Chapter 524: Chapter 524: I Will Meet You as an Enemy
I moved to the banquet hall where the party was being held.
Here, people from the business world and politicians alike gathered, chatting in small groups.
The main host of the party was undoubtedly Han Gyeong-yeong.
I smiled with satisfaction as I watched Han Gyeong-yeong engaging in conversation while holding a glass.
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok?"
At the sound of my name being called, I turned my head. The person was quite familiar.
But I couldn't immediately recall who he was.
"Yes, that's me. May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Igor Sechin, the Deputy Director of the Presidential Administration."
"Ah! Deputy Director Sechin."
Only then did I remember who he was. He was a key member of the Siloviki.
Come to think of it, didn't this guy later become the CEO of Rosneft?
Rosneft would eventually buy all of Yukos's assets, becoming the second-largest state-owned enterprise after Gazprom.
And the owner of the Kremlin would appoint this man as the CEO of Rosneft.
That meant he was someone trusted by the President.
Although he was still sitting as Deputy Director under Medvedev in the administration…
It was clear he was tasked with watching over Medvedev under the President's orders.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Mu-hyeok."
"I've heard a lot about you. The President speaks very highly of Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Haha, really?"
I gave a victor's smile in response to the subtle dig.
The Siloviki's plan to publicly auction Yukos's assets and absorb them into state ownership was disrupted because of me.
So it was no surprise he harbored ill feelings towards me. Or perhaps it was for another reason.
Seeing how close the President was to me must have been unsettling for them.
After all, the Siloviki were a group aiming for the President's long-term rule.
Among the two inner circles of the Kremlin, the oligarchs prioritized money, while the Siloviki focused on maintaining power.
Of course, just because they were Siloviki didn't mean they didn't care about money; they just valued long-term rule more.
So perhaps they were trying to intervene in this matter.
Well, didn't I hear that I got severely reprimanded by the owner of the Kremlin because of this?
"Are you aware that many people envy you, Mr. Kim?"
"I don't know. I've never done anything to harm Russia. So why would there be a reason to envy me?"
"Just being too close to him is reason enough in Russia. You could get shot at any time, anywhere. I'm just worried."
Despite saying he was worried, his tone was chilling.
To threaten someone while smiling was baffling enough to elicit a snicker from me.
"Deputy Director, are you threatening me right now?"
"Threatening? Is that what you think? I genuinely worry about you. No matter how close you are to him, no one can predict when something might happen."
"Do you know how a man who boasted about killing me ended up dead?"
I was referring to the assassination of the Russian Mafia's don.
Only then did Sechin's smile fade. I leaned in closer and whispered into his ear.
"If you're confident, feel free to try it anytime. I don't deal with those who provoke me with mere words, got it?"
"…Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok."
"I have no interest in the Siloviki or the oligarchs. Do what you want with your power struggles, but just don't obstruct what I'm doing."
"And if I do?"
I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Then you'll meet me as your enemy."
"You seem quite confident with the President backing you. But how long do you think his trust will stay with you?"
"Well, I suppose he trusts me more than he trusts you. You're just a subordinate—I'm a friend. In a dire situation, I have a good idea of who he'll choose."
Sechin grit his teeth in frustration. I took a step back from him.
"Don't provoke me half-heartedly. Only challenge me when you can capture me for sure. I've already signed the acquisition contract, and the money will be deposited tomorrow. Yugansk is mine now, so don't cling to any old power struggles."
I smirked at him mockingly.
"Hey! Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok!!"
He could no longer contain his anger and raised his voice.
"Hey, Deputy Director."
Just then, Medvedev arrived at the right moment.
"What's going on here? Why are you raising your voices on this fine day? Especially to Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. Are you out of your mind?"
"Director of Administration."
"Get out of here right now. I don't want to see you at the moment."
Sechin seemed unable to defy Medvedev's words.
He only shot me a glare before turning away.
As he left, Medvedev handed me a glass, asking.
"Are you alright, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok?"
I accepted the glass he offered and smiled.
"I'm fine. It seems they came to warn me because their plans went awry. But they can't handle it and raise their voices when provoked. That guy is also one of the Siloviki, isn't he?"
"Yes. He's one of the key figures."
"Looks like the Siloviki really dislike me."
Medvedev quickly shook his head in response.
"Not all Siloviki share the same views. They're divided into several factions. But there are probably more who dislike you than like you. Since the President tends to lean on your requests and advice, they likely see you as someone encroaching on their territory."
I could only nod in agreement.
Most Siloviki were either from Leningrad or had worked in the KGB before holding the highest power in administrative agencies and parliament.
According to history, they were supposed to share power with Russia's tsar.
However, due to my intervention, they were unable to completely monopolize power, balancing it with the oligarchs.
So it was no wonder they viewed me as a thorn in their side. They probably thought that without me, they could manipulate the President as they wish.
"What can I do? I just have to endure it."
"No matter how hard they try, they won't be a threat to Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. But with many from intelligence backgrounds, I can't predict what they might do. So always stay vigilant while you're in Russia."
There was a note of worry in Medvedev's voice. I smiled and asked.
"I'll be careful. But aren't you a Siloviki too, Director Medvedev?"
"Not in the slightest. I'm Medvedev. I have nothing to do with the Siloviki or the oligarchs."
"Is that so? Leningrad… So you've maintained a long-standing connection with the President."
"I consider the President a friend. I'm not by his side just to preserve my power."
I admired him inwardly. Despite being at the center of power, he hadn't changed.
Perhaps this mindset had led him to temporarily inherit the presidency when that person could no longer maintain the position.
A person who belonged to none of the inner circles.
Someone who knew that without grasping someone else's hand, they couldn't maintain power…
"Is that so? I guess the President thinks the same way?"
"Perhaps. I can't read all of his thoughts, but I'd like to think so."
He had spent over twenty years as the second-in-command next to a dictator. Such situations typically came down to two outcomes.
Either you truly trust this person, or your strength and influence are more equal.
But Medvedev was definitely not the latter. Even after decades, he had failed to forge his own influence.
While I was discussing over drinks with Medvedev, several people came over to greet me and engage in brief conversation.
Not only oligarchs but a few Siloviki also showed their faces.
I chatted with them, smiling. None displayed the sharp reactions like Sechin.
Most were just openly flattering me to get on my good side. Their insincerity was so apparent that it was almost amusing.
As the night of the party deepened.
The next day, Igor arrived.
"Welcome."
"Boss, it's been a while."
Igor bowed stiffly as he greeted me.
Seeing Igor completely accustomed to Korean greetings made me smile with satisfaction.
"Come here and sit."
As I pointed to a seat, Igor sat down with an upright posture.
I offered him a warm cup of black tea.
"Here you go. Thanks for the trouble coming here."
"Thank you, Boss."
As I watched Igor drink the tea, I asked.
"How's Afghanistan?"
"It's stabilized somewhat. Although there are sporadic guerrilla attacks, the Northern Alliance has specialized forces for that, so it's not a major problem. Our Black Bear has also won most of the fights."
"Still, I heard quite a few people got hurt."
"Fortunately, there haven't been any deaths yet."
"I heard that too. That's all thanks to Igor's excellent leadership."
While quite a few sustained serious injuries, there hadn't been a single death since I left Afghanistan.
The fact they achieved such results in a perilous area known for frequent suicide bombings was a testament to Igor's capabilities.
"So now you can leave Afghanistan, right?"
"Yes. I've already handed everything over to my successor. I received word that I'll need to head to Iraq next."
I nodded. Although there was no contract yet, I had to send mercenaries to Iraq if the Korean government and the mercenary contract was finalized.
And Igor was already appointed as the commander to lead those mercenaries.
Before that, I intended to ask him to carry out an operation in North Korea.
"But first, there's a more important task to complete. This will be a truly dangerous operation."
Igor, who had put down his tea cup, asked with a grim face.
"What is it, Boss?"
"We need to infiltrate North Korea and capture Kim Jong-il. Our goal is to secure Kim Jong-il, and if that's difficult, we aim to assassinate him."
"…What?"
"Do you think you can handle it? You're the only person I can trust to assign this to."
With a tense face, Igor merely licked his lips before nodding.
"If it's Boss's orders, I'll go anywhere. But I don't have any knowledge about North Korea, so I'm not sure if I can carry out the operation."
"I have internal collaborators. They'll provide all the information on Kim Jong-il's location and his escort troops."
"Ah, in that case, it sounds feasible."
I briefly explained the situation to Igor.
Having heard the lengthy explanation, Igor nodded.
"That's reasonable. Still, we will need to completely rework the operation plan. We'll need to secure an escape route as well."
Igor's confident voice instilled trust in me. He was not someone who displayed unfounded self-confidence.
"Additionally, Russian special forces will also be involved."
"Won't that create confusion in the command structure?"
"That's what I hope to avoid from the Kremlin. So there's no other option. Plus, having their help will be great for our retreat post-operation. The mission is crucial, but so is your safety and that of the mercenaries."
Igor thought for a moment and then nodded, speaking.
"…I appreciate your consideration, but I'm not sure if those prideful individuals will take orders from me."
"The Kremlin has instructed them to follow my command, but they told me to handle the hierarchy myself. Can you secure control over them?"
With a smirk, Igor replied.
"That's my specialty. Just solve the political issues, and I'll make them into obedient dogs
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