CH55 | MCT

As You Wish (3)

Everything seemed fine—except for one crucial issue.

“This all sounds great, but… how are we going to get water?”

Water.

That was the problem.

The Bedouin village was deep in the middle of the desert.

Wandering the desert without water?
You wouldn’t last a single day before dying of thirst.

“Haven’t you noticed something strange lately? They’ve been giving us more water than usual these past few days.”

“Huh… Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

“Not a single drop of rain has fallen. And yet, suddenly, we have all this extra water?”

“Which means…”

“They must have taken a well from somewhere. Probably wiped out another tribe and claimed it for themselves.”

A heavy silence fell over the group.

It was clear—once this tribal war was over, they would be next.

The sense of impending danger was undeniable.

“The vice president is right. We have to escape.”

Everyone agreed.

At that moment, the man who had first suggested the escape pulled out something dark and leathery.

A Bedouin-style waterskin—the kind desert warriors used.

“I’ve been secretly stashing water for our escape.”

“Wow! That’s incredible, sir.”

“You really are a genius, Vice President!”

But then, someone raised a troubling question.

“Wait a second… They haven’t been giving us that much water. Where did you get all this?”

Now that they thought about it… it didn’t add up.

Even with the recent increase in water rations, it wasn’t nearly enough to fill a waterskin.

Most of the water was immediately consumed as soon as it was handed out.

The vice president simply grinned—a proud, satisfied smirk.

“Like I said, there’s been a lot more water lately. Even the livestock have been getting extra.”

A horrified realization dawned on them.

“W-wait… You don’t mean—”

Their faces turned pale

"If you don't want it, don't drink it. More for me, then."

"N-no, that's not it! Anything is better than dying of thirst in the desert."

"Exactly. When you're desperate, even drinking urine is an option. This is way better than that."

The vice president was brimming with confidence.

"If we ration this carefully, we can survive long enough to cross the desert."

A tense silence followed.

"Wait… does that mean…?"

The vice president smirked.

"We're escaping. Soon."

"I'm in."

"Then let's plan it out, together."

They huddled together, whispering excitedly, plotting their escape.

Listening Outside, Tae-soo couldn’t believe his ears

He stood in the shadows, silently eavesdropping, and felt utter disbelief.

Not a shred of remorse.

Not an ounce of reflection on what they'd done.

That alone was infuriating—but the last thing they said nearly made him laugh.

"Escape? Are they out of their minds?"

They actually thought they could survive the desert on their own?

Leaving without a guide wasn’t just reckless—it was suicide.

"They have no idea how deadly the desert truly is. Worse, they don’t even realize they've been protected this whole time."

Yes, they were captives, shackled and restrained.

But as outsiders, they had been treated remarkably well—

Generous meals.
Thick blankets.
Clean clothes.
Essential supplies.

"Back in 2012, when the Bedouins clashed with Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula, three South Korean tourists were kidnapped too."

That situation played out in a similar way.

"Unlike the Taliban, the Bedouins fed them well, treated them decently… even apologized for abducting them."

Bedouin tribes were not like terrorist organizations.

Even Western nations never classified them as terror groups.

But would their captives ever see it that way?

Of course not.

Yet these men…

They weren’t innocent victims in the first place.

They really screwed up this time

They didn’t just cause trouble—they caused a disaster.

"Still haven’t learned their lesson, huh? Perfect."

They were sent here to work.

Instead, they chased after women and stirred up problems.

If it were up to him, he’d bury them alive in the sand—

But thanks to Park Jung-hwan, that wasn’t an option.

However, after hearing their plan, his mind shifted.

A better idea came to him.

"They want to escape? Well then, let’s make their wish come true."

Even better, they’d track down Choi, the CEO of Samwon Construction for him.

"They went through all this trouble preparing for their escape. It’d be a shame to let that effort go to waste."

Stealing water meant for livestock?
Underestimating the Saman warriors’ patrols?
Confident they could capture Choi in the middle of the desert?

"Such dedication. I’d be cruel not to send them off."

Tae-soo turned on his heel and left.

***

Inside a dimly lit tent, the Bedouin elders sat waiting for Tae-soo’s return.

When he entered, they greeted him with cautious respect.

[Did you meet with them?]
[What have you decided?]
[We will respect the will of our honored guest.]

They weren’t exactly eager, but they were willing to follow Tae-soo’s decision.

Tae-soo gave a small shrug.

[I didn’t meet them directly. But from what I overheard, they’re planning to escape soon.]

The elders exchanged uneasy glances.

[Escape? But the desert nights are merciless. Do you know where they intend to go?]

Tae-soo feigned ignorance.

[Hmm… I’m not entirely sure.]

He couldn’t very well say they were hunting down the runaway CEO.

An elder rubbed his chin.

[The desert shifts constantly. Without a guide, they’ll lose their way. And without water, they won’t last long.]

The elders’ concern was genuine.

They understood the desert’s dangers better than anyone.

Tae-soo simply smiled.

[Judging by their supplies, I assume you’ve been quite generous. Food, clothing, water, blankets, leather water pouches… Am I correct?]

The elders hesitated.

[Ah… well…]

It was true.

They had given everything they could spare.

Especially since Tae-soo arrived, they had been even more accommodating.

Tae-soo’s expression didn’t change.

[That’s why they’re acting like this. They haven’t faced the desert barehanded. They don’t even realize you’ve been protecting them.]

The elders fell silent, looking a bit sheepish.

After all, they hadn’t treated the captives nearly as well as they had treated Tae-soo.

Tae-soo clasped his hands together and dropped the bombshell.

[I understand the resentment between you and them. That’s why I’ve decided to help them escape.]

[…What?]

The elders’ jaws dropped.

Those who knew nothing about the desert planned their escape.
And those who knew everything about it?
They offered to help.

[However, as a precaution, could you assign someone to track them? Someone with sharp eyes, skilled in pursuit, and capable of keeping me informed of their status?]

The chieftain immediately grasped Tae-soo’s intentions.

A grin spread across his face, one he couldn’t quite hide.

[An excellent idea.]

He demonstrated—walking lightly and irregularly, shifting his steps in different depths, angles, and patterns.

It was an ancient Bedouin trick, a technique to conceal tracks from pursuers in the desert.

[From childhood, we Bedouins are trained in this. We excel at hiding our movements. But just as well, we can track even the faintest signs, no matter how small. We will not lose them.]

Tae-soo nodded approvingly.

[That’s exactly why I ask this of you.]

[I will send two eagles and a team of desert warriors. How long do you expect this to take?]

[Hard to say. I know little of the desert. It all depends on their will to survive.]

The chieftain chuckled knowingly.

[Then I will instruct my warriors. Once they’ve suffered enough—once they truly desire salvation—we shall bring them back.]

Tae-soo’s eyes glinted.

"Exactly."

• When they're on the brink of death from exhaustion.
  
• When they finally realize just how much the Bedouins had protected them.
  
• When they no longer care about anything else but survival.
  
• When Tae-soo deems they have suffered enough for their crimes.
  

Only then will the Bedouins offer them salvation.

"Better to be rescued by their benevolent captors than to perish alone in the sands."

This escape plan was a gift.

"Even if they do miraculously survive and capture Choi, that only benefits me. Either way, I win."

So, there was no need to interfere.

Let them dig their own graves.

[I trust you will grant them their escape.]

The chieftain let out a hearty laugh.

[Grant them? We won’t just allow it—we will sincerely pray for their success!]

"Oh, they’re in for a rough time."

The Bedouins wasted no time.

They discreetly left one route unguarded—the perfect path for an “accidental” escape.

Meanwhile, other key areas remained heavily patrolled.

[Just in case, let’s reinforce patrols near the women’s quarters.]

[Agreed.]

It was only natural.

After all, these men hadn’t ended up here by chance.

A clanking noise echoed outside the tent.

Everyone froze in place.

But after a long pause…

Silence.

“What was that? Did you hear it?”

The Vice President cautiously pulled back the edge of the tent flap.

On the ground nearby—

A key ring.

“Heavens above! It’s the keys!”

“Keys? They were just… lying there?”

“Someone must have left them hanging here and forgotten about them.”

It sounded too good to be true.

Yet, when they tried them—

The shackles clicked open in an instant.

“Ha! Look at that timing! If this isn’t divine intervention, I don’t know what is!”

“Hah, maybe luck really is on our side.”

“I told you! Who’s gonna stop us now? Let’s go!”

Under the cover of darkness, the executives of Samwon Construction began their escape.

But watchful eyes were already on them.

[Look over there. They’ve started moving.]

[We’ll follow from a distance.]

Then—

Something caught their attention.

[Wait… is that water?]

A faint trail of dampness shimmered in the moonlight.

One of the leather water pouches they carried had a tiny puncture.

No need to track their footprints—

Just follow the water stains.

[Must’ve picked up a discarded, leaky waterskin.]

[At this rate, they won’t last a day before they run out of water…]

[Exactly. And in the middle of the desert, no less.]

[What a shame.]

[Yes… a real shame, indeed.]

Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.

They were ignorant of the desert—which is exactly why they were so bold.

A sigh escaped.

[I was hoping to see them drink livestock water at least once.]

[It is Allah’s will. If they run out of that, they’ll find… something else to drink.]

[What a shame.]

[Yes… a real shame, indeed.]

Some time later, their silhouettes melted into the darkness, following in the escapees' wake.

And so—

The executives of Samwon Construction successfully “escaped”… with the full support of the Bedouins.

***

Inside a separate tent, the discussions about the upcoming construction had finally wrapped up.

Tae-soo stretched and stood up, feeling lighter than ever.

[Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.]

[It’s already late. Why not stay the night?]

[I wouldn’t want to impose at this hour. I’ll be heading back.]

The others looked disappointed.

[Rest well. No need to see me off. I’ll see you all tomorrow.]

Tae-soo threw on his coat and climbed into his car.

Vroom.

The vehicle sped out of the Bedouin village in no time.

Then—

Rustle.

Something lurched up from the backseat.

[Whew. I really didn’t think you’d leave just like that.]

It was her.

The dancer, shrouded in a black cloak, had been hiding.

Tae-soo nearly slammed the brakes, turning his head in disbelief.

[What the—why are you back there?]

She puffed up her cheeks.

[Seriously? You have to ask?]

[This is a first. Never snuck into a man’s car before. You sure have me experiencing a lot of firsts.]

[I’m honored.]

She climbed forward, trying to squeeze into the passenger seat—

Only for the bumpy terrain to throw her off balance.

Thud!

She smacked her head against the ceiling.

Tae-soo immediately hit the brakes.

Rubbing her head, she plopped down into the passenger seat with a sheepish giggle.

[Thanks. But, you know, stopping like this kind of ruins the mood. If we’re in a car, we should go for a drive.]

[Ah, so that’s what this is about.]

[Unlike desert warriors, women aren’t free to go out into the sands. You understand how frustrating that is, right?]

Her bright eyes gleamed playfully.

[If you keep going toward the Mo’adib rock formations, there’s a place where the desert stretches out like silk beneath the stars. They say it’s breathtaking.]

She clasped her hands together.

[Come with me? I want to see it with you.]

Well—

Why not?

[Alright.]

Tae-soo shifted gears and steered in the direction she wanted.

[By the way, for someone who "isn’t allowed" to wander the desert, you sure seem to know your way around. Been there often? Or just did your homework?]

[W-Well…]

She wrinkled her nose—a habit, it seemed, whenever she was flustered.