Chapter Text
"Here."
All of them stare at the items laid out in front of them with confusion, unsure as to what they are.
The five of them have been gathered back into the mock warehouse grounds on a dreary day in July, but rather than simulated training, they're here for the technical part of their agent exams. They've all finished suiting up and are ready to go, now standing in front of both Dongsun and Taewon at the debriefing table.
"My apologies sir, but what are these?" Hyojin asks, leaning in to get a closer look.
"These are some prototypes that we've received from our new partners, Yuuin Co. While these have yet to be sold to us in bulk, they were generous and gave us these prototypes as a way to solidify our trust in them. Already tested but yet to be perfected," Taewon explains, pointing to one of the two different items on the table. "Standard earpieces, but with extended range and clearer audio quality. A unique and new addition to these are capabilities to contact a singular person within the group, rather than having to relay to the entire group. While not exactly necessary when there is someone from H&I on standby, this is helpful for those on the field wishing to contact a specific agent."
Seungjun immediately lights up at the details, a hand reaching out to grab one of the earpieces. No one stops him, so he ends up holding it in his hand to examine. It looks relatively simple, but Seungjun can see evidence of pressure-activated sensors on the body of the earpiece, much more sensitive than a typical earpiece. It also looks a bit bulkier, but not much is added in terms of weight.
"These, on the other hand, are some… interesting new pieces of technology." Dongsun gestures to five pairs of thin glasses, sitting within a padded case. "A multitude of features are still being developed, but at the moment, this will allow you to track the location of other wearers within a 150 meter range, as well as evaluate safe positions based on your location and perception. Combined with the earpieces, this makes for a much safer and more efficient way for agents to carry out missions. We figured that this would be a good opportunity to try them out."
Dongsun pushes the case towards the five of them. "Feel free to take some time getting used to the glasses, as well as to set up the earpieces. The touch sensor on the earpieces are able to read morse, so set up a single letter as your code for the time being. The code for the entire group is the letter T."
They busy themselves with the new equipment, helping each other out with certain aspects. Seungjun takes to it the fastest, and is quick to get all their codes set up for the exam. After some calibration and a few setting changes, they're good to go.
"Fuck, this is really cool," Seungjun whispers, looking around at the other members. He can see a small dot above Jaeyoung's head, also listing his code letter of "J". It moves as he moves, and the clarity of the text is rather constant.
"Now that you've gotten familiarized with this new equipment," Taewon interjects, clapping his hands to get their attention, "it is time for your exam. You have all been debriefed on the objective, but allow me to give one final reminder."
He gestures to the wide space. "You are to retrieve the hostage located on the other side of the area. There are a multitude of guards and hostiles present, in which the precise number is unknown. Your objective is to return to your starting location with the hostage unharmed and all hostiles dispatched. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir!" they all shout.
"Dongsun, please lead them to their starting location," Taewon orders.
"Understood."
They silently file behind their combat instructor, walking to a nearby location of a semi-enclosed area of shipping containers. The man wishes them luck before leaving them alone.
"Attention, recruits."
Their eyes sharpen.
"Your mission starts in three,"
Muscles go tense.
"Two,"
A deep breath in.
"One,"
Exhale.
"Start."
"Recruits Kim Hyojin, Lee Changyoon, Lee Seungjun, Shim Jaeyoung, and Park Minkyun completed their mock mission at 1438, one hour and 38 minutes after the start time of 1300…"
"…All 15 planted agents were eliminated, five by Park, three by Shim and Kim, and two from each Lee…"
"...15 agents? You used every able bodied agent for this exam? You had faith that they would be able to deal with 15 trained agents, Taewon?"
"To be fair, they were all told to restrain themselves accordingly, Overseer. And yes, I did have faith in them. They all passed with flying colours, did they not?"
"I can't see why this is necessary."
"Oh come on, Hyojin! It's just a small party!"
Hyojin frowns. "And by small, you mean the entire company."
Minkyun crosses his arms. "I mean, we are officially debuting as agents now. It's a pretty big thing. The party is a nice gesture." His eyes drift off to the rest of the mess hall, where all the staff and agents stand mingling together on this fine, early August evening. They themselves have been herded to the side of the room in order to wait for the big announcement.
"It isn't every day that there are new agents. We're the newest in what? A few years now, I think," Jaeyoung pipes in, slinging an arm around Hyojin's shoulders. "Think less of it being a party for us accepting imminent death and more of a party to congratulate us officially being a part of the WM family."
Changyoon snorts at the comment. Hyojin just sighs.
"Fine, fine."
"Shh, there's Boss!" Seungjun quickly waves them over, and they all step a bit closer to see Taewon stand on a table to address the crowd. "Filthy. Get those shoes off the damn table! How could he!" he quietly whines, eliciting an elbow to the ribs from Hyojin.
"He's the damn CEO. Taewon-nim can do whatever he wants."
"Still! Everyone here knows that putting your shoes where they don't belong is a federal crime!"
"If it makes you feel any better hyung, there's a tablecloth," Minkyun comments.
"Only marginally," Seungjun grumbles. He's quick to shut his mouth when Taewon begins to speak.
"Good evening, everybody. As you may know, today is a very momentous day, in which we welcome five new agents to our company. They have been training hard for the past two years, and have been exemplary in their studies and practices. While this event is not only to congratulate them of their new status, it is also to give them a warm welcome into the WM family."
"Told you so," Jaeyoung whispers.
"New agents," Taewon continues, and they snap to attention. "As I call out your chosen codename and name, please come and stand in line in front of me."
They give each other a quick squeeze on the hand.
"Without further ado, I would like to announce the new members to the family." Taewon clears his throat, before projecting his voice much louder, filling the room with the presence of his authority.
"Agent Fox, Lee Changyoon."
Changyoon makes his way to the front, feeling all the stares of the other staff and agents, and simply gives them all a small smile as he stands.
"Agent Crow, Lee Seungjun."
Seungjun has the audacity to wave at some of the staff like he's walking the red carpet. It makes them all laugh.
"Agent Lion, Shim Jaeyoung."
Jaeyoung walks over in a rather stiff manner, not used to so many eyes on him. He folds his hands behind his back to hide how he plays with his fingers.
"Agent Mongoose, Park Minkyun."
Minkyun keeps his chin held high as he walks, feeling pride swell in his heart as he hears Taewon announce his codename. This is his name. One that he chose, not one that he was given.
"And last but not least, Agent Pheonix, Kim Hyojin."
Hyojin pretends that he's back at that party all those years ago, next to his father as they strode across the ballroom to go from business partner to business partner. This time, however, he's eight years older with his hair dyed a deep red.
The five of them stand facing everyone else, hands folded behind them and their spines ramrod straight.
"With these five agents, I am proud to announce their induction as a new specialized team dubbed ONF, under the lead of Agent Pheonix."
And their faces immediately morph into one of surprise.
"I'm sor—"
"Please congratulate them on their achievements!" Taewon is quick to cut Hyojin off, and as soon as he finishes talking, everyone crowds towards them.
Doyoung sweeps Seungjun up in a bear hug, while Hongjun slaps Changyoon's back so hard he almost falls over, Jieun simply laughing at the ordeal. Jaeyoung gets his hair ruffled by Yoonsik. He looks so shocked at the action that it elicits a bark of laughter from the combat instructor, which only makes Jaeyoung even more confused. Hyojin gets a very tender hug from Siyeon and a proud look from Kei. Boreum and Jaemin stride over to Minkyun, and the woman holds her hands out. Minkyun takes them slowly, and she squeezes them lightly while congratulating them.
Their motley crew gets swept up into the festivities, dragged along to get food and drinks and to talk. Eventually, the thought of being promoted to agent becomes a fleeting moment, and they focus on the present. On bonding with everyone and cherishing the memory while they still can.
Who knows how long it will be until this all disappears?
"...and they chose their own codenames, correct?"
"Yes, Overseer. As every other agent has, they follow the tradition."
"...Mm. They fit them well. There's one in particular that I quite like."
"Oh? Which one, Overseer?"
"Mongoose."
"Ah, yes. I believe you're aware of who that agent is."
"I do. How curious, that there's a snake killer in your ranks now. That bodes quite the future."
Their first mission as fully inducted agents is surprisingly, not one as a group.
No. Individually, they are paired up with two senior agents, and each week, are sent on an escalated B-rank mission in which fighting is necessary.
It becomes very clear what the missions are for.
First kills.
It causes some unease in their group, if only because they're being forced to face the harsh reality of their jobs quite quickly. Hyojin brings up a solid point though, the day before his own mission, the first of four.
"It will be mentally easier to process in a controlled environment rather than in the midst of a serious mission, where you might freeze up and compromise it," he explains, sitting on the couch with the roots of his hair plastered in red dye and tinfoil. "It makes sense."
It brings little comfort, but comfort nonetheless.
Hyojin finds himself paired with Gongchan and Sandeul. Changyoon with Heejun and Dongsun. Seungjun sees Boreum and Shinwoo as his teammates. Jaeyoung has Dohyun and Hyejin.
Minkyun is the only constant in these missions. He comes along with each member, quietly watching as they bloody their hands for the first time. Oddly enough, he becomes a bit of a tether for them.
("Please allow me to assist on their missions."
Taewon raises his eyebrow. "I understand that you will not have your own mission of this kind. Is there a reason why you're volunteering to attend?"
Minkyun stares at Taewon with cold eyes.
"If they are unable to make the kill, then I will do it for them.")
Their first real mission also means their first official mission report. Their practice shadowing missions helps them to write reports that are coherent and to the point whilst not missing out on any information.
While the length of their reports varies on the person, for the most part, they've been thorough in the amount of information included. It's a little silly to him, Hyojin notes, as he ends up filing away the reports into their online database, that he can already tell the pattern in their reports for the future ahead.
(His heart swells in both pride and disappointment — proud of how well his team has done, but disappointed in how easy it was for them to end an life.)
The nature of the mission also means mandatory mental health check ups.
"Do you regret your actions?"
"For an unavoidable event, no."
"No."
"It didn't seem right… but it was for a better future."
"For this occurance, no. I'd rather not kill mindlessly in the future, however."
All four of them are given the pass to continue their work as agents, officially marking the start of their new career. They get treated to a big dinner as a celebration, along with the rest of the staff. It… acts a distraction to the blood now spilt on their hands.
The reports from the other staff members on their first kill missions are tucked away into their dossiers, the digital versions locked from Hyojin's access for the time being. Another meeting is held with all the heads. The decision is unanimous.
ONF is ready to be dispatched.
And quietly, at the back of the room seated in the corner, Minkyun clasps his hands together and prays that they'll survive.
(Minkyun raises an eyebrow as he's asked to talk halfway through the meeting, standing straight to recite his reports for the rest of the heads to listen to.
Taewon had taken his request and tweaked it to his own liking, using Minkyun as… a spy of sorts. Since he was already well established with the workings of an agent company, it was requested that he act as part of the judge's panel, writing his own reports and providing his opinions.
He talks about how Jaeyoung and Seungjun were the most hesitant. Both had asked if it was truly necessary, if they could instead knock their victim out and hand them over to the authorities or put them in WM's own cells.
He notes how Hyojin, befitting of his status as heir, simply steeled himself with a few breaths and a mutter of an apology slipping past his lips, before he squeezed the trigger.
And quietly, Minkyun speaks about Changyoon's ruthless behaviour, not a single ounce of hesitation in his blood nor question asked. As soon as Dongsun gave the okay for lethal shots, Changyoon had silently shot one in the thigh, grimaced at his aim, and finished it with a bullet to their head.)
"Hm… Interesting."
"How so, Overseer?"
"This agent in particular intrigues me. More so than Mongoose, if I must be frank."
"Ah, yes. He's been a bit of an enigma, to be frank. None of us have a good prediction on what his path will be."
"I can see. Perhaps it'll go something like this?..."
"..."
"I couldn't agree more, Overseer."