Chapter 110

I believe I am not an ambitious person, either objectively or subjectively.

You might think this sounds absurd after I’ve rambled on about lofty goals and the process behind them, but perhaps it’s a matter of means and ends… In any case, I wanted to express that there’s a clear distinction.

A true ambitious person acts with the goal of achieving social success itself. For example, someone like Aaron.

On the other hand, someone like me, a product of chance, has only taken on the role of building a mediocre foundation as a means to fulfill a humble dream—my return—without having any grand expectations.

…Ah, let me correct myself. I do have one wish.

Even while living comfortably with my legs stretched out in a high-end residence where treated water flows freely year-round and safety is guaranteed, I wanted to create an environment where credits accumulate automatically and necessary material resources gather effortlessly—so I could modify Zero components at my leisure and enjoy a hyper-futuristic city life.

…What? Is that not only one desire, but also an unforgivably shameless thought, to anyone who hears it?

That’s correct. Alchemist… I actually never had a conscience to begin with!

“…Hah.”

I let out a short laugh and regained my composure.

However, I want to make it clear that even if it was partly a joke, the desire for a life free of stress is undeniably a common wish among all modern people—it’s not that I’ve forgotten common sense.

“Ehehe…”

“…Sigh.”

I carefully tucked Mary’s hair behind her ear as she let out an occasional tired laugh while sleeping.

If she had just slept quietly, I could have tidied her up once, but this rambunctious little lady kept rubbing her face against my belly and chest, making it difficult.

It wasn’t that I disliked her affection and clinginess; it’s just that if it escalated to the point where it became ticklish and she twisted her body enough to wake up, I would have to bear the responsibility of entertaining her until she fell back asleep.

“Mmm…? The detergent and tissues are already all gone…”

“I’ll go get them…!”

“Oh my? Will you, Anastasia?”

I also had a phone call to make that would be hard to share with an outsider.

As soon as I heard Ms. Sylvia muttering while opening the cupboard, I quickly volunteered for the errand to create an opportunity to escape.

The reason only those two daily necessities had run out? Perhaps the house, which had stayed clean enough to be described as tidy, had transformed into a glistening place without me realizing it… In fact, even she couldn’t hide the pleased expression that accompanied her words.

– …Cleanliness maintenance and management protocol terminated. Switching to regular guard mode. –

It seemed that Zero, who had been dressed like a typical village woman, had momentarily forgotten their role, as they gently hung their cleaning outfit over the back of a chair while looking in my direction.

Wait, isn’t that right? When you think about it, their main job was originally that, and any usage of a weapon was more like an emergency response that couldn’t be helped.

…Forget it. It’s pointless to worry too much about something that won’t change.

“Whew.”

First, I cautiously handed Mary over to Ms. Sylvia, who had approached.

Her forehead, which had been furrowed by the unauthorized change in her environment, smoothed back out once she was nestled in her mother’s familiar arms.

Click…!

There were no special greetings exchanged as we stepped outside, out of the house.

During our time living together like a family, the McQueen family had treated one another so comfortably that it became a natural feeling to return.

Especially… there were no words to express my gratitude to Ms. Sylvia, who played the role of the household pillar while Mr. Schneider was busy with work; I could thank her a hundred times and it wouldn’t be enough.

To lose an adorable wife and daughter overnight and yet only be rated as a ‘grumpy, regret-filled middle-aged character’ after merely two years… I’d say his mental strength deserves commendation.

Meanwhile, here I was, a well-off daughter unable to return home, wandering about outside without fulfillment.

“…Cough! I really should buy and wear a mask or something.”

– From a pricing perspective, it’s more efficient to take waste removal medication periodically after exposure than wearing a gas mask, which consumes filters in proportion to activity levels. –

“…Then what about lifespan?”

– There is insufficient cumulative data available due to not enough time passing since the medication’s commercialization… We strongly recommend wearing a mask. –

“Damn it.”

Grumbling, I diligently zipped up my suit and pulled it up to my face.

Even though I lived in a region where air purifiers run quite generously, a single unfortunate gust of wind from afar caused a spontaneous cough that made my brow furrow.

I didn’t want to feel the reason masks were trending in this cyberpunk world was because of this absurd situation, rather than as part of a stylish fashion statement to conceal one’s identity.

Of course, I’d had a vague idea while playing the game, but I hadn’t realized how disruptive it would be…

Hey, corporate bastards! Reinvest some cash into public facilities, would you?

What good is it caring about managed areas when the slums overflow into them!

With a crash! I kicked a piece of trash lying around out of frustration.

I made my way out of the regular residents’ area and headed toward the nearest C Sector (Commercial Sector).

My destination: a large chain supermarket frequently used by the McQueen family. And I must not forget the task I intended to do along the way.

“……”

Tring… tring.

Anxiously, I waited for a ringing tone in the air.

I knew that unless the relay station far outside and the orbital satellites were hit by a bombing, there would never be a connection problem.

But staring at the shattered natural environment and the cratered moon’s surface made me feel absolutely disconnected from the idea that there were other people alive out there, no matter how advanced technology was.

Is it correct to say I felt an overwhelming sense of disconnection?

Walking through a future city designed bleakly like a gear, I felt unnecessarily sentimental. So…

– Thank you for your contact, valued customer…. Our esteemed office, boasting a long history…. –

“Save your weary greetings and don’t bring up the principles that make it hard to talk on the phone. Explain to me why the contact method hasn’t come through in over a week!”

You twisted bastard, just tell me what the hell is going on.

Although I no longer had a physical phone to hold since it was implanted in me, I was using my arms to glare at the information dealer trying to sound relaxed while I kept hearing the voice of that androgynous witch.

– !! Is that you, our promising lady customer…! But why are you so angry? Was your Neo Haven experience not to your liking? –

“……I was just trying to save a few bucks, but being out of work for about ten days makes it hard to endure anymore. So how about you give me some clarifications? Seriously, are you saying I can just confidently head out to the train station, grab a room, and everything will proceed smoothly?!”

I thought I was being quite pointed, but this person, so used to playing with people’s emotions and passing judgments, showed no sign of being shaken.

…Or maybe I simply lacked the psychology to perceive that I was losing in this subtle duel of wits.

– I thought you were quite daring for making every involvement significantly larger in scale… but I see you have quite a few worries too? –

“…Hang up. I’m going to buy a train ticket back right now.”

Though I hadn’t felt offended about being laughed at, the image of someone sticking their face in front of me and teasing me naturally made me slightly grit my teeth.

At that moment, when I was seriously contemplating just how hard I would have to think to trigger a malfunction in the hotel fire alarm system, Zero quietly caught my shoulder and stopped my reckless walking.

…Oh, we’ve already arrived at the supermarket.

Deciding I shouldn’t discuss matters in a crowded place, I resolved to finish the conversation outside before going in.

However, perhaps feeling my anger in my tone or sensing future private vengeance, the person who had been laughing heartily finally spilled the necessary information.

– Although it might have taken a while for you to leave from the Harvest Planet close to the capital, other participants are just now beginning to arrive from far-off distances… They should be coming to meet you shortly. –

“Wait… from afar? Other participants?”

I had prepared thinking it resembled a designated request, only to find that it was actually a collaborative effort I had experienced several times before?

Amidst the sudden revelation, my temples throbbed.

– Didn’t I mention it from the very beginning? The clients in Neo Haven have been reaching out to various intermediaries to recommend usable cyber engineers. –

“…What the hell.”

I slapped my forehead, struggling to keep my wavering sanity together.

Meanwhile, the person on the other side, realizing I genuinely needed more detailed explanations, added further information.

– It… it’s an incredibly large case? I thought you’d be more than capable, which is why I recommended it, but if your skills are assured, it might even be possible to turn everyone’s dream of a life reversal into reality…. –

– …Ahsa. –

“Hmm?”

Even as I was hearing details about what seemed to be a harsh job like a private audition rather than a collaborative effort, Zero, who had silently been watching from the side, gave my shoulder a gentle poke.

Well, I was going to respond that the conversation was almost over without needing to rush it.

But ignoring my perfectly functioning voice module, they sent me a short, concise message through their cyberware.

[ It’s difficult to give a definite answer, but there’s a high probability you are being followed. ]

“……”

Whether they were the contacts coming to meet me or mere reckless muggers was difficult to determine on the spot. But I decided they were definitely not any kind of noble gentleman.