𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭
Looking at the amount recorded in the bank book, Chihaya gulped nervously.
The savings had increased by $69,000 in just a month. Looking at the number again, it was a chilling amount.
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“. . . . . .It’s a life-ending amount.”
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Chihaya, a timid person, was shaken by the realization of possessing an amount of money only seen in dramas.
However, considering taxes and other expenses, only about half would remain. If the rented All-Rounder were broken, it would depreciate all at once, and the savings were still not quite enough.
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“Do Actors in the world really make this much money?” Chihaya wondered, looking out the window from her room, filled with respect and awe.
Wondering how they spent their money, Chihaya took out her smartphone.
Upon researching, it seemed that an Actor’s average annual income barely reaches $69,000.
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It was the equivalent of Chihaya’s monthly income for a year. Clearly, something was off with the way Chihaya was earning.
Some Actors had even incurred over $200,000 in debt from buying Actanoids on loan, damaging them, failing requests, and paying compensation. They had to leave the New World Development Zone.
While bankruptcy is rare, it seems that many Actors struggle with sudden financial difficulties.
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Recently, a company called Hachigi Technology had apparently gone bankrupt, losing Actanoids one after another in a short period.
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“Why. . . . . .”
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As Chihaya wondered why only she was making so much money, a particular comment caught her eye.
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『With the world being this harsh, it’s understandable that bandit-actors would attack Actanoids and sell their parts.』
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This was the reason why Chihaya could make money in such a short period compared to other actors.
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The transportation of supplies to the New World involved not only taxes but also costly sterilization or production in clean rooms to prevent environmental pollution.
Since Actanoid parts are mostly not manufacturable in the New World, except for a few, transportation costs are incurred. In other words, Actanoids in the New World were like moving treasure chests with reusable parts.
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In Chihaya’s case, she had managed to fend off attacking Actanoids, making a profit of $69,000 in a short period.
In other words, without taking risks, it’s impossible to earn this much.
With a weary face, Chihaya closed the curtains.
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She must have incurred considerable resentment. She had taken down even Order-series Actanoids, so enraged Actors might identify her home.
There’s nothing scarier than being a target of resentment.
Chihaya put the bank book in the desk drawer and locked it.
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“I’ll, I’ll continue to take only safe requests, and, and save money. . . . . .”
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She had intended to take only high-security requests so far, but she turned a blind eye to the fact that they had turned into battles due to ambushes and attacks.
She played with her smartphone as she headed to the kitchen. Deciding to have chilled tofu as a time-saving and economical side dish for dinner that night.
That’s when she spotted an intriguing post on the message board.
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“. . . . . .Clan?”
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A clan is something like a mutual aid association formed by Actors gathering together. Forming a clan makes it possible to gather numbers for safety, efficiently take on suitable requests, and more.
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Some famous clans were even formed by companies.
A representative example is the 『Kaien Squad』, formed by the major corporation Kaien Heavy Industries, enabling large-scale battles through abundant financial and technological strength.
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There are also well-known civilian-level clans in the country.
Such as 『New World Live』, which uses Actanoids to shoot breathtaking views and architecture in the New World, creating virtual survival videos, and 『Intensive Hunting Club』, which conducts animal hunting, research, and resource protection in the New World.
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Particularly, specialized clans exist in specific fields, such as 『Order Actor』, a group of technicians who produce Order-series Actanoids, surpassing major Actanoid development companies, despite being a civilian group.
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“Oho. . . . . .
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Chihaya leaned against the wall and began examining the clans in detail.
Groups like the 『Intensive Hunting Club』, often criticized by animal protection organizations for hunting animals, and the 『Order Actor』, who are wary of poaching and kidnapping for technical abilities, seem to have their members hiding their names for self-defense.
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Chihaya herself keeps her real name private, and her account on Actor’s Quest remains under her initial registration name.
However, actors belonging to these clans are said to operate multiple accounts to avoid being identified by cross-referencing the registration date and the frequency of the tasks they have taken on, including home deliveries and drop-off deliveries.
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Chihaya looked at the refrigerator with a blue face, wondering if such procedures were used for identification. Almost all the ingredients inside the refrigerator were delivered by drop-off.
Chihaya, who is aware of bearing resentment, can’t ignore the risk that lies just around the corner.
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“S, Scary. . . . . .”
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Chihaya immediately began creating a sub-account for Actor’s Quest. She took from her real name, Usabuki Chihaya, and made it into a silly account name 『Usapyu』.
By acting through this account for a while, she hoped it wouldn’t be discovered. With a sigh of relief, Chihaya opened the refrigerator.
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“Clans, huh. . . . . .”
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For Chihaya, who is severely shy and socially awkward, it’s a high hurdle, but the idea of safely fulfilling requests is appealing.
If it’s just exchanging messages, she should be able to handle it somehow, Chihaya reassured herself.
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“Being a clan-affiliated actor, maybe it’s okay to aim for?”
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