Chapter 20
“….”
“….”
After sending Harun off, silence filled the car for a long while.
Kael gazed out the window with his chin propped on one hand.
He said nothing.
Even amid that awkward atmosphere, Elena remained ready to respond whenever he spoke.
She was Seraph Industries' chief secretary,
and she understood and carried out the CEO's instructions more accurately than anyone,
which was why Adrian Arclight had entrusted this assignment to her personally.
To guide Kael and Harun comfortably to the upper levels and provide them with their compensation.
And.
Not to leave a bad impression on the young man named Kael.
No.
If possible, to win his favor.
Elena maintained a calm expression on the outside, but one question occupied her thoughts.
‘What could possibly be so special about this person?’
Of course, the fact that he had protected the CEO's granddaughter in the underground levels was more than enough reason to treat him like a VIP.
She could understand that much.
The things he had directly demanded from the CEO as his reward—
none of them were a significant burden to Seraph Industries,
to the point that they could even be called excessively modest.
But Adrian had emphasized one instruction to her and added,
Do not do anything that might offend Kael, and naturally gather information about him.
If possible, establish a cooperative relationship.
However.
Why?
The question raised by his instructions did not disappear easily.
Without lowering her gaze, Elena quietly operated the terminal on her wrist.
Then she connected to Seraph's internal network and began searching for information on Kael.
[Kael]
[Place of origin: Unknown]
[Existing citizen registration record: None]
[Illegal resident detention record: Confirmed]
[Temporary labor contract record: Confirmed]
[Last residence: Magitera Lower-Level District, 7th Industrial District, D-12 Block, Underground Level 20, Unit 1409]
[ACU registration: None]
[Cyberware registration: None]
[Biological augmentation device: None]
Everything up to this point was information she already knew.
The problem came next.
[Special notes: ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■]
Elena's finger stopped on the black bar concealing part of the information.
‘It has security clearance on it?’
As Seraph Industries' chief secretary, she had access rights up to Class 1 classified information.
With access privileges like hers, she could view nearly all of Seraph's high-level records. Naturally, records on the level of highly confidential board meetings or the CEO's personal vault were exceptions, but ordinary personnel, security, and technical records should never have been inaccessible.
Elena submitted an access request, but.
[Access request in progress]
[Verifying authorization]
[Access denied]
An unexpected situation had occurred.
However, thinking there must have been some kind of error, she submitted the request once more.
[Access denied]
She could not understand it.
If it was information she could not open even with her own authorization, only one person could access it.
The Seraph CEO's direct protocol.
Information locked under Adrian Arclight's personal authority.
‘Security personally placed by the CEO.’
Elena looked at Kael again.
Based only on the information visible on the surface, he was an ordinary person. Well, there were not many people these days without an ACU or cyberware, but such people did exist, and they were called minimalists.
But that was not what mattered now.
What on earth could the CEO have hidden behind a security protocol of his own?
Her curiosity only deepened, but….
She was the chief secretary.
If it was information the CEO himself had blocked, there was no reason to force her way in. No, she must not.
That was when it happened.
“Excuse me.”
Elena's fingers stopped at the sudden voice.
“Y-yes?”
Her response was momentarily slow.
It was a tiny mistake, but Elena reproached herself inwardly and immediately composed her expression.
“Do you need something, Mr. Kael?”
Kael asked without taking his eyes off the window.
“Where is the least safe place around here?”
Elena was speechless for a moment.
Because it was a strange question.
What someone who had just come up to the upper levels would normally ask was the exact opposite.
Yet he was asking where security was worst.
Elena cautiously asked again, wondering if she had heard him wrong.
“Are you asking about the place with the worst security?”
“Yes.”
….”
She had to answer.
“By upper-level standards, the area with the most unstable security is Grave Rock Block in the eastern part of the Outer Ring District.”
As she operated her terminal and brought up a holographic map, one area near the outskirts of the upper levels was marked with a red line.
“Its official name is the Ninth Outer Residential District, but locals call it Grave Rock. It is not directly connected to the underground levels, but illegal residents, unregistered workers, retired mercenaries, and low-level gangs are all mixed together there. It is far from Seraph-administered districts, and security response tends to be slow.”
Kael looked at the map for a moment, then spoke with an indifferent expression.
“Then I’ll make my residence there.”
….”
Silence descended inside the vehicle at his words.
For a moment, Elena doubted her own ears.
“Y-yes?”
A reaction unbecoming of Seraph Industries' chief secretary.
But this time, it could not be helped. Anyone in her position would have reacted the same way.
“Mr. Kael. The place you just mentioned is not a recommended residential area.”
“You said security was bad.”
“Yes. That is why I am telling you. Grave Rock Block is dangerous.”
Elena tried to explain as calmly as possible.
“Not every part of the upper levels is safe. In particular, there are organizations operating outside the official security network in the outer districts. Seraph's name will provide a certain degree of protection, but it is not absolute.”
“It’s fine.”
“It isn’t.”
Elena spoke a little more firmly than she intended.
Kael looked at her in response.
His eyes seemed to wonder why she was trying so hard to dissuade him, so Elena steadied her breathing and spoke again.
“According to your current registration information, you have neither an ACU nor cyberware. Grave Rock Block is not a place where an ordinary human can live safely.”
Elena continued cautiously.
“The CEO instructed us to treat you with the utmost courtesy. He did not mean for us to leave you in a dangerous place.”
“It isn’t leaving me there.”
Kael answered calmly, then added,
“It’s my choice.”
“Even so, I cannot simply escort you there as requested.”
Even then, Elena continued trying to persuade him.
“The residential facilities in Seraph-administered districts have security, medical care, meals, communications, and transportation access all prepared. Grave Rock lacks those things. In particular, since you are not yet accustomed to life in the upper levels, it could be even more dangerous for you.”
“I’ll get used to it.”
“You could run into trouble in the process….”
“If trouble comes up, I’ll deal with it.”
Faced with his stubbornness, Elena closed her mouth, then eventually raised her terminal.
“…I’ll contact the CEO for a moment.”
Kael shrugged.
“Sure.”
Elena contacted Adrian Arclight's private line.
The call connected quickly.
-What is it.
“CEO, I need to confirm something regarding Mr. Kael’s residence.”
-Has there been a problem.
“Mr. Kael wishes to stay in Grave Rock Block rather than a secure residential facility in a Seraph-administered district.”
A brief silence followed.
Elena thought the CEO would of course refuse.
-Really.
However.
-So that’s what he’s going with.
“CEO?”
A small laugh came from beyond the terminal.
-Interesting. Let him have what he wants.
“But it’s dangerous there.”
-I know.
“According to Mr. Kael’s registration information, he is an ordinary human with neither an ACU nor cyberware. Grave Rock Block is unsuitable.”
-Elena.
Adrian's voice grew slightly serious.
-Do not judge that young man solely by his registered information.
At the sudden change in his mood, Elena swallowed.
-And if he deliberately chose that place, he must have a reason.
“…Understood.”
-However, do not put surveillance on him. And do not conspicuously station protection personnel nearby.
Elena glanced at Kael, then asked in a voice so quiet he could not hear.
“…Do you mean we should leave him completely alone?”
-No. Watch him from a distance. A very great distance. Far enough that he will not notice.
….”
-If you think that would be difficult for you, then do not do it.
Adrian spoke as though he had read her thoughts.
-It would still be better than getting on his bad side.
“Yes, CEO.”
-And, Elena.
“Yes.”
-Give him whatever he asks for whenever possible. But leave a channel open for him to reach out to us.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The call ended, but Elena stared down at her terminal for a while.
Kael remained as calm as ever, and.
“Is it settled?”
Elena exhaled briefly, then.
“Yes.”
Professionally, she composed her expression.
“The CEO said we should respect your wishes, Mr. Kael.”
“Then Grave Rock.”
“Understood.”
Elena sent a message toward the driver's seat.
“Change of destination. Ninth Outer Residential District, Grave Rock Block.”
-Understood.
The vehicle's route changed.
It veered off the road leading to the Seraph-administered district and gradually headed toward the Outer Ring District.
***
The vehicle stopped before the boundary of Grave Rock Block.
Its official name was the Ninth Outer Residential District, one of the areas with the highest crime rates in Magitera.
When the vehicle door opened, the air of the upper levels swept inside.
Kael slowly stepped out.
Elena followed him out and said,
“Mr. Kael.”
“What?”
She took a small business card from inside her coat.
It was a thin card with silver circuit patterns engraved on a black background.
“I’m giving you my card. If you need anything or find yourself in danger, please contact me immediately.”
Kael looked at it and thought for a moment, intending to refuse, but.
After seeing Elena's expression, he let out a short sigh and said,
“All right.”
In the end, he accepted the card and put it in his pocket.
At that, Elena's expression seemed to relax ever so slightly.
She bowed her head once more.
“I’ll prepare some residential candidates and basic supplies. But this is not a Seraph-administered district. I recommend avoiding unnecessary conflicts as much as possible.”
“I’ll try.”
Perhaps that answer did not seem particularly reassuring, because Elena looked at Kael for a moment before.
She got back into the vehicle and headed to her next assignment.
Once the vehicle left, Kael stood there and stretched.
Small cracks sounded from his shoulders and neck.
“Free at last.”
He looked around and muttered to himself.
“No. Is this the beginning?”
Grave Rock Block had an entirely different atmosphere from the general residential district where Harun had gotten out.
The building exteriors had received the basic maintenance expected of the upper levels, but cracks ran through them in places,
and the billboards were filled with lurid, provocative content beneath excessively bright neon signs.
Advertisements for cheap nerve stabilizers, nearly illegal circuit-enhancement procedures, and daily labor contracts were among them.
….”
The people in the street either averted their eyes as soon as they saw Kael or blatantly looked him up and down.
It was still better than the underground levels.
At least the air was fresh instead of reeking of suffocating filth, and he did not have to dodge garbage falling from the sky.
Even so, it was obvious from appearances alone that this was not a safe neighborhood.
However, that was precisely why Kael had chosen this place.
As Kael walked slowly, he began reminding himself of his plan.
A person with a legal ACU would have little reason to hide away in a district like this.
And anyone using a high-tier ACU would surely work for a corporation or operate as a solo,
so there would be no reason for them to exist in such a backwater.
However.
Low-tier mages who had committed crimes were different.
The dens of scum that existed in every city were perfect places for them to lie low.
No one would complain if he took their ACUs from them.
It was not an area where the police would act properly, and they were even less likely to be people with ties to corporations.
Besides, it would ease the burden on his conscience.
In this world, he needed a spark to reawaken his circuit,
and by that standard, this district was a fairly good candidate for a hunting ground.
Besides, he did not like being manipulated solely by the corporations.
No matter how friendly they seemed, Seraph Industries was still a corporation.
Kael had no intention of relying on the goodwill of people like that for too long.
That was when it happened.
He heard signs of life from deeper within an alley.
‘One, two, three… no, more than that.’
Even so, Kael did not stop walking.
Soon, several people came pouring out of the dark alley.
One was wearing a leather jacket and had a prosthetic arm bearing traces of illegal modification.
Another was armed with a cheap knife and gun.
All sorts of people caught his eye, but Kael paid them little attention.
Then he noticed what was embedded in one man's neck.
ACU.
They blocked the road, surrounding Kael.
The gazes he had felt from afar a moment earlier had probably belonged to these men.
The man at the front looked Kael up and down.
An ACU that appeared to be around second-tier was embedded in the back of his neck.
Its maintenance did not appear to be good, but it was still functioning. That was what mattered.
A tiny light flickered in Kael's eyes.
The man who appeared to be their leader sneered at Kael, unaware of what was happening.
“Well, well. You look like some rich kid.”
The people beside him snickered.
“Take a wrong turn?”
“You came in a Seraph car, didn’t you?”
“Then even better. We can get a nice ransom for him, can’t we?”
The man in front stepped closer to Kael.
“What’s a precious little thing like you doing in a place like this?”
At his words, the corner of Kael's mouth twitched slightly.