Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Chapter 10: Lead and Silver Coins (12)
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****
“Speed Wagon lives here?”
Along with the static, Ian’s deeply furrowed face beyond the window demanded an answer from me.
Static—
“Not here, but nearby... about 105 meters ahead, I’d say? Definitely not here. Hmm. Hard to call this a place where people live.”
“This just keeps getting worse. So, you mean that blue place over there?”
.
.
.
.
.
Damn it.
Looking at the spot Ian was pointing to through the glass window, I could tell there was no room for excuses.
After grabbing just a moment of shut-eye and slowly making my way out of the desolate ruins and darkness for hours.
No matter how I looked at it, the promised meeting spot with Speed Wagon didn’t seem like a place where anyone could live.
....Click!
-Grgrgrgrk! Grk! Grk! Grgrgrgrgrgrk!
Thud!
“Where the hell did you lead me, you bastard...”
I didn’t even need to turn on the Geiger counter. The radiation was so thick it was visibly glowing fluorescent to the naked eye, filling the air all around. To block radiation this intense, I’d have to set shield permeability to zero entirely, but then no air would get in either, and I’d suffocate to death soon enough.
Level 6 radiation zone.
Even mutants couldn’t survive in a place like this.
Static—
As I debated whether to really push forward another 45 meters, noise came through the vehicle comms. Instead of voices, the Geiger counter’s grk, grk sounds greeted me first.
“Hey, Professor. You hearing this? My Geiger buddy’s screaming like crazy. ‘Get out of this mad zone now! Radiation everywhere! Radiation all around!’ That’s what it’s saying.”
“Yeah.... that’s about right.”
“Speed Wagon. Even I, who’s barely watched a few streams, remember the name because I was a die-hard fan of your broadcasts. You’re close with him, right?”
“....Probably?”
“So even if I say we ignore this ‘distress signal’ entirely and stick to our mission, you’d pretend not to hear and go check it out anyway?”
“Uh.... well....”
It wasn’t easy to answer. Why was I here? To find out what was happening in this radiation zone right now, and to get intel on the Artists’ Alliance movements. Strictly for the mission, I’d gone to meet this local info broker... or so I assumed.
But was that really all?
-------
‘This guy’s an idiot. Whatever he’s been up to, filter out 80% of what you hear in this chat.’
‘How to hold a funeral? ....As long as you didn’t kill her yourself, just bury her with heartfelt care. It’s fine. I don’t have a mom either.’
‘I think I explained it pretty clearly.’
‘Idiot? Why make such a fuss?’
‘Good work.’
‘Business talk when we meet in person.’
.
.
.
.
---------
Conversations with the guy stretching back from right after the war ended, when we knew nothing, flowed through my mind like a river.
[Just be honest about it? It’s because it’s a ‘distress signal’ of all things. You’re worried, right? He’s like a friend, after all.]
‘Embarrassing.... And I can’t put the team in danger for my personal reasons. If I go, they’ll all follow....’
Thud!
‘Even if our relationship is pretty equal, I’m still the leader here. Handling things this emotionally will bring negative results for all of us.’
Tap tap tap tap—
[Uh, um.... Shell? Over there....]
‘No, it’s fine. If my guess is right, he’s a pretty high-level info broker. No way the sharpest guy in the world couldn’t save his own skin. That distress signal has to be bait to lure in enemies—’
[No, not that. Your friend. He already left?]
‘....What?’
Looking up at Hide’s words, I saw a short shadow already darting off into the distance, peering around in the green ruins, chased by a large shadow running after him.
“Those idiots couldn’t wait....!”
As I panicked and prepared to follow, Bex, who’d been scouting the coordinates, spotted something and jumped up.
He followed with a big hand signal circling around. It meant mission accomplished.
“Mission.... accomplished?”
Static—
“Looks like they found something? They’re coming back all excited.”
Just as Ezel said, the two rushed back like someone was chasing them, then frantically signaled to open the vehicle door in front of me. After a moment for the personal shield and vehicle shield to merge, Ian, who entered first, immediately unleashed a torrent of curses.
“Goddamn it! You moronic bastard! It’s been how many days since we swore to think before acting!”
Whirr—pop!
“What’s the problem! Last time it worked out fine too! This time too, no issues!”
“You bolted out so fast the vehicle bubble couldn’t recover and stayed open! If I hadn’t turned on my personal shield and blocked it with my body, the driver’s seat would’ve been directly irradiated! You wanna see me at thirty-something painting the walls with radiation-induced shit?”
“W-well, anyway, we found this!”
The rapid-fire argument that erupted the moment they entered came to a halt as Bex held out what he was cradling.
“Look at this, Hepburn! Doesn’t it look familiar? This what you were looking for, right?”
Grk grk, grk grk! Whiiiir! Grk!!
“Grk—Warning. You have touched another’s personal property without permission. According to World Law 2749-f543, this is a grave violation and—”
Grk, grk grk—!
A drone. Dented here and there, but a sleek design.
The way it thrashed around like a captured bird was awfully familiar. Not GG’s transport drone, but a house drone like the one Corduro used as a terminal. A house drone meant a house nearby—someone’s hideout. And this was the meeting spot with Speed Wagon, so....
“No way.... Speed Wagon’s drone?”
Grk—
Suddenly, the struggling drone stopped, rotated its body, and slowly focused its lens on me.
“....Voice—static—confirmed. Player ‘professor’. Is that cor-cor-correct?”
Grk!
“Y-yeah.... I am Professor....”
Grk!
“Wel-welcome, wel-wel-welcome. I am the ser-ser-ser-servant—welcome. I am ‘Genie’, the top-tier learning AI serving Player ‘Speed Wagon’. With sincere wel-wel-welcome, I invite Player ‘professor’ and your party to the master’s abode.”
Grk—whiiiir!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Once Bex let it go, the round drone flapped its alloy propeller and started slamming into the front windshield like it had been waiting. As if it thought it could fly out past the transparent glass that way.
Seeing the clearly malfunctioning drone, Bex’s proud expression as he’d presented it fell a bit.
“....That’s a learning AI, right? Same model as Corduro. Learns the owner’s behavior and acts perfectly suited to it.”
“Yeah. That’s it. I absolutely refuse to agree that Corduro modeled itself after me, but yeah, that’s what the product description says.”
Click click, crunch!
Fwooo—
“....The guy we came to see, we don’t know his face, name, or age, but he’s your long-time online friend and presumed info broker, an all-knowing super clever kid.”
“Yeah....?”
“So no way an info broker lacks the cash to fix one drone, which leaves only one situation that explains this idiot AI’s state.”
Ian, having burned through a cigarette in a few drags, spat out the chewed-up filter and said.
“Speed Wagon, did he get dementia? So close to natural death he can’t move, so he sent the distress signal?”
“No way—”
“I will guide you. Guide, guide, gui-guide you.”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“....It could be.”
I swallowed my rebuttal and grabbed the drone relentlessly challenging the armored truck’s windshield. At the sight, the team silently powered up their shields.
****
Groooan—clank.
“Even if the security procedures are a bit com-com-complicated, thank you for your understanding.”
In the end, we accepted the invitation. According to Ian, ‘even if no dementia geezer, in this situation where we don’t know 38 Sector’s state, a functioning shelter in this wasteland could serve as an emergency safehouse.’
Once released outside, the drone named Genie wobbled into the ruins, and soon a fierce vibration shook our feet.
What burst up from the dusty ground was a half-destroyed elevator, looking as dubious as the drone about whether it worked.
“If we die pointlessly like this, I’ll resent you big time, Professor.”
As the creaking elevator joltingly descended and suddenly caught on something with a lurch, shaking, that’s what Ezel said, gripping the handle until her knuckles whitened.
After descending, we passed what looked like a captain’s quarters (non-functional) from a Dome facility and a fire shutter crudely hole-punched with a welder, finally reaching a familiar blue shield in operation.
“This is....”
“A library?”
From floor to ceiling. Books packed without gaps, filling the shield interior like a brick building. A narrow path barely wide enough for a small person snaked through the dense shelves.
“Please—be—quiet. In the library, let’s—uphold et-e-etiquette.”
“Big door barricaded and talking etiquette. Go in first. I need to clear some space here to fit.”
As Professor did just that, squeezing through the narrow book piles into the interior, an equally cramped path wound endlessly through the books. From behind came a rumbling collapse and Bex and Ezel’s irritated voices.
“Sorry I couldn’t tidy up in advance. No matter what I tell Genie, it only clears to fit my body size and comes back.”
From a quiet corner of the library came a chuckling voice. A fragile sound, like a flickering candle.
“You’re.... Speed Wagon?”
“Yeah. Just like you’re Professor. Nice to meet you, ‘professor’.”
In this place full of nothing but books, a neatly cleared space.
Surrounded by water bottles of all kinds, on a white bed, the person smiling at him was a frail woman, clearly ill at first glance.
****
Rumble—
“Phew! Ugh, look at this dust! Good thing I wore a mask.”
“Metal Joe, you oversized bastard! Why not let me and Bex, who fit, go first! You insisted on going ahead and nearly buried us alive!”
Ezel grabbed Bex’s offered hand and stood, looking around the dusty book piles. My god. So many books. The thickness of the floating dust alone told how old they were. For a moment, Ezel worried what if the owner demanded payment for damaged books.
Thwack!
Of course, Ian, unconcerned with such trivia, kicked a tall book stack hard to stand up.
“Jeez, is this a dwarf bookworm’s castle or what.”
“Stop grumbling and get out. The inside seems passable at least.”
“Creative defense setup. Hey, Ezel. Blow on my eyes. Got dust in ‘em.”
Fwoosh—
Thud!
“Argh! Fuck, this homo spat in my eye!”
“Oh, sorry. Mouthguard mask on too long, saliva built up.”
“I’ll kill you! You know beating you with books is justifiable homicide!”
Ian, furious, rubbed his eyes while groping around with his other hand. He picked the heaviest, sturdiest one to snap Ezel to attention....
“Um.... sorry, but could you refrain from damaging more books? The one you’re holding, it’s one of my real favorites.”
Freeze!
The whisper brushing his ear snapped him alert. The three scanned around with combat-pro reflexes, spotted the stunned Professor and pale-faced woman, and as Bex and Ezel charged at Professor sensing the subtle atmosphere between them, Ian’s eyes—trained on countless women—appraised the bedside woman.
‘Skin so transparent bones show. Barely any muscle above the exposed acromion, so not pampered skin but hardly ever goes outside. Faint tension.... embarrassment? Shyness? Pulled clothes back as much as possible on loose patient gown to minimize exposure, burdened by her attire. Yeah, embarrassed. Either didn’t have time to change or too weak to do it herself.’
“Mmph, mmph! Let go, damn it! What the—suddenly—”
“Quiet, defendant!”
“Need to investigate, so come quietly!”
Watching the dragged-off Professor and his friends’ antics, the sickly-faced woman chuckled.
Yet despite the harsh conditions, her beauty shone through. No, her precarious state, sweat-dampened long hair clinging slightly, skin so white it was nearly transparent, all stirred protective instincts, adding unique allure to her looks.
“Oh ho.”
Ian’s lips curled up as he joined Bex and Ezel, who’d already subdued Professor and dragged him behind a collapsed book pile, out of her sight.
Professor’s feigned bewilderment was quite amusing.
“What the hell, you bastards! Embarrassing me in front of someone new!”
“This why?”
“What!”
“Why detour here with 38 Sector Dome right ahead. Why hesitate without reason even after I suggested retreat from danger zone. All because of that woman? Huh? Late for a date and sweating it.”
With a chortle and knowing look, Ian flicked Professor’s forehead. As heated Professor grabbed for his collar with his left, nimble Bex dodged, chuckling similarly.
“Kee hee het, Hepburn. Think we wouldn’t understand that much? Just tell us. Sister-in-law issue, we won’t stop you. We’d join in.”
“Exactly. Mark the calendar. Day Professor’s long-dormant underbrain finally kicked in? Hmm~ As an expert, not bad start. Romantic even. Two who shared hearts through writing for years. Couldn’t approach each other, but her dis-distress signal shatters man’s lifelong che-ry wall, runs past limbs to her side! Kyaa~ Nice one, Professor! Hooking an info broker! And such a beauty!”
“It’s not like that! Meeting Speed Wagon was purely business—”
“Hooked a girl through business? Are you nuts! Sadistic turns you on? I approve! Skipped basic level in one go!”
“Argh, shit! Please!”
Professor was wronged.
Among the four, he was by far the most flustered.
His 5-year ball-friend of idiot antics and nonsense turned out to be a frail beauty?
The friend always [Idiot?] [Crazy?] now welcoming with a soft “Come on in~” swaying voice—who wouldn’t panic?
Not embarrassed, genuinely shocked.
But no matter how Professor raged or explained, Ian and Bex plugged their ears, asking when it started, how he navigated to this deadly 40 Sector for her, etc.
So Professor appealed to Ezel, who’d been quietly watching arms crossed instead of joining the interrogation.
“Hey, Ezel! Say something! You know it’s not like that! You’ve known Speed Wagon as long as I have! If anything, you spewed more without filter!”
At my desperate reveal, Ian and Bex, rifling me like a rat, turned to Ezel. She stood from atop a book pile, legs crossed, quietly seated.
“True.... I’ve known Professor and Speed Wagon for just as long. Back in the community with Jokasss, Take a Look, Deer Drug Please, we all bonded without barriers in tough times.”
“Yeah! See? Speed Wagon’s just a fri—”
“But Professor treated Speed Wagon—and us—differently.”
“....Huh?”
The story, flowing nicely, pulled an illegal U-turn.
“From some point, the guy calling us bastard, trash, shit never tagged Speed Wagon. Switched to honorifics and ‘Speed Wagon-nim’. While we endured daily abuse, Speed Wagon got special treatment.”
“Oh ho.”
“Don’t think their bond’s that old. But from when Professor started external activities, treatment changed.... Maybe lit a fire seeing his cool side? Honestly, Professor’s a superstar now. Walk Dome streets, truckload of female fans throwing panties. Man’s worth is his ability.”
“Cut the crap, Ezel! Unlike you useless mushrooms, Speed Wagon always provided top intel and helped me—”
“Sharp, rational testimony worthy of Inspection. Thanks, Ezel. Defendant confessed. ‘In hard times, she always supported me.’ Should’ve said so sooner.”
Ezel sidled up to grinning Ian, patting my shoulder chummily.
“Professor, know this?”
“What.”
“In Domes, condom or contraceptive production’s major crime. Age of ruin. New life’s a blessing, birth rate key to civilization’s recovery.”
“Wait.... Ezel?”
“Ranker stable income, fame where wasteland knows your name everywhere. Got wealth and honor, natural to want family now. I support you, buddy.”
Ezel wiped under nose, thumbs-up.
“Hoo. From that angle, Professor’s romance seems natural progression. No more denying, groom-to-be.”
The two, like receiving bachelor friend’s wedding invite, warmly showered Professor with blessings.
Meanwhile, vanished Bex returned heaving, arms full.
“Here! Grabbed that suit from upstairs you said you tailored for trades, for us too!”
“Oh yeah, that. Good job, little guy. Shirt first.”
“Hey, hey!”
“Shh, stay still! First date in station fatigues? Attire’s courtesy beyond style! Building family’s my life’s peak moment! For my best friend, I’ll make that grand achievement happen!”
Rustle!
“Strip, Professor! Seize your fate!”
“Stop, you bastards! Let gooooo!!!!”
The three lecherous friends charged with suit pieces. Somehow, in this pinch, my left hand—my asymmetric power—wouldn’t respond.
‘....Hide?’
[Whii~ wheee~ Nice view here~]
‘Hide you toooooo!!!’
Betrayed by all he trusted, deprived of resistance, Professor fell to their hands.
****
Meanwhile, library owner Speed Wagon enjoyed the friendship-and-betrayal drama from her corner. How long since she heard voices through ears, not access speakers?
To her, long alone here, even the heartbroken wails beyond the books sounded delightful.
“Warmer than data suggested.... right, Genie?”
“Cau-caution advised. Ian Desmond, top mass killer among wasteland survivors, few peers. Bex, no standard data but enjoys slitting throats with cold weapons, cruel. Ezel Leyden, seems sloppy but passed brutally hard inspection exam, close to 47 Sector Dome’s top ruler Chief Inspector. Professor, no need to say. Mutant-tainted pseudo-human. Combat power zero, too dangerous for unarmed master nearby.”
“Dangerous.... You’re too negative, Genie.”
Grk—
“Just rational activity to pro-pro-provide proper judgment to ever-positive master—grk, grk grk—.”
She gently cradled the increasingly glitching Genie, softly pressing loose circuits with fingertips. The gear grind resembled a happy pet’s purr.
Thud—
“Ow!”
Then, the noisy book pile quieted, and an awkwardly striding man stumbled out. Chuckles and a kicked-out leg from the pile confirmed.
Forgetting her mystique pact with Genie, she burst laughing at the sight.
“Pft! That.... really look dangerous?”
“....Negative.”
Professor in black suit, anachronistic fedora, even paper flower in hand—she knew it rude but couldn’t stop laughing.
****