The Cop Is Too Strong [EN]: Chapter 187

< #187. It's Hard to Quit. >

Haru and Hae-soo moved with purpose.

With gunshots fired and the elevator wrecked, the incident was beyond a simple cover-up.

Haru carefully wiped the gun clean of fingerprints before handing it to Shin Hae-soo. Supporting him as they descended the stairs, they encountered police officers responding to the reported disturbance.

Hae-soo instinctively reached for his police ID, but a wry smile touched his lips as he looked at his injured hand and then at Haru.

Haru swiftly retrieved Hae-soo’s wallet from his pocket and displayed his police ID to the approaching officers.

Simultaneously, Hae-soo spoke, his voice strained but firm.

“Shin Hae-soo, Team 4 of the Gangjin Police Station’s Violent Crimes Unit… I was attacked. The assailant fled. I’ll provide the details later.”

One of the officers recognized Hae-soo and nodded, immediately clearing a path for them.

Haru had already contacted Ahn Seo-eun, ensuring Hae-soo was rushed into surgery upon arrival at the hospital. While Haru waited anxiously in the surgery waiting room, Hae-soo’s fellow detectives burst in.

“Haru-ssi!”

“What happened?! How’s our Dol击 [TN: Dol击, literally ‘charge/assault,’ Hae-soo’s nickname, implying his aggressive pursuit of criminals] doing?! Where is he?!”

“Detective-nim, are you alright? Who would dare attack a detective?!”

“Well…”

When Haru explained that Hae-soo was undergoing emergency surgery for severe injuries, the detectives erupted in outrage. Even Woo Kang-cheol, the youngest and usually most composed, pounded his chest like a gorilla, yelling.

“Aaaargh!! Which bastard did this!”

“Hey, quiet down, you punk! If the doctor gets startled and something goes wrong during surgery, I’ll personally rip your throat out.”

As if on cue, the surgery room door creaked open, and a nurse peeked out.

“Please keep the noise down.”

“Ah, yes, yes, sorry. I’ll shut this guy up. We’re just… really upset.”

Despite their gruff exteriors, Haru could feel the genuine affection they held for Hae-soo.

Hae-soo’s current injury was the most serious he’d sustained in his career as a police officer.

The surgery to repair his shattered hand bones and reconnect severed blood vessels alone lasted eleven grueling hours.

After the surgery, he was moved to a VIP room. The doctor informed them that the recovery period would be at least three months, and there was a possibility he might not regain full use of his hand.

* * *

The next day.

Only Haru and Hae-soo remained in the VIP ward.

While the surgery was underway, the detectives, unable to sit still, had left to gather evidence and track down the assailant responsible for Hae-soo’s condition.

Haru stood before Hae-soo, her head bowed, unable to find the right words.

When she had encountered Manager Ma on the stairs, she could sense, despite the lack of visible wounds, that he was significantly injured based on his expression, breathing, and gait. The thought gnawed at her that she could have apprehended him if she had acted decisively.

If she had, she wouldn’t be plagued by the anxiety of not knowing when he might strike again.

But now, she couldn’t abandon Hae-soo to pursue Manager Ma. The risk of him attempting to assassinate Hae-soo in her absence was too great.

Consumed by regret and guilt, she couldn’t bring herself to meet Hae-soo’s gaze.

Hae-soo studied her intently before finally speaking.

“Are you okay?”

Haru flinched, her shoulders twitching as she lifted her head.

“Yes? Ah, yes, I’m not hurt. I’m sorry. I should have caught him…”

Hae-soo shook his head gently.

“No, you did the right thing. Don’t take unnecessary risks. If you had rushed in, we both might not be here now.”

Haru couldn’t argue with that.

She knew that the odds of both of them dying in a reckless attack against an injured Manager Ma were far greater than the chance of successfully capturing him.

“…The doctor said my body is fine, except for a few broken ribs…”

Hae-soo couldn’t bring himself to tell her to leave.

Both of his hands were encased in casts, and his broken ribs severely limited his mobility.

In contrast, Manager Ma had all his limbs intact. He might be wounded, but whether he came himself or sent other assassins, Hae-soo was virtually defenseless in his current state.

He needed Haru.

He couldn’t explain why, but her small shoulders felt incredibly reassuring at that moment.

“Haru, the gun…”

Hae-soo’s voice cracked, a weary tone she had never heard before, even after his most grueling late-night shifts.

Haru’s eyes widened, and tears pricked at their corners. She blinked once and replied.

“I returned it. Section Chief Kwak returned it on your behalf, saying you had it because you were investigating a case.”

“I see.”

He could imagine how it had played out.

No one had been shot, and given the circumstances, Section Chief Kwak likely believed the gun had been used in a justifiable situation. He had used his authority to cover up Hae-soo’s unauthorized retrieval of the weapon.

“I’ll stay here. Until Hae-soo-nim is fully recovered.”

“…Okay, thank you.”

Hae-soo nodded, accepting her offer.

He knew that now that he was a clear target of the Seven Stars Society, both he and Haru would be in danger if the company’s top enforcers came after them.

Since Manager Ma had recognized Haru, they might send even more formidable opponents.

Protecting him now meant risking her own life.

At that moment.

Knock knock-

-May I come in?

The voice was unfamiliar yet somehow familiar. Hae-soo gave his consent, and the door opened, revealing two welcome faces.

“Hello…”

“Inspector Shin!! What happened!”

A woman with a sharp bob haircut and large, clear eyes, Jo Ara, the team leader of the Gyeonggi Northern Province Violent Crimes Unit, entered hesitantly.

Behind her, a middle-aged man pushed past her, rushing forward. It was former Commissioner Jo Gam-chan, now fully retired from the police force.

A gold badge was pinned to his lapel.

“Commissioner…?”

“Are you alright? Who did this? Have they caught them yet?!”

Behind Jo Gam-chan, four men with an intense aura were vaguely visible. They were presumably plainclothes bodyguards.

“Yes, I’m fine. But how…”

“I rushed here as soon as I heard the news. My daughter was passing by, so I asked her for a ride. Ah, these men are members of the KNP-SWAT [Korea National Police Special Weapons and Tactics]. I’m leaving them here until Inspector Shin recovers.”

Hae-soo’s mouth fell slightly open at Jo Gam-chan’s bombshell.

The Korea National Police Special Weapons and Tactics (KNP-SWAT), who were they? They were the elite of the elite, composed of individuals from special forces or UDT [Underwater Demolition Team] backgrounds who had further honed their skills.

He was assigning top-tier personnel, usually occupied with VIP protection or high-stakes missions, as bodyguards for a low-ranking detective.

Even a current commissioner wouldn’t have the authority to do this. It seemed to be the power of the badge on his lapel.

Hae-soo couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

With the KNP-SWAT armed and present, even Manager Ma wouldn’t dare to attack recklessly.

And since they were extremely discreet about their identities, they wouldn’t risk exposure by attacking in a situation where attention was so focused.

* * *

Inside the company’s private treatment room.

Manager Ma sat on the bed, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his powerful hands, his brow furrowed in pain.

Each time he exerted force, he felt a sharp tingling sensation, and his left side throbbed even when he remained still.

He replayed his fight with Shin Hae-soo in his mind.

‘How long has it been since I’ve been injured like this…’

It had been over a decade since he had even suffered a minor scratch, let alone a significant injury.

As he recalled Shin Hae-soo’s resilience and skill, he even felt a grudging respect.

He had dedicated himself to creating combat-proficient killing machines, yet someone who surpassed them was living among ordinary people.

Knock knock- Creak

A knock preceded the entrance of Team Leader Ha, his snake-like eyes glinting.

“Are you feeling better?”

Barely half a day had passed. There was no way he could be feeling better. However, Team Leader Ha’s tone suggested he was addressing a patient well on the road to recovery.

Manager Ma straightened his back and puffed out his chest slightly as he replied.

“I’m fine.”

“As expected, you’re amazing. The doctor said it would be difficult to even walk in that condition…”

These were words even Manager Ma hadn’t heard. He knew his condition from the doctor, yet Team Leader Ha conveyed his concern with a subtly negative undertone, grating on his nerves.

But more than that, he was suspicious of Team Leader Ha’s uncharacteristic visit.

Team Leader Ha never showed his face without a hidden agenda.

“What’s the matter?”

“Ah…”

Unusually, Team Leader Ha pulled up a chair and sat facing Manager Ma, lowering his voice.

“I reported the incident to Teacher Cheon, and he’s very concerned. So… he suggested you take some time to recuperate and change your scenery by being dispatched to the Vietnam branch for the time being.”

Manager Ma’s eyes narrowed momentarily before returning to normal.

Teacher Cheon had never sent Manager Ma on an external assignment since appointing him as his chief of staff.

Even during work hours, he always instructed him to remain nearby, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

But a dispatch to another country, not just another city? This was tantamount to stripping him of his position.

Stripping him of his position meant resignation.

In this world, resignation meant death.

Manager Ma slowly nodded.

“I understand. I’ll prepare.”

Team Leader Ha, with his usual sly smile, observed Manager Ma’s reaction closely before widening his smile.

“I’m glad your intentions align with Teacher Cheon’s. You truly are the best partner. Teacher Cheon will be pleased as well.”

Manager Ma silently rose from his seat and put on his coat.

Seeing this, Team Leader Ha immediately added.

“I’ll escort you home.”

“Okay.”

Following Team Leader Ha’s lead, they headed towards the back door of the treatment room. A black sedan was parked at the entrance, and three company employees in black suits stood waiting.

One first-class company employee and two second-class company employees, individuals whose time was usually too valuable to spare, seemed an excessive escort.

As if reading Manager Ma’s thoughts, Team Leader Ha offered an explanation.

“There were orders to prioritize security due to your injury.”

One of the employees spotted Manager Ma and opened the back door for him.

Team Leader Ha personally closed the door and smiled at Manager Ma through the window, bowing slightly.

“Then, please get home safely.”

Manager Ma nodded almost imperceptibly and closed the window.

Vroom-

The black sedan smoothly pulled onto the road.

The ride to Manager Ma’s house was filled with suffocating silence. Cars were scarce on the road, and soon a fork appeared.

Manager Ma spoke, his voice heavy.

“Turn the car around.”

At his words, the three men almost simultaneously widened their eyes. However, they quickly regained their composure, and the driver asked calmly.

“What’s the matter?”

“I didn’t say goodbye to Teacher Cheon. I need to say goodbye.”

He was ordering the car, which was heading home, to go to Teacher Cheon.

With this, Manager Ma’s intentions were clear. He had no intention of resigning willingly.

This time, the company employee sitting next to Manager Ma spoke.

“Teacher is busy with external schedules.”

External schedules? There was no way a mere second-class company employee would know Teacher Cheon’s schedule.

Manager Ma spoke, his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror.

“Turn it around, Dong-shik.”

An earthquake seemed to occur in the pupils of the driver, Dong-shik. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

His opponent was Manager Ma, the strongest in the company, classified as a non-standard grade, even if he was seriously injured.

He had been confident when he received the order, but seeing him in front of him, he couldn’t help but hesitate.

Swoosh-

The company employee in the passenger seat subtly drew a karambit [a small, curved knife] from his inner pocket. He made eye contact with the driver, Dong-shik.

At that moment, Dong-shik understood. Even if he didn’t attack now, Manager Ma would never let him live.

There was only one option.

Screech-!

Dong-shik slammed on the brakes and jerked the steering wheel, and at the same time, the company employees in the passenger seat and the back seat drew their knives and lunged at Manager Ma.

Crash-!!

The back window shattered, and the company employee’s head popped out.