Conflict
Compared with North America, where two powerful regimes held sway, South America, divided among countless nations, was relatively chaotic.
In this place, where violence and chaos could break out at any moment, there was never a shortage of opportunities for mercenaries to make a living: private security, illegal plantations, even small-scale coups or wars.
The boundless tropical rainforest concealed countless evils, too.
Shi Boxue couldn't help taking an interest in the mercenaries Mitsui Hisashi had brought along. He asked in a low voice, "How many mercenaries are there this time?"
"Not many. Five hundred of the most professional mercenaries. As long as you pay them, they'll do anything. Too bad those gang members won't enter the jungle, or we could've rounded up a few thousand."
Mitsui Hisashi sounded both somewhat proud and a little regretful.
Unfortunately, those gang members weren't fools. They knew how dangerous the tropical rainforest was, and no matter how much they were offered, they refused to venture even a step into it.
With a few thousand men, they could charge forward in an overwhelming tide. How could Academy Under Heaven's handful of people possibly hold them back?
"Heh! I hope we'll have a pleasant cooperation this time!"
A trace of apprehension stirred in Shi Boxue's heart, and he grew secretly wary.
Five hundred mercenaries with extensive combat experience, not even counting the Senkai Association's people, were undoubtedly a major threat.
They could not only deal with Academy Under Heaven; they could even give all five of Institute 507's operation teams a serious challenge.
He still remembered what had happened to the America operation team in Salt Lake City. Just one sniper squad had nearly made them lose their footing there.
Wizards who went head-to-head with guns and artillery would only suffer losses. They wouldn't gain