SWNOVELXO Chapter 30
“I’m fucking serious, why can’t we leave?! The operation is over!”
– All personnel deployed may exit after thorough verification and inspection of belongings. If you maintain abusive language and a defiant attitude, you may be detained in the holding facility for up to one week in accordance with Article 4, Section 6 of the Harvest Planet Social Order Maintenance Act. –
“…This is bullshit…!”
– Warning violation, neutralizing. –
“What?! Wait, hold on…!!”
I turned my gaze away from the mercenary who was dragged away pathetically, caught by the arm.
After struggling in the darkness to carry out the sweep operation, I finally made it outside, only to be detained. While I couldn’t blame him for his anger, the wrath of Paradise, with a bomb going off right in his own yard, was… something else entirely.
Boom…!
I looked down at the Yellow Sector from the slowly rising platform.
Helicopters threateningly buzzing around the rooftop. Direct troops swarming out like a disturbed hornet’s nest.
The Goliaths that had lined up at the lab were marching, and even the Paradise collection unit, responsible for the dirty work, had come out in full force. It was quite a sight.
Of course, the chaos in the middle of the night had driven the residents into a frenzy… but that was a problem entirely out of my hands. There were many things to say, but somehow, the driving force that kept this civilized society running was corporations.
They would thoroughly handle the situation since their pet was hit by someone else’s hand.
“Ugh…”
I… am not a hero. I’m just a character A of unknown identity.
I sent my inexperienced little brother, who got swept up in this mess, off safely, and I thought I had done my best since I secured both the medical expenses and damages for him.
Above all, even if I wanted to worry more, I didn’t even know how to contact him….
Boom!
Even though the elevator had stopped, I didn’t get off and paused for a moment to admire the night view of Harvest Planet.
“…It’s vast.”
There was no need to include the fancy and high upper levels. Just looking at the sprawling apartment complexes and industrial areas stretching out beneath my feet, Harvest Planet, the headquarters of Paradise Corporation, was enormous.
Unless I were to get swept up again like this, I thought it would be difficult to run into them again in this gigantic city.
…Then, the other Mega Corp headquarters and the old generation’s legacy—Neo Haven, with its central power plant and orbital elevators crammed together, would be the largest of all existing metropolises… I wondered just how useful the map I remembered would be…
“Sigh…”
I shook my head to shake off useless worries.
I wanted to show this sight to the users, including my past self, who had only scoffed at the grand name while checking out the train station map data for a side quest.
…So, if there are any other poor souls dragged into this world besides me, I hope they will at least speak up. Let me vent a little.
Forcing my tired legs—which had never exactly run much—toward the hotel, I regretted not having asked the paramedic for a few more compresses to stick on my legs. The performance of futuristic patches already alleviated the pain.
“Don’t we have pulse shield coating spray?! Have they all sold out??”
“I told you to hurry up…!”
– …In response to the terror threat with unknown backing, Paradise Corporation has appointed Mr. Drayfuscus as the chief responsible officer. You are to eradicate any forces that threaten the city’s safety… –
Instead of music, breaking news filled the streets. People, who had been loitering around looking for suitable shops, appeared to be desperately running around looking for the things they deemed necessary.
Seeing that a similar scene unfolds in any world, any era during a disaster situation brought me a strange sense of relief, but then I remembered that I, who had just exited the site, also had a disaster to deal with.
“…Aron Drayfuscus.”
I glanced up at the news broadcast being projected on the smooth glass window.
A well-dressed man in a neat yellow suit was in the middle of an interview. …He wouldn’t hand out his business card just to hear a refusal over the phone.
It’s obvious I need to prepare an excuse to politely decline the headhunting offer.
Or perhaps I could just get a reasonable amount of credits. I could start checking the rent price I would need to pay living in Mary’s room.
And as for the remaining disaster…
“…Sister?”
Remembering the touch of that hand I had felt, my head grew tangled.
I’d rather have a clear act of malice than this; I had almost no inkling about a policewoman who could convey goodwill and friendliness…
Surely, Ms. Sylvia hadn’t awakened as a perfect superhuman in the meantime and was now wielding a katana to display samurai spirit… right?
…A katana?
“Huh…?”
Even with many madmen insisting on close combat weapons because the feel of it is different, is there really a swordsman who could swing it against a fully-armed mercenary group? Doesn’t she resemble someone I truly know and really like…?
The circumstances matched up, but… I knew her too well to believe in such a possibility.
“…Nah, surely not.”
Blocking what’s in my way and kicking out what annoys me. A wolf that wanders as freely as it is strong.
The best rebel in Neo Haven, a symbol of distrust in people, other than the protagonist with an open heart.
Helena Valentine, the notorious individual in the world, showing curiosity about helping people as a polite police officer? …The thought seemed plausible to my brain. I must be really exhausted; I should head in and rest soon.
“…Welcome back.”
“Uh… um… yes.”
The hotel doormen opened the door quickly without scanning this time.
I felt a bit flustered as I had just faced the real power right in front of me. I know that the service fee includes it, but knowing it with my brain doesn’t make that embarrassment go away.
“…Oh my! My beloved lady guest! You’re safe…!”
“Ah…!!”
I purposefully avoided eye contact and headed straight for the elevator, but the receptionist called me with a sultry voice. Your nickname from now on is ‘Androgynous Witch’…!
Click-click-click-click-click-click…!
Rapidly pressing the elevator button wouldn’t make it come any faster, but I believed the heavenly guest would indicate she didn’t want to be disturbed.
However, that skilled witch’s powers of observation were unexpectedly keen, regardless of her personality.
“Our hotel offers not only clothing but also a neat laundry service for battle gear… How about it…?”
“…Who sells refrigerators in the Arctic.”
“Aha! Thank you for the compliment…!”
I went to the reception and added 20,000 credits for payment. If it weren’t for the rifle covered in dust, I could have saved on that expense… but oh well.
“…Still, I’m glad you returned safely? I thought you wouldn’t make it back after ignoring my heartfelt advice and going out with the Daredevil gang.”
“What…?! Advice? …Ah.”
“Isn’t it because you’re hanging around with people from the lower town that you’re looking so disheveled? Your caution is still lacking.”
The witch grinned as if satisfied with her own prediction.
But watching her completely miss the mark made me chuckle in amusement.
Truly a skilled human in guessing based on preconceptions and assumptions.
Fortunately… after witnessing all kinds of people during the day, I finally had something to repay.
“…Excuse me, could I offer just one piece of advice…?”
“…? I will listen to your voice, customer.”
…As if to say ‘listen.’
I leaned my head slightly over the reception desk and whispered.
“…If you keep judging people based on the color of their citizenship and the thickness of their wallets, you might retire early before your career ends? …Ah, does that sound too threatening?”
“……”
I quickly got to the elevator that had just arrived and hopped in.
She seemed curious about my true intent, which negated all the most reliable information by her standards, as she couldn’t manage to unfurl her frown until the elevator doors closed.
I hoped she would ponder this all night.
“Whoa…!!”
Having dropped off my clothes and feeling fresh after a complimentary wash, I dove into bed equipped with a large towel, a pistol, and a sealed can of food, possessing ninja-level defense.
“……Hehe.”
Seeing the 10,000,000 credits deposited into my black market account made my lips involuntarily curl up.
It might have been a more eventful day than I expected, but the wage for a day’s work was 10,000,000? …I felt confident. It would be tough to maintain such results while walking a dangerous line, but it felt like the distant future I had longed for was finally within my grasp.
…In reality, I was just a loyal hunting dog of Paradise. The credits I received for playing such a role felt no different, making my conscience itch. But the payment for legitimate labor remains unchanged.
And such self-rationalization was only possible because things had gone well… the visible numbers don’t lie.
Honestly, I’m glad to finally understand why those rich folks in movies sometimes gloat over their accounts or safes.
Just looking at them makes me feel rich…
Gurgle…
“……?”
I reminisced about why this fuel-efficient body suddenly rebelled.
Other than adding a few fries and beverages, I hadn’t put anything in my mouth. It would be more appropriate to express gratitude to my digestive system, which had endured and patiently waited while grasping the atmosphere.
I rolled over and picked up the room service booklet from the nightstand.
While food, excluding beverages, started at ten thousand credits, realizing it was about survival rather than luxury eased my mind somewhat.
“Meat… fish… fried… salad….”
Why did it feel so odd to see every name prefixed with ‘synthetic,’ ‘processed,’ or ‘artificial’? Because this was the menu of 2195 meeting the first human from 2022. …What a historical moment.
I examined the menu with a serious attitude.
What I wanted… surely my stomach desires at least one thing.
Flap….
“Uh…?”
As I turned the page, it revealed a page densely filled with noodle dishes.
Among them, the word that captured my long-lost soul was…!
“Korean… noodles…?”
No way… could it be ramen…? Or maybe jjajangmyeon? No, even if it’s banquet noodles, I’d be fine with it. As long as the taste is similar.
Even if the world has turned upside down, the thread of great food continues. I was ecstatic to find something familiar in another world.
Worried there might be a time limitation for ordering, I quickly called the number displayed in the booklet and ordered two bowls.
…I would sleep with the plates I couldn’t finish. That was the kind of resolve I had made.
Since my watch wasn’t helping, I turned off the visual information.
How long has it been? 5 minutes? 10 minutes? As soon as the doorbell rang, I sprang into action.
“Room service! Your clothes and gun have been taken care of!!”
“Thank you…!!”
Bang!!
The staff member was startled to see a ghost wrapped in blankets, but as I quickly pulled the cart with the items and food inside, I shut the door.
It was time to greet something far more important than face and manners.
“…Gulp.”
I gripped the luxurious golden lid handle that matched the hotel’s color scheme. I could already sense the warmth.
Imagining the happiness waiting for me beneath, I lifted the lid and….
“……..Oh, fuck. Life…!”
…Staring back at me were two bowls of japchae, mocking my foolishness without rice or kimchi.
The first time eating japchae with a fork… it was still heartbreakingly delicious.
Creak…!
I adjusted my worker shoes to fit again under the morning sunlight.
The cleaning gel was stocked in the room, so I wondered why there was a separate laundry service, but it proved its worth with the results.
The gear from Haylong Co., which had been slightly faded due to its owner’s inadequate care, regained its splendor. I felt a bit sorry for the pistol, but completely setting aside the weapon was a bit…
“…All right!”
I opened the navigation and entered the destinations.
One was a well-known implant clinic in the city, the other… an Exatech robot store.
The latter probably wouldn’t be possible with 10 million credits. However, I wanted to visually confirm the immediate goal.
I left the room and headed toward the stairs.
Although the performance of the gear hadn’t particularly changed, my steps felt light, and it was a good feeling. Or maybe it was good vibes making my steps feel light. Either way, I had no special complaints.
I exited into the lobby.
Now that I thought about it, this was essentially my first time properly taking in the sunlit streets of this city.
I liked that the weather was unusually clear, and it was enjoyable to see a silver-haired beauty sitting on a lobby sofa where almost no other guests were visible.
…Huh?
…Wait a minute?
“Yes? Uh…?”
The ruby-like eyes that seemed tired turned towards me, lowering to meet the ground.
Looking at her, the resemblance to the clumsy graphics card depiction from the game was faint; her exquisite beauty made it hard to believe it was the same person.
Her wild fashion sense, clad in leather from head to toe, hinted at an untamed wildness, and despite our eyes meeting, her unchanged expression radiated a dangerous yet irresistible charm.
“……”
Silently, she stood up and walked proudly right in front of me, stopping in my path.
…It had always felt awkward having to look up at someone taller, but looking up at her didn’t feel bad.
Having met hundreds of times. Confessing thousands of times. Sharing love tens of thousands of times and standing together until the end. I finally managed to speak her name.
“…….Helena…?”
“……”
Our heroine tilted her head to the side. I made a mistake. That was definitely a habit of hers when she had grievances… How could I ruin the first greeting like this?!
What should I do…? Should I offer a bribe before getting scolded?
I like cute things regardless of her preferred style; I should hurry and buy a gift to make amends…!
Gooook….
“?!”
Soft… sweet-smelling hands cupped my face.
Before I knew it, our eye levels matched up, with me reflected in her eyes and her mirrored in mine.
The dreamlike silence felt like gazing through a kaleidoscope. Helena broke it first.
“……Shouldn’t you call me sister…?”