The Cop Is Too Strong [EN]: Chapter 88

I gleaned a few crucial details this time, regarding the existence of a man known as Number 11 and Haru’s past.

There’s a training center dedicated to cultivating executive-level operatives. It’s simply called the Company. Haru originated from this place.

Red Moon was connected to the Company but was ultimately severed.

In essence, the Company is linked to my father’s death. He was likely assassinated by an executive-level operative from there.

Initially disguised as a suicide, I suspected it wasn’t a straightforward death, but I never imagined such a deep and extensive conspiracy was involved.

Haru remained motionless for a long time, seated on the outdoor terrace, her knees drawn up to her chest.

Hae-soo placed a straw into a container of banana milk and offered it to Haru.

“Let’s take a few days off from bodyguard duty.”

“Yes…”

Haru nodded faintly. Even if Number 11 is unable to communicate, the Company will undoubtedly suspect his actions and search for any trace of him.

It’s prudent to exercise caution, even in Instructor Ma’s absence.

For the time being, Haru resolved to remain indoors.

Hae-soo visited Madam Yoo after a considerable interval. The prison warden facilitated their meeting in the visitor’s room.

She still possessed a striking beauty, making it hard to believe she was over forty, and inquired whether her life inside was manageable.

“Why, am I becoming a more frequent sight in your life as time passes? Have you missed me?”

She retrieved the cigarette Hae-soo had purchased, placed it in her mouth, and crossed her legs.

Hae-soo stared at her with impassive eyes. Her every word and gesture radiated a decadent charm, but perhaps due to his frequent interactions with Ahn Seo-eun and Haru, he remained largely unmoved.

“The executives referred to as ‘outsiders’ within Red Moon – were they dispatched by the Company?”

Madam Yoo, poised to light her cigarette, paused.

“What’s with the sudden interest?”

“I apprehended a man known as Number 11. He’s currently incarcerated in the prison of his own volition.”

“Number 11… Given that he lacks even a proper name, he must have originated from headquarters, assuming your claims are accurate?”

Hae-soo’s gaze intensified at Madam Yoo’s confirmation.

“I intend to expose them to the world and ensure they face justice.”

Madam Yoo momentarily flinched at Hae-soo’s forceful declaration, then emitted a hollow laugh.

“Ha, well, that’s a statement born of ignorance. So, what exactly do you expect me to do?”

“You’re already beyond their reach. Isn’t that the reason you’re still alive?”

Now that global attention has shifted away from Madam Yoo, the Company could discreetly eliminate her. Yet, she remains alive.

“I’ve considered that as well. It implies there’s no longer any need to kill me. All the information I possess has become obsolete.”

“That’s irrelevant. Share even the smallest detail.”

“What benefit do I derive from divulging information to you?”

As Madam Yoo pointed out, Hae-soo has nothing to offer her, providing her with no incentive to risk her life by providing information.

Since a direct approach is unfeasible, he’ll resort to manipulation. Unable to offer a tangible reward, he’ll appeal to her emotions.

“Revenge for Chief Ha.”

Madam Yoo’s eyebrows twitched at Hae-soo’s words. She ceased inhaling the cigarette smoke.

As anticipated, despite her feigned indifference, Chief Ha held significant importance for her.

“He chose suicide, but ultimately, the Company drove him to it.”

“Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?”

“If that’s your belief, I apologize.”

Having exhausted his options, Hae-soo promptly conceded and rose from his seat.

Madam Yoo smirked and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.

“Who authorized you to stand up?”

Hae-soo halted and resumed his seat.

Madam Yoo – she’s simply an unavoidable woman.

* * *

The information Madam Yoo provided was as insubstantial as grasping at clouds. It amounted to little more than listening to Madam Yoo’s life story.

Once, while working as a *Tenpro* [a high-class escort], she received an offer from a high-ranking individual to become a madam, and they furnished her with money and influence.

In return, she was tasked with holding the strings of high-ranking officials, operating far beyond the scope of ordinary entertainment establishments.

She amassed considerable wealth and commanded numerous subordinates, but ultimately, she remained a mere puppet.

Individuals caught in compromising situations resorted to violence, and subsequently, several executives were brought in to subdue them.

Madam Yoo possessed limited knowledge of these executives. Her understanding was primarily based on information gleaned from Chief Ha.

They were all prone to violence, possessed certain deficiencies, and exhibited exceptional skills.

The individual who had placed her in the madam’s position had already been thoroughly investigated, imprisoned, and succumbed to illness.

Consequently, as Madam Yoo had predicted, he was unable to uncover any concrete details and could only roughly estimate the organization’s scale.

‘Businessmen, politicians… More than two influential figures are deeply involved. How many individuals in our country wield such immense power? Ten? I must meticulously filter them out one by one.’

He struggled to determine a starting point or a method for apprehending them, but the notion of surrender was foreign to Hae-soo’s mind.

‘One by one, I will dismantle them all.’

* * *

A living room in a house with one wall constructed entirely of glass; four young men and women are seated on the sofa.

A man seated on a single sofa, Jo-jang, muttered while stroking his chin.

“Why would Number 11 take such action?”

“Detective Shin must be involved. Shouldn’t we apprehend him and extract the truth?”

“It’s not that simple. That individual evaded our grasp. Hyosung Prison… That presents a challenge.”

Hyosung Prison is reserved for the most heinous criminals, requiring a sentence of at least three years for admission.

No one would willingly volunteer to meet him, interrogate him, and contend with him while serving such a lengthy sentence. However, there would be no one inside who could be his opponent.

“What should we do about the request? Did Detective Shin notice anything?”

“No, if that were the case, there would be an increased guard presence, but everything remains unchanged.”

Jo-jang rose from his seat, gazed outside, and continued speaking.

“Even with additional guards, nothing will change. We fulfill missions from the VIP line at the risk of our lives. Postpone the Number 11 and Detective Shin matters.”

“Yes, I understand.”

* * *

Daesung Hospital – Ahn Seo-eun paid a personal visit due to a member of the National Assembly undergoing surgery at this facility.

She was waiting in the vacant VIP room for the assemblyman to regain consciousness.

The frown etched on her face as she stared at her phone remained unwavering.

[CuteHaru: I will be taking a break due to circumstances.]

Following Haru’s text message, she received a call from Hae-soo. He explained that Haru would be taking a temporary break due to unforeseen circumstances and reassured her that she wasn’t ill.

She wasn’t sick, yet she was abruptly taking a break, keeping it a secret from her, causing her worry and a tinge of sadness.

‘Whatever the problem, I’m confident I can offer assistance…’

Seo-eun bit her lower lip and stood up.

“I can’t simply stand by.”

Simultaneously, the hospital room door opened, and Chief Kang entered.

“The assemblyman has awakened.”

“Okay. Let’s proceed.”

After briefly showing her face to the assemblyman, Seo-eun decided to visit Haru. It was past her quitting time, so Hae-soo would likely be present if she went there.

“I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

“Yes, CEO.”

Seo-eun typically has Chief Kang and Chief Kim as her escorts. However, the chairman had augmented security a month prior, adding two more indirect escorts.

Seo-eun entered the hospital restroom and adjusted her makeup while gazing into the mirror.

Chief Kim stood resolutely at the restroom entrance, subtly shifting aside as he sensed the gazes of passing women.

At that moment, a cleaner entered the restroom, pushing a large cleaning cart.

Chief Kim tilted his head, puzzled.

“Does restroom cleaning necessitate such a large cart?”

“Well, I’ve occasionally seen them use it.”

Clatter, clatter

The two chiefs abruptly fell silent as the cleaner hastily pulled the cart out.

After one minute, two minutes, three minutes, Chief Kim finally sensed something amiss. It was eerily quiet inside.

“CEO.”

There was no response. It was a soft yet distinct voice, one that would have been heard without fail within the now-silent room.

“CEO.”

After calling out once more, Chief Kim was convinced and rushed in the direction the cleaner had taken, shouting without even opening the door.

“Chief Kang! Check inside!”

“Yes, yes!”

Chief Kim pressed the transceiver while running.

“CEO Ahn kidnapped! Kidnapper disguised as a cleaner! Middle-aged woman in her 40s! Headed to the freight elevator on the 5th floor!”

-Received

-Received!

* * *

Ring ring ring-

Haru, who was quietly gazing outside, attempting to quell her anxiety, listlessly turned her head to check her phone when it suddenly erupted with activity.

[Code Zero] CEO Ahn Seo-eun Kidnapped / Location: 5th floor of Daesung Hospital

-Suspect: Cleaner, middle-aged woman in her 40s, estimated to have 2 or more accomplices

-Guard Kim Ho-joong stabbed in the abdomen twice and clavicle once.

-Secretary Kang Yeon-guk fainted, injuries to abdomen and head.

-Suspect’s whereabouts unknown, Daesung Hospital surrounded.

-Daesung Hospital underground parking lot, parking lot blocked.

-Contact from Kang Jin-seo via direct line, request for police dispatch.

The security network was in disarray. After reviewing the information, Haru leaped from her seat.

“Ahn Seo-eun!”

Haru felt her heart plummet. Kidnapped? Who are the kidnappers? The Company? If it’s the Company, what’s their motive?

Did they uncover her identity and kidnap her acquaintances to draw her out? Or was Ahn Seo-eun the intended target?

The latter seems more plausible. In retrospect, she had overlooked it due to the overwhelming misfortune and anxiety that had befallen her. The reason why they, Number 11, appeared near her.

She had simply assumed their meeting was coincidental. How foolish.

Regardless of the reason, it’s her fault. It’s her fault for failing to safeguard her surroundings by remaining out of harm’s way and for failing to anticipate that Ahn Seo-eun would become a target.

Haru clenched her fist and jumped up. She donned the special stab-proof vest that Hae-soo had gifted her, black leggings, a hoodie, a black hat, running shoes, and exited the front door.

* * *

Even after a decade, the methods remain consistent. She had never overseen a kidnapping operation, but she had learned about them.

When Haru appeared in the Daesung Hospital situation room, the guards recognized her and were taken aback.

“Oh, it’s you?”

“I’ll begin by reviewing the CCTV footage.”

Haru spoke in a frigid tone, making it clear that she wouldn’t entertain questions, and proceeded to examine the CCTV footage.

“Here.”

The scene Haru paused on depicted a man in a helper’s uniform pushing a wheelchair. An elderly woman was seated in the wheelchair.

“What’s significant about this?”

Haru silently zoomed in on the screen and examined her wrist.

“It’s Ahn Seo-eun’s wrist.”

“What?”

The most crucial aspect emphasized during kidnapping training is disguise – disguising not only oneself but also the kidnapping victim to evade suspicion.

Haru tracked the CCTV footage to determine their escape route.

They wheeled the wheelchair directly out the front door, bypassing the parking lot.

Haru’s eyes rapidly scanned the CCTV footage. She rose and moved, as if having reached a decision.

“Where are you going?!”

“You must inform us of your findings!”

Haru pulled her hood further over her hat and replied.

“I’m uncertain as well.”

She genuinely doesn’t know. It appears she must first assess the scene to gather more information.

As soon as Haru exited the situation room, she sprinted at full speed.

* * *

On the outskirts, approximately 100 meters from the hospital, lies a sparsely populated area. Behind an old 9-seater vehicle, a sign reads ‘Wheelchair boarding vehicle’.

The back trunk opens, and a man places the wheelchair with the elderly woman inside. Within the vehicle, there are a young woman and two men.

Jo-jang, seated in the driver’s seat, pressed the accelerator and inquired.

“There was no pursuit, correct?”

“The guard and secretary were somewhat perceptive, so we dealt with them.”

“Did you kill them?”

“I’m unsure.”

“From now on, eliminate them if feasible. That way, the warning will be more impactful.”

“I understand-”

At that moment, a shadow fell upon the window beside the woman.

Smash!!

The window shattered inward, and a slender woman surged into the car.

< #88. Kidnapping > End