BCST 24

chapter 24

[“Usage is simple. Aim at your target and pull the trigger. Thank you.”]

The front robot kindly displayed an icon and even gave a brief explanation.

Click.

I examined the disposable handgun while looking at the instructions.

It had no reloading function—just an instant-use pistol sold in vending machines.

Right.

If you handed these out instead of tissues while walking down the street, they’d be far more popular.

How practical and nice.

Right?

Anyway, it seems like a Madness Corrosion incident after all.

In this COC universe, Madness Corrosion isn’t exactly a rare disaster.

Madness lurking beyond the city’s protective barriers.

Occasionally, it breaches the barriers and affects the interior.

When that happens, citizens’ mental states deviate from the norm under the influence of madness.

But this time it’s only Level 1.

That’s not a big deal—citizens are simply advised to stay indoors.

Of course, that’s the standard here, which also hands out self-defense pistols like amenities.

In any case, for me, it was a local disaster I was experiencing for the first time, so being cautious couldn’t hurt.

I fiddled with the gun in my pocket as I opened the door and left the motel.

The weather was quite sunny.

In Arkham City, where most of the year is gloomy, it was unusual, but the faces of passersby still held tension.

No need to check carefully—many citizens openly carried guns or knives on their waists.

Armed police patrolled among them.

The way everyone kept their distance and remained cautious looked like a scene from a “legal crime day” movie.

“…Interesting.”

Seeing a scenario from a game in real life felt surprisingly fresh.

“Hey, long time no see! What’ll you have?”

Before heading to Edge Line, I stopped by somewhere first.

The place where I first bought a proper meal with the money earned from solving the vampire incident.

A hot dog stall.

Having some free time made me remember it.

“Put this in, and lots of sauce.”

The owner split the buns and placed them on the grill at my instruction.

Seeing that, I suddenly thought of the people I would visit shortly.

“…Could I get about 20 packed to go?”

The vendor glanced at me and replied:

“Of course.”

“Hmm?”

A negative reply came from behind.

“Damn, so I have to wait a long time back here?”

“….”

I turned to see a man who looked like a salaryman scowling.

He had just stepped behind me alone.

A self-defense taser hung at his waist.

I looked at him for a moment and spoke:

“What are you getting?”

The man’s eyebrows twitched as he answered:

“…Chili hot dog with onions.”

“Then make his first.”

The owner, after briefly observing the two of us, acknowledged and added the man’s order to the grill.

I wasn’t in a hurry today.

And I understood why regular citizens, with lower mental barriers on a day like this, were tense.

The man, seeing me respond calmly despite his harsh words, subtly relaxed his embarrassed expression.

Then he spoke to me in a low voice:

“Listen, it’s dangerous to show weakness like that right now. You don’t even have a weapon. Outside is dangerous. Got it?”

“…What?”

Did I just hear that correctly?

Was he worried about me?

I’d never received such treatment before…

Before I could fully process this unusual situation:

“What the hell! That’s an illegally modified magic weapon!”

“Stop immediately! If you don’t cooperate, we’ll use force!”

A commotion broke out at another stall.

A man surrounded by police, aiming guns at him, shielded something with his jacket while scanning the area.

The police spoke even more firmly:

“Hands up! Or we’ll fire!”

Yet the man continued hiding his item.

Since this kind of thing happens often on days like today, bystanders didn’t flee—they watched.

The man next to me clicked his tongue and commented:

“Brought a magic weapon secretly because of the Cyber Lockdown. Tsk tsk.”

Cyber Lockdown: an administrative measure sealing high-grade cyberware or weapon functions at the regional level.

Since people’s minds are unstable, things that could cause large-scale damage are blocked altogether.

In other words, the man causing the commotion was secretly carrying a highly dangerous magic weapon.

Keing-

At that moment, my [Senses] activated automatically.

Immediately, I reflexively triggered [Magic Detection].

“Ughh! Get out of here!”

The man finally drew the weapon from his coat.

Kaang!

A magical projectile flew straight toward me, glowing with arcane light, leaving a blue trail in its wake.

Before the man next to me could even scream, all eyes focused on the approaching attack.

I reached out and cast a newly learned spell:

[Counter Spell]

Having already assessed the structure via [Magic Detection], the spell’s nullifying effect worked dramatically.

Shiiik-

The magical projectile, slicing through the air, faded and disappeared, leaving only a trailing streak like a vanishing meteor.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Everyone froze in shock, unable to utter a sound.

I pulled out the disposable gun from my pocket and aimed at the man who attacked me.

Bang!

“Ughk!”

He clutched his chest and collapsed.

Do they even work?

Looking at the frozen police, they finally moved:

“Arrest him!”

“Seize the weapon first!”

I turned back to the original direction, ignoring the renewed commotion.

The man facing me looked utterly shocked.

“Y-you… you’re a… a magician…?”

His face had turned pale in disbelief.

Remembering what he said to the mage moments ago.

I liked him a little, so I patted his shoulder and said:

“Thanks for the advice. Your order came out first, so take it.”

The man’s order was already packed and ready where I pointed.

In District 56, for regular civilians, Mia’s Nest was open as usual—the problem solver office, Edge Line.

It had been a while since my last visit.

I had last received a mission over the phone during the Yabok incident, even recording its specifics.

Ziiiiing-

As I opened the door, the music and gazes hit me.

Familiar, yet this time, the attention carried a subtle curiosity.

“…That guy? He’s the one who took down Yabok.”

“Yeah, I recognize the face. But he’s grown since then.”

“He’s more composed, more focused. Maybe he’s gained some insight?”

Those who knew my face quickly noticed my changed presence.

Exactly—this is how a proper problem solver’s office feels.

Unlike the earlier regular citizen, reactions here were entirely different.

Fewer people than usual—probably because of the Madness Corrosion.

Those likely affected by Level 1 madness probably stayed home.

“But what’s in that bag? A human head?”

“No, not a blood smell. It seems fine… what is it?”

What made them assume I’d bring a human head in a plastic bag?

Well, last time I had transported a subdued Yabok in a suitcase.

Then:

“Whoa!? That smell?!”

A tall man leapt up and ran toward me.

It was Kin Next.

“What?! You’re the magician?!”

Perfect timing.

I handed him one of the bags, and he sniffed it naturally.

“These are from a slightly distant alley hot dog stand? This is a famous spot!”

“Got it on the side. Care to share?”

At that moment, Mia, hearing the commotion at the bar counter, came out.

“Hey! Eddie! I heard you were unreachable—already here?”

Mia Dunlivi.

Following her was the android Sean.

I handed Sean the remaining bag.

“Picked it up on the way. Eat it all or share it.”

“Oh, a gift? I’m touched—didn’t expect that from you.”

Mia rummaged in the bag for a hot dog.

Sean opened the bag with both hands and inspected the contents:

“It’s from Gutmann’s hot dog stall on Ulrice Street. 2,739 reviews, 4.3 rating. Recently featured on Kay’s stream.”

Ah… right, the owner’s name was Gutmann.

Hadn’t known that before.

“Quite a lot. I’ll share with the others. Meanwhile, have a drink—Mia will serve.”

Mia, who had already taken a big bite, pointed to herself:

“Me?”

“Well, who else?”

Chewing, Mia rolled her eyes briefly, swallowed, and said:

“Alright. Just eating this alone is a bit greasy. I’ll make a drink after a while.”

She entered the bar counter and asked:

“Eddie, what’ll you drink?”

Alcohol?

I hadn’t been drinking here before, though I used to enjoy a beer while gaming.

No chance to drink here so far… but today, I had free time.

“Old Fashioned.”

“Okay.”

Mia quickly prepared the drink with sugar and whiskey.

Soon, the Old Fashioned was ready.

I examined the amber liquid and took a sip.

Gulp.

Not a bad balance.

Mia took her drink and asked:

“Good, right?”

“Yes.”

She smiled, satisfied with my short reply, and spoke slowly:

“You said you wouldn’t be in contact for a week?”

“That’s right. But work finished sooner than expected.”

“Hmmm…”

Her eyes narrowed slightly at my answer.

Then she asked unexpectedly:

“You’re not switching offices, right?”

I looked at her.

“…No. Just asking. I know you’re not that kind of person.”

Mia quickly convinced herself from my expression.

She suspected I was unreachable because I took a mission at another office?

Fair enough.

“Honestly, we don’t have much work right now. When Madness Corrosion happens, everyone lays low.”

Chaka, chaka.

Listening to Mia shake the cocktail shaker repeatedly, I nodded.

Nothing urgent seems to happen during these incidents.

I assumed as much, which is why I visited here rather casually.

Just as I raised my glass:

Mia lowered her voice and said subtly:

“By the way, Kin’s keeping a close eye on you. Did you know?”

Kin?

What could that mean?