Contact Accident
[Quest occurred]
◇ Quest Details: Facing bankruptcy, the company reached a crossroads. To escape the crisis, Cheongnim chose tainted money. The proof rides in their trucks, bustling daily despite no legitimate business. But securing evidence here won't matter—the higher-ups will flee and continue their crimes. Eliminate the Hwa brothers running Cheongnim to uproot the rot in one stroke.
◇ Conditions: Eliminate Cheongnim's Hwa brothers 0/2
◇ Classification: Sudden
◇ Success Rewards: Random point pouch, exclusive weapon level up, positive development (1)
◇ Failure Penalty: None
The quest window's gotten a bit more user-friendly, huh?
The "Sudden" classification was familiar.
Like the time I'd taken down the human trafficking ring with Clara back in the day.
But having the conditions spelled out so clearly like this? First time since dropping into this world.
And above all, what really caught my eye was the reward.
Positive development...
Even with the exciting exclusive weapon level-up dangling there, it stole the show.
I knew the possibilities packed into that word "positive." Back when I was working at Flower Lily Bookstore, I'd gotten a positive cliché as a reward and run into Clara because of it.
"What's up? Why the face?"
"Rohan...?"
Noah and Ichinose stopped too, coming over with puzzled looks.
Sion and Clara had wiped the smiles off their faces, fiddling with their weapons.
But I couldn't give them an easy answer.
First, I asked for a moment.
"Hang on a sec. Need to sort my thoughts."
I pushed my brain as hard and fast as I could.
In an emergency, sorting takes seconds. Gotta spin the wheels at max speed.
Gazing up at the sky while pondering, I lowered my head and made my first request—to Noah.
If that truck was hauling the same illegal drugs and narcotics as in Abyss City, it might have a telltale smell.
They were brazen enough to transport it openly on the road, so they'd probably masked the odor, but right now, trying was my only option.
"Noah. See that truck marked Cheongnim? The one waiting at the light."
"Yeah."
"Any weird smells coming from it?"
Noah shoved the meat dumpling in her hand into her mouth and immediately sniffed the air, even closing her eyes to focus.
Then she opened them with a confused look.
"Dunno? Too many smells around here to begin with."
Spicy food, vehicles, pedestrians—plenty jamming up her nose.
I thanked Noah for her help, then turned to Ichinose.
"Ichinose. Ever heard of a company called Cheongnim? Probably in pharmaceuticals."
"Doesn't ring a bell."
She couldn't know every company in Samhwa Nation.
Mid-to-small enterprises didn't register in the heir of Cheonoecheon's head—that was normal.
Tch.
I searched "Samhwa Nation Cheongnim" on my phone.
The company location popped up on the map. Not far from here. The truck was probably heading there.
Scrolling down, negative internet articles linked to Cheongnim appeared.
Finances in the toilet. The kind of place that could vanish tomorrow without raising eyebrows.
This is maddening.
The situation was too vague to explain cleanly, and that frustrated me.
Not just me—the girls in front of me were frustrated for the opposite reason.
No visible evidence made it this tricky.
And I couldn't show the quest window to anyone else.
For now, exclude these two.
I decided to detach Ichinose and Noah from the situation mentally.
If I said "trust my gut" and things went south, it could put Ichinose—tied to corporations—in a tough spot.
Noah too, for that matter. No matter the method, these two operated on a scale that got out of hand fast.
Three of us is plenty.
Decision made.
"Sion, Clara—can you tail that truck and share your position? I'll grab the car."
"Yeah...!"
"Leave it to us."
They didn't ask why I needed the car specifically.
These girls read the urgency in the air. They followed my lead because they knew I had a plan.
Sion and Clara killed their presence, ascended silently to the building rooftop, and began tracking the truck with light steps.
I checked the car key in my pocket and gave the remaining two a quick heads-up.
"Sorry, but Ichinose, Noah—go wait at a café or something."
"At least explain properly!"
Noah punched my shoulder lightly.
I had nothing to say but "sorry."
"Rohan. Something wrong with this Cheongnim company?"
"Looks like it, so I'm gonna find some proof starting now. Sorry for killing the vibe while we were hanging out."
"If it's a real problem, tell me. I'll wait. But not at a café—I'll watch from across the street."
"...Got it. Just a quick check."
As I turned to leave,
Ichinose grabbed my sleeve.
"Rohan."
"Yeah?"
"...You know you have to make this up to me properly, right?"
"Yeah! You idiot! When you get back, I'll work you like a pack mule!"
Noah's not-so-scary threat about ditching me for food if it took too long.
Ichinose's genuinely scary warning about really getting mad if I got hurt.
I thanked my understanding friends again and moved out fast.
..
..
Vroooom—!!!
I floored it, ignoring speed cameras as I raced.
Phone on the mount, tracking Clara's constant position shares.
The truck was heading to the company, as expected.
These bastards... even on the outskirts of the capital, what balls to pull this shit...
Cursing inwardly, I scanned the surroundings.
Darkest under the lamp? The area brimmed with life and laughter, far from crime.
That just pissed me off more.
Stuff like this? Impossible to forgive.
Even if it's my day off and no failure penalty...
This wasn't just about rewards.
Like a useless game option turning into a honey pot in reality.
Side quests dismissed as optional compared to main ones now tangled real lives and deaths.
So caution was key.
To avoid casualties, needed a cleaner approach. Ripping into the truck was last resort.
Handling problems and incidents required a bare-minimum narrative arc others could buy into.
There it is!
The vehicles entered my sight. The truck was about to pull into the company.
If it hit the warehouse inside, infiltration would eat more time.
I slammed the accelerator, closing the gap fast.
Vroooom! Rrrrr—!!!
Once close enough, hard brake.
The car, speed not fully killed, slammed the truck's rear.
Thud!
Contact accident success, right before company entry.
Saw the bumper shatter and scatter on the ground.
The truck signaled and stopped.
Good. Tough body's got no feeling for this.
I checked the rearview, schooled my guilty expression with eyebrows and facial muscles.
Grabbed the sword from the passenger seat and stepped out.
As I did, a bellow from the truck.
"Hey, asshole! How do you even drive?!"
"Sorry!"
Sword strapped to my back, I bowed and checked the truck's rear.
The driver, spotting me peeking, hopped out in a panic and approached.
"Container's fine, but the license plate's dented. My bad."
"Hey! Don't touch the truck! Back off and wait!"
"Calling the insurance company first."
"I said wait!"
I feigned shock and retreated at his yell.
Short wait later, the driver finished a corner call and approached with a crumpled face.
"Just go. Boss is a nice guy, that's why I'm letting you off."
"Can't do that. If there's damage, we gotta compensate."
"Hey, just scram? I'm busy."
The driver tsked, frustrated at my persistence.
Rear-ender fault? Truck parts ain't cheap? He ranted, but I held firm.
"Last time I did this, got hit with hit-and-run charges. I'll compensate properly for any damage. You should get checked at a hospital too, sir."
"I said forget it? Why's a young punk so hard of hearing?"
I knew my act was forced.
But it worked. Driver's irritation and fluster showed.
"What if stuff inside shook loose and broke? Gotta check here and handle insurance so I don't eat shit."
"Look at this wet-behind-the-ears kid! You think our company pulls stunts to fleece some brat's wallet?!"
As I reached for the container, the driver blocked with his body.
He yelled bloody murder and shoved, but I kept smiling. Didn't budge an inch from his push.
"Sir, just in case. If I drive off like this, I won't sleep easy."
"You little shit! Back off! I said back off!"
Ignoring the driver yanking me,
Clunk!
I opened the container.