Secretary Kim grabbed Kim Ha-Eun with one arm easily and lifted her. He had his usual expression as he said.

"Your mother has some balls huh."

"Take it up with her." Ha-Eun whose face was mostly covered by Secretary Kim's large hands responded to Secretary Kim's taunt.

"What's going on?" the startled Nei asked Secretary Kim.

"Nothing you need to know about, I will just be borrowing Kim Ha-Eun for a bit."

"So...what? I am just supposed to let you take her?" Neo asked angrily. He wasn't okay with letting Secretary Kim do whatever he liked. The whole situation didn't make sense either. They were being attacked but Secretary Kim's target was Kim Ha-Eun?

Secretary Kim also knew this wasn't the time for this but he had to secure Kim Ha-Eun for leverage against her mother, the one responsible for the attack. He couldn't afford to waste any time here.

Secretary Kim released his grip and dropped her. Then he bowed a little while facing Nei.

"Your job won't change, there have just been some complications. Overlook this and help push back the enemy soldiers."

"How about I just lead her to the safe house and you guys deal with the attack."

"Don't you see my sincerity?" Secretary Kim was baffled at Nei who didn't listen to him even when he lowered his head.

"Am crying." Nei replied sarcastically.

"...."

"A lot of things will change the moment I let you take her, I am not a fan of change."

"This isn't about what you prefer." Secretary Kim gave up on convincing Nei and was ready to take him down anytime.

"Yeah, let's do that. Your punch from that day still aches, it won't anymore if I beat the shit out of you" Nei was also prepared to fight.

Kim Ha-Eun had a strange look on her face as she started at Nei who was provoking Secretary Kim.

'What is he up to?'

She was wondering why the situation had suddenly turned violent. There was no gain if Nei won or lost this fight...After a while, she concluded that Nei was just a violent human being.

'It was the same when he picked fights with Park Joo-Won in the safe house'

It was a reasonable guess on Ha-Eun's hand but it wasn't a correct one. Nei had already figured out the situation. He wasn't as simple-minded or dumb as Team Leader Cho often said.

'We aren't protecting Kim Ha-Eun, we are keeping her hostage. It's obvious from the way Sectary Kim handles her. The North Korean soldiers' goal is probably just to cause chaos since none of them recognized her so far.'

Nei's thoughts continued as he rushed toward Secretary Kim, he pulled out a kukri and took a swing at Secretary Kim. He also called Simon and told him to shoot darts toward Secretary Kim to restrict his movement as much as possible.

'It's understandable since she hasn't had her public debut even in the North. What I can't figure out is why they would cause chaos here. They probably offered Ha-Eun willingly. Did Northwest Pro not repay their faith?'

Secretary Kim avoided the kukri and punched the right side of Nei's rib..but Nei responded early and grabbed Secretary Kim's arm. Nei locked his hands around Secretary Kim's arm and tightened his grip.

Secretary Kim couldn't move his arms from Nei's side so he instead tried to headbutt Nei but...it was too late. Nei's aim had been Secretary Kim's joints, his three elbow joints to be precise. He formed a v shape with his opposite arm and brutally struck Secretary Kim's elbow joints. The results...

"Ahhhhh" Secretary Kim screamed. It was in the aftermath of dislocating his elbow. A joint was forcefully dislocated as a result of the force Nei had used to strike him. Secretary Kim's right hand was rendered useless.

"You guys messed with North Korea, right? I should protect the North Korean princess to earn their favor but I am going to play it safe and see what side I should stand on for now." Neo said while coldly staring at the arm he had battered.

"You bastard, Director Myung would have your head for this!" Secretary Kim shouted while holding his hand in pain.

"I think he will look forward to it. I will be like the mediator between you two while not risking my relationship with either group. That's the safest position to be in."

Nei continued.

"Anyway, the conclusion is I am taking Kim Ha-Eun with me. Do you still wanna fight?"

Strength wasn't everything in a fight. Park Joo-Won and Secretary Kim's fights proved it. You had to be able to respond to variables as well as have the knowledge to utilize your experience, body, weapon, and technique. This fight was Secretary Kim's loss.

"...I will back off for now and inform Director Myung of your standing."

No matter how angry he was, Secretary Kim was the secretary for a reason. He knew that Director Myung wouldn't say no to a mediator. But he wasn't sure if Director Myung would want the person who challenged one of his own in that position.

Either way, it was better to back off now. The veteran guards had taken care of most of the soldiers but he still had to investigate how the soldiers got here in the first place.

Kim Ha-Eun who didn't dare run away even when she had the opportunity to was stunned. She hadn't expected Nei to figure out the situation from very little information and his fighting ability was also top-tier. It seemed like there was a story as to why he lost to Noa.

"Sigh."

Neo sighed in relief after hearing Secretary Kim's response and told Simon to look up any news regarding North Korea's current situation.

'There is none.' Simon sent a direct message to Nei's brain.

He continued 'For a while now, North Korea didn't release any news, article or hold any press conference. At this rate, they were deliberately blocking information. It's safe to say they are hiding more than usual."

'A civil war?' Neo also sent his thoughts directly to Simon.

'Probably.'

'The last information they released was concerning the health of the North Korean Queen, right?'

'Yeah, and she's Kim Ha-Eun's grandmother.'

'Not sure about who is against who but it is probably a succession war and Kim Ha-Eun's mother would be challenged for the seat she just got.'

'Wow.' Simon exclaimed

'What?'

'I am honestly surprised you haven't cursed the world for getting you involved in this.'

'Director Myung had fucked me over from the beginning. There is no use complaining now. More importantly, who do we side with here?'

'The Great North Korea is working with outside forces so they are probably not in a good situation...but let's act as a mediator for now. We need more information.'

'Got it. Keep digging to  find out who started the coup.'

Nei wrapped up his conversation with Simon, he then shifted his gaze to Kim Ha-Eun who was now by his side.

'Your mother sold you out huh'

He pitied Kim Ha-Eun and recalled a memory he never wanted to remember. It was the face of a woman.

He shook the memory off and spoke to Secretary Kim.

"Don't worry about your arm too much. It doesn't look that bad."

"Fuck you." Secretary Kim responded.

"No hard feelings?"

"....Sure."

"Then I am off."

The attack had died down so he decided to regroup with the others back at the gym. And meet up with a very frustrating elder for advice later on.

....

Northwest Pro Tower...

Talent Acquisition Division, Team C room.

A middle age man sat in the middle of the room, he had a dried-up face that went with his ragged hair and wore a blue tracksuit and flip-flops.

He suddenly had an itch behind his ear. It seemed like someone was talking about him.

In Nei's words 'he was the dickhead who always nagged but he was also my father figure who took care of me.'

The nameplate on his desk stated TEAM LEADER CHO.