Kapitel 667: Chapter 667: A Whopping Ten Million Dollars
A man named Kamis arrived at the Black Bear's Iraq branch.
"Welcome."
After a brief exchange of greetings with Kamis, we all took our seats.
Before getting to the main topic, I scrutinized his face and asked.
The man had a gentle appearance, radiating an uncanny calm.
"So, I hear you work for the Red Crescent."
"Yes, that's correct."
His English pronunciation was outstanding.
If I didn't know his nationality, I might have mistaken him for a Brit based on his perfect posh accent.
Instead of Arab traditional attire, he wore a sharp suit.
"Allah told me I should spend my life saving others. I dedicate my life to service, following that path."
The unusual term he used to refer to their god caught my attention.
The Red Crescent is a term for the Islamic counterpart of the Red Cross.
In most countries, the Red Cross uses a red cross as its emblem.
However, Islamic states opted for the red crescent because the cross evokes thoughts of the Crusaders and Christianity.
"I heard the Red Crescent's headquarters is in Turkey now. Shouldn't you be providing aid in Iraq if that's the case?"
"I moved to Turkey temporarily due to the unstable security in Iraq. Regardless of where we are located, our mission to provide aid remains the same."
His reply felt rehearsed and mechanical.
The Red Crescent's operations had certainly made an impression, even in Afghanistan.
Perhaps that's why even the U.S. military and the Taliban, along with terrorist groups, never attacked the Red Crescent.
Such an act would invite outrage from across the globe, a blunder no one could afford.
Thanks to this, they could carry out humanitarian work freely in conflict zones.
However, the one place this unspoken rule didn't apply was in the conflict regions of Israel and Palestine.
Israel had been indiscriminately bombing, regardless of whether the Red Cross or Red Crescent was present.
Aside from that, the operations of the Red Crescent were respected in most conflict areas.
"President Hussein introduced you to me."
"I've heard the stories. Is he doing well? How's his health?"
Mentioning Hussein, Kamis couldn't hide his delight.
"You two seem quite chummy. I never imagined a dictator from Iraq would have ties with a Red Crescent worker. What a mismatch!"
"He might be a dictator to others, but he's consistently supported the Red Crescent. Thanks to him, we've been able to carry out various relief efforts."
"That's unexpected. I never would've thought he'd support a relief organization like that. Seems there's more to it, then."
"You can't judge a person based on one side. Ah, I'm not saying President Hussein isn't a dictator. I don't fully respect everything about him either."
His light-hearted remark carried an unspoken sting.
After discussing Hussein a bit more, I steered the conversation back on track.
"I heard the kidnappers are demanding a total ransom of ten million dollars for the five hostages. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that's accurate. They initially asked for two million dollars, and we negotiated from there. We went back and forth several times, but in the end, they firmly demanded ten million dollars as the ransom. There's no room for negotiation anymore."
I nodded at Kamis' words.
If they had no willingness to negotiate further, there was no need to stir up trouble.
"Are you proposing an exchange of the ransom for the hostages?"
"Exactly. Trust isn't mutual, so we have to go that route."
With a swift lick to moisten his parched lips, Kamis continued.
"Will you pay ten million dollars and exchange them for the hostages?"
Agreeing too quickly might raise suspicion.
I pretended to ponder, drawing out my response.
"Ten million… We'll have it ready by tomorrow."
"You can prepare it in hundred dollar bills. Once you hand it over, I'll arrange for the exchange and bring the hostages here."
I shook my head.
"We're coming along too."
"They won't accept that."
"Just let them know we'll only come with minimal forces. I'm not toying with the lives of the hostages. An American bureaucrat won't join us. The Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Korean government and the Jaetun troops assigned to protect him will come along instead."
Kamis frowned at the mention of the troops joining us.
"…That might complicate the negotiations."
"Ten million dollars is a huge sum. Letting it pass without a guarantee is daunting. We want to confirm the safety of the hostages before handing over the money. If not, then connect us directly for negotiations."
"So you're saying you don't trust me?"
Kamis narrowed his eyes in displeasure as he asked.
"Regardless of how President Hussein introduced us, we are dealing with ten million dollars. I can't guarantee there won't be a mishap during the delivery."
"Uh…"
"Before we talk about trust, it's only natural to handle the cash directly. Our middleman is accompanying us, so exchanging the money for the hostages shouldn't be an issue. It's just a matter of safety. Do you truly believe we're scared of them and will pay them just to receive the hostages?"
Kamis shook his head.
"No, that's not it. I know the reputation of Black Bear well in Iraq."
"Our priority is the safety of the hostages. We have no intent to threaten the kidnappers with guns when we have no idea how the hostages are faring. So, let's reassure them and set up a location where you and I can move together."
"Understood. Let's proceed with the negotiations under those terms."
"Let's do that."
Kamis stood up from his seat.
"I'll be in touch again soon."
As he turned to leave, Yura followed him to escort him out.
Once the door closed, Igor and Manager Ma called for me simultaneously.
"…Boss."
"Boss."
Knowing what they were about to say, I smiled.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything reckless."
"But…"
"I know what you're worried about, Manager. But I can handle myself. Plus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is coming directly to Iraq; I must give a show of strength here. The Jaetun troops will be responsible for the minister's security."
This had been a hasty decision made last night.
In exchange for the Korean government bearing the risks if we failed, we would share half the profits if we succeeded.
Thus, the Jaetun troops were mobilized, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was flying to Iraq in person.
"Igor, your team must mobilize as instructed and eliminate them. Manager Ma, you'll take responsibility for my security. Just focus on your duties, Manager."
"Understood, Boss. And…"
Igor lowered his voice.
"One of your subordinates just returned after checking the location you specified."
"What did they find?"
"There's an artificial cave. It was hidden in a tough-to-find location unless you had the exact latitude and longitude."
"An artificial cave?"
"Yes. We approached cautiously to confirm the location and returned."
There must be a bunker accessible only via the cave.
"Once this operation wraps up, let's organize a team of trusted individuals to retrieve it together."
"Understood."
"Igor, you know this information mustn't leak. If the U.S. or any other country finds out, they'll swarm in at the first chance they get."
The Hussein collection was an urban legend akin to Hitler's hidden gold.
Rumors of its existence circulated widely, but the reality remained undisclosed.
If it turned out to be real, it was obvious everyone would charge in, risk their lives to seize it.
"Take your time with the collection. For now, let's focus on completing this operation safely. Igor, go out and double-check everything to ensure no details are overlooked for the mission."
"Understood."
After saluting me, Igor exited the room.
I turned to Manager Ma, who still looked serious.
"Are you that concerned about my safety? They won't do anything reckless. Besides, the Jaetun troops will be there with me, so don't worry too much."
"Boss, we still need to take some of our people with us."
"I can't win with you, can I? Then just pick around five people to come along, Manager."
"Understood."
Manager Ma's resolute response made me grin unconsciously.
It was two days later when Kamis contacted me again.
He said they accepted our terms but would inform me of the location while moving.
Shortly after, upon arriving at the Iraq branch, he suddenly declared.
"Let's move now."
"Where to?"
The Minister of Foreign Affairs furrowed his brow at the unexpected statement.
"Guess you must be from Korea. Nice to meet you. I'm Kamis."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Minister Heo Seong-gu. But shouldn't you at least tell us the destination before moving?"
"Yes. Just follow my car. It's a considerable distance, so I hope you're ready for that."
"No…"
There wasn't time for a debate here. I interrupted whatever Heo Seong-gu was going to say.
"Kamis, can you give us at least a rough idea of the location?"
"It's the Kurdish autonomous region. Let's get moving. We're pressed for time."
While speaking, Kamis kept glancing at his wristwatch.
Nodding in understanding, I gestured to Manager Ma.
"We'll follow you. Get ready, Manager. Let's go."
Kamis drove in the car he arrived in, with us trailing behind.
"There's no way to handle business like this!"
As soon as we got in the car, Heo Seong-gu complained in an irritated tone.
Is he out of his mind? He can't possibly be oblivious to where he is right now.
"Minister, forget about common sense. This is a war zone."
"No, even so…"
"Your only task here is to quietly take photos and return home safely. I'll handle the rest."
The Minister's role during this whole ordeal was just to capture some media-friendly photos.
The negotiations and the ensuing operation would be entirely my responsibility along with Black Bear.
Realizing he had no real part to play, Heo Seong-gu clamped his mouth shut.
"You won't be a burden to the Minister."
To my firm statement, Heo Seong-gu cleared his throat loudly, unwillingly nodding and crossing his arms.
With that conversation over, silence enveloped the car.
We departed from Baghdad and drove for a considerable time.
Manager Ma routinely checked the GPS equipment.
"Boss, we'll be entering the Kurdish autonomous region shortly."
The Kurds, who aided the U.S. forces attacking Iraq, had been granted autonomy and were self-governing.
Thanks to that, the Kurdish autonomous region managed to escape much of the war's chaos happening throughout Iraq.
After covering some distance into the Kurdish autonomous region, we finally reached our destination.
"I see tents ahead."
Unlike a city, the area was just an open expanse dotted with a few tents.
Kamis parked the car a fair distance from the cluster of tents and stepped out to approach us.
"Please get out. We'll need to walk from here."
"Wait a moment."
Manager Ma exited the car first and signaled to the mercenaries assigned to protect me.
The Jaetun troops were already outside, conducting security checks.
"It seems safe to exit now."
I stepped out of the car with Heo Seong-gu. Manager Ma was already opening the trunk to grab the bag of money.
After walking approximately 100 meters, we arrived at the tents and encountered a group of armed individuals.
"Are those them?"
"No, those are my subordinates. The soldiers will stay here and wait for your signals."
"Hmm…"
"I'll guarantee your safety. They're also waiting on the other side, and only three will enter here."
It seemed it was Kamis' decision to choose this location rather than the Monotheistic Group and Holy War.
"Then let's do it this way. We'll send in just three of us."
I dragged a reluctant Heo Seong-gu into the central tent.
Inside, three masked men were waiting.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein