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Chapter 20
Chapter 20 : It starts now (3)
An individual cannot easily surpass a group. The reason early humans, who began bipedal walking, could choose communal life even with meager intelligence is because the logic is that simple.
And such behavior has continued steadily. Below a giant nation, there is lineage, and sometimes a sense of belonging is held through intimacy formed from bonds or purpose-driven relationships originating from shared values.
If I can inflate my existence through others, I can stand at an advantage in the competition for survival. If one were to pick a group that most intuitively blends with such essence, it would be the gangs of the Lower Sector.
‘The boss of Dust Bane, Kyron Lee.’
E n u̇mа̇ .і̃d
Aiden and I were able to meet him easily as expected. If there was something unexpected, it was that he didn't try to subdue us by force; rather, he treated us with utmost hospitality and ushered us into his hideout.
“We have committed a discourtesy. Regarding this point, I offer a sincere apology. I hope your concerns have been relieved.”
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Kyron Lee spoke while removing the knuckles worn on his fingers. Un-dried blood was smeared heavily on the gold-plated object.
“Now, offer your apologies.”
“I'm... sry...”
The one who bowed his head while muttering toward us was the gang member whom we demanded ‘cooperation’ from at the gambling house. Aside from the front teeth I broke, there weren't many teeth left.
W ĕb̃.ñŏv̇e̊l Е̊ ń um̄ а̌
“Is it okay to go that far?”
“If mistakes are overlooked, the center of the group becomes blurred.”
To Aiden's question, Kyron Lee shrugged his shoulders and answered nonchalantly. Considering the specificity of a gang, it was a sound argument. However, a subtle sense of incongruity was mixed in that remark.
“What do you mean by mistake?”
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“How else can I explain interfering with those engaging in the game with pure skill other than calling it a mistake?”
The method I used to beat the roulette is not ordinary. It wouldn't have been easy even for Aiden to understand. For Kyron Lee to notice it was impossible.
Е̃ n u m̈ а̄
Therefore, this was merely a guess. How he knew wasn't important. The core point is that those who can create situations beyond common sense are limited.
When Kyron Lee signaled with his eyes, the personnel standing guard moved outside. Although he was a gang boss, he was quick-witted. The reason came from his own mouth.
“I have connections with a few nobles. As a result, there are flows that become visible naturally. You two aren't active-duty knights, but cadets... among them, you must be those called Selection personnel.”
Even a powerful figure in the gutter is not devoid of utility. Collusive ties with unbiased politicians can be formed sufficiently. This is likely not a lie.
‘Even in Fellaf's intelligence, there were many blanks regarding Kyron Lee.’
If he can control military informants, the ones Kyron Lee connected with must be high-ranking officials among the nobles. It was something I expected to some extent. Before taking on the mission, I was already keeping an eye on Dust Bane.
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- Expansion is certainly fast for a new force. Even considering funds obtained from illegal businesses, there would be many parts that don't match the profit structure. Well, everyone pretends not to know about things like this.
In this regard, Milo was better than me. After all, the Kenikus family is also close to a business entity. They too would have connections with politicians.
“I hope you don't view it badly. Isn't it all just to make a living? Moreover, I have absolutely no intention of interfering with your work.”
Kyron Lee continued the conversation smoothly with a sidelong glance.
“Rather, if I can cooperate, I would like to. Since we are also in the position of victims. If we can work with you two, handling matters will be much faster.”
He was a human skilled in winning favor. This man probably even read that we are chasing a mage. If he weren't born in the lower class, he would have climbed quite high.
En̂ûmа̇
“What will you do?”
“You can resolve it according to your judgment.”
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Aiden delegated the decision to me this time as well. He must intend to actively evaluate me. Therefore, there was no reason to refuse.
I grasped the hand that was held out. Kyron Lee was also a person who replaced his limbs with machines. Although not comparable to Strengthening Cyberware, it was a high-end product difficult to find here.
“What are you trying to...”
“I'm telling you in advance, I won't be able to break it cleanly.”
Е̂n̈ ǔ mа
CRUNCH.
A bizarre sound came from Kyron Lee's hand that I gripped. It seemed to have undergone some modification, but it was meaningless. In the end, it would be powered by a storage battery squeezing out surplus output from industrial machines or vehicle batteries.
But this side was Strengthening Cyberware powered only through a Mana Core. Even if there is no difference in appearance, it is optimized for armed force and can draw out overwhelming output.
‘The gap with civilians is distant.’
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That is how important the Mana Core is. The criteria for becoming one of the few talents called cadets of the Special Combat Academy also lie there. Those who haven't mastered core operation cannot even enroll as formal cadets. Even I, who possess a mere Level F Mana Core, am at this level.
“I will give you exactly 10 seconds. Bring the list of officials you have collusive ties with. If you do that, I might consider cooperation.”
Ē n u m̆ǎ
“W-wait...”
“10.”
Kyron Lee's body trembled. And he hurriedly shouted nervously through his terminal. Wishing for cooperation was likely sincere, but regardless of that, trust requires a price.
‘There is no time to forge the list.’
At least it is better to create grounds so we cannot betray each other. From the position of maintaining security, if I accepted the proposal readily, I could be dragged around by Kyron Lee.
“H-here it is...”
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Not long after, Kyron Lee handed me a list recorded in writing while massaging his crushed hand. I didn't know he could manage a smile even in such a situation.
***
Kyron Lee released his organization members for cooperation. If they can be used, using them is efficient. If the mage's radius of action narrows, executing the mission becomes easier.
‘Damn, there are many.’
I scanned the list handed by Kyron Lee and digitized it. There were quite a few nobles who tried to keep a foot in the door while outwardly ostracizing the Lower Sector.
“There won't be any particular use for it.”
Е nù ṁá
“I suppose so.”
Aiden let out a faint sigh with a skeptical tone. Like he said, the list is only useful for threatening Kyron Lee. Even if included in the mission report, the key figures would slip away easily.
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Reform does not occur easily. Justice without equivalent influence and power is merely clumsy. Aiden was a person feeling disgust at such a hierarchical society.
‘Is he revealing his inner self to me without hesitation because he considers me a similar kind?’
Aiden's eyes, glimpsed through a sidelong glance, had clouded focus. If he holds such thoughts, it is merely a delusion. My actions, which earned Aiden's favor, are not something like resistance against the world.
“The distinction between good and evil is a thesis without criteria. Even Kyron Lee, who reigns like a noble within the Lower Sector, could be a benefactor helping someone maintain stability.”
W ѐ bn ӧv ӗ l Е̇n̈ u ṁ a
At my words breaking the silence, Aiden's focus became clear again. I don't mean to preach. I mean if he holds useless fantasies about me, he should discard them.
“So I just consider it dislike if I dislike it, and like if I like it. I don't have the energy to attach meaning even to trivial choices.”
“You speak like someone who has lived a very long time, Jin.”
“Maybe so.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
At my words, Aiden slightly raised the corners of his mouth. Including my past life, it would be quite a while. Not knowing that fact, it's natural for it to sound like a joke.
“Hearing you say that makes me curious.”
W̃ е́ b̈ n̊ о̊v̈ е̂l̇ Е̃ǹ ù m̂ а
“About what?”
“The person you like and the person you dislike.”
There were people who immediately came to mind for both cases. Although I didn't say it out loud.
“If it's you, I feel like you could even risk your life for the person you like, and pay back the person you dislike no matter what.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“It's empathy.”
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I couldn't know what that meant. Because I don't know the life of a person named Aiden Ivanov.
WHIRR.
At that moment, a vibration rang from my chest pocket. It was the old-model terminal Kyron Lee gave for temporary communication.
[This is Kyron Lee. It feels awkward to say this from the start, but it seems a tail has attached itself. I apologize, but things like this happen often when involved with us.]
It is not strange for a gang to incur hatred. The fact that we, who set foot in the hideout, came out unscathed leaves no choice but to suspect some kind of relationship.
Kyron Lee seemed to have expected something like this would happen. Not leaving a warning in advance was probably because he deemed it wouldn't help in building cooperation. He was a cunning man in many ways.
Ӗǹu ḿ а
“Just worry about tracking, we will handle this side on our own.”
At my answer, a light laugh was heard along with static.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
[It seems I was overly meddlesome. I will contact you immediately if there is news.]
Like that, the connection cut off. I put away the old terminal and checked those blocking the way ahead. Two possessing firearms, and the rest trying to show off intimidation with crude blunt weapons.
“Bullshit, they're just kids?”
“Since he looks decent, there will be plenty of places to sell him.”
Ėn.u m а̊
“Bastards who are his type are everywhere to be kicked!”
They were guys common in the Lower Sector. A kind that exploits others nonchalantly to prolong their lives, the lowest social stratum called Scavengers.
If I stomp on them appropriately, they will disappear on their own. Just as I was about to loosen up my body while feeling like my ears were rotting, Aiden grabbed my shoulder.
“My face won't stand if I keep assigning miscellaneous tasks to you.”
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“They are dirty.”
“They look it.”
W е b̃ nо̌ v е̌l̄_ Ѐn̆ u m̈ а
With a short answer, the hand on my shoulder slipped away. I was actually curious just in time. Because I hadn't verified Aiden's combat ability yet. Although they are insignificant opponents, they would be suitable for satisfying curiosity.
SPLASH.
Ripples spread over the puddle. Aiden, who was loosely relaxed, sprang out like a whip at some moment. Intermittent groans, and the sight of them collapsing from restrained violence was like broken toys.
He was excellent, just as his reputation suggested. As confirmed before, Aiden possessed sufficient qualities to become a knight. At the same time, a familiar sense of déjà vu was felt by me watching this.
‘Executioners.’
And that word brushed past my mind. The heterogeneous Executioners led by the 4th Prince, Noah Friedrich, who brought death to me and misfortune to Yuri.
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It was merely a sensory judgment, not rational deduction. There is also no way to reveal the truth about it. Nevertheless, I began to be certain about this.
‘...Ha!’
I was firmly mistaken. The reason I couldn't remember this man wasn't because he met death in the not-too-distant future.
‘Aiden Ivanov becomes one of them.’
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