The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 23



Only Noblemtl

Episode 23. Now

“So you’re suggesting we raid the trading floor?”

“Yes.”

Transactions that are conducted covertly do not involve a large number of people.

If you take too many people for security, you may attract the attention of the police.

Only the branch manager and some of his close associates will attend the transaction.

Even if the assassination failed, it was a good opportunity to start an all-out war.

“Who are you trading with?”

“I didn’t understand it. I think it was an agent.”

“They’re some dirty guys.”

Why would you use an agent?

Because they are the kind of people who would be in big trouble if their identities were revealed.

‘Well, that’s what drug dealing is like.’

It was foolish to innocently reveal one’s identity and make contact.

“Where is it?”

“It’s an abandoned warehouse on 8th Street, District 4.”

No. 21 handed over photos and maps.

There were warehouses of similar appearance lined up in the area, seemingly intended for use as a single complex by a single company.

I remembered that in the past, there was a setting where a company had developed a development plan to pioneer the 4th district.

Nowadays, no company except the gangs is willing to touch it.

“A rendezvous is scheduled to take place inside the warehouse at around 3:00. Attack during the exchange of goods.”

“… … It sounds like you’re saying you won’t do it?”

“Yes.”

Are you kidding?

Let’s glare at him with a reproach, and he starts making excuses.

“As I said, No. 21 is not a combat model. In the field, it will focus on communications and information transmission.”

If that was one’s ability, then it was not something that could be forced.

There are cases where it’s better to do something than not do it at all.

It’s better than being too ambitious and ruining things by not having the skills.

“If you’re going to raid a trading site, it’s better to set a trap in advance.”

Like changing the structure to make it easier to ambush, or planting a bomb.

If Branch Manager 85 got involved and died, it would be convenient to be able to get out without leaving a trace, and even if not, it would be advantageous to be able to cause confusion.

“The scene is currently under control by Branch 85 members. Infiltration on the day is possible, but it is impossible to take action in advance.”

“That’s too bad.”

I was tempted.

Be cautious about gang topics.

Or does that mean that this deal is that important?

Anyway, I ended up going around in circles to solve something that could have been easily solved.

It was a pity.

After that, I coordinated the detailed plan with No. 21.

It seems that his specialization in information gathering was not a lie, as he answered any question right away.

Even the movements of the field staff came out smoothly.

The trap could not be set, but the advantage of surprise remained.

‘If this information is correct, we have a good chance of winning.’

After several hours of meetings, we parted ways, looking forward to the next day.

***

Abandoned warehouse complex on 8th Street, District 4.

This area has become a temporary base for gangs and homeless people with nowhere to go.

The long-neglected walls were decorated with bizarre spray-painted drawings and were surrounded by stinking trash.

Evidence of regular gang use.

But today the surrounding area was extremely deserted.

All that can be heard is the faint sound of cackling, vulgar laughter and the sound of bikes in the distance.

Only the crackling of a campfire inside a drum broke the silence.

Gangs are always quiet during the day and noisy at dawn.

The new recruits at Brotherhood Chapter 85 were not accustomed to the quiet of the night.

“Hwaaam.”

“Hey, are you yawning now?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

In the end, I ended up hearing something from a veteran.

The cold iron pipe from the night air tapped my shoulder, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of sleepiness.

“If you let a kid get away, won’t you open your eyes? Shouldn’t you be able to see who’s approaching? If something happens, will you take responsibility?”

“Who would come to this foreign land?”

“Oh, you’re talking back? Anyway, this is the problem with new recruits. They don’t know anything, but they try to rebel first. Even if we weren’t short-handed today, you wouldn’t have been hired.”

The new recruit, who was moved by the pitiful tone, continued speaking.

“I’m right. The whole world knows this is the gang’s front yard, so who would come here?”

“You idiot, even if what you say is true, it’s something that needs to be done.”

“yes?”

“Who are we trading with?”

When the topic of trading was brought up, the new recruit’s spirits were dampened.

“… … I know it’s a famous company.”

“Yeah, corporations. What if word gets out that those guys did business with us?”

The newbie answered without even thinking about it.

“Everyone else is doing it through the back door, so what’s the big deal?”

“That stupid bastard is real.”

The veteran looked like he wanted to hit him one more time.

“Even if everyone else does it, it’s a law that says you have to hide it for the sake of your image. What if a competing company reports it?”

“ah.”

“That’s why security is important. The reason we’re doing this is because of that. We know no one will come anyway, but we’re showing off that we’re concerned about security.”

Only then did the newcomer realize the situation and his eyes became bright.

When the senior’s dignity was respected, the veteran raised his head and cleared his throat.

“Besides, I heard that this person is an important client.”

“Who are you?”

“I don’t know. But I guess there was quite a bit of back and forth between you and the boss. If things go well, there’s a lot to take out.”

“… … Is that perhaps it?”

“What is that?”

“It’s a big company.”

The veteran ended up hitting the back of the head of the new recruit with his wishes.

“Why are big companies reaching out to us? Huh? Stop being a jerk and go back quickly.”

“100 million!”

The rookie grumbled and went back to looking at the net.

The veteran looked at the sight with an expression of disgust, then yawned himself.

“Tseuup, let me talk a little more. I’m bored.”

The view through the broken window was still the same.

It’s so quiet, like the world has stopped.

The veteran tapped his foot again in frustration at the boredom that was creeping in.

“……hmm?”

For a moment, I felt something hard and squishy on the soles of my feet.

The veteran didn’t know what was wrong until then.

I thought the wind was blowing and a piece of trash was rolling in.

Choaack!

“Ugh!”

By the time you notice the abnormality, it’s already too late.

A bundle of plant stems, as if possessed of a will, engulfed his entire body.

As my throat tightened and my mind began to blur, I saw a shadow of someone climbing over the window and breaking in.

The hood over his head was pulled back as he moved violently.

“Subdued. Enter.”

He was a man with a statuesque appearance, surrounded by dim moonlight like a light.

***

“Kkwah!”

Laila, who climbed the outer wall using the remaining World Tree trunk as a rope, showed her sloppiness even in the process.

My foot got caught on the high window, I fell down with a crash and froze in place.

“… … How is the situation over there?”

It must be very embarrassing to witness it right before your eyes.

I ignored him and asked number 21.

Not long after, a voice came from the communicator inserted into my ear.

“All identified surveillance personnel have been subdued.”

The group was divided into two groups.

Me and Layla were in one group, and Collard and No. 21 were in another group.

The plan was to enter from different directions, secure the entire building except for the first floor, and then monitor the transaction site from there before raiding.

“You didn’t get caught, did you?”

“There is no mistake in my calculations.”

I believed those words and walked inside.

I put the fallen bodies aside and took a moment to look around.

Fortunately, it seemed like they had entered without making any mistakes on the other side.

It was thanks to No. 21, who figured out the route in advance and signaled the timing.

Although he had no fighting ability, his usefulness was enough to cover up his shortcomings.

“There, over there.”

Layla, her embarrassment gone, came up to me and pointed.

A group of people were waiting in the center of the first floor, which seemed to have been deliberately cleaned up and had an open space.

“Do you see the guy sitting in the chair inside?”

“Face matching complete. This is Brotherhood Branch 85 Leader Malay Kractor himself.”

A bushy beard covering his face and a lean, muscular body.

A single scar running across his shiny forehead was impressive.

Even without verifying it, the face I saw in the photo matched the information I received from Hartig.

“Hey, why don’t you just kill them now? They don’t know we’re here anyway.”

It was collard.

I coldly rebuked the excited voice that seemed to be tingling.

“If you don’t want to get hit again, just stay still.”

「… … .」

Anyway, every time I open my mouth, I get bitten.

There was a sudden snapping sound, but no one spoke.

“If you attack during a deal, the chaos will be more intense. If you do it right, you can even aim for self-restraint, so don’t act rashly and wait.”

Since it was a strictly business relationship anyway, there was no such thing as trust in each other.

If a raid had occurred, it would have been natural for everyone to be suspicious of each other.

Considering that he would run away after the assassination and evade pursuit, he had to choose a time when he could maximize the confusion.

“Do you remember what you have to do?”

“Yes? Oh, yes! If you give the signal, the magic will manifest immediately.”

I confirmed the plan with Layla, who was just staring blankly, relaxed.

The beginning was Smash, the magic that Layla manifested.

Magic is difficult to trace except by other magicians.

There’s no way there’d be a wizard in a branch office like the 80s, so by the time they realized what was happening, it would be too late.

“You too, don’t relax and watch, because it might not work.”

“I’ll just stick my ear to your ear. Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it.”

The follow-up attack was being prepared by Collard.

In addition to the chainsaw, he was said to have a ranged weapon built into his body.

This is the guy who damaged the trunk of the world tree.

There is no need to worry about power.

“We have arrived.”

When I was starting to get tired of watching, number 21 said.

Squeak!

The noise of tires breaking the still air.

The vehicle’s headlights illuminated the wide-open interior of the warehouse.

A group of people got out of the car that had stopped with a thud.

Bodyguards armed with pistols surrounded the vehicle and opened the back door.

Click!

The person who walked out under the escort was a middle-aged man dressed neatly in a suit.

He wore sunglasses at this late hour, perhaps to hide his expression.

He walked across the room and asked.

“Brotherhood?”

“Branch Manager 85, Malay Kractor. Are you his agent?”

“Can’t you tell when you see it?”

The agent shrugged.

Malay’s face crumpled for a moment at that witty yet unpleasant retort, then relaxed.

“Where is the item?”

“… …What are you guys doing? Bring it here!”

At Malay’s direction, his men brought the batteries piled up in the corner.

“Purity is guaranteed. If you want to check, I can take one out as a sample.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Ha, you refuse? This is so good. If you don’t, you’ll lose out on life.”

“Your body is your asset if things go wrong. And since your client said he won’t mess around with you, I guess it’s okay.”

The agent spoke and snapped his fingers.

Then the bodyguards took a hard case out of the vehicle’s trunk.

“How long are you going to just watch? Shouldn’t you start hitting slowly?”

“Just wait a little longer.”

Despite Collard’s urging, I squinted my eyes and concentrated.

Not yet.

It wasn’t too late for Malay to raid after confirming what was inside the hard case.

“That’s what you asked for. You wouldn’t try to scam me out of a clean deal, would you?”

“Hehehe, of course. He is someone you will be doing business with for a long time, so shouldn’t you treat him well?”

‘Wasn’t this just a normal drug deal?’

The flowing atmosphere was somehow strange.

I don’t know what that thing is, but a man who is the head of a Brotherhood branch would put aside his pride and please a mere agent.

It was also easy to guess the power of the company behind it.

‘I’ll take a peek when I get the chance.’

It’s a kind of side income.

If there is confusion due to the self-restraint, it seems appropriate to try timing it.

“Get ready.”

The answer came in the form of a secret wave of mana.

Aiming at the lightweight staff, Layla began to recite the spell.

“Can I open it?”

“Of course. Let’s exchange them.”

The agent and Malay stood face to face.

The moment when Malay boldly reached out his hand instead of the agent who still felt uneasy.

“Now is the time.”

“smash.”

Kwaaang!

The air was thick with whispers and a blast hit Malay.