Chapter 11: Punk City And The Human Boy (6)

HOD’s combat prowess was overwhelming.

The Gorilla’s Plasma Cutter, which had bisected a police officer, aimed for the lips of a HOD operator, but was blocked by a Magical Barrier.

His sturdy arm, which had ripped a car in half, was cut off at three of the fingers of an operator who appeared to be a Tanker.

The Gorilla pushed his Magic Tattoo to maximum Output, but a Silence Field was cast above him, neutralizing him.

HOD, the highest-level operational special police task force.

Each and every one of them was a disaster incarnate, impossible to resist.

If HOD had arrived, the situation was as good as resolved.

Amon put down his weapon and slumped to the ground.

The surviving police officers, like Amon, laid down their arms.

The fact that they felt safe even with the Gorilla still intact was a testament to HOD’s overwhelming combat power.

In Amon’s words, HOD were Veteran Players grinding for achievements.

They were the kind of people who had to maintain a 0% mortality rate and a 0% property damage rate from the moment they arrived on the scene.

Not because of any particular sense of duty, but for the extremely simple reason that bonuses were awarded based on achievement rates.

Therefore, HOD’s suppression was extremely compulsive.

Barriers were erected as if to prevent even stray bullets from causing casualties, and there was even a Barrier Mage on standby in case of a self-destruct attempt.

There was even a Curse Sorcerer who could read minds, prepared for any potential traps.

They were literally perfection itself.

‘To break through HOD, you'd need a Bodyguard directly under a Mega-corporation Chairman, or the head of the highest security department… or maybe <That long thing>…’

As his thoughts reached that point, Amon’s brain started churning.

Old habits die hard, and the gamer's characteristic habit of calculating odds kicked in.

He first imagined his combat power when he had acquired *that long thing*.

At that time, he single-handedly annihilated a HOD battalion and took on two Mega-corporations simultaneously.

And the Ending he finally achieved was a Bad Ending.

An Ending called the Great Catastrophe.

‘Of course, I'm not going for *that long thing* in this lifetime.’

Based on HOD’s combat Patterns learned while playing for *that long thing*, Amon recalled how far he could go now.

‘First, I have to eliminate the Netwalker.’

In the Rearguard of HOD, there’s a Hacker who links their minds like a hive mind.

Besides linking minds, the Hacker enhances blind spots by hacking CCTVs, opens closed doors, freezes enemy radio or communications, and exerts an overwhelming presence from the Rearguard.

Therefore, as long as the Netwalker is alive, it's too difficult for Amon to face HOD.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, he knew how to neutralize the Netwalker.

First, destroy the special router on the plane to weaken the communication signal strength, then acquire a terminal and attempt Reverse Hacking.

Of course, Amon had no Reverse Hacking skills, but he knew the police department’s security codes.

After isolating the Netwalker with administrator privileges, that person would be unable to exert any influence on this battlefield.

‘Then even the mighty HOD will be flustered.’

Since the shared consciousness would suddenly be cut off, they couldn't help but be flustered.

In the meantime, Amon would infiltrate the aerial vehicle.

Jumping from the window of a nearby building, he could easily reach it.

If the sniper manual hadn't changed, there would be a Barrier Mage with them.

Ambushing the two flustered people from behind when their communication was cut…

‘Yeah, no way.’

He'd be counter-attacked.

HOD wasn’t stupid, and the Rearguard wouldn't be so weak as to be defeated by the current Amon.

In the first place, snipers are never weak in close combat.

Their bodies, trained for sniping, possess the combat power to turn mediocre opponents into mincemeat.

And what about the Barrier Mage?

Amon would probably die without even reacting to a single punch from the Barrier Mage.

The skill gap between Amon and HOD was that vast.

‘Conclusion: Can’t win.’

There's no way.

Even Veteran Players have limits to their control.

Maybe if he had a fully leveled character and enough preparation time, but the current Amon was no match for HOD.

As he was thinking these thoughts, Amon’s vision wavered slightly.

At the same time, the inside of his brain tickled.

A sensation he'd never experienced before.

But somehow, he felt like he knew the cause.

‘Right. There would be a Curse Sorcerer too.’

Amon then remembered the Curse Sorcerer’s existence.

As if to confirm it, a ding-dong! bell sound rang in his head.

Amon’s reaction to the Curse Sorcerer's service was—

“Fuck.”

A curse word.

However, this wasn’t directed at the Curse Sorcerer who had read his mind.

The curse was directed at himself.

Cold sweat ran down Amon’s back.

‘This damn gamer brain!’

Why did he have to try and calculate the odds of taking on HOD in front of them when they were already on edge?

Especially with a Curse Sorcerer present, what would they think of him?

‘Why didn’t you just loiter around the counter-terrorism site with a gun, Amon?!’

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Amon’s mind.

His mind fragmented, engaging in a fervent question-and-answer session.

Should I apologize now?

But will they even accept my apology?

Still, they’re mind readers, wouldn’t they know if my apology is sincere?

Can they actually take action based solely on thoughts? Even if it’s just thoughts…

Oh, right. This is Cyberpunk.

Wait, wait.

They read my thoughts?

Then how much did they read?

Did they even read my knowledge from my Reincarnation?

No, then did they read the thoughts I'm having right now?

But my Reincarnation knowledge includes Pentagon secrets!

Oh, I’m screwed…

Amon squeezed his eyes shut.

He tried to control his overflowing thoughts, but he couldn’t.

Just like being told not to think of a pink elephant makes you reflexively think of one, humans are not creatures capable of controlling their thoughts.

‘This is why I hate Curse Sorcerers.’

Although it varied depending on the Curse Sorcerer's skill, their ability to read uncontrollable thoughts was the ultimate weapon in this age where information was paramount.

Various countermeasures had been developed, but at least Amon hadn't taken any precautions.

‘I'm doomed…’

For such a ridiculous reason, the secrets of the world would be revealed.

Amon apologized in advance to the Goddess for the impending global chaos.

Like a death row inmate awaiting execution, he waited for HOD’s judgment.

Whether it was the CIA, the police, or the Pentagon.

His future, where he would be dragged away somewhere, was utterly terrifying.

Just as the analysis of the Gorilla’s corpse was finished, an operator approached Amon and the Inspector.

He introduced himself in a low voice laced with static.

“Greetings. I am the team leader of HOD Team 14. I’d like to thank you for your cooperation, but please understand that due to regulations, I cannot reveal my real name.”

Amon forced a nod, concealing his anxiety.

The low voice struck Amon’s ears.

“Interesting strategy. Destroy the router, neutralize the Netwalker, and then target the sniper in the aerial vehicle. A very good approach.”

‘I’m going crazy.’

“Our Curse Sorcerer also relayed to me that you just said you’re going crazy.”

‘Oh, Lord.’

“Seeing you seek God in this situation, you must be a deeply religious fellow.”

‘I’m sorry. My Reincarnation knowledge is completely out of control.’

“Thoughts are naturally uncontrollable.”

‘They must have read all the way to America’s top-secret information… I’m doomed.’

“What do you mean doomed?”

‘…?’

A question mark appeared above Amon’s head as he heard the team leader’s last words.

Suddenly, things felt strangely misaligned.

Just in case, Amon tried thinking various thoughts.

Thoughts from this world, as well as knowledge from his past life.

In case the team leader didn’t react, he even tried recalling the horrible Bad Endings of this world,

Confidential documents from the police department to which HOD belonged,

And even the most terrifying information pollution tactical nuke in the world, ‘HAL-KAS’.

‘Cough!’

The power of the tactical nuke was overwhelming.

So much so that even Amon, the caster, was affected.

But the team leader in front of him only blinked, not moving a muscle.

Seeing the reaction, he was certain.

‘They can’t read my past life knowledge.’

Apparently, all thoughts related to it were naturally edited or censored.

The tactical nuke was also knowledge he had seen on a message board in his past life, so they couldn’t read it and remained indifferent.

Thinking about it, it was obvious.

‘Lady Goddess is omnipotent.’

Surely she wouldn’t have sent him down to the mortal realm without taking this into account.

A lowly human Curse Sorcerer couldn't possibly penetrate the divine protection she had bestowed.

Only then did Amon feel relieved and recall the memories of his past life.

‘Hallelujah. I always worship you, Lady Goddess.’

Amon began to worship the Goddess.

The team leader, who was editing and looking into Amon’s mind, couldn't help but be appalled by Amon suddenly praising the Goddess out of context.

Seriously, he wondered if Amon’s mental state was more dangerous than the corpse of the Gorilla.

The team leader flinched and distanced himself from Amon.

Meanwhile, Amon remembered his current situation again.

‘Right. Past life is past life and HOD is HOD.’

The fact that he had been calculating the odds of taking down HOD hadn't disappeared.

Cold sweat drenched Amon’s back again.

Amon rolled his eyes, choosing his words.

Along with the thought that a sincere apology might earn him forgiveness.

Seeing Amon like that, the team leader—.

“Pfft!”

Finally couldn’t hold back his laughter.

While Amon was caught off guard by the team leader’s change, the team leader patted Amon’s shoulder and said,

“It’s common to see kids like you at the scene. That’s what teenagers do. When they see us working, they wonder how they’d fight, what they’d do. Kids aren't the only ones who do that, mercenaries do too. Even the police officers behind you are thinking the same thing, you know?”

“…”

“I was just teasing you about that, so don’t worry. There’s no way we can’t distinguish between murderous intent and competitiveness, so don't worry.”

The team leader patted Amon's shoulder good-naturedly.

It was a heartwarming scene of an adult comforting a teenager.

The police officers, who knew this was a HOD-style prank, watched the scene with amusement.

However, Amon was the only one in this place who couldn't relax.

‘What are these killing machines talking about?’

Amon automatically recalled HOD’s setting.

Behind these good-natured people's appearance, there was no sense of justice.

There was no way they had something like a sense of duty or being the people’s protectors.

Common sense dictated that HOD could never be normal.

With this much power, why wouldn’t they be hired as mercenaries, corporate agents, or government agents instead of being a police special forces unit?

The work is harder and the rewards are much lower, so why are they still here?

There was only one reason.

‘To kill people legally.’

Trigger-happy, homicidal urges, violent impulses, memory voyeurism, sadism, and so on.

They were humans who were true to their twisted desires.

They just knew that if they lived according to their desires, they would inevitably die young, so they stayed at HOD where they could legally kill people.

The pay is low?

Doesn’t matter.

More work?

Even better!

Zero mortality rate?

It’s satisfying to grind for achievements while working!

HOD was a team carefully selected by the police department, composed of individuals with these tendencies.

Naturally, this fact was kept secret from the general public, and externally, HOD was simply an elite special forces unit that remained in the police force due to their strong sense of duty.

Ordinary citizens wouldn't know, but Amon, who knew this setting, couldn’t trust the team leader patting his shoulder.

These killing machines were hedonists who could suddenly snap and try to blow Amon's head off.

As this thought wasn't related to his past life, the team leader let out a hearty laugh and continued to talk to Amon.

However, as Amon still didn’t relax, he scratched his cheek and pointed in one direction.

“Well, we’re not going to arrest you. If we did, your girlfriend wouldn't let me off the hook.”

Girlfriend?

At the team leader’s words, Amon looked in the direction he pointed.

In that direction, Sonia, looking extremely displeased, was glaring at the team leader.

According to the team leader’s following words, she was in that state because she thought HOD was about to arrest Amon. (He was certain, as the Curse Sorcerer relayed this information.)

The team leader, exasperated, decided to end the conversation with Amon.

He pushed Amon's back towards Sonia.

“Ugh, I’m too stressed, I’m out. Good luck appeasing your girlfriend.”

With those words, the team leader left.

Amon, left behind, hesitantly approached Sonia.

As Amon got closer, Sonia’s face gradually brightened proportionally.

And when Amon reached right in front of her, Sonia’s arms wrapped around his.

Getting that close, Sonia's face returned to its usual expression.

She hugged Amon’s arm tightly, as if she would never let go, and checked his condition.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Just a scratch.”

“What was that about HOD trying to arrest you?”

“It was a joke, a joke.”

“Phew…”

Only then did Sonia relax.

The faint killing intent she felt behind her disappeared, replaced by the usual Sonia.

Bright, cheerful, and kind to everyone, though not very talkative.

Amon stroked Sonia’s head and left the scene.

***

Afterward, the two escaped the gruesome scene and headed to a new bus stop to get to the Orphanage.

On the way, Amon belatedly remembered the old man.

“What about the old man?”

“He received a blood transfusion and is much better. Fortunately, there wasn’t any organ damage. It seems he already had chronic fatigue, and combined with anemia, he was just sleepy.”

“That’s a relief.”

The more positive news was that the old man had insurance.

Thanks to that, he didn't have to worry about dying again due to financial issues after barely surviving.

For now, the outcome of this incident was the best possible result for Amon and Sonia.

While not entirely satisfying, it was a result they could accept. They chatted as they walked.

Before they knew it, they got off the bus and were walking towards the orphanage.

Normally, Sonia would have relentlessly pestered Amon in a cheerful mood on the way, but today she was quiet.

‘Did I worry her too much…?’

Amon fretted inwardly, constantly glancing at her.

His arm, which Sonia was holding onto as if she would never let go, started to go numb, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask her to release it.

When he turned to her to ask her to let go because he couldn’t bear the numbness anymore, Sonia was looking up at him silently with her arms crossed.

“What?”

“N…Nothing.”

Wondering why he couldn’t speak while making eye contact with her, Amon continued walking.

Meanwhile, on their way to the orphanage, Sonia was lost in thought as she looked up at Amon’s face.

The small scratch on his cheek.

A scratch he got while rolling on the ground fighting the Gorilla.

Seeing the scratch, Sonia lightly bit her lower lip without Amon knowing.

‘Because I’m weak…’

When she had to leave Amon alone today, she realized it.

She was too weak.

If she could have defeated the Gorilla alone, she wouldn’t have had to put Amon in danger.

Being good at controlling recoil is nothing in this harsh world.

To protect Amon, she needed more power.

‘And that HOD…’

When HOD acted like they were about to arrest Amon, Sonia’s mind went blank.

Fortunately, it was a prank, but a strong sense of emptiness, too intense to be just the aftereffect of a prank, settled in her heart.

‘It’s not enough.’

There were too many beings she couldn’t defeat right now.

She couldn’t defeat the Police, the Gorilla, or HOD.

Like this, she couldn’t protect Amon.

In this wicked world, she couldn’t protect Amon.

She thought about the time it would take to become strong enough to defeat at least a HOD squad.

‘It would probably take a few decades.’

Maybe even a lifetime.

But that didn’t matter.

As Amon said, a gentleman’s revenge, no matter how long it takes, is never too late.

If protecting Amon would be late, then she had to constantly become stronger, even if it was for revenge.

‘I need to show them what happens when you misuse a gun.’

If she were to take revenge, how should she do it?

First, annihilate the team that framed him.

If there was someone who ordered Amon’s arrest, take care of that person too.

If he even went to prison, don't let the judge who made the ruling go free either.

As her thoughts reached that point, Sonia’s eyes darkened.

But the negative thoughts didn't deepen any further.

As she felt Amon's warmth in her hand, the negative thoughts melted away like snow.

‘No. This isn’t what Amon wants.’

Amon was kind.

The Amon Sonia knew would be heartbroken if he found out she had changed because of him.

That was something Sonia didn’t want either.

To like someone means to respect them that much.

Forcing one's feelings on another would only be selfishness.

Because she respected Amon, she shook off the negative thoughts.

Instead, she filled the empty space with thoughts of a peaceful and happy daily life with Amon.

‘Yes. Amon would want this too.’

On the way to the orphanage.

The events of that day left a deep scar in a young girl’s heart.

Not only her, but also on Amon, and on the city.

The bereaved families of the dead citizens wailed, but the indifferent city showed them no sympathy.

Or rather, it looked away.

Sympathy would inevitably lead to expenses in the form of compensation, so they treated it as a tragic accident.

If it were election season, they could have at least hoped for hypocrisy, but it wasn’t, and so the bereaved families had to bury their grief deep in their hearts amid indifference.

Even in an incident where everyone received unspeakable wounds and scars, time flowed by relentlessly.

Soon, Christmas Eve arrived.