Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Crime City (4)
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"It's the [miracle] you showed me. It strikes me as an extremely dangerous power."
"Th-that can't be... Did you perhaps feel some kind of side effect?"
Dangerous? What on earth did she mean? The effect of [Healing Radiance] was incredibly straightforward. It was a skill that removed status ailments from the target and healed them. What could possibly be dangerous about a power dedicated solely to someone's recovery?
'It does make me a bit tired if I overdo it, but...'
That was truly all there was to it. There were no major restrictions or costs to using it. But was there some problem now that she knew about, one I wasn't aware of? Just as I was about to ask, she answered first.
"Certainly, the effect itself is immensely beneficial. But it's too effective—that's the problem."
Still not grasping her meaning, I faltered in confusion, and she began her explanation in a more serious tone.
"Do you remember how I looked when we first met?"
"Yes. You were badly injured."
"It was worse than it appeared. My internal organs had necrotized beyond the critical threshold, and the reverse current from my damaged cyberware had wrecked my central nervous system entirely. It was effectively death. Even if an emergency response team had found me, they would've classified me as unsalvageable and refused transport. But you, my benefactor..."
For the first time, a faint flicker of emotion crossed her perpetually expressionless face. Awe.
"...revived a corpse that should have been beyond saving, in an instant. That surpasses the limits of all existing medicine. It's something impossible even with unimaginable amounts of capital, manpower, and cutting-edge research. If word got out that such a power existed..."
Her eyes meeting mine chilled for a moment.
"Its implications would be undeniably dangerous. Everyone in this city would come gunning for you."
I couldn't process it at first. I wanted to say she was jumping to conclusions.
But as I mulled over her words, their weight began to sink in, bit by bit.
Even in a world advanced by science, humanity hadn't conquered every disease or disability. And there were still plenty of people suffering from them. No—far more than plenty.
Even for illnesses with known cures, countless souls died in back alleys like this one because they couldn't afford the meds or get proper treatment.
But what if word spread of a 'miracle' that could cure any incurable disease?
Some might dismiss it as rumor. But desperation in the face of death defies imagination. People would grasp at any straw, even this one. Maybe hordes of the sick would swarm me indiscriminately. Could I even handle that alone?
Refusals wouldn't be accepted. Patients—or their loved ones—would do anything to cling to fading lives. Anything at all...
Just imagining it sent chills down my spine. And it didn't stop there.
"Profit-driven organizations would swarm too. Pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, corporations that make money off illness—for them, your [healing miracle] would be like the Holy Grail of legend."
If they could analyze the principles behind a miracle surpassing advanced medicine and turn it into a product, the profits would be astronomical. They'd stop at nothing to secure that power.
They might skip legitimate hiring and resort to kidnapping, threats, imprisonment—crimes without hesitation. In this city, corporations trampled human rights if there was money to be made.
And once dragged to some lab, I might endure inhumane human experimentation to unlock my ability's secrets.
The horrific vision made my head spin.
"........."
I'd heard that a treasure given to the weak, without the power to protect it, was no different from a curse. That's how my talent felt now. To anyone else, it'd be something worth stealing or monopolizing by force.
But I had no means or strength to resist.
It felt like being a child tossed into the slums clutching a gold bar.
'What should I do...?'
As bleak possibilities left me dazed, she spoke again.
"If you're concerned about your safety, I have a proposal."
"Yes?"
"I'm unattached right now anyway. How about hiring me as your bodyguard for the time being?"
My head snapped up. It was incredibly tempting.
She'd just single-handedly wiped out a security firm's strike team. With a protector like that, no ordinary threat could touch me. But—
".....I don't have the money to pay you."
I truly had no financial leeway to hire anyone.
She'd saved my life once already, so the debt for mine was even. We could both feel grateful, but that goodwill wouldn't justify freeloading forever. We both knew it.
As I fidgeted awkwardly, her voice came again.
"The contract payment won't be money— it'll be your ability."
"My ability?"
"Yes. My body still has many impaired functions. You've restored me to a stable condition without life-threatening issues, but there's damaged cyberware left, including my memory drive. I'd like you to take the time later to fully repair those as well."
Doubt sprang up immediately.
"....Is that even possible?"
No matter how omnipotent the healing seemed, wasn't that more maintenance or repair than recovery? But she seemed convinced already.
"Of course. Just provide the ability, and you needn't worry about the details."
If the one who'd experienced it firsthand said so, it must be true.
"........."
I pondered her proposal for a moment.
A bodyguard... It was a damn good idea, even on second thought.
Even without my [miracle] leaking, incidents like today's could happen anytime. One near-death fluke was enough—I'd learned that the hard way. I needed protection.
Refusing wasn't an option. I nodded.
"I'd like to accept that offer."
"Excellent. Contract term..."
She paused thoughtfully, then continued.
"How about seven years, starting now?"
I did quick mental math.
Seven years. I had no real sense if that was fair.
I wasn't a celebrity; I'd never hired a bodyguard before.
But in the original game [Neofront Cybercity], hiring a powerhouse who could solo a Gurnator started at six figures in credits minimum.
With one credit roughly equaling a thousand won, that was billions in real terms.
And that was monthly, not annual.
"........."
In a lawless city, elite power had endless demand, so the price made sense... but seven years put it at tens of billions easy. My head reeled.
'Thank god it's not cash.'
That timeframe was more than generous for me—no need to haggle.
'Besides, I'm not planning to live here forever.'
My goal from the start was returning to my original world. Seven years was plenty to gather clues in this hyper-connected info age. Effort would uncover anything.
If it took longer... it'd mean there was no hope.
'I'd probably be stuck here for life by then.'
But that... I couldn't bear to imagine.
Every morning in this alien world, I still prayed.
Prayed to wake from this endless nightmare.
To open my eyes to a familiar bed, not some cramped stranger's studio, and face the same unchanging despair.
I wanted to walk peaceful streets free of gunfire.
To eat warm rice instead of plastic-wrapped processed slop every meal.
Above all, I missed people.
Childhood friends who knew me better than anyone.
Acquaintances who'd supported me in tough times.
And my family, who loved me unconditionally... I wanted to see their faces again.
Saying goodbye to a lifetime of bonds without warning? Unthinkable.
So I had to go home. By any means. I vowed it.
This contract was the first piece of the puzzle.
"Sounds good. Seven years it is—looking forward to working with you, Esty."
I extended my hand like a handshake. She clasped it firmly.
"Thank you for accepting. From this moment, I'll protect you with everything I have, Miss."
"Ack?! *Cough*—!"
"Are you alright?"
The sudden term choked me hard. Not what I'd expected...
"M-Miss...? Don't call me that..."
But her calm reply.
"Per protocol, it's the standard honorific for an unmarried female protectee... Is there an issue?"
Where to even start? Flustered, I managed an answer.
"Come to think of it, I never told you my name. So, um... Evania. Or just Eve, casually."
"Understood, Lady Eve."
The name still felt awkward, but better than "Miss." I was still clearing my throat from the shock.
Her unflappable calm irked me a bit, so I shot her a quick glare, then offered my hand again for a proper shake.
"Here's to a good partnership."
"I'll give it my all."
And so our partnership began.
(Illustration: Esty)