Chapter 181

“Ugh.”

A strange laugh, very far removed from civility, decorum, and restrained reason, pushed its way through my lips.

Ah, it’s not like I was tickled or anything. I definitely wasn’t losing my mind.

While I admitted to myself that I wasn’t exactly trying to control my facial muscles, surely I wouldn’t be grinning for no reason, would I? I hope you can trust me on that.

[ 1,290,000,000 C has been deposited into your virtual account. ]

“Hehe…”

But unlike my main account, which had been filled with small withdrawal transactions with not a single deposit for months, this hastily thrown-together online savings account, which was supposed to be updated for personal information, was now suddenly bombarded with about 1.3 billion credits. I think anyone would have a hard time keeping their wits about them.

The passersby around were busy black market visitors, showing little interest in others, preoccupied with their own tasks. I couldn’t imagine them taking a moment to notice a droid that had just jumped out from a war zone or a girl with a slack face grinning aimlessly at the void.

Especially since there were only hotel guests nearby. If I were to attract the attention of someone twisted enough to pick a fight with a person who was intentionally celebrating, that would truly be unfortunate, right? It wouldn’t be my fault at all, would it?

– …Are you that happy? –

“Are you seriously asking me that?!”

Perhaps put off by my superficiality, or maybe just showing ignorance of the sense of security that a well-stocked wallet brings, the fool proceeded with a truly obvious question. I responded with a confident answer.

And aside from my certainty about my happiness, there was again a windfall… no, rather, a rightful compensation for all the hard work and emotional labor I had endured.

As if it had been rightly deposited, I scanned the vividly shining, detailed breakdown of my pay.

[ Long-term isolation facility employee bonus and retirement pay: 355,000,000 C ]

“Ugh…”

So, let’s take a look at the first amount given for my falsified employment record.

I fixated on the retirement pay for three years of service—whether three years truly counts as long-term in today’s world seemed dubious, but due to the nature of a confidential research lab where going out or contacting anyone is quite restricted, the experience weight is higher.

If I thought of it as free money, there might be no luck better than this. However, looking at it rationally, after accounting for the life insurance for my body that had turned into a rag right after I got here, and the compensation for the time spent in a glass tube in a comatose state, it just made my insides boil.

…Fine, let’s wrap that up and move on.

[ Non-disclosure agreement subsidy: 144,000,000 C ]

A chilly sensation.

I couldn’t help but think there might be something to seriously consider here, and I unconsciously raised my hand to smooth my hair.

Brain? Head? Anyway, during the group living situation, Marina, who claimed to be an expert, had mentioned that modern non-disclosure agreements involved inserting small bombs somewhere above the neck, set to explode in the event of any ‘intentional’ mistakes.

It seemed that if a device set to explode didn’t just shut down but was designed to go off, it would require me to constantly visit an implant shop to open and close my head for maintenance, which I believe was what the surgery subsidy was meant for.

If someone is to control a device designed in such a way, they must know that their life is precious, and I believe it was akin to the health insurance payments that are regularly recuperated by Enema.

Yet here lies the problem: before accepting such a terrifying thing, I had undergone an involuntary interview first and was then reinstated.

Could I really have fooled Zero, who had been glaring at me 24/7, and managed to finish this without being caught while I slept? Right now, my entire body scanned with my ability only revealed my communicator.

So, whether the surgery was actually performed or not, this could only be blind money that was given out as part of regular procedures or perhaps a bribe disguised as a request to be cautious with my words…

……Seeing how it takes up a scant portion of the total amount, I suppose I can just consider it the former and take it quietly.

– I don’t mean to be difficult, but you have an expression I have never seen since I started serving you. –

“Cough! This is joy from unearned income, you know?”

– …Is that so. –

Zero, tilting his head in confusion and seemingly unable to tell me straight that my face was weird, seemed to need a bit of education about the darkness of the world.

In any case, there was only the last item left.

[ Executive-level specialist consultant, urgent severance pay for employees: 791,000,000 C ]

“Wow.”

…I felt relieved upon seeing it again.

Although I had escaped from an oppressive work environment, it was as if they had issued a certificate proving that they were the ones who had let me go first.

Going forward, I might receive separate contact once I started operating above ground, but there shouldn’t be any trouble stemming from my past… I hope not. At least, it appeared that way to me. I wouldn’t think about the future.

However, while the nominal amount was satisfying, I still had a few things to say about the number behind it.

“Almost double the researcher’s pay…!”

I could feel my facial muscles contorting in real-time due to a subtle reverse discrimination.

The amount paid out under the title of the position within a month was more than all the weighted amounts combined, wasn’t it? Isn’t this outright tax evasion? No, since the entity that ultimately takes the tax is the company, isn’t it legal in this neighborhood??

…Ah, I don’t care. I’ll split, combine, and close it through temporary accounts made here and there to the point that a detective wouldn’t even recognize it and then blow through it all in a hurry.

I’ll make sure there’s no basis for them to ask for it back later, rendering it entirely impossible to touch.

That being said, 1.3 billion credits… In truth, this amount would seem luxurious even from a gamer’s financial perspective, especially considering that due to systemic limitations, there was no way to earn such a sum in one go. It was enough to reach a conclusion like, “Wow, I can take a break from credit farming for a while.”

Of course, this is only in comparison to the general public or a strong foundation for saving.

If I were to consider the places money could go, it’s as if a naked vagabond was being asked to split 300 into height, IQ, and then… length… Sounds like an improper analogy now that I think about it.

“…Who cares if it’s improper! I saw it recently, and all the rich folks play like that.”

Beep…!

Claiming my excuse, which I didn’t even know who I was speaking to, I tapped the table in the hotel cafeteria and ordered slightly more expensive food than usual; in other words… I ordered a meat dish that was hard to comprehend, like Fettine Di Maiale Con Salsa Di Mele, unless you removed the word ‘salsa.’

There was also a dish called Neo Haven Luxury Vintage Golden Premium something-or-other, but I pushed it to the next opportunity.

One of the good things about having a body finely crafted by mad scientists is that while I can be particular about the nutrients in my diet, I can completely ignore calories.

I could easily burn off a day’s worth of calories just by sitting here, so what’s there to worry about?

With so much leeway in food expenses, I had ample room to consider increasing my stomach size assuming underconsumption!

“……Hmm♪”

Humming a tune, I momentarily spread my imaginative wings.

I wonder what I should gather piece by piece to earn a reputation for wise consumption…

Since there’s a smuggling auction next door, should I check if they have any enhanced exoskeleton armor for sale?

Or should I look for a portable high-performance device, or even some defensive gear I could wear on my head?

If not, then definitely…

“…”

I fixed my gaze slightly and looked over at Zero, who was sitting across from me.

Even though his hip joints and drive mechanisms, purchased barely half a year ago and now creaking away, looked better than the horrific composite gloves, based on his report of how tough his situation was, it was clear he was suffering.

So, I think it’s time to hear the answer my tin can friend had been putting off.

Now then, don’t hesitate; spill the beans! Reveal your hidden sexual identity and body preferences!

– For now, I will politely decline. Ahsa. –

“…What?!”

I had finally mustered the courage to loosen my mental resistance against the budget.

Other times, he had been whining about needing additional modifications—this part, that exterior, inadequate weaponry. He had sung an entire wish list, yet now that the cards were on the table, he was declining; I glared at him.

Oh… there’s a surprisingly more compelling reason that made me flinch.

– As I’ve mentioned before, the overwhelming formula for the care you’ve shown me is difficult to express in words. My stance remains that a minimal level of organization for myself must take priority. Besides, you cannot remain in this homeless state forever, can you? –

“Gack!? Hey! You know that hotel guests and long-term residents aren’t homeless…!!”

At least call it a situation with an unclear residence.

To suddenly throw it in my face that we… are living without a home is a bit much.

Even glaring at him or grumbling didn’t help.

After several minutes of tugging back and forth with Zero, who remained adamant that until the necessary consumption was made, he had no intention of acquiescing.

Say it, no thank you.

Then just place the order; I’ve forfeited my right to that.

Why stick to stubbornness? Disputes based on rational decision-making are not mere stubbornness.

Do you really think I’m just going to summon some expensive body at random? If it’s up to Ahsa’s discretion, I’d consent to it, but I’d rather jump into a toaster!

– If you truly want to extend your kindness, I would appreciate a high-performance CPU and memory instead. My desires should be satisfied within the surplus budget after all other deficiencies are addressed. –

“Ugh…!!”

[ The Italian-style pork loin processed meat you ordered is ready. ]

As the argument intensified, clatter! A dish filled with a subtle scent of fat thudded onto the table, and the serving robot that completed the delivery rattled as it moved away.

Trying to keep up the eye battle, I eventually relaxed my tension and leaned back against my chair.

…Sigh, fine. It’s done.

No matter how you look at it, it seems like there’s some other cunning scheme—solution—going on, and I’d feel like I’d lost if I admitted it, but logically, this idiot’s words were indeed correct. He wouldn’t force me down a path that would harm me.

That thing that typically appears in open-world games.

Providing various customization options, allowing for freedom, safety, relaxation, and even serving as a repair facility.

Hideout? Base? Safehouse? No matter what you call it, Neo Haven users often referred to it casually as their My Home.

What truly mattered now was that the moment I had finally earned was here, regardless of the term.

And in fact, I began to think that the living situation might have been a more pressing issue for carebots, who needed specialized facilities than for someone like me, who could receive adequate service in most accommodations.

So, there’s only one answer.

Let’s buy a house. An incredibly awesome place to stay comfortably and establish a base to brace for future turmoil.

……Oh, wait. This salsa sauce is too spicy. Ah, …gah!