Chapter 40
At the time they finished the request, Max, Usagi, and Bivol were in no condition to explain the situation.
Therefore, they received treatment first upon arriving at the Hospital.
While the three were receiving treatment, the Association figured out that a disturbance had occurred at the Harbor and the goal of destroying the transaction had been reached.
Meredith’s work begins now.
She guided Max to the inpatient visiting room. It had been neatly emptied out in consultation with the Hospital.
“There will be no problem talking here.”
Max sat facing Meredith with the food tray brought by the Hospital between them.
Not only the rice but the side dishes were generously portioned, making the tray itself heavy. He liked that there was plenty of meat.
“You can eat now, so please feel free to eat.”
At Meredith’s suggestion, Max moved his spoon and chopsticks.
He cleansed his palate with the soup and asked.
“Bivol should be in the next room. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to call him over?”
“I plan to visit Bivol-nim after Max-nim. It seems it will take more time for the Cyberware inspection results to come out.”
“Ah.”
In truth, the Cyberware inspection had finished at dawn and the results were already out. Bivol was just sleeping and snoring.
There was a reason Meredith didn’t call Bivol to Handle the work all at once.
Bivol had too many omissions in his testimony and tended to lightly gloss over parts the Association considered important.
Above all, if he was seated with other mercenaries, he frequently brought up completely Unrelated topics out of nowhere and changed the flow, which was problematic.
Usagi was fine since she was sensible compared to Bivol, but because she didn’t have a Mercenary Office under her own name, if she was discharged before they could meet like this, a separate appointment would have to be made.
That was why Max was first.
Because Max tended to explain things properly, listening here and then seeking out the other two to verify was the best way to Handle things.
“So… what should I tell you first? You don’t need to wait; I don’t mind doing this while I eat.”
Max showed a light courtesy.
Meredith didn’t refuse and asked.
“I heard you faced two 4th tiers.”
“Yes. A Swordsman with Blue Scales and a mage who uses Shooting Magic.”
The corners of Meredith’s eyes twitched.
Max didn’t miss the momentary reaction and remembered it.
“This is a formal question, but did you confirm their deaths?”
“Of course. I cooperated with Usagi and killed them for sure. The Swordsman was killed when I carved out his head with Severing Magic, and the mage died of excessive bleeding after the battle ended. I even slit his throat to confirm.”
“I see. You’ve worked hard. The Association will verify it through separate methods, but… if those two had been alive in the first place, the request wouldn’t have continued.”
“The weapons sent to the Association are the belongings of the 4th tier enemies.”
After giving the highlights first, it was now time to fill in the details.
Only after mentioning the beginning of the job and the whereabouts of Bivol, who had been in a different location, did they move on to the next topic.
“Max-nim. Next, I would like to hear about the disposal of the item we requested.”
“Ah, about that. Did you pass on any separate words to Bivol?”
Max finished his meal and placed his utensils on the tray.
He had to confirm before bringing up that topic.
“Bivol-nim requested to check the contents, so we permitted it.”
“I think it would have been good if you had told me that in advance as well, because there’s a possibility of trouble arising.”
“I apologize. As the employees in the office were compiling information, it seems there was a disconnect from the progress in the field. We will be careful in the future.”
He felt relieved by Meredith’s acknowledgment and apology.
Fortunately, it wasn’t something Bivol had done on his own.
“To tell you the method first, the disposal was simple. First, the internal structure was -”
Max presented the information transparently to Meredith.
And at the end, he subtly asked.
He said he didn’t know what they intended to use all those brains and hearts for.
“The intended use of the brains and hearts… is something we are also only guessing at, so it is difficult to say.”
“Hmm, understood.”
Max accepted it without thinking too deeply.
He felt it wasn’t information to be revealed to a mere Mercenary even if they knew, so he only tried to see Meredith’s reaction.
“The Association holds various hypotheses regarding this matter. I can only say that we are continuing the request to turn one of those many hypotheses into a certainty. I apologize.”
“I understand. You don’t need to apologize.”
The conversation continued steadily without breaking and headed toward the end.
Meredith reconfirmed the entered information and mentioned a bonus to Max.
“Lastly, I will speak about the disposal of the weapons.”
“You mean the items we sent?”
“That is correct.”
“I’m completely blind when it comes to swords, but according to Usagi, it’s a rare masterpiece. The firearm’s operating mechanism is also an outdated model that goes against the times, but it’s no ordinary item.”
“However, they are not items to be sold openly or put up for auction.”
Max knew that too.
The party whose transaction was ruined this time would be suspecting or certain of which group dealt a blow to their operations.
Therefore, making it blatantly obvious was a separate matter.
`[Weighing justifications? There’s a high probability it’s a dispute between corporations. The likelihood that there is a Corporation or Family at odds with Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals behind the Chairman, rather than an individual, is also increasing.]`
Selling the firearm used by Steiger and the sword of the Cheongrin Family for all to see and amplifying the noise would not be the outcome desired by the Client connected to the Association President.
It would certainly be sweet to deal an insult and taste victory, but it was obvious that the path to reaching their goal would become exhausting.
“So the Association President will pay the three of you the price. He plans to keep them as personal collectibles.”
“As long as the price is fine, I don’t mind.”
“First, we plan to waive the commission fee for this Request Reward and pay an additional Ten Million Credits to each individual. Do you agree?”
A fee waiver, seventy million credits, and on top of that, medical expense support.
The bonus was much larger than Max expected. He didn’t even feel like engaging in a battle of nerves to try and get a little more.
`[Not bad?]`
No matter how well-made the Cheongrin Family’s sword and Steiger’s gun were, the makers' names were unknown and they weren’t weapons known to the Public, were they?
For weapons that only pursued functional beauty in order to kill people, it was natural for their value to paradoxically drop if they lacked any distinctiveness.
“I have no complaints.”
“Thank you. Once the agreement with the other two is finished, we will transfer the funds immediately.”
“Ah! By any chance, is it possible to receive items instead of credits?”
“It depends on the item. What do you need?”
“I need medicine or food that will permanently increase my mana capacity. If the cost is insufficient, you may use all of the Request Reward as well.”
“I will ask around.”
The meeting with Meredith ended there.
`[I can’t leave the office empty for long. Should I head back now?]`
Max washed himself clean in the Hospital shower room and changed into the everyday clothes provided to him.
The Specialized Clothing torn from the battle was folded inside a paper bag. He planned to request repairs for it as soon as possible.
As he was going through the discharge procedures, a nurse handed him a medicine bag and gave him instructions.
“Make sure to take your medicine well, and strenuous movement is prohibited for at least a week. Please also be careful with your magic output.”
“Thank you for everything.”
He had no intention of going out of his way to find Bivol and exchange greetings.
The same went for Usagi, who had been discharged first, but as long as they stayed alive and continued taking on requests, they would meet again.
He stepped outside the Hospital and looked up.
He could feel the clear weather among the Hologram advertisements spread across the sky.
`[The weather is nice.]`
To celebrate his discharge, he popped the last candy from his inner pocket into his mouth.
It was plum-flavored. It felt like it had been a while since he had eaten one.
“Hmm-hm-hmm~”
While moving, he checked his Smartphone, which was piled up with messages.
There were messages from Flora asking when he was coming back, if he was okay, and if there were any problems, along with the Work Log sent by Ellen.
Max read the messages sent by Ellen first.
He intended to finish his work and reply to Flora with a relaxed mind.
`[Did any requests come in?]`
If there was a request that could be solved with light magic, he was willing to move starting today.
Max headed toward District 27, where the office was located, slowly reading the messages Ellen had piled up.
* * *
Break time at Minerva Academy.
Ellen, who had been resting while listening to music, moved her hand at the vibration felt in her pocket.
It was a message from Max.
[Candy Addict: You worked hard on your own]
[Candy Addict: Work is done. I am heading to the office now.]
Ellen’s eyes rolled over to look at Flora, who was reading a book.
Looking at the indifferent expression situated beneath her red hair, a certain expectation arose.
Ellen pulled her wireless headphones down to her neck and headed toward Flora.
Ignoring the surrounding gazes, she asked abruptly.
“Did you not get a message from Oppa?”
“What’s this all of a sudden?”
“What do you mean, Girl? I asked if you got a message.”
Flora subtly pulled out her Smartphone and checked.
And then she gave the answer Ellen would welcome.
“Not yet.”
“Ahaha! What a shame! I got one.”
“…?”
Flora’s head, which had only been looking down without meeting her gaze, finally moved.
Meeting Flora’s eyes that seemed to ask if it was true, Ellen felt a thrill that far exceeded her expectations.
`[Wow, I can add one win for this, can’t I?]`
Somehow, it felt more thrilling than when she beat her in exams.
Ellen openly showed her message history with Max.
“Look. He says he’s going to the office now.”
Flora frowned after reading the messages.
“What’s your reason for telling me?”
“I’m doing you a favor so you don’t worry. Unlike some people, I’m more considerate.”
“Saying someone has the upper hand just because a message came first is childish.”
“Why are you taking it the wrong way? Are you mad?”
The conversation continued with Ellen seemingly gaining the upper hand.
Flora’s Smartphone vibrated.
Flora smiled after checking the message.
Her Wolf ears, which had been drooping forward, gained vitality and stood straight up.
“Yours was just two lines in a business-like tone, right?”
Her voice was mixed with laughter, the bubbling annoyance and anger having evaporated.
Flora fiddled with the sunglasses she received from Max, showing her composure.
“Oppa is someone who gives off a gentle impression just by looking at his texts, though a mere part-timer like you wouldn’t know.”
“Hah?”
This time, Ellen’s expression crumpled.
They were forgetting the fact that the surroundings were murmuring and sending glances their way.
Flora showed Ellen the message Flora had just received.