The Nathen Conglomerate, the chairman's office on the top floor.
The Communicator in front of Chelsea Claudi was cut off, plunging the screen into darkness.
The woman at the helm of this top-tier conglomerate seemed to still be processing what had just happened. Only after a long while did she close the Communicator interface, almost laughing in anger.
As one of District 25's leading military-industrial conglomerates, the Nathen Conglomerate rarely had anyone dare target it.
Not only were the odds of success low, but even anyone who succeeded would have to face retaliation from one of District 25's most powerful conglomerates.
Yet it had happened anyway. The situation had taken the worst possible turn: the Chip had been stolen, and worse still, she had no idea who had leaked the information.
Remembering how the other party had blasted apart the Communicator without a moment's hesitation, Chelsea couldn't help feeling a surge of anger.
Chelsea forced herself to calm down and began carefully reviewing the details she had just seen.
Her attention returned to the other party's weapon. If she remembered correctly, it was District 25's latest-generation Kinetic Assault Weapon. The only Tactical Suit equipped with a weapon like that seemed to be... the Bond Conglomerate's Tactical Suit.
-Ding.
The elevator outside the office came to a stop.
Chelsea set her thoughts aside and looked up. A girl with green highlights in her black hair slowly stepped out of the elevator, two alloy daggers hanging at the waist of her fitted Tactical Suit.
-[Shadow Blade] Shigure Ryoko, one of the Nathen Conglomerate employees who reported directly to Chelsea. She specialized in hacking and infiltration, and was well versed in assassination. She was also one of the few people in District 25 to possess a "title."
Many of the Nathen Conglomerate's dealings that could never see the light of day were carried out by Miss Shigure.
Without wasting words, Chelsea sent over the files in front of her and spoke succinctly:
"Someone stole our property. We have a few suspects. You're responsible for abducting them and bringing them here."
At those words, Shigure Ryoko's expression turned somewhat strange, and she couldn't help making a silent remark.
-Someone actually dared steal from you?
Shigure Ryoko received the file Chelsea had sent her and casually glanced at the name on it.
Silka Bond? Never heard of him.
"Remember to keep it discreet. If the Bond Conglomerate finds out, this will be difficult to explain."
After a pause, Chelsea added:
"Also, once you've abducted him, leave the interrogation to me."
"Understood."
Shigure Ryoko raised a hand above her head and said:
"I guarantee I'll deliver him to you in one piece."
Hearing that, Chelsea added:
"He doesn't have to be in one piece... the Nathen Conglomerate's medical technology is quite advanced."
-Miss Chelsea Claudi was notorious for holding grudges.
The Wetting Conglomerate, the Alt Branch Building.
Jonas sat at his desk.
In front of him lay the very Chip he had stolen from the Nathen Conglomerate.
-The Nathen II Tactical Chip could greatly enhance a Tactical Suit's computing performance.
It was powerful enough to turn a toy car into a Gundam.
Although it couldn't be mass-produced, it was still one of District 25's most advanced technological achievements.
"What do you plan to do next, Mr. Jonas?"
Eiffel stood beside him, glanced at the Chip in front of him, then looked back at Jonas.
Clearly, the girl understood the value of this Chip very well, along with the trouble this incident could bring later.
To be honest, she had never expected Jonas to pull off something so major without a word. By the time she realized how serious the problem was, it was already over.
Despite her reluctance, Eiffel had no choice but to become his "accomplice."
The courage and audacity it took to steal something from the Nathen Conglomerate at such a small cost earned Eiffel's admiration.
But objectively speaking, for Jonas to do something like this before he had even gained control of the Wetting Conglomerate was simply too greedy.
"Unless something unexpected happens, Miss Chelsea of the Nathen Conglomerate should track down Silka Bond."
Jonas paused, then continued his analysis:
"We can't expect Mr. Sirka to buy us much time... but it'll be enough for us to move the Chip somewhere safe."
"Once we can ensure Chelsea can't pinpoint the Chip's location, we'll have a chance to negotiate with the Nathen Conglomerate."
As he spoke, he looked at Eiffel and smiled.
"It's all robbery. If the Levi Conglomerate can do it, why can't I, Jonas?"
At Jonas's words, Eiffel's gaze turned somewhat odd.
-So you really have figured out what to do next?
"Then have you figured out how to handle the Nathen Conglomerate's retaliation?"
Jonas waved a hand and said:
"That'll only be a temporary inconvenience... there are no grudges in this world that can't be overcome, only eternal interests."
"?"
Eiffel tilted her head and asked in confusion:
"But can you currently offer anything that would make the Nathen Conglomerate change its mind?"
"Not having it now doesn't mean I won't have it later."
With a casual tap, Jonas set the box containing the Chip at one corner of the desk.
"Have faith in my micromanagement. Making something out of nothing is what capitalists do best."
"..."
Eiffel's eyes were full of doubt.
Ignoring the gaze of the [Steward] beside him, Jonas offered no further explanation. He merely scoffed inwardly.
-Heh, you ignorant girl.
Let me show you just how absurd I can be now that I've snatched the protagonist's resources.
The pain the original owner of this body endured was a hundred times more outrageous than this!
Before you continue