Chapter 108: A Sudden Interception Along the Way

Monks wore a sullen expression as he watched the gate before him slowly open. Although he had acquired a sufficient number of energy chips within the allotted time—and even had a slight surplus thanks to an unknown wealthy benefactor—there was not a trace of joy deep within his heart. Monks understood better than anyone the importance of the Watcher Goddess; aside from its somewhat limited duration, it was nearly flawless. The Federation’s advancement to this day owed much to this soul equipment. Moreover, it was one of the very few pieces not owned by that mysterious organization but rather something Monks had fought tooth and nail to retrieve from a Death Claw nest, alongside a handful of his old comrades. To obtain it, Monks had sacrificed two squads, and those who followed him in that brutal battle were almost all lost.

To Monks, the Watcher Goddess was far more than just vital soul equipment. Yet now, he was forced to sell it with his own hands. Without even listening, Monks knew that the bigwigs were surely mocking his foolishness and ignorance at this very moment, but he had no way to refute them...

Damn it!

Monks slammed his fist heavily onto the passenger seat beside him. He had privately requested that the Fortune Source Society disclose the buyer’s identity, but their representative had stated that the other party had already paid for a confidentiality agreement. Of course, if Monks were willing to outbid the secrecy fee, they wouldn’t mind selling him the information again. But for Monks, who was so broke he might as well pawn his trousers... well, that was laughable.

“Are you alright, sir...?”

His adjutant cautiously glanced at Monks’s ashen face and softly inquired. Monks shook his head and turned his gaze forward again.

“Enough. Let’s get out of this damned place quickly. After completing the transaction at the agreed location, we’ll head back. I’ve had enough of this cursed hellhole!”

The meeting point with the Caesar Legion was not set within Vegas itself but in a nearby wilderness. Monks was no fool—Vegas was the domain of the Fortune Source Society; any transaction there would be under their watchful eyes. But in this vast, horizon-stretching wilderness, it was much safer. There was no worry about ambushes; even if something went awry, fighting or fleeing would be far easier. Of course, Monks sincerely hoped the deal would proceed smoothly.

When the Federation convoy led by Monks arrived at the destination, the Caesar Legion was evidently well-prepared. Several modified large trucks formed a semicircular defensive position. Peering inside the altered compartments, Monks saw heavy machine guns and rocket launchers protruding. At the center of this half-circle blazed a large bonfire, and through its flickering light, Monks even glimpsed bloodied heads impaled on scattered wooden stakes nearby.

Savage.

Witnessing this, Monks’s lips twitched slightly. He fully understood this was the Legion’s show of force—a warning meant to humble him. On any other day, Monks would have responded in kind to reclaim dignity. But now... better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Soon, under the watchful eyes of the Caesar Legion, the Federation convoy swiftly came to a halt before them. Compared to the disorganized, ragtag appearance of the Caesar Legion—more like a band of mercenaries—the Federation presented a unified front with standardized equipment: armored personnel carriers and fully armed soldiers. The discipline and cohesion of the Federation were clearly superior.

Watching the well-trained soldiers disembark and quickly form defensive formations, even the blunt-faced Caesar Legion commander standing boldly by the bonfire showed a flicker of unease. But when he saw Monks stride toward him, the commander’s face broke into a wide smile.

“So, you’re ready? On behalf of the Caesar Legion, I welcome your arrival.”

“No need for pleasantries, Commander. Let’s complete this transaction quickly.”

Monks halted before the fire, then turned to the man with a cold voice. The Legion commander laughed heartily at his words.

“Of course, the Caesar Legion is known for its honor in dealings... Your goods should be ready as well?”

“They’re ready.”

Monks signaled to his adjutant and opened the briefcase filled with energy chips once more, showing it to the man before snapping it shut again.

“And your merchandise?”

“Tch...”

The Legion commander spat disdainfully at Monks closing the case, then waved lazily. Soon, several burly men appeared, carrying a two- to three-meter-long heavy metal box from the trucks behind them. They set it down with a thud before Monks.

It was a black rectangular box. On the surface, it resembled some kind of refrigeration device. Even from this distance, Monks could feel a chilling cold emanating from it, as if standing before a massive freezer. The metal box bore no visible openings, save for a central embedded LCD screen displaying strange, indecipherable codes.

“The item’s here, but I can’t open it for you to verify... It’s been like this ever since we got it.”

Monks said nothing in response to the commander’s words; he merely nodded and activated a nearby information scanner. A green light radiated from the device—resembling a phone—as it slowly and meticulously scanned the metal box.

At this moment, tension gripped both sides. Caesar Legion soldiers raised their heavy machine guns, aiming forward. Federation troops hid behind armored vehicles, bracing for combat.

This was no overreaction. In such circumstances, anything could happen. No one was certain if the other party intended to double-cross. The tense atmosphere would likely persist until the deal concluded.

“Hm?”

A sniper atop a vehicle frowned, peering through his scope before lowering it. At some unknown point, a faint mist had begun to envelop the area, obscuring his view even at a distance.

Those damned hillbillies—why the hell are they lighting bonfires? Do they think they’re performing some Indian ritual?

Cursing fiercely, the sniper refocused his aim but saw nothing but darkness through the scope.

Suddenly, a surgical knife silently plunged into the back of his neck, effortlessly stealing his life.

“Beep—!”

The green light finished scanning the box, emitting a soft chime. Only then did Monks relax somewhat. He looked up at the man before him and nodded.

“That’s correct. This is the merchandise we agreed upon.”

Speaking, Monks stepped forward and placed the briefcase filled with energy chips on the table. Then, he glanced at the Caesar Legion commander and gave the case a firm shove, sliding it toward him.

“Swish—!”

The commander’s face split into a broad grin as he stretched out his hand to grasp the sliding case.

At that moment, a “black hand” suddenly shot out from between them, seizing the briefcase by its handle and lifting it away.

“Who goes there?!”

Startled, both Monks and the commander drew their weapons and aimed at the figure holding the case.

From the mist emerged a young man clad in a black trench coat and wide-brimmed hat. He smiled and nodded at them.

“Apologies for interrupting your transaction.”

Holding the briefcase, Feren smiled gently at the two men and spoke softly.

“But I’m afraid these energy chips belong to me now.” (To be continued.)