Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Back Alley Saintess (3)
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"What the hell... did you do to my body?"
Her trembling eyes turned toward me.
"I didn't inject you with any drugs, and I didn't tweak any software either. There wasn't even a trace of network access. So what was it? How did you do it?"
She was pressing me like an interrogator, but she had every right to. Something utterly impossible had happened. Even in the original game, there was never a single scene where Cybernetic Overmodification Syndrome was completely cured. If someone told me a terminal illness like that had vanished in an instant, I wouldn't believe it either.
Before I knew it, my captured shoulder started to ache. The grip tightened, as if demanding an answer right now.
"W-Well..."
Even so, I hesitated, unable to spit out the words easily.
Because it was a power I couldn't explain myself.
A skill from the game? Some kind of superpower? No matter what I said, it would sound ridiculous. The world of Neofront Cybercity didn't have any mysteries or supernatural powers to begin with. How was I supposed to describe unleashing the saintess's divine authority in a place like that? Magic was something that only appeared in children's fairy tales. It wouldn't make a good answer.
But I couldn't come up with any plausible story on the spot either, which left me in a bind. After all, the moment the plan to use this ability to get what I needed popped into my head, I'd rushed straight to Fixer Kayla, a character from the game. I hadn't had time to think of anything.
Someone might scold me, saying it was too hasty or short-sighted.
But from my perspective, I'd gone from downloading a game in my room to suddenly dropping into another world. In a frail girl's body, no less, standing in the back alleys of a crime-ridden city where I could get shot by a thug at any moment... Just keeping my sanity together was a struggle.
Honestly, I still felt like I was going insane.
>
'Why did this happen to me...'
If anything, I was the one who wanted an explanation. I had no idea what kind of nightmare this was.
I'd never wished for any of it. Not for this power, not for falling into a game world turned real. I'd never wanted it at all.
All I wanted was to go home now that this was over.
"......."
The sad thoughts made my eyes heat up suddenly. My vision blurred for a moment, catching me off guard.
This was weird. No matter how desperate I felt, I wasn't the type to cry over something like this. My emotions were way more volatile than usual. My reactions to my mood felt completely out of control.
But tears wouldn't solve anything. I'd known that since I was much younger. And yet here I was, acting like a fool after all these years. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand and apologized for the outburst.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to..."
When I looked up, her expression had softened far more than I'd expected.
Her hand had already released my shoulder.
Kayla spoke.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you..."
I tilted my head. The voice that had been demanding answers just moments ago had turned gentle in an instant... The sudden shift left me inwardly flustered.
Then it hit me. How I must look right now.
'No way...'
Before coming here, I'd checked my reflection in a glass window once. The beautiful, innocent girl staring back.
Tears from a girl like that might evoke completely different feelings than from a rough guy. The realization made my head spin. I just stared blankly as she patted my shoulder.
"Forget what I said earlier. If you're having a hard time, you don't have to force out an answer now."
I was flustered, wondering if she was really treating me like a kid.
But beyond her gaze, there was more than just pity—something that seemed to understand whatever story I might have.
"If you've got a technique like that and came here alone... yeah, you must have your reasons. I won't pry anymore. This city has plenty of stories that get more dangerous the more you know. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss."
"......."
It was hard to put into words how it felt to have her guess at a backstory I didn't even know.
From her cautious demeanor, I could tell she was misunderstanding the origin of this power. Maybe she thought it was some secret corporate tech. It was a ridiculous assumption, but... I didn't correct her.
I couldn't think of any other explanation, and it was better to just roll with the misunderstanding.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
After a moment of thought, she nodded to herself.
"Oh, and I forgot to thank you properly. Thanks. I'm still a bit dazed, but if you really cured my illness... it's like you gave me a new life. I'll repay you for sure."
"So, about the request..."
"Yeah, since I've taken payment, it's my turn to work. Hold on a sec."
With that, Kayla headed into the back of the office.
She returned shortly and placed a few items on the table.
"Fake ID and room key. Address is on 13th Street... nah, I'll show you later. Take these first."
I picked up the palm-sized plastic card at her words. An ID proving citizenship in Omega Detroit. The photo showed the silver-haired girl who was still unfamiliar but growing on me.
And the name engraved on it was...
"Evania?"
I looked at her quizzically, and Kayla explained.
"Sorry, can't pick whatever name you want for a forgery. We use identities of missing people, so if you really want to change it, you can apply for a name change and reissue at city hall later..."
I shook my head lightly.
"No, this is fine."
It actually worked out perfectly. My old Korean name wouldn't suit this appearance anyway, and it'd draw too much attention.
Eve, Evania... I repeated my new name to myself a couple times as I tucked the ID and key away.
Watching me, Kayla asked again.
"So, how long does this 'cure' last? A few weeks? Months?"
"As long as you don't add more cyberware, it should be fine. Probably..."
I felt a twinge of guilt since I couldn't give a firm guarantee. Honestly, I didn't fully understand the power myself.
Still, Kayla accepted it calmly.
"That's fine. Even if it's just a temporary high, it's more than enough. My head's clearer than it's been in ages. I never thought I'd feel the world this cleanly again. Even old memories I forgot came back. Thanks again."
She bowed her head sincerely.
As if that wasn't enough, she handed me one more thing.
>
"Oh, and last but not least, this."
What she placed in my hand was a handgun.
It was surprisingly heavy for its small size, the weight of the metal chunk sinking in.
Realizing this alone could kill someone, I swallowed hard.
Unaware of my tension, Kayla said casually.
"You need at least basic self-defense to survive around here. Especially a pretty kid like you. If anyone sketchy approaches, just shoot. It's loaded with smart bullets, so even a rough aim should hit. Got it?"
The brutal words made me shrink back inwardly, but I nodded awkwardly.
For the first time, Kayla let out a small chuckle.
"Hmm, think I've covered everything I can for now..."
The conversation paused there.
Sunset light stretched into the office. Our eyes were drawn to the long shadows.
The city outside the window was sinking into darkness, transforming before our eyes.
Skyscrapers lit up with multicolored lights against the crimson sky.
Megabuildings twinkling like giant lighthouses from thousands of lit windows.
Even the alleys below, blazing with neon signs from countless shops.
>
It was so beautiful, like a galaxy fallen to earth, that I lost myself staring. Then a chuckle from beside me.
"What, first time seeing city lights at night?"
"No, not exactly..."
It was fascinating. The cityscape felt subtly different from the modern one I knew.
Supertall buildings piercing the clouds without regard for density rules, packed densely—it was a true spectacle.
A dragon's lair of skyscrapers made possible by advanced architecture.
Every direction filled with lights of human life, overwhelming me.
'This is cyber city...'
I won't forget that night view.
That moment when I truly felt I'd come to another world. I still haven't.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Keep the room key safe. Call if anything happens. See ya."
After Kayla showed me to my new place, the door clicked shut, and I collapsed onto the floor.
"Hoo..."
Alone at last, the taut string of tension snapped loose.
'What the hell is all this...'
I still couldn't believe I was in another world. It felt like wandering a vivid dream.
But pinching my cheek only hurt—no sign of waking from the nightmare.
The absurdity made me wonder if this was really reality.
What if I'd been kidnapped by a mad scientist and trapped in a simulation without knowing?
Or just my brain in a vat, seeing false illusions?
But starting to doubt that far led nowhere.
For now, I had to trust what I could see, hear, and touch, and do my best.
After sitting blankly for a while, I stood and looked around.
A single tidy room, no moving boxes.
My assigned lodging, where I'd stay from now on.
'At least I've put out the immediate fire?'
I wouldn't die homeless on the streets right away.
But the top priority was, of course, returning to my original world.
I had no idea how, though.
I couldn't even find a way home, let alone survive in this lawless city.
'Anyway, what I need most right now... is money.'
Everything cost something here, even breathing. I needed a way to cover living expenses.
I considered using game knowledge to make quick cash.
But after checking with Kayla, this timeline was after the main game's ending.
Most events I knew had already passed.
It made sense, in a way.
'I got isekai'd while downloading the post-completion expansion pack...'
And I knew nothing about the DLC. I'd avoided spoilers religiously, steering clear of communities until release.
I never thought that caution would bite me like this.
Frustration boiling over, I yanked at my hair and groaned.
"Ugh..."
The soft silver strands in my grip irritated me even more.
Lifting my head, I saw the unfamiliar girl in the window.
I knew this look matched the saintess character from Cinder Knights. What I couldn't figure out was why I'd been changed into her.
If this was all someone's design, was it a devil's prank? Or some mystical being's arrangement?
Did gods really exist? Before, I'd have said no without hesitation.
No need for philosophical arguments; it just wasn't my style. I preferred straightforward truths. Blind faith in unseen supernatural stuff didn't suit me.
But experiencing this impossible reality firsthand... I couldn't help wondering.
So I closed my eyes and clasped my hands, praying to whatever might be watching.
Please send me home now.
Or at least explain why.
Why me? Why drop me here like this?
"......."
But after waiting, no voice answered.
I opened my eyes cautiously, still alone in this strange world.
The empty single room. Nothing but a sigh in the air.