INTO MY WORLD (ENG.VER) - [FF EXO]

Chapter 17

Sun Hyang

Closing the kilometre that separates me from Daeseong-dong only takes a few more minutes. I bully all thought of Baekhyun away as I try to focus on my mission, as much as possible. I know he can see everything through the GSP-linked camera, but I can't hear him inside my earpiece, and that makes me feel better. At least he's following my orders: he must only speak to me if an emergency arises. I can't afford to be distracted.

The village is already animated by the comings and goings of the farmers tending to their crops. It's a small village, with few inhabitants, but I still manage to blend into their group. I don't have a lot of intel about the building the meeting is supposed to be taking place in, I can only hypothesize and look about, hoping to find it quickly.

We're probably looking for a place away from the centre, but not too far off, such as not to wake any suspicion. A place a couple of people could make towards without anybody finding it strange. A place where they can meet up without any risk, where they can speak freely.

Suddenly, Baekhyun shouts so loud into my ears that I automatically throw myself flat to the ground, covering my head.

"SUN HYANG, OVER THERE, BE CAREFUL!"

I'm quick to notice passerbys' surprised glances as they can't seem to grasp why I'm lying on the floor, completely balled up when everything's fine. A little embarrassed, I stand up again, and pick up my pace, walking curtly as I try to retain my frustration and annoyance. I lower my head, and whisper:

"Byun Baekhyun, you better have a good reason for shouting like this, or I swear to God, you're gonna have to pray I don't come back and get y-"

"Sun Hyang! There! Over there, the man! It's him, the one we're looking for, the guy from the restaurant!"

My eyes immediately search the mob of people around me for this mysterious man.

"Which one is he? Describe him to me."

"That one, the one turning the corner of the street, with the worn-out raincoat!"

I finally spot the guy he's talking about: a man has just turned the corner of the street. I discretely follow him, and stare him down for more details. His outline is skinny and brittle, he is small, with a hunched back and farmer's clothes on. As I bend forward, I can make out his face, and I understand Baekhyun's sketch at the police station: this guy is average, with no distinctive sign whatsoever, and if I had to invent him a life based on his features, I certainly wouldn't imagine a great criminal, or a right-hand man in an arms-trafficking business. Which just goes to show.

"Er... You're sure about this, Baekhyun?"

"A hundred per cent sure, it's him!"

I track him a little while longer, without the slightest idea where we're going. After about ten minutes of cutting corners and highstreets, I'm seriously starting to lose patience: what if Baekhyun had been mistaken? But suddenly, the man enters a large building – the town hall. But what on earth would he be doing in such a place? I wait, hidden, for a couple of minutes, thinking he'd eventually come out again – but he doesn't. In the meantime, however, three men and a woman have walked inside. All looked different, but had one thing in common: they have no reason to be here. I think I've found the rendezvous.

"Baekhyun? Can you still hear me?"

"Yes!"

"And the tape is still recording?"

"Yep!"

"Okay, I'm going to go in."

I take a step forward, when I hear a voice echo inside my earpiece again: