Earth Dungeon 75.1

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Chapter 75.1. Security Company

A massive armored vehicle was moving along the streets of the ruined city. It was a-wheeled armored car, measuring 10 meters, equipped with a 12mm machine gun, a Type 22 automatic launcher, and multiple layers of armor plates capable of withstanding anti-tank fire. It had excellent cross-country capabilities and high mobility. 

Its name was the Type 22 Armored Personnel Carrier. It had been retired due to the start of mass production of the Type 25 armored vehicle, but it was still a top-notch military vehicle.

Soldiers manned the machine gun positions, vigilantly scanning their surroundings from within the vehicle, pushing aside abandoned cars as the powerful engine roared, and the heavy vehicles moved forward.

There were 5 vehicles, each carrying 15 personnel, including a driver and gunner, making a combined force of 75 individuals. There were 10 civilians on board, the leaders of the outer town.

They got divided into 2 central vehicles. The reason for civilians like them to be on vehicles heading for combat was to proclaim control after victory.

Inside the vehicles carrying the outer town residents, there was an atmosphere of calm.

"Brother, these military vehicles are not comfortable at all. Can't  you do something about it?" 

A middle-aged man, who feeling unwell, covered his mouth and frowned as he spoke in a haughty tone. He was dressed in high-quality clothing, not much different from the middle-class residents of the inner city. His name was Suwa Kaneyoshi, who monopolized alcohol distribution in the Taito and Adachi districts.

"It's not about comfort; it's about performance in combat, Kaneyoshi." 

A man in work-like attire sat across from him with a sly smile as he folded his arms. Kaneyoshi also grinned after looking at his brother's face. The man was called Suwa Koukaku. He's Suwa Kaneyosi's brother.

There were rank insignias on the collar of Koukaku's work clothes, indicating the rank of lieutenant colonel.

"Limousines are expensive, you know? Especially if they need to withstand monster attacks."

"For the first time, we need to show our strength. We have to make sure those trash understand that we hold overwhelming power. Then, it should be easy to control the abandoned town later on." 

Kaneyoshi didn't want to allocate troops to manage the abandoned town. That's why he planned to hire and exploit the people of the abandoned town who seemed useful after the takeover. But to do that, he needed to make them understand that we'd kill them if they resisted.

Kanayoshi sneered at the notion of upfront investment, and the other union leaders around him laughed similarly. They all didn't want to come to this battlefield, but when they thought about the shares they would get after taking control, everyone's greed blinded them.

After all, with the Cores, Ale could be obtained in abundance, especially if they used and exhausted the residents of the abandoned town.

Kanayoshi, who considered that all the Cores they had acquired so far were solely through the efforts of the residents of the ruined city, chuckled with satisfaction. He was currently the strongest man in this territory. When they saw this formidable force, they would likely surrender, it would be a waste. But we could hire them for a hefty sum. If they resisted, we would simply kill them.

"But... Was it necessary to bring all the vehicles, brother?"

That was the only complaint Kanayoshi had. Wouldn't 2 vehicles have been enough? They were a unit equipped with automatic rifles, and we'd get our victory with ease.

Yet, he looked at Koukaku disapprovingly, as if accusing him of overcharging. After all, he had paid a hefty sum to request Koukaku's help. But Koukaku, with a smug smile, only chuckled in response.

"I did some research too. It seems the guy here is dangerous. He can control shadows and solo clear dungeons. We need to be cautious."

"Is that so? I've heard he's strong, but can't beat you, right?"

"Well, of course not. But we can't afford to engage in a battle that would lead to unnecessary losses, can we?"

Koukaku was not letting his guard down. He was the one with the power to create a market in this abandoned town, and there was no doubt that the people here were dangerous. 

However, he wasn't a match for him. Koukaku had learned about his opponent's abilities from his colleague, the cat girl. His tactics involved using numerous shadow familiars to attack, fire, and water magic to defeat enemies. However, they lacked specialized equipment, making them vulnerable.

Magic consumed mana, and without dedicated armor, he was like paper. Magic users were mere pushovers.

This tactic was extremely favorable for Koukaku. Most likely, he could demonstrate the difference in power and make them surrender. But if they didn't surrender, he would simply kill him.

However, it would be troublesome if he attacked us guerrilla style, and he could kill his subordinates. They were highly trained individuals. If even one of them died, it would be a loss.

So, he had brought all the vehicles and elites with him. There should be no tactical mistakes.

"Sorry, but you'll have to pay up, Kaneyoshi. It's your request, so I'll give you a little discount, but..."

"In that case, we'll have to make good use of the people from the abandoned town."

Laughing heartily, everyone discussed how they would squeeze the residents of the abandoned town while the vehicles moved forward. Of course, they would discontinue his previous purchase prices, and they would suggest reducing them to a fraction, or even exchange for ration tickets. Koukaku, while gazing at this, had a smirk on his face, thinking he also needed to get his share.

Until the vehicles suddenly came to a stop.

With a sudden jolt, everyone staggered, and Koukaku quickly turned his face toward his subordinates.

"What's going on?"

A communication officer among his subordinates looked bewildered as he reported.

"We, we don't know. The lead vehicle suddenly stopped. No response on communication!"

"No response? Damn it! Everyone, disembark! Combat formation! Instruct the soldiers from the second vehicle to investigate the lead vehicle!"

Armed with the Type 22 automatic rifles propped against them, they quickly opened the hatches. While the electrically operated hatches opened, Koukaku's subordinates swiftly prepared their weapons.

Koukaku had no intention of wasting time shouting about what had happened here. If someone was attacking their armored vehicles, there was a slight possibility that they had the power to destroy us. Otherwise, no one would dare to engage in an unwinnable battle.