" A Wish Of Lazy Otaku"

23. "Upheaval In The City"

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" " Conversion or speech,

' ' thoughts,

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Somewhere in the heart of the bustling city, within the confines of a high-rise building, a luxurious office occupied a prominent position. The room exuded an air of authority and power, befitting its occupant.

The middle-aged man, with a rugged appearance resembling that of a Southland barbarian chief, leaned forward in his chair, fixing his subordinate with a menacing glare. His voice carried an authoritative tone, devoid of any tolerance for failure.

"Nickel, do you comprehend the gravity of the task I have assigned to you? Are you fully aware of the dire consequences that await you should you falter?" he growled, his eyes piercing with a mix of expectation and intimidation.

Nickel, standing before his boss, displayed a resolute determination in his voice, though a flicker of fear danced within his eyes. "Yes, Boss, I understand the weight of this mission. I am prepared to face the consequences, whatever they may be," he responded, his voice laced with a hint of trepidation.

A wry smile played upon the boss's lips as he nodded approvingly. "Good. Remember, failure is not an option. Bring me what I desire, and do so swiftly. Do not even consider returning to this room without it!" he commanded mercilessly, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Yes, as you command, Boss!" Nickel replied, his voice filled with obedience and respect. With a bow, he swiftly exited the room, determined to fulfill his boss's wishes.

Once the door closed behind Nickel, the boss's face transformed, like a cunning fox calculating its next move. 

A devious smirk formed on his lips as he reveled in his thoughts. "Humph! Once those coveted secret recipes fall into my possession, my empire will soar to new heights. I shall conquer the market of this city, then the entire country! Hahahaha!" he chuckled to himself, envisioning the wealth and power that awaited him once he obtained the coveted money-making secret recipe.

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In another high-rise building within the same bustling city, a slightly milder yet still opulent office provided refuge for its occupants.

The chubby man sat at his desk, obediently answering the phone, his voice filled with deference. "Yes, Dad, I understand. I will personally take charge of this matter. You needn't worry," he replied, his tone conveying a mixture of obedience and apprehension.

The aged voice on the other end of the line grew stern, causing the chubby man to shiver in fright. "You are well aware of the consequences that await you should you fail in this task, aren't you?" his father warned, his words laden with a chilling undertone.

"Yes, yes, I... I know," the chubby man stammered in response, his voice betraying his fear.

"Very well. That is all I wanted to remind you of. Son, do not disappoint me," his father stated in an icy tone, his expectations clear.

"...Beep...!!"

Relief washed over the chubby man as the call ended. He took a deep breath, realizing that his father would not take this matter lightly. He muttered to himself, "Phew! Father has never placed such importance on anything before."

The henchman standing behind the chubby man cleared his throat, breaking his train of thought. "Boss, how do you suggest we proceed with the plan?" he inquired, seeking guidance on the task at hand.

"Hmmmm! I am uncertain why my father has elevated this matter to such prominence, even neglecting his dealings with the capital. However, this presents an opportunity for me to earn his acknowledgement and perhaps seek forgiveness for my past transgressions," the chubby man mused aloud. A newfound determination ignited within him, driven by the chance to redeem himself. 

He chuckled to himself, envisioning the triumph that lay ahead and the possibilities it could bring.

"Boss, what about the plan?" the henchman interjected, feeling disregarded and seeking direction.

"Ahem! What about it? Didn't my father send you the detailed instructions? Why are you bothering me with such trivial matters?" the chubby man retorted, annoyance etching his features. 

He then recollected that his father had indeed prepared a comprehensive plan. Barking at his henchman, he declared, "Ahhh! Yes, I apologize. You have your instructions. Now go!"

The henchman, taken aback by the sudden outburst, scurried away, realizing he had erred in seeking guidance from his boss.

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In the heart of the city, a refined middle-aged man dressed in an official suit approached the most respected person in the city. 

This man held the greatest authority in the city and commanded the respect of every resident.

"Hello, sir. How are you today?" the refined man greeted him.

"Hmmmn!" The man responded with a simple hum.

Standing on the top floor of the tallest building, he gazed out through the glass, observing the pedestrians passing by. The neon lights on the roads below created a captivating scene.

"The city air has changed, my friend Matoya," the man commented, breaking his silence after a minute. He turned away from the view and took a seat on the sofa.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, huh? Well, I don't know when I'll be able to take a meaningful rest from this kind of busy work. I've been facing a problem at the city center market, where numerous scumbags are making my life very difficult. If I could, I would put them to rest forever, but it has spiraled out of my control with too many involved," Matoya confessed, looking weary from the past month's challenges.

"I can see the stress on your face, my friend. So why did you request this meeting with me? Please drop the formalities. It's just the two of us here," the man said, examining the fatigue etched on Matoya's face. He motioned for him to sit across from him on the adjacent sofa, encouraging a more relaxed conversation.

"Thank you, I'll take you up on that offer, Katsutoshi-san," Matoya replied gratefully. Today, he had come to inform Katsutoshi of something he had heard—a potential solution to his problem. 

Matoya believed that "they" might be able to help him, so he wanted to share this information as soon as possible.

"Are you sure you're not joking with me?" Katsutoshi questioned, finding it hard to believe what he was hearing.

"Yes, my friend. It's true, from what I know. And if you still have doubts, you can ask Dr. Hirino about it. He witnessed the miracle himself," Matoya assured him, suggesting that Katsutoshi consult their mutual friend for further confirmation. 

Dr. Hirino was known for his integrity and work ethic, so his testimony would likely carry weight.

"I apologize for my initial disbelief. It's difficult to fathom something like that could exist. But if you're so confident, I trust you. How can I contact them?" Katsutoshi admitted his mistake, realizing he had overreacted. 

Anxious to resolve his troubles, he wanted to reach out to "them" as soon as possible.

"Hmmn! You'll need to contact Dr. Hirino for that information. I don't have many details, but he might know how to get in touch with them. My part here is done, as I still need to deal with the pests trying their best to ruin my life. If you'll excuse me," Matoya hummed, acknowledging his friend's request and bidding him farewell to attend to his own duties.

"Very well, my friend. Thank you for informing me. Goodnight, and take care of your health. You're not young anymore," Katsutoshi expressed his gratitude to Matoya for sharing this crucial information. 

While he might have learned about it later, he might have missed the opportunity that had presented itself.

After Matoya left Katsutoshi's office, the latter immediately made a call.

"Butler Han, find all the information about the disturbance—its cause and those responsible. I need every detail on my desk by tomorrow," Katsutoshi instructed with a serious expression.

"Yes, Master," came the swift reply from the other end of the line. Butler Han's voice was respectful and efficient as always. 

With those two words, the phone call abruptly ended, leaving Katsutoshi alone with his thoughts.

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