Free Web NovelNight settled in, and the lights around the camp’s training field flicked on one by one.
At first everyone was awkward, stiff. But as empty vodka bottles multiplied and the drinking dragged on, they eventually started blending together, drinking side by side as if it were natural.
Watching that, I let out a quiet laugh.
With people built like brown bears gathering in one place, fights inevitably broke out from time to time.
But they always fought one-on-one, and no matter who won, they’d throw their arms over each other’s shoulders afterward and keep drinking.
“Simple-minded bunch.”
I poured vodka into Igor’s glass as I spoke.
“Mercenaries understand mercenaries. And in the end, all of them either served or are still serving in the Russian military. Makes it easy for them to bond.”
“This became possible only because you subdued Arshavin. Though... they did accept it rather quickly.”
Igor glanced toward the cluster of soldiers and mercenaries before replying.
“Breaking Arshavin’s arm was meant as a warning. A reminder that I can execute any one of them on the spot. And I did it because I believe in you, boss. That you would block the political blowback. After all, Arshavin is their commanding officer—and technically part of the Russian military.”
I had already guessed as much. The reason Igor checked with me before acting was so I could shield him from whatever fallout came next.
He had, after all, rendered a soldier dispatched by the Russian army completely unfit for combat.
Complaints would reach me, and Igor might be threatened with formal reprimand.
“Of course. I don’t let my people get hurt. I’ll handle whatever comes—don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
Igor and I lifted our glasses and threw back the harsh vodka in a single shot.
The strong alcohol burned as it ran down my throat.
“This time, we absolutely cannot fail.”
“I know. But... no matter how carefully we plan, there are too many variables in this one. If the objective were assassination, the odds would be high. But capturing him alive? The success rate is far lower.”
“I know. Still, at least we have detailed data on Kim Jongil’s villas. And we have people inside North Korea leaking information. If we leverage that, we can push up the success probability even a little.”
Igor fell silent for quite some time before answering.
“Even so, we cannot forget how closed-off North Korea is. If this were a military operation, we could count on help from Russia or the U.S., but this time we have no support at all. Everything depends solely on our decisions and actions. Even in the best-case scenario, the odds of success will barely reach fifty percent.”
That was about where I placed the odds as well.
It was essentially a gamble—but we couldn’t just sit back and watch.
Jang Songthaek had nearly zero chance of succeeding in a coup on his own.
“Raise the chances as much as possible. Increase the training intensity too.”
“Yes. But we’ll have to bring not only the mercenaries who obey my orders, but also Russian special forces. The effect won’t be as significant as you hope.”
“Of course not, right?”
I asked dryly, then looked around at the mercenaries and unit members still drinking together.
“When the location of the nuclear warheads is confirmed, send the Zaslon operatives there.”
“You’re telling me to split the unit?”
“Yes. From the beginning, I intended to use only the mercenaries for capturing Kim Jongil. If even one of these men is secretly following someone else’s orders and kills Kim Jongil, things will get even more complicated.”
When a military operation begins, the person who gave the order is never on the ground.
Which means no one really knows what individual soldiers might do in the field.
Even the American special forces kept things so hidden that the infamous ‘canoeing’ ritual only became known long after.
Even with the President watching through a body cam, they’d “canoe” bin Laden’s head so thoroughly that he couldn’t be recognized.
Special forces are full of people missing a screw somewhere. fгeewebnovёl.com
Men who erase their emotions and exist solely as killing machines.
A normal man couldn’t survive among them without going insane.
I couldn’t completely trust people like that—so I had to eliminate as many variables as possible.
“Kremlin will want that too.”
From Russia’s standpoint, even if the coup failed, retrieving the nuclear weapons alone would still count as a success.
“Understood. I’ll train them separately.”
“They’ll probably send in a new commander.”
“Of course. They won’t give me full command of the unit.”
“You’ll have operational command. But authority over the soldiers will belong to the new man they send.”
There was no chance Russia would hand over Zaslon entirely to Igor.
“Before the new commander arrives, let’s win the men over.”
Leaving Igor’s puzzled face behind, I stood up.
“Everyone, listen up for a moment.”
I raised my voice. But with how noisy everything was, not a single person turned this way.
I glanced toward Chief Ma. He nodded.
He drew the gun from his jacket, pointed it skyward, and fired a live round.
BANG!
At the sudden gunshot, all the men drinking and laughing instantly dropped their glasses and shifted into four-direction perimeter stance.
“Sharp senses. Good. Now that you’re awake, focus on me.”
Mercenaries and Zaslon soldiers looked back and forth between Chief Ma holding the gun and me standing in front of them, staying tense.
“Black Bear mercenaries know me somewhat. But Zaslon troops don’t. Stand down.”
The mercenaries relaxed almost immediately, but the Zaslon soldiers didn’t.
Because Chief Ma hadn’t lowered his weapon yet.
“Chief, put the gun away.”
At my instruction, Chief Ma finally lowered his hand. Even after holstering it inside his jacket, the soldiers still didn’t fully relax.
“Relax. I raised my voice just to get your attention. Now, will you listen?”
Even after repeating myself several times, they refused to lower their guard.
In fact, their fists tightened. Seeing that, the corner of my mouth lifted in amusement.
“I don’t expect you to think of yourselves as my men. You were suddenly assigned here—you must be confused. With how abrupt this is, you only have two tasks: don’t die, and complete the operation and return safely.”
Whether all of them would return alive was uncertain.
But selfishly, I wished none of them would die.
“This operation is happening because I want it done. So if we succeed, I promise you substantial compensation. Once the operation ends, every one of you will receive one hundred thousand dollars. Black Bear, Zaslon, everyone.”
Zaslon soldiers exchanged looks, murmuring.
A hundred thousand dollars was a massive sum in Russia.
In fact, it was a massive sum anywhere. No wonder they were shocked.
The mercenaries, of course, weren’t surprised—Black Bear was used to this.
“And if anyone dies during the operation, I will add another hundred thousand as death compensation for the family. This is separate from anything the Russian government pays.”
Even soldiers who value honor do not hate money.
Pride? Patriotism? Those mean nothing without the money needed to survive.
“So, no matter what, follow Igor’s orders. You’ll be rewarded for it. If you doubt my words, ask the mercenaries. I never lie.”
Zaslon soldiers peeked at the mercenaries beside them.
The mercenaries didn’t look shocked at all. This was normal for Black Bear. They just stood there, calm and accustomed.
This was the difference between a regular army and mercenaries.
Mercenaries move for money. And they’re used to being paid well.
Only then did one man raise his hand.
“...May I ask a question?”
I nodded. He shouted loudly so everyone could hear.
“Will you really pay one hundred thousand dollars?”
“What do I gain by lying? You’re soldiers—you ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ have no choice but to participate. I’m saying this to motivate you, nothing more.”
“If we fail, do we get nothing?”
A question, but painfully obvious. Still, I found his straightforwardness amusing and answered with a small laugh.
“That’s right. If we fail, there is no reward. So do your absolute best and succeed.”
“...”
“Of course, if you die in the operation, the death compensation will be paid. But what good is money after you’re dead? That’s why I said: succeed AND don’t die. Any other questions?”
“None, sir!”
The man sat down again. I’d offered the carrot—now came the stick.
“If anyone here has received separate orders, erase them from your mind. If this operation fails due to any deliberate ‘mistake,’ not only the offender but everyone connected to him will die.”
Silence dropped over the training field.
“I never make empty promises. I always keep my word, no matter what it is. Don’t take my warning lightly.”
That was enough. Time for me to step away.
“Enjoy yourselves. There’s food and alcohol prepared—drink all night if you want.”
With that, I turned and walked off. Igor quickly stood and followed.
“Are you leaving, boss?”
“No need to follow. Let’s stop here for today. We’ll talk tomorrow. For now, focus on winning their hearts. Whoever Moscow sends down, make sure they follow YOUR orders first.”
I tapped Igor on the shoulder with a smile.
Igor nodded, expression solemn.
“Understood. See you tomorrow.”
Leaving him behind, I exited the camp. I barely reached the hotel before my phone rang.
— President Kim Muhyuk.
“Chief Administrator. You must have heard.”
— Sigh... You went too far. You turned the dispatched commander into a cripple.
Sounds like Igor shattered Arshavin’s arm beyond recovery.
“It was an ‘accident’ during sparring.”
— That’s what I think too, but... SVR is livid. They say they can’t just let this go. The Director himself came to see me.
Hearing that the SVR Director moved personally, my lips curved upward.
“Is Sergei Lebedev the Director now?”
— Yes. So you know him.
“Of course. The Director of Foreign Intelligence. But is this really big enough for him to step in? It was just an accident.”
— You know how it is. Even something trivial becomes a political explosion if someone chooses to weaponize it.
“Because Lebedev is siloviki, right?”
FSB and SVR were both carved from the old KGB.
FSB handled internal matters and was more powerful politically, but SVR had far more field operatives.
They were Russia’s CIA—an organization completely dominated by the siloviki.
— This incident puts you in danger. If SVR develops animosity toward you, there’s no telling what they’ll do. They’re a ‘take action first, report later’ kind of organization. freewёbnoνel.com
“You’re saying they might assassinate me? The siloviki? When Russia’s Tsar is watching with both eyes wide open?”
Medvedev let out a long, weary sigh.
— They’re absolutely capable of it. They’re the ghosts of the KGB. Especially Lebedev. In Soviet days, he served in the First Directorate. A hardliner. I never liked the man.
For Medvedev to speak this plainly said a lot. This wasn’t unfounded fear.
After a long pause, Medvedev spoke again, sounding troubled.
— Maybe... they wanted this to happen. Maybe they withheld the correct information on purpose.
