The Supporting Characters in the Game Have Become Obsessed Chapter 34 – The Chairman’s Departure (2)

[Translator – Late Drear]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

Chapter 34 – The Chairman’s Departure (2)

Chunks of rocks were slowly falling from the concrete ceiling.

Inside the collapsed tunnel.

Catherine, Andrea, and I were leaning against the overturned train and examining the surroundings.

The light from the bulbs flickered miserably.

Soone with a large build walked from the other dark side towards us.

It was Drake.

“This won’t work. Both ends have collapsed, and it seems there’s no functioning elevator.”

“So, we’re just trapped?”

“That’s right.”

Drake, responding to my question, habitually takes out a cigarette. Given the situation, he didn’t light it.

Utilizing his unique observational skills, Drake surveyed the surroundings and arrived at a conclusion.

Judging by the way he was shaking his head, the situation seed worse than I imagined.

“Moreover, it seems like there’s radio jamming. It looks like a planned bombing to .”

“Ha, what a ss!”

Andrea sighed.

Catherine and I shared her sentint.

This ti, Catherine asked Drake.

“And since signals aren’t working, there’s no way to contact the city aboveground, right?”

“That’s right, but I’m sure news of the accident has been reported. If we wait, eventually, rescue will co.”

“So, we just have to sit tight and wait?”

“Well… probably. We might be able to climb up through the underground levels and sewer areas a few hundred ters high, but I’m not keen on that idea.”

“…We should probably monitor the situation for now.”

It was becoming increasingly apparent that we were caught up in sothing.

I calmly recollected.

I pondered if there had been any quest related to tunnel or train terrorism.

However, no quests of that nature ca to mind, no matter how hard I tried to recall.

Terrorism was almost like a regular event in Neon City.

In other words, it was too common an occurrence to be significant.

Did soone overheard our conversation?

Two figures approached us from sowhere.

It was a woman in a neat suit, and one looked like her aide or bodyguard, a man.

The woman, who seed like a corporate figure, asked the man, “Are these the rcenaries?”

“Yes, they are.”

I greeted them cautiously.

“What brings you here—”

But thanks to Drake’s words that followed, I could halt my sentence.

“…Huh, it’s Black Monolith Corp. Chairman?”

The fact that I almost confidently addressed the chairman of the cyberpunk world caught off guard.

Drake, unlike , continued speaking.

“He’s soone who usually travels by private jet. Why is he here?”

Listening to the content, it seed like a soliloquy. Perhaps, due to astonishnt, it slipped out unintentionally.

The problem was that we were inside the tunnel, so his voice echoed a bit louder.

The woman, Black Monolith Corporation’s chairman, said.

“There was so confidential business to attend to.”

Despite being a chairman, she spoke like an ordinary woman.

“But seeing this explosion, it seems it wasn’t so confidential after all. Did soone leak information? Who could’ve tapped into it?”

Continuing at her own pace, she said.

“But that’s not the important matter now.”

Her eyes, previously wandering elsewhere, once again focused on us.

“I’ve heard you’re skilled rcenaries. Would you consider taking on a mission?”

“…Yes?”

That was my response.

Almost instinctively, I awaited the chairman’s words while the others either crossed their arms or remained in their current states.

“As I ntioned, it was discreet. Therefore, it seems that the ninja squads from Kojaka or the tactical operatives from Heishukai would show up before our company’s security departnt guys do.”

Taking another step towards us, the chairman appeared very confident.

“The mission entails protection… and extraction to the surface.”

Finally, looking at the cigarette in Drake’s mouth, she said.

“And provide with a cigarette upon reaching the surface. How about it? Will you accept my offer?”

We exchanged glances.

Our response was predetermined.

***

“Haha, that was quite a while ago.”

“…Haha, yes, it was.”

The chairman’s gaze was fixed below the glass wall.

I stood politely with my hands clasped behind my back, quietly behind him.

The vibrant neon sign’s light reflected even here.

I cautiously observed the large figure of the chairman from behind.

“Since it ca from deeper than the height of this building, I occasionally reminisce about it.”

“…Haha.”

The change in deanor might make one mistake them for soone else, but it was clear they were all the sa person.

He gestured into the air.

The massive desk that had been in the center of the room descended to the ground, while elsewhere, a luxurious sofa and a table ascended.

“Well, take a seat over there.”

“…Sure.”

[Translator – Late Drear]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

At the chairman’s urging, I sat on the opposite sofa. It felt plushy, as if my whole body were being absorbed into it.

I’m not sure what kind of magic it was, but the table rising from the floor was adorned with steaming tea, delicious-looking pastries, and fruit.

“At that ti, indeed, we couldn’t find any evidence that another company was behind the terror attacks.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Still, it was an opportunity for internal reflection. It was also a morable experience in its own way.”

“…Climbing a few hundred ters from underground?”

I asked inadvertently.

The chairman replied with a smile.

“Haha, asking for it twice might be a bit tough, but well, changing clothes and enjoying a smoke on the surface does have its perks.”

“Oh, I’m fine smoking here too.”

“Ah, but one should be cautious in front of non-smokers. Our acquaintance may not end with just one or two etings.”

The chairman raised a teacup first. Seeing his gesture, I lifted the cup of tea in front of and took a sip.

It was the sa kind of tea I had in the eting room earlier.

“Since then, I’ve entrusted several more missions to you.”

“…I’m grateful for the chairman’s favor.”

“Hmm, you’re fine, but the problem lies in your lack of confidence compared to your abilities.”

He picked up a pastry with thick fingers, showing no formality.

Sharp eyes peeked through the scars on his face.

I hadn’t done anything wrong.

It seed I should apologize first.

“Perhaps everyone around you has a strong ego, or maybe it’s because you’re from outside the city.”

He continued slowly.

“There may be other reasons, but I’m not sure about that yet.”

Even without saying anything.

It felt like he could read everything in my mind.

A cold sweat trickled down my neck.

“Even so, it doesn’t seem right to speak harshly to an elderly person on the sa floor. But I can’t help but think you lack manners.”

…But how do you know about Bill?

“…Have you investigated separately?”

“Forget about that. What brings you here this ti?”

The chairman toyed with a pastry.

“Even if you just ca for a cup of tea, it would be fine, but since that’s not your style.”

His skill in changing the subject was no joke.

But I wasn’t bold enough to press the issue here.

I started explaining briefly about the situation I was in.

Of course, I mixed in a little lie.

It was inevitable.

Even if Smile John knows Eve’s identity, and the fact that I have Eve, it’s still a secret for now.

If the ergence of super-AIs is ntioned.

All the companies will try to take away the information in my head and Eve’s together.

Well, the chairman in front of wasn’t such a person.

He had lived much longer (over a hundred years) than I had, so there might be sothing about him that I didn’t know.

It wouldn’t hurt to be careful.

The chairman nodded as he listened to my explanation.

“Virtual terrorists and corporate executives are having a party.”

He tapped the table with his thick fingers.

It seed like a reaction to the body’s craving for nicotine.

“You might know what kind of party it is. I’ve never been because it’s not my cup of tea.”

Continuing, he leaned back on the sofa.

“But I can’t ignore a request from a lifesaver.”

“…But aren’t you exaggerating to call a lifesaver? After all, we took the mission because we received a request.”

“In any case, I understood. I’ll look into it separately and let you know the ti and place.”

I imdiately nodded at his words.

As expected, power and connections were being used.

“Thank you, Chairman!”

“I’d want to go with you, but I’m busy. It might be tough.”

“Oh, just introducing would be fine.”

Actually, it’s good news to welco.

Well, now that’s done.

I should get ready to go ho.

“You are leaving?”

Why?

I stopped my motion to stand up.

“Let’s have a al while we’re here.”

“Huh?”

“It’s lunchti, isn’t it?”

Honestly.

I wanted to refuse.

But this is a situation I can’t refuse.

If the chairman suggests eating, and I refuse.

There may be an incident where a loyal subordinate (secretary) hears the news and sends an assassin.

Because of the burden, I’m not sure if the food is going into my mouth or my nose.

In the end, my response was already decided.

“…Thank you for the invitation. I’ll enjoy the al.”

“Haha, that’s right.”

Let’s think positively now that it’s co to this.

The chairman’s food… I’m already looking forward to what it might be.

I’ve been eating a diet of soybeans and krill every day.

I never expected to have the opportunity to eat natural gourt cuisine like this.

The chairman manipulates the interface again.

Gradually, sothing huge rises from a corner of the office.

It looked like a wine cellar.

“I recently acquired a good bottle of wine.”

“…Isn’t your work not finished yet?”

“Haha, what’s the harm? Besides, I can always switch to another body if I get drunk. Let’s go for a drink.”

“…Sure.”

The chairman, in the form of a middle-aged man, is affable and cool, but there’s one problem I see: he really loves alcohol.

For so reason, I had an ominous feeling.

Still, I’ve done work recently.

I’ll just have to drink a little bit.

***

The chairman turning into a drunken whale and falling asleep was definitely not my fault.

For the company, it was an ergency.

The chairman, who should have been handling afternoon business, collapsed.

All the important tasks that the chairman personally had to take care of ca to a halt.

It’s not my fault if the secretary’s gaze feels like it’s piercing through .

But I really didn’t do anything wrong.

It’s unfair.

[Translator – Late Drear]

[Proofreader – Seeker]