ch16

My hands and feet are tingling, and my neck feels stiff. My consciousness is still hazy.

If I’m going to sleep, I should do it comfortably in bed, but I keep leaning against the computer chair, and that’s why my body feels like this. What on earth is the point of having cyberware… no, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do with my smartphone. At this rate, I might end up with a slipped disc before I come to my senses… Ugh…! It’s not even my body; it’ll do what it wants.

I grab the mouse and shake it to wake up the monitor screen.

I wanted to absorb the neatly organized information on the Haven Wiki, but… perhaps due to bad timing, the website is under maintenance.

Since I can’t have pheasant instead of chicken, I reluctantly log into a gaming community and search for ‘Anastasia.’

Click…!

Titles, content, comments, and even nicknames containing Anastasia appeared in overwhelming numbers. The amount is… honestly beyond my imagination.

It’s not just that there are many posts related to me. The number of people playing the game Neo Haven Prime and using the community is far greater than during Neo Haven.

What could be the cause…? What role do I play in this world?

As much as I want to find a signpost, it’s hard to suppress my curiosity.

I rearranged the search results by recommendation.

It’s only natural that posts containing information, strategies, or tips that help with game progress receive favorable reactions. Before the connection to this world is severed, I wanted to gather something a bit more important, but the state of the posts… is just bizarre.

‘(Warning: NSFW) Found a great angle during Anastasia’s scene, lol’

‘This noob artist… I drew a few lewd pictures. Can I get some recommendations…?’

‘Let’s find out all the ㅗㅜㅑ scenes and affection conditions of our angel.png’

‘(18+) Why do people click when the title is red? A collection of Asha screenshots’

…….

………Fuck.

Rule 34… why do you even exist…? It’s not like I’ve never benefited from it… but this… this is too much.

I retreated from the whirlpool of desire, trembling and suffering immense mental damage. It might be a possibility I have to face someday, but at least not now. Absolutely not…!

I flipped through the pages quickly.

In my search for posts that didn’t include too many nude images or screenshots, I ended up on a thread with a heated discussion.

[ ?? What’s this? Isn’t the starting affection level for characters supposed to be 0? ]

: I pushed the main quest with a max strength, no charisma, and persuasion-related traits, going for a typical guy (Dumbo) concept. When I first went to the tavern, Schneider immediately offered me a mission, and Helena didn’t curse at me like I heard; she just told me to get lost. It’s great, but… why is this happening?

Did you perhaps do a separate side quest before going straight to the main one?

Yeah. I saw something about a unique automatic pistol as a reward, so I just tried it, but they didn’t give me the gun; just money and experience points; the game feels a bit off;;

You pushed the Anastasia quest. Even though it doesn’t say in the rewards, the affection levels of related characters go up a bit. Some might go down, but it’s not a big deal.

? The quest name is Anastasia? That sounds grand;;

No; the one who appears at the end while spraying gas is Anastasia. You can tell they put a lot of effort into designing her;

Oh, the one who took the gun? Is she like a mid-boss? When can I fight her?

Is this bitch crazy? Is she trying to die????????

??????

You, a disgusting newbie, are ‘disqualified’ from the Anastasia route. Get lost, fucker!!

……. My… route? The term ‘affection conditions’ that I caught a glimpse of earlier is giving me a headache.

No, it’s beyond just a headache; my vision is actually blurring. I’ve only managed to figure out that most users are overly… favorable towards the random existence of Anastasia, and yet I’m missing out on this opportunity so hopelessly…!!

Desperately, I chase the blurry letters on the monitor.

Since there’s still some time before the original story begins, I can’t grasp the imminent crisis or events, but at least if I could find out how I met the main heroine Helena…!

‘What is the Harvest Planet incident that’s occasionally mentioned in the game? Just asking.’

“…!”

I forcefully stretch out my stiff hand. If it’s about the Harvest Planet, it’s right in front of Metropolis. It’s the destination I need to head to as soon as I get my citizenship. So if I can check that post, it would be a huge help in planning my future….

Beeep—!!

“……Ah.”

My eyes snapped open at the loud alarm I had set to the maximum volume.

No matter how much I wriggled my outstretched hand towards the ceiling, the missed signal and opportunity did not return.

“Ha… this is really driving me crazy…!!”

As is often the case with dreams, detailed memories fade, leaving only vague circumstances and keywords swirling in my mind.

Helena and I, the Harvest Planet incident, and… countless adult content.

“Ugh…!”

I wanted to tear my hair out and kick the blanket, but I barely managed to calm down.

I had set this early morning alarm to sneak out, so there was no reason to cause a ruckus.

Rustle, rustle…. I tidied up my sparse belongings and restored the room to its original state, glancing at my upper body in the mirror, which was scratched and scarred. A pristine white canvas returned without a single scar.

Then… it’s really time to leave.

Beep…!

[ 1,000,000 C transferred to Orthodox Machinery Shop. Balance: 2,653,600 C ]

[ Transfer Memo: Grandpa! Please use this to pay off your debt… and don’t keep giving money to strangers. ]

I carefully deposited the credits into the shop’s account and slipped outside. The refreshing morning air and the dawn dust enveloped my body.

The hovercraft fee provided by the rat boss totaled three million credits.

Excluding the cost of citizenship, that leaves me with roughly… one and a half million. Considering I need to secure a base within the city and cover living expenses, it’s quite tight. If I also factor in the droid body I’ll need to acquire later, it’s practically a negative balance.

However, I wasn’t so shameless as to delay paying off my debts now that I had some money.

Rent… food expenses… medication costs… and an inexplicable emotional debt.

I believed that if I could at least sort out that debt, I could manage without any issues with the skills and facilities I had, so I quietly bid farewell to the nameless old man and hurried towards Schneider’s place.

“Achh…!!”

I rolled down my sleeves that I had rolled up. I had overlooked how significant the temperature difference is in a desert-like place.

I opened my contacts on the cyberware.

On the holographic screen, which always amazes me, there were only three names and numbers listed. The stormy Schneider, the incredibly kind Sylvia, and little Mary. …Hmm. Looking again, it’s not that shabby. In fact, it’s so abundant that just looking at it fills me with energy.

It feels like proof that I wasn’t wrong is always hanging in front of my eyes.

When I called Schneider, he picked up almost immediately before the ringtone even finished.

“Ah, Schneider…? I hope I’m not too late.”

• Late? For you, I could wait a year. Just in time, we’ve finished packing up…. Ah, there he is! –

As I turned the corner, I saw Schneider and Sylvia waving at me, having already loaded their belongings onto a cargo truck.

The Schneider family, who openly clashed with the richest man in the settlement, Wei Long, said they were moving to Neo Haven, that is, Emerald City. Even if the police are a pseudo-public force running on corporate money, it’s still better to face a somewhat predictable threat in Metropolis than to stay here….

I felt a slight unease, like the suppression of fate and scenario, but…. Thanks to that, I obtained not only the location of the citizenship broker but also transportation to the Harvest Planet.

…To put it plainly, Schneider, after listening to Sylvia and Mary’s situation, was kind enough to help me out. Sylvia even nudged Mary, saying, “Don’t you really want a big sister~?”

“Ah! Sister~!!”

“Yeah, yeah….”

With a little tornado forming, Mary rushed over and hugged me.

Even though my precious daughter ran to hug a heavily armed hacker, Sylvia just smiled warmly. …The maternal love radiating from her felt like it was aimed at me too, but that must just be my imagination…?

“By the way… you’re quite peculiar. If you had just waited at the shop, I would have come to pick you up. After all, we also need to renew our citizenship….”

“…? No. I feel bad for causing too much trouble. I think I’ve already received enough consideration.”

“Hm…. I think it’s more about efficiency than trouble or consideration…. Is it that the etiquette of a top-tier talent like you is different…?”

“! Honey…!”

Smack!!

Sylvia’s palm swung almost full swing and hit Schneider’s back.

Even when I was using my fake identity to operate the hovercraft, Sylvia showed no signs of worry or concern. Unless she was gaslighting Schneider, who had a strong aversion to corporations, to package me as a naive hacker.

“?? Sister, what’s etiquette?”

“Um… well…. When you meet someone, you greet them, don’t touch other people’s things, and listen to your parents…? If you follow these, you can become a wonderful adult like your father or mother…?”

“! Okay!!”

Led by the bright-eyed Mary, we boarded the truck and set off immediately.

As the vehicle swayed, my thoughts deepened.

A dark citizenship broker… I only know the market price of citizenship; I realize I’m lacking in many ways to negotiate with such a dangerous person alone. I can’t pressure them with my appearance,

If Schneider hadn’t readily stepped in, it could have been dangerous.

But… why are we stopping here…? I don’t have anything I left behind!

“…? What are you doing? You need to ask Valentine for help…. Or have you already finished it?”

“Uh…? Huh?? No, no? Yes?”

Caught off guard by the sudden change in situation, I stared blankly at the sign of the Machinery Shop when Schneider urged me.

Moreover, Valentine? Isn’t Valentine… the last name of Helena, the favorite character of all Neo Haven users?

………Huh?

My mind, which had been spinning like a broken cooler, frantically tried to gather the puzzle pieces and fit them together, but it was too late.

Creak!

The shop door opened, and a mechanic old man, who seemed to be desperately holding back laughter… or perhaps tears, welcomed us.

“Um… Ahem…!! Ahem. Today, I am Heinrich Valentine, responsible for your safe and flawless new life. Welcome!”

It wasn’t a lie, but he hadn’t revealed anything from the start. He didn’t even ask until the end. My feelings? They weren’t particularly bad. It was just a bit absurd.

“…You’re surprisingly kind for an old man.”

“Hmph! That was a compliment for the kind young lady next to you!”

“Well… I can’t help that.”

Following the gentle gestures, Heinrich the old man began to cast a splendid spell on me, lying on the bed chair.

The mechanical arm and surgical tools used on the first day in this settlement operated in a completely different manner.

It draws blood for analysis. New data is overlaid onto the implant, and history is forged. Before I knew it, a fourth phone number, Heinrich Valentine, was being sent to my contacts.

Above all, when I sneakily glanced at the information displayed on the panel, it was in the midst of assembling the citizenship of a cyber engineer named ‘Anastasia Valentine.’

…I don’t know. My eyes sting for no reason.

If you’re really going to come out like this, then you’re no longer a stranger, so I won’t hold back and will ask everything.

“…Why did that broker have debts?”

“Because the citizen database is managed by corporations! It’s just a small business of Paradise Inc. So… if you don’t hold the leash on this side, you can’t do things like this.”

…Crazy. I just learned this. In the end, this too seemed to be one of the countless businesses of Mega Corp.

“…Why didn’t you tell me…?”

“……I thought it was just the whims of a foolish girl. I figured you’d come back on your own when you got tired of it… but, well… you never know about the ways of the world.”

It was an implicit expression, but it wasn’t clear enough for an answer.

With a buzzing noise, it seemed the citizenship registration and procedure were complete, the equipment was withdrawn, and his wrinkled hands gently brushed my shoulder and bangs.

Now that I had the contact, I could talk anytime, but no one knew when we would see each other’s faces again. This would be the last conversation we had while looking into each other’s eyes.

“…Grandpa. Why did you arbitrarily give me a surname…?”

The old man with a gentle expression snickered.

“Didn’t I tell you to use any weaknesses of the other party without hesitation…? Now that you have a home to return to, even if just in name, you’ll be more careful, knowing your life is precious. …If it ever becomes hard to live in the city, go find Helena Valentine. I’ll have put in a word for you…”

“…….”

Without anyone saying it first, we both turned our heads away.

My heart ached, and my face felt hot, as if I would go crazy. But I wouldn’t express my gratitude. After all, it was a service that Heinrich the old man had arbitrarily provided.

As Mr. Schneider leaned back in the chair, I calmly savored the nine letters displayed before me: Anastasia Valentine.

Suddenly having a family that wasn’t even in my fate… truly… made me tearfully happy. I’ll just say that.

“……Old man Valentine. Your thieving skills are quite something, aren’t they? My wife was eyeing it first….”

“……Tsk!!”