Chapter 399 - 364: Mission and Credibility (Part 2)

Chapter 399: Chapter 364: Mission and Credibility (Part 2)

"In a head-on confrontation, they’re no match for ’Shadow,’ of course, but these agents are all trained in asymmetric combat!" Sikokun said. "Like various methods of poisoning, and all sorts of Psychic Power tools with different abilities... They’re impossible to fully guard against!"

"Sikokun has a point," Guan Tong spoke up. "If the enemy uses asymmetric warfare, they could pose a threat. But we just need to keep them under surveillance at all times."

"These people have many ways to evade surveillance."

"They can evade camera surveillance, but they can’t evade mine. For example, right now, I know what every one of them is doing, but they have no idea they’re being monitored by me."

Sikokun was stunned. She hadn’t expected Guan Tong to be capable of something like this. It sounded incredible, yet she knew Guan Tong wouldn’t lie about it.

"That should put you more at ease, Sikokun," Yelena said. "With Teacher’s protection, your time is freed up. I want you to continue leading the mobile unit to maintain order at the competition site."

Although Sisiya had decided to establish a closed-off "competition grounds," it wasn’t as simple as designating a place for competitors to fight to the death and calling it a day. A strong official presence was required on-site to ensure that any competitor who crossed the line or caused trouble would be suppressed immediately.

Furthermore, as the official representative force on-site, Sikokun would also be the first to know which competitors had outstanding potential. If any independent powerhouses emerged, she could recruit them for Yelena at the earliest opportunity, preventing them from being snapped up by rival forces.

From the very beginning, Yelena had intended to give this important task to Sikokun. Just as she had said, with Guan Tong around, Sikokun would be freed up to handle other matters.

"Yes, I will complete the task assigned by the Governor."

"...Besides that, your unit has another mission." Yelena’s gaze was sharp. "You must be ready to attack the Security Bureau headquarters at a moment’s notice."

A chill went down Sikokun’s spine. "But..."

Since the establishment of the Sisiya Security Bureau, many governors had been constrained by it, much to their frustration. But no matter how much they gritted their teeth in hatred for the department, not one had tried to resolve the issue with force.

Because Sisiya’s constitution granted the Security Bureau the right to oversee the Governor, for a Governor to move against the Security Bureau would undoubtedly undermine their own legitimacy and would likely trigger strong public protest.

"What is it?"

Yelena’s expression suddenly became extremely serious, her gaze sweeping across Sikokun’s face like a razor blade.

"Are you uncertain you can complete this mission?"

Sikokun met Yelena’s gaze, her heart pounding.

It was the first time she felt that this girl she had always looked after and protected was transforming faster than she had ever imagined.

"No matter what order the Governor gives, I will carry it out!" Sikokun said resolutely, coming to her senses.

"But I wish to remind you, Governor, that doing so could damage your image in the eyes of the public. And... it might attract even more opposition!"

"I will take that into consideration. I won’t give the order unless it’s a critical moment. You may go. Await my signal."

"Yes!"

After Sikokun left, Yelena leaned back in her chair, exhausted, her gaze falling on the computer screen in front of her.

"...Besides dealing with internal problems, I must also exact revenge on the Parasites and the Fire Worship Cult as soon as possible, or neither the public nor the soldiers will be satisfied."

Hearing this, Guan Tong and Shangyuan Zi exchanged a look.

The surprise attack at the Landing Site could now be judged as a joint operation planned by the Parasites and the Fire Worship Cult.

Although the crisis was ultimately resolved, hundreds of elite Sisiya soldiers were killed or wounded. This wasn’t something that could be swept under the rug with a simple "it’s fine now that the Rule Stage is over."

The other nations of the Human Federation didn’t have as strong a reaction because the dead were all Sisiya soldiers; it wasn’t their pain to feel. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

As the Governor of Sisiya, if Yelena didn’t avenge the fallen soldiers soon, she wouldn’t be able to face the other soldiers and the public. This was also a huge source of pressure for her.

"Teacher, what are your thoughts?"

Yelena cast a glance at him, seeking his opinion.

"I think revenge should wait," Guan Tong said. "This Rule Stage is only a week long, and your internal enemies are stirring. Opening a new front at a time like this is not a good idea."

"I think so too, but the public outcry is strong. They all want the government to immediately dispatch a large number of troops."

Guan Tong thought about the drunks he and Shangyuan Zi had seen all over the streets when they entered Sisiya Country. If they were representative of the public, then their opinions weren’t really worth worrying about.

"Some public outcries aren’t as widespread as they appear; they might be heavily promoted by certain individuals with ill intentions. But it’s up to you to weigh the priorities. Being a decision-maker means facing these kinds of dilemmas."

"...I understand. I’ll consider it and make my own decision."

’Then it’s about time I got started, too,’ Guan Tong thought.

He didn’t plan on competing for rankings in this Rule Stage, but he definitely intended to get stronger.

And to get stronger by storing more Psychic Power, he needed a way to come into contact with enough Ascenders.

Guan Tong thought of someone.

...

In a certain bar with its doors tightly shut, a "Closed" sign hung on the door.

Inside the bar, however, a group of people was drinking and chatting. A man and a woman were talking at the bar, and a young kid approached them.

"Hey, Black Star, White Star! The government announced the location of the designated ’legal competition zone.’ Are you guys going?"

Black Star slapped his underling on the back of the head. "Go? Go my ass! We’re middlemen. Have you ever seen a middleman get in a ring for a life-and-death match?"

The underling took the slap with a silly grin. "But Black Star, you’re such a smooth talker! Even though you’re a middleman, I bet you’d be really tough in a fight!"

"Heh." White Star chuckled lightly, holding her wine glass. "In the ring, his slick mouth won’t do him any good."

Hearing this, Black Star was annoyed but didn’t say anything.

The underling then turned to the woman. "What about you, White Star? You’re the strongest one here!"

"Me? I’m interested in the ranking rewards, but not in fighting in the ring."

"You shouldn’t go even if you’re interested!" Black Star snapped. "Who dares step into the ring without real skill? The rewards for ranking aren’t worth risking your neck for. And you, kid, go look up some jobs. Stop messing around all day!"

"Yes, yes, yes..."

Just as the underling left with an awkward smile, a smart wristband on Black Star’s wrist lit up.

He immediately tapped it twice, and a message appeared.

"Which big client?" White Star asked.

She knew that anyone Black Star had set up a notification alert for must be a major client with whom they had done big business in the past.

Black Star looked up, his expression somewhat grave. "It’s the person who bought the information on Rijeka."

White Star’s wrist froze, and the ripples in the red wine she was swirling in her glass also stilled.

She put down her glass and said seriously, "You can’t accept his commission."

"But..."

"Black Star, this is no joke. Regardless of whether he’s... *that* person or not. Too many people are watching him right now."

"I know what you mean." Black Star scratched his curly hair. "But if we don’t take it, and he really is... ’Shadow’... can we afford to offend him by rejecting his commission?"

After a moment of silence, White Star asked, "What’s the commission?"

"It’s not mentioned in the message. He says he wants to meet in person."

"...Make an excuse to refuse. Tell him you’ve been busy lately and don’t have time to meet."

Black Star brought up a holographic keyboard, his fingers hovering over it, but he hesitated to type.

"What are you hesitating for?"

"...White Star, I think we have to take this meeting."

"Why?"

"Because we’re middlemen." Black Star looked up at her. "Being unable to take a job and being too scared to take a job are two different things. A middleman who’s afraid to accept commissions... If word gets out, it will destroy the reputation and everything we’ve worked to build for over a year."