Chapter 77
Once we exit the building, I blend into the crowd of players and walk alongside Teo. As we do, I recall our earlier conversation. Apollyon Fusion. According to Reina’s explanation, it’s a chimera of Strains and Machine Beasts formed into a giant humanoid shape. I definitely remember the remains of the fusion type being staggeringly grotesque. Where the brain should be, there were countless small metal skulls – spare me the sight.
However, I had thought it was just a facade. When I mention this, Teo, who was chewing on a ration, responds matter-of-factly.
「Well, that’s because the Apollyon Fusion has evolved too. The NMM-equipped type is a walking fortress. Just having it around draws all the aggro from the Strains, and its base performance is good enough to be useful.」
「That’s really different from what I heard. They said the researchers arrived at this out of sheer terror.」
「The Reformists have their own circumstances. The Apollyon Fusion was originally the remnant of an EU project, forcibly shaped by Reformist members from the EU. The Beastkin and such are from the Russian Reformist members.」
「So the EU chickened out?」
「They did, previously… thanks to you.」
「?」
Putting a ration in my mouth like Teo, I raise a figurative question mark in my head. The story about rations tasting bad is a thing of the past, and they seem to have improved considerably, but has the Apollyon Fusion improved as well? However, I don’t see how that connects to me.
The taste mimics beef, but the dry texture evokes a sense of unease. They didn’t need to go this far in recreating the flavor. As I choke on the ration, Teo hands me water and answers.
「It’s because of you. You proved that the future can be changed by just one individual and one company. It was a bolt from the blue for them, who took two years just to reach Ver1.06.」
「But even Ver1.08 was still clumsy, wasn’t it?」
「It was really when their consciousness began to shift away from fear and the artificial planet, starting with Ver2.00, when the success rate of the 2055 operation became non-zero. Do you understand? Since that day, the Reformists have slowly begun to divide.」
「What’s that about?」
「I don’t know about the CEO of Space, but for many Reformists, what they expect from the artificial planet is technological innovation and, above all, an escape from ‘UYK’. It’s a no-brainer to jump on board since they can flee from an impossible game and become the pioneers of humanity. On the other hand, some people with strong local attachments have been joining the Reformists while looking for ways to avoid fleeing into space. If they can do that, there’s no need to fixate on space.」
He gives me a rough explanation that the artificial planet is a plan to send humans into space to escape from 「UYK.」 So the faction that wants to run away from 「UYK」 to a new world and dominate was supposed to be the Reformists… but now they’re wavering as new possibilities open up. However, this Ver setting – each one is indeed a parallel world setting, huh? While coming to this long-overdue realization, I nod along to Teo’s story.
「So that’s why they strengthened the fusion type?」
「Yeah, the EU folks worked hard on it. They should have achieved specs fairly close to the original plan. I don’t know the success rate of Ver3.00 either, so I can’t say for sure, but about a tenth of it is probably due to their efforts. I don’t like them though.」
「?」
「That’s a story for another time. Anyway, various other things have been improved too. For example, I heard they even put human flesh in the rations.」
「I knew it. That place was seriously messed up, forcing debt on people without permission.」
「This time, a resource system has been built for environments where external food procurement is difficult. Major adjustments were made based on the data from the previous iteration. The most notable change is that catalytic conversion of virtual weight molecules from carbon and water starting points has enabled molecular transformation of glucose and other substances. Now that we can produce sugar and whatnot by packing in carbon rods and water, things have gotten much easier. These two can be easily launched into space before the apocalypse.」
「But this isn’t space, right?」
Indeed, this is not space. The existence of the infinite horizon makes it clear that this is Earth, likely Japan. That’s why I thought his explanation didn’t really answer my question. When I ask him to clarify, Teo points behind us in response. There’s a plaza there, with players and three pillars standing tall. If I remember correctly, one of those pillars was a rocket. So what are the other two?
The answer quickly emerges from the pillars. From the side, the pillars just look like gray cylinders. But even from a distance, they are enormous objects with a radius of several meters and a height exceeding 30 meters. Spiral staircases are installed to allow people to ascend, and NPCs walk up them. Then, as if it were the most natural thing, they place a tub on the seemingly empty pillar, and out comes some kind of cube-shaped object…!?
「Those pillars also have the same system built in. It was originally developed by the Japanese Reformists and is being borrowed by the Order. That’s why there’s no need to eat human flesh here. Water needs to be regenerated, but since we’re on the surface, rain falls. It’s not a problem if it’s decontaminated.」
「I thought the Reformists and the Order were enemies?」
「Sigh, that’s your fault too. Investigating the infinite horizon is a must. If we are to succeed in the 2055 operation, there’s no doubt about that. And the fastest and most reliable way to investigate at the earliest stage is to rely on the power of the multi-precognitive Esper, Prophet Orange. For this time only, the goals of the Reformists and the Order align.」
I don’t know about that, I answer in my head. But certainly, compared to the previous Ver, things seem to have improved considerably, I think as I look around. Indeed, in Ver1.08, there were at most a few hundred NPCs at best. But it’s clear that this base alone has over 3,000 people, with multiple bases on the surface and even more people on the artificial planet in space. From what I’ve heard, the population is likely higher on the artificial planet. Considering that, it can be said that the situation has improved significantly compared to Ver1.06.
「Oh, our destination is just ahead. There’s a lineup of familiar faces waiting for you.」
Teo points to a large building diagonally ahead and to the right. While most other buildings are two-story structures made from crystal trees, this dull metal structure lacks that appearance. Based on the traces, it’s likely covered in armor made from the outer shell of Machine Beasts. I considered the same thing when I ordered the 「Falschblau.」
But what does Teo mean by familiar faces? The answer comes surprisingly quickly – a man in his late 30s wearing glasses that exude a sense of dignity. A large scar runs from his forehead to his right eye. He wears work clothes nonchalantly, but a pistol hangs from his waist. He has a bit of stubble, slightly different from the appearance I remember, but I definitely know his name.
「Long time no see, Orange.」
「Nakamoto!?」
There stood my dandy glasses-wearing senior, Nakamoto.
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