Director kwak Had said "investigation"
Kwon Taekjoo knew he mean eliminating the criminals and destroying all the data they had managed to obtain- especially before they could hand it over to North Korea. Chasing a target hidden behind a computer screen, with no physical limitations, with like being tasked with catching a ghost.
"And by the way," director kwak added " the United States probably had a general idea of what's happening. If they find out that the dual contract between us was leaked, they're likely to pin the blame on us. They might even already be aware of the situation and have taken measures. If possible, you need to go against them and end up in disadvantaged positions."
"Jeez, it feels like we've spent over half a century tiptoeing around the whole world."
Director kwak handed Kwon Taekjoo a new passaport. In it was the blurry photo of a man in his thirties
"You are to head to Havana immediately."
And just like that, he had been sent to Cuba, disguised as a travel YouTuber. Supposedly, the real YouTuber had gotten into a personal conflict and was arrested in another country, which gave Kwon Taekjoo the green light to borrow his identity until his mission was completed.
At first, Kwon Taekjoo thought it would be better to disguise himself as a local, but he realized that the town was so small that he would only raise more suspicion that way. Plus, it discomfort with foreigners. Apparently, other tourist and YouTubers had visited the area from time to time.
Kwon Taekjoo sat in a battered chair and put on wireless earphones. After a few taps, a brief chime rang from the earpiece, followed by yoon jongwoo's voice.
"Hello?"
"How's the situation over here? I still haven't noticed anything strange. The store owner doesn't seem to know anything either."
"They seem like ordinary family to me too."
"Are you sure you traced the location correctly?"
"Yes unless the detector malfunctioned, that store is the only suspicious place. The amount data transmitted to and from that location is abnormally high compared to the surrounding."
Upon arriving in the city, Kwon Taekjoo had pretended to explore the area while activating a fiber-optic cable detector. The result was a strong signal around the store he had jst visited, meaning fiber-optic cables were installed throughout the area.
It would have made sense for an Internet cafe or a lodging establishment, but for such a small shop?
It was totally, imposible that the owner had undertaken a large-scale construction project to install fiber-optic cables for her personal use. Even putting aside, the high cost, she wouldn't have received permission from the public authorities. On the other hand, it also indicated that this small shop was receiving unusual national support.
But why?
There was only one conclusion to be drawn from all of this: this suspicious front shop housed the so-called electric hammer, who was receiving protection from the Cuban government.
"Yes, it make sense for someone like else such a low-profile cover. Who suspect that a shabby little store could be managing hundreds of dollars in transactions every night? It's unarmed and doesn't look like anything more than a family-run shop," Kwon Taekjoo muttered.
"Exactly."
"The only flaw is that, for such a small store,it has an impressive number of hidden security cameras. So? Do you think you can replicate the layout inside?"
"Yes. Something close, at least."
"Close? Do it properly, kid. Do you think I'm suffering through this hell just to get a half finished map?"
" Are you even suffering? You could've fooled me; it sure seems like you're enjoying yourself. You say you hate it, but your acting skills are improving every day."
"Oh? You must be pretty confident to be running your mouth like that. Two hours. Have ready by then."
"What? Thats impossible. It'll take me at least half a day to finish the 3D simulation!"
"But-"
"Time is critical in this mission. I have to finish this tonight. So, stop complaining and get to work."
"Uugh! Sunbae!"
Kwon Taekjoo ignored Yoon Jongwoo's groaning and turned off the transmitter. Then he raised the volume on the listening device he had installed in the shop. Through his earpiece, he could hear the shop owner and her daughter chatting, along with the voices of the nearby residents. The conversation were being translated in real-time on his laptop, through they often cut out.
Most of what he could capture were mundane talks, like asking someone how their day had been or deciding what to have for dinner.
It wasn't long before the sun began its slow descent. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the window shutters, its rays are bright as the sun's low position in the sky. Soon, the entire town was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.
In the distance, a dog barked, mixing with the laughter of children, as neighboring houses that had been quiet started turning on their lights one by one.
Everything was peaceful.
For his part, Kwon Taekjoo's eyes remained fixed on his laptop screen, where the footage from the store's eight security cameras was playing in real-time. His sharp gaze followed every movement, analyzing the scene with silent intensity.
The quiet in the room was interrupted only by the hum of a fan in the background and the occasional crunch as he bit into an apple.
As nightfall set in, the city because enveloped in deep silence. The lights in the house began to flicker off. Kwon Taekjoo silently slipped out of his apartment and quickly approached the store.
He had equipped himself with military-grade gear designed to block any thermal signals, just in case. Wrapped in darkness, with no streetlights in sight, his two eyes glowed beneath his night-vision goggles.
As he neared the store, a faint clinking sound echoed in the distance. Moments later, a security laser passed right by his goggles- a barely visible infrared beam undetectable to the naked eye.
Kwon Taekjoo advanced without noticing it, the alarm would have gone off instantly, compromising his cover. For what appeared to be a simple family-run store, the level of security was abnormally high.
Kwon Taekjoo dodged the security laser with quick, precise movements. Yoon jongwoo had already hacked into the security cameras around the shop, looping the footage from the previous night.
But even so, Kwon Taekjoo ensured that he moved through the blind spots. His opponent was an experienced hacker there was no telling when their security system might be reset.
However, Kwon Taekjoo couldn't detect such movements from inside. After scanning the area again, he slid a tiny microphone through a crack in the front door. The device was designed to pick up even the faintest sounds and amplify them.
Still, all he could hear was the hum of a fan, the.ticking of a clock, and the sound of steady breathing. Perhaps everyone was asleep.
After another cautious sweep of the surroundings, Kwon Taekjoo pullled something from his clothing. It was a powerful laser cutter disguised as a pen. He slipped his hand through the metal bars on the grate and silently sliced through the wooden shutters. Through the newly created hole, he tossed in a device resembling a yo-yo.
The small apparatus rolled smoothly across the floor before coming to a stop. Releasing an odorless, transparent gas It was a mild sedative.