ch62

If limited to the stories and events of the game era, Paradise Corporation was the protagonist. It was difficult to see them as the player’s main enemy.

This isn’t to say that their Levy units or mechanized divisions encountered during the game were non-hostile or villains with a backstory.

It simply means that because their headquarters and main forces weren’t located in the city that served as the backdrop, they couldn’t be the center of conflict.

Of course, if you look at the details, it’s true that Elysium and Paradise were a step behind the other three Mega Corps in terms of military power, and later, the Paradise Chairman, who visited to attend the summit, directly stuck his nose into everything, exacerbating the chaos…

Even though the chairman himself chose the direction that would benefit him, considering various possibilities, futures, and beliefs, he was ultimately a figure who formed a relationship close to a subtle alliance, so I didn’t dislike him entirely.

…But that was only a possible future when I was the protagonist.

If I walked into the heart of the enemy camp with such complacent thoughts, just to earn some Credits, I might end up in a worse state than being riddled with bullets.

Moreover… in this place where there isn’t a proper opposing force to stop Paradise’s dictatorship?

I can distinguish between something that has no chance but a glimmer of hope, and something that is absolutely impossible.

So, even though I had decided to settle things while they were still treating me favorably.

I wanted insurance for the worst-case scenario, and if that wasn’t possible, at least to know some basic information.

“……Customer? You haven’t even paid for the previous request, this kind of work processing is a bit…”

“You were the ones who asked for something outrageous first, weren’t you? What kind of information broker tries to use a customer for another request as payment for a request? So either you hand over the data equivalent to the difference in the work I’ll do, or I’ll settle it with Credits.”

I pressed the cowardly man who was trying to back away as if he was in trouble.

What I wanted was a rough overview of the Paradise headquarters building, which I knew nothing about, and known facts about Aaron Dreyfus, a big shot I had to face right away.

I didn’t think they would screw over a guest who came at the request of their own executives, but it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.

On the other hand… our gender-neutral witch’s bill was absurd.

An eye for an eye, she said that there had been a continuous stream of requests for cyber engineers lately, and she would just take the brokerage fee for attaching me to them.

…It’s too uncomfortable to make a formal announcement, and they judged that even hiring mercenaries would be too noticeable, so they’re looking for people in this way. Frankly, it smelled so suspicious that I didn’t want to get involved at all, but it was good for me.

Because Metropolis, which the client designated as the meeting place, was none other than Neo Haven, I couldn’t pretend not to care, even though I said I wasn’t interested.

Since the story I knew had already started to deviate in a strange way, it’s not like I was going to irresponsibly twist the scenario even more. I just wanted to get out of Paradise’s jurisdiction, where they recognized my existence too clearly, as soon as possible.

My short police career experience was over. I had suddenly become a homeless person with no fixed address.

I think it’s not very suspicious for a citizen to leave to find a new job. ……Probably.

“……I understand. Our customer has as much stubbornness as she has beauty.”

“Why bother making things complicated by asking me to come all the way here, saying you’ll be waiting, when you could have just quietly received the Credits and been done with it?”

I listened to the greasy retort that made people angry with its unnecessary modifiers with one ear and let it out with the other.

Now, all that’s left on my ledger like a debt is the appointment with Dreyfus that I’ll be facing soon.

With a light heart. I watched him close his eyes and nod, as if looking for the data to hand over.

“Hmm… Information on Paradise headquarters and Mr. Dreyfus… It’s difficult. It’s difficult.”

“……”

The tapping fingers and the Implant under the skin that repeatedly flickered caught my eye.

…I don’t know if I can call him a person in this industry, but it was the first time I’d seen someone similar to a hacker working on something using only the parts installed in their body.

If the technology or abilities I possess could be the target of greed, beyond simply being top-notch. Hiding it as much as possible is basic, and I also need to know how to imitate others.

“…This should roughly make up for the difference for taking on the difficult task.”

But, it’s not like I’m asking him to take the time to investigate separately. I don’t know why he’s making such a fuss when I’m just asking him to tell me some information that any businessman based in this city would know.

Just as I was about to say something, tired of waiting.

A carefully selected data bomb poured in through the Cyberware.

“……Huh?”

Blueprints of the lower floors of the building, the tasks assigned to each floor, the approximate security personnel and troop size, and even Dreyfus’s internal rivals and internal political structure.

“Wait! What is all this?!”

“? Well, it’s my sincerity wishing you a smooth industrial espionage activity. …Ah, perhaps you already knew this information?”

“Agh…!!”

That guy’s obsession with wanting to figure out other people’s identities is still the same.

I cut off the speculation, which I couldn’t even guess how much it would jump if I left it alone, very clearly.

“What do you think I am?! I’m just… I was just headhunted by them.”

“…That’s amazing in its own way. I wonder if you also played a part in the gate scandal that happened the other day…!”

“…I have nothing to do with it.”

…That damn sharp bastard. In fact, I’m starting to suspect that he secretly stole my other ID because he keeps treating me like I belong to a company.

• The most comfortable workplace, the most comfortable job. Welcome to the shadow of Paradise Corporation! –

“…I’m sure.”

As I passed through the arched entrance, a natural lie flowed out from the start.

Still, if you only look at the appearance, it wasn’t entirely wrong. Unlike the tacky gold uniform, the lobby ceiling was so high that it felt majestic, and the sunlight seeping through the glass created a sacred color.

And it’s a bit much to say this after chewing them out so much, but Paradise certainly didn’t give the impression that just hearing the name would make you choke and that something dangerous would happen right away.

The fact that they handle everything from essential daily necessities, medicines, and home appliances is also true.

The bright and cheerful atmosphere of the various entertainment districts and pleasure districts created in the upper and middle layers of the city was a symbol of welfare that was hard to find in Neo Haven.

Moreover, the fact that broadcasts criticizing or analyzing the company can be aired on public channels could be seen as providing limited freedom to citizens, although it’s contradictory….

“……Bullshit!”

But such naive thoughts were suppressed by the reality of the lower class that I had directly experienced and the sorrow of the people in the lower neighborhoods that I had hardly heard of even while staying in the middle class for a long time.

In a thorough class society where the only rumor that circulates is that someone who won the lottery moved in… I, who am on the side that enjoys relatively more benefits, could not judge what is right.

Don’t show weakness without substance, Anastasia. Don’t give them room to stab you.

You’re here on behalf of your unjustly killed family. Wake up!

I turned my eyes away from the building design, which probably wanted to overwhelm visitors, and moved to the information desk in the center.

I didn’t set a time or contact them to say I was coming.

But just as I felt compelled by Dreyfus’s invitation, he must have prepared to welcome a guest.

“Welcome, Green Grade Citizen Anastasia Valentine! May I ask what brings you to Paradise Tower?”

“I came to apply for bereavement benefits… paid to the bereaved family of an employee who died due to corporate negligence.”

Just seeing a person working instead of an AnDroid makes me imagine things for no reason.

Is it because labor costs are cheaper, or should I think that they paid more attention to it because it’s the lobby that determines the first impression?

“For Anastasia Valentine’s application and review for bereavement benefits… we will guide you to the 47th floor!”

Or maybe they were deliberately placed there for a special purpose.

“…I heard that these kinds of civil complaints are handled on floors much lower than the 10th floor.”

I had checked several times right before entering the building, so it couldn’t be a mistake.

Stepping into a pit that’s so blatantly obvious is definitely not a hobby of mine, but….

“Please, allow me to guide you to the 47th floor. …Would that be alright?”

“……Yes.”

I don’t know what’s being said in real time from the in-ear earphones plugged into her ear, but unlike her cheerful first impression, the question came back in a trembling voice.

There’s no point in harassing an innocent low-level employee, so let’s just go up.

To the lair of the powerful.