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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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The Information Bureau was in complete chaos. The unprecedented corruption scandal involving the Heads of Asset Management and Satellite Management had sent shockwaves through the organization.
The Director, determined to eradicate such behavior, launched a full-scale internal crackdown, complete with a “Corruption Eradication” campaign and a hefty reward for information. This, he declared, would ensure such an incident never happened again.
Perhaps as a reaction to the scandal, and the realization that department heads wielded too much power, the Bureau dispatched inspectors to each department. Now, even matters requiring a head’s approval needed a mandatory verification check by these inspectors. The departments, naturally, pushed back, but the tense atmosphere within the Bureau ensured the new protocol was implemented, at least for the time being.
While the Information Bureau stewed in its own tension, the security Division was jubilant. Like a nagging toothache finally pulled, the scandal’s resolution brought immense relief. Karl, the hero of the hour, basked in the praise of Big-Boobs Ellie and Pink-Head Dana. Even the security Division Chief, notoriously stingy with compliments, joined the chorus, a testament to Karl’s achievement. Lewis, ever the braggart, felt a pang of jealousy and attempted to downplay Karl’s success, attributing it to sheer luck. Karl, however, was unfazed. Every squad had its Lewis, and this blonde one was relatively harmless.
Karl’s reward included a bonus and two days of leave. After years of what felt like pointless busywork, he’d finally accomplished something worthwhile, solidifying his belief that he’d chosen the right division. The Escort and Combat Divisions might have offered faster promotions, but he’d rather chase down bad guys than endure an endless stream of mind-numbing routine.
With the major incident resolved, a semblance of calm returned to the Security Division. The usual miscellaneous tasks remained, but such was the nature of any job. This lull afforded Karl more opportunities to spar with the Nerdy Girl in the simulation, even on weekdays. He’d teased her about her visible pubic hair during their first encounter, and she’d apparently taken it to heart. This time, her groin area was conspicuously smooth.
“Oh, your pubic hair—!” he goaded.
“Huh…?” Her gaze flickered downwards for a split second, and Karl seized the opportunity. He unleashed a merciless flurry of attacks, beating her virtual avatar to death.
“You son of a bitch—!!” Alisa, realizing she’d been tricked, respawned and immediately launched a furious counter-attack.
“Well, who told you to get distracted during a fight? Huh?” Karl retorted.
“You used a dirty trick, you bastard!” she yelled, though she knew, deep down, he had a point.
“A knight,” he lectured, “whether their boobs are showing or their pubic hair is showing, should focus on the fight. What are you going to do when you face a more difficult situation later? Huh?!” His logic, however flawed, was airtight, leaving Alisa fuming but unable to argue. It was that infuriating feeling of being wrong when you knew you were right. She channeled her frustration into another attack.
“Yaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!!”
“I told you not to attack recklessly, didn’t I? Fuck, is your head really empty? Why are you so clueless even after I teach you, you dumb bitch? Just quit being a knight and suck my dick, you bitch—!”
“Shut up, you asshole—!!” No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t land a single blow. The gap between their skills remained a chasm.
“If this were real life, I would have fucked you a hundred times already. You know? Seriously.”
“Sh…Shiiiit…!” Alisa gritted her teeth, furious. One hit, just one, was all she wanted.
“Oh? Are you crying? You bitch, you’re the one who sucks, huh?”
“I’m not crying, you asshole—!!” After a few more humiliating defeats, Alisa rage-quit the simulation. Karl chuckled, a wicked glint in his eye. Fuck, why is this so fun? Am I really a bad guy? he wondered, already addicted to teasing her. Her indifference to everything but competition made her the perfect target. She likely endured his taunts because she genuinely believed she was improving.
A month had flown by since Karl joined the Security Division. The once-clumsy trainees were now finding their footing. With the initial adjustment period over, their attention turned to the upcoming Simulation Sparring Ranked Matches. These matches, where trainees were randomly pitted against each other, weren’t just a game. The rankings determined bonus points awarded during the formal knight evaluation, meaning a higher rank significantly increased the chances of becoming a full-fledged knight. Understandably, the trainees were obsessed. The rankings also served as an unofficial hierarchy, a measure of strength and skill.
There were limitations: three matches per day, 10 points for a win, 5 for a loss, difficulty matching with opponents with significantly different scores, and no facing the same opponent twice in one day. Inactivity also resulted in a 10-point penalty, preventing complacency. Sundays, however, were designated as free days, allowing for unlimited sparring with no penalty for inactivity.
Alisa, fixated on knighthood, was consumed by the upcoming ranked matches. The rumor that a top 3 ranking virtually guaranteed a knighthood fueled her obsession. She wasn’t alone. Every trainee, having fought tooth and nail to get this far, craved any advantage. She’d often steal glances at Karl during their simulation sessions, hoping her fellow training camp graduate would take pity and offer some guidance.
“Only now you remember we’re from the same training camp? Ugh, you selfish bitch,” Karl scoffed.
“It’d be beneficial for both of us if you’d just help me out a little. You want to be a knight too, right? We can practice together!”
“I don’t really care. I’ll be first anyway.”
“Ha… fi-first?” Alisa snorted. Even Karl, as skilled as he was, couldn’t possibly top the ranks filled with other exceptional talents.
“Even you can’t do that. Just because you were top of the class at the training camp doesn’t mean you’re invincible. These guys clawed their way through brutal competition. They’re all monsters.”
“Looks like you haven’t been beaten enough.”
“Stop with the nonsense and just help me! We need to rank high.”
“I said I’m going to be first.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake… Fine. If you get first place, I’ll grant you a wish. Deal?”
“Oh? Really?” Karl’s sudden interest piqued Alisa’s suspicion.
“Then what if you fail?”
“If I fail, I’ll grant you a wish.”
“Really? No take-backs. A man’s word is his bond—!”
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll even record it. Want me to?” Alisa, still distrustful, made him record his promise and saved the file.
“Just you wait. You’re dead now,” she warned, a competitive fire burning in her eyes.
“Dead? You’re the dead one, you idiot. Still haven’t figured out my real skill level? …This is why talentless people…”
“Don’t call me talentless, you bastard—!!” And, predictably, she was promptly beaten to death… again. He can’t actually get first, can he? she wondered, a sliver of doubt creeping in. But no, it was absurd. A training camp graduate topping the ranks filled with prodigies? Impossible. The failure rate for training camp graduates was astronomical; simply becoming a knight was a monumental achievement. There were monstrous talents in the other divisions, practically guaranteeing the top spots were already taken. Alisa harbored no illusions of placing in the top 3. Top 10 would be a dream come true.
Two days remained until the ranked matches began. Determined to avoid starting with a loss, she continued to train relentlessly with Karl.
“Oh, right. Are you going to go out there dressed like that?” he asked, gesturing to her default avatar.
“…What? Are you crazy?! I’d rather die—! But how do I change? I can’t find the option.”
“Oh, really? Then if you can land even one hit on me, I’ll tell you.”
“You bastard, that’s not fair! You, son of a—this isn’t fair—you asshole—!!” She, of course, failed to land a hit. After much pleading, however, Karl relented, gifting her a package. Wary of another one of his tricks, she cautiously applied it. A “poof” of pink smoke later, and she was clad in a pink nightmare: pink tights, pink fishnet stockings, pink shoes, a pink mask, and a pink cape.
“You motherfucker—!!”
…It was still better than the pubic hair swimsuit.
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