The Evil Organization’s Recruitment Ad Chapter 48

Chapter 48
TEORA – Advancing into America:Slipknot/Sonic Youth -Chapter 48

TLN: Whoops, made a bit of translation mistake in the last chapter. Once again, Neito didn’t fall from the building… He just tightened his grip. Hostage? They’re Sacrifices
Holding on with his left hand, Neito saw his executioner. He was in a dire situation, but he didn’t show any sign of fear.

[You know what… you fired a Rocket Launcher at me a while ago right?]

[Hm? Oh you mean when you were heading here? Yeah, it was unfortunate how I didn’t get you then…]

Those shots were dangerous. If I were hit by any one of those, I wouldn’t come out in one piece… But it’s Slipknot’s mistake of not hitting me.

[But you hit the building behind me]

[Yeah, and I feel sorry for the owner of that building]

Slipknot was as always, speaking lightly. In fact he may never even care of the building he damaged.

[It’s a new model for dealing with tanks on the battlefield… If fired consecutively, you could’ve destroyed that entire building… but you didn’t…]

[It’s a given. I’m a nice guy after all. I’m nice to people other than Crimson.]

The fire power of that launcher had indeed been significantly reduced. He wanted the damage to be minimal. A part of the building may be destroyed, but it wouldn’t cause a collapse.

Why did Slipknot want to minimize the damage?

Neito continued.

[If the building came down, the casualties would’ve been huge. The entire New York City would be in panic… You wanted to avoid that right?]

[So what? What are you trying to say? Can I just kill you now?]

Slipknot once again raised his gun.

This was the perfect moment.

Neito turned towards Niina and signaled something. “Do it”. Niina understood and moved.

In the following seconds, a huge sound echoed.

Neito knew that I came from the building few blocks from their location.

(TLN: It’s the building Slipknot just hit with his rocket launcher a few chapters ago)

[Hahahaha…! You’re so half baked! If you’re gonna do it, do it properly!]

Slipknot was upset. Neito was laughing fanatically over the sounds of explosion and the building cras.h.i.+ng.

[Did you do that? Does that even hold a significance? Or maybe you’re just crazy…?]

[Significance? Hmm… You’re surprisingly stupid. Hahahaha, you really don’t understand?!]

Neito laughed and ridiculed Slipknot. Slipknot on the other hand gave him a cold stare.

[We got a video of you shooting a rocket launcher earlier. And now, my competent subordinate is uploading it to the internet. The t.i.tle would be “Slipknot vs. the Monster from Crimson” or something.]

[So what…?]

Slipknot’s expression changed.

[The article will go like “This night, Slipknot, in order to defeat the monster, uses a rocket launcher.” People in Manhattan will view it that way. “And tonight, buildings in Manhattan mysteriously collapsed. It is presumed that the rocket launcher did this”]

Neito implied that they had only taken down one building, and they could take down more if necessary. He told Slipknot the plain and harsh truth.

[Now, when tomorrow comes, will the people still see you as part of the Rock’s Organization?]

They had real footage of Slipknot firing a rocket launcher. If Slipknot decided to check, he would soon find it on the front pages of the internet.]

[You’ll become the enemy of the state no doubt. You seem like you fight alone, but what about your supply for weapons

? Intelligence? Are you confident that you can still operate the same way as usual? Do you think the Rock’s Organization, or ever Sonic Youth would forgive you? Will you still be able to keep fighting after turning the whole world against you? Your objective is to take out Crimson and its top bra.s.s right? Will you be able to do it?]

These were facts. Slipknot was only able to do what he wanted because of the approval of the citizens. He may be extreme in his methods, but he knew where to draw the line. There are a lot of things he can do despite if it’s illegal, just because he was called the “Dark Hero”.

Slipknot is fully aware of it. He fights differently from the other Rock’s members? That’s not true. He is just smart. He doesn’t create enemies and find a situation where he’s always at an advantage.

He’s like a villain that doesn’t choose his methods as long as it gets the job done. Thinking about it, Slipknot and Neito’s core essence were the same. The only difference was the scale. Slipknot belonged to the “other side”. He tried to prevent casualties, he stopped himself from becoming a villain.

[……]

Neito saw Slipknot gulping. He was thinking hard.

[Hey you… you’re really crazy… If that’s the case, you’re in no better position either.]

It was also a fact. There were a lot of members of Crimson in Manhattan. If they manage to trace Neito, who was part of Crimson, as the mastermind of the bombing, he would no doubt be disposed immediately. There was no way Neito would be pardoned after causing so much damage.

[And what of it? I’m about to be killed by you. You didn’t think that I know what’s about to happen? I’ll die and fall here… I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s papers… The mysterious bombing, a dead member of Crimson and a viral video of Crimson shooting a rocket launcher. In exchange for taking down a monster, you turned the entire Manhattan population against you. I congratulate you.]

[… Do you think it will go like that easily?]

Slipknot had a point. There was a chance that it won’t go as planned, but there was also the possibility of it going as planned.

[I don’t know. I don’t care what’s gonna happen afterwards.]

A loud sound echoed again as Neito finished his sentence. The second building was about to go down no doubt.

Slipknot was now in a serious mood. His lighthearted tone was now gone.

Neito thought;

You’re no evil being Slipknot, If I decide to defeat you, then you’ll be defeated. I don’t care who you are… Dark Hero? That’s some fancy words for you. You’re just following the will of the people, and when you realize that yourself, you’re no longer considered as my enemy.

That’s the reason you decrease the firepower of that rocket launcher. You wanted to protect your position. You’re no more than a hero of justice. You ultimately try to avoid casualties and avoid injuring people. If he didn’t do that he wouldn’t be called a member of the Rocks Organization. His essence is still justice.

If that’s the case, I’ll defeat you. I’ll bring you down with the power of evil.

No matter how many building I have to bring down, and no matter how many people get hurt, I’ll keep moving forward. Even if it results in the whole world hating me… I’ll change the world.

He didn’t want to end up doing it, but he didn’t show it on his face. He looked up into Slipknot, and gave a hysterical smile.

[Even if I die, the explosions won’t stop. It’s unfortunate that I would die, but hey, I’ll see to it that you’re erased from the face of the earth Slipknot. I’ll be waiting for you in h.e.l.l after the other members of the Rocks Organization kill you… See ya.]

Neito was still laughing hysterically when released his grip.

[ ! ! d.a.m.n it!!]

He heard Slipknot’s frustrated voice. Then he felt his left hand being grabbed. Neito didn’t fall to his death.

[……Hmm… What happened to that att.i.tude of yours?]

[……]

Slipknot extended his arm. He pulled Neito up and pa.s.sed through the broken gla.s.s windows.

[I can’t do anything if you held the entire Manhattan area hostage. Will you call off the bombing now?]

Slipknot had already lost the will to fight. He was just sitting back on the floor.

[Hostage? You misunderstood me, they’re sacrifices in order to defeat you.]

Neito slowly stood up. Having his life spared, he declared himself as the winner.

[What? You still want to go at it? Leave it for today… I’m going home and have a nice cold beer.]

Neito approached Slipknot, who was still sitting back and looked down on him.

[Stay down and don’t move. It’s my win today.]

Neito kicked Slipknot in the face, sending him flying.

With sounds of bones breaking, Slipknot landed across the floor.

[(tsk) That hurt!]

[No matter how you looked like it, I’m more hurt that you, you should be happy that I wasn’t transformed… you would’ve died then.]

[Eh? Are you planning to “continue bombing Manhattan” if I resist? So you’re gonna kill me while I’m defenseless? That’s not a cool thing to do… And if you’re going to do that, I have a better idea.]

Neito already thought of it. If he killed Slipknot mercilessly now, he didn’t know what Slipknot would do when driven to a corner.

Slipknot may look relaxed now, but deep inside, Neito sensed a feeling of obsession. No doubt it was related to how he fights. Slipknot must’ve tried to hide it with his light and easy going att.i.tude.

For example, when Slipknot interrogated him, he was willing to sacrifice everything to get towards Mr. Big and his underlings. He may even sacrificed Manhattan to get the information he needed.

Neito knew, Slipknot had an unyielding spirit. He was certain of it after defeating so many heroes.

There was no purpose if Neito killed Slipknot now. He came up with a more “diabolical” plan to bring him down.

[No, I don’t plan on doing that… My whole body just hurts all over. That one kick felt like hitting you eight times.]

[Eight hits? You’re kidding.]

[Be thankful that I spared your life. Now, let’s talk. Of course, you’re in no position to refuse.]

Neito made Slipknot stand and seated him on a chair.

[Right now? Why don’t we go off at a bar… I’ll treat you to a gla.s.s of beer or bourbon.]

[I’ve got no plans on drinking with an arrogant man in a tight suit.]

They conversed for a while. It went as Neito expected it to go. After the important details were discussed, Slipknot said “he wanted to go home because he was going to be late watching his scheduled T.V program]. Neito released him without a fuss.

“Accusing someone for hacking when they aren’t, is the best compliment you can give to a gamer” -Daikyun