Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Code: XTK
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I've been carrying out every single one of Raffles' commissions without fail every day to earn recognition for my abilities.
What for?
'It's all because of the incident that's going to happen in a week.'
Up until this incident explodes, Raffles is just a competent contract crime outfit. But after it blows up, the mere mention of their name will make the world tremble—they'll become one of the worst criminal organizations on the planet.
'They might leave me out if they think my skills are lacking. That's why I've been working so hard to prove myself.'
Raffles pulling off a heist like this isn't child's play. They could easily drop someone like me who hasn't built up enough trust yet.
And the reason I want that recognition is because of my shaky standing too.
'Everyone assemble. Son Jeong-hu will definitely bring it up tonight. Some of them already seem to know.'
I grinned.
The moment I get my hands on Illuciter, this world is goodbye.
???
"Everyone's here. Good to see all your faces—no incidents while I was away, I hope."
Son Jeong-hu said as he scanned the meeting room. The Raffles members had claimed their spots in their own quirky ways—sitting in chairs, perching on tables, leaning against walls, or just plopping down on the floor.
I sat normally in a chair, eyes fixed on Son Jeong-hu.
"Leader, what's the sudden assembly for? Another new recruit?"
Yoo Geun-tae asked. Son Jeong-hu shook his head.
"No. I was thinking it's about time we got serious."
"...Serious? Weren't we already serious this whole time?"
It was Jackie. Word was he'd joined Raffles a year before me.
"Ah, that's not what I mean. We've always been serious about the jobs. But this time, it's all of us together. First time everyone's going out at once, maybe? That's what I mean by serious."
"...All of us. All ten. You planning to raid a military base or something?"
Son Jeong-hu let out a hearty laugh at Train's grave question.
"No way we'd need all ten for some military base. Train, any average base could be taken down by five of you easy."
"Ugh, stop beating around the bush and just spill it! What are we doing?!"
Hyunji shot up from her seat, blurting it out. True to her hot-blooded nature, she held nothing back. Every time I saw her, I wondered why she was into Korean dramas. Most of them were trashy melodramas that'd frustrate you to death with cancer-level plot twists. Even non-trash ones didn't suit her vibe.
"Alright, straight to the point... We're raiding Seoul City Hall."
"......"
Silence blanketed the room. Even Hyunji's jaw dropped in sheer disbelief.
'Seoul City Hall here isn't even comparable to the real world's.'
In Code: XTK, Seoul City Hall was the biggest building in the city, its very heart. When national crises hit, lawmakers didn't head to the National Assembly—they went to City Hall. The mayor, the true master of City Hall, wielded power that outstripped the president's in some ways.
In other words, raiding it was tantamount to striking at Korea's core.
'And ridiculously, they pull it off.'
This was why Raffles skyrocketed to global crime syndicate status.
And my goal was the Illuciter hidden inside Seoul City Hall.
"...Leader. What's the plan?"
Ulla, quietly leaning against the wall, finally spoke.
Son Jeong-hu beamed like he'd been waiting for it, then fiddled with his smartwatch to project a screen everyone could see.
"Of course I've got one. Here. That guy who looks like he'd curse a blue streak? That's Mayor Won Cheon-su. Born in Gangwon Province, turns sixty this year. And in a week, it's his birthday. The day we hit City Hall."
Mayor Won Cheon-su was the genius developer who'd discovered and commercialized Eclus. That massive achievement landed him the mayor's seat.
"...Objective?"
Train asked.
"What do you think of for birthdays? Cake? Sure, that's standard. But what really gets the blood pumping is birthday presents. Mayor Won's a total super socialite. Bet he gets tons of gifts."
"Leader, you spout nonsense sometimes. This is important—speak properly."
"...Right. The objective is the latest airship blueprint Crack Corp's gifting the mayor."
I knew the truth. Son Jeong-hu's real target was the 'Eclus Compact Fusion Core' embedded in that blueprint. He planned to use it to upgrade his mechanical body.
"...Why gift that to the mayor as a birthday present?"
"The gift's just a cover. 'We'll build the airship from these blueprints and offer it up, so give us some conveniences~' That kind of deal."
"Worth that much?"
"It's Crack Corp's latest airship blueprint. Sell it to a rival, and you're looking at at least 200 billion. Plus, nothing says we can't swipe everything else there too. Grab the valuables, and we're talking trillions easy."
Trillions.
The members fell silent at the unit above billions. Hyunji broke it first.
"...Sounds fun. That much cash, I could retire on the spot!"
"Of course we'll split it fair and square. Retire after if you want."
I smirked.
Retire if you want? Bullshit. Son Jeong-hu would brand deserters as traitors and quietly off them. That's how Train dies.
"...Specific plan?"
Ulla asked.
"Got it ready, naturally. Been prepping since we got the airship intel three months ago."
The screen shifted to Seoul City Hall's blueprints.
"Complete blueprints for City Hall. No renovations or expansions, so it's 100% accurate."
I eyed the blueprints.
City Hall was a tower building. Total 222 floors, including underground. Twenty-two below ground, two hundred above.
And I knew about a secret spot not on the plans.
'How'd Son Jeong-hu get these blueprints?'
Even in the original story, the source of his intel network was never revealed. My guess: a spy in the Korean government's upper echelons. Pulled from some internet post.
'But he doesn't know about that thing under the basement yet. Makes sense—it's a late-game reveal even in the original.'
Just getting these blueprints was impressive.
"And this is the security layout for a week from now. City Hall's elite guards: 5,052 total. Five government special agents. Defenses are top-notch too. Storm the exterior, missiles take you out. Stir shit inside, elite guards swarm you."
"...No joke."
Yoo Geun-tae groaned.
The blueprints showed zero gaps. Entrances: front and three underground passages only.
"Key here is neutralizing City Hall's main system. Kill the main, and attached defenses go down too."
Son Jeong-hu looked at me. Clear message: You handle the main system.
"Which floor's the main system on?"
I asked him. He grinned back.
"190th. Your hacking range is 50m, right? Should just barely reach from 175."
I nodded. Looked that way on the plans.
"City Hall has main and backup systems. Taker, it'd be great if you could take both... but impossible, yeah? It's Korea's best."
"Spot on. I can hack for maybe a few seconds. No bandwidth for backup too."
"If main fully crashes, techs switch to backup manually. City Hall's crew is elite—90 minutes tops, two hours max. We finish and bail before systems recover."
"One hour to get in and out. But how do we infiltrate?"
"Taker, who am I? Raffles' leader! Infiltration's covered. And I need your help for this part."
???
"Good day. Inspector Park Shin-han, Third Special Police Unit under Seoul City Hall. May I see your invitation?"
The man in black helmet and tactical combat suit said politely.
I didn't flinch, handing over the invitation I'd been holding. Fancy card with gold leaf. Cop scanned it and handed it back.
"President Yoo Jae-won of Grayple Corp. Welcome."
"Appreciate your hard work."
"No problem. And everyone behind you—they all with you?"
I glanced back.
Me included, all ten Raffles members. Everyone but Ulla in crisp suits.
"Yes. My company staff and personal bodyguards. Can't they come along?"
"Not an issue. But only one can accompany to the 150th-floor party hall. Others wait in the lounge. And per protocol, inspections."
"Protocol's protocol. Take long?"
"Three minutes. Oh, no weapons allowed. Leave 'em with us."
I couldn't skip inspection either. But I passed in under 30 seconds.
"Normal, huh."
"My dad's kinda conservative."
I flashed a sly grin. That's why I was playing Grayple's president.
In this world, Normals were called Outsiders. But that didn't fly with Korea's elite. Confucian remnants lingered here. Like the saying you don't hear much IRL: "Body, hair, skin received from parents."
'First time I heard it, I thought they meant go find your parents.'
I crossed my arms, waiting. We'd prepped for this inspection. IDs were verified fakes.
"All clear. Here's your lounge keycard."
I read the room on the card.
"A1312?"
"131st floor. Wait there. Party starts sharp at 10 on 150. Only one plus-one. Note it."
"Got it. Skipped dinner... anything to eat?"
"Restaurant on 120. Show invite for free."
"Thanks."
I said it and headed inside with the crew to the first floor.
'...Fucking huge.'
Floors 1-30: administrative offices.
'Today's the mayor's birthday party—three days no business, right?'
City Hall paralyzed for three days. IRL, citizens would riot. Here? No one crosses the mayor.
'Net's quiet too. Proof it's controlled.'
Urban legends online: piss off the mayor's buddy, vanish overnight.
'Calls itself Korea. More like a dictatorship.'
We took the elevator to 131, entered the room. Hotel-luxury setup.
Raffles members poked around, hunting bugs and cams.
"No bugs or cameras."
Ten minutes later, Jackie confirmed. His X-ray eyes were trustworthy.
"Taker, solid acting. Trained pro?"
Son Jeong-hu chuckled from the plush bed. I was Grayple president; he was my chief secretary.
"Nah. Just acted shameless."
"Shameless is the hard part."
He flopped fully onto the bed.
"Man, this bed's so damn soft."
"......"
I smirked at that.
Guy whose whole body but brain was machine—hard to buy it.
Looks human, but it's metal. Even with faux nerves, can't match real sensation. Fine touch? Nada.
'Bet his crotch is barren too.'
Fake dick or not, impotent as hell. No machine recreates that delicate sexual pleasure.