Lake Baikal, the green heart of Siberia, boasts a long history spanning 25 million years. The area alone has reached 31,500 square kilometres, the diameter is 636 km and the circumference is 2,200 km. There are 22 islands in this huge lake, the largest and only inhabited island is Olkhon Island.
If you want to go to Olkhon Island, you need to keep a reasonable time, because crossing the river is only allowed in winter, when the giant lake is frozen or in the middle of summer, when the ice has completely melted. In the summer, one can cross the river by boat, but in the winter like this, it is possible to cross directly by car.
Zhenya soared through the frozen lake that looked endless. The uneven ice should have gone around, but he still stubbornly went straight. As a result, the car body is constantly shaking. Even in that situation, Kwon Taek Joo did not complain and remained silent. Although it looks like a part of the road at first glance, it is strictly speaking on the water so deep that it cannot be measured. So even though the ice is very thick, the tension in the heart is inevitable.
Luckily the disturbing accident didn't happen until the two arrived at the Olkhon island pier. It seems that even the world's famous Lake Baikal can't overcome the extreme cold -50 degrees Celsius.
Kwon Taek Joo got out of the car for a while and looked back at the road he had just passed. The world covered in white snow was as quiet as if dead. Everything seems to stop. I don't know if it was because he was overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery that appeared before his eyes that he couldn't think or feel anything for a moment.
From where he was standing to the pier, there was no road that could be called a road. Only the wheel marks of the cars ahead are engraved in all directions. Where you are going is the road. The two people's car also pioneered a new route by crossing the snow without a trace.
The target has been somewhere northwest of Olkhon Island for quite some time. As he crossed the mountainside following the flashing red dot, Kwon Taek Joo saw a villa in the distance. It looks smaller than the Bogdanov Mansion but has an eye-catching appearance compared to the size of the island.
The car is parked near the villa. The red dot on the location tracker and the origin point completely overlap. It is clear that Hong Yeo Wook is there.
Kwon Taek Joo poked his face between the driver's seat and the passenger seat and watched the villa.
"Is it there?"
"It seems to be so."
Two people check CCTV cameras are installed everywhere. There are no blind spots at all.
"We can't just rush in."
"Why not?"
Kwon Taek Joo looked at Zhenya with a puzzled expression. Why not anything, he didn't know, so he asked?
The villa is located on a high ground on the island of Olkhon. Beneath it is a cliff. The wind blowing around the island kept pushing up the edge of that cliff. That means it is impossible to penetrate from above. At first glance, there are no air ducts or vents to penetrate. CCTV cameras are tightly arranged at the main gate and on the walls, others are equipped with electronic guns capable of wireless control under the camera.
"Have you seen it and still ask that? I guess you have nine lives, right?"
Kwon Taek Joo deliberately sircastically, but Zhenya's chin suddenly lifts. His expression also became arrogant. Let's see, that's not a compliment. He tried to protest with his facial expressions but to no avail. Kwon Taek Joo quickly took his eyes off the bastard who was spreading his shoulders. Looking at him swaggering like that only made him feel ashamed.
"We already know where Hong Yeo Wook is, so that's enough. It would be crazy to just attack directly, so I think it's also a good idea to quickly look at the situation around here."
Zhenya said 'Okay' then turned the steering wheel and started driving somewhere without mentioning the destination. He didn't even use the navigation system but still drove away without hesitation on a road without signs. Zhenya seems to be quite familiar with the geography of this place.
Kwon Taek Joo observed the red dot getting farther and farther away when the car suddenly tilted to the side, because it was stopped suddenly on a sloping slope. Is there a beast that just jumped? Kwon Taek Joo guessed and sat up straight. Zhenya suddenly opened the car door.
"LH24."
The next words became even more vague. Suddenly he was going to set up camp in a place like this? Kwon Taek Joo looked around but still didn't see anyone. He looked at Zhenya while hugging the passenger seat. He was about to close the door and go to the trunk of the car, suddenly stopping for a moment when his eyes seemed to beg for an explanation from him. After that, he lowered his end to look at Kwon Taek Joo and teased.
"I won't eat you, so get off."
Every chance is teasing. Kwon Taek Joo couldn't be silent when he heard those sounds. He was framing while walking out. The strong winds that he did not feel when he was in the car blowing from all directions. All he was wearing was a baggy shirt and a jacket so his shoulders automatically cringed. Kwon Taek Joo bites his molars because it seems that if he opens his mouth, his teeth will automatically collide. To this extent, it was surprising that his heart did not freeze.
Meanwhile, Zhenya took out a fur coat in the trunk and put it on. Even if you hunt a living animal and skin it, it can't be compared to the fur of that coat. While Kwon Taek Joo clung to the door without moving, Zhenya passed him and went somewhere. After a while he realised that Kwon Taek Joo did not follow him and turned around. At that silent urge, he took the chase step by step.
Climbing up a snow-covered hill is not easy, as the two face a strong wind blowing from the top of the hill. Even when trying to step up, Kwon Taek Joo often slips in the snow and slips down. He was short of breath and took a constant breath, but only the cold wind and ice particles mixed in the air interfered with his breath.
Recalling his days in the task force, Kwon Taek Joo crossed the hill in a mood ready to face any challenge. Not long after, he realised Zhenya's intentions. There is a guest house right at the foot of the hill. The number of rooms does not seem to be much, but even in the current situation, it is already very good.
While Kwon Taek Joo was still hesitant, a sharp wind blew again. He, who was following Zhenya like a cow led to the slaughterhouse, quickly overtook him and entered the guest house first. Just when the owner was sitting at the front desk. He seemed quite confused by the intrusion of a stranger wearing only a thin shirt and wrapping bandages over his head in the current harsh cold.
"How did you get here?"
'Ph... room...'
"Did you make a reservation?"
At that moment, Kwon Taek Joo's mouth stiffened and he stammered as if he were seeing a ghost. He was trembling and it was very difficult to answer.
"Not yet. I don't make a reservation. Is there any room available?"
"Because it's winter, there are still rooms available, but it's 100% reserved. One room is enough, isn't it?"
"No. Two. It must be two rooms."
Kwon Taek Joo emphasised again and again. In case the host doesn't understand his pronunciation, Kwon Taek Joo stretches his index and middle fingers. He didn't want to have to stay in the same room with Zhenya anymore. If it's in combat and there's no other way, you can endure it, but when you're rested, you want to feel comfortable.
But the reaction of the guest host was not very positive. 'Oh' he exclaimed with a low sigh. An unfortunate look at Kwon Taek Joo. No, it's Kwon Taek Joo's own confusion. That must be the case. All his nerves are focussed on the lips of the motel owner.
Immediately, the door opened and Zhenya entered. His fur coat wiggled subtly as if it were still alive. Soon after, the landlord's desperate answer sounded.
"There is only 1 room left."
The designated room is extremely narrow. There is a table for two right in front of the door and a bed right next to it. That's all. There is no minibar, closet or at least a shelf or storage. The only consolation is that the only bed is a bunk bed.
The two sat opposite each other in silence for a long time. Kwon Taek Joo rolled his eyes around and pointlessly stopped somewhere in the corner of the room.
He thought that as long as he got off the train, he wouldn't have to be in the same space as Zhenya anymore. All you have to do is have your own room and since you won't take the cross-border train anymore, you just need to be patient. But in the end the two of them stayed together for a few more days like this. Kwon Taek Joo is tired both mentally and physically, he just wants to close his eyes for a while but because of that boy he can't rest assured.
The warmth has completely disappeared from the cup. There is still nothing to say between the two. The atmosphere from embarrassment gradually became heavy.
Kwon Taek Joo knows how to be comfortable. You just need to trust Zhenya. His words, actions and thoughts are all unusual, but he doesn't know what to do next so he won't be able to betray Kwon Taek Joo. After rationalising it several times, he shook his head. It's easy to say, but it's not easy to do it.
His instincts were constantly alert. Kwon Taek Joo also unconsciously tracks every action of Zhenya to look for loopholes. That's why he quickly got tired of being with him, even though he knew that the two of them were on the same side now. Is it because he is an opponent that Kwon Taek Joo himself cannot defeat? Every time Zhenya did something crazy, his heart was pounding. Now even though he is a colleague, he doesn't know when and how he will take that mask off.
Kwon Taek Joo has met many people from all walks of life since becoming an agent. Due to the complex benefits, many people gradually deteriorate to become cunning, but rarely is absolutely evil. Everyone has their own beliefs and acts according to that belief, it's just that their own justice can be unfair to others.
But Zhenya is not like that. He said he would make a huge profit if he got 'Anastasia'. But in reality, he doesn't seem to be controlled by money or power. Even in a situation where the live bullets are errifying, unable to rest properly and continuing the tedious chase without positive results, he is still happy. Zhenya is like a child who is passionate about spy games. He doesn't care how much the game will cost and how many people will die. One person who only cares about interest is him.
Zhenya will retreat mercilessly once the current interest cools down. To finish things neatly, he may not hesitate to point his gun at Kwon Taek Joo himself. That's why every day, every hour, every minute by Zhenya's side, Kwon Taek Joo is as tense as walking on thin ice.
"I can hear you roll your eyes all the way here."
Zhenya suddenly hit a weak point. It was sore, but Kwon Taek Joo didn't show it.
"I'm just trying to reorganise my thoughts. This and that..."
He pretended not to know and made excuses that were not for Defence. Zhenya nodded artificially 'Ah ha.' The sarcastic smile on his lips remained the same. A face was so beautiful that he naturally turned his gaze there, but when his eyes met, Kwon Taek Joo had a strange feeling. It's because of his scrutinising eyes. It's like a reptile that narrows its pupils and obsessively observes each other's expression, gaze, and action. If he continued to be observed like that, it seemed that all his thoughts would be revealed.
Kwon Taek Joo changes the subject so as not to get caught up.
"Do you know who owns the villa that Hong Yeo Wook is living in?"
"I have seen the icon engraved on the main gate of that place."
Is it a symbol? Kwon Taek Joo recalls the scenery of the mansion. As Zhenya said, there is something embossed in the centre of the main door.
"If it's Russian, everyone knows, it's a symbol of the Bogdanov family."
If that's true, then Kwon Taek Joo has come to the right place. He felt like he had just encountered a cloud because he couldn't grasp the authenticity of 'SS-29' let alone 'Anastasia', but now he feels like he's finally taken a step forward. Just by penetrating the villa, it will be possible to know if 'SS-29' is Anastasia or not.
Although it is very small, that harvest also becomes a consolation. The difficulties of the past seem to be nothing special either. Kwon Taek Joo first presented his future plans in a happy mood after a long time.
"Okay. Then let's follow every morning, noon and evening to find a way to infiltrate."
This time Zhenya also shook her head quietly and asked, "Have you finished speaking?"Kwon Taek Joo nodded. He stood up as if waiting. He quietly watched him go straight to the door. Is that probing look annoying? Zhenya turned around before leaving.
"I heard there are banya here. Do you want to take a shower with you?"
Banya is a Russian-style wet sauna. Kwon Taek Joo intends to refuse by habit but is immersed in thought. After being locked up for a few days in a narrow waggon, the whole brother felt frustrated. It was probably because of the wound that his blood did not seem to flow normally, and the terrible cold made him also crave a hot sauna. What an attractive offer. The problem is that Zhenya will also be there.
Kwon Taek Joo wants to refuse to be in a small space with that kid. Moreover, it doesn't matter if he uses banya first and then he will use it later. But the reason he didn't quickly refuse the invitation was because doubts were still lingering in his mind.
Up to this point, Kwon Taek Joo has never seen Zhenya naked. Even when making love, only his partner is naked and he just pulls the drawstring down. He was curious what he was trying to hide so carefully. And Kwon Taek Joo is not the kind of person who easily ignores the doubts that have arisen.
"Sure."