Chapter 388
Chapter 388
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 388
Chapter Title: Chapter 17. Travel Preparations (11)
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“Yawn~”
“Ugh, I’m so sleepy I could die.”
“Hey, we come to the Dome and still don’t get to rest? When the hell do we rest?”
“It’s not just assembly—it’s full combat gear assembly. This is outrageous.”
Even as they grumbled like that, the BDSM elite members had all gathered at the designated spot in under ten minutes.
“How about it? These guys look plenty usable for that ‘plan’ you mentioned, Professor, don’t they?”
“Indeed. At this level, we can safely call them all elites.”
I couldn’t help but want to applaud the operatives who had assembled in the outskirts of the Mobidic management district in such a short time.
Hulking masses of muscle intimidating enough to threaten anyone.
Faces not just covered in thick scars but plastered over with tattoos.
Necklaces and bracelets made from bones, dried organs, and spent casings. Guys spinning loaded guns around their fingers.
They were all the epitome of “the kind of guy who looks guilty no matter what crime scene he’s at.”
And among them.
“H-Hey, is that guy a demon?”
“Yeah, I can guess who it is without you saying.”
Standing at the pinnacle among the countless criminal-faced crew was a figure who truly lived up to the term “a cut above the rest.”
“Hey, Budlam! Come here a sec!”
“What? Captain, why do you always call me first whenever something comes up? I’ve been good this time, I swear!”
“It’s not that, you idiot. It’s a personal mission. You know this guy next to me, right?”
“Heh heh heh heh, know him? It’s an honor. Name’s Budlam. Loved your stream.”
“Escort him and play accessory for a bit. You two are on infiltration duty together.”
“No way, for real? Ooh! Looking forward to it, Captain! What an honor!”
“Y-Yeah...”
I shook the hand extended by the black man who approached like a lithe panther, feeling a bit dazed.
Black skin. Elastic muscles typical of a black man, topped with a crop top and short denim shorts.
“BDSM combat specialist, Budlam!”
Step—
His gear: a shotgun and kukri knife. Plus, a utility belt loaded with red, blue, and yellow grenades in bright colors.
Step step!
With a mischievous smile flashing pearly whites, his face bore a massive white ‘愛’ tattoo big enough to cover half his cheek. His head was shaved on the sides in an “assault cut,” and dyed blond to boot.
“Wow, perfect... This face is the symbol of the end times...!”
It was the face of a “fully realized criminal.” The kind who’d get arrested if a fire broke out nearby, blamed if an old lady fell, and cursed as the culprit if lightning struck.
“He looks like he could rob nursing homes daily and peddle drugs at orphanages, and I’d buy it completely. Where the hell did you find this gem...?”
“Not a gem of talent, but a disaster of a human. None of us can handle him. I told him to grow out his hair since his face is so fierce, and he came back like that. I even suggested tattoos to fit wasteland culture since he’s already got the look, but he slapped that huge thing on his face. He just gets worse the more you poke, so I gave up ages ago.”
“He’s not trouble, is he?”
“Not at all. Despite the face, he’s a vegetarian. Devout Buddhist too—donates half his earnings to orphanages, saves the other half for his future dreams. A solid guy.”
He was downright saintly, even.
“Feels like the operation’s already half successful.”
Even I, who has no prejudice against appearances, felt wary of this guy.
What would the criminals think, who’ve spent their lives watching their backs, probing everyone they meet, and forming biases from those judgments?
“Everyone has their uses, huh.”
“Hm? Got something to say?”
“Nah. Let’s do well together. You and me.”
His look screamed “born for this moment.” Pure reliability.
****
“...What? Captain, you serious? Can’t we just stroll in normally and beat everyone to death?”
“Do that, and we’ll end up with just a bunch of rat tails in our hands. I’m suffering now to avoid suffering later.”
“What the...”
“You just stand there looking mean. I’ll handle the rest.”
Budlam frowned at the mission outline.
“So, just us two as the infiltration team, and everyone else scatters to set up a perimeter?”
“For starters.”
On the big picture, it wasn’t a delicate plan.
The two of us go in, secure missing intel, and rescue any hostages if possible—the citizens affected by mutation.
Once we stir things up inside and weaken the entrance guards, Ian and the firepower specialists breach. The rest encircle the Rat Human management district outskirts and snipe any fleeing enemies.
“But Captain, Professor here can’t pass as a guest disguise, right? Everyone in the Dome knows your face. You’re the most famous guy around! Back-alley kids check faces and weapons before dealing deep. Infiltration’s impossible!”
“Who said anything about hiding my face? We go in bold and open.”
Step step step.
I’d come lightly armed—just the BDSM leather jacket and a couple pistols. Near their lair entrance, not even muffling footsteps. Obviously to let them know I’m coming.
“See this? The stuff sticking out on my arms and hands?”
“Yeah. Glossy, stands out even in the dark.”
“Right? Makes me look like I’m suffering from mutation symptoms, yeah?”
“Wouldn’t it?”
“And imagine a guy like me strutting right into the middle of these human-trafficking rat bastards with my mutations on full display?”
“Uh... Aren’t they the kind who’d grab and sell someone like that? You get captured? Infiltrate by getting caught?”
“No! That’s too one-dimensional!”
Under the hazy moonlight, where only teeth, eyes, and the stark white ‘愛’ tattoo floated, I flicked Budlam’s forehead.
“A normal guy might get nabbed, but I’m the renowned Professor. Hmm... I wanna explain, but we’re already here. Ears might be listening from now on, so zip it. You’ll figure it out once we’re in.”
“Ow, damn... We’re really just walking in straight?”
“Trust me, man. Remember—you just scowl hard! Stand next to me with your arms crossed. You’re a malicious accessory for setting the mood. If someone talks to you, glare. If they push, pull your knife, lick it slow and sticky while staring them down.”
“I have no idea what’s going on in that head of yours.”
Budlam grumbled but checked his knife anyway.
After final instructions to Budlam, I approached a small trash pile by a rickety stall.
The entrance to the Rat Human underground building, as Ezel described. In a wasteland that recycles everything from plastic scraps to sawdust, a “trash pile” stands out.
I nudged spots with my toe, and soon a slit appeared in the middle—barely enough for eyes.
“Squeak squeak.”
Rat tongue. Let’s see, what did Ezel teach me...
“...There’s no such thing as rat humans.”
Creeeak—
Right answer, and the trash-pile-disguised entrance slid open, revealing a hunched man.
“Hic hic hic, maybe time to change the code... I don’t recall anyone introducing you folks...?”
“A guy like me doesn’t need introductions. Right, Rat Human?”
“Heh heh heh, true, no one in this neighborhood has a surer rep than you...”
The man laughed like he had asthma, his pupils taking in me and Budlam.
“Well, my job’s to let in legit customers... Come in, sir. Everything you want is down below. If not, we’ll find it and sell it to you... Hic hic hic hic!”
The hunchbacked doorman bowed exaggeratedly and stepped aside.
“Just go straight down... Walls’ll help in the dark... At the bottom, some blind kids’ll be there—grab any, say you’re assigned to ‘Room 27,’ and they’ll guide you...”
He pulled the lever as he spoke. Outside light vanished, and we groped down the sheer, winding stairs.
****
Thud.
“Room 27, sir. Happy shopping.”
A boy’s voice, emotionless and blank.
In the pitch-black underground, the boy who’d guided us placed my hand on the doorknob and vanished.
Nothing visible. Only faint footsteps of barefoot blind boys on stone floors nearby.
“[Devastatingly/Thorough/Security]”
“[Unknown Terrain/Many/Exit/Undetectable]”
“[Confirmed Layout/Impressive/Effort/Result]”
“[Space/Shitty/Space/Shitty!]”
Budlam and I poked each other’s forearms in silent talk.
‘Security’s horrifically tight.’
The underground was more complex than expected.
No light at all—total blackout. Customers follow trained blind boys to assigned rooms.
Wide-open spaces midway, paths not narrow, mostly curved—hard to backtrack mentally.
A layout defying grasp even after multiple visits. Deals in one of hundreds of secret rooms, one-on-one with a merchant—hard to scout personnel.
Impressive that Inspectorate agents even mapped the surface level.
Click.
Narrow but elegant desk and armchair. Yet decrepit, decadent vibe.
A merchant already waited opposite as we entered.
“Welcome, sir. I’m Dili Tail, handling Room 27 deals. Heard a big fish was coming, so I dressed up... but you’re bigger than expected? Let’s see... that guy’s your guard?”
“No idiot walks alone into a rat hole like this.”
“Good attitude. Wastelanders have gotten soft lately. Wandering dark alleys solo, thinking Inspectorate’s always watching... Living like it’s the old days. Fools. Wary of everyone you meet—that’s respecting them in the wasteland, right? As expected of the wasteland’s paragon, far from today’s idiots.”
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
The man’s bony fingers clapped slowly at Budlam, who promptly drew his knife and licked it slow—like he’d trained his life for it. The creepy show eased tension on the merchant’s face, subtly.
Probably figured that face could never pass for Inspectorate.
“...You’re not here for legit goods, I’d wager. Coming to us Rat Humans specifically, bypassing Dome’s fine agents to hire outside muscle like that.”
“You know it. Guess what I want?”
“Hmm. VR game hallucinations? We got killer digital drugs. Traditional chems too. Girls? Worn pros to untouched virgins. Disposable mercs for risky jobs? Leashed and ready. Even ‘special’ mutant byproduct gear we can’t make openly. No match? Custom order. Rat Humans deliver ‘anything’ for the right price.”
“Special mutant byproduct gear. And you said ‘anything,’ right?”
I leaned over the desk, taking his words like I’d waited.
Intimate space, but I leaned closer for more secrecy.
Hesitant, I slowly removed my glove and rolled up my sleeve.
“Ohooo. This is...”
“You know what it is.”
“Heard rumors of cases like yours. Not turning full mutant like those outside, no sign of reverting human either. Rare symptom, they say—”
“You know it all, so answer straight.”
His pupils dilated—not with tension, but excitement—unlike his prior lazy gaze.
Seeing his hand sneak under the desk, I pressed harder.
“Got it? Or not.”
“Nope.”
“Rephrase. Besides selling ‘it’ by the part, you got whole live ones? Or custom order?”
“Oh ho...”
Face relaxing like he got it, the merchant eased. Opposite me—Professor—unzipped his leather jacket desperately, revealing black, hardened protrusions spiking from metal-plated chest and body.
“You handle ‘it,’ so you know partial mutations keep growing, right? Like you all know, I find ways to survive no matter what. Hear me? ‘No matter what’ to find a cure. No desire for that hellish ticking-clock life.”
“Hahaha. Now I get why a celeb like you sneaks in so cautious. Indeed... For ‘that’ purpose, more caution’s needed.”
Reading my tense face, he leaned back fully relaxed.
“...Buying humans with the same condition for experiments? Makes sense—near-incurable now, might shred into butchered meat like those pigs anytime. Scary, huh.”
“Spare the chatter or I call another merchant. After killing you, now that you know my secret.”
“My my, scary.”
Threat laced with feigned tremble. He was convinced he held the upper hand.
“No need to tense up. Even Dome’s hero’s human. No escaping that frame. We know raw humanity best. Perfect spot for you, Professor—no shame. Many high and noble clients like you. Just another Rat Human VIP.”
Slap!
“Conclusion. Yes or no.”
“Yes. Not sure on quantity, but plenty.”
“...Money’s rotting away. Piled up enough for lifetimes without knowing.”
“Music to my ears. Rare and risky stuff trades high. Shall we get specific?”
He pulled a small terminal. Blurry screen listed variously mutated people like products. Camila’s photo from earlier tonight blinked [in progress].
Obvious what.
“...Can’t tell from a screen. I pay after seeing with my own eyes.”
“Hmm, tricky, sir.”
“No see, no deal. Wanna bet if you survive Rat Humans after blowing a billions-scale trade? I bet you don’t need my help.”
“Mm, no pushover.”
Pocketing the catalog, he tapped keys, sighed deeply, and nodded.
“Normally no previews without prepay... But this deal’s huge, client’s you—exception. A Dome powerhouse’s dirty secret covers the prepay easy.”
“You little—”
“Note: all talks here recorded spotless. Get it?”
“...Got it.”
“Hahaha. Don’t be so sour. Saving your life—what’s this humiliation?”
“Fine, guide us quick.”
“Message sent—guide’s coming. Remember entry? Same way down.”
As he spoke, the opposite door opened—a boy with cloth over eyes.
“Two guests to lower levels confirmed. I’ll guide.”
“Go on. Gotta find that cure quick, right?”
The merchant bowed smoothly at the boy. Professor trembled with feigned shame. Budlam trailed, arms crossed, scowling silent.
As the two vanished into dark with the blind boy, skinny merchant wiped sweat soaking his chest with a handkerchief.
“No ordinary guy. Even when he should bow, that pressure... Was ready to kill a few and force it if needed? Bringing a psycho like that.”
Precarious deal, but closed—joy overflowed Dili Tail. Tens, hundreds of billions in silings. Leap from Tail to ‘Crow’ rank. Maybe, with Professor’s weakness, join Rat Human’s elite rat heads.
“Heh heh heh... After this, use the dirt to pull in his circle one by one...”
BDSM, Dome researchers, officials, his famed beauty lover Dana Elisha Hyacinth—picturing them sweetened his rosy future; laughter bubbled uncontrollably.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
“[Operation Success]”
“[Madman!/Genius!/Expert Commander!]”
“[Witness/Learn/Newbie/BDSM]”
“[Shock!]”
Of course, the merchant dreamed unaware of the pair signaling deeper underground behind the blind boy.
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