Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Unbeknownst to Myself (5)
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Dark heroes have always been popular figures, no matter the era.
This much is clear just by looking at the enduring fame of Hong Gil-dong in the past or Batman in modern times.
In reality, Hong Gil-dong was more of a ruthless political thug than a righteous thief or dark knight, but I'll gloss over those minor historical inaccuracies.
After all, I'm talking about the fictional hero who stole from corrupt officials and distributed the spoils to the poor, not the real historical figure.
Therefore.
A certain pint-sized kid plotting to steal illegal goods destined for another megacorp and distribute them to starving children could surely be called a hero of these chaotic times.
Nova's voice shattered the mood, and I quietly glanced at my terminal.
"So, where are we exactly?"
[...Black Square.]
"More precisely, Area 49 of the city."
A forsaken district with no police presence.
A place nominally part of the city but effectively no different from the outskirts.
The terminal's emoticon shifted naturally upon hearing my words.
·
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Good.
Now that I'd reached an amicable agreement with Nova, all I had to do was follow the kid's plan.
...But seriously, the penalty for theft was 'up to 50 years in prison or an unlimited fine'?
I could kind of see why the city had fallen into such a state.
What a messed-up world.
Shwaaa...
The pitch-black sky was still relentlessly dumping thick raindrops.
How many minutes had passed while sheltering from the acid rain under the eaves of a densely expanded building?
Urgent footsteps splashing through puddles echoed, and a small kid burst out from the dark alley.
"...Bro, you been waiting long?"
Looking at the kid, whose head barely reached my solar plexus, I wondered if this was really happening.
As I let out a small sigh, Geo hurriedly pulled out a pitch-black plastic bag from his pocket.
"Here. Sturdy raincoat that blocks acid rain and a mask to cover your face."
"...Was this the only design available?"
"What's wrong with it?"
I looked down again at the mask with its huge smiley face.
The surface was spray-painted a thick black, but up close, traces of yellow peeked through in spots.
It felt like staring at a pitch-black tanned Pac-Man right in the face.
Pretty grotesque.
"Tch, whatever."
As long as it covered my face, it should be fine.
While I fumbled with the raincoat and mask, Geo scurried over to my side, glanced around, and whispered.
"...You remember what I said earlier, right?"
"What, it's only been a few minutes. Of course I do."
No matter how mature he acted, his real age showed—Geo was visibly tense, obvious to anyone.
I'd be the only one moving in the actual plan, but seeing him like that, it felt like he was the one doing the stealing.
"...Just in case, I'll say it again. You don't have a smart chip in your head, so you can't store data separately."
I made a circle with my fingers instead of replying.
The raincoat was supposed to block acid rain, but its structure was complex enough that it wasn't easy to just slip on.
It was thick and weighed a fair bit.
"Our plan is super simple. Complicating it just raises the failure rate."
Like some kid sidekick from a spy flick he'd seen somewhere, Geo continued.
"It's around 9 p.m. now... In the next two hours, a truck will enter the perimeter from outside Black Square."
The target Geo had chosen was the corporate goods on that truck.
"Word is, it's stuff some megacorp employee is smuggling out on the sly. The type changes every time, but it's always high-value."
"And you said there's a fifty-fifty chance of an android body in there."
Geo dipped his head slightly at my jab.
"...Yeah, I heard that too."
"Heard from who?"
Geo didn't answer the question.
Seemed like there were circumstances he couldn't easily talk about.
"...Anyway, once it enters Black Square, surveillance cameras are everywhere. So we have to steal the cargo from the truck before it hits the main streets at minimum."
I summarized briefly.
"One guy in the passenger seat. Autonomous driving, so it stops on impact. And the megacorp guy stops once before entering deeper into Black Square to show off and smoke. The path isn't on the main drag, so foot traffic is low."
"...Yeah."
He really remembered everything.
As I finished explaining, Geo took a deep breath, like he was shaking off nerves.
In the meantime, I'd fully suited up in the raincoat and mask.
The coat-hood raincoat wasn't as restrictive as I'd feared.
Would it really protect my precious hair from the harsh acid rain?
No way to know until I tested it.
Still, in this advanced tech world, they could probably transplant new hair if it fell out...
The field of view through the mask's eyeholes was decently wide.
Is that why he brought the Pac-Man shape?
The inside reeked of lacquer spray, but not unbearably so.
Seeing me ready, Geo backed away with a startled look.
"Whoa..."
"What."
"You look straight out of a comic."
"??"
...This wasn't some comic cosplay, was it?
He couldn't see my frown through the mask, but he picked up on my displeasure.
Geo quickly backpedaled.
"No, I mean... You look seriously intimidating."
Wish there was a mirror.
Unfortunately, the eaves we sheltered under were littered only with broken glass shards and trash bags.
Well, I could picture it.
A 2-meter-tall bulk in a black coat (raincoat), face hidden by a smiling mask.
If I walked into a grocery store like this, even Nova might not recognize me and unleash a barrage from its 20mm turret.
I chuckled and replied.
"You said I needed the mask."
"...You have no smart chips or cybernetic implants. There are pure-human purists around here, so the mask alone should hide your identity fine."
If not for that reason, I wouldn't have worn this childish thing.
I twisted my body to check for discomfort, then patted Geo's tense shoulder.
"Anyway, let's head over and wait. You said the truck's arrival time isn't exact, but it's definitely within two hours?"
"Yeah, probably."
Never thought I'd end up stealing corporate goods.
Of course, the megacorp employee driving the truck was a thief stealing company stuff too.
More precisely, we'd be stealing stolen goods.
For a moment, I felt like I'd been tainted by Area 49.
Two hours later.
We arrived at a massive canal beneath some shanties.
Maybe because of the downpour, water cascaded through the canal like a waterfall.
Kwaaa...!
The roar echoed thunderously, piercing the patter of raindrops.
Outside the canal was a road barely wide enough for one vehicle—likely the path the truck would take.
"It's about time."
"...Bro, wait a bit longer. I've checked here every day when I heard the truck was coming, and it never misses a day."
No good hiding spots nearby, so we crouched near the canal roof, waiting.
It offered some rain protection too.
Since the truck stops midway, we just hop down then and snag the goods quick, Geo had explained.
"Snag quick?"
"Means move fast."
"Be honest. You fifteen yet?"
"...What does that matter right now."
"Listening to you, you sound more like thirteen─."
"Th-there it is!"
I followed Geo's gaze and peeked downward.
A truck was approaching fast from afar.
More beat-up than I'd imagined.
Didn't look like it carried corporate cargo.
"That truck stops there, right?"
"Yeah. Rain or snow, it always pulls over for a smoke from what I've seen. Today too... Huh?"
Geo trailed off.
A glance at his profile showed panic spilling out.
I knew why—the truck wasn't braking before the canal; it barreled straight ahead.
"You said it stops."
"No, it always did before..."
"That's the right truck?"
"Yeah... BT-1088. License plate matches."
At this rate, it'd enter Black Square proper in no time.
Needed a quick decision.
Following it inside was impossible.
And per Geo, it only came this way once every few months.
The only chance for both of us.
Should've strung up barbed wire at the entrance.
Regret always comes too late.
'Nova's body or my safety. Nova's body or my safety. Nova's body or my safety...'
That moment.
The old shopkeeper's words flashed in my mind.
- New-model female android? Starts at 150,000 dollars, and more in the outskirts like this. Used ones I can discount...
I stood without hesitation.
Geo looked up at me in bewilderment.
"Not happening this time, bro. Sucks, but we wait for next─."
"Used is absolutely out of the question...!"
"......Huh?"
The drop from the canal ceiling to the road was... high, anyway.
But I trusted my fortified body.
Past memories of wall-climbing the Hole Paradise building aided my footing.
Raindrops hung frozen midair.
Filling the world.
......Shwaaa.
In the slowed world, only I moved properly.
Perfect timing on the jump—I landed safely atop the truck cab.
Landing technique?
Don't know any.
Pure superhero landing.
Narrow contact area, rigid joints—no shock absorption. Perfect recipe for fractures in anyone else.
But I could do it.
I'd sensed it possible before jumping.
Bang!!
The cab crumpled, the truck body swaying slightly side to side.
But I held balance on the speeding truck.
Ambush success—now it was a race against time.
Before the guy inside comprehended.
Before he called backup.
Before he straightened the wheel and drove into Black Square.
I stomped the window, sliding into the cab.
Crash!!
Circus-worthy acrobatics that'd earn standing ovations.
Of course, he shouldn't have expected me.
Until my foot got grabbed naturally.
"Huh?"
I froze, clinging to the ceiling as I tried entering via the window.
"...Of all days, why today. Annoying. Never shows when I'm bored enough for a smoke."
A man's voice, thick with irritation, drilled into my ear.
And.