A Deal with Power

"All right!" 

A loud answer rang out. 

Leaving behind the people moving in unison, Leo entered the warehouse and sat down on the seat. 

As the excitement of battle wears off, fatigue sets in little by little. 

It's only natural, then, that he used his magical powers continuously in the midst of a tense battle. 

Should I light a candle? 

Leo felt his hand unconsciously reaching into his arms, but he held it in. 

Now there really isn't much left. 

Until the orchard was replenished, we had to conserve as much as possible in case of an emergency. 

Exhale slowly, relax your entire body, and lean the back of your head against the warehouse wall. 

Although his body was tired, Leo's strong mind showed no sign of rust, and he listened sharply to the sounds around him. 

At the same time, it spreads its magic power widely again, preparing for any eventuality. 

Beyond the cramped windows of the dusty warehouse, dim sunlight began to creep in. 

The bloody dawn passes, and the morning comes. 

Leo closed his eyes quietly as the sunlight streamed in through the gaping gaps in the warehouse ceiling. 

# 

Time passes, and another day passes without incident. 

There was no sign of the gang or any other people anymore. 

One by one, people who were excited about receiving the commission promised by the pharmaceutical company left. 

Because the amount of money was that big, I asked for the job without even knowing who the other person was and ended up here. 

Those who risk their lives for two days will receive a worthy reward. 

Leo was the last one left to finish organizing the warehouse after sending the others away first. 

People who greet each other politely and disappear one by one. 

Especially the superpowered person who really thought he was going to die went home with his head on the ground, tears welling up in his eyes. 

I thought I was in trouble with the wizard, but I fought to the death and my superpowers improved, so it's a blessing in disguise. 

Leo, who was reluctant to lay a hand on the person he had fought with, waved his hand and sent him away. 

I called Sage's contact number that I had received in advance and gave him a brief report. 

He was not easily convinced by the outcome of the night's battle, but when Leo asked if he could take a few samples, he readily agreed. 

"Two bottles of sleeping pills. There's also a tonic for fatigue recovery. This is a vitamin I don't have at home… I should take this too." 

Leo, who had gathered some medicines that had been piled up in the warehouse under the pretext of organizing, left the warehouse with a much more reassured heart. 

These are much better than the cheap nutritional supplements he takes at home. It seems like his medication life will be much more comfortable for the time being. 

Leo, who was about to leave the warehouse with light steps, suddenly stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Grime's staff that he had thrown away the night before. 

"… … … " 

Although he still had no intention of using a staff that was more show than substance, Leo picked it up again, wondering what was on his mind. 

'But wouldn't it make money if I sold it?' 

Even so, it is equipment used by a level 3 wizard. 

If I hand it over to Jenny, I think I'll get the price of a cigarette or two. 

With a glimmer of hope, Leo left the warehouse with his cane carelessly placed behind his back. 

After staying up all night for nearly two days, my eyes are closed and my head is throbbing, but the work is not over yet. 

You can only feel at ease after submitting the sample directly to the patent office. 

I don't really like the idea of having to do errands like this, but when I think about the 30 million cells the pharmaceutical company has promised to pay, the thought goes away. 

After exiting Area 54, take a taxi and head to the area where the Patent Office is located. 

The single-digit district where the city government's administrative agencies are located. This is my first time going inside. 

As you head further into the city centre, the roads become wider and cleaner, and the buildings surrounding them start to get taller. 

As you go further into the 10th district, the population density increases, but as soon as you enter the centre, the population density drops significantly. 

A quiet street, if not neat. Numerous buildings that are gorgeous and beautifully designed. 

A temple built inside a forest of skyscrapers so high that they seem to pierce the sky. 

This street is filled with offices where the city's rulers reside. 

It is the core engine that moves the large city of Balkan, and the realm of the conductors who make all other areas move harmoniously. 

From here on, only civil servants and city government administrative staff are allowed to enter the area. 

The relatively less important Patent Office is located in District 8. 

Perhaps because it was early in the morning, there were hardly any people on the streets around the patent office. 

You only occasionally see old people walking their dogs or people doing morning exercise. 

Get off the taxi and head straight to the patent office. 

It is not an ordinary building, but a building with an antique appearance like a mythical temple. 

It's a peculiarity that doesn't really fit with this street, but that's why it's easy to find. 

Judging by the faint light visible beyond the window, the door appears to be already open. 

'Should I submit it quickly and come out?' 

The moment I absentmindedly put my hand in my bosom and turned my steps into the alley leading to the patent office. 

An old man who was sitting on a bench catching his breath spoke to him. 

"What would a young person do here so early in the morning?" 

He is dressed in light sportswear. On one knee, a large black dog that appears to have gone for a walk with him is resting its head on his hand and sticking its long tongue out. 

He looked like he had already worked out and was sweating a lot, and he had a towel around his neck, but his eyes were sharp in a way that did not match his age. 

"… … If you're going to the patent office, isn't it already decided?" 

Leo hesitated for a moment but then chose an appropriate answer and replied. 

"Wow, it looks like you've developed some valuable skills. You're quite talented at such a young age." 

'What should I do…?' 

There are probably quite a few people in this city who talk to complete strangers, but it's hard to just ignore them. 

In the first place, the fact that the person enjoying exercise in a place like this means that the person is likely not an ordinary old person. 

If such a person suddenly spoke to Leo, it would not be simply because he needed someone to talk to. 

Regardless of Leo's confidence in his own talent and will, it is still too early to get involved with those in power. 

At least it shouldn't be this way, face to face. 

What are some ways to sneak out of this conversation without leaving a strong impression? 

'I'm not very confident in my speaking skills…' 

Leo glanced down at the old man as he thought about that. 

He was still looking at Leo with unwavering gaze, but Leo's keen perception noticed that his gaze was slightly averted from him. 

To be more precise. 

Towards Grime's staff hanging behind his back. 

"… … ." 

A very small nuisance. You can infer the resulting behaviour and immediately arrive at its cause. 

Just by looking at the direction of his gaze, Leo found the answer in an instant. 

'…. aha.' 

Leo's expression changed in an instant and he smiled faintly. 

"Did you enjoy the show I showed you yesterday?" 

"What does it mean?" 

"I threw some firecrackers so that the people watching from afar could see me better. I guess you were waiting for me because you liked it." 

Leo said, meeting his gaze calmly. 

"Mr. Councilman." 

"… … … " 

This time it was the old man's turn to remain silent. 

Seed 

Leo slowly took out Grime's staff from behind his back and thrust it in front of him. 

"I'll give this back to you." 

"Looking at the cane digging gently into the garden dirt," said Leo. 

"It seems he was a wizard you cherished. It's a shame." 

A person who recognizes Grime's staff, knows in advance that Leo will be coming to the patent office, and it is not at all strange for him to freely come and go on these streets under the pretext of exercise. 

Isn't he the only person who stands in complete opposition to Leo in this matter? 

The old man looked up at him with blazing eyes and said: 

"… ...I knew it." 

"Is there anything else you would like to say?" 

He had intended to refrain from clashing with those in power as much as possible, but if they actually act like this, Leo will have no other choice. 

I never thought he would show up himself instead of ordering his subordinates around. 

'When I go back, I'll have to extort more money from the pharmaceutical company.' 

Didn't you clearly say that you couldn't move directly because of the lobbying from above? 

Of course, I didn't take the client's words at face value and accept the request, but I didn't know that they would be so useless. 

While Leo was frowning inwardly in annoyance, the councilman opened his mouth. 

His gaze still remained on the cane stuck in the ground. 

"Grime. He wasn't very good, but he was a good friend. He was the guy who devoted his heart and soul to assisting me from the moment I decided to become a politician." 

"… … ." 

"Do you know why I came all the way here to see you when my friend died?" 

"Is it revenge?" 

Even as Leo responded, he intuitively felt that it was not the right answer. 

Because the look in the old man's eyes looking at him now was clearly different from hatred, disappointment, or anger. 

In some ways, it was close to a very strong greed. 

"I won't make much of a statement. Come under me." 

"… … ." 

"It would be a loss for the entire city if a talented and skilled wizard like you were to work alone. I was convinced of this when I saw the lightning strike on a cloudless night." 

He continued talking. 

"I will continue to climb higher, and I can make room for you, too. In that forest of towering skyscrapers… I can make room for you." 

A very strong ambition that is revealed blatantly in every word. 

Leo acknowledged that the man, the councilman, was an extraordinary person, regardless of his current position. 

Money that is not yours. Fame and power that you cannot obtain. And talent that is not within your grasp. 

It's rare to find someone who can be so greedy for so many things. 

Because he was that kind of person, he would be greedy even towards pharmaceutical companies within his own territory and covet the patents they created. 

But that doesn't mean I have any intention of putting a leash on myself in a place like this. 

"What does that mean?" 

Leo said with a smile. 

"You may want me, Congressman, but from my point of view, I have no reason to need you." 

"Are you rejecting my offer now?" 

"Even if I'm really in a hurry, there's no reason I should come to see you, Congressman, right?" 

There are plenty of them closer to the heart of the city. 

If Leo really wanted to seek help from those in power, there were plenty of higher-ranking officials who could do it. 

To be blunt, the values don't match. 

Now, Leo is already a wizard with recognized abilities in his own right, but the old man is not even the mayor, but merely a councilman for a certain district. 

Leo thought as he watched the old man remain silent, as if he understood what he meant. 

'I guess this will do.' 

There is no reason to cause much embarrassment to those who seek out his abilities. 

Apart from his greed, it was a headache to make an enemy of such an ambitious man. 

Even if you have no intention of cooperating, it would be better to create an ambiguous relationship by teasing them appropriately. 

Leo continued to speak soothingly, looking at the old man who had his head bowed. 

"But if you help me, Congressman, I may be able to repay you someday." 

"… What do you mean?" 

"We're not that close, but that doesn't mean we should remain on bad terms, right?" 

Leo smiled faintly as he looked at the old man whose eyes had finally begun to shine again. 

I'm tired. 

Because on Earth he wasn't mature enough to make such a deal with someone. 

However, this was something that had to be firmly tied up here. 

One day, other powerful people will eventually take notice of Leo's power and talent and try to put a leash on him.