𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧
The news program she was casually listening to finished a feature on local gourmet cuisine and started covering incidents and accidents in the New World Development Zone.
Chihaya, who was boiling pasta, looked back at the living room TV over her shoulder. On that TV, which had been installed in the room from the beginning, a grim-faced announcer was reading the headlines.
ㅤ
It was a report that intermittent explosions and fires were occurring in various places in the New World Development Zone.
Chihaya had seen it too; starting with the All-Rounder explosion, about fifteen incidents had apparently occurred in a month or so. It was too many, no matter how you looked at it.
Moreover, many of them were happening simultaneously on the same day, and the inability to determine the cause led to suspicions of criminal activity.
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“Eh. . . . . .”
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The word “gunshot” that the drunken woman had mentioned crossed her mind.
Originally, the New World Development Zone had been boasting some of the best public safety in the country. New police stations had been built, and it was known for having the highest number of police boxes and substations nationwide.
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The reason for the large number of police officers compared to other areas was the intense vigilance against industrial espionage by foreign countries.
Each New World is allocated to various countries, becoming exclusive resources. However, not all countries obey the treaties sincerely, and it’s believed that agents are infiltrating by various means.
Being collected to counter such foreign spies, many excellent personnel are in the New World Development Zone’s police force.
ㅤ
Yet even these exceptional individuals have not provided any evidence in the events of the past month.
If it were a simple accident, the cause should be determined quickly. Therefore, could someone be hiding the cause or evidence?
While turning her eyes away from the TV that was irresponsibly spreading such speculation without solid proof, Chihaya agreed in her heart.
ㅤ
The cause of the series of explosions and fires has not been identified yet and will likely be dismissed as accidents. Since there are no fatalities, the police will probably be able to cover it up easily.
Someone had once said that battles wouldn’t occur with Actanoids. If they did, there would be adult circumstances to handle them as accidents.
So, would the police honestly announce if a gunfight with Actanoids occurred in the New World Development Zone, where civilians are present? Even if they wanted to announce it, the New World Resources Agency or the government would likely stop it entirely.
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“It’s scary. . .”
ㅤ
Shivering, Chihaya drained the boiled pasta.
While pouring instant Genovese sauce, Chihaya’s smartphone alerted her to an incoming call.
It seemed there was a request on Actor’s Quest.
She planned to reject it immediately if it was combat-related, as she picked up her smartphone.
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“. . . . . .Huh?”
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Contrary to her expectations, the request she received was an ordinary one for the transportation of goods.
The destination was Morinomiya Garage, with a reward of $2,000. Kaien Heavy Industries would lend an Actanoid, and no repair cost would be charged even if it was damaged. There was also no penalty for failure.
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Though the reward amount was stringent, the terms were quite good. There was no risk on Chihaya’s side.
Despite the extraordinary conditions, Chihaya felt a chill down her spine.
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Kaien Heavy Industries has a corporate clan called Kaien Squad.
If they are going to offer such conditions, they should have mobilized the Kaien Squad. If the Kaien Squad is busy, they should have requested a more familiar Actor.
Chihaya has never accepted requests from Kaien Heavy Industries before. Therefore, receiving a request like this felt suspicious.
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First of all, when you mention Actanoid of Kaien Heavy Industries, it reminds her of the All-Rounder’s head soaring into the sky that Chihaya looked up at with a drunken woman about a month ago.
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“Not charging for repairs, because there’s combat. . . . . .?”
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It’s too suspicious, and she can’t help but view it with skepticism.
Even if they say they won’t charge for repairs, she would feel guilty if the All-Rounder were destroyed, and it would be working for free if there’s no reward. There’s no benefit to getting involved.
Although it’s attractive that it’s not a combat-related request, if combat is unavoidable, it would only result in the contamination of Chihaya’s message board.
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“I’m glad you rely on me, but I’m sorry. . . . . .”
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Since the other party is a large corporation and there may be other requests in the future, Chihaya contemplates the wording of her refusal.
As she was finishing typing the carefully considered text and was about to send it, it happened.
――The living room window was shattered.
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Chihaya, frozen in surprise, turns her eyes to the window.
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“. . . . . .Huh?”
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A white All-Rounder with a metallic sheen had punched through the window with its right fist. That it was not an accident is shown by the fact that the All-Rounder proceeded to enter the room through the window.
The All-Rounder looks around the living room and notices Chihaya, who’s still standing in the kitchen, raising its arm.
Its hand is open, with its fingers slightly bent as if to grasp something.
Chihaya was quick to notice.
ㅤ
She immediately drops a plate of Genovese pasta to the floor and runs to the entrance, grabbing a frying pan with one hand and throwing it at the All-Rounder as she goes.
There’s a dull sound as thick metal clashes, but the All-Rounder doesn’t seem bothered.
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As the All-Rounder tries to chase Chihaya towards the entrance, it notices the spilled pasta and sauce on the floor and strides over it carefully.
Chihaya takes advantage of the opening to open the entrance door and dashes out of the apartment barefoot. The All-Rounder’s hand grazes her long hair, and it feels chilling.
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She doesn’t understand what’s happening, but she knows something abnormal is going on. So she thinks it’s best to run away from the scene, and Chihaya dashes away from the apartment at full speed.
Glancing over her shoulder, she sees the All-Rounder emerging from the apartment entrance, sprinting to chase her at full speed.
It seems that it has no intention of letting her escape.
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“Why?!”
ㅤ
With no memory of what could have caused this, Chihaya cries out to the night sky with tears in her eyes.
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