December 25, 2030

  Dmitry Grekov, a director at the Wagner Group, was embroiled in scandal due to food supply issues during the Second Ukraine War. His backdoor deals with a food supplier led to defense corruption, leaving trucks unable to deliver supplies. With Russian authorities investigating the Wagner Group, evidence of his involvement put him at risk of severe consequences. Gamamusa, reading his psyche with ease, made an offer. “…We have one goal: to save Russian soldiers suffering from your corruption and elevate Russia to a global superpower.”

  Dmitry Grekov felt uneasy. He’d been briefed by the KGB about Gamamusa’s chaos in Japan and South Korea. Japanese media reported an industrial spy, Nagato Soren, collaborating with a North Korean defector professor, Gamagogi, to steal microbial research from Hiroshima University. The Japanese condemned Gamagogi as a fraud and Nagato Soren as a traitor. But in truth, Gamagogi had been purged in North Korea around 2004 and was long dead. Nagato Soren was Gamamusa, and Gamagogi was Park Sung-jae in disguise. Dmitry, watching Gamamusa’s invention demo, knew how dangerous he was, even if others didn’t.

  “…One question, Gamamusa. What’s your true aim?” Dmitry’s words prompted a grin. “…My aim is simple: to bring peace and stability to my homeland, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. For that, I need investors like you, Mr. Grekov.” The room’s atmosphere grew tense. The dozens of investors who’d entered were divided. They knew Gamamusa was North Korean but, except for Dmitry, were unaware of his actions. Jang Cheol-dae, leaving Jang Cheol-jin’s wheelchair with Baek Hyung-jin, approached them. “…Alright, everyone, come this way. Let us show you the essence of our invention.”

  Jang Cheol-dae led the investors to five plastic bins containing grass, pre-digested for nine hours, emitting a foul odor. The investors recoiled, covering their noses. “Now, we’ll show you the demo.” As Jang Cheol-dae loaded a sample into the sugar meter, Dmitry turned to Gamamusa. “…What are you planning? These investors don’t know who you are. They’ll see you as a quirky inventor at best. No one will invest.” Gamamusa nodded. “…True. But you will. You came here after the KGB briefed you on us, didn’t you?”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Dmitry didn’t smile. “…The more I see, the less I understand you. Why would I invest? In a few days, I’ll be ousted from the Wagner Group and tried for corruption. In wartime, that’s a life sentence at minimum.” Gamamusa nodded. “…That’s why I’m asking for your help, Mr. Grekov. You came after my message, so you’ve considered my offer, right? I’m willing to help you. I can get you out to Brazil through my contacts, and with luck, you could return to Russia a hero. All you need to do is invest Wagner’s money in us.”

  Dmitry stroked his chin, glancing at Jang Cheol-dae. The investors grimaced at the melting grass, shaking their heads even when the sugar meter glowed green. Skeptical of turning something so repulsive into food, most left. Dmitry placed a hand on Gamamusa’s shoulder. “…Looks like I’m the only one who’ll truly invest. You knew that when you called me. Follow me.” He led Gamamusa to the demo hall’s rooftop. Below, snow blanketed the streets, and cars moved about. “…Your first email shocked me. You knew about my corruption. That was… around 2005, wasn’t it?” Dmitry turned to Gamamusa. “…I was stunned. You were 15, months before your father’s death. We had no connection, yet you knew about my corruption, which even the KGB hadn’t suspected.”

  Gamamusa nodded. “Google Earth had just launched. I noticed military supply trucks in Moscow moving erratically for months, so I figured it was the logistics officer’s doing.” Dmitry marveled. “…You mentioned that in the email. But what’s wild is that after you used Google Earth, defense corruption across Russia started dropping. The KGB found logistics officers were being blackmailed by an anonymous source to stop their schemes. That was during Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, a sensitive time.” Dmitry fixed his gaze on Gamamusa. “…What power do you wield? And what do you plan to do with it?”

  Gamamusa shrugged. “…I was young then, playing pranks with my abilities. But that was my childish past.” He turned to Dmitry. “…I’m going to save my homeland. My late father would’ve wanted that.” Dmitry looked puzzled. “…Then why are you here?” Gamamusa grinned. “…Follow me. I’ve got something to show you.”

  https://m.novel.naver.com/challenge/detail?novelId=1180586&volumeNo=64#nafullscreen