Chapter 80

Cash, noticing Sonia entering the office, began to speak.

“We’ve already discussed that Security Chief Haspun.”

The pharmaceutical company decided to remain silent on this matter.

Justification, power, information—Cash had the upper hand in every aspect.

The company, already holding the reins of other corporations through investments and real estate, was now monopolizing the Essence business. Opposing them was unthinkable.

Besides, Cash had offered better land, so there was no reason to resist.

Thus, the pharmaceutical company’s project was effectively halted.

“With this, their project of spreading the virus in Western Europe can be considered stopped.”

Hearing this, Amon and Sonia sighed in relief, as if it were their own victory.

Seeing this, Cash smiled warmly.

*’Pretending not to care, but they’re kind-hearted.’*

With that thought, Cash continued.

“However, there’s a potential issue.”

“Potential issue?”

At Sonia’s response, Cash nodded.

“Yes, a potential issue.”

While the worst future had been averted, nothing is ever 100% certain.

There was still a possibility they might proceed with the virus dispersal despite accepting Cash’s proposal.

“They might build a factory through our deal and later spread the virus as if nothing happened.”

Of course, that would break their trust with Cash, but such things are common in corporate dealings.

Though such a future existed, Cash chose not to elaborate.

The conclusion was that there were still many uncertainties, and a fundamental solution was needed.

“At the very least, we need someone to monitor them long-term in that region. Which brings me to the main point…”

Cash’s gaze shifted to Amon.

Caught off guard, Amon was flustered.

“Me?”

“No, you need to stay here. I just meant you’d need to make a short trip.”

“Why?”

“We’re setting up a Rekhetio branch there. To ensure they keep their promise and to expand our Essence business.”

She planned to establish a service center—a place to restore Essence-infused equipment to its full functionality.

Given that Legendary Essence periodically emerged from the company, such a service was feasible.

Amon understood Cash’s reasoning.

“True, entrusting this to someone else would be risky.”

It might be overconfidence, but this matter was highly sensitive.

One needed to be aware of the deal between Cash and the pharmaceutical company, understand Cash’s intentions, and remain incorruptible.

From Amon’s perspective, there was no one more suitable than himself.

“So, do I bring people from other branches, or find someone locally?”

“Find someone locally.”

“Just appoint a random passerby as the boss?”

Cash nodded.

Amon could only facepalm.

“The HR team is going to complain again.”

“What can I do? The people I appoint work far better than their recommendations.”

“Boss, you’re too cool.”

“Ahem.”

After a brief comedic exchange, the two reached an agreement.

The conclusion: Amon had to go to Western Europe.

Upon hearing Amon’s departure, Sonia raised her hand.

“I want to go too!”

“What about your training?”

“I’ll take a break!”

“What about your graduation credits?”

“Can’t I substitute it with field experience? If not, I’ll just not graduate, whatever.”

“…”

There was nothing more to say.

Sonia had no attachment to her diploma. While others attended the Seminary to build their resumes, she went solely to learn Divine Magic. To her, the diploma was nothing more than a souvenir.

In the end, Amon raised both hands in surrender.

“Do as you please.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll graduate eventually. I didn’t finish middle or high school, but I should at least have a college diploma to not embarrass our future son.”

“…? Son?”

“Or daughter.”

Cash gave Amon a suspicious look.

Amon crossed his fingers into an X.

“Don’t misunderstand.”

“Well, it’s natural for couples.”

“That’s not what I meant… Ugh, trying to explain just makes it weirder.”

It was a situation where denying felt necessary, but doing so would make things even more awkward.

Later, the three finalized their plans.

Amon and Sonia would head to Western Europe to find someone suitable for the boss position.

It was a daunting task, like finding a needle in a desert.

Amon asked Cash,

“Any hints?”

Cash shook her head.

The gesture carried multiple meanings.

Perhaps the related future was unclear, or revealing it might alter the worldline, or relying solely on Foresight was unwise.

There were many possible interpretations.

Amon decided to trust her judgment and didn’t press further.

After wrapping up the discussion, Amon and Sonia left the office to prepare for their journey to Western Europe.

“See you in a few months.”

“Bring back souvenirs.”

“Sure.”

Cash saw them off.

As the office door closed, Cash was left alone.

She gazed at the door, recalling Sonia’s image.

And muttered to herself,

“I’m jealous…”

The nest once again longed for its pair.

***

Amon and Sonia arrived in Western Europe, specifically Paris.

As always, they traveled in premium class. Sonia, now accustomed to the newlywed package’s comfort, enjoyed the trip.

Upon arrival, they immediately got to work…

Well, not really.

They had no leads to start their search.

So, they decided to trust fate and wandered around like tourists.

The air in Paris was filthy, rivaling London’s smog.

Filtered lung surgery was a necessity, not a choice.

Amon and Sonia, wearing masks, aimlessly roamed the city.

As they wandered, Amon racked his brain for clues.

Like dusting off a rusty machine and oiling it, he revisited his past-life memories.

The first candidate that came to mind was…

*‘A side quest?’*

A similar situation had occurred in a game.

A quest to stop a pharmaceutical company from spreading a virus.

Being a side quest, you could ignore it, but it would periodically update you on the damage, inducing guilt.

If you stubbornly ignored it and reached the ending…

*“You ignored the deaths of 328,451 Western Europeans. Congratulations, Adolf II.”*

Back then, people protested the Nazi comparison, and the developers revised the content, but that’s beside the point.

The important thing was how the quest was resolved.

*‘Let’s see…’*

Amon dug through his memories.

And concluded:

*‘Rejected.’*

The game’s protagonist only knew how to kill and destroy.

The quest involved avenging a few related individuals, not stopping the virus spread.

The ending was upgraded to *“You tried your best,”* but it wasn’t a fundamental solution.

Thus, the quest wasn’t much help.

Amon continued brainstorming.

Helper NPCs.

*‘No one useful.’*

Most were dead, in hiding, or irrelevant.

Various opportunities or items.

Nothing could stop a determined virus spread.

*‘Should I seek help from an evil NPC?’*

He briefly considered it but quickly dismissed the idea.

The risk was too high, and Amon wasn’t confident he could control such a person.

Countless candidates flashed through his mind.

Then, he bumped into a passerby.

Lost in thought, Amon instinctively checked his wallet and recalled the multidimensional functions of his coat before apologizing.

“Sorry…”

Amon locked eyes with the passerby.

In that moment, a face flashed through his mind.

*‘A gag character?’*

A well-meaning scientist from his past life came to mind.

Born in London, he wanted to help many people and had the talent to do so.

But there were reasons he was a gag character.

The main one was his randomness.

His creations were wildly inconsistent, often accompanied by unintended side effects.

This frustrating randomness made him a favorite for those wanting to experience Punk City like a roguelike.

Amon had also relied on him heavily in his past life.

And the scientist bore the same face as the middle-aged man he’d bumped into.

At first, he thought it might just be a lookalike, but the man’s actions confirmed it.

“Ah, sorry. I’m in a hurry… Trururu! Hold on. The Doctor has something to say.”

The middle-aged man suddenly made a phone sound with his mouth, then pulled a hamster from his pocket.

He gently placed the hamster on his hands and spoke solemnly to Amon.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Henri Muar. Do you have time? I’d like to discuss something with you and your wife…”

“Wait, Doctor, she might not be his wife!”

“Ah, my apologies. Is she not your wife?”

Watching the man switch voices, Sonia was too stunned to speak.

Seeing this, Amon was certain.

*‘It’s him.’*

The genius scientist who shared his personality with a hamster.

<Henri Muar & Dant>

It was definitely him.