Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The cleaning, which took about three hours, was finally finished.

Even Seoryeong’s once-white mask became dusty as dust exploded everywhere.

She cleaned from under the bed to the dresser, wardrobe, window and window frame, and even the bathroom. She washed the worn-out mop several times and might have thrown it away, she couldn’t remember.

When she finished cleaning the room, which included the rooms of the team members, she closed the last door, rubbing her sore waist.

Thud.

A strong vibration was transmitted to the hands clinging to the stair railing.

As she raised her head outside the railing, men who seemed to have nothing in common were coming up from the bottom floor in a group.

Thump, thump. The iron skeleton shook like a storm as multiple footsteps ascended the spiral stairs.

At that moment, the man leading the group looked directly at Seoryeong.

“…”

“…”

It felt like an unavoidable encounter, with no way to dodge it.

The reddish glow, like blood, illuminated the worn-down inn, casting an eerie atmosphere. Among them, Lee Wooshin, looking pale, stood out in the dim light.

Approaching slowly, his figure appeared as a dark silhouette against the backdrop. He never took his eyes off Seoryeong as he climbed the stairs.

His gaze sent a chill down her spine. Trying to endure it, Seoryeong involuntarily tightened her grip on the railing.

“Sister, it’s you!”

At that moment, a familiar face emerged, pushing past the men.

“Oh… seeing you outside of North Korea is even more delightful…!”

“Why are you here―”

Her mouth fell open behind the hygiene mask. Seoryeong froze, and Channa approached with a smirk.

“Surprised? I’m here for work too.”

***

“Channa, were you part of this?”

Channa avoided eye contact as if feeling awkward.

Just then, the team members came up behind Channa. Even without asking, it was clear they were part of the special security team.

A person with a sharp gaze and a thin body, another with sturdy-looking skin and lips tightly sealed, and a silent-looking person—all caught Seoryeong’s attention at once.

Even though they were wearing ordinary clothes, their physique and gaze exuded an unusual aura. As Channa and the team members entered their rooms without saying a word, only two people were left in the corridor.

With a sharp expression, Lee Wooshin asked, “Did you sign the confidentiality agreement?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you must have heard the overall job details. Why are you still here?”

The man with a scornful look questioned her with an air of disbelief.

What does he mean? Seoryeong stared at him with a puzzled expression. In response, Lee Wooshin, who had been squeezing his smooth lower lip and furrowing his brow, spoke.

“I just can’t understand, no matter how much I think about it.”

“….”

“You must have heard everything, so why did you end up covered in dust and dirt?”

“The rooms were very dirty.”

“….”

“The hygiene here was a mess.”

Lee Wooshin furrowed his brow slightly, then, after taking a deep breath, returned to his expressionless state.

It was truly a peculiar face. He looked as if he had witnessed something terribly wrong or encountered a dilemma. Covering his eyes with his knuckles, he gazed at the ceiling for a while.

Wasn’t that what he asked? I thought it was a suitable answer… judging by his reaction, maybe not.

After a while, he returned with a friendly expression, smiling wryly.

“About two years ago, the police chief in Thailand demanded a bribe from a drug lord and ended up killing him.”

“….!”

“More precisely, he tortured and killed him. They agreed on a bribe amount, but he thought it was too little. So, he put a plastic bag over the guy’s face and continued to assault him. Eventually, he choked him to death.”

Seoryeong blinked at the context-less story.

“The incident came to light when the video spread, but he hasn’t been caught yet, the police chief.”

“….”

“Han Seoryeong is here to help in such a country. Is that all there is to it? Feeding the kids who went in to assemble guns for drug trafficking or provide security at the drug smuggling site.”

The man mocked her with sincere eyes.

“Yet you’re willing to clean up this mess.”

Even though his tone sounded like he was coaxing and consoling a stubborn child, his eyes were endlessly cold.

Seoryeong raised her eyebrows at the one-sided scolding. Is all this talk… about why she hasn’t left yet?

She brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face with the back of her hand.

Are you kidding me? You’re the one who put me on the travel list, and you’re talking to me like that?

Anger bubbled up inside her, but she didn’t know where to direct it, and after a moment’s pause, he spoke again.

“You should be scared.”

“….”

What was his intention in saying something like this?

“Just do as you were doing, and play along as you look.”

Lee Wooshin still seemed unlucky, and socializing only seemed to get harder with experience.

“I’m already doing that. I am here to do the cleaning and the cooking.”

Seoryeong no longer wanted to distance herself from the special security team. The answer was to respond well from now on.

“Would you like some noodles with cilantro tomorrow morning?”

“…”

“Should I skip the cilantro?”

Judging by his contorted expression, it seemed like she had given the wrong answer again.

***

Every morning, Seoryeong started her day by exploring a few alleys, following the advice to familiarise herself with the surroundings.

She woke up early, visited the market, prepared simple meals, and neatly placed the finished food in front of the team members’ rooms.

Her steps slowed down in the unfamiliar architectural style, but she wandered around as she caught a faint whiff of spices. Led by Channa, she found herself in the city centre of Thailand.