Estimated reading time: 7–8 minutes
Chapter 4: Beastkin
After seeing Reina off as she returns home for ‘HAO’, I also log into ‘HAO’.
『An update has been executed. Since you do not currently possess any produced APs, please select a replacement:』
・Horizon Ventures mass-produced local transportation AP (EU)
・GullyZone Industries high mobility mass-produced AP (Russia)
・RE Corp affordable mass-produced AP (USA)
・Kōmitsu Solutions armored transportation mass-produced AP (Japan)
…They are completely focused on transportation. At the very least, mass-produced APs were really only used as truck replacements. Feeling some connection, I select the Kōmitsu Solutions AP. Part of the reason I chose it is that it looks the most combat-ready.
The moment I make my selection, I transition to the familiar private area where I’ve spent the last two days. Behind me sits an unfamiliar thickly-armored AP. Its basic structure seems the same as the RE corp one, but the joint sections are reinforced, perhaps due to the increased weight. What catches my attention most are the thick armor plates surrounding it like a giant wall.
「It’s really damaged in an odd way. Was it attacked from below? 」
The armor is mainly damaged on the front and underside. The front looks like it took some kind of impact, but the underside is strange. It’s not so much damaged as melted or absorbed – not the kind of wound caused by guns or swords.
The other parts that I repaired last time have been fixed. I guess the state carries over and these wounds are now clearly visible because the armor expanded.
「Alright, time to do my best today to fix this thing up!」
I step out from the private area. Come to think of it, even though it’s been two whole days since service started, I haven’t left here. I wonder if maybe my play style is a bit strange… As I’m thinking that, light enters my vision.
『Inside a large dome lies origin city, Old Osaka City. The dome adjusts the city’s oxygen levels and sunlight to maintain an environment where humans can still live in this era. But with no technicians or materials left to maintain the plants, even this city will likely become dangerous in another 20 years.』
It’s a bleak worldview. Stepping out of the private area, I’m in a deserted urban area. A dim membrane wraps the sky and the ground tilts at an odd angle. Though it retains vestiges of the old cityscape, the asphalt is cracked throughout, with glimpses into the darkness of abandoned underground passages below where it has collapsed.
「Oh, found you, Orange.」
「Reina huh, you look just the same.」
「It’s fine. Since beastkin have white hair and blue eyes set by default, no one would think I’m this beautiful in real life.」
「Quite confident aren’t you. So you just went with your real face then?」
「Well yours is half covered by a mask, so acquaintances wouldn’t recognize you.」
And there waiting for me is Reina. Her player name is also just Reina. She chose the beastkin species and is covered head to toe in what looks like a combat suit. Other than that she looks the same as in real life, the only difference being the lack of a hat, replaced by beast ears.
『Beastkin are enhanced humans produced through genetic modification in Russia with the goal of human survival after the collapse. Their capabilities like functioning in low oxygen environments and innate detection abilities greatly contributed. They can be categorized into three generations:
・First generation…developed in 2002 as prototypes. Boasting abilities surpassing even advanced cyborgs, but have drastically varying levels of completion between individuals. Half died within 5 years while some after 40 years show no decline in performance.
・Second generation…developed in 2022 as completed models. Possess overwhelmingly high physical abilities and intellect compared to cyborgs. But as they were deemed uncontrollable, only small batches were produced. In 2035 they rebelled together with the first generation.
・Third generation…mass produced models developed in 2040. Succeeded in suppressing abilities and intellect to a certain extent, enabling control. The majority of players and nearby beastkin are this third generation. 』
The background is lengthy. Considering the talk of a collapse in 2050, I guess the third generation were like child soldiers?
Reina twitches her ears as if to say “how do I look?”. Finding it somehow irritating to be shown off to, I deliberately change the topic.
「So what are your status like? I heard there’s a bonus.」
Without changing her smile, Reina’s ears droop slightly. “Hmm, much lower specs than usual. It must’ve been tough for the third generation children.” She murmurs something I don’t really understand. Noticing my eyes saying she’s still going on with her chuunibyou stuff, she waves her hands quickly.
「I mean the game stats, yeah! They’re pretty high I’d say. Power is about the same as a Human wearing a powered suit, but with better maneuverability and mobility in exchange for not being able to equip heavy weapons like gatling guns, and fewer item slots being a downside.」
「So they’re super strong early game? 」
「Yeah. Cyborgs and espers are also strong but they seem to need more understanding of the game systems, while beastkin are just strong off the bat. I think the first record of defeating enemies outside the city was a beastkin too.」
Reina stamps her foot. As I think her figure grows larger with the sound, in the next instant I feel warmth on my back and neck.「How’s this?」 Reina whispers in my ear. With that sweet gesture my heart pounds but… what the, that speed!!!
I try to shake off the hand wrapped around my neck with all my strength. But it doesn’t budge at all. I’m squeezing hard enough that the metal parts of my gloves should be stabbing into her skin, yet there’s not a hint of redness. Totally unfair.
「A knife wouldn’t even pierce my skin. Though if it was a third generation, maybe…」
「Don’t keep whispering in my ear, it tickles! 」
「Hmph♪」
「Gyaaah」
With a finishing blow I’m finally freed. I’ve witnessed the difference in physical ability between Powered Armor Humans and Beastkin. If this was going to happen, I should have gotten a powered suit instead of that manual as my starting equipment. As I regret that, Reina circles around with the grin of a mischievous brat succeeding in some prank.
「So, you looked like you had something to say?」
「…The ears, they suit you.」
「Nice~」
Reina seems strangely delighted. I firmly swear in my heart that I’ll get back at her someday. Yes, my new goal is to acquire a powered suit to defeat this beastkin.
By the way, the current year is 2040.
Also despite her skill, Reina isn’t that well known online. Largely because she plays solo and doesn’t care much for competing on rankings. The only game where her win percentage directly correlated to rank, a weird western, she gained a reputation as an abnormal player. But since it was a niche game, and crazy idiots started pulling stuff like mass murdering and poisoning rushes, that was the end of that. If anything, Orange is more well known for screwing up in several places.
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