<Episode 1448> 1448. Dark Moon
“-We haven’t even discussed the reward for this job yet. Are you not jumping to conclusions by assuming it’s related to Jupiter too quickly?”
“I have unfinished business with Jupiter regardless. I thought they would contact me eventually as time passed… but after nearly a week, there hasn’t been a single call.”
“Aha. So you considered it might be Jupiter reaching out? What if it’s the opposite?”
“It doesn’t matter either way. Unless the client is an idiot, there must be a reason they specifically requested me.”
“The reward is 100 million credits. As I said before, they’ll only disclose the details of the job after you accept. But can you guess what it might be just from the reward amount?”
“If it were something simple, the reward wouldn’t be so high… So it’s a hit on Jupiter, huh.”
“Will you take it?”
“I will. Are you trying to stop me as the broker?”
“Quite the opposite. I highly recommend it. You’re a 5th-class mage. Most of your previous jobs have been below your level. It’s about time you took on something more challenging. Come to the office in 5 hours.”
“Not right now?”
“I need to do some investigation too, don’t I? Providing accurate information is part of my job as your broker.”
Click.
The call ended.
I stood up and checked my body and equipment.
“Turns out Jupiter’s situation is more serious than expected. Jupiter’s operation is a casino in Zone L, and it’s currently unstable.”
“Unstable? Are they at war with another faction?”
“That would actually be better. The two representatives of Zone L are currently opposing each other over the casino.”
The Neo London Round Table Council.
It can be seen as the government of the city-state Neo London. Each zone has two representative members, but the true rulers of the city are the 12 who sit at the Round Table.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the members’ power is weak.
“One side wants to maintain the casino for economic reasons in Zone L, while the other advocates for its closure due to public order.”
“The latter probably has the upper hand. Citizens prioritize safety over economy. No matter how rich a place is, people don’t want to live somewhere infested with bandits.”
“You’re right. But does Jupiter care? They’re trying their best to prevent the casino’s closure by throwing money around everywhere. It’s quite astonishing. It almost seems like they’re using funds not from the casino’s earnings.”
“Is the client the member advocating for closure?”
“The job came through a broker, but there’s a 90% chance it’s that member.”
“What exactly is the job?”
“In three days, the casino will temporarily close under the pretext of investigation. They’ll summon the deputy manager for questioning. That’s when you eliminate the gang. It’ll be reported as a gang conflict.”
“Can we really handle things this way?”
“Do you still not understand this city? Most issues can be smoothed over. From the citizens’ perspective, the disappearance of a dangerous gang is welcomed, so they keep quiet even if they suspect something. Oh, and you’re not the only one taking this job. They’ve hired other mercenaries too.”
“They’ve already hired others, yet they approached me…”
I asked around, and it seems someone strongly recommended you. Have any guesses who?”
The Invisible Blade.
That female ninja came to mind. It seemed she’d already done the groundwork for this job, mercilessly taking out the Harves gang. If I investigated further, I’d probably find several gangs affiliated with the Jupiter Union had already vanished.
“Is there anything I should be careful about?”
“Don’t get cocky just because you’re a Rank 5. The boss and officers of the Jupiter gang aren’t comparable to the likes of Harves. Making a fortune in this city also means they could’ve become incredibly powerful. And conversely, they might not be.”
“I understand.”
“I’ve prepared information on the Jupiter gang. Memorize it all here since we need to destroy the files afterward.”
KONG!
Rose placed a stack of documents over 30cm tall in front of me. I stared blankly at the overwhelming amount.
“I’ll be working late today too. You’ll keep me company, right?”
“…”
Three days later. I entered the agreed meeting place in Zone L—an old warehouse. As soon as I stepped inside, over 30 pairs of eyes locked onto me. Armed individuals, regardless of Gender, filled the space. All Mana Awakened users. Though most were around Rank 2.
“You’re right on time. You must be the Rank 5 mage?”
A man with spiky green hair resembling a leek. He carried four swords—two on his back and two on his waist. His compressed muscles were visible under his black spandex outfit.
He made no effort to hide his power. From the strength and aura radiating from him, he was clearly a Rank 5 warrior.
“My name is Eugene Meyer.”
“Mons. The lone swordsman of Neo London.”
“…”
I scanned my surroundings.
One Rank 5 warrior, one Rank 5 mage, and thirty Rank 2 mercenaries.
It felt like insufficient Full Strength to take down that gang. We’d need at least one more Rank 5 or higher.
“Are you mocking us? That hurts, ya know.”
“Is this all of you?”
“One more will join us on-site—a Ninja. Supposedly an expert in throwing shurikens. Aren’t you excited to see a real-life Ninja?”
“Hmm.”
Clack clack.
Footsteps echoed behind me. A woman in a suit entered the factory.
“Everyone’s here. I’ll brief you on the Strategy as the client’s representative.”
It was a cliché plan.
The Rank 2 mercenaries would eliminate the Jupiter gang members. Mons, the Rank 5 warrior, would handle the Jupiter officers and boss. I, the mage, would provide rear support. Once the battlefield was partially subdued, I’d assist Mons.
“We’ve arranged two large buses for transportation. Now then, earn your pay.”
The buses raced toward the casino.
As if anticipating our raid, the casino welcomed us with bullets, rockets, and missiles. The protective barrier machines installed on the bus activated, enveloping it in a translucent shield.
BOOM! KA-BOOM!
Impacts the barrier couldn’t fully withstand rocked the bus. It shook violently as I gripped the seat in front of me to maintain balance.
SQUEAL!
The bus stopped in front of the casino. The mercenaries wasted no time smashing the windows and rushing inside. Gunfire erupted, but no one seemed afraid. Just the absence of rockets and missiles made things easier.
I tapped my earpiece communicator and said,
“I’ll take care of the guys firing rockets and missiles from the rooftop.”
-There are quite a few. Won’t it take long?
“Three minutes max.”
I opened the Astral Plane.
My senses expanded, feeling the gentle flow of mana within me. Of the 50 mana nodes, 34 activated, excluding the 16 unusable ones. Following my will, I formed the mana into magical circuits.
I quietly incanted the completed spell.
[Lightning Spear]
Five elongated spears of lightning shot toward the casino rooftop. Though far slower than real lightning, they moved much faster than any missile.
The Spear of Lightning struck its target instantly, exploding with such brilliance it illuminated the dark night for a fleeting moment, scattering thunderbolts in every direction.
“Damn brat!”
Without any regard for the crumbling casino building, a rocket was fired straight at me.
BOOM!
The rocket slammed into the bus barrier. Cracks began to spiderweb across its surface, and it was clear that another two or three rockets would shatter it completely.
[LIGHTNING SPEAR]
With an emotionless expression, I hurled five Spears of Lightning. Perhaps because my condition was optimal, hitting the enemies felt unusually easy.
[LIGHTNING SPEER]
I continuously threw lightning spears. There were no survivors left on the roof; most couldn’t evade the Lightning Spears and died, though a few managed to retreat inside the casino building.
I nodded slowly, scanning the casino structure.
[DETECTION]
42 enemies detected near the windows.
I flicked my fingers. Crackling electricity surged forth, magnetically pulling over 500 scattered bullet casings toward me.
“Warning. If you’re near the windows, move away. If that’s too hard, crouch below them.”
-Our wizard seems up to something. Got it.
[SHAPE TRANSFORMATION]
The 500 bullet casings transformed into sharp cone-like spikes.
[ELECTRIC AREA]
This was a modified version of the Electric Field spell. Instead of the ground, electromagnetic fields now filled the surrounding air. The hovering bullets trembled as if ready to fire at any second.
‘In other words, this is like a significantly weakened railgun.’
After setting the trajectories of the bullets, I fired without hesitation.
The 500 bullets shattered the casino windows, piercing through anyone standing nearby. Shards of broken glass fell to the ground below, making the building look as if it were crying.
-Wow, impressive firepower. That wiped out about 30%, right? Do we need more?
-No, we’ll handle the rest ourselves.
-Eugene, head to the VIP room. We’re going after the Jupiter Brothers.
“I’ll be there soon.”
Stepping inside the casino, chaos greeted me. Gangster corpses littered the entrance. Without hesitation, I ascended the staircase to the right. The layout of the casino was already etched perfectly in my mind before the operation began.
The VIP gambling room had an extravagant door. On its surface, sculptures of naked men and women were intricately carved. The female sculptures featured prominently rounded breasts, their details precise down to the vulvas. As for the male sculptures, I deliberately avoided looking at them. Pushing open the door adorned with the female sculpture, I entered.
Mons stood wielding twin swords, battling two men alone. His adversaries, dressed in suits, wielded a spear and gauntlets respectively.
“You’ve arrived!”
Mons cheered upon seeing me, causing his opponents to momentarily retreat and guard against me.
“Reinforcements?”
“Judging by that unlucky face, you’re probably the mage we heard about earlier, right? Want me to take care of him, bro?”
“Nah, you handle it.”
“Thanks for giving up the fun job of killing the mage, bro.”
The gauntlet-wielding man smirked as he stared me down. Keeping my eyes on him, I asked Mons.
“The Jupiterain brothers, huh? Where’s Philip Jupiterain, the boss of the Jupiter Union?”
“When I arrived, I saw him hastily retreating through a secret passage behind that table, likely heading to stop the ninja. My guess is he went to deal with the intruder.”
I cast three secondary support spells on Mons in quick succession.
[STRENGTH]
[HASTE]
[IRON BODY]
Temporary enhancements boosting physical strength, agility, and durability.
“Ah! While doping is frowned upon, this non-addictive perfect doping is a different story! Dungeon swordsmen rise!”
Mons, his wild hair flailing, charged toward the Jupiterain brothers.
Bold Jupiterain rushed forward to meet Mons with his spear.
While Gauntlet-clad Kason Jupiterain dashed past Mons straight for me.
