Chapter 30 – Unexpected Connection (1)

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 30 – Unexpected Connection (1)

My name wasn’t even mentioned in the news.

Just heard the news that “A sudden lightning strike pierced through the city’s barrier and destroyed the overpass”. But many people figured out that it was something I caused.

The flood of messages that came in was overwhelming.

Sender: ‘Natasha Petrova’

– Heard the news, saw it too.

– (NetSpace News link)

– Seems like you’re famous on the net too.

– Come on, at least sleep. (Angry emoji)

– I’ll look into Smile John separately.

– And Smith will get a scolding.

– Next time, make sure to go back with our employee.

– See you later.

Sender: ‘Andrea Rose, Red Hound’

– Hey! Hey! Hey!

– What’s with the news, what happened?

– Did you get involved in another incident?

– Leave a reply before I come looking for you!

– Must!

Sender: ‘Friendly Cyberware Specialty Store, 24-hour consultation available’

– Seems like you got involved in another incident.

– Hey, Siwoon, we’re still friends, right?

– Let me know if you need anything.

– Otherwise, I’ll have to come pick you up like last time.

– I owe you that much.

– Reply back.

Sender: ‘White Rabbit’

– The news, it’s Siwoon, right?

– Is everything okay?

– I may not be of much help, but…

– If anything happens, please let me know…

– Oh, and about what you mentioned last time…

And this wasn’t the end.

There were messages from a few other acquaintances too.

I replied to the incoming messages, even if briefly. I was afraid of the aftermath if I ignored them.

By the way, there was no message from Catherine.

She seemed like she was about to break down my door when she came to my house, so I explained the situation properly to her in person.

There are so many people worrying about me.

And here I am right now.

“Ugh… seriously. This game is such a pain.”

I’m taking a break.

* * *

Of course, under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have thought about enjoying games for a while.

That’s true.

It was also urgent because I never knew when Smile John would target Eve again and launch an attack. And thinking about Smith, who would definitely be in trouble with Natasha since he just let go while drunk, made it even more so.

He even tidied up after me.

I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.

As a human being, I felt a little reflection was necessary on my part too.

But I had a valid reason to play games.

The catalyst was a message from Julia.

– Oh, and about what you mentioned last time.

– You suggested playing a different game together.

– If you get the chance, can you do it now?

I did make such a promise.

But that was only when I didn’t know who she, Julia, really was.

If I had known that Julia was a wanted criminal registered in the NCPD database, I probably wouldn’t have made such a suggestion.

Well, since the appointment had already been made, there was nothing I could do.

A promise is a promise.

And playing games together wasn’t a difficult promise to keep.

It wasn’t because the other party was a wanted criminal (important).

I just wanted to keep my promise sincerely.

I rationalized it that way and called Julia.

The unchanged default ringtone continued.

After a while, Julia’s hologram appeared.

“Hello?”

[Oh, hi…. Siwoon.]

Her innocent appearance was implemented through the hologram.

Although I shouldn’t be deceived by her innocent appearance. At first glance, her appearance could be mistaken for that of a child, making it difficult to be as cautious as my mind wanted to be.

Julia was in a room.

The interior design looked familiar. It seemed to have a similar structure to the house I lived in.

I didn’t pay much attention to that and asked Julia straightaway about the matter at hand.

“Do you have any games you’ve tried separately?”

If she had a game she had played, I could just follow along.

It was a question with that intention.

[Um, the games I’ve tried…. The game I played with Siwoonlast time was the last one I played….]

“Hoo.”

An exclamation of admiration escaped me unintentionally.

Hmm, the scent of a fresh newbie.

Can’t resist it.

Good.

From now on, our relationship changed from a wanted criminal and a mage to a beginner and an expert.

I pondered for a moment, regaining my appetite.

What game would be best to play?

What game would Julia like?

Considering her (probably) preference for games involving human dynamics, while also being enjoyable for me, what game would fit the bill?

The brief pondering ends.

“I’ll send you a net link via message, so you can make the payment and download the game… No, I’ll just send it to you as a gift. Do you have VR dive goggles?”

[…Yes.]

Although AR games could be played with just the neural computer chip inside the body, it was difficult to run VR games with just the neural computer chip. To enjoy VR games, a machine in the shape of goggles was needed.

Hmm, a little disappointing.

If she didn’t have the goggles, I was planning to use that as an excuse to suggest playing the game next time.

Her preparedness was more thorough than I thought.

“Then I’ll give you the code, and once you’re in, send me a friend request.”

[…Okay!]

After giving Julia the identification code that could be registered in the game, I ended the call.

Hehe, I can finally enjoy it after a long time.

[…Why are you laughing so wickedly? I ask.]

“What do you mean, wickedly? This is the laughter of an expert who is considered a beginner.”

[I use the phrase ‘lies without even wiping the saliva from the mouth.’]

“….”

I put on the goggles placed on the desk, flipping them over my eyes.

I connected the signal and turned on the power.

With a familiar beep, a white world unfolded.

An endless horizon spreads out in VR.

The VR game that Julia and I will enjoy for the first time together is this one.

『IRON FIST – XII』

A fighting game.

Many people may think that fighting games played in VR are only for those who are good at using their bodies.

Surprisingly, because of strong adjustments, even beginners could enjoy the game smoothly.

Even for someone like me, who is physically weak and clumsy.

If you use excellent techniques and tactics, you can reach high tiers.

I think it will suit Julia’s taste as well.

She seemed to like moving her body when I saw her last time.

There wasn’t any sinister intent.

Julia’s voice came through.

【I-I’ve logged in.】

【Got it, want to accept the invitation?】

I naturally skipped her tutorial.

You learn by playing games anyway.

Julia’s avatar appeared.

Above her head was written ‘Rabbit Archer.’

For your information, mine probably says ‘ImARealMage.’

It wasn’t about revenge for my warrior character being killed when I first met her character in a classic game.

Just.

There wasn’t any other game that fit her taste and that we could enjoy together.

I rationalized it that way.

【Hehe.】

I laughed unintentionally.

Shall we try it lightly?

* * *

[Translator – Peptobismol]

I lost.

【This game…! It’s definitely fun!】

I didn’t find it fun.

I think we played about ten rounds.

But I couldn’t win a single round.

Not only did I not win, but the gap in health also widened with each round.

I couldn’t even land a single hit in the end.

【This is… unbelievable!】

I shouted.

My avatar, created virtually, echoed my anger and actions.

【…Yes, it’s because my dive goggles are outdated. That’s why my response time is quite slow.】

Eve, who was watching my actions, calmly commented.

[This is called ‘pathetic’ emotion, I learn.]

Ugh.

It felt bitter.

But what I said wasn’t wrong either.

If I had a faster, more up-to-date device, the situation would have been different.

As soon as I turned off the game, I deeply resolved to purchase the latest device.

I can’t lose to a newbie.

Julia, who saw me in confusion, said.

【Um… do you need… the latest device?】

【…I’ll order it, and when it arrives, let’s try it again then.】

【Ah…】

Julia’s character avatar tilted her head with an expressionless face.

【Then, would you like to come out of the game for a moment?】

【Huh?】

Why suddenly the game.

Well, I was planning to quit anyway.

Confirming that Julia had exited the game, I also quit the game and took off the goggles.

– Ding dong.

The intercom bell rang.

Who could it be?

Is it Mr. Bill again?

Or could it be another attack from Smile John?

I cautiously checked the intercom.

Across the intercom screen was none other than Julia’s face.

“?”

I opened the door anyway.

Julia smiled and handed me something.

It was the latest VR goggles device.

It appeared to be a completely new product as there were no signs of it being opened on the box.

“Uh, I also coincidentally… moved to this floor. I was going to say hello, but missed the chance…”

“…Where do you live?”

“Over there.”

Julia pointed to another entrance at the end of the corridor on the same floor.

“….”

From my memory.

That place used to have a neighbor who was sensitive to noise.

How did she know my apartment number?

And where did the person who lived there go?

Before I could ask, Julia said.

“…Then let’s play the game again.”

“….”

Sure.

It wasn’t very important what happened to the person who used to live there.

Surely, they weren’t killed.

And it wasn’t very important how she knew my apartment number either.

The only thing that mattered now.

“All right, let’s log in again.”

“….Yes!”

Black and white.

Light and darkness.

Winner and loser.

What separates them was important.

Now there were no more excuses left.

I resolved to show her my true skill. She might have thought I was a newbie, but now she would see my real ability.

* * *

I decided to quit the fighting game.

No, for trash like me, it’s probably better to quit VR games altogether.

The mindset of a loser dominated my entire being.

I pressed the power button of the outdated monitor with weak movements.

It wasn’t because I was so beaten up by Julia that I wanted to escape to the classic game I used to play.

Now that I think about it while getting beaten up.

There was a way for me to gather information on Smile John.

If Smile John is a terrorist.

It was clear that he was a figure in the underworld.

Then in this classic game.

I might be able to find some information.

I tapped the jump key with familiar hand movements.

My character jumped several times in place.

A feeling different from VR.

This cool and solid sensation.

It felt even more nostalgic than I had thought.

I should find another classic game to play quickly, but it wasn’t easy to find.

But then.

At that moment.

Someone’s character appeared in the corner of the screen, running towards my character.

[P2034871140 (Warrior): Hey! You’re that guy from back then, right?]

….

Who was that again?

The ID was strange, so I couldn’t remember.

There weren’t many people I talked to while playing this game.

Surely, it must be one of them.

Um….

I checked the person’s ID again.

Checked their occupation.

(Warrior).

“Oh.”

I remembered.

I considered whether to quit the game right now.

[Translator – Peptobismol]