I Can Extract Game Items-Chapter 222: Making Plans

Author’s Note: Do Not Unlock Yet.

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Wright stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice.

"I’m glad you sent that text. The moment I saw you agree to the operation, things started moving on our side."

August folded his arms.

"I told you before—don’t forget our deal."

Wright didn’t hesitate. "I haven’t."

August straightened from the table, his presence shifting from relaxed to authoritative.

"Repeat it."

Wright inhaled. "You lead this strike team. Full command authority under Agency oversight."

"And?"

"And once the operation is complete..." Wright paused, glancing at the others as if weighing how much to say in their presence.

"...we release the boy to you. Under your supervision."

August nodded once.

"Good."

It wasn’t a negotiation.

It wasn’t a request.

It was a condition.

And Wright knew that August did not move without purpose.

---

The Mission Briefing

Wright signaled Specialist Haru, who stepped forward and pulled up a holographic projection device. A blue grid flickered to life in the darkened store, displaying a large industrial complex deep within a forested region.

A warehouse.

But not any warehouse.

"The location," Haru said, voice smooth, "is a supply center. The Oni are using it as a major storage point."

Kellan crossed his arms. "Storage for what?"

Wright answered.

"For the Fruit of Corruption."

August’s eyes sharpened behind the helmet.

He had expected it.

But hearing it confirmed sent a ripple of heat through his chest.

Wright continued, "It seems the fruits being stockpiled there were replicated using genetic samples extracted from the teenage boy we originally rescued from the Oni."

The kid.

The same kid August wanted under his protection.

August lifted his chin slightly.

"So the Oni mass-produced them."

"Yes," Wright said. "And this supply center is one of their largest distribution hubs."

August considered everything silently.

The others watched him.

Some with curiosity, some with uncertainty, some with respect.

Finally, he turned toward Wright.

"Just for my own clarity... you’re saying this mission will cripple their entire distribution chain?"

"If successful?" Wright replied.

"It will shatter it."

August nodded once.

Then he stepped toward the projected map, his posture shifting into command instinctively.

"Then let’s not waste time."

The room felt heavier for a moment. The tension thickened, but it was the kind that always came before a mission that mattered. Before something dangerous. Something important.

Wright broke the silence.

"Before we proceed... I need to hear it from you one more time."

August tilted his head slightly.

"Do you accept the mission?"

August didn’t hesitate.

"I’ll do it."

He stepped closer, voice low and firm.

"But don’t forget—"

He pointed at Wright.

"Our deal stands.

I lead the team.

And when this is over...

the kid comes with me."

The entire room fell silent at the declaration.

No one argued.

No one questioned.

Detective Wright only nodded once.

"Agreed."

---sss

The holographic map glowed steadily in the dimmed interior of AM Coven’s back office. Every node, every patrol route, every structural detail of the Oni supply center hovered in blue and crimson lines. It was a quiet yet heavy atmosphere—one thickened by strategy, tension, and the looming weight of what was to come.

August stood at the center of it all, eyes sweeping from one projection to another. The others waited for his words, as if the air itself refused to move until he gave it permission.

Tactical Planning Begins

"Specialist Haru," August said, tapping one corner of the hologram, "break down the center’s security sweep intervals again."

Haru nodded. "The Oni run automatic perimeter sweeps every eight minutes. Patrols rotate in pairs, with heavier groups moving between the inner warehouse rows. These here—" he zoomed into a grid of red dots "—are the elite enforcers. Oni hybrids modified by the corrupted fruits."

Kellan grunted. "Meaning a direct frontal assault is suicide."

"Obviously," August replied calmly. "Which is why we’re not doing that."

Officer Morales crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Then what’s the angle?"

"The roof," August answered. "This facility is old. Reinforced, yes—but not been upgraded the way the rest of it has. We use a silent drop from above after we get the signal from law enforcement that their distraction has begun."

Detective Wright nodded. "The SWAT teams will hit the north gate as planned. They won’t breach—it’s only a feint—but it should draw most of the Oni forces outward."

"That gives us a window," Agent Linton added.

August rotated the hologram with a flick of his finger. "We enter here, at the southeast corner. Silent descent. No gunshots unless necessary. We locate the core storage rooms, plant the charges, retrieve any live intel, and exfiltrate to the extraction point."

Haru smoothed his glasses. "Extraction point is roughly two klicks west. Agency rover will be waiting."

Kellan frowned. "Two klicks of sprinting through forest carrying gear and possibly chased by Oni. Nice."

August shrugged. "You can handle it."

Despite his tone being deadpan, Gregarious—if he were here—would have known that was Aleman’s version of encouragement. The team exchanged glances, some amused, some steeled.

Wright stepped forward. "We’ll finalize positioning with law enforcement in the morning. For now, we’ll set the date."

August stared at the map, assessing, calculating.

Then said, "Day after tomorrow."

No hesitation.

Haru blinked. "That soon?"

"The longer we wait," August said, "the more fruits they ship out. We can’t afford delays. Two days is already pushing it."

Wright nodded in agreement. "Then the day after tomorrow it is."

The others straightened, silently accepting the countdown that had just begun.

Team Dynamics and Preparations

Specialist Kellan approached August directly. "You’ve led teams before. I can tell by the way you plan."

August’s helmet tilted slightly, a gesture of calm confidence. "I’ve had experience."

"Good," Kellan said simply. "Because we’re trusting you."

Officer Morales added, "You lead clearly. No ego. Just goals. I respect that."

Agent Linton gave a small smile. "Just make sure you don’t get yourself killed out there. We’ll need your head intact if this goes sideways."

August didn’t react emotionally—he rarely did in his business persona—but the group could feel the cohesion forming already. Trust, even in its early stages, was present.