it's going down for real

Chapter 11: A Return in Silence

After landing, Si Mok was swiftly taken to a nearby medical facility. The covert team Omar had promised was waiting, and without delay, he was brought into the surgery ward to undergo the first of four operations. These surgeries, though minor, would alter his appearance just enough to give him a new identity—a final safeguard in case his return to Korea didn't go according to plan.

Two weeks passed, each procedure bringing subtle changes, reshaping his look to match his new identity as Lee Jin-ho, a Korean national and U.S. expatriate who had supposedly been in a coma for years. During his recovery, Si Mok also managed to follow Goto's advice: he made the necessary arrangements to invest a portion of the assemblyman's embezzled funds in a shadowy firm named Atlas. Though he still questioned Goto's motives, it seemed like a sound place to hide the money from prying eyes.

While Si Mok was adjusting to his new identity in the United States, his allies continued to converge on Korea. Almost everyone had made it there, ready to await his arrival. Only Man-ho, his steadfast partner-in-arms, and Han Park, his loyal friend, remained behind to manage final details and coordinate the operations back home.

Finally, as Lee Jin-ho, Si Mok boarded a flight bound for Korea. The journey felt surreal—he was returning not as the man he once was, but as someone entirely different. When he touched down and made his way through the airport, he walked past throngs of passengers, none recognizing the man who had once been Si Mok Hwang, the relentless prosecutor.

From the airport, Si Mok made his way to a desolate dock on the outskirts of the city. Amidst rows of stacked shipping containers, he found the one he'd hidden years earlier. Inside was something critical: carefully preserved evidence against the assemblyman's associates, records he'd compiled through tireless investigation. The documents, files, and photos remained untouched, buried here as a last-resort lifeline. Taking a deep breath, he confirmed everything was intact and securely locked the container back up.

Once he was satisfied, he prepared to attend his own funeral. Approaching the somber gathering, he felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with resentment; he was both an outsider and the subject of this assembly. Silently, he moved through the crowd, watching friends and family mourn the man he had been forced to leave behind.

Finally, he spotted his friend, Han Park, standing toward the back, his expression as stoic as ever. Not wanting to startle him, Si Mok walked up quietly and leaned close.

"It's me, Si Mok," he whispered.

Han's eyes widened, but he gave only a subtle nod, quickly masking his shock. The two shared a brief, knowing glance before separating, both mindful of prying eyes. Just as they parted, a sudden murmur rose through the crowd. The atmosphere grew tense, and Si Mok's pulse quickened.

Assemblyman Choi, the man who had orchestrated his supposed downfall, was making his way through the throng, offering carefully crafted words of condolence. Si Mok's fists clenched at the sight. The very man who had tried to erase him from existence was now here, paying public respects with a hypocritical smile. Reporters seized the opportunity, pushing microphones forward, demanding Assemblyman Choi comment on the supposed "crimes" of the deceased Si Mok Hwang.

"Every person has their flaws," Assemblyman Choi said smoothly, adopting a grave, regretful tone for the cameras. "But Si Mok was a dedicated servant of the law. He simply let his ambition cloud his judgment. It's a tragic end to a tragic path."

Si Mok's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to stay silent, feeling Han's steadying presence nearby. He had to stay focused. Assemblyman Choi could grandstand all he wanted—Si Mok knew that the real reckoning was yet to come. And he wouldn't waste this second chance to bring the truth to light.