Chapter 161

Perhaps this area had lost all respect for the police, because just as Nana was taking her rifle from the trunk of the car, a sudden tightening around her waist made the assassin instinctively throw a punch at the guy who seemed to be stealing her service weapon...

The shield whistled past and slammed into the ground, though it didn't hit anything... mainly because Nana realized this wasn't a police officer's reaction.

So, although she reflexively drew her pistol, thinking about the expensive special ammunition in the M1911 magazine—each shot costing four figures—and looking at the pale-faced young man sitting in the stinking puddle, Nana frowned.

"... child?"

"Ah, it's that brat from 'Pigeon Coop'... Never mind him, let's go up." (Wu)

Nana opened her mouth, but swallowed back the words "This is stealing a gun." She silently pulled the kid out of the puddle before following Jaeger, who had finished covering the car and started going upstairs.

"She should be of school age... or is school closed today?"

Their footsteps pattered on the steep staircase. Jaeger glanced back at Alice as if she were some rare beast, then scratched his head and said: Seven

"... Not all children have a family willing to support their education. No, it's more accurate to say that kid doesn't even have a family... but judging from the Liberi logo on her coat, she's probably a pickpocket from the Pigeon Coop Cage gang. She probably mistook the gun case on your back for a wallet..."

After speaking, Nana fell silent. In the shadowy old building, their heavy footsteps pounded like stones on their hearts.

ICA has an orphanage. Even knowing that the brightest children there will be recommended to Lycoris or another male agent training school for further development, the agents' training institutions will still provide even the most basic compulsory education to children with no talent, training them until they are old enough to work independently.

As for the utterly inconsiderate scene that Nana just witnessed, it would have been completely unthinkable in the past at Laisenton.

Has this city become indifferent?

Or is it that the ICA and Lycoris's 'municipal services' are so important that they could transform a beautiful 'home' into the filthy place Nana sees it to be in just a few years?

The assassin remained silent after that, and the two quietly reached the top floor.

Nana and Jaeger completely ignored the crowd that gradually gathered from each floor as they climbed the building. These guys, dressed in old-fashioned Columbia military uniforms, all carried at least one old-fashioned military sword at their waists... This was the most basic personal guard weaponry.

Surrounded, the two gradually approached the apartment door guarded by heavily armed guards. The blonde girl stretched her limbs, then raised her rifle in her right hand and cocked it, producing a metallic clang.

"Speaking of which, Uncle Jaeger, you still haven't answered me. What was our stance when negotiating with Atlas?"

Nana's obviously hostile demeanor clearly aroused considerable vigilance among the surrounding Atlas members. However, it seemed that their numerical advantage and the current geographical location of the city did not provide them with the basis for using heavy weapons and large-scale Originium Arts. Therefore, their 'vigilance' was merely at the level of placing their hands on the hilts of their swords.

As the two stopped, Jaeger looked at the two heavily armed guards who had blocked their path, and pulled his cowboy hat, reminiscent of the frontier era, over his head:

"Of course, we've come to demand an explanation."

Accompanied by a violent twisting sound of steel and screams, the old D28 Alloy sliding door emitted a strained, metallic creaking sound.

To be honest, Nana isn't good at using a shield to slap people. The position and way she holds the handle mean that the shield is unlikely to cause offensive damage, which is obviously too mild for an assassin... But this kind of pure display of strength is very suitable for a 'police officer'.

Just as Jaeger finished speaking, Nana swung her shield and smashed away the rabble surrounding her. Then, with a force that seemed to physically merge the gatekeepers with their armor and the gate, she kicked them away.

How could this decades-old apartment building withstand such a violent greeting from Nana in her Halo mode? As the heavily armed gatekeepers, along with the door and door frame they were supposed to protect, flew into the building, the long-waiting uniformed members raised their eyebrows and glanced at the immobile and wailing 'thing' that crashed into the building. Then, their muscles tensed as they looked at the blonde girl who walked in, as if she had her own built-in facial lighting.

"Alright, give me an explanation, you Atlas bastard."

Lighting a cigarette, Jaeger slowly sat down at the round table amidst the swirling smoke.

"... You've crossed the line."

As more uniformed soldiers, armed with light crossbows or Firearms Arts, crowded the entrance, the Atlas members, who had been waiting for a long time, surprisingly shrugged nonchalantly.

"Even if you say that, I'm just following orders... We're all working for our superiors, there's no need to make things difficult for each other."

"Go ahead and say that to the reporters, and see if the citizens who got caught up in your fight agree."

As he spoke, Uncle Jaeger pulled out the notebook he had been looking at, slammed his revolver on the table with one hand, and flipped the notebook to the section containing the initial Atlas members' testimonies:

"The city's current stance is that if you cause any more trouble, you're fired. And all I want to confirm is one thing... take responsibility? Or not? Give me a straight answer."

PS: Today's disciplined rehabilitation update...

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

PPS:

Book Recommendation: <I Became Catnip After Traveling to Cat Planet>

Yang Wenxi, an ordinary college student, and a fish-man with arms and legs who can talk, are transported to a strange world filled with cat-like people.

It's really strange to have a fish-man as a mascot, and it's even stranger that he claims to be a messenger of the god of life (annoying).

Meanwhile, on the planet Cat Planet, the dynasty was in its final years. The royal family was in decline, warlords were fighting each other across the land, factions were rampant, bandits roamed freely, and the people were suffering.

So, let's rely on what CC○V7 considers skill and some mysterious "salted fish magic" (lol) to try and survive in this world. Maybe with a bit of luck, we can even go down in history?

But why are the catgirls looking at me like that?

That was really, really wrong.

Also known as -- <The Tales of Katari>

5th Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 175 Let's be frank.

Although Jaeger's question was delivered in a calm tone, Alice's gun barrel was incredibly imposing.

Even a brief silence was followed by a cacophony of footsteps and the sounds of weapons clashing and scraping, accompanied by the quiet inquiries of the arriving armed personnel and their rapid breathing as they set up their weapons.

The dimly lit room felt like a gravitational field that could even strip away light. As the cigarette smoke swirled and rose, the expressions of the Atlas members beneath their military caps seemed to be stretched out by gravity.

"Responsible... that's quite a serious statement. Deputy Sheriff Jaeger, I must emphasize that we, like you, are subordinate to government agencies, and are also state instruments without self-awareness... the so-called 'for the people' rhetoric is usually just something people say when it comes to votes. Atlas bears the important responsibility of clearing away threats to the country..."

"Oh? So your job is to lower the city's security? Destroy the government's credibility? Or have street fights with underage girls?"

The girl's light laughter seemed to lighten the atmosphere considerably, but the fact that her right hand holding the gun remained completely still made the Astra members around her extremely anxious.

The blonde girl used her shield to block the deputy sheriff's view of herself and the corridor, and the pistol pointed directly at the only person inside didn't even extend beyond the shield's reach... meaning Atlas's squad leader still maintained a calm demeanor.

"Shouldn't the focus at this time be on those 'minors' who are all using Firearms Arts?"

"We could have raided the school suspected of harboring dangerous members and possessing a large number of Firearms Arts simply by investigating the school uniforms, but considering that the dangerous organization was only using the school as cover to infiltrate among minors, we had no choice but to resort to the extremely inefficient method of street confrontation..."

"This is not an explanation for turning the city into a battlefield... The problem now is that your actions have gone beyond what the laboratory permits allow... Let me be frank, if Atlas doesn't give the Raisington City a plausible explanation, then we'll use you as the explanation for the citizens of Laisenton."

Uncle Jaeger directly interrupted the other party's explanation, which seemed to imply that "we have already exercised great restraint." It was clear that this stronghold belonging to Atlas was not a place that had only been discovered today... As the city's representative, Jaeger's attitude was very clear: he was here today to issue an ultimatum.

You either give a statement that can calm public opinion and gain the approval of the citizens, or you adopt this statement; there is no third option.

Atlas seemed to have clearly noticed this as well. After a brief silence, the Atlas member, who was being held at gunpoint and appeared to be in command, tapped the table with his fingertips with a wry smile.

"That's quite forceful... But if I reveal any more mission details, I'll need permission from higher-ups... Would you mind if I took my phone for a moment?"

As Alice said this, she watched as the other person slowly stood up, then reached into the combat suit under the bullet casing. Taking this opportunity, Nana also checked the other person's equipment.

Compared to the old-fashioned fiberglass bulletproof vest that 'Alice' is currently wearing, the other side is equipped with a multi-functional bulletproof lanyard with quick-release function. Judging from the thickness of the bulletproof plates, they should be the latest type of metal-ceramic plates.

The external magazine well was crammed full of sixty-round automatic gun magazines, but unfortunately, it was upside down, so Nana couldn't see whether Atlas was using Etch Rounds or Compression Rounds. And aside from the Firearms Arts straps that seemed to be identification markers, the most noticeable thing on the other's chest was probably the multi-frequency handheld radio.

Especially the indicator light showing operation made Nana very suspicious of the person who had just been eavesdropping... Judging from the fact that he still had to use his phone, Atlas didn't seem to use radio to contact his superiors?

So who was listening in?

Are the people outside in the corridor?

Just as the girl's attention was drawn to the other person's hand movements and she was certain that he wasn't playing any tricks, a sudden, special Sankta Empathy made 'Alice' momentarily dazed.

It was a deeper kind of Empathy than usual, but unlike the memories of ordinary people.

The room was dark, with no lights. The only sound in the darkness was the beeping of an unknown machine. Submerged in a viscous liquid, 'oneself' opened their eyes but could see nothing. Their mind, empty and blank, wandered aimlessly. The last memory was... a call?

[aMA-77...]

After a brief moment of mental disorientation, a sudden visual sharing occurs: in the precise line of sight, he and Jaeger, dressed in police uniforms, are confronting Astra member who is making a phone call.

The Empathy hearing instantly merged with the body's hearing, and the questions from beside 'Alice' and the conversation heard by the 'unknown' Empathy combined to form a complete dialogue.

"Sorry, boss, I can accept the ruthless methods used to achieve the mission objectives... but I feel that if we continue to oppose the city government, our mission will definitely fail..."

'... I entrusted you with this task, and you should have done your best to complete it. If you failed to complete the task despite all permissions being available, I think that's your problem...'

"Um... Atlas has been investigating with all its might... We've even gone beyond the boundaries of a typical PMC... The police have already contacted us on behalf of the city... Next time, it might be the Mechanical Hunter ..."

"So? You're not just trying to extend the deadline anymore? Now you're using the police coming to your door as an excuse? Even the Hotel wouldn't accept an excuse like that..."

"Of course, Your Excellency, I know... However, since the work you've entrusted to us is inherently illegal, and your permission can no longer prevent the government from pursuing legal action, we... naturally have to consider the consequences of continuing... Atlas has the capacity to pay the breach of contract penalty to the agency, but if your demands are too outrageous, I think arbitration at the Hotel would also be a problem."

While Atlas was arguing with the other party, Nana estimated the location of the object of her Empathy through the angle of her Empathy vision.

Just as the assassin hesitated whether to inquire about the identity of the other party from Atlas, 'Alice' heard a detached yet incredibly familiar voice through this inexplicable, strong Empathy:

"Master, I can feel 'He'..."

'Tsk... No response from Number One Number Two? Number Four, go check the surrounding area!'

While Nana was still pondering the origin of the déjà vu sound, Astra nodded in satisfaction and agreed, seemingly having achieved the result she desired.

Just as its sudden appearance was abrupt, this almost instinctive 'super Empathy's vanished just as abruptly as it appeared. Fortunately, Nana's acting was always on point; her attention seemed to remain focused on the smiling Atlas members in front of her.

"Ha... Thanks to both of you, I have now obtained permission to inform everyone of the mission details and the municipal authorities."

As he spoke, he gestured towards the door, and the previously menacing armed personnel dispersed at his signal... The person before him was no longer wary of 'Alice,' and after searching for a while, this Atlas member in old-fashioned military uniform muttered to himself:

"I wonder if Your Excellency has heard of... the rumors about the 'Ghost'?"

"Ghost?"

"Ah... the Ghost of Laisenton..."

"That's a very long topic."

Seeing that the deputy sheriff was even more nervous than before, the squad leader on Atlas's side forced a very weak smile:

"It's okay, I can keep it short."

...1203 Lingqi Private Bar...

The two-hour narration wasn't particularly long or short, although from Nana's perspective, the 'Ghost' was described as an entity specifically targeting Columbia politicians and high-ranking capitalists, which left her somewhat speechless.

The problem isn't that she did target those incompetent politicians, and that Nana did indeed hang people from lampposts or stuff them in closets or bathtubs to prevent Columbia from becoming a capitalist-controlled country... but rather that she completely ignores the various terrorists she killed, the scientists conducting illegal experiments, and even classic family gangs... In their eyes, are these things unworthy of being counted Ghost Assassin's achievements?

What level are you at that, yet you're being chased and killed by Ghost Assassin just like me...? Does that mean...?

Although Nana knew from the beginning that Atlas was just a glove, the fact that she was able to find the person behind the glove so easily... could even explain why so many members of the system have started targeting agents in recent years, making things difficult for the ICA... It seems that everything has a reason now.

According to the person who claimed to be the captain of one of Atlas's several combat units, the ultimate goal of Atlas's mission was simply to dismantle the ICA, which provided support to the 'Ghost Assassin,' and to remove the 'Lycoris' organization, to which the Ghost Assassin belonged, from its control of Raisington City... In order to achieve this goal, they could use any means, including direct armed confrontation.

Undoubtedly, this move was extremely risky, because if the mission briefing was true, then Atlas would inevitably suffer retaliation from the Ghost Assassin... Even Uncle Jaeger wondered how much guts they had to go against such an enemy.

What followed was the captain's wry smile...

"The Ghost Assassin are their target, but their mission is merely to confirm their existence and dismantle their supporting organization... Even getting the Ghost Assassin's actual operator... ICA Executive Director 'Eternal Constant' out of office is not within their scope of mission..."

"... They were destined to be abandoned from the very beginning... if the Ghost Assassin they speak of are real."

As he spoke, he reopened the metal cigarette case, took out a cigarette, lit it, and put it in his mouth... Looking at the obscene graffiti sprayed on the hood of the police car that had only been parked for two hours, Jaeger tilted his head, while Nana laughed out loud without any restraint:

"Luckily, no one filmed me pooping, right?" (5)

"... Talking about this at this hour, are you even going to eat dinner?"

As they spoke, the two removed the car cover and started the vehicle.

As the roar of the high-powered engine mingled with the hoarse voice of the 911 operator after a long day, the blonde girl casually asked, toying with her brand-new Compact 1911: "Air..."

"What's next?"

"What? What should we do?" Scar

"Don't tell me you believed their nonsense..." Ling

As the blonde girl smiled and turned to look at the sheriff's deputy driving the car, Jaeger noticed that the man hadn't holstered his pistol after leaving Atlas's temporary base, which made him take a second look... After all, the gun seemed to be vaguely pointing at him... Or rather, the act of handling a pistol in the car itself reminded Jaeger of some unpleasant things.

"It's just a legitimate investigation, what do you mean by 'nonsense'?"

"You can't call this kind of evasive behavior, avoiding the issues of a ceasefire and disarmament, 'friendly exchange'... And ultimately, what does the Ghost Assassin incident have to do with the police station?"

"Even if we take a step back and say that it's Atlas who are not cooperating with the police investigation right now, those 'Lycoris' who are known as the Ghost Assassin' henchmen, whether it was the morning or afternoon group, they didn't say anything about not cooperating with the police, did they?"

As the police car stopped at a red light at the intersection near the Continental Hotel, Jaeger frowned, his hands nervously fidgeting on the steering wheel.

"... Your statement makes it sound like you're saying that you are 'Lycoris'."

"I don't deny that statement, or rather... I did, in the past,..."

As silence fell over the car, the tired and tense voice of the 911 operator suddenly broke into their conversation:

[Code 99! Status 444, repeat, Code 99 Status 444... Attention all units, a female officer was found knocked unconscious and her uniform is missing at the scene of today's Atlas shootout. All duty teams, please be wary of any unofficial calls... Repeat, all duty teams should be on high alert and check whether non-teammates are RSPD members...]