Chapter 275

**Cult of Arcadia.**

The Mandara hymn serves a position similar to Buddhism in this town, while the occasionally mentioned Christianity is fragmented, blending into folk beliefs. These are truly malignant yet simultaneously orthodox—if such texts exist that can ensnare people in this field—they could be a hotbed of pseudo-religions.

Essentially, they are believers in the “AI Extinction Theory,” creating an atmosphere of anxiety around them.

They rationalize their actions by stating they know more than others and fuss about enlightening the ignorant.

…Ah, and of course, we cannot overlook their proselytism, which is along the lines of “if you want to avoid the prophesied doom, you must embrace our religion.” Such terrible rumors and ideologies spread like an epidemic.

What makes them truly malicious is that while there are plenty of fools who unhesitatingly engage in impulsive and violent acts—like storming a broadcasting station to declare their intentions—there are also many skilled technicians and elites who have drifted into this field who possess the actual ability to carry out such plans.

It’s like a newborn baby holding a kitchen knife, but with the strength and arm length of an adult, right?

There might be a slight parallel to a severely autistic child who has grown physically but requires extensive care. Of course, that’s just a metaphor.

In any case, they occupy various hoods and unmanned zones, tormenting players through random encounters before being effortlessly crushed by the protagonist as the boss of Act 1 in Neo Haven, vanishing pathetically into the annals of history.

The real issue here is… that I don’t know their headquarters, which I should at least have some awareness of, even if I don’t need to worry excessively.

After all, I’ve cleared the game hundreds of times, so I know the structure by heart! But intentionally being kidnapped and the process of escaping to return to their base in the main quest is something I haven’t been shown, and there’s nothing I can do about that, right?

Plus, it’s frankly vague how long after a specific date various events will occur.

I truly cherish Neo Haven and have memorized several pieces of information, but remembering the detailed timeframes of all events is a stretch… even looking at the summary notes I’ve diligently created about cyberware might not refresh my memory.

If I could unconsciously recall things using my abilities, that could be feasible.

But if that doesn’t work well, I’ll need a Plan B, right?

So now that I’m at the broadcasting station, the malicious code I’ve created and dropped for Zero becomes my answer.

Hiding out in this closed network while self-replicating, it immediately attaches to any cyberware of anyone who tries to access it—a mechanic that finds keywords related to the “Cult of Arcadia” and reports back.

Other than periodically reporting user location to me, the developer, it doesn’t have any particularly harmful features, making it a small fishing hook difficult to detect.

…Well, catching a fish that comes to nibble before I even distribute it thoroughly was an unexpected gain, but it’s a pleasant miscalculation.

Now I just need to let a few of our pseudo-special forces friends—who recently got their electronic devices or cyberware infected by recklessly accessing the broadcasting station—slip away, and that’ll be it…

I didn’t hope they’d be completely exterminated by pursuers, but if there are those coming after them, I guess they’d passively respond.

Still, isn’t that letting them run rampant too much? Show…!! You were never that kind of passive character!

“If you have acquaintances who have taken refuge in nearby studios or rooms, could you please contact them to come here? Our combat personnel have fortified this area to ensure safety, and Enema Corporation is always committed to safeguarding the health of citizens.”

“Eek! What do I do…! Thank you so much!”

“Oh dear… you really didn’t need to go this far… it’s an honor. Director!”

“…I was worried about how expensive Enema products and services were, but I’ll make it a point to buy and use them diligently from now on!”

Though their entrance was fierce, everyone cheered and thanked the considerate Mega Cop executive, feeling more reassured with such support during this emergency.

To follow the broadcasting station’s guidelines and protect those helping with the advertisement filming, they seem to be using the holographic studio as a refuge until things settle down.

But why does it look to me like they are preparing to barricade the entrance, not to completely block external threats, but to prevent someone inside from sneaking out as if it’s the right thing to do?

Now that filming has been suspended, what kind of inefficient and crazy counterplan is it to decide to stay here with me?

Just clean up, finish up, and part ways neatly! Don’t drag it out!

If you’ve decided to enhance your reputation and work on image-making, then focus solely on that instead of glancing at me like you’re pondering how to cook me…

“……”

“Damn.”

Not even a grand speech, just managing to win the favor of the staff with a few sentences, Show immediately glanced over as the ruckus subsided, almost like he was about to return to the conversation. In panic, I surveyed the surroundings, wondering if there were any more escape routes.

…What is this nonsense? Like an ostrich. Burying your head in the ground won’t change a predetermined fate!

That’s a ridiculous statement! Doesn’t he know the meaning of tactical retreat? Just like in a fighting game, if you keep back-dashing while saying “come at me,” the enemy might just tire and fall!

Bang!

For now, I hurriedly brought Zero into the dressing room and closed the door.

I hope I’m not making the foolish mistake of entering a dead-end room where the eyes of the staff can’t reach, increasing the probability of triggering some hazardous event.

At the very least, shouldn’t I change out of these uncomfortably filthy clothes?

An off-shoulder blouse and a tight black skirt. If I move without care, the top will slip off, and if I try to bend my legs at a desired angle, the bottom will roll up, exposing my thighs.

If it weren’t for this damn outfit, I would have immediately countered when I got trapped between Show’s arms and the wall earlier!

If I had just worn casual clothing, it would be a different story, but I’ve never seen anyone wearing such flaunting fashion on the streets in this era—perhaps a hasty generalization is unwarranted, but women in the past were able to walk around dressed like this.

– I can hold the door for some time, but unless the fundamental conflict between Ahsa and Director Edamatsu is resolved… –

“I know! This is just… a way of saying not to rush in like before by putting a little barrier in place.”

As I tossed my clothes off in a rush and slipped back into my battle suit,

Based on the accumulated data, it seemed practically impossible to thwart Show’s reckless approach with just mediocre threats. Zero vocalized a rare moment of weakness, but what could I possibly do?

If I’m not going to engage in a fierce fight without thinking of the aftermath and reach a point of irreparable relations, it’s just a tiresome cycle of continuous refusal and rejection.

…Yeah, a ventilation duct! Is there a ventilation duct or something around here? In stealth action or horror genre creations, there’s always a hole of some size that’s easy to open!

It’s absurd to rely on such fortuitous luck, but if I could slip through, then after filming resumes quietly return without a fuss, it’d be the perfect crime.

Of course, Show would react in a way that’s ridiculously irritated, having lost me in the meantime, but at least at that time he wouldn’t dare attack, keeping an eye on the other staff, so I couldn’t ask for a better situation. Even under these circumstances…

– There is naturally an air purification system… However, since ventilation regulations in Neo Haven have been amended 23 years ago, it’s reasonable to assume that such large ventilation ducts only exist in buildings constructed before that. –

“Game-like thinking is completely useless at times like this!”

Amidst the rambling complaints and slight confusion.

Well then, those trying to push in can go ahead. I’ve mentally prepared for this absurd resolution to hold out like a sit-in and secured a safe distance behind a clothing rack.

As soon as the chaos subsided, it seemed like Show had been waiting for me to calm down. Suppressing a chuckle, he sought permission to enter.

“Kuk, ahem… So, um. Have you changed into different clothes, Ahsa?”

“…Whether I have or not.”

Please be a courteous gentleman. Let’s settle this nicely with words. Okay?