Chapter 19

The familiar logo appeared on the monitor.

Windows.

Except the version was a number I couldn’t see before—13.

13, huh.

The last one I used was 11.

I remember it got a lot of flak… but this is 13, so it’s two generations ahead.

I wonder how 13 feels.

From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem much different from the computers I’ve always seen.

Though the graphics card is some unfamiliar model called DTX 6050.

“We’ve reached the login screen.”

The login screen wasn’t much different from what I knew.

Maybe there was no need to change even this part.

I pressed Enter, and the password input field appeared. I glanced at the boss.

Surely, the boss would know the password.

Since it was his computer.

The boss met my eyes and said with a bright face,

“Turn your head for a moment, will you?”

Out of courtesy, I turned my head and waited for him to input the password.

The sound of keyboard tapping echoed, followed by a familiar melody.

At least it’s working up to this point.

“You’re amazing, it’s really working…”

“I got lucky. If even one part was broken, there’d have been no way.”

I’ve assembled computers a few times as a hobby, so if it had rusted or completely broken down, it would’ve been beyond repair.

This was really lucky.

It must be at least 20 years old.

Most computers start breaking down after that long.

Whether it’s a contact issue or something else, the fact that it’s working is pretty impressive.

“I’m really glad I brought you here! I thought I’d never get to use it again!”

He looked at me with eyes full of goodwill.

…Honey dripping from a man’s eyes is a bit overwhelming.

I coughed a couple of times and spoke up.

“Can I check it out for a bit?”

“Go ahead.”

I immediately plugged in the USB.

At least it’s being recognized.

Thank goodness.

A familiar notification sound and a window popped up.

I quickly moved the mouse and clicked on the folder.

It’s quite large.

25 GB.

“What’s this?”

“Probably… a folder with some heavy secrets. It’s better if you don’t look at the contents.”

“Then I’ll step out for a moment.”

He quietly left the office.

Left alone, I rummaged through the folder. Most of it was documents in a format I’d seen somewhere before.

I endured the PTSD-inducing nightmare of military life as I sifted through the files. Surely, the information I wanted was in this USB.

This looks useful.

A map, specifically a military map with detailed information.

Of course, I don’t know how to read military maps, so it’s only half useful to me. But I don’t necessarily need to be the one to read it.

Anyway, the most important thing is that it’s something valuable to sell.

It’s been decades since the swamp area was established, but even hunters haven’t thoroughly explored the entire gray forest.

Especially the danger zones—hardly anyone who’s gone in has come back alive. With this military map, exploring those zones would become much easier.

I continued rummaging through other folders.

Mostly files with disciplinary orders and various administrative documents, but here and there were documents with orders that hinted at the situation at the time, as well as design blueprints.

I stopped scrolling at a military suit design that oddly sparked my interest.

This is…

A design I can’t make sense of.

But I could recognize the drawing itself, so I figured out what it was.

A powered suit design.

Why would something like this be in a small bunker? Probably because of the corruption that’s been in the news even before the possession—higher-ups selling stuff off to make money.

It’s not like this is the first time.

In the original, the client explained it that way, so it’s probably the same here.

The client.

Come to think of it, the person who wanted this USB must still be alive.

After all, the episode where this USB became a key item started when that person entrusted a hunter they knew with the task.

A request to find the USB they were supposed to trade.

The hunter readily accepted the request.

The payment was good, and the search area wasn’t that dangerous, so it wasn’t a difficult request.

The problem was that the hunter was a subordinate of Quaker.

Despite the client’s trust, the hunter informed Quaker about the USB.

And Quaker, interested in the military secrets inside, caused chaos in the swamp area, leading to a messy battle where the protagonist and their allies intervened to stop Quaker and seize the USB.

It’s not even concluded yet.

…Come to think of it, I’m Quaker.

Of course, I have no intention of following Quaker’s path, but it’s still concerning.

Even if my escape from the research institute was similar to the original, retrieving this USB years earlier—what impact would that have on the original?

An entire episode would be deleted.

No, could the original even exist at this point?

I’m not a villain, and Mina isn’t a villain either.

…Honestly, following the original as closely as possible is the most stable path, but the guy I possessed isn’t exactly reliable.

I’m not the type to go around killing people either.

Anyway, this is worth money.

But the moment people find out what this is, everyone will be in danger.

If I try to sell it carelessly on the black market, a pack of hyenas will come after me.

With no home, assets, or reputation, I don’t have the ability to handle this.

For now, at least.

Time to meet the bearded guy again.

I thought of that smooth-talking man, closed the folder, and carefully pulled out the USB.

It’s really a good thing I know the original.

Without knowledge of the original, even if I got this, it’d be hard to find someone to sell it to.

Luckily, there’s an organization here that I can sell this to.

Crocodile Bird.

The organization that rules this area.

They’re a self-defense group, so they don’t go too far and have a good reputation, so they won’t do anything too shady.

In the original, they were quite a righteous group.

I wrapped the USB in cloth, put it in my pocket, and stood up.

I’d love to rummage through the computer more, but that wouldn’t be polite.

I turned off the computer and headed straight to the lobby.

The boss, working at the counter, saw me and smiled.

“Did everything go well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, it went smoothly. I’ll go grab some food now.”

“Go ahead.”

Mina should be at the cafeteria by now.

With a happy heart at the thought of eating, I headed to the cafeteria.

————————–

“Uncle, are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good.”

Mina smiled with relief.

A smile that, along with her unique appearance, exuded a mysterious charm.

Pretty people really catch your eye no matter what they do.

“I found something that’ll make us money. If we sell this, we can get a decent base.”

“A new base?”

“We can’t stay here forever.”

“Am I… coming with you?”

“If you want to split up, I won’t stop you.”

It’s still a bit worrying, but she’s been more reliable than me, so settling down should be easier.

Of course, living alone in this world is never easy.

“I’ll definitely follow you… definitely…”

Her determination is solid.

Seeing Mina answer so seriously made me chuckle.

If the original fans saw the vicious villain acting like this, they’d be shocked.

The villain who wouldn’t hesitate to kill if they stood in Quaker’s way.

She’s a bit off, but compared to the original, she’s much healthier, so I’m satisfied with the current Mina.

“A house for just the two of us…”

Is a house really that great?

I averted my eyes from Mina, who was genuinely happy, finished the rest of my meal, and stood up.

“I’ve got somewhere to go, so if I’m late, eat without me.”

“Where are you going?”

I immediately told Mina my destination.

“Crocodile Bird.”

The de facto ruling group of the swamp area.

I’m… going there to make a deal.