“It’s over.”
Jenny affird with a nod, shifting her gaze from her laptop.
Outside the window, the lightning storm that had been flashing relentlessly just monts ago had subsided, revealing the remains of a mansion.
Since Jenny had been observing from a considerable distance, she couldn’t discern the precise magic that Lennok had employed within. Nevertheless, she could make an educated guess about the extent of his remarkable feats.
This was owing to her significant collaboration with the wizard nad Van and her dedicated cultivation of her own magical intuition.
Blindly obeying orders and rely carrying out tasks will never sustain a strong long-term relationship.
Understanding minor yet vital details such as the working environnt and preferred working hours of affiliated freelancers, and exerting subtle control, is essential. They should also possess a foundational understanding of how freelancers execute their tasks.
“Isn’t it amazing?” Jenny contemplated as she addressed the person seated across from her.
Disregarding the unanswered response, she continued.
“Despite casting such imnse firepower in one go, the shape of the target remains almost unchanged from the beginning.”
Although not overtly conspicuous, achieving this feat was impossible unless one wielded their power with almost perfect precision.
Much like a sword swung without a trace of blood, Lennok’s approach to handling things consistently displayed this finesse.
“Van doesn’t speak about his magical abilities, but everyone knows his talent isn’t of the ordinary kind. Rather than simply being a wizard, he’s closer to a gambler.”
A frigid deanor devoid of self-aggrandizent.
Yet, his unique, overwhelming capability and flawless task managent transform even that cold pride into unwavering trust.
The accomplishnts achieved just one year into his freelance career were unlike any she had witnessed during her extended tenure as a broker.
“I know, Van isn’t satisfied with this life. It’s nonsensical. The re appearance of such a person in a back alley overnight is nonsensical to begin with. He must have his reasons, and this lifestyle is likely just a ans for him.”
“…So?”
The person facing Jenny finally spoke.
“What do you want to say, Jenny? You didn’t call here just to boast about your partner, did you?”
“Of course not. What I want to say is… the landscape of this area might change soon.”
Upon hearing this, the man leaned in closer for the first ti.
“A bit surprising.”
“……”
“I thought you really dislike making such statents. Is that guy that much to your liking?”
It’s a challenging prospect to claim that one person’s presence could disrupt the underbelly of this district.
Especially for soone who intimately knows the darkness concealed within these streets.
A place brimming with power and desire, sothing even Agent Evelyn Marcia can’t penetrate.
By that asure, she should be aware that a freelancer is rely dipping their toes in comparison.
Despite everything, if Jenny can say this much to him, it must an she has faith in Van, the wizard.
Jenny nodded silently.
“Right. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”
“Help, huh…”
“People say you can’t predict human affairs, but I’m considering restructuring my entire business around Van. And in that process, I’m looking for capable investors and partners.”
“Jenny.”
“If we keep going at this pace, Van will quickly move beyond the realm of freelancers. He’s already gotten involved with Dyke Corporation and agents, generating profit. It’s only a matter of ti before we clash with those who control the outskirts of the tropolis. We have to prepare before that happens.”
Confronted with Jenny’s resolute words, he remained silent.
He was intimately acquainted with both Kaiser and Jenny, having observed her closely ever since she embarked on her career as a broker.
He was also aware of her aspirations to achieve sothing through her partnership with Van.
There was a ti when those expectations were directed toward him.
The man let out a chuckle.
“I should have t him when Dylan ntioned it… I’ve been too lazy.”
He rose from his seat and delicately placed the glass he held back on the bar.
“It’s difficult to give you an answer right away, you know that, right?”
“Of course.”
She was content that she hadn’t received a negative response, at least. Given his influence in this area, going against him would not be easy. Even if he didn’t actively cooperate, it would suffice to secure his tacit agreent.
Whether he was privy to Jenny’s inner thoughts or not, the man grinned and waved before departing from the bar.
“See you again. It’s been fun seeing you after so long.”
“Sure, co by more often.”
Though he always wore a friendly, smiling deanor, few could discern what lay beneath that smile.
Despite possessing the power to assert himself fully, many believed he was simply biding his ti.
Such perceptions had waned because of his prolonged inactivity.
Could Jenny’s current endeavors rekindle his motivation?
Only ti and effort would reveal the answer.
“Antares.”
The leader of the Antares rcenary group.
A martial artist who ascended to the pinnacle of the Vulcan rcenary industry through his exploits as a war rcenary across continents.
A formidable force capable of challenging even the governnt’s formidable figures through sheer power alone.
A clandestine heavyweight whose re movents could send ripples through the industry.
A distinctive character who garnered both admiration and criticism due to his enigmatic actions, but at the very least, he was the individual with the highest potential to beco Jenny’s ally.
Only after his imposing presence departed did Jenny slump down at the bar.
“Will it be okay?”
Jordan, who stood beside her, inquired. Jenny took a drag of her cigarette listlessly.
“I’ve done what I can. He’s the kind of guy who won’t move unless he decides on his own. He’ll figure it out.”
“He’s a man who didn’t react even when Kaiser died. It’s impossible to gauge the depth of his mind. If we’re not careful, we might get eaten up.”
“Trust my judgnt.”
Jenny replied.
Amidst the dim haze of smoke, only Jenny’s eyes glead with determination.
“He’ll see the sa thing in Van, the wizard, that I saw.”
***
“Most of the artifacts given are like that.” Dylan remarked, gazing down at them.
By now, he appeared to have grown accustod to the weighty greatsword, leaning on it with skill.
“It’s a clever choice and, in so ways, shows that you know your place. Knowing that you won’t have the luxury to draw another weapon during close combat.”
Dylan’s expression carried a hint of bitterness as he spoke.
Though he didn’t seem entirely comfortable with having killed a fellow guild mber, he coped with it.
“Alright! Everything’s sorted out!”
“Good work.”
Lennok, who was leaning against the wall, comnded Mila as she approached.
“Hey, didn’t I do well this ti? There should be so incentive for , right?”
Her intention was evident.
Was there sothing desirable among the artifacts recovered from Irina Pheffield?
Lennok pretended to deliberate for a mont, then subtly nodded.
Declining her request might be interesting to see her reaction, but there was no need to be overly greedy when the artifacts acquired from this job were quite valuable.
Making a concession for a single item she desired, as Dylan had done, could prove advantageous for future manipulation.
Not only did her psychic abilities prove useful, but her distinctive and fearless combat style turned out to be more helpful than anticipated.
Her audacity in wielding a shotgun, a close- to mid-range firepower weapon, and charging into a swordsman’s striking range was a significant asset in Lennok’s eyes.
Ultimately, it was Mila’s ability to divert Irina’s attention and disrupt her battle tactics that allowed Dylan to narrowly defeat her.
Irina Pheffield, who had bolstered herself with various self-enhancent magics akin to the compassion of Archangel and engaged in combat, fell disappointingly, partly due to Mila’s unorthodox combat style.
Of course, the fact that she continued to conceal her specific psychic abilities while wielding only a shotgun didn’t sit entirely well with him, but… it was her choice to make, and it had to be respected.
Upon receiving Lennok’s approval, Mila’s face lit up as she hastily picked up a brooch.
“This, this one! I’ll be good with this!”
“It seems like an artifact that lightens one’s steps. Hmm, it’s a bit too precious to be given to soone like you…”
“Shut up, you brat!”
The two rcenaries resud their argunt, exchanging curses. Their perfect synchronization during the battle against Irina was now a distant mory.
In Lennok’s perspective, these two were the most suitable rcenaries in so respects.
It’s simple to advocate for a strict separation between work and personal matters, but how many can uphold that on a battlefield where lives hang in the balance?
Being able to distinguish between the realms of instinct and reason is evidence enough of a highly skilled individual.
As Mila approached Lennok once more, her palms rubbing together frantically, Davi, who had seemingly materialized next to Lennok’s ear, spoke to him.
[The way she’s rubbing her hands together is quite sothing. Master, I like this human.]
Everyone seed to have lost their composure.
Amidst the chaos, only Lennok remained composed.
The three individuals and a spirit left with the artifacts they had gathered.
Although it would have been preferable to act more swiftly, waiting for Lennok’s mana to recover wasn’t a terrible idea either.
Despite the significant mana depletion caused by activating the domain, the outco was favorable since they were able to handle the entire exploration team at once.
Furthermore, it was confird that Davi’s hacking and computational abilities could be utilized within the domain.
“Van.”
“I know.”
On the road, erging from the dense forest where the villa was situated, five black sedans blocked a narrow alley, awaiting soone.
Given the events that had unfolded inside, there was no need to ponder who it might be.
The rear sedan’s door opened, and an elderly man erged slowly.
“We have been waiting for you.”
He scrutinized the faces of the three individuals with sharp eyes, then chuckled warmly.
“I suppose the fact that the three of you have co out first indicates that things have been more or less settled?”
The elderly man seen in the photos from the briefing with Sebastian, the sa man who had won the auction for the Compassion of Archangel.
Vincent Mayblack was a step behind in arriving on the scene.
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