“Huh, who is that? The bastard that stuck around next to Ki Tae-jeong like crucian carp poop.”
“Are you talking about Lieutenant Park Yeon-joong?”
“Yeah. I ran into that guy when I went to the Ministry of National Defense earlier. Ki Tae-jeong is supposed to be confined to his official residence, so why is he wandering around alone?”
Lieutenant Kim knew exactly that guy’s name was Park Yeon-joong, and they even had a brief conversation when they met. Lieutenant Kim’s adjutant watched from the sidelines. Despite knowing everything, Lieutenant Kim still had the audacity to call him a bastard so casually, as if he had a faint presence and thus didn’t need to be treated as important.
“Did Ki Tae-jeong get sent somewhere, so you were wandering around alone?”
‘Are you asking because you don’t know that the Brigadier General needs a break?’
‘What? Why are you being so brief? Are you that curt in speech?’
‘It’s what I wanted to say. Despite being twice my age and addressing a higher rank, Lieutenant Kim should consider showing some respect to those in the same rank. At your age, behaving childishly only makes you look completely immature.’
‘What? Lieutenant Kim? Did you just call me Lieutenant Kim?’
‘Yes. Am I wrong? I am Lieutenant Park, and you are Lieutenant Kim.”
‘You really…!’
Lieutenant Kim was from the Army, while Ki Tae-jeong and his associates were from the Air Force. It was a time when it was imperative to control the skies, whether in a localized war or a large-scale war. In addition, the Air Force can also perform some of the Army’s roles during work, so when assessing importance, the Air Force was by far superior. It was said that in the past, there was a time when the Minister of National Defense was always held by a graduate of the Military Academy, but those days were so long ago that one hesitated to even mention it. Anyway, according to the logic of the power game flowing within the military, it was difficult for Lieutenant Kim to even talk casually to Lieutenant Park, regardless of his age.
However, Lieutenant Kim thought his position was much higher than people like Ki Tae-jeong and Park Yeon-joong. No, it wasn’t a thought, it was a fact. Just because they wore the same rank insignia didn’t mean they shared the same background and status.
Certainly, if it weren’t for the help of his family, Lieutenant Kim wouldn’t even have been able to enter the Military Academy. But in today’s world, what could be more important than having influential backers? After all, who could provide you with more significant backing than your own family? Since his commissioning, Lieutenant Kim’s military career had been quite uneventful… that was because he was assigned to the army. He was confident that if he had joined the Air Force or even the Navy, he could fly as high as Ki Tae-jeong.
“Does this make sense? Ki Tae-jeong is a bastard who was picked up to do something like that. The military has been feeding him and giving him shelter to sleep so that he can sacrifice his body and destroy everything instead of using the latest weapons, so he shouldn’t lie down sick just because he has taken down a single Air Force base.”
Lieutenant Kim diligently let the words roll off his tongue despite the fact that the cigarette-like roll was still in his mouth. It was a well-known rule not to talk while the drug was dissolving in your mouth.
“But it seems true that Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong is at the official residence. We’ve checked his GPS data, and it shows that he’s genuinely staying there. Furthermore, there are records of military doctors visiting the place several times.”
“Don’t be sure of anything until we get a hologram. Ki-Tae-jeong, what a pain in the ass. By the way, why did Lieutenant Park come to the Ministry of Defense?”
“On the surface, he reported that he came to submit documents on behalf of Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong, but…”
“But what?”
“According to the secretary’s eavesdropping, they briefly discussed the ‘Harvest’ project. I distinctly heard the words ‘approval’ and ‘objection.’ It seems that Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong’s escape is also a move to prepare for a public relations battle.”
“Ha, shit.”
Lieutenant Kim accepted the old tape recorder after spitting out phlegm as if he’d lost his appetite. Although it was an old relic, it was ideal for exchanging wiretapping records since it didn’t emit any signals when compared to modern devices outfitted with cutting-edge radio equipment.
“This is the first time that Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong has officially mentioned ‘harvest.’ However, the House in 4-Hwan… I think he must have realized that the drug was almost finished.”
“They’re a bunch of idiots for only noticing now. Everyone else has already been there and done that.”
In the end, Ki Tae-jeong was no good for him. Lieutenant Kim rubbed his bulging belly and lit a new cigarette. In terms of effectiveness, it was meager compared to what he used to indulge in, but at least he was doing something rather than starving.
“Cough… No matter how you think about it, shouldn’t soldiers be allowed to use drugs? If they can’t have this much fun while they’re doing their duty for the country, how can they do great things?”
There was no shortage of medications in the military. From antidotes for those poisoned or drugged during intelligence operations to supplements that help soldiers perform at their best, everything was available. Of course, not just anyone could get their hands on them, but Lieutenant Kim didn’t consider himself “just anyone.”
At least ten percent of the cutting-edge medical facilities boasted by the military came from his family. There’s no such thing as free money, and if you invest, you should expect a reasonable return. Would people like Ki Tae-jeong have been able to achieve such remarkable achievements without the foundation established by his family’s donations? So Lieutenant Kim, who had barely earned his rank through connections and money, thought he could enjoy a little more privilege. It’s a capitalist society, isn’t it? It’s only natural that those who spend the most money receive the greatest treatment.
“Right? That’s right, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Lieutenant Kim, who was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, was not in the mood to be angry. However, it wasn’t like he was in a good state when he was high on drugs either. He enjoyed raising his voice, but in reality, he had low self-esteem. Above all, his inferiority complex towards Ki Tae-jeong made him behave even more violently when he was trying to hide it. The only solace was that he would quickly return to normal after a few doses. So all he had to do was wait until then and play along. Lieutenant Kim’s adjutant, who had attained enlightenment after witnessing blood a few times before and had learned his lesson, nodded in agreement with a Buddha-like expression.
“Damn it. Even if I take this, I’m not going to be satisfied.”
After sucking it once, he only became more desperate for other flavors he already knew. Something a little stronger. Something a little more fantastic…
“Lee Sehwa, that guy makes amazing drugs…”
The one who introduced him to this was a fellow servicemember who was now long dead.
Some upper-class ranks, including soldiers, were given the privilege of using the Port. They could arrive in a different area in less than five minutes by using the Port. While commoners go through all the trouble of submitting ID cards, certificates, and other things and being inspected, they can cross the district as if they were going out to the front yard for a drink. For people like Lieutenant Kim, who had a terrible hobby, the port ticket was a godsend.
He could experience the most basic pleasures in 1-Hwan or 2-Hwan brothels, but even for him, going to 4-Hwan and below made him hesitate. Lieutenant Kim was not someone who easily bowed his head to anyone in the military, but he was aware of his family’s influence. Therefore, he had to be discreet about his habit. So, he nudged a member of the unit who smelled like a drug and was introduced to a place where it was okay to receive goods from 4-Hwan. Gambling, prostitution, and drugs… It was an illegal House where they dealt in everything. Lee Sehwa was the distributor who was said to be used by many customers looking for information.
Lee Sehwa’s face was so flawless that even Lieutenant Kim was momentarily mesmerized when he first saw him. However, that was only for a moment, as he quickly regained his composure. Even with that face, isn’t it the guy rumored to be involved in the drug trade, especially with 4-Hwan? It seemed like messing with him would lead to big trouble.
And Lieutenant Kim, who had spent half his life in the drug dens, had made an accurate judgment. Lee Sehwa was a fearsome individual. It might have been a different kind of fear… but he was undoubtedly someone who could steal a person’s soul.
‘The first and last Christmas present I received was a fairy tale book called ‘Monkey’s Flower Shoes’ (by the late Jeong Hwi-chang, published by Hyoriwon). A customer said it was a gift for his child, but he left it behind and it ended up being mine. I knew it wasn’t originally meant for me, but… I liked it so much that I remember reading it until the book wore out.’
He was excited, expecting something different to be mixed with LSD when Lee Sehwa began telling a random story. Even though there were no visible irregularities, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in Lee Sehwa acknowledging him as a regular customer. But. Christmas was just a few days away, and today, snow was falling outside. It was a time when the atmosphere wasn’t bad for setting the mood. Like something soft and tingling.
“Huh, who is that? The bastard that stuck around next to Ki Tae-jeong like crucian carp poop.”
“Are you talking about Lieutenant Park Yeon-joong?”
“Yeah. I ran into that guy when I went to the Ministry of National Defense earlier. Ki Tae-jeong is supposed to be confined to his official residence, so why is he wandering around alone?”
Lieutenant Kim knew exactly that guy’s name was Park Yeon-joong, and they even had a brief conversation when they met. Lieutenant Kim’s adjutant watched from the sidelines. Despite knowing everything, Lieutenant Kim still had the audacity to call him a bastard so casually, as if he had a faint presence and thus didn’t need to be treated as important.
“Did Ki Tae-jeong get sent somewhere, so you were wandering around alone?”
‘Are you asking because you don’t know that the Brigadier General needs a break?’
‘What? Why are you being so brief? Are you that curt in speech?’
‘It’s what I wanted to say. Despite being twice my age and addressing a higher rank, Lieutenant Kim should consider showing some respect to those in the same rank. At your age, behaving childishly only makes you look completely immature.’
‘What? Lieutenant Kim? Did you just call me Lieutenant Kim?’
‘Yes. Am I wrong? I am Lieutenant Park, and you are Lieutenant Kim.”
‘You really…!’
Lieutenant Kim was from the Army, while Ki Tae-jeong and his associates were from the Air Force. It was a time when it was imperative to control the skies, whether in a localized war or a large-scale war. In addition, the Air Force can also perform some of the Army’s roles during work, so when assessing importance, the Air Force was by far superior. It was said that in the past, there was a time when the Minister of National Defense was always held by a graduate of the Military Academy, but those days were so long ago that one hesitated to even mention it. Anyway, according to the logic of the power game flowing within the military, it was difficult for Lieutenant Kim to even talk casually to Lieutenant Park, regardless of his age.
However, Lieutenant Kim thought his position was much higher than people like Ki Tae-jeong and Park Yeon-joong. No, it wasn’t a thought, it was a fact. Just because they wore the same rank insignia didn’t mean they shared the same background and status.
Certainly, if it weren’t for the help of his family, Lieutenant Kim wouldn’t even have been able to enter the Military Academy. But in today’s world, what could be more important than having influential backers? After all, who could provide you with more significant backing than your own family? Since his commissioning, Lieutenant Kim’s military career had been quite uneventful… that was because he was assigned to the army. He was confident that if he had joined the Air Force or even the Navy, he could fly as high as Ki Tae-jeong.
“Does this make sense? Ki Tae-jeong is a bastard who was picked up to do something like that. The military has been feeding him and giving him shelter to sleep so that he can sacrifice his body and destroy everything instead of using the latest weapons, so he shouldn’t lie down sick just because he has taken down a single Air Force base.”
Lieutenant Kim diligently let the words roll off his tongue despite the fact that the cigarette-like roll was still in his mouth. It was a well-known rule not to talk while the drug was dissolving in your mouth.
“But it seems true that Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong is at the official residence. We’ve checked his GPS data, and it shows that he’s genuinely staying there. Furthermore, there are records of military doctors visiting the place several times.”
“Don’t be sure of anything until we get a hologram. Ki-Tae-jeong, what a pain in the ass. By the way, why did Lieutenant Park come to the Ministry of Defense?”
“On the surface, he reported that he came to submit documents on behalf of Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong, but…”
“But what?”
“According to the secretary’s eavesdropping, they briefly discussed the ‘Harvest’ project. I distinctly heard the words ‘approval’ and ‘objection.’ It seems that Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong’s escape is also a move to prepare for a public relations battle.”
“Ha, shit.”
Lieutenant Kim accepted the old tape recorder after spitting out phlegm as if he’d lost his appetite. Although it was an old relic, it was ideal for exchanging wiretapping records since it didn’t emit any signals when compared to modern devices outfitted with cutting-edge radio equipment.
“This is the first time that Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong has officially mentioned ‘harvest.’ However, the House in 4-Hwan… I think he must have realized that the drug was almost finished.”
“They’re a bunch of idiots for only noticing now. Everyone else has already been there and done that.”
In the end, Ki Tae-jeong was no good for him. Lieutenant Kim rubbed his bulging belly and lit a new cigarette. In terms of effectiveness, it was meager compared to what he used to indulge in, but at least he was doing something rather than starving.
“Cough… No matter how you think about it, shouldn’t soldiers be allowed to use drugs? If they can’t have this much fun while they’re doing their duty for the country, how can they do great things?”
There was no shortage of medications in the military. From antidotes for those poisoned or drugged during intelligence operations to supplements that help soldiers perform at their best, everything was available. Of course, not just anyone could get their hands on them, but Lieutenant Kim didn’t consider himself “just anyone.”
At least ten percent of the cutting-edge medical facilities boasted by the military came from his family. There’s no such thing as free money, and if you invest, you should expect a reasonable return. Would people like Ki Tae-jeong have been able to achieve such remarkable achievements without the foundation established by his family’s donations? So Lieutenant Kim, who had barely earned his rank through connections and money, thought he could enjoy a little more privilege. It’s a capitalist society, isn’t it? It’s only natural that those who spend the most money receive the greatest treatment.
“Right? That’s right, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Lieutenant Kim, who was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, was not in the mood to be angry. However, it wasn’t like he was in a good state when he was high on drugs either. He enjoyed raising his voice, but in reality, he had low self-esteem. Above all, his inferiority complex towards Ki Tae-jeong made him behave even more violently when he was trying to hide it. The only solace was that he would quickly return to normal after a few doses. So all he had to do was wait until then and play along. Lieutenant Kim’s adjutant, who had attained enlightenment after witnessing blood a few times before and had learned his lesson, nodded in agreement with a Buddha-like expression.
“Damn it. Even if I take this, I’m not going to be satisfied.”
After sucking it once, he only became more desperate for other flavors he already knew. Something a little stronger. Something a little more fantastic…
“Lee Sehwa, that guy makes amazing drugs…”
The one who introduced him to this was a fellow servicemember who was now long dead.
Some upper-class ranks, including soldiers, were given the privilege of using the Port. They could arrive in a different area in less than five minutes by using the Port. While commoners go through all the trouble of submitting ID cards, certificates, and other things and being inspected, they can cross the district as if they were going out to the front yard for a drink. For people like Lieutenant Kim, who had a terrible hobby, the port ticket was a godsend.
He could experience the most basic pleasures in 1-Hwan or 2-Hwan brothels, but even for him, going to 4-Hwan and below made him hesitate. Lieutenant Kim was not someone who easily bowed his head to anyone in the military, but he was aware of his family’s influence. Therefore, he had to be discreet about his habit. So, he nudged a member of the unit who smelled like a drug and was introduced to a place where it was okay to receive goods from 4-Hwan. Gambling, prostitution, and drugs… It was an illegal House where they dealt in everything. Lee Sehwa was the distributor who was said to be used by many customers looking for information.
Lee Sehwa’s face was so flawless that even Lieutenant Kim was momentarily mesmerized when he first saw him. However, that was only for a moment, as he quickly regained his composure. Even with that face, isn’t it the guy rumored to be involved in the drug trade, especially with 4-Hwan? It seemed like messing with him would lead to big trouble.
And Lieutenant Kim, who had spent half his life in the drug dens, had made an accurate judgment. Lee Sehwa was a fearsome individual. It might have been a different kind of fear… but he was undoubtedly someone who could steal a person’s soul.
‘The first and last Christmas present I received was a fairy tale book called ‘Monkey’s Flower Shoes’ (by the late Jeong Hwi-chang, published by Hyoriwon). A customer said it was a gift for his child, but he left it behind and it ended up being mine. I knew it wasn’t originally meant for me, but… I liked it so much that I remember reading it until the book wore out.’
He was excited, expecting something different to be mixed with LSD when Lee Sehwa began telling a random story. Even though there were no visible irregularities, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in Lee Sehwa acknowledging him as a regular customer. But. Christmas was just a few days away, and today, snow was falling outside. It was a time when the atmosphere wasn’t bad for setting the mood. Like something soft and tingling.
