TG Ch 4 Part 3

That night, the Alpha Team gathered for a mission briefing. 

“This is a top-secret protection mission,” Captain Jeong Taeyul announced, his face etched with fatigue. All nine members of the Alpha Team were present in the meeting room. 

However, not a single one of them was sitting properly. Some were lounging on the table, others were leaning against the wall—it was a chaotic scene. This casual atmosphere stemmed from their Captain’s leadership style. Jeong Taeyul was a firm believer in getting down to business when it mattered, and he saw no need for unnecessary discipline. Perhaps because of this relaxed atmosphere, the Alpha Team boasted a high mission success rate.

“Shouldn’t protection missions be handled by Fox or Oscar Team?” 

One of the B-rank Espers in the Alpha Team asked. It was a question that Ham Geonwu himself wanted to ask. Protection missions, especially those involving human targets, were usually assigned to Fox Team or Oscar Team, which specialized in espionage. To put it bluntly, this mission was beneath the Alpha Team, a team composed of highly experienced veterans.

Jeong Taeyul, who was also leaning back in his chair, gestured towards their tablets. “Fox Team was initially handling the indirect protection, but the mission was transferred to us today. Just listen. I’m too tired for a long explanation.” 

“Yes, sir~”

They all placed their hands on their tablets, authenticating their clearance before accessing the confidential document. The document, designed for single-use access, displayed a man’s profile. 

However, 90% of the information was redacted. Ham Geonwu grumbled, “What the… There’s barely anything here.”

“Yeah, only those with Level 7 clearance or higher can access the full document.” 

Even Jeong Taeyul, their Captain, didn’t have full access. He was Level 6. Considering that the Center Director was Level 8, and the President was Level 10, this mission was highly classified. 

Ham Geonwu studied the man’s photo.

[Diagnostic Examiner – Baek Sijin] 

He scrolled through the photos—an ID photo, a candid shot of him walking briskly down the street, another of him getting into a car, and a few heartwarming photos of him interacting with children.

“Baek Sijin. Age 33. Fourth-year Diagnostic Examiner. He’s here to replace Doctor Song, who was recently murdered,” Jeong Taeyul explained, his voice low, his hand resting on his forehead. 

“Our objective is to protect Doctor Baek, at all costs, until the kidnapper is apprehended. Protection level: Level 3.”

It had been a while since they had received a Level 3 protection order, the highest level. But was it really necessary?

Ham Geonwu, his suspicion growing, looked at the photos again. Sijin had seemed like a competent, professional examiner. What kind of secret could he possibly be hiding? “Is Level 3 really necessary?” he asked.

The difference between Level 2 and Level 3 protection lay in the information they were entrusted with. Ham Geonwu, as always, preferred simple explanations: Level 2 meant ensuring the target’s survival, while Level 3 meant protecting their information and their mental state as well. 

Level 3 protection was usually reserved for high-profile figures like heads of state. It seemed excessive for a newly appointed examiner. 

“It’s suspected that Doctor Song’s kidnapper is someone within the F12 Center,” Jeong Taeyul explained. “That’s why Doctor Baek’s information has been classified.” 

So, there was a mole within the Center. Ham Geonwu felt his energy draining. This made the mission exponentially more difficult. Sijin was essentially at risk of being kidnapped at any moment. 

But even so, Level 2 protection, which focused on physical safety, should have been sufficient. Why Level 3?

“What’s so special about this guy?” Ham Geonwu pressed. His instincts told him there was more to it than met the eye.

“…..”

Jeong Taeyul remained silent, his gaze distant, his hand massaging his eyelids. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, deciding how much information to reveal. Finally, he spoke, his eyes fixed on some unseen point on the floor. 

“After Doctor Song was tortured into revealing information… there’s been suspicious activity from several criminal organizations.”

He sighed, running a hand through his chocolate-brown hair.

“The word on the street is that Doctor Baek possesses a valuable gem. That’s the Director’s conclusion.”

“…..”

“No more questions. Let’s begin the briefing.” 

***

As expected of Jeong Taeyul, the briefing was short and to the point. 

After the explanation, they moved on to discussing their individual positions, a crucial part of a covert protection mission. Despite their casual postures, the Alpha Team members were highly focused, carefully determining their optimal locations. 

Ham Geonwu mentally organized the information. 

[The nature and value of the gem possessed by Doctor Baek is strictly classified.]

[Protection will be conducted through covert surveillance to prevent the kidnapper from even confirming the existence of the gem.]

[The identity of the enemy is unknown. It is forbidden to question Doctor Baek about the gem or to reveal the mission to him (doing so could implicate him as the culprit).]

[The mission duration is one month. The protection level will be reassessed if the kidnapper is not apprehended within that time frame.]

As the meeting drew to a close, it was clear that Sijin would be under 24/7 surveillance from this moment forward. After discussing the finer details, Jeong Taeyul turned towards his team. “We will be assuming our positions immediately after this meeting. Any questions?” 

“About the gem…” Ham Geonwu, as if he’d been waiting for this moment, asked. Jeong Taeyul’s sharp gaze met his. His tired, almost world-weary eyes seemed to warn him against asking any unnecessary questions. Ham Geonwu pressed on, “If it’s so valuable, wouldn’t it be easier to simply take possession of it ourselves and guard it?” 

“The information regarding the gem is classified, as I stated earlier,” Jeong Taeyul replied in a low voice, his gaze hardening. His response gave Ham Geonwu a few clues:

The ‘gem’ might be just a code word.

And Jeong Taeyul knew at least something about its true nature.

“Understood, Captain.”

“…..”

Jeong Taeyul sighed as Ham Geonwu’s casual response confirmed his suspicions. They both knew what that question had been about. Ham Geonwu had managed to pry out a sliver of information. 

However, Jeong Taeyul didn’t press further. He knew that knowing at least a little bit would help Ham Geonwu carry out the mission effectively.

He ran a hand through his coffee-brown hair, addressing the team. “No further questions? Then you’re dismissed.”

The Alpha Team scattered as soon as the order was given. The mission had already begun. They would now be silently coordinating with each other, their movements centered around Baek Sijin. 

Ham Geonwu remained seated, studying Sijin’s photos, a question lingering in his mind.

What was the true nature of the gem that this man possessed? 

What was it about Sijin that made Jeong Taeyul so on edge?

Ham Geonwu was the type who needed a strong sense of interest to truly focus. He was deliberately trying to pique his own curiosity about the mission.

In this case, the mysterious nature of the gem was enough to keep him engaged. He closed the file, deleting the single-use data, and stood up. His eyes gleamed with a predatory excitement.

***