CH57 | MCT

Let’s Go, Back to Korea (1)

Everyone jumped up in shock.

[Wait, benefactor, what do you mean all of a sudden…?]
[But the construction isn’t even finished yet!]

Tae-soo smiled gently.

[I think my work here is done.]

The limestone mine was running smoothly, and the cement factory was a massive success.

Thanks to the Bedouins' strength and work ethic, the construction was progressing at an incredible speed.

The initial struggles had been overcome, and as long as they continued like this, everything would be fine.

[Skinny will oversee the rest of the construction in my place.]

[That scrawny guy…?]

Everyone knew just how capable Skinny was.

He had a natural ability to connect with the Bedouins, listen to their concerns, and support them.

The entire tribe liked him—

Except for the women.

[I trust that all of you will come together to complete the remaining work.]

Tae-soo stood up, still smiling.

[Let’s keep this between us for now. No need to tell the others just yet.]

The tribal leaders felt a deep sense of regret.

Even though their time with Tae-soo had been short, it had been good.

[Will you not come back?]
[You’ll return soon, right?]
[Parting like this feels too sudden…]

Because of Tae-soo, warring tribes had reconciled.

They now shared meals cooked in the same pot, stood guard together, and worked side by side on construction.

They no longer feared drought, thanks to the wells and irrigation systems.

And he was the one who brought them water by the tanker-full.

The Bedouins bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees—

It was the Korean-style bow that Tae-soo often used.

[We will wait for you.]

Tae-soo grinned.

[I’ll be back soon. So let’s part happily, and meet again with joy.]

Once again, Tae-soo refused a formal farewell and stepped out of the tent.

Suddenly, arms slipped around his waist from behind.

On instinct, Tae-soo grabbed the person and pinned them to the ground.

[Ouch…]

The dancer looked up at him, her eyes on the verge of tears.

Tae-soo sighed and helped her back to her feet.

[It was you?]

Her tear-filled eyes gazed at him.

[Are you really leaving for your country? So soon?]

[You heard?]

As Tae-soo brushed the dust from her clothes, she didn’t move—

She just kept looking at him.

Her beautiful eyes shimmered with sadness.

[Did I hurt you?]

Tae-soo wrapped an arm around her waist,
just as she had done to him earlier.

[Is there anywhere you’d like to go today? Shall we visit Eagle Rock again?]

She quietly shook her head.

Then, she whispered:

[You once told me—if I was honest about what I wanted, you’d listen.]

[I shouldn’t try to stop you from leaving, should I?]

She smiled softly, even as her eyes welled with tears.

[But… I can ask you to stay for just one more night, right?]

[If that’s what you want.]

[Come to my tent.]

[Alright.]

Without hesitation, Tae-soo lifted her into his arms.

Her tent wasn’t far.

As they walked, her whispers brushed against his ear.

Tae-soo listened quietly.

Tonight, he wanted to give her everything she wished for.

[Did you know?]

She grazed his lips with her fingers, her voice lightly teasing.

[I was always the one who kissed you first.]

Her desire came back to him in the form of a hungry, consuming kiss.

Tae-soo didn’t hold back—he returned it fiercely, until she barely had time to breathe.

With a gentle thud, she landed on the bed beneath him.

The heated kiss stretched on and on, until finally, she whispered again.

[I was always the one who undressed first, too.]

In one swift motion, Tae-soo pulled off his shirt.

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

[I’m happy.] She pressed his hand over her heart. [You’ve always made me happy. You’re truly special.]

Her voice quivered.

[I will remember this feeling. I will remember you forever.]

For the first time, Tae-soo spoke first.

[Tonight will be unforgettable. I will remember you, too.]

She let out a small laugh.

[That’s an honor.]

***

The Next Day

A group of Koreans arrived at the road construction site, looking for Tae-soo.

Even from a distance, their armed presence stood out.

'Cha Ki-beom must’ve sent his special agents.'

Following Song Chang-jun’s lead, the agents approached Tae-soo.

The man at the front spoke first.

“Codename: Captain. That’s what you’ll call me from now on.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Tae-soo.”

“Chief Cha briefed me on the situation.”

“Then this will be simple.”

Captain narrowed his eyes, studying Tae-soo with undisguised disapproval.

“Because of the mess you stirred up, we got deployed all the way to the Middle East. You’ll have to pay for the trouble you caused.”

The agent’s tone dripped with provocation.

Tae-soo tilted his head slightly, unfazed.

“That’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t call you here. His Excellency, the President, did.”

For damage control.

For media play.

“Captain, it was nice meeting you. Since your mission is already complete, you can head back home tomorrow.”

“What?”

The special agents frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“As of yesterday, all twelve executives of Samwon Construction have been identified and secured.”

Their eyes flickered with surprise.

‘So Song Chang-jun deliberately kept them in the dark.’

Tae-soo glanced at Song Chang-jun, who had already sent a telegram to Cha Ki-beom the previous night.

All twelve missing executives from Samwon Construction have been secured.

Once the special agents arrive, we will return to Korea together.

It seemed Song hadn’t bothered informing the agents until now.

‘Guess he’s still holding a grudge against Cha Ki-beom and these guys.’

Catching Tae-soo’s gaze, Song shrugged.

Tae-soo let out a soft chuckle before turning back to the agents.

“Since the South-North Red Cross talks are about to take place in Seoul, they asked us to return as soon as possible. So, we’ve decided to fully cooperate.”

“Cooperate?”

“Yes. We’ve prepared everything for your return. You can take the same plane you flew in on. So let’s not waste time.”

Tae-soo glanced at his watch.

“Secretary Song, when is our flight back to Korea?”

“Tomorrow at 7 AM.”

Song Chang-jun added smugly.

“The Foreign Ministry will fully support the operation. In fact, I’ve already booked all your tickets. Here, take them.”

He handed out the tickets.

The departure was genuinely scheduled for the next morning.

The special agents’ expressions darkened.

“Do you really think this is feasible? We’re talking about people who have been missing in the desert for months!”

“It normally wouldn’t be. But I have already secured and gathered all twelve Samwon Construction executives. Is it still impossible?”

Captain fell silent, his argument shattered.

A beat later, he shouted:

“First, we confirm the situation! Move out!”

Turning swiftly, he brushed past Tae-soo and slipped something into his hand.

A note.

“Proceed to the target location!”

True to their training, the special agents moved like lightning, already piling into the military transport trucks arranged by the Foreign Ministry.

Tae-soo grinned at Song Chang-jun.

“You’re good with a camera, right?”

“Of course. That’s practically my job here—taking photos of the ambassador and sending them to the papers.”

Reliable as always.

With that, Tae-soo unfolded the note Captain had passed him.

***

“This is a special forces operation to rescue and retrieve abducted nationals in the Middle East.”

Song Chang-jun’s camera flash went off repeatedly.

Since these photos would serve as evidence of the operation, no one stopped him.

The special agents followed behind the hospitable Bedouins, who led them inside.

“We’re going in now.”

The agents lifted the tent flap.

Inside, twelve Samwon Construction executives were sprawled out on the floor, groaning as they slowly sat up.

“Whoa… They actually came?”

“So… we’re going home now?”

“Wait… Did the Korean government send you to rescue us?”

The special agents helped them up, one by one.

Bruised, disheveled, and sporting scratches, swollen faces, and even nosebleeds, they looked a mess—the aftermath of the chaotic brawl from the previous night.

Seeing their condition, the agents shot sharp glares at the Bedouins.

“You mistreated the prisoners?”

At that, seven of the executives immediately jumped up and shouted:

“Whoa, hold on! That’s a serious accusation! We did this to ourselves!”

“These people saved us when we were stranded in the desert!”

“They protected us with everything they had! You owe them an apology!”

The special agents had come all the way to the Middle East, fully prepared for a daring rescue mission.

But this reality… was completely different from what they’d expected.

“Captain, what exactly is going on here?”

The captain’s expression remained unreadable as he spoke calmly:

“We came to complete our mission. And our mission is now complete.”

The agents’ faces stiffened.

“Captain… are you declaring this operation over?”

“That’s right.”

At that moment, Tae-soo entered the tent, carrying a safe.

“As expected. Excellent. A bold and decisive judgment—very impressive.”

He handed the safe over to the captain.

“Inside, you’ll find all of their passports. Safe travels.”

The captain silently took the safe, his sharp gaze flickering between Tae-soo, the Samwon executives, the Bedouins, and his own team.

After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

“The mission has been successfully completed. We deeply appreciate your full cooperation.”

Tae-soo smiled.

“Since the mission ended so swiftly, your team’s operational efficiency will be even more impressive. His Excellency will be quite pleased.”

And he probably would be.

—"A rapid operation ensures the safe rescue and return of abducted nationals!"

That was the headline Park Jung-hwan wanted.

The process didn’t matter. The results did.

“You’re right, Mr. Kang Tae-soo. We’ll be departing on tomorrow morning’s flight.”

At those words, the Samwon executives erupted into cheers.

“We’re finally going home!”

Their final wish had been granted.

The captain turned to his men.

“We’re heading back to the base.”

As he turned away, Tae-soo subtly slipped something into his hand.

A small note.

***

The special agents returned to their quarters.

With the Samwon Construction executives in tow, they were set to fly back home the next morning.

“Captain, it feels like we spent more time flying than actually carrying out the mission. I feel like we’ve been played.”

The captain frowned.

“Enough. The mission is complete.”

He handed out the room keys.

“We leave in a few hours. Get some rest.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“No excuses about jet lag. I won’t tolerate anyone oversleeping.”

“Understood, Captain.”

The team dispersed into their rooms, and before long, the lights went out as they settled in for the night.

But one man remained awake.

‘This is a problem. Leaving tomorrow morning…’

The unexpected schedule change had thrown everything off.

‘There’s no choice. The mission has to be completed tonight.’

Dressed in black nightwear, he pulled a dark mask over his face.

‘Kang Tae-soo, tonight you die.’

That was the real reason he had come here.

He was an assassin, sent by Han Cheong-ho.

Originally, the plan had been simple—kill Tae-soo in the desert and bury him.

Every year, countless people go missing in the desert.

Once a sandstorm swept through, the landscape would shift, and hiding a body would be effortless.

But the current situation, which is vastly different from what was planned, is the problem.

With the operation ending prematurely, the opportunity to find an opening was completely blocked.

‘Posing as a robber after money and valuables? That’s nothing.’

Just kill him first, ransack the room, and take the money and valuables.

Then, dump them somewhere in the desert.

‘Time to go.’

A figure slipped out of the lodging unnoticed.

Dressed in black, they soon disappeared into the darkness.

***

The lodging where Tae-soo was staying.

The light in Tae-soo’s room was still on.

He clearly saw Kang Tae-soo’s face as he closed the window.

‘Kang Tae-soo, you’re mine.’

He crouched even lower in the darkness.

Waiting for the lights to go out.

Waiting for Kang Tae-soo to fall asleep.

How much longer would he have to wait?

‘He’s moving.’

Stealthily, he scaled the wall and reached Kang Tae-soo’s window.

He gently slid it open.

Luckily, it wasn’t locked.

‘Perfect.’

Like a ghost, he slipped into the room.

His target lay asleep in bed.

“Nothing personal. Rest in peace.”

Pfft. Pfft. Pfft.

The silencer kept the shots quiet.

After firing three consecutive rounds, he pulled back the blanket.

He had to confirm the kill.

If the target was still alive, he would finish the job properly.

“What the hell? That’s not Kang Tae-soo! Did the bastard catch on?”

It was a pillow.

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed through the darkness.