NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63
It wasn’t officially disclosed that Kojaka was raising a ‘Ninja’ unit, but many people living in Neon City already knew that fact.
Similar kinds exist, like the tactical members of Heishukai and the Asymmetric Security Department of Monolith.
Among those megacorp’s special operatives, the leader of the Hato unit, directly assisting Kojaka Kohaku, found himself unable to believe the reality he faced.
He struggled to move even a single eyelid.
In such a situation, after trying everything to open his eyes, all he could see was the tatami pattern on the floor.
To him, the current situation felt like a nightmare.
“Move…! You must move…!”
Even focusing his mind and trying to exert strength throughout his whole body did nothing.
His body lay sprawled out like a puppet with its strings cut.
There was only one thing he could do.
Bite his teeth in self-loathing.
Had his training been lacking?
No, that couldn’t be the case.
He spent every day vomiting from training and did everything he could to not become a burden to his master.
If that were the case, was it the gap in skill?
Probably not that either.
The Kojaka family he served belonged to one of the world’s top mega corporations.
It could be seen just by looking at the types of implants installed in the lower-level employees, excluded from the ninja leader.
The ‘anti-hacking measures’ for major intelligence operations amounted to dozens.
And just counting the implants installed to prevent electromagnetic pulse would be hard to do with one hand.
And the result of that…
Was that every ninja, including the leader, had collapsed and been neutralized in an instant.
The leader closed his eyes and activated his vision interface. He wanted to confirm the last warning message that appeared in the system notifications.
《Hacking Risk Detected》
“……”
He contemplated upon seeing the warning.
‘This can’t be hacking.’
It was practically impossible for a hacker unit operating secretly in the city.
At least, that’s what he thought within the bounds of his knowledge.
‘… My lady, no matter how much you say you can’t catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den, who on earth have you brought?’
The ninja leader couldn’t even imagine who they were.
In that situation, while the ninjas were still crawling on the floor…
Their companion, Lee Siwoon, approached where the ninja leader lay collapsed.
Lee Siwoon slowly opened his mouth.
“Where’s the kitchen? I want some popcorn…”
……
‘Who on earth did you really bring…’
Unable to open his mouth due to the hacking, the ninja leader couldn’t answer Siwoon’s question.
Of course, even if he could open his mouth, he wouldn’t have answered.
—
What a shame.
I thought to myself as I picked up a snack.
No popcorn or soda, but there was still green tea and snacks.
“This is delicious.”
“I agree.”
“Right?”
We briefly appreciated the snacks on the tray as we filled our stomachs.
One reason being that Eve had said ‘There’s no poison in this’ just before we were about to eat.
While it seemed like we were too relaxed, to be honest, even if I wanted to stay tense…
It wasn’t easy to maintain that tension in the midst of a continuous couple quarrel.
“I told you they were important people!”
“… So I got tested once—”
“Stop!”
Slurp, I took a sip of tea.
Gone was the girl who had been raising her voice, pulling at the hair of the middle-aged man (who had come in with shoes).
The girl could only cautiously present a small voice in opposition and didn’t take any action.
Does the body age also mean the mind ages?
A faint mist of tears lingered in the eyes of Kojaka Kohaku. She puffed her cheeks and walked out the sliding door.
While she seemed to be a typical girl of her appearance…
Hmm.
If I think about it, my memory says that Kojaka William is nearing 80 years old.
She also claimed to be the ‘eldest daughter’ of the Kojaka family founder, Kojaka Nobukuro.
So then the question remains.
How old could she possibly be?
Curious about that point, I asked her earlier about her ‘age,’ but I hadn’t received an answer yet.
I could only guess she might be around the same age as Kojaka William.
The proud figure of Kojaka William, having won the war, turned his gaze towards us.
Had he momentarily forgotten our presence? His brows furrowed in a slight ‘八’ shape.
As he approached us, his once proud shoulders began to seem a bit narrower.
Kojaka William chuckled lightly and spoke to us.
“Ahem, I’m sorry for this. Is it because my body has aged, or is my wife a little childish?”
It seemed more like she didn’t think about the aftermath of her actions rather than being childish.
But I didn’t feel the need to contradict his words.
“Well, that could happen.”
And just in case.
Even if a battle broke out here, I felt no need to worry.
I was preparing by gathering mana just in case.
Upon hearing my answer, Kojaka William’s expression brightened.
He probably thought I would be difficult with my response.
Kojaka William adjusted his tie, readied his voice, and straightened up.
It seemed he was feeling embarrassed now about having quarreled in front of guests.
“Anyway, we’ve shown an unpleasant sight.”
“It sure was a spectacle.”
“……”
I lightly replied, meaning not to feel awkward, but Kojaka William fixed his narrowed eyes on me.
Well, it was true.
It was a rarity even to pay for such a sight.
Kojaka William sat down in front of us.
Maybe he was thirsty from the couple quarrel, he gestured to an employee standing in the back to bring more tea.
By the way, the ninjas who were collapsed quickly stood up and vanished somewhere when Eve ended her hacking.
The ninja who had asked where the kitchen was had looked at me with striking intensity, but I brushed off the feeling and turned away.
Kojaka William took a sip of the warm tea and spoke.
“Did you hear about that guy while I was gone?”
“No.”
“… Hah.”
Kojaka William let out a light sigh.
He wanted to introduce us to Kojaka Kohaku, but it was all just to hear an explanation about Smile John.
Now that he learned we hadn’t heard any explanation, he seemed to get a sudden headache.
……
Wasn’t it also a mistake for Kojaka William to come in without taking off his shoes?
I quietly thought about this.
As we drank tea, we waited for Kojaka Kohaku, who had gone outside to return.
I suddenly felt a change in the air.
After years of mercenary life, I learned that ‘intuition’ isn’t fake.
A different scent wafted through, and every pore on my skin stood on end.
In short, it was an ‘ominous premonition.’
It wasn’t just me who felt it.
Catherine also set down her snack.
She tightened her expression and assumed a posture ready to jump out at any moment.
Eve, noticing the sudden change in expression of Nana and Catherine, also seemed to sense something was off as she glanced around.
Just then, Kojaka Kohaku stepped out from behind the sliding door.
Her disheveled hair from the couple’s quarrel and the mist under her eyes remained.
“… Um.”
She started to speak but couldn’t follow through and lingered uncertainly.
In response to that atmosphere, Kojaka William seemed to notice something off and spoke to her.
“… I was too harsh earlier, so hurry and wash your face and—”
“Kojaka Nobukuro just contacted me.”
“……”
Kojaka Nobukuro.
The girl’s father.
And also, the mascot character, Pete Mc.
To us, the terrorist, Smile John.
“Right now, he’s telling ‘everyone’ to come up…”
He was looking for us.
Upon hearing that, I stood up.
Catherine and Eve also rose together with me. Eve seemed somewhat unfamiliar with the sensation of her legs falling asleep and shook them about.
“Well, we should go since he’s calling us.”
I said as I prepared to move.
In fact, it was something I had somewhat anticipated from the beginning. It was almost late.
Since we hadn’t disguised ourselves or snuck in to avoid cameras or people.
I thought there was no way Smile John wouldn’t know we were coming through the amusement park.
“… Wait a minute.”
Kojaka William was about to say something to us, but I waved my hand to stop him.
“No, if that person already knows we’re here, there aren’t many options left.”
“… No matter how you say it, this is Kojaka’s headquarters. What if he’s set a trap?”
I turned my head to look at Catherine and Eve.
……
With Eve (Super Artificial Intelligence) and Catherine (Game Protagonist) by my side…
I had little to fear.
“It will be fine.”
It meant even if we ‘fight,’ it would be okay.
However, Kojaka William slowly nodded his head as if he understood my words differently.
“… Right, he must have some thoughts.”
While I was thinking of fighting if things went wrong, I didn’t bother to explain that to him since good is good.
“Let’s go and just see what he has to say.”
At my words, Kojaka William took a deep breath as if to prepare himself.
Catherine stretched her arms wide and yawned, while Eve quietly moved behind me, preparing to follow.
Only Kojaka Kohaku, who did not know us and was unable to grasp the situation, was looking around in confusion with her tender eyes.
In any case…
I didn’t stop gathering mana.
—
Beyond the gigantic monitor, a character resembling a personified mouse moved.
【I lost! I surrender!】
“?”
What is this?