Chapter 386: A New Project (2)

Jenny immediately led Lennok and the man to the meeting room on the upper floor of the bar.

Completely ignoring the man standing awkwardly, she locked the door, and as soon as she saw Lennok seated, she turned her head.

“The second project to begin in this city in decades… is that an accurate way to put it?”

Jenny asked, gazing at the man with a slight smile.

“If you’re confident enough to bring that up in front of me, it better be solid information.”

Lennok could somewhat understand why Jenny was saying that.

Kaiser’s only granddaughter, and the Black Consumer Project, which was cited as the most direct cause of his death.

The employee dispatched from the City Government Secret Management Agency couldn’t possibly be unaware of the significance of bringing up the fact that a follow-up plan to that project was about to begin, especially in front of Jenny and Lennok.

“Our agency stores and manages data from various projects that were scrapped decades ago.”

“……”

“Most employees, including myself, don’t even have access rights to the data, let alone the ability to view it. But as long as we handle management, we can tell who tries to access the files.”

The employee nodded, a slightly tense expression on his face.

“And just a month ago, there was an attempt to access data that was considered a follow-up project to the Black Consumer Project before being scrapped.”

“That alone isn’t enough.”

Jenny frowned.

“I could try to hack by bypassing the path from right here. The hard part is not getting caught.”

“What if the IP of a restricted area remains among those bypassed paths?”

“……”

The man rubbed his temples with a tired expression and said.

“Even if you bypass the path, the entities that can use the IP of a restricted area are limited. It’s impossible unless you have authority or a title comparable to a powerful senator in the Upper House of the Vulcan City Council.”

Only then did Jenny’s expression harden coldly as she realized what the man was saying.

“Someone high up in the City Government wants to restart a new project. But they don’t want to reveal who they are?”

“Yes. And that area is Sector 6, directly managed by our agency… where old documents and administrative records are stored.”

“Sector 6, you say…”

Lennok nodded, hearing that.

Hadn’t he, along with Aris Richellen, infiltrated Sector 6 to track down the objectives and locations of the Defense Force during the rebellion? It had been nearly three months since he faced off against Lieutenant General Treppen of the Defense Force through the location of a secret facility that had been covertly moved from a restricted area to an undeveloped zone.

“Considering that bypassing the IP of a restricted area is unlikely to be a mistake or coincidence, it’s tantamount to sending a signal to the agency not to interfere.”

“Our conclusion is not much different.”

The man subtly shifted his gaze toward Lennok.

“And it’s also true that we were looking for someone suitable to resolve the current situation.”

“Do you think that’s Van?”

The man nodded at Jenny’s question.

“His skill is proven, and he’s one of the very few freelancers who operates across both the light and shadow. What’s more, he’s also connected to the incident that led to the lifting of the Prohibition Edict.”

“……”

“It’s not just because of his skill; he’s definitely someone who can reach out to various places in this matter. Furthermore, as the crisis involving Dyke Corp. is presumed to be an extension of this incident, we believe our objectives might align during the investigation.”

“…Jenny, what is he talking about?”

Only then did the man daringly reveal his main point.

But Lennok, hearing something he couldn’t ignore, turned his head.

Lennok turned his head.

“Did something happen with Dyke Corp.?”

“Haa, damn it… I was going to explain it to you later.”

Jenny sighed deeply, glanced at Lennok, and then reluctantly opened her mouth.

“Recently, Dyke Corp. has been subjected to a series of terror attacks from unknown sources. More than half of the underground arms manufacturing network, built around Panua, has been destroyed, and the current president and several high-ranking officials have died.”

“…What?”

Lennok’s mouth slightly agape at the utterly unexpected news.

Lennok told the man he would give him an answer later and sent him away, then listened to Jenny explain what had happened while he was gone.

The crisis at Dyke Corp., which had been steadily expanding its influence until he left the city.

They needed to discuss what it meant for the new project to be intertwined with this series of events.

“Things started going strange after the Prohibition Edict was lifted.”

Jenny said, taking a sip of her drink.

“Instead of the expected clash between the light and shadow, upheaval occurred within the light’s sphere of influence, centered around the corporate giants.”

The lifting of the Prohibition Edict, which had restricted the indiscriminate use of force by superhumans in exchange for privileges.

The forces of the light, realizing their leash was off, first targeted not the shadow, but their own sphere of influence.

Perhaps they saw it as an opportunity to reorganize the complex power structure, where internal competitors needed to be dealt with before external enemies.

It went without saying that conflicts between superhumans, who had previously been linked to the armed response teams of various corporations and agencies, became much more frequent than before.

“Naturally, Dyke Corp. couldn’t escape this problem either… but the issue is that it’s difficult to identify the perpetrators of the terror attacks, even though the president died. Does that make any sense?”

Jenny continued, her expression slightly grim.

“Considering that even in the shadow, which is observing the situation, there’s talk that some shady forces are involved…”

“You’re saying it’s highly likely that high-ranking City Government officials are behind the attacks on Dyke Corp.”

It wasn’t hard to guess the reason.

The entry into the underground arms business, initiated by Panua’s plan as the head of the Business Planning Department.

They had leveraged Lennok’s power to subdue numerous gangs, including the Cygar Gang, and seized control of the arms business. Those who harbored quiet resentment about this must now be moving with the backing of the City Government.

“What do you want to do?”

Jenny asked.

Lennok pondered for a moment, then immediately spoke.

“If high-ranking City Government officials are involved, it wouldn’t be strange for Dyke Corp. to collapse. If it’s truly connected to a new project, it seems worth looking into.”

Having learned that Alkaid was deeply involved in the Black Consumer Project, Lennok realized that unraveling the city’s secrets was no longer a matter of choice.

“However, meeting Dyke Corp. immediately is unlikely to yield any results… I’ll schedule a meeting, but I’ll need to gather information separately.”

If Panua, with all her capabilities, couldn’t identify the opponent in a matter serious enough to lead to the president’s death, stepping forward now would likely only draw attention without any concrete gains.

It was more advisable to act in an area Panua couldn’t reach, at a time she couldn’t even perceive.

“If high-ranking City Government officials are involved, the Agents might not be much help in this matter.”

“It’s not the light side. Who do you think knows the most about project-related matters in this city?”

Lennok said that as he pulled out his phone.

[Cartel First President, Virgil.]

“I needed to meet him anyway. Looks like I’ll be seeing him much sooner than expected.”

Lennok found the contact and immediately sent a message, then nodded.

The message was sent to Virgil, but he was looking for someone else.

An old hag whose face and name he knew, but whose phone number he doubted even existed.

The Chairman of the Cartel, a Mystic Eye sorcerer presumed to have reached the Peak of Extremes.

Olivera Ron Maize, who participated in the Black Consumer Project, would undoubtedly have a more accurate insight into this matter than anyone else.

“Hmph…”

His mansion, returned to after almost a month.

After a quick clean of the dusty house, Lennok prepared a meal with Davi hopping around behind him in the toad house.

A meat-heavy diet to replenish nutrition and calories.

He chewed and swallowed it, even though he knew it wouldn’t digest well.

[Grrrrowl.]

With Davi’s satisfied purrs in the background, Lennok picked up his fork and began to re-examine what he had learned since returning to the city.

‘I expected conflict, but I never thought they’d come out this aggressively as soon as the Prohibition Edict was lifted.’

It wasn’t strange that the conflicts, interests, and profit-and-loss calculations that couldn’t be resolved through money and transactions, bound by the Prohibition Edict, exploded with this incident.

However, he hadn’t expected Dyke Corp., which had been extending its reach into the shadow’s arms industry based on solid funding from the light, to be so helplessly defeated.

Building a new magic system, elevating his Hierarchy, and organizing the spoils from the labyrinth.

There was still a mountain of things to do, but Lennok wasn’t particularly surprised or disappointed by the new problem.

When had he ever maintained his research and triple identities with leisurely time and ease?

It only felt awkward because he had just returned from the Northern Continent, but it was natural for someone with limited time, like Lennok, to manage his time tightly.

‘There’s a lot I need to explain to Jenny separately…’

Jenny seemed to suspect Lennok was involved in Jindun’s death, but she ultimately didn’t press for details.

Perhaps because she sensed that Lennok didn’t want to talk about it right then.

In that regard, Jenny was more patient and better at maintaining boundaries than anyone else Lennok knew.

It would be impossible without understanding the emotional distance she and Lennok maintained.

It was hard to deny that he had benefited from Jenny’s consideration all this time.

“…I’ll have to tell her someday.”

He knew he couldn’t indefinitely maintain his status as an unaccountable freelancer.

Even at this moment, forces and powers moving across the continent were shifting the tides.

Furthermore, since Lapis had declared her advance into the central front, movements in the Pilenom Autonomous Region would also become much more active.

If the influence of the Eyes of Blue began to reach the mega-city, Lennok would have to tell Jenny that he maintained a positive relationship with the Watchers.

As someone who had established a company under joint ownership and was conducting business, as a long-time partner, he couldn’t keep it hidden forever.

So much had changed since he first drifted into this city, hid his identity, and began freelance work.

Not only Lennok, but also the people around him, were changing, each with different intentions and wills.

He felt the need to adjust his existing attitude to match the changing times and places.

He felt the need to adjust his existing attitude to match the changing times and places.

Lennok slowly chewed his pre-prepared meal, then finished eating and wiped his mouth, saying.

“Davi. Order the items I’m about to tell you from the auction. Once the necessary items for renovating the workshop are ready, I’ll begin research immediately.”

[Cheer-rrring.]

“…You understood, right?”

[Order complete, Master.]

Davi said, wagging her lush three-tailed body.

[But I received a call from a man named Virgil?]

Lennok’s eyes calmly settled as he immediately checked the message.

“Executive regular meeting…”

Virgil’s reply was that while it was unlikely Olivera herself would attend, they could at least talk to the presidents.

Come to think of it, he had never once visited the Cartel’s headquarters since taking office as an outside director.

Lennok pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Come to think of it, it was about time I showed my face.”

He hadn’t expected Virgil’s reply to arrive before Panua, who he had contacted first, but it didn’t matter.

He had no intention of dragging out the issues with Dyke Corp. or the secrets of the new project.

Lennok then spent a full day resting and sleeping, before immediately seeking out Sebastian.

“I heard you’re back. This city’s been a mess while you were gone.”

A broker who specialized in dealing with entrepreneurs and the wealthy. And the very person who had personally sourced and gifted Lennok his bike.

Sebastian skillfully moved a wine glass with telekinesis and placed it in Lennok’s hand, then tilted his head slightly.

“You seem to be moving more stiffly than usual… Is something wrong?”

“…It’s nothing major. Just a lot of work lately.”

His body, stiff with tension, had somewhat relaxed after a day of rest, but paradoxically, he felt worse.

The long journey in the labyrinth, the intense battles and races, and his body pushed to its limit demanded more rest.

While he was suppressing his fatigue with medicinal pills, there was no way to prevent his body from faltering due to various after-effects.

Sebastian, watching Lennok sip his wine, shrugged and handed him the payment documents.

“As per your request, I placed a special order with Autoble. 8 exterior modification options. 3 types of detachable engines. A 10-stage thruster. A top-grade alloy outer shell… You’re not planning to go to war, are you?”

“You never know what might happen.”

Sebastian shook his head at Lennok’s ambiguous reply.

“To destroy such an item and then return to order an even sturdier bike… If it were me, I’d just get a new armored vehicle.”

“How much is it?”

“The receipt’s here. With all those options, it’s going to be a bit pricey.”

“……”

The price was so high that even Lennok, who hadn’t been short on money since starting his business with Jenny, had to look at the price tag again.

It was a hefty sum that made him recall his early days in the city when he lived in poverty, but Lennok gripped his trembling hand and signed.

Considering how well he had used his previous bike, this investment seemed reasonable.

Lennok keenly felt that no matter how much he advanced his magical level and Hierarchy, mobility was one thing that didn’t come easily.

Sebastian, who had been intently watching the signature, caressed his stomach with a satisfied expression.

“Thank you for your purchase, customer. This will solidify my relationship with the president of Autoble. I’ll have to get a drink from him soon.”

“……”

As Lennok turned away, clutching his aching stomach, Sebastian spoke as if something had just occurred to him.

“Speaking of which, Madam said she has something for you. It might be a good idea to visit her if you have time.”

“Madam?”

Was he talking about the vampire broker?

He remembered encountering her once a long time ago.

It seemed she still remembered inviting Lennok to visit her back then.

“Madam has lived a very long time, even among vampires, and knows a great deal. If it’s chronic fatigue or a physical issue, she might be able to help.”

Sebastian mumbled, clinking his wine glass.

It was an offer that wouldn’t have come out unless he was concerned about Lennok’s stiff movements.

Lennok chuckled, feeling the subtle consideration.

“Thanks for the advice.”

“Glad to help. Let’s chalk this one up as a debt. You wouldn’t believe how many of my acquaintances want to commission you by name—”

Lennok left Sebastian’s office, leaving him to ramble on.

Time was tight before his next appointment.

Without his bike, he had to hurry to the meeting place.

Lennok hailed a taxi on a nearby road and got in.

He told the driver his destination, and they set off.

“Um… Sir.”

The taxi driver, watching Lennok in the rearview mirror, spoke up as Lennok leaned back, intending to catch a short nap before reaching his destination.

“Are we there?”

“No. The road ahead is blocked, so we’ll have to take a long detour.”

“…The road is blocked?”

Beyond the window, there were no other vehicles besides this taxi.

What kind of driver says the road is blocked when it’s completely empty in front of them?

But despite Lennok’s retort, the taxi driver subtly pointed to a sign visible ahead and said.

“Do you see that? It’s a conflict-prone area sign. That’s like a signal that superhumans are rampaging around here.”

“……”

“If you’re lucky, nothing might happen, but if not, you might get caught up in it and suffer damage.”

“Hmm…”

Was even Sebastian’s office in Sector 42 exposed to such danger?

If even this street, which was relatively busy among the outer districts, was suffering such dangers, he couldn’t imagine how chaotic other places must be.

“No choice then. You can go around.”

Lennok reluctantly nodded, and just as the taxi driver’s face softened, thinking he had met a patient customer.

Something heavy suddenly fell from the sky and slammed directly in front of the taxi.

KWOOOOOONG!!!

“HIEEEEEEK!!!”

The driver shrieked in terror, letting go of the steering wheel and curling up.

But Lennok, who had sensed its presence beforehand with his magic perception, said without changing his expression.

“Reverse.”

“W-what?!”

“Shift gears. You’ll die if you stay like this.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the thing that had fallen right in front of the taxi wriggled, then flung itself backward.

The taxi driver screamed and stomped on the accelerator in reverse.

“AAAAAHHHHH!!!!”

Missing the driver’s seat by a hair, the something slammed into the taxi’s hood, utterly destroying it.

CRUNCH!!!

The taxi was half-lifted by the impact.

Lennok looked at the driver, who was foaming at the mouth and unconscious, then sighed and opened the car door.

Lennok, pulling the driver out with magic power and roughly laying him down at the entrance of a nearby building, said.

“Davi. Contact them and tell them I’ll be a little late.”

[It clearly looks like trouble, wouldn’t it be better to just ignore it and go?]

“I don’t intend to meddle everywhere in this city, but…”

He slowly gathered his magic power.

“That person could be helpful. It’s better to save her.”

A woman confronted a beast with an impressive, massive tail.

A suit-clad figure, adjusting her glasses with a troubled expression. On her left chest, the emblem of a scale and an eye.

A member of the Cartel. And evidence of a considerably high rank.