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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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Was it because typing on a keyboard, an outdated input device by cyberpunk standards, was inconvenient?
Jeonbungi…
Among them, the “Informant Jeonbungi” asked me if I’d like to discuss the remaining information-related matters directly over a call.
As long as my face and voice were concealed, it didn’t matter.
I readily accepted his suggestion.
I dialed the number he gave me.
Eve helped me hide my number.
A short ringing tone sounded.
It was the default ringtone, without any customization.
After a moment, the call connected.
On the other end, where a holographic image of his appearance should have been, a simple picture appeared.
It was a cute drawing of a crawling puppy.
Informant Jeonbungi’s voice came through.
[Hello~, can you hear me?]
His voice was modulated to disguise his gender.
“Yes, I can hear you clearly.”
My voice was similarly altered.
One of the functions of my mask.
A masterpiece utilizing a voice modulation module.
[Ah, yes. I am… Information Seller No. 7. …Well, that’s just my in-game ID. People call me ‘Underdog’.]
He spoke briefly.
[Haha, you’ve heard of me, right?]
Of course, it was the first time I’d heard that name.
But that’s what social life is all about.
Pretending to know what you don’t know is the true face of social interaction.
So, I complimented him.
“Oh, the rising star of the information world…!”
[…I haven’t heard that before, but I am doing pretty well these days.]
I seemed to have overdone it.
I coughed briefly and waited for him to speak.
[Ah, and just in case you’re wondering.]
No. 7’s voice lowered.
Even though it was modulated, a sharp edge entered his tone.
[Tracing me will be impossible. Things like my number or bank account. I recommend you don’t even try.]
He continued in a confident voice.
[I’ve blocked everything that can be blocked. If you try, I’ll notice, and it’ll just be a waste of time and energy for both of us, right?]
Certainly.
He wasn’t wrong.
However…
Eve was already telling me everything.
[Alias Underdog, real name Dominic Martin, human male, residing in Saint Hills in the Mid-Levels.]
Naturally, Eve’s voice couldn’t be heard by No. 7.
[Working in an information organization, I find this way is the cleanest. Isn’t it? Just exchanging information, how nice is that?]
[Favorite food is pizza, especially the soy-based pizza from LAD near his home, which he orders most frequently. His current hobby of interest is—.]
[This part, even if you’re the Guild Master, I can’t compromise on.]
[—which he is deeply involved in, even having a separate club for it.]
…
Having two voices speaking at once was distracting.
Eve, Eve.
Just how much information did you dig up in this short amount of time…?
Was it because she got caught hacking Smile John?
I felt like Eve’s hacking skills had improved.
[So, just call me Underdog. Ah, or No. 7 is fine too. And also… you can speak comfortably.]
“…Alright, No. 7.”
I wonder if you realize how much of your information has been leaked at this point.
[Good! Then, I’ll explain how I obtained this information.]
He began to speak.
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[Now, now.
As the Guild Master knows.
When it comes to proper black markets in the Lower Levels.
There are only two places, right?
One is Hei Jiao Yi in Chinatown.
And the other is Vanta Market located in Little Shinjuku.
This is what happened to me at Vanta Market─.]
“…Wait.”
After listening up to that point, I paused.
I interrupted him.
“Is this explanation really necessary?”
[Of course.]
“Fine, continue.”
[Alright!]
[Little Shinjuku.
A place that always smells of money and oil.
As befits a black market located in such a place.
We often find unexpected items. Really.
That’s why I prefer the black market in Little Shinjuku over Hei Jiao Yi in Chinatown.
Just a cursory glance reveals it.
Sometimes military supplies from wars around the world flow in.
And often, experimental products from companies that haven’t undergone safety inspections appear.
That day was the same.
I went to Vanta Market for a casual stroll.
Looking for something new─.]
I interrupted him again after hearing that much.
“Is this explanation really necessary?”
[Yes, it is.]
“….”
[Just then.
The owner of the shop I frequented called me.
‘Hey, regular! Come here─ cough.’
Ahem, sorry.
Voice imitation isn’t my specialty.
Let me try again.
‘Hey, regular! Come here! I got a real good one today!’
Like I said.
What is it? What kind of item did you get that made you call for me?
Half excited, half nervous.
With such feelings, I went to his shop.
There was a small drone.
Though small, it was about the size of my head.
And it wasn’t an ordinary drone.
Product name, ‘Lone Spider’.
Model ‘K2N-7757’.
Hacking and infiltration are basic functions.
It was an amazing product capable of other tactical actions.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
It was fate that I bought that product.
Although it was very expensive.
It was also a very reasonable price.
Sophisticated design, overwhelming practicality!
I was captivated by its engineering design and aesthetic beauty─.]
“Seriously.”
[What?]
“This is the last time. Is this explanation really necessary?”
[Haha, of course! Now comes the main point.]
“…Fine.”
[To be honest, it’s not something to brag about.
But I’m pretty good at hacking.
If my skills are combined with this robot?
There would be no impenetrable firewall in the world.
Realizing this, I trembled.
I wanted to test this robot and my skills right away.
That’s when it happened.
My sharp instincts kicked in.
People I rarely saw in Little Shinjuku’s Vanta Market appeared before me.
They were dressed in luxurious suits.
I sensed something suspicious.
What came out of it.
It was the ‘Lone Spi—’ that I bought.]
“Stop, stop.”
[Huh? There’s still a lot left.]
“I can’t take it anymore.”
I said firmly.
“Skip.”
[Huh?]
“Just tell me the information!”
Frustration I couldn’t hold back burst out.
No. 7 replied to my outburst.
[…But, Guild Master. This is the really important part…]
“Do you want to hear my story first?”
I explained calmly.
“In the end, isn’t it just that? You somehow used that whatchamacallit robot to…”
My words became heated without me realizing it.
“…tail them, hack them, or whatever. You were going to say you successfully got the information, weren’t you?”
[…Well, if you omit the entire process, you’re right.]
“….”
I really want to say something bad.
But I’ve held back this long.
I felt myself reaching the limits of my patience.
“…Now that’s enough, just tell me the information.”
[Hmm, you won’t regret it?]
“Absolutely not.”
I could guarantee it.
[If you say so, Guild Master, I’ll tell you the results as you wish.]
“Please.”
I meant it.
I felt like my ears were about to bleed.
The introduction was way too long.
And after hearing it, it wasn’t even filled with anything truly necessary.
[Ahem, I did say it was information only I knew, but it’s not incredibly important information.]
“Can’t you just get to the point?”
[…Around the end of this month, a secret party will be held at a hotel in the Upper Levels.]
No. 7 continued in a cautious tone.
[It’s a party where only key figures of corporations, like chief secretaries, and other high-ranking officials gather. To give you an idea, sometimes even CEOs of Mega Corps show up.]
“So?”
[This is where the information I found shines. Smile John himself will be attending that party.]
Taking a short breath, No. 7 said,
[Meaning his hidden identity is a high-ranking employee of some corporation!]
I waited for his next words.
However, no matter how long I waited, he didn’t say anything more.
That was the end.
“….”
[….]
“Is that it?”
[Yes.]
Ugh, I wondered if he dragged this out just to say that.
I was about to sigh but stopped.
It was good information.
Regardless of the accuracy of the information, for now.
It was true that I could narrow down Smile John’s real identity.
“Then, do you have the list of attendees or the location of the party? You know that much, right?”
[No.]
“Huh?”
[Haha, I wouldn’t know that.]
No. 7 said in a nonchalant tone.
[It’s a party held by high-ranking officials, so hacking is difficult. And the invitations themselves are delivered secretly to each individual, so the attendees can change every time they have a party.]
He spoke casually as if it wasn’t his business.
Somehow, No. 7’s form behind the hologram picture looked like he was smiling.
[Besides, the party venue is in the Upper Levels, how would I know? I don’t know.]
“So this is it?”
[Yes! You might be a little disappointed, but I’ve already received my credits, and I’ve told you everything I know. I’ll be going now.]
No. 7 gave a final greeting.
[Thank you for your patronage!]
Click.
The disconnection tone continued.
….
I thought quietly.
“Eve.”
[I await your command.]
“Where did you say No. 7 lives?”
I think I need to go out for a bit.
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[ P2034871140(Warrior): Oh dear, it looks like we won’t be able to do that party hunt we were planning. That’s a shame. ]
[RealMageHere(Warrior): Oh? Why is that? ]
[P2034871140(Warrior): Well, it seems there’s been a problem for that guy we saw before, the one who’s part of the information organization. ]
[RealMageHere(Warrior): Really? That’s truly unfortunate. ]
[ P2034871140(Warrior): He said there was a sudden electrical surge, and not only did all his electronic devices break down, but he also lost a precious robot he kept. Some kind of drone called Spider or something, what a disaster. ]
[RealMageHere(Warrior): I agree. It seems hunting will be difficult indeed. ]
I stretched comfortably.
My stress was relieved.
One problem was solved, and it was time to think about the next one.
A party that only high-ranking corporate executives can attend.
Even the location is a problem.
The Upper Levels were an area that citizens of other levels couldn’t easily access.
“…Hmm.”
Since only corporate executives can attend.
Even with the help of the famous singer Andrea, it would be difficult.
Unless there’s a separate celebratory performance at the party.
But I have no information about that either.
I pondered.
I wondered if using this method was the right choice.
“…I wonder if it’s okay to contact them.”
[I inquire as to whom you are referring.]
There is such a person.
I looked through the list of saved contacts through my visual interface.
Among them, I noticed a short name I had saved.
【Chairman】
“….”
I wonder if I’m just making things more complicated.
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