Silent Onslaught: The Battle for Cigar Bang’s Collapse

"When Cigar Bang illegally imports weapons from outside, Plato's Mercenary Office distributes them, and Scavengers handle sales. The most important key among these is the gang that imports the weapons, Cigar Bang." 

The other two photos disappear, leaving only the photos of the members of the organization. 

Along with him rises a mountain of rifles. They are all either stamped with the mark of the National Guard or are military firearms that have been red-hot and burnt. 

"They are bringing massive amounts of weapons into the city through deals with soldiers who are nearing retirement. It is essentially defense corruption." 

"I don't think the higher-ups in the defense forces are unaware of this." 

Just looking at the amount of firearms shown in the photo, it is absurd to think that there is an administrative omission when that amount is being lost. 

"Rumor has it that the gang boss has connections with the generals of the defense front. That's why the Cigar Bangs, despite being small compared to other large gangs in the 40th District, are able to occupy a part of this arms industry." 

That's why we can attack them, Panoa continued, and immediately turned the screen. 

"The bottom line is simple. All distribution-related incidental costs are covered by the Platon Mercenary Office, and while the Scavengers do the legwork, Cigar Bang takes on the most dangerous risks. 

"It's effective." 

"Jord, who was sitting with his arms crossed in front of Leo, muttered. 

Upon hearing those words, Panoa turned her head and her eyes shone coldly. 

"Up until now, we've managed to maintain that delicate balance, but this type of money-making method is such that even the slightest deviation sends you into an abyss." 

railway station 

"With Paul Ackerman's death and the lack of outside investment, this is the only source of income the gang can rely on. If we can attack this place, Cigar Bank will collapse in an instant." 

Beep. 

The screen changes and a photo of a remote location appears. 

An old railway station with no people coming and going. 

A rusty train lies askew between completely closed tracks. 

Panoa continued, pointing to the photo. 

"I heard that there will be a deal with retired soldiers here at the end of the next month. The location is Area 59. They will be bringing in weapons directly from the edge of the undeveloped area." 

"Is this information trustworthy?" 

Panoa answered Leo's question immediately. 

"This is solid information that we obtained by paying a large sum of money to the Mirror Diver. We even cross-checked it with the gang's internal network, so there will be no more incidents like last time. Keep watching." 

Several more pictures appeared on the screen. 

They were all portraits taken from the front of a person's face. 

"These are the gang's arms dealers and the retired soldiers who deal with them. They seem to be living in satellite cities and receiving cash and necessities from the gang." 

Panoa continued speaking with a cold expression. 

"Ex-military personnel dealing with gangs. The goal of this operation is to completely cut off the supply route for weapons. Once they get a taste of the heat, they will be afraid to deal with gangs again." 

A gentle silence fell over the room. 

Leo glanced at the other team members' expressions. 

I thought the reaction would be quite intense, but except for Agria whose face was slightly crumpled, everyone else was surprisingly calm. 

It seems like they already knew who they were going to clash with in advance. 

At least there didn't seem to be anyone among the team members who would cause problems with their attitude. 

Leo raised his head slightly and asked. 

"Who could be a threat in this operation? If it's a deal that the gang considers important, it wouldn't be strange for someone with power to follow suit." 

"There is one leader of the gang who follows us around, but he is not at a level that requires caution. What you should be more concerned about is the whereabouts of this man, who is known to be the boss's closest associate." 

"...." 

Leo's eyes narrowed as he looked at the photo that Panoa had posted. It was a face he already knew. 

"Beck Clinton. He is one of the strongest fighters among the thousand-strong gang, and is said to be a very famous figure in the area. He is currently away in the Balkans to establish a new trading network for the gang, so I don't think there will be any major problems." 

Did they completely tear down the gang's information network to thoroughly classify dangerous individuals and calculate the chances of the operation's success? 

At this point, Leo also acknowledged that Panoa had come very well prepared. 

I don't know for sure, but they must have poured a lot of money into producing this result. 

It was no different from saying that the male faction, including her, was risking their lives on this project. 

"I will now go into the specific operational description for that goal. As I have already announced in advance, the conversations we have here must never be leaked. Please be sure to keep that in mind. Now, let's take a look at the list of retired soldiers who will be coming to the Balkans this time." 

# 

Panoa took a drag on his cigarette as he looked out the dark night sky beyond his office window. 

Chiik- 

"Phew..." 

It took more than six hours to convey a detailed operational outline and deliver the necessary supplies to the newly formed freelance team, including the wizard class. 

It took more than half the time to memorize the things that must be known during the operation, but it is also true that Panoa and other staff members sweated during the process. 

Half of them just skimmed through it once, memorized everything they needed to know, and left, but it was up to her to take care of those who were left behind. 

Manya, who was watching her from behind, asked. 

"What did the boss say?" 

"what?" 

"I think you had something to say when you received the additional funding this time. I think you said something." 

"There was no word." 

"...…" 

Panoa smiled bitterly at Manya's silence. 

"There is no need to say anything." 

This is a project that was started with the intention of taking risks in order to take the initiative in internal management. 

If it succeeds, the management will take over the management rights with the support of the shareholders, and if it fails, the board of directors will take over the management rights with the support of the shareholders. 

It is impossible to turn back once you have decided to take manpower from each department, put together a project, and poured a huge amount of money into the planning stage. 

Whether it's a success or a failure, Dyke's head will undergo a major upheaval. 

At least I should be thankful that I am in a position to directly decide on that upheaval… Panoa thought as she slowly shook her head. 

This was not the time to be lost in thought. 

"Where is the security pledge?" 

"I took it out and put it in the company's underground safe. It's the president's personal space, so it'll be safe at least until the shareholders' meeting." 

Although he didn't tell Leo specifically, Panoa was really putting his heart and soul into preventing a betrayal like the first operation. 

After thoroughly investigating the candidates' backgrounds and affiliations, and cross-checking them with Mirror Diver's information gathering capabilities, if they break the contract, they will be subject to all sorts of legal and personal restrictions, creating a situation where even the organizations to which the team members belong can be brought down. 

Any complaints from freelancers that arise during the process are suppressed by huge compensation. 

It sounds grandiose, but she really went out of her way to buy credit with money. 

All of this was done with the private funds of the board of directors who currently support her project. 

"If I fail, I won't look good either…." 

"Is it only the team leader who does this?" 

Panoa smiled bitterly at Manya's calm answer. 

Aren't the current team members the ones who gathered in one place to climb higher even though they knew that for sure? 

"Still, I did my best. All that's left is to bet on that wizard." 

We started out at a huge disadvantage and came this far. 

I can only be thankful that I was able to continue the plan somehow by rescuing someone who was at least half as capable. 

"After finishing this operation, I'll have to give Ban something else in abundance. Should I search the VIP auction house again?" 

"I don't think we need to worry about that yet." 

"I'm not worried, I'm comforting you." 

Panoa replied, stubbing out the remaining cigarette butt. 

"Now all we can do is hope for the plan to succeed." 

# 

The promised day arrived, and Leo headed to the appointed location. 

The process isn't all that different from when I first accepted the deal with Dyke. 

But now, beyond just waiting for him, the other team members are waiting for his command. 

The five team members who had been standing with their backs to the sunset sky looked up at Leo. 

A plateau covered with thick, red reeds. A cold barbed wire fence surrounds them. 

It is a common sight in undeveloped areas where civilization has barely begun to sprout and has stopped. 

"Nice to meet you, Captain." 

A man with a generous appearance extended his hand with a friendly smile. 

"Let's do our best today." 

Heyzer. Close range. The weapon he uses is a thick mechanical hammer. It's a very cool thing with a booster attached to the back. 

He was a former mercenary who recently became a freelancer, and he was working under a broker like Joad, the quiet young man standing right next to him. 

After exchanging greetings with Heyzer and exchanging a few glances with Jod, a young woman with her hood pulled down snapped at Leo. 

"When are you going to start? I think we need to settle down soon to increase our chances of success." 

Leo glanced at her and answered immediately. 

"We'll go in after Cigar Bang finishes deploying all personnel. Agria will disrupt the communication network, so even if we cause a commotion after the gang makes contact with the soldiers, there won't be much of a reaction." 

"...I don't care if it doesn't work out as I said." 

She turned her head away and chewed the gum in her mouth. 

Kenny. A freelancer who appears to be under twenty years old, he has supernatural powers and the ability to move at high speeds. 

He is known for his outstanding fighting ability and efficient use of supernatural powers, and surprisingly, he seems to be working under 'Madame'. 

As soon as Leo learned of this, he had to be careful not to accidentally mention Mount or Trisha's name. 

Especially since it wasn't strange that Trisha was still bedridden. 

"Don't be so negative. Didn't Dyke already specify the detailed plans anyway?" 

Allen, the smiling sorcerer, interjected and said. 

"The commander decides the timing of the assault and the detailed tactics after the operation begins… I think that's acceptable." 

"That's right. We're the ones who are going to strike first anyway, so there's no need to be intimidated!" 

Heyzer roars, and Jod shakes his head behind him. 

"...In the end, the only thing we can decide on in advance is the initial collaboration where we use our respective specialties to shake things up. After that, we'll all be too busy fighting to communicate properly." 

Although Joad's voice was very quiet, the point itself was very sharp. 

It is impossible for a team that has gathered together for a single goal in a short period of time to fight in harmony. 

He had noticed this simple fact all along. 

Of course, if the team members were much higher level and comprised only of experienced veterans, such a magical feat wouldn't be impossible… But Leo didn't expect such perfect teamwork from them in the first place. 

Leo took Joad's words with a grin. 

"That's why you have to do as much as possible in the first move you can to get your breathing in sync." 

"...…" 

"The most important thing is not choosing the right time to enter, nor sneaking in. It's the first strike that can be made when the opponent is unaware of our presence. Whether or not we succeed in this will determine whether we win or lose." 

Leo whispered softly, making eye contact with each of the other team members one by one. 

"I don't expect much. Let's not hold each other back." 

"...Is that all you need?" 

Although Keeney grumbled, none of the team members contradicted Leo's words. 

Because everyone more or less understood what their respective roles were and what they had to do next. 

There was no need for elaborate words. 

Leo immediately turned around and started walking away. 

"let's go." 

# 

An abandoned railway station located in District 59. 

This area is an undeveloped area located on the outskirts of the large city of Balkan, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is the most neglected area in Balkan, excluding the outlying areas. 

Although it is located a short distance from the ruins where the pollutants were running wild, the large railway facility that was originally planned to be located here is now nothing but rubble, clearly revealing the failure of the policy. 

All that's left are the corrupt customs office that controls the imports coming in from outside, and the vagrants who live day to day in this abandoned area. 

Therefore, if you can just get the customs officials on board, it is not difficult to bring in goods from outside, and the city government is fully aware of this but tolerates it. 

Because that's the only way government officials can survive in this rotten city. 

As we approached the train station, there was already a sharp tension in the surroundings. 

The first to arrive were members of Cigar Bang's gang who had taken up positions and were watching the surroundings. 

The group hid themselves at a distance that was not visible to the other members and watched their movements. 

Patho 

There are plenty of hiding places around. 

Leo picked up one of the collapsed containers near the dock and disappeared into thin air. 

[… ..It seems like the soldiers haven't arrived yet.] 

At Jod's words coming from the earphones, Leo touched the watch on his wrist, immediately changed it into a telescope shape, and held it up to his eyes. 

This is a multitool obtained in exchange for accepting Agria as a team member. 

As the saying goes, there are dozens of members loitering around the train station, but no guns or anything like that are visible. 

At least the visible corners are proof that thorough care is taken to avoid suspicion. 

That means dealing with retired soldiers is important to the gang these days.