BCST 50

chapter 50

Commonly referred to as the “Ghost Band.”

It’s a personal signal jamming device that neutralizes attempts to track or monitor the user via a neural link implanted in the body.

I had bought a temporary Ghost Band as soon as I arrived in Butterpole, but its performance couldn’t compare to the items right in front of me now.

After all, these were crafted by the finest artisans in District 56.

Clink.

I picked up the two Ghost Bands on the workbench.

Oh, why only two?

Because I’m still flesh and blood.

If anyone wanted to track me, they’d have to rely on primitive methods. In this highly advanced civilization, I was effectively a stealth human.

One of the few advantages of remaining without cyberware.

Still, I had separately requested something to protect my information.

“How’s that other thing I asked for coming along?”

“That one? I checked…”

Screech.

Logan, turning from his tools, stood up.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the parts you need. I’ve brought a lot from here and there, but nothing capable of giving you the performance you want.”

“I see.”

The other item I had requested from Logan along with the Ghost Band was an identity concealment device.

This was to secure equipment that would undoubtedly be useful in the future.

Known as a “Shader,” this device automatically blocks and disguises the user’s face and voice when recorded or photographed by someone else’s device.

Seeing the news coverage of what Sonia did at Neuroteca 58 made me realize just how necessary it was.

If I continued growing past the 3rd rank and triggered larger-scale conflicts, eventually drawing media attention, this device would be essential for future operations and safety.

In the early stages of the game, I hadn’t even known items like this existed.

I remembered being constantly chased by ACPD, corporations, and other problem-solvers from the mid-game, just like a thief in a game with maxed stars.

It was frustrating that I couldn’t get items to prevent that immediately.

But it wasn’t urgent right now.

Whoosh!

Something lightly flew toward me from Logan.

“What’s this?”

I caught in midair a ring-shaped device.

Logan, with his usual pipe in his mouth, said:

“This is a Shader I brought from the upper district. It’s not professional recognition-breaking equipment, but it’ll work against most devices.”

Hmm.

Among commercially available options, this seemed pretty good.

Getting this for free? Not bad luck at all.

“That’ll be one million credits.”

“…Alright.”

A true merchant, indeed.

Still, I paid the coins without complaint and slipped the Shader onto my finger.

Until now, I had saved money to secure my identity and market access for purchasing the Parameters, limiting my spending.

Once the Parameters were secured, I could invest in secondary items like this.

This would allow me to engage in external activities with less concern.

Though I had been obsessively training Jan’s grimoire to conceal things, given my traits, I had to be careful about letting information leak externally—at least until I grew strong enough to handle it.

Logan, watching me put on the ring, exhaled smoke and spoke:

“If you want a Shader with the specs you want, bring me a part with a Dynamic Holographic Filter function. I’ll also look around.”

“Got it.”

I nodded, though I had no way of knowing about such specific parts. I’d have to ask Kin or Sean later.

With that, I prepared to leave Logan’s workshop. Though the time was short, it wasn’t good to stay away from a client too long.

But then, Logan hesitated and called after me.

“Hey.”

I turned.

“You’re a problem-solver, right?”

“Yes… technically.”

Why ask that now?

Logan continued slowly:

“…Dangerous people have been wandering nearby since this morning. They’re looking for someone. If it’s them, they’ve probably come to retrieve corporate resources. They’re well-known operatives affiliated with a corporation.”

I immediately thought of the most likely candidates among potential enemies chasing John.

The Sicario Bros.

I tensed and asked Logan:

“…So you know who they are. Who exactly?”

Logan confirmed what I had suspected:

“Celebrix’s hounds. The Sicario Bros are moving around Butterpole.”

Damn it.

I had expected something like this, but of all people, them?

Apparently, John held some significance within Celebrix.

After all, he played a key role in producing that potion—and later, his brain was harvested to exploit him through cyberchips.

Given that, it made sense that Celebrix would deploy their strongest operatives.

I had hoped mercenaries or 2–3rd rank problem-solvers would show up instead.

Nothing ever comes easy.

“I ran into them this morning at the restaurant ‘With Me.’”

I knew the place. Butterpole was a convenient area to gather and repair items, making it a common base of operations.

From the shooting range with Kin and John to Logan’s workshop took about 15 minutes.

And the “With Me” restaurant was roughly the same distance.

Even our accommodation was somewhere in between.

Unknowingly, all key figures had been moving within a roughly 30-minute radius, despite Butterpole’s vast size.

Could something have happened in the meantime?

Kin hadn’t contacted me yet. Maybe I should reach out first?

So many thoughts flashed through my mind in a short time.

If my group had already been attacked, would contacting them reveal my presence?

Their likely goal was to retrieve John Scoyce.

Even if Kin had been killed, keeping my presence hidden was the safer option.

An unexpected ambush was always effective.

With that internal conflict, I hurried along without drawing attention.

…

Finally, I reached the shooting range.

Even before entering, a foreboding feeling hit me.

My senses were sending a clear signal, no need for guesswork.

Something threatening was inside.

I hardened my expression and used [Magic Detection].

Swish!

Zing!

The wave of magical energy inside the building was neutralized at a certain point.

And from what I knew, that location was definitely the private station where Kin and John would be.

“…Damn.”

The enemy’s magic manipulation was skilled—at least 3rd rank.

However, it didn’t feel like a systematic spell calculation, but rather a crude approach.

Which meant the opponent wasn’t a magician.

So other elements likely enhanced their power beyond magic manipulation, meaning they were probably 4th rank or higher.

At this point, the only 4th-rank operative who could raid there was one person.

Crash!

A giant in a metallic helmet broke through the wall.

The first of the Sicario Bros: Dex.

“Who… are you?”

[Pick & Blink]

Flash!

Fortunately, I quickly used Pick & Blink to avoid detection.

But I was moved to a spot inside the building, right behind him at the counter.

For a brief moment, I saw the owner’s smashed head and thought:

Fight?

No. While I could probably take him alone, I didn’t know if his comrades were nearby.

Even for me, facing one 4th-rank plus two 3rd-rank opponents was impossible.

No need to gamble with an aggressive stance while unprepared.

Escape using Pick & Blink?

Also difficult. The distance now felt “paltry” at 30 meters.

While useful in combat for surprise and teleportation, it wasn’t enough for fleeing multiple enemies.

I’d just be bouncing like a mole within 30 meters.

Pick & Blink is great for evasion, not escape.

Swish-

So instead of Pick & Blink, I relied on Jan’s grimoire concealment technique.

One of the skills I honed over time to hide my unique traits from my family.

The technique lowered my presence while scattering false magical traces, like a distant firework exploding unpredictably.

This was a magical insurance measure, assuming he could detect and counter my [Magic Detection].

He must have already been certain someone was there.

If he traced the tail of my Pick & Blink residual magic, it would be problematic.

Worse, the physical presence caused by being behind him hadn’t been dealt with yet.

Because it wasn’t my planned movement.

Slide-

As expected, the helmeted giant sensed my presence and turned quickly.

Whoosh!

“Over there?”

Close call.

I crouched under the counter, suppressing my presence.

Thud.

I moved the dead owner’s arm to create a fake presence.

Clatter.

Above the table where I hid, the fat owner’s arm swung like a pendulum.

“….”

Drip, drip.

Blood fell from the arm onto the floor.

Had I been detected?

Even without direct sight, I felt his piercing gaze scanning the area.

“….”

Would he come toward me?

Step.

Unfortunately, his footsteps moved in my direction.

At that moment, I was about to give up concealment and draw magic.

“Boss.”

“…Max.”

A new figure appeared in the area.