Kapitel 668: Chapter 668: I Won’t Forget This Incident
Inside the tent, a single table stood out starkly.
Two men holding AK-47s stood guard, while another sat.
All wore masks, and given that only one was seated, he appeared to be the superior.
Kamis greeted the seated man with enthusiasm.
After their greetings, the two began conversing in Arabic.
"Kamis, long time no see!"
"You came in person?"
"I came to see you. We'll discuss the details later. Are these gentlemen from Korea?"
Although their conversation was rapid, I could grasp the general context.
"This is the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Korea, and the others are from Black Bear. This one is also from Black Bear."
"You've kept your promise. It seems the American isn't here."
"Please, take a seat. Let's talk."
Kamis gestured for us to sit around the long table.
"You can sit over there."
We took our seats, facing the hostage-takers.
"I'll handle the translation."
I nodded at Kamis, who spoke as if it were obvious.
"Understood. But why are we discussing this while wearing masks?"
"Well, they extremely dislike revealing their faces, so please understand."
Considering the obvious risk of being captured if they revealed their faces, it made sense.
Since I wasn't there to confirm identities, I decided to let it slide.
Instead, I asked something critical.
"Where are the hostages?"
I could see no sign of the hostages in the tent.
The masked man replied, translating my question through Kamis.
"They are waiting in the next tent. Let's check the money first."
"We need to verify the hostages first."
"Let's just check the money. If not, the negotiation ends here."
The man threatened the hostages' lives.
Reluctantly, I exchanged glances with Manager Ma.
Bang!
Manager Ma placed a bag containing ten million dollars on the table. The weight of the bag made a significant thud.
The seated man instructed his subordinate who stood behind him.
"Check it."
One of the men with the gun stepped forward.
He opened the bag and pulled out a bundle of hundred-dollar bills.
After scrutinizing the bag, he turned to the seated man and nodded.
The seated man leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he questioned.
"Are you sure it's ten million dollars?"
"Don't worry; I'm not foolish enough to play games with a ransom. Now, can you please show us the hostages?"
Manager Ma closed the bag again. The man, eyeing the cash, gestured with his chin.
"Bring them in."
Another man stepped outside.
Moments later, five hostages entered with that man.
Each was wearing a mask with no eye openings.
"I need to see their faces. Remove their masks."
In response to my request, the hostage-takers swiftly pulled off the masks.
Perhaps due to the sudden light, the hostages squinted, trembling uncontrollably.
As they gradually adjusted to the brightness, they opened their eyes and screamed when they noticed us.
Among the four hostages screaming in English, one yelled in Korean.
"Please save us! We want to live!"
Though they were teary-eyed, I could confirm they were indeed the hostages from the photos.
"It's them. Take the money, and let's trade for the hostages."
Manager Ma withdrew his hand from the money bag.
The man who verified the money grabbed the bag while the other pushed the hostages towards us.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Thanks for saving us! Thank you…"
In shock, the hostages mumbled their thanks in ragged voices, shivering in place.
At that moment, Minister Heo approached Kim Mugil.
"Mr. Kim Mugil."
"Thank you for saving us! Thank you…"
Kim Mugil repeatedly murmured his thanks, looking dazed.
He seemed barely coherent like the other hostages.
After ensuring the hostages were alright, I turned my attention to the seated hostage-takers, issuing a warning.
"Do not ever think of kidnapping Koreans for ransom again. While we may have paid this time and rescued the hostages, next time, Black Bear will chase you to the ends of hell."
"If Koreans stop coming to Iraq, then it won't happen. We'll always make the same demands, so pull your troops out of Korea and abandon your businesses here."
As expected, these guys weren't reasonable folks.
It seemed that only blood, power, fear, and destruction could protect Koreans.
I glared at the masked man before standing up.
"We'll take our leave now."
Before exiting the tent, I approached Kamis and extended my hand.
"Kamis, I won't forget this incident. If you need help from Black Bear in the future, feel free to ask."
Kamis, with a gracious smile, stood up and shook my hand.
I had learned that his friendly facade was just a mask as well.
"It's an honor. I'm not sure if I will ever need assistance from Black Bear, but I'll remember this."
After saying our farewells, we left the tent with the hostages.
"Kamis, bring us the weapons we discussed. That was the reason we accepted this negotiation, understood?"
Perhaps thinking I didn't understand Arabic, the kidnapper spoke to Kamis in Arabic.
He was clearly referring to changing the ransom into weapons.
Kamis, who had conducted the negotiations, likely didn't give them a significant discount because of this reason.
I glanced around and said,
"Let's head back."
* * *
Igor finished all preparations and awaited word.
― Hostage rescue successful. Operation starts.
How much time had passed? I heard Yuri's voice through the radio.
Igor turned on the GPS, confirming that the tracker was functioning correctly.
His subordinate clutched the equipment received from the U.S. military, observing the situation.
The bag of money had two trackers attached.
"Move out."
At Igor's command, the team sprang into action.
"We've stopped."
Finally, the bag of money came to a halt.
"We're 150 km away from here, near the border with Syria."
Syria bordered Iraq.
A dictatorial state ruled by the Ba'ath Party, like Hussein.
However, it wasn't a friendly nation toward Hussein's regime.
"How long will it take?"
"It should take about an hour to arrive."
After hearing the subordinate's report, Igor checked his wristwatch.
"By the time we arrive, it'll be dark. The operation time is set for midnight. Check the map for ambush locations."
"Yes, understood."
Igor transmitted this information to Yuri using the communication equipment.
"This is Igor. Yuri, do you read me?"
― Yes, loud and clear.
"Has the boss arrived?"
― Not yet, but we received word that he will be arriving soon. Our mercenaries are meeting him, so he should arrive safely.
"Alright. I appreciate it. I've confirmed the enemies' location. The latitude is…"
Igor relayed the coordinates to Yuri. After confirming the location, Yuri asked back.
― Is it near the Syrian border?
"Yes. Are there any troubling spots nearby?"
― No. However, just crossing a single mountain will lead directly into Syrian territory. If missed, they will likely escape through there.
Terrorist organizations were scattered in the area near the Syrian border, making it an easy place to hide.
After organizing his thoughts, Igor gave the order.
"Check for nearby Syrian army stationed areas."
― Understood. Please wait a moment.
On the other side of the radio, Igor heard Yuri instructing someone.
It seemed that the tracker hadn't been discovered as the signal had not been lost.
― Igor.
Upon hearing his name, Igor focused back on the communication.
"I'm listening."
― We have a Syrian army station 50 km north.
Igor gestured for his subordinate to bring him the map.
After receiving the map, Igor checked the location.
"We must completely seal off their escape. If anything noteworthy arises, contact me again. As soon as the boss arrives, let them know we are reaching the operation area soon."
― Yes. Good luck. Come back safely.
Igor ended the communication and set the equipment down. He had arrived at the operation area while talking to Yuri.
He stepped out of the car, raised his binoculars, and looked at the location of the tracker.
A small village nestled in the mountains came into view, surrounded by several watchtowers.
It appeared to be a small camp consisting of wooden huts and tents.
After observing the camp for a while, Igor quickly formulated the operation in his mind.
"Everyone gather here."
After calling all his team members together, Igor began issuing commands while looking at the map.
"You move with ten team members this way, and you…"
* * *
I returned to the Black Bear Iraq branch after the sun had completely set.
Jessica, noticing us, hurried over.
"How about the hostages? Were they all rescued?"
Without a word, I nodded and gestured behind me.
The hostages were getting out of the vehicle one by one with the soldiers' help.
They still trembled in fear.
Jessica checked on them and dashed toward their side.
"I'm so glad to see you all safe. I'm Jessica from the U.S. government. In a moment, the U.S. military will arrive here, and we will move to the military camp. There, we will conduct a quick investigation, and once it's done, you can board a military plane back to the U.S.."
Hearing Jessica's words, the Americans realized their situation, and tears began to fall in joy.
To reassure them, Jessica continued to speak in a gentle voice.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, we managed to rescue them safely. The President won't forget this incident either."
As I watched the relieved Americans, Minister Heo approached me and bowed his head.
Earlier, he seemed quite authoritative. Clearly, he must not be an unwitting head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He expressed gratitude without hesitation, bowing his head.
"It's nothing. I'm Korean too. Luckily, we could rescue them without any injuries."
I called to Kim Mugil, who looked dazed as he glanced around.
"Mr. Kim Mugil?"
Startled at my call, Kim Mugil timidly approached.
"You are Kim Byung-geun's son, right?"
Surprised at hearing his father's name, Kim Mugil's eyes widened.
"Could it be that my father sent someone here?"
A mere bicycle merchant in Busan, what influence would he have to send someone this far?
Upon speaking, it seemed he shared the same feeling, as Kim Mugil awkwardly smiled.
His expression resembled that of the man who pushed the bicycle behind me, causing me to chuckle inadvertently.
"No, it's not that. I owe him a small debt. Well, it's not strictly why I got involved in this matter. You can ask him for the details when you return to Korea. My name is Kim Mu-hyeok. Now you should prepare to return to Korea with the military."
Like how I didn't remember Kim Mugil, he too didn't recall me.
Gently tapping his shoulder, still in a state of daze, I added,
"You did well. Please try not to come to such dangerous places again. No matter how tempting money is, your life is what gives it meaning."
"Thank you. Thank you!"
"I only negotiated in the middle. You should thank the Korean government and President Yoon Chang-ho. Before you return, this minister will prepare a script for you. Be sure to follow the interview as instructed, without deviation."
"Understood."
After calming Kim Mugil, who kept bowing with gratitude, I turned to Minister Heo.
"Thank you for coming all this way, Minister. Let's go back with Kim Mugil now. I appreciate the trouble, so please ensure the script is well-prepared so that I am not mentioned at all."
"It's what I always do. Well then, I'll head back now."
Minister Heo left first, taking Kim Mugil with the Korean military as they exited the Black Bear Iraq branch.
Shortly after, the U.S. military arrived to escort the rest back.
"Phew… Good work, Charlie."
I stared intently at Jessica, who thanked me.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Aren't you going to come with us? It's all over now. You have no more reason to be here."
"Not everything's finished yet. We need to eliminate all the kidnappers. Isn't that right?"
She really was thorough.
She recognized that if the kidnappers were not wiped out, the ransom given would merely turn into weapons against us.
"Alright, let's head in. But don't interfere."
"Don't worry. I won't."
Jessica smirked, looking irritated after witnessing the state of the hostages.
As she said, the rescue was done; now we had to conclude the matter properly.
It was time to eliminate all the kidnappers.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein