Chapter 270: Real, Fake (5)
JefFs primary weapon is a dagger. A convenient knife for carrying, with a blade about 30 centimeters long.
His special ability is [Deferred Forced When he applies physical force to any substance, he can delay the effect at will.
Yes, it's like that thing you often see in comics.
He slashes with a sword, and three seconds later, the opponent collapses.
Thud. Thud.
Its a tranquil evening in the alleys of Edsillas capital.
Jeff walks quietly, his dagger hidden in his pocket.
His target is Maorge, who is walking towards him, about ten paces away.
He will strike the moment they cross paths.
Thud. Thud.
As Maorge draws near, close enough for their shoulders to faintly touch,
Jeff pretends to brush past him and stabs at vital points.
In the blink of an eye, three stabs.
But the target feels no pain, no sensation at all.
Because Jeff has [Deferred J the physical force.
"Hey."
Suddenly, Maorge grabs JefFs shoulder.
Jeff quickly releases the [ Deferred Force] , and Maorge clutches desperately at the stabbed areas.
"Argh!
But stopping the bleeding is impossible.
Hes been stabbed in three vital spots.
"Cough... What the hell are you
Jeff thrusts his knife again.
"Motherfucker!"
Maorge grabs Jeffs wrist tightly. Lifting him up, he slams Jeff into the asphalt.
Boom!
Dust flies. The ground is torn apart. Blood spurts from JefFs mouth.
"Die, you piece of shit!
Just as Maorge is about to smash his fist into JefFs face.
Crack!
Another blade pierces Maorges face. He stiffens on the spot.
No, he becomes a corpse.
Jeff stares blankly in that direction.
Shlick!
Shion Ascal calmly sheaths his sword.
I saw the message on the hotline. I was waiting just in case."
He wipes the blade with a cloth as he speaks. Jeff struggles to his feet, his body throbbing with pain.
I guess I failed."
No.
Shion shakes his head.
"Take this.
He hands over an object.
Its a gun.
"A gun,
"Your talent is exceptional. Youve just been too simplistic in its utilization.
"Utilization, you say?
"Yes. The more weapons you have, the better. Weapons that exert ordinary physical force often cant penetrate a Magic Body...
Magic Bodies mostly mitigate the physical force. For instance, Gerken wouldnt die even if riddled with bullets from a machine gun.
"But not you. You wont even give the Magic Body a chance to turn on.'
The downside is that Magic Body turning on' is a conscious concept.
Of course, even so, assassination is not easy.
Those who know how to use Magic Body are monsters with overall physical abilities extremely developed, not just Magic Body. They can instantly activate Magic Body the moment they sense gunfire or murderous intent.
It's a silencer pistol. Even if you shoot, it wont make the slightest sound.
In fact, Jeff before regression often favored using a silenced pistol.
Given that he can apply physical force with Deferred Force, if he riddles the target with this silenced pistol before they can activate their Magic Body, theyll end their life before they even have a chance to turn it on.
Its also useful in the opposite situation. After attacking a target who has already activated Magic Body, he just has to wait until the Magic Body wears off.
Jeff Garner. You've passed.
Shion extended his hand to him.
Jeff also took his hand.
Chloe. Sia. Jeff.
For now, three members have been secured.
He plans to recruit two more. Too many would be cumbersome, but too few would not be enough to wage a power struggle.
[Bell Moore, Team Leader]
I knocked on the team leaders office door, having received permission from the secretary first
Come in.
Bell Moores voice, trying to sound overly deep for no reason.
I entered the team leaders office.
"Whats the matter?
"Mission report.
Hmm."
I handed the report to Bell Moore. He took it and read it.
"Youre going to hit Verns Future Strategy Room?"
"Yes.
He will assassinate the key members of the Future Strategy Room, one by one. Of course, this could escalate into a war where they kill off Chasers one by one, but it doesn't matter.
After all, most of the Chasers, except for me, will be part of Dereks or Johanna's faction.
"So these guys will attack the Intelligence Agency too?"
"The judgment is that Chasers are far superior to them. Above all, they wont be able to get their hands on the list of the decentralized Chaser organization."
.That's true."
Bell Moore answered and yawned slightly. His complexion was pale as if he had drunk too much the night before, and the smell of alcohol was strong.
"Alright You can report it as it is.
I was about to turn around and leave when I hesitated.
. Team Leader. Hows work going?
"Work? Its fine. Why?
"There are some rumors.
"What rumors?
That Director Gedley is keeping a check on Team Leader Bell Moore.
Im baiting him. Its necessary to build up gently like this so that later on, Bell Moore will be convinced, and more importantly...
This office.
Its being bugged.
"Tsk, tsk. Don't speak ill. Director Gedley isnt that kind of person. What reason would he have to keep tabs on me?
Bell Moore said this while waving his hand dismissively.
"Get out.
His attempt to look important was a bit irritating, but well.
This isnt too bad.
"Tsk, tsk. Don't speak ill. Director Gedley isnt that kind of person. What reason would he have to keep tabs on me?
At the same time.
Gedley was listening to the recording from Bell Moores office.
It seemed like an ordinary conversation, but...
"This is strange."
Gedleys subordinate had a different thought.
Strange, you say?
"Yes. As I was reviewing the recordings from Team Leader Bell Moores office, a thought occurred to me.
The subordinate spoke with a grave face, suggesting deep suspicion.
"Team Leader Bell Moore has not once spoken about work-related matters in his office."
It was true.
Bell Moore would either nap, make club reservations on his phone, or watch dramas in his office.
"Not even once?"
"Yes. However, the team's work has not stalled."
Mostly because Shion was doing the grunt work.
"So, I keep having this suspicion.
Gedley felt like he already knew what his subordinate was going to say.
...That Bell Moore is already aware of the bugging?
"Yes. This part.
The subordinate replayed a segment of the conversation.
"Tsk, tsk. Don't speak ill. Director Gedley isnt that kind of person. What reason would he have to keep tabs on me?
"The sudden praise for Director Gedley, doesn't it sound a bit like hes acting?
It was a valid point.
Gedley smirked and put a finger to his temple.
...Cunning bastard.
Little by little, Bell Moores true intentions seemed to be coming to light, but it was still just the tip of the iceberg. No one knows what thoughts, ambitions, or methods he might reveal.
This uncertainty was a clear threat, but then again.
He had been too comfortable in his position as director for too long.
There was no need for anger.
A competitor like this was natural. In fact, it was almost necessary for such characters to appear occasionally so they could be brutally crushed, and with each defeat, his own position would become all the more secure.
"What about the club he frequents?
"There's nothing unusual. It's probably just to lull us into complacency, but well continue to investigate."
...Do that.
Gedley sent his subordinates off to delve deeper.
Sunken deeply in his chair, Gedley thought about the man named Bell Moore, a formidable opponent.
"How dare... that lowly maggot.
The rage that surged up as if to consume him forced a strained smile onto Gedleys lips.
The following night, at Edsilla National Universitys dormitory.
Shion... It seems your plan has succeeded...
Zia had called me.
"Are you referring to my plan?"
Yes... Johanna might come to you...
I had told her that I would stir up emotions in Johanna.
To make her give up her succession by her own feelings.
But honestly, I wasn't sure if it would work or not
What will become of Johanna? How will she live her life from now on?
Its impossible to know. I couldn't even dare to predict.
It will be alright."
However, what Ive come to realize while staying in Libra is that in the end, they are also human.
From afar, they seemed like the axis of evil, trying to build their own empires, exploiting the common people, and swallowing up the continent.
But up close, they had their own reasons, clear principles of action, standards, and were even somewhat charming.
I could see why so many people swore allegiance to Libra.
...Okay. But I still worry...
Knock-knock-
just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Someone has arrived. Ill hang up for a moment."
Okay.
I straightened my clothes and went to open the door.
"Who is it.
At first, I thought it was Johanna.
Naturally, I assumed it would be her.
...What is it?
"Whaddya mean what? The team leader has come to consult his subordinate."
Suddenly, it was Bell Moore.
He peeked around my room with a sly smile.
"Come out. Ive come to give you something really big.
On a bench in the university campus.
Bell Moore sat next to me, arms crossed. I asked him.
"You said you were going to give me something really big. But you've come empty-handed?"
The really big thing is always here.
Bell Moore clicked his tongue and crossed his legs.
"Hey. You know about the Beckman case, right?
"Yes. Im aware.
"A spot as Johannas balancer is opening up.
Only then did I begin to understand why Bell Moore had come looking for me.
He was sent by Johanna.
"You. Lady Johanna has taken a liking to you. Just go to her."
I serve Miss Zia."
"Come on, don't be so uptight. Lets be flexible. You can serve Miss Zia while working under Lady Johanna. When Lady Johanna becomes the successor, itll make things easier for Miss Zia, you know?"
I turned to look at Bell Moore.
"Have you decided to serve Lady Johanna, Team Leader?
...Huh? Oh... No, well. I have to maintain political neutrality. Im the team leader of the Intelligence Agency, man. Im just recommending a good path for you as a subordinate.
Bell Moore prodded subtly.
...Why. Do you dislike Lady Johanna?'
No.
I shook my head.
"But why?
Fora moment, I pondered mylines.
From now on, its a play, a drama. A scene that must be manipulated to deceive Johanna.
"Something someone said.
"Who?
"That's a secret
"Oh, is that so? What did they say?
Bell Moore was unusually talkative today. It seemed like he had been promised something substantial by Johanna to draw me in.
...That I harbor feelings for Lady Johanna.
I returned to him the words that Beckman had said to me.
"Huh?
Bell Moore made a strange expression.
"But it turns out I dont know that myself. A person who doesnt even know their own feelings.
...Ah. That does seem like you. Honestly, youve got a bit of a psychotic streak.
I glared at Bell Moore with narrowed eyes.
Just kidding. So? Isnt that better? If you like Lady Johanna, then-
"No.
I cut off Bell Moores words, adopting a rather sorrowful expression.
Just in case the conversation was being recorded.
With a slightly sad tone, I said,
"That's precisely why I cannot be by her side."
Bell Moore pursed his lips. Then he sighed softly and nodded.
"Well. I suppose.
He accepted it surprisingly easily.
"But I thought you might say that. You've always been a sucker for anyone directly related to Libra. But dont make it obvious."
Bell Moore stood up. As he was about to leave, he looked at me and smirked.
...This guy was a man after all. Anyway, good luck.
Meanwhile, in the private office of the Intelligence Agency Director Gedley.
"It's been confirmed!
Gedley hastily received the documents from his subordinate. Among them were a few photographs.
Photos of Bell Moore and Shion Ascal sitting side by side on a university bench.
Evidence that Bell Moore, aware of the team leaders office being bugged, was giving instructions to Shion from the outside.
Is this the urgent news?
Gedley furrowed his brow.
This was within the expected range of reports. There was no need for such a fuss
"Hes been assassinated."
"What?"
"The Chaser who was closely tracking Bell Moore has been killed."
...Incidentally.
Unknown to them, the perpetrator was under Johanna's command.
She had ordered the killing because she was tired of what she called pesky flies buzzing around.
"These photos were retrieved from his cloud."
Gedley was momentarily stunned before he repeated the question.
"Assassinated?
"Yes.
"Ha ha...
A hollow laugh spread across Gedleys lips. He was angered by Bell Moores clearly overstepped actions, but in truth, it was illegal on both sides.
Attaching a Chaser to the team leader was problematic in itself.
"What should we do?
...For now, we watch.
Gedley held his breath and restrained himself.
There was nothing to be done at the moment If he held Bell Moore accountable, it would be like advertising that he was under surveillance.
They had no choice but to feign ignorance despite knowing...
"Bell Moore. You're really committed, huh?"
Veins throbbed at Gedleys temples. He poured whiskey into the glass he was clutching until it was full.
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