Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

Fortunately, Igor’s voice sounded no different from usual. Hearing that, I clenched my fist tightly.

“Yuri, hand me the receiver.”

Yuri passed it to me.

“Igor.”

— Yes, Boss.

“Any casualties on our side?”

— We have a few injured, but none of them are life-threatening.

No fatalities in an operation of this scale. Trusting Igor and his team had been the right call.

“That’s a relief. Sounds like the operation went smoothly.”

— Yes. Especially the unmanned aerial vehicle we received from the U.S. It played a major role. I think it’ll be useful in many future operations.

“Really? I’m glad you liked it. Finish cleaning up quickly and head back.”

With the job safely wrapped up, I finally felt the tension that had stiffened my body begin to ease.

After ending the call with Igor, I turned to Jessica beside me.

“Jessica. Sounds like the MQ-1 the U.S. handed over was a big help.”

For mercenaries, the limit of purchasable air weapons was helicopters.

Fighter jets were strategic assets and were never sold to private military companies.

But for this extermination operation, Black Bear had been able to acquire a drone from the U.S. military.

Not only in hostage rescue missions but also throughout the Iraq War, the MQ-1 had performed brilliantly—and that would soon become the catalyst for every nation in the world rushing into the drone market.

The age of drones wasn’t far off.

In the near future, not only private military companies but also criminal organizations and drug cartels would inevitably use unmanned aircraft in their operations.

“I’m glad it helped. You know we pushed things a bit to hand that over to you.”

Jessica was telling the truth.

There were no drones yet that matched the performance of U.S. unmanned aircraft, so getting one through this opportunity was remarkable luck.

“Still, it’s a relief. They’ve all been wiped out. The hostages were rescued safely, and all the terrorists are dead, so there won’t be any complaints from Washington.”

After pulling it off without lifting a finger, complaining would’ve been shameless.

Despite that thought, I replied with a smile.

“It was only possible because the U.S. looked the other way.”

“Even so, I didn’t expect it to be this perfect. We anticipated at least some losses. As expected of Igor’s team.”

In truth, Hussein’s help had played a significant role in all of this.

He’d introduced the intermediary Khamis, which allowed negotiations to proceed through ransom.

We’d installed tracking devices in the money bag, and thanks to that, we were able to locate the enemy’s base in the end.

Without that entire chain of events, it wouldn’t have ended so cleanly.

“So, are you heading back to the U.S. now?”

“I am. I’ll go to the U.S. base and return to America tomorrow with the hostages.”

“I see. Safe travels. You’ve worked hard.”

Even after I said goodbye, Jessica didn’t stand up.

“Is there something else you wanted to say?”

“Charlie, when are you planning to go back to Korea?”

Instead of answering, she asked about my schedule.

“Why are you curious about my schedule?”

“If you don’t have anything urgent, would you stop by Washington? There’s someone who really wants to meet you.” freewebnovёl.ƈom

Someone who wanted to meet me......

I had a pretty good idea who she meant.

“The person slated to become the Director of National Intelligence?”

“How did you know? Yes. He wants to meet you.”

“Why me?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is there really a reason for me to meet him? This time, our interests aligned, so we worked together—but who knows about next time.”

An awkward smile crossed Jessica’s face.

Oh? Looks like she had something up her sleeve.

“Would my meeting him benefit you, Jessica?”

“Yes. Once the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is established, I’m scheduled to join as an executive. At the director level.”

“Oh? Really. Congratulations.”

A promotion for Jessica. True to her ambition, she’d used this incident as a stepping stone.

“This reshuffle had a lot to do with the partnership between you and me.”

“Even so, that only worked because of your abilities. Securing an important position in the intelligence community at your age isn’t something connections alone can accomplish.”

“That’s true. But I’m not satisfied with just this.”

There was naked ambition in Jessica’s eyes as she spoke boldly.

What she was really saying was that she wanted me to meet the new Director of National Intelligence and reinforce the connection between her and me.

The newly established DNI office wouldn’t be a field-operating intelligence agency.

Rather than holding real power, it would function more like an oversight and coordination body to prevent another Department of Homeland Security situation.

But in intelligence, real power was everything. What could an agency without it truly do?

Whether the DNI could actually control America’s many intelligence agencies—no one knew. Not even me.

“So you want me to back the DNI.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“And what do I get out of it?”

“That’s......”

Jessica hesitated, trailing off. Meaning she didn’t yet have anything concrete to offer me.

“Let’s think about it. There’s still time, isn’t there? That organization won’t exist until after the presidential election, assuming President Bush wins reelection.”

“But still......”

Jessica lowered her gaze and bit her lip. That clingy behavior wasn’t like her.

Still, the more influence she wielded within the U.S. intelligence community, the better it was for me as well—so I decided to help.

“Alright. I’ll probably schedule a trip to the U.S. around the election. I’ll make time then.”

At my answer, Jessica’s face visibly brightened.

“Thank you.”

“You should get going. I trust you’ll handle the report properly—cut what needs cutting, add what needs adding.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure nothing comes back to hurt you, Charlie. See you in Washington.”

With a radiant smile, Jessica waved and left the operations room. I let out a dry laugh.

“Good acting. Playing pitiful one moment, then turning right back into the proud Jessica the second she leaves.”

Staring at the tightly closed door, I fell into thought.

I’d maintained a condescending stance, but I was just as curious as anyone about what kind of person the Director of National Intelligence—who’d approved this operation—actually was.

I guess I’d have to meet him in person to find out.

“Everyone, take a short break until Igor returns. Once he’s back, we’ll be busy again.”

After giving the order to Yuri, I left the operations room.

* * *

— This just in: Kim Mugil, who was kidnapped in Iraq, has been safely rescued thanks to the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The news of Kim Mugil’s rescue spread rapidly across South Korea as breaking news.

Upon arriving at Incheon Airport, Kim Mugil immediately held a press conference.

Not only Korean media but also foreign outlets launched into a fierce competition to cover the story. frёewebηovel.cѳm

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the press conference began with Kim Mugil’s statement.

“Hello. My name is Kim Mugil, and I worked for Cheongseong Trading......”

After briefly introducing himself, Kim Mugil explained how the rescue operation had unfolded.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to President Yoon Changho and everyone involved who ordered my rescue. I believe it was not an easy decision.”

Once Kim Mugil finished reading his prepared statement, the Q&A session began in earnest.

“This is Lee Seongguk from the Goryeo Daily. Could you tell us more about the situation at the time of your abduction......”

“This is Kim Jiyoung from the Daehan Daily! The Minister of Foreign Affairs personally traveled to Iraq......”

Whenever questions came in, Kim Mugil answered with assistance from Ministry officials.

Then, a foreign journalist raised his hand.

“Hello. This is The Washington Post. In the video broadcast by Al Jazeera, the kidnappers claimed that this Iraq War was America’s fault, calling the U.S. an aggressor and a war criminal. Do you have any intention of apologizing for that?”

The reporter from the Washington Post’s Korea bureau was faithfully following instructions from headquarters.

— Get an explanation no matter what. About that interview regarding the U.S. No matter what.

At the question, Kim Mugil looked troubled and glanced at the Ministry officials.

“That’s an expected question. Answer exactly as prepared.”

With their approval, Kim Mugil leaned toward the microphone.

“I have much to say on that matter. I gave that interview under the kidnappers’ demands. I simply read what the terrorist group wrote for me. It was not my personal opinion. I have never held any critical views of the Iraq War. If I truly believed it was a war of aggression, I would never have worked to supply military materials to Iraq.”

Though the Q&A was brief, Kim Mugil spoke at length on this issue.

“I’ve heard there was a lot of controversy because of that interview. But I wanted to live. Is wanting to live a crime? The fear that refusing their demands might mean death—that fear is something only those who’ve experienced it can understand. If anyone was hurt by that interview, I apologize. Whether by my will or not, it was something I did.”

Kim Mugil stood up and bowed deeply.

When he raised his head again, he began speaking words that hadn’t been discussed with the Ministry.

“......On the flight back, I watched the Korean news. I heard that many people were criticizing me—saying I shouldn’t have ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) been rescued, that I went into a war zone knowing full well what it was, and that I should bear the responsibility myself.”

“Mr. Kim Mugil.”

A Ministry official tried to stop him, but he continued.

“I am a powerless man. I went to that distant land to earn money to support my family. Please, I beg you—stop the criticism now.”

With those tear-filled final words, the press conference ended abruptly.

* * *

While Kim Mugil was holding his press conference in Korea, the same turmoil was unfolding in the United States.

The difference was that U.S. media focused on whether the government had paid ransom.

The U.S. government refused to answer even a single question on the matter.

The Democratic Party seized the opportunity and launched a fierce offensive.

“We do not negotiate with terrorists. That is America’s fundamental principle. The government must clearly explain whether there were any secret deals in this hostage rescue operation. And if ransom was paid, President Bush must take responsibility. Regardless of party lines, breaking the principles this nation has upheld is absolutely unacceptable!”

President Bush immediately summoned everyone involved in the incident.

“What the hell happened? Who knew about this?!”

Normally not prone to anger, Bush vented his frustration at those gathered.

“A hostage rescue operation carried out without my approval? Who authorized this, and with what authority?!”

“Mr. President. I authorized the operation.”

As the criticism poured out, National Security Advisor Rice spoke up in a calm voice.

Bush shot her a sharp look.

“You did, Rice? Why would you do that?”

“I’ll explain now.”

From there, Rice gave a detailed account of the operation.

“So...... if it failed, all responsibility would have been shifted onto Korea?”

“Yes. Which meant the risk to us was minimal. And it succeeded. We rescued citizens from terrorists. This will only help us in the presidential election—it won’t hurt us.”

After hearing everything, Bush leaned back deeply into his chair.

As his agitation subsided, everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief.

“......So this also involves that Charlie guy again?”

“Yes. He led all the negotiations. The U.S. did provide support, but it’s true that he handled everything.”

As she spoke, Rice took a USB drive from her pocket.

“Mr. President, this is footage provided by Black Bear.”

She plugged the USB into a laptop and slid it toward Bush.

“Just releasing this video would flip public opinion.”

On the screen, detailed footage of the extermination operation recorded by the MQ-1 played continuously.

“Rescue the hostages, then eliminate them. That’s the truth of this operation. Announce it as a joint plan between the Korean and U.S. governments.”

Rice continued speaking, but Bush couldn’t take his eyes off the monitor.

* * *

Leaving behind the chaos unfolding in Korea and the United States, I decided to stay in Iraq a few more days to acquire Hussein’s collection.

After giving Igor and his team ample rest following the operation, I traveled with them to the location Hussein had told me about.