Chapter 275
Chapter 275
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 275
Chapter Title: Operation Start (1)
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"This is the organizational chart for investment company ABC."
Randa City's Security Bureau safehouse.
City official Paul Carver spoke there.
Carver had Socket behind him, displaying a complex web of investment relationships on the wall.
Even Oliver, who could effortlessly read medical texts or magic tomes, found himself at a loss where to direct his gaze amid this unprecedented tangle of complexity.
Fortunately, Carver zeroed in on the core with a magic-powered pointer.
"Please focus on the center first."
The center Carver indicated was none other than ABC Investment Company.
The boxy ABC at the diagram's heart connected to everything via arrows.
Like the hub of a spider web.
Oliver methodically scanned the names clustered around ABC.
'Individual investors, major investors, banks, ABC agents? ...... Stocks, real estate, bonds, shell companies......'
It appeared chaotically strewn at first glance, but Oliver quickly saw it wasn't.
The chart was systematically categorized by clear criteria.
The arrows' subtle orderliness proved it.
Its daunting complexity stemmed from the sheer scale. Carver deserved credit for streamlining it this far.
Especially at his young age...... But Carver pressed on coolly, no boasting.
"The upper section shows funding sources pouring money into ABC. Broadly four types: individual investors, major investors, banks, and agents."
"What are agents?"
In a modest corner of the safehouse.
A robed man leaning against the wall posed the question.
A wizard from the Moirae School.
As Forest had foreseen, they were partnering with the Moirae School for this op.
"Proxies hired by Shamus. Closest from nearby towns, farthest from Greenland and Northland—they solicit investments as ABC agents. Some even launch their own investment firms to funnel into ABC."
An investment company investing in another investment company.
To Oliver, unfamiliar with finance, it sounded odd.
But he held back from asking.
Not his wheelhouse, low interest—he'd keep quiet, ears open.
'Forest warned the investment world's rife with odd setups. Gasp at each, and you'd never stop.'
As Oliver sorted his thoughts, Carver continued.
"......Thus, agent funds are substantial. No—more perilous. They're fuses; ABC implodes, they spread the blast."
Dead serious.
Carver slid the pointer down.
Arrows funneling to a point flowed through ABC into stocks, real estate, bonds, shell companies.
"ABC invests in these four now. Not just stocks—Randa redevelopment, bonds, diverse plays. But zero in on the shell companies."
Carver tapped the sidelined shell firms.
Socket's display shifted.
No diagrams—real buildings with signage.
"Cole International Trading, Gale Herbal Distributors, McCluskey Security, etc. Seem unrelated—all Shamus ops."
Folks were mildly shocked; shabby owners like Shamus? His flash—clothes, cars, flair—clashed.
Someone noted it; Carver nodded.
"That's the genius. Intentional or not, it obscures links to Shamus. Paper trail? Only McCluskey ties direct."
"Ah...... So indirect control via McCluskey Security."
City Security Team Leader Arthur said.
Retired soldier, ex-fixer; tasked with Oliver for extracity Willis hunt.
Special bureau's sole team lead volunteering for Carver's op.
"Right, Arthur. Rest are Shamus too—puppet CEOs, his crews run 'em. Far from legit."
Socket footage flipped.
Mass firearms, heavy weapons into Cole International Trading.
"Cole leverages Randa's borders: buys arms from outside factories, sells to Northland, Central Continent, New Continent."
"Feasible? Risk's insane, money or not."
"Normal? Tough. But factories debt-tied to Shamus; overseers connected too."
"Holy shit."
One of Arthur's crew muttered admiringly. Oliver concurred.
Shamus's fixer-to-tycoon savvy? Known. But off-Randa reach? News.
Morals aside, massive hustle.
"Not over. Gale Herbs skirts regs on herbs, mixes off-Randa for cheap narcotics to Galos, Eastern Company—drug factory. Others same."
Socket cycled signs, black ops.
"All started as Leaf Loan minnows. ABC cash swelled 'em; huge profits now. Dig here first."
Carver set the vector. Silent Oliver raised hand.
"Reason?"
"Gladly. Three big ones. First: shells ABC's top earner. Stocks, dev, bonds profit—but shells dominate. Rock 'em, ABC exposed."
Got it.
Choke shell revenue, snarl ABC cashflow, jam investments.
Risky fumble—boom. Better than bomb-hoard.
"Second: prime ABC attack point. You all know—ABC shielded by councilors, officials. Hit direct? We eat counter."
"Arms smuggling, drugs, illicit forex—black ops? Fair game. Praise-worthy. Bureau turf."
Arthur—Carver's op core—chimed.
ABC too hot first; reverse from dirtiest.
"Yes. Biggest? Third......"
Pointer flipped screen.
McCluskey Security: Randa's fringe forest.
Crude build, low profile—but oddity.
Tree sprouting center.
"Steal World Tree data from McCluskey. Shamus suspicious works here, multiple traces. Goal: raid central hub—ABC money vein—nab other shells' crime proof, suss Shamus deeds."
Briefing done, all dispersed.
Oliver to go—but Carver requested stay.
"Thanks for waiting."
"No issue. Why stay?"
"First, thanks. Absurd terms—you took 'em."
"Suits me fine."
"Relief. Arthur demanded Dave. Worried...... Any mission Qs?"
"Hm...... Only me as fixer?"
Oliver, scanning safehouse, confirmed.
Moirae four Net Navigators + Oliver: no other outsiders.
Rest: Arthur, bureau subs.
Oliver solo fixer.
"Yes. Natural."
"Why?"
"Security paramount. Shamus-proof. Dave only."
"Ah...... Trust honored."
"Not me thanking. Actions earn it."
Sincere, not fluff. Carver continued.
"Earn trust back. Forest relayed your ask. Pater Church who? Advance lookup."
"Ah, appreciate...... Joanna."
"Joanna?"
Carver echoed, brow furrowed.
"Hm...... Holy Knight Joanna?"
"Yes. Transferred—where to?"
Carver took Oliver's request, no fuss.
Curious vibe—no probe.
Oliver trusted, waited; op call hit.
Oliver to outermost Randa rally: dense forest hugging no-dev zone.
"Impressive."
Oliver eyed magic-barriered temp camp.
Not defense wall—stealth: camo hues, masks presence, aura, life force.
Bypassed Oliver's sight—but elite undeniable.
"Ha-! Money talks. Bureau's city-funded gear dwarfs fixer kit."
Arthur—site command inside barrier—neared, grinning genuine welcome.
"Arthur, long time."
"Yeah, ages. Great seeing you."
"Warm welcome appreciated."
"My thanks. I pushed for you—didn't expect yes. Rep too steep."
"Carver's deal clicked."
"Good...... Start? Chat later—work now."