Chapter 166

“What? …Hyaak!?”

Suddenly, having been lifted up semi-forcibly by an arm sliding in from the inside of my leg, a shrill scream involuntarily escaped my throat.

My feet, which had nothing to steady them, began to flail until I pictured how undignified it would look thrashing around in this Japanese-style outfit, which fortunately halted the struggle.

That’s not… some effective immobilization technique… right!? What is this nonsense!?

At least try to consider other people’s opinions, please.

“Oh my…”

“Pity… Honestly, a single photo capturing that could not only take tomorrow’s newspapers by storm but easily adorn the cover of a monthly magazine too.”

Some observers wore expressions of contentment or nostalgia while others murmured amongst themselves as they gawked at the way our group crossed the hall. Unfortunately, in a social gathering such as this, where observing others doesn’t constitute an issue, this can only count as an unfiltered, natural reaction of the bodyguards trailing behind us.

“I want to disappear…”

I released the tension in my hand, which had been awkwardly leaning on Show’s forearm in the vain hope that our disguise had been thoroughly cemented. After all, what’s done is done… so, according to the saying, one must rest before truly getting down to work.

In this way, slowly.

Despite bearing the weight of two people, Show’s pace as we moved through the corridor, where guests were gathered chatting in small groups, into the interior of the duplex villa, was quicker than when I walked beside him.

“…”

As we advanced, the blindingly bright lighting of before gradually became sparse. The flickering lights that remained were set to a fairly low brightness, creating various dim shadows everywhere. Occasionally, a man and woman in disheveled clothing appeared before disappearing just as quickly.

A door appeared down the path ahead, or rather forward.

Though originally present, referring to it as “appearing” might feel strange, but to me, at least, it felt like a portal to another dimension, an alien element protruding unexpectedly.

Frankly, I had anticipated something to this extent. We have enough money, we’ve overcome issues like organ necrosis and addiction through technology, and the party host is the president of a pharmaceutical company with an entire production line.

Given that even regular streets are crawling with junkies, isn’t it unrealistic to think the upper class would entirely avoid such a culture and pursue only wholesome external activities? Rather, the people in the hall earlier who seemed absurdly decent in their enjoyment of the social gathering were but a rare few, for which I sincerely apologize.

In the end, those who indulge, discarding ethics and morals to engage in mad antics, gather separately.

“Ha! You damn pig bastard… cry louder! Louder—!!”

“Ugh!? Guurrrk…!!”

“Expansion cylinder scale measurement complete, adjusting piston speed level by two increments for re-measurement on the test subject…”

“Stop it! Stop it! It’s too much, it’s not possible. Please…!!”

“…If you hold off on fainting, I’ll throw in an extra million credits. And for each dose from this envelope you inhale, another million. What’ll it be?”

“…I’ll do my best to satisfy you until you’re content if you offer everything you have.”

As the door opened, orange, blue, and light purple streaks of light, not as dense as a disco but perfectly suited to create a restlessness in one’s chest, began to flicker.

The loud music? It wasn’t necessary. Even if it had been laid down, it would likely have been drowned by the cries and moans of the people there.

The couple making use of bondage tools like latex suits, handcuffs, and chains, the sort you’d expect in a tokusatsu show, were actually among the more restrained in their playful activities.

There were more refined groups sitting together with bottles and glasses, handing over a bound woman to a medical robot as if she were a sexroid, in deep conversation about their antics.

And a madman on a makeshift stage grabbing his partner by the front teeth, pouring powdered substance into an open mouth, with the woman spasming and foaming at the mouth, somehow managing to take it all in.

Even more striking was the sight of two… two! Are you kidding me? This crazy guy, did he really ‘add’ one more?? And he’s proudly displaying it in front of all these spectators? Jesus…

That such events pass openly as official proceedings in what’s supposed to be a resort and rehabilitation zone.

If people near the entrance are already engaging in actions of this nature, it’s hard to imagine what kind of depravities might be happening further inside.

The sight of these hoodlums replicating in reality what might only be attempted in virtual space truly… hurts the brain.

Shaking my head, curiosity piqued.

Surrounded by such intense stimuli, I wondered: What kind of expression might Director Enema, who’s not entirely unrelated to such business, be wearing…?

But upon glancing up, I found Show’s expression… surprisingly serene.

Moreover, amidst all this chaos, he was silently gazing at my face.

“…Please just bear with it a little longer. It seems all her villa’s personal rooms are like this.”

“…No, I’m just… a little surprised, that’s all.”

For a moment, observing his calm attitude, I glimpsed something about Show.

He’s somebody who’s tried countless times to fill a void through such actions, only to fail each time.

The game Neo Haven was designed in a way that, rather than directly revealing its world setting, it allowed players to infer its mysteries through character backstories, stories, and hidden Easter egg-like elements scattered throughout.

But even so, there are still many aspects left in the dark, which keep players speculating and discussing daily. This naturally led to a peculiar state where, despite being one of the initial conquerors, I found myself knowing more about the uncertain future than the past that was now set in stone.

Thus, it’s not only Show’s story, but the lives of other characters—whether they were smooth or tumultuous—are things I can only guess at from what I’ve observed personally.

…Click.

Within this secretive social club were yet more snugly packed private rooms.

Just as Show entered one of these private chambers, which happened to be unoccupied, and closed the door, the tracker who had been following us abruptly halted beyond it—as if the room was completely soundproof.

Carefully placing me onto the softly illuminated bed, his gaze turned to me, dazed as if intoxicated by the pervasive aroma of alcohol in the air. Silently, my senses started to prod my rational mind with a question:

Is this really alright?

But what’s the concern? Kasane will be in her own room, and with it being a private room, there should be minimal risk of anyone watching, right?

No, wait… the keywords are all messed up! Male, female, locked room, drugs, club…

Ah, who thinks about that sort of thing right before a crucial fight?

Why? Men have brains in their lower bodies too.

Yes, wait… is that true?

Looks like that’s the case.

…Hold on. Could this be a dangerous situation?

It’s fine, right? We just said we’d rest here. So let’s just sit down and meditate or something… there’s only a bed in this room? Why??

“Anastasia, though it’s quite a cheeky request, could I ask you for just one favor?”

“Huh, whaaat? What is it? What is it…!”

Show’s gentle voice echoed in the room.

Just that gentle voice was enough to make every hair on my body stand on end, and my entire body braced for what felt like the prelude to a major battle. But fortunately, despite his various strange behaviors, his gentlemanly nature ensured he asked for something quite different from my worst fears.

“Because of Director Kasane… some unpleasant memories have resurfaced. Would you mind lending me your knee for a bit…?”

“…My knee?”

And that was where he shut up. Staring at me as if not hearing my question.

What in the world does that mean? Why does he think I would understand this and go along with it?

Recalling Edamatsu Amagi’s flashback albums, a certain scene came to mind.

Seriously… is he really requesting this? If so, it’s a sign of deep affection deprivation. Turning away from the world of pleasure and ecstasy at the door to ask for something like this… it’s hard to imagine just how starved he must feel.

Honestly, being treated like some kind of tranquilizer or attachment doll isn’t exactly pleasant. Common sense dictates that no one would feel good about it. In a way, it’s as if I’m being forced to become something else.

Yet still, knowledge is a double-edged sword. The selfish and wildly inappropriate request feels, strangely, like a desperate cry for someone to simply understand his pain. It’s probably the difference between acquaintance and stranger playing a big role here.

“Phew…”

Sitting up, I let out a sigh, and almost reluctantly extended a hand to gently pull Show’s head down to rest on my thigh.

Why is this guy’s hair so good, anyway? Could it be he’s using something different from the fancy shampoo stored in the staff quarters?

In any case, the Show from just moments ago who had bared his fangs like a beast now lay peacefully on the bed like a completely different person. Truly… a modest reprieve.

While my mind was idly comparing how an additional pill of happiness from this powder might feel, anyway…

I mean, I admit I may have misjudged the distance during our first meeting. So, really, this will be the one and only time I’ll indulge him.

Thus attentively ensuring my nails didn’t scratch, I provided, as per the patient’s unpredictable demands, a knee pillow until the time decided as the ceremonial kick-off for Operation Commencement.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“Hm, this is quite unpleasant. I have no idea how important the matter is that I must endure such absurd trouble. It should undoubtedly be worth it.”

“…If you would understand my efforts aimed at preventing harm from befalling Director Tián, I would be most honored.”

Taking a measure of the noise level from the orgies taking place outside, then closing the door to confirm the room was swathed in complete silence, Kai