GCT 26

“Straight to the point?”

“I don’t have that much time.”

Nasim glanced at his watch and said that in that case, he would have to get straight to the point. Then, watching Yohan’s expression, he spoke.

“I brought a guest from New York.”

“New York? Why from so far away…”

“I wasn’t the one who called him. It’s an order from the Director.”

“I think I’ve been doing quite well on my own.”

Lear was there, and Avon was there too, but he thought he had come this far quite well without Diane, who had been his partner. The goal was just around the corner, after all. He was not pleased that the Director had sent someone all the way from New York to LA in the midst of all this.

Seeing Yohan’s negative reaction, Nasim began to persuade him.

“I know. But it’s an order from above, so I can’t do anything about it. Besides, moving alone is definitely dangerous. It would be better to have a partner. And it also means they support us.”

“Still.”

“Yohan, you may not like it, but he’s a person with proven skills. Besides, you two will probably get along well in many ways. You have a lot of similarities… and it’s temporary.”

With Nasim putting it that way, Yohan honestly had no choice. He was a salaried employee who had to do what he was told from above. Moreover, spending every day with Lear had given him a strange sense of confidence that he could get along with just about anyone.

“What choice do I have? I have to do as I’m told. So, is he a decent person? Right now, it seems there are more than one or two enemies within the organization as well.”

As Yohan accepted with a displeased tone, Nasim spoke in a serious voice.

“I’m certain. It’s not just anyone, the Director himself recommended him.”

At Nasim’s words, Yohan nodded. As soon as those words were out, Nasim raised his hand towards the door, called for someone, and said.

“Anyway, try to get along.”

Before Yohan could say a word to Nasim, a shadow fell over him. Yohan raised his head, looked at the man smiling at him, and shot up from his seat.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jun Harris.”

“Ah, yes. I’m Yohan Kwon. Please feel free to call me Yohan.”

At Jun’s appearance, Yohan made an awkward expression. First, except for the fact that he was of Asian descent, he seemed like the complete opposite of himself. Aside from his handsome face, he looked like one of the common agents you’d see at the branch office. A neatly worn suit, tidy hair… based on his appearance alone, a typical FBI agent, Yohan could not see where he and this man were similar at all.

Yohan glanced at Nasim as if to ask if he was serious, then smiled at Jun and said.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from the Director. And from Deputy Director Hadid, too.”

“Haha. I wonder what you’ve heard.”

“That the situation here is not very good.”

At Jun’s words, Yohan nodded. Then, still not letting his guard down, he said.

“Yes. It’s going to be a tough fight, enough for the Director to dispatch you all the way here, Jun.”

“I’ve heard the gist of the case. I had a similar experience in New York, so I can somewhat understand how Yohan feels. And about the partner situation, too.”

Only then did Yohan meet Jun’s gaze intently.

“No way. The fact that you came from New York…”

Jun scratched his head as if embarrassed and said.

“Somehow I ended up at the center of the Mailan case. Haha. It’s somehow embarrassing to say it like this here.”

“If Deputy Director Nasim had told me in advance, I wouldn’t have been so on edge from the beginning. In times like these, I can’t help but be sensitive.”

At Yohan’s words, Jun nodded as if he empathized. At that sight, Nasim made a dumbfounded face at the two of them.

“Are you going to talk like that in front of me?”

At Nasim’s words, Yohan took a sip of his coffee. At that sight, Nasim shook his head from side to side.

“More importantly, Yohan, didn’t you say you had business with me too?”

At Nasim’s question, Yohan let out a deep sigh and said.

“I briefly mentioned it a little while ago, but the situation is not progressing very well.”

Jun, who had ordered coffee from the server in the meantime, asked Yohan.

“What is it?”

“It’s not very good news. In fact, it’s gotten more complicated.”

Yohan hesitated for a moment, then looked back and forth between Nasim and Jun and spoke.

“The SVR has started to get involved. I don’t know since when, but it seems they’ve been putting in a lot of effort.”

Nasim asked Yohan with a face that showed he did not understand.

“SVR? Why Russia?”

“I found out while looking for the connection between Esprit and Declan. Esprit came under financial pressure due to a major lawsuit over Horamaydon, and they started making Candy.”

“Keep talking.”

“I’ve secured evidence that Esprit created the recipe for Candy. However, Russia started to get involved during the investigation of that process. Esprit was trying something else to expand their business further.”

Jun tilted his head at Yohan.

“With the appearance of Candy, it has spread a lot not just here, but on the East Coast as well. It should be easy enough to get out of financial pressure with just that, so why go to the trouble of…”

“Jun is right. If it were me, I wouldn’t take the risk, but greed has no end. Especially since Shadow, who doesn’t show himself, would have to show something to establish his position after Joel Declan.”

“Then…”

“I think they wanted something more stable and that could operate in the light, rather than selling something like Candy. The choice they made in that process was the arms industry.”

At Yohan’s words, Jun and Nasim looked surprised.

“Suddenly? It jumps to that?”

“Well, it’s not entirely strange. Esprit is a pharmaceutical company, and recently, some of the Candy being released has been mixed with perchlorate. I don’t know much about that field, but isn’t chemistry similar in a way?”

“So Esprit is making weapons and plans to expand their business with them?”

“Moreover, since they entered the market late, it seems they’re trying to compete with what they’re good at.”

“Then…”

“It’s a G-series gas like Sarin.”

Jun’s expression crumpled completely.

“It’s a kind of niche strategy, isn’t it? This could be an opportunity for them to move closely with the political sphere.”

“That’s right. They do their main business as their main business. And their backroom dealings as backroom dealings.”

“If this deal goes through successfully, Declan and Esprit will…”

“They’ll be on a roll.”

“So who is Esprit’s first trading partner?”

Yohan sighed once more.

“According to the information, it’s Paraguay.”

“And Russia is planning to intervene in the process and drive a wedge between us and Paraguay?”

“That’s right. As it is, the political situation in Paraguay is unstable, and even if it’s unofficial, if the head of the Minister of Defense were to be blown off…”

“And if Russia intervenes in the midst of that, Paraguay wouldn’t have a bad partner.”

At Jun’s words, Yohan nodded and said.

“It’s in two weeks.”

“In two weeks?”

“I heard there’s a conference being held at a hotel in Chula Vista. I wondered what kind of conference would be held in that neighborhood, but Esprit has a factory there.”

Nasim, who had been listening quietly to Yohan’s story, moved his lips, his face tense.

“This… the case seems to be getting too big.”

No matter how capable an agent Jun was that Director Corey sent him here, they were still severely understaffed. But having the branch office provide backup would be dangerous since there was an enemy within.

“But there aren’t many options. For now, there’s someone helping me, and…”

Yohan raised his head and looked at Jun.

“Jun is new here too.”

Nasim clicked his tongue.

“It’s still too dangerous.”

“But there’s a high probability that Shadow will appear. He’ll probably use a figurehead then… but I think there will be a big achievement.”

“That’s true, but…”

“That’s the chance to catch Shadow.”

Jun, who had been listening to this whole story, chimed in to support Yohan’s words.

“Yohan is right. This is indeed an opportunity. Esprit has chosen the black market for the first transaction of their new business. If we raid them well, we can gain a lot.”

“That’s right. Besides, Shadow is not a person who will go down alone. If we catch him on the spot, we’ll be able to root out those connected to him.”

Worry filled Nasim’s face. But even if he took all this to the branch office for support, nothing would change. In fact, it might even get in the way.

“There’s nothing I can do to help you right now, Yohan. Jun has come all this way, but… it’ll still be hard for the two of you to handle.”

“I know. But I can’t just stand by after hearing all this.”

“Yohan.”

“There were times I was alone after Diane left. Besides, now I have someone to help me, so don’t worry too much.”

“The one you mentioned before…”

Yohan nodded at Nasim’s words and said.

“If a crime was committed, punishment must be served. Diane would want that too.”

Nasim let out a deep sigh. Then, looking not at Yohan but at Jun, he said.

“Are you okay with this? Being with such a reckless guy? If it’s too much to handle, it’s okay to go back to New York.”

“I was like that too.”

“…”

“I’ve come this far, and I don’t want to go back without any results. Besides, as long as I’ve chosen this profession, this level of risk is always present.”

“Still…”

“Or are you looking down on me because I’m an Omega?”

“It’s a bit perplexing when you pull that card here…”

“You have to use it when you need to.”

At what Jun said to Nasim, Yohan’s eyes widened and he shouted at him with a surprised face.

“You’re an Omega?!”

In that moment, Yohan felt a bit embarrassed, wondering if he had shouted too loudly without realizing it. However, Jun spoke in a calm voice as if it were no big deal.

“Well, it just so happens I was born that way. Everyone makes a surprised face when I tell them I’m an Omega. Just like Yohan is now.”

At Jun’s words, Yohan flinched and waved his hands.

“I didn’t mean it in a discriminatory way. It’s just, well… the guy who’s helping me is an Alpha. I thought it might be uncomfortable for you. He’s a pretty nasty piece of work, too. He’s going through a hard time because of Shadow right now.”

Even as he spoke to Jun, Yohan was worried about Lear.

“Don’t worry. I’m not what people call a ‘heavenly Omega’, but I already have a mated Alpha.”

As if to prove it, Jun raised his hand and showed his wedding ring.

“Because of that, I’m less affected by pheromones than others.”

“I see…”

Watching Jun smile at him, Yohan felt strange. It was because he thought that if Lear also had a mated partner, the things he was going through now might become a little easier. However, his own trait was Beta, and there was no way it would manifest at his age. Even if he were with Lear, he might have to spend his whole life going through rut with difficulty. Because as a Beta, he could not fulfill what an Omega could.

‘Is this why people say you should meet someone with a matching trait?’

Yohan stared at Jun’s wedding ring and swallowed hard. He somehow felt his heart grow heavy. Lear’s rut cycle was unstable due to the side effects of Candy, and he always tried to handle it alone, saying it was to be considerate of him.

‘If only I were an Omega…’

Yohan smiled awkwardly at Jun.

“Then that’s a relief. Anyway, he’s sick right now, so it’s a bit difficult to meet him, but he’s a skilled guy.”

“He’s… sick?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Yohan, not wanting to tell Jun that Lear was in rut, clicked his tongue and spoke as if it were nothing.

“He’s a weakling with a nasty temper… he’s annoying in many ways, but he’s good with computers, so he’s useful in many ways.”

“I see. Then that person, rather than helping on the front lines…”

“He’s a kind of Quartermaster15).”

At Yohan’s words, Jun nodded with a look of understanding. And just then, Nasim’s phone rang. Nasim answered the phone with an apologetic look, and as soon as he hung up, he sighed and said.

“Friends. I think I have to go back to the branch office now.”

“It’s okay. We’ve already said everything we needed to, and as the Deputy Director, you’re always busy.”

“Sorry.”

Nasim stood up from his seat, packed his things, and patted Jun’s shoulder once.

“Jun, please take good care of Yohan. He’s lacking in many ways.”

Yohan frowned at Nasim’s words.

“Anyone would think you’re entrusting a child to him. I have years of experience.”

“That’s what I’m saying. But he was doing an undercover investigation until recently. He’ll probably need Jun’s help to get his field sense back.”

Yohan, who was about to say something to Nasim, glanced at Jun and held it in.

“Was getting on my nerves your ultimate goal?”

“Not that, it’s because I’m worried. Good grief.”

“People will curse at you if they hear this. Calling a guy like this a child.”

“It’s a metaphor. A metaphor. And Yohan, you have a baby face.”

“If you keep this up…”

“I’m just stating the facts. Of course, I think that gaudy Hawaiian shirt has something to do with it…”

“Stop criticizing other people’s fashion and hurry back to the branch office.”

Nasim grinned, said “good luck” one more time, and left the shop. With Nasim gone, it somehow felt awkward again. Yohan rolled his eyes as he drank his coffee, and Jun also idly stirred his coffee with a straw. After a long silence, Yohan was the first to speak to Jun.

“So… we should probably think of a clever plan, right? We need to prepare for the conference.”

“You said it’s in Chula Vista in two weeks, right?”

“Yes. I think we’ll have to infiltrate first.”

“It seems like Yohan already has a method in mind.”

“Since we still have time, I think gathering more information will be the most important thing. It probably won’t be too difficult since the guy I mentioned is there.”

“Then when can I meet that person? You said he was sick…”

“It’s kind of a chronic illness. For now, I’ll contact you. As I said before, he’s a delicate friend.”

Yohan handed his phone to Jun, asking him to put in his number. Jun nodded and typed in his number. Yohan saved Jun’s number and then said to him.

“Your accommodation then…”

“I’m staying at a nearby hotel. I’ll let you know via text.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, since I decided to come here, I expected to be away from home for about a month. It’s okay.”

He wondered if it was really okay since he was married, but Yohan decided not to ask Jun any more personal questions. Yohan, who was giving him a few more pieces of information about the case, glanced at his watch and was startled. More time had passed than he thought.

“I think we’ve covered most of the story. I’m sorry, but I have something to do.”

“Ah. I’ve kept you for too long.”

“Well, the work talk just got a bit long. I’ll get going first then.”

“Okay. Then you’ll be in touch soon, right? With your skilled friend.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll look forward to it. And… good luck.”

Jun offered his hand to Yohan for a handshake. Yohan smiled awkwardly, took Jun’s hand, and shook it lightly.

After leaving the shop, Yohan looked up at the sky, which was particularly nice today. Then, chewing on his lower lip, Yohan found a secluded spot and took out his phone.

He did not want to leave Lear alone. He knew very well that Lear was being considerate of him, and he also knew very well that he was nothing to him to meddle in his affairs, but he was still too concerned.

‘It’s a sin to be the first one to say I like you.’

Yohan immediately called Sheridan. He thought she would know where Lear was. He could not tell if Lear had told her to keep quiet or if she had chosen to do so on her own, but Sheridan readily told him where Lear was.

The place Lear had hidden himself in was the Patrice Grand Hotel in West Hollywood. In the past, he had not thought much about hotel chains, and he rarely had a reason to come to West Hollywood. But perhaps because he had been to Lear’s hotel in Las Vegas with him, it looked different in a new light.

“Anyway, he has so many houses, yet he’s being unnecessarily extravagant.”

With a deep sigh, Yohan stood in front of the door of the hotel room where Lear was staying.

‘Rut. They say you could die if things go wrong, so is he really okay?’

With a slightly nervous face, Yohan recalled Lear’s appearance at the end of his last rut. Honestly, he thought that going to find an Alpha suffering from rut on his own feet made him seem like a pervert who had not only lost his fear but also enjoyed pain, but he could not help it.

He was an ordinary person, neither an Omega nor anything else, so he could not feel anything, but he wanted to be by his side and be his strength.

With a nervous face, Yohan chewed on his lower lip and let out a deep sigh. Then he raised his hand and pressed the bell.