บท 18: Chapter 18 - Roman Torchwick and Neo Politan
When Adam invited the two to join him, Agent for some reason declined as she said she will be busy arranging several matters to assist his endeavors. Naturally, Adam has his trust on her and pry no more as he proceeds with Alice alone.
After selecting the Contract and accepting it, Adam finds himself once again in the Orbital Fortress. This time, he isn't rushed to be deployed and he spends some time exploring the spacecraft.
"Interesting. So, this is how the System fabricates ammunition." Adam inspect the fabled 3D printer from the 4th Millennium. An industrial scale 3D printer capable of creating anything provided he has the blueprint and necessary materials.
"Master! Master! Over here! Look!" Alice was mesmerized by a room that seems to contain a space, a Void Storage unit which stores all his items, it's his Inventory!
Adam tried to put his gun into his Inventory and it immediately appeared inside the Void Storage but in smaller size. The space even compresses the item so it can fit more. He has no idea how it works but it's amazing.
Next they move to a lounge area which has a cafeteria and a recreational area linked together in one big room.
"Woah! Is that Earth?" Alice marveled the beauty of the blue star which had been the cradle of Humanity.
But, Adam found it weird to see green clouds on the European continent.
"Wait. System, is this Girl Frontline world?"
[Yes.]
[The short term Interdimensional Contracts will take place in the world that Host unlocked through proper Interdimensional Contracts.]
As he guessed, the green cloud is indeed Collapse Fluid Storm clouds.
"Is this the same timeline as previous?" He curiously asked.
[Yes. However, the time isn't. The battle Host took part in was in the future of the current timeline.]
"Wouldn't that cause a time paradox?" Adam worried as if whatever he could do now would be too impactful to the extent of affecting the future.
[Host do not need to worry. In such an event, a divergent timeline will be created.]
Adam couldn't help but twitch his eyes at that comment. Creating a new timeline like it's nothing. But who is he to comment?
"Well, enough sightseeing, Alice. Let's get to work." Adam quickly reminds himself he has limited time to complete his objectives? Tasks? Mission? He didn't have the liberty to waste his time.
"Let's go!" Alice is excited to learn that this is her original world from the tidbits of what Adam speaked out loud.
———
Back at Remnant, after Adam and Alice went to complete the Contract. Agent left the warehouse and headed to a location which she acquired from Junior.
"Maid? What are you doing over here? Do you not know who's turf this is?" The man looks like a typical mobster in a suit, which is actually something amazing considering most gangs didn't bother with style or uniformity within their organization.
The man didn't dare look down on Agent because for her to walk here alive within the territory controlled by gangs means she isn't someone simple. The air around her which screams professionalism and danger also makes the guy speak in a more careful manner in fear of offending someone he shouldn't.
"I am here to meet with Roman Torchwick. Tell him I have a job for him." Agent didn't bother to introduce herself to a grunt and simply told the grunt her purpose.
"Job? Since when did the Boss take requests?" The grunt confused for a second but he did relent and let her in. He isn't that worried about his Boss safety with a powerful partner acting as his bodyguard. He knew first hand how capable the second-in-command was.
"Alright. But no funny business." The grunt said after checking she is indeed alone. Agent just rolled her eyes, nodded and followed the guide.
Inside the building.
"Damn that bitch! We almost got killed by those animals after she vanished just like that!" An orange haired man in white suit and a bowler hat slammed the table angrily while smoking his cigar to calm down. A three color haired girl sat on the desk trying to console the man wordlessly.
"I know. We shouldn't have agreed. But we don't exactly have a choice, Neo. You know how powerful that bitch is."
"Boss, you have a client." The grunt walks in with Agent on tow.
Roman momentarily freezes and immediately smiles before he turns to Agent. "Miss Cinder I am not trying t- Who are you?" He paused when he noticed who he saw wasn't who he expected.
"As your man just said, a client." Agent said and paused while she looked at Neo before she continued. "A job that promises handsome rewards. Both in fame and wealth."
"Not again…" Roman sighed and subtly glanced at Neo who nodded back.
Roman is a man that knows how to read a person and knows if a person is a danger immediately. Or else, he wouldn't live long enough to this day. He knows that he is standing in front of a killer, one with a high body count too.
"Miss Maid. I'm afraid I won't be taking any requests at this moment. In fact, we will be closing down for the moment." Roman said while his eyes never stop eyeing every movement Agent did no matter how little. "Our last job is rather exhausting and we will be taking a little vacation."
"I am afraid you don't have the luxury of refusing unless you want your involvement in the greatest threat to humanity to be exposed to the public." Agent reveals the dirt she has on him. "Once it's exposed, the four kingdoms will be breathing down your neck until they get your head."
Roman frowned and found what Agent said to be an exaggeration. The White Fang can hardly be called a threat to humanity. Besides, to be targeted by all four kingdoms? Isn't she bluffing a little too hard?
Neo had enough and decided to eliminate this threat. But before she could even activate her Semblance, she was called out.
"No need to use your Semblance. They don't work for me, Miss Neo. Or should I address you as Miss Trivia?"
Neo's eyes flashes dangerously and about to act but Roman suddenly gestured to her to hold her hand. Obviously this maid is no one simple. To possess that much information to put even an Information Broker like Junior to shame.
"Who are you, Missy?" Roman asks with a friendly tone as before, trying to maintain a facade of calmness despite his mind is already in chaos.
"My name is Agent."
"Fine then, Miss Agent. I highly doubt working with White Fang could provoke that much response. What makes you so sure about your claim?" Roman inquired as he felt like he was missing a picture. The way Agent claimed that confidently means she is being serious the chances she is bluffing is low either from what he could read from her expression.
(Bruh, cold reading a gynoid's face.)
"Oh? Since when did I mention White Fang? Perhaps, you do not know the affiliation of your former employer, Miss Cinder Fall?" Agent revealed the name which made Roman's face immediately falter and frown.
"Damn that bitch. Even now she is giving me trouble! I wish I could choke her to death!" Roman lost his cold and threw his cigar on the floor in a fit of rage before he tried to calm his nerves.
"Fine, I get it. You have a big pile of dirt on me." Roman sighed, not knowing who Cinder is affiliated with and didn't care. She does indeed give a bad vibe to him and he already suspects this Mistress she speaks of is no simple person.
"So, what is the job you have for me?" Roman resigned to his fate.
"There is someone that is being a thorn to my Master and I require Miss Neo expertise to eliminate this trash."
"A hit huh?" Roman looked in surprise and glanced at Neo.
"Yes. As for the payment. Is one 10 Billion Lien enough?" Agent mentioned casually like she is talking about pocket change.
This causes Roman to almost stumble and see Agent in a new light. 10 Billion Lien isn't a small amount. Even SDC, the most profitable company, only makes around 20-30 Billion each year in profit, a global scale company! To casually throw it around like pocket change. He can only speculate the identity of this person she called as her master.
"Are you sure it's the correct amount? Did I misheard it? 10 Billion Lien?" Roman spluttered.
"Yes. I will deliver it in cash if you prefer it that way. The advance payment will be 1 Billion and the rest after the job is done."
Roman about to ask if she is not afraid if they just ran away with the advance payment. But then he remembers she has material to blackmail him.
"Well, this isn't the job for me. It's Neo's. It's up to her if she wants to do it or not." Roman turns Agent to Neo. "Also, whose head is worth that much?"
"James Ironwood, the General of the Atlesian military." Agent revealed the target.
Roman felt like his ear might need a diagnosis. He tried to clear his ears before asking again but the Agent gave the same answer.
"No no no no! No! Are you crazy! I wouldn't live to see another day if Neo assassinated the General of the Atlesian military!"
"Is the money not enough?" Agent wondered. "I can raise it to 20 Billion."
Roman is momentarily tempted but his rationality immediately slaps the shit out of his greed and sets his mind right.
"No, it's not about the money. The moment Neo kills General Ironwood, we will still have all four kingdoms breathing down our necks. There's no difference than killing us outright." Roman tried to reason with Agent. "Neo will not walk out of Atlas alive after killing him."
"That you didn't need to worry. After three days, General Ironwood will come to Reach to assist with the extermination of Grimms. You will have your chance by infiltrating and waiting for the right opportunity. I will also arrange for her exit after the assasination is completed."
What she said has double meanings. If Neo fails, she will receive no help.
Roman was stuck between a rock and a hard place with this. Decline and he will be exposed, accept and whe will not escape the wrath of Atlesian military. Eliminating her is no use because of the Master behind her which hold the dirt on him. No matter how he wrack his head, he cannot decide.
Suddenly Roman felt a hand tugging his sleeve.
"Neo?" Roman look at his partner standing next to him trying to convey her words.
"No! You know how dangerous is it! What if your identity got exposed? I'm not losing you for this!" Roman snapped at the end and show how he treasured Neo. But for what reason? That remain an unknown.
Neo glared at Roman before she huffed. Roman look conflicted but couldn't argue back as he sighed un defeat.
"It's not that I am looking down at your Semblance. But who knows if they have someone that can see through it?"
Neo shake her head and give Roman a thumbs up.
"Fine. You are the expert." Roman raise his hand in defeat to Neo's plan.
"I assume, Miss Neo agreed then? If so, I will get the advance payment delivered by this evening." Agent said and excused herself once her objective here is completed. "No need to see me out. I can manage it myself." Agent said before she left.
———
Back to Adam, he is blissfully unaware Agent went ahead and hired a hit on James Ironwood who she perceived as the biggest obstacle to him dutifully eliminate it.
Adam landed on a ruined city with Alice, tasked to exterminate all the SF presence within the city.
—————
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