2.13 Counterattack 2

The pent-up anger exploded. The man stood and looked and shrugged. Kwon Taek Joo was furious. The bandage on his head loosened halfway, the injection solution hanging on the shelf fell down. and even the pillows and blankets on the bed slid to the floor. As if that didn't alleviate his anger, he stomped his hand hard for a moment.

"Calm down. You didn't even get a P of polonium-210 that you were worried about. It was just a simple anesthetic but it was so strong that you couldn't even wake up." when shocked."

The man interrupted Kwon Taek Joo with a confused look. He bowed his head and took a quick breath. His flowing hair covered his eyes so he couldn't see Kwon Taek Joo's expression. It took a while before he opened his mouth and asked the man, "What is he doing?".

"What?"

"Yevgeni. that bastard... What the hell is he doing?"

Kwon Taek Joo raised his head, his already sharp eyes now burning with anger. The man shrugged. "You've heard about the FSB, right?" Kwon Taek Joo nodded instead of answering.

'FSB' is Russia's Federal Security Service. Its predecessor was the KGB, an organization famous for its 'once you enter, you cannot return alive' reputation in the former Soviet Union. They can investigate multiple organizations without a warrant and often gather necessary information by sending spies abroad or establishing shell companies. They even enjoy the privilege of not being monitored by other agencies. Official operations included counterintelligence and counterterrorism missions such as the National Intelligence Service, but unofficial rumors of kidnappings and assassinations of enemies were also widespread.

'FSB'? Although a bit hasty, Kwon Taek Joo had an almost certain hunch. If Zhenya belonged there, then as he said, he was a state official. He really doubted the national reputation of a country that would entrust work to such a madman.

Kwon Taek Joo's face suddenly darkened. The man did not pay attention and continued to explain.

"There are two special forces under the FSB. Spetsgurpa Alpha and Vimpel. Among them, Spetsgurpa Alpha, commonly known as Alpha, is said to be composed of the most elite agents. Most of their troops are stationed in Moscow. It is a unit, but a group that is independent enough to have its own investigative powers. They are made up of five subunits, each with at least 150 to 250 members. The important thing is What's next: 1 of those 5 units has only one member."

Gathering only elite agents into each unit proves that the work that must be handled is very difficult and complicated. But is there anyone who can handle work alone that should be shared by many people?

No way. When Kwon Taek Joo was still skeptical, the man firmly affirmed

"It's him."

Kwon Taek Joo laughed loudly, Is that possible? Isn't he saying ridiculous things to tease you? But it's true that it has to be at that level to be worthy of being called 'Psych Bogdanov'. However, it was still beyond his understanding.

Does the Russian government or 'FSB' accept such deployment of manpower? The man again eliminated Kwon Taek Joo's doubts with a simple question.

"If it were you, would you want to be on the same team as him?"

Never. Kwon Taek Joo did not like Zhenya from the beginning. If that damn headquarters hadn't sent me the wrong photo,I wouldn't have run into him. Even if he had to face him unexpectedly, he would still completely follow his instincts and stay far away from him. Kwon Taek Joo doesn't remember sleeping comfortably for a single day since meeting Zhenya.

"It's not for nothing that the word 'nuclear' is attached to him. It's like it will explode at any time even if it's just a small mistake. I heard that if someone messes with him, Even his

allies will be crushed to death."

"And he will claim that it was a legitimate defense."

Kwon Taek Joo joined the story with the tone that he was so familiar with. The man waved his hand to say that was it.

By now, Kwon Taek Joo understood a little more. The reason why Zhenya saved him the day he came to this country disguised as Hiro Sakamoto. The reason why he met him again at the hotel where he had lunch with Russian representatives. At that time, Zhenya was talking to someone on the phone.

"..Are not. I came but it must have been boring."

His voice sounded like he was making excuses, maybe he was in the process of spying on his opponent. On the way to the bathroom, Kwon Taek Joo saw a Gazprom employee fiddling with his phone. That person said the representative didn't show up at the luncheon?

Let's be clear. If it's support, then what happened last time was enough."

Zegna also said the same.

In the end, it was because he was the third son of the Bogdanov family that he saved Kwon

Taek Joo, or actually Hiro Sakamoto. He went to the hotel to 'represent' at the request of his father or brother at Gazprom, only to meet Kwon Taek Joo right there.

Kwon Taek Joo felt like he was pushed out to accidentally discover unexpected interesting things. He looked meaningfully at the photo of himself on Hiro Sakamoto's phone.

Since he was a member of 'FSB', he must have realized that this was not a normal situation. That is also the reason why Gazprom representatives did not appear at the luncheon that day.

Puzzle pieces that rarely fit together have found their way into place. All of Zhenya's odd behavior is also explained. As that bastard said, Kwon Taek Joo himself is completely lucky to be alive. There were countless moments when his life was threatened by him.

Kwon Taek Joo organized his thoughts then suddenly sighed. Raising his head to face the man, he regained his usual calmness

"So what's your name?"

"What does it mean to say it now?"

"I'm Kwon Taek Joo."

He paid no attention to the man's scolding and asked for a handshake. The man patted Kwon Taek Joo's hand with a dissatisfied expression.

"Salman. Salman Basayev."

When Kwon Taek Joo turned around a bit to shake hands, the muscles all over his body screamed, especially the area below his waist was in unbearable pain. Salman frowned and shook his head.

What would he expect from a patient who just woke up from near death? Salman stood up and prepared to leave. Kwon Taek Joo looked puzzled.

"Are you going?"

"Can't I go?"

"From now on we have to plan the next steps."

Salman made a funny face and then burst out laughing, Kwon Taek Joo suggested discussing the plan when he looked like a zombie. Even when his health was in the best condition. nothing changed. Did you ever think about giving up right after just saving your life from Psych Bogdanov? Or was there a concussion in the head that made him unconscious?

Salman clicked his tongue.

"You still don't know? This operation has failed."

"Are not....?"

"You probably want to deny and save your mistake, but we don't have any more chances. Support from headquarters will also stop when the treatment ends. So in order to receive proper treatment, you should Go back to your country."

Kwon Taek Joo immediately tried to object, but Salman raised his hands as if he didn't want to listen any more and then limped towards the door. He opened the door and stopped for a moment. As if thinking of something, Salman turned to Kwon Taek Joo and spoke meaningfully.

"I guess he likes your butt a lot? But it looks like it's torn."

What?

Before Kwon Taek Joo could ask, the door closed. He stared at the closed door. It was clearly a smile mixed between teasing and mocking. But where the hell is torn?

Kwon Taek Joo thought over Salman's words. He was tired and pale in the blink of an eye. Forgotten embarrassing memories quickly returned. He slammed his hand on the bed but still didn't feel better. The roar suddenly rang out throughout the hospital.

"You crazy bastard, I'll kill you...!"

——

"Why?"

Vladimir Vissarionovich raised his eyes inquiringly. Gazprom's next boss visited the FSB headquarters early in the morning to meet a relative as an annual event. The main character, true to his name, is calmly scratching his ear.

"It seems like someone is talking about me."

No matter what he said, he couldn't hear it and started saying bland words. Vladimir rubbed his throbbing head. His already wrinkled eyebrows furrowed even tighter.

"Dad was very disappointed."

"It's not just one or two?"

He mumbled childishly as if he didn't know he was being scolded. Furthermore, that's not wrong. How many years has it been since the family had to overcome the consequences that Zhenya caused?

Vladimir thought that after puberty things would get better, that one day Zhenya would grow up, and over the past ten years he had always been optimistic and patient. It doesn't matter what crazy things he does outside, as long as he doesn't bring that problem into the house. But Zhenya is without limits.

Vladimir clearly remembers the first time Zhenya laughed. It's been quite a while. The white peacock that the youngest sister cherished suddenly disappeared. It is a bird that is carefully raised by creating an artificial habitat in the garden. Not long after, the poor bird was found in the corner of the garden. Its feathers had been plucked. Next to the staggering and collapsed peacock was Zhenya, wrapped in white feathers.

"Look at me, brother. It pretends to be elegant but it's ugly."

That was when he was less than ten years old. Zhenya smiled brightly like he was so happy he couldn't bear it. If he finds anything interesting, he will take pains to destroy it. After it was completely destroyed, he would quickly set his sights on something else.

When Zhenya's destructive instincts manifested in humans. Vladimir's father made a decision.

You booked a spot at the FSB and put him there. There. Zhenya's violent tendencies are not a big deal. The problem is that sometimes work can't cover him up.

The same is the case this time. When Gazprom became the biggest beneficiary of the contract between Russia and Japan, dissatisfied forces appeared. Vladimir was worried that it would harm even the VIPs on the Japanese side. It was for this reason that he sent his direct secretary to pick up the Japanese staff who entered the country one day before the visiting delegation.

It was only when he arrived at the hotel that he learned that the male escort had been bribed by a disturbing force. Vladimir immediately sent Zhenya to the airport. That's a mistake. But it was a done deal anyway, and he shouldn't have called Zhenya to the luncheon. Unfortunately, that morning, Vissarion collapsed from a chronic illness and things got complicated.

Vladimir tried to coax him to go, but Zhenya did not attend the luncheon and played spy with a Korean intelligence agent. He openly took him to a place where only important people were invited and he even revealed secret information about 'SS-29'. anything else? There was a gunfight and hostage kidnapping right at the party.

Just thinking about it gave Vladimir a headache and dizziness. He let out a sigh.

"Baram's stance became very awkward because of the commotion he caused. What should I do at the place where the president and ministers gather? What are you thinking? The person* has been betrayed by you." kidnapped that night and died...

"Ah, come to think of it, how did you deal with him?"

"...That Korean agent used you and him as hostages to escape and kill him."

Zegna suddenly burst into laughter. "Who took who hostage?" he asked the confused Vladimir.

Anyone who knows Zhenya would not believe such a brazen lie. However, it is only a countermeasure. Russia today is a society where money is power and power is law. The existence that proves that is the Bogdanov family.

"Why didn't you get rid of that Korean agent as soon as you knew he was a spy?"

Vladimir reluctantly asked. He was also personally curious. An existence that Zhenya could hunt to his heart's content had fallen into his hands, so why did he let it live forever? Even when spy Kwon Taek Joo was found with his naked body, no one could say anything. Even in Korea, where he was sent, the issue could not be raised. That is the fate of spies, and the practice of many intelligence agencies.

Zegna shrugged differently.

"I thought I should, but they trust me so much that playing together for a while wouldn't be bad."

"Just like that, you caused something so serious..."

"It's fun to watch them struggle to survive, so killing them so easily would be a waste. It's boring."

"..Alright, let's put it that way. I found out he's being treated at a small hospital in Irkutsk. If you've had enough, you should clean up. Why leave him alone?" alive?"

"I didn't mean to let him live. If I had discovered him a little later, he would have died."

"Anyway, when you let him go, he was still breathing. Don't you show off your brand by chopping off their fingers or their body and throwing it away? There's never been an exception."

Zegna smiled strangely at Vladimir.

"So what are you worried about in the end? Are you worried that someone who is barely breathing will fight back? Don't bother. He can't act that cute."

Zegna was decisive. Vladimir was about to say something more, but he closed his mouth. It's already done, no matter how much we argue about it, it won't change anything. Some secrets may have been leaked to the South Korean side but their operations were not carried out. They will not know that vigilance has become stricter.

Zegna showed a bored expression and said, "That's all you came to say?". In fact, there were several reasons why Vladimir wanted to meet him. As the eldest son of the Bogdanov family, trying to advise the family's troublemaking third brother was a headache. But he has another purpose.

"Is Anastasia still not done?"

Zegna grinned at the straightforward question. A mocking look appeared in his curved eyes. Originally the relationship between the two was like this. Although they haven't seen each other for a long time, they are still more curious about their work progress than about each other's health, which is not surprising.

Zegna did not answer the question but asked the opposite.

"Who's curious about that? Dad? The president? Or the other big hands?"

Vladimir did not answer. Actually everyone is curious about the 'Second Anastasia' that was created based on the design of 'Failed Anastasia'

Months ago, North Korea and Russia agreed to destroy all evidence related to Anastasia's research. Designs created by leading weapons developers over the years are a top priority for being scrapped. All officials were massacred, weapons, arsenals, and blueprints under development were blown up. Of course only the Bogdanov family survived the brutal destruction of evidence. That's the price to pay to keep quiet about all that forever.

Rumors spread that, just as the Bogdanov family had not been purged, the blueprints were still out there somewhere. The Bogdanov family remained silent, but ironically, their unclear stance added to the fear of the outside world.

Vladimir was also curious in his heart. Instead of seeing whether the blueprint existed or not. what he was interested in was whether they could rearrange it to create the real Anastasia. The only one who knows the answer is Zhenya. Because the current Anastasia blueprint exists in a form that only he can understand.

Whenever he had the chance, Vladimir asked Zhenya when the complete 'Anastasia' would be published. Zhenya appeared reserved and said that he would think about it when he felt like it. Vladimir remembered the conversation at that time and reaffirmed Zhenya's intentions.

"Are you still not satisfied with it?"

"I think I'll play with it as soon as this job is finished."

"However?"

"Looking back today, it seems better to leave it alone, right? It's great to see everyone around like a dog in heat. Not long ago, someone said he would avenge his father. and ran to me. He didn't even know that his arms and legs would be torn to pieces, but he kept barking that he was going to kill me... I wish you could see it too."

Zegna seemed genuinely interested. Vladimir turned his head towards him, sighed and pressed his throbbing temples

"..So did you kill Hong Yeo Wook?"

Zegna did not answer. He only gave a vague smile with cold eyes and an excited expression. For some reason, he felt like the clothes he was wearing were being peeled off one by one, it felt like all the curtains around the man named Vladimir were being exposed. Frustrating.

Vladimir absentmindedly stroked his collar. Zhenya leisurely observed and asked, "Do you regret it?"

"What?"

"Do you regret sending me there?"

The question is vague but not difficult to answer.

"I regret trusting you. I regret being optimistic that you would obediently do only what you were asked. Me and dad too."

Although the family expressed disappointment and resignation, the laughter continued.

"Regret as much as you want and stop drooling at other people's things. It's mine now. I have no intention of using it for the benefit of others. I'll keep it until I get bored and will destroy it myself. Until now, I still think about brotherhood, but if it keeps going like that, I can't sit still."

Vladimir silently looked at Zhenya. Expressionless eyes passed between the two brothers. The space was filled with silence.

Vladimir silently looked at Zhenya. Expressionless eyes passed between the two brothers. The space was filled with silence.

Vladimir firmly walked up to Zhenya's desk and snatched the phone from his hand. The phone that he hadn't even touched was in the call connection state. The caller ID displayed on the screen was the same as the ID on his phone.

"Are you still following the whole family now?"

How silly. Zhenya makes no excuses. Vladimir stood up from his seat and casually opened the door.

Vladimir left the office after threatening to sue Zhenya if he didn't stop hacking phones. He walked out and slammed the door

Peace finally came after noise pollution disappeared. Zhenya went to the window and watched Vladimir angrily climb into the car. The smile filled with teasing quickly disappeared.

Zegna slowly turned around and looked around the empty office. The clock on the wall said that the morning was not over yet.

"So boring, so boring."

He muttered to himself. Strangely, time seems to pass slowly.