[Seoul, South Korea - One day before Jahm's arrival]
Justice Park sat in a dimly lit café with his hoodie up and laptop open. His eyes darted between the screen and the clock on the wall. A wire transfer alert popped up.
"Finally."
[Text Message - from Miguel]
"40K successfully wired. You know what to do."
"Already on it. Car and safe house today."
He closed his laptop, grabbed his bag, and stepped out into the busy Seoul streets.
[Two hours later - Used Car Dealership, outskirts of Seoul]
A modest lot lined with cars stood before him. Justice's eyes locked on a 2018 black Ford Mustang, slightly worn but still oozing style and speed. A Korean car salesman stepped forward.
Car Salesman (in Korean):
"Ah, welcome! You have good taste, sir. That one just came in. Low mileage, good engine, foreign import."
"I'm interested. What's the price?"
"Listed at 35,000 dollars, but... if you pay now, I can lower it to 32."
Justice opened his messenger app and displayed the bank wire screen.
"Done. Wire it now."
The salesman's eyes lit up. He nodded quickly and brought over the papers.
"You're not wasting time. Business or pleasure?"
"Just a... long drive."
He took the keys, revved the engine once, then carefully drove the Mustang to a hidden garage two blocks from the safe house-locked, covered, and off the radar.
[Later that day - Safe House Viewing, Seoul back alley district]
Justice stood in front of a narrow apartment entrance with peeling paint and a faint smell of cigarettes. A local broker met him there.
Real Estate Broker (in Korean):
"This is a discreet two-bedroom unit. No questions asked. Cameras off the books. Basement access. Thirty-five hundred per month, first three months upfront."
"Furnished?"looking around
"Just enough. No neighbors. No noise complaints."
"Good."
He handed over the envelope of cash.
"I was never here."
"Of course not."
Justice stepped inside, inspecting the space. It was quiet, dim, with old wooden floors and just enough furniture to live unnoticed. He opened the window blinds and saw the Mustang parked across the street, safe and covered.
"Home sweet mission."
[Nightfall - Inside the safe house]
Justice sat on a worn-out sofa, eating instant noodles while typing on his laptop. He opened a private channel and pinged Miguel.
Justice (video call):
"You sent the money fast this time bro."
Miguel (appearing on screen, chuckling):
"Organization said this one's urgent. You got everything bro?"
"Mustang secured. Safe house too. Both clean. No paper trail."
"Good bro. Because the agent lands tomorrow morning. You'll pick him up."
"This better not be another stiff in a suit."
"You'll find out. They didn't give me his name either. Just said 'Agent.' Confidential."
"Great. A ghost. I'll call him 'Agent Nobody.'"
"You'll survive. He's your partner now, like it or not bro."
"Lucky me."
[Same night - A narrow street in Seoul]
Han Min-Yoon adjusted the strap of her bag, her white nurse uniform still faintly stained from her long shift. The street ahead was quiet... until she heard the sound of a man crying out in pain.
Voice (shouting):
"Please-stop! I don't have anything left!"
She turned the corner and froze.
A group of five gang members surrounded a man on the ground, punching and kicking him repeatedly.
Han Min-Yoon (yelling):
"Hey! Stop that right now!"
The gang turned toward her, surprised. One of them took a threatening step forward.
Gang Member (mocking):
"And what are you gonna do, nurse lady? Call an ambulance?"
"No. I'll scream so loud every apartment here wakes up-and you'll all be arrested!"
Gang Leader (smirking):
"Cute. Maybe we'll teach you a lesson too."
But before any of them could move, the sharp glare of headlights turned the corner, accompanied by a loud whoop of a police siren.
Police Officer (through megaphone):
"Stay where you are!"
"Shit! It's the cops!"
The five men scattered instantly, vanishing into the shadows.
The patrol car skidded to a halt as the officer jumped out. Min-Yoon knelt beside the victim.
"Are you hurt, ma'am?"
"I'm fine. He's not. He's bleeding from the head and his ribs might be broken."
"Emergency services are on the way."
Min-Yoon (softly to the victim):
"Hang in there... you're safe now."
The officer glanced at her with admiration as he radioed for backup.
[Next Morning - Safe House, Seoul]
Justice Park stood in front of the mirror, toothbrush sticking out of his mouth, hair uncombed, still in his pajama pants. His phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up lazily and read the message.
Miguel (text):
"Agent just landed at Incheon. ETA to pickup: 30 minutes."
Justice blinked.
Justice (with a mouth full of toothpaste):
"Wait-what? That's today?!"
He spat into the sink, wiped his mouth, and immediately started scrambling to put on his jeans.
"Bro, Miguel could've given me a heads up! Agent this, agent that... Probably just another tight-laced wannabe spy."
He grabbed his jacket, car keys, and looked toward the garage window. The tarp-covered Mustang sat quietly in its own designated parking spot downstairs-a secondhand 2018 Ford Mustang he scored yesterday along with the lease for this safe house, both paid for with the $40,000 wired by NICA.
Justice (yelling dramatically to the Mustang):
"Not today, baby! You stay pretty right there. This agent's first ride is the beat-up Hyundai!"
He hopped into the rusty old sedan and pulled out of the driveway, the engine sputtering like it had asthma.
"Let the grand pickup of Agent Ghostface begin..."
[Incheon Airport - Arrival Terminal]
Justice pulled up to the curb with a wheeze from the car and jumped out, scanning the crowd.
"Alright, where's this 'super spy'... probably wearing shades indoors or something."
Then, through the crowd, a man in a simple black jacket and duffle bag emerged-calm, composed, and quiet. His presence didn't scream "agent." It whispered it. Justice squinted.
"...He doesn't even look scary. Looks like someone's driver."
He raised a hand and waved.
Justice (loudly):
"Yo! Are you... the Agent?"
The man stopped in front of him, not reacting much, just nodding slightly.
"I'm Justice Park, Seoul's finest hacker, getaway driver, and all-around awesome guy. But you can just call me Justice. You got a name, Agent Mystery?"
"Lance."
"Lance? That's it? No last name? No code name like Shadow Panther or Operation Thunder?"
"Just Lance."
"Cool. Real mysterious. You don't talk much, huh? Let me guess-you kill people with spoons or something?"
Jahm gave him a neutral look. Justice grinned wider.
Justice (still rambling as they walk to the car):
"Alright, Lance. Here's the deal. I got us a sweet setup. Safe house in a quiet neighborhood. Two-bedroom, fast Wi-Fi, stocked fridge. You'll love it. I even got us a Mustang-parked safe and sound downstairs like royalty."
They reached the Hyundai. Justice flung open the door and gestured like he was showing off a sports car.
"For now, though, welcome to The Rattler! She might be ugly, but she's loyal. Just ignore the weird noise when I hit second gear."
Jahm slid into the passenger seat without a word.
"Still no reaction? You're like... an ice cube, man. Are you even real?"
"Just drive."
"See, now we're bonding! I can already tell-we're gonna be besties."
As they pulled away from the airport, the Hyundai rattled violently over a speed bump.
"Don't worry, Lance. You survive this ride, and I'll let you sit in the Mustang someday."
Jahm leaned back, expression unreadable.
"Looking forward to it."
[Later - Safe House, Seoul]
The old Hyundai rattled to a stop in front of a quiet two-story building tucked in an alleyway in eastern Seoul. It looked ordinary on the outside, with pale gray walls and a security gate, but inside was a different story.
Justice stepped out of the car with a proud grin.
"Tada! Home sweet home. Not flashy, but trust me-this place is tighter than a bank vault."
Jahm stepped out, scanning the surroundings with sharp, observant eyes. No reaction. Just silence.
Justice unlocked the gate and held it open dramatically.
"Right this way, Agent Lance. Welcome to Casa de Justice. Please ignore the squeaky stairs and occasional rat."
Inside, the safe house was minimal but clean. There were two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a living room with a few gadgets on the table, and a laptop open beside a stack of ramen cups.
"I set this up yesterday-paint still smells fresh in the back room. Got two beds, high-speed internet, VPNs, signal jammers, emergency cash, weapons locker, and even Netflix."
Jahm put his bag down by the wall and slowly walked through the living room, checking exits and sightlines.
"You're really the strong, silent type, huh? You check for snipers in your sleep or something?"
Jahm didn't respond.
Justice rolled his eyes with a smile.
"Anyway, down in the garage is where the magic happens."
He motioned for Jahm to follow him downstairs. They descended a narrow staircase into a small private basement garage. There, under a tarp, rested the secondhand 2018 Mustang.
Justice yanked the tarp off with flair.
"Boom! Meet your baby. Just bought her yesterday with the cash NICA sent-forty grand well spent. Had to charm a few shady dealers, but worth it."
Jahm gave the car a glance. Clean. Powerful. Low profile but ready to roar.
"She's got some age, but don't be fooled. I tuned her up myself. Custom plate. Backup GPS. Bulletproof windows."
Jahm (quietly):
"Looks solid."
Justice gasped dramatically.
Justice:
"He speaks again! That's twice in one day! What's next, a smile?"
Jahm gave the smallest smirk.
Justice looked stunned.
"Was that a smile? Are you human?! Quick, somebody write that down!"
They both stood in silence for a beat. Then, Justice turned more serious.
"Look, I don't know what your mission is exactly. I wasn't told. I just got a name and a transfer. You're the field guy. I'm just your tech and wheels."
"Let's keep it that way."
"Alright. No names, no questions. Just the job."
He looked over at the Mustang again.
"But while we're at it, I call dibs on driving her at least once."
"We'll see."
"Ohoho! Challenge accepted."
"Don't be too excited"
"By the way, before I forget, I heard that the test drive for the minister will be held two days from now, so do well there. It seems that's the only way to get close to the minister."
"Thanks!"
"So you actually express gratitude too, I thought you were just a heartless agent."
They walked back upstairs as night started to fall over Seoul, both men aware that their mission was just beginning.
[Meanwhile,Minister Kang's Private Estate, Night]
Inside a luxurious private villa on the outskirts of Seoul, Minister Kang sat behind a large, dark-wood desk, a glass of whiskey in hand. The room was dimly lit, except for the large screen on the wall playing CCTV footage of different clubs across South Korea.
A trusted aide stood before him, holding a folder.
"One month. That's all we have before the shipment lands."
"Yes, Minister. Logistics are in place, but we still need a driver."
"You've had a week to find someone. What's the excuse now?"
"We've interviewed many, sir. Most were unfit or couldn't be trusted. But... there is one."
He opened the folder and showed Kang a photo.
"This man. Name's Seo Joon-hyuk. Ex-delivery racer. Clean record. Sharp instincts. Doesn't talk much. He starts the test run two days from now."
Minister Kang studied the photo for a moment.
"He looks decent. Not too flashy. Reliable face. I like that."
"Shall I cancel further applicants once he passes the test?"
"No. Keep the final test open. I want to see competition. If this man folds under pressure, we'll know. Let the best driver win."
"Understood, sir. The final test drive is in two days. Joon-hyuk will be there. If any last-minute applicants show up, they'll be tested too."
"Good. I don't care who wins, as long as they're loyal and fearless."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on a map of South Korea marked with red pins-his drug distribution points.
"This shipment is too big to fail because this would be a huge loss for me, so we need to carefully unload the shipment here and test it in all the clubs in South Korea."