In the Yura Republic, after disguising a mana stone bomb as a gemstone financial product, it was transported to the Zers Empire through legitimate transactions at Karma Bank.
The plan of the connected individuals was to deliver it to the terrorist organization “Abandoned Children” to incite terror.
Upon learning that the “Black Shadows,” hired by the Triad organization, were on the move to stop them, Blue started pondering where they might launch their attack.
“No matter how monstrous they are, they wouldn’t assault the bank head-on. So, what other methods are there…?”
Assaulting a bank reinforced by over a hundred security personnel and a vault protected by steel with a 20cm magic nullification treatment would be impossible, even for the Black Shadows.
Thus, the only remaining strategy was to strike at the moment of transport when security would be weakest.
“The northern area where the Triad goods are coming from is flat ground, leaving no hiding spots. That leaves only the eastern exit where goods exit; they’ll likely ambush us here.”
The eastern exit was filled with abandoned buildings, making it an ideal spot for a surprise attack.
Thinking that he would have attacked here, Blue stood ready with about twenty subordinates near the eastern exit.
All that was left was to cut down the weakened foes, who would be affected by the poisonous devices deployed by his subordinates, with his magic sword “Rasuli.”
Yuren had the same thought.
“Freeze!!! Everyone down!!”
If he were the enemy, he would aim for that precise moment of transporting the goods.
In that case, “We are assaulting the bank head-on!” That was Yuren’s plan.
“G-Gangsters!!!”
“Eeeeeek!!!”
On an uneventful afternoon, the few bank customers and security personnel were shocked at the arrival of five masked bank robbers bursting through the doors of Karma Bank.
Even though they had heard that such a thing could happen, no one imagined that truly insane people would dare to attack a bank head-on.
Beeep! Beeep! Beeep!
“Emergency! Emergency! The robbers are here!!”
The bank security personnel pressed the emergency button, and a disturbing sound echoed throughout the building as lights illuminated the red crystal ball.
In just a moment, over a hundred security personnel stationed throughout the building would arrive.
“Ain, Master!”
“Got it, my disciple! Ice Magic, ‘Aias’!”
Before they arrived, Master used “Aias” to freeze the passage they were coming from.
Bank buildings often had devices that emitted interference waves called “Chaos” making it difficult for mages to cast spells.
Thus, regular mages would find it challenging to use magic, or the power of their spells would be weakened by 1-2 levels.
It was unfortunate. It would work well enough on average customers, but we had the sage, Irene.
Even if it weakened by 1-2 levels, that was just enough for a great mage or a first-class mage to handle a bank.
“D-Don’t move!!!”
“Where do you think you’re going?!”
Bang!!!
“Gaggggh!!!”
Some of the few security guards present drew their weapons, but they fell unconscious with foam coming from their mouths after being hit by Shasha’s electric immobilization bullet.
Having many people around would only hinder them, so Shasha would only assist as a guide and driver of their mission.
Shasha, with bright red eyes buzzing with adrenaline, mumbled, “I’m going to be a legend now. I’m a legend now.”
The security personnel hit by the immobilization rounds were in pain but would likely not face life-threatening issues, so it wasn’t a big deal.
In an instant, we had subdued the main lobby and headed straight for the underground vault where the transaction was supposed to happen.
As expected, the vault door was locked with an incredibly sturdy iron door, and even the Master’s spell didn’t leave a scratch.
“It looks tough to open with magic as well, Zwei, my disciple.”
“Seems so. Let’s go with Plan B. Beer, get ready.”
“Roger that, Hyung!”
Jin and I switched out shotgun shells.
Those were the specially designed “Destruction Slug Rounds,” which packed four times the power of regular slugs.
I had brought them just in case, and it was fitting that the moment had finally come to use them; life seems to reward those who prepare.
Thinking that one round wouldn’t be enough, Jin and I carefully aimed at the lock portion of the vault door, synchronizing our shot.
“One…two…three!!”
Boom!!!
With a tremendous bang, our shotguns fired the destruction slug rounds.
The overwhelmingly powerful rounds obliterated the lock, sending the vault door flying.
“W-Who are you!? You think you can get away with this?!”
“Get away from us, you scum!!”
Inside the vault, several of the organization members who had been in the middle of a deal aimed their weapons at us.
Amidst them was a red steel bag, unmistakably the items of the transaction.
“Drai (Sora), it’s your turn.”
“Yes! Zweii (Yuren)! It is!”
At my command, Sora vanished like the wind and quickly returned with the red bag.
Sora was uniquely nimble due to the Mist Clan traits and specialized in “Haste” (acceleration magic).
In terms of agility, he was the best in our school.
“W-What happened!?”
“We’ll be taking this. Meow♡”
Having secured the items safely, it was time to retreat. However, at that moment, the performers rushed in fervently.
Reluctantly, we decided to put them all to sleep with our immobilization bullets.
“Well, have a good night.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Gaggggh!!!”
It felt like a scene out of a mafia movie from a past life, but we absolutely didn’t commit murder.
We were merely putting them to sleep with electric immobilization bullets.
*
Twelve minutes had passed, and having secured the items, we jumped into the carriage and made our escape.
As I removed the suffocating mask inside the carriage, it truly sunk in that we had robbed a bank.
Of course, it was all part of our journey, but it felt real enough.
“That was such a thrill! Haha… I mean, Zweii Hyung!”
“Right!? It was the most fun I’ve had!! Zweii (Yuren)!”
“It was fun! My disciple!”
Everyone looked ecstatic, far beyond our expectations.
Honestly, I felt the same way.
The chaotic structure of the bank, the flustered guards, and the organization members during the deal all felt so vivid, I almost believed I was truly robbing a bank.
Just when I couldn’t hide my laughter, Shasha, who was driving, remarked.
“Y-You know, the ‘Black Shadows’ are incredible. How can you enjoy such a big event like this so thoroughly? Meanwhile, I…”
“No, Shasha, you did great! You were extraordinary!”
Shasha fought valiantly as if she were a real bank robber, putting in every effort and commitment, striking me with her will to not let us be hindered.
I truly felt that I had to give her a tip once everything was settled.
Once we arrived at Sion’s headquarters, the mission would be complete.
Ah, how regrettable.
In Hollywood movies, at this point, there would usually be a car chase; expecting that might be too greedy of a wish?
While I pondered this, a loud sound began reverberating from behind.
Brahhh!!!!
“W-What is that!?”
It was a carriage the size of a standard carriage but twice as large, armored.
And that wasn’t all.
Dozens of carriages were pursuing us, creating a spectacle that looked like something straight out of a movie.
They even prepared a chase scene!? This is crazy!!
“T-That’s the carriage of Karma’s boss, Dalos!!”
“So that guy is the final boss. I fully understand now.”
I grasped the situation fully.
This was the final boss stage, and from that massive carriage came the presence of an elite mage, a clear indication this journey held purpose.
Defeating him—or arriving unharmed—would mean our victory!
If captured or if they took the item, it would mean their victory; it was a mission with high stakes.
With the exhilarating thrill of finally having a car chase from my bucket list, I felt a delightful chill run down my spine.
“Everyone, this is a bonus mission! Let’s clear it until the last moment!”
“Understood! Zweii Hyung!”
“Yes! Zweii!”
“Got it! My disciple!!”
At that moment, inside the carriage, Blue, linked to the organization, felt akin to the greatest shame of his life.
After enduring a mess and now his assault being avoided, having lived 30 years in the dark, this was the first time anyone made him feel so disgraced by the Black Shadows.
For him, the transaction was no longer important.
No matter what, Blue felt compelled to crush the Black Shadow into dust to relieve this pent-up rage.
“Fine… let’s see how big you can play, Black Shadows.”
