Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Chapter 10 Lead and Silver Coins (17)
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Clack. Tap. Clack.
“Hey, got anything else to see? It’s all out in the open already, right?”
“Yeah. Just some shady corners bothering me. Go to sleep first. I’ll be up anyway, so tell Vex to stop coming in.”
“That bastard won’t listen. After hearing the situation, he got all prickly and just grabbed a blanket and left. He’s sleeping outside.”
I glanced where Ian nodded subtly. On the rooftop of the building next door, a new bump had appeared that wasn’t there during the day. Realizing the situation was more serious than expected, Vex had volunteered as lookout.
“Tch. What a pain.”
“Khkhkhkh, that’s just his personality. I’m sleeping. Gotta rest up for the big showdown tomorrow. You do the same, man. Rest is part of the fight.”
I waved off Ian’s words like I was agreeing and refocused on the records.
Late night.
While the others slept in their own ways, what I was reviewing was the interrogation intel we’d secured that evening.
The Administration spokesperson who’d rushed in breathlessly. And just when I thought it was wrapped up, the Enforcement guy who’d shown up quietly.
They’d come one after another, like they’d been waiting for us to settle in, and every word from their mouths was about justice.
[Record]
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Administration Spokesperson - Karel Belmont.
‘What kind of group is Dome? Freedom and democracy! It was created to restore the justice of the old world, wasn’t it? Following District 47’s precedent, we in District 38 decided to adopt a presidential system. Surely Oversight and Enforcement agreed. We Administration won the election! Authority over all facilities in District 38 belongs to Administration! Those thugs are just illegally occupying facilities and throwing their weight around!’
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Administration. Listening quietly, these guys were idiots.
From what I could tell, our District 47 Chief Prosecutor’s grand and beautiful power looked pretty good to them. Sure, ours turned into a warzone—one betrayed us, one racked up merits—so Oversight smoothly rose to the top. But here, all three had carved out their territories and split power evenly. They went all-in, drew a blank, and the guy next to them won? So they flipped the table without a second thought.
I’d planned to just laugh it off and squeeze out info, but I couldn’t hold back a word.
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‘No, so if we just show the vote results plain as day, you thought we’d go, “Oh well, you got us? Take it all~” and concede?’
‘We knew there’d be friction, so we prepared on our side, but we didn’t expect them to move this fast...’
‘Prepared how? Scream bloody murder? Beg them not to?’
‘Eeek, you know damn well! It was all set with District 47! Hand over the [Box], and along with talk of Dome’s founding principles, they’d back Administration!’
‘?!!’
==========
‘That guy was shocked even saying it himself.’
We were from 47, carrying out the Chief’s request—true. But whether they’d passed word to “that side” or we were just couriers—we didn’t know. Caught between doubt and psychological pressure, wishing we were allies, he blurted it out.
‘Legitimacy... diplomatic recognition. Even if Dome pursues returning to the old order, this is going too far.’
Like this: Newly crowned king in ancient dynasty times, but local warlords openly rebel. Our ancestors would send envoys to neighboring kings: “I’m such-and-such king; just write that I’m legit~” The situation was eerily similar.
District 38 Dome and 47 Dome were the same group but separate cities with their own domains. For District 38, used to friendly trade and military aid, a polite request from 47 wasn’t easy to ignore.
And such favors usually came with jaw-dropping tribute.
‘[Box]. If it really held a mutation device, it’d be overflowing as tribute.’
Overflowing to excess. If such tech existed, District 38 Dome wouldn’t have sat on it for five years. They’d dug desperately, but it had fatal flaws or was incomplete. To outsiders unaware, it looked like strategic nuke-level tech—perfect for gifting and bragging.
‘Without Dana’s info, I’d have been lost here.’
So they’d handed over the [Box], two transport teams vanished spectacularly, and the Chief sent us here for precious tech transfer—that was the story.
=========
‘...We knew everything, so no need to be shocked. [Box]. It’s mutation tech, right?’
‘Hooo. As expected from the Chief’s people. Means 47 still trusts us. Then, please tell them when you return: Administration had no intent to ruin the deal. Comms cut suddenly, and the people from 47 never arrived, so we had no choice but to move the [Box] ourselves.’
‘Sure. Where’s the box now?’
‘...Stolen. Soon as we moved it from the Administration building to the transport, thugs killed our agents and took it.’
‘Not zealots, but thugs... Got it. One last thing. Know this guy next to me?’
‘...Sorry. After one enemy show of force, we got hasty. With comms down, BDSM Caravan is our only link to 47. Oversight and Enforcement know, so we figured they’d try assassinating you and came to guard...’
‘Understood. Heard it all; I’ll relay to the Chief. Ah, take this guy if you want.’
‘Th-thank you! Once Administration cleans up 38’s puppet regime and stabilizes the city, we’ll repay handsomely! Please tell them: We never meant to ruin ties with 47!’
* Conversation End
==========
That’s what we learned from the Administration spokesperson.
They’d sent the [Box] to 47 for political help, but mishaps led to it being stolen...
‘Definitely. Administration has no control over the events.’
They started it, but afterward, dragged around by other factions’ schemes. Mostly research and admin, so once force came into play, they had little to do.
The spokesperson left with thanks, taking the sniper. As his shoes echoed fading down the hall, sudden commotion erupted.
Collision sounds. Multiple people facing off, voices raised.
Soon, the footsteps returned toward us.
Slightly different tempo.
Creeeak—
‘Don’t believe a word that rat said—it’s all lies!’
First words from the furious man bursting in.
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Oversight Spokesperson: Park Hwan-seok
‘This lodging’s soundproofed too damn well. Planned to visit tomorrow morning quiet-like, but those rat bastards’ bullshit pissed me off. I’m Oversight Deputy Chief Park Hwan-seok.’
‘Ah, yes. I’m Professor, leading BDSM Caravan.’
‘Ah, right. That name. But... Professor? Any relation to the Parks...?’
‘Does it matter?’
‘How can you say that! Country gone, speaking enemy tongue, and you meet a fellow clansman?’
‘Uh... Mil-yang Park or something, I think.’
‘You!!!! Call me Hwan-seok Bro from now on! We’re family, family! Say it—Hwan-seok Bro!’
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What to say. Opened new horizons in screwing with people. Casually admits bugging us, then bro? Fuckin’ bro bullshit. How’s he so sleazy and dickish without a single curse or jab? We’re low on info and they’ve got force, so default polite mode... If not their turf, I’d have started by shattering his jaw.
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‘What do you think rulers should focus on in these chaotic times? Humanity? Quality of life? Bullshit. Hypocrite bullshit! Justice changes with the era. Medieval: Praised the knight beheading foes on horseback. Modern: Lock him up—that’s justice. World changes, justice must too. We live in drought times, I say. Time to eye reality over petty humanity.’
‘Money. Choice in crises comes from money. You’re a trader; you know. Pockets full mean options. City shields to save lives, greenhouses for food—all money. But Administration, Enforcement yap about human dignity, demand closing pleb farms, more to citizens... Ungrateful bastards! Civilians are bugs! Feed bugs too much, they burst—useless!’
‘Look at Administration’s idiocy. Publish vote results? Voters shove the bribe-spewing ones in? That’s why keep civilians dumb and clueless. They pretend to know, seize “chance,” ditch work for rest! Cut comms before that. Without us, demos and protests halve Dome’s output? That’s real governance!’
‘Ah, one more. Broke the Chief’s promise, opened stalls? Fine, understand quick inventory in不安 times—veggie stalls pass. But [Transitional Gear], that must trade with Rochid Coin Company. Advice, not request. Defy, and we’ll force unprofitable deals.’
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Always sensed that Rochid Coin or whatever merchant had heavy influence. Now clear: Oversight wholly in their pocket.
All talk money, money, money—vicious methods.
Pleb farms from kidnapped outsiders. Humans as livestock or goods—golden extreme.
Plebization endorsed, media control.
‘Radio Tower. Remodeled old broadcast from Great War, pierces jamming to send orders—EW base. Oversight jammed votes spreading, using unfamiliar tower. Result overpowered, cut comms across 30s districts. Fixers all in Administration, so drag all private techs to repair.’
Strong ambition for power. Cut comms fearing civilians crown Administration.
Summary:
1. Oversight hated Administration leading.
2. For media control, activated Radio Tower, wide jamming.
3. On arrival, Oversight Chief said ‘[Core Part] prepped for delivery stolen.’
Conclusion.
‘They knew the Administration-47 Dome deal.’
Didn’t know contents, but [Box] as key political payoff to 47.
Sent men to steal it, block deal. Cut comms to stop civilian unrest, sever two factions’ link.
While cut off, transport teams vanished en route.
Isolated force-weak Administration externally.
‘Stolen box unopenable per Chief, contents unknown, stored in armory—then stolen again.’
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Flicking knuckles in thought, Professor scribbled on sorted paper.
4. Meeting Oversight Chief. And this Park Hwan-seok. Gunpowder scent.
That aroma. Faint, but battlefield veterans never forget: burning flesh, blood, shit—human biodiesel reek clinging everywhere. Raptor smell.
Scratch scratch.
[Oversight <-> Raptor]?
Dome 38: Enforcement holds most force. Oversight should match Administration militarily, but showed superior external ops. If their muscle isn’t secret internal, but external allies? If Raptors?
[Administration <-> 47 Dome]
[Oversight <-> Raptor]
[Enforcement <-> ???]
‘...Like watching snowball from snowcapped peak. Tied right where it’ll hit. Some secret wasteland powers’ summit? 38/47 Dome, Raptors. Happy Blind joins too?’
‘Ugh, don’t jinx it, Heppen. Words seed. Those flophouse zealots with who?’
After sending spokesmen, prepping bed thinking day done.
Just musing. Raptors sudden—wonder what bullshit they’re plotting, spat in frustration...
“Enforcement Chief, Mikhail Pletnev.”
Recorded talks, sorted, dozing off—then this old man shows. Hard to believe...
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3. Enforcement Chief - Mikhail Pletnev
‘I did it.’
‘...Pardon?’
‘You hunted all day: Who sparked chaos? Me. Teamed with zealots, terrorized city. All my doing.’
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Real crazy bastard allied with those lunatics. Didn’t even hide.
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‘What’s justice to you, sir?’
‘Justice. Our noblest value. Dome always fought for weakest. But now’s Dome lost that glory. Seen those farm patches stuck like scabs outside?’
‘Prime example. Lure powerless wanderers seeking settlement, confiscate assets, lock in outer shelter farms, ration minimal water/food, work to death—ant hell. Crops evenly to Dome folk? Hell no. Oversight merchants sell most, pocket it; Administration complicit, grabs share for lavish research. Back to masses: withered carrot at insane price. Couldn’t let them rule. We... donned infamy.’
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‘This guy. Him for sure!’
His mission-burning eyes screamed ‘caught!’ These bastards did something huge.
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‘You and crew slipped our watchers repeatedly. Impressed, but confirmed: BDSM no mere titled merchants—47’s elite of elites. Slipped surveillance, investigated yourselves. Yes, our doing. East: Oversight’s corrupt gold-worship merchant hub. Administration smuggled key item as bribe to entrench. We stopped them. Allies’ help delayed those selfish bastards squeezing folk dry atop. Some sacrifices, but necessary.’
‘So... Enforcement let Dome 38 civilians—a whole district section—burn?’
‘...You’ve no right to judge. While you enjoyed peaceful 47, we endlessly pondered, planned how to pacify this world.’
‘We want nothing. Just stay out of 47 matters. Leave quietly, 47 agents. Soon, we’ll prune rot, purify 38 Dome—meet again. At plan’s end... you’ll understand.’
* Conversation End
=========
No chance to reply—he said his piece and left.
No need to analyze.
Enforcement allied with Happy Blind.
Aided their inside ops; in return, torched Oversight east hub, civilians collateral, went wild.
Clear and upfront—nice, but.
‘Issue: Did Enforcement need Happy Blind? With most troops, they could flip alone—no external needed?’
Surface motives clear. True intent? Zero. Uneasy.
‘Concurrent events. Unclear, but overlapping. Too coincidental for chance. Puppetmaster behind, orchestrating big picture.’
Scratch—
[Enforcement <-> Happy Blind]
[Administration <-> 47 Dome]
[Oversight <-> Raptor]
Staring at three aligned notes, Professor agonized.
Desk deduction limited. Spokesmen self-volunteered safe info only. For truth, move and gather—but sandwiched between giants, crushed.
‘Can’t solo. Pick one to ally.’
Closest to allies: 47 Dome-linked but weak Administration.
Money power boasting, ally-any-for-profit Oversight.
Justice-aligned ideals, gear/troops ample, but hiding something: Enforcement.
Who to join? What’s needed support vs. bearable risk.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Professor’s fingers raced between notes. Hard left hand drumming wood table settled tangled info layer by layer.
Wh.ich.to.pick.
Gu.ess.right.
Ding. Dong. Dang.
Finger halted pointing Enforcement.
“East.”
Then, white-gloved hand from nowhere gently shifted it aside.
Shhhh—!
Click!
Faster than chills, crisis-honed body aimed at intruder.
Forgot them black. No—deliberately excluded. Variables pure. No intel, unpredictable.
‘Wondered what I missed. Forgot you. Key clue, yet uncalled you come? House call?’
‘Didn’t I say I’d remember you? “Professor”.’
Professor bitter-smiled at unflinching white suit across barrel.
Empty space by three faction notes.
Below, unnoted: [Artists’ Union] business card.
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