Chương 330: Chapter 330: Taking Over the Russian Underworld
I laughed as I watched the broken teacup rolling across the floor.
I thought he had a big heart, but turns out he's just a small fry.
"Why are you so surprised? Didn't you expect this? If not, what reason would I have to meet you?"
"That… Mogilevich is connected to the government…"
"You don't need to worry about that. The discussions are already over. This conflict between the mafia won't involve the police, let alone the FSB."
The fear in Usov's eyes finally flicered with a hint of light.
"Is that true?"
"Why would I lie to you? Let's change the venue. This place is just too exposed for my liking."
I stood up first, making my way out. Usov hesitated for a secnd, then stood up to follow me.
We left the office and continued our conversation in the reception area.
"So, is it possible to take out Mogilevich?"
"..."
"You're silent. Seems like it's easier to want him dead than to actually accomplish it."
I crossed my legs and fixed a cold stare on Usov..
He merely chewed his lips nervously and finally spoke up.
"The power disparity is too great. Even if I combine my organization with Ivanov's, we'd barely makeup half of what Mogilevich controls. Most of the mafia operates under his influence…"
"I'm not suggesting a full-scale war. You just need to eliminate Mogilevich. The organizations below him aren't loyal for loyalty's sake; they're drawn to his power, right? Once he's gone, they'll naturally disperse. What's there to worry about?"
Putin didn't want a mafia war either. And I certainly had no intention of escalating matters.
"Mogilevich operates openly and hasn't hidden himself. So, you still can't manage it?"
"If I fail, it'll lead to an intense conflict. He's not the kind of guy who lets those who threaten his life go easily."
"If you can't handle that risk, how can you aim for greater victories? I was willing to take him down, considering you must have heard rumors about my friendship with Putin?"
"…I dismissed those rumors. I found it hard to believe that Putin would keep an Asian as a friend."
That discriminatory thought about Asians slipped through his words. I frowned involuntarily.
Usov seemed oblivious tomy reaction and continued talking.
"Honestly, I still can't believe it. Meeting you in person only adds to my doubt; you look so young. Considering the armed guards, it seems real, but…"
Usov noticed the stiffnes on my face and quickly regretted his words.
"Please, continue. Don't hold back."
"…I apologize."
I sighed deeply. Even though he knew I held the upper hand, he still tried to undermine me because of my ethnicity.
Should I keep working with this fool?
A myriad of thoughts raced through my mind.
But my indecision didn't last long. After all, this guy was just a disposable pawn.
"Let me ask you something. In this business, what does race matter? Smuggling weapons, drugs, and prostitution? You're extending your reach across multiple Asian countries, yet you throw around terms like 'Asian' and dismiss them. If you disdain them, then you shouldn't even look at the Asian market. Are you attracted to Asian money but want to overlook the countries?"
As I spoke in a cold voice, Usov's face hardened..
"All right. Suppose you're a racist and hold those views. Then why are you here? I'm sure you must have heard something from Igor. In the end, you came to meet me for profit, didn't you? Yet here you are talking about age and race. It's refreshing yet infuriating, considering how business is conducted over here in Russia."
"…That was a mistake."
"I don't want to waste time on this pointless conversation, so I'll let it slide this time. But if you want to work with me, mind your words."
After all, I planned to use him as a disposable tool, so needless arguments were meaningless.
All I wanted was to assert my superiority, use him as needed, and toss him aside.
"It's not that I don't believe it, but you didn't want to believe it. You likely have connections with government officials, and surely they have informed you of my connection to Putin."
"..."
"You intended to assassinate me while ignoring that. You saw the armed guards from the airport and decided to give it up, didn't you?"
My mood soured, and I couldn't help but slip in a taunting remark.
"Well, fine then. If you're having a hard time with it, how about I take care of Mogilevich? Then you can just sit back and reap the rewards. But if that's the case, what's the reason for me to partner with you?"
The only reason I wanted to join forces with Usov and Ivanov was thatthey had enough power.
Why bother building a new ship when one was already at sea?
But seeing the existing ship taking on water made me feel uneasy.
"Instead, it might be more comfortable for me to establish an organization with my own men. Don't you think?"
Usov, face stiff, couldnt even respond.
If the information he received from government officials was accurate, he must know I was telling the truth.
He was just avoiding the hassle of forming an organization, but given enough time, he could easily expand his influence to overshadow even Ivanov and Usov's forces.
"Choose. Should I take out Mogilevich myself, or will you?"
The anticipated answer was nowhere to be found. Usov clenched his fist nrvously and chewed his lip.
I leisurely took a sip of my tea and then turned to Igor.
"Igor."
"Yes, Boss."
"Can we eliminate Mogilevich?"
"It would be easy if the Russian government just keeps watching."
Igor immediately understood the implication of my words.
"If Usov and Ivanov refuse, roceed immediately."
"Understood."
Nodding satisfactorily as I gave the instructions, Usov spoke up hastily..
"Wait, hold on a minute."
"Have you sorted out your thoughts?"
"What do we gain from this? I mean, what's the benefit of eliminating Mogilevich?"
"It's about dominating the Russian underworld."
"Even now, Mogilevich is running the majority of the underground world. It's hardly a benefit…"
"Everything profitable is all Mogilevich's territory, and the leftovers are just scraps. What do you mean by domination?"
Usov's tone started to gt rough as his face turned red from the insulting words he'd endured up until now.
"Hey! You've been disrespecting me, and there's only so much I can take. You were the one proposing a partnership, remember?"
Right. This is how it should be.
If the leader of the Russian mafia is too humble, it's no fun.
As I wore a thick smile, it seemed to irritate Usov even more, making hs face stormier.
But I didn't care at all as I replied.
"You really want to talk about keeping your cool, huh? I'm the one chatting amicably with someone who previously tried to kill me. Who do you think is the one who's more patient here?"
"That…"
"What? Are you embarrassed? I simply spoke the truth. If the business distribution had been satisfactory, you wouldn't need to turn against Mogilevich in the first place."
If Mogilevich's methods were sound, there would have been no reason for Usov and Ivanov, who wer close to him, to attempt to kill me.
"Go on, tell me. Other than being leftovers of Mogilevich, is there an actual business you're running in a legitimate manner?"
"..."
"I don't like people who don't reply when I ask questions. So, answer me. Will you eliminate Mogilevich, or will we?"
Usov closed his eyes andseemed to take a deep breath to calm himself.
After a while of pacing himself, he opened his eyes and spoke in a calmer tone than before.
"I would appreciate it if you'd show some respect. I didn't come here to bow before you; I came to hear Igor's words and negotiate."
"I understand that. But it's time to make a choice, Usov. Please answer me."
"So, if we eliminate Mogilevich, what do we stand to gain? Other than this abstract notion of dominating the Russian underworld, of course. We won't be able to claim all of his assets or businesses just because he's gone."
I raised an eyebrow at his unprecedented reply. Well, at least he had some awareness.
Once Mogilevich was gone, Putin would surely move to seize most of his assets.
"I'll provide a foothold to enter Japan. We might need to battle them, but if we win, we'll control the entire drug market in Japan."
"That's utterly absurd…"
"Additionally, a war between the Chinese triads and the Yakuza is also on the horizon. Just securing Mogilevich's smuggling route will earn us a fair sum of money."
Putin would only take the legitimate business.
These groups would take over the underworld business and, in return, serve faithfully as Putin's loyal hounds.
"Dominate the Russian underworld and gain a foothold in Japan. There's no more attractive business model than this. The options for businesses within Russia are dwindling, aren't they? Seems like it's high time to figure out what kind of man Putin really is."
"Are you sure the government won't take any action?"
"That's a promise."
"Then we'll do it. But I ask you to keep your end of the bargain. Protect us from the government."
Instead of answering, I picked up the phone beside me.
I switched it to speaker mode so everyone could hear, then dialed the number.
I heard the ringing sound, and not long after, a familiar voice answered.
― Hello.
"Medvedev. This is Kim Mu-hyeok."
"― Oh, Boss Kim. Are you awake? Ha-ha, why are you so weak with liquor?"
"I'm not weak; it's that Medvedev and Putin drink too stridently. I've never been called weak when it comes to alcohol."
"― I know. Seems like I can't even joke around. But it's been a while since I saw Putin smiling like that. Please come to Moscow often and be a companion for Putin."
As the conversation continued, Usov's expression starte to shift oddly.
"I'll stop by whenever I can. But Medvedev, the reason I'm calling is regarding Mogilevich."
"― Ah, I've already been informed. No matter what, neither the police nor the FSB will intervene. Do you need assistance?"
"No. Have you seen me receiving Putin's help in Russia? I'll manage on my own."
As I heard Medvedev's hearty laughter over the receiver, Usov's face went pale..
― Ha-ha, right. That's why Putin likes you. Once Mogilevich is gone, then we will act.
"Understood. Let's talk again later."
― Sure. Before heading to Korea, let's meet in person.
"Yes, I'll hang up now."
After ending the call, I turned to Usov. Seeing his pale fae filled me with a sense of satisfaction.
"Does that answer your question?"
"Is… is that really Administrative Minister Medvedev?"
He stuttered, unable to believe whether what he heard was real.
"You can't mistake Medvedev's voice, can you?"
"…I can't believe it. So, were all those rumors true?"
"Rumors can be exaggerated or downplayed. But now you can confirm the truth, and that's not a bad catch. Regardless, if you're working with me, you won't be persecuted like other mafia groups."
"I'll do it. I'll take out Mogilevich."
My call with Medvedev had proven effective. Usov likely found Medvedv more persuasive than me.
"No mistakes allowed. If you fail to kill him in one strike, there won't be a second chance. You know Mogilevich is on the hunt for you and Ivanov, right?"
"Yes, that's why we left Moscow for now."
"If you fail, it'll be you who ends up dead. Make sure you end him for good. After that, you can discuss absorbing Mogilevich's forces with Igor."
I rose from my seat and extended my hand first.
"Finding me will become the greatest fortune of your life."
Usov didn't hesitate, clsping my hand with both of his and grinning wide.
"Thank you. Please say a good word to President Putin and Medvedev for me."
"If you handle this well, good news will come your way."
Usov left the reception rea with Igor. As the door shut, Manager Ma leaned in, speaking softly enough for only me to hear.
"Can he be trusted?"
"Trustworthy? Unlike Mogilevich, he seems to understand where his power lies, so let's give him a chance."
The Mogilevich I'd met had been an arrogant man, who dared to think himself the Tsar of Russia.
Putin understood that, so he didn't resist the plan to eliminate Mogilevich.
I couldn't help but smile at the memory of Mogilevich overlooking the Kremlin Palace and Red Square.
A moment later, Igor returned to the reception area after seeing Usov off..
"Igor."
"Yes, Boss."
"If Usov and Ivanov avoid maing mistakes, we can definitely kill Mogilevich, who is currently unprepared. But frankly, I don't trust him. Keep an open line of communication, and if they get too close to Mogilevich, act immediately."
"Understood. Should we capture him, or just kill him?"
For a moment I pondered the assumption behind Igor's question, which assumed we wouldn't miss.
I was curious about the whereabouts of the nuclear weapons, but I couldn't acquire them.
"Just kill him."
"Understood, Boss."
"And once Mogilevich is dead, take out Ivanov as well. If there ae two heads, controlling them becomes far too difficult. Let's take out one head as a warning to Usov too.""
One leader was more than enough in the Russian mafia.
"I'll take care of that."
I smiled contently at Igor's response, feeling satisfied.
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