31 – Variable (1)
The Sijungbu and the Laplace Mercenary Corps did not conquer the three harvesters dominating the Yinji in the same way.
While seemingly hunting all three organizations uniformly, they subtly made distinctions.
Naturally, it was to avoid suspicion that a third party was involved.
– Our mercenary corps officers have been reported to have left for mausoleum hunting following the director.
Jason continued.
– As widely publicized as it was, there might be suspicions, but they couldn’t place themselves on the suspicion’s frontline.
It was a possible deception since Laplace’s director himself had not returned.
Even at this moment, Laplace was continuing its mausoleum hunt at the northernmost tip of the continent.
“Laplace’s distinctive wandering barrier can be helpful at times.”
– Are you being sincere?
“Of course not. If Laplace were here… you wouldn’t have even accepted the commission.”
The head of the intelligence agency gestured to the subordinates while keeping the line open. People moved tumultuously according to his instructions.
“At the current moment, there is a large amount of information being unraveled about where Laplace is. As it’s easy to cross-verify, even partisans won’t be able to doubt it much.”
– What about Redmoon?
“They are investigating the networks on the eastern continent. Seems like they believe someone from outside, not within Tauras, is targeting them.”
The head of the intelligence agency, watching the screens, chuckled.
“It would be quite amusing to watch them squabble among themselves at this rate.”
– Seeing you say that, it seems you’re confident they won’t intervene on the continent.
Even in the Director of Intelligence’s sneer and the ups and downs of Jason’s voice, there is hardly any change.
As always, he calmly throws questions, piercing through the other’s intentions.
From Noble mtl dot com
The reason why LaPlace can withdraw the mercenary unit without any worries is mostly thanks to Jason’s caution.
“Gajol (諸葛) and Dangmun (唐門) have given a definite answer. It seems that as they expand their business from Partisan and Redmoon to the continent, they’ve earned quite a few enemies.”
Whether it’s the Eastern or Western continent, it all revolves around the principle of power.
The only difference is that the Western continent is dominated by the city under the rule of the government, while the Eastern continent is ruled by prestigious families.
– What about the rest of the three?
“Today, there are a lot of questions. Seems like there’s some separate information circulating.”
Is it just a misconception to feel like he’s probing how much the other knows?
It was highly likely not a misconception.
The opponent is the head of the government’s intelligence agency. If he shows any reaction against the seasoned veteran, he’s highly likely to read the intentions on this side.
“…”
A chilling silence follows.
In the midst of a strange psychological warfare, Jason quickly made a decision. He decided to step back.
– I only thought being cautious wouldn’t hurt.
“Oh, is that so? Your response is unexpected.”
– By the way, I heard something unfortunate happened in the outer sector yesterday.
“A lot of people died. At least forty died on the spot.”
The screens reflected the scene of the restaurant district before they all exploded.
A profoundly ordinary scenery. And then, an explosion.
Kwaaang!
The video stopped right there.
Of course, the head of the information department felt no particular excitement.
“There’s no need to worry. There was a minor dispute between an assassin and a chloride-system freelancer, and both are deceased. However…”
As the head of information spoke, his eyes slowly turned towards somewhere on the screen. Statistics analyzing the residual magic floating in the air.
“Why is the magical density at 19th Avenue like that!”
“We are currently analyzing the cause!”
The officials, whose complexion suddenly turned pale, were taken aback. Watching them, the head of information let out a bitter laugh.
“Director. Right now-“
“Yeah. I’m watching.”
The information head, who stood up from his seat, spoke.
“It seems like the current leader of the Partisans has moved personally.”
And the direction his steps took was none other than 19th Avenue.
The location of the headquarters of the Red Gate.
*****
“Hoo.”
Wiping away the sweat that drenched his entire body, Lian raised his head. The place he was in was the center of a large smoky battlefield. Scattered debris lay around him.
[Ending combat simulation.]
Zzzt…!
Debris that flowed out with the sound of machinery, instantly restored to its original state. Among them were combat androids produced by Deckerd Corporation.
Lian glared at the android with a dissatisfied expression. Despite paying extra for the level 3 power, it didn’t even reach half of that level, let alone level 3.
However, it wasn’t entirely without any achievements. Perhaps due to the rigorous training that had reduced her sleep, she definitely felt that her movements had become faster than before.
That wasn’t all.
Gauntlets fitted on both of Lian’s hands. In the center, a gem emitted a faint magical power.
Hooooooong…!
Lian adjusted her posture and immediately drew in the magical power.
As the magical power flowing through her veins made contact with the gauntlets, it resonated with Lian, amplifying the magical power. As a result, the light emitted by the gem became stronger. She already knew this much.
“One more time.”
Lian took a deep breath and rotated the magical power. As the magical power that had been circulating through her veins completed one full rotation in her body, a strange sensation enveloped her.
An indescribable sensation.
But Lian had experienced this sensation before.
When she faced the colossal Focalos.
“I’ve gotten faster.”
When she first experienced the expansion of her senses, it wasn’t as slow as it is now, but it was twice as fast as back then.
It was unlikely that she would achieve this much progress just from one day of training, so it was probably thanks to the ability of these gauntlets.
The short reach unique to a child. The relatively weak destructive power compared to adults. The weaknesses that inevitably arose due to physical limitations were still not overcome.
Of course, Lian had a record of piercing through the hide of a colossal with her lacking destructive power in a single blow…
“It’s not enough.”
She had vaguely suspected it before, but meeting Egon confirmed it for sure.
If the high-ranking ability users were determined, it would take no time at all for them to kill themselves.
[Would you like to extend?]
A notification sound echoed from the ceiling. Instead of paying an additional fee, Lian turned her head and walked out of the room.
“I have to meet Dion again.”
She confirmed that he had escaped successfully, but due to the circumstances, there was no time to meet again.
“If not now, there won’t be another chance to meet….”
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, and the mercenaries inside briefly glanced in her direction.
“….”
But that only lasted for a moment, as they thought she was just a insignificant kid, and continued their conversation amongst themselves.
“I heard a rumor floating around the cyberspace that Street 19 is under control.”
“Suddenly? That’s Red Moon jurisdiction, isn’t it?”
“Those Red Moon bastards. What the hell are they up to?”
Is the rumor spreading even among the regular mercenaries?
With a bitter tongue, Lian stepped out of the elevator.
Zziiing…!
With a sound that seemed like space was shattering, a circular shockwave erupted from high in the sky.
Boom boom boom boom!
The windows on the outer walls of the high-rise building couldn’t withstand the strong winds and shattered glass scattered in all directions.
But the commotion was short-lived, as the strong winds subsided as if it were a lie.
“What the hell?”
“Some crazy magician must have failed an experiment or something.”
The mercenaries grumbled as they continued on their way, unaffected by the aftermath. It was a common occurrence in Tulas, so their reaction was understandable, unless there was a subsequent explosion.
Even the citizens walking along the street simply avoided the falling shards of glass and took refuge indoors, without panicking.
However…
“…”
Rian was certain.
He knew exactly where the recent ‘magical explosion’ originated from.
Rian hurriedly boarded the elevator again. People around him gave him strange looks, but he ignored them.
Beyond the window of the elevator rising towards the top floor, a tall skyscraper came into view.
One of the three giants that dominated the underworld. The headquarters of Redmoon.
“I had a feeling…”
The place where the explosion occurred was none other than their headquarters.
Rian swallowed a dry spit and heightened his senses to the maximum.
And then, he saw it.
Boom!
Two beings on the top floor of the building, shooting magic at each other.
It wasn’t a battle. They were simply projecting magic towards each other.
But just by doing that, they exerted their influence even to this place kilometers away.
“…Monsters.”
Transcending the species called humans, an ability that seems almost god-like.
To reach that level, could it be described as mastering the realm of sound?
“…”
It took a while for Lian to come to his senses.
“I need to go back immediately.”
There’s no way Jason and Harang didn’t feel the impact of the recent collision.
Originally, the project commencement date was two days away, but if the situation has taken such a turn…
There was a possibility that plans would change immediately.
Lian nervously got into an unmanned taxi, descending to the first floor.
[Where shall I take you?]
“East Sector, Number 7.”
Inside the taxi rushing swiftly, Lian felt a familiar emotion.
The sensation he felt just before being deployed onto the battlefield in countless past lives.
Lian steadied his breath, lifting the eyelids that he had been closing while holding in.
Now, it begins.