SWNOVELXO Chapter 22
After a considerable disturbance intertwined with a significant matter of dignity and suspicion, the broker began his detailed presentation against the silent mercenaries standing firm beside me.
“Cough… As you can see, the target is in the Yellow Sector, commonly known as the slums, and the mission is to capture the boss of the drug organization Painkiller, known as Dust. To be precise, after capturing him, the drug data extracted from the storage embedded in his head is what our client is interested in.”
“…….”
“Uh… um….”
Anxious glances are exchanged.
Seeing even Omen, who seems like he’d take on a hundred enemies, glaring with intensity indicates there’s a lot lacking in the explanation… As someone lacking information about Harvest Planet, it’s hard for me to grasp the main issues.
“Right… Painkiller has been quite a persistent headache. Their power has grown significantly over the years. But surely… you’re not suggesting we four should wage war against the entire organization, are you? Huh?”
The broker waved his hand at Horatio, who was speaking on behalf of the group.
“…I didn’t provide enough explanation, sorry. Other mercenary teams hired by different brokers are going to start the war at 10 PM tonight. The team I’ve assembled, which means the data you’re going to extract is just the core of the operation.”
“……That’s clear. So we need to tear Dust apart and safely escort Ivory to that location.”
The human weapon quietly stood up, cracking his knuckles and summarizing the details ominously.
Ultimately, my designated role as the team hacker was simpler than I had thought.
I would quietly follow my comrades, relying solely on them as bullets rain down, extract the information safely from the captured enemy’s boss, then return alive to submit it to Paradise Corp.
…Damn, I specifically picked a request with a heavy combat presence to avoid such a ridiculous field mission, and here I am, thoroughly screwed. With hazardous pay demanding expertise and only a meager ten million credits offered in return? I must acknowledge Mega Cop’s cost-cutting abilities.
“The city police will be controlling the surroundings, so there’s no need to worry about civilian casualties. Only the hired mercenaries and Painkiller members will be in the operational zone.”
Having finished his explanation, he closed the laptop and gathered his belongings.
However, from the added explanation, I sensed something odd. How can there be no civilian casualties when there’s going to be a fight in the middle of the slums, where druggies are scattered about…? How?
As if feeling the same doubt, Horatio questioned the broker as he was leaving the room.
“…Hey. We’re talking about a fight that’s going to turn the slums upside down, and there are likely drugged-out kids lying around… Are you saying there won’t be any civilian casualties?”
Click…
Just before leaving, while holding onto the doorknob, he declared.
“…Paradise Corp has unofficially stated that Yellow and lower Green grade citizens only have the right to live in the city, but the system is not responsible for their safety or the protection of their private property. …In fact, I’ve heard that we can even capture a few secretly to confirm the actual effects of the drugs. So… if you need any extra compensation…”
Clang!!
The empty bottle thrown with all my might shattered against the door.
“Get lost…! On your way out, call room service and clean up the trash…!!”
“…That was a slip of the tongue.”
Feeling the atmosphere grow excessively harsh, the broker bowed his head and quickly disappeared.
The corporation replaced the government but did not inherit all its roles. Like cutting into a cake, they took only the sweet parts and scattered the unappetizing toppings and base all around.
To dismiss it all as just a game setting… the words of the Paradise president I heard during the unfolding of past events kept echoing in my ears.
If you don’t have credits, you’re not a customer, and if you’re not a customer, you’re not a human.
“…Consider it a good opportunity, Daredevil. Expecting everyone to come out unscathed while cutting out the rotten parts is greedy.”
“…This nickname is going to cry. When did you ever care about such things…?”
Omen, who patted Horatio on the shoulder, along with Domino, glanced at me before exiting the room.
…Oh? How did it end up just the two of us left…?
Moreover, that last glance seemed to ask for some kind of consolation, but that’s not something I know how to provide. I feel like I should give back something since I’ve received help… but do I have to take them out for drinks or something? Considering the start time of the mission, that would be impossible…?
“……”
“…Huh?”
Desiring warmth, Horatio’s arms reached out toward me.
Like a small boat shaking helplessly in a strong wind, my heart, which had been wavering, steeled itself at the sight of the mercenary who looked like he was about to collapse at any moment. …Yeah, haven’t I experienced how helpful the presence of others can be in times like this? If just lending this somewhat empty chest could bring comfort to someone, then I would gladly do so…
“?!”
Slap!!
“Ugh?!”
I dodged the prickly mohawk, smacking the top of his head.
I had intended to pull the bowed Horatio into an embrace… but at the last moment, I caught sight of the rotten smile hanging on his lips. Crazy bastard…!!
“Damn it! Is that all you think about?! I was just trying to repay a favor and you pull this kind of act!”
“…Hahaha!! Indeed, I can’t win against Sister Ivory! You’re absolutely a fortress!”
Breathing heavily, I retreated to a safe distance from the pervert.
Holding my palm-printed head, he laughed heartily, and I found him incredibly unsightly. It’s not just that I hate his slimy desires; it’s that he seems to have a genuine story behind it, but he tries to evade it, which only makes me more irritated.
“…Are you from the slums? Yellow grade?”
“…It’s common for kids who don’t know how scary the world is to band together, doing as they please, chasing after credits. There used to be more than fifty of us… and now, there are just three left.”
…If three out of fifty kids without any money or background had grown into viable mercenaries, people would applaud them for their success.
However, seeing the bitter smile on Horatio’s lips caused me to recall the sadness they must have experienced along the way, making my heart ache.
“Anyway…! That’s why I really like you, Sister! It’s skilled to completely disregard my firewall…. But the dignity of knowing the importance of credits without being consumed by them! The way you look at me cautiously while still worrying about the approaching enemy…!! Isn’t that just dazzling? Huh?”
“…You’re not merely driven by lust, are you?”
His sudden blunt compliment made my face flush.
…There’s a limit to how much you can freely evaluate people; this is just… flattery. Um, it’s nothing but flattery.
At my reflexive retort, Horatio slapped his knee and laughed.
“Puhahaha!! Sister! I’m not driven by lust; I’m driven by destiny!”
“…Destiny?”
“Yeah! Destiny…!!”
With an overly serious expression, he stood up and locked eyes with me.
“All the emotions humans feel and everything in the world is a result of chemical reactions, but… I believe there’s something more than that, which is why Domino, Omen, and I have survived. Look…! The day has come to finally kill the Painkiller bastards. Isn’t it a coincidence that I ran into you yesterday and ended up taking this mission together…?”
“……”
I, who has to emit electrical signals just to survive, had no particular argument to deny the truths of the world.
However, his belief, slightly different from that of a pseudo-religion… was something I had felt as well recently. …After all, if there wasn’t something beyond science, how could I be alive in this future world?
“So… Sister Ivory!”
“…What?”
Horatio suddenly knelt on one knee on the floor and extended his hand.
“Please marry this Daredevil Horatio…!!”
Szzzzz—!!
“Get the hell out!!”
Grabbing his outstretched hand, I concentrated purely with all my might to electrocute this extraordinary pervert.
Whether he had prepared for electric attacks or not, even in a shocked state, he continued to smile and commented that my hand was soft yet electrifying while I desperately kicked cabbage away from him.
Despite his frantic writhing, the human didn’t budge from my beating… which made me incredibly irritated. It seems that this weak violence cannot sever this strange bond.
“…Um, excuse me…. I came to clean the room; if you’re in the middle of something like that, I can come back later…”
“Um…! Hotel staff, right now, Sister and I are in the middle of a heated moment… so don’t postpone the cleaning service!”
“?! This is a misunderstanding!! Please clean up this trash quickly!”
Having been caught performing an act difficult to explain to the staff, I abandoned Horatio and fled to my room.
…Six hours until the mission starts. There was more than enough time to memorize the detailed instructions and rules.