I'm Not the Mastermind, Though (2)
Seeker.
A ability user who could steal and peek into others' vision.
You might think that's all there is to it, but with that power and her exceptional intellect, she was a formidable villain who held an entire city under her thumb.
One of her nicknames was Big Sister.
She emerged as a major antagonist in the mid-to-late game, giving the protagonist a real headache.
After all, she'd seized control of a whole city with her ability, surveilling every corner to create what was essentially an impenetrable fortress.
Of course, it was only possible with Quaker's help, but she'd earned his trust as a key subordinate by fortifying his hideout into that stronghold.
In the end, she fought the protagonist's group to the death and died...
So, this girl should be one of the confirmed survivors too.
"Why are you staring at me like that? You idiot uncle."
...For someone who's supposed to become such a vicious villain, she's got a pretty face.
Her snow-white hair and camera-lens-like black eyes give off an oddly inorganic vibe, but...
Dressed normally, she'd turn heads anywhere as a beauty.
"I'm not an idiot... Hey, you wouldn't happen to know anything about this place, would you?"
"...Even if I did, it wouldn't matter. There's no way out of here."
No way out.
She's still just a kid.
Handing me a clue like that.
"Sounds like you know something about it."
"...This is sublevel 3. The doors are card-key locked for security, and it's crawling with guards from the Cleanup Unit. No chance of escape."
"Thanks."
Sublevel 3.
A place they've hidden away deep.
"Anything else? Like the layout outside the camp..."
"...What good would knowing that do? Whatever you try, it's pointless."
"Who knows. I think it's too early to give up hope."
At my optimistic response, Seeker sighed as if I was hopeless, snapping back at me.
"...You're such an idiot, uncle."
With that, she rolled back onto her bed.
A declaration that the conversation was over.
I respected her wish and returned to my own bed.
It was a short talk, but I'd gained more than expected.
Plenty of info slipped out in her words.
Sublevel 3.
Card key.
Cleanup Unit.
In the original story, they were just punching bags for atmosphere...
But still, secret government-trained squads.
Handled covert missions and dirty work without complaint.
A place guarded by those guys.
Getting found out here would be a huge problem for them.
But what kind of research was so critical that they slapped on lofty titles like "great" this and that?
Questions piled up endlessly.
No answers given, so naturally.
I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, sinking deeper into thought.
Searching my memory of the original plot for more clues.
...Maybe connected to Quaker.
[You lot don't even know what your master's up to.]
Yeah, there was a line like that.
And it probably referred to a secret facility like this.
The plot's full of holes, way too contrived.
No wonder Quaker grits his teeth to overthrow the government.
Ah, damn.
I'm not the mastermind, but I keep empathizing with the damn villain.
Is it because this body's his clone?
Anyway, the info I'd just gotten sketched out some outlines.
"...Not the worst situation."
First off, if this body really is Quaker's, an escape chance will come somehow.
Like with the young Seeker or me in the original—this place is definitely in the past relative to the story.
For the plot to progress, Seeker and I have to survive.
Sure, it could end without that...
But what can you do.
Got to struggle.
So until then, succeed in using the ability, practice to handle it smoothly.
No point possessing this body if I can't rampage with powers and bust out—at least it'd feel less unfair.
Detailed plans after squeezing more info from Seeker.
So, day or night—who knows. Time to sleep.
Not much else to do: sleep, huddle and think, or watch outside.
I closed my eyes and tried to rest.
Internment camp incident. Incident. All guards, proceed to the internment camp.
Day three of possession.
I confirmed the researcher was gone, sat by the bars, and looked at Seeker.
Huddled in the corner, she lifted her head from her knees, annoyed by my gaze.
"Why do you keep staring?"
"Wanted to talk to you."
"Still haven't given up?"
"No reason to."
"Optimistic, huh."
"You can escape too."
It was encouragement with basis, but her response was cynical.
"How? From this prison—"
"By planning an escape route."
"Nearly 50 guards from sublevel 3 to 1 alone? No gaps."
"Maybe with help from the inmates."
If we cherry-pick useful ability users and overwhelm with numbers, we'd have a shot.
Problem is selecting them.
Figure that out while recruiting others.
"No one's helping. Everyone here is—"
Such oblivious guys.
Before Seeker finished, the door opened.
I quickly played cripple in case, observing.
...Researcher changed today.
Shift system? Or whoever's free handles it.
One more thing to investigate.
"Cell 45. 39. 12."
Businesslike voice.
Bars opening followed.
Figured they'd drag them quietly today too—then.
"You damn bastards!"
Explosion.
And screams.
I jumped up, pressed to the bars.
Variable appeared.
Check the variable.
"H-how..."
Before the researcher finished, gunfire and flesh-splattering sounds rang out.
"See, that's what happens..."
Contradicting Seeker, a corpse flew between us.
"..."
"These nobodies acting tough! Huh?!"
Hostage drama starting?
Better to kill and snag the card key.
What am I even thinking.
"...Idiot uncle. Guard Captain's coming."
"Thanks."
I hunkered in the bed corner, watching.
Then, door slammed open roughly, heavy footsteps and gunfire filling the camp.
"Code Iron. Commencing suppression."
"Hey! Hey! Can't see the bitch! Get closer and—"
"Do as you like."
Observed the Guard Captain passing our bars.
Vest over guard uniform.
Nothing special but height—at least 2 meters.
"D-don't come, you fucker!"
Repeated gunfire.
But not flesh tearing—bullets ricocheting off something solid.
And...screams, splattering.
"Argh!"
"Shut up, bug bastard."
No response back.
Killed?
"You lab rat, daring to... me..."
"Researcher. We'll collect the body."
"Yeah, grind it in the shredder!"
The Guard Captain dragged the corpse across the floor out of the camp, voice utterly procedural.
Researcher followed, door shut.
Leaving only a red streak of rebellion's trace.