Estimated reading time: 6–7 minutes
Chapter 36
Excerpt from a certain report
Connections to Corporations
The First Orange Panic
RE Corp publicly released their mass-production Apollyon technology. Current estimated damages are 600 billion yen, but considering the loss of their monopoly, the final damages are expected to reach trillions of yen.
The Second Orange Panic
Space lgnition Industries publicly released their negative mass generation technology. The company itself was unscathed, but investors caught up in the stock market fluctuations suffered losses.
The Third Orange Panic
Horizon Ventures and GullyZone Industries had their mass-production Apollyon technologies publicly released. As neither company is publicly listed, there are no direct damages at present, but the stock prices of surrounding companies and RE Corporation temporarily declined. (Currently recovering) There is no doubt that the two companies will be forced to make major directional changes.
Kōmitsu Solutions’ Free License Declaration
They made their rejuvenation and anti-aging, prosthetic limb, powered exoskeleton, and mass-production AP technologies freely licensed. They still hold clinical data, so they maintain an advantage, but their monopoly has completely crumbled.
The above is the surface-level impact Orange has had on the world. The general public treats Orange like an urban legend, akin to hackers. Additionally, Orange’s real name is obscured by a mask, known by very few.
As a note, these panics are merely names given by investors and rubberneckers. Compared to a true global depression, the scale is overwhelmingly smaller and has not led to unemployment. It differs greatly from the economic definition of a panic, but in the sense that the world becomes fearful and flustered over a single individual’s post, perhaps the term 「panic」 is not entirely incorrect.
The affected companies seem to have given up on lawsuits due to the extreme difficulty in proving the facts. Each company has dispatched specialized teams to deal with technology leaks in 『Hereafter Apollyon Online.』
Simultaneously, from mid-March, companies from various countries have begun plans to establish new branches in Osaka. This is due to the stability of the city in Ver1.08 after Ver−1.00. Amidst many other countries where the cities themselves are collapsing, the fact that information can be preserved and obtained on the Japanese server, as demonstrated by Orange, is a major factor.
Additionally, some companies have been confirmed to be attempting a merger with Kōmitsu Solutions. However, many of these moves are happening behind the scenes, making it difficult to ascertain the details.
Orange as a Power
The top three threats possessed by the active multiple-futures precognitive esper and prophet known as Orange, real name Mishima Kanji, are as follows:
Shiroinu Reina
A second-generation beastkin. An extremely powerful force that can only be defeated by sending in numerous high-quality cyborgs. She has undergone extensive military training and mastered it all, making her dangerous. However, as she is ultimately human, excessive wariness may prove toxic.
Kōmitsu Solutions
The cyborg company president and heiress Kōmitsu Momiji has been seen acting alongside Orange. They seem to have already begun illegally performing anti-aging surgeries, but they are handling it skillfully. It has been confirmed that orders have been issued to the police to cease pursuit, likely in exchange for top officials receiving the treatment. An extremely competent sponsor as Orange’s financial backer.
Orange
The most threatening individual. Assumed to possess extremely high combat abilities in the flesh, precognitive powers, and the skill to win over hearts and minds. Careless meddling will likely lead to more than mere burns.
Their Objectives
As stated in the press conference, their goal is thought to be avoiding utter destruction by the year 2050. In just one week, Orange has demonstrated the necessity of raising humanity’s war potential and the dangers of space, as well as defeating the Strains and the Moon UYK.
These are actions optimized by the ability to foresee the future, yet he shows no signs of clinging to power. Rather, he seems to be moving to avoid being hindered by those in power. Therefore, it is believed that he is moving to guide humanity rather than become a hero.
Additionally, Orange’s surroundings are thoroughly protected. From a few days before the battle with the Strains, Shiroinu Reina began purchasing the apartment building Orange lives in, evicting residents, and starting renovations. Whenever Shiroinu Reina is not present, Kōmitsu Momiji always has a bodyguard, and forces lurking in the surrounding area seem to have been eliminated. By the time the battle with the Strains concluded, it was confirmed that Orange’s apartment building had been fortified into a fortress.
Future Prospects and Countermeasures
Orange’s goals do not overlap with ours, but he likely has no intention of accommodating us either. Therefore, the key point is how to utilize him without incurring damage ourselves.
The currently frozen Artificial Sun Project, the ongoing Human Control Project, as well as the 『Moses’ Sword』 Synthesis Project and the 『Inverse Dive Citation Information Project』 will require the utmost care and attention. Additionally, anticipating that the world will be shaken by Orange, we will proceed with multiple sub-plans simultaneously.
As a separate endeavor, we will attempt to make contact with the man called humanity’s strongest Apollyon user in the year 2040. In the partially successful inheritance this time, he was the individual who achieved outstanding results in the list of combat achievements.
Although there are doubts about credibility due to Shiroinu Reina’s absurd achievement values, the advantage of being able to secure war potential at an early stage is significant. Fortunately, he attends the same university as Orange, allowing for concurrent surveillance of Orange as well.
We, the Reformists, remain committed to continuing to seek further means to achieve our objectives.
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