Chapter 357: For Profit

I woke up in a cold sweat, still feeling the reverberation of gunfire ringing in my ears, grasping at my earlobes anxiously.

"Ha…"

I needed to pull myself together. After letting out a deep sigh, I shook off the remnants of sleep and got up.

I headed to the bathroom and started my shower.

As the cold water soaked my hair, I tried to recall the dream I'd had, but the details eluded me.

Standing there for a while under the chilly water seemed to bring my senses back.

After rinsing off my body, I stepped out to find Manager Ma waiting with a warm cup of coffee.

I accepted the paper cup and smiled.

"This is why I like you, Manager."

"Thank you."

"You should wash up too, Manager. Looks like we've got a busy day ahead."

"Yes, Boss."

I jokingly nudged Manager Ma as he headed for the bathroom.

"By the way, there's no hot water right now."

"That's fine."

Such a dull person. I chuckled and took my coffee to the window.

As I drew back the curtains, the morning sunlight streamed into the room.

The view of the city outside looked bleak. Yet, it seemed a bit better than yesterday.

Yesterday, not a single shadow had graced the streets; today, I could see citizens moving about.

However, there was no hint of emotion on their faces.

Watching them go about their tasks with stern expressions made me ponder deeply.

For them, hope might seem out of reach. Those forced to unite against the external threats for decades were too busy aiming guns at each other.

That hadn't changed from my previous life.

Even with the U.S. pouring support until 2020, nothing had improved at all.

The ruling class was too busy looking out for their own interests to care about the citizens.

The citizens, just to survive, joined the guerrillas.

Ultimately, the U.S. decided to withdraw in a hurry, leaving behind a situation where the Taliban reclaimed power and another civil war ensued.

In the meantime, many of Afghanistan's buried resources had been developed thanks to the U.S., but that was merely the tip of the iceberg.

I had to secure mining rights faster and in greater quantities than the U.S.

That's why my meet-up with Ahmad today was crucial.

If I could gain recognition for the mining rights for those resources, it would be a significant profit.

I finished my coffee and closed the curtains once more.

As I turned, I saw Manager Ma standing behind me, emerging from who knows where.

"Let's take a seat."

We arranged ourselves comfortably and began our discussion.

"Do you have the expected mining locations handed over from Russia?"

The Soviet Union had conducted geological surveys of Afghanistan's resources back in the 1980s.

Even after the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan hadn't released this information to the world.

They feared that knowledge of their buried resources would turn them into a battlefield among the powers.

I examined the documents on Afghanistan that Putin had handed me.

The Russians could neither secure mining development in Afghanistan, dominated by the U.S., nor did they keep any documents for themselves.

Manager Ma laid out the map on the table, circling relevant areas as he discussed the quantity of resources and types of minerals.

For now, the U.S. and Western powers weren't particularly interested in Afghanistan's underground resources.

To win, we had to make a move. I pointed out three mines among many.

"Here, here, and lastly, over here."

I chose three locations as close as possible.

"If negotiations go well today, I plan to send geologists and related research teams."

The areas I picked were in the southern region, still heavily influenced by the Taliban.

Perhaps that was why Manager Ma looked puzzled and asked.

"Wouldn't the north be better?"

Of course, there were regions in northern Afghanistan also predicted to have rich underground resources, but I shook my head.

"The Northern Alliance holds too much power there. They won't allow us to take stable areas. It's better for us to maintain security ourselves using mercenaries in unstable regions."

"Hmm…"

Afghanistan's mostly mountainous terrain hindered military communications. Therefore, ground troops were more crucial than advanced weaponry.

It was burdensome to deploy the national army for civil projects, so I needed to secure mercenaries through private military corporations.

However, owning Black Bear gave me an edge over others.

Of course, even if military communications and advanced weaponry were dysfunctional, the Taliban guerrillas could still set up shop; they couldn't defeat Black Bear's elite.

"This isn't a short-term project; it's something that'll take at least five years to progress."

Mining development requires a long time compared to other businesses.

While it would be ideal to secure the mining rights for proven viable mines, such places were almost nonexistent in Afghanistan.

"I plan to call in a team from both the Black Bear headquarters and the South Korean branch. I would like the team from Korea to lead, so please find someone suitable, Manager."

"Understood."

We spent some time deliberating over the map of Afghanistan.

Suddenly, the phone in the room rang. Manager Ma stood up to answer it.

After a brief call, he returned to his seat.

"Was that a call from the Afghan government?"

"Yes, they said they'd pick us up in an hour. We can only bring one companion with us."

The Black Bear mercenaries were providing security for Ahmad, so it wouldn't matter if our entourage was small.

"Then let's start preparing to leave."

As I got up, Manager Ma gathered the map from the table.

We wrapped up our preparations and waited for about thirty minutes.

Before long, we heard a knock on the hotel door.

When Manager Ma opened it, Igor arrived with another person.

Igor introduced the man.

"This is Ahmad Zia Masoud, the brother of Ahmad Shah Masoud."

It was the visit of a big shot.

Ahmad had two younger brothers, and the second, Zia, held a strong position of trust with him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ahmad Zia Masoud."

Zia spoke fluent English.

"You speak English well."

"Haha, it's my only special skill. Because of this, most dealings with the Americans are on my shoulders."

"That's impressive work you're doing."

Zia simply offered an awkward smile to my compliment.

"Let's get going. My brother is waiting. It's a short ride, around ten minutes."

We exited the hotel with Igor, Zia, and Manager Ma.

Zia and I got into the same car, while Igor and Manager Ma took another.

Soldiers from the Northern Alliance guarded us as we sped along.

"This is my brother's secret house."

The place we arrived at wasn't the makeshift government office of the Afghan transitional government, but rather a shabby house.

As Zia and I got out of the car, a soldier guarding the entrance saluted him.

Zia and I entered the house, where Ahmad was waiting alongside Black Bear mercenaries.

"Welcome. I'm Ahmad Shah Masoud."

I replied to Ahmad, who spoke in Russian, in the same language.

"It's a pleasure. I'm Kim Mu-hyeok."

"As I've heard, your Russian is quite good."

"You speak Russian well too, General."

"I learned Russian to survive. I had no choice but to communicate with the Soviets."

Ahmad's expression darkened, as if recalling painful memories. I quickly shifted the topic.

"I heard you've been appointed as a representative for the Afghan transitional government. Congratulations."

"It's an undeserved position. Though reluctantly granted, I don't wish to be in this role for long."

They called him the Lion of Panjshir, yet he exuded a surprisingly gentle atmosphere.

"But it seems you'll have to stay for a while. Otherwise, as the general knows, a civil war might break out, isn't that right? The U.S. preferred Hamid Karzai over you, but they appointed you representative due to their fear of a civil war."

"Let's continue discussing inside."

The four of us—myself, Manager Ma, Ahmad, and Zia—entered the room while the rest waited outside.

Some light refreshments were prepared inside.

"Let's sit down and talk."

Ahmad and Zia took their seats first, while Manager Ma and I faced them.

"First off, thank you for saving my life. I owe my survival to Black Bear."

Ahmad's opening line was his expression of gratitude for saving his life.

"I'm glad you're safe."

"I almost got into big trouble relying solely on the Americans."

After some formalities had passed, we began the real conversation.

"The reason I wanted to meet you, Kim Mu-hyeok, is to ask about wh you saved me. Can you tell me?"

"To secure Afghanistan's future would sound too transparent, wouldn't it?"

"Haha, I prefer honesty."

Ahmad laughed heartily. With that joke, the atmosphere had lightened up.

I leaned forward a bit, meeting his gaze.

"To stabilize Afghanistan, I believed you were the best person. Meanwhile, I received intelligence on a terrorist threat against you and conveyed it to the mercenaries in Afghanistan. My choice proved correct, as you've become the new leader of Afghanistan now."

Ahmad met my eyes directly, not flinching.

I had to abandon my earlier impression of him as soft. There was an aura about him like a finely honed blade.

"And why are you interested in stabilizing Afghanistan?"

"Since you mentioned being honest, I'll speak plainly. It's for my own benefit. I want the underground resources buried in Afghanistan. For that, stabilizing Afghanistan is crucial for me above all else."

Ahmad sighed softly, closing his eyes.

"I've reviewed the data stored in Russia. It's likely more accurate than anything available in Afghanistan, created during the Soviet invasion back in the 1980s. General, I want to develop the underground resources in this country."

My frank answer seemed to trouble Ahmad, as he remained silent with his eyes closed.

Instead, Zia beside him spoke up with a question.

"You're pretty straightforward. So, regarding underground resources… even if you develop the mines, our government can't ensure your safety."

Nodding in response to Zia's statement about the reality of a Taliban-dominated Afghanistan, I answered.

"Yes. Instead of trusting the Afghan government forces, I plan to protect the mines with Black Bear's mercenaries. One cannot deploy a regular army for civilian businesses."

As I conversed with Zia, Ahmad seemed to have organized his thoughts and addressed me.

"You know our country's economy is in shambles, right?"

"I'm aware. Especially after the war with the U.S., the economy has deteriorated further. However, the Taliban has been ousted, and reconstruction efforts are set to begin, led by the U.S. That should help things improve a bit."

"At best, that only applies to major cities like Kabul and Kandahar. Many other regions remain under Taliban influence."

Ahmad pressed a bell next to him. A secretary entered.

After issuing some instructions in their language, the secretary soon returned carrying opium poppies.

Laying them on the table, Ahmad said.

"Currently, opium poppies are the primary source of income for our citizens. This is the reality of our country."

I stared at the opium poppies resting on the table and questioned.

"Are you suggesting a drug deal?"

I never anticipated Ahmad would bring up the drug trade.

In disbelief, my voice naturally rose slightly in frustration.