14 – Gangs (2)
The requester was an employee of the Regulatory Government’s Inspection Bureau. Despite being at the bottom, Lian knew better than anyone that appearances weren’t everything.
Given the nature of the inspection department, cases where the higher-ups directly involved themselves were rare.
‘Do they have a connection with the government?’
No matter how corrupt the government might be, it did not disregard formalities. Because there was no easier way to prove the government’s stability than through formality.
It was somewhat natural. After all, those who were high-ranking officials were the ones who never even entertained the thought if the standards didn’t match from the start.
Those naive individuals sending requests on their own would be proof enough of the Laflas Mercenary Corps’ location.
“The client seems a bit peculiar.”
The employee nodded, smiling knowingly.
“Well, we prioritize customers who pay well.”
The employee said casually.
“If you’d like, we can change it to a different request… but I can proudly say there’s none like this one.”
“What’s the compensation?”
“Three million cells.”
It wasn’t as much as the previous rescue mission, but considering it could be finished today, it was a decent amount.
In fact, it would be more appropriate to think that the previous request had paid excessively considering the difficulty.
“I’ll do it.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Excellent choice. We’ll accept it right away.”
“Right now?”
“I heard from Harang-nim. He doesn’t like waiting.”
Since it wasn’t a lie, Lian just scratched his cheek without saying anything.
He had asked if it was starting immediately out of sheer curiosity; there was no other reason.
After checking all the documents, Lian spoke.
“Any specific precautions?”
“They asked us to proceed in a way that minimizes harm to the guests as much as possible.”
Considering the corrupt state of the government, they probably meant there might be a VIP from the government among the casino guests.
“It’s thoroughly rotten.”
Not only evacuation, but citizens are told to ‘be careful on their own.’
“It shouldn’t be too difficult. All you have to do, Rian, is plug in the USB into the main server. The rest will be taken care of by the government’s hacker.”
The employee said so, handing over the USB. It was the size of just one finger.
“Alright then.”
Rian tightly gripped the USB and moved.
******
“Even coming and going is a hassle.”
As soon as they got out of the taxi, loud music blared. It was so confusing that one couldn’t tell if this place was a club or a casino. Instead of entering through the main gate blocked by thugs, Rian headed for the sewer, as prearranged.
Opening the manhole and descending, a stench greeted them as if waiting. No matter how advanced civilization was, it seemed there was no way to deal with this odor.
Rian checked the equipment and proceeded toward the target. Usually, surveillance cameras were installed in sewers, but most cameras in the outskirts had lost their functionality.
The reason they could leisurely stroll the streets like this was because of that.
Of course, surveillance cameras located in crucial facilities were operating perfectly, but Rian had already confirmed their positions before descending.
After walking for how long, they finally found the passage leading to the casino.
“Is this it?”
Rian climbed the ladder in front of them. Judging by the loud music echoing in their ears just moments ago on the surface, it seemed they hadn’t mistaken the way.
Clank!
With force, they lifted the drain cover and calmly surveyed the surroundings.
If the information they had received in advance was correct, this should be the restroom on the second floor of the casino.
As Rian lifted the drain cover, they quickly returned the tiles that had come up with it to their original positions and neatened their appearance. Fortunately, there was no smell or dirtiness.
“Did they say the server room is on the fourth floor?”
Screams echoing frighteningly as the restroom door opens. Judging by the pouring sound, it seemed like someone had hit the jackpot on a slot machine.
Lian strolled leisurely through the casino.
Given the nature of infiltration, natural movements were essential.
Otherwise, the Blood Dagger organization members might sense unease.
“Hey, kid?”
“Leave me alone. Probably the VIPs calling for some half-and-half entertainment.”
“Tsk. Gonna clean up the bodies again.”
It seemed like this wasn’t the first time hearing such remarks. It wasn’t particularly unpleasant. It just reminded Lian once again of how chaotic the city of Turras was.
“No need to pretend to gamble.”
They would misunderstand Lian’s identity on their own; there was no need to take a detour.
Without hesitation, Lian walked towards the direction of the elevator leading to the upper floor.
Obstacle.
“Get lost. No entry here.”
Men in black suits rose to block Lian. Instead of caution, annoyance covered their faces entirely.
“I have business upstairs.”
“Get lost.”
“They told me to come quickly.”
Lian said, turning his gaze slightly towards the direction of the elevator. He had to act like he had been here many times. The bulky men seemed to recall something and furrowed their brows.
“Who called you?”
“I don’t know well. Just that you are a high-ranking official of the government….”
He deliberately finishes his sentence. It’s to give time for thought. If he’s standing at the entrance to the VIP room, he must have some understanding of the list.
There are civil servants from the government, too.
“But I won’t be able to ask directly anyway.”
If he’s a bureaucrat who frequents a place like this, he’s definitely not a decent person.
It’s not possible for a mere kid to catch the attention of a VIP, so the only option is to open the way.
“Go in. Don’t cause any trouble.”
“Yes.”
“You bastards. I told you to let me know in advance if something like this happens.”
Swoosh.
As soon as the elevator doors open, a hazy smoke pours out. At the same time, the mind becomes hazy.
“…Ha.”
I never thought it would be this chaotic.
Lian observed the smoke with a bitter smile. From the slightly pungent and strange smell, it was clear that the smoke was made from drugs.
“The hallway is the same.”
Sounds of moaning coming from behind closed doors. Although he came this far using the excuse of the VIP, he had no intention of actually going inside.
“Who are you?”
At that moment, the door opens and a man covered in snake tattoos all over his body reveals himself. He didn’t bother hiding his aura, but he didn’t fully reveal it either.
Even though he was under the influence of drugs, the fact that he noticed something strange and came out speaks to his keen sense.
“Kid? Are you the one they’re looking for?”
“Yes.”
“Really? Interesting…”
The man, with an expression of uncertain intent, fumbled in his pocket. The man who had been toying with a vial took out a white pill and placed it on his palm.
“Kid, do you know what this is? It looks like a narcotic, but it’s anything but. It’s more like an antidote.”
“….”
Lian stared at the man in silence. Watching this, the man smirked and confidently chewed on the pill. Whether the claim of it being an antidote was true or not, the glint of madness began to appear in the man’s eyes.
“Heh, now I might survive a bit. Everything here is fine, but the drug’s effect is too strong. How can ordinary folks who haven’t awakened endure such a monster?”
“….”
“Three girls went in, and within less than thirty minutes, all three kicked the bucket. In that brief moment, their brains melted away. Even though they had undergone body modifications…”
The man’s laughter, filled with mockery, froze abruptly for a moment.
“How are you still in your right mind?”
Instead of answering, Lian slowly turned her head. She was aware that it looked like a narcotic, but it was probably at a lethal dose.
The guards complaining about cleaning up the bodies weren’t due to the bizarre fortifications of the VIPs but because of this smoke.
‘Strong resistance to drugs. This body is something.’
Having endured the drug that melted the brains of modified humans without any side effects.
It’s nothing else but having exceptional abilities that are too outstanding, almost certain to attract attention.
“It would have been better to pretend not to know.”
“….Hm?”
Lian didn’t elaborate. She simply calmly gripped the dagger at her waist.
In the corridor filled with smoke, only Lian’s golden eyes shone eerily.
The next moment.
Swish!
The blade, cutting through the smoke, swiftly severed the man’s wrist.
The man, staring at his unbelievably empty wrist, let out a scream.
“……aaargh!”
Despite quickly stepping back and adjusting his stance, it seemed he lacked experience in combat.
“This damn bastard…!”
Clang!
With a chilling mechanical sound, the man’s arm transformed into a grotesque form, resembling a mechanical blade reminiscent of a mantis.
“….”
I didn’t expect something like that to pop out.
Lian looked at the man and clicked her tongue.