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Mr. Dreyfus, the internal network firewall has been fully inspected, and all engineers have entered a defense readiness posture. But, are you serious about the possibility of a large-scale cyber terror attack on headquarters today…? –

“We’re just preparing for the worst. And… I trust our security team. Surely, with the allocated budget and equipment, we won’t be caught off guard by a half-expected attack, will we?”

The tense atmosphere and the faint sound of swallowing dry saliva were transmitted even through the Cyberware, but Aaron didn’t bother to point it out.

There was no need to further provoke an employee who was already tightening the reins on his lax discipline. Besides, harassing a subordinate from the Strategic Planning Office wouldn’t improve the work efficiency of the front-line engineers.

Also… more than anything, he was busy observing every little movement of a girl who had just entered the tower lobby.

A black pearl, like a drop of ink in the colorful Metropolis.

As if the trend of favoring various primary colors had nothing to do with her, her attempt to blend into the shadows only piqued his interest.

The memory of the first encounter with the EMP terror incident resurfaced in Aaron’s subconscious.

He remembered how she hardened her lips, realizing the severity of the situation upon seeing the deployed forces, and maintained an extremely humble attitude, claiming she was just a hired main hacker.

The little beast who, as soon as he mentioned questioning the injured mercenaries, unleashed the passion she had been hiding beneath her composure.

Once, in her audacious demand for cute-level improvements in her treatment, using the drug data and the recording of the terror’s mastermind as collateral.

Twice, in the way she used the headquarters database to constantly update the latest information, yet distorted the surrounding radio waves and implemented the organized data in a way that even the escort AnDroid couldn’t explain.

Finally, three times, in her elegant figure adorned with advanced equipment presumed to be Heilong Zero, which even Paradise hadn’t yet acquired.

There were too many suspicious points to call her a simple rookie hacker.

But no matter how much he traced her tracks.

It was as if she had fallen from the sky or sprung from the ground, with no records prior to her citizenship registration.

Scanning her from every angle, using equipment from various brands, revealed no particular surgical scars or disguises, so it was clear she had lived with the same appearance. Yet, there were no common sightings or even basic human relationships to be found….

So much so that even the McQueen family, who had been her companions during immigration, were included in the investigation.

But the conclusion that ultimately came out was, contrary to her appearance, pure white.

It was as if a resource that Paradise could consume without fear of interference, like a rarely appearing cryogenically frozen human from the old era, had walked in on its own.Uh… the executives of the Facilities Management Department and the Security Department have submitted an internal proposal asking us to reveal the source first if there is a clear threat. –

“You can ignore them, as there may be good news for them soon.”

Aaron, having confirmed the guest who had begun to steadily ascend the building with the guide through the camera, hummed to himself without realizing it.

The talent he had tried to swallow whole was resistant and knew how to show her worth beyond imagination.

The major accident in which the main departments, structurally concentrated on the upper floors, were all paralyzed in an instant.

Moreover, as a result of the log autopsy, it was revealed that the entity that caused it was somehow disguised to look like his own AnDroid for external activities, which was truly vicious.

If the chairman hadn’t applauded it at the convened emergency meeting, a rather… messy scene would have unfolded.

“Now, then, where… since she’s a talent too good to be confined to our department, let’s give her a position that allows her to work flexibly…….”

But that was all in the past. Even if she came reluctantly, she was still human, and if he persistently stimulated the desires and dreams she harbored, she would realize what the right choice was.

With a light heart, thinking that she would come soon if he organized the pre-submitted contract and related documents, Aaron devoted himself to paperwork.

10 minutes, …it could happen.

20 minutes, did she stop by the lounge or restroom along the way?

30 minutes… considering the convoluted building structure, it was taking excessively long.

Could it be that she had run away while he briefly took his eyes off her?

Or did an employee from the customer service department forget the instructions and actually guide her to the complaint reception desk?

As the final decision-maker, his hesitation was short, and his actions were swift.

He immediately opened the employee directory and scraped the registration number of the guide who had undoubtedly led Anastasia.H-Huh!! Mr… Mr. Dreyfus! Did I make some kind of mistake…?! –

“…It seems quite a while has passed since I confirmed my guest’s arrival?”

Her voice trembled as if an earthquake had struck, not just to a suitable superior, but to the direct line of an executive who could be counted on one hand even from the top.

Normally, he wouldn’t have bothered to imitate harassing a subordinate from another department.

It was only natural, as the Mega Corp executive was someone who actively utilized the fact that simply existing could be a disaster, a terror, and a deterrent more than anyone else.

But the fact that the whereabouts of the top-tier hacker he had deliberately brought into headquarters for capture were unknown was a problem that was difficult to leave unattended.Ah! As per the order, I escorted Ms. Anastasia Valentine to the General Affairs Department! –

“Just now… did you say ‘as per the order’?”

…It was a mistake to overlook Weisman, the head of the General Affairs Department, who liked to meddle in everything.

If the Strategic Planning Department determined the direction of the company, the General Affairs Department was the place that set and managed the standards.

However, even if it seemed like a legitimate intervention, it was easy to see that the actions of an opportunist with no information in hand would not be beneficial to the planned negotiation.

“…Alright.”

With a deep sigh, Aaron rose from his seat.

Normally, he would have sent an AnDroid… but the robots roaming the headquarters were all on standby in the hangar, wary of the visiting guest.

Unfortunately, he had no choice but to do the legwork himself.

“…? Director, you clearly have a meeting soon…?!”

“Good… no, not a good morning. Yes… I apologize.”

Even though the person in question was desperately trying to maintain composure.

The people in the Strategic Planning Department caught their boss’s annoyance like ghosts and cleared the way on their own.

Even if they were in a relationship of friendly competition, there were lines to be drawn, and when Aaron, grinding his teeth, arrived at Weisman’s office in one breath, the inside seemed busy with a very interesting topic of conversation.

“Tell that Aaron guy. If he acts as he pleases just because he’s one floor above, I’ll crush all the AnDroid collections he plays with. From the start…!!”

Weisman was ranting as if Anastasia were Aaron’s alter ego.

“If you had so much to say, you could have resolved it between yourselves before I came…. Ah, perhaps you didn’t have the courage to say it to his face…?”

“…Ahahaha!”

And the eccentric, who seemed to have lost all sense of fear, was throwing reckless remarks straight.

It didn’t seem like she, who had shown meticulous aspects in many ways, was facing it unprepared.

It didn’t seem bad to remain in the position of an observer a little longer.

However, since that measure could be a large fire or something even worse, he judged that it was right to end the argument now, as she was a talent and a human disaster.

“Oh ho? Mr. Weisman, you even stole my guest… are you now throwing such harsh words at the chairman’s departmental placements…?”

“Waugh?!”

Weisman, who had already noticed and was staring at the door, snorted at Aaron, who had barged in. The girl, who was about to leave the room, staggered with a cute scream.

It wasn’t difficult to stop her unstable fumbling.

It was just that Weisman’s words, which followed out of nowhere, were even more perplexing.

“……Good. Take your lover and get lost. Even your skills at scratching my nerves as a pair are a match made in heaven.”

“? Lover… you say? That’s quite….”

Meaningful glances busily exchanged.

What is this. What do you mean it’s not? Isn’t it too late to claim it’s not entirely your fault?

If you poke her, a reaction returns without delay, and she squirms and constantly attempts to escape, as if this strange place is uncomfortable.

Well, even though she was forcibly kicked out by Weisman, who was angered by the excessive joke. Once thrown, the topic did not easily disappear from his head.

Yes…… a lover.

His eyes twitched at the expression he had never even imagined, thought about, or worried about.

…There were times when he had taken advantage of others by making them misunderstand in that way.

Even the Mega Corp nameplate, which should generally be feared, was no different from a winning lottery ticket to someone full of ambition, so it was really easy to use.

Going one step further, the natural appearance was also one axis of a means that could be used in negotiations, so it was standard to use it effectively.

“…….”

He didn’t know what kind of cunning plan she had set up. Aaron glanced over his shoulder at Anastasia, who was already completely out of sync and following quietly with a considerably troubled, resigned expression.

Skin that was so clean it could be called transparent.

Jewel-like, sparkling eyes and hair that fluttered like the night sky.

If she was someone’s type, there was no need to say anything, and even if she was out of the strike zone, it was clear that no one would refuse her beauty.

“…No way.”

She, on the other hand, was twisting her whole body and expressing her revulsion at being regarded in that way, so there was no way she would try to use such an old-fashioned honey trap.

Anyway, the world is wide, and there are many handsome men and beautiful women. Even if there aren’t, it’s possible to create them with today’s technology.

The problem… boils down to whether the other person can fill the deficiencies and emptiness that one side has, so such an absurd future had no reality.