CODE NAME: ANASTASIA [Novel]

[Volume 1]-Chapter 1

[17:49 PM-BUSAN INTERNATIONAL PORT]

Where darkness is slowly falling, preparations for departure are actively underway. Under the glimmer of street lights, the 5,000-ton ship showed even more majesty. The train that departs once a day will dock in Shimonoseki, Japan tomorrow morning.

The ship left the dock, the door was closed early. The crane that had finished loading the goods at the last minute also quietly returned. As if just waiting for that moment, all the lights in the station went out, bringing all the remaining people buried in the silence of the night. Only the ship was left floating on the sea with black ripples in waves.

The cool air was completely different from the stuffiness of the pier. A young man entered the designated large room.

Most of the passengers were busy looking around the ship with excited expressions. They gather in groups of two or three at small tables in the hallway and enjoy expensive glasses of wine, or use cameras to capture precious moments. Wherever people gathered, there was laughter and laughter, the salty smell of the sea wafted over the deck whenever a cold breeze blew. Everywhere is the excitement and waiting for the new journey to begin.

Kwon Taek Joo stood quietly in the middle of the crowd, wearing a Mustang in a simple suit, he was no different from the others except for his boring expression. It was clearly out of character for someone who could step foot into the most expensive room on this lavish ship.

Sometimes Kwon Taek Joo pulls up his sleeve to check the time. The eyes follow every movement of the second hand. 8am. A long whistle announcing departure echoed in the sea. Just waiting for this moment, Kwon Tack Joo went out to the balcony.

Standing on an isolated balcony, he could clearly see the scene downstairs. Tourists are still busy taking pictures. It was so dark that it was hard to get a good picture, so the shots rang out over and over again. As he was nonchalantly looking at the chaotic scene, a small sound suddenly resounded in his left ear. Someone's voice echoed through the receiver.

"What's up? How does it feel to enjoy the romance of the night sea?"

"Not bad either. Noisy, chaotic and boring at the same time."

A low laugh came from the intercom in Kwon Taek Joo's ear. He said as he directed his gaze towards the deck. Carefully observing every single person there, but no one was suspicious.

"Report"

"Agent Kim Young Hee, officer Lee Cheol Jin, both confirmed to have boarded the ship. Lee Cheol Jin disguised himself as a Chinese. As soon as he landed in Japan, he would probably immediately leave for China. And Kim Young Hee has booked a seat on a train leaving at Shimonoseki port tomorrow night."

"Then we must reach them before the ship arrives."

Kwon Taek Joo muttered to himself and quickly left the balcony. As he left the room and walked down the empty aisle, he said.

"Those who are good at hide and seek are complacent."

To reach goals, a messy time like the present will be the perfect time. Otherwise, the quieter the fewer people, the more prominent they are.

The stream of people descended down the spiral staircase. A group of people gathered in front of the restaurant on the second floor. Kwon Taek Joo walked past them and carefully observed each of them. Again, he couldn't find any suspicious characters. Kwon Taek Joo quickly walked down the stairs leading to the first floor lobby.

"Call me."

The cell phone rang immediately. He let it ring a few rings, until he was halfway down the stairs to take the call. With a few boring greetings, he started the conversation alone with no one on the other end of the line. And no one doubted seeing him wandering aimlessly with the phone in his ear all this while.