CHAPTER 25: "New Identity"
Joining the ranks of the Hunter Foundation Corporation (HFC) as a soldier was a decision I made with ulterior motives. My hope was that by cooperating, they might allow me the autonomy I craved or at least provide the opportunity to investigate the GOC operations in different sectors under less supervision. The sight of myself decked out in a suit with a red tie adorned with a snake emblem felt surreal. Normally, my attire leaned heavily towards comfort—shirt and jeans were my go-to. Now, I found myself wrestling with a tie that seemed determined to strangle me rather than make me look presentable.
A knock on the door jolted me from my sartorial struggles. "Are you done in there?" The voice was impatient.
"Yeah, I'm almost done," I croaked, my throat as dry as my humor. After finally taming the rebellious tie, I joined the bustling lobby. It was a glittering sea of HFC agents rubbing shoulders with businessmen and conglomerates, each more intent on their wine glass than the person next to them.
Navigating the opulent room felt like swimming upstream, until a waiter's hand on my shoulder halted my progress. "Sir, your wine," he said, handing me a glass before dissolving back into the crowd. The wine was undoubtedly exquisite, but between you and me, I was more amazed at the room's luxurious decor than the drink in my hand.
As the party grew more extravagant, dripping with the kind of expense that makes a pocketbook wince, an agent tapped my shoulder, flashing the ID card universally recognized by his peers. With a nod, he beckoned for me to follow. We navigated through sparsely populated hallways patrolled by HFC soldiers until we reached the director's sanctum, where I met Director Takumi and an unfamiliar figure.
As I took my seat at Director Takumi's gesture, curiosity prickled at my thoughts. The stranger's piercing gaze contrasted the director's calm demeanor. "So, this is your new agent. Are you sure the ROKU knows about this?" inquired the stranger.
Director Takumi replied without hesitation. "No, they're in the dark for now. They'll be informed once agreements are in place. Besides, this agent hasn't exactly pledged allegiance to Korea. Turns out, he's only half-Korean."
I could sense a flood of questions welling up inside me, and the director must have noticed because he turned to me and said, "Feel free to ask. You look like you're wrestling with a dozen questions at once."
Clearing my throat, I adopted a tone of curiosity. "If I may, who is this gentleman, Director Takumi? I haven't seen him around before. Is he significant?"
"With pleasure," Director Takumi replied with politeness that bordered on charm. "This is Emperor Kouwa (光和). His majesty attends our meetings because the HFC operates under his auspices."
Emperor Kouwa regarded me with an appraisal that felt both disconcerting and intriguing. "I've heard about your attempt to slip past my territories without permission. A bold move. I admire your courage. But who exactly do you affiliate with?"
The emperor's commanding presence resonated with the kind of leadership I'd only dreamt about back in the T.O.P Shoota days. I felt a rare sense of relief. "I'm with the Chaos Insurgency, your majesty. While we're branded as terrorists set up by the GOC, our true aim is liberation from tyranny. That's the essence of our mission."
A spark of interest flickered in Emperor Kouwa's eyes. "A liberator, you say? Intriguing. But let's cut to the chase—why have you ventured into Asia? Is there another mission at play?"
Unable to suppress a chuckle, I confessed, "You've guessed right, your majesty. I'm here on orders related to the Siamese civil unrest. The organization sent me, but resources are thin, so I'm flying solo in more ways than one. Oops, seems I've shared more than intended."
With an amused smile, the emperor turned to Director Takumi. "Bring him the contract."
Director Takumi retrieved a contract and offered it to me. "Take your time to read it over. We aim for mutual benefit here."
The terms were clear yet daunting:
1. HFC would provide formal support and training to the Chaos Insurgency, but in exchange, we must essentially become their hands in Sector Bacardi, handling tasks regardless of their nature.
2. Complete compliance ensures full support from the HFC and allied nations such as the Republic of Nihon, Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People Republic of China.
3. HFC would aid in rebuilding our areas in return for raw materials—oil, iron, gold, you name it.
4. An HFC branch office was to be established in Sector Bacardi, handling administrative duties that the Chaos Insurgency would need to oversee by fulfilling point 1.
As I scanned the document, the emperor watched me intently, curious about my reaction to these binding terms. The stakes were high—acceptance meant relinquishing independence but gaining a chance for restoration. Rejection would risk further turmoil in our battered sector.
Resigning to necessity, I signed the contract. We needed every advantage to recover from the GOC's devastation in Sector Bacardi.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Kiriyama returned to what remained of her old apartment—a gift from her aunt after her parents passed. Cobwebs and dust were her welcome party, but the location in Tokyo was strategic for observing any movements related to Han-Min. Her intel was outdated, leaving Formosa Island as Han-Min's last known location. Determined, Kiriyama rolled up her sleeves, turning a dusty homecoming into a spring-cleaning mission.
To be continued...