Estimated reading time: 7–9 minutes
Chapter 8: Quest Issued
Kōmitsu Solutions is a long-standing company that has primarily earned money through pharmaceuticals. However, in 2025 they succeeded in directly connecting the brain to an external computer for the first time through developments in VR technology. Taking advantage of this technology, Kōmitsu Solutions main business shifted to the domestic production of powered suits and prosthetics.
…I knew this much, but it seems the game has progressed much further, even involving cyborgs and APs. I wonder if the game developers got permission from Kōmitsu Solutions? Isn’t it bad for a prosthetics company’s image to be involved in the production of cyborgs?
「Hmm, yes indeed, it’s the one from 2055 after all. However, rather than repairing this I think it would be better to dismantle it and remake it into a powered suit. President.」
「Well, it is Kanji’s request after all.」
「Are AP performance metrics really that bad?」
I present my personal AP that I dragged out from my private area so the NPC mechanic, who has experience maintaining APs, can take a look. Since mistreating NPCs can cause issues, I make sure to speak politely. This game’s realism is unbelievable, I doubt even advanced AI technology alone could achieve this level of profitability.
Stroking his beard contemplatively, the mechanic answers with a bitter expression.
「It’s true they were initially expected to be useful in combat. However, upon closer inspection they turned out to be extremely unnecessary.」
「In what way?」
「Cyborgs and Espers are plenty strong enough to defeat Machine Beasts. And for stronger Strains, instead of mass-produced APs like this they used enormous custom-made APs, tens of meters tall. To distinguish them, this type is called an Apollyon Fusion. As the name suggests, they’re made by dismantling Machine Beasts and recombining them.」
The mechanic pauses for a moment, then continues, 「In other words, they have no place. Those special models can defeat Strains, but if mass production models can only defeat Machine Beasts then powered suits and Espers are more cost effective.」 With that said, he turns his back and starts on the repairs.
I see. So in essence, what the mechanic is saying is “if you can prove a mass-production AP can defeat the Strain, I’ll acknowledge its usefulness”. I’d like to try piloting one of those Apollyon Fusions myself, but with no sign of any here I should focus on the former for now.
Though what exactly are these “Strains” the game hasn’t given any info on? That’s unusual for official content right?
「What kind of weapons can be equipped onto mass-produced APs?」
「Mostly repurposed stuff like blades and tank cannons. Not many companies make custom equipment specifically for mass production models, you know.」
According to the mechanic, mass-produced APs were indeed optimal as transport machines. They can fight solo and traverse the land distorted by the Torrent Phenomenon. So besides aerial transport units, they were also used to transport ground troops and Apollyon Fusions over land routes.
He also explained that the Torrent Phenomenon refers to drastic shifts in terrain – areas of land raised and sunk like scales, causing massive infrastructure and oxygen supplies to vanish. Certainly, having hills and valleys suddenly appear everywhere would cause chaos. Water pipes, roads etc. would be severed, trap and kill people, buildings would collapse en masse.
Considering that, it’s truly mysterious how this city has retained its original form. Baffling.
The mechanic chatters away while swiftly replacing parts. Being Kōmitsu Solutions products themselves, his work is overwhelmingly proficient. Unlike my hasty first aid, the machine visibly returns to life under his ministrations. I unconsciously lean forward to watch, until Momiji pulls me back.
「No filming allowed here.」
「Eh, is that not allowed!?」
「Nope. We wanna avoid tech leaks too y’know. It’d be totally fine for other companies’ stuff though.」
I see! So it’s to reassure shareholders who are overly concerned about tech leaks because of the Orange Book! Beside me, Reina whispers into Momiji’s ear 「He went through all that and still doesn’t get it you know」, 「No way, for real!?」Momiji hops a little in surprise. Hey, I know it’s about shareholder relations okay?
「Well… it’d be a shame if he couldn’t just enjoy himself purely. I guess it’s fine. Instead, let’s sneak into Horizon Ventures’s confidential info together next time as compensation, ‘kay?」
「What’s with that suggestive tone? The only things that should be wrapped up to hide the contents are bean buns.」
「There’s various kinds like curry buns and meat buns though, don’t just spout stuff randomly. Personally I prefer the sweet bean paste ones.」
「As expected we’re enemies, I prefer the coarse sweet bean paste ones. There’s also cream ones and stuff.」
「That shop at the station has the cream visible on the outside right? That place is delicious.」
「Oh right, I went to check it out too during exams! The one with the white exterior, yeah?」
「That’s the one!」
「……what happened to the earlier mood?」
「「Sweets info is important!」」
…Indeed. It seems they’ve found some common ground at least, that’s the best outcome. Sweet shops can be pricey so info sharing is important since most people can’t casually go in, for sure. Not sure if these two actually have money worries though.
The two women continue chatting about unrelated sweets, the earlier mood dissipated. They probably realized carrying on that tense atmosphere was unsustainable, so finding a peaceful common topic to discuss is good. Though I don’t know why it escalated that far upon first meeting. And come to think of it, Momiji’s attitude was exceptionally proactive for someone I haven’t seen in a while. Strange.
I return my gaze to the AP under repair, and notice the mechanic showing obvious discomfort about something around the cockpit. I circle around the back of the AP to find gasoline spilled into the circuits. A fuel leak it seems. For reference, APs run on a combination of gasoline and special liquids, same as incendiary weapons, so this amount of damage would certainly lead to that.
「Delicate machinery is easy to break. Get gas in the cracks and have it ignite, it’ll be over in an instant. Repairs will take time so hand it over for 3 days.」
Well, nothing for it under the circumstances. I turn back around and find the two women facing not me but their interface windows, troubled expressions on their faces. I hastily bring up my own system window upon seeing their grave focus there.
『Emergency!!! EMERGENCY QUEST – ‘Defeat Primordial Strain Type-UYK46’!!!』
…Repairs aren’t finished yet you know.
『Apollyon Fusion』
Built by reconfiguring Machine Beasts. There were suggestions to use a different form factor, but it was ultimately left humanoid to ease neural connections during piloting. Their movements, like Machine Beasts, are abnormally agile despite their size. All 6 units built at the time were destroyed in 2055.
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