Supporting Characters in the Game are Obsessed

Mass media turns into ‘money.’

Interest is money, and money is power.

This was a saying even in the cyberpunk world steeped in extreme capitalism.

A company with exclusive broadcasting rights in a city, actively engaging only in that city through corporate warfare.

It was widely known that NCB24 (NeonCity Broadcasting 24) held absolute power in Neon City.

While other companies operated from a single headquarters building, NCB24 filled its vast premises with multiple dedicated buildings.

Many people walked around in the area designed like a street.

There were famous celebrities seen only on broadcasts, and numerous influencers exerting massive influence online.

It felt somewhat similar to the high-profile company party I attended with Chairman Monolith last time.

But there was one difference.

Back then, there were many people typically seen on news or current affairs programs, while now, there were many celebrities consumed in light snack culture like variety shows.

Before I knew it, my gaze was drawn to a passing celebrity.

Wow.

That person has four boobs.

…….

I decided to pretend I didn’t see it.

After all, what’s important about breasts is their size, shape, and feel.

I have no desire for them to increase in number.

[……What if.]

“I’m definitely not thinking that.”

Eve, sharing my gaze, questioned me but strongly denied it with her soul on the line.

I followed Andrea, moving through the premises. According to NCB24 broadcasting regulations, cars couldn’t be driven inside, so everyone walked instead of riding.

However, the ‘cars’ apparently did not include aerial vehicles.

Looking up, I saw several aerial cars flying around in the sky.

The fortunate point was that there were almost no regular civilians among the people walking around the premises.

I heard access was completely restricted, which meant there wasn’t much attention drawn to Nana and Andrea either.

At most, people would be sneaking glances.

For that reason, we were able to arrive at our intended building without any commotion or issues.

Continuing to follow Andrea’s guidance, we opened the door marked ‘Dressing Room.’ There appeared to be no one inside other than us.

Only after entering the waiting room did I start to feel the reality hit me.

Seeing my tense demeanor, Andrea, possibly worried, brought me clean water.

“It’ll be fine; just relax.”

“…Uh-huh.”

By the way, water was a more expensive liquid than beverages in the cyberpunk world, so I didn’t refuse the offered water but drank it right away.

“Haah.”

I let out a short sigh.

[Heart rate increasing, I recommend deep breathing.]

“Right, take a deep breath.”

Hearing Eve’s words, Andrea seemed to agree, advising me as well.

I replied without showing any reaction.

“…Should I?”

Since we were inside a corporate building, there should at least be an air purification system.

It felt stuffy with the mask on.

I was thinking of taking off the mask when─.

At that moment, a huge shadow appeared, opening the dressing room door.

It may not have actually happened, but.

With each step it took, it felt like thud-thud echoed.

That ominous green gaze moved towards me.

“Is this the person?”

“…….”

Given its size, the voice was surprisingly high-pitched.

Unless it had undergone vocal implant surgery,

the fact that this mass was a ‘woman’ spoke volumes.

‘Holy….’

I looked up at the ‘Orc,’ unsure if it was a he or she, in shock.

It seemed bigger than Smith.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jane, the president of ‘Andrea Rose’s’ agency.”

A giant hand reached out towards me.

I wondered if it was about to grab my collar. Luckily, it was just a gesture to shake hands.

(She probably) smiled at me.

It seemed like an action meant to appear harmless, but to me, who had to look up for a long time, it felt like the smile of a beast.

“I heard there’s a scandal involving our Andrea….”

…….

I just wanted to go home.

In the cyberpunk world, Orcs are a race that faces a lot of discrimination from birth.

You could tell just by looking at their ‘names.’

The gatekeeper ‘Smith’ of No Answer.

‘John,’ who runs a taco shop in front of his house.

And now, ‘Jane’ standing in front of me.

They hardly ever attached surnames to their names. Moreover, the moment they add a surname to their name, they begin to be rejected by their cartel for not being ‘green-skinned.’

Commonly, the behaviors labeled as ‘Orc’ that deviated from the green skin stereotype included:

Wearing masks because the air quality wasn’t great.
Using filters when drinking water for health reasons.
Using silencers when shooting guns.
Using cheat weapons in knife fights.

Smith once said his brothers didn’t particularly like him.

It was a culture that stemmed from such bad customs.

However, to be born an ‘Orc’ and be the president of an agency,

I suddenly began to feel respect.

I thought while accepting Jane’s handshake.

If her grip had been even slightly stronger, I would’ve made an excuse about a broken hand and fled.

But regrettably, Jane concluded the handshake with a very normal strength.

“…Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Lee Siwoon.”

As I finished shaking hands, I took another look at Jane’s complexion.

It was hard to read expressions on Orcs just by looking at their faces. Their naturally fierce looks made it tough to tell if they were smiling or not.

Still, for now, I didn’t sense any hostile feelings from her smiling face.

Which made sense.

“I’m sorry beforehand.”

Jane inclined her head without any premonition after receiving my greeting.

“I apologize for the controversial situation caused by the post from our Andrea.”

“…….”

Hmm.

In the cyberpunk world, she was a rare reasonable person who might be among the top 10% of humanity.

I became embarrassed for misjudging her based on her appearance alone.

So here I was, the racial discriminator who suspected people based on their race and face….

I reflected on myself.

“No, it’s alright. Such things can happen in life.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Jane smiled as she said this.

The viciously curved tusks stuck out from the bottom.

…….

No, it still looks scary.

Personally, I think the negative perception of Orcs has a lot to do with their fierce appearances.

After Jane, who had greeted me first, approached Andrea.

“You.”

“What.”

“……Never mind.”

She then let out a big sigh.

Her expression reminded me a bit of how Catherine looks at me sometimes.

Roughly putting it into words, it felt like ‘What should I do with this Gyeomjok….’

Seeing the stark difference in Jane’s reaction compared to how she treated me, Andrea responded to Jane.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Idiot.”

“?”

It looked like a cheap skit.

Maybe their relationship wasn’t as formal as I thought; I watched the Elf and Orc bicker.

Andrea, who was stretching Jane’s cheeks, noticed my presence and quickly regained her composure.

“Ahem, did you get introduced? This is the president of my agency.”

“Is it okay to talk to the president like that?”

To my question, Andrea lightly replied.

“We’ve known each other for a while.”

“Oh?”

I turned back to Jane.

If Andrea had known her for a while, I might have seen her too while coming and going.

But I didn’t recognize her face.

Part of it might be because I found it hard to distinguish Orc faces.

It’s like seeing a foreigner; if there are no distinctive features, it’s tough to tell them apart.

“You probably saw me at least once.”

Jane casually answered with a smile.

At that moment, words appeared on a hologram panel in one corner of the waiting room.

“Next broadcast, ‘Rex Nova Show Live’ in 1 hour.”

Ding, it chimed, drawing everyone’s gaze to the hologram panel.

“It’s starting soon.”

Andrea, accustomed to the broadcasting system, naturally sat down and crossed her legs.

But I couldn’t stay at ease like her.

The sight of the giant Orc brought back the reality I had momentarily forgotten.

“……Haa.”

I shook my head, trying to clear my mind.

…I feel even more nervous than when falling from an airship without a parachute.

And my body was starting to stiffen with tension.

What was I trying to do earlier?

Right, I was going to take a deep breath first.

I removed the mask I was wearing.

With gloved hands, I wiped my face dry.

In that state, I took a deep breath.

Then exhaled.

Repeating that a few times, I turned my head to the mirror in the dressing room.

My dark circles stood out prominently.

Due to my frail stamina attribute, no matter how much sleep I got, the dark circles around my eyes never seemed to fade.

Since masks were rarely removed outside, seeing my face like this felt like it had been ages.

‘I look really unmotivated.’

Still, aside from that, (according to Catherine) I had a decent face objectively.

But suddenly, I sensed the surrounding air became quiet.

Looking around, Andrea and Jane were silently staring at me.

Especially, Jane’s gaze was piercing through me.

…….

It suddenly felt burdensome.

What, why are they looking at me?

Then, the giant shadow approached me again.

Once more, thud-thud echoed in my mind.

Jane lowered her head deeply to match her line of sight to mine.

I thought if she was a woman, she’d have a pig-nose since she’s an Orc, but up close, that wasn’t the case.

It seemed she had something she wanted to say.

I hid my panic, waiting for her to speak.

“Perhaps─.”

“Yes.”

Jane began speaking to me.

“Are you thinking of becoming a celebrity?”

“?”

“…With your uniqueness as a mercenary and a wizard, I can help you become famous like Andrea. Join us.”

“I absolutely won’t.”

I gritted my teeth and rejected her.

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