Chapter 29

It was a tense moment.

It wasn’t like it would escalate into a big issue, but all our efforts up until now could have easily gone down the drain.

However, all we could do was simply wait for the results.

Soon enough, the pretty elf receptionist who had been checking something on her computer spoke in a soft voice.

“…Identity confirmed. Master Raven, Miss Alice, and Miss Lily. For our external guests, you can reach the banquet hall by taking the elevator one floor up.”

So it worked?

Alice’s and my eyes naturally met in mid-air.

Then, stifling our laughter so no sound came out, we exchanged glances and giggled before hurrying toward the elevator at Raven’s urging.

Here I was, someone without a proper identity in Night Haven, managing to infiltrate a building hosting a major corporation’s party.

The reason this was possible was simple.

I had temporarily borrowed the identity of Lily, Alice’s older sister.

In truth, it wasn’t that difficult of a task.

This party hosted by Nemesis was much lighter than expected, and they weren’t being too strict with verifying identities.

Also, since our faces were hidden behind masks, unless someone checked closely, there was no way to tell the contents didn’t match the label.

Of course, if someone suddenly came to verify our identities, things might get complicated.

But considering the original storyline, they probably didn’t intend to stir up trouble just yet. At least, that’s what I thought.

‘Whoa… This place feels like another world. Everything looks so expensive.’

Holding Alice’s hand, I followed her around, looking at everything in awe.

Unfortunately, this building wasn’t Nemesis’ headquarters.

That place was more for researchers and employees bustling about with work; it wasn’t exactly suited for receiving guests.

Instead, this was a high-end hotel located right next to Nemesis’ main office.

They probably rented floors 32 to 34 specifically for this launch party.

Thinking about how every random item lying around here could cost more than a year’s worth of my part-time salary made me grip Alice’s hand even tighter unconsciously.

“Ah, there are too many people in the elevator. Should we take the stairs?”

“Yeah, the line is way too long. Hmm, since it’s just one floor, let’s take the stairs. Yuria, are you okay? Want me to carry you?”

“…”

Being carried up the stairs felt a bit embarrassing.

I shook my head to decline Alice’s offer and quickly trotted up the stairs instead.

When we finally reached the floor with the banquet hall alongside our group, we couldn’t help but marvel.

“Wow… It’s huge!”

“They really splurged on this.”

The banquet hall was large, flashy, and noisy.

Clearly designed for such events, the space was wide open without any pillars in sight.

And everywhere you looked, there were people, tables, people, and more people.

‘Geez, there are so many. How many people are here? Easily over a hundred.’

Crowds aren’t really my thing.

Already feeling drained, I sighed inwardly.

But unlike me, who was wilting like seaweed, Alice seemed rather excited.

Unconsciously wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth, she sparkled with anticipation.

“Hmm, hmmph. What should I eat first? I’m suddenly craving seafood!”

“You’re already thinking about food? Hold on a sec.”

Raven held onto Alice, who looked ready to dart off somewhere, and unfolded the pamphlet they received upon entry to read its contents.

“Hmm, according to today’s schedule, the opening ceremony is at 10 o’clock. And dinner… seems to be served after the main event ends, probably after 12. Until then, we’ll have to make do with snacks.”

“What? We have to wait two whole hours…?”

Alice wore a look of despair as if she’d heard an unbelievable statement.

Earlier, she had skipped breakfast, acting like she was preparing to demolish some buffet.

No wonder she was shocked at the idea of waiting two hours.

She should’ve eaten the bread I offered earlier.

Even though this event leans heavily toward networking, it’s still primarily a product promotion. Of course, they wouldn’t serve food right from the start.

“Noowaaayyy…!”

“But there are light finger foods on those tables over there. You can hold out with those.”

“I-I guess I have to! Let’s go! Yuria!”

“…?!”

Suddenly grabbing my hand, Alice pulled me toward a table with snacks.

I wanted to say I wasn’t very hungry, but I couldn’t refuse, so I ended up being dragged along.

At the table lined with finger foods, there was an employee dressed similarly to the elf receptionist we saw earlier.

Without taking her eyes off the spread of food, Alice hastily asked him,

“Excuse me, is it okay to eat these?”

“Feel free to take whatever you’d like.”

“Really? Thank you!”

“Just please remember to throw your trash in the bins scattered around the venue.”

“Of course!”

After responding to the staff member, Alice quickly scanned the table and snatched up anything that looked tasty.

Soon, her arms were filled with so much food that calling it “finger food” felt like a joke.

Feeling embarrassed just standing next to her, I subtly averted my gaze and picked up a small citrus tart nearby.

‘This looks delicious. I’ll just eat this one.’

I shifted the lower part of my mask to the side and popped the tart into my mouth.

Wow, it was amazing.

The fresh citrus tang paired perfectly with the crispy, buttery tart crust, making me smile involuntarily.

Big companies really do desserts differently. I silently marveled while savoring the lingering taste of the tart.

“Mmmhuh! Huhmhaah Mmmhuh?”

“…?”

“Hmm… Ah, Yuria, is it good?”

Ah, so she was asking if it tasted good.

I turned my head, wiped my mouth, adjusted my mask, and nodded at Alice.

Of course, it was delicious.

Citrus and tart? That’s practically a foolproof combination.

Seemingly satisfied with my reaction, she patted my head and said it was time to move on.

Getting treated like a kid was a little embarrassing, but since Alice is a beautiful girl, I could forgive her. Hmph, let her pat away.

Having wiped out one table of finger foods, we returned to where Raven was.

There, we saw Raven chatting with a sexy woman.

‘Ah, that’s…’

Her appearance was familiar. No, it was impossible to mistake someone with such a distinctive personality.

Her navy-blue hair was tied up high in a ponytail. She wore a thick leather jacket over a bikini that revealed her healthy brown skin, paired with tight jeans.

On one side of her face was an eyepatch with a skull design, and coiled around her waist was a whip.

She was undoubtedly Lexi, the eccentric security fixer as unique in style as Alice in her modified kimono.

“Uh-oh…”

“Hmm?”

Unlike me, who already knew her from the source material, Alice and Lexi appeared to be meeting for the first time.

Alice blinked rapidly, flustered by the provocatively dressed beauty in front of Raven.

Lexi, equally surprised by the pink-haired girl in a kimono, tilted her head as she alternated her gaze between Alice and me.

Honestly, seeing someone in a bikini outside of a pool setting was bound to cause confusion.

If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve wondered if she was some kind of pervert.

But perhaps because Alice herself often wore daring outfits that showed off her panties, she quickly composed herself and asked Raven,

“Um… Mr. Jin, who is this person?”

“Oh, Alice is here? This? Lexi.”

“Ahhhhh! Jin, calling her ‘this’ is too much!”

Lexi slapped Raven’s shoulder repeatedly while laughing.

Hearing the painful sounds from afar, I widened my eyes in surprise when Lexi suddenly pointed at Alice and said,

“Oh, I see. So you’re that troublesome brat?”

“W-What do you mean, troublesome brat?!”

“Eh? Didn’t you bother them for days asking to be hired as an employee? And aren’t you still 18? Then you’re definitely a greenhorn.”

“Ugh… Is being old something to brag about…?”

“N-No? I’m not exactly old either.”

Wow, this scene was straight out of the original story.

Watching their back-and-forth, I gleefully observed this catfight unfold.

On one side was a former comrade-in-arms who had spent years fighting alongside Raven, saving each other’s lives countless times!

On the other side was someone who reminded Raven of forgotten dreams, becoming a cherished family member of the Fixer Office crew!

Who would win?

Who would emerge victorious in this heroine battle?

Regretting not having popcorn, I watched intently, sweat forming in my palms.

Raven tapped both Lexi and Alice on their heads and stepped in to mediate.

“Hey, you idiots. Don’t fight here. You’re causing trouble for everyone else. If you want to fight, take it outside.”

“B-But I was the one provoked!”

Alice raised her voice to Raven, clearly feeling wronged.

She was right.

All she did was ask who Lexi was, only to be hit with the first insult.

Realizing this, Lexi grinned mischievously at Alice and casually replied,

“Hehe, sorry about that. I got riled up seeing a strange woman approach Jin after not seeing him for so long. But… didn’t Jin call you the troublesome one, not me?”

“…Mr. Jin!”

“Well, it’s not entirely wrong.”

“T-True, but still! Couldn’t you at least sugarcoat it a bit when talking to others?! We’ve been working together for months! Are you still going to act so petty?!”

Looking genuinely hurt, Alice approached Raven and began grumbling complaints while looking up at him.

From where I stood, this was one of those moments where she truly felt hurt.

It would take at least ten minutes for her anger to subside.

Perhaps it wasn’t just that he thought of her as annoying. The real sting was that he described her that way to others.

‘So the first heroine battle ends… with Lexi’s decisive victory. Experience really can’t be underestimated.’

Nodding in agreement with my own thoughts on this fairly entertaining fight, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine as a presence loomed beside me.

Startled, I turned to see Lexi crouching down to meet my eye level.

Why was she doing this?

Had she somehow sensed my internal musings about her experience?

“So, you’re a young master, huh? Upon closer inspection, you’re actually a girl. What’s your relationship with Jin?”

“…”

“Hmm? Don’t want to talk about it? Or can’t you speak?”

“…!”

“Hmm~ I see.”

My frantic nodding made Lexi’s single red eye curve into a smirk.

Her gaze, as if discovering an amusing new toy, was terrifying.

Please stop. I’m just a temp worker at the Fixer Office.

As I stood frozen, feeling like I was facing a lioness in human form, Alice finally noticed and slid in front of me protectively.

“Hey! Stop bothering our cute junior!”

“I wasn’t really bothering her. Hmm… fine.”

Lexi stood up and turned back to Jin.

From behind Alice, Lexi’s face looked oddly wistful, like a girl leaving with lingering regrets.

“Interesting bunch you’ve got here, Jin.”

“Never a dull day. Honestly, it’s exhausting.”

“Yeah, seems like it. Still, I’m glad to see you happy.”

What’s with this atmosphere?

Alice and I exchanged glances, sensing something unusual, and quietly listened to their conversation.

Regardless of us, Lexi pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to Raven.

“It’s fate bringing us together. Here’s my contact info. Give me a call when you have time. Everyone’s waiting to hear from you again.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

“Alright then. See you later, you two.”

With that, Lexi left the banquet hall without a second glance, walking away steadily.

Only after her figure completely disappeared did I finally exhale deeply in relief.

If a lioness took human form, wouldn’t she look exactly like that?

Even just standing there quietly, she made my heart race like crazy.

I knew she’d appear here, but seeing her in person made it clear she wasn’t someone with ordinary presence.

[ “Ah, hello everyone! We’ve prepared an extraordinary experience for all of you gathered here today. Please direct your attention to the stage! You’re about to witness an incredible technological innovation that will mark a historic moment for Meta Humans!” ]

While we were chatting, time must have flown by unnoticed.

Suddenly, the host’s voice boomed through the speakers installed throughout the venue.

Beyond the MetaFuture.

They didn’t know it yet, but this event would be Nemesis’ final destiny.

This is where it truly begins.

As I gazed at the stage, a sudden realization struck me like lightning.

‘…Wait. Come to think of it, where’s the client?’

The sole connection linking the Fixer Office team to the third member we were supposed to meet.

She should have appeared by now, so why wasn’t she anywhere to be seen?

Amidst the applause echoing from all directions, I realized something was amiss.