episode_0109

We followed Armas deeper into the warehouse. There, large and small boxes and pallets were stacked, and various types of well-maintained weapons were lined up.

“Shall we begin?”

As I nodded, Armas confidently stepped forward. He picked up the weapons on display and began introducing them one by one.

“This is the FR-7 assault rifle. It can use anything from standard rounds to armor-piercing and anti-monster rounds. All accessories available on the market can be attached.”

Following the guide, I picked up one of the rifles. It was an exquisitely designed black assault rifle with various sights, a suppressor, and a vertical grip. Three stars appeared in the status window.

“Not bad. It feels good in my hand.”

“Of course. This fellow is a loyal spouse that doesn’t discriminate against its partner. More than anything, it’s an incredibly patient friend. It operates regardless of the dungeon environment, from the extreme cold of Pas Terra to the deserts of Rostini.”

“This is good. What’s next?”

Next was a heavy-sized shotgun with a drum magazine.

“For underground dungeons or urban dungeons, there’s nothing like the Apex CC-12. Some people call it ‘The Vacuum Cleaner.’ They say every time you empty a magazine, all your troublesome problems are cleared away. Its only drawback is its weight, but…”

The automatic shotgun was quite heavy, but activating mana in my arm and lifting it caused no significant hindrance.

“For Awakened customers like you, that’s merely a minor issue.”

This time, a new weapon appeared. It was a gun-like weapon, but instead of a barrel, it had a translucent tube between two wide, elongated metal plates engraved with magic circles on the top and bottom.

“With the M9 Mana Radiator from the Machinaria Workshop, even Awakened individuals who can’t use magic can cast spells. By consuming mana from your body, you can use one of three attacks: a continuous mana beam, or switch to a freezing beam or a mana net. How does that sound??”

Oh, this is quite appealing too.

The explanation continued afterward.

“This is W&W’s latest crossbow, the CR-250. It’s a 30-round whispering death! Precision bolts made of high-conductivity Aether material are also included as a bonus.”

“The MK-5 is loaded with a total of 5 grenades. You can fire them without interruption.”

“This is a set of 10 mana grenades. While their destructive power isn’t high, they are instantly effective for neutralizing mana defenses.”

“30 rounds per second! It’s a torrent of death. The manufacturer calls it ‘Steel Storm.’ Don’t worry about your shoulder. The Type 60 machine gun comes with the latest recoil dampening device. It’ll be comfortable to shoot.”

As I was looking at the various weapons, the bodyguards behind me took out a long rifle from a box. It was an elongated rifle with a telescopic sight, and it was truly enormous.

“What’s this? A cannon?”

“Haha, all our customers say that when they see this one. It’s the M9 Dungeon Piercer. If you aim and shoot, it can even bring down intermediate monsters. It uses current autocannon shells. Its maximum range exceeds 3km.”

It’s quite large for a sniper rifle. However, since we use an inventory, there’s no need to worry about carrying it.

Finally, what emerged from the box was a large, elongated metal cylinder.

“Sometimes, you need powerful striking power. There’s nothing more suitable for that than the L20 Rocket Launcher.”

I was impressed. This is exactly what I wanted.

“How do you like them? Is there anything you fancy?”

I nearly shouted in excitement but managed to calm myself.

“Give me all of them, right now. You have ammunition, right?”

“All of them, you say… Understood. First, please show me the cash.”

As Armas spoke, I gestured.

The armed Violet waiting behind me threw two duffel bags forward. When the bodyguards opened the bags, stacks of banknotes appeared.

“You came thoroughly prepared.”

“It’s not like we’re seeing each other for just a day or two, is it?”

As I replied in a blunt tone, Armas laughed understandingly and nodded.

“It would be an honor for us to see you again. Where shall we move them?”

“Load them into the back of the truck we came in.”

Since he offered to deliver them himself, I declined. I could just put them in my inventory once they were loaded.

I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.

“Ah, yes. One thing is missing. Where are the heavy weapons? I clearly told Director-nim I’d be buying heavy weapons through him.”

“Heavy weapons, you say? Are you referring to rocket launchers or anti-material rifles?”

“No, not those. Don’t you have things like autocannons, mortars, or anti-tank missiles? Preferably the latest models, ones that can be carried on a truck or by a person.”

“What exactly do you mean by that…”

Armas’s expression subtly changed after hearing my explanation. A bewildered gaze, not hidden by his sunglasses, scrutinized me.

“Cannons would be great too!”

“Customer-nim, what you’re requesting for our first meeting is truly… grand. May I ask what you plan to use them for?”

I couldn’t tell him I was going to pour them onto the school board and Magnabyss’s army. I vaguely made up an excuse.

“They’re for monster hunting. These days, you see clans attaching large cannons to their armored vehicles, don’t you? We need them too.”

“…Is that so? However, in matters like these, trust and credibility are ultimately necessary.”

Armas, the person, carefully smiled and stared intently at my face. When I looked at Director Leslie, he avoided my gaze with an awkward expression.

「That weapons dealer, isn’t he just trying to get more money from us?」 「Guess there’s no helping it.」

Indeed, merchants of the underworld are truly finicky. This might be a push and pull tactic.

Thinking that I shouldn’t hesitate in such a situation, I gestured again. The Violet behind me threw a new duffel bag. A heavy thud echoed inside the warehouse.

“This should be enough, right?”

When the bodyguards carefully opened the bag, stacks of bonds and heavy gold bars sparkled under the warehouse lights.

Armas’s eyes widened for a moment before he regained his composure.

“It’s an advance payment. Try your best to acquire them.”

“Ah, I see… Yes. I’ll give it a try.” The corner of his lips curved into a smile.

“However, they will be of a much lower standard than what you desire.”

“Really? Why?”

“Heavy weapons of this kind are bulky and not easily exported. We also need time to grease the palms of officials. More than anything, acquiring the latest equipment is as difficult as plucking a star from the sky [a proverb about extreme difficulty]. What I can bring quickly are only decades-old, obsolete pieces of equipment that are already circulating in the market. Is that acceptable?”

As he explained in detail, I pondered deeply before coming to a conclusion.

“It doesn’t matter. Send me a list of equipment you can acquire through Director-nim later. I’ll take a look and contact you if it’s acceptable.”

“Understood. Then I’ll see you again within two weeks.”

After the deal was concluded, we were seen off as we left the warehouse.

“The weapon manuals and instructions are enclosed in there. I’ve also included repair tools. Be sure to test fire them. If any problems arise, contact me immediately. We’ll exchange them right away.”

“Oh, you offer after-sales service too? I thought you’d just sell them and be done with it.”

“Of course. If we make a mistake, we receive customer complaints in the form of lead bullets. Right there, on site. Haha!”

Hearing Armas’s words, we chuckled inwardly.

Trucks loaded with weapons drove out of the port. Director-nim, holding the steering wheel, wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“It’s a relief that it ended smoothly. But President-nim.”

“Hm?”

“Why do you need heavy weapons? Mortars and missiles?”

As Director-nim, full of doubt, pressed further, I crossed my arms and repeated what I had said earlier.

“I told you. I’ll use them to hunt monsters. Director-nim, as a non-Awakened person, you might not know, but it’s hard to catch intermediate monsters like Kranos or Crawltide Nests with just swords. Their bodies are incredibly huge.”

“Hmm… Is that so? Understood.” Seeing Director-nim’s embarrassment, I realized I had made an excessive request. From now on, when giving instructions, I should consider the comprehension level of those around me.

Originally, I had intended to ask him to acquire an airplane too. Given his reaction now, that seems out of the question.

「We’ll look into this on our own.」 「How about a glider?」

***

After successfully concluding the weapon deal, for three days, the Violets in the central sector were busy organizing the weapons stored in their inventories, trying them out, and checking if they could be replicated.

Of course, this wasn’t the only task assigned to the Violets in the central sector. There was a task they diligently performed every single day without fail.

Namely, surveillance.

「What are Lucian’s kids doing these days?」 「Lucian is playing a game. Levi is maintaining his crossbow, and Granite is sleeping.」

Violet No. 5, who received the report from the dormitory surveillance team, typed on her laptop keyboard, recording the day’s matters.

The Violets stationed outside were constantly rotating, monitoring their friends and people around them. Currently, Violets were secretly guarding our friends.

Irene and Daphne only knew that we were watching them; they didn’t know we were dedicated to 24-hour surveillance/guard duty.

「Kalia went to visit her uncle in the hospital.」 「I’m eating ice cream with Daphne right now! I love coconut flavor!」 「Hey! I told you to watch, not to play along!」 「Irene’s location confirmed. She stopped by the bank and is now moving by taxi. It’s that main residence from last time.」

Besides these three, there were numerous other places and targets under surveillance.

「Director-nim is currently eating delivery food with the staff in the office. It’s fried rice.」 「Kroshel appeared perfectly fine at the student council. It’s a shame we couldn’t kill him then.」 「Near the Audit Bureau, the scholarship officer is nowhere to be seen. Does he even come to work?」 「What is the instructor doing at his desk?」

Listening to the Violets chattering in real-time from various locations, we grasped and confirmed the situation. Since we began surveillance, there have been no unusual occurrences yet, but we are continuing just in case.

「Irene’s person in charge is No. 122, right? Why haven’t you reported?」 「That’s because there’s nothing to see. The penthouse windows are treated with a reflective film.」

As No. 5 urged, No. 122 lowered her binoculars and grumbled. It was already uncomfortable having to look up at a building dozens of stories high, and there was nothing to see.

「Focus on your work again.」

No. 122, having been reprimanded, raised her binoculars again. Tiny, bird-sized objects were seen flying around the building.

「Those are drones. Why are they flying around like that?」 I tilted my head.

The drones moved back and forth around the windows.

Then, the penthouse’s floor-to-ceiling window shattered, and someone leaped out from inside. No. 122’s eyes widened at the unexpected situation.

「It’s Irene! Why?」 「Screech! Our friend is trying to commit suicide!」

The moment Irene threw herself into the air dozens of stories high, the penthouse exploded.

「…Emergency!」 No. 122, her mind blank, shouted in alarm. So loudly that the Violet network reverberated.

「Emergency situation! Guard team! Assemble!」 「Vehicle team, move to the scene!」

Our friend was attacked. It’s a terrorist attack!

We were startled and focused on the situation unfolding from the scene. Dozens of clones began to manifest.

No matter the situation, we must protect her!