Free Web NovelThe reason Black Bear can conduct mercenary business across the globe is because it is a private military company based in the United States.
The United States does not impose restrictions on companies operating their businesses. It wasn’t for nothing that money from all over the world flowed into America.
If Black Bear had been based in Russia, it would have been difficult for it to grow to this extent.
When I pointed that out, Medvedev furrowed his brows and spoke.
“......That’s precisely why I’m bringing this up.”
Was he about to say that I should create a PMC under their control?
“Are you suggesting that I create that private military company myself? Black Bear already has a branch in Russia. I have no intention of doing the same work twice.”
When I spoke firmly, Medvedev waved his hands in denial.
“Of course not. As I said, the government plans to lead its creation. Since you are the one who created Black Bear, Chairman Kim, I brought this up to seek your advice.”
“Well. What advice could I possibly give? The reason Black Bear has grown this much is because capable executives put in the effort. I only invest; I don’t get directly involved in management. I find the right people for the right positions and entrust them with management. That’s my investment philosophy.”
Manager Ma refilled the vodka and slid the glass toward me and Medvedev.
I lifted my glass and met Medvedev’s eyes.
“If I were to give just one piece of advice, be clear about it. Decide whether you want forces to deploy to various conflict zones as a substitute for the Russian military, or whether you truly intend to cultivate a genuine private military company. Deciding that comes first.”
The Wagner Group.
In my previous life, it was a private military company created by the Russian government—no, more precisely, created under the direct order of the Russian president.
But in reality, it was little more than the Russian government’s own military disguised as a private military company.
When the Russian government could not officially deploy troops overseas, it employed them to exert influence over proxy wars.
“Black Bear can fight both the United States and Russia in conflict zones. We prioritize whoever hires us. That is credibility. PMCs live on credibility. A mercenary without credibility is no different from an armed bandit.”
Medvedev, who had been listening to me with a grave expression, widened his eyes.
“Fight both the United States and Russia?”
The United States and Russia.
If you weren’t surprised upon hearing that someone would fight against the two countries currently competing for first and second place in military power, that would be strange in its own way.
“Of course, I don’t think such a situation would ever actually occur. But for the sake of example, let’s say Black Bear is under contract with Japan, and a conflict breaks out between Russia and Japan.”
After taking a sip of vodka, I continued.
“No matter how close I am with Russia, or how bad my relationship with Japan might be, I wouldn’t break a contract with Japan to sign one with Russia. If that happened, no one would ever trust Black Bear again. A mercenary force that can be swayed by the opposing side at any time? No one would ever hire them again.”
Unlike regular armies built on strict discipline and loyalty, PMCs survived on credibility.
That was why they upheld trust and promises even more thoroughly than regular forces.
“In my estimation, the PMC the Russian government wants to create will function as something like a Russian government black-ops unit. Am I right?”
“......That’s correct. Since international opinion makes it difficult for us to intervene directly in other countries’ wars. After seeing Black Bear operate in Afghanistan and Iraq while being hired by the United States and Korea, the president wants to create one.”
I felt oddly unsettled.
That the reason for trying to establish a PMC much earlier than I remembered was because of me.
Since I own Black Bear, and the Russian president knows better than anyone how I use Black Bear, it was understandable that he would think that way.
It was extremely difficult for a nation’s regular military to invade another country by force.
But mercenaries were different. Under the guise of being hired, they could freely participate in conflict zones.
“If that’s your objective, I can’t help you.”
The two people who established a PMC under the Russian president’s orders later became central figures in numerous war crimes, to the point that Interpol issued international warrants for them.
There was no reason to drag myself into that quagmire and tarnish my image.
“Then at least send Igor.”
The hand that had been bringing the glass to my lips stopped.
“You’re asking me to send Igor?”
“Yes. If it’s Igor, I think we could entrust him with confidence.”
“Igor and I are bound by a contract. But if he chooses to leave, I won’t stop him. If that’s a decision he makes after serious consideration. Even if bound by contract, he is already someone ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) within my fence. So I won’t forcibly return him to the Russian government’s embrace. Wasn’t he already someone abandoned once when the former Soviet Union collapsed?”
“......We already made an offer to Igor.”
That crossed the line—by a lot.
“Was that on the president’s orders, or your idea? Or did someone else intervene? Approaching my people without my permission. That is an act of disrespect toward me.”
I set the glass down with an audible clack. The liquor inside spilled over, wetting my hand.
“I’m curious why you approached my people without my permission. If there isn’t a justifiable reason.......”
Medvedev hurriedly shook his head and cut me off.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I just wanted to hear Igor’s thoughts before asking you, Chairman Kim.”
“A misunderstanding? Approaching Igor behind my back and telling him to betray me and come to Russia—does that sound like a misunderstanding to you?”
Within Black Bear, Igor led a team that was essentially my personal guard.
Approaching Igor without my knowledge was tantamount to deceiving me.
“Medvedev. I sincerely respect the president and you. But if you don’t respect me, then I won’t respect you either.”
“......That wasn’t our intention, but if we offended you, I apologize. The person who will be in charge of establishing this PMC was Igor’s direct superior. He approached Igor and his team without our knowledge.”
So that was why Medvedev had been testing the waters. If it was someone acting independently under the president’s orders, he couldn’t take a hard line either.
“Igor’s former superior approached him directly?”
“Yes. He was the special forces commander when Igor was serving in the Russian military. After receiving the president’s order to establish the PMC, I understand he went straight to Igor.”
Why hadn’t Igor reported this?
Was it because he dismissed it as something trivial—just meeting an old superior?
“So what was Igor’s answer?”
“I was told he rejected it before the conversation even properly began. That’s why I’m asking you now. Igor and his team have work they should do for their homeland.”
Nice words. I already knew well how much Igor and his subordinates had suffered after the former Soviet Union collapsed.
Igor would never leave me of his own accord to join a PMC operating under Russian government orders.
“I refuse. Igor is important to me as well.”
“Chairman Kim.......”
“Besides Igor, Russia still has many former special forces soldiers. Find them and ask them to work for their country again. Then you’ll understand how hard it is for soldiers who were loyal to their homeland, only to be abandoned by it. And you’ll understand why Igor chose me instead of his country.”
Medvedev couldn’t even bring himself to argue, biting his lip tightly.
Watching him, I raised my glass.
“Medvedev. Have one drink and get up. I don’t feel like drinking together today.”
“Chairman Kim.”
“Come on.”
When I urged him again, Medvedev lifted his glass.
We only mimed clinking glasses in midair, then I downed the vodka in one go.
As my esophagus burned, my insides grew hot.
“You should head back now. Maybe it’s the long flight, but I’m tired.”
“.......”
“If we keep talking, we’ll only sour each other’s mood. I want to maintain a good relationship with you, Medvedev.”
Medvedev hesitated, then stood up.
“Asking you to send Igor was.......”
Medvedev opened his mouth as if to make excuses until the very end, but I closed my eyes, unwilling to hear more.
Soon, a small sigh and a farewell followed.
* * *
The next day. I spoke on the phone with Igor, who was in Iraq.
— Ah, something like that did happen. The commander came to see me, and we had drinks with the team for the first time in a while.
Starting from there, Igor explained everything that had happened when he met his former superior.
It took a long time, but I didn’t interrupt him, just listened quietly.
— At the time, I thought it was just something said in passing. I clearly told him that I’m satisfied with my current life, and that my family also prefers what I’m doing now. I didn’t expect it to reach you directly, Boss.
There was an awkward tone in Igor’s voice coming through the receiver.
Careful not to sound as though I were blaming him, I asked,
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
— I didn’t think much of it. I’m sorry.
“Igor, you have nothing to apologize for. If you ever decided to leave me, I wouldn’t stop you. If that’s what you truly want. I was simply displeased that I heard about someone approaching my people without my permission.”
— I have no intention of leaving you either, Boss.
Igor said firmly. I could feel the sincerity of his words, and I couldn’t help but smile.
I trust Igor’s loyalty.
“Understood. By the way, how is the work progressing?”
— I was actually about to report on that. We plan to move the collection in five separate stages. We’ve already spoken with high-ranking figures in Syria and Greece. There shouldn’t be any issues.
Igor explained in detail the operation for moving the collection to an island in Greece.
“There won’t be any problems, right?”
— Yes. There don’t seem to be any major variables. Just in case, we plan to move it in multiple stages rather than all at once.
“Good. Once everything is finished, come to Korea.”
— Yes. I’ll do that.
After ending the call with Igor, I organized my thoughts.
This time, I needed to issue a clear warning. Never approach my people without my permission again.
The president and Medvedev both knew my temperament well, so I knew they hadn’t given direct orders.......
Even so, managing subordinates properly was necessary to avoid future friction.
“Boss.”
While I was lost in thought, Manager Ma handed me a phone.
“There’s a call from the Kremlin.”
He really can’t help himself. I nodded and took the phone from Manager Ma.
The moment I pressed the call button, as if he’d been waiting, he called my name.
— Muhyuk.
It was the owner of the Kremlin.
“Yes, Mr. President.”
— I told you to speak more casually.
“No. This is more comfortable for me.”
Perhaps my subtle way of drawing a line bothered him, because he remained silent for quite some time.
When he spoke again, his tone was slightly businesslike.
— I’ll send someone over tonight. I’d like to talk face to face. freewebnovёl.ƈom
“Understood. I’ll be waiting.”
After ending the short call, I handed the phone back to Manager Ma.
“We’ll have a guest tonight. Inform the security team in advance, and prepare things so we can bring eggs as well.”
“Yes, Boss. I’ll prepare everything.”
The sun set, and as promised, someone came to see me. I got into the car with Manager Ma and headed out.
After driving silently for quite a while, we arrived at a villa deep in the mountains.
It was a new villa, not one I had visited before.
“You’ll go in alone. He’s alone as well.”
Taking the box of eggs from Manager Ma, I entered the villa by myself.
In the living room, the president was watching the firewood burning in the fireplace.
Sensing my presence, he turned his head.
“Welcome, Muhyuk.”
I walked toward him as he gently shook the glass in his hand.
“It’s been a while, Mr. President.”
“You still talk like that even when you see my face? You must be quite upset.”
“No.”
“Sit down first. I cleared all my schedules for tomorrow just to drink with you tonight. It’s been a while since we drank together like this.”
I nodded and took a seat.
“It’s late, so have a drink first.”
The president handed me a glass of vodka filled to the brink.
I downed it in one go and set the glass down.
“You really can drink.”
Looking satisfied, he emptied his own glass as well.
