Chapter 59

“Um… Well, the bleeding has stopped for now.”

The irregular rise and fall of the chest and the nearly vanished moans.

For a moment, I was happy about Helena’s dramatically improved condition, but no matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t understand how such a result had come about.

Even checking the time again, it had barely been less than a minute since our consciousness had touched.

Yet the blood that was previously scattered, enough to count on both hands, had all congealed into solid clots, and the scabs that had formed were preventing further blood loss.

In fact, the bullet embedded shallowly in the thigh was busy healing itself by pushing out the foreign object in real-time.

While the immediate crisis seemed to have passed, we still had the obstacle of escaping to the surface ahead of us.

Besides, although the outcome was positive, it seemed like the price we paid was not to be taken lightly…

“I’m feeling a little dizzy…”

I fell back comfortably, extending my shaky legs.

Had I mentioned that the criteria for blood loss was not a certain amount but a certain percentage? I thought that I might become the first idiot to die from a nosebleed, and I lifted my visor to take a breath of fresh air…

“Ugh… cough?! Cough, cough! Ugh!!”

…I quickly shut it again, unable to believe the disgusting smell that could not possibly belong to this world.

The dizziness and headache were overwhelming. On top of that, I shamefully acknowledged the weakening sensation from extreme hunger.

Considering the severe side effects that were worse than some abyss dive, and keeping in mind the direct clash with Helena’s consciousness, I concluded that attempting to interface with the mechanical parts of the human body was incredibly dangerous.

I wasn’t sure if there would be a next time, but it was best to proceed with caution.

– Operation temporarily suspended…! Strong energy waves and power shutdown have been detected. …Police forces will enter underground in place of the retreating collection unit to check the situation. –

“…It’s a complete mess!”

While I was scanning for a suitable escape route based on incoming information, an urgent command rang in my ears.

Fortunately, I was still associated with the police, but I didn’t really have the luxury to think anymore.

It seemed they realized that things had gotten seriously tangled and were trying to probe those who would bear less loss when losing their relative status… It was unlikely that they would actively create variables by utilizing my still valid identity.

I had learned this through experience while working with the corporations.

This was because the police’s mutual concealment of identities was not solely due to personal privacy.

In case of an emergency. It was a low probability, but if a situation arose where a watchdog didn’t comply with control as it does now,

Simply turning off the employee’s identification device and reissuing a new numbering could weaken the recognition that we had shared experiences together, as this system and norm had been designed.

Even if they were tough guys pretending to be strong, this could effectively remove any sense of camaraderie from those who could never become complete villains.

However, if they appeared as enemies, those I had become somewhat familiar with during work would leave me with no choice but to respond, so I needed to pull back with Helena for now.

Currently, there were two directions I could choose from.

I could take refuge in the deep area filled with broken machines, or conversely, I could go to the vicinity of the third elevator, where Anne had blown everything up so that no one could come down.

“Helena? Can you move… No, wait!! Don’t actually try to get up! Just try to relax a bit!”

“Ugh!! …I’m okay. I feel strangely nostalgic… I think I had a warm dream, so I feel a bit better…!!”

The lead and lost blood still remained inside her body. I tried to calm her down as she dug her fingers into the floor at my suggestion to move.

Screech! Screech.

After putting my hands under her arms, I began to retrace the path we had come from, stepping backward.

I could tell from the intermittent lightening of her weight and the sound of her shoes scraping the ground that Helena was also trying to push off the ground to lessen my burden.

The plan I had thought up was this.

If the ones coming down were police, we could wait for the incoming troops to get a bit mixed up and then slip out naturally.

Helena’s removed identification number could be conveniently switched to the vacant engineer code.

Of course, the flaw in this disguise was that if someone double-checked through communications or if the DS3 shift realized that an engineer was missing, it would all fall apart. But it was worth trying, regardless.

We just needed to evade immediate gunfire by any means possible.

“So, if anyone asks, even if it’s annoying, just say you’re DS3-CE1. Got it?”

“That’s… a bit ironic.”

I tried hard to ignore her response, filled with reluctance.

It wasn’t that I had lightly brought up a sensitive issue that I barely managed to ask. I had just made a vow that I would use anything that could be effectively utilized.

I caught sight of the bearded man who had fallen, his mouth still agape.

I didn’t know what the hell he had been doing, but since he was the man Helena had been dragging around, I figured he might be useful. I took a position next to him.

“Ugh! Is there anywhere that’s uncomfortable… On second thought, there are probably too many to count. That was a stupid question.”

“…We’ll see later.”

I slowly laid her down, who was struggling to move on her own, and then sat down beside her head as a caregiver.

Helena seemed unhappy with being cared for unilaterally and started complaining, but what could I do? She wouldn’t be able to stay in Harvest Planet anymore!

“Later, or whatever. What were you planning for your future when you crashed into Paradise’s secret facility? It’s a whole new identity… even if my grandfather and I try.”

I kept my pointless thoughts stored away in my mind.

Although I had deleted the data exposed, it was obvious that she would become a fugitive here, and I was curious about her next steps.

Specifically, I wanted to ascertain what impact the wavelengths I interfered with had on Helena’s movements.

“…Well, I didn’t want to be here anymore, so I figured originally I’d just hide anywhere to settle.”

“But…?”

Swallowing my dry saliva at her vague response signaled that she was thinking about something.

If her mental scars were too deep that she chose to live as a recluse, I had no grounds to persuade her.

…Of course, I had no qualifications to either.

I waited anxiously for the rest of her words, hoping she hadn’t made a decision drastically deviated from the original work, but the person who had thrown a stone at her heart finally looked at me before speaking.

“Someone told me? That there’s no such thing as a saint in the world, so I should just live as I want.”

No, that was just encouragement to lift her spirits!

Just when I was about to tell her she’s too young and talented to be planning for retirement too early, she continued speaking.

“So, I’m thinking of going to a bigger city, Neo Haven, to try my hand at mercenary work, like someone… Who knows? I might meet a hacker who first calls the ambulance for a fallen teammate.”

“…Huh?”

Despite the significant negative impact I had on the process and reason, Helena had chosen that place as if it were fate.

Neo Haven, Emerald City. A place where all flows converge, and predicted power struggles begin. Moreover, she was eyeing a profession of interest as a mercenary, of all things.

Whether to call it my effort so far or the end of my worries and missteps being true to the original was quite frustrating. Yet, somehow, the bright atmosphere in her tone brought me a sense of pride and distant light that was hard to describe.

“Hey, you there! Two engineers from DS3! Why the hell are control room ghosts here?”

“?!”

It seemed the light that had found us was from the police.

The gun pointed at us was withdrawn, and a group approached cautiously.

They belonged to DS2, the number two gate shift. Although we had brushed past each other a few times in the common area, we were not on friendly terms.

This was only good news. It would be harder for them to catch me out in lies if we exchanged only the necessary information.

“We’re still alive, but because we encountered the intruders first, we sustained injuries… Still, we have secured a hostage here!”

“What? …Really? Command Structure! I’ve found the research personnel whose status was unclear. Describe the beard shape, what kind of nonsense is that?! …No, that seems roughly accurate. We’ll take him back!”

With about 90% truth and 10% lies mixed in, and with the offer of a public favor conveniently prepared, it was only polite for them to be fooled this way.

…But damn, how can they be so shameless as to take only the man when they’ve seen their fellow officers injured? You bastards?!

“I’m sorry, but if you could just allow us to accompany you, we will head to the medical area on our own.”

I made a reasonable request to the DS2 team leader as I watched a team member lumber over and lift the unconscious man.

I was worried about how to move Helena, but first and foremost, we needed to get out of here, so I tried to maintain a polite demeanor.

However, I wasn’t the only one capable of using deception tactics.

Clank!

“Wait!!”

To the side of my head. Without any warning, a gun barrel was shoved against my ear.

Even through the visor, the cold sensation sent chills down my spine, and the direct threat was enough to wipe my prepared excuses from my memory.

“Sorry, but I just met with the DS3 kids right here. However, I didn’t hear a single word that an engineer came along with them… They contacted me to hurry along, so just hold on, okay?”

“……”

It seemed I was going to be unlucky enough to get my nose broken even if I fell back.

As the atmosphere thickened, Helena was once again trying to spring to her feet to fight.

In her case, a rifle was pressing against her forehead, yet she was unbothered, even attempting to push it away by lifting her head. Somehow, she seemed more spirited than when she was dying.

Please Helena! For my sake, just hold on a little longer and try bargaining with Drayfuscus!

With the doubts already igniting, making a scene would likely just make the trigger lighter, so I anxiously opened my contact list.

And just before I dialed the ominous golden number I had shoved all the way at the bottom, my former colleagues arrived.

“…So our engineers are here?”

From DS3, numbers 1 through 4. Though it had almost turned into ruins, they stocked in those who originally had no idea of this location and were divided into small squadrons.

This might lead to charges of disobedience, abuse of authority, or if they had any sense, unlawful entry, putting us in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange to die at any moment.

There was no choice.

Rather than being ambiguously rebellious and causing a real disaster, it would be better to fully surrender right now…

“Ah, this is great! I was worried when we got separated, so I’m glad I found you.”

“What…?”

The collection squad that passed by was bewildered by the smooth tone of trustworthy dialogue, and a member from the original unit, taking over Helena’s position, calmly replied.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wrap this up quickly and head home? Let’s hurry and hand over our troublemakers.”

“Well… that’s true.”

Despite their doubts, their overly confident words convinced them to take the man and retreat.

Soon after, a short silence passed.

The moment a sufficient distance was judged to have opened, every possible commotion in this world erupted.

“…Hey, did they leave? I thought I was going to die from fright…!”

“Little engineer, this is our team leader, right?! Oh!?”

“What are you asking me for?! The build is exactly like that person! I told you it’s dangerous to investigate the companies’ backstories, yet you never listen!”

“Ugh, look at the blood clots. Anyone got a coagulant… Anyone with a coagulant?! Huh?”

“Hahaha….”

I felt like I was on a roller coaster of intense emotions.

The initial shock turned to amazement, then quickly transformed into joy and positivity, forcing a chuckle from me.

Ah, yes.

If there are people who have gone crazy seeing the hero Helena, it wouldn’t be strange for there to be followers who accepted her as she is.

Perhaps even if there had been no one like me, they were the last bastion that guaranteed Helena’s survival while she was unconscious.

“You fools, you idiots…”

“Thanks to the team leader, we’ve earned a bonus here, so we can handle this much!”

“Shut up! If we aren’t going to be living here for the rest of our lives, tell me about some private hospital that the corporation wouldn’t know about!”

Helena’s sigh, filled with tears of gratitude for the unexpected allies, resonated in my chest.

Not even knowing each other’s names properly, calling each other leader, kid, idiot—such chaos felt oddly reassuring.

After all… there couldn’t be anything wrong with believing someone as you lived. We just needed to choose our counterparts wisely.

In that sense, I hoped that Helena’s misfortunes would lessen even a bit by this, so I pointed out a certain implant shop she trusted as a facility for her evacuation.