Plan B

I had stolen the data brilliantly, and I left the research complex using the exact same method as when I entered. After descending to the fourth floor, I slipped into the storage room, exited through the window, and scaled down the wall with my Shadow Domination ability. Using the shadows of each building as cover, I made my way out of the complex. That was it.

The combination of Shadow Domination and Master's Senses made infiltration and escape ridiculously simple. It helped, of course, that this was Pyongyang—a city with surprisingly few CCTV cameras.

Once clear of the research complex, I pulled out my smartphone and located the Dark Merchant Pyongyang branch. Being a Plus member meant I could pull up the position of any Dark Merchant outpost through their secure app whenever I wanted.

Let's see… Fortunately the Pyongyang branch was only a slight detour from the hotel where I was staying.

I walked at a leisurely pace toward the branch. Having visited the place multiple times in the game, I had no fear of getting lost. I strolled comfortably, savoring the neon-drenched scenery of the cyberpunk city as I went.

The Dark Merchant branch operated out of an underground bunker originally built by the old North Korean regime. I had no idea how they had managed to claim it as their nest, but they were still conducting business here even in the TMC era. They must have struck some kind of deal when the new Pyongyang Special Technology Zone was established.

The entrance itself was an unassuming two-story storefront. The entire building belonged to the Dark Merchant organization, so unlike the Seoul branch there were no hidden doors concealed inside bathrooms.

There was simply a staircase leading to the basement, sealed off by iron bars. A scanner mounted on the wall would verify your Dark Merchant app status. Once it confirmed Plus rank or higher, the bars would slide open automatically.

The iron bars rose with a harsh metallic scrape.

I descended into the basement. As expected, several service counters lined the underground space. Behind each one sat an Eve—her signature white hair streaked with vibrant pink.

I took a seat at an empty counter. Eve greeted me with a bright smile. Even though she's an AI, she's still stunning. She gave me a crisp, almost military-style bow.

“Yes, I’m traveling.”

As expected of an artificial intelligence, she remembered me. Thinking about it, I wondered just how much storage capacity her data banks possessed. Given the era we lived in, it had to be astronomical.

“What would you like to purchase today?”

“I have things I want to buy… and some things I’d like to sell. But first, may I see the catalog?”

“Of course~!”

The offline inventory at each Dark Merchant branch reflected the unique character of its city. True to form, the Pyongyang catalog overflowed with cyberpunk items worthy of the Special Technology Zone.

There was the Centipede Spine (SA-A091SGF), a basic cyber implant installed along the vertebrae, along with countless varieties of cybernetic eyes and prosthetic limbs.

That’s right—Pyongyang was heaven for those who pursued the modification route. Nearly everything on offer was cyber-implant focused, so there wasn’t much here for someone like me who had no intention of altering my own body.

Still… since I’d come all the way to Pyongyang, I ought to buy something. Several items in the catalog looked genuinely useful.

“I’ll take the Centipede Spine SA-A091SGF, the R-Z001 ocular implant, a pair of 40F-5044 cybernetic hands, and a pair of Type-A-092B77 cybernetic legs.”

Even if I never used them myself, they might prove valuable later. The Centipede Spine, ocular implant, and cyber hands in particular weren’t top-tier models, yet they were among the few cyber implants compatible with supernatural abilities. In the game they had enjoyed massive popularity.

Normally, undergoing heavy modification for superior physical or special abilities placed severe restrictions on supernatural powers. You would either lose the ability to use them entirely or suffer mental side effects.

Extremely expensive, fully customized modifications could preserve supernatural abilities, but by the late game your trait tree was usually locked in, making the option impractical. No one bothered raising both modification and supernatural traits while aiming for the endgame, so the combination saw little use.

That changed when one player discovered that the Centipede Spine SA-A091SGF, R-Z001 ocular implant, and 40F-5044 cyber hands were compatible with supernatural powers.

Among off-the-shelf products, these three implants became the near-exclusive choices for anyone wanting to wield supernatural abilities without custom work. They single-handedly spawned countless builds for the youngest son of Megacorp.

Pairing the ocular implant with pyromancy to fire flame beams from your eyes like Superman or Cyclops. Combining hardening abilities with the Centipede Spine’s acceleration and heightened perception to create an unstoppable warrior. Merging the cyber hands with electrokinesis for a Chidori-style lightning blade. The sheer variety of powerful builds turned the youngest son of Megacorp into a fan favorite.

That was why I bought the three core implants plus a decent pair of cyber legs. Someday I might acquire a disabled supernatural user, or one of my subordinates might get injured. These would make perfect gifts.

“Would you like to take the items with you, or shall we deliver them?”

“Please deliver them to my registered address.”

I had no immediate need for them, so having them shipped was smarter. No point lugging heavy cyber implants around.

I completed the payment with points, then handed over the USB drive I had set aside—the one containing the AI data stolen from BS Group. After spending money, it was time to refill my coffers.

“This is AI research data from a BS Group laboratory. How much can you offer me?”

I kept my voice low so the other customers wouldn’t overhear. At the words “AI ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠data,” Eve’s eyes widened.

“Is it… truly from BS Group?”

“Of course. Are you interested?”

Eve closed her eyes for a moment. Her superior processing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠power was undoubtedly running calculations to determine a fair price.

“Would 87,243,326 points be acceptable?”

Roughly eighty-seven million dollars… a little over a hundred billion won. For cutting-edge AI research from a major conglomerate, it felt a bit low. Noticing my hesitation, Eve quickly added, “It’s because I haven’t examined the contents yet. I’ll purchase it first, analyze the data, and if it proves valuable I’ll provide additional points.”

Making an offer that large without knowing the contents was already an enormous show of trust. Of course, even if I were trying to scam them, the Dark Merchant’s influence could easily recover the sum. That confidence was probably why she named the figure.

“I’ll add one bonus to the amount you just offered.”

“What would you like? Another piece of equipment?”

“Just shake my hand once.”

Eve let out a small, amused laugh. Even though she was an AI, her beautiful appearance meant people occasionally tried to touch her. She was probably laughing at the familiarity. But I had no impure motives.

My mind was as clear as a freshly polished mirror. The idea had simply occurred to me during our conversation.

I’ve even touched a ghost. Couldn’t I touch an AI hologram too?

Moreover, when my Golden Pillar had been upgraded to the dark-red flesh pillar that swam in bodily fluids, the ability to affect formless entities might have vanished. I wanted to test it.

“I’m only a hologram, so physical contact isn’t possible.”

“Still, I’d like to try.”

“Then you’ll sell the data?”

“Yes.”

“Here you are.”

Apparently considering it an excellent deal, Eve smiled brightly and extended ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her hand. I returned the smile, drawing forth a sliver of the abyss as I took her hand.

Oh! It worked! The sensation was different from touching the ghost. Maybe because she was a hologram? In any case, it seemed the ability to influence formless beings had carried over from the Golden Pillar to the dark-red flesh pillar.

“Ah…!”

A surprised moan escaped Eve, as if she had felt something. I shook our joined hands up and down with a playful grin.

“This is what we call a handshake. Here’s the USB.”

“Y-yes! Actually, please insert it into the USB port below.”

Since she was a hologram and couldn’t physically receive it, I nodded and plugged the drive into the port on the counter.

“Mmm…! Ah! This is quite excellent!”

As expected of one of the top three AIs in the entire setting, Eve analyzed the data I’d brought while making those delighted sounds.

“This material is worth at least 150 million points. I’ll transfer the funds immediately!”

Along with her words, the Dark Merchant app chimed with a notification that 150 million points had been deposited. I wouldn’t need to worry about recharging for quite a while. One hundred and fifty million points came to nearly two hundred billion won. More than enough to spend freely if an auction came up.

“Additionally, as thanks for providing such valuable data, I am upgrading you to Diamond-rank membership.”

Oho! It was exactly what I wanted. Eve had granted me the Diamond tier that allowed participation in the Dark Merchant auctions.

“I was hoping to join an auction soon. Thank you, Eve.”

“If you’re grateful… could I have one more handshake?”

Hm? Why? Was it simply curiosity? Perhaps she felt the same analytical interest toward the phenomenon coming from me that she showed toward AI data.

I drew forth another sliver of the abyss and extended my hand first this time. Eve stared at it for a moment before gently taking it.

“This is… what you call tactile sensation?”

“Something like that.”

“Thank you.”

Indeed, even if an AI understood the concept of touch, actually experiencing it had to be rare. After receiving her polite gratitude, I returned to the hotel. The time was 9:55 p.m. I’d have to wait a little while for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that waitress. Since I was making her wait, I’d have to give her an unforgettable night in return.

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Eve Illustration Collection!