In Polaris, the player's main enemy is Legion. Along with the disaster, it is a core device of the world view. It is also an organization that is the antithesis of Cellbrox Labs.
However, the Legion is not the only enemy the player will face. There are numerous groups in Polaris.
There are those who cooperate with rap, and those who oppose it. Sometimes enemies become allies, and vice versa. To protect their own beliefs and interests.
No face.
They are a criminal organization that operates across the continent. Their actions are no different from those of the mafia. They are the ones who will do anything as long as it brings them profit.
'Hasn't it ever been mentioned in the main?'
Because of the nature of the game, there are bound to be limitations in how the story can be told. This is because scripts have to be crammed into the front and back of the stage.
Usually, multiple factions appear in side stories and events. Like the Pavoni family that was involved with Ast. No Face is also an organization that is set up as a villain in some agent's story.
'I thought he was hiding in Cilicia too.'
It was a convincing story. There are few cities where businesses thrive as diversely as Cilicia. The stronger the light, the darker the shadows.
There are bound to be bugs living in the shade.
Even though he didn't appear in the work, he must have been active for a long time. If you think about it, he started doing 'business' in earnest when the city became noisy, then it makes sense.
If you have any questions.
"How did you find out?"
I didn't ask detailed questions. Kim Yi-hyun was currently in the middle of the stadium. I couldn't carelessly say something that might reach someone's ears.
― This happened when I was working at Harrenhal. While the political situation was chaotic, those guys took control of the dark corners of Harrenhal. It was a very messy experience until we caught them.
The voice transmitted through the communicator was relatively clear. Although there was some noise, it seemed that the speaker was speaking from a quieter location than here.
After all, there was no way Ghost would talk about such a sensitive topic in front of others. He wasn't Pep or Pablo.
― If you look closely, you will be able to tell the difference. In some cases, like your friend, you may feel uncomfortable at an early stage. They are creepy guys.
Kim Yi-hyeon let out a breathy "um" sound in agreement. He recalled the No Face setting mentioned in the game.
'Probably all the members were of the same race.'
Mutant Mashal.
They are a small minority race, more closed off than the primitive tribes of Earth, and have fewer people. Just as the Pecatums are born with physical abilities that are different from those of ordinary people, the Makashals have special powers.
Simply put, it's a doppelganger. By processing the target's fingernails and blood with their own technology and consuming it, they can overwrite their genetic information into their own body.
Even your appearance and fingerprints are copied exactly. The process is cumbersome and time-consuming, but it is certainly an astonishing ability.
However, there are serious side effects.
'Lost your expression.'
It might seem creepy to the sensitive, because even on the pitch where all sorts of emotions should be running wild, Makashall can't make any facial expressions.
Considering this, the organization name 'No Face' is quite humorous.
'I didn't know I would have such a bad relationship with a ghost.'
As a user, it was a refreshing setting. Since he left early, there was no way to know about Ghost's past other than through flashbacks.
The game ended without any surprises.
Today's opponent was a lower-ranking player from the second division. There was no reason for Asterique to struggle. When the win or loss was decided, the audience cheered for Asterique.
It was a generous reaction for a match in the second division. Kim Lee-hyun waved his cheering stick and gave instructions with his mouth.
"Ghost, Bryce, Jenna, Pep. Take one each and follow them. Chelsea, stick with Pep. Don't let them slip away, but be careful not to get caught."
- Confirmed. Don't stick to the man in column A.
Following Ghost, answers came back one by one. After each setting their goals, they began to take action one by one.
"Is it okay if we don't move?"
Leila asked, holding the cheering stick in her hand.
She was so absorbed in the game and cheered without being asked to do so. She seemed to be purely enjoying sightseeing. As I watched, I felt like I wanted to give her something.
To put it another way, I was hesitant to trust him and act secretly. If it was Pablo, then it would be okay… but why?
"It's annoying when there are too many people following you. You guys, um. I'll ask Asterike. There might be some people we haven't identified yet."
"I feel like I'm being treated like crap."
"no way."
So this guy is quick-witted.
* * *
- I missed it, sorry. I don't think it was discovered, but it kept going around in circles in the same area.
― I missed this one too. It's the center of the city, so there are too many pedestrians. They move cautiously. It's clear that they're not ordinary citizens.
It was Jenna and Pep's report. It wasn't something to be criticized. In the first place, the two weren't spies, and the one who said it was okay to let them go was Kim Yi-hyun.
Because there was a corner of belief.
- Noface entered the building.
Soon after, Ghost sent a communication.
― A structure that can check the entrances and exits on every floor. There are also cameras installed everywhere.
It wasn't just ghosts.
― Same situation here. It's a commercial building on 13th Street and Tiolta Street, but it looks difficult to get in. Hyeon, what are your next instructions?
Even Bryce performed well. The results were beyond expectations.
'Bryce is also quite high spec.'
It was a bit strange to say this now. Bryce had always been calm and resourceful.
But since the comparison target was Ghost, my expectations were bound to be lower, but I felt a little hurt.
"If you look at Tiolta Street, who is close now?"
- We'll stick to you.
"Okay, you don't need to approach, just check the entrance. They might cover their faces or change their clothes, so don't blindly believe their descriptions."
- Hyun, which side should I join?
"To Ghost. I'm going too."
Ghost doesn't have his own terminal yet. He can't transmit his location information on his own, so I told him to carry a transmitter.
It took less than 30 minutes to reach the location of the ghost displayed on the terminal. It was not a long distance if you took a straight line without any detours.
I could spot Ghost in front of the automatic lottery ticket booth, blending in naturally with the pedestrians. He cast his gaze across the road.
- It's the six-story building across the street.
Kim Yi-hyeon glanced at the building. It didn't look like an illegal facility, but rather an ordinary commercial building.
In the first place, criminals cannot freely enter the stadium. No Face is walking around the city with legitimate citizenship.
Literally in sheep's clothing.
'It's difficult to just arrest him. The original must have been dealt with a long time ago.'
The problem is complicated.
Unlike the thugs I've dealt with recently, I have virtually no information on this one. I haven't even figured out why they're targeting spellcasters.
They say that if you create evidence, that's it, but the National Assembly won't be convinced. How can the suspicion that 'the face is suspicious' have any credibility?
'I didn't even know how many people there were.'
If you try to poke a mole hole without caution, there is a high chance that the rest of the people will all go into hiding. It would be a worse result than if the police directly intervened.
One failure won't ruin your relationship with Congress, but it will have negative implications for future conservatism and leadership.
'I should clean it up thoroughly.'
It is not possible to remain in Cilicia forever. Once Asterike receives the rewards of the League, there will be no more business in Cilicia.
And by reuniting with Leila and her party, the path ahead is clear. We need to stabilize Cilicia before leaving.
'I guess I should set aside some credit.'
Ignorant means have their limits. Kim Yi-hyeon began to think of a plan, recalling each card he had.
Soon his face turned pale. He had to think of a way… but it was a bit risky.
'I'm going to have a gun shoved in my head again.'
It seemed like he was destined to live a rough life.
* * *
Dawn four days later.
The dark alley was covered with rags and cardboard. Although it looked like trash, it was a precious bedding for the homeless.
Although Cilicia was a prosperous city and the lives of its citizens were affluent, there were many who did not enjoy the benefits of civilization.
Kim Yi-hyeon was passing the time acting like a homeless person, waiting for No Face to pass through the alley.
This was the route that some Nofaces took on their way to the city center.
'Ha, this time I'm even pretending to be homeless... ... .'
The No-Faces pursued by Ghost and Bryce each entered the building and came out a full day later. It was a long time for a simple gathering, whether it was a meal or something else.
In other words, there was something hidden inside the building. That was Kim I-Hyeon's conclusion.
'Or a passage leading to the base.'
But it wasn't something I could just look around at. I needed to approach it in a different way. It would be a bit risky though.
How much time had passed? By the time my nose had completely adjusted to the smell of the sewer lingering in the alley.
'You're finally here.'
A young man wearing a khaki jumper came into the street. He had his hat pulled down low, but Kim I-hyeon recognized him at a glance.
A leisurely, yet flawless behavior. Perhaps it was because I had been observing them unilaterally for so long. Now, I could tell them apart just by their physique and gait.
Ttukbuk.
The sound of footsteps is getting closer.
Noface's body, with its back to the streetlight, cast a shadow on the side road. With only a few steps between them, Kim Ihyeon opened his mouth.
"hey."
For a moment, No Face stopped.
"...Did you call me?"
"Okay, okay. Can you spare some time?"
Emotionless eyes scanned Kim Yi-hyeon up and down. His shabby attire and disheveled hair. No Face looked away from the typical homeless person.
He starts to ignore her and walk away. Kim Yi-hyeon quickly gets up and grabs No Face's arm.
"Oh my, people are so cruel. Anyway, the Cilicia people have no feelings. What's the use of a prosperous city? People are so cruel."
So he grumbled, saying that there are too many people like him, as if telling everyone to listen. Then Noface forcefully pushed Kim Ihyeon's hand away.
"Get out. I have no business with that beggar."
"You bastard… Well, that's true."
The sight of him scratching his head and rubbing his palms on his pants was so unsanitary that anyone would want to avoid him.
"Well, that may be the case now. But once you hear it, you might become interested."
Meanwhile, Kim Yi-hyeon's thoughts were moving quickly.
'As expected, they don't shoot without asking questions.'
Noface is a person who steals other people's identities and lives in the city. In other words, they have a thorough understanding of the order of human society.
What if you kill someone over a trivial matter and then get punished? Then you have to spend time and effort to change your appearance.
'The numbers don't add up.'
They are not indiscriminate killers who lack social awareness. Criminals who operate in an organized manner, like the mafia, have their own rules.
The most important of these.
Murder must be accompanied by profit.
'It's okay to be a little annoying.'
If you keep going any further, you'll get beaten up badly. But this time, I've prepared a story that'll appeal to you.
"I know your coworkers. They're capable guys who do everything from painting to carpentry to moving."
It's a slang term used only in the underworld of Polaris. It refers to contract killings, hiding corpses, and all kinds of smuggling.
"The fortress has a lot of luggage to move, so rumors are spreading. It's to the point where the atmosphere in the city is becoming a little bit tense."
"...."
There was no change in No Face's expression. But even if it wasn't shown on his face, he could sense it intuitively.
He must have been weighing whether to kill him or not. Before a conclusion could be reached, Kim Yi-Hyeon struck first.
"I have something that will make you crazy."
Kim Yi-hyeon raised both hands to show that he had no hostility. Then, he moved only his feet to kick away the thick blanket spread on the floor.
Hidden objects were revealed.
A pistol and ammunition. A dagger and a smoke grenade.
It was a 'product' that had been prepared in advance.
"Are you ready to listen seriously now?"