Estimated reading time: ~6 minutes
Chapter 98
The ban on contact with the Prophet seems to be serious, as the Chief of Staff is surrounded by security guards and slowly walks outside. Meanwhile, Kana is still training Hiniru, so we leave them behind and head towards the waiting room. From their appearance, Hiniru actually looks older than Kana. Well, since I’m in cosplay, my age is hidden, so I should be able to get away with it, I think.
「…Are we like a couple? Do we look like husband and wife?」
Reina seems a bit perplexed but also pleased as she recalls Hiniru’s words from earlier. This is troubling. From the Ver1.08 incident, I know her feelings, but Reina herself hasn’t told me about them in the current situation. I’m not sure what to do. I’ll need to come to a conclusion eventually, but for now, I decide to just let it slide. Of course, there’s also the matter of Momiji, but the biggest issue is the 「fixation」. If I decide to date either of them and then end up in a 「fixed」 future, what will I do then? Knowing that everything will become nothing, can I really enjoy a romantic relationship in a future where people are dying right before my eyes?
That’s why I pretend not to understand. I awkwardly avert my gaze and read aloud one of the exhibits. The giant arm is equipped with several crude metal cannons, and even though I know they’re unloaded, their dull gleam is overwhelming.
「Oh, this uses parts from RE Corp. Hmm, ‘the lightweight and high-performance RE-222 integrated arm Gatling gun from RE Corp,’ I believe these are interchangeable, right?」
「Y-yeah, that’s right. Kanji hasn’t experienced the long-term battles of Apollyon, but since Kōmitsu Solutions uses standardized parts, it’s easy to swap out the weaponry. For example-」
「To disassemble the right arm, you can initiate the purge operation from the fourth button on the right side. Using the emergency maintenance auto-repair equipment for spare weapons, you can quickly clean the connection points and reattach the parts in 12 seconds. It’s amazing. The world of combining robots is becoming a reality.」
「Umm, excuse me…」
「In theory, if you take parts from multiple damaged units and cobble them together, you can create a functioning unit in no time. This was announced in Ver2.00, and although we didn’t have many chances to use it, it’s truly revolutionary. It could be a possibility for the Infinite Horizon Conquest strategy.」
「Stop, stop!」
Reina’s interruption brings me back to my senses, realizing I got too excited. She shrugs her shoulders as if to say there’s no point in saying anything, glances outside for a moment, and then stands in front of me, blocking my path. It seems Reina wants to do something before going to the waiting room. She takes out a small device from her pocket. It’s a ring-sized object, about the size of a molar, dyed red like flesh. Holding it, her gaze suddenly turns serious.
「Almost certainly, the ‘Scorch Wars’ will happen today. Momiji, myself, and everyone else are working to counter it. The main force, ‘SOD,’ the Chinese mercenary group ‘Thunder’ hired by companies that didn’t benefit from Kōmitsu Solutions, and the mixed forces of existing religions called the ‘Crusaders’ who won’t allow a fixed future with no salvation from heaven. Even after narrowing it down, this many forces are coming to kill Kōmitsu Solutions, and you, today.」
Her tone, completely different from the previous atmosphere, indicates that the meaning of her words is true. It’s so ridiculous, but when I gather all the information so far, it’s nothing but the truth. I can’t help but laugh. I was really just playing a game. I was just streaming at home with VR equipment. In less than two months of playing ‘HAO,’ I’m now being targeted by terrorists. Really, really…
「It’s insane.」
「If anyone’s insane, it’s you. The timing will likely be right after the battle royale ends, when the winner is determined while the stream is still on, and the world is watching. Their goal is to put an end to the future alteration caused by ‘HAO’ and make influential people judge that ‘HAO’ is too dangerous to get involved with.」
「…By the way, wasn’t this supposed to happen after the ‘fixation,’ when things get chaotic with suicides and such?」
「That’s right, which is why, thanks to the confusion, they gained many supporters, and it became a war-scale conflict. But that’s the story until Ver3.00. The information Momiji is spreading behind the scenes about ‘assassinating UYK by 2040’ and the New Technology Exhibition attended by those in power drove them to action. Things are moving far faster than anticipated, and the future is being consumed. We need to stop it quickly, even though there are still about 7 months left until the deadline.」
I see, so that’s why it makes sense to crush them all at once, even in this situation with die-hard extremists charging in. They really intend to end the ‘Scorch Wars’ on the smallest scale possible, using themselves, me, and the politicians as bait.
However, that means my life is in danger. As I’m about to ask what I should do, she gestures with her hand for me to open my mouth. I reluctantly open my mouth without a word, and her slender fingers invade it. 「It’s a one-way comm device,」 she says as she pushes me against the wall and holds my jaw in place.
「I know, I shouldn’t involve you in this. It’s a problem I should have taken care of before coming to you, but it’s come to this. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll win and put an end to it, and I’ll arrange things so you can get through unscathed. So… promise me…」
The cold sensation of metal spreads to my back teeth, and her wriggling fingers caress my tongue as she tries to attach the device. Even though it’s supposed to be just attaching equipment, I feel a strange sense of immorality and shiver. Maybe Reina feels it too, as her face turns slightly red.
「…Don’t do anything too weird.」
No, this is just like going to the dentist. There’s no sense of immorality here. With a clicking sound, Reina looks satisfied. As I try to bite down in protest, I shudder at the sensation of her fingers, which should be soft but don’t yield at all. By the way, isn’t this supposed to be a scene where you say something nicer? And it’s weird that doing weird things is a given. I’m more likely to end everything properly!
The scene of me biting Reina’s fingers with all my strength while she looks exasperated, taking no damage at all, continues until a blue-haired man approaches from behind. We’ve been seen. How embarrassing…
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