Chapter 277

“So, this is the top topic for today? ‘Frustrated with the sluggish responses from robotics companies, the public has finally succeeded in developing a new anti-virus vaccine!’ and ‘The software development market signals a re-entry into the blue ocean due to excessive safety-oriented job preferences.’ Really? Seriously??”

Even though she had already gone over the general flow of the script and had a rough idea of the keywords and points beforehand…

Right up until the very last second before going live.

Under the pretext of preventing source leaks, Erin Skully, who had finally received the final script paper after it had been delayed under the historical broadcasting tradition of rolling with the punches even if you’re gasping for breath, let out a stream of complaints.

“The story is just fleshed out from something we briefly mentioned last time, so it’s not even breaking news, and obviously not an exclusive real-time report. With such subpar materials, I seriously don’t know how I’m supposed to maintain the minute-by-minute ratings… The director confidently said today would be quite thrilling, which is strange.”

“Aha… Director Morgan, you know he’s the all-in type who just pushes through and somehow makes it work~”

Quickly skimming through the parts she specifically emphasized, checking for any changes.

While mentally noting the sections she could adjust and expand or shorten based on the real-time feedback the monitoring team would provide later, she refined the sentences she could add as seasoning in her head.

Though she was doing her job without any gaps, the assigned PD, who had been working with her for a while, immediately sensed her underlying frustration, ‘Is he trying to give me more work right now…?’ and attempted to ease her mood with a joke.

“Rather… shouldn’t we be able to somehow secure a live interview with a famous celebrity? I did see some commotion about a car carrying a VIP from some company landing earlier, right?”

“…Usually, when someone important arrives, it’s not something we should be excited about. Also, while we do have a mutually beneficial business relationship, the mid-level managers from there don’t fawn over us just for opening our mouths and creating more work, right? …Ah, will our Miss Skully even give a look to celebrities they parade in front of her? Hmm?”

At this point, the PD seemed satisfied that the diva anchor’s mood had slightly improved.

With a tap tap! sound, Erin straightened the script stack on the news desk, indicating they should stop flattery and focus on their own tasks. As the PD turned around with a smile, he noticed something was off.

During her bad moods, where was the usual bumbling manager who managed her mental state?

“Where did Bethany, the manager, run off to…? She didn’t even come in with you, right? Did she have a sudden stomachache or something?”

“She passed out due to some sort of mental shock. Seriously, how unlucky, huh? She was carrying around some noble’s daughter like a doll, fascinated by her beauty. …Now that I think about it, if there’s any gossip about that young lady’s background, it could be pretty entertaining, but as a senior, she’s hard to exploit that way, and the aftermath would be troublesome.”

“Hmm…?”

What in the world is she talking about right now?

Although it’s not uncommon for employees to pass out from overwork, collapsing from shock? And what’s this about a young lady?

Though curious about this random, context-less monologue, the PD had to pull back behind the camera now that it was really time for the live broadcast.

The lens of the main camera opened and neatly aligned with the front of the desk.

The sub-cameras, used only when close-ups of the background panels were needed, moved to the sides, and the employees working loudly in the room settled into their positions, not relying solely on the noise-canceling function.

The external yard lights gradually dimmed as the spotlight focused on the announcer, with everyone’s eyes on the electronic clock installed to warn of network synchronization errors down to 0.1 seconds.

There were 3… 2… 1… seconds left before the morning news live recording would begin.

“Good morning, citizens of Neo Haven! I don’t know if you’re all satisfied with the comfort of your safe havens and the excitement of being at the forefront of human civilization today. However, reports say that yesterday alone, about 230,000 cases of worker heatstroke were reported as the heat is just beginning to intensify.”

The recording began promptly, and with the topics flowing smoothly, Erin Skully maintained a bright smile.

Now that the On-Air sign had lit up on the newsroom floor, a light automatic lock clicked, restricting entry to key personnel only.

Which meant, at least theoretically, it had become impossible to enter.

Poom…!! Boom Boom——!!

Just as the light opening remarks were finishing and it was time to transition into the main news segment, a series of explosions resounded. Shockingly, one of the sources was much closer than imaginable.

“Cough, cough… Gasp!?!”

“What the hell is all this?!?!”

Suddenly, choking patients amidst the rising dust, an unlucky soul knocked unconscious by a flying barrier before even realizing the situation, and someone who was still cursing into their microphone out of habit, amidst the chaos.

Before the broken entrance of the newsroom and before the pandemonium had subsided inside, a group clad in yellow hazard suits stormed in, menacingly waving their rifles in the air.

“Everyone, bow down and receive our message! We will select those necessary for continuing the broadcast. You, slaves to the machine, we have come to you from the great Arcadia to offer salvation and liberation, consider it an honor…”

A religious group’s act of terrorism without attempting any legitimate approach.

It was obvious illegal violence against the gathered people. Desperately, everyone looked for the armed security guards, but unfortunately, both guards stationed in the newsroom for regular crowd control had collapsed with severe bleeding after being caught in the door breach.

What’s more, these culprits calling themselves Arcadia had cleverly visited the robot storage area beforehand, and were now controlling several drones supposed to be used by the employees as if they were their own limbs.

The situation offered absolutely no positive interpretation.

If there was any silver lining, it might be that these fanatics cared more about getting airtime than holding hostages or taking over the station.

“To you, Erin Skully! As someone who has frequently deceived the masses, you’ve been entrusted with the glorious mission of reading our manifesto. Stay there at the desk and follow our instructions!”

☆☆☆☆☆

A screen full of cyberspace broadcasts.

What was supposed to be a Neo Haven map or a live broadcast background now displayed a circular fabric with beams of light radiating from the sun-like center—the kind that would make an ordinary Korean mutter, ‘What the hell is this? The Rising Sun Flag?’

Further details from the data chips later retrieved from the central office confirmed it wasn’t the Rising Sun Flag but rather an ancient religious emblem—leading most users to gasp, suspecting a Unification Church motif—eliciting quite an awkward feeling.

In the center, the anxious seated woman flanked by masked men with rifles.

Who would have expected to witness the Memorial Times’ morning news segment being hijacked into a terror broadcast from such a close perspective?

[Choke!! You morons! Don’t touch the upper part! If you just give me the stupid script, I’ll read it fine without my hair being yanked! Can’t you understand a sentence?!]

[Wha, what?! Is this crazy bitch really fearless?!!]

While the scene being aired could suggest a hidden camera prank.

That woman really has guts.

The moment she realized these pseudo-religious folks intended to use her as a mascot, she leveraged her usual image to fiercely argue and give the impression of forced cooperation.

…Or maybe she’s genuinely furious that the carefully styled hair she had just finished with a beauty machine might get messed up again?

Her courage in worrying about the camera while it’s rolling is commendable, but couldn’t she be a little less reckless? We who’re watching are getting more and more anxious.

Besides merely fretting over the cyberware, I had other immediate problems to deal with.

“So, for Asha to develop a deeper physical or emotional relationship with me, what efforts should I make? Please enlighten me.”

“Hey, you…”

Show had no interest in the commotion happening nearby, acting as if the entire station exploding wouldn’t affect him as long as he had this chatting space with me.

He didn’t even flinch.

Even though it’s no longer surprising that terrorists invaded, really? Seriously??

I understood he was someone who, burdened with love deprivation and numerous traumas, had decided to relentlessly pursue affection from one person no matter the world’s end…

But why must that one person be me?

While my suspicions grew, given the information I’d gathered and the overly familiar approach during our first meeting, I hadn’t indulged him this much since realizing our proximity.

I’m baffled.

“Sorry, but this is my problem. I’m so bizarre that I’m not in a state where I can date or anything. So, even if you change, it probably won’t make a difference.”

“Then there’s an old saying, ‘Associate with someone who makes you a better person.’ Could I be the one to change you?”

“What the hell…!”

And now this fellow is pulling out eloquent proverbs in a slick manner. Where’s the justification?

I wanted to glare and shout at him for stepping up his game after I bluntly declared there was no hope, but unfortunately, a door blocked my path, so I resorted to knocking loudly for an answer.

Meanwhile, why does this person seem to find it so gratifying that I react so negatively?

Ugh… This brat is giving me a headache. I might lose it if this keeps up.

Should I call in Aaron, who’s known for being difficult, for a mediation?

Isn’t that too harsh? Considering he might have had bizarre delusions earlier, bringing Aaron into this might make him lose control out of frustration.

How do I resolve this? How can I detach him?

Unfortunately, like always, I didn’t have ample time to brood alone. The surrounding situation grew impatient with my hesitation and pushed me to make a decision.

[You wretched woman, instead of being grateful for the glorious human liberation movement, you dare to rebel!]

[These absurd claims about the AI bringing down a giant meteor to ruin the city are far less believable than…… aaaah!!]

Bang!

After a fierce exchange of wills, eventually, Erin’s forehead smacked onto the desk, her head gripped from behind, and blood trickled down as it happened.

Regardless of the exact timing, the Arcadia sect’s attack on the broadcasting station was an inevitable event.

Within the game, this was closer to a past scandal involving security breaches at Memorial Times and was a key event in Arcadia’s rise as a city nuisance, occasionally mentioned by informants.

Not that I was here planting tracking viruses for future use.

I wasn’t aware if Erin Skully was originally threatened like this when taken hostage.

Even if she continues to function as the main anchor in various endings, does this ordeal of being treated this way actually occur?

Or could this be another butterfly effect caused by my interference?

For now, I don’t know.

If I were originally planning to capture a few Arcadia cultists and let them go, even out of a sense of obligation after what Miss Erin has done, I certainly wouldn’t remain seated doing nothing now.

That’s not the way I operate.

This doesn’t mean resolving matters with Show isn’t important.

But can watching someone else bleed while staying safe be worth anything?

Frankly speaking, summarizing everything is about a story where someone confesses to another, asking to date or to stay by their side, with persistence and attachment.

…Of course, during such courting…

…One side involves a person of no ordinary means, capable of deploying bio-weapons, surrounded by thousands of subordinates whose daily routines are inevitably entangled.

…And the other is a human-made hacker born from a bio lab, filled with knowledge of unknown information to the world and capable of extraordinary feats.

Despite all these, saving a life in front of me now is more important than weighing the pros and cons.

” Hmm!?”

“Ah.”

With intense action, I shot up from the seat with a thud!

Yanking the door towards the dressing room, I realized he had leaned too comfortably against it and fell with a loud crash, looking up at me with a perplexed expression.

While my behavior might have scored high on rudeness—about 9 out of 10 points—his face displayed no anger.

Instead, confusion, astonishment, and desperation… and overwhelming anxiety dominated his features.

‘Ah, I get it. It’s about that.’

I finally understood the subtle standoff between us, separated by this thin wall.

It’s a simple matter. It wasn’t just me who didn’t want to wreck the relationship; evidently, this fool wanted the same.

Both sides carefully tiptoed along the edge, occasionally stepping over the boundary by mistake and hastily retreating.

Once assured of reciprocal forgiveness, we cautiously approached again.

The main difference between Show and me was that while I was cautious to avoid awkward reunions later in our main quest, believing any potential rift could be mended,

he sincerely believed one discord could lead to permanent separation, burdened by the immense psychological weight while observing my reactions.

It was evident that the more passionate side is the one who gets more flustered when mere locked doors create distance.

This seemed to be an incredibly unfair relationship.

The psychological battle so far has favored me, even without any extraordinary actions.

In an unfair chicken game, even a slight push could result in instant concessions.

While I, equipped with the resources and power of an Enema permanent director, could easily manipulate him, such was not the case.

However, seeing him unable to even rise, anxiously darting his eyes to read my cues…

Especially after accusing me of being too smooth with women, only to discover that this fellow is actually nothing more than an inexperienced youth.

Poor thing. Let this older brother give you a break this time. And don’t act presumptuous or make moves next time. Huh?

I casually extended my hand to help him up before the tracker notices the master on the floor.

Carefully.

His heavy adult weight made me tut in disapproval as I switched to both hands, pulling him up with some grunting and effort.

With the task of rushing to the newsroom to assist in rescue operations remaining, we needed to resolve this silently here.

As an elder, it’s my duty to give some sincere advice.

“Rather than fixating on unlikely prospects, if you truly want to change, I recommend becoming someone even an indifferent individual like me would consider. Don’t slip and fall in this uncertain time by being distracted.”

“…”

Despite the strong initial impression and the ‘taste’ that made him fixate so intensely,

people’s true natures eventually reveal themselves.

I suggested to him, who has better options awaiting rather than clinging to someone like me, that if he truly seeks a deep relationship, he should cultivate himself better.

This vague yet impressive sentence could suffice as a way to obscure him, keeping the mood intact.

I wish for Mr. K, the rapidly growing secretary, not to overplay it.

Anyways, believing Show acknowledged the focus on individual tasks as we confidently strode out, unmolested by the trackers or Enema soldiers.

Now, though it feels odd saying it after rushing out… Zero, can you handle breaking through?

It’s too unfair to get hit by stray bullets while blindly navigating these maze-like corridors. We must be cautious to the utmost. Oh well.

Anyway, if we can just make it… Zero, how’s the path ahead looking?