Meracle Workshop!
Operation end. Axis's rampage stopped, situation resolved. Humanity victorious over AI. It would've been great if it ended that simply.
But reality wasn't so easy. Naturally, Axis was slated for disposal. An AI that attacked humans once gets no second chances, no matter the reason. When they explained its actions, the response was just, "We'll consider it for the next AI."
Just as AI learns from humans, humans learned fear from AI. In Cyber City, protests against AI are rising alongside political pushes for human leaders. Pureblood humans without implants are especially popular. Anyway, Cyber City's in turmoil.
I was still lingering there. I watched Namgoong Yeon get thrashed by Namgoong Pacheon, toured the city with Baek Yeonhwa and Ryu Seram. Before heading down, my last stop was the cathedral.
"……."
A tiny cathedral that couldn't seat many. The cross atop it was stained, probably with bird shit. For reference, cathedrals came from 3rd Floor Earth—architecture and religion both. Christmas spread to Cyber City, bringing these facilities naturally. When new tower floors opened, I saw a documentary about religious folk charging up like gunslingers in the Old West, Bibles in hand.
The rickety door had no lock. Inside: cobwebs everywhere, thick dust. No sign of human life for a long time.
I reached for a cigarette while looking around, then stopped.
'Uncle! No smoking here!'
'I'll tell Sister!'
The kids' voices echoed faintly in my ears.
"How'd Bi Chacos hide her smoking, anyway?"
The five kids didn't know Mosco Bi Chacos smoked. The fixer nun who shared cigs with me had her tricks.
Mosco Bi Chacos fled. Maybe planned all along—no traces left. Not even here, where she lived with the kids.
'Hope the kids are safe.'
They probably were. She valued them like her own life. No clue what she got from Axis. Just heard the contract included wiping its memory data. So now, only she knows their deal.
One thing's sure: she's Cyber City's most wanted now.
Deeper inside. The lectern always had a frame of kids' photos—but.
"Gone."
She took them. Only a dusty Bible left. I flipped it open oddly, and a photo tucked like a bookmark fluttered down.
An old photo. A blonde girl smiling brightly.
"Forgot this while grabbing the kids' pics?"
But... was there a kid like this? Racking my memory, no.
As realization hit—
"Big bro! Taxi!"
"Juseon, hurry! We can catch the game if we time it right!"
Two voices calling from outside.
"Yeah, got it."
I glanced at the blonde girl's photo, pocketed it, and left the cathedral.
The exhausting, messy case was over. Mosco Bi Chacos... we'd meet again someday, if fated. Everyone has their path.
Time to head back to Meracle.
Meracle entrance. Back from Cyber City, my chest ached at the sight.
"Ugh!"
Heart condition? Feels like it. Better hit the hospital. So today's workshop's canceled—!
"B-Boss. Wh-what're you doin'?"
Kim Yang calling from behind. Not her usual suit—full casual.
"Kim Yang, is this right? Meracle's in a risky spot, and we're off to some workshop?"
"W-well, n-no customers anyway."
"Argh!"
Brutal truth. Straight to the heart. That's the issue. Yeoeumhoe mess scared off clients who'd gathered here. We took a lot from them. Time'll fix it, and the payout's safe in pocket. Still hurts as boss.
'Haa, stay chill.'
They promised extra for solving it. Hope it's big.
"H-hurry. L-let's go!"
Kim Yang yanking my arm. Sighing, I stuck a note on Meracle's door.
[Closed for the day due to personal reasons.]
"Y-yeah! L-legal day off!"
"That good? Loving slacking?"
"B-boss's cash! Eat 'n play! B-best!"
Hyper Kim Yang dragged me to the first floor. Parking lot packed with folks—and.
"What's that."
Raichen in rashguard, goggles around neck, tube on arm.
"Why's he like that."
Asking Kim Yang 'cause that parking lot getup's too weird to approach. She scratches her cheek awkwardly.
"Y-yesterday. We bet."
"Bet? On what?"
"R-rock paper scissors. L-loser wears swimsuit."
"……."
"D-didn't think he'd do it."
"Aigoo."
At least Da Jeong's laughing, snapping pics as his couple buddy.
"Hahaha! Raichen! Here! Smile! V-sign!"
"V."
Click click click!
"So cute! Adorable!"
Even posing. Love changed him. But still chilly for swimsuits...
Renea, keeping distance from the bold fashion, trots up.
"Ohayou gozaimasu!"
"Ow, my head."
Sudden Japanese. Headache pounding, but Renea beams.
"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
"……."
"Kitsuma! Uh, um—anyway... depart!"
Forgets "" in Japanese? Still grinning.
"What now."
Asking Kim Yang again, she scratches cheek.
"J-joke."
"What joke."
"H-hot spring. Said y-you need Japanese to enter."
"Owner's a fox beastkin. She probably doesn't speak it either."
"……F-fun though."
Yeah, I get how hyped you were, Kim Yang. Gotta check her SNS later.
"Chikusho! Chikusho! Chi—ah, want chikutei!"
Damn, hot spring or nursing home? Dementia live-streaming?
Raichen spots me, bows quick.
"Shachou, Raichen desu. Kyou wa yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
(Boss, Raichen here. Please take care of me today.)
Guy's fluent. Da Jeong behind, clutching sides laughing. Good, they'll stick together.
"Kim Yang."
"Y-yeah?"
"Write a report."
"Wh-why! F-fun!"
Ignoring her pounding my back—thump thump thump!—head to today's star.
Shilla-san's sleek luxury sedan 'Argent S' in the lot. Black sheen, smooth lines, thick tires.
"Handsome beast."
One flaw: rental plate. Missed car-poor dreams, but rented for 1 night 2 days to feel fancy.
Door open—smells great. Grip comfy, ride plush.
"Gonna buy one someday."
Sniffing the wheel, Kim Yang in passenger seat eyes me pitifully.
"L-leather. D-don't eat."
"Not eating."
"Th-thought you were."
Does she eat leather? Who knows. Everyone piles in.
"Raichen! Deflate the tube!"
"Hai, ryoukai shimashita."
(Yes, understood.)
"Cut the Japanese! Anyone speaks it, you're walking!"
Guy who learns blindly's got far to go. Can't tell joke from real.
"Boss."
Renea peeks from back, offers thermos big as my head, smiling.
"Drink?"
"What's that. Tea?"
Elves chug water?
"Hey! Water's pricey there. Saving with this!"
"They'll confiscate it anyway. Annoying to carry empty."
"Psh! Refill!"
Refill?
"How?"
"Hot spring! Fill 'n drink—."
Ah, fuck. Elf splashing face then drinking bathwater? Hard to convince tree-huggers.
"……Sure."
Give up, nod. Kim Yang shakes me urgently.
"D-don't! In w-women's bath, I'll h-have to stop her!"
"Drink up. Clean your guts."
Whatever. Let's roll.