The last cigarette

Si Mok Hwang's heart raced as he scanned the busy Istanbul street. Among the throngs of people, a group of suspicious men trailed his every move. Their subtle glances and purposeful steps confirmed his worst fears—he was being followed.

Without hesitation, Si Mok waved down the nearest cab and slid into the backseat. He gave the driver the address of the bank where Kang Jin-sung's slush fund was stored, keeping his eyes trained on the side mirror. His suspicions were confirmed when two black cars merged into traffic behind them, keeping a steady distance.

The tension in Si Mok's chest tightened. He had to act quickly. His life depended on it.

When they arrived at the bank, Si Mok exited the cab and entered the towering building, his nerves on edge. At the counter, he presented the necessary documents to the receptionist, who seemed startled after examining them. Her hands trembled slightly as she made a phone call. Moments later, a man in a sleek suit appeared, introducing himself as the bank manager.

"Prosecutor Hwang," the manager greeted him with a polished smile. "Please, come with me to my office."

Si Mok knew better than to trust anyone at this point. His mind raced with images of ambushes, betrayals, and traps. He shook his head, maintaining his composed demeanor.

"No need for that," Si Mok replied firmly. "I'm here to make a transfer. All 300 billion won, split across four hidden accounts."

The manager blinked in surprise but quickly complied. The transaction went through, and with the funds now secured, Si Mok made his way out of the bank. Every step he took felt like a victory, but it wasn't over yet. Not by a long shot.

---

Outside, Si Mok rented a car, one that would give him the freedom to move quickly and discreetly. He drove out of the city, heading toward the seaside. Night had fallen, and the only light came from the dim glow of streetlights and the occasional flicker of his car's dashboard.

In the rearview mirror, the two black cars reappeared, shadowing his every turn. He knew they were waiting for the right moment to strike, but Si Mok wasn't about to give them the satisfaction. He had planned for this.

He drove to a remote stretch of road near the coast, the waves crashing in the distance. The night was cold, the air thick with tension. Si Mok parked the car and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. He savored the taste of the tobacco, knowing it would be the last time he smoked as Si Mok Hwang.

With calculated precision, he turned on the car's heater and wedged his lighter into the vent. It clicked into place, a small but crucial setup for what came next. Si Mok then secured his bag to the accelerator, locking it in a position that would keep the car moving forward.

Taking one final look at the dark sea ahead, he opened the door and jumped out, hitting the pavement hard. Pain surged through his body as he tumbled, his body scraping against the asphalt. But there was no time to dwell on the injury. He looked up just in time to see the lighter inside the car spark, igniting a small explosion.

The car, now a fiery missile, sped toward the curve ahead, its flames reflecting off the glassy sea. As it hurtled off the edge of the road, it plummeted into the water below, vanishing beneath the surface in a burst of fire and steam.

The assassins, watching from a distance, saw the car disappear and immediately reported back to their superiors. When Assemblyman Kang heard the news, he couldn't contain his laughter. Along with the powerful men Si Mok had indicted, they toasted to their victory, convinced that the thorn in their side had been permanently removed.

---

But Si Mok was far from dead.

Though injured, he managed to get to his feet, wincing at the pain in his side. Blood trickled down his arm, but he forced himself to keep moving. Disappearing into the shadows of the night, he made his way to a homeless shelter on the outskirts of the city, a place where no one would think to look for a man like him.

For three weeks, Si Mok stayed hidden, healing in the anonymity of the shelter. He observed the world from the edges, waiting for the right time to reemerge. When the moment was right, Si Mok Hwang—the prosecutor who had once stood on the front lines of justice—vanished completely.

From the ashes of his former life, a new identity began to take shape.

With his wounds healed and his resolve unbroken, Si Mok left Turkey behind. His next destination was clear. Pakistan awaited, a land far enough from the grasp of his enemies, but close enough for him to prepare his next move.

The game was far from over