Chapter 34 – The Chairman’s Departure (2)

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

Chapter 34 – The Chairman’s Departure (2)

Chunks of rocks were slowly falling from the concrete ceiling.

Inside the collapsed tunnel.

Catherine, Andrea, and I were leaning against the overturned train and examining the surroundings.

The light from the bulbs flickered miserably.

Someone with a large build walked from the other dark side towards us.

It was Drake.

“This won’t work. Both ends have collapsed, and it seems there’s no functioning elevator.”

“So, we’re just trapped?”

“That’s right.”

Drake, responding to my question, habitually takes out a cigarette. Given the situation, he didn’t light it.

Utilizing his unique observational skills, Drake surveyed the surroundings and arrived at a conclusion.

Judging by the way he was shaking his head, the situation seemed worse than I imagined.

“Moreover, it seems like there’s radio jamming. It looks like a planned bombing to me.”

“Ha, what a mess!”

Andrea sighed.

Catherine and I shared her sentiment.

This time, Catherine asked Drake.

“And since signals aren’t working, there’s no way to contact the city aboveground, right?”

“That’s right, but I’m sure news of the accident has been reported. If we wait, eventually, rescue will come.”

“So, we just have to sit tight and wait?”

“Well… probably. We might be able to climb up through the underground levels and sewer areas a few hundred meters high, but I’m not keen on that idea.”

“…We should probably monitor the situation for now.”

It was becoming increasingly apparent that we were caught up in something.

I calmly recollected.

I pondered if there had been any quest related to tunnel or train terrorism.

However, no quests of that nature came to mind, no matter how hard I tried to recall.

Terrorism was almost like a regular event in Neon City.

In other words, it was too common an occurrence to be significant.

Did someone overheard our conversation?

Two figures approached us from somewhere.

It was a woman in a neat suit, and one looked like her aide or bodyguard, a man.

The woman, who seemed like a corporate figure, asked the man, “Are these the mercenaries?”

“Yes, they are.”

I greeted them cautiously.

“What brings you here—”

But thanks to Drake’s words that followed, I could halt my sentence.

“…Huh, it’s Black Monolith Corp. Chairman?”

The fact that I almost confidently addressed the chairman of the cyberpunk world caught me off guard.

Drake, unlike me, continued speaking.

“He’s someone who usually travels by private jet. Why is he here?”

Listening to the content, it seemed like a soliloquy. Perhaps, due to astonishment, it slipped out unintentionally.

The problem was that we were inside the tunnel, so his voice echoed a bit louder.

The woman, Black Monolith Corporation’s chairman, said.

“There was some confidential business to attend to.”

Despite being a chairman, she spoke like an ordinary woman.

“But seeing this explosion, it seems it wasn’t so confidential after all. Did someone leak information? Who could’ve tapped into it?”

Continuing at her own pace, she said.

“But that’s not the important matter now.”

Her eyes, previously wandering elsewhere, once again focused on us.

“I’ve heard you’re skilled mercenaries. Would you consider taking on a mission?”

“…Yes?”

That was my response.

Almost instinctively, I awaited the chairman’s words while the others either crossed their arms or remained in their current states.

“As I mentioned, it was discreet. Therefore, it seems that the ninja squads from Kojaka or the tactical operatives from Heishukai would show up before our company’s security department guys do.”

Taking another step towards us, the chairman appeared very confident.

“The mission entails protection… and extraction to the surface.”

Finally, looking at the cigarette in Drake’s mouth, she said.

“And provide me with a cigarette upon reaching the surface. How about it? Will you accept my offer?”

We exchanged glances.

Our response was predetermined.

***

“Haha, that was quite a while ago.”

“…Haha, yes, it was.”

The chairman’s gaze was fixed below the glass wall.

I stood politely with my hands clasped behind my back, quietly behind him.

The vibrant neon sign’s light reflected even here.

I cautiously observed the large figure of the chairman from behind.

“Since it came from deeper than the height of this building, I occasionally reminisce about it.”

“…Haha.”

The change in demeanor might make one mistake them for someone else, but it was clear they were all the same person.

He gestured into the air.

The massive desk that had been in the center of the room descended to the ground, while elsewhere, a luxurious sofa and a table ascended.

“Well, take a seat over there.”

“…Sure.”

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

At the chairman’s urging, I sat on the opposite sofa. It felt plushy, as if my whole body were being absorbed into it.

I’m not sure what kind of magic it was, but the table rising from the floor was adorned with steaming tea, delicious-looking pastries, and fruit.

“At that time, indeed, we couldn’t find any evidence that another company was behind the terror attacks.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Still, it was an opportunity for internal reflection. It was also a memorable experience in its own way.”

“…Climbing a few hundred meters from underground?”

I asked inadvertently.

The chairman replied with a smile.

“Haha, asking for it twice might be a bit tough, but well, changing clothes and enjoying a smoke on the surface does have its perks.”

“Oh, I’m fine smoking here too.”

“Ah, but one should be cautious in front of non-smokers. Our acquaintance may not end with just one or two meetings.”

The chairman raised a teacup first. Seeing his gesture, I lifted the cup of tea in front of me and took a sip.

It was the same kind of tea I had in the meeting room earlier.

“Since then, I’ve entrusted several more missions to you.”

“…I’m grateful for the chairman’s favor.”

“Hmm, you’re fine, but the problem lies in your lack of confidence compared to your abilities.”

He picked up a pastry with thick fingers, showing no formality.

Sharp eyes peeked through the scars on his face.

I hadn’t done anything wrong.

It seemed I should apologize first.

“Perhaps everyone around you has a strong ego, or maybe it’s because you’re from outside the city.”

He continued slowly.

“There may be other reasons, but I’m not sure about that yet.”

Even without saying anything.

It felt like he could read everything in my mind.

A cold sweat trickled down my neck.

“Even so, it doesn’t seem right to speak harshly to an elderly person on the same floor. But I can’t help but think you lack manners.”

…But how do you know about Bill?

“…Have you investigated separately?”

“Forget about that. What brings you here this time?”

The chairman toyed with a pastry.

“Even if you just came for a cup of tea, it would be fine, but since that’s not your style.”

His skill in changing the subject was no joke.

But I wasn’t bold enough to press the issue here.

I started explaining briefly about the situation I was in.

Of course, I mixed in a little lie.

It was inevitable.

Even if Smile John knows Eve’s identity, and the fact that I have Eve, it’s still a secret for now.

If the emergence of super-AIs is mentioned.

All the companies will try to take away the information in my head and Eve’s together.

Well, the chairman in front of me wasn’t such a person.

He had lived much longer (over a hundred years) than I had, so there might be something about him that I didn’t know.

It wouldn’t hurt to be careful.

The chairman nodded as he listened to my explanation.

“Virtual terrorists and corporate executives are having a party.”

He tapped the table with his thick fingers.

It seemed like a reaction to the body’s craving for nicotine.

“You might know what kind of party it is. I’ve never been because it’s not my cup of tea.”

Continuing, he leaned back on the sofa.

“But I can’t ignore a request from a lifesaver.”

“…But aren’t you exaggerating to call me a lifesaver? After all, we took the mission because we received a request.”

“In any case, I understood. I’ll look into it separately and let you know the time and place.”

I immediately nodded at his words.

As expected, power and connections were being used.

“Thank you, Chairman!”

“I’d want to go with you, but I’m busy. It might be tough.”

“Oh, just introducing me would be fine.”

Actually, it’s good news to welcome.

Well, now that’s done.

I should get ready to go home.

“You are leaving?”

Why?

I stopped my motion to stand up.

“Let’s have a meal while we’re here.”

“Huh?”

“It’s lunchtime, isn’t it?”

Honestly.

I wanted to refuse.

But this is a situation I can’t refuse.

If the chairman suggests eating, and I refuse.

There may be an incident where a loyal subordinate (secretary) hears the news and sends an assassin.

Because of the burden, I’m not sure if the food is going into my mouth or my nose.

In the end, my response was already decided.

“…Thank you for the invitation. I’ll enjoy the meal.”

“Haha, that’s right.”

Let’s think positively now that it’s come to this.

The chairman’s food… I’m already looking forward to what it might be.

I’ve been eating a diet of soybeans and krill every day.

I never expected to have the opportunity to eat natural gourmet cuisine like this.

The chairman manipulates the interface again.

Gradually, something huge rises from a corner of the office.

It looked like a wine cellar.

“I recently acquired a good bottle of wine.”

“…Isn’t your work not finished yet?”

“Haha, what’s the harm? Besides, I can always switch to another body if I get drunk. Let’s go for a drink.”

“…Sure.”

The chairman, in the form of a middle-aged man, is affable and cool, but there’s one problem I see: he really loves alcohol.

For some reason, I had an ominous feeling.

Still, I’ve done work recently.

I’ll just have to drink a little bit.

***

The chairman turning into a drunken whale and falling asleep was definitely not my fault.

For the company, it was an emergency.

The chairman, who should have been handling afternoon business, collapsed.

All the important tasks that the chairman personally had to take care of came to a halt.

It’s not my fault if the secretary’s gaze feels like it’s piercing through me.

But I really didn’t do anything wrong.

It’s unfair.

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]