Chapter 34

In Polaris, the player’s main enemy is the Legion. Along with the Scourge, it’s a central part of the world. It’s also the antithesis of the Celbrox Labs organization.

But Legions aren’t the only enemies you’ll face. There are many other groups in Polaris.

There are those who work with the Lab and those who work against it, sometimes enemies, sometimes allies, sometimes the other way around. To preserve their own beliefs and interests.

NoFace.

It’s a criminal organization that operates on every continent. They’re not unlike the Mafia. They’ll do anything for a profit.

“It was never mentioned in the main.

The nature of the game limits your ability to tell a story. You have to weave your script back and forth between stages.

Usually, multiple factions are introduced in side stories and events. Like the Pavoni family, who were involved with Ast. NoFace is also an organization that is set up as a villain in some agents’ stories.

“I didn’t realize you were hiding in Kilikia.

It makes sense. Few cities have as many different businesses as Kilikia. With so much light comes so much shade.

Bugs live in the shade.

It wasn’t out of the works, but it was in the works. It makes sense that it only really started to take off when the city was in an uproar.

If you have questions.

“How did you recognize it?”

I didn’t ask any detailed questions. Right now, Kim was in the middle of the stadium. You can’t spit out words lightly when you don’t know who’s going to hear them.

– It was during my time in Harenhal. They took advantage of the chaos in the country and nearly took over Harenhal, and it took a very messy fight to get them out.

The voice over the communicator was relatively clear. While not noise-free, it was clear that he was speaking from a quieter location than this one.

There was no way Hagia Ghost would talk about something this sensitive in public. He’s not Pep or Pablo.

– You’ll recognize it when you see it. Some, like your friend, are uncomfortable early on. They’re uncomfortable.

Kim lets out a mmm-hmm in agreement, and he remembers the No Face setting mentioned in the game.

“Maybe they were all the same race.

Mutant Makashal.

They are a small, closed-off race with fewer heads than the primitive tribes of Earth. Just as the Pekatum are endowed with physical abilities that set them apart from the norm, the Makashal have special powers.

By ingesting the target’s nails and blood, processed with their own technology, they can overwrite their genetic information into your body.

It copies your appearance and even your fingerprints. It’s a cumbersome and time-consuming process, but it’s an amazing ability.

However, there is a serious side effect.

“You lose your expression.

To the untrained eye, it might seem eerie. Even in the arena, where all sorts of emotions are supposed to be bubbling up, Makashal is unable to show any expression.

Considering this, the organization’s name “NoFace” is a bit of a joke.

“I didn’t realize you had a history with ghosts.

As a player, this was a refreshing twist. The only way to learn about Ghost’s past is through flashbacks.

The match ended uneventfully.

Today’s opponent was a team from the bottom of the second division. There was no reason for Asterique to struggle. The crowd cheered for Asterique as the game was decided.

It was a generous response for a game in the second division. Kim waved his pom-poms and gave instructions with his mouth.

“Ghost, Bryce, Jenna, Pep. You take one and stay behind. Chelsea stays with Pep. Just make sure you don’t get caught.”

– Okay. I’ll stick to the guy in row A.

Ghost after Ghost answered, one after the other. They set their own goals and began to take action, one by one.

“Is it okay if we don’t move?”

Leila asked, cheering stick in hand.

She was immersed in the game and cheering without being asked. It was like she was purely sightseeing. I almost felt like I wanted to give her something.

In other words, I’m not sure I’d trust him with a covert action. Pavel would be fine, but… why?

“Too many people to follow, too much hassle. You guys, um. I’ll ask Asterique. There may be unaccounted-for personnel.”

“I feel like I’m being pushed around.”

“No way.”

That’s why the sharp guy.

* * *

– I missed it, sorry. I don’t think it was spotted, but it kept circling the same area.

– I missed this one, too. It’s a main street, so there’s a lot of pedestrians, and they’re moving carefully. I’m pretty sure it’s not a regular citizen.

It was a report from Jenna and Pep. It wasn’t a reprimand. They weren’t spies in the first place, and Kim was the one who told them they could miss it.

Because there was a part of me that believed.

– NoFace has entered the building.

Soon after, the ghost sent a communication.

– A rescue group that can see the entrances and exits from every floor. Cameras are everywhere.

It wasn’t just ghosts.

– It’s the same situation here: a commercial building on Tiolta Street at 13th Avenue, but it’s hard to get in. Hyun, what are your next instructions?

Even Bryce made progress. The results exceeded our expectations.

“Bryce is pretty geeky, too.

It was a strange thing to say in hindsight. Bryce was usually so calm and resourceful.

However, the comparison wasn’t with Ghost. My expectations were relatively low, and I felt like I was being stabbed in the back.

“Who’s close to me right now?”

– We’ll stick to that.

“Okay, you don’t need to approach, just check the doorway. Don’t trust their appearance, they may cover their faces or change their clothes.”

– Hyun, which side will I join?

“To Ghost. I’m coming.”

Ghost doesn’t have his own device yet. He can’t transmit his location on his own, so we’ve told him to carry a transmitter.

It took less than 30 minutes to reach the ghost’s location on the terminal. It wasn’t a long way in a straight line with no detours.

I spotted a ghost in front of an automated lottery machine. He blended in among the passersby. He cast his gaze across the road.

– This is the 6-story building across the street.

Kim scanned the building. It looked like an ordinary storefront, not an illegal facility.

Criminals shouldn’t have free access to the stadium in the first place. Noface is walking around the city with his rightful citizenship.

Literally in sheep’s clothing.

‘It’s hard to bind them. I’m sure they’ve already taken care of the original.’

The problem is complex.

Unlike the scoundrels we’ve been dealing with lately, we have no information on this one. We also don’t know why they’re targeting spellcasters.

You say you have evidence, but Congress won’t be convinced. “He looks suspicious” is not a credible defense.

“We don’t even know how many people there are.

If you rush into the molehills, you’re likely to send the rest of the group into hiding. It’s as bad as if the police had to do it themselves.

One failure won’t destroy his relationship with Congress, but it will hurt his chances for future rewards and initiatives.

“You’ll have to clean it up.

Kilikia can’t stay dead forever. Once Asterique has claimed the League’s reward, Kilikia will have nothing to do.

Reuniting with Leila and the others clears the way. We need to stabilize Kilikia before we leave.

“I’ll keep the ball in the right place.

The limits of ignorance are clear. One by one, Kim recalled his hand and began to formulate a plan.

Soon his face was shaking. I had to think of a way… but it was a bit risky.

“I’m going to get a gun to my head again.

It was a tough sell.

* * *

Dawn, four days later.

Rags and cardboard littered the dingy alleyway. It may look like trash, but to the homeless, it’s a precious place to sleep.

As bustling as Kilikia is, the average citizen enjoys a good life, but there are many who do not enjoy the benefits of civilization.

Kim was passing the time, dressed like a homeless person. Waiting for No Face to pass through the alley.

This was the route that some NoFaces took as they headed to the city’s center.

‘Ha, this time I even pretended to be homeless…….’

The No-Faces, followed by Ghost and Bryce, each entered the building and emerged a day later. It was a long time for a simple gathering, whether it was a meal or anything else.

In other words, something is hidden inside the building. That’s what Kim thought.

“A pathway to the stronghold.

But we couldn’t just walk around. We needed to approach it in a different way. It’s going to be a little risky.

By the time my nose had fully adjusted to the smell of the sewers in the alley.

“Finally.

A young man in a khaki jumper walked into the street. His hat was pulled down low, but Kim recognized him at a glance.

I’d been observing him one-sidedly, and now I could tell by his build and gait alone.

Tuck.

Footsteps are getting closer.

With his back to the street lights, No Face’s body cast a shadow on the sidewalk. After only a few steps, Kim spoke.

“Hey.”

For a moment, NoFace froze.

“…… did you call me?”

“Yeah, yeah. Do you have a minute?”

Emotionless eyes scanned Kim up and down. Shabby clothes and matted hair. NoFace’s gaze fell on the typical homeless person.

He ignores them and starts walking past. Kim scrambles to his feet and grabs NoFace’s arm.

“Ugh, people are mean. The Kilikians are so unfriendly, I want out. What’s the use of a well-to-do city, when the people are so hard-hearted?”

So there’s a lot of people like me,” he grumbled, as if he wanted to be heard. Then No Face slapped Kim’s hand away.

“Fuck off. I don’t need to see a beggar.”

“Beggar… No, I guess you’re right.”

Scratching his head and wiping his palms on his pants looked terribly unhygienic. It’s enough to make anyone want to shun him.

“Well, maybe not now, but maybe I’ll be interested after I hear it.”

Meanwhile, Kim’s train of thought was rolling fast.

‘At least they’re not shooting up the place.

The No-Face are those who live in the city by stealing the identities of others, meaning they have an intimate understanding of the order of human society.

If you kill someone for nothing and then get your tail stepped on? You’ll have to spend time and effort changing your appearance again.

“The resin doesn’t fit.

They’re not just unsocialized, indiscriminate killers. Organized criminals, like the Mafia, have their own set of rules.

The most important of these.

That killing must be profitable.

“I’m just a little annoying.

Anything less than that and you’ll get a good beating, so we’ve got something to tempt you.

“I know some of your coworkers. They’re good painters, carpenters, and haulers, right?”

A slang term used in the underworld of Polaris. It’s a term for hitmen, corpse hiding, and various forms of trafficking.

“There’s a lot of baggage to carry these days, or so the rumor goes. Just enough to make the city a little gritty.”

“…….”

Noface’s expression didn’t change. But even if it didn’t show on his face, he could feel it.

He’s weighing whether to kill or not, but before he can decide, Kim hits him.

“I’ve got something you’d be crazy about.”

Kim raised his hands to show he had no animosity, then moved his feet to walk across the thick blanket on the floor.

Things that were hidden were revealed.

Pistols and ammo. Daggers and smoke bombs.

It was a “product” that we had prepared in advance.

“Are you in the mood to listen now?”