”