Free Web NovelI boarded the prepared limousine and left Dulles Airport.
The car carrying me entered Washington D.C., the capital of the United States and the center of American politics.
Until leaving the airport, the vehicle had been moving quickly, but due to the completely clogged traffic situation, we had no choice but to move slowly.
“Boss, I’ve been informed that a protest is happening up ahead.”
Manager Ma, who was sitting in the passenger seat, reported after receiving a message from the security car in front.
“A protest?”
“Yes. In front of the Capitol, Democratic supporters are gathering to protest the presidential election results.”
“Didn’t the Democratic Party already concede defeat?”
At the mention of protests, I slightly lowered the heavily tinted limousine window.
“It’s dangerous, Boss.”
Manager Ma tried to dissuade me with concern, but I smiled softly and replied.
“If someone capable of killing me in the middle of Washington wants me dead, then they can kill me anywhere.”
Outside the slowly moving limousine, stuck in traffic, I could see crowds marching.
In my previous life, the election had ended in a fierce battle, which caused enormous controversy. But this time, there was no such worry, as the Republican Bush had achieved a complete victory.
And yet, seeing the massive crowds shouting about election fraud as they marched toward the very heart of Washington, the Capitol, I shook my head. I lowered the window, thinking perhaps protests in America might be different, but there was nothing more worth seeing, so I rolled it back up.
“America is no different.”
I murmured softly, and Manager Ma turned his head back toward me.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. Just a thought. Whether in America or Korea, it seems people can only be satisfied if their side wins.”
I spoke casually, but my mind was rather tangled. Even in America, the so-called heaven of democracy, people refused to accept election results...
The severe traffic jam ended only after the protest march fully gathered in front of the Capitol.
Leaving the demonstrators behind, we sped toward the reserved hotel.
After a long drive, the car finally stopped.
Manager Ma got out first, checked the positions of the security team, and scanned for any potential threats. Once confirming all was clear, he opened the car door.
“Boss, we’ve arrived.”
As I stepped out of the car, people nearby turned to stare. Manager Ma naturally shielded me and led me into the hotel.
After hearing about Eva’s attack, Manager Ma had immediately requested security reinforcements from Black Bear’s U.S. branch. frёewebηovel.cѳm
Because far more personnel had been dispatched than I had originally requested, it was inevitable that we drew attention wherever we went.
The security team that had entered earlier finished checking in and was waiting with the elevator. Without even stopping once, we arrived at the suite on the top floor.
As soon as I entered the room, I loosened my tie and spoke.
“I’m going to rest well today. Don’t connect any calls no matter who tries to reach me.”
“Understood, Boss.”
“There’s still time until dinner, right? I plan to eat with Han once he arrives, so wake me when he gets here.”
After sending Manager Ma out of the room, I was left alone. The long flight and the mental weight from Eva’s attack left me craving the bed.
I threw myself onto it and closed my eyes. I hadn’t realized how exhausted I was, but the moment I lay down, I immediately fell asleep.
Manager Ma woke me. It seemed Han Kyungyeong had arrived.
When I opened my eyes, the room was dark. He must have arrived at night, not evening.
Perhaps I’d had a nightmare, because I was drenched in sweat and felt uncomfortable. After a quick shower, I left the room.
Heading down to the hotel restaurant, I found Han Kyungyeong and Eric waiting, engaged in conversation.
When I walked in, the two men rose to their feet. Glad to see familiar faces, I smiled.
“What were you two discussing so seriously?”
I asked as I greeted them and sat down. They followed suit.
“We were talking about the incident with Eva’s attack.”
Of course it was a grave topic. I nodded at Han Kyungyeong’s answer.
“Boss, I also received a report from the team dispatched to Japan.”
Eric’s face was utterly serious.
If I hadn’t requested Black Bear’s intervention, who knew what might have happened to Eva. Naturally, Eric wore a heavy expression.
“How bad are our losses? I was too distracted earlier to check properly.” freewebnσvel.cѳm
“Fortunately, no fatalities. A few serious injuries, but that’s all.”
I let out a sigh of relief at the news that no one had died. Still, questions remained.
“I heard firearms were used?”
“Yes. Russian-made pistols. They aren’t only obtainable in Russia; they’re also sold in the U.S. under the name ‘VIKING.’”
As a precaution, the car Eva rode in had been a bulletproof vehicle like those used by presidents.
Japan, like Korea, was a country with strict gun control, yet frequent shootings occurred, with even machine guns used in Yakuza turf wars.
Still, the fact that gunfire had erupted in the middle of Tokyo was a big deal, and the lack of any public mention was suspicious.
“However, the guns used in this attack don’t appear to have come from the U.S. Though legal here, firearms are tightly regulated. Our conclusion is that they entered Japan through the Russian Mafia.”
Smuggled from Russia... That might actually make things easier to trace.
“You’re saying the guns were obtained in Russia?”
“Yes. Igor is already investigating the matter there directly.”
I turned my head slightly and gave instructions to Manager Ma, who was standing nearby.
“Contact Medvedev’s side and request information on Russian Mafia involved in arms smuggling. They should already have a handle on it, especially since word of our ambush in Japan has surely reached them.”
After Putin’s rise to power, the movements of Russian Mafia within the country had sharply declined.
That was because Berezovsky and his faction, their de facto godfathers, had all been arrested. The only one left alive was Roman, who was practically Berezovsky’s foster son.
“Contact Roman as well. If anyone can find out quickly, it’s probably him.”
First, I would trace the pistols’ route of entry, information we could confirm with certainty.
They dared to touch my people, so they’d better be ready. As I was considering further measures, Eric spoke again.
“In the meantime, I’ve sent all remaining security personnel from the Korean branch over to Japan. Protecting Representative Eva takes priority.”
“Well done.”
Before I even gave the order, Eric had already taken the initiative to complete follow-up measures. A smile naturally formed on my face.
Truly, keeping capable people at one’s side made life easier.
“How is Black Bear operating?”
“Very well, Boss. We no longer need James’s support. Among existing PMCs, we are the best.”
Eric’s firm voice and expression radiated pride and confidence.
“You’ve grown it to that level already? I was under the impression there were quite a few PMCs out there.”
The funds invested to build Black Bear had been immense—greater even than the amount poured into acquiring Joongwoo Group.
Seeing my surprise, Eric’s smile deepened.
“There’s war everywhere. Our intervention in the Kosovo conflict, where we demonstrated our abilities, was the biggest factor. And compared to other PMCs, we treat former special forces from the U.S. and other countries far better, which allowed us to recruit excellent talent.”
Being a mercenary was always a profession that lived with death close at hand. Yet, compared to that risk, the price of their lives was absurdly cheap.
Most of the time, their lives were worth less than the very equipment they carried, and that was the unavoidable reality.
“And purchasing state-of-the-art equipment that maximizes survival rates before anyone else—this seems to have been especially attractive to mercenaries. Because of that, our company’s hiring costs have skyrocketed. Still, there are so many clients requesting us that we’re practically short on manpower.”
“Don’t push too hard just for profit.”
The reason I founded the PMC was to protect myself and those around me, not to make money.
“Of course, I know well. I understand why you recruited me and why you founded the PMC. I’ll fulfill that role faithfully.”
Seeing Eric speak with confidence and smile reassuringly, I nodded.
Black Bear seemed to be running smoothly, so now it was Dreamhigh’s turn. I shifted my gaze to Han Kyungyeong.
“And you? How are you holding up?”
“There’s not much left for me to do now. Most of the work is being handled by the staff under me.”
Han Kyungyeong’s expression looked relieved as he said that. It seemed the strain he had been carrying until now had been no small thing.
“This time was pretty risky, wasn’t it?”
Perhaps recalling when Nasdaq had kept soaring endlessly, Han Kyungyeong grimaced and shook his head violently.
“Don’t even mention it. We ended up signing more contracts than expected. Every time I opened my eyes, the deficit piled up like a mountain, and my blood ran dry. The people under me kept coming, saying that since Nasdaq was still rising, we had to join in too...”
He even waved his hands while speaking, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“It’s not something to laugh about. If it hadn’t been for your orders, I would have bet on the bull run too. Whether in the stock market or the futures market, there’s always a trend. When everyone else was shouting YES, you said NO.”
“You saw it too. It was just that other forces got involved, which stretched things longer than I had expected. Still, you worked hard.”
Because the bull run had lasted longer than I had predicted, even with knowledge of the future, I had been uneasy. For someone like Han Kyungyeong, who didn’t know the future, that unease must have been far worse.
But even if I went back, I wouldn’t think of missing that opportunity.
“New York Stock Exchange hasn’t crashed badly, has it?”
After thinking for a moment, Han Kyungyeong nodded.
“The bubble burst on Nasdaq, not on New York as a whole. By the way, you said there weren’t any big events left, right?”
“Right. Once we finish the Qualcomm acquisition, maybe we’ll take a trip.”
“A trip?”
Watching Han Kyungyeong repeat the word in puzzlement, I smiled softly.
Even a well-trained horse will throw its rider if only whipped endlessly. It was ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ about time I handed out a carrot.
“Remember the small island in Greece I bought? They’ve finished setting it up. When you get the chance, go visit.”
I had purchased a small island in Greece. I had poured great effort into creating a place where my people could enjoy themselves without outside interference.
Massive construction had gone into building facilities for relaxation in total privacy, and finally, word had come that everything was complete.
“One mercenary team is stationed there. They say it’s paradise. I’d like to see it myself someday.”
Eric, who had been listening to my conversation with Han Kyungyeong, added that.
“Really? I’ve had it prepared but never gone myself. I’ll have to visit. Once business in Japan is wrapped up, I’ll take Eva there.”
Though it was called a small island, it had a private airstrip, helipads, and plenty of facilities for emergencies. Having a mercenary team stationed there was reason enough.
“One team isn’t enough. That place will be a retreat for my people. So send those who have served long in war zones there to rest for a while.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll increase the personnel.”
I recalled Chairman Song’s advice. If you only run without pause, you eventually burn out.
He had said it out of concern for me, but it was advice that applied equally to my people.
“All right, enough business talk. Let’s eat. Eric, how have you been? Still working every single day?”
It felt wrong that after such a long time apart we had only discussed business. I steered the topic elsewhere. When I picked up my knife, the other two followed.
We enjoyed dinner in a warm atmosphere, and afterward Eric left.
I went upstairs with Han Kyungyeong. There was still a bit left for us to discuss.
“Stay here tonight. Let’s share a drink for old times’ sake.”
When we entered the room, the perceptive Manager Ma had already arranged for the hotel staff to set up drinks.
I uncorked the whiskey bottle on the table and poured a glass, handing it to Han Kyungyeong.
“Take one. It’s been a while since I’ve drunk with you.”
Han Kyungyeong accepted the glass with a laugh. Perhaps from the wine he’d had with dinner, his expression was looser than usual.
“You’re right. These days we hardly ever have enough time for something like this.”
We each filled our glasses, then clinked them together. A crisp sound rang out.
I downed my glass in one go, set it down, and asked Han Kyungyeong.
“Have you met with Bush’s close aides yet?”
Han Kyungyeong nodded and picked up a piece of fruit.
“Most of them. I attended almost all the fundraising parties and charity events.”
“What kind of people are they? Compared to the Clinton administration, I mean.”
At my question, Han Kyungyeong furrowed his brows in thought. I refilled his glass while he pondered.
“Their whole disposition is completely different. It’s not just the difference between Republican and Democrat.”
It seemed not so different from what I already knew. I nodded in agreement.
“You think they’re more hardline too, right?”
“Yes. Even when Republicans and Democrats have policy differences, both still put America first. But these people take it further. They’d start wars if it meant crushing nations that go against America.”
Willing to start wars... I frowned unconsciously.
We continued drinking, talking about Bush, the next occupant of the White House, and his advisers.
When the mood was ripe, I finally spoke.
“Brother, I’ve received a request from Kim Jongil of North Korea. He wants me to lead negotiations for a peace treaty between the U.S. and North Korea. When I meet Bush, I’m going to bring it up.”
At that bombshell, surprise appeared openly on Han Kyungyeong’s face.
