Chapter 268: Real, Fake (3)
I have two sets of memories.
One from before the regression, and another from after.
The storylines are vastly different
Yes. It's over.
This memory is from before the regression.
In a coffee shop in the capital, Soliette spoke. There was a scar by her eyes that hadnt been there before.
I was concerned, but my concern was meaningless to her.
So, is it over?
I asked her, a hint of disappointment in my voice. Soliette slightly furrowed her brow.
It's not over for me yet.
Not over? You said you dealt with Knightmare.
As I mentioned Knightmare, Soliettes expression turned bitter. She twisted her lips into a wry smile and ran her fingers through her hair.
Knightmare is an artificial phenomenon.
Artificial phenomenon.
That meant..
It was created.
Knightmare was a being created by someone.
I will pursue whoever was behind it.
At the time, I thought Soliette was broken. I mistook her for seeking another target for revenge, even after her vengeance was complete.
But that wasn't it.
Soliettes revenge was just beginning then.
More importantly, how is your health, Shion?
She was concerned about me. It was probably out of a sense of duty, but it still felt good.
Well... its been a month since the 3 years and 7 months, so 3 years and 6 months left?
But its strange. How can your life expectancy be so specific?
I don't know. They say it's predicted. Because I haven't broken through my limit yet
I sipped my coffee while looking at Soliette. After gulping down her coffee in one go, Soliette stood up.
Where are you going?
To investigate.
Investigate what? Ill help you.
I had connections in the underworld and the slums, so I could help Soliette with her revenge.
I could be of help to her.
Two years later, my help led to her suicide.
I quietly opened my eyes.
Drip, drip.
The sound of rain. The dark interior. The creaking of wooden planks in the old Endex building.
Huuu...
Next to me, I could hear Soliette sleeping. There was a cat beside her.
A cat given by Growl.
...3 years and 7 months.
I murmured softly as I looked at her.
"How could she know.
Its something I cant understand.
But if I were to hypothesize, maybe Soliette overcame the regression.
But is overcoming regression even possible?
And even if it is, why is it that only Soliette remembers parts of what happened before?
Because shes strong enough to overcome it?
Then shouldnt Jade have been the first to overcome it?
...My head."
My temples throbbed.
"Haah...
A deep sigh escaped me.
The current Soliette and the Soliette before regression are different
Of course, I loved the Soliette from before the regression, but she was never a healthy character.
Beep-beep-beep Beep-beep-beep
Meanwhile, the sun had risen.
"Hey. Soliette.
I poked Soliettes cheek with my finger. She scrunched up her face like crumpled newspaper and opened her eyes.
...What is it?"
"What are you planning to do now?"
...Huh?
She glared at me sleepily, furrowing her brow as if asking what I was talking about.
"What are you going to do now? Theres no Knightmare anymore.
Perhaps my expression was quite stern, as Soliette also sat up.
"Knightmare...
She fumbled with her lips and hesitated.
I finished her sentence for her.
It's an artificial phenomenon. A disaster caused by humans. A creation.
'...Ah.'
Soliettes eyes widened.
"So. What kind of revenge are you going to take?"
I asked her about her plans for revenge.
...I need to find whos behind it
"And then?
What comes next is important.
After finding and punishing those behind it, what will Soliette do? What does she want to do?
Then Soliette looked at the [Bethune] gaming console. She narrowed her eyes almost to slits.
Im going to become a game developer.
...Game development?
"Yes. [Bethune] is under maintenance right now, isnt it?"
The bottle was destroyed, and the souls within spilled out, wrapping around the entirety of Bethune. Because of that, it was currently under forced maintenance.
Probably, it's the process of [Bethune] being incorporated into reality.
"Once the server is up, I plan to create another game inside it. I'd like to meet the developers too.
I smiled thinly and rubbed the back of my neck.
Becoming a game developer isnt too bad.
Either way, it's better than suicide.
I tapped her head lightly.
"Then get up. Lets go to school.
At Edsilla National University, I attended classes with Soliette for the first time in a while. Due to her prolonged absences, her grades and assignments were a complete mess, but those were unnecessary for Soliette anyway.
...Its been so long, it's overwhelming to catch up.
"That's your karma. That's what you get for only playing games."
Soliette pouted her lips as she glared at the pile of assignments in her arms.
"Whoa?! Shion- Soliette!!
Just then, someone waved and ran towards us from across the campus.
It was Layla.
She approached with a grin, dragging Gerkhen along with her.
"Hey, guys. Wanna go see Elly?"
...Out of the blue?
"No- She set up a hospital in the Magic Tower, didnt she? We could check out the Magic Tower too.
I looked at Gerkhen. He coughed awkwardly, and Layla explained.
"Oh. Hes in my debate class. Hes really good at it. Might go into politics or something.
Is that so.
"But Soliette, why havent you been coming to school?
Layla looked at Soliette. Soliette scratched the back of her neck and laughed awkwardly.
I had some things to take care of."
"Things? Whatever... If you wanna meet Elly later, just let me know-
Suddenly, Layla pulled me aside and whispered in my ear.
Elly wants to see you.
...Dont lie to me.
Its unlikely that Elise would say something like that.
"Hehehehe."
Layla snickered with a mischievous expression.
"Oh, right. Did you guys hear? The Trick City Hero Act passed."
"Really? That's interesting.
Half of the Hero Act is probably because of me.
Not that its not true, I've been consistently active as Raquel Dra. Whenever I had spare time, I hunted down and killed the scum of the underworld, the cartels spies.
"Well then...
Ding-
An alarm went off on my smartphone.
It was a text from the Intelligence Agency.
I gotta go first. Soliette. Ask these guys to help you with your assignments.
"Ah!
Soliettes eyes sparkled as if she had a brilliant idea. Gerkhen and Layla looked perplexed, but Soliette, grinning like an idiot, promised to buy them food and led them away.
As soon as I returned to the Intelligence Agency, I rummaged through a few personnel files. It was a privilege not granted to rookies, but I used Bell Moore's code.
[Jeff Garner]
Hes a candidate for the team.
From a lower-tier university. His weapon of choice is a dagger. Height 173 cm.
Currently an outsider among Chasers, but in 5 years, he'll be successful in back-to-back extreme missions and grow into a Chaser on par with a Balancer.
Ive seen him before at some point.
If I had to describe him in a word, it would be a man of principle.
He doesnt kill indiscriminately just for the success of a mission, nor does he bring in elements unrelated to the mission.
...Why is it so cramped.
I found his office.
Every Chaser has a personal office. The same goes for Jeff Garner. Theres no shortage of rooms in the vast underground expanse of the Intelligence Agency.
I got a fairly spacious office thanks to Bell Moore changing it for me this time, but Jeffs office seemed like it wouldnt even be a tenth of mine.
Its not even close to a studio apartment
There wasn't even a doorknob, so I just walked in.
The laptop was shoddy. The clothes hanging on the coat rack were shoddy too.
Even though the earnings of a Chaser vary from person to person, there should still be a base salary of at least 10,000 Ren a year.
Creeeak-
The office door opened from the outside.
I turned to look.
...What brings you here?
Jeff Garner. He asked me.
For me, it was slightly disconcerting.
How couldn't it be? The gap between the future and now was too great.
Though it's only 5 years in the future, back then he had a bushy beard, deep wrinkles, and always wore sunglasses.
...You are Jeff Garner, correct?
"Yes, thats me.
His voice was similar to that time, but his face was completely different.
Neat facial features, incredibly deer-like eyes. He was much shorter than I remembered, giving off an excessively cute impression.
Was this impression deliberately cultivated to appear tougher?
I am Shion Ascal.
Im aware. You're from Team Leader Bell Moores..."
"Good."
I fiddled with a pack of cigarettes on the desk as I spoke.
If he already knew, it made it easier to sell my name.
Jeff Garner. Team Leader Bell Moore wants you."
Jeffs already large eyes grew even wider.
At the same time.
Intelligence Agency Director Gedley was presiding over an executive meeting. The purpose of the meeting was Vern once again. To find some way to retaliate against him, who was using the media and public opinion to disperish Derek.
However, Gedley couldnt shake his concerns about Bell Moore.
Gedley had seen him.
In a meeting presided over by six team leaders and the director, the man didnt say a word. Instead, he consistently displayed a yes-man-like expression and attitude, reacting positively to everything said.
His poker face was cunningly natural.
"So then. Team Leader Bell Moore, who took down a Senator who was one of Vern's fingers.
Gedley pointed at Bell Moore with his finger. Bell Moore flashed a brief smile.
"Can the team leader take on another operation this time?
If you command it, I'm always ready."
He was at ease.
Director Gedley and the four other team leaders of the same faction werent exactly pleased with his demeanor, but they made an effort to hide their feelings.
Bell Moore thought to himself.
'Maybe I'll dump everything on Shion and hit the club. I heard some celebrities are coming tonight.'
Team leader Bell Moore is always so composed, isnt he?
At Gedleys question, Bell Moore blinked for a moment and then nodded.
Is there ever leisure or anxiety in a mission? I simply do what the direct line commands."
While saying this, Bell Moore thought.
'Ill leave it to that guy Shion for now... Ah. Do I have any credit limit left? Looks like I'll need to swipe for at least three or four bottles of expensive liquor.
On the other hand, Gedley and the four team leaders pursed their lips.
Clearly, the man had a different mindset
However, the extent of his influence has yet to be revealed. No one knows who belongs to his faction.
As can be inferred from his poker face right now, he's a very cunning and quiet guy.
"Alright We'll entrust the operation to Team Leader Bell Moore. Report back after planning."
"Yes."
Gedley stood up first. The four team leaders followed him, and Bell Moore naturally stood up behind them.
"Then you all...
Gedley was about to converse with the four team leaders when Bell Moore, who suddenly interjected, stopped him.
...Do you have something to say, Team Leader Bell Moore?
Bell Moore looked at Gedley silently for a moment. Gedley met his gaze.
Bell Moore's dilemma was as follows:
'Should I ask to borrow a card for operational expenses? I could use that to cover the club expenses.
...If you have something to say, speak up."
It seems we'll need operational funds."
"Operational funds?"
"Yes. A card under a pseudonym would suffice.
...Is that necessary?
"Yes. Theres considerable personal expenditure in carrying out the operation.
In reality, Shion Ascal was using his daily salary for the expenses. The concept of operational funds didnt exist for him.
"Alright First, report the details of the operation, and then well provide the necessary funds."
"Ah, yes."
Bell Moore smirked.
"When are we having the team dinner? Id like to invite Director Gedley.
At that moment, Gedleys expression hardened slightly.
A team dinner. Clearly a suspicious suggestion.
Knowing there might be some trap set up.
Team Leader Collores from the third team grimaced and stepped forward.
...Team Leader Bell Moore. Let's talk about that later. Youve only been here a month, havent you?
"No, why wait half a year for a team dinner when you can have one after a month?
Gedley left without saying a word. The four team leaders followed him. Bell Moore watched them with a peculiar gaze in his eyes.
...Youve got some nerve."
A voice came from behind.
Bell Moore looked in that direction.
It was Team Leader David.
For Bell Moore, David was a bit of an annoyance, a team leader completely out of favor with Gedley. Quite a foolish fellow.
Is this a declaration of war?
Davids bizarre comment left Bell Moore dumbfounded.
Had he completely lost his mind?
...What did you say?
When Bell Moore asked back, David smirked and offered his hand for a handshake.
Bell Moore frowned and put his hands in his pockets, walking out.
Keep the handshaking to yourself.
Ha ha ha ha. Sure.
He seemed satisfied, but he really seemed like someone who had lost his mind. Better to keep his distance.
Bell Moore took out his phone and made a call to someone.
"Hey Shion. Weve got an operation.
Recently, Johanna had been searching for Zia. This bitch hadn't shown up at the Aerial Garden, so Johanna scoured the continent far and wide, but Zia was nowhere to be found.
"Ah... should I kill her.
On the streets of the imperial capital, in the coffee shop [BALANCE] where she had followed the traces of Zia, Johanna heard from an employee that she had already gone somewhere else.
Is this crazy bitch playing games with me now?
Just as heat was rising to Johanna's head, steaming with anger.
Drring Drring
A call came through.
It was Zia.
Johanna hastily answered the phone.
"You fucking bitch!'
She cursed reflexively, just like she used to.
Ah... sister...
"Where are you.
Right now... I'm at the Aerial Garden...
"...Aerial Garden?
Yes... work finished late so...
"Spit it out, quickly!
It finished late... sorry...
A vein popped on Johannas forehead.
"Youre deliberately speaking slowly, arent you. Do you want your tongue cut out? Are you even human if you cant speak ten syllables in 30 seconds?"
No... Ive just... come up to the Aerial Garden... waiting here-
Crack-!
She clenched the phone in her hand. She kicked the phone, now broken in half-the sixth one shed destroyed - and got into her car.
"Back to the Aerial Garden. When I find that bitch, Ill whip her ass... Lets go!'
"Yes!"
The chauffeur also floored the accelerator urgently.
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