Chapter 4 - Chapter 4

Bzzt!

"016, 032, 008, are you there?"

The sniper rolled his shoulders and tapped his radio.

Bzzt!

"Here."

Bzzt!

"008 and I too. How's it going, 006?"

Bzzt!

"We have General Tabik. We should start making our way back soon-ish."

That was something, 016 supposed. Not that he ever doubted his comrades, especially when they had not just 002, but 001 leading them. Those two together were an unstoppable combo.

But there was still one more thing, arguably the most important.

Bzzt!

"And 003?"

Bzzt!

"She and 001 are about to try stabbing each other to death. We will move when they are done."

Translation: when 003 is dead. Regardless of the outcome of her fight with 001 - and of course they would agree to a blade duel, that was the Numbers' way - 003 wouldn't walk out of the presidential palace alive.

016 could get behind that. Although, from his sputtering, the South Korean major didn't quite agree.

Bzzt!

"What do you mean Ijin's fighting her!? I thought she wasn't a target anymore!"

Bzzt!

"Wasn't a priority. Still very much a target. You should be thankful, major. 003 is far more dangerous than all the soldiers in that airfield combined. Now, they are starting."

After that, 006 went silent. And for once, 016 regretted being the sniper and far away from the action. He would have enjoyed seeing 003 bleed personally.

Bzzt!

"Get 001 to cut that bitch for me."

016 had never been particularly close to anyone in the Numbers. Not like 006 and 032, or 004 and 002, and even 002 and 001 in a way.

He had been happy to follow 001 back in the day, and just as easily turned to 002 when they thought he was gone.

It wasn't really a matter of loyalty. He was just a practical person. He knew he wasn't cut out to be a leader, so he followed the people who were. It was simply the optimal choice.

But even someone detached from his emotions like him understood one thing: the Numbers were a pack.

Calling them a family would be too much. Family implied normalcy, and they were anything but. 016 always thought a pack was a more apt description of them.

They all followed the alpha, and cared and supported for one another. It was the only way they got through the hell that was their training, and the suicide missions that Camp sent them into later.

But like a pack, they also didn't stand deadweight. The old and injured were left behind. Abandoned.

Regardless, one thing a pack didn't tolerate was betrayal. Turning against the pack, harming and killing those who hunted with you? That was unacceptable.

In some small, unconscious level, he had always doubted 001 had betrayed the pack. Not the same 001 who scarred Mad Dog for life to make sure there were 40 Numbers, not 39.

003, though, he could see doing it. She had always been the outlier. The one who stood on the fringes of the pack. Seemingly close to every member, but yet always keeping her distance.

A traitor, maybe because she never thought she belonged to the pack, or in a pack at all.

In the end, it didn't matter. 003 had betrayed the Numbers, had killed them. For that, 016 hated her. He may not care if the pack failed, but that it was done from the inside enraged him.

Bzzt!

"Get ready, 016. I give it an hour tops before they are here. When they are, it will be fast. How long will it take for you to make it over to us?"

032's voice came over his earpiece, and 016 glanced at the neatly coiled rope next to him.

Bzzt!

"3 minutes to rappel down, 10 to get to the plane. I will need a path."

Bzzt!

"We'll open one. Once they move on the plane, I want you to start taking potshots. Don't need to be many, keeping yourself hidden is more important - at least until all hell breaks loose - but they need to count. Priority ladder is: AA operators, officers, free."

Bzzt!

"Affirmative."

016 took a depe breath, and put his eye on the scope again. His narrowed field of vision blurred as he moved his aim from the plane to one of the missile-carrying trucks.

The driver kept smoking his cigarette nervously, eyes focused in the direction on the presidential palace, and unaware that he should really have been looking the other way.

Not that it would make a difference when 016 blew his head off.

-----------------------

"Heengg! Sounds like everyone's in position."

032 stretched his arms above his head and moaned, feeling his joints pop. For a haphazard and hastily thrown together operation in the middle of enemy territory, his side of it had been pretty boring.

"How can you be so... so... calm!?"

Ah, sounds like someone didn't agree with him. 032 tilted his head back to look at the leader of the South Korean special forces team, Major Kang Hamchan.

The major was red-faced, but it was obviously from worry about 001. Which, really, just meant the officer didn't know the silver-haired Number all that well.

Still, there was a small part of 032 that felt jealous. He wondered if someone had ever worried like that for him.

Oh, he knew 006 cared and worried, the same way he did for the Number he looked at like an older brother. And 001, 005, even 002 and the others. All of then worried for one another in their own way.

But it wasn't so... normal, like the major did. That had been trained out of the Numbers a long time ago.

No one who worried about someone like that would be okay sending them into dangerous situations without batting an eye, no matter how skilled they were. But that was exactly what the Numbers did daily.

032 couldn't quite understand it. The Numbers worried... But it was more in the sense of 'I'll mourn you if you die, then I'll murder whoever killed you and carry on'.

They had plenty of experience with that.

So yes, seeing Major Kang so worried for 001, despite the later being obviously a hundred times better than him at anything even tangentially related to fighting, 032 felt a prick of jealousy.

But it was mostly confusion.

"How can you not be? You are a soldier. An officer on top of that. It's basically your whole life. People fight. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they are your people, and sometimes they die because of you. If you aren't calm, who will be?"

Major Kang's mouth opened and closed a few times as he tried to find his voice. The red in his face wasn't entirely from worry anymore.

"No one can be like that!"

Oof. Bad retort. Mostly because 032 knew just the counter for it, and it was going to hurt.

"001 is."

Now the major was truly speechless, his face a curious mix of red and pale.

032 looked at 008, who shrugged. On a logical level, they understood what Major Kang was feeling. And it wasn't like they were completely emotionless just because they were Numbers - not all of them, at least.

But they couldn't completely understand it. Because if 001 hadn't been like that, wasn't like that still, then none of them would be alive.

"How... How are you this broken?"

Someone else would probably have been offended. 032 tilted his head, considering the question seriously. Then he shrugged.

"Take a thousand kids and thrown them into a hell only 40 get to walk out of. You get the Numbers. I don't think anyone who wasn't broken could have done it."

Whatever response Major Kang was going to give to that shocking revelation got cut short by a short click of the radio.

Bzzt!

"They are moving on the plane. I'm starting."

Not a heartbeat later, a lone gunshot echoed through the air. 032 and 008 recognized it as 016's preferred sniper rifle.

They didn't see who the target was, but the airfield below them suddenly falling into panic had them pretty sure it had been a hit. Not that it could have been anything else. This was 016 they were talking about.

"Alrighty, show's finally beginning. We should go down, major. Someone needs to disarm their AA measures."

Major Kang licked his lips. He still had much he wanted to ask 032. Most of all, what the fuck did that last statement mean. But now wasn't the time.

"We are moving! While the sniper keeps them distracted, our objective is to destroy as many anti-aircraft devices as possible! Captain Cha, you will take two men and move the stairs we marked earlier to the plane!"

"Yes, sir!"

The stairs in question were a set of of those steps on wheels airports had for embarking and disembarking. Major Kang had chosen it instead of the one the Rajapuran army had already placed near the aircraft, because it was covered. While the walls and roof were there to protect passengers from the weather, they would also serve as a visual barrier to stop them from getting picked off while climbing onto the plane.

In a matter of minutes, 032, 008, and all 28 South Korean soldiers were on the ground floor of the control tower, waiting just out of sight for the right moment to burst out. This would be, by far, the most delicate and deadliest time of their operation.

Outside, soldiers rushed past the building in frantic search for cover, unaware that they had enemies not 10 meters away from them.

016 had only taken two more shots in all this time, one at another truck driver, and the other at a major who had stood stupidly still for a moment too long.

The panic he was causing more than made up for it.

And in this case, less was more. With just three shots and three bodies, nobody could be quite sure of where 016 was, not even which direction. And so, none of the soldiers knew if the cover they chose was actually good for something - or if they were just making themselves easier targets by standing still.

Major Kang could use that. And although he hated to ask it of someone he still thought of as a child, 032 had proved he was anything but.

"There are 4 soldiers close to us. Do you think you can take care of them quietly?"

It didn't need to be clean. He just wanted to avoid using firearms until they had no other option. The moment they fired a shot and the Rajapuran army found out they had enemies inside the airfield, everything would become exponentially harder.

"Not a problem."

032 smiled, and unsheated his knife. Next to him, 008 pulled out a blade that could be more accurately classified as a machete.

What happened next was a display of sheer brutally that was almost beautiful in its execution.

The noise of the control tower's automatic doors opening caught the attention of the 4 cowering Rajapuran soldiers. They looked over their shoulders just in time for 032 to stab one under the armpit, killing him instantly, while 008 placed his blade at the neck of another and pulled, slicing it wide open.

Surprise was what killed the other two soldiers. They stared wide-eyed for long enough that 032 could pull out his knife and slash the wrist and forearm of one of them, causing him to drop his gun, just before 032 shoved his weapon in his neck.

008 was more straight forward. He reached out with one giant hand and grabbed the last soldier by the arm, almost crushing it with his grip, before pulling him towards him and his waiting machete, which entered through the soldier's chest and came clean out his back.

Quiet, fast, and efficient. That seemed to describe all of the Numbers. And while he ordered his soldiers forward, Major Kang thought back to what he had called them and 032's words.

Broken indeed.

-----------------------

Neither 001 nor any of the Numbers in the presidential palace knew what was happening in the airfield, nor would they have cared if they did. The display in front of them took precedence.

001 was 001 for a reason. He was the best out of all of them, on nearly every category that mattered to the Numbers. Shooting, unarmed fighting, knife skills, infiltration, assassination, interrogation, torture - and resisting it. Even his sniping and hacking skills were above par, surpassed only by 016 and 032 respectively, who were masters of their craft.

And 003... Well, the instructors at Camp had chosen a very simplistic approach to rank them: the best you were at killing, the higher your number.

The difference between 001 and 003 wasn't that big. He was better, yes, but not to the point it was overwhelming. This was still very much a fight where either side could come out the winner. Luck played as big a part as skill, and one bad decision meant death.

Both of their blades were stained red now. Sometimes the sharp snap of metal meeting metal echoed, others it was the whistle of a knife cutting the air, or the dull noises of flesh clashing.

001, sporting cuts on his neck, arms, torso, and a particularly nasty one in his left hand, still moved with the same agility and flexibility of when they started.

003 was much in the same state. While she hadn't managed to leave any deep wounds on 001, she had masterfully dodged his attempts at retaliation, only showing a handful of surface cuts that were easily ignored.

Something would have to give eventually, however. Or rather, someone.

This wasn't a spar or a demonstration. It was real life. Fights like this were fast and deadly. Each cut, each drop of blood they lost sapped at the fighters' strength and endurance. Managing to slip the knife just a little deeper in a vulnerable spot translated into an almost insurmountable advantage.

At 003 and 001's level, the battle was mental as much as physical. They were trading potentially lethal blows at speeds most people couldn't follow with the eye.

Just one mistake, one wrong decision, blocking where you should have parried, parrying where you should have blocked, attacking where you should have defended, and it would be over.

And luck, as before mentioned, played a part. A drop of sweat falling in your eye, blood making your grip on your knife unstable. All uncontrollable factors, which ended a fight just as well as a blade to the heart.

But this was the last battle of two Numbers. Of the one who lead them and was betrayed, and the one who was led and betrayed him.

They refused to let luck end their history.

SLLIIIIINNK!

With an ear-piercing noise of metal grating on metal, 001 parried an attack and let 003's butterfly knife slid along the edge of his blade. At the same time, he stepped into her guard, crashing on her chest hard with his shoulder.

Unable to withstand it, 003 lost her balance and took a step back. Faster than one could blink, 001 had reversed his grip on his knife and stabbed, aiming straight for her heart.

"Ack!"

Even 003 had to let out a grunt of pain when the sharp blade pierced her. She stared at the shiny and yet bloody knife that had gone through her hand, the tip stopped barely a couple of centimeters before touching her chest.

Then she stabbed 001 in the leg.

For a moment, the two stood locked in the position. 003, spine curved almost as if bowing, her left hand in front of her chest, fingers weakly clenched around the hilt of the blade that had gone through her palm and out the back of her hand, arm trembling as she pushed back against 001 with all her strength.

And 001 with his knees bent, his body turned sideways towards 003, trying with all his might to exert force on the impractical reverse grip he was holding his weapon in, elbow at an awkward angle, while steadfastly ignoring the way 003 was twisting the butterfly knife buried so deep in his right thigh he felt it scraping against his femur.

Then the moment was over and they separated, both abandoning their weapons, 001 punching 003 hard enough to crack a rib while she kicked his injured leg.

They paused for a moment, breathing heavily and bleeding just as badly. Then, without breaking their gazes, each reached for the hilt of the weapon currently stabbed in them and pulled them out.

They started bleeding worse, but neither cared. They circled each other, 001 limping and 003's hand trembling. He would be slower, but she wasn't going to be using her left hand again in this fight, or in a long time to come.

The Numbers watched all of it with impassive gazes. General Tabik's face in 018's grip was a mixture of awed, shocked, and horrified. He had known Queen, or 003 as she was originally known, had been good - he wouldn't have hired her otherwise.

But this... This was far beyond anything he could have imagined. Far beyond human. It was the kind of thing he thought you only saw in movies, because they couldn't be real. 003 was far better than he could have ever hoped.

And 001 was keeping up with her, exchanging cut for cut.

"Haa... Not that I expected anything else, but you've only improved since you disappeared, 001."

Her smile was all but gone. For a moment, 003 just seemed... Tired.

"So have you."

001 spoke as he tested his grip on the butterfly knife. He wasn't as adept with it as with a straight military knife - and by that he meant he could only out-skill 99% of soldiers and mercenaries around the world, instead of a clean 100%. But the inverse was also true for 003.

"But tell me, 001, how did you grow so much? Surely not at SW."

If 003 expected to shake him with the information, she failed miserably. 001 had already expected she would find out.

"I did think that young bodyguard guarding the chairman reminded me of you. But I was so sure you were dead I only considered you might have similar styles. Should have kept an open mind. After all, we Numbers are the proof there's no such thing as impossible in this world, no?"

001 dipped his head slightly. In that, they could agree. What Mad Dog and Camp put them through... There shouldn't have been 40 survivors. Hell, they could have started with a hundred thousand candidates instead of just a thousand, and would have been lucky to get even one Number out of it.

Maybe it was because they were all kids, still malleable. Trainable. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Luck or fate that brought together 40 children who could defy all odds.

003 must have been thinking something along the same line, because she suddenly sneered, but not at 001 or anyone present.

"Look at us now. Of the 40 'chosen ones', only 10 are still kicking. And two of us are trying to reduce that number even more now. Ironic, no?"

001 charged.

His blade glanced off 003's as she raised it to block, but he changed his grip and proceeded to shred her right arm. Cut after cut was left on the limb, from her forearm to her biceps and shoulder.

003 gave as good as she got. Her headbutt broke his nose and left him seeing stars, and her knife bit deep into his side. So deep, in fact, 001 had to stumble back and hold a hand to it to stop the blood flowing out.

It hadn't cut his intestines, he didn't think, but it was a close thing. The wound throbbed in pain, and he knew that of all the new scars he would walk out of this fight with, that would be the worse.

"Hahahaha... You know one thing, 001, 002, everybody? I always knew how I would die. I just never was sure of who would do it. But out of everyone I can think of..."

Standing there with two ruined arms, but refusing to lower her blade, 003 laughed. And for the first time since they started, a smile worked its way onto her face. It was awkward and wrong.

And seeing it, 001, 002, all the Numbers watched and thought that maybe, just maybe, this was perhaps the first real smile 003 had ever given.

"...I'm okay with it being you. Let's go, 001. One last time counts for all."

She charged first, this time. 001 raised his left arm and felt the bullet stuck inside it shift and dig deeper. But he blocked 003's forearm with his all the same, leaving her wide open.

He didn't hesitate. His right hand thrust forward, and 003 looked down at the butterfly knife that was once hers, only the hilt sticking out of her chest, the blade piercing her heart.

"Eh. It wasn't such a bad life."

003 winked at 001, and her legs gave out. Her body would have crumpled to the floor if he didn't catch it.

001 stared at her closed eyes for a long time, still holding her in her arms despite the strain it was putting on his wounds.

Memories flashed in his mind. Of long white hair and a gentle, fake smile. Gunpowder and blood staining already dirty clothes.

Of a hand reaching out to pull him up. Of a calm gaze in a hellish battlefield telling him that she trusted him.

One in particular stood out. The first time he met 003, although her Number had been different back then.

A memory of a younger 001 throwing up after getting beaten and having his lunch stolen by the older kids at Camp. Then someone poking him and crouching in front of his head.

A memory of a younger girl with the same white hair, who ate her lunch in front of him and didn't offer even one forkful.

But who taught him how to break fingers and smiled while she watched him defend his food a week later.

A hand on his shoulder woke him up from his reverie, and 001 looked up to see 002's face close to his. It was still just as blank and cold as always. But there was something in his eyes.

002 shoved 001 aside none-too-gently, and picked up 003's body. His gaze swept over the others, and seemed to challenge them to say something.

"She was a Number once."

Not even 004 contested that. 006 and 018 nodded solemnly, and even 005, still clutching her stomach, stared at the body of the one who shot her with an unreadable expression.

"Bring the prisoner. We will get 001 home. And then 003."

-----------------------

Several kilometers away, 016's fingers trembled on the trigger, and the bullet that was supposed to claim an AA battery operator's life instead tore a piece off the neck of the soldier next to him.

Overcome by a sudden chill, 016 closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he centered his scope again.

His hands were steady.

--------------------------

Pausing while hiding an explosive charge under the engine compartment of a missile carrier truck, 032 looked up at the sky.

His gaze then found 008. The giant of a man had his gun raised to cover 032 in case of enemy fire, and showed absolutely no changes in his demeanor.

Except for the sigh that escaped his lips.

They didn't know how, but somehow both knew it was over.

----------------------

001 was feeling an odd mix of emotions. Something which had become more common after he regained his memories and met his family again, since before he barely felt any emotions at all.

But right now, walking in front of 002, who was carrying 003's body, while 018 pushed General Tabik forward and 006 supported 005, 004 playing with a knife with a sullen look next to them, 001 was feeling one emotion he rarely remembered feeling before.

Regret.

Not for killing 003. That was what needed to be done, and the only way this could have ended.

It was just... A general sense of regret that they ever had to arrive at this point at all.

He wasn't blaming himself for it, beyond the obvious. He had killed her and that was on his hands, and he was okay with it. But he also didn't think it was him leaving the Numbers that prompted her betrayal. As the woman herself admitted, she was already twisted since long before.

He didn't know if he would ever find the source of that regret. Whether it was 003, Camp, Mad Dog, or himself.

He wasn't that interested in searching for it in the first place. His focus was in getting back home to his sister and grandfather.

Which was why, when they arrived on top of the stairs to meet 003's four subordinates in a stand-off with what had to be half of Rajapura's army, he told 004 to cut one of General Tabik's fingers off.

004 went with the left pinky.

The general's screams silenced any protests the soldiers might have before they even began to form. 001's cold gaze swept over them, and he spoke while 018 translated.

"You will let us leave. Once we are safe, we will release General Tabik. For every time you try to stop us, he will lose a finger. For every time you try to delay, he will lose a finger. If you attempt to attack anyway, General Tabik will be the first to die. And if that isn't enough to dissuade you... 006."

The long-haired Number happily lifted the jacket he had pilfered from the stand back in the office - likely a possession of the previous ruler of Rajapura - to show the copious amounts of explosives strapped to his body.

Instantly, the soldiers recoiled and took a few steps back, some going so far as to retreat down the stairs.

Then 006 revealed the detonator he had in the hand he wasn't using to support 005, and the ones who hadn't backed down yet did.

The bag of explosives 005 had brought with her hadn't been left behind. After all, it could only come in handy, and it was, in fact, already proving its worth.

001 continued speaking.

"Before you get any ideas, he isn't the only one."

That was a bare-faced lie. 006 was never planning on living out his role as a suicide bomber, nor was 001 looking to order it. That was just a bluff.

And one bluff was enough. The rest of the explosives were securely packed away in the bag 004 was carrying, in case they actually needed to blow something up.

The threats worked, however. Whether it was because they didn't wish for any further harm to come to General Tabik, or because they feared for their own lives, the soldiers opened a path for the Numbers to walk through.

As for 003's subordinates, they watched the exchange, but their main focus was on the body in 002's arms.

They didn't try to claim it. 003 was their employer, and someone they respected and feared in equal measure, but that was all. They were mercenaries, and they knew when a well had dried up.

Still, they felt a little complicated seeing the bloodied and lifeless corpse of the woman who had subjugated then, be it by charisma, money, or sheer brutally.

The Numbers spared them only a glance as they walked past. In the end, they were just people in the same line of work who happened to be at different sides for today. That might not be the case down the line. Better not to cause any irrevocable hostility.

...

"For General Tabik!"

It happened as they reached the ground floor. Some random officer, probably seeing the bloody and dirty state of the Numbers and believing that meant they were weak - or weaker - shouted and rushed at 018, presumably to wrench General Tabik from his grasp.

Presumably, because he never made it. 001 was moving the moment he shouted the first word, and kicked the officer on the side so hard he felt the ribs giving under his foot.

The man went down like a sack of bricks, all momentum cut, and started retching. He never did throw up, however, because 001 grabbed his head with both hands, one in the back and one in the front, and brutally pulled.

CRACK!

As if the sight of the officer's head turning a full 270 degrees hard and fast enough portions of the skin of his neck broke and started bleeding, the sound of his neck snapping was loud enough everyone could hear it.

A couple soldiers, who had just reactively started to move at the officers call froze.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

They didn't stop fast enough. 005 raise her pistol and squeezed the trigger three times. Their bodies joined the officer and the two hundred or so others the Numbers had already created today.

"Aahhh!"

And of course, they couldn't forget about General Tabik. A ring finger and a middle finger flew off with a sickening squelch.

"One for the first fucker, and- Eh, let's just make it another for those three idiots and call it even. Don't wanna run out of fingers too quickly. The rest of the stuff isn't as fun cutting off."

004 nonchalantly cleaned the blade of his knife on General Tabik's shoulder while the man clutched at his bleeding hand and groaned. 018 dutifully translated his every word.

"Step away."

He didn't need to translate that. 001's gaze conveyed it well enough.

The rest of their way to the front of the presidential palace was unimpeded. Hundreds of soldiers, machine-gun-mounted trucks, three helicopters, and one honest-to-god tank moved out of the way of the group.

If 001 cared, he would have seen mostly shock in their faces, with some surprise, as well as a lot of anger and hatred.

Since he didn't care, 001 signaled to 004 for him to find them a ride. The dark-skinned Number went straight for a jeep, baring his teeth at soldiers and shoving then out of the way with his shoulders, and checked if the vehicle in question was clean.

Once he found no abnormalities, he nodded to the others. In a matter of seconds they were inside the jeep, 004 driving.

They had some trouble at the gates, where a barricade had been set and refused to let them pass, the officer in charge, a colonel from his uniform, yelling in their native language.

006 solved that particular hurdle by putting his arm out of the truck's window, detonator clear for all to see, and pressing it.

A massive explosion rocked the top floor of the presidential palace, the entire main office disappearing in a ball of fire and showering the soldiers below in broken glass and flaming debries.

They opened the gates pretty quickly after that.

Honestly, this was really humiliating for the Rajapuran army and the country as a whole. They had staged - quite successfully - a coup, only for, hours late, lose any prestige they might have in a massive terrorist attack - or at least that was what they would call it.

It was a hell of their own making. If General Tabik hadn't been greedy in trying to prevent foreign intervention and secure assurances of legitimacy for his coup, 001 wouldn't be here, and the Numbers would have waited until 003 was away from the palace to make their move.

And however bad the top brass of the military thought their day already was? It was about to get worse.

The Numbers and their hostage arrived at the airfield about 10 minutes later, followed by dozens of vehicles and shadowed by the three helicopters from above, to find it half engulfed in fire.

006 looked out the windshield and whistled.

"Seems like 032 and 008 took a page put of our book. How did we not hear this many things blowing up?"

005 slapped the back of his head, grimacing as it jostled her wound.

"We had other things to worry about. Now shut up and keep acting like a human bomb."

"Eh, you do know these ones aren't even connected to the detonator, right?"

"I said shut up."

--------------------------

30 minutes earlier.

032 thought they had done fairly well with stealth. With every soldier in the airfield trying to not get their heads blown off by 016, their group had actually managed to get about a third of the way to the plane before they were discovered.

Well, that isn't entirely correct. They were discovered by small pockets of soldiers before that, but 008 and 032 once again showed why they were Numbers by dispatching them before they could scream too much or fire a shot.

The casual trail of bodies they left behind had Major Kang constantly reevaluating just how terrifying Ijin's old friends really were. Even with more and more troops diverted away from the airfield as the situation in the presidential palace escalated, nobody should be able to kill 23 trained soldiers like they were nothing more than toddlers with weapons.

Still, all good things had to end, and their luck ran out when someone found some of the corpses they had left behind and started yelling.

"Eh, fuck it. 008."

"Hm."

The masked giant grunted and plucked a grenade out of his vest. Pulling the pin, he then lobbed it in a random direction, not really caring where it landed.

The where was at the feet of a very confused soldier, who blinked at the round object that had just bounced off the truck next to him. Then he knew no more as the grenade exploded and both of his legs, as well as a good portion of his torso and face, suddenly weren't attached to his body anymore.

Caught in the blast were also two other rank-and-file next to him, as well as a lieutenant who had been sitting on the truck bed to hide from the sniper taking potshots at them. Unfortunately for him, while the flannel tarp blocked 016's vision, it did nothing to stop the shrapnel that tore half of his neck off.

008 was somewhat disappointed when the truck didn't blow up and start a chain reaction. So he threw another grenade in a different direction.

That one took out 3 soldiers and a truck. To be more specific, an airplane refueling truck.

The massive ball of fire that arose from several tons of airplane fuel going up in flames at once threw 008 and everyone else off their feet, and singed the hair of their arms.

It also killed about 30 Rajapuran soldiers, and caused all the others to panic when burning fuel started raining down from the sky.

Major Kang, his men, and even 032 stared at the scene from hell with wide eyes before the latter patted 008's arm.

"Thank god for those muscles of yours. If you had thrown that any closer, we would all be toast."

008 didn't bother correcting him that it was the truck which would have had to been closer for that to happen. No grenade had that much power, as 032 himself could attest, having been caught by one at least once.

Instead, 008 just look at the still shell-shocked Major Kang and hefted his rifle.

"I think subtlety is off the board. We are on your mark, major."

For the nth time that day, Major Kang stared at one of the Numbers as if he wore insane. But then he shook his head violently and pinched himself. Now was not the time to dwell on those thoughts.

"Captain Cha, we need that ladder! The rest of you, split into two groups, stay within 20 meters of each other. Disable the AAs anyway you can while we are making our way towards the plane."

"Yes, sir!"

Crzt!

"Koh Sukjoo, are you there?"

Crzt!

"I'm here, major. But the passengers are panicking. What was that explosion?"

Crzt!

"Not something you need to worry about. Right now, I need you to stand by the front door of the plane. We will be pushing a ladder up to it. When we do, you are to open the door. Our lives will depend on you, Koh Sukjoo."

Crzt!

"Understood, sir! I won't let you down!"

Major Kang didn't think he would. When they met, Ijin sometimes talked about the other SW bodyguard. He seemed to hold a lot of admiration for Sukjoo.

The chaos the explosion had caused worked in their favor, and the next group of Rajapuran soldiers they came across fell before they even realized the South Koreans were there, bodies riddled with bullets.

The ones who came after weren't so easy. Even with 016's sniping and the madness in the background, the gunshots were still loud. And there was a big difference from a sniper far away to a gunfight not 50 meters next to you.

It was a proper resistance that met them, forcing Major Kang to dive to the ground and crawl for the protection of a jeep's engine block. His men similarly scrambled for cover, and started returning fire.

Major Kang himself took down 2 of the Rajapuran troops with well placed shots, and seriously injured a third, who one of his subordinates finished off.

Then, when he raised his body over the vehicle's hood to fire again, Major Kang realized the enemies were all dead. He blinked at 032 and 008.

"You can't waste time on little fries, major. There's a missile carrier that way. 008 and I will take care of it. Keep going towards the plane."

032's face was serious now, his eyes jumping from one side to the other as he swept the surroundings with his still smoking rifle.

Major Kang licked his dry lips and nodded. Just before 032 and 008 slipped away, he called their names. They looked back and he raised his hand weakly.

"Good luck."

"Heh. We don't need it."

---------------------

Watching Major Kang and the South Koreans vanish in the smoke, 032 shook his head.

In all honesty, the 28 men had been more of a burden than of help. Oh, they were good, no doubt, being special forces and all that, but they just didn't work well with Numbers like him and 008.

It wasn't a matter of morals. They actually got past those really fast back in the control tower. It was just that they lacked compatability.

They didn't understand the Numbers, and as such, instead of a single organism working together, it felt more like two trees which grew too close. Their roots tried to work around each other, but there was always some friction and tension between them, and neither could grow to their full potential.

Well, 032 wasn't sure if his analogy fit. That was more 006's area of expertise. But one thing he did know was that now he and 008 could stop acting like babysitters, and fight for real.

The first thing that changed was communication. Almost immediately 032 dropped the cheerful act and stopped talking. He tightened the bandana around the lower half of his face, and waved a fist at 008.

Without a single word exchanged, they seamlessly split up. When a group of nearly a dozen soldiers careened around a corner, he opened fire.

Half of them fell, holes in their heads, necks, and torsos. Each shot lethal and precise, with not a single bullet missing the target or hitting anything that wasn't vital.

The other half of the soldiers turned towards 032, and that was when they too died, their heads spraying blood as they tumbled sideways.

Out of the shadow of a truck appeared 008, who had somehow flanked the soldiers without being seen.

The two Numbers exchanged a nod, then disappeared in different directions again.

Spreading death where they went.

---------------------

016 wasn't sure if the explosion had been intended or not. The first one sure, he recognized a grenade. But the fuel truck blowing up was a bit over the top even for 032.

Although, the youngest of the Numbers always had a flair for the dramatics, so who knew.

The small firefights that followed were a sure sign his allies had abandoned all notions of stealth, and were now moving towards the plane at top speed.

016 could also tell the exact moment his fellow Numbers split from the rest. Even before he found 032 with his scope, the rhythm of the battles had changed. They were fast and brutal, muzzle flashes in the smoke before everything fell quiet for a few minutes, until another skirmish broke out.

All the chaos also meant there was less focus on him. 016 had already eliminated all the snipers for the other side, so his only worry had been system-guided weapons. Missiles in other words, be them truck-mounted or shoulder-carried.

Bzzt!

"032, do you require sniper support?"

It was time to get going.

Bzzt!

"Negative, 016. Come on down. Feel free to slap some of the explosive charges you have on anything you think you haven't disabled enough yet."

He still needed to make his way to the plane. But not before giving the Rajapuran army a parting gift.

016 looked at the head of a Rajapuran major through his scope. Then he swiveled his aim to the other side of the airfield, where the control tower stood.

More specifically, he looked through the glass, at the big red arrow 032 had spray-painted on the wall, pointing to a big block of plastic explosives.

Shooting it would have been fun. Unfortunately, it wouldn't set it off.

The detonator he had would, however. 016 dug it out of his pocket, and almost pressed the button. Then he thought a little better, and took his eye off the scope. No need to blind himself, it would be plenty bright once it was over.

Then he activated the bomb.

The first explosion was in the main room of the control tower, and sprayed the soldiers beneath it with glass and chunks of the building.

The second, third, fourth, and so on followed a heartbeat later, working their way down the tower until not one support pillar had been left intact.

Now missing significant sections of its walls, the control tower seemed to stand still in time for a moment as every eye in the airfield turned towards it. Then the whole structure groaned and collapsed on itself.

016 wasn't sure how many soldiers were buried alive or just outright crushed. His scope found the Rajapuran major again. He squeezed the trigger and watched his head snap to the side before he too crumbled to the ground, not unlike the building.

Now he was done. 016 quickly packed his sniper rifle away and kicked the coil of rope down the side of the ledge he was laying on. Making sure it was secure, he threw his legs over the edge and started rappelling down.

---------------------

With every new explosion that sounded, or gunshot that echoed too close to the plane - a few stray ones having even terrifyingly hit the fuselage - the passengers on the plane cowered and screamed.

If he had to admit it to himself, Koh Sukjoo was also scared, although he kept an impressively good pokerface.

He was Shin Yuna's bodyguard, trained since a very young age to protect her. He had experienced some tough situations, like when she got kidnapped back in the United States, and he got shot trying to rescue her, or when she was taken again in South Korea, and he got stabbed while trying to save her.

So, Sukjoo was no stranger to danger, or even guns and being shot at. But everything since the plane was hijacked had been happening in a scale he couldn't quite comprehend. It was far above anything he had been trained for.

Now, standing next to the airplane's door with Captain Mah Hyagah and stewardess Seo Seol-Ha, Sukjoo peeked through the porthole and saw a scene straight from hell.

There were explosions, bullets flying, people screaming, and absolute unbridled chaos. But most of all, there was fire. Lots and lots of it.

And that was before the highest building in the airfield, the control tower, burst into flames and collapsed.

Sukjoo was so dumbfounded by it that he almost missed the South Korean soldiers pushing up the stairs against the side of the plane. Only when one of them was almost close enough to knock on the door did he wake up.

"Quick, open it!"

Working together, the pilot and stewardess fiddled with the door's mechanism, and it slid open with a hiss.

A soldier stepped through almost immediately, pausing in surprise when he saw the rifle Sukjoo was aiming at his face. Then he smiled.

"You are the bodyguard, right? Good work, kid. You shouldn't trust too easily. I'm Captain Cha Bo-Sik. May we board?"

"Yes, sir!"

When the man spoke Korean, Sukjoo lowered his gun and stepped aside. The army captain quickly entered, followed by two other men.

"Now, please go further inside. We will hold the door."

Pilot Mah Hyagah and stewardess Seo Seol-Ha were quick to obey, the former entering the cockpit while the latter went back to the first compartment. Sukjoo stayed behind.

"What about the others, captain?"

Captain Cha flicked a glance towards him while he and his two men took positions on the sides of the door, muzzles tracking anything that moved outside. Miraculously, it seemed nobody had noticed their approach, although that might have something to do with half of the airfield being on fire.

"They are right behind us. In fact, there they are."

It was hard to see a lot of what was going on. The once well-lit airfield was now engulfed in shadows in some parts where the power lines had been damaged, and way too bright in others where vehicles were burning. The contrast ruined people's vision, and the smoke that was everywhere didn't help.

It was out of that smoke that Major Kang and the remaining 24 South Korean soldiers came.

Sukjoo could tell some of them were hurt almost immediately. Several had to be supported by others, while two were being carried over the shoulders of their comrades.

And one...

"Fuck, Jye-Huk looks bad."

Captain Cha swore under his breath, and Sukjoo thought that was an understatement. The soldier didn't just look bad. He looked dead.

They bounded up the stairs two steps at a time, Sukjoo, Captain Cha, and the two other soldiers squeezing against the walls so they could enter.

By the screams behind him, being flooded by dirty and bloodied soldiers didn't sit well with the passengers, at least until they recognized the flag on their uniform.

Major Kang was the last aboard. He barely glanced at Sukjoo before kneeling and taking a position next to the doors. His weapon was trained on the spot where they had one from.

"C'mon, where are they?"

As if they heard his question, a group of 20 Rajapuran soldiers appeared running, one of them pointing at the plane and shouting.

"Fuck, not you!"

Major Kang cursed, ready to open fire. Behind him, Sukjoo felt his body shaking as he too placed his finger on the trigger. No matter what, those men couldn't be allowed to reach the plane and Yuna.

Just before the major gave the order to fire, they heard gunshots - but not from their position or the enemy soldiers.

It came from further back, and three different directions. Caught in a crossfire, the pack of Rajapuran troops were torn apart, and crumpled to the ground like puppets with their strings cut.

"About damn time."

Major Kang muttered, sounding more relieved than annoyed. Sukjoo stared wide-eyed as three figures appeared and quickly ran towards the plane.

The first was relatively normal. Average height and build, pale hair and green eyes peeking over a bandana. And, of course, the smoking rifle in his hands and the sniper case on his back.

The other two, however, were a lot more distinctive. One was at least a head shorter than Sukjoo. Shorter than Yeongchan, really.

And the other was much taller, built like a barrel, and with a skull mask covering his face.

Both were also armed to the teeth, obviously.

One of them, the first individual, ran up the stairs, and Sukjoo was struck by how young he looked under the bandana. No more than a year or two older than him.

Without a word, the man threw his rifle to one of the soldiers, took the case out of his back, and opened it, pulling out an opaque sniper rifle. Then he laid down right there on the floor of the plane, only the muzzle poking out of the door, and pulled the trigger.

The noise bounced off the walls of the plane and almost made Sukjoo deaf. Even the South Korean soldiers grimaced. But the sniper didn't move an inch. Just ejected the expended cartridge and loaded a new one, before firing and repeating.

The other two figures had stopped halfway up the stairs and at their foot respectively, and were kneeling and aiming, uncaring for the bullets of their ally whistling just a few feet above their heads.

"One down! Fifteen degrees west now, 016!"

Sukjoo couldn't even see who the sniper was shooting at, but the small man in the middle of the stairs was calling out the shots like it was broad daylight.

"Just a little more. A little more."

Major Kang was mumbling under his breath, head tilted to the side as he listened to someone over his earpiece. Then, completely unfit for the situation, a smile bloomed on his face.

"They've done it! Stop firing, 016!"

The sniper already had, having heard the same thing over his comms. 016 sat up, back leaning against the door and sniper resting on his knee, and exhaled.

"Damn. Only managed to get one of the choppers. The others wised up."

Sukjoo blinked. Choppers? As in helicopters? What was he talking ab-

Then he saw it. The chaos in the airfield had hidden it from his senses until now, but once they got close enough, there was no missing the giant convoy of vehicles coming towards the airfield. And they were, indeed, getting tailed by two helicopters. A small ball of fire in the background, insignificant compared to all the others, indicated where the third had gone.

"It's done. We are going home."

Sukjoo looked at Major Kang. The man was still tense, gun still raised and at the ready, but there was a relieved smile on hisbface, which stayed there even as Sukjoo was startled by nearly a hundred Rajapuran soldiers pouring out of the hellscape around them and surrounding the plane.

Only, none of them opened fire, although it looked like they really wanted to.

And, as the convoy entered the airfield, one vehicle far in the lead and expertly dodging the wreckage, the soldiers begrudgingly opened a path so it could come to a stop right in front of the stairs.

When the doors opened, Sukjoo finally understood why.

"Ijin..."

-----------------------

Getting the Rajapuran army to stop their assault on the plane before it even began had been as simple as demanding it over radio, and then sticking General Tabik's left hand, now with only the thumb, out of the window when they refused.

As 004 drove through the airfield, 001 admired the carnage. 032, 016, and 008 had done a number on the place.

The control tower was now just a pile of rubble on the ground, and the main terminal attached to it was actively on fire.

Half-melted wreckage of trucks, jeeps, and an assorted number of airport vehicles dotted the asphalt, along with a good amount of corpses.

There was a particularly big crater where 001 remembered seeing a fuel truck on earlier, in what felt like years, but had to be at most 5 or 6 hours ago.

The plane and its surrounding area was the only spot that looked at least semi-intact. His fellow Numbers had probably made an effort not to damage it, least they hit the plane by accident.

There was a large cordon of soldiers encircling it, but they begrudgingly let their jeep drive past when someone yelled at them asking if they 'wanted to be responsible for General Tabik not having a left hand anymore'.

004 stopped right in front of the stairs, not bothering to turn off the engine. 001 opened the passenger door and stepped out, giving a nod to 008, who was at the bottom of the stairs, and 032, who waved from the middle.

Then his gaze went higher, and he saw 016 sitting against the airplane's door, with Major Kang, some of his soldiers, and Sukjoo behind him. There were also faces plastered in every window of the plane.

001 ignored the stares. Despite his bandana, he was sure many of them recognized him - whether from being his classmates, or from seeing him kill the hijackers on the plane earlier.

Holding his rifle in front of him, muzzle aimed down, but ready to go up and spew death if necessary, 001 examined the faces of the Rajapuran army.

His left hand went up, and he made a circle with his thumb and forefinger, before closing his hand again and then putting five fingers up. 008 went forward and opened the rear door of the jeep, helping 005 get out and supporting her up the stairs.

The rest of the Numbers then climbed out of the truck, 004 from the driver's seat, and 002 carrying 003's body, which elicited grimaces and stern expressions from the Numbers who hadn't been in the presidential palace with them.

006 had discarded his jacket and jumped out with all the - inactive, but nobody needed to know that - explosives strapped to his body clear in view and detonator in hand, mirth in his eyes. He even wiggled his fingers at the officers and soldiers pouring out of the vehicles that had followed them, who grit their teeth in anger.

And last but not least, General Tabik was shoved off the back door, falling face first on the asphalt and cutting his lip. The Rajapuran army made to surge forward, probably instinct more than anything, but ground to a halt when 018 climbed out, deliberately stepping on the general's arm and grinding his heel.

"Ack! Augh..."

Ignoring the groans of pain, 018 pulled the general up and shoved him towards 004, who only too gladly put a knife to his throat and grinned at the opposing army.

"You will clear the runaway for the airplane. Once we are in the air and safely out of range, General Tabik will receive medical treatment. You may later negotiate the terms of his return with the South Korean government."

001 spoke and 018 translated. Watching and listening from the top of the stairs, Major Kang thought that he should be the one doing the talking and dictating the terms, seeing as he was an actual member of the military with the power to do that, and 001, or Ijin, was just a student.

On the other hand, the officers who had followed the group from the presidential palace seemed a lot more terrified and willing to listen to 001.

"That is absurd! You will release the general now and surrender yourselves! Do you have any idea of the magnitude of your actions!? This is an international incident! You can be sure we will seek reparations from South Korea!"

An officer, a colonel by his strippes, blustered, red-faced with anger. 001 shook his head. These people never learned.

"Ahh!"

General Tabik screamed as, yet again, one of his digits was severed. 004's sadistic smile could have matched 003's.

"Maybe it will be more effective if they hear it from the man himself, 001. What do you say, general? What do you value more? Your pride? Or your life? I still have a whooooole hand to play with."

General Tabik trembled, any resistance the man could have mustered long gone.

"S-Stay a-away, colonel! Do as they s-say!"

The Rajapuran army's morale, already brought low by the devastating attacks the Numbers afflicted during the course of the night, hit rock bottom when they saw the famous General Tabik Srendra shaking in fear.

001, never one to miss an opportunity to kick the enemy while they were down, carried on speaking.

"You heard him, colonel. As for international repercussions... You were the ones who hijacked a South Korean plane and kidnapped 225 people, 174 of which are South Korean nationals. You are far past claiming to be the aggrieved party, and this is already an international relationship disaster for you."

His cold glare cowed the colonel into submission. And that was when 032 popped up from his place above them

"It can be made worse, however, if you don't let us go. For example:"

Nobody saw him press anything, but the next second a series of explosions rocked the airfield.

In a flash, a dozen vehicles, an even mix of trucks carrying missiles and AA gun emplacements, went up in flames.

032 smiled.

"Those were just a taste, colonel. Unless you and your men happened to check every vehicle and building while you desperately chased my companions here, it would do you well to assume you are standing in a minefield."

Suddenly, every Rajapuran soldier, officer or otherwise, was looking very nervously at the ground, trucks, and structures around them. They didn't know how much of 032's words were true and how much was a bluff, but who would be willing to bet their lives on it? There were too many bodies who had already made the wrong choice.

For a few tense minutes, nobody spoke. Then 001 raised an eyebrow at the colonel. When that didn't elicit a reaction, he nodded to 004, who placed his blade at the base of General Tabik's remaining pinky.

"Wait! You can go!"

The colonel shouted when General Tabik whimpered. Bitting his lips hard enough to draw blood, he swept a hand to the army.

"Clear the runaway! Let them leave!"

A lot of the soldiers didn't even bother hiding their sighs of relief. In a matter of minutes, there wasn't a single truck blocking the runaway anymore.

001 nodded, and the Numbers made their way up the stairs. He was the last one through the door.

In the crowded entryway of the plane, he was greeted by Major Kang, Sukjoo, and Seol-Ha. The cockpit's door was open, and he saw pilot Hyagah staring at him.

"Put us in the air, captain."

"Aye aye, sir!"

The plane hummed to life and slowly turned around. 001 looked at the army outside. Now, there wasn't much he could do if they decided that General Tabik's life wasn't that valuable. Which was why a little more intimidation was needed.

"032, was that all of your charges?"

"Yup. Mine and 008's. But 016 was also placing his as he came."

The sniper threw 001 the detonator without a word. The Number looked at the little black stick and pressed the red button on top of it.

Just as the plane started gaining speed, a second series of explosions erupted behind them. 001 looked at 032 again.

"Report."

"Eh, we tried our best to get as many AA measures as we could, but a few no doubt are still active. I don't think they have the balls to shoot us down now, though. And we destroyed all their radars, so like they say: 'out of sight, out of their range'."

"I don't believe that's the saying."

"Who cares. Now, everyone should sit down or hold something. Wouldn't do for one of us to break our necks during take-off."

As the plane started to tilt upwards, 001 just slid down to the floor and yawned. Despite his nap earlier, he was dead tired. And also possibly suffering from the effects of blood loss.

"That's us home free. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm gonna raid your pantry."

As the plane leveled, 032 got up and started rummaging through the cupboards. Seol-Ha took one look at the bloody teenager and decided to help him.

"Food is at the back. I can take you there."

Meanwhile, 001 also got up. He gestured for Major Kang and Sukjoo, both of whom wanted desperately to talk to him, to wait just a little bit while he went into the cockpit.

Captain Mah Hyagah was steadily controlling the plane, and tapping away at one of the many panels, setting a new route.

"What's our flight plan, captain?"

He started when 001 slunk next to him, and gave the silver-haired teen a once-over.

"We have just enough fuel to make it to a nearby archipelago which already agreed to let us land. Despite our added passengers, it's not even close to what we are missing in fuel, so weight is not a problem. And your major friend called in a few favors and the government is already in talks with the other side. Apparently they will have an aide meet us there."

001 nodded. He didn't really care about none of that.

"And kid. Ijin, or 001, or whatever your name is? Thank you. I thought we were all dead. I never imagined we would be going home again without a scratch."

001 nodded to the pilot, and exited the cockpit, closing the door behind him.

"Ijin."

"Major."

The others had already left the entryway, leaving only 001 and Major Kang there. They looked at each other for a moment before the major stepped forward and wrapped him in a tight hug. 001 grimaced as his injuries ached, but returned it.

"It's good to see you mostly intact, Ijin. And we will have a lot to talk about later. But for now, rest. You deserve it."

"You should too, major. This wouldn't have been possible without you and your men."

Major Kang looked at 001's still covered face and snorted. That was a lie. Maybe he believed it before, but after everything he saw tonight, he had no doubts their presence had only made it harder for the Numbers.

"Go on."

They ducked under the red curtain and stepped into the first-class compartment. It was full to bursting.

Seats had been appropriated by the Numbers and the South Korean soldiers to lay their wounded and treat them - as well as they could anyway. The first-class seats could recline almost all the way to make makeshift beds.

001's gaze traveled to a pair of seats in the corner, where two sheets covered a pair of bodies. One of them was 003's. The other... He looked to Major Kang.

"You lost someone."

The major grimaced, his eyes red. He didn't say anything as 001 patted his shoulder. Such was the reality of war and real combat.

In another seat was 005, twisting her face in pain as 006 dug into her wound. 001 approached them.

"How bad?"

"Eh, she will live, unfortunately."

"Fuck you, you bastard!"

"Like I said, unfortunately. As far as I can tell, the bullet tore a part of her small intestine, but missed anything else important. It will take time to heal and it will scar, but, eh, it's not like the latter bothers us. Not the first time 005 got shot in the gut either. She'll pull through."

"That's not something you can build immunity to, y'know?"

032 pipped up, returning with an armful of airplane snacks and pre-prepared meals which he dumped in a seat. The Numbers - and indeed a few of the soldiers - partook liberally. No matter how bad airplane food was, it was still better than military rations.

"Don't know about that. Just look at 001. This is like the, what, sixth, seventh time you got stabbed in the gut? He isn't whining as much as 005."

While Major Kang's eyes widened and he turned to 001 - he was covered in so much blood it was hard to say how much was his and how much was others' - 032 just raised an eyebrow.

"003, hum?"

At once, 001, 006, 005, and the other Numbers went quiet. 004 stopped tearing into a strip of jerky he had brought, 018 looked up from roughly dressing General Tabik's stumps - the man was bound and gagged - and 008 and 016 looked over to the corner where 003's body was.

002 kept his eyes closed, as if he were asleep.

001 shook his head solemnly.

"She died a Number."

032 nodded. He disliked 003, maybe even hated her, but he recognized what she once was. One of them.

"That is the one you said you were here for in the first place. You fought her, Ijin?"

Major Kang asked. The other soldiers, and even a few passengers within earshot, looked up. Especially the soldiers. After seeing what 032 and 008 were capable of, they all held a certain amount of respect for capabilities of the woman they never met.

001 didn't take his eyes off the sheet covering 003. He kept silent while 006 finished up wrapping 005's wound. Then he shrugged.

"She was a Number. And a traitor."

That was all he said, and it was enough. 001 got up, and started walking towards the middle compartment.

"I need to talk to my classmates."

004 snorted and muttered something under his breath, and 006 shook his head in exasperation. 032 got up again.

"I'll go with. Someone needs to dress your wounds."

In reality, everyone knew 001 just didn't want to stay there anymore.

"What about the little general? He's no use to us anymore."

004 asked just before 001 crossed the red curtain. The Number looked over his shoulder.

"You can kill him. Just don't make a mess."

...

The middle compartment of the plane had been abuzz with talk, everyone cheering excitedly that they were going home.

It went silent when 001 walked in.

"Ijin!"

Until an ear-bursting scream and a body smashed into 001 at roughly the same time. Yuna wrapped her arms around him and cried into his neck.

He stroked her back gently. Over her head, he exchanged glances with Sukjoo. There was an uncertain smile on the other man's face, but he was also glad to see 001.

It took a long time for Yuna to calm down. When she had, she jumped back and stared quizzically at him. That was when he noticed all of his classmates were doing the same, some a little more fearfully than others.

"What?"

032 slapped him on the back of the head.

"Your mask, you idiot. And your clothes. And your everything, really. You are still 001. They know Yu Ijin."

Ah. He had forgotten that. He looked down at himself and tried to imagine what the others were seeing.

A head of silver hair and a pair of black eyes that glinted amber, which they surely recognized. But that was where it ended. Because beneath that was a black bandana covering his nose and mouth, and under that still were black clothes, torn and in tatters in some places, and stained with blood all around.

His neck, his torso, his arms, his legs, all of them sported cuts, but you couldn't see them under the soot and dirt.

Empty magazines and a grenade hung on his vest, a pistol strapped to his chest and another to his hip, and, to complete the ensemble, an assault rifle was slung over his shoulder.

To his classmates, probably even his eyes were hard to recognize. It was a sign of how worried Yuna was that she ignored the way he smelled and looked like blood and death.

Slowly, one of 001's hands reached for his bandana, and he pulled it down so it hung around his neck. Dried blood flaked off and drifted to the floor with the gesture.

Then Ijin looked up, and smiled weakly.

"Is everyone okay?"

They stared at him, incredulous, then Sukjoo snorted, which prompted Jaehyung, Hyeokjin, and Yeongchan to laugh, and Yuna to let out a strangled gasp. That's when the others joined in.

Not everyone laughed. But enough people did that the heavy air that hung around the compartment felt a little lighter. They all realized that while he may have some very dangerous secrets, he was still the Yu Ijin they knew.

"You are always like that. Worrying about others when you are the one who's hurt."

Yuna admonished, surreptitiously wiping away more tears. 032 snorted.

"So that part of you still the same, hum, memories or no memories. Good to know."

When he said that, Ijin's classmates finally took a good look at him. They had been so focused on Ijin that they almost forgot about him.

"You knew Ijin from when he lost his memory? Wait, before that, I'm sorry, but who are you?"

Yuna asked. Now that she looked at him, he was very young. Younger than her. But he was dressed the same way as Ijin.

"032. It's a pleasure to meet you face-to-face, Shin Yuna. And you as well, Koh Sukjoo. I was always curious to see the people Ijin thought living a normal life was worth for."

Yuna blinked at him. 032 hadn't taken off his mask or hat, nor did he look like he planned on doing so.

"You know me?"

"Uhum. There was a time I was trying to kill 001. I had to know who to hurt to hurt him."

He said it like it was nothing special. They could tell he was smiling under his mask.

Most of them decided to treat it as a joke - or at least try to. Sukjoo slid in front of Yuna, although he wasn't sure he could take 032 in a fight.

Spoiler: he couldn't. Not even close. But luckily he didn't need to, because Ijin jabbed him in the side with an elbow.

"Stop scaring my friends."

"Aww, c'mon, 001! It's not always I get to meet civvies when I'm not undercover. You know 004 and 002 are gonna be much worse than me!"

"I'll tell 006 you are being mischievous."

032 pouted while the others watched the exchange wide-eyed. Now they were even less sure 032 was joking.

"Low blow, 001, low blow. Anyway! You came here to assure your classmates you were alive, now I need you to sit your ass down so I can make sure you stay that way."

That shook Yuna awake. She immediately turned her big eyes to Ijin.

"You are hurt!?"

The silver-haired teen sent an ineffective glower to 032, who grinned unrepentantly under his mask. Sighing, Ijin sat down.

"Don't worry, Yuna, it isn't anything serious."

"I think I remember 006 saying you got stabbed in the gut?"

"What!?"

Now Ijin full-on glared at 032. The other Number, however, just raised an eyebrow in challenge.

"It didn't hit anything vital. What about the three of you?"

032 hummed as he knelt next to Ijin and started rummaging through his pack for medical supplies.

"016 and myself are pretty much unscathed. 008 got cut in the leg, but it isn't very deep. Your side?"

"004's the only one fairly intact. 002 and 006 have scratches, but not much worse. 005 you already know. 018 was shot in the calf, but it was a through-and-through."

"And you?"

Ijin sighed again. Then he slid his rifle off his shoulder and rested it against his seat, before starting to unfasten the straps of his vest.

"Minor cuts, one gunshot to the left arm. Bullet's still inside, you will need to take it out. Stab wound to the right thigh, missed major blood vessels but nicked the bone. And a perforating wound to the lower abdomen. Basing on the pain, it missed my organs, but it's deep. I'll need subdermal stitches."

He rattled off without pause, each word of his causing his classmates to grow more and more wide-eyed. 032 just nodded in agreement with his assessment, not even looking up.

"That seems likely. I'll stitch the surface now and you can get it open and redone at a proper hospital later. As for your arm... Is the bullet easy to dig out?"

"Feels like so."

Ijin nodded while shrugging off his shirt. He never paused to consider the possible reactions of his classmates to all his scars. They had already found out much worse things about him.

Plus, it wasn't like he was ashamed of them. Scars were just scars. He simply hid them because he knew people would get curious. That, and feel pity, which was stupid, because it wasn't like the alternative - dying - was better than a few marks on his skin.

"Ijin..."

Just like that. Ijin looked up to see Yuna with her hands covering her mouth and tears in her eyes.

He simply laid his head against the backrest and closed his eyes as 032 poked at his injured torso and started cleaning the wound.

It was going to be a long flight.

...

Actually, it wasn't that long. 90 minutes after they left Rajapura, the plane started its descent.

Ijin was back in first class by the time the plane landed. It had been agreed with the local government that they would simply be refueling so they could go directly back to South Korea, so most passengers wouldn't even leave their seats.

There was a handful of additional passengers, picked up back in Rajapura, who would be disembarking here, however.

As the door opened, Ijin, bandana back in place and looking for all intents and purposes like one of the Numbers, watched as his comrades left.

002 was the first down the stairs, carrying 003's covered body in his arms. Neither men said a word to the other.

004 followed with a sneer to Ijin, while 016 nodded a goodbye. 008 and 018 patted his shoulder and back and smiled under their masks.

Next was 006, who lightly punched Ijin's chest. His back turned to those waiting outside, he very quickly pulled down his bandana and smiled.

"See you around, 001."

"You better hope I don't. Just go live your life and stop getting into messes we have to pull you out of, 001."

005, who was leaning heavily on 006, scowled. They would be taking her directly to one of the doctors connected to the mercenary world. She would be okay.

"005's just grumpy 'cause the morphine wore off. It was nice to see you, 001. Maybe one day we can meet again in more peaceful circumstances. Tell Dayun I said hi."

032 was the last, waving merrily to Ijin before he walked down the stairs and someone closed the doors.

The Number turned around, passing Captain Mah Hyagah and stewardess Seo Seol-Ha, as well as Major Kang Hamchan, and found a seat.

He missed his family.

...

A couple hours later, the plane was landing in Seoul. Ijin thought they would be going to a military airport, so the soldiers could disembark and the civilians be debriefed, and he was surprised when they instead landed at SW's private airstrip.

He stayed seated while the passengers disembarked. His classmates sent looks his way, but he just waved them through. According to Sukjoo, SW's personnel would lead them to a hospital for a check up, and then take them home.

It was only after the bulk of the passengers was gone that the real reason they landed on the SW airport was revealed. Out of a black sedan that had been quietly waiting stepped Shin Jiyeh, Team 2 Leader, Team 3 Leader, and finally the Chairman's aide, followed by the old man himself.

Yuna and Sukjoo had held back, and the girl rushed to her grandfather's side. The white-haired magnate, who rarely displayed affection, pulled her into a hug, much to her surprise.

Sukjoo was quietly talking to Team 3 Leader, his head down. The last thing Ijin saw before someone blocked his vision was Jiyeh putting a hand in Yuna's shoulder.

"You don't need to go down if you don't want to."

Major Kang said, and Ijin nodded gratefully. Although he had misunderstood the reason for his hesitation, the concern was appreciated.

"That is not a problem. I was just considering how much to tell them."

"And what have you settled on?"

"A redacted version of the truth. The whole truth would be dangerous. But they have taken care of me. And Yuna and Sukjoo are my friends. They deserve to know. And so do you, major."

It was Major Kang's turn to nod gratefully. He was moved Ijin trusted him enough to include him, although he shouldn't have been.

"I have to make sure my men are taken care of first. Although none of them are in critical danger, some have suffered quite serious injuries. And I have to see to it that Jye-Huk's body is transported properly. Plus, there is the matter of him."

Major Kang gestured with his head towards the bound and gagged form of General Tabik. He had stopped 004 from killing him in hopes of avoiding an even bigger international incident, but it was still going to be a pain.

"Eh, I'm sure everything will be alright. But for now, you should go down, Ijin. They are waiting."

The silver-haired teen nodded. Major Kang tapped his shoulder, and, as he walked down the corridor to the door, the soldiers he passed by did the same. A sign of respect for someone who had fought alongside them.

The SW Chairman, his aide, both team leaders, Shin Jiyeh, Shin Yuna, and Koh Sukjoo were all standing in a row, waiting for him.

Ijin didn't realize it, but he cut quite the striking figure, even to those powerful people. Although he had washed the blood off his hands and face, he was still wearing the same ragged clothes, and ingrained habit meant he was armed to the teeth.

None of the people across from him were worried. They all knew Ijin - maybe less than they initially thought, but they did. But it was still intimidating. He looked like he had just walked out of a warzone - which he had.

"Ijin, it's good to have you home. My granddaughter tells me without you no one would have escaped. Once again, I am in your debt."

The Chairman was the first to move. He grabbed Ijin's right hand with both of his and shook it, much to the shock of the others. Ijin was quick to shake back.

"I only did what I had to do, sir."

"Ha! I didn't believe that the other times, I certainly don't now. You went above and beyond anything I could have asked of you."

Ijin scratched his cheek.

"It involved my past."

The Chairman looked more serious at that, and nodded solemnly.

"So I have heard. And I would like to talk more about it later. But for now, you should greet the others. Jiyeh and the team leaders have been worried sick about you."

If it had been Yuna he was talking about, she probably would have blushed and chastised him. But Shin Jiyeh smiled as she gave Ijin a once-over.

"I have always felt you were over qualified for being a simple bodyguard, Ijin, but if half of what I have heard is true... Hahaha. Anyway, it's good to have you back."

Jiyeh laughed lightly and rested a hand on his shoulder. Then her expression changed to something softer.

"And... I heard one of Hamchan's men gave their life in this mission. Thank you for bringing him back."

Ijin looked at her, and saw real gratefulness in her eyes. He smiled.

"The major is a very skilled man."

"Ha! There you go, singing him praises again. You two really are two peas in a pod, you know?"

Jiyeh laughed again, and stepped back. Ijin then looked at Team 2 Leader and Team 3 Leader.

"Trainee bodyguard Yu Ijin reporting, sirs."

"Hahahaha!"

"Really, you..."

They laughed, and smacked him in the back. Team 3 Leader specially looked like he was about to say something, probably in relation to Yuna, but stopped himself. Instead, it was the leader of team 2 who spoke.

"Almost a year ago, after the incident when Miss Yuna was kidnapped along with your sister, Team 3 Leader and I spoke and agreed that you were likely a trained professional, with extensive real life experience. We had not expected this. Sukjoo says there were at least 600 soldiers surrounding the plane, and no doubt plenty more around. That you managed to fight your way through them... Normally I would say it is nothing short of of miracle, but we both know that doesn't apply to you."

Ijin licked his lips at the genuine praise, not missing the probing question hiding in it.

"You are both right that I possessed previous experience."

"But this isn't the place to talk about it. Ijin is tired, and, from what I can see, injured."

The Chairman cut in, and Team 2 Leader respectfully backed down.

"There is still one more matter to resolve before we can go."

The old man looked past Ijin, a more grim look on his face. The mercenary turned around, and saw Major Kang dragging General Tabik towards them.

"So this is the man responsible for the kidnapping of my granddaughter."

The Chairman's gaze could have frozen fire. And General Tabik, despite having no idea who he was, had long since given up any notions of resistance. The Chairman looked disgusted.

"What a sorry state."

"It was needed to ensure the cooperation of his subordinates."

Ijin responded without missing a beat. That was when Major Kang, who had been communicating with Jiyeh with his gaze, interjected.

"Sir, I have just been instructed to refer to you in all aspects related to the hijacking and subsequent rescue of the hostages. SW will be taking care of this matter?"

The last was a question. Major Kang was acutely aware of just how powerful SW was. If they wanted to take care of this privately, even with hundreds of people involved, they could.

"It was asked of me, and I happily agreed, major. As far as the citizens of South Korea, and the rest of the world, are concerned, the plane was hijacked by extremist terrorists, who were subdued by an anonymous hero passenger. The military and government were never involved."

Major Kang wanted to contest that - one of his men had died in a foreign land - but he could see the wisdom of it. This would become a much bigger incident if news spread and South Korea officially acknowledged it.

"What about General Tabik Srendra then, sir?"

The Chairman's eyes were cold.

"General Tabik has never set foot in South Korea, major. I have no idea what happened to him, and will extend my deepest condolences to the new Rajapuran government should the need arise. Or my congratulations, as it is more likely."

There was a moment of silence as most everyone in earshot felt a shiver go down their spines. What the Chairman was implying - no, ordering - was very obvious.

Still cold. And something Major Kang's soldier heart struggled to come to terms with.

So it was a good thing the Chairman wasn't looking at him when he spoke.

In a fluid movement, Ijin drew his pistol, aimed it at General Tabik's forehead, and pulled the trigger.

Yuna, Sukjoo, Jiyeh, and the team leaders jumped back. The Chairman and his aide didn't even flinch. Ijin turned to them.

"There are eleven others in the cargo hold. Should I dump him with them?"

004, annoyed that Major Kang hadn't let him kill the general, had gone down to play with the last surviving hijacker at some moment.

"No need. I will have people take care of it. Thank you, Jin."

In their shock, the others bar Major Kang missed how the Chairman addressed Ijin. Sukjoo and Yuna were somewhat prepared for it, but Jiyeh and the team leaders were giving Ijin entirely new looks.

The Chairman clapped his hands.

"Ijin, I believe your wounds may need more advanced medical care. I will order us some food and we can talk at the hospital. Shall we?"

...

Two hours later, in a very big, very expensive private room in SW's hospital, Ijin was sitting on his bed, covered nearly head-to-toe in clean bandages.

Although he had suffered only three wounds that could be considered major, there had been plenty of small ones, most from his fight with 003. The cut to the back of his left hand and his broke nose were some notable mentions.

He had added quite a few scars to the ones that peeked from under his hospital gown.

In the room with him was the same group from the airport, including a much cleaner Major Kang, who had found the time to shower while Ijin was getting patched.

There was also a large spread of food that was wholly inadequate for a hospital, and upon which Ijin, Major Kang, Yuna, and Sukjoo were eagerly gorging. None of them had eaten more than a handful of military rations and airplane snacks in the last 22 hours.

And to think that only that much time had passed since their plane first took off, full of tourists and students on a class trip.

"Alright, Ijin. You have been treated, eaten, and rested. I do believe it is now time for you to give me some answers for the questions I asked when we first met."

Ijin lowered his bowl. Fair was fair. And the Chairman had already humored him enough by letting someone with a dangerous and unknown past such as him into his organization, and in the company of his granddaughters, for so long.

"As you all know, I was in a plane crash when I was 9. I was the only survivor, but I lost my memory."

The people in the room nodded. They had all either been told that by him, or investigated it.

"And as some of you know, during the 10 years I suffered from amnesia, I worked as a mercenary in the Middle-East."

Jiyeh and the team leaders' eyes widened. They hadn't known that. Although, considering where his plane crashed, it made sense. A lost kid with no memories wouldn't have lived an easy life in a war-torn foreign land. It was a miracle he survived 10 years of that.

"What none of you know, is that my time as a mercenary encompasses only the later 5 years of my life."

"What? But you said-"

Yuna interrupted, but her grandfather cut her off with a look. Let Ijin tell his story, it said.

"Before I continue, you should know that what I am about to tell you is dangerous. Deadly, and in some cases worse than death. I have a lot of enemies who would stop at nothing to hurt me if they found out I was still alive. And that includes hurting you to get to me."

Had Ijin said this before the events of the past 24 hours, Jiyeh would have laughed. What enemies could a kid possibly had that were so dangerous?

Now, though? She just listened and nodded along with the others. Ijin sighed and rested his back on the pillows.

"I was known as Mercenary Jin. My name was the first, and for a long time the only thing I remembered of my life. But during the 5 years before that, I had a different name."

"001. That's what your friends, the ones you said were family, called you."

Sukjoo said. His gaze was on Ijin, so he missed how the Chairman stiffened. However, no one could miss the shakiness in his voice when he spoke.

"I-Ijin... Are you saying you were a Number? And 001 on top of that?"

While the others looked curious, Ijin turned his head to stare at the Chairman.

"You've heard of us."

"As warnings of who I should never anger. Numbers... They- You- Were the demons of Camp. But I thought you had disbanded. Rumor is you were all dead."

Ijin shrugged, although it hurt - and he wasn't talking about his injuries.

"Most of us are. Only 10 are left. 9 now."

"The ones who were reported to have aided you and Major Kang in Rajapura..?"

"Yes. They were there for 003. She was a traitor. It was a coincidence we were in the same place. We try to meet as little as possible."

The Chairman nodded thoughtfully.

"Because you've left it behind, and if they stayed around, it might lead others to you. Now I understand why you said this knowledge was dangerous. Many around the world hold grudges against Camp, and most of all the Numbers."

"Err... Can someone explain what Camp and Numbers are?"

Jiyeh cleared her throat in consternation. The Chairman wiped his forehead and apologized. He had lost his decorum.

"Of course, Jiyeh. I'm sorry, I was simply shocked. Ijin, if you don't mind I can explain?"

The silver-haired teen tipped his head in affirmative, and the Chairman crossed his fingers as he turned to to other occupants of the room.

"It is destroyed now, but for nearly 3 decades, Camp was considered the height of mercenary organizations around the world. They restrained their activities mostly to the Middle-East and north of Africa, but they were famous worldwide for being the best at what they did. And what they did... Was pretty much anything."

He paused to take a sip of water.

"You aren't familiar with this dark facet of the world, so there is something you have to understand. Mercenaries are different than organized armies or private military companies. They don't have the same set of rules and order. Some don't have it at all. Mercenaries are famous for doing anything as long as the price is right."

Major Kang nodded along. He had gone in plenty of operations in the Middle-East, like the one where he found Ijin, and could confirm the Chairman's description.

"But usually, even mercenaries have lines they don't cross. Not all of them, but most do. And Camp... Camp was famous for crossing any and all lines. They did anything to complete a contract. From standard mercenary fare like fighting other armed groups, to bombing civilian structures to take out one target. As long as the pay was good, they would do anything. True mercenaries, in a sense. It was that cruelty and ruthlessness that earned Camp its reputation and spot as one of the world's best in that line of work."

His audience listened with rapt attention.

"But that wasn't enough for the people who ran Camp. They wanted to be the undisputed best. So, about 8 or 9 years ago, rumors spread that they were planning something big. A new unit that would take them to a global scale. I paid attention to it because it was right when I started to consider getting into the munitions business. But the rumors died down, and there was no sign of the fabled new unit. Until a year later, when the Numbers appeared, seemingly out of nowhere."

The sneaked a glance at Ijin, but the young man had his eyes closed. He was listening, but he had also lived the story.

"When Camp claimed the Numbers were theirs, not many believed it at first. The way they operated was too different. Camp was loud, they boasted about every little victory they had, every massacre they committed. The Numbers were the exact opposite. They announced their name only so their reputation could grow. Other than that they were quiet, quick, efficient. In and out in multiple locations all around the world at the same time, never firing a shot or killing one person more than was strictly necessary."

Ijin remembered that time. Those had actually been training operations for the Numbers. Before there were only 40 of them. Mad Dog had been pissed when people started comparing the Numbers and Camp as if they were separate entities.

"But make no mistake, one thing the Numbers were above all was committed. They never failed a mission. And if the clean, efficient plan they had initially didn't work out? They weren't shy about carving a path in blood and body parts."

Siyeh looked at Ijin. He would have been 11 or 12 in her grandfather's story. She almost wouldn't believe, if only she hadn't seen him shoot a man in cold blood not a few hours ago.

"When the Numbers started destroying enemies of Camp with ruthless perfectionism - down to the last man, woman, and dog - then we believed they were one and the same. And for the next 7 years, until just a few months ago, when Camp was destroyed, the Numbers were known as the best mercenaries in the world - a spot they earned with laurels."

The Chairman paused, and looked at Ijin.

"I promised myself I would never ask that. But just how many people have you killed, Ijin?"

The silver-haired teen opened his eyes. He met each of their gazes, cataloging all rhe different emotions he saw.

Then shrugged.

"Thousands. Like you said, Camp was ruthless. And we were Camp's sharpest fangs. Anyone we were told to kill, man or woman, old or young, combatant or civilian, it didn't matter, we killed."

He said it so nonchalantly, as if it didn't matter at all. And the truth was, for him it didn't. The choice back then hadn't been who to kill. It had been how many he had to kill to survive.

"T-That's horrible!"

Yuna gasped, tears in her eyes, and Ijin shrugged again. If she was crying now, she wouldn't be ready for the rest of the story.

"It was life as a Number. We weren't people. We were weapons. I still am one, most of the time. I simply don't have a master anymore."

No one quite knew how to respond to that. The Chairman released a deep breath.

"I have said what I know. Now it is your turn, Ijin. How did you come to be one of the Numbers?"

"The same way all the others. Some were taken from the streets, other from orphanages or sold by their families. There were even a few more like me, who suffered accidents and had no one left, although I was the only one with no memory. But we all arrived at Camp the same way. Thrown there and supposed to die in a few days. But the ones who struggled, like I did, sometimes lived."

Ijin looked at the ceiling. He hadn't expected the memories. But then again, he had never talked with anyone about this.

"All in all, there were a little over a thousand of us. Taken from everywhere around the world, the ones nobody would miss or remember. Kids, the oldest no more than 14. And the youngest... Major, Yuna, Sukjoo, you've met him. 032 had just turned 6 when he arrived, a few weeks after me. Or at least he thought he had. Living on the streets made it hard for him to keep track of dates."

Major Kang remembered the cheerful kid who killed without blinking. Yuna and Sukjoo the masked man who had stitched Ijin back together in front of their eyes.

"A thousand kids. That was Camp's bet. That by training this many of us since a very young age, something worthwhile would come out. And in a way, it did. Us. The Numbers."

"That is... How could something like that be allowed!? How could no one notice!?"

Team 2 Leader nearly screeched. To think that not just Ijin, but so many other children had gone through that.

"Nearly half a dozen kids go missing in Korea every day, team leader. And if you take them from where no one is looking... Well, if a child is already living on the streets, who will care if they aren't there anymore?"

It was the reality everywhere. They might not like it, it might disgust and repulse them, but it was.

"After three years of training, Camp got what it wanted. 40 living weapons who could put any spec ops team in the world to shame, and already had more blood in their hands than most career soldiers would see in their lifetimes."

"Wait, 40? But you said they took a thousand of you. What happened to..."

Yuna trailed off at the look Ijin gave her, the answer obvious even if she didn't want to see it.

"Camp didn't have the concept of failure. We lived day by day. Complete the task you were assigned that day, and you lived."

Not always, but Ijin didn't feel the need to add that.

"If you didn't complete the task, or failed the training, or got hurt and it would take too long to heal. Or if the instructors didn't like you or were just bored. You died. Most of the times at the hand of another prospective Number. They liked to pit us against one another so we wouldn't develop things like emotion."

That hadn't quite worked out for Camp. Sure, 99% of the time the Numbers were emotionless killing machines who followed orders to a tee. But even then they had managed to develop a sense of camaraderie - not enough that they wouldn't kill one another if needed, but enough that Camp couldn't fully control them.

"There is a lot more to the story that honestly I don't feel the need or want to tell. It isn't relevant to you, nor trauma I want to relieve or inflict on you. Suffice to say, after 5 years at Camp and 2 years as a Number, my memory started to come back. I faked my death and left. It was also the day 003 betrayed us and killed 26 of my comrades, but I only found out that after I was already back here. I then worked as a mercenary for another 5 years while my memory slowly returned."

His gaze turned to Major Kang, who had a look of understanding in his face.

"I accepted a commission to rescue a squad of captured Korean soldiers, simply because I spoke the language. During the operation, my position was hit by a mortar. It jogged the rest of my memories. With the help of Major Kang, I returned home. And the rest you know."

Staring at each other the faces around him and taking in their reactions, Ijin laid down and closed his eyes.

"There is more to the story, but nothing you need to know, or can know without being in more danger. Now, I am tired, and would like to rest."

He wasn't sure what the future would bring, but he was asleep before they left the room.

That night, Ijin dreamed of 001, and 001 dreamed of Ijin. Neither knew who was the real one.

...

One last thing, because this is a story where a bad man receives a good ending.

Ijin opened the door to the house and slipped out of his shoes. He could hear two people talking in the dining room. His lips curled up in a smile.

"I'm home."