November 2, 2030

  Level 4 Agent Kim Min-seok, working alongside Jung Min-ju, began tracing the last known movements of Lee Yeol-gi. He started combing through lists of people who had gone missing in the Taepyeong salt farm area. This region had been under investigation by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for cases involving salt farm slaves, and reports from about three years ago claimed that those who had “taken jobs” there were all relatives of the salt farm owners. The report, which stated that relatives worked only two hours a day, was clearly fabricated, and it was likely that the actual workers were subjected to forced labor. Notably, Lee Yeol-gi, who had reportedly been traveling around Mokpo, was last seen on CCTV near Jeungdo, close to the Taepyeong salt farm, after which no further trace of him was detected.

  During the investigation, a junior agent entered the office. He whispered something to Agent Kim Min-seok, who nodded and approached Agent Jung Min-ju. “...Agent Jung, someone reported being held captive at the Taepyeong salt farm. They claim to know where Lee Yeol-gi and other deceased individuals are buried.” Jung Min-ju turned to Kim Min-seok. “...Are you sure? If we raid the place and find nothing, it’ll be hard to investigate there again.” Kim Min-seok nodded. “I know, but the voice sounded genuinely urgent. Let’s get a warrant at least.”

  …

  Swish… swish… The seawater lapped against the edge of the salt farm, creating waves. Park Sung-jae, now disguised as a 70-year-old man, was sweating profusely as he gathered salt from one end of the farm to the other. Others looked at him in amazement. “Wow… is he really in his 70s? He works so well…although, he’s still just a slave in here.” People pitied the elderly man, not thay they were in a position to do that. Sung-jae had his ID and bankbook confiscated while working. When work ended and mealtime arrived, the salt farm owners came by and handed out salted rice balls. A young man protested. “Look, I don’t care about the others, but shouldn’t you give the old man an extra one?” The owners ignored him and left. The young man clicked his tongue and shared his own rice ball. “How did you end up in a place like this, Grandpa?”

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  Park Sung-jae ate the shared rice ball and began talking with the other laborers. As the salt farm slaves chatted, they started discussing about those who had died here. “People who don’t obey get beaten to death all the time. Probably half of those who died here are buried on Jeungdo island. It’s got a lot of tidal flats, so you can dig soft mud and bury them easily.” Park Sung-jae, posing as Gamagogi, listened quietly. He looked up at the salt farm. “...Hmm, that’s a shame… This place is bound to breed slaves.” The salt farm slaves listened closely to his words. Park Sung-jae held up the salted rice ball. “You all know that there’s the island is subjected to Jeolla Province, right? The biggest rice-producing region in our country. They produce rice there, and with plenty of factories, they sell rice and factory goods in a cheap price. I heard that they even make and sell salt. But here in Shinan, there’s no rice or factories, so they try to sell salt as cheaply as possible.”

  The salt farm slaves exchanged glances. “...How do you know all that, old man?” Park Sung-jae, acting as Gamagogi, rubbed his nose. “Believe it or not, I used to be a university professor. I studied the issues of slavery systems.” The others nodded. “...Didn’t peg you for that, but you must’ve been quite the scholar.” The old man nodded. “I came here to learn about salt farm slavery. Don’t worry, everyone. I’ve reported this to the NIS, and friends are coming to rescue me.”

  …

  Gamamusa dragged Gamagogi’s carry-on bag down to the lobby. Gamagogi had just finished preparing to leave the hotel and was waiting for Gamamusa. “You’re here, my son. Where’d you go?” Gamagogi noticed the carry-on bag in Gamamusa’s hand and took it. “...Ah, this is why. Thank you.” Gamamusa hesitated, then grabbed Gamagogi’s hand. “...There was something in the water bottles… Is it okay to bring that on the plane?” Gamagogi looked momentarily startled but spoke softly. “Hmm… you went through my bag again. I’ll tell you when we get to the fatherland.”