Chapter 180

But the 'Finance' department continues to spread the rumor of 'escaping to Victoria '... Clearly, after discovering they might become enemies of Columbia, the Archaeology Division staff are clinging desperately to even the 'possibility' of Victoria, even if it's just a lifeline.

The Instruction Corps soldier even bluntly asked, "So, can you guarantee my rescue?" The Gray Hats agent's response was:

"I'm doing everything I can to save as many people as possible... but the problem is, those results could have saved countless people in the camp, allowing everyone to safely settle in Victoria, but the section chief and your boss might not allow it... after all, they value the data highly and might be holding out for a higher price..."

"Did you mean..."

"... So, how about coming to our side...? I've already found quite a few people, most of them just ordinary soldiers and low-level researchers like you, doing manual labor. We can share our results ourselves... even just the catalog will do. I have a way to get the catalog to Victoria without going through those two... Even if each person only has one data tape, Victoria will do her best to protect all of us to ensure the integrity of the data."

"You..."

"Don't look at me like that. I want to live too, you know. You know what the Archaeology Division does is inherently a curse... Columbia will definitely try to wipe us out, otherwise the international condemnation alone will be enough to cause us a lot of trouble."

"I... let me think about it..."

"Hey, what's there to think about? If I just told you I needed important documents, you'd probably hesitate and wonder if I'd sell them and run away... But I only need the catalog. Everyone take one copy. We'll tell the section chief when things are settled. We're not abandoning the boss and the others; we're just making sure we don't get left behind. What's there to hesitate about..."

Regarding the Gray Hats, the soldier gestured for him to look at the diligent Artificial Angel around them, which made the Victoria agent frown:

"Oh... they... they seem to follow orders according to rank... and the highest command authority is with the section chief and your boss..."

"And their combat power... to put it bluntly, they're better at fighting than us... there's a fundamental difference in their basic physical attributes and the spells they can use. What's more, their leader taught them not to value their own lives at all. Even if everyone betrays us, we'll definitely be the ones who die in a fight."

"... Others have told me about this too. The researchers have a way to remove the highest level of access... but you need to enter the lab first."

"Yeah! Just go into the lab and take over the highest command! There's this trick too... Oh, so you came here just to get into the lab to find me."

Without refuting the other's statement, the Gray Hats and the soldier exchanged meaningful smiles. Then, the two squatted down with their arms around each other's shoulders, forcing Nana to strain her ears to listen to their plan.

"Tell me honestly, did you really manage to win over more than half of the people...?"

"It's true that we've won over more than half, to be precise, four-fifths of the Archaeology Division... But you're a highly qualified person, don't you understand your colleagues? Everyone's waiting, if I don't go and get the catalog to get the higher-ups to help, you'll definitely continue running around with them, won't you?"

"Hey... they really are capable of such things... but the ones guarding the lab are the boss's personal guards, they won't let you get away with this like we do..."

"So how do you plan to get me in?"

"That's easy, just go ahead and call it in... We've been annoyed with those idiots for ages."

The soldier's gesture of spreading his hands caused the smile in the Gray Hats to falter slightly. Then, Agent Victoria frowned and scrutinized the man beside her.

"Are you out of your mind? Are they so loyal they'd risk their lives for them?"

"What do you think a bunch of bastards are saying?! They treat the Little Cat so badly, they don't even consider them human beings... If it weren't for the high pay, I would have left long ago..."

"Um... wouldn't you call this settling a personal score?"

"Anyway, I can guarantee that if you take action, I won't make a sound. You just need to let me meet with one of the people you've recruited. You can deal with the gatekeeper and replace him with us. We won't utter a single word... We can also handle any calls from the security office." Wu

"Huh? This... are you guys even capable?"

"Hilarious! These days everyone's patrolling so much because they're afraid of being wiped out by SHD, but those bodyguards are used to being arrogant and domineering. What's so strange about them skipping a shift... I'll just say they went to the small room." — Qi

Seemingly shocked by the absurd statement of the Instruction Corps soldier, the Gray Hats quickly regained his excited expression, as he seemed to have indeed achieved his goal.

For Nana, the fact that the data was being dispersed and sent to Victoria was not good news. She certainly couldn't let go of this opportunity to deal with the Gray Hats woman.

But their trip to the lab presented a good opportunity. While watching them go to find another traitor willing to participate in the plan, Nana went ahead and waited at the livestock pen.

Not long after, while most of the soldiers were sprawled out in the fields taking their midday rest, the Gray Hats arrived with two soldiers from the Instruction Corps.

The way he announced "You can rest now" to the Artificial Human as he came along was incredibly dashing; Nana couldn't wait for them to open the heavy laboratory door.

After all the Artificial Human around him had left, the man in the Gray Hats entered the livestock shed. Nana, hiding behind the water trough in the cattle pen, witnessed him instantly leap across nearly ten meters and kill two guards... Then, the two who had followed him also jogged over.

"Holy crap, that's awesome, bro."

"Without those Little Cat- monitoring spells, breaking through here would be a simple matter... I'm going to grab some documents to hand in, then we can all leave together."

"Okay! Let's leave together!"

With a few words, the airlock of the underground laboratory door opened, and the Gray Hats entered. The two soldiers exchanged a glance, then grabbed the corpse and dragged it toward the cowshed.

This skill itself isn't the problem, but the real issue is that Nana is in the cowshed, standing in the shadows with her suitcase in hand, and her eyes meet those of the two men holding the corpse.

Seeing that the two people's expressions changed instantly, Nana quickly came up with a clever idea and said:

"... Violation detected."

Faced with this reaction from the black-haired Feline, one of them, whose face had turned deathly pale, suddenly flushed red, as if he had just forgotten to breathe:

"Damn, it's Little Cat! It scared me to death... Um, we didn't break any rules, you can..."

Before he could finish speaking, the other person's deathly pale face turned an even more unsightly yellowish-white:

"... Um, bro... she..."

"Don't speak, let me speak."

"No, she..."

"I told you to shut up!"

"... She's that Ghost... isn't she?"

"I said you... damn it... why did you say that? Are you out of your mind?! You've been wasting your time reading the files, haven't you? Ghost generally don't kill people who aren't their targets..."

Covering her face and sighing, the soldier's next action made Nana's cat ears perk up. He ripped off his waist belt and chest sash, then knelt down in front of Nana in a tiger-like landing:

"Spare me..."

"... You recognized me."

"My lord, spare my life!" (whispering)

The kneeling soldier hopped aside to avoid the guy next to him who had also reacted and suddenly hugged him, then pointed tearfully to the guy beside him who had been plotting with the guy in the Gray Hats earlier:

"I was just called here, told there was a way to survive... I didn't participate voluntarily, and I haven't abused the Little Cat. I just applied to join the instructor team, and only today did I find out about the inhuman things they've done... Ah, I don't want to escape to Victoria or anything like that. I have a wife and kids waiting for my salary to support my family..."

"No?! You fucking... I didn't surrender to Victoria willingly either!? I just... had nowhere else to go! If that Victoria bastard hadn't said he'd be wiped out by his own country, who the hell would have fled abroad..."

Seeing the two of them hushed up and accusing each other, Nana was speechless for a moment, then said:

"Nobody said they wanted to wipe you all out..."

""Ah?""

"Otherwise, why do you think you're still standing here?"

As the two exchanged another glance, the person who had been constantly stopping the idiot from speaking tried to speak:

"So... what will our fate be...?"

"I am here to hold the main leaders accountable. There are three targets, and you, as the lower-ranking members, are not among them... But if you are willing to surrender and truthfully report your work experience... then I will plead for leniency on your behalf as a senior SHD agent."

"After all, you are currently in the midst of attempted treason... or rather, ongoing treason. As long as you repent and behave well in the upcoming Judgment, as professional military personnel employed by the laboratory, if it is confirmed that you have not committed any serious illegal acts during your work, the possibility of being sentenced is not high... The most likely scenario is that you will be punished with military service observation in the army due to your military skills."

"... What is that?"

"I don't know. It's probably some kind of punishment like mandatory military service, but I'm not familiar with how it's carried out or the details. Currently, all the cases I handle involve death sentences... Your questions will need to wait for the court's further processing..."

Half a minute into the conversation, the walkie-talkie on the nearby corpse crackled to life.

Faced with Nana's tilted head and gaze, the two quickly grabbed the walkie-talkie in a scramble and brushed it off with the absurd statement that "they went to the cabin."

Nana also found it quite absurd, especially since such words actually worked... which was even more absurd... However, these were not things to worry about. Now that the lab doors were open, Nana could go inside.

Before setting off, Nana wanted to ask a few questions that concerned her:

"Speaking of which, the server room can modify the 'permissions' of the Artificial Angel... Is this instantaneous?"

"Yes... that's what the person from Victoria said... it seems to rely on some kind of signal transmitter... it was quite complicated."

"Oh, you mean the command vehicle for remote-controlled Little Cat? That vehicle is parked in the middle of the farm right now! It's on 24/7."

Seeing the two of them acting as if they were showing off a treasure, Nana thought for a moment, then tapped their foreheads with her finger, and a slight magical fluctuation swept over them... but because all the wary Artificial Human had been dismissed, it wouldn't attract any attention at the moment.

Their detection range was limited to what was within their line of sight. If they weren't looking directly at her, their perception seemed to be less than five meters. All of Nana's long-term vigilance was for nothing... When those four little agents were still around, they could still counter her wave scanning spells. Their experience had deteriorated beyond Nana's expectations.

"Next, I'm going to the lab to reset control of the Artificial Angel and take control of the camp. If you... and those gathered by the Gray Hats, truly wish to surrender, then you can notify those you trust... As long as they cooperate, I will plead for them using my authority. And my words and assurances... are effective for everyone in your camp."

After saying this, Nana looked at the laboratory corridor where the gate remained open, but the figure in the Gray Hats was no longer visible.

"Well then, please make yourselves at home. I'm off to catch up with the Gray Hats..."

As the black-haired Feline entered the door, the gate slowly closed under the complicated gazes of the two 'gatekeepers'... With the troublesome guy no longer performing the spell scan, Nana began to try out the tracking spell again.

The man in the Gray Hats had only been gone for less than a hundred seconds, and following his footsteps, Nana quickly found the fourth target, who was talking to several researchers.

"I see, then I can modify the permissions..."

"Hmm... you'll take us all away, right? I absolutely don't want to stay in Columbia... if this kind of human experimentation is discovered, my life is over..."

Seeing the agitated researcher, the man in the Gray Hats shrugged, waving his access card.

"That's why I'm here. You are all important researchers in our country, and your lives are just as important as those data."

These words were clearly meant to appease the researchers, and the Gray Hats fully understood their anxiety.

Even a genius like Loken was sentenced to life imprisonment beyond his lifespan after his talent was exposed, while these people... were not as talented as those well-known geniuses, but in terms of effort, they were studying crooked ways to try to get into the Department of Ministry of Defense through back channels.

It's entirely fair to say they're all talk and no action... but this group was deliberately exposed to Chief Liberi by the Gray Hats organization. Only this group would think they're underappreciated and be cynical enough to participate in such a vile research project.

Even if Columbia doesn't want them, Victoria won't want them after they get the data... But that's a matter for after they get the data; Gray Hats has already planned everything.

First, gain the support of these wavering researchers to escape to Victoria. Then, take advantage of the chaos to undermine the Instruction Corps. Finally, once the Archaeology Division's control over the Artificial Human is lifted, the rest can be left to the receiving personnel to handle.

Then I can go home after get off work and disappear from everyone's sight... Perfect.

Composing himself, he swiped his card to access the database server room... The man in the Gray Hats hat gave a polite bow to the frantically transferring tapes, and seeing the surprised look on the other's face, he began his self-introduction:

"You must be the mysterious data administrator. I am honored to extend this invitation to you... This invitation, Victoria."

Unlike his previous covert actions in the outside world, he is now only one step away from turning the entire camp against its will. Gray Hats is determined to eliminate the other side if they do not cooperate, and his actions are extremely ostentatious.

In any case, the administrator is not important to him. Even if he cannot obtain command of the Artificial Angel, as long as he uses the access card to put those Artificial Angel into standby self-check, the insurrection of the camp can be completed smoothly. It's just that the original manpower has been replaced by goods that need to be transported... No big problem.

What puzzled the Gray Hats was that despite sending an invitation, the other party didn't respond at all.

Looking up, I saw the administrator pointing at me with apparent surprise... Oh? Was he surprised that I, who was originally just an accountant, would say something like that?

You'd probably be even more surprised if you knew that your selection for such an important position as data administrator was also the result of interference from the Gray Hats.

As he contemplated his successful future, the Gray Hats politely waited for the other person to regain their breath. But... once the other person came to their senses, their expression became even more terrified, and they even started to cry and frantically gesticulate.

But no matter where her left hand was, her right hand was pointing straight at herself... or rather, behind her? Thinking of this, the Gray Hats froze for a moment, and then a cold sweat crept up his back and onto his forehead.

The legendary Ghost silently appeared behind Mr. Gray Hats, the sturdy fiber rope stretched taut over his leather gloves.

As Nana swiftly and decisively kicked the knee of her fourth target—who was greeting her third target—from behind, lowering him to a position suitable for her to exert force, the fiber rope noose was then tightly bound around his neck.

Using her feet to suppress the struggling person on the ground, Nana tightened the rope in her hands, her distinctive heterochromatic eyes fixed straight at the administrator:

"SHD Senior Agent sends his greetings. As for this uninvited guest..."

If you like it here, please stay here forever.

PS: Waaaaaaah!

Well, the battle will end in the next chapter... I might as well write more. All the so-called slow pacing is just a problem of me not writing fast enough. (crying)

5th Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 197 Target 3 and Target 2 confirmed eliminated.

"You, you, you are that, that--!"

"No. 0 Prototype, ICA Ghost, SHD Agent... You can choose whichever you like to call me."

Releasing the Gray Hats to confirm the kill, Nana retrieved the authentication card he had obtained from the researcher from his body. Nana looked it over; this thing was probably inserted into the Terminal behind the current data administrator.

In contrast to Nana, who was eager to complete the task, the data administrator looked like the sky was falling.

The sight of someone trembling all over, wanting to run but too scared to move, was a very rare experience for Nana, since her past mission targets had never been aware of her condition.

"You... you knew all along?!"

"What are you referring to? If you mean the vicious competition within the Archaeology Division this time, then I can confirm that at least the President is aware of it."

At this point, Nana observed the other person's changing expressions with great interest. The other person went from anxiety to relief, and then instantly turned from relief to deathly pale. It was hard to ignore. The way the other person was convulsing made Nana think that she was interrogating her.

Perhaps from a humanitarian perspective, it would be better for me to appear less frequently in public in the future.

"Now, go unlock the Artificial Angel operating system."

"... This... no... you need maximum access to use that directly... I'm just a database maintainer..."