21st Century Goguryeo

December 5, 2023, 15:00 (New China time 14:00)

Changping-gu, Beijing, New China (temporary residence of the National Intelligence Service's special security department)

It was not difficult to hack the external network server in the president's room. However, the difficulty was in taking preventative measures to impede the source of the hacking from being tracked even if it was discovered.

To avoid being tracked, Namgoong-won penetrated the president room's external network server across 50 countries to conceal the source of the hacking and infected the server with various malicious codes to avoid detection, over the last few days,

They will not be able to know for the time being that the president's room external network server had been hacked, but they will definitely notice it sooner or later and will immediately begin tracking down the hacker. However, the operation would have already ended by then, and even if they had managed to track down the origin of the hacking to Beijing after going through more than 50 countries, he and his team would have already left.

After completing the preliminary procedures, he began hacking and worked tirelessly to obtain the information he desired from the DB server that had been penetrated from the president room's external network server.

Just like Namgoong-won, the other two special security agents searched the DB server to find the information they needed.

"We have ten minutes and we must exit the server at least one minute before that."

Namgoong-won issued orders to the two special security agents next to him while tapping on the keyboard at the speed of light. Assistant manager Na Sung-hyun raised his hands and cheered at that moment.

"I found it, I found it. Number 12 DB, Data File 16."

As a result, Namgoong-won and Chief Kim Young-kyun approached assistant manager, Na Sung-hyun, and looked at his laptop screen.

"Assistant Manager Na! As we don't have enough time, just download only the important information. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

At the request of Namgoong-won, Na Sung-hyun used his mouse to select and check each folder before dragging the most important files into his USB drive.

The remaining time until the download would be completed was indicated as a percentage and would take five minutes to complete.

"Why is it taking so long?"

The download time was longer than he had expected.

"It's because we are downloading it through more than 50 countries. There's nothing we can do about this."

Five minutes later, the download was finally complete.

"Chief Kim! Did you install the backdoor program?"

"Yes, manager!"

"Okay! Everyone, get out of the server!"

Namgoong-won and his group, who succeeded in hacking within only a week, decided to move their accommodation in case they were tracked down.

"Did you all pack up?"

"Yes, we're done."

"Let's move then!"

Namgoong-won and his group moved to the well-known New World Beijing Hotel on the same day. The intention was to stay in an unexpected place in case of being pursued and to avoid any suspicion, similar to the saying "it's dark under the lamp."

Namgoong-won and his group began analyzing the information they discovered as soon as they arrived at their destination.

* * *

December 5th, 2023, 20:30 (Macao time 19:30)

Senado Square in Macau Special Zone, Republic of China

Macau, which was once known as a special administrative district, was directly influenced by President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption movement. As a result, it was transformed into a cultural and recreational tourist destination, and the casino industry flourished again as the Republic of China gained independence. In no time, brilliant casino buildings were built around Senado Square in Macau's old city, and it became known as the Las Vegas of the East due to its 24-hour nightlife and colorful neon signs.

Two days ago, the first, second, and third foreign intelligence teams who arrived in Macao from Hong Kong wandered around the casinos and famous hotel casinos looking for traces of Jjang Chun.

"There are so many! When will I ever be able to visit a place like this on vacation?"

Team Leader Yoon Tae-jin, who came out to the plaza for some fresh air after having a late dinner with the team, muttered as if bemoaning his luck. Assistant manager, Jeon Ki-won, who was resting next to him, smiled and said.

"Don't say that in front of Team Leader Park. You will have another fight."

"Team leader Park, why?"

"Team leader Park was on vacation when you came here on a business trip last time, and he kept making fun of you. Don't you remember?"

"Oh! That's right. Hahaha. By the way, where is our Park Gi-oong?"

"I talked to Assistant Manager Yang on the phone while we were having dinner, and he said they were going to the Venetian Hotel Casino."

"Really? Then let's go as well! We need to go to two more places today before returning to the dorm."

"Yes, Assistant manager Oh and Chief Yoo. Let's go!"

"Okay."

* * *

December 5, 2023, 21:00 (Macau time 20:00)

Macau Special District, Republic of China, a casino at the Sands Cotai Venetian Hotel

The Venetian Hotel's casino was packed with tourists from all over the world who sat in front of the hundreds of tables, playing various games. Some were enjoying the game while others were arguing with the player next to them and, on occasion, with the dealers as well.

If they had come here for a vacation, it would have appeared to be an enjoyable heaven. However, for Team One of the foreign intelligence agents who were wandering around the casino looking for a man named Jjang Chun, it felt like hell.

They didn't know anything about Jjang Chun other than his name – they didn't know how he looked or even how old he was.

"Team leader! Isn't this just tormenting?"

The communication was sent by assistant manager, Yang Jung-suk, who was looking at the game room which had over 1,000 slot machines.

"For the time being, just take pictures of all the guys over the age of 20. Don't miss anyone out!"

"I'll do that, but how about starting in earnest tomorrow, when detailed data arrives from Hong Kong? I don't think this is right, no matter how hard I think about it."

"Okay. Let's look around for another 30 minutes and go back to the dorm!"

"Okay."

While communicating, team leader Park Gi-oong wandered around naturally and captured the faces of male customers with a camera mounted on his glasses.

Half an hour later, Team One of the foreign intelligence agents who had been roaming on the floor gathered in the casino lobby.

"Assistant Manager Yang, go back to the dorm with the members. Organize the photos we took today and get some rest!"

"What about you, Team Leader?"

"I'll check the VIP floor before I leave."

"Ah! Then let's do it together. You can't be the only one suffering, right?"

"No, you should go first. Anyway, the VIP floor needs a minimum amount for you to enter, so all of us won't be able to get in. I'll go alone, and you should go to the dorm right away."

"Oh, okay."

Team leader Park Gi-oong, who was left alone after sending his teammates to the dorm, took a step forward.

"How much does it cost to use the VIP floor here?"

"Sir! It's over $3,000."

The employee informed him of the bare minimum for entry onto the VIP floor. As a result, he held out 30 $100 bills from his wallet. In response, the employee smiled at him and handed him a small box that contained various colored coins.

"Sir! I wish you all the best. Thank you."

"Yes, I hope so. Haha."

Team leader Park Gi-oong answered as if he was a tourist and headed to the VIP floor with the coin box.

The various patterns and ornaments decorated in gold on the staircase leading up to the VIP floor piqued his interest. As he ascended the stairs, several huge bodyguards stood guard at the VIP floor entrance, and one of them stopped him and said,

"Sir! Let me check for a moment."

"Yes, please."

He opened his hands after handing the coin box to the bodyguard standing next to him. The other bodyguard then scanned team leader Park Gi-oong's body with a portable metal detector.

"Everything is fine. I hope you have a great time."

"Yes, thank you."

When he passed the entrance, another new world unfolded in front of him. As expected, it was the VIP floor. Unlike the game rooms used by ordinary tourists, the interior decoration was luxurious, and the employees and dealers who served various drinks and whiskey somehow looked different. In addition, all the guests entering and exiting the VIP floor looked wealthy.

"Well, well."

Team leader Park Gi-oong, who was overwhelmed by the sight for a while, coughed and began to look around slowly, unsure of which game he should play.

He wandered around every corner for about 30 minutes photographing all the faces of the VIP guests, and he finally sat down at the blackjack table, the only game he knew.

It was to avoid suspicion from the CC cameras mounted everywhere as well as the bodyguards.

Team leader Park Gi-oong, who sat at a table with five other people, including a middle-aged couple, a young Western man, and a Japanese man muttering in Japanese, took part in the game with his coin box on the table.

He placed $100 worth of coins before the dealer dealt the cards. Blackjack is a simple game in which the person who scores 21 points or the closest to that score wins.

When he was walking around the VIP floor, he noticed that the basic bet was at least $100.

The rest of the guests followed suit, placing their bets one by one. The Chinese couple on the left, in particular, bet $1,000 in coins.

After a while, when all the players had placed their bets, the dealer quickly flipped the card to the left. Soon two cards went to the players and the dealer revealed what his two cards were.

The Queen of Hearts was the first card, and the eight of clubs was the second. It was an uncertain score of 18 points. Team leader Park Gi-oong, who had been debating whether to hit or to stand, looked at the dealer and lightly tapped the table, indicating he wanted another card. In terms of probability, there was a high chance of going bust with more than 21 points.

With that thought he shouted.

The rest of the players decided to stand, and the dealer did not take any additional cards as well. In other words, the dealer scored more than 17 points. Team leader, Park Gi-oong, who had received one more card, carefully checked the third card. It was the three of clubs. It was blackjack with a total of 21 points.

The dealer scored 20 points, the rich Chinese couple scored 18 points and 19 points, the Western man and woman also scored 19 points and 17 points while the Japanese scored 16 points.

Team leader Park Gi-oong, who received 1.5 times the bet amount, received applause from several players and began to rise from the first round.

An hour later, while winning about $2,000 in blackjack for the first time at a casino, other than a PC game, team leader Park Gi-oong noticed several groups taking the elevator in the center of the hall, escorted by security guards.

A total of four groups took the elevator, their accessories and clothing indicating that they were exceptional guests.

Team leader, Park Gi-oong, asked the manager behind the dealer.

"Where does the elevator in the middle of that hall go?"

"That's the elevator to the VVIP room."

"VVIP room?"

"Yes, it's a special game room that only our casino VVIP members use."

"Oh! I see."

30 minutes later, Park Gi-oong announced that he was done playing and stood up with his coin box.

His original $3,000 worth of coins had grown to $5,400. Team leader, Park Gi-oong, who had received an unexpected bonus, walked straight to the elevator leading to the VVIP room.

As he approached the elevator, the bodyguards on both sides raised their hands and stopped him, as expected.

"Sir, this elevator is only for our hotel's VVIP members."

"Oh! I'm sorry. Haha, out of curiosity."

A man passing by while rubbing his back approached at that moment, and the bodyguards politely greeted him and guided him to the elevator. The man, who was treated in the exact opposite manner as Park Gi-oong, turned his head slightly and looked at him before entering the elevator.

Team leader, Park Gi-oong could see that he was an unusual person, with a deep impression and a short haircut, and he could feel his powerful stare even though his eyes were covered by sunglasses.

Team leader Park Gi-oong was suspicious of the man going upstairs and wanted to follow him, but he turned back around to avoid any unnecessary confrontation.

After capturing the faces of the VIP guests who wandered around from time to time even during the blackjack game, he went to exchange his coins for dollars.

After winning approximately 2.4 million won in Korean currency, he finally took a taxi and headed to the dorms where his team members were staying.