Like a Dragon -1-
Like a Dragon -1-
"It seems my wife is having an affair..."
A fascinating topic came up that made both Max and even Ellen focus intently.
Ellen pretended not to be interested, returning to her computer chair while perking up her ears, and Max led the conversation.
"It seems she's having an affair? From the way you're speculating, do you need evidence to confirm the infidelity?"
"That's right... I have trouble making time because of work... Ah! Here's my business card."
Clients who visit the mercenary office rarely reveal their names and affiliations.
Most of them pay in cash and don't leave any transfer records.
Why would they leave evidence that they used a place like this?
Still, if they show it, he doesn't refuse.
Max received the crisp business card.
"You're Mr. Yoo Wi-kang, the Nimbus Express hub tower management team leader. That's the company that delivers items with drones, right?"
"Yes, yes. That's correct."
Nimbus Express is a logistics company in District 21. It's quite a large corporation. The man before him, Yoo Wi-kang, is quite an elite by academic standards.
Max put away the business card and continued the conversation in earnest.
"Is your wife also at the same company?"
"No. My wife works at Eco Scrap, one of the companies that manages drones for Nimbus Express."
Max had never heard of that company either. He knows Nimbus Express, but not Eco Scrap.
From what he's hearing, it seems Nimbus is the primary contractor.
"How far apart are Nimbus Express and Eco Scrap physically?"
"It takes over an hour by car... To see my wife during work hours, I'd have to use work as an excuse and barely get a glimpse of her face..."
"I see. Then could you tell me the circumstances that made you suspect your wife's infidelity?"
At Max's question, Yoo Wi-kang clenched his hands tightly.
His bony fists trembled with an emotion unknown—whether anger or fear.
"It started when... I saw a message arrive on her phone that wasn't locked..."
"And the content?"
"It was... affectionate. The kind of thing I've never received even while we were dating... things like that..."
Yoo Wi-kang seemed to hit a limit just describing it vaguely, his expression as if his brain was shattered.
But from Max's perspective, since he hadn't seen the content directly, it was hard to say anything.
"Were there other incidents?"
"She'd say she was going to work but actually didn't go... or she'd be mistaken about having been to a store that we'd never visited together..."
"Hmm."
Max nodded and listened attentively.
"And decisively, one of my friends said they saw her! My wife going somewhere with another man... Normally I'd tell my friend they saw wrong, but given the situation..."
"I understand. You have every right to be angry. I also understand why you came here."
When Max showed sympathy, Yoo Wi-kang bit his lip tightly.
It seemed he couldn't control his emotions in the face of this matter.
"From what you've told me, it seems the affair partner has been identified, correct?"
"Yes..."
"Then the job might be a bit easier."
Max received information about Yoo Wi-kang's wife, photos, and details about the person identified as the affair partner.
After handing over the materials, Yoo Wi-kang rambled on with trembling lips.
"I-I have to go home like this, then return to the hub tower for work and stay there from tonight through the entire weekend. But my wife is off work now and has both Saturday and Sunday off."
"So there's a possibility she might make a move immediately."
"That's why I came today... My friend said the mercenary here is trustworthy..."
"Oh ho, it seems your friend has visited our office before."
Yoo Wi-kang nodded cautiously.
"He said you're a rare mercenary who's friendly and does good work... I heard you shot a bullet into the lower half of a flasher that his daughter encountered."
"Ah! I remember that!"
It was a request he took after the 1M cockroach extermination job.
That was a rare customer who didn't try to haggle the fee and spent money generously—so he was the friend.
'Good news.'
A beautiful cycle where customers bring in customers.
Max eased Yoo Wi-kang's tension with some small talk based on past jobs.
Then he got back to the main topic.
"Client. There's the most important issue. It's a matter that greatly divides the cost of the request."
"... "
Yoo Wi-kang had the look of someone who knew what Max was about to ask.
And Max, true to his mercenary position, asked directly.
"Mr. Yoo Wi-kang, is your goal to secure evidence and get a smooth divorce?"
Max could read it.
The turmoil in Yoo Wi-kang's emotions upon hearing the question.
"After the affair is confirmed, what would you like done to your wife and the other person?"
"Th-That is..."
"Just be honest with me. This is a request that I, Max, will carry out. No one will hold you accountable, Mr. Yoo Wi-kang."
Yoo Wi-kang knew the ecology of Haze, which is why he came to the mercenary office.
Someone dies or gets hurt in Haze? The backgrounds of the killer and the victim matter.
If someone tried to kill Flora Crimsonhowl or Ellen Clements, the Haze Institution and the Mado Myeongga would mobilize and find them by any means.
But if it's ambiguous, if it's neither one nor the other, this corrupt city doesn't even glance your way.
'His wife and the other person don't have any notable backgrounds either.'
In the 20s districts, you just need to avoid places with CCTVs and witnesses.
Compared to the lower districts, it's a tricky condition, but as long as you follow this, the police default to treating it as a cold case.
"I..."
A demand flowed from Yoo Wi-kang's lips.
And Max accepted it with a blank expression, showing no reaction.
"I understand. I'll tell you the cost."
Yoo Wi-kang swallowed hard.
"If the request is confirmed, I'll use tonight through the entire weekend to find evidence proving your wife's infidelity."
"Yes..."
"The cost is 10 million credits. Since you came by referral, I won't charge any expenses incurred during the work."
Using a 3rd-rank mage for an entire weekend. It seemed cheaper than expected, as Yoo Wi-kang didn't look particularly surprised.
Rather, he looked surprised.
"And lastly, the cost for executing the conditions you desire, after sending you the confirmed evidence, will be 30 million credits."
This is the real deal.
The cost for a 3rd-rank mage to dirty their hands on your behalf.
Yoo Wi-kang seemed to have already made up his mind, as he didn't hesitate much.
"Please take care of it..."
...
...
After exchanging numbers and Yoo Wi-kang left, Max hurried to prepare to go out.
He grabbed his outer coat and a lollipop, and was checking the address Yoo Wi-kang had sent.
He saw Ellen lingering behind him.
"Why aren't you getting ready to go home?"
"You expect me to go home after hearing something like that?"
"Staying up all night is bad for your skin. And after just a few hours of stakeout, it won't be as fun as you think."
"My skin isn't the kind that gets ruined from being awake a few days! Take me with you!"
Ellen grabbed the hem of his clothes.
Max tried to pry her hands off, but Ellen's grip was so strong he couldn't break free at all.
'Wow, I can't move an inch.'
Without showing his fluster, he maintained his dignity as the boss.
"Ellen. When I hired you, I clearly said you'd only do odd jobs like cleaning and getting drinks. I also said there'd be no going out on requests together."
"You don't have to pay me for going out! Just take me once because I'm curious!"
"No matter what, how can you do that... If the Clements family comes looking because you didn't go home, what am I supposed to do? A precious person like you acting so stubborn puts me in a tough spot."
"Didn't you know? The Clements family is hands-off about this sort of thing."
This didn't feel like giving up, so Max racked his brain.
'Hmm.'
Forcing himself to forget the many problematic parts and only think of the positives, having a 5th-rank mage around in case of emergency would be reassuring.
"Fine, just let go of my hand first."
"If you run, you'll get struck by lightning."
Max went straight to his room. He came out with a hooded zip-up and handed it to Ellen.
It was an oversized one perfect for hiding her striking appearance and horns.
"This is the only time."
"Hehe~ Oppa's smell is awesome."
Ellen, pulling up her hood, left the office with Max.
They crossed over to the next district and rented a tinted-window vehicle.
Vroom!
Max sat in the rental car, started the engine, and waited.
Ellen, who had gone to the convenience store, returned and sat in the passenger seat.
"Oppa~ I bought snacks!"
What Ellen bought was red bean buns and milk.
An unexpected choice.
"Buns? You must be hungry."
"Don't you know red bean buns and milk are the basics for stakeout work? In dramas and movies, they always eat this."
"This isn't even an investigation in the first place... What have you been watching?"
Max let out a wry laugh and pressed the accelerator.
The two headed for the address Yoo Wi-kang had sent.