The tie around my neck felt rather uncomfortable.
It was like someone was squeezing my neck hard.
I had never lived a “clean life” far removed from a “neat suit” even before entering the game, and as someone who worked in a rough brown-colored profession (Wizard, Mercenary), I felt uneasy in clothing that wasn’t bulletproof.
The Boss, who had been admiring the scenery outside, opened his mouth without turning to face me.
“Just bear with it. We have to enter the party together as companions, so there’s no choice.”
“…Is it okay to loosen the tie a bit?”
“Nope.”
…I didn’t have any expectations anyway.
I stifled my voice and continued with deep breathing.
For some reason, I felt anxious.
The fact that I was in an air vehicle floating hundreds of meters above ground contributed to that anxiety, but….
What bothered me the most was not having a “bulletproof coat,” “mask,” or the most basic defense in this world, a “gun.”
Fortunately, I was able to grab the signal emitter that Drake had given me, so if things went south, I could just blow a signal and get ready to run.
I moved my head and looked around.
This was my first time riding in such a luxurious air vehicle. I probably wouldn’t have another chance either.
Maybe it was because of the plush car seat, but I didn’t feel any sensation of being in the air or any discomfort at all.
I wanted to touch various things since it was so fascinating. But I resisted, as one wrong move could lead to a class change from Wizard to Debtor (forced), so I stayed still.
In the distance.
A massive city wall loomed large, obstructing my view beyond the window.
It was even bigger than the “outer wall” served as a boundary between the city and the outside. It marked the “borderline” separating the upper and other areas.
One could say it represented the materialistic expression of the Cyberpunk capitalist superiority complex.
I felt that if even a fraction of the tax used for maintaining that wall were spent on the lower class, the living conditions of those citizens would greatly improve.
It wasn’t that I was thinking that way just because I currently lived in the lower-class area. Absolutely not.
After noticing my gaze, the Boss took a sip of what could be whiskey or a cocktail and spoke.
“There’s no need to be nervous just because it’s the upper class. Just be natural. There’s no guarantee that problems will arise.”
Hmm.
Whenever someone says that, something tends to happen….
I muttered inwardly and replied to the Boss.
“I think it would have been nice to have a little time to prepare mentally.”
“We’re approaching the entrance soon. If it’s your first time, the identity verification will be a bit complicated. You’ve retained the identity data I sent you in your head, right?”
Nice deflection.
I double-checked the identity information that was floating in my visual interface.
“…Ah, yes.”
So my name—
How many times has it changed already?
“Did you say Shun Choi?”
“……Yup.”
“By looking at your name, I assume you have Asian roots. Are you from Neo Japan by any chance?”
“…Haha, you could say it’s similar.”
“I see. People who aren’t familiar tend to make mistakes in small details. I apologize on their behalf.”
You’re wrong too, buddy.
But I kept my rotten thoughts to myself and continued to respond kindly.
After all, I was entering this party venue with a fake identity, and I was quite used to changing my name or origin.
Moreover, in a world with various races, distinguishing regional ethnicities would be difficult.
I couldn’t differentiate between Asian orc, European orc, and Hispanic orc, after all.
…By the way, the fact that my fake name became “Choi Shun” was due to the Boss’s unnecessary consideration.
He did mention he’d give me a Korean-style pseudonym.
So it didn’t take long for “최 시운 (Choi Siwoon)” to become “슌 초이” due to various pronunciation issues.
Anyway.
Was it because I entered the party with the Boss from No Answer?
Too many unnecessary people were sticking to me.
But I couldn’t look suspicious, so I was trying my best to keep the conversation natural and lighten the mood.
“I was surprised. Generally, when it comes to No Answer’s ‘her,’ she doesn’t receive party invitations and has never appeared with anyone.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“Yes, it is. Plus, I’ve never heard your name before, so… Ah, I apologize for that.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“…Right. So I was suspicious that she had a hidden lover or something…”
“Haha, is that so?”
“……?”
Soon, he gave me a look as if he was observing someone a bit slow and moved away.
Anyway, it felt natural.
Though this could spread some bad rumors about the Boss, I could just say I did my best at that time.
At least it wasn’t my fault.
I confirmed that the people around me had disappeared.
And let out a short sigh.
I sent away the annoying ones.
It was time to resume my duty.
Of course, while I was having a conversation with a stranger (disguised as ignoring them), I continued to glance at the Boss.
Naturally, there’s a difference between focusing only on protection.
By the way, the Boss was surrounded by people who seemed to be much more than I was.
What were they so curious about?
Like baby birds asking for food from a mother bird, they kept chattering around.
Personally, standing as a guard, I wished for “social distancing” like when some virus broke out.
But that would be a difficult task in a party venue.
“Ugh.”
Still, the chance of an attack occurring in such a public setting seemed low. Just glancing around, it was evident that we weren’t the only ones prepared for an attack.
But just in case, I have to stay vigilant.
You can never be too careful.
I moved cautiously.
I slid into the view of the Boss with a large pillar in the way.
With no one around, it was much more comfortable.
As a natural loner, I felt at ease in the shadows while keeping an eye on the Boss.
As I continued to hope that nothing would happen until the end of the party, my eyes met the Boss’s.
“…….”
“…….”
The Boss wasn’t wearing a dress like the other female participants. Instead, she was clad in a male suit, making her more noticeable than others.
Just as I was trying to avert my gaze, the Boss gestured towards me.
Honestly, I wanted to ignore her, but with no one else around, it was clear she was calling me.
What now?
I slowly approached the Boss’s side.
“…Did you call me─.”
“Your companion has something to say.”
Me? Something to say? What?
The Boss brushed off my expression of indignation and spoke to the surrounding people.
“We’ll talk about business matters later.”
And began to disperse the crowd around us.
“Are you perhaps her hidden lover…?”
“Hey, hurry up and go.”
There were some who were oblivious enough to want to stick around, but it didn’t take long for the surroundings to become quiet.
At that moment.
The smile that had been on the Boss’s face vanished. I had thought about it earlier, but her eyes didn’t smile at all when she smiled.
That’s how you wear a mask to maintain the role of No Answer’s Boss.
Before I could say anything to the Boss, she looked at me and spoke.
“I’m sorry about this.”
I had no idea if she meant to apologize for bringing me to the party without preparation, for changing my name, or for putting me through trouble with the crowd.
“Shall we step outside for a moment?”
“Sure.”
I nodded eagerly at the suggestion.
I wanted to breathe the outside air too.
We slowly moved toward the balcony.
As we walked, a few people tried to engage the Boss in conversation, but as she led me, they quickly faded into the background.
…I hope I won’t receive a fraud message tomorrow. I thought as I quietly walked out onto the balcony.
By now, night had long fallen, and the outside view was very dark.
I had secretly hoped to catch a glimpse of the city view from the upper class, but unfortunately, due to security issues, all I could see was the wide expanse of the party venue.
It wasn’t a hotel but something like a mansion.
The area was undoubtedly vast. It seemed that houses in the upper class are generally larger than in the lower class.
“Phew, feels good to be alive.”
The Boss leaned against the railing and spoke.
I shared her sentiment and nodded in agreement without using words.
I didn’t remember the last time I walked outside without wearing a mask. The air in the upper-class area was absolutely fresh and clean.
“Ah, can I smoke for a bit?”
“…Sure.”
Farewell, fresh air….
I never had any negative thoughts about a Cyberpunk woman smoking. I nodded without a second thought.
As the Boss took out an electronic cigarette from her pocket, she slowly exhaled the smoke into the air. A sigh transformed into smoke and floated away.
I had nothing to say in return.
And the Boss remained quiet.
A moment of silence stretched out.
It was a bit awkward.
To lighten the mood, I decided to speak to the Boss.
“By the way, is it okay for me to be here with you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard some gossip that there’s a hidden lover.”
At that, a small smirk crept up on the Boss’s lips.
“If I had one, I’d have quit smoking a long time ago.”
The Boss answered my question, then returned the electronic cigarette back into her pocket.
Then she added with one line.
“There’s no romance in kissing someone who smells like smoke, right?”
“Who even cares about that nowadays…?”
“I do.”
Unexpectedly, she turned out to be a romanticist.
The Boss stretched her arms wide. As she did, her substantial presence rose gradually.
I was determined to maintain my superhuman patience because I intended to continue taking requests from No Answer, suppressing the urge for my eyeballs to roll out of my chest.
After the Boss completed her light stretching, she said.
“Anyway, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into this awkward situation. Even though I’m the one who requested it while knowing full well.”
The Boss of No Answer, who felt untouchable, was just a normal person.
I replied to the Boss in a more relaxed tone.
“It’s fine. I came here to work too.”
As long as you reward me with the corresponding credits, there won’t be any problems.
Plus, as the Boss mentioned earlier, there’s no guarantee that something must happen. If that’s the case, I could just enjoy the party, earn credits, and go home.
I nodded to myself in anticipation of the passive income that would eventually come.
“Now that we’ve caught our breath, shall we go back?”
“……”
Though getting drained was secondary.
I followed behind the Boss while inwardly praying that nothing would happen today.
*
I stifled a long yawn.
In the end, nothing happened even during the charity party. I’m not complaining. I couldn’t be more grateful.
【Everyone, did you know? I checked, and all the prominent brokers in Neon City are here today!】
I listened with one ear to the loud voice of the socializer, watching the event wind down.
【With that being said! The credits raised from donations will be used transparently for the mercenary industry in Neon City!】
I let out a short chuckle.
“Ha.”
I never thought I’d hear “donation” and “transparency” in the same sentence in a Cyberpunk world.
I’d bet that even if half of the amount gathered here was used for its intended purpose, it would have been well-spent─.
At that moment, an ominous feeling crawled down my spine.
I immediately turned my head to check the surroundings.
No one was near the Boss.
Then where…?
As I continued to think, I prepared to dash over to the Boss.
【Then I’ll conclude today’s event…】
– Crackle.
【Oh? Suddenly a blackout….】
Before long.
The surroundings were engulfed in darkness in an instant.
I had a feeling this was going to happen.
I sensed that the situation I hadn’t wanted to see had arrived.
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