A monotone male voice that sounds familiar echoes from the hologram screen.
[Morning in Redwood comes fast.]
The video begins with narration subtitles.
Beyond the gray clouds, the sun shines brightly, gradually revealing itself.
The altitude of the drone camera rises.
Conversely, the angle of the video tilts from the sky down to the ground, and as it does, the scenery shifts from the gray sky to a vast forest.
[As the only green space designated by the urban laws of Neon City, the land is wide and surrounded by lush greenery.]
Well, I thought the phrase ‘lush greenery’ didn’t quite fit as a viewer.
It sounded awkwardly out of place.
Most of the trees had red leaves.
It was different from the concept of autumn leaves.
I’ve heard it was a landscape forged over many years due to the presence of Cloud Park, which is very close to Redwood.
It was far from a normal scenery.
The drone camera moves away from the green area.
The chaotic view of an alley, appearing to have no rules, fills the camera screen.
[If you move along the designated areas of the city, you will finally see the citizens living in Redwood.]
The shadow of the forest that had been visible just moments before is nowhere to be found, and the alley, sprawling wildly, takes over the area.
[It’s the Orcs.]
An ‘Orc’ on the street points at the drone camera flying overhead.
He shouts something, but the sound itself has been muted, so the content is unheard.
[We conducted a survey among citizens who possess above-average social scores living in Neon City.]
Like soldiers from an anthill, several large Orcs burst out from the buildings.
[When we asked citizens which area in Neon City is the most closed-off.]
A sharp bang pierces through the narration.
The noise-filled screen spins chaotically.
[Many people pointed to ‘Redwood.’]
The drone camera drops into the alley.
Moments later, Orcs holding guns appear on the screen of the fallen drone.
With the final view of a giant shoe sole.
The hologram screen goes completely dark.
In the center of that black screen, the title of the documentary program appears in white text.
【Tears of Redwood】
Soon, the narration flows again.
[Today, we will take a moment to learn about this place, Redwood─.]
“What are you looking at?”
Catherine interrupts the narration with a question.
I quickly paused the hologram screen.
Knowing that if I turned my head now, Catherine’s almost naked body would be revealed, I maintained my current posture and answered without looking back.
“When Smith came by last time, he asked if I had heard any news about Redwood. So, I just got curious and was watching it.”
“Hmm.”
Seemingly satisfied with my explanation, the presence behind me disappears with a brief sound.
Well, she probably just moved to the nearby couch.
I resumed the hologram screen.
24. Orcs of Cyberpunk (2)
Smith’s disappearance.
The first thought that crossed my mind was this.
…There shouldn’t have been any related sub quest.
No, there definitely wasn’t.
Although it was over ten years ago, I still remembered the significant parts clearly.
[It’s been a week since I last went to work.]
Through the hologram phone screen, Natasha shares her worries.
[I’m doing a personal investigation, but… just wondering if you’ve heard anything.]
A rare true boss in Cyberpunk.
It’s not strange for someone to go missing in this world, where there’s no compassion or tears.
But seeing her ask me this,
It seemed she hadn’t heard anything about Redwood from Smith.
“A week? That was when Smith came looking for me, and we met once.”
I explained to Natasha that the ‘brothers’ in Redwood hadn’t been in contact.
[…Really?]
Natasha tilts her head in confusion.
She seems puzzled as to why I didn’t tell her.
I didn’t know the reason either, so I tilted my head along with hers.
Hmm, I wonder why.
Maybe I didn’t want to worry her while serving the boss. Just speculation; I’d have no way of knowing unless I asked her.
Natasha lets out a short sigh.
[Anyway, if you find out anything, let me know. I’ve lost all my connections in Redwood, so even I can’t get any news in time.]
It was a rare sight to see the boss of No Answer sigh, making the severity of the situation feel more pronounced.
“I’ll also look into it, so don’t worry too much. He’s not the type to get hurt easily.”
[…Thanks.]
Perhaps uplifted by my reassurance,
Natasha answered in a better tone.
After a brief farewell, she ended the call.
I briefly recalled the situation from a week ago.
When Smith came looking for me.
He didn’t have a particularly serious expression.
Even though I couldn’t really read Orc faces, I remembered he didn’t seem more worried than necessary.
So I just assumed it wouldn’t be an urgent situation.
But there was something that lingered in my mind…
It could be an issue involving ‘Redwood.’
I’ve been to all other areas at least once, but I’ve never been to Redwood.
Usually, missions entering Redwood use mercenaries of the ‘Orc’ race.
It’s not that other races can’t take related requests, it just feels like everyone’s being careful.
This applies to Drake and Andrea, and I’m sure Catherine, who started her mercenary job with me at the landfill, is no exception.
I momentarily wondered if I had connections among Orcs.
Smith is…
Oh right, he’s the one who’s missing, so he doesn’t count.
The glasses-wearing guy….
Living underground in the landfill, he wouldn’t have any relevant information. Even meeting him would be tough.
“…….”
Hmm.
Looks like I really have no one.
If I had known it would be this scarce, I should have gotten the number of the Orc terrorist who appeared back in the café.
Honestly, I’m lamenting how little my Orc connections are.
Anyway,
If that’s the case, I’ll just have to investigate myself.
With the mindset of a lost child looking for Doraemon, I called out a name.
“Eve.”
“Waiting.”
I asked Eve for an answer.
“Can you locate Smith’s current position? The Orc who was guarding the entrance of No Answer.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Eve’s eyes gleam with a round light.
Is she hacking through Net Space? Her artificial body’s movements freeze.
“Orc ‘Smith’ is currently confirmed to be in ‘Redwood.’”
“Is he alive?”
“The life signal is normal.”
That’s a relief.
No matter how much Orcs are avoided even by scavengers, there are always exceptions.
Good thing Smith hasn’t become S/M/I/T/H yet.
“Can you tell me what he’s doing right now?”
At my question, Eve hesitates momentarily.
She opens her mouth as if to make an excuse.
…The number of surveillance cameras in Redwood is far fewer than in other areas, so it’s difficult to know the exact state of Orc ‘Smith’ right now.
“How few are we talking about?”
“Compared to other areas, the number is estimated to be between 0% and 1%.”
That means there’s almost none.
What on earth is the state of the neighborhood?
It’s certain that he’s alive.
But how he’s alive is still a mystery.
I briefly contemplated what to do.
Just then, Catherine suddenly approaches, putting on an outing coat.
“?”
Seeing my puzzled expression, Catherine inquires back at me.
“Aren’t you going out?”
Huh?
“Weren’t you going to Redwood to find that Orc? Then of course I should go with you.”
“……I mean, I’m going, but…”
It’s possible I might not have.
I wondered how Catherine could predict my actions as I turned to look at her with those thoughts, but she was still wearing her tank top and dolphin shorts, making it naturally difficult to face her.
It was overly destructive attire when seen up close.
Catherine casually continues her speech.
“Well, since Andrea is out due to her schedule, we ‘have no choice’ but to go together. Or should I say the three of us.”
…..
I couldn’t respond.
No, I initially planned to bring along the others too.
For my safety, I intended to take Drake and Andrea along, but I hesitantly suggested to Catherine.
“Uh, since Redwood can be a pretty dangerous place, wouldn’t it be better to go with other teammates?”
“No, no.”
Catherine shook her head firmly.
“If it’s already been a week since he went missing, the golden time has long passed. We need to hurry and leave.”
That sounded plausible…
No, logically, since time is already delayed, isn’t it better to prepare thoroughly before going?
“I’ll get ready for the outing.”
Eve rises and says.
Once it became clear how the situation was unfolding,
It wasn’t the kind of atmosphere to suggest calling in anyone else.
“…Okay, let’s go.”
After all, I was just as worried about Smith.
My already limited connections could be lost even more.
If I had anticipated this, a week ago,
I could’ve suggested going together when I first heard the news from Smith.
No, would he have refused back then?
Regardless, ‘Redwood’…
It’s a place known for its dreadful rumors.
Notably, one rumor states that if a non-Orc gets shot while walking down the street, they shouldn’t feel wronged.
*
– Bang!
Half of the rumors are false,
and half are true.
This place is where not only non-Orcs but Orcs too have to worry about getting shot.
Watching the gang wars unfold in broad daylight, I let out a sigh.
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