Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Underground
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While I was rolling around in my dorm, I got an urgent message from Camellia Flower asking me to come over right away. I changed into my combat gear, grabbed my weapons just in case, and rushed toward her.
When I got there, a massive lineup of trucks was waiting.
The truck containers started lowering.
And then, as the doors swung open, the Abrams tanks hidden inside came into view.
One, two, three, six, twelve.
"They hauled in twelve Abrams tanks?"
This was enough to form a full tank company. And Abrams weren't museum relics like T-34s, Panthers, or Maus—they were active U.S. military hardware. How the hell did they get these?
Did they tap into some military supply line?
"Here you go, Tree Tree. This one's for you."
Camellia Flower picked out the one that looked to be in the best condition among the Abrams and handed it over to me.
"This one?"
I stood in front of the tank Camellia Flower had given me and glanced up at its barrel.
Is this why she called me here?
I didn't refuse. I gave the tank a once-over, and damn, it was sexy and badass.
"Heave-ho."
I climbed up onto the hatch and sat on top.
Then I lit up a cigarette nice and cool, killing time. Ahh... the vibe was perfect.
The area was dimly lit, with countless tanks unloading from the truck containers and crates of guns and ammo coming down one by one.
In this place thick with the scent of gunpowder and steel, a hit of nicotine. Ahh... that's the stuff.
Straddling the barrel between my legs felt strangely thrilling.
Sitting with my legs dangling between the hatch and the barrel, swinging them back and forth, I felt like hot shit.
"Like it?"
"Not bad. But how do I drive this thing home?"
I loved the tank, but... how was I supposed to store it?
Taking it back to my place was insane. If I was gonna keep it, I'd need a warehouse, but how the hell would I get it there?
"After the auction ends, we'll handle the transport ourselves."
Just as I was racking my brain over it alone, a devilish whisper tempting me drifted in.
"You'll move it for me?"
"Of course."
"Then I won't say no."
There was no reason to turn down Camellia Flower personally transporting this beast for me. Hell yeah.
Was I gonna drag this thing to a warehouse by myself? In what lifetime?
Struggling solo and getting busted by the cops would be a one-way ticket to jail.
"By the way, Tree Tree."
"What now?"
"Nothing much, but your outfit today is different from yesterday's."
Huh? Outfit?
Oh, this?
Yeah, today's clothes were different from yesterday's.
Yesterday was baggy pants and a layered hoodie. Today was leggings for mobility, a crop top, and a harness over it.
"Yesterday was casual wear. This is combat gear."
Otherwise, where would I put my bombs and tools?
"Impressive."
Camellia Flower stared at me and called it impressive.
But her gaze was... uh...
"You perverted freak, where the hell are you looking?"
I chucked the cigarette I was smoking right at Camellia Flower.
It arced through the air and smacked her straight on the head.
"Ow."
"Ow my ass."
"What can I do when you're so cute? Just blame fate."
"Bullshit."
"My type is usually mature women with some curves and a slim figure, but every time I see you, Tree Tree, it shakes my preferences. Not that you don't have killer curves yourself."
"I'm gonna kill you."
"Must be the aftereffects of awakening—those blue eyes you never see on a Korean are just stunning."
I aimed my pistol at Camellia Flower, who kept spewing nonsense, and finally she grinned and said, "Just kidding."
"Thanks a lot, you old bastard."
"Tch... such a shame. Since you hate it so much, Tree Tree, I'll stop here."
Camellia Flower clapped her hands twice.
All the workers unloading cargo turned their attention to her.
"Alright, everyone. It's exactly noon now. We'll resume at 1:30. Go grab some lunch."
The workers' faces lit up at Camellia Flower's announcement to eat and come back. They soon started dispersing in droves.
"But is there food around here?"
"You can go up top to eat, or grab something at the black market here. Most people head upstairs, though."
Got it. Round trip would be a pain.
But was there really food here?
The stuff sold at the black market all looked weird.
Were there actually people eating orc heart skewers?
"Hmm..."
Was this what they called culture shock?
It really hit different.
"You not eating?"
"I had a big breakfast, so I'm good."
"I see."
She eats breakfast. I don't.
"So, who's the owner of this black market?"
"You mean the West Gate Black Market?"
"Yeah."
The scale was way bigger than I expected—overwhelming, even. It felt less like a merchants' alliance and more like it needed an actual owner.
"Right now, Frost Flower, Plum Blossom, and I manage it jointly—three of us."
"Huh. But for someone who's part owner, a lot of people don't know you."
Just yesterday, she got into it with some thugs.
And even now... I spotted a few.
"Only a handful know my face: some high-ups in Hadal, the other operators, and a few select others. It's normal for people not to know me."
"Gotcha."
I stood up and climbed down from the tank hatch.
Then I drew mana from my body and reached out to snatch it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Magic Bullet Shooter has been activated] A deafening crack split the air, like my eardrums were tearing, and a translucent line slashed over Camellia Flower's head.
A heavy bullet hurtled toward her skull, but I'd caught it, so no harm done.
"What the hell are you thinking? If I hadn't grabbed that bullet, you'd be dead."
"Why worry when Tree Tree's got my back?"
"You're insane."
I opened my hand. A .300 Winchester Magnum round dropped to the ground with a clink.
"How much of a pushover do they think you are for bugs like this to keep crawling out?"
The .300 Winchester Magnum—7.62x67mm—was made for sniping from the start. So the shooter was a sniper, which meant an assassin targeting Camellia Flower was nearby.
"Well then, Tree Tree, I'll just chill here and smoke one. Handle it for me, pretty please?"
"..."
I don't usually say this, but...
"You're a real psycho."
"Haha, I hear that a lot."
I bet she did, Camellia Flower.
"Sigh... just don't get taken out by a stray bullet, got it?"
"Naturally."
I turned toward the direction the shot came from. No kidding, the sniper was poking her head out bold as brass, not even hiding.
Peeking from between wooden pillars—kinda cute, actually.
But what was she thinking, exposing herself like that? Did she have some ace up her sleeve?
"No way this is real."
A group of heavily armed people was marching toward us from the passage leading to the black market.
Let's see... five visible now, plus the sniper makes six?
"Looks like they came for the trucks."
"...You think that with all these trucks around? Impressive."
"Of course. This is the biggest black market south of the Han River. Criminals swarm the place."
"Right."
Sniper was standard-grade. The rest... C- to B-rank Awakeners, probably.
This'll be quick.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Magic Bullet Shooter (EX) A demon possesses the sniper's gun (Desert Eagle)
"Hoo... let's wrap this up quick."
I activated Magic Bullet Shooter and fired first at the annoying sniper.
Bang!
The trigger pulled with a ear-shattering boom, and a magic bullet sliced through the air toward her.
Of course, she didn't just sit there.
She must've had an artifact—suddenly, a mana barrier sprang up in front of her.
She smirked smugly at me, figuring it'd stop the bullet.
"Too bad."
As the bullet approached the barrier, it curved sideways, slipping past.
Krunch!
The bullet that bypassed the barrier punched straight into the sniper's heart.
Her heart pierced, she spewed blood and dropped dead.
"Wh-what!?"
A panicked voice echoed faintly at the sniper's sudden death.
Don't worry. I'll send you all to join her anyway.
Bang! Bang!
Two shots rang out, and two people crumpled.
I chased a fleeing woman dodging at high speed, popping her head like a balloon. A shield-bearing man's guard crumpled like paper, the bullet piercing through to shred his heart.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three more shots, three more down.
A swordsman charging with a massive greatsword got his throat blown out. A healer's gut was riddled as she tried casting on the dead. Finally, I shredded the eyes of a mage hurling curses and fireballs at me.
In seconds, all six were dead.
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause echoed from somewhere.
"As expected of Tree Tree. Clean work."
"You handle cleanup."
"Of course."
"And this? Overtime, you know that, right? I signed on for auction security. It hasn't started yet, so this is off-contract extra work."
"Fair enough. So, Tree Tree, what do you want for this overtime?"
"..."
Ten boxes of Cuban cigars.
"More modest than I thought?"
"Shut up. Send 'em to my place."
"Naturally."
Sigh...
Not my time of the month, so why did I feel so shitty?
I holstered the gun, climbed back onto the tank, pulled out a cigarette, and took a slow drag.
Nicotine...
"Nice."
I savored the burn creeping up my throat and gazed at the sky.
The sky was blocked off.
Truly, nothing was visible.