I Became a Sub Heroine in a Cyberpunk Game

Originally, it’s about returning what one has received.

As for my impression… I will admit that I evaluated it with significant bias and sarcasm. I won’t deny my misjudgment.

I turned my gaze away from the Wise-man, who was smirking, claiming it was an enormous waste of time, and briefly scanned the interior of the room.

It could probably be described as desolate.

A highly practical scene with nothing but chairs and desks, lacking any significant decoration or personal items, and only equipped with electronic devices for work.

The method of examining and appraising this place was indeed reflective of a Paradise executive, emphasizing the term “worthless” and trying to sharply assess the value of my existence. With the limited information I held, this only resulted in a clumsy conclusion and surely did not imply that he was completely incompetent.

…Still, I wonder if I could provoke him just enough to elicit a banishment order, so I shall give it a try.

“…I have yet to hear exactly why you, Mr. Wise-man, arranged for such a meeting.”

“……”

I grabbed the hem of the Wise-man’s clothes, which seemed to be trying to end the meeting unilaterally.

Despite being blatantly ignored, I held my head high in a clueless manner, and a hint of intrigue flickered in his eyes.

The displeasure I had felt a moment ago had completely vanished. My sentiment towards the individual offering me an exit along with personal information about Drayfuscus was simply gratitude.

“It seems… it was a surprise gift for your lover. Not long ago, your lordship from four years ago informed the General Affairs Department to create a vacancy in the electronic warfare response team in the strategic planning department. I was going to replace the position in the General Affairs Department since I heard he was personally enthusiastic about recruitment… tsk.”

“A lover… my lord…? Oh dear….”

…Is it because he holds a high status? The extremely refined choice of words made the area near my neck feel slightly stiff, and a headache began to set in.

At least… at least if he’s considering it that way, I can think positively that the worry of being suddenly killed has lessened.

So it’s still too early to back down.

At the very least, when Drayfuscus checks later, I must create a situation where this man can proudly say he chased me away.

“Then… what should I do now?”

“It doesn’t seem like that’s anything I should get involved with. Go up and deal with that piece of trash as you wish. …However, it would be good to remember that there’s no space for parasites in Paradise.”

From the Wise-man’s venomous words and his burning gaze, I sensed something complex.

I chewed over each word he threw out and stood in his excessively strict position to analyze this ridiculous encounter.

Bringing a personal relationship into the office during the day and especially in the vicinity of the headquarters.

The identity of a guest that was completely different from expectations.

Precious time leaking away with a lowly girl who wouldn’t dare to get involved ordinarily.

The most noticeable things were his pride in his position, a faint disappointment in his rival, and… a fierce emotion that was difficult to put into words.

Although I am the head of the General Affairs Department, his passionate attitude, which seems to worry about company expenses rather than private ones, doesn’t seem to solely stem from ambition.

It could be that I do not fully comprehend because I have never held power in my life, but this arose rather from a place opposed to ambition… like a lotus flower growing in the mud called Mega Cop…

“……Ah.”

“Are you starting to understand? If you do, then disappear already. I would love to demand compensation for damages… tsk, but that would be meaningless.”

His clicking tongue reminded me of someone’s figure.

Not in terms of appearance, but it was clear why I felt deja vu from his unbridled personality. I could also understand the reasoning behind his decision to intervene.

Loyalty.

A passionate affection sent by those who were in awe of the crazy, authoritarian chairperson of Paradise, who resides at the top of this den of vice.

I never expected to learn this about the relatively solid power structure of Paradise Corporation. It was fascinating as a fan… and it made understanding the situation much easier.

Now I see how the chairperson can handle matters smoothly with just a few jokes, which aren’t even orders, given that there are loyal subordinates tirelessly working behind the scenes.

If that’s the case… maybe Drayfuscus’s ambition for talent is an obsession inherited from the one he serves.

A plausible emergency escape route might have been prepared….

“How much longer do you intend to consume the air in my office?”

Oh dear, it seems the room owner is starting to get annoyed.

Anyway, what’s important right now isn’t savoring the setting of Neo Haven but delivering a strong blow to provoke Wise-man.

“If I leave like this, I will tell Mr. Drayfuscus all the abusive words you’ve said… are you really okay with that?”

“……”

Yikes! Is this a bit too audacious…?

Right now, it seemed inappropriate for me to try to play the strong one, so I put the rival’s name at the forefront like a shield, and the atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.

Slamming sound…!

The chair was pushed back roughly.

As soon as the one-sided business concluded, he suddenly stood up and approached me while fiddling with the work computer.

His slightly agitated demeanor made me think that it wouldn’t be so bad to have some kind of excuse for being hit, so I braced myself, but the Wise-man maintained his composure and reprimanded me only with words.

“Tell that Aaron punk, if he behaves arbitrarily thinking he’s above us, I’ll crush his entire droid collection. Originally, the Strategic Planning Department and the General Affairs Department have no hierarchy; they’re core departments, and it’s basically because of the building structure that…!!”

Of course, it wasn’t soft words; it was more like a whip.

Perhaps he took my semi-fabricated third-rate villain dialogue as a pride battle, as he expressed his anger towards someone one level above him, not even the person right in front of him.

Or maybe he simply thought that a bottom dweller like me wouldn’t dare make such provocations.

It might have been directed at the competitor who hovered behind me.

…Just a little bit more. Just a tad more effort is needed.

“If you had so much to say like that, you could have resolved it yourselves before I arrived…. Oh, or perhaps you lacked the courage to say it to his face…?”

Clack!

…Wow. I just heard the sound of teeth grinding.

I met his reddened face, veins protruding, and wide-open eyes.

“You… if you don’t get out of here right now, I won’t hold back, regardless of implicit lines….”

“Yes! I will disappear right away…!”

Finally, having received the long-awaited instructions, I turned around before his words even finished.

“Oh? Mr. Wise-man, not only did you steal my guest but now you’re throwing such nonsense about the chairperson’s departmental positioning…?”

I collided head-on with a resident of the 48th floor who had been happily gossiping.

“Waah?!”

My somewhat unsteady body was caught by two slender but sturdy hands.

When on earth did that happen?!

Without a joke, the suddenly popping out of that slinky speech, how soon had I become so accustomed to it?

It seemed that I had been eavesdropped on since earlier without noticing.

Or did I perhaps act like a snitch in a place where both parties were present?

“……Good! Just take your lover and get lost. Even the way you both scratch each other’s backs is quite the match made in heaven.”

“? Lover…? That’s quite….”

With Aaron looking down at me as my shoulders were grasped, I barely managed to lift my head.

Receiving a rather enigmatic stare, I earnestly beseeched quietly.

No. Absolutely not. I’ve never claimed or affirmed such a disgraceful fact. It’s simply a misunderstanding on their part.

So don’t take it as a means to improve relations…! Hey!!!

When did we become that close?!

Trying to communicate silently has been painfully slow, and even the patience of the onlookers was quickly wearing thin.

Clang! With the sound of metal… a shotgun the size of a forearm abruptly revealed itself from beneath the desk.

“If the chairperson asks about your absence, make sure to clarify that you got shot due to some damn behavior…!!”

“Oh no! Shall we make a quick exit, Miss Anastasia? Unfortunately, it seems that our affectionate appearance was a bit too strong of a stimulus for someone. A romance contract prepared for you is waiting upstairs?”

“……Please.”

I would rather openly ask Drayfuscus to just pull the trigger once, but my body was swiftly dragged outside, and the office door of the General Affairs Department Head closed coldly behind me.

In a brief moment, the path of flowers was blocked, and the choices narrowed down to a thorny path that promised intense psychological warfare.

…If there’s any silver lining amidst the misfortune, it’s that thanks to Wise-man’s meddling, I realized what I need to present to Drayfuscus.

---