Chapter 65

The office of Aron Drayfuscus, the head of the Strategic Planning Department, was lavish, unlike someone else’s bleak room.

Even when he relayed the embarrassing warning message that was almost too shameful to call a virus, I felt it again while groping through the adjacent circuits; it was almost like a personal space rather than an office or a director’s room, equipped with furniture as if it were his own home.

The overall harmony of the opulent red, yellow, and white colors.

The drinks displayed in the showcase or the artworks hanging on the walls.

Even the king-sized bed in the corner…

“Are you interested in that? I didn’t expect you to care about body compatibility, of all things!”

“Please… would you kindly shut that mouth?! Mr. Drayfuscus??”

But even this luxurious scenery, which could easily be mistaken for a hotel suite, left no room for enjoyment when its owner was this man.

His footsteps… were surprisingly light for his position, and as someone unreserved about appearing on broadcasts. Whether this environment was prepared to entertain guests or to overwhelm them, I would figure that out from now on.

“Since you’ve come all this way… you can stop being so formal. Miss Anastasia. Just call me Aron!”

“…Understood. The esteemed head of the Strategic Planning Department of Paradise Corporation.”

Well. Did you really expect me to defer to you willingly? I’m already frustrated that the perfect plan fell apart at the last moment.

It’s true I decided to settle on a favorable point when they evaluated and respected me highly.

…But that doesn’t mean I’ll just nod along to every proposal presented by them and end up with shackles on my ankles; we’re not that familiar with each other after all…

“……”

Even though I received a sharply defensive reaction in return, there was no noticeable negative change in his expression.

In fact, it seemed that the subtle smile hanging on him deepened a little… or maybe not…?

“…So, will Mr. Drayfuscus handle the compensation or the funeral benefits personally?”

Even so, I wanted to decline being swept up in matters that could go either way, so I wished he would just get straight to the point.

“……”

“…So, about the compensation you asked me to apply for.”

“……”

“No, um…”

“……”

As the unspoken pressure intensified, a chill ran down my spine.

It wasn’t just guessing from the atmosphere or context; his half-closed eyes, which barely revealed his irises, partially opened, showing that unique color characteristic.

“…Thank you for your kindness. …Aron.”

“Kindness? Not at all! Ahaha!”

…Absolutely. I’m not surrendering; I’ll insist that I’m yielding greatly because raising hostile defenses from the outset will only complicate the matters.

As proof of that, the one who had been frozen like a snake about to strike again started moving again, impressed by my cooperativeness, so I wouldn’t accept any counterarguments… damn it.

Still, titles are the foundation of relationships… so even if I might end up demolishing that foundation later, I should at least build it sincerely for now.

Aron, who had just been attempting eye contact with me from the opposite sofa, suddenly jumped up and opened the refrigerator door on the wall.

“What would you like to drink? You might have said a lot of unnecessary things due to Mr. Wise-man, but you really don’t need to hold back.”

Having figured out that my basic stance was rejection and declining since I arrived, he emphasized not to draw back anymore… how could I ignore such a kind gesture?

Moreover, since it was a welcome drink personally provided by the upper echelons of society, it was only right to state what I truly wanted.

“Then I’ll have coffee. …If possible, please add milk and syrup to make it a latte.”

“Caffe latte… is it?”

It seemed that Aron was surprised to hear such a direct order, which wasn’t even part of Paradise’s product names.

I thought it was a bit too detailed. But since beverage preferences don’t count as personal data worth trading, I felt bold. Besides, having one cup of coffee wouldn’t bankrupt this man.

The simple reason I made such a request, even though I wasn’t particularly fond of coffee, was because in this world of his, there were precisely no readily available coffee drinks.

Caffeine may have existed in various bizarre product names and flavors, but the fragrant smell wafting from every corner café never appeared anywhere.

So, I just wanted to fill my inner cravings, even if I didn’t plan to receive anything extra.

It was based on prejudice thinking, “There probably won’t be any in Mega Cop executive’s personal refrigerator!” But he betrayed my expectations mercilessly and merely closed the door he had opened.

Wow, one of humanity’s legacies has indeed gone extinct… I lamented for a moment.

Then Aron, who quietly returned to his seat, finally spoke up.

“…You possess a more refined taste than I expected. The caffe latte you desire will be brought to you by the staff along with the breakfast that will soon be prepared.”

…What?

I snapped back to reality with the announcement that a cozy breakfast setting had been planned.

Were they trying to corner me into paying for the meal? Or did they intend to drag this uncomfortable meeting for several hours?

“I didn’t plan on staying that long…”

“First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience Miss Anastasia suffered because of our staff’s rampage. I extend my deepest condolences for your sister’s passing.”

“……”

As he abruptly interrupted with serious words, Aron’s head slowly lowered.

His forehead touched the table, and it appeared he would keep it that way without my approval.

I had known since the phone call that he had no intention of severing ties, but I never imagined I’d receive a formal apology from the person in charge one-on-one.

Was he reflecting on my worth as a human being so coldly…?

Maybe my prickly response was indeed unnecessary.

“Thank you, Aron. I’ve been feeling heavy-hearted since I had to conduct the funeral without a body, and with the management showing such sorrow, I’m sure my sister Helena, who dedicated her life to the police, would be pleased.”

‘The rats from Mega Cop are the worst!!’

‘There are three Mega Cop headquarters in Neo Haven, so I’ll dig up all their dirty secrets!’

As soon as I regained my strength after treatment, I shoved the voice of betrayal that had been shouting in anger into the depths of my memory.

Things have a way of working out; just hold on a little longer.

The head that had only shown the back of its neck rose again.

And then the previously stiff expression blossomed into a broad smile in an instant.

“Indeed, it’s much more comforting to hear you say that, the bereaved! However, if you’re worried about the body that will be placed in the coffin, should I send you some of that dissolved protein mixture? Oddly enough, only the exact amount of what the missing unit member had has remained!”

“!!”

Damn, you know everything, don’t you?! Are you doing this just to torment me?!?!!

His skill in playing with people’s emotions is truly an art form.

I tried my best to suppress the scream that was escaping between my body and lips, but it wouldn’t be easy for him to miss my reaction.

But even if it all added up, it was still merely circumstantial evidence.

Ultimately, what mattered was not the one who had died systemically but the two present at that moment: Anastasia Valentine and Aron Drayfuscus.

“Do you have any idea how troublesome the gift you gave has made things for me? What was it again? ‘If you wish for complete gold, show me your matched grace first.’ I was impressed, but it caused chaos throughout the company. If the Chairman hadn’t taken a strong disliking to it, the legal department would have reached out separately.”

…Of course, he would. Because I wrote the words he would later say myself.

This was a line that blocked the progress of the main story if the player character didn’t meet the required level when asking for support and cooperation.

I was lucky that the expectation I had that it wouldn’t come to the parties’ ears was working out well.

“Thank you very much for extending your leniency.”

From this point onward, pleasantries were unnecessary.

While he expressed regret for the tragedy at the entrance, he also pointed out my shortcomings, and I successfully evaded a previously poked weakness.

“Anastasia Valentine. You seem to have been quite inconsistent in your actions for a hacker who registered for citizenship through a broker in the wasteland. If you were looking for credits, you could have done mercenary work or joined Paradise, yet you suddenly applied for the combat police. Then you quit soon after.”

“…I apologize, but I tend to live according to my whims.”

The decisions he made up until now, based on unactualized events, certainly appeared quite fascinating to his eyes high up in the hierarchy.

He seemed intent on not missing even my slightest movements, gazing directly into Aron’s wide-open eyes.

Even in the urgency embedded within those words, I found a sense of calm.

A bundle of knowledge about the end of this civilization and its conquest.

And differentiated abilities and skills.

Knowing what lurked beneath each mega-corp only heightened the fear, but I also possessed advantages hard to imagine.

I know them, but they don’t know me.

If an individual fights against a group, they would be crushed, but what if only the representative players enter the game?

If I can keep my cards hidden while playing a card game, as long as I watch out for someone overturning the table, there was no reason to be at a disadvantage.

“Join Paradise, Miss Anastasia. Your abilities are too valuable to waste on the streets.”

“…I’m sorry, but I cannot stay here.”

“Are you solely referring to the place? If that’s your reasoning for not joining Paradise, it will be hard for me to offer further friendly suggestions.”

A chill crept up near my neck.

For a brief moment, Aron’s pupils rapidly contracted, and I could almost tell what he was recalling, even without any harsh sounds. He seemed to be indicating he wouldn’t allow good fortune for anyone, especially not one that benefits a rival company.

“Only… because I have goals I can only achieve in Neo Haven.”

“……”

Rather than ineptly attempting to deceive him, I chose to advance with the straightforward truth.

Complex gazes crossed between us.

It seemed he could hardly understand why a person who had come this far would stop here, and the man, who lacked any regrets about his authority, let out a heavy sigh.

Did he finally give up…?

But then, unexpectedly…

Snap—!!

As he snapped his fingers, the curtains covering the office walls fluttered open.

Aron stood up from the sofa, gesturing for me to follow him as he approached the wide windows.

Carefully trailing behind him, a view soon unveiled that could only be seen from the uppermost floor of the tallest building near the top of Harvest Planet.

The rising sun struggled to swallow the city lights, but the throbbing of this enormous steel monster showed no signs of ceasing.

Everything below—every building and every person—was ruled by a single corporation… It felt like my senses dulled, and consciousness faded.

“…Do you know what Paradise’s mottos are and the Chairman’s beliefs?”

Just as I expected. If Wise-man resembled the Chairman’s personality, then Aron tended to believe in the Chairman’s convictions.

“Collect credits to your heart’s content, and use them to buy true treasures.”

In essence, the money-devouring shenanigans of Paradise.

With a short history and lackluster technology, they clawed their way for a chance, motivated by their ambition to acquire true talent and limited resources that couldn’t be easily quantified in money.

“I have no interest in your concealed backgrounds or original identities. Even if it’s smaller than Neo Haven, if someone like you becomes a part of Paradise, you’ll have that vast Harvest Planet beneath your feet.”

“Well…”

“Or, would you care to let me in on Miss Anastasia’s goals? With such capital and facilities, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.”

A sweet temptation tickled my eardrums.

The delightful word “return” knocked at my throat, begging to be set free, but I held it in.

…In terms of developing strength separately, it might not be a bad way at all.

However, the heavens had decided that Neo Haven would be where the prologue begins, so whether I wanted to or not, Paradise would inevitably follow.

What if I asked to be assigned to the Neo Haven branch should I be hired?

It was a plausible future, but I was certain there wouldn’t be enough time left to earn that level of trust.

“…I truly appreciate the proposal, but both for Paradise and elsewhere, I don’t intend to affiliate with anyone just yet.”

Having the backing of Mega Cop was quite alluring, but I refrained.

While I could gloss over the combat police background, if I were to leave an official employment record, it could pose issues when meeting anti-corporate factions in the future.

As Aron’s last attempt to persuade me failed, the glimmer of danger began to flicker in his eyes once more.

For him, it was either enemy or ally, Paradise or otherwise.

Judging the world with that flawless binary logic might actually place him at an advantage.

I didn’t want to feel the merit of desperately infiltrating the security network from the moment I stepped into the office, but the situation offered me no choice.

This virus wouldn’t be kind like the last one; I wondered how he would manage it…

“You might change your mind once you take some time to think alone.”

In that moment, teetering on the edge of confrontation, a possibility I hadn’t previously considered surfaced.

Was it truly wise for me to bite back at him the moment he bared his fangs?

No, did I even need to get swept up in that brutal binary logic at all? Where in the world is a clever faction that can survive as long as the gray molecules?

“Is Aron wanting my abilities? Or are you simply searching for a fine product to present to the Chairman?”

“……? What’s this all of a sudden…?”

I felt him becoming flustered by the unexpected question vividly.

If it were the latter, there would be no room for compromise. But if it were the former, perhaps there was still a path forward.

A contract between Aron Drayfuscus and Anastasia Valentine, not just as executives of Paradise, but as a highly personal cooperation.

He stood with his back against the glass, blocking the very city view he had been bragging about as if concealing the entire scene before him.

With the sunlight pouring in behind him, it felt as though the world was blessing the direction I was about to take, filling me with confidence.

“I may never sign that damned love contract or employment agreement… but how about a partnership contract for our respective goals, Aron Drayfuscus? Are you interested?”

“……”

Although the reverse light created by the room’s lighting made it difficult to see clearly, I could easily tell that he looked taken aback by the unexpected proposal, which I relished deep down.