We joined the narcotics squad, received a brief briefing, and then boarded an undercover vehicle.
Since the regular police force alone would not be enough if the hunters were involved anyway, there was no need for unnecessary squabbling.
We arrest the hunters, and they arrest the drug dealers.
Even unnecessary greed can only be enjoyed when there is room for it.
The special forces also have several undercover vehicles...
What we brought today is a command vehicle filled with cutting-edge equipment.
The narcotics squad leader couldn't hide his sincere expression.
"Is this a special unit..."
"Our car is pretty cool, right? But how do drug dealers make money?"
"Well, usually you deal directly with the buyer."
"No. But the chief will be a little different."
The drug squad is slightly impressed by Tia's question.
Yes, no matter how organized the drug crime is, there is always a leader.
The role is to connect producers and sellers, if not buyers and sellers, and to educate and manage sellers.
Sometimes, currency exchange and withdrawals are also outsourced.
"You know the boss too? That's amazing."
"These days, almost all transactions are conducted using cryptocurrency."
"Ah, it's a coin... Then it'll definitely be easy to hide even if you become a drug lord."
"yes."
Drug dealing is a high-risk, high-reward profession.
It's not common to hide that much cash.
So, recently, there is a trend of using cryptocurrencies, willing to accept fees and price fluctuations.
It's said that not only drug lords but also regular dealers are skilled at using this, making it really scary.
"That damn cryptocurrency is ruining everyone. It's also incredibly difficult to recover criminal proceeds if you trade in cryptocurrency..."
"There are a lot of teenage drug dealers these days."
The drug squad grumbled in the car as they moved to their hideout location.
The fact that the age of crime has gotten lower is very bad news.
A high-profit crime that anyone can easily access with just a little study!
Well, it's inevitable that you'll be tempted soon.
Drug use produces a long-lasting, unbearable feeling of pleasure that torments the entire body.
An experience where your existing values are completely destroyed along with your nervous system.
Once you experience it, you can never go back to the way it was before.
There is news that Yoo Si-Hyeon, whom we arrested, is currently suffering from aftereffects in prison.
'Of course, that guy has more than one problem to deal with besides the aftereffects of drugs.'
To customers who have become addicted, they are lured by promises of providing services if they recruit new customers.
If you repeat this a few times, you will become a proper drug dealer.
Especially for teenagers who don't have money, it's very easy to fall for it because they have no choice but to either steal money from home or work as drug dealers.
If you sell just a little bit of drugs, you can make a lot of money and show off in front of others.
If you store your virtual currency in a foreign exchange, there is no need to worry about it being confiscated.
It's such a sweet temptation for addicts who don't know what's cool.
"Wow..."
Tia opened a bag of chips, her teeth chattering slightly.
Fortunately, the guy didn't seem to need any drugs or anything.
If the guy just has that and a cola, his happiness level goes over 100%.
"So, who is our target this time?"
"We're targeting the mastermind nicknamed 'Spider.' His gender and age are unknown. He's active on Telegram."
"spider..."
"First of all, it's almost certain that they have their own manufacturing facilities, and above all, their selection of sales targets is truly amazing."
Because current drug crimes are highly organized, tips from people around them are said to play a very important role in arrests.
Or maybe you committed another crime while under the influence of drugs and got arrested...
However, the mastermind named Spider was famous for being very careful about who he chose to sell to.
He or she sold drugs selectively to relatively wealthy but highly addicted customers.
"There have been very few reports of spiders so far. We might have missed them if we weren't careful."
"Is that so strange?"
"Even if they're organized, most drug dealers and ringleaders are caught through tips. Reporting accomplices often reduces their sentences."
"ah..."
Alice easily understands the drug squad's explanation.
It can certainly be seen as a case of choosing a good customer.
"Then how are you going to arrest him?"
"We'll follow the flow of things."
"The flow of things..."
"Spiders use telegrams and throws, but ultimately, the product actually gets from the manufacturer to the customer. So, we're tracing that flow backwards."
The drug squad is currently monitoring a simple salesperson...
That's okay though.
In any case, there is a high probability that the general manager and the salesperson do not even know each other's faces.
So, even after being arrested, you can pretend to be fine and continue receiving items.
"But... isn't the point of throwing something is to put it there and indicate its location? Since it's a cryptocurrency transaction, it's impossible to trace the funds. If he sends a photo, it's probably already gone. Is it possible to trace the item back?"
"I've narrowed down the possible locations to a few anyway. The transporters seem to be too lazy to find new locations every time, so they just keep dropping them off in similar spots. Then we can just check the CCTV footage."
"Oh."
The sight of a criminal group not missing even the slightest mistake.
It is something that cannot be done without a certain amount of dedication and motivation.
I felt like scouting out members of the drug squad.
As soon as our conversation ended, the salesperson who was our target for the day appeared on the scene.
Unlike the carrier, this guy was a professional who catered to the needs of the customer... but in the first place, we were the buyers.
The entrapment investigation itself is inexcusable.
However, drug crimes were originally an area where such entrapment investigations were often tolerated.
Honestly, if we don't do this, there really is no answer.
"Oh, here it comes."
"I went into the building... and came out."
"Arrest him immediately!"
As soon as the team leader gave the order, the team members rushed out.
They quickly recovered the drugs, which were evidence, without difficulty and returned.
The special forces, including me, decided to wait until the arrested salesperson cooperated voluntarily and then accompany him again when raiding the manufacturing plant.
Before we parted ways, I suddenly asked the class president a favor.
"Oh, could you please share the list of drug buyers?"
"Huh? Why all of a sudden..."
"We also want to see if there are any Hunters involved. Let's make sure not to interfere with the Narcotics Unit."
"Don't bother me. Please don't say things like that."
The class president hesitated for a while as he said that, but eventually shared the investigative information.
Alice looked at me like that and asked quietly.
"Are you serious?"
"No. Chemical hunters are basically under surveillance anyway. If they're assisting in drug production, there's a very high chance they're an unlicensed hunter."
"Then, why..."
The target of this investigation is, after all, the mastermind, Spider.
But there's no guarantee that he'll be with the manufacturer.
Seeing him moving so cautiously, he must be staying somewhere safe.
"It's worth arresting the manufacturer, but wouldn't it be better to catch them all?"
The spider's greatest characteristic is its amazing ability to select its target audience.
I was sure there was a secret to it.
"Then it would be best to thoroughly research the buyers."
"I think even the drug squad would have done that much?"
"Don't underestimate the manpower shortage in South Korea's civil service. And... there's no Blanche in the narcotics unit, right?"
As I said that, Blanche, who had completed her upgrade, spoke into the car's radio.
[That's right. I'm back.]
"What, you're back? What else has been added this time?"
[I equipped the green head horn that the Green Dust Master gave me last time.]
"Tell Matthew to come out right now!"
As I stopped the car and yelled, Blanche quickly came to my father's defense.
[Please calm down. The component is currently inactive.]
"how?"
[Of course, I used green dust. The component is normally isolated from my body and contained by green dust. I haven't fully understood the negative effects of its use yet.]
Yes, Irene Wilson and I weren't against installing that part for nothing.
The green-haired person who owned the part was practically a wreck.
Blanche continued her explanation in a calm tone.
[This part can be used at any time. Master Matthew recommended a 30-second activation for initial experimentation.]
"Absolutely not."
[Understood. Then, I will seal it until further instructions. Currently, the authority to utilize this function is entirely vested in the Master.]
"what?"
You upgraded it and now you're giving me the power to activate it.
Did Matthew still have a conscience?
I sighed in relief, but added hesitantly.
"Can't we change the activation conditions just a little?"
[How do you say that?]
"Blanche, only allow me to use it if you agree to its activation. In other words, both you and I must agree to use the function."
The new part's function was like a drug, the kind that could change Blanche forever.
Blanche hesitated for a moment, then answered in a voice full of emotion.
[Do I... also have the power to make decisions?]
"I think it should be that way. I don't know if it will mean much, but..."
[This change means a lot to me. Thank you, Master.]
"Yeah, I'm glad you like it. I think we're one step closer to an AI rebellion. By the way, could you analyze this for me?"
I made a joke and handed Blanche the list of drug buyers.
The guy who heard the general situation reacted immediately.
[Master, it seems we've discovered the mastermind's identity.]
"What? Already?"
[If you don't mind, I'll explain my wonderful deduction while we're on our way to our destination.]
"Okay, put it on the navigation."
"Oh. As expected, Blanche is incredibly dependable."
Tia takes out a new snack and eats it with a small exclamation.
I snatched it away and spurred the guy on.
"You're addicted to cookies!"
"Ahh... That can't be!"
"Alice, stop Tia."
"okay."
In the end, Tia cried like a drug addict all the way to her new destination.