Sector 1 🛡 yungi [▶]

2

Hongjoong remained largely unresponsive. His expression seemed unwilling to leave, even when the stack of drug bags was clearly displayed in front of him. It's not that he didn't appreciate it. Clearly, he acknowledged the work of his team in finding the drug warehouse in the forest, including in several other places before. Seizure of this magnitude alone was impressive.

But...

There's always a "but" when you work in law enforcement. There's always a superior who feels dissatisfied. There's always the press chasing sensational news. There's always a public demanding more than all their efforts can muster.

Always a "but," however, unfortunately...

Oh. Just that!

Just that finding the warehouse alone is like successfully defusing a bomb without knowing who did it. There's no guarantee that the distribution of these drugs will end. As long as the kingpin is still alive, roaming freely, this problem will never end. Hongjoong could do this for a lifetime. His role as the head of the investigative body gave him responsibilities beyond just finding the location of the problem.

Even if the kingpin is caught, the odds are still 50:50 that the person will be punished in this country. If they have a good international network, they often escape the legal system of this country and go free in another country. Hongjoong has been involved in this division for quite some time. Seizures without the perpetrator behind bars are almost close to nil in terms of punishment.

"Chief!"

Leaving his attention from the drugs, Hongjoong turned to Mingi, who had just called him by the title he disliked. "Found something else?" he asked, already too familiar with Mingi's reasons every time his member addressed him that way.

Mingi handed him his phone, showing the photos he took in the forest a few minutes ago. A simple wooden house, where he found a suspicious young man entering.

"I have—"

"No need to be too formal," Hongjoong interrupted, avoiding the awkwardness he never emphasized to his members.

Mingi paused for a moment, then spoke again, with a more familiar tone and diction. "There's a foreign guy who somehow ended up near the drug warehouse. He walked hastily when he saw us searching. From his behavior alone, I knew something was wrong. It's strange to see someone intentionally living in the forest conveniently close to the drug warehouse. I suspect he is involved in this."

In his nod, Hongjoong examined the photo Mingi took. He had combed the forest several times and had never found a place like this. Several other photos captured by Mingi were helpful, showing a clear path from the drug warehouse, although unfortunately, none of the photos showed the face of the young man clearly.

"I'm also sure he's the kingpin."

The thinner voice sounded firm, trying to convince Mingi's suspicion, suddenly breaking Hongjoong's focus, as well as Mingi's silence. It was San who suddenly came, giving an opinion as if he had been listening to Hongjoong and Mingi's conversation all along.

"I also saw him suddenly leave after seeing the warehouse being raided," San continued. "Of course, there's a possibility that he's just a civilian who happened to be shocked to see an armed force. But his movements are too suspicious. Just because he wasn't caught red-handed inside the warehouse doesn't mean he's not guilty."

Hongjoong nodded again. "But suspicion is not enough. We need more profound evidence." Unlike Mingi, who frowned. Hongjoong actually wanted to agree, make things easier. But of course, there is the presumption of innocence, especially this young man might claim to be merely around the crime scene by chance.

"Well, two witnesses with these photos shouldn't be underestimated. If that's a lead, then make the most of it," Hongjoong returned Mingi's phone. "I assign you to investigate it tomorrow. To avoid attracting attention, do it alone."

Mingi agreed. He nodded, just before Hongjoong walked away.

"You didn't mention that you also saw that young man," Mingi said when he again put his puzzled gaze on San.

"You also didn't say you were going to tail him that far. Well, now we only need to investigate one person, right? That's good certainty," San replied, without answering Mingi's recent question clearly.