NOVEL WEB Chapter 63
“Paradise Tower boasts a perfect lighting design, similar to Harvest Planet. It is a landmark completed under thorough review, with its multi-layered structure implemented according to the Chairman’s emphasis on instilling pride.”
“…Does it actually help?”
“Most people believe that they have been given a clear goal of ‘raising the floor where their position is located!’”
This strange building did not have a means to go straight from the lobby to the upper floors.
From the 1st floor to the 10th floor, then from the 10th floor to the 20th floor. One had to cross a section and then board a different elevator to get to the next floor.
It aligned with the urban landscape that divided residential and activity districts based on income.
This was also one of the reasons I flinched when I heard the word 47th floor.
Even now, I could feel the interesting interest of the working clerks as I left the area of the first elevator service, wondering what it would be like on the higher floors.
…If a situation arises where I have to escape here alone without permission, would that even be realistically possible?
As the automatic door slid shut, the gazes that had been watching me enter without a visitor badge were blocked. Now, only two of us remained in this narrow box ascending.
Yet, it seemed that the level of comments being thrown had been increasing, rather than adhering to the assigned manual.
“There is information available regarding the living benefits or pension system you can receive if you are employed as a company staff member… Shall I send it to you via cyberware?”
“No, I’m really…”
“The benefits guaranteed by Paradise also include health insurance that your family can use. If you don’t have any family members to utilize the insurance… you can even receive additional points in the work evaluation.”
“…….”
I gazed quietly at the clerk, who was sweating profusely yet maintaining a forced smile and a hospitable attitude.
What kind of crazy recommendation was this as soon as I stepped into the elevator going up to the 40th floor?
Even as she spoke, I could sense her voice getting smaller moment by moment, recognizing that this was absolutely not the thing to say to someone coming to request alimony.
…It seemed that the premise of there being two people here was fundamentally incorrect.
I wanted to advise whoever was on the other side of the earphones to learn how to phrase things differently or present them in a subtler way.
She clearly showed signs of wanting to quit her job, especially as she shared the same elevator with my displeased eyes.
“…Which department is on the 47th floor?”
As soon as I thought that far, I realized something was off.
If yesterday’s Drayfuscus wanted to sort out and reconstruct some strange relationship while expressing condolences for my fake obituary… then the current approach was overly blatant.
Was it really just a haphazard attempt to pressure me into joining the company while emphasizing only its good sides?
Thinking back to the conversations we had or the conflicts we faced, it didn’t add up.
Above all, sometimes it should be from the front. If that doesn’t work, start filling in the moats.
From proposals to threats. And finally, back to subtle suggestions.
While they wouldn’t hesitate to use hardline tactics if necessary, he had shown no trace of the style that coaxed me into complete submission from the start.
Though the dynamics seemed somewhat harsh to call trust… Having a minimal belief in his cunning skills, at least when it came to scheming, I was convinced.
“From the 45th floor, the core departments of Paradise and the offices of the upper management are located. More details can be disclosed only after the formal contract is signed…”
And what did this clerk think of me, and who did she think I was, to bring me this way?
“…It seems I have asked the wrong question. Which of the executives is waiting for us?”
“……?”
A look of confusion came back.
It was evident that I had caught her off guard to the point where I felt embarrassed myself.
It was almost like she was lamenting with her whole body that she was being tormented by a mere customer stuck in the middle.
“It appears there is an appointment with Mr. Drayfuscus from the Strategic Planning Department… Did I make a mistake somewhere?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Even more so, it only deepened my sense of guilt that my suspicion had been mere misunderstanding… I mean, if it were indeed just a misunderstanding, I’d be lucky.
I waved my hands to reassure her, saying it was merely a matter of reconfirmation as I couldn’t stand still in anxiety thinking maybe she had committed some kind of violation.
I didn’t particularly enjoy getting into troublesome situations, so I decided to stop consuming my mental energy with unnecessary worries and get ready to rely solely on my words and modest wits…
“Of course, before heading to Mr. Drayfuscus on the 48th floor, you must meet with Mr. Wise-man, the General Affairs Department’s head on the 47th floor.”
“Cough!!”
…Cancel! Emergency!!
I was so dumbfounded that I didn’t even swallow my saliva, yet I suddenly began to choke.
If he was part of the company, I would have to tell him that he should have at least studied the internal factions beforehand.
It might be safer for him to go about his company life completely unaware of any political matters, but that would make me the one suffering from ridiculous circumstances.
Mr. Wise-man, the head of the General Affairs Department, most likely was Vincent Wise-man. I had certainly learned that he was one of the main representatives competing with Aaron Drayfuscus for advancement.
Ah, hell…!! Even before my matters started, I was likely already caught up in a pointless conflict, and it was becoming tiresome.
“Shall we go directly to the 48th floor?”
“I’m sorry, but I have been given instructions, so I cannot do that…”
I had exhausted all the concessions I could make.
Feeling a sense of urgency that waiting foolishly would only lead to lost opportunities, I attempted to manipulate the elevator buttons as I pleased.
With a whoosh! sound of air slicing through, a sudden hand emerged and grasped my wrist.
“?!”
“Mr. Wise-man insists on maintaining the order of interviews… it would be troublesome if you act recklessly.”
I hadn’t even seen the process properly. I could only guess by looking at my right arm, which was in a position where I couldn’t move.
Though the part that was restrained didn’t hurt, I felt a chill at the notion that I had unwittingly allowed such contact before even having the chance to respond.
Realistically speaking, if that hand had been aiming for my neck, it was clear it would not have been mere contact but a direct subjugation; thinking of the Mega Cop employee as a mere hotel staff due to my misconception was my mistake.
So….
“…I understand, but could you please let go of this hand for now…?”
“Oh my! How rude of me!”
I was far too late to run away, so please let me go.
I truly felt how despicable this implant technology was! …I will endeavor to avoid close combat from now on.
Click… click….
Finally arriving at the 47th floor, the General Affairs Department of Paradise. I forced my reluctant feet to follow the advancing clerk.
I thought avoiding confrontation wasn’t a solution and came here, but once I realized that my options for countering the physical restraint were vague, I felt the need to slightly modify my plans for blackmailing by taking the headquarters system or database hostage.
If harm was likely, I would immediately unleash special ransomware on every accessible location.
…I would argue that this was not malicious but entirely a natural form of self-defense.
“Mr. Wise-man, I have brought Ms. Anastasia Valentine. Should we wait outside until the initial interview is over?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll take it from here, so you may leave.”
After a polite knock, as soon as the dialogue between the two ended, the office door opened.
The clerk gave a light nod and hurriedly left.
The materials provided had primarily centered on Drayfuscus and weren’t very detailed regarding Wise-man.
He was merely depicted as a typical member of the upper class, one who often was in opposition.
“…Time is of little consequence for lower-class citizens. Enter at once.”
“Whew….”
…For now, I took a deep breath to calm my rising defiance.
The credibility of the information had jumped, so I was actually gaining an advantage.
His tone, dismissing my willingness to comply as a foregone conclusion, was quite grating, but realizing he was underestimating me made me slightly more at ease.
I was just a mere citizen and mercenary suddenly under scrutiny… I truly had nothing remarkable about me…!
“That’s you. The one Mr. Drayfuscus has been putting in effort to manipulate recently.”
“…I am Anastasia Valentine. Mr. Wise-man.”
His first words were as unimpressive as his presence.
With a protruding forehead and nose, and skin oddly taut as if he had received Botox instead of anti-aging treatment.
Given that he snagged me during my arrival, it was true that the General Affairs Department held a similar level of authority to the Strategic Planning Department. Though he appeared seasoned, he exuded little dignity.
“Is that all the basic implants for signal transmission? Quite bizarre.”
“…….”
I noticed that his eyes were unusually sharp, suggesting he had scanning capabilities with his spectacles.
As if evaluating an item, he stood up and circled around me, scrutinizing every detail.
Honestly, it was disgustingly uncomfortable, but since I couldn’t ascertain his objective, I endured it for the sake of smooth progress. His unprovoked remarks were this.
“Aaron, who pretended like a needle wouldn’t stick, has suddenly opened his eyes to women, has he? It’s disappointing to see his skill in hiding a concubine so lacking that it raises no fuss.”
‘……This bastard?!’
I could faintly grasp the logic.
It must be that a powerful figure was floating around a citizen who had barely undergone body modifications, indicating something to that effect.
Of course, that did not justify the appropriateness of hearing such remarks on our first encounter.
“I apologize, but it’s difficult for me to keep up with the topic you’re discussing…”
“Forget the job offer you heard on the way here. This place is not for worthless beings to reside.”
“…….”
Was this what it meant to be despised?
It was a symphony of extremely direct and near-abusive remarks.
In the end, I couldn’t restrain my anger any longer… or could I…?
Wait a minute, this might not even be something to get angry over.
He had voluntarily withdrawn interest, so if a person who was simply asked to come found themselves expelled by a stakeholder, it might not be my issue to get involved anymore, would it?