Chapter 67

“…….”

As soon as he entered the room, Aron faced Anastasia, who seemed visibly displeased by his lewd joke, staring at him without hiding her sulky expression.

There were no visible firearms or blades.

However, it wouldn’t be wise to underestimate her body itself. According to background checks, she was indeed a rare Pure (someone who had undergone no surgeries except for communication implants).

Nevertheless… he couldn’t let his guard down.

Although it was merely one possible outcome based on accumulated evidence and circumstances, he had this anomaly residing at the top of the company, who might be capable of turning the machines scattered around into weapons.

“Since you’ve come all this way… you can drop the formality. Miss Anastasia. Just call me Aron!”

“…Understood. Director of the Strategic Planning Department of the great Paradise Corporation.”

Her tendency to vehemently refuse to be manipulated by others’ intentions was still firmly in place, even after experiencing this a few times.

In fact, had she not appeared familiar with the world or proficient in modern electronic warfare, he might have adopted the theory of her being a frozen human who had awoken somewhere, using that as a basis to negotiate for a safe haven and a mountain of money.

“…So, will Mr. Drayfuscus be handling the compensation for damages… or the survivor benefits himself?”

Even for a corporation with immense power, and even for one of the top five mega-corporations competing at the pinnacle, omnipotence had not been achieved.

Even Paradise, which had succeeded in integrating into society with the most diverse services and products, found it difficult to access strict confidential information, while Elysium, the master of the network, was rather indifferent to real-world issues.

Even now, Exatech and Haylong, who were busy competitively filling vacant orbits with satellites, seemed to prioritize security and prevention against leaks, likely due to their pride in their technological capabilities.

Enema had… well, while engaging in extensive interactions with corporations and providing medical services, they had always maintained a clear distinction between public data and confidential technologies.

Ultimately, what he was trying to say was this.

If she were an anomaly with absolutely no background, then there was a chance she was already affiliated with another organization.

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

“Kindness? Not at all! Ahaha!”

She took a step back, looking a bit downcast due to his outpouring of doubt and suspicion.

If a strategic planning department analyst had heard that, they would have been quite aggrieved, but for this case, Aron decided to trust his instincts.

People are influenced not only by their genetics but also by the environments they grow up in, and the character of Anastasia didn’t match the image of any upper-class or powerful figures he had experienced or established.

…In fact, she showed traits much closer to being anti-corporate in various ways.

Would someone so cherished really let a strategic weapon like her roam freely and unprotected? Not even for a purpose of infiltration, but rather in a headhunting position?

Even if he could assassinate an executive named Aron Drayfuscus right then and there, considering what he had to lose, it would be impossible to justify the cost-benefit.

Still, there might be something to exploit, or possibly a specialized implant that had avoided scanning in her body… specifically, a small bomb that could determine life or death from a distance.

To put it bluntly, there might be poison embedded within her, so it seemed wise to conduct a ‘check’ before making any formal recruitment proposals, for both her and his own safety.

“What would you like to drink? You’ve probably had enough unnecessary talk, thanks to Mr. Wise-man; you don’t have to refrain.”

He opened the refrigerator filled with special drinks prepared by the companies under Paradise and asked.

If one were to ask what was so special about them, there was only one difference compared to commercial products.

They contained a plethora of lab-grade nanobots that aided nothing in terms of flavor.

If Anastasia Valentine had any physical secrets she was hiding, they would likely be revealed by this, and if fortunate, he might grasp a clue about their identity.

Yet truly, she had never once succumbed to others’ expectations, whether intended or unintended.

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

‘……?’

What was that?

Wondering if he had misheard, Aron turned his head away from the refrigerator to gaze at Anastasia.

He hurriedly activated his self-diagnostic implant, checking every inch of his body for any issues, but every function showed to be normal.

Then why did coffee, which wasn’t even listed among her personal consumption records or even in the purchases made by her sister Helena, suddenly appear with the precise preference of coffee, which is only cultivated as a luxury in dedicated plants?

“Café latte… is it?”

Even upon carefully confirming again, he merely received an awkward nod in return, with nothing changing.

…History can repeat itself innumerable times, so perhaps she had been trained in how to reject gifts from corporations using a phrase typically heard in meetings with the upper echelons of organizations.

However, that just now… was something that shouldn’t have come from someone whose birth and background were unknown.

If it were something she had trained in, there would have been a more convincing way.

“…You have a more sophisticated taste than I expected. The café latte you desire will be brought to you shortly by our staff, along with the breakfast that’s being prepared.”

Calmly and carefully, he closed the beverage storage container, which was akin to a nanobot receptacle. The thought of needing to finish a check now in preparation for the main point and the dinner that would follow disappeared somewhere along the way.

Rather than strange, it was more peculiar. Ominous, to the point of being mysterious.

Despite all the lies being spun, there was a curtain revealed as if taunting Aron, who had to control his heart rate just to evade detection by the other party.

Come to think of it… if one wanted to gain a talent, should it not be said that one should first win the heart?

A refined battle of wits, each side gradually revealing their cards.

As an executive challenged by Paradise, and as one curious human, he had no intention of backing down. No, he absolutely did not want to retreat.

Though he hadn’t been born into a particularly affluent environment, he had always believed he was born into a blessed moment.

Because he had gotten a chance to dive into society during the tumultuous period when the Chairman was sorting out the dreadful corporations of Harvest Planet.

Thanks to that, he had his talent, appearance, and cunning recognized and was diligently solidifying his position as the second-in-command of the company.

Now he thought it was his turn to pick up a companion, expecting a chance, he entered a war where neither guns nor swords were drawn.

“Firstly, please accept my heartfelt apologies for the distress Miss Anastasia has endured due to the reckless actions of our staff. I would also like to express my condolences once again for the passing of your sister.”

“…Thank you, Aron. Since we have to hold the funeral without a body, my heart feels heavy, but knowing that the executives are mourning like this… I’m sure my sister Helena, who dedicated her life to the police, would be pleased.”

As a response for her sincerity, and seeing as there was nothing to gain from starting on the wrong foot, he lightly opened the conversation with his expression of gratitude.

“Indeed, it’s a relief to hear that from a bereaved family member! However, if you’re worried about the body to be placed in the coffin, should I send you the dissolved protein mixture instead? Oddly enough, there seems to be exactly enough left to match the amount of the unconfirmed recovery unit members!”

“Ugh!!”

The following provocation was filled with sarcasm based on the materials the company had secured.

Slightly distorted eyebrows and lips of Anastasia, who had been drawing soft lines until just a moment ago, rose sharply, which was somewhat satisfying.

If she were to be so flustered by such a provocation, it would have been a great disappointment.

There was still much back-and-forth left to be had, and they had a pile of cards to wield against each other; to be overwhelmed now would be unwise.

“Do you know how troubled I was because of the gift you gave me? I’m sure the legal department would have contacted you separately if the Chairman had not taken a liking to it.”

“W-Well… thank you for your leniency.”

…Yes, he wanted this kind of reaction.

That the name of the wiggling mega-corp was directly behind him, coupled with the fierce gaze directed solely at the opponent before him, was something he had to possess to grow.

“Anastasia Valentine. You don’t seem consistent in your actions for someone who registered for citizenship through brokers from the wastelands recently.”

“…Sorry, but I live as I please.”

That was a surprisingly bland response.

Even after he had thrown the fact that he had investigated her actions and observed her life into her face, her demeanor, as if having nothing to hide, gazing straightforwardly at him, left Aron impressed.

It felt as if her clear eyes were claiming she had lived a life without a single regret or shame. He wanted to grasp her petite face and shout out.

Living was a continuous competition that deprived others of opportunities they might have had.

In such a world, how could she remain so relaxed while possessing such talent?

“Join Paradise, Miss Anastasia. Your abilities are too precious to be wasted on the streets.”

“…I’m sorry, but I cannot stay here.”

The words that slipped out, despite being different from her inner thoughts, were the core she wanted to push further back.

The response that returned was a sharp refusal.

Originally, he was meant to slowly break down walls with prolonged persuasion and coaxing, but her mindset—reminiscent of his past self yet also distinct—left his mouth parched.

Even with the opportunity at hand, she did not seize it, and even when there was a path, she chose not to walk it.

The caution surpassed what was reasonable, and he unintentionally hinted at the possibility of a severe outcome.

“Are you merely implying a location? If you mean to say that Paradise is not an option, then I can no longer afford to make any further offers.”

“It’s only… a goal that can only be achieved in Neo Haven.”

On the other hand, she seemed totally unfazed by the threat, maintaining her composure and once again throwing back a proposal with part of the truth.

A goal. A heavy word that was hard to even carelessly pull out of one’s pocket.

Especially if it was something an outstanding individual hadn’t yet achieved; it undoubtedly must be something extraordinary.

…There was no other choice.

To be worthy of looking down at this scenery, one was originally supposed to work hard for a long time to gain that qualification, but… she was so outstanding that it was hard to reckon with.

With a simple gesture, she threw aside the curtains that had covered the window, handing a jewelry box gently into the hands of the poor girl, who could not make the righteous decision.

“I have no interest in what your goal is, what hidden background you have, or your original identity. Even if it’s smaller than Neo Haven, if someone like you becomes a part of Paradise, you will have this vast Harvest Planet beneath your feet.”

What kind of farce was this? This no longer felt like a recommendation or invitation but rather seemed like he was begging at her feet.

With a demeanor so submissive it seemed uncertain who the master was, Aron let out a wry smile inside. Still, he thought that if he could correct this foolish notion like this, he could take his time repaying the debt later.

“…I truly appreciate the offer, but I do not intend to belong to Paradise or any other place.”

He had grown tired of her repeating denials.

Thinking back, even in his youth, there had often been times when he tried to advise others with good words only for them to not understand.

This endless confrontation resulted because he was carelessly trying to guide a genius, full of vigor, who needed to experience everything for themselves and verify it directly.

“You should take some time to think alone; your thoughts may change.”

In preparation for the possibility of hostilities, he issued entry orders to the collection unit, armed with jamming equipment.

Their purpose was strictly swift capture and confinement. Considering the viral situation, a riot was surely about to unfold, so immediate containment would be essential.

Yet… even after they had seemingly parted ways, it seemed the other party still had something to say, something heartfelt to express.

“Do you want my abilities, Aron? Or is it simply that you’re looking for a tribute to present to the Chairman?”

“……? What do you mean all of a sudden….”

The obvious answer was both sides, but… before he could provide a proper response, Anastasia Valentine revealed her true nature first.

Using her cherished jewelry box to shield her body, she admonished him for being so clueless.

The halo reflecting along her petite outline occupied his vision, and the delicate hand she extended offered an intense temptation.

Perhaps… Aron Drayfuscus had been under a grand misunderstanding.

How foolish was it to seek commonalities between himself and Anastasia Valentine?

“I absolutely can’t sign that damn love contract or employment contract… but Aron Drayfuscus, are you not interested in a partnership contract for our individual goals?”

She was certainly not someone who would settle for anything less.

Her demeanor was as if she were a being that could never be contained by a single mega-corp.

…A man who had spent his entire life coaxing others and binding them with contracts was now faced with his second daring proposal since being asked by the Chairman if he would follow him.

People often say that opportunities in life come three times.

If so, then was the first choice leading to the second opportunity not an inevitable consequence?

“Aha!!”

By the time his thoughts had progressed that far, he inadvertently burst into a hearty laugh.

Just now, before being able to judge rationally, Aron unconsciously compared Anastasia to someone upstairs.

He had thought that there were only five people in the world with charisma to overturn an arranged setting with a single word, seizing others’ stages at will without being in the limelight.

“Indeed… indeed!”

A very personal ambition sprouted within an ambitious soul.

This little giant, this cunning little devil.

Before this giraffe, claiming that even the five pillars supporting the vast metropolis and the world were too cramped, could grow in size, he felt an undeniable urge to carve his name into its trajectory.

…Indeed, something like love did not suit him.

Was it due to his long exposure to the Chairman, who had a saying that marriage was the grave of life? Or was it the fear that a man, so small compared to this girl, might carelessly take hold of something grand and ruin it?

Yet even amidst these complicated emotions, he could clearly recognize his possessiveness.

Even if it were the Chairman, whom he revered, the desire to not share the clandestine ties soon to be formed began to bloom within him.