"Hmm... My goal is just to survive to the very end, as far as my strength allows."
Jung Tae-ui answered sullenly, then immediately felt that his reply was too childish. But that feeling of regret vanished quickly as the laughter beside him grew louder.
From the start, it had been a mistake to bring up the topic of hope for the future with this man.
"......"
Scratching his head in self-reflection over his past self, Jung Tae-ui was momentarily lost in memories. Then he heard Kyle muttering nearby.
"A volume's missing... Ah, it's Gustav Benesh. Tae, did you take it by any chance?"
"Huh? Ah? —Ah. Benesh. Yes, it’s in my room. I’ll bring it right now."
"Hmm? No, no, I was just asking because I didn’t see it. Give it to me after you’ve finished reading."
"No, I read it all before going to bed last night. Since I just remembered, I’ll bring it now. Just a moment."
Jung Tae-ui waved lightly and left the study.
He sighed as he stepped down the creaking wooden stairs.
Right now, that man was probably somewhere on a killing field, slowly chipping away at his own life. Though, as he himself said, who could forcibly cut off that man’s breath?
"Wherever he’s stuck, he should manage on his own."
Jung Tae-ui muttered with a click of his tongue.
Black gloves and a black hat. Though overall black, the uniform had simple yet refined details like epaulets, pockets, and buttons. A silver badge shimmered subtly on the collar.
It was a striking uniform, perfectly suited to his uncle — who sat lazily on the sofa, removing his hat and gloves in a posture that contrasted sharply with his neat attire.
Though Jung Tae-ui had seen this uniform countless times during his uncle’s time with the organization, he had never really thought about it before — perhaps because he deeply remembered that whenever his uncle appeared wearing that outfit, it was never with good news.
But now, looking calmly with a heart resigned to the world...
"Uncle. You look like a handsome swallow that would appeal to a customer with maniac tastes."
At Jung Tae-ui’s casual remark, his uncle’s hand paused briefly while removing his gloves.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Of course. It’s been a while, and the uniform looks dazzling. Even the buttons that tighten around the neck suit you well."
Jung Tae-ui spoke indifferently, and his uncle laughed as he undone a few buttons.
Although the uniform was certainly stylish and suited him, when worn formally and neatly it made even onlookers feel suffocated. Jung Tae-ui sighed as if the buttons tightening his own neck had been undone and asked,
"Why did you wear the uniform all the way here instead of something comfortable?"
"If I don’t wear this, asserting my identity, who would give me a first-class ticket, a key to a luxury hotel room, transport, and all other business expenses?"
This time, Jung Tae-ui smiled.
No matter how many years passed, his uncle stayed the same. Sometimes, unchanged appearances gave comfort.
"Besides, I came straight from the Berlin branch. It’s an official visit to another branch, so I can’t just stroll in wearing casual clothes."
"Seems like UNHRDO still keeps you busy."
"Yeah, soon there’s a joint training with the European branch. There was a rotation change, so I went there to discuss that as well."
Jung Tae-ui raised his eyebrows a little and nodded with a sigh.
"Joint training with the European branch... that sounds tough. Is the atmosphere between the two branches still tense?"
"Of course. Traditional rivalry never changes. But after one troublesome lunatic disappeared, it’s gotten a lot easier."
Jung Tae-ui was about to say “Uncle, that’s not something to say in front of the lunatic who lives with you,” but stopped when Kyle appeared from the dining area carrying a teacup himself.
"What’s this? You clammed up as soon as I showed up after talking?"
Kyle smiled and sat down opposite his uncle.
Kyle was the kind of person who could say to your face "Your brother is crazy," and without flinching would nod affirmatively, saying "His personality is a bit unusual." But Jung Tae-ui wasn’t the type to insult someone’s family in front of them without cause.
"We were asking after the family. Come to think of it, Rick isn’t around."
"Ah, he’s out on business. Should be back near the end of next month."
"Really?"
Looking warmly at Jung Tae-ui, his uncle picked up the teacup Kyle handed him. They all had milk tea, but Rita’s milk tea was so good there was no complaint.
"That’s quite a long task... …Ah."
His uncle murmured oddly, then glanced at the calendar on the table. His eyes scanned the dates.
"Speaking of which, Tarten’s decision day must be coming soon."
He nodded to himself repeatedly as if recalling something long forgotten, then glanced sideways at Kyle.
"The loan repayment date is approaching as well. You guys settled it last term, right?"
"Yeah. This is the last repayment. Finally, Tarten will be free from debt."
"The creditor remains the same?"
"Hmm."
Unable to catch the flow of conversation, Jung Tae-ui remained silent between them. Only the quiet sounds of tea being sipped filled the air.
Wondering when to join, Jung Tae-ui scratched his head. Kyle put down his cup.
"The conclusion is already certain. As far as I know, there’s no one more influential than Richard."
"Ah, that guy is definitely someone to be wary of."
"Who’s that?"
Thinking this was his chance, Jung Tae-ui peeked in. His uncle answered.
"Richard Tarten."
"......"
Jung Tae-ui waited a little longer, but no further explanation came.
Of course, Jung Tae-ui hadn’t asked for the full name. He frowned.
Richard Tarten? Who would know who that was? He wasn’t some famous celebrity. ...Or maybe he was. With Kyle’s connections, knowing a top star wouldn’t be surprising.
"Is he a celebrity? ...Ah."
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Jung Tae-ui recalled a fact.
Richard Tarten... Tarten. Tarten & Riegrow.
The other name that forms a pair with Riegrow at T&R.
Jung Tae-ui took a long sip of his milk tea, then set the empty cup down, tilting his head.
Come to think of it, if two names stand side by side in the company name, they must be closely related. Yet Kyle had never mentioned the name while assisting with Kyle’s affairs or company news.
"Tarten, huh. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard much about that name. Wasn’t it a joint investment?"
"Hmm? Ah, it was at first. But Tarten pulled out midway. Still the major shareholder of T&R, but the family itself runs a separate business. The company was growing fast at the time, so they agreed to keep the name."
Kyle explained kindly, as if surprised Jung Tae-ui didn’t know.
"Hmm," Jung Tae-ui muttered and asked again.
"Tarten... I haven’t really heard of them. What kind of business?"
"Intelligence."
"Pardon?"
"Private intelligence agency. From trivial info that causes no harm if leaked, to top-secret info that would mean a few deaths if exposed."
Jung Tae-ui murmured “hmm” again, nodding absently. But he couldn’t quite grasp it just by hearing.
"They avoid public exposure to keep operating comfortably, mainly serving institutions. But there are few agencies as solid as that... Oh, and Gable was once affiliated there briefly before joining the Ministry of Defense."
Hearing the familiar name, Jung Tae-ui muttered, "Ah." Surely, when he was worried about his brother’s whereabouts, Gable was the first to find a lead.
If that’s where they trained such a capable talent, it must be a competent agency... but still...
"So, it’s completely separate from T&R?"
"In business, yes. But the family ties remain, so they still maintain close relations. It’s a connection lasting over 150 years."
Jung Tae-ui was impressed by that number. One hundred fifty years of continuous amicable relations is no small feat, and can’t be maintained by one side alone.
"Impressive. But did that Tarten family owe some debt?"
Not just simple debt — the term used was loan, and considering even private loans often require government guarantees, both the nature and amount were probably unusual.
According to the financial statements of T&R, which Jung Tae-ui had seen inadvertently like the stealth structural diagram, T&R was a very solid company with a debt ratio much lower than others.
Yet, at one time, Tarten — one of its pillars — had to get a loan.
When Jung Tae-ui asked without much thought, Kyle looked troubled for a moment. His uncle silently looked at Kyle.
"Ah... that’s classified for now. Let’s talk again when there’s a chance."
"Ah, yes."
Jung Tae-ui nodded graciously.
He must have been digging too deep. Everyone has a few things they don’t want outsiders to know. He wasn’t particularly interested in other people’s companies anyway.
"Oh, right. Jae will be coming to Germany next month."
Suddenly, his uncle changed the subject.
Jung Tae-ui’s eyes widened at that news, though he guessed the confidentiality was serious since his uncle quickly diverted the topic.
"Your brother? To Germany? Why?"
Jung Jae-ui, Jung Tae-ui’s older brother, currently worked as a researcher at the UNHRDO Americas headquarters.
A genius without rival, shortly after escaping a kidnapping and confinement incident aimed at his intellect two or three years ago, he decided to join UNHRDO to prevent similar incidents. He was now a special researcher at the headquarters, rarely leaving his lab, whether due to busyness or liking the work there, as Jung Tae-ui had heard from his uncle.
Since they rarely even talked on the phone after parting ways, the news of him coming to Germany was both surprising and welcome.
His uncle smiled seeing Jung Tae-ui lean forward.
"There’s an international aviation technology forum in Frankfurt next month."
"...Did he become a pilot, or what?"
Jung Tae-ui asked, conjuring a feeble image. His uncle laughed out loud and waved his hand.
"He’s finishing up research on RAM techniques that drastically reduce RCS — radar cross section. His paper will be presented at this forum."
"...That sounds more like a military technology forum than aviation. Is Jae still involved with that?"
Jung Tae-ui scratched his head and muttered.
He sighed first, imagining the countless military contractors eagerly rushing in again.