There were many rumors about him being an unofficial "Black" operative.
Although Lee Ushin had no official documents stating that he was part of the organization, in reality, he was a key pillar of the international intelligence division led by the First Deputy Director.
The assistants on his operations team changed according to the mission, but one thing that never changed was Lee Ushin.
He was the only unofficial foreign intelligence team member of the organization.
"I don't do anything without the silicone mask. Even in my private time. Do you think there's anyone else who looks like me?"
> "..."
Seeing no response, he chuckled softly.
"I once thought it was just a work-related disturbance, but the hospital said it's a symptom of OCD. If it's not treated now, I might actually peel off my own face one day. Strange, isn't it? At night, I often see faceless ghosts, like eggs floating in front of my eyes."
Although his words sounded pitiful, he smiled slightly while gently licking his red lips.
The image looked odd and a little playful.
"Then I probably can't be a spy anymore, because I've tattooed my body."
> "What?"
Generally, the bodies of "Black" operatives had to be clean, without tattoos—an unwritten rule to prevent them from being easily recognized.
These operatives often changed their appearance—hairstyles, nail length, even scars—in order to disguise themselves.
So, having a tattoo was a serious violation.
> "Is it permanent or temporary?"
"Permanent."
> "..."
"I got a tattoo on my genitals."
> "..."
"You heard it, why do I have to repeat it?"
Lee Ushin replied unflinchingly, making his interlocutor grit their teeth.
But he continued to speak casually.
"Now I can't just show it around anymore."
> "..."
"If someone pulls it or puts it in their mouth, they'll know immediately."
> "Lee Ushin! You're crazy!"
Finally, his interlocutor exploded in anger.
But Lee Ushin just shrugged, turning on the windshield wipers on the dry glass. He looked at it with satisfaction.
> "Your body belongs to the country! What have you done! Where are you going! You're completely insane!"
"Now I'm getting confused, are you the Deputy Director or a pimp?"
> "Shut your mouth, you crazy bastard!"
The Deputy Director had extraordinary abilities, but she also adhered very strictly to principles.
For them, all operatives were national assets, meaning they should not harm or damage their own bodies. On the other hand, they had to dedicate themselves entirely to the country.
A secret agent had to live with two faces.
On one hand, as an exemplary citizen, and on the other hand, ready to do anything—reconnaissance, assassination, threats—to complete the mission.
The Deputy Director strongly adhered to this principle, even in the Bird Box mission, where sex was used as a tool for manipulation.
Although Lee Ushin was a novice in this type of mission, he carried it out flatly and calmly.
> "Are you really going to resign? Did you do all this just to get out?"
"You never really listen to my words, do you?"
> "You're going to resign?"
"If you can't give me back my face, just stop here. For those who have died, I will pray for them myself."
The Deputy Director couldn't believe that Lee Ushin would actually quit, because...
> "You don't need that document anymore? Isn't that what kept you going all this time? Are you willing to just give up like that?"
The voice that had always mocked him suddenly fell silent.
The eyes that were usually full of sarcasm now looked tired, indescribably so.
His playful facial expression vanished, leaving behind a deep-seated inner weariness beneath the skin—as if suppressed feelings were bursting out.
"I haven't given up yet."
He stared silently at the dried bloodstains clinging to his own bones.
Lee Ushin had accepted the condition of becoming a spy for Korean intelligence for one reward—a top-secret document.
At that time, the Deputy Director, who was then the Head of Division Level 2, had promised to work on it.
However, even though the woman quickly rose through the ranks, the document remained inaccessible.
She had to become the Director of Intelligence first.
"Now, after ten years have passed, I'm like a demon's egg yolk."
> "Still time for jokes?"
"I guarded 'Owl', but I failed."
His voice remained with a faint smile, but it felt bitter.
The mission was successful, but the results were disappointing.
_'Owl', which used to be the only clue, was now useless._
"I have nowhere to vent, so I'm acting like this. Do you mind?"
> "So you mean, you're taking it all out on me, huh? You stupid kid..."
The Deputy Director muttered wearily.
Although he looked calm on the outside, Lee Ushin was very cunning and playful. He was good at digging into other people's emotions, and that made him a problem.
"Anyway, you're the Deputy Director, not Wonchang. I still have to respect you based on seniority."
Before he could finish his sentence, the car they were in suddenly jerked violently.
The hood began to emit smoke.
"Damn it..."
He cursed softly, his smile vanishing instantly.
"For the charity fund, I'll just help a little. I'll hang up now."
As he pulled over to the side of the road and was about to take off his earphones, the Deputy Director hurriedly shouted:
> "I understand! You can quit this job!"
> "But...! You have to complete that dead person's mission first. After that, I'll do everything I can. You know I'm just one step away from becoming Director, right?"
"..."
> "Seriously. You can quit, but finish this mission first."
Lee Ushin took the water bottle beside him and emptied it in one gulp.
His throat moved up and down incessantly.
> "You will get your face back."
The empty bottle was crushed in his hand.
The first things he lost when he became a spy were his name and face.
A spy's face had to be ordinary and difficult to recognize. The harder to recognize, the better.
But because of his striking face and physique, Lee Ushin had to erase his identity for ten years.
Now, as he chose to leave, he could actually regain his original face.
_Should he be grateful or sad?_
He chuckled softly.
It felt like being swept away by a huge wave, heavier than the vibrating tooth from the tracking device. His dopamine-filled blood rushed through his veins.
"No more crazy mask?"
> "No."
"With the name Lee Ushin?"
> "Only Lee Ushin."
His own name, spoken as if it belonged to someone else, felt foreign but still intriguing.
"You guys used to say you wouldn't let me run away, right?"
He slammed his head back against the headrest.
> "You are a special type of spy, perfectly suited for using such a mask."
**Lee Ushin's true mask—**
His half-closed eyes gleamed slyly.
This was a mission he could complete because it was the last one.
> "Have you ever heard of a company called Blast?"
---
## — Blast Company Headquarters —
> **VACANCY FOR TEAM LEADER AND TRAINER**
>
> **Wanted:**
> Those with experience in military organizations and successful management of military units. Those who have trained units at the battalion or division level. Those capable of building trust and confidence with foreign military commands. Those capable of handling rapid deployment, joint operations, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian aid, training, etc. Experience living in Africa will be an advantage.
Seoryeong stared at the job posting on the Blast website with a blank expression.
She had sent in her application a few days ago as advised by Jung Pilgyu.
Although she didn't know much about the company, all she really wanted was a steady salary and a few opportunities.
She needed a valuable hostage, and at the same time, she also needed colleagues.
This place was filled with former independent soldiers who had left the military; most of them only cared about money and survival.
What Seoryeong was after were people with dangerous abilities but no ethics, those who held grudges against society and had bad character as their main assets.
"Han Seoryeong?"
The door opened quickly, and a middle-aged man entered, patting a folder of documents against his neck.
Seoryeong lazily put down the phone she was reading.