“What the hell kind of dirty way is that to say something...!”

Even without seeing him, Seoryeong could imagine Lee Wooshin’s red lips curling in amusement.

―Let’s take a moment and think. If I ever became a target of another foreign intel agency, I’d come straight home and kill you and the Deputy Director first.

“What?!”

Na Wonchang jolted so hard, his butt lifted off the seat.

―How many people inside headquarters even know what I look like? Just two of you, right? Whether I’m under black status or not, the fewer people who know me, the better—especially in a situation like that. It makes it easier to clean up. Of course, the order’s by age, out of respect.

That’s not exactly the kind of situation that phrase was meant for, though... Wonchang swallowed hard.

―So take a ten-minute walk every day. It’s easier to kill a healthy twenty-something than a fifty-year-old executive.

“Ugh...”

―I was trying to be subtle, but let’s make sure you caught the message. I ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) don’t believe in superiors or coworkers. Still want to work with me? Consider that and try your offer again.

“Uh... Team Leader... Then, I wish you a long and peaceful retirement.”

―Good.

His voice was deep and rich with laughter.

―Stay quiet, so I don’t come looking for you. And don’t try to find me.

Despite the casual tone, a chill ran down Wonchang’s spine.

This was a man who smiled sweetly while pretending to be a gigolo, seduced a woman, and then slid a needle into a traitor’s heart.

Black agents were still called agents, but when it came down to it, they were licensed killers sanctioned by the state.

“Oh, one more thing...!”

―Why is your damn tongue still wagging when this is over?

See? His tone turned sharp again in an instant.

Under the black lenses, his gray-tinted irises probably looked like blades at times like this.

Not that anyone had ever seen his real eyes. Could anyone say they had?

Wonchang shook off that foolish thought and hurried to speak.

“The Owl... I think she really loved you.”

―...

The irritation evaporated from his voice. Not even the sound of breathing remained. “The Owl” was the codename for Han Seoryeong.

“Actually, about a month ago, there was a huge commotion at the police substation. The Owl came in covered in blood, saying it was her husband’s. Filed a missing person report on the spot. The officers on duty panicked, obviously. That’s why the investigation happened so fast. If it had taken even a bit longer, traces might have been left behind. I don’t know if that was good luck or...”

―...Blood?

The voice cut in, rough and jagged.

“Sir?”

―What blood?

“They later confirmed it was her own blood. But from the CCTV footage at the station, her whole face was drenched. The cops lost their minds.”

―.......

“Team Leader? Are you listening?”

―Go on.

“Y-yes, sir...! So because the missing persons report was processed faster than expected, the fake identity got exposed sooner, too. I thought it’d take at least two days. I was honestly shocked she thought of that. How did she even come up with it?”

―.......

“I’ve got the footage, too—do you want to see it?”

Silence fell.

As it dragged on, Wonchang instinctively realized he’d said something wrong.

“T-Team Leader?” he called out weakly, but there was no answer. Only the faint sound of teeth grinding. Sweat began to pool in his palms.

―Give me one good reason why I should watch that video and ruin my mood. You have three seconds.

The voice was ice-cold. Wonchang stammered.

“Uh... I mean, I just...”

He hadn’t even realized himself why he brought it up—until Lee Wooshin forced him to think about it.

Embarrassed, he scratched the back of his head. Facing a pissed-off superior was a thousand times more terrifying than he’d imagined.

As Wooshin began to count backwards from three, his tone completely devoid of humor, he muttered with a blade’s edge in his voice:

―What kind of dumb bastard goes digging through shredded files after the mission's over? From the moment the withdrawal order was issued, the Owl went through the shredder. Got it?

“I’m sorry...!”

―Got it?

“Yes, sir...!”

―Don’t half-ass your feelings. Don’t let your heart get involved.

“...I’m sorry.”

So it was obvious. God, I want to die from shame... Wonchang lowered his head even more.

But this was human work, after all. You were told to expect that forming emotional attachments to long-term targets was normal—and to be careful. It had been in the training.

But I’ve fallen into that trap now...! The late realization hit him hard. His nape prickled with heat.

―Na Wonchang, did you actually think what I had was a real marriage?

Lee Wooshin was different. Whether he knew someone for a day or ten years, he never formed attachments.

He’d lived with a woman, shared her bed—and could still be this cold. The way he said he’d kill even the Deputy Director without hesitation sent another chill down Wonchang’s back.

―The Owl was just a target. My assigned role just happened to be ‘husband.’ The mission’s finally over, so why the hell would I dig that up again? Don’t look back. Don’t think about it.

He sounded genuinely baffled.

―What, are you feeling guilty for fucking a civilian? Is that why you’re being weird, Wonchang?

“N-No, sir...!”

Ah fuck, my stupid mouth! Wonchang tapped his own lips.

―If you know a spy school that trains agents without teaching sex, send me the address. I’ll drop you off at preschool myself. You're my sweet, innocent little sapling, aren’t you?

His mocking tone made Wonchang’s face burn, but he quickly snapped back to his senses.

“No, sir! I don’t know of any!”

―Then don’t even mention the Owl to me again. Not even the ‘O.’

His previously playful voice dropped flat and level.

“Y–”

The line cut off with a click.

He’s really pissed... Yeah, I acted like such an amateur...

The actual agent who carried out the mission had zero attachment or regret over it being over.

Wonchang sighed, knocking his forehead against the keyboard. Then he pulled the earpiece from his aching ear and slumped in his chair.

Finally, he gave a quiet farewell to the smiling face of the Owl, and turned off the monitor.

Thus ended Operation Codename: Bird Box, after approximately two and a half years.

***

The world is upside down.

She aligned her hips and shoulders, rooted her toes into the floor. Seoryeong stood on her hands against the wall, staring straight at the floor.

After vowing to either catch her husband—or be caught by him—this was the first thing Seoryeong started with: restoring her broken body.

She ate proper meals again after skipping them for days. She followed her ophthalmologist’s treatments religiously. In time, her vision had recovered enough for daily life.

“Hoo... hoo...”

The weight pressing evenly into her arms was reassuring. The feeling of controlling her body again—how long had it been? It finally felt like everything was coming back together.

“Ugh...!”

But the moment she remembered her “happy” marriage was just a set, a cleverly crafted scheme, her vision went white all over again.

She collapsed onto the floor, curling into herself. That had been the most real thing in her life. Her only world.

“Kim Hyun... Kim Hyun...”

Something between a groan and a sob escaped her clenched teeth. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

But every time she broke down like this, she forced herself to stand in front of the wedding photo.

The one they’d proudly hung after planning the ceremony and hosting the reception—

Was an empty frame.

That was the first deception she noticed once her sight returned. A massive frame with nothing inside it. A prop, and a sick joke.

What kind of face had Kim Hyun made, watching her delight in receiving that empty frame?

It’s fucking hilarious, isn’t it.

“Kim Hyun, you bastard.”

No matter how far she dug into her phone, the empty gallery was useless.

Even blind, she should’ve taken more pictures—just now and then...

A wife who doesn’t even know her husband’s face.

Who’s trying to find him—without even knowing what he looks like.

Seoryeong felt like she might suffocate from the hopelessness. But she didn’t want to give up.

So she began planning what came next.

***

“You want to... consult about committing a crime? What the hell does that even mean...?”

Channa’s sharp eyes wobbled like a storm-tossed sea. It was a bright, unusually beautiful afternoon.

“I don’t know anyone in that field,” Seoryeong replied.

Out of options, she’d contacted Channa—the former errand agency worker.

Channa had been flustered when she first answered, but quickly asked after Seoryeong’s well-being, saying she’d been on her mind. She agreed to meet without hesitation. And now...

“I scouted out the southern gate of the Tongil Bridge and Imjingang in Paju. I wanted to ask if packing ramen, corn, and a raincoat is enough. I also heard stealing a fishing boat is the way to go. I’m considering Ganghwa County in Incheon, too.”