The first person to react to Kim Yi-hyeon's remark was a woman in a chef's uniform. She stared at the client and snorted.
"Ha, you want me to tell you everything?"
It was an absurd statement. Putting aside the content of the request, how could he be so arrogant? She accepted it as an act of treating Al Qamar like water.
"Hey, I know you're having trouble understanding the situation, but do you know where you are right now?"
The woman pulled her hand out from her bosom. The weapon revealed was an old-fashioned revolver. If she were to fire, everyone in the underground would rush in here.
Two men also pulled out folding knives. After checking the three men's weapons, Kim I-Hyeon simulated it in his head.
There were many means.
Or just flip over the table and take out the shield. Or take out the gun and take out the woman first, and leave the rest to Westcreek… … .
'This guy is the problem, after all.'
Darun is still bare-handed. Unlike his subordinates who show hostility, he is lost in thought. At first glance, he looks defenseless.
'But that's the most annoying thing.'
West Creek also focused on Darun. The three of them also only drew their weapons, waiting for Darun to make a move.
The standoff lasted for about ten seconds. In this tense situation, Darun loosened his grip.
"Stop it. You're threatening the guests."
He spread out both his hands as if he had no intention of fighting. There was no objection. With just a simple word, his subordinates put their weapons back as if nothing had happened.
If it were normal times, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly.
Yeah, if it were normal times.
"I heard a rumor. The peddlers who entered the country today had all their goods confiscated by the immigration office..."
Darun laughed lightly.
"Haha, merchants these days are really strong."
"Surprisingly, it's a job that shouldn't be looked down on."
"That makes sense."
While maintaining a relaxed attitude, he observed the clients with his eyes. Mostly Kim I-Hyeon. Of the two, he seemed to have the upper hand.
"Okay, that's good."
widely.
Darun's palm was placed on the table.
"I won't ask you about your origins. Whether you're a resident of a neighboring country or a spy from the distant Shiran Empire… I'm concerned, but there's no way to prove it."
The two passed immigration inspection, meaning they were not carrying any items to prove their original identity.
Even if he talks about foreign affairs, it is no evidence. Al Qamar's business is limited to the country. He has no knowledge of the affairs of other countries.
The only thing that is certain is this.
A foreign power different from 'them' entered Atlanta under false pretenses. If we can trick them well, we can gain their cooperation and overcome the current crisis.
Darun saw this strange encounter as an opportunity. Exactly as Kim Ihyeon had intended.
"Atlanta is currently occupied by foreign powers. You probably know this by now. That's why you came to this remote country."
That's how the explanation began.
"And a while ago, a large number of spies were captured. Atlanta is completely isolated. A lot of our people were taken away as well."
He said that it was a lot of hardship because of that. It was an expression that could not be described as a smile, only the corners of his mouth were raised.
"In just one month, the borders were closed, the Capitol was stormed, and the military was disbanded."
Kim Yi-Hyeon's face hardened. The national function was completely paralyzed. The commander's skills were outstanding. It was impossible for Snowfield or Shadow, whose only strength was their personal force.
"They say it's called Legion. Have you heard of it?"
"...Well. I don't remember."
"Hmm. This would be difficult."
Darun scratched his neck with an embarrassed look on his face.
"We are releasing the information without any mention of compensation or receiving any advance payment. Don't you think we have made too many concessions?"
It wasn't a wrong statement. After a brief moment of deliberation, Kim Yi-hyeon had no choice but to open his mouth.
"It's an armed force that has recently begun operating across the continent. It has also caused trouble in Flaoria and Cilicia. We don't know its origin or members."
"And then out of nowhere, Atlanta."
He muttered as if he was talking to himself. It was hard to read his thoughts from his face. Kim Lee-hyun, who was observing the other person's reaction, asked.
"I heard something about taxes earlier. What is that?"
"It means exactly what it says."
Darun sighed and spoke.
"They use public records to extort money from citizens. They select one representative per district and… collect. There is a tight quota."
"What if I don't meet my quota?"
"Spinning the roulette."
Roulette. Before I could question the unexpected word, a supplementary explanation followed.
"The names of taxpayers are written on the board. Regardless of whether or not they have paid taxes, the person the tip of the needle points to will be punished."
"What kind of weird thing is that...."
"It's weird, but it's effective. It keeps citizens in check to make sure they pay their share of taxes."
I now understand the circumstances surrounding the assault that occurred a little while ago. It was an effective method, as the saying goes. It could turn the arrows of discontent.
The person who dealt with it soon summarized it in one word.
"They are doing business here."
Kim Yi-hyeon shook his head. The expression 'business' suited him well. In reality, it was extortion without them giving anything in return.
At the same time, I felt doubtful.
'Something seems strange.'
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort. This is not the Legion's way.
They prefer more… primitive, simpler means.
'Of course, each executive has a different style.'
After all, they are the same organization, so they have something in common. It becomes even more suspicious when you consider that Atlanta is a region with little strategic value.
"Raising money… is that the end?"
Westcreek asked a question while he was lost in thought. Although he was not as knowledgeable about the Legion as Kim I-Hyun, he knew the seriousness of the situation.
"It's different. It's not just about money."
"then?"
"We are recruiting soldiers to join the Legion. And on a large scale."
Darun clicked his tongue. As the explanation continued, his attitude became more and more blatant.
"We've prepared an extraordinary opportunity for you to rise in status from livestock to breeder. I heard that those with spell abilities are given special treatment."
Even among the members of Al Qamar's organization, there were those who had fallen for it. The spies planted by Darun were also being tracked down and executed, and the organization's secrets were being leaked day by day.
"...Is that what you're saying?"
Kim Yi-hyeon touched his chin, his gaze falling on the table. He was certain. There had been changes within the Legion that he was unaware of.
The Legion is not a group that takes in greenhouse-living animals as companions. They only accept the angry, the wandering, and the poisonous.
I heard most of what I needed to hear. It was an overflowing harvest. Fortunately, the person I was dealing with was a guy who could communicate.
'No, I guess he's being cooperative because he's in a tight spot too.'
Al Qamar is an organization that rules the underworld of Atlanta. It started out in the loan business and has expanded into more sunny businesses like construction.
Rather than remaining a mere criminal organization, they were completely integrated into Atlanta society. They boasted such influence… … .
'You must be wondering what kind of disaster this is.'
With the political and military worlds both devastated, there was no one left to use for connections. They were pushed back by force, so they had no choice but to be helpless.
"Let me ask you one last question."
Al Qamar wants a variable, at least for a while, to be an obedient collaborator.
"What kind of guy is the commander of the legion that came over here? If you don't know his name, you can just tell me his physique or some other general characteristics."
"Is it a feature?"
Darun turned his body back while sitting.
"Ravi, bring me the photo."
The woman who had been pointed out ran out of the room in a hurry. It took less than two minutes for her to return. She carefully placed the photo on the table.
"Please check."
Kim Yi-hyeon received the photo. It was very blurry, as if it had been taken from a distance and enlarged. However, it was not unrecognizable.
It was just then.
Bam!
The door opened again. Everyone's eyes were drawn to the man who rushed in. Darun's cheek flinched at the sudden intrusion.
"What's going on? We have guests right now...."
The subordinate who had been observing the situation inside whispered to Darun about the situation. After hearing the story, Darun closed his eyes tightly and then opened them.
And he stared at Kim Yi-hyeon. There was a hint of doubt and worry in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
"They came, huh?"
* * *
Around the restaurant Labesque were soldiers in military uniforms. They were not wearing the gas masks they wear during operations.
Some of them had dark coffee-colored skin, a characteristic of the Turkic race. They were, to borrow Darun's expression, residents of Atlanta who had become breeders.
"What brings you here today?"
Darun approached the leading figure, looking like a waiter without the slightest hint of discomfort.
"I heard from the store manager that you paid the rent for this week."
"That store manager never shows up every time he comes. Doesn't he have any interest in running the store?"
The man with a stocky physique snorted. He looked at Darun for a moment and then moved his gaze. His eyes, which had been looking around the room, were fixed on Kim Ihyeon.
He strides forward. The man who had reached his nose stared at Kim Yi-hyeon. Kim Yi-hyeon also observed the other person with a cold gaze.
A tall man, nearly 2m tall. Bulging muscles visible even through his clothes. White skin and a deep sword scar near his right eyebrow.
'Mithril.'
The legionary officers who were supposed to have met in Cilicia were here.
"Are you the merchant who came in today?"
First, he offered a handshake. Kim Yi-hyeon looked down for a moment and then took his hand. There was no obvious trick like using harsh words.
"I heard you were treated unfairly at the immigration office. I apologize on your behalf. I will also take steps to get the confiscated items back."
It was an unexpectedly friendly attitude. No, considering Mithril's setting, it might not have been that strange.
'He's a cunning guy, despite his appearance.'
Although it may look like a simple and cheerful muscle brain, it carries out operations intelligently. It is not particularly strong, but it is by no means an easy opponent.
And one more.
'… … I was so careful, but I was followed.'
Behind Mithril was a figure wearing a baggy coat. He was small in stature. His face was obscured by a hood, so he couldn't see anything. However, he had an idea who it was.
Mantra.
This is a named character that appears in the game with Mithril. It has a spell that marks enemies caught in sight and allows tracking within a certain distance.
The search is over. Kim Yi-hyeon kept lowering his head with a cowardly smile.
"Oh my, thank you. I was worried about what to do in the future since I don't have much money. I guess civil servants make the same mistakes no matter where you go."
"I'm sorry."
"No, no. This is how you help me."
I nodded my head while moving my mouth appropriately.
From what I've heard, it seems that Mithril often visits this place. In other words, he has already figured out that Labesque is Al Qamar's stronghold.
'Are you leaving it alone on purpose?'
There are several reasons for this. Even if they are wiped out, it is only one of the strongholds. If they hide properly, it will be even harder to root them out.
'You also said something about a seat fee. Are you collecting money differently from taxes?'
Even this is not like the Legion. When occupying a city, the common policy of the Legion is to wipe it out so that it cannot resist in the future.
That's not happening at all. It seemed like we needed to dig a little deeper into the details.
"I brought some good liquor, so I'd like to treat you to a big meal. Well, once I get it back safely… What do you think?"
"Alcohol, that's good. You're a friend who knows gratitude."
Mithril laughed heartily. He put his hand on Kim Ihyeon's shoulder and said.
"Let's leave that for another fun time… I have something important to tell you."
Yeah, I guess so.
Kim Yi-hyeon thought to himself. He must not only be simply watching, but he must have a purpose for coming here on his own at this time.
"Okay, let's do it while eating."
Mithril turned her head towards Darun, leading Kim Ihyeon semi-forcibly. Then she pointed to the store with the tip of her chin.
"Get out of the way."