Chapter 7

Chapter 7

You want me to enter the organization?

In the situation room Yi-hyeon was called to, the commander was waiting with the major. That is, he entered a room with only the two people, the colonel who is the commander and the major.

The lowest sergeant personally meeting a colonel? What is the probability of such a thing happening in the army?

“Sergeant Song Yi-hyeon!”

When Yi-hyeon entered the situation room chanting loudly, the major who was standing sharply at the entrance silently gestured to Yi-hyeon and said.

“Don’t shout, stand over there.”

Yi-hyeon went to the direction he pointed and stood. A little further inside, a position with the back to the wall looking at the window. From outside the window Yi-hyeon’s figure will not be visible. When the quickly moving Yi-hyeon took his place and stood, Major Kim turned to the colonel sitting on the chair. As if saying please speak now.

The commander was wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses even indoors.

Would the age be a little over forty. Not a very large build and also slender. The reason Yi-hyeon thought ‘also’ was that since coming to 707 he had almost never seen a person with rugged muscular build. Except for some sergeant major level, the personnel who digest operations and training were all slender.

One day when Yi-hyeon asked the kind Sergeant Lee, he grinned and answered.

“Bastard. Where is there time to gain weight while training, in 707?”

At that time Yi-hyeon nodded inwardly.

707 is not a place that trains heavy tankers. Fast, flexible, and endurance is more important than anything. So there are no muscle men, and all look fast and agile. Of course that is the basic, and even if they look slender they cannot be compared to ordinary people. To run with heavy gear, firearms and communication equipment, basic muscle is essential. The commander in front also looked slender perhaps because of that.

Surely at that age he is not running as active duty···

The commander quietly opened his mouth.

“Is the great monk well?”

“······.”

Instead of answering Yi-hyeon opened his eyes wide.

What is this talk? Great monk.

Seeing Yi-hyeon’s blank expression the commander nodded and asked again,

“That, is Senior Brother Bodeok still healthy?”

Senior Brother Bodeok? That abbot of Guleopsa?

To Yi-hyeon who was bewildered and could not even answer, the commander said.

“Originally I was the great monk’s youngest disciple. Then you came in and I was relieved of being the youngest.”

Aha! So the words were that this commander in front is from that Guleopsa sect like Yi-hyeon. He studied under Monk Muae.

Since it was the first time meeting someone who revealed himself as from Guleopsa after enlisting in the army, Yi-hyeon felt a little curious. Among the martial arts instructors a few looked like they were from Guleopsa but they had said nothing.

Moreover this 707 special mission commander?

The commander opened his mouth and continued speaking.

“But I learned most of the techniques from Senior Brother Bodeok rather than the great monk. Because the great monk was too aged, the thing of directly taking disciples and teaching was something from several decades ago.”

Eh?

Monk Muae has stepped back to the back room because he is aged?

When Yi-hyeon visited before enlisting last year he had been full of energy.

Yi-hyeon opened his mouth.

“Monk Muae is still healthy. Before enlisting I went to Seong-an Hermitage and greeted him.”

At Yi-hyeon’s words the commander flinched.

“Seong-an Hermitage? Then you directly studied under the great monk as Senior Brother Bodeok said?”

Looking at the commander’s expression Yi-hyeon answered simply.

“That’s right.”

Is that so strange?

“Heo, such a thing. So Senior Brother Bodeok called several times and said that.”

Yi-hyeon had nothing to answer to the commander who was saying words that seemed both understandable and not so he stayed still, and the commander spoke seriously.

“Senior Brother Bodeok said that your training is almost reaching completion. Looking at your age it is something that cannot be, but since Senior Brother said so I have to believe it.”

After finishing the words the commander took off the sunglasses and said quietly.

“Anyway that’s that··· You, you need to enter our organization.”

“Yes?”

Hearing it was an absurd story so Yi-hyeon retorted in civilian speech by mistake. But fortunately the commander seemed not to pay much attention to that point. Instead the major standing with hands behind his back in immobile posture next to him glared at Yi-hyeon.

Whether or not, the commander calmly continued the words.

“A little explanation is needed. We have been deeply involved from the early days of the special forces. Starting with teaching special forces martial arts after receiving a request from high-ranking officials of the military and government at that time.”

To talk about this one has to go back to the 1950s.

The special forces are said to have been established with the KLO unit that was active during the Korean War and some guerrilla units as the main body, and before the early special warfare command was established they were dispatched to the US Army Green Beret unit stationed in Okinawa and received airborne education and special warfare entrusted education from them.

And the unit name was changed, and this is the 1st Airborne Special Forces. In 1969 related laws were revised and it was expanded and reorganized into the Army Special Warfare Command. Currently there are 7 brigades under the command. And there is this special 707.

“······So you must enter this organization and perform external operations while at the same time raising the completion of training.”

After hearing the long story Yi-hyeon opened his mouth.

“Um··· Do I really have to enter that organization? Before enlisting I didn’t hear anything from Senior Brother Bodeok.”

Seeing Yi-hyeon mumbling strangely in civilian speech the major glared again, but Yi-hyeon pretended not to see. Now this major or whatever is not scary. I’m talking with a colonel now, what.

Yi-hyeon added one more sentence while he was at it.

“And after enlisting I haven’t had a single leave for over 8 months. Soon my parents’ memorial day is coming.”

While speaking Yi-hyeon’s resentment rose and his voice gradually got higher. Where is there an army that doesn’t give even one leave for a full over 8 months!

At first while rolling hectically, whenever he talked about leave after receiving assignment the ‘kind Sergeant Lee’ soothed him gently.

“That··· It’s a little strange but even if leave is submitted only you are strangely held. This is literally held so wait a little. Instead this weekend let’s go out for overnight. I’ll treat you to chicken and beer when we go out, okay?”

The kind Sergeant Lee Myeong-hun soothed Yi-hyeon with such words.

The colonel who heard Yi-hyeon’s words to the end opened his mouth.

“That was something I instructed. There was also what Senior Brother Bodeok instructed me, and the words were so that tension does not loosen with clumsy leave for your training, and that is a point I also agree with to some extent.”

“······.”

Senior Brother Bodeok blocked my leave? This gentleman really···.

When Yi-hyeon who lost what to say just had his mouth wide open. The Major Kim standing next to him glanced at the commander’s expression and said quietly.

“Instead Sergeant Lee Myeong-hun let you out for overnight often. That was something I instructed. Sergeant Lee Myeong-hun is also our member.”

He’s boasting about that as a favor.

Come to think of it Sergeant Lee Myeong-hun was his watcher. Watching in case he causes some accident.

Looking at the still boiling Yi-hyeon the commander opened his mouth.

“Major Kim. Send this kid on leave first. Including what he couldn’t go before, send him about half a month. And also send special leave matching the parents’ memorial day.”

“Yes.”

And he said to Yi-hyeon again.

“I say again, you have to enter the organization. Since you have not yet entered the organization I cannot tell you classified information, but we have a lot to do for the country.”

“······.”

Yi-hyeon did not answer. It was his characteristic dawdling stubbornness activating, and no matter how much for the country or whatever he dislikes this kind of proposal that completely ignores his own will.

“Currently even calling it an organization the active duty are not many. There are three or four above my rank and below about twenty? That is for our military, and the personnel active outside are separate. The retired reserve ones well···.”

The commander briefly talked about that organization. Borrowing his words this ‘Dongseong Society’ was created taking the Korean War as an opportunity and mainly many are from the military. Among them there are quite a few parts that require force so there seem to be quite a few from Guleopsa.

This society’s platform is solely ‘protection of the Republic of Korea.’

‘What is this full of countryside vibe···.’

Yi-hyeon decided not to think further than that.

It looks countryside but anywhere in the world people with such blind faith gather and make things. Blind faith makes blind goals.

The commander who was looking at Yi-hyeon stood up. It seems he is returning. The Major Kim standing next to him began to move like lightning. He picks up the phone on the desk and instructs loudly.

“The commander is returning to the unit. Prepare.”

The commander who was leaving the room patted Yi-hyeon’s shoulder and said.

“You, after coming back from leave come to me.”

“Yes.”

At this time he answered loudly. Since it’s not saying to enter the organization right away, whatever.

Yi-hyeon is not refreshed but still since they are giving leave his heart beats.

* * *

Two days later after finishing the leave report and coming out, Sergeant Lee Myeong-hun approached Yi-hyeon and said.

“This is something the commander said to give you. Leave money. Envious bastard! Receiving leave money from the commander. And I’ll drive you to the bus stop in front.”

Yi-hyeon glanced at the yellow envelope that seemed to have money in it and silently received it and put it in. It looks like cash, so it won’t be much. In fact Yi-hyeon’s property, even after paying all inheritance tax, exceeds several tens of billions. The enormous property his grandfather built while alive passed through his father and was entirely inherited by Yi-hyeon.

Even just the cash currently in the account···

Still money given should be received well, yes.

* * *

Arriving at the stop riding the jeep Sergeant Lee Myeong-hun drove, Yi-hyeon took the bus to Wonyong Terminal and there reserved a bus to Dong Seoul Terminal.

And since there was time left he went to a Lotteria nearby and ate a hamburger. It was still before lunch but because he was excited about going on leave he had eaten breakfast half-heartedly so he was hungry.

A peculiar point is that Yi-hyeon is not wearing military uniform. According to the manual of not disclosing members’ identities Yi-hyeon also grew his hair moderately and came out of the unit in civilian clothes.

Nom nom.

Ah! This ecstatic taste of hamburger and cola!

While eating deliciously Yi-hyeon began to feel the surrounding atmosphere little by little. He felt that the people inside the Lotteria were strangely glancing at and examining Yi-hyeon.

What is this···

Surely those guys are still chasing me?

When the tense Yi-hyeon scanned the surroundings, the people whose eyes met quickly turned their eyes. Mainly young women.

Aha!

Having grasped the situation Yi-hyeon relaxed and calmly ate the remaining hamburger. He realized that those women had acted that way seeing Yi-hyeon’s appearance.

‘This is more than before enlisting?’

Originally a skinny weakling, unlike during puberty from entering high school Yi-hyeon’s physique became balanced and along with that his face became neat so there were many girls approaching Yi-hyeon. But it was not this much like today.

Was it because the body type changed greatly when he first met Sion at Seong-an Hermitage before enlisting.

Yi-hyeon now completely turned off his nerves to the surrounding gazes.

When ordering the hamburger Yi-hyeon paid with the cash from the envelope Sergeant Lee gave. In the envelope there are a full one million won in fifty thousand won bills. To a soldier it is enormously big money. Currently Yi-hyeon’s one month salary is not even two hundred thousand won.

He has a check card linked to the bank account where the salary goes in but Yi-hyeon has never taken it out and used it. The account from which cell phone fees and public charges are withdrawn in society was separately designated after consulting with Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong. The account from which costs needed for maintenance of other buildings are expended is the same.

To the company that manages the buildings by entrustment only an expenditure-only account is opened besides the account where deposits are made and it is strictly managed. That is, the entrustment management company can only view the account where building rent etc. are deposited and cannot withdraw. Occasionally if a tenant says they are vacating the building the management company goes out, carefully examines the building’s condition, and if there is no loss such as building damage they submit a proposal and return the deposit.

Checking such situations at all times is what Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong’s office does.

Arriving at the Apgujeong-dong apartment by subway from Dong Seoul Terminal, Yi-hyeon first called Seong-man. At that time it was a period when one could not even imagine soldiers taking phones to the unit.

707 especially has strict security so in the unit only cadres used old feature phones. When unit members go out for training or operations outside they all pull hoods over their heads. To prevent faces from being exposed. Charcoal-colored military uniform with bulletproof helmet and goggles, and black hood etc. have become like the symbol of 707.

Seong-man jumped and welcomed him.

“Wow, Yi-hyeon-ah you only now came out on leave? How long has it been.”

“Yeah, even I don’t remember how long it’s been.”

“You’re at home right? Wait, I’ll come now.”

The two who met near Yi-hyeon’s house entered a nearby meat restaurant even though it was broad daylight and first opened soju.

“Kra! The alcohol tastes good.”

“Yeah.”

Yi-hyeon also agreed. What Sergeant Lee treated when going out for overnight was also civilian alcohol but strangely the taste is different. There is a difference from alcohol eaten with a friend.

“What are you going to do during leave?”

“Um, tomorrow I’ll go to the columbarium and the day after I plan to go to Gyeongju. I have to greet the monk too.”

“Right. Since the parents’ memorial rites are also entrusted there you have to go.”

Seong-man stopped speaking and looked at Yi-hyeon and tilted his head.

“Yeah, but your face has become a little strange? It seems to have become strangely more neat. And what kind of airborne member has such a pale face? You must be messing around in the office every day.”

Messing around in the office?

Yi-hyeon just laughed. Even ordinary special forces non-commissioned officers spend more than half of the year training outside the unit. Literally eating only meals and training is the job. Let alone 707.

Seong-man only knows that Yi-hyeon applied to the special forces and is serving there, only up to there.

* * *

The next day Yi-hyeon drove alone and went to the columbarium in Seongnam. Here spring is already at its peak so forsythia and azalea are everywhere nearby.

“Father, Mom. Have you been well.”

Two urns inside a small glass window. On the white porcelain the parents’ names are each engraved.

Though it is spring, being a weekday the columbarium was lonely. As much as the weather outside was bright and clear, conversely Yi-hyeon’s heart sank darkly.

Hostility boils up anew. Anger toward the unknown enemy who killed the parents is awakening sharply.

‘I’ll kill them all. Whoever it is.’

Perhaps because Yi-hyeon’s mind gathered like that, he awakened.

- Yi-hyeon! A mind full of hatred. That state is not good. I recommend restraining yourself.

‘Huh?’

Yi-hyeon flinched. Without even entering meditation Sion awakened.

‘Sion, have you become able to awaken regardless of my meditation now?’

- Hmm, it’s not always like that, but when Yi-hyeon’s concentration is heightened like this time it is possible.

Yi-hyeon nodded without realizing it.

One more of Sion’s mysteries was solved. Since he knew that such a thing became possible when he concentrated, it will be possible later too. If he concentrates he can call him and communicate regardless of meditation, so this meaning is not small.

- Anyway is this a place where the dead sleep. The energy of death is full all around.

Ho! More and more?

‘Can you feel the energy of this place?’

At Yi-hyeon’s question Sion answered calmly.

- Yi-hyeon knows me too little. Our race is mentally close to perfection. Feeling the surrounding energy is too natural a thing. Moreover recently because Yi-hyeon has grown by leaps and bounds I have become able to grasp external situations well. In a little while I will be able to grasp all of this world Yi-hyeon belongs to. Currently I can only know as much as Yi-hyeon knows, but soon I will surpass that limit. When that happens Yi-hyeon will also become as smart as me.

‘Surpassing my limit?’

It probably means becoming each other’s traction for growth. But Yi-hyeon did not take his words so seriously. Just that the present of communicating with Sion in a sober state (?) is only enjoyable.

‘Talking with Sion like this is so good.’

- ······I also feel that way, Yi-hyeon. Fundamentally our race is an awake race so having such a conversation with someone is enjoyable.

Facing the newly progressed Sion, Yi-hyeon’s expression that had been dark brightened brightly.