Chapter 69
The reason why the Kōmitsu Solutions was able to act so quickly in Ver2.01 is extremely simple – Kōmitsu Momiji already had a plan to raid Hereafter Corporation.
There are many questions about the technical aspects of 『HAO』. In order to gain an advantage over other forces, every organization believed there was a need to collect Hereafter Corporation’s core technology at some point. That is precisely why the Kōmitsu Solutions’s guardian force, the 「Order」, was prepared in advance to handle and take over in the event that Hereafter Corporation was attacked.
That is why the moment an anomaly was detected upon logging in, support was immediately requested from Nakamoto Tsuyoshi and cooperating players, enabling them to mobilize Shiroinu Reina who had suddenly sensed the appearance of enemies. It was a course of action born from trust in Orange that anything could happen after the update.
However, diving from 2060 to 2040 was admittedly unexpected. At the very least, the plan Momiji had drawn up was only for stealing information, and did not include a single assassination of key figures.
「Thank you, Nakamoto. And excuse me for interrupting your rendezvous with her.」
「Don’t worry about it. Considering how much Aika will be in your care from now on, this is no time for us to be doing this.」
「Well, it is a battlefield after all…」
2060, inside 『HAO』. It has been several dozen minutes since the battle between Nakamoto Tsuyoshi and Urairo Aika ended. The surrounding heat has cooled, and the sound of gunshots and screams have begun to decrease, but in exchange, the collapse of the entire Ark is accelerating. This Ark will likely end in less than an hour.
Descending alone from above at that moment is Kōmitsu Momiji. She lands on the ground like a cat, stands up, and looks at the two of them and another group that has appeared. It was a diverse crowd of people. Some were wearing powered armor, some were beastkin. There was even an Apollyon. A total of 16 people, and at the head of the group was an elderly man. Nakamoto Tsuyoshi recognized that person.
「I am Nagashaberi. Professor Nagashaberi, as I’m sometimes called when appearing in the media, but of course that’s not my real name. Well, the reason I use an alias is because I am a person without a family register or family to begin with, and that’s why I act as a representative for the doctor and Hereafter Corporation in negotiations. For a professor, I’m not well-versed in the technical aspects, but I’m good at teaching despite being long-winded, so I’m in charge of Basic Quark Theory II.」
「Nice to meet you, I am Kōmitsu Momiji. Thank you for agreeing to this meeting.」
The two move away from their entourages, face each other, and Momiji activates a silencer. This creates a space for confidential discussion, preventing unnecessary information from reaching the surrounding people, combined with her mouth being hidden by a mask. In that space, Professor Nagashaberi smiles cheerfully while flapping his tongue. However, Momiji had a premonition that this man would likely not let slip anything important. Everything he reveals is either information that can be found out through investigation or information he wants known. In this case, it is likely the former.
And Momiji already had control over this incident. Cutting off Professor Nagashaberi’s words, Momiji presents the main issue.
「The data server was completely destroyed an hour ago. There can be no further leakage of Hereafter Corporation’s core technology that you wanted to keep secret. However, a precedent has been set that Hereafter Corporation can be raided and information stolen. To put it simply, would you like to join forces with us?」
This is also a threat. It is a statement made after securing the 「Reformist」 site with the violence of Shiroinu Reina having just been exercised a moment ago. Professor Nagashaberi raises a question without breaking his rhythm.
「That’s full of holes. First, there is no proof that you destroyed the data server to prevent leakage, or any certainty that you did not take the data. Theft of corporate secrets may be the specialty of the person you have at the top, but you may be forgetting that itself is a strong hostile act. Unless there is a guarantee regarding our company’s technology, all of this talk is nothing more than armchair theory.」
「Isn’t that just buying time? After all, the administrators should be able to see the players’ information and confirm that we have not stolen anything at this point.」
At this point. In other words, it’s like declaring that the moment negotiations break down, some of the data will be taken. Even the usually composed Professor Nagashaberi made a bitter face at those words. It’s no wonder, as it has already been confirmed that some information has been taken by the 「Reformist」. On top of that, if it is further stolen by the Kōmitsu Solutions, there’s no telling what will happen.
The 16 people hastily gathered were honestly not reassuring. In the first place, those with combat experience have been deployed to deal with the 「Reformist」 in 2040. Therefore, there are only ordinary players here, while the opponents are quite accustomed. In particular, the ability of Kōmitsu Momiji, who is right in front of them, is a huge threat.
The first thing she, a high-priority surveillance target, acquired in Ver2.00 was an optimization program based on past combat data. The crucial data was encrypted and could not be analyzed, but it is likely that the data has been inputted into her spinal cord. In other words, the person in front of them is a cyborg who has achieved 「synchronization」 through artificial means.
Moreover, she has undergone the highest level of physical modification on herself, fully utilizing her authority as the president. It is clear that even a group of general players would be no match against such a monster. Furthermore, Orange and the 「Order」 are behind her. The situation is already completely hopeless, and the only thing Professor Nagashaberi should do is try to mitigate the demands of the other party as much as possible. Faced with such a well-prepared surprise attack, Professor Nagashaberi realizes that the Kōmitsu Solutions had likely also been planning an operation to raid Hereafter Corporation. Of course, he also understood that this was limited to a stagnant situation.
「I understand about the information leakage. Apart from that, what can you offer, and what will you provide to us? After all, negotiations can’t progress without clarifying what each side is seeking, whether it’s lives, money, or information. Without knowing that, there’s no point in sitting at the table. In other words, sit on top of the table.」
「We feel the same way. Without knowing Hereafter Corporation’s objectives, we can’t even grasp a thread for negotiation. That’s why we sat on top of the table, stepping on your hand.」
「Hmm, that’s certainly true. Then let me explain. First of all, we knew from the beginning that diving from 2060 to 2040 was possible. Not just theoretically possible, but can be done with certainty if equipment and personnel are prepared on the other side. However, that is in relation to the ‘fixed’ future progressing towards the ongoing present. The past that has already passed cannot be changed.」
「For example, logging in from 2060 to 2038 is not possible. Because it has already been determined up to 2040.」
「Exactly. In other words, infinite attempts can be made from the future to the currently progressing present. For example, let’s say there is a ‘fixed’ future where the world is saved. Then there will inevitably be those who are dissatisfied with the balance of power, who are dissatisfied that they could not gain hegemony. So they try to intervene and modify the ongoing present, 2040. And in the changed future, those who are dissatisfied will appear and try to change the world. If this is repeated infinitely and numerous warriors are sent in like it’s a game, even if ‘UYK’ is defeated, the world will meet its end through human conflict.」
「That’s why the technology of ‘HAO’ is kept secret and held until the moment when modification becomes impossible, in order to avoid mutual destruction after the happy ending of defeating ‘UYK’.」
「You are aware of the wave nature of time and the concept of reflection, yes? In other words, once we cross the crest of the wave in 2050, it will no longer be possible to modify the future. For example, if we progress to 2055, intervention can only be made in 2045, which is also 5 years away from 2050. However, this past has already been determined, so nothing can be done about it anymore. Therefore, if you lend your forces to help us maintain future technology, it would be very helpful. Especially considering that second-generation beastkin.」
Hearing that, Momiji finally showed a look of understanding. Certainly, if the information of 「HAO」 is given to some force in this situation, that force will continue to make modifications until they rule the world. However, the sacrifices that will occur during that time are innumerable, and it may become impossible in some cases. No, considering that 「UYK」 seems to be able to use a 「passive precognition ability」, the damage will likely become irreparable while infighting is going on. By the time they gain world hegemony, it may have learned and invalidated all possible countermeasures humanity can muster.
Because she understood, Momiji grinned. She states her own purpose and that of Shiroinu Reina.
「We have no interest in hegemony to begin with.」
「Oh? Then what is your purpose?」
Professor Nagashaberi leans forward with interest. In the first place, the behavior of the Kōmitsu Solutions and Orange is too strange. They are acting as if they are attracting chaos but have no interest in their own aftermath. For example, the disclosure of immortality technology is like that. Furthermore, if they simply want to save the world, there are too many unnecessary actions. If they truly have no interest in hegemony, they should cooperate with the 「Reformist」. Nevertheless, they are maintaining their independence.
「We find it empty for people to die in a mere game.」
So Professor Nagashaberi is stunned by the next words. Something is not being conveyed. Something is misaligned.
「Fools will end without knowing anything. In the determined future we desire, fools know nothing. The people of the world know nothing. While playing the game, everything ends, and only the bills for communication and electricity remain.」
With those words, Professor Nagashaberi immediately arrives at another possibility. The answer to the mystery of why Orange can act in such a way, the content he denied in his mind due to the extraordinary results. Is it okay for such a beginning to exist? Is it okay for such a ridiculous fact to exist? Is it acceptable for the person currently shaking the world to be an extraordinarily foolish person? Professor Nagashaberi shows an expression of anger and raises his voice in an uncharacteristic manner. Yet Momiji remains composed in front of him.
「Orange is just a fool with the ability to take action. He doesn’t have a multi-future precognition ability, he’s just an ordinary person. That’s why we, who have raised him up, have an obligation to end his life in a way that is not stained with blood, but plain and ordinary.」
「Are you kidding me!? You want us to hand over all our technology for that!? For the sake of a mere fool!? Damn it, what an overestimation. Stop joking around!」
「It’s because of that fool that we’ve come this far. So we don’t need all the technology. Because we should be able to end everything in 3 more tries. Also, let me correct what I obscured in the previous conference. We’re not going to defeat ‘UYK’ by 2050. We will kill ‘UYK’ by June 2040. It will die before the summer vacation begins. First, please develop the reverse-diving technology. You can keep all the information secret, as long as we can use it.」
「That’s impossible! 3 tries!? And in 2 months, there’s no way to gather supplies and coordinate countries! It’s useless even if you dive from 2060!」
「So please cooperate with the technology and timing of the updates.」
「I’m telling you, the story doesn’t make sense! Even if you give me a patchwork of incomprehensible information, there’s no way I can make a decision!」
But with the next two statements, Professor Nagashaberi comes to understand everything. That information leads his thoughts into chaos, and then brings Professor Nagashaberi to an answer that is too simple yet clear. With an expression of defeat and refreshment, he promises Hereafter Corporation’s cooperation with the Kōmitsu Solutions.
「One. What we’re reverse-diving is nothing but a ‘corpse’.」
「Two. Please do the update in mid-May. There,」
「We will end the Scorch War in 3 days.」
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link