Conan: I've been linked to the tech tree system.

Seven minutes have passed since the agreed time, and there is still no sign of anyone.

This is unlike Gin's style.

The rustling of rodents came from the ventilation ducts, and the aroma of old Parker liquor clung to his throat, forming a bitter lump. He didn't know how many times he had placed his hand on the Walter P99 in his suit's inner pocket.

This gun has accompanied him through countless life-or-death situations. Over the years, even with meticulous daily care, its interior, like the gun itself, has become somewhat rusty.

Let's go back and replace it.

Piske thought.

"Are you waiting for Gin?"

The girl's voice was like the sweet crunch of peach-flavored hard candy. Masuyama Kenzo was startled by the sudden voice and the information it revealed. He saw a delicate outline in the purple spots remaining on his retina.

Are you... lost?

He adopted a gentle demeanor, looking at the girl who had appeared out of nowhere, his relaxed face covered with wrinkles.

It would be perfectly normal to say "Gin" in the wine cellar, but he couldn't afford to lose his composure before confirming it.

"Ah, I'm not lost."

The girl spoke in a clear voice, seemingly naive and innocent, and walked up to him without any suspicion.

"Because the police cordoned off the scene, I was waiting for the waiter to bring up a new bottle of gin... but it didn't come for a long time, so I had to come down and look for it myself."

Hearing the reasonable explanation, Kenzo Masuyama breathed a sigh of relief.

He almost thought that a child like that would know anything about the organization... Luckily, he was careful and didn't expose himself.

"You're not old enough to drink, are you? It's illegal."

Pisco's tone softened, and he spoke as if he were an elderly person concerned about a younger generation.

"As long as no one tells anyone, it'll be fine."

The girl walked forward with her hands behind her back.

"Let me see what's here."

"Hmm... this was supposed to be a wine cellar? How come there's nothing left?"

The girl ignored the various kinds of wine displayed on the shelf and continued to lie.

"Oh, this is the only place we have."

She bent down and pulled out a tightly wrapped bottle of wine from the bottom.

The label clearly states "PISCO" in English.

"There's only this one bottle of Pisco left... It's a pity it's been stored for too long, it's probably not drinkable now."

......

Pisco's face darkened again.

Now that things have come to this, he would be a complete fool if he still couldn't understand the hidden meaning in the other person's words.

"Who are you......"

Just as he was about to question them, a name suddenly flashed into his mind.

“'Starlight'?” This time, the question was tinged with certainty.

"Huh? You actually recognize me?"

He spoke words of doubt, but to Pisk, they sounded like mockery.

"what are you doing here."

He squeezed out the words through his teeth.

"It's probably because Vermouth thinks you're too stupid, so she offered me a favor to help her take over her class," Starlight said in a nonchalant tone.

Piske breathed a sigh of relief once again.

They turned out to be friendly forces.

I had long heard that "Starlight" had a terrible personality and was difficult to get along with, and now it seems that the rumors were true, or even a bit conservative.

Seeing is believing.

"Benefits? What are they?" Pisco pressed.

It seems this "Starlight" is not only an inventor, but also has a mercenary-like business? I wonder if the price is acceptable to me.

"Hmm... it's pointless to say it out loud, you might not be able to afford it."

"Just say it."

Piske was genuinely curious.

Although he was only considered average among the codenamed members of the organization due to his seniority, he was still the chairman of a well-known TOP car company and privately controlled many other industries. What kind of price could an actor like Vermouth pay that he couldn't?

"Can you give me actual control of a company that started with inventions?"

Piske frowned.

Is Vermouth an idiot? How could she make such a offer?

"Why not?" Although the cost and reward were completely disproportionate, he did happen to control a fairly profitable invention company...

Wait, why would Vermouth agree to such a condition?

Putting aside the issue of the disproportionate returns to the effort, she herself simply couldn't possibly control such an industry.

Masuyama Kenzo suddenly understood.

Suddenly, a chilling premonition of danger crept up his spine, and he instinctively wanted to back away.

A gun gleaming with silver light was pressed against his forehead with a speed he couldn't even react to.

Shh...don't move.

"Starlight" laughed, "No wonder Gin likes to point a gun at other people's heads... It does feel good."

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Seeing the gun barrel so close at hand, Pisco became furious out of panic.

"I've served the boss for decades. If you dare to touch me, the organization won't let you off the hook."

Pisco wanted to use his status as an organization veteran to put pressure on the other party, but he saw that "Starlight's" expression was even more ridiculous.

"What do you think my mission is?"

"Task?!"

Piske finally realized what was happening, and his dry vocal cords forced out a breathy sound: "That gentleman..."

"I'm just a hired thug, I don't know anything."

"Starlight" interrupted him.

"However, if you behave well, I can pretend I didn't notice you."

"What do you mean?" Pisco wanted to resist, but in this sudden situation, his body, already over seventy years old, was no longer trustworthy.

He could only grasp at this last straw, whether it was poisonous or not.

"In that case, my only goal is the company you own. Whether you live or die is none of my business. If you die, the other assets will belong to the organization, and I won't be able to get my hands on them anyway."

The girl seemed to be seriously explaining the pros and cons to him.

"So, you sign a contract and give me control of that company, and I'll pretend I never found you and just leave, okay?"

"Starlight" spoke with the tone of a serpent tempting Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

Chapter 137 No matter how you try to assassinate, you can't get through.

Pisco didn't answer for a long time, his eyes shifting between light and shadow, as if he were weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing that he didn't answer for a while, "Starlight" continued:

"Just a friendly reminder, you don't have time to think."

"...That's fine then."

Piske finally sighed.

"Wise choice."

"Starlight" smiled and glanced at him, handing him a pen and the agreement that she had prepared beforehand.

This kind of legal thing has little binding force on the organization's senior members, but it is very suitable to be brought out when the peripheral members lose their "leader" and naturally take over the whole team.

After all, it makes no difference to them who they work for.

Pisco's fingertips hovered over the transfer agreement, the ink from his old-fashioned fountain pen spreading dark spots on the parchment.

The smell of rust from the ventilation ducts mixed with the aroma of sherry filled his nostrils, and he suddenly remembered that thirty years ago in Peru, when he personally executed that inventor, the laboratory of which also had a similar metallic odor.

I'm getting old too.

When I was younger, I would have taken a chance no matter what.

he thought.

But there's nothing we can do about it; time waits for no one.

"Three subsidiaries of the Masuyama Group, in exchange for your old life, which you've devoted yourself to the organization." Xingguang waved the signed agreement.

"Isn't it a good deal? Vermouth wouldn't give you that kind of option, so thank me."

"Heh." Pisco could only chuckle. "Can I leave now?"

“Of course, I mean what I say.” Starlight stepped aside to make way for him. “It’s easier.”

Pisco looked as if he had aged ten years, his body hunched as he walked towards the door.

He slowly opened the door...

The dark barrel of a gun was pointed at his head.

His body stiffened instantly, and he was forced to retreat step by step by Beretta.