𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑: 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Ω Style Electrical Engineering ordered a panel replacement for solar power generation, and Chihaya was reading the manual after accepting the request.
It’s a manual for Actors with no experience in electrical construction. Normally, installation should not be possible without qualification, but in the New World, there are no humans, so there’s no need to meet safety standards.
Apparently, there’s also the adult situation of loosening safety standards to advance development because there is a shortage of manpower.
ㅤ
Anyway, it was a welcome request for Chihaya.
Since the panels are installed, there has been no information about the appearance of large animals nearby. Securing power is also essential for bandit Actors, so the request site will not be attacked. The site is well-maintained, so there is no need to be wary of natural traps like caltrop grass.
In Chihaya’s Actor experience, this is a request with rarely seen high safety.
ㅤ
Chihaya naturally smiled, but she was careful to read the manual thoroughly so that she could continue trading in the future.
Although she doesn’t have qualifications, she is a graduate of a technical high school. She read the beginner’s manual smoothly.
Having thoroughly read the manual, Chihaya stopped the smartphone alarm that told her the start time of the request and accessed the rental All-Rounder.
ㅤ
A message had arrived from Ω Style Electrical Engineering, the client. It’s an instruction for the work location.
It seems that the work will be divided with other contractors. Whether it’s related to the progress or the amount of reward, the directive was to avoid contact with other contractors until instructed.
ㅤ
“Even if I wish for it, it’s not there. Fu-he he.”
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Putting her weight on the pressure-sensitive mattress, she headed for the work site.
Solar panels were lined up on a vast plain. Considering the environment, the density was low, and prisms were arranged so that light could reach even under the panels.
She followed the work manual to remove the panels, wrapped them in cloth, and took them to the collection place. After cleaning and inspection, they will be reused.
ㅤ
She lifted the replacement new panel with the All-Rounder. As far as she could see the load on the All-Rounder’s arms, shoulders, and hips from the system screen, it was quite heavy.
To prevent part wear, Chihaya, who sought the lightest way to hold it, quickly replaced the panels compared to other contractors.
ㅤ
Chihaya is sensitive to the gazes and movement lines of her surroundings. It is a skill cultivated in her student life, where she kept her breath quiet so as not to be talked to by people.
In a place with multiple humans, Chihaya has tried to predict the movements of those around her and keep herself out of sight. Now, it is realizing a movement that is not hindered by people at all.
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While other Actors were waiting for their turn to carry the new panels, Chihaya finished removing the old ones and cleaned the prisms while others were transporting the panels.
It was the most efficient method because her work did not overlap with others.
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However, the Actor who was used to avoiding crowds was moving at the same efficiency as Chihaya, dodging other Actanoids nimbly.
Chihaya, who was impressed that humanity came out in such places, suddenly stopped when she felt the monitor shake.
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“. . . . . . Is it shaking?”
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Chihaya actually felt the vibration, not a screen shake due to lag.
She thought it was an earthquake, but other Actors were not stopping their work.
Chihaya’s Actor room is underground. It’s scary to be buried alive if it’s an earthquake.
ㅤ
Chihaya stopped the All-Rounder’s movement and exited the Actor room, which was equipped with soundproofing.
At that moment―a loud explosion and a violent shaking up and down at her feet, Chihaya hastily grabbed the handrail of the stairs.
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“. . . . . .Uwe~?!”
ㅤ
The shaking settled quickly, but there was no way to return to the Actor room.
Chihaya hurriedly ran up the stairs to the ground floor and opened the front door.
She looked around the street in front of her. There seemed to be a woman who had been startled and jumped out just like Chihaya.
ㅤ
Nothing had changed on the street in front of the house. However, when she looked up to another street, she heard another explosion, and flames rose about thirty meters ahead.
This area is residential. Considering the geography, it seemed that a fire had started in a house two streets over.
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“Gas, explosion?”
ㅤ
She couldn’t think of anything else that would cause a house to explode and catch fire.
However, all the houses in this area were supposed to be all-electric.
She might find out something if she went to the scene, but she changed her mind when she noticed the sound of sirens from a fire truck approaching from a distance.
It’s not good to get in the way of the work. Fortunately, the area is divided, so the fire probably won’t spread this far.
The woman who had been looking outside with her had also retreated into her house.
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“. . . . . .Scary.”
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As she was about to close the door with a mutter, she suddenly felt a gaze and reflexively turned around.
There was no one on the street. Someone must have been watching from a house somewhere.
Feeling a sense of eeriness, Chihaya hurriedly closed the door and locked it with a chain.
ㅤ
She recalled the explosion involving an All-Rounder suspected in a recent shooting.
Was the New World Development Zone such a dangerous place?
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“. . . . . .It’s, just my imagination, right?”
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Chihaya, with her heart pounding, made sure to check all the locks in the house. Since the Actor room in the basement was soundproof, she might not notice if something happened on the first floor.
She wanted to avoid a terrifying situation like running into an intruder after finishing a job.
It seemed that the security was perfect, and Chihaya descended the stairs to the basement.
ㅤ
When she searched on her smartphone, she found a breaking news report about an explosion and fire at an apartment for Actors. The address matched, so it must have been the incident Chihaya saw.
Currently, the source of the fire is unknown. No fatalities. The fire seemed to have started in a room that had not yet been occupied, and an investigation was underway.
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“. . . . . . I should check the source of the fire.”
ㅤ
Remembering that fires can also be caused by outlets, Chihaya stepped back from descending to the basement.
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