Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Project Z
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1.
A week had passed since treating Arbel and reaching Level 1 Augmentation.
Ten days had passed since becoming Ceres's chauffeur at Twilight Resource Development.
That meant I'd finally hit the eagerly awaited Day 15 in this godforsaken hellhole.
There hadn't been any major events to make use of Augmentation, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Augmentation was insurance for emergencies in the first place.
Even after seven days, Samurai Beach hadn't shown his face.
Challenge points for gacha rolls were steadily accumulating.
All in all, this was the smoothest run across all my previous loops.
[5:00 AM]
‘Today's selection is a hymn for you, toiling away in silence. Oh, great Necropolis!’
"Fuck… Just play some male idol MV instead...."
I dragged myself out of bed in my studio apartment to the soul-draining work song blaring from the street speakers.
Normally, I'd start my dogshit morning by checking if my fingers and toes were still attached after the night.
But not anymore!
Because I had my attachment doll, Arbel, right beside me!
"Sleep well? Arbel."
I greeted the soundly sleeping Arbel good morning.
"Still sleeping today? It's been a whole week already."
"……."
"You're late. Keep this up and… you'll turn into Grandpa?"
"……."
A whole week had passed, but Arbel still hadn't regained consciousness.
According to Isis during yesterday's second treatment, regaining awareness before fully reconstructing her circuits was a crapshoot.
"Lemme sniff you real quick. Sniiiiif!!!"
"…Mm…."
Mages were truly wondrous.
She never even washed, yet she always smelled amazing.
Soft, warm, and perfect to cuddle as the ultimate pillow.
Not that I had any ulterior motives.
This place had no boiler, no heater, not even proper insulation.
Sticking close to share body heat was important for Arbel too.
"Mm… Mmm…."
I pinched her sleeping nose and fed her meds peck by peck while pondering my next moves.
"Hmm, time to start prepping for a move soon...."
My current studio was in E Sector, the worst slum crawling with the poorest of the poor.
Even Batman would get sick of the overtime and take a break from hero work here.
I couldn't keep leaving Arbel in a dump like this, so I was gearing up to escape E Sector.
"But housing costs are a bitch."
Once you left the E Sector slums, even coops that'd sprout mold in your lungs demanded 40,000 Vios in monthly rent like it was nothing.
What I had my eye on was a shop house in C-22 District.
Dumpling shop on the first floor, living space on the second.
Decent spot with its own bathroom, but it required a whopping 400,000 Vios deposit.
Slightly troubling for one Sedric.
My breakthrough in this pinch was, of course, a direct order from Executive Director Ceres.
Problem was, she hadn't issued any additional driving gigs since that day.
"After tasting 100,000 Vios hourly, weekly 200,000 gigs just don't cut it…."
What to do?
Was this how the heroines felt getting NTR'd?
Honest labor income just wasn't satisfying my body anymore.
Then it hit me.
"That's always been the case."
Maybe nothing had really changed.
2.
[5:30 AM]
Couldn't show up reeking to the Twilight Resource Development executive director as her chauffeur.
First stop: the steam bathhouse.
"Whoa! Bro, your dick's huge! Can I touch it?"
"Mom… what the fuck!"
"Boo, you're so mean…!"
"Scram, even male prostitutes have standards!"
I shook off the advances from a fellow industry drone pulling weekly 50,000 Vios and scrubbed thoroughly.
My MVP here was the ‘Chanel Body Wash & Shampoo (UC)’ from Old World Mall gacha.
This stuff was the real deal.
Ceres even did that female move, saying I smelled good.
"But why no more summons!!!!"
To shake off the drowsiness, I shadowboxed while driving the limo to Ceres's mansion.
Arrival at 6:00, but Ceres coming down was random.
Sometimes sharp at 6:00, sometimes leisurely around 9:00.
Parked in the private garage, lit a smoke, and had a sleepy morning snack.
"Hoo…."
The thick tar sliding down my throat woke me up.
Mallboro Reds in another world.
Real deal too.
Old World Mall wasn't half bad.
Before I knew it, Henri—sunglasses, suit, the works—had shown up beside me.
The new attendant secretary managing Ceres's schedule in Julien's place.
Strictly speaking, I only replaced the chauffeur role.
"Morning."
"……."
For reference, full head of hair, didn't look like much of a soccer player.
Gave off refined elite vibes, like something out of the stock exchange.
Especially those rimless glasses—made him look totally clean-cut.
Every time I saw them, I itched to smash them with a lock.
"Wanna smoke one?"
"…Don't talk to me, you roach. You stink like E Sector sewer."
"Why so pissy every morning? Kidney stones?"
"Ha, you little shit…."
Don't get the wrong idea.
I'm not the type to pick fights with coworkers outta nowhere.
At first, I even thought of buddying up with Henri—early morning soccer, sauna back-scrubs, the works.
But.
‘You snitched, that's why Senior Julien got axed. Your turn soon, look forward to it. Everyone else in the secretary pool's gunning for you too.’
Yeah, something like that. Got resentment for replacing the guy.
Really jealous.
Insanely jealous of the secretary pool's camaraderie.
How do you stick up for a guy who named the boss after a goat and got caught fucking it!?
Was the secretary pool a goat-fucker fan club or what!?
Anyway.
My most respected philosopher Nietzsche once said:
If someone hates you for no reason, give them one.
"How about we reframe that? Julien didn't die because of me. Nah, Henri, you got promoted thanks to me."
"…Shut up."
"So, promotion yet? Or not? Nah, you did. I can tell you're faking mad. Whoa, your lip just twitched?"
"……."
"Invite me to the promotion party too. I'm goat-friendly myself."
"Shut your fucking mouth!!!"
"Hmm, mouth suuuuuper glued shut!!!"
"Aaaaaaah!!! How the hell did she hire trash like you!!!"
"Hey now. Mind your volume."
What could they do?
I was technically under the secretary pool, but never went near them.
Plus, I was Ceres's special-hire chauffeur.
Anyone who knew her temper wouldn't touch me lightly.
[9:30 AM]
"Good morning!"
"Had a good night? Ma'am."
"Yeah."
Ceres made her late appearance.
Exchanged brief greetings as she slid into the back seat.
She looked a bit tired, and way later than usual.
Especially low pressure today.
Gotta tread carefully.
Ceres's first routine was brunch at Le Jardin restaurant.
"Ma'am, briefing today's schedule."
"11:00, securing new distribution channels for the ossuary and adjusting existing ‘fees’ as main agenda.
13:00, meeting with R&D division head researcher at HQ. Report on Phase 1 stabilization experiment for recovered ‘lost item: Class 304.’
16:00, site inspection of new gold dust refining facility in D-2 District. Final checks on operation rate and stability.
Finally, 18:00, regular board dinner at the top-floor banquet hall in HQ."
While Ceres got the schedule rundown from Henri and smoked.
I drove with minimal shaking.
"Skipping this board dinner."
"Yes, clearing from 18:00 as personal time."
I barely understood half, but it was kinda fun listening.
Like radio, plus world-building study.
Henri hopped out quick at Le Jardin and opened the door.
"Right this way."
Now Henri would stand watch while Ceres ate, and I'd smoke and wipe the car with a dry rag.
He always shot me a smug superiority look doing it.
"Heh."
Even now, check that glare.
But today was a little different.
"Henri, stay with the car today. Guts, come with."
"Yep!"
"Pardon? Uh, wh-what's the occasion today…."
Ceres's eyes heavily pinned Henri, shutting him up fast.
Whoa, that's how you do power play.
‘Do I have to explain my decisions one by one?’ Zapped via a single glance.
Insane efficiency.
"…S-sorry, ma'am."
"Guts, hurry."
"Hold on, grabbing the red carpet."
"Ha, unbelievable.... Hurry up."
Not content with chewing out her lady's man.
Henri's face turned beet red watching Ceres and me banter casually.
See that, punk?
Know what's scarier than doorknob power?
Pillow talk trumps rock-paper-scissors. Unbeatable.
I flipped Henri the bird behind my back and sauntered after her into the restaurant.
"But really, what's up?"
"Guts, busy today?"
Over the food, I asked Ceres casually.
I'd sensed it.
From when she canceled the board dinner, dribbled past Henri, and lobbed me the long through ball.
It's here!!!
Sugar mommy Ceres's sugar-sugar time!!!
"When the director calls, I make time even if I don't have it."
I naturally tied a napkin around her neck.
Letting my fingertips brush her bare skin just so.
"Been craving a drive for a while."
Ceres smiled, ticklish and a bit weary.
3.
[1:00 PM]
Schedule done.
[4:00 PM]
Schedule done.
[6:00 PM]
All schedules finally finished.
I took Ceres on a joyride to the docks.
"This is good."
"Already?"
"Yeah, plenty. Like booze?"
"Can't drink what I don't have."
"Then to my place. Got gifted wine."
And at her urging, back to the mansion.
[8:27 PM]
"What's this wine? Tastes so unique."
"From the Hyun-gwi family."
"Hyun-gwi… Black Turtle?"
"Right."
Drank wine with her in the big tub, bathing together.
No bubbles or roses, but romantic enough.
[9:12 PM]
We headed to bed.
"Hurry up, why so slow?"
"Hey, night's young. No rushing."
"……."
"But don't glare…."
Slightly buzzed, Ceres clung more aggressively than ever.
I inwardly cheered.
You cute little thing!
Been pent up, huh!
Of course!
After tasting spaghettied Guts, a week of fasting.
How could she hold out!?
[11:16 PM]
"Haa… haa…. One more time, just once more?"
"Of course. But let's rest a bit…."
"No…."
"Hmm, alright. Got it."
Ceres clung aggressively.
Unusually so.
[12:01 AM]
The stormy time passed.
Ceres sprawled limp on the bed.
As usual, I grabbed my clothes, dressed first, prepped to leave.
And thought.
Definite.
Today's Ceres was off.
Normally, she wrapped things up cleanly.
Only our third time, but aside from wallowing in pleasure, Ceres always had her firm lines.
Mix flesh and saliva, but a transparent wall blocking emotions.
Today, that felt crumbled.
"Had fun tonight."
"Guts."
"Yeah?"
"Tonight… wanna just stay with me?"
Yeah.
She'd never say something like that.
Simply put, music to my ears.
Meant I'd melted sugar mommy Ceres that well.
Why, then? My gut was sinking fast.
Pre-death electric tingles coursed through.
Instinct's alarm deafening my ears.
What was I missing?
Anything I overlooked this loop?
Why ask me to stay today?
Trying to tie me here?
Piecing the final clues, it surfaced.
‘No way….’
‘Project Z.’
Twilight Resource Development's top-secret human purge project leaked to Overnus Pharma.
No counter, no way—just hoped to dodge the misfortune.
Recalled again.
Ceres's attitude, different from Round 1 and last time.
This sudden grab as I tried to head home.
She knew where I lived. I'd told her.
Could be a wild leap.
But string these facts, and you get this crude hypothesis.
Human purge via Project Z is tonight, targeting somewhere in E Sector.
So Ceres picked tonight for sex, trying to keep me away from the slums.
"Sorry. Gotta go tonight."
Maybe all delusion.
Hard to picture Ceres acting for anyone.
Still, I had to go.
Arbel was there.
"Someone waiting at home."
"…Is that so?"
"Yeah."
Ceres stayed silent a long time, then spoke.
"…I'll lend you the car. Go easy."
"Thanks."
My heart raced unnaturally ominous.
Hopped straight in the elevator, into the car, turned it over.
"Fuck… no way?"
My head felt ready to explode.
What kind of bullshit luck barrage was this.
That massive-scale incident involving me!?
What kinda crap is this!
No.
Probability this was all my delusion from start to finish?
Higher, right?
Please be that.
I'd left without pay anyway—could turn back for a kiss.
-Wheeeeeeen
Street speakers blared sirens, mocking my hopes.
‘Current time 12:15 AM. Riots by multiple insurgents in E Sector Districts 1, 9, 11, 13.’
‘City Security Bureau has dispatched response teams to those districts and is controlling the situation. Citizens, do not be swayed by rumors. For safety, immediately cease all outdoor activities and evacuate to your residence or nearest safe facility. Repeat….’
"Fuck!"
I floored the accelerator.
The hefty beast roared like a wild animal, shooting forward.
Arbel's studio was E-9 District.
Then.
-Ding!
Notification rang.
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:::Challenge (New!):::
- Ingest Intangible Poison. +1pt
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What the hell is this!!!