Chapter 292 |
If it were just about bringing in an ordinary freelancer or a shadow operative from the underground, there would have been no need to speak so emphatically.
Criminals driven by desire, mercenaries with their own circumstances, power-hungry ambitious figures.
All of them had been opponents whose rational reactions could be predicted through analysis and understanding.
But what if the entity in question was one whose past and inner workings could not be grasped at all? What if even years of investigation into their activities failed to predict their intentions?
They might have offered relics or artifacts related to time as rewards for commissions, yet the person showed no attachment to those rewards even once. What exactly should one have observed, investigated, and predicted about such an individual?
In the meantime, countless people had questioned the unnatural gaps in Renok's background, but the woman's judgment formed on particularly rational and analytical grounds, more so than most.
That was probably because, unlike others who had dealt with Renok, her perspective as a high-ranking city government official positioned her differently.
It differed from those in Balkan's underground who had always thought in terms of strict profit and loss and power.
Those responsible for the city's administration had to consider not just the process, but also the justifications that arose, the influence, the repercussions, and the trust involved.
But even after hearing her calm persuasion, Meyer shook his head impassively.
"If you're saying that, it seems you haven't fully read through that thick analysis report yet."
"What do you mean...?"
"Over three years ago, I worked with that fellow once."
"..."
"I've known him since then. To be precise, I've been eyeing him."
"Councilor. Unless you've known Firm Thunder before he appeared in this city, that isn't sufficient grounds for trust."
"I don't trust him. I don't rely on such trivial emotions."
Meyer looked up at the woman as he said that.
"But at least it's a fact that I've known him longer than the time I've known you."
At that moment, the woman realized the implication of Meyer's words and fell silent.
Meyer was essentially saying that to him, Renok and the woman evaluating him were no different.
"I know the other councilors are showing a lot of interest in this matter."
Meyer whispered.
"There are more than a few who want to wield influence without taking responsibility."
"...Councilor Meyer. That's..."
"So just stay quiet for a bit. I need time to think."
Leaving the silent woman behind, Meyer sank into thought.
An unprecedented rebellion had erupted in the outer defense perimeter of the megacity.
But it was hard to believe that all of this chaos had arisen without any predictability.
At the very least, the city council and high-ranking government officials had been steadily cutting budgets allocated to the outer defense forces and redirecting investments elsewhere.
They had been well aware that soldiers enduring worsening conditions might harbor other thoughts.
Even that someone behind the scenes wanted to ignite dissatisfaction in the defense command.
In the midst of all that, what was the best course for Meyer, who had been selected as the responsible party in this incident?
He needed a variable that even the city councilors could not predict.
The man in the photo stamped at the top of the thick analysis report was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate in that sense.
"I always thought we'd meet like this someday."
Meyer murmured faintly.
Even back when he had no fame or background, recognizing that outstanding quality had not been difficult.
This city overflowed with talented individuals and ambitious figures with great vision, but there had always been those who surpassed them in pursuit of something greater.
How far did one have to gaze to keep their sight steady even within this vast demonic realm?
At least, all of Ban's actions so far seemed to never deviate from his self-determined goals and methods, not even for a moment.
"If I could pull him to my side this time..."
The woman looked down at Meyer's face, her gaze wavering as she saw the greedy glint in his eyes.
*
District 17 lay in the heart of Megacity Balkan.
The Districts 10s housed some of the largest corporations and interest groups among the central districts of the megacity.
Towering skyscrapers pierced the sky as if unconcerned with floor area ratios, and not a speck of trash could be seen on the streets bustling with countless people.
It was one of the most meticulously and cleanly managed bustling areas among all districts in this vast city.
Renok, dressed in a neat suit, silently looked up at the buildings.
Through the sunlit windows, he could see people busily at work.
"Hmm..."
These clothes were something he had received while handling a commission for Daik Corporation in the past, but since he rarely wore them, they felt awkward.
After fiddling with his shirt collar a few times, Renok let out a slight sigh and started walking.
"Councilor Ban!"
A towering cylindrical high-rise with an entirely blue glass facade stood there.
At the entrance of a flashy building of unknown name, constructed with streamlined pillar materials.
In the parking lot lined with sleek mid-sized sedans, a woman who had been anxiously checking her watch spotted Renok and raised her hand high.
Renok nodded calmly in response.
"Panoa. Long time no see."
Panoa Bellucci.
As the planning team leader for Daik Corporation, she was the one who had first issued a named commission to Renok when he was an unknown freelancer.
Back then, wanting to enter Balkan's underground arms industry, she had enlisted Renok and several other freelancers, forging their connection.
As a result, Renok became a consultant for Daik's management planning department, and through Jenny, he had maintained contact with her to this day.
Given the past favor where Daik had cooperated during Renok's conflicts with cartels over interests, Panoa would surely want to keep their positive working relationship going.
"This way, please. The meeting is in the conference room on the 10th floor."
Panoa naturally guided Renok inside the building as she spoke.
"Is this a Daik branch building?"
"No. For today's meeting, the councilor side requested to rent the new branch building of Varitz Corporation."
"I see..."
"Apparently, even after completion, various circumstances left the upper offices vacant, but when a councilor requests a rental, they have no choice but to comply."
Varitz was one of the megacorporations that could be counted on one hand in the megacity.
The rent for a building in the city's core district—especially a newly built Varitz branch—would have been beyond imagination.
The fact that even such a corporation yielded space without major complaints to a councilor's temporary rental request indirectly proved their influence.
"I never imagined Councilor Ban would participate in this matter."
Panoa said as she briskly navigated the lobby.
"With our recent solid business foundation in the underground, I thought there was a chance we'd be called, but..."
"But?"
At Renok's question, Panoa glanced around briefly before lowering her voice.
"Given what you've been doing, I thought even if called, you'd ignore it."
"..."
She was not wrong.
Under the name Ban, Renok had operated via Balkan's outer districts and undeveloped zones, dealing only with underground organizations and figures.
Renok paused his response, instead quietly surveying his surroundings.
Most of the people filling the lobby were office workers or external affiliates, seemingly unaware of who he was.
They were too focused on their own tasks, and those glancing their way recognized Panoa, Daik's planning team leader, rather than Renok.
But among them, sharp gazes occasionally brushed past Renok's face, if only for a moment.
Even amid the multitude, a faint rigid killing intent could be felt. A heavy silence settled over the lively presences.
This alone was proof that the councilor had personally come to this place.
Renok, who had naturally cast a soundproofing spell, chuckled softly and replied.
"The person in charge of this incident is someone I know. It was about time I saw their face anyway."
"Do you have a connection with Councilor Meyer?"
Panoa asked, her face slightly surprised.
"I crossed paths with him during freelance work."
"Indeed... Councilor Meyer is one of the rising stars who has shot up at an astonishing pace recently. There are rumors he's well-versed in underground matters, having entered politics later in life."
She was not wrong.
Even in Renok's view, Meyer's ascent to councilor had been abnormally swift.
No matter how ambitious one was, the world did not turn on that alone.
Beyond mere drive and ambition, objective analysis and understanding of one's position, along with meticulous dealings, were essential to seize a council seat in such a short time.
Recognizing that, Renok felt the need to meet him at least once.
Even if his operations were centered in Balkan's underground, there was no reason to sour ties with someone of that caliber.
Ding!
As soon as they boarded the elevator and reached the 10th floor, the atmosphere shifted abruptly.
A wide-spreading corridor stretched out. Between empty offices, dozens of guards occupied positions, vigilantly watching all directions.
All of them were skilled mana users. Beyond solid organization, each possessed formidable individual prowess—polished security personnel.
Dozens of such experts had gathered solely to protect one person.
"Panoa Bellucci. Ban. Identities confirmed for both."
A group of at least ten attendants politely verified their identities and thoroughly searched them before allowing entry into the corridor.
The exhaustive procedure itself attested to the stature of the person they were about to meet.
A city councilor of Megacity Balkan.
One who wielded the power to decide the direction of this vast city home to tens of millions.
The privileges and authority they enjoyed upon ascending to that position went without saying.
Impeccable security. Authority transcending the city's laws and regulations. The power to decide others' fates with a word or gesture.
Even if seated near the back, the mere fact of a councilor attending in person was astonishing.
It was evidence that the city council viewed this defense force coup with utmost seriousness.
Panoa, slightly tense, wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"...Let's go in."
Creak...
Entering through the wide door revealed a spacious open area.
At the far end of the vast chamber, the Varitz Corporation logo was prominently embossed, and beneath a large round wooden table sat at least dozens of people.
The one who had gathered these individuals of varied affiliations, attires, origins, and backgrounds in this expansive conference room.
Meyer rose abruptly upon seeing Renok.
"Ban!"
The attendants standing behind the podium moved in unison to follow Meyer.
The level of the attendants inside the conference room was even higher than those in the outer corridor.
"Councilor. Long time no see."
"Likewise."
Ignoring the pouring gazes, Meyer extended his hand to Renok without hesitation.
"I've been keeping up with your recent activities without fail. Your name echoes daily even in that lawless zone. My eye for talent hasn't failed me."
"I was surprised to hear about you too, Councilor."
Renok smiled.
"It's been less than three years since you went from ward councilor to the central council's lower house, as far as I know. What happened?"
"Well, various things. Nothing is quite as it seems on the surface, is it?"
Meyer gave a wry smile at Renok's words.
"Have a seat first. Now that you're here, we can get straight to it."
As Renok and Panoa found empty seats, wary gazes from the others continued.
"So that's Firm Thunder. Hard to recognize from photos."
"He looks much quieter than I imagined. Must be because of the councilor old man."
"I heard he's not the savage type. Showing up here means he has some agenda."
"..."
Renok chuckled as he unabashedly eavesdropped on the whispers from all sides.
Meanwhile, Meyer took the microphone on the podium and spoke.
"I'm Councilor Meyer from the lower house. Seems everyone's here, so let's get to the point."
With a gesture from him, an attendant below the podium activated the screen and projected a hologram.
"You've heard the situation, so I'll skip the preamble. While contact with the defense command responsible for the city's outer frontline has been lost, attacks on unauthorized mana users continue."
Is that how the city council referred to underground figures?
Regardless of Renok's thoughts, Meyer's explanation continued.
"Over the past week, there have been more than thirty attacks, with five defense force members captured alive. Three committed suicide, and the remaining two are barely breathing."
"..."
Meyer continued nonchalantly with the chilling details.
"They were moving under orders to collect data on unauthorized ability users and eliminate them if possible. The council has blocked the defense force's network access and issued an arrest order, but it's had little effect."
"Councilor. You said you'd skip the preamble, but you've been droning on with useless details."
A man propping his chin on the table, chewing gum loudly, asked.
"So what's your point?"
The atmosphere sharpened instantly.
The attendants' gazes toward the rude questioner were piercingly intense.
Not mere hostility, but the thoroughly professional pressure of public officials.
Even the questioner flinched momentarily—it was a presence utterly unlike the underground, honed to perfection.
But Meyer ignored the surrounding reactions and said,
"About ten hours ago, a message came through the council's direct line to the defense command."
Flash!
With those words, the hologram on the screen shifted to form a video.
"Other councilors opposed releasing it, but I think differently. Better to see it once than hear it a hundred times. Watch."
Whirr!!
The video began with the vast mountain range encircling Balkan's undeveloped districts.
After showing the mountains for a while, the footage suddenly clicked and shook faintly.
[The view of the city isn't clear from the Arbat Mountains.]
From behind the shaking camera, a thick, heavy-voiced elderly man's tone resonated.
[It's always been that way for over twenty years.]
"..."
[So we've always come up to peaks like this to gaze at Balkan's nightscape. To keep the city we protect etched firmly in our memories, at any time.]
Click, the screen shook as the camera moved.
[But now you're trying to discard us like old rags.]
A man with roughly swept-back hair and a thick white beard, his hair entirely grayed. Clearly advanced in age.
Yet the eyes beneath his thick white brows were coldly sunken, hard to read.
[The council's endless empty promises make me sick. You'll keep spouting pretty words while waiting for our strength to wane. Waiting for the day we become mangy dogs unable even to rebel...]
Thud!
The camera screen shook violently.
[So we've decided to make our move before it's too late.]
The rotated screen captured the dizzying depths below the steep mountains.
A colossal steel fortress. Thick metal legs supporting it from below.
Since the great war that swept the continent, this mobile fortress that had never strayed from its post descended the Arbat Mountains.