Chapter 77: Chapter 77: A New Partnership
A month in Busan breathed new life into me.
Despite comments about not fitting in, I was a puppy-like grandson in front of Grandma.
Of course, I couldn't just lounge around in Busan.
Especially since urgent matters related to a ghost company I had set up in a tax haven needed my attention.
This was a significant task that took over a year.
If it had been straightforward, it could have been resolved quickly, but it had to be tangled up so that even if someone dug into it, neither I nor Han Gyeong-yeong would be discovered.
I had gone around several accounting firms, and the fees alone exceeded tens of millions of dollars.
Finally, the fruits of my labor were coming to light.
Should I take the documents and head to Korea?
In Han Gyeong-yeong's hands was a document detailing the entire tangled route of where to enter which corporation, like a spider's web.
"Bring that document to Busan in a few days," he instructed.
I absolutely needed to have that document in my possession.
Okay, I'll catch the fastest flight; it's been a while since I went to Korea.
"Let's meet up when you arrive."
From next year, Han Gyeong-yeong would play a crucial role, and I needed to explain things properly.
"Han Gyeong-yeong is coming in soon, right? No other reports from the U.S.?"
"No, he's only focused on routine stock investments. His investment firm is quite reputable in the U.S., and he meets people regularly."
Han Gyeong-yeong was executing the tasks I had mentioned.
"Now is the most critical period. Report to me only if there are unusual developments; minor issues can be handled by Manager Ma."
"Understood."
"When is Eric arriving?"
"He'll arrive tomorrow morning. He's already booked a hotel in Haeundae. Should I bring him here?"
"No, I'll go see him myself."
"Alright, I'll make the preparations."
While I was talking with Manager Ma, Grandma's voice echoed from outside.
"Mu-hyeok! Dinner's ready!"
"Yeah, I'm coming! Manager, let's finish this after dinner."
"Sure."
Manager Ma was staying in an empty room at my house.
After dinner, I took a walk with Grandma in a nearby park to digest our meal and chat before heading home.
"Manager, do you have any staff around you?"
"Yes."
"What about the vehicle you reported earlier?"
Recently, there had been reports of a car that frequently crossed paths with me.
It was too often to dismiss as coincidence, so I had instructed them to investigate.
"As soon as we tried to track it, it vanished."
"Any other updates since then?"
"Nothing special yet."
Although I didn't want Grandma to notice, I sensed a strange gaze while walking in the park.
It felt off, and I hoped it was just my imagination.
"Please take a proper look around; something feels off to me."
"Understood."
I hoped it was just paranoia.
If someone were to intrude into my only sanctuary, I wouldn't forgive them, no matter who they were.
The next day.
I met Eric Clark for the first time at a hotel in Haeundae.
He was nothing like the imposing figure I had imagined; instead, he was a refined middle-aged gentleman.
I had expected a rugged man given his background as a Navy SEAL and mercenary.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Charlie," I introduced myself.
"Oh! A young boss? I'm Eric," he replied.
He seemed like a pleasant person.
We entered Eric's hotel room for a serious discussion about establishing the PMC.
"First, I'm recruiting Navy SEALs from my team. They have plenty of practical experience, so you'll be satisfied with them."
Eric appeared proud of his team.
"What kind of company do you envision?"
"I want a company that can protect those who need it, regardless of who they are. That's enough for me."
"If that's the case, is there really a need to establish a PMC? A simple security company could suffice; I'd appreciate clarity since the size of the company will depend on your direction."
Having served in the military for a long time, he seemed to understand his position as my subordinate well.
"I want it to be the strongest, most famous, and largest in the world."
"Oh! That's impressive!"
Eric smiled and began discussing specifics.
"Then we need to recruit someone influential from the ranks of generals."
"A general?"
"Yes, the U.S. military is more closed than you might think. I know the operatives well, but the military doesn't solely rely on them. If you plan to base it in the U.S., it's necessary."
I nodded, understanding.
Lobbying is legal in many countries, including the U.S. and EU, and it holds significant influence.
"Do you have suitable candidates in mind?"
"I know of at least two individuals with strong voices in Washington, but moving them would require a considerable sum."
"Don't worry about the money."
"You're as generous as Black mentioned; if money isn't an issue, I'll recruit both of them."
"Black?"
"Oh, that was Mr. Ma's nickname."
"Oh!"
I glanced back at Manager Ma, who showed no sign of reaction despite the mention of his nickname.
He truly was a dull person.
Eric went on to explain the salaries and working conditions of their operatives in the field and provided detailed information about the academy for training.
"The most crucial aspect is the latest equipment. No matter how hard you train, if the equipment is outdated, it's meaningless."
Eric emphasized the importance of the equipment several times.
"The cost of purchasing weapons will be substantial."
"That's right. There are two options."
Eric held up his fingers to explain.
"The first is for the company to buy everything and provide it to the operatives on-site."
"What's the other option?"
"The second is to allow the operatives to purchase their own weapons, essentially making them responsible for their own firearms."
"Is that feasible?"
"Yes."
Actually, the operatives might know better routes for procurement.
"What do you think is the best approach?"
"Both options have pros and cons, but I personally think it's better for the company to provide proper weapons, even if it means lowering salaries."
"I agree. Let's proceed with the provision approach."
Eric hesitated slightly before adding.
"Starting up will require a lot of money, but the more you invest, the greater the loyalty of the employees will be. If the weapons are good, the survival rate of the operatives will increase, and nobody knows that better than you."
I smiled at him.
"Don't worry about the money. Let's make it the best equipment and the best personnel. Let's do everything to the highest standard."
"I don't understand your motivation for starting a PMC. Mercenaries ultimately work for money; they operate solely for profit rather than ideals or causes…"
Eric seemed puzzled by my desire to enter this business.
"I know. I have plenty of money and will earn more. Once established, I'm confident it will yield substantial returns."
"Of course. That's why I came all the way to Korea to join Black's proposal. But you've not mentioned how we'll gain profits from this astronomical investment."
"I'll leave that part to you, Eric. I trust you to find a reliable person for that. I want to invest and need mercenaries I can utilize when necessary. Aside from that, you can manage everything, as long as you follow my orders."
Smiling, I saw Eric nod in understanding.
"Soldiers are straightforward. Their loyalty shifts from the state to the company. The company's boss is ultimately everyone's boss."
"Okay, then talk to Manager Ma about the specifics. As for the costs of establishing this, I'll connect you with a friend in the U.S. He'll be coming to Korea soon, so you can wait while he's touring the country."
"Understood, Boss."
Eric didn't have any more questions; he understood the instructions clearly.
He seemed trustworthy. As long as the rewards were sufficient, betrayal wouldn't be on his mind.
"You're more of a gentleman than I expected. I was worried since you're from the special forces."
"Just because someone comes from the special forces or is a mercenary doesn't mean they're rough around the edges. The muscles developed through training are different from those built in a gym, so many of them might just look like fit regular folks. Modern warfare relies heavily on firearms and equipment, so most maintain a weight around 80 kg."
"I see, Black."
I tried to tease him a bit, but his lack of response made it less fun.
"Then let's trust him and give it a shot."
"I believe he'll be reliable. If the compensation is right, he won't think of anything else."
I decided to stop overthinking it after Manager Ma's words.
It seemed like a good plan to have a charismatic CEO as a front while leaving the practical work to Eric.
Days passed since my meeting with Eric.
I received a call from Han Gyeong-yeong as he arrived at the airport.
After directing him to the hotel where Eric was staying, I headed there myself.
"Mu-hyeok!"
Seeing Han Gyeong-yeong in a suite surprised me.
Our first meeting had been in a shabby inn.
"Hey, long time no see! It's been a year, right? Last time we met was last year!"
"Yeah, that's right."
As soon as he sat down, Han Gyeong-yeong pulled out a heavy envelope from his briefcase and handed it to me.
"This is the original document, no copies."
The thick paperwork contained complicated company names and account numbers.
Just glancing at it made my head spin due to the complex shareholding structure.
"Even with the knowledge, it's dizzying to look at."
"Right? I gave up trying to figure it all out."
If this document ever fell into the hands of the U.S. government, Han Gyeong-yeong would spend the rest of his life in an American prison.
I smiled as I observed Han Gyeong-yeong's slightly darkened expression.
"This document will only exist on paper; it must never be transferred to any electronic device, no matter how inconvenient it is."
"I understand."
"I'll give you a copy when you come back to Korea. Just don't leave it in the U.S."
If even a few pages of this crucial document were to burn, it could take ages to trace the flow of money again.
There were six prominent shell companies.
Crown Water, located in the Cayman Islands, had investments from twelve different companies sharing the stakes.
Including that one, six representative investment firms were established in tax havens.
Each had a capital of 5 billion dollars, totaling 30 billion dollars.
Lastly, my slush fund account in the Bahamas held 10 billion dollars.
I was shocked to think of how many accounting and law firms were involved in this operation.
While what they did wasn't illegal, they probably had no clue about the true identity of the company they ended up with.
"I'm going to be busy starting next year. I'll keep an eye on Wall Street and probably start the offensive from Southeast Asia."
"After making a lot of profit in Mexico and Japan, it seems like they're eyeing another target."
When hedge funds and investment banks on Wall Street band together to attack, there aren't many countries that can withstand it.
It was so bad that even the UK had to raise their white flag.
Developing countries found it even harder to hold their ground; they were prime prey for those hyenas.
While I would be the one reaping the benefits, I would remain hidden behind the scenes.
"Make sure to operate the U.S. corporation as cleanly as possible within the legal framework. I want it set up so it can run even without you, right?"
"Yeah, I recruited top-tier people. They get the best treatment on Wall Street, so it's easier to find good employees. Money sure has its perks."
"But aren't top-tier people too strong-willed?"
"They are, but they've all suffered significant losses before. In front of my record, they can't say a word; they just follow my orders. It's a time where everything can be done through the internet and phone, after all."
"You're coming back to Korea next winter. An exciting event will take place, and you'll need to show up as Korea's black knight. Soon, powerful figures will be queuing up just to meet you."
Although he was still just the head of a common hedge fund on Wall Street, after the Southeast Asian crisis, Han Gyeong-yeong was destined to become a legend.
Even after Korea reached out to the IMF and faced humiliating demands, they continued to stall and delay support.
That's when Han Gyeong-yeong would appear like a comet.
Coming into Korea with ample dollars, he would be treated like a VIP and gain substantial power.
Whether he realized it or not, Han Gyeong-yeong was smiling in front of me.
"Let's grab a bite. I have someone to introduce you to. The payment he requires will need to come from your U.S. corporation, so make sure to talk to him."
"Who is it?"
"A soldier."
Not understanding my words, Han Gyeong-yeong looked puzzled as I led him down to the restaurant.
Eric was already waiting in the dining area.
"This is James, who runs a hedge fund in the U.S. And this is Eric, a Navy SEAL veteran."
"Hello, I'm James Han."
"I'm Eric Clark."
This was the first meeting of what would become an irreplaceable friendship.
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