Chapter 8
The pride of the Magic Noble Family Clements, and the Dragonkin Girl considered the only rival to Flora Crimsonhowl within Minerva Academy - Ellen Clements.
A Hobby of 'gacha' existed behind the facade of the aloof Genius Girl harboring the Thunder Spirit.
claw machines, Ichiban Kuji, capsule toys, and so on.
Her joy was collecting everything from figures of her favorite characters to cute keyrings and badges, using them to decorate her bag and room.
“You’re gonna come out for me today, right? I believe in you~”
She started with a Capsule Toy that cost 5,000 credits per pull.
When the Handle was grabbed and turned, a capsule rolled out, clatter-clatter.
Crack! Opening the plastic capsule, she was greeted by a Duplicate Item she already had three of.
“Ah jeez, why is my luck like this lately!”
She couldn’t throw it away, so she pocketed it for now.
Then, she checked her wallet. The balance was roughly 20,000 credits, all in coins.
It was an astonishingly light wallet for someone from the Clements Family.
“Are you gonna keep playing hard to get like this? Don’t break my heart.”
She put 10,000 credits, half her fortune, into the Capsule Toy and pulled two more times.
The character Ellen wanted did not come out.
“…”
The Family Card in her wallet caught her eye.
However, she never pulled it out to use it.
The time she had used the card for a Claw Machine the other day was the source of the trouble.
It was no exaggeration to say the Family Card had an unlimited limit, but the problem was the Transaction History that followed her like a tag.
A few Family members who saw it had spoken up.
If she had devoted the time spent on her Hobby to training, wouldn’t she have overwhelmingly surpassed Crimson Howl by now?
[I’m never seeing that kind of sight again.]
The more she chewed on those words, the more her temper flared, and Ellen headed to the Claw Machine. She put in all her remaining coins.
And the result, naturally.
“Why is the claw so flimsy! Isn’t this a scam!”
10,000 credits flew away on the mere experience of scratching the dolls' backs.
Her wallet was completely empty.
The items she wanted were scattered all around her, but she had no cash.
“Unni will come back to get you out soon, so hold on tight!”
She lingered her gaze for a long time to the dolls that gave no answer.
Forcing her feet, which were glued to the spot in regret, to move, Ellen fell into thought.
[…Should I try to find one more Part-time Job?]
* * * - we believe there will be no issues operating as a One-Person Office, but registering at least one Employee to work part-time will help with tax savings. - in the long run, the income tax savings will be greater than the expenses incurred by the Employee.
Max chewed over the tip given by the Bohemian Mercenary Association Employee as he left his signless office.
[An Employee, huh. Would there even be anything to make them do in an office like this?]
District 27, his new base, had good Public security.
As long as one chose the wide and bright paths, it was safe enough for ordinary citizens to walk the night streets.
[The air is nice.]
Deciding to think about the Employee after finishing this mission, Max boarded the vehicle waiting at the meeting place.
The distance from District 27 to the district where Ghost Logic was located wasn’t walkable, and the subway was about to close, so the Association had prepared a vehicle for him.
“We will depart now.”
The man, who had been driving quietly for a long while, handed over a Container he had kept on the passenger seat when the car stopped at a signal.
It was a small box tied with cable ties, and something was squirming inside.
“What is this?”
“There’s a Neon Shade pup inside.”
“Ah, I’ll hold onto it.”
Receiving his First Request before even hanging a sign on his office.
This was the advantage of joining a Mercenary Association.
Max placed the box containing the Neon Shade into the inner pocket of his coat.
Then he took out a Lollipop and put it in his mouth.
It was his favorite Melon Flavor. Perhaps luck would follow.
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“You can follow the road up from here.”
The vehicle came to a stop a short distance away from the Rally Point.
Max got out of the car and walked up the path.
He faced the mercenaries gathered at a spot overlooking the Ghost Logic Headquarters.
There were five 1st-tier mercenaries and two 2nd-tier mercenaries. Including Max, that made three.
“The last 2nd-Tier Mercenary is here.”
“Before we start, introductions?”
“Who knows how many will be left when the job is done, so why bother with introductions. Let’s do it among those who survive.”
Max quietly scanned the group. Every single one of them had a distinctively strong appearance.
Among the 1st-tier mercenaries, there were two women mixed in, holding an Assault Rifle and a shotgun. They caught the eyes of the surrounding mercenaries, but as long as they did the job well, gender was irrelevant.
[The level of the 2nd-tier mercenaries is better than that guy I saw at the Fight Club, isn’t it?]
Judging by their auras, they weren’t just riff-raff. They all looked like they had a knack for combat.
One of the 2nd-tier mercenaries was a middle-aged man with a minigun attached to his right hand. The other was a man holding a sword and wearing a hood. A rough, stubbly beard was visible on the chin not covered by the hood.
The middle-aged man, making eye contact with Max, approached while checking the minigun attached to his right hand. The burn scars on his face left a deep impression.
“Your weapon? Don’t tell me you’re a martial artist?”
“mage.”
“Oho…!”
At Max’s answer, the mercenaries' gazes flocked to him.
A small murmur arose.
“Then will our Mage friend take Tactical Command? Having even a little bit of rules and purpose in our actions increases the chances of survival.”
“They say mages are smart, right? Then we can feel a bit relieved too.”
“Please keep us 1st-tier mercenaries alive too!”
The idea that mages were smart was a complete prejudice, but there was no need to correct it.
The reason they were hyping him up like that was obvious. Max had years of experience living in Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals, where endless secret feuds took place.
[This is a clear signal to use the 1st-tier mercenaries as a Meat Shield.]
Showing neither affirmation nor denial to the suggestion of taking command, Max walked to a spot where Ghost Logic was visible.
He observed the building while recalling the Blueprint he had memorized in his head.
Even though it was late at night, lights were on every floor.
[That’s the place where the truck is.]
The mercenaries who followed Max threw in a word each as they looked down.
“Aren’t you curious what’s in the truck that they want us to blow it up?”
“It might be money!”
“Ghost Logic is a Company that openly does nothing but fucked-up shit. It’s probably something dirty.”
“I wonder if there’ll be a chance to open it before blowing it up~”
An atmosphere where a few 1st-tier mercenaries were tempted by ulterior motives.
It was not desirable.
“You’ll die trying to pull stupid stunts during a mission.”
Max drew the line, and the two 2nd-tier mercenaries agreed, saying he was right.
“Exactly. Let’s just finish what we need to do and head back quickly.”
“Agreed. The enemy outnumbers us.”
Max looked back at the mercenaries to divide up the minimum roles.
“What’s the method to blow up the truck? It won’t be an ordinary truck.”
“I’ll do it. I have a Grenade Launcher attached here. I brought an expensive one that can blow up any decent Armored Vehicle.”
The man with the minigun showed his other hand.
There was a large hole in his palm. After letting Max confirm it, he closed the muzzle.
Thanks to that, the scope of Max’s speculations expanded.
[There’s a high chance that’s also a Personal Request with an additional payout.]
Perhaps they had come with their respective roles already decided before even starting.
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The Districts in the 70-range never ceased to have noise, even late at night.
Screams and gunshots were a given, and even the sounds of explosions following traffic accidents could be heard.
Thanks to that, it was easy for Max and the mercenaries to move.
“Mage friend. How are we going to start?”
“Block the entrance coming out of the building. After that, play it by ear according to the situation.”
“Haha! Good. I like it. You don’t mind either, right?”
When the minigun asked the hood, the hood lightly nodded while holding his sword.
“The enemy will be anticipating an attack too.”
“That’s obvious.”
Engaging in trivial chatter, they drew closer to the building.
Max, who was taking the lead, sent a hand signal and stopped walking.
He wove magic power on the spot.
[Wire]
2nd-tier Severing Magic. It manipulates sharp threads.
It is mainly used as a trap, and ordinary people are sliced to pieces just by passing through. Even for a 1st-Tier Mercenary, it’s a fatal wound if they realize they’ve touched it too late.
“Hmm…”
The place Max aimed for was the Ghost Logic Headquarters next to the garage.
He installed the Wire low in front of the Main Entrance. The targeted location was the ankles.
The more the enemy lost their cool and rushed out urgently, the better the results would be.
“Ooh~ can we start?”
The minigun, sensing the change, blew an admiring whistle.
Max warned the five 1st-tier mercenaries.
“Do not go near the Main Entrance.”
They scattered, showing unanimous nods.
The minigun laughed heartily and pulled a bomb from his chest. He wanted to get closer and reduce the process as much as possible, but the Security System was bothersome.
“Alright! Then let’s get started!”
He threw it straight at Ghost Logic’s garage.
The bomb, flying at tremendous speed, stuck tightly to the garage shutter and caused an explosion.
BOOOOM!!!
At the same time, the Security System loudly rang its bells.
As if expected, a rush of presence poured out from the Headquarters.
1st-tier mercenaries holding firearms and bladed weapons rushed out the Main Entrance. Their ankles were cleanly severed off.
“Wh-what! My foot!”
“Kuaaagh!”
“Fuck, move! You’re heavy!”
“Back door! Go out the back door!”
Bullets rained down on the guys who had piled up like a Disorganized Rabble.
CRASH!
A 4th-floor window shattered, and a 2nd-Tier Mercenary hired by Ghost Logic appeared. It was a guy holding a spear.
The hoodie grabbed his sword and dashed forward, tying one of them down. Their blades clashed, ringing out a crisp metallic sound.
“Shall we eat the truck first!”
While the minigun aimed his left palm at the punctured garage.
Max tried to turn his body to complete his Personal Request. However, there was a uniquely sticky gaze clinging to him.
SWOOSH!
A projectile flying in, tearing through the air.
Max caught it with Psychokinesis.
[Water?]
What stopped in midair was an elongated spear made of liquid.
They had a Mage on their side too.