Chapter 20

“Yes, I might have made a big blunder when we first met… but come on, lady! Is it really too much to ask to speak to the team leader like this?”

“…Not only are you not a team member yet, but stop calling me ‘lady.'”

“Then at least tell me your name, big sister!!”

I didn’t mean it as a reference to being older; I was just expressing my foul mood in a roundabout way. But this self-centered mercenary seemed to be enjoying the situation. I can’t believe such a reckless person is the team leader of this recruited team on the spot.

“…Ivory.”

“That’s your codename… Or not? Could be a coincidence…! Sister Ivory! Please take care during this mission!!”

“…”

I pick up some fries to eat, trying to replenish my empty stomach and lost energy.

Hmm. Whether it’s really a potato or not, it’s crispy and salty, so it’s pretty tasty.

On the table were a bunch of room service foods that weren’t even requested. According to Horatio, it wasn’t he who ordered them, and the broker waiting impatiently outside Room 804 in a black suit offered this service without asking.

Generous rewards, extreme hospitality. A broker who serves rather than clashes with hired personnel, huh?

“…Isn’t this too kind?”

“Exactly! You feel it too, sister…? Yo, Domino! What’s your take on it?”

…Click!

Horatio’s gaze finally turned to someone else after nearly ten minutes.

Domino, a skinny man lying on the bed all this time silently opening and closing a pocketknife, showed no interest in the quality food and finally offered his opinion with a glance at the broker nervously tapping his feet.

“…Sometimes it happens. Some intermediary for a secret contract thrown by Mega Cop neglects it until the due date, then scrambles to gather people. It’s unfortunate to give a commission to someone who can’t even do their own job… But chances to make a bold move don’t come often.”

“K…! Haven’t handled a job for a while, huh…!”

“O…?”

Just a moment ago, the sallow face and dark circles that seemed untrustworthy suddenly took on a different meaning. The calmness and objectivity that hinted at a hidden expert? …Please, tell me you’re really the team leader.

“…Cough.”

“Hm?”

Still enjoying the hopeful prospect of free food, I was suddenly choked on the seemingly square rice grains fried rice, glistening pasta, and sizzling cube steak.

I reached for the drink bottle on the opposite side while covering my mouth with one hand… but a faster hand had already opened the cap and offered me the bottle.

“Here you go, Sister Ivory!”

“…Thank you.”

Maybe the truly extreme hospitality isn’t from the broker but from this man Horatio. It’s suspicious why he’s so eager toward someone he openly embarrassed.

…Did I mess with my brain rather than get a cyberware upgrade?

Beep! Beep!!

“…Wha?”

“…Oh dear, what’s this… Did you finally abandon your perfectionism…?”

The alarming sound rang out from the laptop sitting on the corner of the bed and the cyberware embedded in our bodies. 3:30 PM, deadline.

“Damn… Damn! Shit!!”

All the skin visible despite the neat suit and large sunglasses of the broker had turned bright red as he rushed over to the notebook.

After a flurry of typing on the keyboard, a connection was made with an unknown person.

– …What’s the point of this call? –

The deep voice left a strong impression. This one also seemed to have the qualities of a team leader rather than a cabbage.

“Pointless?! Everyone’s counting on you and waiting here!!”

– Not everyone. Daredevil and Nocturne, right? Since the vacant hacker has not shown up, there’s no point in going up there anyway. It’s a waste of time and heat. …This talk with someone like you is also a serious waste. –

“…”

All eyes now focused on me, confused. It’s an odd feeling to suddenly be observed while comfortably eating snacks.

…Why. I am the contracted hacker. What’s the issue?

“…The hacker is already here, enjoying a peaceful meal, so hurry up and come upstairs…! We’ll overlook your tardiness!”

– …How is that possible? I’ve been monitoring every single person in the lobby for at least half a day…? –

Our attention shifts again in response to Omen’s perplexed reply. This is why I can’t even eat my meals.

“…I came up by the stairs.”

“Instead of the elevator, you used the stairs, huh. Now that our curiosity is satisfied, would you all kindly gather and talk business…?”

– If I’ve been monitoring everyone, what does that matter? Go look for yourself. If it’s a lie, I’ll fold you in half…! –

The call abruptly disconnected.

The broker seemed relieved, and Domino went back to his knife tricks. Horatio kept looking at me with a cheerful smile. Please, I hope this ‘fold you in half’ is not referring to me.

With my appetite gone, I reluctantly put down the fork and knife and waited quietly for the man called Omen.

One minute… two minutes… The expectation that he’d arrive promptly since he was just in the lobby was right on the mark.

BANG BANG—!!

The room shook violently as the broker, who had rushed out, opened the door without any confirmation.

The fourth member of the team, Omen, stood there, but his face wasn’t visible at all. All that could be seen were his immense lower and upper body. This giant could make even henchmen look like dwarves.

Too large, not just vertically but horizontally, that he grumbled.

“…What’s this talk of a historic hotel. There’s no consideration for the guests.”

Wobble…!!

Omen bent his neck and tilted his body sideways to get through the doorway, then looked around the room carefully.

“Hmm…”

‘So this is the guy who’s described in the game notes. Corporate rules or laws don’t dare to mutter in front of this human tank.’

He’s not just bulky either; his enhanced muscles and bones show an ultimate beauty that’s completely different from what I’ve seen, pulsing with an unstoppable energy. It left me staring.

A perfectly smooth skinhead and a suit that seems ready to burst. The mask on his face from which nutrient ampoules hung was equipped to maintain his massive physique indoors.

And he, at this moment, was looking down at me with a raised eyebrow.

Clap! Step… Step clap….

“….”

“Hmm…….”

The silence was heavy.

The only sounds were Omen’s breathing and the broker working on data. If only Horatio would talk a bit, it would have been fine, but he was staring at Omen with his usual glittering eyes.

“…You’re really small, huh? Was it by chance you were missed?”

“…No, I’ve been resting here beforehand so when the contract was hacked earlier, I just came straight over…?”

I almost ended up saying, ‘I deeply apologize for all the trouble caused…’

…Don’t be so intimidated. If there wasn’t any insulation preparation in the skin, clothing, or equipment, even being in close range, there’s still a slight chance of success. Come challenge me if you want to show off your strength…

BANG!

“!!”

Omen easily tossed aside a chair with one hand and dropped down to the floor. Even while bending over the floor, he’s still taller even when sitting in my chair.

“…You hacked the contract and came straight here to the hotel, it seems. Your gear looks good… I’m impressed! It’s been a while since I’ve met a competent contract hacker.”

Ah…? The ominous atmosphere suddenly dispersed and became friendly. Or maybe I had misunderstood from the start.

“Kyaa…! Omen, you’re different from how you look. To have such good judgment! Recognizing Sister Ivory’s true potential! Isn’t she exactly the person who one-hit disabled Mr. Daredevil? Huh?”

“Ayivory…? …I haven’t heard that nickname before. But regardless, the behavior of an idiot like you makes me indifferent, but the job skills look promising and it’s reassuring. Plus, since she’s someone you know… I have a bit less worry about a stab in the back.”

“…Idiot? This guy actually praised me but the tone is…”

“I sense deep malice from the previous statement. If you’re upset, go look in a mirror.”

With a click, Omen removed his mask and dumped the food on the plate into his mouth.

Domino has closed his eyes entirely now, and Horatio growls about not being called an idiot.

The three of them, excluding the neglected broker, seem quite used to this scene.

…I suspected something, so I logged into the hacker community and utilized the search engine for some keywords.

Daredevil, Horatio… Nocturne, Domino… and Omen.

There was no need to categorize the information that somehow came up. There was a common thread.

[ Why does Daredevil’s team keep changing hackers? Is it some magical black hole where you come in and vanish forever?]

[ Kekkekkek. The last time he came out, he told the story of losing a finger to Nocturne after cutting in line at the drugstore. What the hell is this guy doing in the slum pharmacy at this hour….]

[ Is it true that Omen treats hackers like minced meat? How the hell is he still doing mercenary work, huh?? ]

[ If you don’t know why… It’s because of the hackers deducting ‘tips’ arbitrarily and getting caught during reimbursement. Some rookies still think our trade’s unwritten rules apply to mercenaries. Just shut up and mind your own business. ]

“Oh man…”

The overwhelming number of victim stories from the four noobs and hackers popped up, blurring the sense of reality.

If the rumors have spread this far, it’s understandable why they couldn’t find a hacker. No matter how clear the cause and effect might be, you don’t want to face clearly dangerous people…

But for someone like me, who desperately needs money and somehow clicked the first button right, none of that mattered. Though the excessively friendly intentions of Horatio are something I’ll have to investigate later.

Tap…!

“…Alright. The other three are hired. Miss hacker? Would you mind giving me your Black Market ID? You didn’t write it in the application message…”

…Ah. Right.

“Please create one for me.”

“…What?”

The broker’s face, which had just relaxed, turned stiff.

It’s quite… no, very shameless behavior, but I have no choice. Since my hacking method is exceedingly unique, I don’t know whether or not it leaves a trace, so it’s best to follow procedures for anything that can be resolved or obtained through regular channels.

“My first day in Harvest Planet, and I don’t have anything besides citizenship, so I’m asking you to help create a Black Market ID. …Keep the fee for yourself.”

“…And the Black Market ID is common for all Metropolises!! Didn’t I explicitly mention that I only hire seasoned hackers? Dammit, what kind of joke is this…?”

“…”

His words, though coarse, are not wrong. The hacker community here would naturally have no reason to trust someone like me who’s just joined, has a clean slate of past contracts, and lacks a Black Market ID.

…So what? Complain and find someone else!

“Then at least do you have any relevant experience in other fields? Specializations…??”

“Um… I have some secret experience related to Mega Cop and can Abyss Dive.”

“Shit, you’re the world champ at bullshitting!! Have you been getting away with anything thanks to that two-faced look of yours?!”

Doing my best to provide an answer, it was completely shot down.

The bounty portion assigned to the hacker is almost ten million credits, so I really wanted to take this job if possible… But before hiring, all the power lies with the broker, so this is understandable.

Might as well consider the free food and look for other opportunities.

Snap!

Crack!

Just then, a hand with a noticeable green tattoo on the back clenched the jaw of the jabbering broker.

“…How many teeth do you think our dear Broker needs to replant before you can speak beautifully…? Huh?? Does this talent recommended by Daredevil look like crap to you? Huh? If not that…”

Horatio forcibly pulled the struggling broker to his own face.

[B]”Do I look like crap to you?”[/B]