arc3 · 165-ch165

Chapter 165: A Certain Criminal Organization

"My apologies, Boss. The plan ended in failure."

This was a room in a criminal organization's hideout on the outskirts of Tokyo. In a room decked out with luxurious furnishings, two men were conferring in secret.

One of them was the man who had, some days ago, been pulling the Nishi-Hachioji hostage-taker's strings from behind the scenes — Kuranohayashiin Raito himself. An executive of the criminal organization "Ouroboros," he had come to report on that incident.

The man Kuranohayashiin was addressing was the boss of Ouroboros, one Onodake Tetsuzan. He sat in a leather chair, eyes closed, listening to the report. He wore an expensive suit in a careless slouch, though his bulging muscles made it look strained.

This Onodake Tetsuzan was the man who, years ago, raided the Special Prison and loosed many criminals upon the world. Afterward, he gathered the escaped Awakened and built the criminal organization Ouroboros. With combat power that left the yakuza in the dust, Ouroboros clawed its way to the top of Japan's criminal organizations in no time at all.

"Failure I can forgive. But our message got across — yes?"

At the low voice pushed out along with the cigarette smoke, tension ran through Kuranohayashiin's body.

"Yes. The fact that our aim is our comrades' release came through loud and clear."

He chose his words carefully as he answered, all while watching Onodake's expression. If he didn't, his own safety wouldn't be guaranteed either.

"And how many did he kill before they took him?"

The one question Kuranohayashiin had dreaded most. Answer wrong here, and the giant axe leaning beside Onodake just might cleave his own body in two.

"Well, you see — the government's response was faster than expected... Kohazuka was taken down before he could offer up any sacrifices."

"What did you say?"

Killing intent filled the dim room. A single bead of cold sweat ran down Kuranohayashiin's forehead.

"Was there an explorer in that area capable of subduing Kohazuka? Don't tell me it was these clowns."

On the television at the end of Onodake's gaze, the news of the hostage incident's resolution was playing. A young announcer was reporting that three special police officers had taken Kohazuka into custody, and a smug commentator was singing their praises.

But the three special police officers on screen were clearly young men brand-new to explorer work, radiating no presence whatsoever. Onodake seemed certain that these three were not the ones who had subdued Kohazuka.

"Correct. Kohazuka was down before these three ever went in."

At Kuranohayashiin's answer, Onodake's eyes grew sharper still.

"Then who took Kohazuka down?"

Kuranohayashiin took one deep breath before answering.

"A drone."

"What did you say?"

"A drone slipped in without a sound and shot Kohazuka's arm and legs through."

At that explanation, Onodake leaned back into the sofa and stared up at the ceiling, thinking.

"SS, is it?"

"Most likely."

Kohazuka had been a C-rank explorer. Even a military drone couldn't possibly one-side him this badly. If so, the options narrowed on their own. A drone capable of this — he concluded there was none but the drone of SS, the man on everyone's lips right now.

"Tch. To think I let their information lead me around by the nose. Ah well. Someone will pay in full for making use of Ouroboros. And I suppose I'll have to give SS my thanks, too."

Onodake crushed the lit cigarette in his fist and rose to his feet.

"Raito. Summon the executives. We're starting a war."

"Yes, understood."

At Onodake's order, Kuranohayashiin pressed a hand to his chest and answered with a deep bow.

"Ah — right, right. There was that young guy who joined us recently. What about him?"

Asked that, Kuranohayashiin remembered too — the young man who'd recently dropped out of an explorer-training university to join Ouroboros.

He didn't seem all that bright, but he'd awakened to a Swordsman job. Combat-type jobs become valuable fighting power if you train them. What's more, he was sure to be carrying some deep hatred. If they poked at that the right way, he might just transform into something remarkable.

"He'd awakened to a Swordsman job. Trained, he might become reasonably useful."

Recalling the information his subordinates had passed along, Kuranohayashiin rendered his judgment.

"The more usable pieces on the board, the better. Assign someone to train him."

"Understood. We'll power-level him in one of the dungeons we hold."

"That'll do. But be absolutely sure the government never catches wind of it. Also — the ones who leaked us information were the British government, if I recall. The British Queens should be in Japan right now. Keep tabs on their movements too. If an opening shows itself, we make the first move."

"Yes — I'll put Dokumamushi in command of that."

Onodake nodded, satisfied, at Kuranohayashiin's answer.

"Use whatever you need from the warehouse. You'd best prepare for war yourself."

With those parting words, Onodake left the room. With his report delivered without incident, the tension drained out of Kuranohayashiin, and he let out a single "phew" of relief.

"So the war's finally beginning. I'll get you out soon enough. Just you wait, Fūto."

There was no one left in the room to catch Kuranohayashiin's murmur.