Page 99 of Ruthless Touch

He laughs, catching the sarcastic quip. “Imagine me throwing a stuffy engagement dinner in front of all the rich and powerful. Does that sound like my style?”

“A dinner? No. But some huge-ass party? Absolutely.”

“See, you know me better than you think. But don’t worry, I promise to bring you some leftover matcha cake.”

I find myself smiling at his thoughtfulness, even in the face of what’s on my mind—Uncle Jerald’s warnings about who I can trust, the mysterious videotape that’s just shown up on our doorstep, and the growing certainty that I’m at the center of something much larger than myself.

That noise is canceled as soon as Gun almost makes me laugh.

“Hello? Goyangi, you better not have hung up on me.”

“I’m still here,” I say, realizing I’d zoned out. “I was just thinking about how we can’t do our movie night now.”

His chuckle is warm and genuine. “We’ll dotwomovie nights to make up for it. It’s actually a good thing if I attend this event. It’ll get my father off my back. He’ll see I’m not up to something like he seems to think.”

“That makes sense.” I pause, questioning if I should go ahead and do it.

I should tell Gun about the mysterious package that arrived and Uncle Jerald’s visit. I should express to him how I’m questioning who I can really trust.

Even him.

I decide against saying anything, figuring it makes more sense to tell him in person once he gets home.

When the call ends, the apartment feels unnervingly quiet. I’m left alone with my secrets and the growing weight of choices I’m not sure I’m ready to make.

Gun doesn’t have a VCR that I could use to play the tape, and I’m not sure it’s worth me venturing the streets of Pangyo in search of an antiques shop that would still sell one.

Staying here and waiting it out is the best thing to do. It makes the most sense.

At first I try to sit down and watch TV. When that’s not enough to distract me, I log onto Gun’s laptop so I can check my email.

There’s nothing noteworthy in my civilian email. Just a bunch of spammed newsletters from companies I never signed up for.

Then I remember my encrypted Vanguard email. It’s been over a week since I’ve checked it. Mostly because I was pulled off the Cheongryong contract and then decided I was done with the agency altogether.

Curiosity piques inside me as I wonder if I’m even still able to access it or if they’ve already revoked my account.

It takes me a couple quick seconds to log on, scrolling once again through emails that seem run of the mill.

Most of the emails I’ve missed are informational. Nothing important that catches my attention… until I scroll to one marked HOTEL BELLMARE - MISSION APPROVED.

I frown as I click on it and see I’m still part of the distro, though it’s primarily addressed to KD from Director Hart. I gasp reading the email:

Subject:HOTEL BELLMARE – MISSION APPROVED

From:Director Camille Hart

To:Kangdae Han

CC:OPS-Command-12, Tactical Review Division

Sent:[Timestamp—October 11, 2025, 9:36 PM]

Body:

Agent Onyx,

Per your field request dated October 9 2025, mission parameters for OP-1025/B have been reviewed and approved by Command.