November 11, 2030

  “You’re finally back… I thought you were dead…” Hinata hugged Park Sung-jae, disguised as Gamagogi. Park Sung-jae, with a slightly guilty expression, looked at the faculty welcoming him. “…Haha, you didn’t all need to come out like this…” News of Gamagogi had already spread widely at Hiroshima University. The story of a professor thought dead in North Korea actually being enslaved at Sinan’s salt farms was big news. Even the Hiroshima University broadcasting team’s coverage had reached Japan and South Korea, quoting his statement that Sinan’s salt farms were scarier than North Korean coal mines.

  After the university’s celebration, Gamamusa visited Professor Ko Ye-eun’s lab. Ko Ye-eun was startled by the visiting professor. “Oh… Professor, it’s been a while…” Park Sung-jae was surprised. Ko Ye-eun seemed to have met Gamagogi before. “…Haha, uh, yeah. Nice to see you. Sorry, but… when did we meet?” Ko Ye-eun let out a small ‘pfft.’ “…You don’t remember me? You adopted me when I was eight and raised me at your house, but sent me to my adoptive parents in South Korea because of circumstances. I was a bit upset at first, but now I’m grateful.” She hugged Park Sung-jae. “…Haha, is that so? It was when you were so young, I didn’t realize. By the way, I have a favor to ask.”

  Park Sung-jae asked Ko Ye-eun if he could observe her experimenting with some microbial samples. “I’m a retired professor, so I can’t get involved in this stuff. But they say it’s fine to watch researchers like you work.” Ko Ye-eun nodded understandingly. “I get that. I applied to a food research institute in Seoul and got rejected, but my adoptive parents’ nephew, who worked there, brought samples to show me. It’s a project you love, so it must’ve been upsetting when things went wrong. I’ll grab the samples quick.” Park Sung-jae chatted with Ko Ye-eun while looking at the samples she brought. Later, he asked if he could visit her house, and she happily agreed.

  Ko Ye-eun brought Park Sung-jae to her bedroom at home. Hinata was there. “…Huh? Why’s Hinata here…” Ko Ye-eun took Park Sung-jae’s hand, led him to the bed, and sat him down. “I talked to Aunt Hinata recently and heard she lost this place at auction because of unpaid taxes. I bought this house without knowing. Sir, catch up with Aunt Hinata—it’s been a while.” As Ko Ye-eun left, Park Sung-jae looked at Hinata awkwardly. “…Hello? Nice to see you after so long…” Hinata took his hand, and they began catching up.

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  …

  “…So… you let him go?” NIS Director Bae Jung-gil glared at Level 5 agent Jung Min-ju, holding a report. Jung Min-ju bowed her head. “…It was unavoidable. He had Gamagogi’s passport, and the NIS investigation log we checked in North Korea could be forged if someone tried, so it lacks evidential value.” Bae Jung-gil set the report down. “…So, you’re saying you’ll send people to dig into his background? If Japan’s Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office finds out, it’ll be chaos.” Jung Min-ju nodded. “…I understand. But for now, this is the best course. We don’t know what orders they received from North Korea, so we can’t hastily assume their motives.”

  Bae Jung-gil stood, hands behind his back, and approached Jung Min-ju. “…How many years have you been with the NIS?” Jung Min-ju flinched, stepping back. “…About 14 years.” Bae Jung-gil nodded. “…Your enemies likely know exactly how long you’ve worked. Doesn’t something feel off? They even told you they’re going to Japan. Plus, you decided to investigate Gamagogi. Your goal was to find Lee Yeol-gi, but for some reason, you interrogated Gamagogi. You, who were never assigned to his case, had no intel that he’s a North Korean spy. How did you reach that conclusion?”

  Jung Min-ju flinched at Bae Jung-gil’s words. Her lips trembled. “…I met Gamagogi’s son in middle school. He… was evil incarnate. Gamagogi is his father. So, I thought Gamamusa must be behind this case.” Bae Jung-gil looked dumbfounded. “…You caused all this chaos to investigate some nameless lunatic from your school days? If Gamagogi and his son have nothing to do with this, how will you take responsibility?”

  …

  Late at night, Hinata and Ko Ye-eun slept quietly in the room. Sleeping gas filled the air through the vents, and Park Sung-jae had already descended to the basement. Meeting Gamamusa there, Park Sung-jae grimaced. “…Ugh, that sleeping gas stings every time. If you don’t boost dopamine levels, I’ll fall asleep fast.” Gamamusa smirked and held out his hand. “Hand over the samples, punk.” He took the samples Park Sung-jae offered, placed them in an experimental container, and stirred. The container turned bright red. “…Too acidic. Get another one.” After several tries, Gamamusa secured a stable sample and handed it to Park Sung-jae. “…Take this to South Korea and test it with the digestion engine. If it fails, we’ll try again.”