"How was the report?"
It was what Bryce heard when he returned to the waiting room after a hectic day. He couldn't believe it even when he saw Kim Hyun in person.
"Am I seeing a ghost right now?"
"What are you talking about? You must have contacted the terminal. Isn't that why you came back here?"
That was right. After returning to Metro City, Bryce had to be busy going around the Lotus Company. He had to report.
In the meantime, a message arrived for the agent who was staying in the waiting room. It was about Kim Lee-hyun's safe return.
"...No, oh, right. But how on earth?"
"Well, I guess he wanted to use me as a messenger."
"A messenger? You spoke to him?"
"You said you were going to wipe out all the Cilicia guys. Oh, you said Cilicia was just the beginning."
"What is that?"
"They called themselves the Legion."
Legion. Bryce swallowed.
The rise of a new group was not particularly unusual. Cilicia was a wealthy city that attracted the greed of outsiders.
However, no one has ever taken over Cilicia. At first, they dreamed of it, but after a while, they chose to coexist with the existing powers.
Because those who were overly ambitious were excluded. Companies allowed people to share the pie, but they did not tolerate people taking away their rice bowls.
But what about the legion?
'Can it be ruled out?'
A monster wearing knightly armor. At first, he found the sight comical, but now it was engraved in Bryce's mind as a figure of fear.
It was a monster, really. If it had twice or three times the power of White Fang, would it be possible to deal with it? Bryce looked skeptical.
What was most frightening was the fact that we knew nothing about them. We had no idea of their scale or purpose. We had no idea where the organization came from.
"Upstairs, they treated me like I was crazy."
"What about the recorded video?"
"I submitted it. It was dark so it didn't come out properly, but... I was able to confirm what happened. I guess they only believed it after seeing it."
Kim Yi-hyeon was greatly relieved. If he had not handed over the evidence he had prepared just in case, there was a possibility that the police would not have moved.
'That's what happened in the game.'
In the game, four people were dispatched to LW-3. Three of them died and one survived. Only three people were injured, and without any evidence, the sole survivor claimed that there was a monster underground.
The only ones who took those words seriously were White Fang's comrades. And so the underground stage continued... . In the final 'Battle to Occupy Cilicia', White Fang was annihilated except for Mary.
It is something you should never do on the same train.
"Hyun. What do you think?"
Bryce asked weakly, washing his face dry. His usual composure was nowhere to be found. He was already as exhausted as could be.
"If he were to come up to the surface with Outlaws and my men... what would happen? Would the security forces be able to subdue them?"
"I don't know. It's the Legion, but I've never seen the security forces before."
"That may be true."
After a deep sigh, Bryce lightly grabbed Kim Hyun's shoulder.
"I'm grateful to you, and I'm sorry. If you hadn't come forward, I would have died there… Basically, you got involved in this because I asked you to come as a guest."
"You're talking like you're about to die. Both of those things were my decisions. What are you talking about?"
He smiles faintly, as if he knew I would say that.
"You'll probably be called here and there for listening and other things. You'll be busy, but think carefully. Should you stay in Cilicia or leave?"
… … is leaving.
Snowfield was also advised. Come to think of it, that was also an option.
How to give up on Kilikia and prepare for the next episode without any gaps. In fact, that was the right answer if you want to use your game knowledge usefully in the future.
It was a choice that didn't require much thought.
'I can't just get beaten up and get kicked out like this.'
Even if it was Snowfield instead of Mithril, it wouldn't matter. It would be realistically difficult to finish it off without taking damage... but there is a chance of winning.
'If it's that sad that your friend died.'
I have no choice but to send the snowball along with Shabungi.
* * *
A lot has changed in the past week.
The quiet yet active underground business has been halted indefinitely. All stations except Metro City are completely sealed off.
The security of the city by the police has been strengthened without encouraging anxiety among the citizens, and reconnaissance drones have been installed outside the city.
From what I heard from Bryce, it seems like they found traces within the territory of the former Cilicia Federation. Judging that it was the base where the Legion had been staying, they seemed to be focusing their search on the nearby area.
'It's fortunate that they didn't just deploy the police indiscriminately.'
At the request of the Congress, several military companies sent reconnaissance troops underground. And when all contact was cut off, they realized the seriousness of the situation.
After all, the underground was an inconvenient battlefield even for the security forces. Unless the enemy was a bunch of idiots, if you fought in a place where you had limited equipment available, you could end up being swept away in vain.
'Have you decided to clean up at Metro City Station?'
It was still a painful loss. It would take a lot of effort to rebuild. But the Legion had already infiltrated underground, so there was no other way.
Kim Yi-hyeon steadily prepared on his own while being called here and there. Today's outing was part of that process.
"Please, please! Find someone else!"
"Why? I paid you as promised."
"What the hell is this, conservative or whatever! I almost died. Do you know why I beat up the bounty hunter?"
"I don't know."
"I thought I couldn't live like this! Thank you for making me realize it once again. If you understand, then get out of here, you water ghost! Phew!"
Chelsea sprinkled salt on it, as if she had learned it somewhere. Kim Yi-hyun stood still and flicked his tongue. It was hard to describe, but it had a strong artificial taste.
"Why are you eating that…!"
"I don't quite understand. Wasn't I the one who almost died? You were stuck behind for a long time and just kept shooting. If you shoot three times and get ten million, that's a good deal."
"That's… but."
Chelsea stopped. She looked as if she had chewed on a bug as she recalled the memory.
"Anyway, it was scary. Was that really a person? If the horns weren't something like a helmet ornament, it would have been a Pecatum. The Pecatums I've seen haven't been that monstrous."
"How great. Hitting a guy with all three bullets. Who else would I know?"
"Yes? Um, hmm. I guess so."
The corners of her lips twitched, as if she didn't mind being complimented. It only lasted for a moment. Chelsea's eyes widened as she came to her senses.
"Okay, then go back. I don't want to get involved any more. What's the use of making money if I die? I'll make sure to use the money you gave me well."
"Well, let's stop gambling if possible."
"It's not gambling, it's investing. No one does market research as thoroughly as I do. Before betting, I look into the player's diet and find out what's going on in their family."
Was the gamble that he was making a prediction of the league's outcome? Kim Yi-hyeon swallowed his bitter taste. There was a stalker here who invaded the players' private lives.
I said it before the story got too long.
"This time, the compensation is 10 million."
Chelsea snorted as if it was ridiculous, almost as if the words were being spoken.
"There's nothing to do."
"It'll be more comfortable than a dark, complicated underground space."
"Oh, yes."
"Just find a spot and fire just one shot."
"I see. If you're done with your business... Ahem?"
One step?
Chelsea was about to spit out a slur, but then stopped and became lost in thought. As she listened, her appetite grew. Why not hide, shoot, and come home?
Her head gradually tilted back... and suddenly their eyes met. Her vicious but generous employer was staring at her intently.
"…one step?"
"One step."
It was a look that said, "Then that's right."
* * *
At first glance, the Legion's options seemed varied.
You can either escape to the surface and pound Cilicia from the outside, or force a breach through the blockaded station and attack simultaneously.
"If only the collaborator hadn't been an outlaw."
The man sitting next to Kim Yi-hyeon snorted. He was wearing a suit with his shirt buttoned up to his chin. It was so stuffy that anyone who saw him felt suffocated.
"I don't know the strength of the Legion yet, but they will eventually attack with the Outlaws as their main force."
"aha."
Kim Yi-hyeon rested his chin on the armrest with his elbows resting on it. He didn't necessarily find fault with the man, but there was a lie hidden in his words.
'I figured out the approximate number of legions.'
A reconnaissance drone captured footage of what is believed to be a campsite set up by the Legion. Analysts estimate there are about a hundred people there.
It was information obtained through Bryce. After the platoon leader died, Bryce took over her work.
'A hundred people. It's not that many... but numbers aren't the problem for them.'
It seems that people other than White Fang underestimate the Legion. Of course, that's only natural, since they haven't actually seen it.
The same was true of this gentleman sent by the National Assembly.
"They're going to attack Metro City. You can't carry out a complex operation with a group of criminals, let alone an army. They're impossible to control, let alone their abilities."
That wasn't a mistake. Outlaws aren't a unified force. They're a collection of small groups huddled together, not a single, large force.
The Legion serves as their focal point. By showing off their strength, handing them weapons, and giving them a 'purpose' to return to the surface.
It's like leading a mob.
If you want to use Outlaws, whose command structure is a mess, you have no choice but to choose a simple operation. You also need to monitor them to make sure they don't do anything stupid.
"But can you tell me that?"
"Of course. Information sharing should be smooth."
Kim Yi-hyeon glanced at the seat next to him with narrowed eyes. The man was looking straight ahead with a businesslike smile.
This was a second division stadium.
The stands were not full, but they were quite crowded. Even amidst the crowd, one side of the official seats was deserted, as Asterique did not yet have a sponsor.
"I didn't know you trusted me that much. I was always worried about the transmitter, so I misunderstood."
"If you go about your daily life as usual, there's nothing to worry about, right? Or is there someone you need to meet in secret?"
"I can't even go to the entertainment district."
"Haha. You went, right? It seems like you didn't come here to have fun. If you're going to meet someone, it's better to make an appointment in a busy area. You might get misunderstood."
"What kind of interference is that?"
Just like Bryce someday, the man in the suit was aware of Kim Yi-hyun's location information. Even the fact that he had gone to Chelsea.
"Just think of it as a safety device."
"I don't feel safe at all…."
"It's a device to protect Cilicia, not you. You survived even though you were left alone with the 'Knight'. You saved us. Don't you think we should be worried for nothing?"
There is a possibility that Kim Hyun-i was recruited into the Legion. Or maybe he had some kind of connection with the Legion from the beginning… … .
That was the thinking of the council.
"By the way, your friend is amazing."
When the game ended, the man clapped his hands.
It was a match that was quite enjoyable to watch. The opposing player, equipped with heat-resistant equipment, charged at Asterike like a bull. Asterike dodged in various ways and cut down with spells to secure the victory.
Even after being promoted to the second division, they have won all their games. They are continuing to add points to their winning streak. At this pace, they will be able to get promoted to the first division in no time.
Awareness also increased noticeably. The audience cheered. However, Asterique's expression was not very bright.
'It's about time to give up.'
It was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress them with spells. Even though they were both Pecatums, the gap between Asterike and Snowfield was large.
There is no problem. The fact remains that Asterike is a powerful and valuable card.
"Pay your ticket and go."
"Oh. Wasn't the person involved free?"
"You know him?"
"Uh… hmm."
The man seemed embarrassed and adjusted his clothes.
"Although it may be a bit of a stretch, I'd like to inform you that we've finally gathered enough troops to take out the Outlaws and the Legion. The bounty hunters that have gathered will be taking up the front line."
"That's solid."
This is called bullet shielding. If the number of Outlaws decreases significantly, the Bounty Hunters will also be left without a job. In other words, they will become useless.
From the ground level, bounty hunters were dangerous men, as they were paid to kill Outlaws for legal gain.
This operation was also a major underground cleanup.
"Then there are those employed by companies, including the Lotus Company. The security forces will protect the brave citizens so that they do not fall victim to it."
"The horse is a water dragon."
Well, it was also a wise decision from the police's standpoint. How could they leave their support to bounty hunters or mercenaries?
"What are you going to do?"
"What can I do? What can I do?"
Kim Lee-hyun sat up from his seat.
Now that the game was over, it was time to go to Asterique. There was something to talk about besides appreciating the game.
"I have to do my job too."