'Is it too obvious…?'
Of course, the injuries he sustained from his fight with Beck Clinton still covered his body.
When I came home from work, there was blood in the toilet that wouldn't go away for three days.
It was fortunate that the ring of Fryice that I received from Panoa stabilized my body to some extent even when I didn't have a shield, otherwise I would have had a hard time walking.
Feeling the eyes of those following him, Leo descended the stairs, blowing a long puff of smoke.
"Phew….."
The feeling of the filter touching the corners of my lips is now incredibly familiar.
But there was a faint hesitation in Leo's gaze as he looked down at the beginning of the year.
'I feel like the effect of Cashburn is gradually fading away.'
It's been a few months already since I started buying this tobacco from the orchard.
If you put it in your mouth and inhale the smoke every day, it wouldn't be surprising if you started to build up a tolerance.
The decrease in efficacy, which had not been noticeable until now, was now approaching a point where it could be felt.
'Sleeping pills too… I might have to stop by the orchard again soon.'
Even if he can somehow tolerate the sleeplessness caused by insomnia, taking the psychotropic medications he needs to do his job is not an option for Leo.
A consumable that allows his already creaky body to move like a normal person for a short while.
If there's a problem here, the immediate battle will start to be slightly disrupted.
It was clear that this was a problem that Leo could absolutely not tolerate.
#
After a short night.
Dyke, true to his word, sent his top-of-the-line sedan to Jenny's bar to pick up Leo.
Leo chuckled as he saw Panoa sitting inside the sleek, streamlined, pure white car.
Leo asked as he opened the back door of the car.
"Are you not going to hide it anymore?"
"It's too late to keep quiet. Rumores about us are probably already circulating around here."
"I've been to too many places to hide it," Panoa added.
"Thank you for your hard work this time."
"...."
"The success of the operation and the handling of Beck Clinton have caused quite a reaction from the higher-ups. Not only has the gang's financial lifeline been successfully cut off, but their dealings with the military have also been completely destroyed, so they must think that the plan's success is within sight."
I could feel Panoa's tone becoming slightly excited.
In a way, it's natural.
Considering the operation she had envisioned at the time, the most she could have hoped for was to disrupt a deal between the gang and the military.
It would never have occurred to Leo that he would not stop there, but would go on to annihilate those present and capture Beck Clinton as well.
The fact that the leader who oversaw the gang's arms dealings is dead must have had great significance for them.
This means that in order to resolve this situation, the gang boss will have to step in himself.
If the head can be cut off cleanly here, the remaining limbs can be cut off appropriately and taken by Dyke.
Leo, who had been quietly listening to her story, responded.
"I don't really feel like just talking."
"....I spoke too long. I should have shown you that I keep my promises first."
Panoa took out a case made of blue crystal from the storage space under the chair.
A pleasant betrayal
Leo's senses keenly captured the magical energy flowing softly within it.
At the same time, I am sure.
What's contained there is a level of rare treasure that Leo has never seen since he came to this world.
Panoa didn't waste much time watching Leo staring at the case without being able to take his eyes off it.
In such a fight, the upper hand between the two was decided unilaterally.
Panoa said, immediately placing the case in his hand.
"There was a lot of effort put into obtaining this item. Not only me, but also the VIPs from the executive board put in a lot of effort. I won't go into detail about how much direct and indirect pressure and attempts at expropriation there were."
Leo chuckled at her words, which showed all the colours and wiped her mouth clean.
When I opened the case, I saw a shape that was exactly the same as what I had seen on the screen.
Five pencils tied with a fluorescent chain.
Each pencil was densely engraved with unknown characters, and even the protruding graphite lead had a faint gold rim.
Unlike what appears to be just an old pencil on the outside, it is meticulously crafted and detailed.
A composition that makes it understandable why people of various social status, including high-ranking public officials, are so eagerly seeking out this item.
It is a neatly arranged magical power that makes it understandable why it is treated similarly to a relic, even though it is an artificially created artifact.
Leo, who had been looking down at it quietly, closed the case and slowly put it into his arms.
Panoa, who did not miss the look of satisfaction in his eyes, quickly continued speaking.
"Of course, this is just a gift to compensate for the rudeness we have shown you in the past. If things go well in the future, we will provide you with additional compensation as appropriate."
Panoa also knows clearly now.
A strong mentality and judgment that allows one to overcome difficulties with only one's own abilities.
An intense sense of oppression that truly shines on the battlefield, and a fearsome talent to match.
Rather than confining himself to the limitations of being a wizard, he is a person who does not hesitate at all to do what is necessary at the necessary moment.
Even if it wasn't for this world, he is a skilled person who would not be strange if he could pass through the gates of promotion anytime, anywhere.
Even if it was fate that they had once met, whether or not they could continue that relationship depended entirely on her own actions.
Leo leaned back against the seat and turned his head out the window.
"So, why did you make the appointment today? I don't think you're already planning your next operation."
It's been a few days since Beck Clinton was killed, but the operation hasn't started yet.
This was especially true for Leo, who had a rough idea of how Dyke was planning to take over the gang's business.
If you start chopping off the limbs of a gang, shouldn't there be a follow-up to take their place?
Most of the power of the project team led by Panoa is probably being used to fill the gap left by the gang created by Leo.
"That's right. We're putting a lot of effort into recruiting small arms dealers who are working with the gangs to distribute weapons. We'll be conducting additional operations only after we've weeded out those who are willing to cooperate with us. The reason I called you, Master Ban, today is because I have something else I want to discuss with you."
"...…"
"A completely unexpected guest approached us with an offer to cooperate."
I parked my sedan in the underground parking lot and headed straight to the lobby on the first floor. The lobby of the headquarters in broad daylight was full of employees coming and going, holding onto their phones and documents.
Although few people still recognize Leo's face, the focused gaze she receives every time she passes by clearly reveals her current position in the company.
It is now somewhat known to everyone how important a position she holds in determining the direction of the giant corporation called Dyke.
I took the elevator and went straight to her office.
Her personal assistant, standing at the entrance to the spacious hallway, immediately informed her that a guest had arrived.
Leo, who headed to the office, realized what Panoa had said as soon as he saw the faces of the two people waiting inside.
To be exact, after seeing Maoren's smiling face next to a woman with short hair.
Plato Mercenary Office.
They, who had been helping with the weapons business in the 40th District by joining hands with Cigar Bang, came to the Dyke headquarters in person.
#
"Nice to meet you. My name is Nicole Keller from Platon Office. This is Maoren."
After finishing her self-introduction in just two sentences, she shook hands with Panoa and sat down.
Panoa also naturally ordered her secretary to bring her something to drink.
There was a brief silence, and Nicole spoke first.
"Since we both know what we need to know, let's get to the point."
"What are you talking about?"
Despite Panoa's clever question, Nicole continued talking.
"Plato Mercenary Office has decided to cease all business with Cigar Bang at the end of this quarter. At the same time, we will also cease all arms distribution that we have been doing, and we will also cease our collaboration with Scavenger."
"...…"
Despite Nicole's groundbreaking words, Panoa's expression remains extremely calm.
In fact, what she said wasn't all that surprising. Leo understood.
If the Platon Office, which had been distributing weapons in collaboration with Cigar Bang, had suddenly come to Dyke Enterprises, wouldn't the business have been obvious?
What's important is what happens next.
"I don't think you came to headquarters just to talk about that."
"you're right."
Nicole nodded obediently.
"We have a list of retailers who have worked with us in the distribution process. If Dyke Enterprises is really thinking about starting a new business in the 40s, that would be a great help."
"You want to make a deal."
The decision was made in an instant.
From Panoa's perspective, it's not a bad deal if it makes the work they're doing easier, and as Plato's office, they can establish their stance while handing over the list and making a small profit.
In the process, no one cared how the personal information of hundreds of people passing through would be used.
After exchanging some cash and gifts, Panoa stood up from her seat.
"I will send a list of employees who are participating in the project. I know it may be inconvenient, but please wait a moment."
"...…"
She left the office without waiting for Leo's answer.
As soon as Panoa disappeared from her seat, Maoren leaned forward slightly and opened her mouth.
"It's been a while, Wizard. Do you remember who I am?"
"You never forget a face you've seen once."
Leo replied calmly.
"Until I kill you myself."
"...I never thought the wizard would be involved in this matter. It was only after I heard that Beck Clinton was struck by lightning and died that the name of the lightning wizard who has recently become famous came to mind."
Even with the grim answer, the smile on Maoren's lips did not waver.
There is no trace of the anger that filled my eyes when I first saw him.
Ironically, Leo thought, that might be Maoren's greatest strength.
Nicole, who had been watching the conversation between the two, suddenly opened her mouth.
"Do you know why we came here today to tell you this story?"
"What does that mean?"
"I won't beat around the bush. I would like to invite you, Master Ban, to our office."
Only then did Leo realize why they had come to the trouble of talking to Dyke Corporation in person.
"To be honest, the arms business is not a major concern for our office. We had no choice but to get involved due to the sponsor's guidelines, but now that we know there is no hope, it is time to get out."
"I am a sponsor."
"Dyke isn't the only company interested in the interests of the outer sphere. Isn't that natural?"
Nicole said that and calmly sipped her tea.
"...…"
Plato Mercenary Office.
I've heard rumours that the company has grown rapidly with unusual financial resources compared to its size and that it has a backer, but I never thought that they would reveal the secret to Leo so blatantly.
It seemed that Nicole also came to this place with a purpose.
"I don't care what circumstances brought you here, wizard. I want your talent. That's all."
"This isn't a topic we can talk about here right now."
"If Panoa isn't stupid, he probably has some idea why we came all the way here. It's not something to worry about."
"....."
A straightforward and bold personality.
Is he the type of person who blurts out what's on his mind? But rather, he's the type of person who can casually bring up such a sensitive topic at the negotiating table.
Trying to be polite to this kind of person is almost a waste of time.
Leo spoke dryly, crossing his legs and leaning back.
"Shall I tell you my honest feelings?"
"...."
"What you just said has been so painful to my ears since I started working in this field. It's getting a bit tiresome now."
Nicole remained silent in response to Leo's sharp retort.
Freelancers and mercenaries may not seem to have much of a difference on the surface, but there is actually a huge difference between being affiliated with an office or not.
The relationship between working in an organization with a boss called the office manager and working alone as a freelancer with only a broker as an intermediary is bound to be different, starting with the way in which requests are received.
Of course, if you join a mercenary agency, it will be much easier for a freelancer to receive group requests that would be difficult to receive alone… But to be honest, that wasn't a big problem for Leo.
"I don't know if it's just a one-time commission, but going into that office doesn't sound appealing at all. Or can you hand me something like this for every commission?"
When I showed him the ring of Fry Ice on my hand, I felt Maoren, who was next to me, slightly swallow her breath.
There is no doubt about its value, as it protected Leo's body several times during his battle with Beck Clinton.
"All right."