BCST 08

chapter 08

The target this time: the hacker “Yabok Boikov.”

In the future I knew, he had already gone completely insane—a full-blown cyber psycho.

A common trait of cyber psychos is that before they fully lose it, they repeat the range of actions they normally engage in.

If I think about it in reverse, the information I have is about the areas where Yabok currently operates.

That means I can predict where he might be.

Exactly: Moore Plaza.

It took me a while to navigate here, but this was probably the right place.

Why? Because among all the locations in the game, this hideout had the highest chance of Yabok appearing.

And the floor I needed to deal with was the third.

Thud.

Entering, the interior was such a mess that I couldn’t even tell what kind of business had been run here.

From the worn ceiling, the lights flickered rapidly.

Zzzz…

Seeing that, my confidence in the building’s management dropped sharply.

It would be better to take the stairs instead of the elevator, even if it was a hassle.

Thud.

Reaching the third floor via the stairs, I saw the entrance blocked with double bars.

Next to it was a mailbox stuffed with all sorts of bills and a sign reading “Touch Up! BD Studio.”

Looks like I’m in the right place… maybe.

“Hmm.”

Better double-check just in case.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Is anyone there?”

I knocked on the bars with my fists.

Zzzzt-

Then the intercom installed in the corner responded.

[…What? If you’re some random vendor, buzz off.]

At least he had some manners.

Listening to the rustling sounds from the intercom, it wasn’t just one person inside.

At least two, maybe more.

I casually read the sign next to me while replying.

“I wanted to ask if I could have some BD editing done. Are you open for business?”

[…]

There was silence through the intercom for a moment.

Then a reply finally came.

[Today’s a day off. Rude of you to come as a “guest.” Check announcements yourself, and make reservations via DM.]

Click.

The intercom hung up arbitrarily.

The level of response here was… negligible.

A dystopian fusion punk era, indeed.

Anyway, according to his words, if I wanted to enter properly, I’d probably have to wait until tomorrow.

But I don’t have the patience to wait that long.

[Pick & Blink]

Using my transport skill, Pick Blink, the world instantly changed.

I was now in the middle of the ruined first-floor shop.

Wrong floor.

Embarrassed, I scratched my head and returned to the third floor.

Another Pick Blink.

Pop.

“Ugh!”

“Who—what is this?!”

This time, I entered properly.

Two bald men were startled by my sudden appearance.

Where was Yabok?

Clatter.

I felt something odd underfoot and looked down.

A macaroni and cheese dish had been crushed under my shoe.

Great.

I acted nonchalant and spoke.

“Is Yabok here?”

Their expressions changed instantly.

They quickly whispered to each other.

“Why the hell is he looking for the master?”

“Idiot! Is that important right now?! Hit him already!”

Ah, so they referred to Yabok as “Master.”

Then it was clear they were connected to him.

Looks like things were going to turn out this way.

I wanted a peaceful solution, but…

A man behind grabbed a machete and shouted.

“Die!”

Seeing that, I swung my foot toward him.

Smash!

The dish under my foot flew up and shattered against his face.

Pieces of ceramic flew along with the mac and cheese.

Crack!

I ran forward and drove my knee, shielded by the mess of cheese, into his face.

“Ugh!”

Shards of broken dish hit him, revealing white teeth instead.

Give and take.

Bang bang bang!

The man toppled backward along with a chair.

At that moment, I felt a faint malice from behind.

The power of my [Senses] stat.

Bang!

I kicked the dining table that had food on it.

Thud!

Wood splintered like it had been shot.

Lowering my stance, I prepared to fire Arcane Blast.

I wish I could’ve used a proper Blink, but all I had now was Pick Blink.

Instead, I would try the newly added chain function of Arcane Blast.

[Arcane Blast]
[Chain 2]

Boom!

The Arcane Blast hit the man who had been shooting under the table.

“Argh!”

As the table shot upward, my line of sight cleared.

I saw the man holding his twisted wrist, dropping his gun.

Our eyes met.

“…Eek!”

As he reached for the gun, I stepped on his hand to stop him.

Did he think I’d just stand by?

“Die!”

The first man with the machete charged again from behind.

Crack!

He was blasted by the Arcane Blast I shot without looking and bounced back.

“Ugh!”

Easy.

Raising my stats made fights far more manageable.

I was no longer stuck hiding behind a shield, shooting silly magic.

A sense of satisfaction spread through me.

“Ugh…”

One man was unconscious.

The other pinned underfoot.

I looked down at the one lying on the floor.

“You said DM, right? So I came straight to you. Happy now?”

“Bastard! I’ll kill—!”

Smack!

I slapped his cheek.

“You idiot. Can’t you read the situation?”

His face turned red in anger.

“…Did Aminov send you? We don’t even know where the Master is!”

“Oh?”

My heightened senses picked up a subtle awkwardness in his expression.

This place… is lying just a basic passive skill? Fascinating.

I snatched the revolver he tried to secretly grab.

“…Damn.”

Where does he think he’s going?

Click.

The cylinder held 5 of 6 bullets.

I reloaded and aimed next to his head.

“Let’s see if you still don’t know after this.”

I pulled the trigger.

Tat tat tat!

“Ugh…”

The man screamed.

Shooting felt amazing.

No wonder Kin always wanted to shoot a gun.

“Phew… phew…”

The man closed his eyes, sweating all over.

“Feeling like talking now?”

“…Yes, I remember.”

“Spill it.”

He spoke after I nodded.

“…By now, he’s probably getting wasted at the male club. Getting his ass kicked too.”

Wow.

That was shocking.

“Yabok?”

“No, your mom.”

Hmm. A proper little bastard.

Better break his spirit thoroughly.

“Let’s play a game.”

Only one bullet left. Perfect.

The man shouted from the floor.

“Some dumb Russian roulette? Do it yourself! That fad ended ages ago!”

Smart enough to catch on.

But I wasn’t doing Russian roulette.

“I’m testing your senses, not playing roulette.”

“What?”

Let’s gauge my limits.

Click.

The cylinder showed the single remaining bullet.

“You better hope I have good instincts.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

I spun the cylinder as I flicked my wrist.

Whirr.

The rapidly spinning cylinder sounded in the quiet room.

Every nerve tuned to the metal click, my senses sharpened by stats and combat.

Even a fly’s wings would be audible.

Click.

The cylinder stopped.

I slowly aimed the revolver at his head.

“Five.”

“What?”

Click click click click click.

“Eek!”

The cylinder stopped just before firing.

His face turned pale.

“One more. Cheer me on to keep succeeding.”

“Wait! Wait!”

Too late.

Whirr.

Cylinder spins again.

Click.

Stopped.

“Four.”

Click click click click.

Perfect again.

Stopped just before firing.

Raising [Senses] makes this possible.

“…Ugh! Huff!”

I looked at the man, nearly fainting.

“Still unsure? One more time, then. Okay?”

“Stop! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you!”

Nearly crying.

I answered.

“What, that your mom again?”

“No! I’ll tell you where the Master is!”

“Hmm.”

Slightly disappointed.

I wondered how far I could push it.

Wait. Do I even need to hear him?

Might as well spin the cylinder again.

Whirr.

He freaked out.

“Tell me! I said I’ll tell you!”

“Three.”

Click—Bang!

“Argh!”

Major failure.

Bullets hit the wall.

I lowered my arm and looked at him indifferently.

“Out of bullets. Come at me now, then?”

But he just held his head and cried.

“…Ugh… ugh…”

Did he even piss himself?

Well, that should break his spirit enough.

Later, I managed to get some intel from Yabok’s subordinate.

Places where Yabok might be hiding:

• Lelrada Town: A bottom-of-society area where he has connections and housing.

• Abandoned Broadcast Station: Slightly outside the city, still good for hacking work.

• Underground Workshop: Where he handles important work, fully prepared.

Three options, huh? Insolent. I roughed him up a bit more.

“Ah! I really don’t know now!”

Seems he was telling the truth…

Fortunately, I could exclude Lelrada Town.

Even his connections there wouldn’t hide a cyber psycho.

Of course, he could be there by chance, but then I could just come back.

That leaves the Abandoned Broadcast Station and Underground Workshop.

Both are places where the future cyber psycho Yabok appeared.

Then, a cold, tingling sensation ran through me.

“Huh?”

Is this a [Senses] sixth sense?

It pointed to one specific place.

Here…

Either location could fit, but I’ll trust my heightened instincts.

Let’s go.

“Oh, right.”

Before that…

“What?! Don’t come closer! I already told you everything I know!”

If I fail, I might have to question him again.

I should knock him out completely and tie him up securely.

I raised my fist once more.