＜ Episode 66 ＞
“This is beyond my ability.”
Zhao did not respond to John’s hard-faced words.
“I can’t do anything with city councilors. The content of the request seems to be security, but it is difficult to deal with the power sent by the city councilor.”
Those who are on the top floor of Luna.
The power of such people is beyond common sense.
Isn’t it the Executioner who is holding the supermen who are holding their breath right now in Luna?
If even such an executor stepped forward, there was a very high probability that John would not see the rising sun the next day.
Through Colonel Straydom, I saw a side of superhuman strength.
After acquiring this ability, John spared no investment in developing his ability, and actually made remarkable progress, but in front of a superhuman, he wished for the light.
superman.
Those who polished their abilities to the limit and carved their own image.
It would be possible to deal with non-superhuman abilities, but if the superhuman is the opponent, everything John has becomes meaningless.
And if Colonel Armstrong was the big man he was told, the city councilors were sure to send a superman.
For sure things to do and for example.
When John, who had lost interest, was about to get up, Zhao’s mouth opened.
“The story isn’t over yet.”
John’s and Zhao’s eyes met.
“I don’t give you impossible tasks.”
“Well. In my experience, there are quite a few cases like that.”
Zhao laughed bitterly at John’s light sarcasm, but he continued talking.
“The Superman will not come.”
“Why do you decide?”
Then the story is different.
“The upper echelons of the National Guard, to be exact, the Armstrong family negotiated with the city councilors. I don’t know what the story and the cost came from there. But we both agreed not to dispatch superhumans.”
“···indeed. is it?”
Hearing Zhao’s story, John’s head spun quickly and he drew a conclusion.
If city councilmen have enforcers, the National Guard also has superhumans.
Right now, isn’t Colonel Straydom a mighty superman?
If such superhumans move as a group and engage in battle, it would be a minor damage to have one area of Luna blown away.
It looks like they blushed because of Colonel Armstrong’s deviation, but basically the city administration and the National Guard are in a mutually cooperative relationship.
The National Guard, to be precise, the Armstrong family would lose something, but this was the end.
“The superman doesn’t come. But I won’t let go of your hand I can’t even dispatch a person from the National Guard. In any case, it seems that the National Guard is overstepping the authority of the city councilors. In the end, it is a story that mercenaries must be found or undercover agents must be put in.”
“Cover your eyes and say, Aung?”
But that wouldn’t leave Colonel Armstrong alone, so it was clear that the city councilmen would help.
Proxy warfare or disguised dispatch.
I’ve experienced this on Earth as well.
It was not uncommon for both men to know each other’s affiliations but pretend not to know each other’s affiliations and be put into the battlefield.
“In that respect, the National Guard is at a bit of a disadvantage. It’s not like we don’t have hidden units, but it’s hard to compare to the Inspection Corps.”
Although there is a defense unit or intelligence unit, it will not be comparable to the inspection team, whose identities are kept secret.
“Fortunately, is it a situation where the entire inspection team cannot let go of their hands? I didn’t expect you to appreciate the player.”
At first glance, the situation is unfavorable, but it is the player who becomes a variable.
Because of the players who started moving slowly, starting with Doyle, the inspection team could not look elsewhere.
“The PMC will be deployed. That’s good too.”
“yes. And the PMC is perfect for disguising your identity.”
As long as you have good skills, it is PMC to ignore the troubled past, and the dark house or PMC is the place where those with bad backs infiltrate to launder their identities or to make a lot of money.
“Actually, there are quite a few players permeating the PMC and the underworld.”
“The players will step in.”
We still don’t know what the players’ exact goals are.
However, if they did get the information, they would unconditionally intervene in these events, and given the strangely accurate information power of the players, it would be almost certain.
‘…This may also be a game event.’
In terms of NPCs, Colonel Armstrong is a fairly important NPC.
There’s no way an event involving such an NPC would be light.
“I got it. So my job is to guard Colonel Armstrong?”
It’s worth a try if you don’t have a superman.
Players’ abilities were at stake, but if the National Guard and the Armstrong family had an idea, they would have a formidable force, and in John’s experience, experienced solvers are quite formidable.
‘Operation location and preparation will be variables. The question is, how far can information control go?’
That’s when John’s head started to run complicated.
“no. That’s not your job.”
“…the request sent to Miller was a bodyguard?”
“On the surface it is.”
Looking at Zhao straightening his posture, John could tell.
If it was a simple security job, there would be no reason for Zhao to dress up and find himself.
“say.”
“Be sure to protect Colonel Stephen. But that’s not the end goal. We’re expecting players to step in for sure. The first priority of the quest is to obtain information.”
After taking a deep breath, Zhao continued.
“For him, make your survival a top priority. Even if it means abandoning Colonel Steven if necessary. And······.”
As Zhao continued to speak, John’s expression strangely changed.
***
“It is exactly what I heard. That is the look of a seasoned soldier.”
Armstrong Reserve Colonel was big.
He had a big physique, a big voice, and even every single action.
Read at noblemtl.com
Maybe his personality is like that too.
This kind of human figure John knew.
The type who seizes on subordinates with charisma and force, and sometimes challenges his superiors to solidify his position.
If he takes great care of his people and judges that they are not his own, he will cut them off like a knife.
There will be no hesitation in making judgments, and there will be a tendency to blindly trust one’s own decisions.
Facial expression, behavior, standing posture, even the furniture and decorations placed in the room.
Everything was seeping into John’s head in real time, assembling the human form of Stephen Armstrong.
“Help John.”
Armstrong’s eyes twitched as he nodded lightly, but that was only for a moment, and he greeted John with a big smile.
‘I might be narrow-minded.’
“ha ha ha. yes. Welcome.”
A large hand tapped John’s shoulder, and the mighty power contained within made John’s whole body tremble, but John’s expression did not change.
“Whoops. sit down.”
Armstrong, whose eyes lit up at John’s reaction, offered a seat, and John and Armstrong sat down.
profit.
Armstrong pulled out a large cigar, lit it, and smoke billowed out of Armstrong’s mouth.
“Whoa! I have high expectations for you.”
“I only do what I receive.”
“Khehehehe. is it.”
Armstrong’s eyes glistened, and an eerie light emanated from them.
“Strydom highly recommended it. He is the best person for this kind of mission.”
Armstrong, emitting smoke again, continued.
“And Strydom never talks empty things like this.”
Chick.
Armstrong, who had sucked up the thick cigar in just two puffs, rubbed the butt into the ashtray.
“What do you think?”
Armstrong’s body surged with heavy momentum, and the energy that spread in an instant tightened it from all sides, but it didn’t work on John, who was protecting his whole body by raising his strength.
“…the place isn’t bad.”
“… Hoo.”
Seeing John open his mouth without changing his expression, Armstrong spat out a low exclamation.
“The butler and the servants of this house seem to be able to be put in immediately, is that right?”
“···How did know?”
Looking at Armstrong with a slightly surprised expression, John smiled.
“No matter how badly you get into an accident, you won’t throw it with your bare body.”
“… ok.”
It was only a sneak peek, but the behavior of the servants of the mansion, as well as the butler named Robin, were not typical.
Those who have completed at least a military education.
If you think about Armstrong’s family, it would fit with a fairly high probability.
Looking at Armstrong’s expression, John continued to speak.
“This mansion itself seems to have a strength close to that of a fortress, and it seems that other measures have been taken. The internal structure seems to have been created with the assumption of a defensive battle.”
Armstrong’s expression turned serious.
“Then the surrounding forest is not an ordinary forest. You could have made bunkers or bits in the elements, and since you know the terrain, guerrilla warfare will be possible.”
Their eyes met each other.
“In the end, the quality of power will determine the outcome. It’s going to be a matter of how many talented people you’ve gathered. If the number of talented people is the same, the result will not be bad.”
“…do you have any intention of working under me?”
Serious words flowed from Armstrong’s mouth.
***
“Talent is always in short supply. Especially when it comes to talented people. There is a problem of whether you can trust it, but that’s what you need to know gradually.”
Armstrong asked again, pulling out a cigar.
“Even if you have the ability, the talent you really need is even rarer. In that respect, I need talent like you.”
The light emanating from his beaky eyes seemed to pierce John, but John’s expression did not change.
“I promise you the best treatment. I am Stephen Armstrong. Not to mention the family name, and what I have is formidable!”
Armstrong’s arms wide open was full of confidence.
room they are in.
All sorts of objects decorating the room were valuable enough to give Armstrong confidence.
“Once this is over, becoming a city councilor is no problem! Then my power will be stronger. To the extent that one day I will control this Luna!”
Armstrong’s expression changed to confidence as he raised his right hand and clenched his fist.
I felt an absolute certainty that what I thought would come true without any error, and if I was a decent person, I would have bowed my head in admiration for Armstrong’s charisma.
“You will always be by my side! How!”
but.
There were too many battlefields and people that John had been through for that.
And men like Armstrong were widespread even in conflict zones.
“I’m sorry.”
“···What?”
Armstrong’s face cracked as he gazed confidently at John.
“I am a fixer. The solver takes on the request and finishes the request. Believe it or not, I am quite satisfied with this life.”
Seeing Armstrong’s disintegrating expression, John continued.
“I am commissioned now. You cannot accept two requests at the same time.”
“I am the client!”
John’s eyes lit up as he looked at Armstrong’s questioning loudly.
“I think you are mistaken.”
John straightened up.
“My client is not you. It’s the National Guard. It’s hard to misunderstand.”
Armstrong’s face contorted.
“I’ll get up when I’m done talking. Are there other troops besides me? We had to get to know each other and check our strengths.”
Armstrong, who was watching John rise from his seat with a distorted expression, suddenly laughed out loud.
“ha ha ha! indeed! A first-class solver! good! great!”
Armstrong stood up with an exaggerated gesture and patted John on the shoulder.
“I like the work ethic! great. Let’s talk about this after this is over! Just getting to know you through this job is a great harvest!”
His bold expression and actions were something anyone could admire, but John’s eyes did not change.
“I will guide you! Follow me!”
Armstrong’s expression softened as he turned his back and took the lead.
＜ Episode 66 ＞ End