Chapter 62

If we limit ourselves to the stories and events of the game era, Paradise Corporation could hardly be deemed the protagonist or main enemy of the player.

It’s not that their collection teams or mechanized divisions encountered along the way were non-hostile or sympathetic villains.

The reason is that the headquarters is located in the city itself, which does not house its main forces, implying it could not be the center of conflict.

In fact, upon scrutinizing the details, it was true that Elysium and Paradise were somewhat lacking in military power compared to the other three Mega Cops, and later, the president of Paradise, who came to visit for a summit, exacerbated the confusion by sticking their head in here and there…

Even if the president themselves chose a path beneficial after considering various possibilities, futures, and beliefs, the result was a relationship that was closer to a delicate alliance, so it wasn’t entirely dislikeable.

…But that was all in the future when I was the protagonist.

Now, holding such complacent thoughts while trying to earn some credits by foolishly walking straight into the enemy’s midst might lead to a fate worse than being stung by a hornet’s nest.

Moreover… here, where there’s hardly a counterforce to stop Paradise’s dictatorship?

I knew the difference between a faint hope and something that was downright impossible.

So, even if I decided to settle things while still being treated favorably,

If the worst came to pass, I wanted to at least have the minimum information.

“…Customer? The payment for your previous commission is still pending, so handling matters this way is a bit difficult…”

“That’s ridiculous. You’re the one who made the absurd request first! What information broker tries to use a customer for another commission as payment? So, either hand over the materials equivalent to my work fee, or I’ll resolve it with credits.”

I pressed the sneaky human who seemed to be trying to pull back in trouble.

What I wanted was a rough outline of the Paradise headquarters, a building that I had no knowledge of, and the known aspects of the significant figure I would soon confront, Aron Drayfuscus.

I wondered if they would try to mess with a guest who came at the request of an upper management officer, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

On the other hand… the bill our neutral witch had presented was absurd.

An eye for an eye, they’d suggested connecting me to cyber engineers in exchange for a brokerage fee, citing that there had been continuous requests coming in.

…They were wary of officially announcing it, and hiring mercenaries might draw attention, so they sought to find people in this manner. Honestly, the smell was suspicious, and I didn’t want to get involved, but my situation was favorable.

The meeting spot designated by the client was Neo Haven, and despite saying I wasn’t interested, I couldn’t help but feign ignorance.

Since the story I knew was starting to diverge oddly, I wasn’t irresponsibly trying to twist the narrative further. I just wanted to get away as quickly as possible from the management zone of Paradise, which was too clearly aware of my existence.

After my brief experience as a police officer ended abruptly, and becoming a homeless person without a residence, I thought it wasn’t too suspicious for a citizen to leave in search of a new job… probably.

“…I see. Our customer is as stubborn as they are beautiful, it seems.”

“It’s unnecessary to complicate what could be settled simply by receiving the credits you should have just transferred. Did you intend to keep me waiting for it?”

I listened with one ear to their cheeky retorts that were irritation-inducing and let them flow out the other ear.

Now, the only debt hanging over me in my ledger was the promise with Drayfuscus I was about to face.

With a lightened heart, I watched them as they seemed to search for the materials to hand over, nodding their head with closed eyes.

“Hmm… Information on Paradise headquarters and Mr. Drayfuscus… is difficult. Very difficult.”

“……”

The flicking fingers and the pulsing implant beneath the skin drew my attention.

…Even if they could be considered involved in this industry, it was the first time I had seen someone similar to another hacker using internal components to work on something.

If the skills or abilities I possessed were coveted beyond just being top-tier, basic concealment was essential, and I would have to know how to mimic others.

“…With this, it should roughly cover the difference for taking on a troublesome job.”

However, I didn’t ask them to take extra time for research. I simply requested information that an operator in the city would likely know, so I didn’t understand why they were putting on such airs.

Just as I was about to say something after waiting too long,

A carefully selected data bomb flooded in via cyberware.

“…Huh?”

Blueprints of the lower floors of the building, the responsibilities per floor, a rough estimate of security personnel and military scale, and even the internal static of Drayfuscus and the company’s political dynamics.

“Wait! What is all this?!”

“? That’s my sincerity wishing for your smooth industrial espionage activities. …Oh, perhaps you already knew all of this?”

“Argh…!!”

It seemed the obsession of that bastard wanting to uncover others’ identities was still alive and well.

If I left them unchecked, I couldn’t predict how far their wild speculation could leap, so I firmly cut it off.

“What do you think I am?! I’m simply… just someone who got headhunted over there.”

“…That’s impressive in its own way. I wonder if you had a hand in the scandal by the gate the other day…!”

“…I have nothing to do with it.”

…What a sharp bastard. Honestly, I was beginning to suspect that the reason they kept treating me as if I belonged to the corporation was that they had secretly peeked at my other identification.

– Welcome to the most comfortable workplace, the most relaxed office of Paradise Corporation! –

“…I guess so.”

Passing through the arched entrance, natural falsehoods flowed from the start.

Still, to be fair, considering the appearance alone, it wasn’t entirely wrong. The lobby ceiling was impressively high, contrasting with the tacky gold uniforms, and the sunlight streaming through the glass created a sacred hue.

And despite having criticized it so much, it was undeniable that just hearing the name “Paradise” made me feel stifled and expecting danger.

They dealt with a wide array of daily necessities, medicines, and electronics.

The bright and fresh atmosphere in the various pleasure districts and entertainment areas located in the upper and mid-tier of the city was almost a symbol of welfare that was hard to find in Neo Haven.

Moreover, the fact that broadcasts critiquing or analyzing the corporation could air publicly, paradoxically suggested that it might be providing limited freedoms to the citizens…

“…What nonsense!”

But such naive thoughts were crushed by the real conditions I had experienced in the lower and mid-levels, where I had rarely heard of the sorrows of the bottom-dwelling people.

In a thoroughly class-based society where only rumors circulated about someone winning the lottery and moving in…

I, who was on the relatively favored side, couldn’t discern what was just.

Don’t show weakness unnecessarily, Anastasia. Don’t give them a chance to exploit your vulnerabilities.

You’re here in place of the family who were unjustly killed. Get a grip!

Perhaps wanting visitors to be overwhelmed by the building’s design, I turned away from the imposing decor and headed toward the centrally located information desk.

I hadn’t set any appointments or intentions of dropping by.

However, just as I felt compelled by Drayfuscus’s invitation, he must have made preparations to welcome his guests.

“Green ranked citizen, Miss Anastasia Valentine, it’s a pleasure to meet you! May I ask what brings you to Paradise Tower?”

“I’m here to apply for compensation for the family member of an employee who died due to corporate failure…”

Merely seeing a human working instead of a droid sparked unnecessary imaginations.

Was it cheaper labor, or should I consider it a more careful selection since this was a lobby that determined first impressions?

“If it’s regarding the compensation application and review for Miss Anastasia Valentine… I will guide you to the 47th floor!”

Unless it was for a specific purpose and intentionally placed,

“I heard that such complaints are usually handled on a floor lower than the 10th.”

I checked multiple times right before entering the building, so I couldn’t possibly be mistaken.

It wasn’t really my hobby to step into such a glaring pitfall, but…

“I will guide you to the 47th floor. …Will that be alright?”

“…Yes.”

I didn’t know what was being exchanged in real-time through the in-ear monitor stuck in my ear, but contrary to the cheerful first greeting, their voice trembled as they asked again.

There would be no changes even if I tormented the unfortunate junior employee, so I decided to go up.

To the nest of power.