Chapter 131

“Does the cutie have guts too? Well… I was caught and dragged in after fleeing about two blocks from the motel when that old man suddenly popped up like a ghost, but to think there’s someone who pulls out a gun the moment they see an Enema elite agent!”

“…Can you please be quiet, Marina.”

I let out my futile hopes that had been circling in my mouth. After all, I was covering my face with my hands, flushed with embarrassment.

I glanced at Marina sitting next to me, busy boasting about her achievements without even a hint of shame, remarkably cheerful as ever. I slightly raised my head to look at the front.

The backseat of the van provided by the opposing side was designed to have the center empty like a transport vehicle, with passengers seated facing each other left and right, so the three of us qualifiers, including an accompanying carebot, huddled on one side since we were at least familiar with one another.

And what does this mean? It means a dark pursuer on the opposite side is watching a group of hackers ready to pounce.

“…Hmm.”

A low, deep voice flowed out. Hidden behind a visor, it was hard to tell where his gaze was directed, but seeing the dagger in his hand made me think he might be surveying either me or Zero, or perhaps reflecting on the battle just moments ago.

Still, I understood why this pursuer didn’t seem overly irritated or bothered by my struggles. It was likely because he had already dealt with me before visiting my lodging.

…Thinking about it, it makes me angry.

To be treated on the same level as her! Is that even reasonable?! How could someone like me, who merely activated defense measures because Enema Corporation chose to visit, be placed alongside a troublesome troublemaker who bolts the moment they see authority?

I feel so wronged.

“Um… I was caught before I could even take three steps…”

“……”

What are you lamenting about? We’re not competing over that.

I turned my gaze away from Marina, who was laughing heartily, claiming a lack of exercise, and Ken, who was being indoctrinated with her theory about hackers and quick feet.

Enema is deeply related to the main story and disputes of Neo Haven, and since there are many named characters, I wanted to know at least some minor details before meeting that ‘higher-up,’ but….

“……Excuse me.”

“We won’t take any questions. I have no authority to represent the will of my superiors or interfere in your contracts.”

It was a dry response. Words void of any personal views or emotions. Before I could even ask a question, it was cut off cleanly.

Even if I glared in dissatisfaction, the other party was born and raised as part of the corporation, a living weapon completed through growth as corporate assets. It would be pointless to present flimsy logic or reasons.

If that can be called indoctrination… then perhaps it is a kind of brainwashing. Still, given my extensive background knowledge compared to most industry insiders on such a bizarre structure of this century’s biotech corporations, I could understand their callous attitude.

They are not simple underlings of a corporation but representatives of the state and its populace. It would be simpler to think of them as part of an enormous extended family.

It’s only natural that the Enema group provides for basic needs.

If you seek knowledge, they grant it; if you lack strength, they bestow superior genes.

They help you grow in a world far safer than the broken lands outside the fence… and above all, there’s the grace of having given you life itself.

A fellow pursuer is like a brother, another employee to be looked after, and a superior to be respected; finally, Enema Corporation is like a banner to be defended.

Whether it’s an objective fact or not, no matter how others might mock them as unknowing slaves, their brains believe it deeply.

They were not born of coincidence or the fruits of love but for necessity, fulfilling the raison d’être of modified humans, their faith is quite terrifying.

Moreover, even if they perceive it as nothing more than an allowance or days off, with performance bonuses and vacations guaranteed, they are treated far better than typical company employees.

Ultimately, to change that attitude, I would need to present a sacrifice or evidence of betrayal that would be estimated at treason by 21st-century standards….

…Hmm, at least this guy doesn’t seem interested in treason. I give up on probing him.

It’s foolish to poke around in a bush where a viper is coiled.

“Tsk…”

I clicked my tongue on purpose and turned my face to look out the window.

If this vehicle were used for imprisoning criminals, there would be no way to see the outside scenery, but thankfully, it seems they aren’t treating me harshly.

As the vehicle rolled along, the scenery was pushed back.

Of course, being a corporate van of MegaCorp, it didn’t actually make such a lame sound, but I was somewhat surprised that it didn’t utilize the hovering function at all. Given that time wasn’t on our side, I thought they would hurry as much as possible, but why is that?

I secretly moved my hand to feel the vehicle’s interior walls.

There’s no way MegaCorp, which monopolizes the medical service sector, would use cheap materials… so this is probably the result of focusing on another aspect instead of having fun features.

For example, it has become so heavy they can’t possibly lift it with just a vehicle engine due to alloy reinforcement for durability or safety.

Oh? If that’s the case, then rather than being harsh, it’s quite a wonderful treatment?

Thinking back, having a pursuer personally show up to pick up a few mercenaries is quite rare. Am I stepping into a more troublesome situation than I thought?

– We have just entered the depths of the Medical Sector. …From here on, it’s the private property of Enema Corporation. Are you really okay with continuing to follow? –

‘It would be weirder to bail out now. Let’s just hang on tight, as if we’ve jumped onto a tiger’s back.’

– Tiger… carnivorous feline of the Felidae family confirmed. –

Zero’s GPS functionality echoed in my head, confirming our path.

I wasn’t keen on the idea of feeling the escape route gradually becoming more elusive. It seems we’ve been invited to the main office building, but I hope they realize there are people who don’t particularly want to feel that kind of honor.

“So… if I do 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, and squats every day, when exactly am I supposed to study engineering…?”

“Ugh, that’s why you’re called a young master… you just read that once and memorize it!”

“…Are you still talking about that?!”

Somehow feeling that only I was suffering, I yelled out filled with grievance.

Hoping that even a little bit of my discomfort around Enema would fade, I joined the group chatter until the vehicle stopped.

……….

….

….

I walk. I walk again. Walking, walking, walking.

Whether they know or not that we have a perfect memorizer and a near-perfect memorizing robot with us, it feels as if they might have some intention of making us lost, leading us deeper in.

If the Paradise headquarters building stretched up, Enema’s headquarters had a well-mannered surface but, as expected of a secret society, was highly expanded underground, which I was aware of.

However, it is entirely different to drift about aimlessly as a real person than to dash through known areas like a stamina-heavy game character.

To be precise, this isn’t even the main building’s basement but merely a supporting facility belonging to an adjacent structure, yet it has this scale.

Moreover, it’s not just deep, but a sparse area where sightings of staff or researchers have become increasingly rare.

Accordingly, chatter among us had waned too.

“…I’m starting to feel a little scared. Hey, you dark-skinned guy! I have quite a few connections and know some people in the market, so even if I were to swipe through this creepy place, it would all come to light anyway, right? How about you just let us go and I’ll mind my words from now on?”

“I have no intention of letting such talented individuals do such things. …If you continue to insult in such a manner, unfortunate accidents might occur.”

A spark flew between Marina and the pursuer who had brought us, born not from light conversation but from harsh remarks.

It was clear that saying that was half-joking, but conversely, that means the other half was definitely no joke.

Despite oaths of confidentiality and contracts secured by multiple safeguards, the issues between the corporation and mercenaries haven’t been resolved, leading to bloody situations… and I’ve experienced them vividly firsthand?

“We have arrived.”

With a beep!

As the one in front swiped an employee card, the access gate that partitioned the facility opened.

As I followed in and stole a glance at the monitor, I caught sight of the word ‘Storage Section.’

What kind of storage requires a verification process and be hidden so deeply that outsiders can’t approach casually… I grumbled, but what was revealed quelled that question just by seeing it.

Firstly, there was a man up front who looked somewhat troubled. Even if the previously proud pursuer hadn’t bowed his head, the man’s tidy appearance and his habitual commanding demeanor indicated that he was a superior.

And… behind him, there were so many server racks that it was difficult to distinguish whether it was a storage room or a server room.

It seemed like it wouldn’t even be necessary to turn off the ceiling lights to keep it bright enough.

The quietly adjusting man’s glasses confirmed each of us one by one before he finally spoke.

“…The performance you showed yesterday was quite impressive. Thanks to you, we’ve been spared the trouble of having to find personnel again… I am Kakubari, your secretary. Shall I cut to the chase?”

“…….”

A complicated exchange of glances passed among us.

While it was gracious to minimize his lengthy introduction as a high-level corporate figure, I couldn’t tell if the main discussion would revolve around detailed contract terms or if it would pertain to matters that, if disclosed externally, could hurt many.

However, at this point, I had no choice but to listen. Some situations simply couldn’t be fathomed without having stepped in, and this clearly was one of them.

“…Alright. From now on, you will be engaged in restoring data extracted from these servers, which have had their internal data completely deleted.”

“The top priority, of course, is to recover the lost data. However, if possible, as those working in the industry, we would like you to boldly look for traces or identities associated with the cyber terrorists who audaciously attacked the Enema laboratory.”

“The internal investigation team suspects that the culprits… or the culprits did not touch the hardware at all but solely interfered with the database through network manipulation, being professionals among professionals.”

As the conversation continued, I nodded along awkwardly, my expression frozen as I continued to listen intently. I wasn’t sure how intrigued the other two were, but I was far too preoccupied.

The more I listened, the more my head spun wildly with strange déjà vu flooding my thoughts. Enema’s research facility was attacked, and the highly confidential research data stored there was incinerated…

Hmm… this sounds like something I’ve definitely heard before.