TRPM 219

chapter 219

[(All the trucks have trackers installed.)]

[(With this, we should be able to track exactly where those guys’ trucks are going.)]

[(That is, if the trackers aren’t discovered.)]

The employees of Albatross PMC exchanged such messages over comms.

Originally, they had all been on personal leave, instructed by Chairman Richard to keep a low profile.

However, when the zombie incident broke out in Chicago, where their leader Morris was stationed, they rushed straight there. And as soon as the incident was over, they received a new directive from Chairman Richard.

[(Investigating Core Earth…)]

[(Honestly, isn’t this kind of work more suited to our skills than fighting head-on?)]

[(That may be, but I still don’t get why he specifically told us to investigate Core Earth right now.)]

Chairman Richard had issued the order in such a rush that he couldn’t provide Morris with the full details.

So neither Morris nor the other Albatross PMC employees knew why, at this particular time, they had to investigate Core Earth. Still, since it was an order from Richard, they assumed there must be a reason.

[(But is installing just trackers really enough?)]

[(Of course not. Separate from the trackers, we’re also monitoring the trucks from a distance.)]

[(There are more Core Earth trucks in Chicago than there are PMC employees…?)]

[(The trucks won’t move one at a time. They’ll move in groups, so even with just our PMC personnel, it’s enough to monitor them.)]

After saying this, Morris asked another employee behind him:

[(Have you found anything suspicious about Core Earth?)]

[(Yes. Apparently, a large number of Core Earth’s Korean branch employees went missing recently.)]

[(Missing?)]

[(It’s officially said they were attacked by monsters that crossed the gate… but that sounds like a lie. On the same day, Korean news reported that an unidentified group attacked the police, the Iron Blood Guild, and an apartment complex, but were neutralized.)]

[(…Korea.)]

The country of the Artist.

And the country that Chairman Richard had visited the previous day.

Could this really be a coincidence? No way.

Chairman Richard likely went to Korea, learned of Core Earth’s suspicious activity, and based on that, instructed Albatross PMC to investigate.

‘(I don’t know exactly what information he got in Korea, but that’s not something I need to know.)’

If it had been necessary for him to tell us, Richard would have, even in a rush.

[(A few of the trucks I’m monitoring are moving to leave Chicago.)]

[(Can you follow them?)]

[(The speed isn’t too fast, so I can keep up. But if they accelerate or move for too long, I’ll run out of stamina first.)]

[(Don’t push yourself. There’s also the trackers, so take it slow.)]

Meanwhile, reports came in that Core Earth trucks, filled with infected and destroyed humanoids, were on the move.

It wasn’t just one employee reporting it—every truck loaded to capacity was moving.

‘(I hope all this effort will be worth it…)’

Morris thought to himself as he stood. He had been monitoring the trucks, and now they were on the move.

[(I’m moving out too.)]

Morris sent that message and began pursuing the trucks.

After some time had passed…

‘(…What? This isn’t the direction of the temporary containment facility?)’

The facilities to hold infected and destroyed humanoids had been prearranged. Morris remembered the addresses.

But Core Earth’s trucks were heading in a strange direction. And it wasn’t just one or two sneaking away—they were all moving openly in that direction.

‘(It’s not just the trucks I was monitoring… the others being tracked by our people are heading that way too.)’

…Whatever it was, Core Earth must have been in a hurry.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t blatantly smuggle out infected and humanoids.

And…

‘(Moving so openly means we don’t need to tail them secretly.)’

Deciding this, Morris sent a message to the other Albatross PMC employees:

[(…Is anyone hearing this? Anyone respond.)]

His message probably wouldn’t reach far—not to those remaining in Chicago.

But someone did respond:

[(Captain? Perfect timing. These trucks… they’re moving too obviously weird.)]

[(Captain, are we able to handle this investigation ourselves?)]

Those closest in proximity—likely also tracking trucks like Morris—responded.

[(Those who hear this, join me. Whatever their goal, moving this openly means we don’t need to secretly monitor.)]

Above all…

[(There’s a possibility of combat.)]

Moving this openly likely means they’re ready to fight any pursuers.

If we were to split up and be picked off individually, it would be disastrous. We need to stay together.

[(Understood. We’ll join you, Captain.)]

[(Even though they can’t hear the Captain, some can hear me. I’ll bring them along too.)]

Fortunately, gathering those tracking the trucks shouldn’t be difficult.

Thinking this, Morris grabbed a radio and contacted someone:

[(Send as much force as you can. Equip combat-ready gear, not stealth equipment. I’ll give the coordinates later.)]

[(Seems things are getting complicated. Understood, boss.)]

Hearing the response, Morris concealed himself and began moving—to join the others and confirm exactly where the trucks would arrive.

Time passed, and Albatross PMC assembled at a location.

Once gathered, they prepared their equipment. Some wore older but reliable exosuits and carried heavy weapons, others had lighter attire but advanced gear, and finally, some prepared to operate tanks or helicopters.

“(…It’s been a while since a full-scale operation.)”

“(…We’ve been focusing on stealth missions lately. Full-on battles have been rare.)”

Albatross PMC had made its name hunting monsters in the Pan-Pacific subduction zone.

Recently, such missions had become less frequent. Instead, covert operations like those in the World Awakener Association or Korea’s prison islands dominated, making these combat-ready preparations uncommon.

And…

“(…Fighting humans… it feels strange.)”

“(…As if you’ve never fought humans before?)”

“(…I’ve only fought during stealth missions when discovered. This is a full frontal assault.)”

This would be Albatross PMC’s first large-scale battle against humans.

“(…Since these aren’t monsters, we can’t lure them into defensive positions, right?)”

“(…Correct. We’ll need a different strategy since these are humans.)”

The employees prepared for a battle they’d never experienced before, feeling a bit awkward.

“(Everyone, attention!)”

Morris climbed onto a tank for visibility and spoke:

“(Core Earth’s trucks entered a building 5km ahead. Their goal is clearly to smuggle out infected and humanoids. I’ve sent this info to Chairman Richard and the Artist, but reinforcements will take time.)”

Meanwhile, the infected and humanoids might disappear forever.

“(We need to buy time.)”

“(Aren’t we supposed to just destroy them?)”

“(If only the enemies are in that building, maybe. But there may also be infected we can treat. Killing them… the Artist might turn against us.)”

We may see it as a necessary sacrifice, but the Artist would not.

“(And we don’t know exactly what’s inside. It’s confirmed there’s Core Earth’s security team.)”

Even for a global company like Core Earth, Albatross PMC could easily neutralize a security team.

The problem is, it’s unlikely only security is inside. There’s certainly something to shake off pursuers.

“(This will be a tough mission.)”

“(Have we ever had an easy mission? We just do what we’re told.)”

“(Captain, so what exactly should we do?)”

Watching his team answer calmly, Morris let out a dry laugh. PMC members were all tough fighters, most enjoying combat, though a few new recruits were exceptions.

“(We’ll advance, surround the building, and split forces. Half will block exits and use detectors to check for underground passages. The other half enters to secure infected and humanoids, and if possible, neutralize Core Earth personnel.)”

After giving orders, Morris jumped from the tank and addressed the equipped personnel:

“(Move out! Act swiftly!)”

Tanks and helicopters moved first. Other employees followed behind tanks for cover.

[(Reached target. Airspace secured.)]

The helicopters reached the building first.

[(Rooftop sentries spotted. Request sniper support.)]

[(Acknowledged.)]

Morris signaled an employee equipped with sniper gear.

Then…

Whirrrrr…

A strange vibration began in the sniper device—the state-of-the-art silencer of Albatross PMC—canceling the sound of the gunshot.

Fwoosh…!

The moment the employees realized bullets were fired only because of the muzzle’s flash…

[(…No other sentries visible. Rooftop secured.)]

The helicopter pilot sent the report.

“(That guy has improved?)”

“(Yeah, seems like his range has increased.)”

Albatross PMC continued approaching the building where Core Earth had hidden, chatting casually.