“Hmm….”
I looked over the link once again, wondering if there was an issue with my recognition or decryption.
But the result was the same. I only saw the path that connected to a chat channel that didn’t pass through any of the vast network and base stations spread across the city.
“Hmmm….”
Staring at it or having a standoff with the chunk of code wouldn’t change what had already happened.
If that’s the case, then a new worry had been added to my mind as I was trying to finish my fruitful labor.
What on earth does this absurdity mean? It’s a hard riddle with no clear answer.
Is it their secret way of making contact?
If not, is it a channel to express displeasure caused by the disruption of an annual event?
Or maybe a gathering place for followers?
It might be an easy matter to just pop in and out, like checking out a pamphlet, but I didn’t want to leave a trace of my entry and end up entangled with underground organizations on ridiculous charges.
After all, isn’t it the case that in some neighborhoods, people go missing or get dragged away just because a specific word was mentioned?
Like independence movements… or Falun Gong… Ahem!
“What now….”
After groaning and thinking hard, I realized a fundamental, important fact.
…Can I really assert that it’s a post uploaded by Five Eyes when it doesn’t even contain illegal propaganda?
This could simply be a channel created by overly cautious individuals to play among themselves.
Moreover, the location where the post containing the link was uploaded was a hacker community.
Still, if they are amateurs who know how to get in there, they should be aware of the cyber wars happening annually… I felt a mixed sense of frustration, uncertain whether their lack of awareness was due to naivety or carelessness.
…It can’t be helped.
While I don’t have that much of a bond to help them on purpose, the comment from a friend earlier whining about potentially getting fined for watching unsavory audiovisual material crossed my mind, leading me to feel that I could give a small favor.
“…You all should gather and have fun later, you fools.”
Whoosh!
As I steeled my resolve, a blaze sprang up and swallowed the book.
It completely incinerated the post that had been published before someone accessed the hidden channel.
Since I didn’t view it separately, nothing was added to my accomplishments.
I had just covered up a fault that would have undoubtedly led to a fine if I’d been caught by a more meticulous censor, especially those mercenaries with reddened eyes.
No thanks from the anonymous party were necessary.
The peculiar pleasure of looking at my now tidy study and the satisfaction of having saved a little bit of change from an amateur junior hacker I didn’t even know was more than enough.
Now I really wanted to take a break.
“……Come on. Look at how stubborn I am?”
A post containing the same chat channel link that I had just deleted was uploaded again.
Did they think the post disappeared for no reason, unaware of the help I provided? Come on, friend, can’t you read the grim atmosphere of the community? Can’t you see everyone is keeping their heads down and waiting for the storm to pass?!
I held back my irritation and deleted the message. Yet, almost immediately, the same message appeared again.
Believing it was about saving a single person, I deleted it once more. The empty spot was filled again, almost defiantly.
As if to say “cool off and come back,” I temporarily blocked the user. …And then, a new account popped up, posting the same channel link.
“Hah…”
This guy… is really persistent.
A cyber warrior armed with obsession and determination, thinking of themselves as invincible. And the best remedy for such a type is nothing other than thorough indifference.
Right, what would I achieve by helping you… just live freely and go wherever you want…
As I left them to their own devices with resignation, the response was immediate.
As soon as the censor who had been blowing up posts withdrew, other users started raising the views.
Well, those wandering around looking for that chat channel would either find their way through the link or not. It was no longer my concern.
Whoosh…!
“Huh…?”
But to my surprise, this funny character actually deleted their own post after it stayed up for quite a while without disappearing.
The absurd thought that there are fools with whims still lingered, but now posts with titles pinpointing their desired targets had emerged.
[ You… damn bastard! Don’t hide behind public authority; fight fairly with just your skills!! ]
[ Are you scared?! Are you scared?! If I had the equipment I left at the headquarters, handling this kind of multitasking battle would be a piece of cake! ]
An angry user desperately looking for someone on the other side of the screen.
It was clear that those who loved to watch fights would come flocking to that heartbreaking cry of losing a rival.
Surely this isn’t happening… but I couldn’t ignore the potential possibility, so I had no choice but to keep crushing the sharp stones that popped out.
[ Now, I finally feel ready to do it properly… ]
[ Damn it, are you going to cowardly do this to the end…? ]
[ Wait! My word… ]
As the time taken from confirmation to removal shortened, the dying words became progressively shorter.
I wondered how long this pointless cycle of repetition lasted. At least it was clear that the other side, lacking perseverance compared to me, began changing their approach first.
[ Hey, you monster-faced bitch!! Stop hitting and let’s talk?! ]
[ …I’m sorry. If you don’t start approaching slowly, I’m really going to get scolded! ]
“This is amusing….”
I awkwardly fidgeted with my fingers.
I was not busy enjoying their increasingly polite demeanor and bowing head; I was simply hesitating because they hadn’t given me any assurance that they would make a decision.
It was clear that the link attached to the chat channel was an invitation.
An unknown figure was politely asking me to join a real-time etiquette lesson, unfolding a door whose direction was unknown.
However, unless it was guaranteed that I was the recipient, there was no reason for me to step into such a tiring situation.
So, sadly, I had to abandon you to another censor and escape…
[ Ahhhhh, former Police Officer A! Please!! ]
“…….”
Before I could fully accept the news-like title, my consciousness had already completed the channel access and its destruction, preparing to face them.
There was no other choice.
Regardless of their intention in approaching me, they had successfully identified me. Yet, I knew little about their organization, operating methods, key members, or commanders, and didn’t have much useful information at hand….
…What is this, maybe I don’t need to be so nervous?
As my stiff body relaxed, the situation became a bit more clear.
Whether it was a secret society or an underground organization, they were essentially a pseudo-militia clamoring for the downfall of Mega Cop.
I can’t say there aren’t any rotten figures among them, but if I were to classify them, they are a group that is infinitely closer to allies.
Honestly, what reason would a six-month urban migrant have to antagonize Five Eyes?
All I’ve done was diligently work as a riot cop and delete a few tens of thousands of pamphlets.
…From the perspective of a collective rather than an individual, I could claim it was a very minor collision incident.
I won’t ask you to smoothly explain your purpose according to the six Ws, so I’d appreciate it if you could get to the point.
Besides, with that obnoxious and cheeky tone… should I say I can take a guess? A certain figure came to mind.
For a moment, the flow of new dialogues stopped in the channel. Yet, I didn’t find it strange.
If it’s her, she’s probably preparing an extremely long speech.
I pondered what to reply and just ended up vague in agreement.
Am I supposed to spill out everything I can’t even explain to our Tin Can here… think what you like.
Did they think their precautions against eavesdropping were flawless?
They broached a sensitive topic without hesitation, and confidence overflowed from every word they spoke.
I could almost visualize the image of a woman proudly puffing out her chest and pointing her index finger at me.
A group with the least preference as a tragic girl whose protagonist can never be a player character.
Furthermore, the unusually late introduction of their affiliated faction, resulting in them having the least space in the story.
A fellow hacker from Five Eyes’ headquarters and an ultra minor heroine, Rosaline.
I flatly rejected her suggestion that required a dramatic line facing the protagonist, which she simply babbled through chat.
I guess it’s still true that even the intellect-types among allies have a strong tendency to be clumsy.
While a flustered Rosaline countered, my thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
So… could it be that Rosaline was the one I was waging this cyber proxy battle against all along?
Even though she whined earlier about not having any equipment, if she was able to fight on par with me, I might have reason to feel a bit more confident.
…Could I say I was treating her too harshly? I didn’t have the right to say so.
But Rosaline was a character whose likability system was present but was closer to an extra. Moreover, since I cleared the game as Anastasia, her traits overlapped, so I didn’t even include her in the party roster.
When we actually meet, I might feel an unusual vibe, but at least for now… um, I somehow feel a bit sorry.
The heartfelt sales pitch flopping seemed quite shocking, causing her to harshly press me.
I wanted to calmly soothe Rosaline, who suddenly became aggressive, but looking back, she was still chatting without even properly introducing herself.
Trying to seem knowledgeable at this point seemed unlikely to yield good results.
I believe the branch manager of the Harvest Planet who put her forward as a persuader should deeply reflect on this.
Leaving the huffing Rosaline for a moment, I quickly operate my cyberware to check the location of the Carebot registered as my property.
…
What are you doing over there?!
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