BCST 35

chapter 35

Kugugugugu…

This is the moment after Eddy escaped the dungeon.

The space of Neuroteca 58 was collapsing.

Of course—because the U.M.O. that maintained this space had been taken away by him.

And that also meant that the man who said he had business with Sonia didn’t have much time left to actually speak with her.

The Neuroteca 58 space had been complexly duplicated.

Amid the collapse of these spaces, Sonia spoke to the man floating in front of her.

“It’s been a long time seeing you like this.”

The man smiled, as if amused, and spoke.

“Seeing me like this… so I’m not like this now?”

The man before her was a surreal illusion replayed through the BD record containing the U.M.O.

A ghost from the past, entirely detached from the present era.

So Sonia, while feeling sorrow at seeing him in his normal form, remained calm.

Because the man she had loved so dearly had now become a traitor who had betrayed humanity.

“…You’ve become a mutant. The number of people you’ve killed exceeds 100,000. You’re quite famous now.”

“That’s… not really important.”

Sonia chuckled at the man’s words.

For a criminal group chasing after their desires, the lives of ordinary citizens were insignificant.

After a brief smile, Sonia gazed at him.

“I never imagined the contamination had progressed this far… I didn’t notice it at all back then.”

Because the U.M.O. projects the parasite’s consciousness outward.

It was almost inevitable that the U.M.O., influenced by the already corrupted man’s psyche, would infect the citizens trapped in the dungeon.

A BD can only record human senses.

But this BD left here was the first record to capture the process of a human twisting into a mutant.

Of course, no one would know except the person themselves.

“…I see.”

After those words, a brief silence passed between them.

There was too much to say, and too little time left.

Kugugugugu…

But, as always, the end approached.

Eventually, the collapsing space began reaching the brink of complete destruction.

Then, as if recalling something, Sonia spoke.

“Why did you save that black mage earlier?”

The man answered lightly, as if it were nothing.

“Oh, that? I was also influenced by the U.M.O…”

“Liar.”

But Sonia immediately sensed his lie.

No matter how far gone he was, he wasn’t the kind of man to be swayed by something like a U.M.O.

The man also gave a bitter smile.

Still perceptive, as ever.

“…Some things can only be seen from the sidelines.”

He looked at Sonia with a serious gaze.

“So, this is advice I can give in my current state. Stay away from that black mage as much as possible. It’ll be dangerous.”

“….”

She, ranked 8th, should be careful?

That black mage was only rank 3.

Although showing considerable talent, the idea that she could be in real danger was as improbable as an elephant dying from an ant bite.

But now, there was no time left even to ask why.

Kugugugugu…!

The space was now on the verge of total collapse.

After glancing around the space, the man calmly spoke to Sonia.

“You’ll have a hard time if you go outside.”

The sense of being surrounded outside the space.

Apparently, the city government had caught the scent.

Annoying people who always follow them.

Sonia, sensing their presence, frowned.

“…Good. My mood wasn’t great anyway.”

Their pursuit was nothing unusual.

While it was stressful with no other allies, Sonia focused more on sensing the overlapping presences outside the collapsing space.

It was proof that the end was truly near.

“Take care of yourself.”

To the man’s words, Sonia replied.

“…I’ll make sure to kill him.”

At that moment, the world completely collapsed.

What appeared before her eyes was the archive building transformed into a vast ruin.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

And the hounds of the city government surrounding her.

Sonia gripped the handle of her greatsword tightly and thought.

Once I finish them off, I should find that black mage.

The TV showed an android news anchor delivering the news with a serious expression.

[Tonight, due to a large-scale armed conflict in Arkham City’s District 58, the area has been virtually reduced to ruins. The city government is investigating the exact circumstances and details of the engagement.]

The aerial shots shown by drones on screen depicted the city like the aftermath of a massive earthquake.

All buildings within a 3-4 km radius had collapsed.

And at the center, where Neuroteca 58 once stood, the space had been sliced in the air, and recovery units were blocking the view of the spatial cross-section, attempting restoration.

[Unidentified spatial cut traces were discovered at the center of the incident. This may affect the protective barriers maintained by the city’s family lines, and the city government has deployed emergency response teams for immediate restoration. The battle traces left on-site indicate extreme violence during the event.]

The screen showed deep sword marks etched into collapsed building walls, melted roads, and vehicles deformed by intense impact.

Evidence on a scale unimaginable for humans.

People in shops watching the news began whispering among themselves.

“Humans did this? No way! Feels like multiple missiles went off!”

“Hoo… How many could have died there? The city gov… no, better watch my words.”

“Anyway, it’ll be dangerous to go there for a while.”

“Just there? Isn’t it dangerous here too? District 58 is right nearby.”

“Shut up, don’t jinx it.”

“What?”

Amid the uneasy murmurs, I put the skewers I had eaten back on the table.

Thunk.

The city government is showing off too.

Judging by the traces of battle, those were typical weapons of city government special agents.

They probably sent agents as soon as they found traces in Neuroteca, aiming to capture the Legion, but clearly failed.

But they couldn’t announce it openly, so even such a massive incident would be conveniently covered up.

From someone who knows, like me, it’s just standard media manipulation.

The real question is whether Legion member Sonia Lopez has lost interest in me…

Nah, no way.

Would a great like her go out of her way for a rank-3 nobody like me?

Where in the world would such a wasteful thing happen?

From her perspective, a mage of my level wouldn’t even catch her eye.

I’d be forgotten like a pebble on the street.

…Or at least, I want to believe that.

But somehow, the enhanced [senses] this time seemed to signal that I was in deep trouble.

Why?

I ran my hand through my hair in frustration.

I’m currently in Lrelada Town.

One of the bottom-of-the-barrel towns in District 56, where the lowest of the low hide from society.

It was also previously suspected as a hiding place when I was looking for Yabok.

Tents were set up between the building alleys with people selling goods, others seated on the streets eating or drinking.

And the air was thick with smoke from people cooking barbecue over firewood in every corner.

I paid for the lamb skewers I ate and stood up.

Time to get to work.

My current bounty target was Alibek Kivizo.

I had received updated information that he was spotted in an illegal fight club hidden in Lrelada Town.

Tap. Tap.

Ziiing-.

I activated the device in my ear as I stepped onto the street, and a small mechanical sound confirmed it was working.

[Street Runner v9.84]

A.k.a. alley navigation.

Used by delivery runners to navigate streets, alleys, and complex buildings while transporting information, illegal drugs, or contraband.

Mia lent it to me, saying it was useful.

But in practice, it had a small issue.

[Street Runner v9.8 Pedestrian Mode activated. Destination: Lrelada Underground Fight Club. Walking there only? Damn life sucks, doesn’t it?]

The AI’s tone was cheap, but the performance lived up to Mia’s recommendation.

[Go straight 15m, then a killer left turn. Turn too early and you’re wasted in an alley, okay?]

[Okay. 100m ahead: third-rate thug zone. Your pockets are heavy? Perfect spot to get robbed.]

[Why not slow down? Entering thug zone. Danger, danger!]

[Danger detected! Danger detected! Dumbass, if you turn now—]

[Real-time situation analysis…]

[Front ‘third-rate thug zone’ changed to ‘trash zone’. Awesome, right?]

[Shortest path calculated. You’ll pass through a 200% crime zone, but you’ll be fine, right?]

[Pass through front iron gate, down right stairs, destination ahead.]

[Lrelada Town Underground Fight Club ‘Smash Den’ reached. I’m out~]

Reaching the destination, I nodded at the navigation’s self-shutdown.

All that mattered was doing the job well.

Passing lightly by the guard at the iron gate, I descended to the basement.

Inside was a spacious underground arena.

An octagon stood in the center, surrounded by tables for drinking, and 360° TV screens hung from the ceiling.

Loud, rough music and red lighting filled the room, mingling with the scent of sweat and blood.

This was the hidden illegal arena of District 56, Lrelada Town—Smash Den.

“Waaah! Fight! Tear him apart!”

“Goliath! Show him what’s up!”

“Hey! How long are you gonna hide in the corner? Get out, damn it, my money!”

Men, half their bodies replaced with cyberware, were brutally fighting.

Each punch sent blood, grease, flesh, and nuts flying.

Primitive violence that was thrilling to watch.

Maybe this would be entertaining after all?

Druruk-.

I didn’t look away from the arena, pulled a chair, and sat down.

Quietly, I spoke.

“How’s the view? Alibek Kivizo?”

Right beside me, a massive man was drinking beer.

Spotted immediately upon entering—lucky.

Gulp. Gulp.

The almost five-liter mug emptied instantly.

Belch-.

Finally, the glass was empty.

Swoosh.

Simultaneously, the glass in Alibek Kivizo’s hand shot up toward the ceiling.

Reflected in the arena lights, it shone brilliantly.

Whoosh!

Clang!

“Ugh!”

My forearm pierced through the glass and struck his left face straight.

Thwack!

Idiot. If you’re going to swing, why drink beer first?

Trying to make it light for a soft hit?

Bang bang bang!

His body rolled like a bowling ball, knocking over tables behind him.

People nearby jumped up in surprise.

“Hey! What the—Alibek?!”

In an instant, everyone looked at me, quickly realizing the situation.

“Damn, it’s a fight! Outside the ring!”

“Some random nobody’s challenging the champion ‘Iron Shark’!”

The arena heated up instantly.