Bab 13: Infiltration
Just another day, typical and uneventful, in the confines of Berlint General Hospital – a hub teeming with WISE spies.
Many here serve as mere pawns, supporting the elaborate background orchestrated for Twilight-sama. It was a necessary background for Operation Strix.
I, a low-ranking spy, play the role of a "receptionist". My task is quite simple – keep tabs on those who enter and exit, then relay the information to WISE at prescribed intervals. It's a crucial responsibility given the frequent visits by influential figures, yet it's a duty that flies under the radar, a necessity born out of our depleted ranks after a recent spy purge.
Deep in thought, I failed to notice the arrival of a figure I could never mistake. Blonde hair, a lab coat draped over a meticulously coordinated outfit — a light green three-piece suit, a red tie, a crisp white shirt, and polished black shoes. It's none other than... Twilight-sama!
"How may I be of assistance?" I greet him with what I hope is an air of professionalism.
Twilight-sama, with a subtle smile, expresses a simple desire for coffee. A mundane request, but a chance for me to engage in a brief conversation with him, a prospect that excites every lower-ranking spy.
"If you want, I'll make it for both of us," I offered, seizing the rare opportunity to engage in a brief conversation with the enigmatic Twilight-sama.
"Then please do, thank you."
Surprisingly, Twilight-sama accepted my offer.
I couldn't contain my internal excitement. Every lower-ranked spy coveted a chance to know Twilight-sama better. This was my moment to glean crucial information.
As we enter the room, the excitement turns to confusion. I was busy preparing the coffee, awaiting my chance to start talking, but a sudden realization dawned on me.
"Where is Twilight-sama—" I began, my words cutting through the air like an anxious whisper.
Suddenly, an eerie chill ran down my spine, freezing me in place. The air seemed to thicken with a sense of foreboding, and the atmosphere turned colder.
"How was my version of Twilight? Don't take it too personally, buddy,"
I heard a voice behind me saying so with a chilling nonchalance. The weight of his words lingered ominously, like a shadow creeping over me.
"I need to find someone with Medium Combat Prowess here, and I will kinda have to use your identity as a spy for a bit."
The realization hit me like an unseen force, leaving me paralyzed with shock.
I had so many questions, yet I could not ask them, nor could I react in time.
The world around me blurred as I struggled to comprehend how this person knew I was a spy. Suddenly, a sharp impact jolted through my neck. It felt like an electric shock, a surge of darkness that swallowed my consciousness whole.
The last thing I sensed was the cold floor rushing to meet me as I descended into the depths of unconsciousness.
---
Mirage Veil, a handy skill I've come to appreciate even more for my plans. Sure, it has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to Combat Prowess, but nestled comfortably within the confines of high [Weak Combat Prowess], I can't complain as my disguise cannot be seen through by many people.
In my testing phase, I understood one thing: people oblivious to suspicion are a breeze to deceive.
The trick? Don't try it on someone already on high alert; that's a recipe for disaster. Copying appearances is one thing, but perfectly mimicking mannerisms, speech patterns, and subtle body language, is not easy.
So, my goal was to infiltrate Berlint General Hospital, a known hub for WISE spies. But waltzing in as Libert Mulling would be akin to courting death, given my already ongoing game on Garden's hit list.
So, I took a detour, assuming random identities to navigate the hospital's interior.
Sneaking into the hospital became as routine as breathing. After all, in an hospital, as long as you can foot the bill, who cares who walks through the doors? Well, WISE spies might care, but that's their headache. If they uncover any inconsistencies later, it's not my concern.
I wasn't losing sleep over it.
After a bit of trial and error, I honed my acting skills and pondered a daring question – could I convincingly replicate Loid Forger's character?
Compared to others, I know how Loid's mind truly worked as one of the central figures in this World.
Of course, I'm not aiming to fool someone with an intimate knowledge of him; I just need to pass through the radar of lower-ranked spies dispatched to gain intel on WISE.
It was not difficult, considering they barely knew Twilight for his reputation.
Thus, my focus turned to the unremarkable ones, the people that screamed "spy" in my [Sixth Sense] and [Observe] enhanced perception. My chosen target had Weakest Combat Prowess, a mere receptionist with no significant connections.
Perfect.
Storming into the Psychiatry Department was out of the question. That's the beating heart of Operation Strix, cloaked in a fortress of security where attempting to waltz in as a regular patient would be nothing short of suicidal.
Every inch of my background would be scrutinized on the spot. A single mismatch, and I'd be signing my own death warrant – marked as a suspicious entity with potential knowledge of the operation.
I would not be surprised if the entire WISE started searching the country for my head, and let me ask you that, wouldn't it be suspicious that Libert Mulling had suddenly changed?
If I was the one who had to investigate and search someone all over the country, I would cut any weed that seemed even 1% suspicious.
That's why the lower-rank spy's identity was my golden ticket.
The only thing I had to be cautious of, was to not be found by those of higher Combat Prowess, but even if that happens, I have a contingency plan I prepared.
I don't care about the commotion my actions might cause later; I'll keep the spy under wraps for a few weeks, release him after I'm done, and let the chips fall where they may. Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone