Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: A New Shield, A New War
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[You want to use us as a shield to protect Jaewoo from the Jewish powers?]
Hassad responded with a blank expression.
Perhaps seeing the conviction in my smiling face, Mohammed continued, his tone once again resolute.
[To be precise, it would be the Jewish cartel in the oil industry. If these plans become a reality, the blow they’ll suffer will be far greater than Chairman Jin described. Their response would be obvious. They’re already overflowing with money; what’s to stop them from taking down a single company like Jaewoo Group?]
[…]
[But the story changes if we invest in Jaewoo. The sheer scale of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and the UAE Investment Authority would be a burden even for them.]
Hassad’s eyes lit up at those words.
I could practically see the gears turning in his head.
I had a pretty good idea of what he was about to say.
[If that’s your goal, then shouldn’t you raise our stake even higher, just as Prince Mohammed said? The more we invest, the better a shield we’ll be.]
See?
[You’re not wrong. Acquiring a ten-percent stake in Jaewoo is an investment of only a few billion dollars. To be honest, it’s a bit much to ask you to become Jaewoo’s shield for that amount.]
[…]
[But you don’t have to own a large stake in Jaewoo Holdings to form an alliance with me.]
[What do you mean by that?]
Mohammed and Hassad spoke in unison.
At that moment, I pulled another document from my pocket and placed it before them.
[I will soon be establishing a fund. Its purpose will be to invest in companies with clear future value, including Jaewoo, as well as IT and technology development firms in South Korea and around the world. In other words, I’m creating a kind of future fund. There, you will be able to invest as much as you wish, without any monetary limit.]
Mohammed’s eyes instantly brightened.
To further solidify his confidence, I immediately added an explanation.
[Naturally, I will personally manage the fund. Furthermore, the various projects Jaewoo is currently undertaking will also be targets for investment. In short, even without directly investing in the holding company, you can achieve the effect of additional indirect investment and forge a stronger alliance with me.]
Mohammed and Hassad let out gasps of admiration.
And why wouldn’t they?
If that were possible, it was more than enough justification to act as my shield.
Their expressions brightened, a sign they had already grasped the implications.
*Swoosh.*
I straightened up from my leaning posture and looked at them.
I had done all I could.
Now, their response would define our relationship.
Would they become my enemies? Or would they become my allies and walk into the future with me?
[You won’t set a limit on the fund’s size?]
Just then, Mohammed offered a subtle smile.
His words signaled that he had already made up his mind.
When it came to thinking about the future, he seemed a step ahead of Hassad.
Then again, even before my regression, Saudi Arabia had been slower than the UAE in preparing for the post-oil era.
That only came later under Prince Salman, with belated projects like building innovative new cities.
Considering that, it was difficult to criticize Salman for the bloody purges he would later use to lead Saudi Arabia.
[If the fund’s investments include Jaewoo’s ongoing projects, then of course we must participate. Very well, I will consult with the Investment Authority soon to determine the scale of our investment.]
In the end, Mohammed agreed to the proposal and extended his hand.
As I took it with a sigh of relief, he suddenly said something I hadn't expected.
[There is one thing I’m curious about.]
[…]
[It’s about the electric car company you recently established in the United States. Will the fund you’re creating also invest in it? If so, that would be the icing on the cake.]
I was a bit surprised that he knew about Tesla.
It was also unexpected that he would suggest a fund investment in a company that had just taken its first steps into the world.
Perhaps his eye for the future was sharper than I had anticipated.
[Of course, it will be an investment target. It’s also one of the companies Jaewoo established. The one thing to keep in mind is that I will have sole discretion over the investment ratios. In other words, no investment will be made to a degree that would interfere with Jaewoo’s management.]
[Isn’t that a given?]
Mohammed readily accepted the condition.
Was it a coincidence? At that moment, the Russian resource development project flashed through my mind.
‘Well, that wouldn’t be so bad either.’
[I look forward to working with you.]
Mohammed, seemingly pleased with the outcome, smiled and offered his hand again.
*Swoosh.*
After shaking his hand, I turned to Hassad, who extended his own hand as if he had been waiting.
[It seems the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is in for a major hemorrhage.]
Though said in jest, his words were thrilling.
If the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, whose scale was almost unimaginable, was going to "hemorrhage," just how much were they planning to invest?
If it was anywhere near my expectations, it would be a tremendous help in scooping up promising companies from the gutter after the IT bubble had completely burst.
[By the way, how exactly do you plan to deal with the Jewish capital?]
While I was lost in my imagination, Hassad voiced his concern.
I remained silent for a moment, and he continued with his advice.
[Of course, you won’t have to clash with them immediately, but a confrontation is inevitable down the line.]
[Even so, considering they are businessmen at the end of the day, I don’t think dealing with them will be too difficult.]
[…]
******
“I’ll be waiting in the lobby.”
Two days later, after completing the performance checks for the HVP, we were busy preparing for our return to Korea.
Its performance had already been proven in actual combat, for all intents and purposes.
The reason we went through with the checks anyway was to see if the radar functioned properly in harsh climates like the desert. Fortunately, no significant issues were found.
“Oh, and Crown Prince Hassad asked me to convey his apologies for not being able to see you off.”
Secretary Kim, who was moving the last of the luggage, relayed Hassad’s message to me.
He really was an impatient man.
The moment we had an agreement on the fund investment, he had gotten up and returned to Saudi Arabia as if he were being chased.
“I understand. I just need to finish packing. You can go down first.”
For a stay of only a few days, there was quite a lot to pack.
How strange.
It’s strange how, even when you haven't acquired anything new, packing always feels like a chore.
[Today, U.S. President Bush stated that the disappearance of Senator Chris in Somalia was caused by internal conflict among Somali warlords.]
“Hm?”
Just as I managed to close my suitcase and was about to turn off the TV, an interesting scene caught my eye.
George W. Bush.
The man who had recently become the President of the United States was giving a briefing to reporters.
Seeing him on the world stage made it feel real—the fires of the Middle East wars were drawing near.
‘But what’s this about a U.S. senator disappearing in Somalia?’
I couldn’t recall if such an event had happened in history.
Especially in Somalia, a place the U.S. loathed.
The Battle of Mogadishu.
The U.S. military, which had suffered enormous losses in the battle more famously known to us as *Black Hawk Down*, had supposedly washed its hands of Somalia after the UN’s full withdrawal in ‘95.
I couldn’t understand why the U.S. and Somalia were getting entangled again at this time.
[We will do everything in our power to rescue Senator Chris.]
President Bush finished his briefing, showing his firm resolve to the reporters.
Somehow, it felt like something I shouldn't just dismiss.
“Chairman?”
But Secretary Kim’s call, reminding me that time was short, finally made me turn off the TV, and the question that had briefly troubled my mind vanished into thin air.
******
“Attention!”
The soldiers of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force were awaiting a briefing before their operation.
Their destination: Mogadishu.
Their mission: to rescue Senator Chris, held captive by Al-Shuab, one of Somalia’s key anti-American warlords.
The mood was somber due to the horrific sacrifice of the previously deployed SEALs, and no one was making small talk.
“Listen up. The media hasn't reported on this yet, but two days ago, twenty SEALs who infiltrated Mogadishu were all killed. Damn it! In short, the nightmare of the old Battle of Mogadishu has returned.”
His words heightened the tension among the soldiers.
The nightmare of Black Hawk Down.
It had come back to life.
But the commander seemed to have no intention of reassuring them, continuing to spew negative remarks.
“As you all know, Mogadishu is one of the world's biggest black markets for weapons. That means you never know what’s going to come flying at you from where. So don’t get lazy about checking your surroundings.”
With that, the commander handed the microphone to someone else.
It was a man with the rank of Lieutenant General and a scholarly, almost timid appearance.
He took the microphone, drew the attention of the Delta Force soldiers once more, and introduced himself.
“I’m Lieutenant General Michael, head of the Department of Defense’s Weapon Acquisition Planning Division.”
“…”
The Delta operators watched him in silence.
Michael stepped down from the podium for a moment, then gestured with something in his hand as he continued.
“The reason for the heavy SEAL casualties was the enemy’s use of armor-piercing rounds. Unfortunately, the body armor we currently have is useless against them. That’s why I plan to issue these to you.”
“Sorry, sir, but that doesn’t look like it could stop an armor-piercing round.”
An impatient captain couldn’t help but interject.
Michael glanced down at the vest in his hand, a sly smile forming on his face.
“Then would you like to test it yourself?”
“…”
The captain’s face went pale at his words.
Letting out a short laugh, Michael returned to the podium and shouted.
“This is not a suggestion; it’s an order. And as for testing, we’ve already done more than enough, so you can put your doubts about its performance to rest.”
At his words, the non-commissioned officers began to move briskly.
Soon, the soldiers were holding the same questionable items in their hands.
“This is… body armor?”
Taylor still looked at Michael with disbelief, but the general’s expression was firm.
“…Huh?”
Putting his bewilderment aside, Taylor put on the vest and let out a gasp.
Not only was it light, but he could move freely even with the plate inserted.
Just in case, he tapped his chest and felt a solid resistance.
“This, too…”
Next, they were handed a peculiar type of combat pants.
They had pockets on the thighs and down to the shins.
They looked like something could be inserted into them, and sure enough, after the soldiers changed their pants, NCOs quickly inserted something into the pockets and offered a word to each operator.
“I’ll pray to heaven for your safe return.”
*****
*Rat-tat-tat-tat!*
The battle was not just fierce; it was brutal.
As if to prove its reputation as a weapons black market, the anti-American warlord’s soldiers were heavily armed. Thanks to an initial barrage of firepower, the heavily armed groups were dealt with early on, but two of their own Humvees were already riddled with holes and out of commission.
“Are they high on drugs or something?”
Moreover, the enemy soldiers’ combat prowess was extraordinary.
Some of them kept charging even after being hit with 5.56mm rounds.
Rumor had it that it was due to the hallucinogenic effects of a plant root they constantly chewed, but it felt like fighting zombies.
-Area B is clear! We have the rabbit.
Just then, a hopeful radio transmission came in, confirming they had secured Senator Chris.
All that was left was to escape safely to the designated rear area.
Taylor and his men decided to use a truck they spotted nearby as their means of escape to shake off the relentless enemy pursuit.
“Hames and I will provide cover. The rest of you, run to that truck as fast as you can.”
*Rat-tat-tat!*
On command, the operators sprinted under Taylor’s covering fire.
Suddenly, bullets flew at them from all directions.
*Ugh!*
Some operators staggered and hit the ground, apparently hit.
“Whistler! Mikey!”
Taylor fired back in the direction of the shots, calling out his men’s names.
He started to move toward them.
*Thump!*
The fallen men scrambled back to their feet as if nothing had happened and provided cover for Taylor.
“Shit! You scared me.”
Taylor let out a sigh of relief and returned fire.
He felt the impact of incoming bullets in several places, but he gritted his teeth and launched a grenade.
*Boom!*
“Hurry!”
During the brief lull created by the grenade, the operators immediately climbed into the truck.
Fortunately, no one was left behind.
Even more fortunately, the truck’s engine was already running, thanks to a merchant who had abandoned the vehicle and fled in panic at the sudden outbreak of fighting.
*Ping! Ping!*
Bullets flew at them throughout their escape.
But they quickly put distance between them and the enemy, soon arriving at the designated rendezvous point. To their surprise, they were met by most of the other operators who had been deployed on the mission.
*Swoosh.*
Taylor suddenly looked down at his own body.
There were marks where bullets had struck him.
It was utterly unbelievable that he was still alive.
“Damn it… when we get back, I feel like I should be showering Lieutenant General Michael with kisses.”