Chapter 62 List of Meeting Organizers.
The same warm-colored lighting creates a cozy and pleasant atmosphere in the living room of a home, but when installed in a basement, it appears gloomy, dark, and lifeless.
Despite the spotless surroundings, a lingering, rotten dampness still clung to Bourbon's nose.
The designer of the site had no idea what he was thinking; the entire ceiling was designed to look precarious, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.
This was a completely unfamiliar base to Bourbon, and there were no familiar faces in the entire base.
Bourbon wasn't the last to arrive, but Vermouth had already been sitting there for quite some time when he came.
The woman with long, wavy golden hair fiddled with her hands, admiring her meticulously manicured nails in the dim light of the overhead lamp.
There weren't many people present, and she was the only one who remained calm and composed, with an interested expression.
Bourbon's gaze swept over her plain nails: "A bit monotonous, Vermouth."
It is said that this woman almost exposed her identity during a mission because she didn't remove her nail polish properly, and she has never had a manicure since.
Bourbon was in a slightly bad mood and didn't mind teasing the other party over such a trivial matter.
“I like it, that’s all that matters,” Vermouth said, not taking it to heart. Instead, she gave a half-smile and asked, “But you, Bourbon, are the one who matters.”
"What's holding you back so late in this long, lonely night?"
“Of course it’s my Aphrodite.”
Bourbon pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, completely ignoring the fierce-looking codenamed member behind the woman: "So, what do you want with me?"
"With such a big thing happening in the organization, I didn't expect Bourbon to still have time to indulge in part-time games," Vermouth chuckled.
Bourbon, happy to play dumb, subtly furrowed his brow, revealing just the right amount of confusion: "What happened? Wasn't Rum's influence almost completely dealt with?"
He looked like any uninformed but intensely curious information broker.
However, Vermouth shrugged, showing no intention of answering him, and continued to fiddle with the rim of the water glass in front of her with her fingertips.
The conference room door was pushed open, and several more people entered one after another.
The silver-haired assassin walked in, like a Siberian wolf with fur mixed with wind and snow.
—It's only ten degrees Celsius outside, who knows where the snow and wind came from, but Gin always has this special effect when he appears.
Bourbon silently complained to himself.
Standing in the conference room, Gin grinned, revealing a set of snow-white teeth that seemed ready to tear someone's throat open at any moment: "They're all still here."
After saying this puzzling thing, he glanced at the people around him, walked over and sat down opposite Vermouth, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and said no more.
Vodka, following behind him, also looked serious and dutifully stood one step behind Gin's seat.
Bourbon observed the people present without making a sound.
There weren't many people present; among them, the intelligence team consisted only of him, Vermouth, and Gil.
Rei Furuya's gaze briefly met Rena Mizunashi's, but both quickly looked away without lingering.
The action team also consisted of three people.
Excluding Gin's accessory vodka, only Calvados and Ireland showed up, voluntarily standing behind Vermouth.
The person sitting next to Gin and opposite Bourbon was not any of them.
The person looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a gloomy and somber face. His hair was too long, as if it hadn't been cut in a long time, and it covered his entire right eye.
He was wearing a black coat, but a white lab coat was draped over his chair, and you could smell the disinfectant even across the table.
Bourbon's expression shifted slightly, guessing that this was a researcher from the organization.
This is the first time the research team has sent someone to a meeting...
He chose to observe cautiously for the time being, and instead of talking to the other party, he turned his attention to the other side.
The middle-aged man sitting to Bourbon's right had been shaking since he entered the room, and he still hadn't stopped. The water glass in his hand spilled hot tea, scalding the back of his hand and index finger red.
The other person continued to shake as if oblivious, soaking a large area of the table, with water stains faintly showing signs of flowing towards the bourbon.
"Are you alright?"
Wearing a bourbon mask, he watched the other man's predicament with great interest, more out of curiosity than concern: "What's wrong, sir?"
Startled by the sudden question, the middle-aged man finally knocked over the teacup in his hand: "Ah, ah?"
"I'm fine!"
Gin, who was watching this side with a cold eye, snorted and didn't remember who this person was at all.
However, everyone who came here had received a notification from the BOSS, so they didn't say much.
“Oh my, why are you so angry?” Vermouth teased, glancing at Gin. “You’d better watch out later, lest you offend that gentleman.”
Gin remained cold: "Stop dawdling, Vermouth."
—That gentleman.
Rei Furuya's breathing became lighter, but his voice remained composed: "Oh? Is that gentleman finally going to make his own move?"
"certainly……"
Vermouth changed the subject at the end of her sentence: "No."
As she spoke, she stood up from her seat, picked up the remote control on the table, and gracefully turned on the television, which no one had ever paid attention to before.
For a moment, no one spoke in the conference room, and everyone's eyes were focused on the television screen.
The television screen, which hadn't been used for a long time, flickered with static and emitted a piercing crackling sound; everyone could only wait patiently.
After a long while, the screen finally lit up completely.
A raven's head stood still, silently watching everyone present.
Good day, everyone.
The speakers hanging on both sides emitted strangely rhythmic, stuttering electronic sounds.
Sure enough, it's far too early for the organization's BOSS, this century's turtle, to show his face.
Rei Furuya's expression wasn't one of disappointment, but rather one of acceptance.
But regardless of whether it's a real person or not, the necessary gestures were still made appropriately.
Everyone stood up and bowed their heads in respect: "BOSS."
The electronic sound in my ears had a maddeningly sluggish quality, like a broken reed in a music box, idly plucking the reeds, stopping where it should stop and remaining silent where it should sound.
But everyone present listened intently:
"A lot has happened in the organization during this period..."
"Especially tonight."
"These 24 hours... were truly amazing."
"..."
The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere froze.
It was as if an invisible hand was pouring concrete into the conference room. Everyone felt so heavy that they couldn't move, starting from their legs. Their chests heaved faster than usual, and their tracheas felt blocked by some unknown substance.
Rei Furuya sensed something was wrong, but he hadn't touched the tea on the table since he came in, and he had also confirmed that there were no other volatile drugs around.
—Then the only option is to use environmental cues and hypnosis.
He keenly noticed this and shifted his attention away from the gray-brown walls and low roof, trying to free himself from the oppressive environment.
"Gin".
The BOSS pointed out the silver-haired assassin's codename: "Tell me about your mission tonight."
Since entering, Gin has only uttered one sentence. At this moment, he took off his top hat: "BOSS, Pisco's mission failed and he is confirmed dead; codenamed members Sherry and Miyano Akemi have defected."
Just as he had adjusted his mindset, Furuya Rei heard about the great achievements of the public security police that night, and could only maintain an inscrutable demeanor in front of the camera on top of the television, which was flashing a scarlet light.
The silver-haired assassin continued, "Please give me time, and I will kill all the rats for the organization."
"Kill them, then who will do the research?"
The boy next to him crossed his arms, raised his eyes and glanced at Gin with disdain, scoffing, "A gorilla who only knows how to use brute force."
"No wonder Shirley ran away when she was being watched by someone like that."
The boy showed none of the fear or trepidation that the organization members felt when facing the Top Killer.
This earned him more attention from Bourbon.
Vodka couldn't help but take a step forward, but with the BOSS watching, he could only retreat.
“Junerick,” Gin’s sharp gaze swept over him, “watch your words. Are you going to defect too?”
The young researcher, as if he'd heard a joke, tapped his head with his fingertip and laughed with smug confidence: "Kill them, kill them, shoot them here."
He suddenly opened his clenched fingers: "With a 'bang,' the organization's research regressed by twenty years, and hundreds of millions evaporated instantly."
The two continued their exchange as if no one else was around, which made Bourbon raise an eyebrow.
Junairik...
This person was actually just a codenamed researcher.
He turned his attention to one of his regular sources of intelligence.
Vermouth was the most composed person present, apart from Junelek. After bowing to the BOSS at the beginning, her eyes wandered around, naturally noticing Bourbon's glance.
She had never liked the research group, and was happy to chat with him: "The new head of the research group, a genius, has always had this kind of temper."
Vermouth warned in front of the person involved: "He recently developed a drug that can erase and alter people's memories. The boss is very tolerant of him, so it's best not to mess with him."
I don't know how much of what he said actually reached his ears, but Bourbon nodded first.
Can it alter a person's memory? Rei Furuya was secretly alarmed.
If such an ability were used by an organization for brainwashing, the consequences would be unimaginable...
His subtle gaze once again fell on the arrogant researcher.
I want to catch them.
"Junerik".
The electronic voice interrupted Junel's provocation of Gin, but as Vermouth had said, it did not make any accusations. Instead, it asked, "How confident are you in taking over Sherry's research?"
Junairik twirled the empty glass on the table, drawing out his words: "I've seen Sherry's research data. Most of the recent core data is unreliable, and Gin burned down the research institute..."
Then he changed the subject: "Three months, 100% certain."
Vermouth and Bourbon's movements were almost imperceptible, and they froze.
Upon receiving the answer, the BOSS was extremely satisfied: "Very good, sit down."
With everyone else standing respectfully, Junerick sat down without hesitation.
After sitting down, he tilted the chair upside down and placed the cup upside down on the table.
After asking Junelek, the BOSS continued, "There's another very important matter I called you here for."
"It concerns everyone."
The electronic voice was icy: "Ryota Ikemoto."
The man next to Bourbon's legs went weak and he almost knelt down.
"idiot."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's legs went completely limp.
Just as he was about to kneel down in front of everyone, Bourbon kicked a chair over and caught him.
His smile was all smiles, yet it seemed incredibly sinister: "Don't try to fake fainting, the master is asking you questions."
But Ryota Ikemoto was no longer paying attention to Bourbon's expression.
He buried his head in his arms, and his whole body began to tremble.
"I really don't know... I don't know!"
The man lifted his face, which was covered in tears and snot, making him look less like a member of the organization and more like an ordinary person who had stumbled into a gang gathering.
But Furuya Rei vaguely remembered seeing him before.
Just how big of a mess did they make?
Gin realized the seriousness of the situation and frowned: "What happened?"
The BOSS's electronic voice answered his question: "Tonight, the personnel team's computer was accessed by an unfamiliar device. Ryota Ikemoto, have you found out anything?"
The meeting room remained silent for a long time, everyone waiting for the man's answer.
“...It was Kosugi Shin,” the middle-aged man said in a trembling voice, “Kosugi Shin defected and took the list of organization members.”
...
Dead silence.
If the meeting room was like being filled with concrete just now, it's like the concrete is gradually solidifying.
Even the most impulsive Vodka couldn't help but shudder, exclaiming in disbelief, "A list of organization members? All of them?!"
A chill instantly emanated from Gin's body.
The moment he uttered those words, the middle-aged man already anticipated being shot in the head by Gin. He swallowed hard and continued, "...The organization's member list was kept in three parts, but recently too many people have defected. Lord Pisco has ordered a thorough investigation, and the three of us in charge of personnel with the lists have gathered in Kanagawa..."
So it's all of them.
Rei Furuya and Kir's hearts skipped a beat, then began to pound violently, each beat sending shivers down their spines.
In an organization that is ubiquitous and filled with cannon fodder, who could possibly have access to the personnel list? Perhaps only the HR department would remember the name and whereabouts of every seemingly insignificant person.
Even Vermouth stood up straight, her gaze focused, and her lips parted slightly:
"He really is an idiot."
Even though it was an electronic voice, everyone present could hear the BOSS take a deep breath and command in a deep voice: "Gin, put aside the mission of hunting down the traitors and make sure to retrieve the complete list."
“Bourbon and Kiel go together and make sure everyone who has seen the list is dealt with.”
This was definitely not the time to say anything more; all three of them lowered their heads simultaneously.
"receive."
"Vermouth, you and Calvados are in Tokyo, awaiting orders."
"Ireland is left alone; I have something to say."
The BOSS's breathing grew heavier, sounding from the speakers like a broken bellows, rusty but still working loudly.
"Gentlemen, your names, safe houses, and strength investigations are now in the hands of others."
"You should know the stakes."
...
The white Mazda sped out of the base, and even after driving several kilometers into the valley below zero, my heart was still pounding wildly.
He doesn't have time to pass any message to the police...
Just before leaving the conference room, the previously silent BOSS called everyone back once again.
"Therefore, let's settle your personal matters here."
Everyone participating in this meeting must carry a signal jammer and special communication tools provided by the organization.
If the jammer is found to be malfunctioning, it will be considered a defection.
Under the base's omnipresent surveillance, Furuya Rei only had time to ask for leave from a few of his part-time jobs.
He left any channels for contacting the police outside the base out of caution.
There was only one exception—his only student at the tennis club.
*
The only exception was sitting in the passenger seat of the Chevrolet, with the window open to let in the cool breeze.
He noticed his phone ringing and looked down to check the message.
After receiving the message from Furuya Rei, Kitagawa Ryusei said knowingly, "The organization has realized what's happening and has even restricted the mission members' communications."
Shuichi Akai is also the kind of guy who likes to drive with the windows open. Right now, the two windows are facing each other, and the wind is whistling through the car.
He removed his disguise, put back on his signature knit hat, and had a lollipop stick in his mouth.
Did you report your departure this time?
Kitagawa Ryusei put his phone back in his pocket, as if he had just heard a pointless question: "Otherwise? Contact the FBI without permission? Act without authorization? Or skip work without cause?"
Thank you, he has no intention of taking off his police uniform for the time being.
The journey was long and arduous, the night road was difficult to travel, and there was only a Japanese policeman by his side.
Shuichi Akai felt he had to find some kind of fun to prevent drowsy driving.
So he deliberately turned his head and asked in a serious tone:
"What I meant was—you're going out with me late at night, won't Bourbon be angry?"
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