Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Lost in Nighthaven (2)
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*Fixer*.
That was the name of a popular manga serialized in the famous comic magazine, *Halo Magazine*.
The genres were fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, and action.
It was quite an impressive work, known for its splendid action sequences set in a futuristic city, all rendered in a gorgeous art style.
The plot of the manga was simple.
For one reason or another, metahumans like dragons, elves, and orcs—along with magic—had crossed dimensions and arrived on Earth.
Due to differences in culture and values, metahumans and humans naturally clashed.
After decades of various conflicts, the two sides came to acknowledge each other's existence.
All over the world, meta-cities were established for the metahumans.
And Nighthaven was one such representative meta-city.
In this city, rife with all sorts of trouble, there was a profession called "Fixer," people who took on requests to solve problems.
*Fixer* was the story of its protagonist, Raven, a pure human who solved the city's myriad problems.
A unique sensibility, somewhere between fantasy and sci-fi.
A refreshingly fast-paced plot and distinctive character development.
In many ways, it was the flagship title of *Halo Magazine*, beloved by many.
In fact, the manga was so engrossing that I hadn't noticed the truck until it was right in front of me.
As a huge fan of stories about fixers, it was a work I could strongly recommend.
‘Well, it’s fun, sure, but…’
But a fun story isn't necessarily a good one to be reincarnated into.
The problem with *Fixer* was that, contrary to the cheerful atmosphere of the protagonist's group, its world was dark in many ways.
For starters, the reason the metahumans came to Earth was that their own world had been destroyed by invaders.
The early conflicts between metahumans and humanity had only been crudely patched over.
Factions hostile to metahumans still thrived all over the world.
On top of that, technological advancement had led to a disregard for life and an extreme form of individualism.
Shootouts in broad daylight and kidnappings were practically everyday occurrences.
Even the invaders who had destroyed the other world were now covetously eyeing Earth.
In short, this was a dangerous world, one where blood and violence simmered just beneath a fragile peace.
‘Of course, a world like this is what allows the protagonist to shine… But it’s far too dangerous for an ordinary person like me to live in.’
Of course, just knowing how dangerous the world was didn't mean I could do anything about it.
Just as a child cannot choose their parents, it seemed reincarnation didn't bother asking for the subject's consent.
If I could have chosen the world to be reincarnated into…
I would have definitely picked a peaceful, slice-of-life story with no wars or fighting.
A world without camping, guitars, or school clubs.
What a truly sad state of affairs.
*
Still, I couldn't stay dejected forever.
The die had already been cast, and time was ticking.
In that case, it was better to steel myself than to remain half-dazed.
This place was a den of monsters where a moment of carelessness could cost you more than just your nose—they’d strip you of all your organs.
If I hesitated, I could end up in a state worse than death.
‘First, I should gather information. Is this before the original story’s timeline, or during it? My course of action will change depending on the answer.’
*Fixer* wasn't a manga that followed a single grand storyline; it was more like a slice-of-life series, with various episodes appearing in an omnibus format.
However, as the protagonist solved one problem after another, it had a positive effect.
The city's atmosphere gradually changed for the better.
Thanks to that, the atmosphere of Nighthaven in the early parts of the story versus the later parts was so different you’d doubt it was the same place.
Early Nighthaven was a hellscape of corrupt police and countless violent gangs fighting over turf.
Later Nighthaven had a semblance of order under the police and corporations, but it was a danger zone threatened by external invaders.
In other words, if it was the early phase, it was better to hide so as not to be found by the dangerous folks who hadn't been crushed yet.
If it was the later phase, it was actually safer to be out in the open, where there were more eyes, than in the back alleys.
Since the course of action was completely opposite in each case…
Figuring out the current timeline was my top priority.
‘Meeting the protagonist, the Fixer, and asking for help… I should hold off on that for now. He’s a person who draws a lot of attention in this city. The risk of getting caught up in something troublesome is too high.’
However, approaching the protagonist wasn't a good option in either scenario.
If it was just a simple client-fixer relationship, I had nothing to pay him with.
And even if I explained my homeless situation, begged him to take me in as a freeloader, and somehow managed to join his group…
I could be kidnapped to lure the protagonist into a trap.
Or I could become a target for retaliation by a villain with a grudge.
Of course, in the manga, thanks to some unwritten rule, a kidnapped person would always be returned safely without a scratch once the incident was resolved.
But considering the fate of kidnap victims in reality…
Yeah, it wouldn't be a pretty picture.
‘Alright. First, I’ll gather as much information as I can in the city. I’ll think about what to do next after that. There are too many variables to make any meaningful plans right now.’
Having organized my thoughts, I steeled my resolve.
Since I've been given a second chance at life…
I won't let it end as pointlessly as the last one.
Of course, I have no ambition to become some great person who will go down in history.
But aiming for a long, healthy life isn't so bad, is it?
I muttered this silent monologue to myself.
And then, I started walking toward the painfully bright lights of Nighthaven.
After walking for a long while, I finally left the forest that had hidden the underground facility.
When I reached the streets of Nighthaven…
I came face to face with another problem I hadn't considered at all.
"Hey, watch where you're going, you little... hmm?"
"Oh my, are you interested in becoming an idol? With a face like yours, you could definitely be a star in cyberspace...!"
"Hey you, do you play Elstar? What's your ID? Hey, don't run away~"
It seemed my new face, that of a young girl, was quite eye-catching.
Just by walking down the street, all sorts of people were pestering me.
A rough-looking man I'd accidentally bumped into stroked his chin with a dumbfounded expression.
A woman with long ears clung to me uncomfortably, like someone who'd just found a precious gem.
A greasy, handsome blond man tried to act familiar, draping his arm over my shoulder.
Something was very wrong.
Unable to speak, I made a quick decision.
I fled the scene in a hurry.
To escape the persistently chasing blond man…
I used my psychokinesis in an alley to leap to a building's rooftop, where a discarded mirror showed me the cause of all this trouble.
‘What’s with this ridiculously cute girl?’
In the mirror was an adorable, white-haired girl who looked just like a fairy.
Her skin was as smooth as if sculpted from pristine, ancient snow.
Her gently drooping eyes and dainty lips highlighted a certain pitifulness, naturally stirring one's protective instincts.
My long, white hair, visible even without the mirror, shimmered as if I'd just left a salon.
Even wearing a loose, patient-style gown, my aura was unrealistically charming.
Of course, my clothes were smeared with black dust from climbing up the ventilation shaft.
But my face was so captivating that such things were barely noticeable.
A young, beautiful girl of the pure and pitiful archetype, looking as if she'd jumped right out of a manga.
A national-treasure-level appearance, so much so that it was a shame the person inside was me.
‘So there was a reason people kept bothering me. Hmm… this isn't good.’
If you asked whether this face was my type, the answer was an absolute yes.
The only flaw, if you could call it that, was that I looked quite young, maybe upper elementary school age.
And there was the problem that no matter how hard I tried to make an expression, my face remained largely impassive.
If this were a game's character creation…
It was so perfect I would have proceeded without changing a thing.
But in this world, a beautiful appearance was practically a negative status effect.
A prize that looks good to me will look good to others, too.
Especially in a city where people would stab you to get what they want, it was like handing them an excuse to mess with me.
I have no choice but to cover this up.
Letting out a light sigh, I looked around.
I used my psychokinesis to grab a large cloth lying on the opposite rooftop and covered my face and body.
Nighthaven had many small metahumans, like dwarves and goblins.
So, as long as I didn't carelessly reveal myself, I might be able to hide the fact that I was a young girl.
‘It might also be a good idea to create fake hands and control them with psychokinesis.’
I made a mental note of the idea that had just popped into my head.
Then I walked over to the rooftop ledge.
Perhaps because it was the roof of a fairly tall building…
The city, glittering brightly with neon signs, came into view all at once.
Nighthaven, the city of dreams and opportunities.
And Nighthaven, the city of darkness and despair.
The thought of having to live here from now on…
Filled me with a sense of dread, but also a vague excitement.
It seemed, perhaps…
That without realizing it, I was thrilled to have fallen into the world of a manga.
‘Still, I have absolutely no intention of getting involved with the protagonist's group…’
But if the opportunity arises, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to watch from a distance while eating popcorn.
I thought about the days to come.
And smiled pleasantly.
*
[ Wanted / Rag Ghost / Only Alive
Build comparable to a sub-adult goblin.
Identified by white fur exposed through gaps in the cloth.
Vanishes suddenly using traceless magic.
Primarily sighted in the back alleys of the city's outskirts.
Main crimes are assault and robbery.
Most victims are unaware of how they were attacked.
Based on its ability to easily break through encirclements and the fact that victims suffer no more than minor concussions…
The perpetrator is judged to possess a considerably high level of intelligence.
700,000 Credits ]
Three months into my life in Nighthaven…
I had somehow become a wanted criminal.
How did this happen?