The faint sound of the engine, besides that, nothing could be heard in the vast ocean. After standing on deck for more than half a day for watch duty, skin would inevitably burn from the heat of the sea sun. Even after washing in the cramped bathroom, the next day, sweat and salt covered her skin again. Seoryeong pressed a damp cloth to her stinging forehead. The ship’s route through the Atlantic Ocean to Equatorial Guinea on that small cargo ship was full of challenges. Inside the old ship disguised as a fertilizer carrier, there was over 16 million dollars in cash, luxury watches, and other luxury goods. All the items were wrapped in plastic and hidden below the cabin. Team Beta was led by a thirty-year-old veteran who had retired as a navy lieutenant colonel, and he brought with him six team members who had been together for a long time. Added to that, a Korean ethnic translator from Manchuria and the new member Seoryeong from the special security team, they formed a task force (TF), a temporary team formed for this mission. Equatorial Guinea, a country dubbed the worst dictatorship to ever receive the North Korean Kim Jong-il International Prize. Seoryeong had felt nauseous since the first day she boarded the ship and held onto the railing all day. In the end, when only clear, acidic liquid came out, a feeling of despair naturally arose. What am I actually doing in a country that has nothing to do with me…? Just then, the image of a spinning wheelchair reappeared in her head. Since joining Blast, she had never been separated from Lee Wooshin, perhaps that was also one of the reasons why this feeling was so disturbing. Even though she had deliberately boarded this ship to provoke the NIS, Seoryeong felt deeply isolated. Even the man who always made sure she had food and blankets, even when scolding her, now felt so absent. ‘You even hesitated to take off your pants in the water. You only know one thing, but can’t guess the others. That’s why I have to teach you directly. What you overlook.’ The first night in the cabin, Seoryeong remembered that warning that had been heard so often. She deliberately didn’t lock the bedroom door. Come to think of it, Lee Wooshin had treated her very harshly during training. He threatened, coaxed, and even criticized her relentlessly to force her to remember the problems that female members in the field usually faced. Just then, wet boots stepped closer with a squeaking sound. The irregularly rocking ship made her stomach churn again. ‘This is a situation that can’t be resolved with your arrogant strength.’ Dirty footsteps stopped in front of the bedroom, and the doorknob turned. ‘I know you worked hard to get here, but this is reality. This isn’t just about finishing training, if a female member gets caught overseas—’ Creeeak— the door opened, and a man who had just entered with heavy steps, embraced the sleeping Seoryeong. Quickly, Seoryeong kicked the man’s vital area with her knee.
“Ugh...! Damn it...!”
Rapid blows targeted her opponent’s eyes, nose, chin, neck, and solar plexus, finally stomping between the man’s legs. Every time she crushed the weak points as taught by Lee Wooshin, she felt as if she was with the man in a strange feeling that flowed with arousal. The protection hidden within the harsh training felt so bitter and sweet. In an instant, Seoryeong dropped the unconscious man to the center of the cabin. The commander, whose face was full of wrinkles, stared at the expressionless Seoryeong while looking at his unconscious subordinate, but said nothing. Since then, no one else tried to bother Seoryeong. Whether it was because she had taught them a good lesson, or because she began to be avoided, she wasn’t sure, but she felt calmer this way.
“Hey, finish everything without leaving any leftovers.”
However, the problem lay with the food. Team members would take the still usable ingredients and throw away the leftovers like dog food. This wasn’t the first time. Every time it happened, the translator who just silently observed would offer to trade his food with Seoryeong, but she refused. Actually, she used to handle the kitchen work, so even if the ingredients were like garbage, she could make something out of them again. Seoryeong didn’t feel this was a form of bullying. The translator, whose face was always stern, sometimes showed a frowning expression. After adapting to the incredible seasickness, bad weather arrived. Huge waves like wild beasts mercilessly slammed against the ship’s hull. Packages of goods on deck slid around, and team members pulling ropes fell against the railing, while fuel tanks creaked loudly and fell into the sea. Team members shouted loudly against the deafening sound of rain and echoing thunder.
“Damn it, what are you doing―! Wake up everyone who’s still sleeping―!”
Emergency lights began to flicker in the wheelhouse, and the ship shook violently.
“Han Seoryeong, if you don’t want to be called a glutton, go help with the heavy work―!”
A team member shouted irritably. Seoryeong, who didn’t have time to grab a raincoat, tried her best to hug the drums that were rolling like dominoes and falling below. Even so, she managed to spread a net and secure the goods that were about to fall into the sea, until she felt completely exhausted. Huge waves continued to crash against the hull all night, while team members shivered with blue lips. Wet hair and wet combat gear sucked away body heat. Seoryeong herself just stood silently in place, feeling the raindrops hitting her face. The thoughts in her head became empty and lost. After tidying up the carelessly tangled ropes and chains, she felt her knees weaken. Someone patted her shoulder, but she didn’t have enough strength to lift her head and look.
“――.”
Seoryeong fell to the deck, her body lying stiffly. After hastily tying down a rolling tank, she felt her left hand pierce something sharp, and blood flowed, soaking her palm. However, she didn’t feel the need to clean it. She just sighed heavily and looked up at the suddenly bright blue sky without a single cloud. The seabirds flying in the sky looked white and free, like Lee Wooshin. That’s how time passed. Tang, tang, tang―! Seoryeong woke up with a start, then quickly put on her military boots and left the bedroom. After passing through the narrow corridor, she went up to the deck and tied her loose shoelaces while grabbing her weapon. The strong wind that swept across her face instantly woke up the remnants of her sleep.
“Is it this again?”
As she checked the magazine, a team member who had started talking a little more spat on the floor.
“Yeah, it’s that annoying bunch again.”
Having gotten used to the bad weather, they now had to face a group of pirates as skinny as sharks, surrounding the cargo ship. Team members hid behind the protection of the railings, and several times a day they defended against pirates trying to board the ship. Because they had been hired by Blast to deal with threats like this, there was no hesitation as their hands prepared their weapons. Tang, tang―! Seoryeong closed one eye and held the recoil of the weapon. The only light visible in the dark night sea was the flash of bullets coming from the muzzle. Initially, she felt dizzy as if something was stuck in her ear, but now she was used enough to enjoy the sight of seagulls and eat hardtack.
“Han Seoryeong, you’re really merciless...! If you were a man, you would have done well...”
“Don’t talk nonsense, sir. Just focus on your work…!”
After going through various battles, her way of speaking had now become rough like a real sailor. However, what day is it today? Seoryeong checked the retreating pirates, keeping an eye on them even as her thoughts drifted. Right now, Lee Wooshin must already know what was happening.
“It hasn’t been a few days, it’s actually been a few weeks…”
Seoryeong fully knew the mission she was on. However, the face of the man who would be waiting for her patiently, even though she kept trying to hold back, came to mind. She smiled strangely to herself. In the distance, light began to spread behind the horizon. Seoryeong continued to gaze at the sunrise, guarding her area all night.
“Ah...”
I miss you... Seoryeong took off her face shield and binoculars, placing her weapon beside her. She stepped out onto the spacious deck, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air. An undefined sea route. Although there was a feeling that kept drawing her closer to Kim Hyeon, her thoughts remained focused on one man’s figure that continued to reside in her heart. Calm seas were rare, but at that moment, the reflection of the sunlight made the seawater shine beautifully. It wasn’t Kim Hyeon. Whether she saw seabirds flying in the sky, the night sky, or the sunrise, all that came to mind was the cold iris of someone’s eyes.
“It’s really over, huh...”
Seoryeong murmured with a small smile. She wanted to catch Kim Hyeon, lock him up, torture him to death, and vent all her anger. That’s what she thought would be the procedure most needed by her wounded self. However, there was always a chasm behind her. A future cut off like a cliff. However, now, the compass pointing towards him was becoming clearer. Seoryeong felt she could understand her true feelings. After taking revenge with all her might, she finally found what should happen after that. In the sky, two friendly seabirds flew together, their wings spread wide.
“I don’t mind if you don’t love me.”
Actually, she should have parted ways with that man a long time ago. Instead of just disappearing, Kim Hyeon should have looked her in the eyes and said goodbye. Whether you are fake or not, it doesn’t matter. Whether it’s an illusion or reality, we haven’t even properly started our farewell. And finally, Seoryeong felt as if she was ready.