Chapter 118: A Fleeting Spring Dream (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 118: A Fleeting Spring Dream (1)
Two weeks had passed since I lost my cool and smashed Indigo’s face in. A sudden team swap, an unprecedented victory—it felt like the kind of incident that would trigger something extraordinary, but nothing had changed over the past fortnight.
Actually, it would have been stranger if something had changed. It was just one of countless battles happening across the globe, and a team that had done nothing but lose wouldn't suddenly be transformed by a single win.
For those two weeks, I continued to meet my women as usual and kept up my investigation into the Superhumans at headquarters. Throughout that process, there wasn't a single dramatic shift.
“…Hey.”
The sudden swap between Team Hunter Killer and Team Guerrilla was dismissed as a clerical error. The battles resumed as they always had, and for the past two weeks, we were back on our losing streak. Perhaps because of the absurd reason for the swap, the members of Hunter Killer were in better condition during our matches than I’d ever seen before.
“…Hey.”
From our perspective, there was nothing to complain about regarding the swap. While not common, such things happened occasionally. And for Team 3, that unprecedented swap had granted us our first-ever victory, so it was a good thing for our team.
“Hey!”
“Huh?”
I must have been miles away. Kruger, who had approached while I was sitting still, called out to me loudly. Startled by the noise, I snapped out of it and turned my head with a dazed expression to look up at him. Kruger was looking down at me, his brow furrowed.
“What are you doing? I’ve been calling you, and you’re just sitting there like a zombie.”
“Ah, I haven't been sleeping well for a few days.”
“Because of the investigation?”
“You could say that.”
“What do you mean, ‘you could say that’? It’s either yes or no.”
Even I felt that my words were a bit clumsy. Just as I told Kruger, I hadn't been sleeping well for days. Missing a day or two of sleep doesn't usually impact my stamina much, but it had already been about a week since I’d had a proper night's rest.
Part of it was staying up late to spend time with the Hunter Killer members, but even when I went to bed late, I usually slept soundly. Recently, however, I was so preoccupied with the schedule that even when I closed my eyes to sleep, I’d fall into deep thought. Even if I did manage to drift off, I’d wake up after only a few hours.
I thought it would get better after a while, but the constant worry of being caught and the pressure of managing the schedule were weighing on me. On top of that, as I expanded the scope of the materials I was investigating, my mind became even more crowded. Now, even when I was with someone else, thoughts of the schedule and the investigation would flicker through my mind at every opportunity.
“Anyway, what’s up?”
“It’s lunchtime. Let’s go eat.”
“Ah… I’m good.”
Kruger, who acted as the leader among the Team 3 soldiers, had come in saying he had things to check regarding the battle schedule. He’d intended to eat with me now that it was lunch, but unfortunately, I was short on time. Luckily, I didn't have plans to meet Eunha or Su-ah today, so I finally had time to check the data. If I didn't check it thoroughly on a day like today, I didn't know when I’d get another chance.
“I’ll go eat with Kirk, then. It’s good to work hard, but take care of your health.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Kruger headed for the elevator, and my gaze returned to the computer monitor.
The status of the investigation was abysmal. I had secured some information, but finding something specific within twenty years' worth of accumulated data was no easy task.
I knew the Earth Defense Union conducted superhuman experiments on children who hadn't reached secondary resonance, but I still hadn't found the data connecting the two.
I had confirmed that there were frequent replacements of Superhumans in the early days of their appearance and had formed several hypotheses, but I hadn't found any definitive evidence.
Perhaps the information I needed was in Level 2 or higher classified documents that weren't on the current server database. Even with Seira’s account giving me access, I would have to go to the Spacetro ship’s command center to view classified materials.
Alternatively, there might not be any more information on the Spacetro server database at all. If that were the case, the only way would be to access the Earth Defense Union’s database, but I had no way of doing that.
Even though I was dating the Hunter Killer members and everyone except Yubin had revealed their identities as Superhumans to me, it was nonsensical for me to just walk into the Earth Defense Union’s Seoul Branch and browse their database.
That left hacking. But that was the most dangerous and difficult method. Spacetro and Earth used completely different information systems. That didn't mean hacking was impossible, though.
I could access the server using Earth’s information systems and hack it, but from accessing the server to the actual hacking… it would require an absurd amount of work. It wasn't something I could do alone.
“!”
As my thoughts spiraled, a sudden headache made me wince. No matter how I looked at it, there was no clear path forward. If all else failed, I would have to go to headquarters first and look at the classified materials.
But I needed a reason. Using a portable warp device, getting to the ship would take an instant, but I needed a pretext. Even if I said I was checking to investigate the Superhumans, the sharp-witted Luche would immediately realize there was more to it.
What if I reported that I was dating the Hunter Killer members? No, that wouldn't work either.
First of all, I hadn't obtained any definitive information yet. If I reported it now, I’d just be the guy who spent the last few months fooling around with the members of Hunter Killer. I could endure that part, of course. Even if I was cursed at and disciplined, it would be more than worth it if I could access the data and find something that matched what I’d discovered.
However, not only was there no certainty that I’d find anything, but I also couldn't report it for a second reason.
The second reason was that it would put the Hunter Killer members in a difficult position. It might be the worst choice as a member of Spacetro, but I had made my decision. The members of Hunter Killer—my women, who had walked nothing but a thorny path until now—I wanted them to be happy.
If I revealed that I was dating all five of them… countless things could happen. I had no way of knowing which of those many possibilities would unfold, and it was possible that every worst-case scenario I’d imagined would happen simultaneously. I had to avoid that at all costs.
“!!!”
I lowered my head as another headache struck. It seemed the lack of sleep was catching up to me. If I just took a short rest… no, I couldn't.
“Whoa!”
When I jerked my head back up, the person who had approached me jumped in surprise. I turned toward the familiar voice, and Luche was looking at me with wide, round eyes.
“Luche. Is something wrong?”
“No, you were slumped over, so I was going to surprise you… Aren't you eating?”
“I wanted to check a bit more data. What about you, Luche?”
“I don't have much of an appetite.”
Luche, who had been standing there, pulled over a nearby chair and sat down. Since she often came by to watch whenever she had free time while I was checking data, it didn't bother me much.
“Did you find anything?”
“Nothing at all. Zero progress.”
“There’s just so much data.”
Luche took the mouse and scrolled through the materials I had been viewing.
“Old news?”
“Yes. This one is from thirteen years ago. I’m checking the personnel who were assigned to the Earth Defense Union’s Seoul Branch at the time.”
“There were a lot of articles back then because of all the battles.”
It was data I’d already looked at, but I was re-checking in case I’d missed anything. Luche scrolled all the way down, reading everything in an instant before letting go of the mouse.
“There were so many superhuman replacements in the past, weren't there?”
“Yeah. I wasn't on the scene back then, so I don't know the specifics, but I checked the records at the command center occasionally.”
“Oh? You can access those? I couldn't.”
Back when I was stationed at the command center, I used to check the daily reports whenever I had time, but there were many restricted materials I couldn't access. I could see some data on Superhumans, but I didn't know the specifics of the replacements back then.
“That’s because your access was restricted due to your disciplinary record.”
“Ah, right.”
Because I’d been disciplined for various reasons, including insubordination, I had certain restrictions despite having the same account level as other soldiers. One of those was the restriction on viewing certain documents. But wait…
“Wait, how do you know about my disciplinary record?”
“Huh? …Uh… Well… Because you’re my subordinate! I know everything about my subordinates.”
Come to think of it, the reason I came to Team 3 was that Luche had specifically requested me when the team was reorganized ten years ago. Naturally, she would have checked the personal records of the soldiers she selected, so she would have known about my disciplinary history.
“Still, it’s a wonder you picked me.”
“Your past performance was excellent.”
I might be playing the role of the loser in every battle now, but back when I was in space or invading other planets before coming to Earth, I had a decent track record.
“I know this article.”
The moment I opened another file, Luche pointed at the article on the monitor. It was from seventeen years ago—the year when superhuman replacements began in earnest and the year with the highest number of replacements.
“The command center was in an uproar back then because Superhumans were being replaced all over the world.”
“All over the world?”
I had been focusing on Korean articles and hadn't looked much at foreign news, so the fact that Superhumans were being replaced globally was news to me.
“Wait a second.”
Something suddenly occurred to me. I quickly minimized the window I had open and searched for other data. It was an article about how, as public opinion on Superhumans soured and concerns about a prolonged conflict grew, the wages paid to Superhumans were shifted to be covered by the taxes of each respective nation.
When I’d checked with Seira, we confirmed that superhuman replacements had continued until five years ago, after which there hadn't been any noticeable changes.
The problem was that the first replacements started three years after the Superhumans first appeared, which was the same year the shift in wage payments occurred.
Until now, I’d thought the reason for the rapid replacements in Korea was due to regional characteristics or personnel adjustments. But if this happened globally, it meant all Superhumans shared a commonality—and because of that commonality, the method of payment was changed to be funded by national taxes.
“!”
I bowed my head as another headache hit. It seemed the lack of sleep was causing them. If I just rested for a bit… no.
“!!!”
I lowered my head as the headache returned. It seemed the lack of sleep was the cause, so if I just took a short break… no, I couldn't.
“Ugh!”
When I lifted my head again, the person who had approached me jumped back. I turned toward the familiar voice, and Luche was staring at me with wide eyes.
“Luche. What brings you here?”
“Oh, you were slumped over, so I was going to surprise you… Aren't you eating?”
“I wanted to check a bit more data. What about you?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
Luche, who had been standing, pulled up a chair and sat down. Since she often came by to watch whenever she had time while I was working, it didn't bother me.
“Find anything?”
“Not a thing. No results at all.”
“There’s just so much to go through.”
Luche took the mouse and scrolled through the documents I’d been viewing.
“Old news?”
“Yes. This is from thirteen years ago. I’m checking the personnel who were at the Earth Defense Union’s Seoul Branch back then.”
“There were a lot of articles back then because the battles were so frequent.”
I’d already looked at it, but I was re-checking in case I’d missed something. Luche scrolled all the way to the bottom, reading everything in a flash before letting go of the mouse.
“There were so many superhuman replacements in the past, weren't there?”
“Yeah. I wasn't on the ground back then, so I don't know the details, but I checked the records at the command center once in a while.”
“Wait, you can access those? I couldn't.”
Back when I was at the command center, I’d check the daily reports when I had time, but there were many things I couldn't see. I could find some info on Superhumans, but I didn't know the specifics of the replacements at the time.
“That’s because your access was restricted after your probation.”
“Ah, right.”
Because I’d been disciplined for various reasons, including insubordination, I had restrictions despite having the same account level as other soldiers. One of those was the restriction on certain documents. But…
“Wait, how do you know I was on probation?”
“Huh? …Uh… Well… Because you’re my subordinate! I know everything about my subordinates.”
Come to think of it, the reason I was in Team 3 was that Luche had hand-picked me when the team was reorganized ten years ago. She obviously would have checked the records of the soldiers she chose, so she’d know about my history.
“Still, I’m surprised you picked me.”
“Your past performance was good.”
I might be the guy who loses every battle now, but back in space or when we were invading other planets, I’d built up a decent record.
“I know this article.”
The moment I opened another file, Luche pointed at the screen. It was from seventeen years ago—the year superhuman replacements began in earnest and the year with the highest number of replacements.
“The command center was in chaos back then because Superhumans were being replaced all over the world.”
“All over the world?”
I’d been focusing on Korean news and hadn't looked at international reports, so the fact that it was a global phenomenon was news to me.
“Wait a minute.”
Something clicked. I quickly minimized the window and searched for something else. It was an article about how, as public opinion on Superhumans soured and concerns about a long-term conflict grew, the burden of superhuman wages was shifted to the taxpayers of each nation.
When I’d checked with Seira, we confirmed that replacements happened until five years ago, and there hadn't been many since.
The issue was that the first replacements started three years after the Superhumans appeared—the same year the wage policy changed.
Until now, I thought the rapid replacements in Korea were due to local factors or personnel management. But if it happened globally, it meant all Superhumans shared a common trait, and because of that trait, the payment system was changed to be funded by taxes.
“!”
I winced as a sudden headache flared. No matter how I looked at it, I couldn't find a way. If all else failed, I’d have to go to headquarters and look at the classified files.
But I needed a reason. With a portable warp device, I could be there in an instant, but I needed a pretext. Even if I said I was investigating Superhumans, the sharp-witted Luche would know there was more to it.
What if I reported that I was dating the Hunter Killer members? No, that was out.
First, I didn't have solid info yet. If I reported it now, I’d just be the guy who spent months playing house with the enemy. I could handle that part—I didn't care about the insults or the punishment if it meant I could find the truth.
But I wasn't sure I’d find anything, and there was a second reason I couldn't report it.
The second reason: it would put the Hunter Killer members in danger. It might be the worst move as a member of Spacetro, but I’d made my choice. The members of Hunter Killer—my women, who had known nothing but hardship—I wanted them to be happy.
If I revealed I was dating all five of them… the consequences were endless. I had no idea what would happen, and the worst-case scenarios could all hit at once. I had to avoid that.
“!!!”
I hung my head as the headache returned. I probably just needed some sleep, so if I just rested for a second… no, I couldn't.
“Whoa!”
When I jerked my head up, the person next to me jumped. I recognized the voice and turned to see Luche looking at me with wide eyes.
“Luche. Is something wrong?”
“No, you were just slumped over, so I was going to surprise you… Aren't you eating?”
“I wanted to check a few more things. What about you?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
Luche pulled up a chair and sat down. She often came by to watch when she had a moment, so I didn't mind.
“Find anything?”
“Nothing. No progress at all.”
“There’s a lot of data to go through.”
Luche took the mouse and scrolled through what I was looking at.
“Old news?”
“Yeah. This is from thirteen years ago. I’m checking the personnel at the Seoul Branch back then.”
“There were a lot of articles back then because of all the battles.”
I’d already seen it, but I was double-checking. Luche scrolled through the whole thing in seconds and let go of the mouse.
“There were so many replacements back then, weren't there?”
“Yeah. I wasn't on the ground then, so I don't know the details, but I saw the records at the command center sometimes.”
“Wait, you can see those? I couldn't.”
When I was at the command center, I’d check the reports, but a lot of it was locked. I saw some stuff on Superhumans, but I didn't know about the replacements.
“That’s because your access was limited after your disciplinary action.”
“Ah, right.”
Because of my history of insubordination and other issues, my account had restrictions that other soldiers didn't. One of them was access to certain files. But…
“Wait, how do you know about my disciplinary record?”
“Huh? …Uh… Well… Because you’re my subordinate! I know everything about my subordinates.”
Right. Luche had picked me herself when Team 3 was formed ten years ago. She would have seen my file.
“I’m surprised you picked me, then.”
“Your record was good before that.”
I might be a professional loser now, but back in space or on other planets, I’d actually been pretty good at my job.
“I know this article.”
I opened another file, and Luche pointed at the screen. It was from seventeen years ago—the year replacements peaked.
“The command center was a mess back then because Superhumans were being replaced all over the world.”
“All over the world?”
I’d been looking at Korean news, so I hadn't realized it was a global thing.
“Wait a second.”
A thought struck me. I minimized the window and searched for something else. It was an article about how superhuman wages were shifted to national taxes because of the long-term nature of the conflict.
Seira and I had confirmed that replacements happened until five years ago, then mostly stopped.
The thing was, the first replacements started three years after the Superhumans appeared—the same year the tax-funded wage policy started.
I’d thought the replacements in Korea were just about local management. But if it happened everywhere, it meant all Superhumans had something in common—and that commonality was why the governments started paying them with tax money.
“!”
A chill ran down my spine. I looked at the screen, then at Luche.
“Luche, if they were being replaced globally… what happened to the ones who were replaced?”
“The ones who were replaced?”
Luche looked at the monitor, her expression turning somber.
“They probably… died.”