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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 12: New Face (3)
Sector 30 was a constant battlefield against crime. With commercial areas adjacent to slums, numerous incidents were reported daily, necessitating a substantial deployment of officers.
“Get your act together!”
A loud voice echoed through the Major Crimes Unit 5's meeting room.
“Are you all planning to keep slacking off?”
Inspector Otis's relentless scolding caused his subordinates to bow their heads deeply.
His usual temper was even more intense today. His face was filled with urgency, like someone chasing after a departing last train.
It was evident he was desperate to shed the title of being part of UHPD-30's lowest-ranking team.
“Do you think this is sufficient? Huh?”
When Otis slammed his mechanical prosthetic hand on the table, the coffee in the mug spilled over.
“Do you think the necromancer would drink this kind of garbage coffee?”
“It's the best our department has…”
“Rookie!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Go out front and buy the best one available. You know, the kind grown outside.”
“A-Are you serious?”
“Yes! I'll give you my card, now go!”
Inspector Otis was in a hurry. To get out of Sector 30, he needed achievements, but the cases assigned to his team always had issues. Either there was no suspect, or they couldn't apprehend them. This case was an opportunity.
“Run!”
“Yes, sir!”
The rookie dashed out of the meeting room but quickly returned.
“The necromancer has arrived!”
At those words, Otis and the entire team rushed out of the meeting room.
In the bleak hallway, Sophia was wiping blood off her hands with a handkerchief, and Baek Ho was watching her, clicking his tongue.
Otis approached Baek Ho, rubbing his palms together.
“Um… did the conversation go well…?”
Sophia answered instead.
“Would you like to talk with me?”
“S-Sure?”
“Let's talk inside.”
“This way, please!”
Otis headed to the meeting room with Sophia.
The other team members crowded around Baek Ho.
Following Otis's instructions, they began boasting about who gave the best shoulder massages.
“I've recently upgraded my prosthetic arm with a massage gun function!”
“My fingers have a vibration feature! I can provide a fantastic technique that will satisfy you!”
“Don't touch me. Especially you. Move before I rip your fingers off.”
Leaving the hallway commotion behind, Otis and Sophia sat facing each other in the meeting room.
“Did he confess everything?”
“Yes.”
“C-Could you share the details with me?”
Otis was desperate. If Sophia refused here, they would have to interrogate the suspect themselves.
Recently, the practice of removing limits on undead had become a trend. It allowed them to kill humans and even stop functioning on their own. Apparently, that bastard Surgeon had his limits removed too.
Not long ago, another team faced trouble when an undead died during interrogation. There's no way a necromancer from headquarters would come all the way here to revive a suspect. Hiring one externally would be too costly. Just thinking about it was stressful.
Contrary to Otis's worries, Sophia's answer was straightforward.
“Of course.”
“Oh! Thank you!”
Not only was she beautiful, but her heart was kind too!
The happiness was short-lived. Otis's face turned pale at Sophia's next words.
“The White Skull Syndicate is involved.”
“W-What?!”
The White Skull Syndicate was one of the five gangs dominating the city's underworld. Among them, it was notorious for its brutality.
“Then, there's no need for further details, right?”
“W-Well…”
Otis hesitated.
If the White Skull Syndicate was involved, orders from higher-ups would surely follow. Likely instructing them to cover things up discreetly.
＊ ＊ ＊
Baek Ho’s group exited the precinct and made their way to the outer parking lot.
Otis had repeatedly warned them not to use the indoor lot when they first arrived—and now, the reason was clear. The place was a mess, littered with drunks, junkies, and people who’d had their prosthetics stolen.
“The White Skull Syndicate, huh? Looks like this one’s going to be a pain.”
“No kidding.”
“Should we hand this job off to another fixer?”
“Another fixer?”
Baek Ho stopped walking and looked at Sophia.
“You’ve got other fixers besides me?”
“Of course. Two teams, actually.”
One was tasked with monitoring Wataru. The other? Just for show.
‘...Two teams?’
To Baek Ho, who had no clue what was going on behind the scenes, this hit differently. It felt like someone else was trying to dip into the honey jar he’d claimed for himself.
“You’re more ambitious than you look.”
“Once I start something, I like to see it through.”
“Is that so... Well, this job’s mine.”
“But if it’s dangerous—”
“No. I’m taking it. Period.”
Baek Ho’s fiery stare stirred something in Sophia’s heart. She interpreted it as a sense of justice—a strong will to help those in need.
“If you’re that determined, I’ll trust you with it. Let’s go over what we’ve got.”
⋮
According to what Surgeon confessed during the interrogation:
1. The group behind the case was the White Skull Syndicate.
2. The man was one of several tech-surgeons contracted by the gang.
3. His job was to anesthetize regular people and hand them over to gang members.
4. He’d been running his clinic under the gang’s protection, moving from place to place.
5. His main source of income came from taking upfront payment for cosmetic surgery just before relocating.
⋮
As for why his body was found stuffed in the wall? Simple.
He was told to stay hidden for the day, and a White Skull member would come by the next to collect him.
“Even hearing it again—what a piece of shit. Frank, you’ve got the stuff?”
Baek Ho turned around and asked.
Frank nodded, carrying a metal case the size of his fist under his arm. His face was visibly brighter—probably thanks to the thought of getting back the money he’d been scammed out of.
The three of them arrived at Baek Ho’s car—a large, boxy black SUV that was parked across two spaces. Several UHPD officers had been cursing at it earlier, but they quickly scattered the moment Baek Ho showed up.
“Frank.”
“What now?”
“Wipe your shoes before you get in.”
“Piss off.”
Sophia started to follow Frank’s lead but suddenly paused.
“D.”
Baek Ho responded as if he’d been waiting for it.
“I was wondering when you’d say something. This car’s a classic—”
“No, it’s not that. Something came up. I won’t be able to go with you today.”
Sophia spoke with a troubled expression. She’d just received an urgent message from the Reaper she had tailing Wataru.
“How about checking the White Skull Syndicate’s warehouse tomorrow instead?”
“Can’t. This job’s a kidnapping. Miss the golden time, and it’s game over.”
“I get that, but…”
She wasn’t just a broker—she was a Reaper in a special operations unit.
Compared to a fixer’s job, orders from her commander took priority.
Keeping tabs on Wataru and protecting Baek Ho were more important.
“Forget it. Frank and I can handle it. Besides, aren’t you a broker? How long are you planning to shadow me?”
“Well, D-rank fixers are supposed to stick with their brokers to learn—”
“I’m C-rank now…”
Baek Ho raised his left hand.
A hologram appeared above the back of his hand, displaying his fixer license.
Sophia’s mouth formed a small “O” as she clapped her hands.
“Wow~ that’s impressive.”
Born into a world where everything was either S or A rank, C-rank was unfamiliar territory to her.
“Actually, I just had a great idea. For today only, why don’t you partner up with another fixer.”
“No thanks.”
“But I’m your broker, remember?”
“......”
“Employer. You know what that means, right?”
In UnderHeaven, money is power.
No exceptions.
＊ ＊ ＊
UnderHeaven sees frequent rainfall.
Since this massive city exists internally rather than externally, the rain is a climate phenomenon created by water mages.
It isn’t a natural occurrence; it’s an artificially created effect.
It was the result of a joint project between the seven major corporations and the government.
But why do they spray the rain?
This sparked many discussions among the citizens.
Some said it was for air purification.
Others said it was to counteract rising temperatures.
Some even claimed it was for cleaning the exterior walls of the mega buildings.
Others suggested it was the tears shed in place of the gods.
Baek Ho knew all of these were nonsense.
As a necromancer, a member of one of the Seven Great Necromancer Families and a noble in UnderHeaven, he knew the exact reason.
It was to accelerate corrosion through moisture.
The aim was to shorten the replacement cycle for mechanical prosthetics, the main business of the Seven Mega Corporations.
At one point, a few highly educated citizens had raised objections to this issue.
They questioned the tyranny of the Seven Corporations and proposed solutions.
But after the scientist who had invented a waterproof coating for prosthetics mysteriously died and his family was destroyed overnight, no one ever brought up the subject again.
Swoosh—
Baek Ho’s car cut through the rain and arrived in a dark neighborhood.
The surroundings were filled with low-rise buildings with their lights off.
Not far away, the mega buildings of the commercial district were emitting light like giants that had swallowed neon signs.
It was bright yet dark.
“How’s the ride?”
Baek Ho’s question made Frank’s expression stiff.
He crossed his arms, wearing the face of a refined critic.
“To be honest, looking at the exterior and the interior finish, and considering the cost…”
Frank paused.
He was part of Baek Ho's crew, and the tension in the air was palpable.
Baek Ho’s anger radiated, almost as if it had taken form and filled the vehicle.
“…I’d say it was a great buy. Where did you get this car? It’s really impressive. The seats are soft and comfortable too.”
“Right?”
“I didn’t want to say it, but I have to now.”
“What is it?”
“The audio system is insane. My eardrums almost melted.”
< You’re the one who always believes in me ~♬
“Right? Frank, I think you’ve gotten smarter lately.”
“Thanks. It’s all thanks to you, my friend.”
< You’re an idiot ~♬
As soon as the engine was turned off, the music from I_Vu that had filled the car also stopped.
Baek Ho got out of the car and scanned his surroundings.
He rolled his eyes at the Reaper who was standing next to Sophia, his feet tangled with hers.
His gaze was sharp, filled with emotion, and it didn’t take long before it found its mark.
“There.”
In front of a dark, run-down shop, a thin man was standing under a partially broken awning.
His black, long hair almost touched his shoulders.
His worn-out long coat billowed slightly in the wind.
He wore an old-fashioned pair of headphones, rarely used these days, resting on his head, his chin slightly lowered.
The only person at the meeting spot was that guy.
The dark bluish aura flowing around his heart confirmed it—he was definitely the Reaper.
Swoosh—
Baek Ho and Frank pushed through the rain and stepped under the awning.
They glared at the long-haired Reaper and shook their coats.
The coat was meant to prevent getting blood on it, but the rainwater splashed away easily.
"You."
At Baek Ho's call, the long-haired man lifted his head.
He had sharp, defined features.
A long scar on his forehead marred his handsome appearance.
The scarred man put the headphones around his neck and spoke.
"Long time no see."
"...Huh?"
His voice was laid-back, with a distinct accent.
This was the guy who had been wielding an axe when Baek Ho went to meet the Undeadog CEO a while ago.
At that time, he had been wearing a gas mask, so Baek Ho hadn't seen his face properly, but his eyes were dead.
“You’re the one who made the deal with Sophia?”
“Yes, she got in touch out of nowhere yesterday. Tall woman, right? I didn’t really get what she was about, but she offered good money, so I said yes.”
This was the same guy who’d once taken guard work under a regular civilian just to scrape by.
Someone that desperate for cash wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity like that.
"When she first reached out, I was surprised. I thought she was an administrator or some high-ranking handler—not a broker or fixer."
"Well, whatever. Let’s just get the job done."
"Yeah, I look forward to it. I’m Limujin."
"…Limujin? Your car?"
"Haha. The name’s Lee Mujin — yeah, like limousine. I’m from a humble background, so names can get a little... creative. Just call me Mujin."
He scratched his cheek as he spoke.
His voice and expression both carried a thick, lingering boredom.
"I’m D. This is Frank."
"Nice to meet you, big guy."
"I’m not pleased."
"It’s alright. I understand."
Mujin stretched out his hand, and as his coat opened, his I_Vu brand T-shirt was revealed.
Frank gave a sly grin and shook his hand firmly.
"Actually, I kind of like it."
"Thanks."
"So, you’ve heard about today’s request, right?"
"I heard it’s a kidnapping case involving the White Skull Syndicate."
"That’s right."
"So, who are we kidnapping? A human or an undead?"
"We’re not doing the kidnapping — we’re doing the rescuing."
"Oh, is that so? Huh… good to know."
His tone didn’t sound relieved at all, more like he didn’t care either way.
"Anyway, follow me. You’ll know the details once we’re there."
A moment later...
{You have arrived at your destination.}
Baek Ho dismissed the notification window and looked down the stairs.
It was the basement of an old building, completely dark with no light in sight.
"Smells disgusting. I feel like ripping my nose off."
Frank took the lead.
When he activated the Necroshell attached to his right arm, the circuit lit up in a dark blue hue, illuminating the surroundings.
The inside of the place looked as dilapidated as the outside.
The walls were covered in unpleasant graffiti and unidentified liquids.
"Is the kidnapper here?"
"Not exactly. This is a meeting spot for the White Skull Syndicate."
As they descended the stairs, they were met by an old metal door.
The worn-off paint on it clearly showed the marks of time.
Next to the door, an incongruous modern device stood.
It was a scanner for smart-eye lenses that could be implanted in the eyeball.
"I’ll break it open."
"No, there’s a key."
Baek Ho reached into the bag on Frank’s side and pulled something out.
It was a severed head of a surgeon, eyes tightly shut.
"...What’s this?"
"I borrowed it from an investigator."
"I thought it was some kind of fake."
Baek Ho pulled the eyelids of the severed head open and tried to use it on the device, but it didn’t work.
As expected, Baek Ho infused the head with dark mana, and soon the surgeon’s eyes snapped open, gasping for breath.
"Keek..."
His facial muscles twitched a few times, and he made a voice that sounded like air escaping from a punctured balloon.
“Ah… Necromancer… you really came…”
“Yeah.”
“Then… you’ll reattach me like you promised…”
“After the job’s done.”
“…Alright. I trust you…”
Baek Ho brought the surgeon’s head back to the device.
The light flickered as it scanned the surgeon’s eyes.
Clunk—
With a dull sound, the door crack opened.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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