Free Web NovelThough Chief Ma’s men handled part of my protection in Russia, most of it was Igor and his subordinates.
But the fact that they failed to prevent information from leaking—and worse, failed to grasp it at all—left me bitterly disappointed.
“Igor, I entrusted my life to you. Not in some other country, but here in Russia. Russian mafia don’t just have small arms, they fire anti-tank weapons. And yet you didn’t know of a terror plan? Were you planning to say after I was killed that you hadn’t known?”
“My apologies, boss.”
The reception room fell under a heavy chill. Fluster written across his face, Medvedev hurried to smooth things over.
“President Kim, we only learned of it recently ourselves. It took quite some time to confirm the intel. We only confirmed it as fact yesterday. But by then you were already en route to Moscow. There wasn’t an opportunity to inform Igor.”
“······Medvedev. This is my life on the line.”
Sensing my anger, Medvedev spoke steadily, meeting my gaze.
“I understand. That is why we even deployed armed police for your protection. Igor is communicating with us regularly. Normally your security is coordinated with him. But this time it broke out suddenly, and we couldn’t reach him. Please don’t scold him too harshly. It makes me feel guilty.”
Because of Medvedev, I decided to let it rest—for now.
Showing more anger when he spoke this way would do me no good. I exhaled deeply, running a hand through my hair, and asked:
“Medvedev, who else knows this information?”
“Putin does. He was furious—at the audacity of anyone daring to attempt such a thing in Russia.”
“Please make sure Igor receives this information. I cannot rely on Russian police protection indefinitely.”
Medvedev nodded, pulled out his phone, and made a short call.
After ending it, he turned to Igor, still bowing his head.
“Branch Chief Igor.”
“Yes, Chief Medvedev.”
“I’ve spoken with the Minister of Internal Affairs. Contact him and receive the intel.”
“Thank you.”
Turning back to me, Medvedev bowed slightly.
“We’ll give Branch Chief Igor all the information we have.”
“Understood. And thank you, Chief Medvedev.”
I smiled at him, then looked to Igor, still lowering his head. The quiet anger in my voice made his tension clear.
“Igor, redo the entire security plan. Report to Chief Ma when it’s complete.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Leave us.”
“Yes, boss.”
Igor exited the reception room. Silence hung for a moment before Medvedev spoke.
“President Kim, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the Soviet military valued pride above life itself. Don’t push him too far.”
“This isn’t about pride. This is my life. If President Putin were attacked while attending an event, would anyone in the cabinet—yourself included—survive?”
“······.”
Best case, they’d just be stripped of office. Worst case, they’d sip tea laced with radiation and waste away, or else take a bullet to the forehead.
“Igor will have learned from this. During my stay in Russia, Chief Ma does not interfere in security matters at all. That much is already consideration for Igor. But this was his mistake. He relied too much on FSB intel and didn’t gather separate sources. Anyway, it’s done. Let’s move on.”
Seeing Medvedev nod, I dropped ice into my empty glass and asked:
“Not many people knew I’d be meeting Mogilevich. How did that leak reach Ivankov and Usoyan?”
“We’re still investigating. Nothing is confirmed yet, but we suspect FSB or police informants among their ranks.”
His vague reply made me pause, fixing him with a look. He grew embarrassed and apologized in a small voice. I shook my head.
“This isn’t something for you to apologize for, Medvedev.”
“Still, the leak came from our side. It only shows how deeply the mafia’s claws remain in government. This time, I intend to thoroughly destroy any mafia opposing the state.”
“You’re planning to restart the mafia war?”
“Many mafia groups friendly to the government have shifted most of their business to legal fronts. But we can’t guarantee there won’t be others planning something like this again.” freewёbnoνel.com
Putin had declared war on the mafia, but in reality, most government-friendly syndicates had survived. It was less a war on crime than a purge of mafias tied to rival oligarchs.
“Putin said Russia must shed the disgrace of being a ‘mafia state’ like in Yeltsin’s era. He intends to start with the police. The FSB was already preparing such work when the intel about your assassination attempt arrived. That will likely serve as the trigger.”
So that was why they had paraded police so openly at the airport. I smiled, raising my glass toward him.
“Understood. Thank you for your concern.”
“Ha ha, not at all. You are Russia’s friend, President Kim.” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Medvedev clinked his glass with mine. We downed the vodka and resumed our talk.
“President Kim, can’t you cancel the meeting with Mogilevich?”
“······.”
My smile vanished instantly, face hardening. Yet Medvedev pressed on.
“The mafia, when profits are at stake, will even target government officials with terror.”
“Medvedev, are you telling me to hide like a frightened rat because of mafia threats?”
“That’s not what I meant······.”
His lips parted, but I cut him off firmly.
“The moment I yield to mafia threats, they’ll see me as easy prey. The meeting with Mogilevich will proceed. Don’t say that again.”
“I only say it because I’m worried for you.”
“If I hadn’t known, perhaps. But now that I do, I can’t back out. And you know I’m not one to go down easily.”
Worry etched his face. Understandable—he knew better than anyone how dangerous the Russian mafia was.
“They are a force that can’t be underestimated. Practically an army. Shameful as it is, when the Soviet Union collapsed, many of its weapons ended up in mafia hands. Their firepower is on a different level than mafias elsewhere.”
“Medvedev, have you forgotten who I eliminated in Moscow?”
The current balance of power was no longer the same. With Ivanov—the siloviki’s leader—gone at my hand, the siloviki had lost their drive.
Putin was pitting siloviki and oligarchs against each other in loyalty contests, strengthening his own grip. Changes I had a hand in bringing.
“My mercenaries are not weak enough to be beaten by mafia. Especially the Russia branch—composed mostly of Russians, and almost all ex-special forces.”
No matter how organized the mafia, they couldn’t match a private army.
“While I’m here, expect some noise. Please bear with it.”
“······Very well. If you need help, say so. I’ll have armed police on standby. If there’s movement, I’ll inform you.”
“Thank you. Now, let’s speak of something else. How’s the Russian economy? Oil prices seem to be rising, so conditions should be improving somewhat.”
“It’s better than before, but still far. Our dependence on natural resources remains a problem.”
I changed the subject openly, and Medvedev didn’t press further.
After thinking a moment, I swirled my glass and spoke.
“For now oil prices will continue to climb. You know the U.S. is preparing for war in Iraq, yes?”
“Of course. It’s giving us headaches too. The UN just held fierce debate over it. Everyone agreed the Afghanistan invasion was retribution for terror, but Iraq has crossed the line. We cannot accept it.”
“And Putin’s stance is against it as well?”
“Yes. He said Russia will never support this war.”
As expected. Putin opposed the Iraq war.
I rubbed my chin, considering.
‘But if Russia supported it and the UN resolution passed······?’
After a brief thought, I spoke. If war was inevitable, one should seize the gains.
“Still, for Russia’s national interest, this war is an opportunity. Even if the Security Council blocks it, the U.S. will lead allies into invasion.”
Medvedev’s face stiffened, nodding grimly. Hearing it aloud must have been unpleasant.
“You’re right. Right now, no one can stop the U.S.”
“Then Russia could give its consent—and claim what it can in return. I’ll discuss this with Putin directly.”
“Do you believe the Iraq invasion has justification?”
“No. But honestly, does justification matter? Everything runs on the logic of power.”
At my words, he gave a bitter smile. Being so close to power, he understood me perfectly.
“I’ll leave the details to Putin. Thank you for today, President Kim. Because of you, we learned in time.”
“Ha ha, not at all.”
“I’d like to return the favor. What should I offer you······.”
“No, your goodwill is enough.”
“That won’t do. Before I leave Moscow, I’ll prepare you a gift. Look forward to it.”
He tried to refuse, but a third rejection was unlikely. With a broad smile, Medvedev rose.
“Then I’ll be going.”
I rose with him, offering my hand.
“See you at the Kremlin.”
Without hesitation, Medvedev clasped my hand firmly.
When I returned inside after seeing him off, the smile had already vanished from my face.
“Igor.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Don’t trust the Russian government too much. Today proved it again. They withheld information not for lack of time, but to earn credit with me. That excuse was nonsense.”
Instead of deploying police to escort me, they could have simply handed the intel to Igor.
It was nothing but a cheap ploy to create a debt.
Putin never bothered with such tricks. Which meant it was Medvedev’s handiwork.
“That’s why I scolded you so hard earlier. The only people I trust are Black Bear mercenaries. You understand me?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Work with Chief Ma. Make sure tomorrow’s schedule is unaffected. I’ll rest now.”
I patted Igor’s shoulder and headed to my bedroom.
The next day, I departed to meet Mogilevich.
“How long will it take?”
“About thirty minutes.”
“Oh? I thought it was closer.”
“Normally it would be just ten, but today advance teams are scouting for security.”
I couldn’t complain at that. I simply nodded.
“This was Mogilevich’s hotel, correct?”
“Yes. One of the most famous in Moscow.”
“And safe?”
“No problem. No matter how reckless the mafia, they won’t strike so close to the Kremlin. Still, we obtained FSB approval and stationed snipers in the area.”
Before long, my car stopped.
Igor and Chief Ma got out first, checked the surroundings, and opened my door.
“Boss, you may step out.”
As I did, the first thing I saw was the Kremlin in the distance.
“The mafia godfather’s hotel has a view of the Kremlin? Interesting.”
It was certainly symbolic.
I gave a low laugh and walked toward the hotel—to meet the Russian mafia godfather rumored even to possess nuclear weapons.
