NIKKE, When the Milky Way Blossoms

"Row."

……

……

Ding-dong-

The elevator bell gently reminds passengers that they have arrived at their stop.

In contrast to the security command center, which was guarded by two guards at the entrance, the 45th floor, which belonged to the finance department, was completely deserted, with no one armed or on high alert.

Behind the one-way glass wall with its own display function, one can vaguely see the employees engrossed in their busy work.

Everyone is busy.

They were too busy to notice the lieutenant and the CEO standing in the corridor with rifles in their hands.

This unexpected yet logical sense of rift successfully redefined Phoenix's understanding of Elysium's finance department.

At first, he thought that the finance department was like the security department, except for pay thieves and the only other people in the department who were good at corporate politics.

But after seeing that the workers completely ignored his arrival and only cared about their work, the lieutenant realized that the finance department of Paradise was likely a sweatshop.

"Those who can handle finances at headquarters are all industry elites. Their annual salary plus year-end bonus can bring in millions of yuan a year, which is higher than most middle managers."

Seeing the disdain in the lieutenant's eyes, as if he were appraising a slave owner, Ingrid closed her eyes, slightly speechless, and patiently said, "I'll reiterate, a conglomerate CEO is not the same as a boss..."

"It's alright, it'll be the same after today."

"..."

This is undoubtedly a very menacing statement; calling it bloody wouldn't be an exaggeration.

If it were an outsider, Ingrid might have thought the man in front of her was too ruthless, because simple killing cannot solve all problems.

But when those words actually came out of his mouth, and he made that promise to her...

Even the CEO of Gokuraku Jodo (Paradise on Earth) could not escape the extreme allure of "double standards" and "it smells so good" (a Chinese internet slang term for something initially disliked but later found appealing).

"Then I will take your kind words."

The woman was subconsciously very satisfied with the lieutenant's reply, so satisfied that she was completely unaware that the corners of her mouth had already turned up slightly.

With her rifle in hand, she strode forward, looking as heroic as a female general, towards the finance minister's office.

……

drop--

Amidst the electronic chime of the sensor, the sensor-operated door, made of high-strength glass, silently and automatically opens.

Unlike the explosion-proof gates of the security department, the finance department has a clear understanding of its own role.

If the criminals manage to break through the Tower of Bliss's security and reach the forty-fifth floor, then the powerless clerks will have no chance to resist.

Like now...

The moment the alarm sounded, Mr. Giles, the finance minister, adjusted his retro gold-rimmed glasses slightly, turned his azure eyes toward the door, and met Ingrid's gaze at the doorway.

"I'm glad you're still alive, Ms. President."

The white-bearded old man, who was about to retire in a few years, calmly greeted everyone, and then said:

"The security department said you were in Building A. Now it seems Mr. Wading has chosen to side with you."

The familiar atmosphere of bickering persisted, and the ensuing headache and disgust successfully shattered the smile on Ingrid's face.

However, the CEO still habitually resorted to the art of language, subtly hinting at his intention to persuade the finance executives sitting in the room to surrender.

"Small fish swim with the current; it's an obvious principle."

"Hehehehe..."

The president's words amused Giles, and the laughter, like tree bark rubbing against bedrock, echoed haphazardly in the room, prompting the other middle-aged executives present to also reveal mocking expressions before bursting into laughter...

boom! ! !

A gunshot rang out, instantly pausing the conversation for everyone present.

While everyone was still reeling from the gunshot, Phoenix, his patience wearing thin, stepped forward from Ingrid's side, cursing as he raised his gun and pulled the trigger.

boom! ! !

Gunshots rang out again, and the second unfortunate executive was blown apart by a bullet, his head gushing out crimson blood and shattered brain tissue, staining the glass behind his seat filthy.

"Who the hell is joking around with you guys?"

Seeing the self-assured demeanor of these upper-class individuals, the lieutenant's blood pressure immediately soared due to his growing agitation.

"Three seconds. If you don't surrender, you die."

After saying that, the man pointed the gun directly at the third unfortunate executive: a middle-aged man with balding hair, whose lips were trembling and whose legs were shaking.

"three."

As the lieutenant gave the death knell-like countdown, the executive's gaze first swept over the gun barrel, then fell upon Minister Giles in the main seat, before he shakily began to organize his thoughts.

"me……"

"two."

The instinct to survive and the long-standing habit of submitting to the minister intertwined, ultimately forcing the executive to utter a meaningless statement.

"Wait, wait a minute!"

"one."

"I said wait a minute! You let me think..."

boom! ! !

There was no verbal protest, nor any execution speech. After killing the third person, Phoenix immediately moved the muzzle of his gun, aiming the crosshairs at the forehead of the fourth person...

"three."

"I will obey any orders from the CEO!!!"

Seeing how the first three unfortunate men died, the fourth executive, with a gun pointed at him, didn't hesitate. He raised his hands and surrendered without a second thought.

Then came the fifth person...

"three."

"I, I will obey any order from the CEO!!!"

Then the sixth person...

"me too!"

After a series of surrenders, the lieutenant circled around and finally pointed his gun at the head of the finance department, Minister Giles.

Then, he began to count down indifferently, treating everyone the same.

"three."

The old man did not move.

"two."

The old man still didn't move.

Unfortunately, the slightly deep crow's feet at the corners of his eyes tell a story of his inner struggle.

"one."

"From now on, the finance department will provide support..."

"zero."

"The president's decision..."

boom! ! !

After the gunshots, the world returned to peace.

When a bullet pierced Gilles' forehead;

The powerful minister died before he could even show a look of terror.

Everyone, including Ingrid, was so shocked by this unexpected scene that their minds completely went blank.

The lieutenant, whose blood pressure had finally dropped, spat with relief, then turned to look at the four still-alive executives while spewing profanities.

Then, he pointed and chose the guy who surrendered the fastest, urging him:

"You, it's you. You'll be the finance minister from now on."

The rest,

Who's in favor? Who's against?

Lieutenant Phoenix asked politely, amidst the metallic clang of a rifle cartridge hitting the ground.

The whole audience was silent.

No one dared to provoke the lieutenant's incredibly rare patience, just like the former minister had done.