NOVEL WEB Chapter 66
– Mr. Drayfuscus, the thorough inspection of the internal network firewall and the deployment of all engineers to their security duties have been completed. However, you mentioned that there might be a massive cyber attack on headquarters today… Are you serious? –
“If anything happens, it’s just precautionary. And… I trust all of you on our security team. After all, we have the allocated budget and the facilities. Would we really be caught off guard by a partly anticipated attack?”
The tension and the faint sound of a dry swallow were conveyed even through the cyberware, but Aaron made no effort to point that out.
There was no need to provoke the staff even more who were already slacking off. Tormenting subordinates from the strategic planning office wouldn’t improve the work efficiency of the front-line engineers anyway.
Moreover… above all, he was busy observing the subtle movements of a girl who had just stepped into the tower lobby.
A black pearl, like a drop of ink fallen in the vibrant metropolis.
Her desire for various primary colors and her unbothered demeanor, as she seemed to want to melt into the shadows, aroused curiosity instead.
The memory of the first EMP terror incident resurfaced in Aaron’s subconscious.
Seeing the troops that appeared, she may have recognized the seriousness of the situation, yet she maintained a thoroughly submissive attitude, claiming simply to be a hired main hacker.
As soon as he suggested hearing the circumstances of the injured mercenaries, the small beast who had hidden her emotions in calmness exploded with passionate intensity.
With a bold attitude that demanded a cute level of improvement in treatment, backed by drug data and a transcript regarding the terror’s mastermind, it was surprising.
Despite having always updated with the latest information via headquarters’ database, the peculiar method that distorted the surrounding waves and implemented organized data was something even the escort droids couldn’t explain.
Finally, there was the sleek figure wrapped in cutting-edge equipment presumed to be a Heylong Zero, which hadn’t even been acquired in Paradise yet.
There were too many doubts to consider her a simple rookie hacker.
However, no matter how he followed the traces,
it was as if she either fell from the sky or emerged from underground—there were no records prior to her citizenship registration.
From every angle, despite scanning with various branded equipment, no surgical scars or disguises were found. It was clear that she had lived with the same appearance, yet there was no common witness testimony or basic human relationships found…
How bad was it that the family of McQueen, who accompanied her during customs, was also investigated?
Yet in the end, the conclusion drawn was in stark opposition to her exterior—pure white.
It was as if she was a relic of an earlier age, a cryogenic human who occasionally appeared. A resource that could walk into Paradise without fear of being intervened upon.
– If there’s a clear threat from the facility management and security departments, we’d like you to disclose its source first, as per the internal agenda. –
“Soon, they may have news that will delight them, so you can ignore it.”
Having confirmed the guest slowly ascending the building with the guide through the camera, Aaron found himself humming unconsciously.
The talent he was eager to seize was resistant, and they were more revealing of their own value than he had imagined.
A major incident that caused the key departments clustered on upper floors to paralyze all at once.
Moreover, according to the log autopsy results, for some unknown reason, the entity that caused it even made themselves look like their external activity droid—how truly malicious that was.
Had the chairman not praised it, saying well done in the summoned emergency meeting, quite a messy scene could have unfolded.
“Now then, since this talent is too precious to limit to our department, let’s provide a flexible position…”
Yet that was all ancient history. Even if she’d come reluctantly, she was still human, and as long as her desires and dreams were persistently stimulated, she would realize what the right choice was.
If he were to organize the previously submitted contract and relevant documents, she would come right away… With a light heart, Aaron focused on his paperwork.
10 minutes… that’s acceptable.
20 minutes. Did she stop by the break room or the restroom along the way?
30 minutes… Considering the entangled building structure, this was taking too long.
Could it be that during the short period he had taken his eyes off the surveillance, she escaped?
Or did the staff of the customer service department forget the precautions and actually guide her to the complaint reception area?
As was fitting of the final decision-maker, his hesitation was brief, and his movements were swift.
He immediately opened the employee directory, searching for the registration number of the guide who must have led Anastasia.
– Huh!! M-Mr. Drayfuscus! Did I make a mistake…?! –
“…It seems quite some time has passed since I confirmed my guest has arrived, hasn’t it?”
Her voice trembled like an earthquake over the direct line to a top executive, not a mere upper-level supervisor.
Normally, he wouldn’t have stooped to tormenting subordinates from other departments.
A Mega Cop executive was someone who actively utilized their mere existence to be a disaster, a terror, a restraint on others.
However, the disappearance of the top-tier hacker intentionally brought into headquarters for capture was a matter that could not be left unattended with a clear mind.
– Ah! If it’s Lady Anastasia Valentine, I took her to the general affairs department as per your instructions! –
“Right now… you said ‘as per your instructions’?”
…It was a mistake to overlook Wise-man, the head of the general affairs department, who loved to meddle here and there.
If the strategic planning department determines the company’s direction, the general affairs department sets and manages that standard.
Yet even seemingly legitimate interference became clear that any actions taken by that opportunist without hold of information would not be beneficial to his planned negotiations.
“…Alright.”
With a deep sigh, Aaron got up from his seat.
Normally, he would have sent a droid, but… the robots roaming headquarters were currently on high alert around the visiting guest, remaining fully concealed in the warehouse.
Unfortunately, he had no choice but to go himself.
“…? Director, don’t you have a meeting coming up shortly…?!”
“A good… no, a bad morning. Yes… I’m sorry.”
“…Mom? I just called because it’s a bit tough… yeah.”
Despite the person trying desperately to maintain their calmness,
the people from the strategic planning department seemed to keenly sense their superior’s annoyance and made way.
Even in a relationship that was supposed to involve good-natured competition, there were lines to be respected, and as Aaron arrived breathlessly at Wise-man’s office, it appeared they were engaged in a rather interesting topic of conversation.
“To that brat Aaron. If he tries to throw his weight around just because he’s above me, I’ll shatter his entire droid collection. In the first place…!!”
Wise-man was ranting as if Anastasia were a clone of Aaron.
“If you had so much to say, you could have resolved it between yourselves before I arrived… Ah, or perhaps you don’t have the courage to say it to her face…?”
“…Ahahaha!”
And then came a forceful statement that was refreshingly blunt, as if the person had completely lost their fear.
Though she had shown meticulous demeanor in various ways, it didn’t seem like she was facing things without any measures.
It didn’t seem bad to remain in a more bystander position.
However, that measure could lead to a major fire or worse calamities, and it was good judgment to interrupt that argument.
“Oho? Mr. Wise-man, you’ve distracted my guest, and now you’re throwing such vulgar remarks regarding the chairman’s department placements…?”
“W-Wha?!”
Upon sensing Aaron’s unexpected intrusion, Wise-man, who had already been aware and was staring at the door, let out a scoff. The girl, who was about to leave the room, stumbled and let out an adorable scream.
Stopping that unstable flailing was not very difficult.
It was just that Wise-man’s following statements became more perplexing.
“…How fortunate. Take your lover and get lost. Your talents for grating each other’s nerves truly seem to be ordained by fate.”
“? Lover…? That’s quite…”
Meaningful glances exchanged briskly.
What is this? No, is it even not? Wasn’t it too late to insist it was not their fault?
A poke prompted an immediate reaction, and clearly feeling uncomfortable in this bizarre position, she struggled and attempted to escape repeatedly.
Well, even though she had been forcibly chased out by an angry Wise-man due to overstepping her bounds, the topic once thrown wouldn’t easily leave his mind.
Right… lover.
The idea, a notion he had never imagined or even contemplated, made Aaron’s eyelids quiver.
…He had indeed deceived his partner to gain an advantage—misleading them into misunderstanding thus was something that had occurred.
The notorious nameplate of Mega Cop, which one should generally fear, was like a winning lottery ticket for someone ambitious, thus taking advantage of it was fairly simple.
On a further note, the natural appearance also carried some weight as a means for negotiation, and it was a standard to use that effectively.
“……”
Despite unsure of what sneaky plot they had devised. Aaron glanced over his shoulder at Anastasia, who was serenely following him with a rather troubled expression.
Her skin was so clear it could be described as transparent.
Her eyes sparkled like jewels, and her hair flowed like the night sky.
For a person of their tastes, it was undoubtedly appealing, and even if they missed the strike zone, it was crystal clear no one would refuse such a beauty.
“…No way.”
She, on the other hand, twisted her body in rejection of being perceived that way, showing no signs of attempting any typical beauty ploys.
After all, the world was vast, and there were many handsome men and beautiful women. These days’ technology even made it possible to create them if they didn’t exist.
The issue was whether that other side could fill the void of deficiencies… the emptiness that the other might possess, leading to a future so absurd it lacked any realism.