Léon: The Cat Killer

While others were more focused on what contributions Andy could make to the 'Originium Organs Project', the manager and Number 77, because of 'Nana', were also paying attention to the other pathological and clinical symptoms of the physical examination.

"Andy Bruce persisted for at least ten years, with only the first three years receiving effective treatment. The battle between his diseased brain and immune system not only caused him pain, but also caused his emotions to constantly sink into the hallucinations of nerve compression... If we take his interactions with his eldest daughter Kate in her childhood as the standard of his original personality, I can only describe his interactions with Matilda now as 'tragic'."

"...So I couldn't persuade him...For Andy, this land only brings pain."

Unusually, the manager lit a second cigarette, glancing at Number 77 with a nostalgic look in his eyes as he looked at him with slightly bowed head, as if in silent mourning.

"So, that blank slate back then, that cold and slow-witted antisocial girl, can now speak words of empathy... From a work perspective, it might be a bit hard to explain, but keep your human heart, Seventy-Seven."

Frowning at her agent, Nana closed the documents in front of her that only added to her troubles. Andy's pathology report and the Bruce family contract, which had not yet been signed and was not yet valid, were put back into the folder.

The girl raised this question:

"...If it's just about killing, anyone can do it... So why make me understand these painful things?"

"Because my faction's ideology is that before becoming a 'state instrument' that serves as a container for some kind of ideology, what we need first is a 'person,' not some 'machine'..."

The agent shrugged, took out today's work, and tossed one of the sheets to Number Seventy-Seven as he spoke:

“I once discussed this in an organization meeting. Tech companies have good intentions in fighting natural disasters, but if we continue to let them do this, these companies will become ‘monsters’ that are more terrifying than natural disasters.”

"...Because natural disasters are never aimed at humans, but the 'monsters' created by humans will only destroy their creators...that is the nature of 'monsters'."

Nana's response made the manager snap his fingers happily. As today's documents were opened in front of the two, another technology company, different from Loken Water Tank, appeared before Number Seventy-Seven, bearing the mark of 'Infinity':

"...Rhine Labs...it shouldn't have any laboratories in our jurisdiction."

"But their actions severely provoked the Loken Water Tank Laboratory..."

"...The Flame Demon Plan."

As Nana read out the name, which was clearly designed based on military aesthetics, she glanced down and saw that most of the file was blacked out... It can only be said that the manager went to great lengths to let Number Seventy-Seven know about this.

"I see, Loken Williams is competing with Rhine Lab for the military's new round of experimental force enhancement programs..."

"Hmm... Although Dr. Williams is no less capable than the researchers at Rhine Labs as a researcher... the objective conditions vary, and the progress of different projects is also subject to luck... We're hitting roadblocks everywhere at Loken Tank, while Rhine Labs seems to have already completed the first phase of the experiment."

Hearing her manager say that, the black-haired girl sighed, which was uncommon... 'Number Seventy-Seven' rarely showed her emotions in front of her partner; this was typical of 'Nana'.

"That means Loken Williams is going to keep going crazy."

"More than sixty pieces of pure Originium... Although the ICA has canceled the contract that could attract a large number of foreign armed personnel, Williams still bribed all government and social groups that might obstruct his experiments..."

"To defend against possible external interference?"

As she said this, Nana's gaze fell on the symbol representing 'infinity' in front of her... but then she abandoned her guess.

Unlike second-rate companies that drag others down when they can't do their own job well and call it fair competition in 'normal business warfare', Rhine Life has its own military force.

Even if their defense division were taken out individually, it would be a match for at least a second-rate security contractor. It's not like Loken Water Tank could just release a sum of money and recruit enough forces to deal with them.

But it's hard to believe that such a grand display was to defend against attacks from competitors... because Loken Williams himself is the largest tech company in the area, and no one would dare to defy Loken Water Tank in this small city built around a landship supply station.

The factories here produce Loken water tank products, and the billboards in the commercial area are full of Loken water tank advertisements. Even the walls in the residential area are covered with Loken water tank job postings.

Loken Water Tank is the financial pillar of this city, and Loken Williams is the uncrowned king here... Who would go to great lengths to assemble a large force to disrupt an experimental project with an unknown success rate, only to end up crashing headfirst into a wall made of more than sixty pure Originium stones?

"The organization's speculation is that it might be Loken Williams' personal behavior. Employee reports say he is currently very agitated... This project is something Williams has been obsessed with all this time... It's not surprising that he would react this way."

Unlike her agent, Number Seventy-Seven does not arbitrarily fabricate the truth of a matter based on conjecture, nor does she offer her opinions on unfounded or vague matters.

In the past, if the information exchanged to this extent, Nana would have almost decided to go home.

But today is different; the assassin doesn't want to go back to that place where she can hear the sobbing next door...

Under the lights of the conference room and the simulated sun outside the door, Nana lifted her schoolbag from the ground and placed it on the table. She then took out her maintenance tools and began the weapon care she had done just two days ago, on Wednesday.

Seeing that Nana wasn't going back, the manager took out her laptop and started typing away while saying:

"...It's rare to see someone who doesn't want to go home even while staying at home...Have you considered going on business trips like you used to?"

"Didn't we agree that once we settled down here, we wouldn't be traveling the world anymore?"

"...I did manage to calm you down, but the problem is, compared to you, these field employees have a very low success rate in their missions."

"You said before that my mission success rate was too high..."

Seeing the girl's nonchalant attitude and her attempt to lecture her, the agent's eyes drooped like dead fish eyes. The 20% success rate of the task feedback on the laptop in front of her made her feel that being an agent was a bit difficult.

After all, even if you include the training tests and other tasks that make things difficult for her, as well as those dubious tasks that involve finding fictitious objects or simply commissioning her to perform tasks as a salesperson, the girl's overall contract success rate is over 60%.

As for the contract actually given to 'Killer 77', its success rate is undoubtedly 100%.

If this were a militarized organization like a PMC, people might marvel at it as a top-notch military contractor... but for a lone assassin, this achievement is simply outrageous.

The agent had once wondered if he had a talent for working behind the scenes, but seeing how these ICA field employees had managed to achieve this with his full support... it seems the person who was number 77 back then was really strange. (Lin)

As the agent was recalling this, her laptop suddenly emitted a 'Special Attention' notification sound.

Acting on her professional instincts, the agent glanced at the time; it was 2 AM… and Nana, who had just finished maintaining all her equipment and was feigning sleep, also looked up.

Although Nana often spends the whole night resting sitting on a stool at home, the chairs in the conference room didn't even have backrests, making her feel like her whole body was cramping when she woke up.

Just as Nana was stretching lazily, her hands braced on the conference table, body tense, tail and cat ears perked up... she saw her manager, whose expression had become complicated after operating the computer for a moment.

"...What's wrong?"

"The Loken water tank experiment was a success."

The assassin wasn't surprised by the news. After all, it was a project Loken Williams had been working on for years, and this time he'd even spent a fortune bribing and buying off the medical system to find Andy, the most suitable candidate for the experiment. If it still didn't succeed… well, that could only be fate.

"...The experiment was a success, isn't that a good thing? Didn't your organization...and the military all say they were looking forward to it? Why do you look like that?" Scar

In response to Nana's confusion, her manager took out a makeup mirror from her handbag and composed herself. With a deep breath, the serious-looking woman heard something that made Nana think for a long time.

"The plan to 'transform' the organs into Originium was declared a success at 1:30 PM today, but Andy Bruce was pronounced dead at 6:25 PM yesterday..."

"...Wasn't this project supposed to allow people to use Originium Arts at will without suffering from Oripathy...? Why did Andy die, but Loken's experiment succeeded..."

Nana's tone wasn't one of doubt when she said these words; she probably knew why, but she didn't want to admit it. She needed a definite answer from her agent, who had access to the information... and the agent did just that:

"It seems... it's because Andy Bruce is the Originium organ..."

The two stared at each other for a while, and it took Nana about two seconds to realize that she was venting her anger on her manager, who had nothing to do with the matter.

This discovery made the assassin scratch her hair in frustration:

"So, this can be considered a success?"

“I don’t know how Loken defines success… but I know the military definitely doesn’t want a lump of Originium crystal shaped like internal organs…”

At this point, both of them could see a hint of panic in each other's expressions... Nana thought she might have figured out why Loken wanted to recruit combat personnel, while the manager... was worried about the assassin girl in front of her.

Today, Number 77 showed the most panicked look they'd had in all the years they'd known each other.

"...So...did anyone get saved because of Andy's internal organs? Did anyone...get rid of Oripathy? Or stabilize their previously unusable Oripathy techniques?"

"As far as I know, no... Loken Williams simply cultivated the Originium organ and declared the first phase of the experiment a success, then loudly proclaimed that the next phase of the experiment would begin immediately... Of course... we all know how amazing it is to maintain the original organ activity and function of an Originium..."

"This is indeed something to celebrate...maybe, possibly, probably...what they're celebrating, what they're calling a triumphant achievement...is all this part..."

Seeing that the agent was still unwilling to admit the suspicion they both had guessed, the assassin's face was now as cold as ice.

"So... the next experiment with Sulfur Zero II Umbrella VIII Bar Silk, the one to be implanted into this organ... the most suitable one is..."

"Without a doubt, it's the Bruce family."

It only took three seconds, but when he voiced this conjecture, his manager felt like he had hesitated for three years.

As the black-haired girl's expression returned to indifference, she transformed back into an assassin in order to think things through calmly.

"...Although all of this is currently just speculation...what will the 'organization' do?"

"The problem isn't how we do it, seventy-seven... the problem is how you do it."

"As you can see, the experiment at Loken's tank is progressing steadily while we are talking... Even if we halt the ICA's intermediary operations, Loken has enough funds here to handle any unforeseen circumstances."

"But if things really develop as we expect, even excluding those within the 'organization' who have expectations for the Loken tank, my faction has no reason to stop them... The military is watching."

"What about the legal aspect? Even if Andy acted voluntarily... the situation might no longer consider whether it was voluntary or not... can the judicial authorities intervene at that point?"

Just mentioning it made Nana frown in pain, contradicting her own statement:

“No, compared to the actions taken by the laboratory, the judicial department has been lagging behind from the very beginning of filing a public prosecution… Plus, the military is blocking us. Even if we really go through the public prosecution route to punish Loken Tank, Matilda’s family can’t escape this experiment…”

At this point, Nana picked up her schoolbag again:

"But you, agent, said... it's because sometimes the law can't find a way, that's why there are 'assassins' in Ba Ling Jiu Shan Liu..."

"...It seems you've made up your mind too..."

Thus, the black cat girl revealed a slightly unaccustomed smile. This was the first time that the girl named 'Nana' had made 'Disguise' so proactive.

"100,000 Lungmen Dollars. If things really get bad, then place an order for me at the ICA."

(Five) SiVI Dam Weeping Breath Hearing this, the agent also returned to work mode. The lady in business attire gave a thumbs up and returned to her seat at the other end of the conference room, immediately starting to type at three times the speed she had been doing before:

"Hmm~ The client is Ms. Nana from the finance department of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory... What is your request?"

"If... I mean if... Loken Tank is indeed going to use illegal means to conduct those disgusting experiments on the Bruce family, please disclose the details and have the best employees guarantee the safety of the Bruce family."

The crisp sound of the keyboard intertwined with the killer girl's voice, and for the first time, Nana set a goal for 'herself':

"...Because Loken Williams has bribed the healthcare system, it cannot be ruled out that other public authorities may become his accomplices. As the largest and only research company in the area, if this comes to pass, then no one will come to help that poor family."

As she tapped on the keyboard, it was as if she were playing a melody known only to herself, as if she were weaving destiny. The agent's tone also changed to the one she used to use when introducing the mission to Number Seventy-Seven:

"Clearly, going against Williams here is going against the entire city. If things really turn out as the client suspects, it will undoubtedly escalate into a battle with the police and even the military."

"Although Williams' plan to hire people through the ICA was interrupted, the total of more than sixty pure Originium stones will make all those who have any expectation of money flock to them."

"Fortunately, the ICA has enough employees at the Loken tank to provide intelligence. Number 77, you should have enough time to prevent this tragedy from happening."

Pressing Enter saves the task draft. The agent, as usual, smiles as he looks at the assassin, whose head is slightly bowed and eyes are hidden in the shadow of his bangs, but the blue light in his eyes is still clearly visible.

"Even if Williams' research succeeds and can truly change the coexistence of Originium technology advancement and Oripathy, involuntary sacrifice will only cause suffering, and suffering can only breed 'monsters' that destroy themselves..."

"If Williams really did that, then he would have undoubtedly abandoned the ethical principles that a proper researcher should have. Moreover, that poor family is not without concern; even though the husband is gone, they still have neighbors and friends."

"So go save them... and save the client's heart, which is numb to the earth..."

"Number 77, I won't disturb you as you prepare."

P.S.: The plot twists and wording in this chapter have been revised many times... This is very unfriendly to both the author and the readers... But I still hope that everyone will refresh the chapter when they see this tip... Maybe there will be a new hairstyle when you read it again.

PS2: Since I'm writing a PS, I'll just ask for some votes. I'll still prioritize the reading experience and try not to write PSs in the future... but please give me more votes... if the data is too bad, I'll really have nothing to eat.

1st Rosemary Embrace: 010 Tomorrow or an accident, which comes first?

DL-13... The name of the city under Nana's feet on the map.

Fifty-eight years ago, it was given this name, which was recorded in the Tai VII Ling 8 (5) siVI 8 abandoned qiQUN land-based transportation system. As a 'local' who has lived here for five years, Nana still prefers to call it 'Lessonton'.

It is said that the name originated from the original Victorian settlers, but the truth is impossible to verify... After all, it wasn't until 1050 that Columbia forced Victoria to recognize its independent status through war, and the country was only three years older than Nana's nominal age.

In her early years, Nana was either dealing with the training and difficulties of the 'organization' or traveling all over the world at the beck and call of her agent. By the time Nana settled down, the agent's business district—Lessonton—had already transformed from a traditional mobile city platform into a modern city with the support of Loken Water Tank.

The efficient Originium power plant connects to the public streetlights, carbon-based buildings soar into the clouds, and dazzling neon lights illuminate theaters and nightclubs. Even though the weekly wage is only three Colombian dollars, the minimum legal wage, it doesn't stop the workers from waving their pennies and cents to get drunk at various cheap mobile stalls...

The constant flow of people and taxis provided considerable convenience for Assassin Seventy-Seven. Although the schoolbag on her back created a strange distance between the girl and the bustling night scene, as long as she loosened her tie and strode arrogantly, who would care that a delinquent girl from a public school was wandering the streets at night?

[It's quite unexpected; the road to Jackson's apartment is still clear. Perhaps Loken Water Tank didn't intend to make things too messy.]

With people coming and going around her, Nana, who was in mission mode, didn't have time to refute her manager's overly optimistic attitude.

The girl quietly went to the convenience store and bought a carton of milk. She inserted a straw and sucked hard while looking around, like a clueless young girl who was visiting the night market for the first time and didn't know what to do. Nana lingered her gaze on a few people, and the cat-ear-style in-ear headphones with combat recording and transmission functions pointed out the suspicious points to the manager.

[...Police...and it was traffic police, criminal investigators, and SACA all gathered together...so many public officials just loitering around and the night market can still operate...should we be grateful for the good public security in our jurisdiction, or should we complain that the citizens have no sense of crisis?]

'The entire road leading to Jackson's apartment building is now under surveillance. There are too many people at the night market; we can't rule out the possibility of plainclothes officers also present.'

Qun & Qilin Paiwu (Part 4) Liu Qiqi had no interest in chatting with her manager. Nana was typing on her phone with one hand at a speed that seemed to leave a blur on her thumb. But after throwing away the milk carton, the girl immediately yawned. Her ears drooped like airplane ears, and at the same time, she revealed her slightly conspicuous little tiger teeth...

This wasn't a prelude or a setup for an operation. She had gone to her agent's warehouse operations base early that morning, and hadn't had much rest in the past few days because of the Bruce family's situation... Perhaps she needed coffee more right now.

So, even if you confirm that the surrounding area is sealed off, how will you get back to your safe house...? Should you activate the emergency exit?

'Not'

After sending the message, Nana stretched again... waved her hand to decline the second wave of drunken nightclub invitations, fiddled with her backpack, and walked straight towards the intersection guarded by a group of public officials.

Without a doubt, the way the corrupt police surrounded them resembled wolves hunting their prey...

"Miss, please stop for a moment... Please put your hands where we can see them... Okay, now you can slowly take out your driver's license or similar document... It's so late, where are you going?"

Faced with a full set of questioning and security procedures from the police officers who surrounded her in soft, lightweight protective gear, Nana readily raised her hands and then responded to them with a completely genuine look of exhaustion in her eyes:

"Of course I'm going home. I live in the apartment across the street... Here's my ID. Is something wrong?"