Mech: Shattering of the Galaxy Chapter 1514: 30: Falling Out

Chapter 1514: Chapter 30: Falling Out

Grove, his golden curls framing his face, showed a flicker of surprise in his usually impassive eyes. He raised an eyebrow and accepted the digital tablet presented by Kim Sang-geun.

A faint smile touched Grove’s lips upon witnessing the substantial sum of ten million displayed on the screen.

These digits represented the Aohan Freedom Alliance’s reward for the stationed Firmament Corps, their allocated share.

“Excellent, Mr. Kim. Please, have a seat.”

Grove offered a somewhat forced smile as he gestured for Kim Sang-geun to sit behind him.

“This must be the largest transfer within the past ten days, largely due to your diligent efforts, Mr. Kim. To our enduring friendship.”

Grove summoned an aide, instructing them to bring a cup of sake.

Kim Sang-geun accepted the drink, a wave of resentment washing over him as he inwardly labeled Grove a miser.

The Firmament Corps stood to gain at least four million credits, with Grove himself poised to receive nearly a million! Yet, all he offered was a meager, heavily diluted cup of sake. Those ungrateful wretches!

“For potential clients like these, Mr. Kim, it would be wise to extend an offer of goodwill from our Firmament Corps. We could easily facilitate matters beyond simple customs clearance.”

Feeling pleased, Grove began idly swiping at the luminous screen, causing the disguised three-dimensional projection of the Dawn Battleship to rotate under his fingertips.

“The design of this warship is rather striking. This elongated, blade-like vessel is not characteristic of the Galaxy Federation; their warships typically feature a more robust front to accommodate heavy railguns.”

“Nor does it resemble the standard warships of the Gardot Empire, which usually employ a twin-prow structure with a broader, flatter profile.”

“It bears a closer resemblance to the vessels favored by mercenaries operating on the fringes. Could this perhaps be the flagship of a mercenary group?”

Within moments, Grove had astutely analyzed the Dawn Battleship’s characteristics and potential origins.

While Kim Sang-geun found Grove’s condescending attitude grating, he couldn’t help but be impressed by his analytical prowess at that juncture.

“General Grove’s perception is truly remarkable; these aspects had completely eluded my notice.”

“Mr. Kim, your vision is solely focused on profit, naturally you would overlook such details. Hahaha.” Grove jested, erupting in laughter.

Kim Sang-geun forced himself to join the laughter, his smile strained.

[Damn this man, taking my money and still mocking me.]

“…Hmm, hold on a moment.”

Suddenly, Grove raised his hand, signaling Kim Sang-geun to cease his forced smile.

A perplexed Kim Sang-geun, his ample belly jiggling, regarded Grove with a cautious expression.

“Is something amiss, Mr. Grove?”

“Black Fire… Weapon Company…” Grove’s smile gradually dissolved, replaced by a cold, steady gaze directed at Kim Sang-geun.

This abrupt shift in demeanor left Kim Sang-geun unsettled. He patted his face, attempting to retract his considerable belly.

His palms felt unnervingly cold. What could have possibly caused this man’s sudden change of countenance?

Could it be that the four million credit share was still insufficient to ensure his silence?

“General Grove, please be direct. Have I truly overlooked something crucial?”

The portly man began to dabbing the sweat from his brow.

Grove downed the sake in his hand in a single motion, slamming the cup down forcefully on the adjacent wooden table. His eyes turned glacial, and his claw-like right hand shot out towards Kim Sang-geun.

Despite his corpulent physique, Kim Sang-geun displayed surprising agility, promptly leaping backward, already on guard.

But in that instant, Grove’s hand accelerated with startling speed, his fingers clamping onto the other man’s collar and yanking with relentless force.

With effortless ease, Kim Sang-geun’s bulky frame was hoisted before Grove, held aloft by a single hand.

The sheer power left Kim Sang-geun gasping for breath, his broad face rapidly turning a deep shade of red.

The surrounding staff and other employees, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, rose hesitantly, their eyes filled with apprehension.

“Ladies and gentlemen… this is…”

At this juncture, a management staff member from the lounge area pushed forward, bowing obsequiously towards Grove, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

One party was a Level Four Patrol Officer from Flame Star; the other consisted of members of the Firmament Corps, their expressions haughty. He couldn't afford to offend either faction!

“Get lost.”

Grove’s response was curt. Simultaneously, the six soldiers clad in Blue Wing Battle Armor behind him raised their Particle Guns.

An immediate tension permeated the entire rest area.

No one had anticipated the Firmament Corps soldiers would resort to drawing their weapons so decisively.

“If there has been some misunderstanding… please, tell me…”

Kim Sang-geun struggled to articulate his words.

Grove continued to hold Kim Sang-geun aloft, their gazes locked at a distance of less than thirty centimeters.

“Dark Furious Bear Kuiwen is dead! He was a distinguished warrior of the Firmament Corps Special Ops Team, yet just three months ago… he met his end at the hands of someone from a corporation named Black Fire. And what’s worse, he used to be under my command.”

“Now, tell me, why shouldn’t I take action?!”

Each syllable, as frigid as the arctic wind, pierced directly into Kim Sang-geun’s heart, chilling him to the bone.

“I-I apologize! I… I truly had no idea.”

With a heavy thud, Kim Sang-geun was sent sprawling onto the ground, gasping for air.

For a fleeting moment, the lack of oxygen to his brain had even conjured brief, illusory sights.

This infernal Grove truly possessed the power to end his life.

Had he not yielded just now, he might have been choked to death right here!

“This transaction was entrusted to you. Now, I intend to assume the role of the customer,” Grove stated, looking down at Kim Sang-geun with an unyielding tone. “Lead me to meet the guests aboard that vessel.”

Kim Sang-geun did not dare to defy, quickly nodding his assent.

He scrambled to his feet and moved to lead the way, his earlier arrogance as a Level Four Patrol Officer utterly evaporated.

…

“All personnel aboard the warship are requested to proceed through the pedestrian passage. Your escorts will accompany the vessel through the mysterious and awe-inspiring jump passage belonging to the Aohan Freedom Alliance.”

“Here, you will have the chance to acquire exotic commodities or obtain essential supplies for your voyage.”

“Regardless, please take this opportunity to unwind and savor the upcoming thirty-minute wondrous transit.”

A curvaceous attendant, clad in a form-fitting uniform, stood at the forefront, expounding on the grandeur of the Aohan Freedom Alliance and the enigmatic splendor of the Flame Star passage in the standard interstellar common tongue.

Initially, this attendant had planned to subtly engage in flirtation with the aloof, strikingly handsome young man with white hair. However, the moment Lu Qingxue, simply attired in white, approached Mu Fan’s side…

Instantly, all other women in the vicinity lost their radiance.