Chapter 180

[ Honestly, I understand why they’re wary of reverse engineering, given they publicly declared they would record. ]

[ It’s ridiculous that I ran the cheat engine to play a bit of a hentai game and got my account banned!!! ]

[ The developers who have a high opinion of Koreans would be totally shocked seeing this mess, lol. ]

…….

….

….

[ Hey, is the person who said they saw a peculiar dialogue while playing maliciously around here? Can I ask just one thing?? ]

: I feel like I might have found a hint to truly enter the ending scenario. Am I perhaps the first in the world??

There exists a concept called “unwritten rules.”

Originally, it referred to when customs or moral norms became solidified to the point of having actual legal effects, or when accumulated case law influenced the judgments made by later judges.

It’s a term that may seem quite heavy for something we lightly refer to as “implicit rules.”

Depending on who hears this, they might get a negative feeling, but there’s also a degree of interpretation that could simply be understood as accepting that it is what it is.

Me? Well, I’ve had some fun by taking advantage of those rules… and now that I trust that and am keeping a low profile, I have no complaints as long as everyone goes along with it. Hmm.

Anyway, the unwritten rules that currently govern my, our, actions amounted to two:

One is a value I believe will be upheld, and the other is a guideline I’m certain won’t be followed.

The former being the concept of an implicit peace zone where no gunfire or conflict is allowed under the jurisdiction of the black market.

In the game, this is set as a safe zone where actions like drawing weapons are completely impossible unless it’s a special event, but… here, it’s difficult to expect that level of enforcement. Still, the fact that outside of planned ambushes, any threats can be dismissed is certainly appreciated.

The issue lies with the latter. In other words, the latter… even if it’s not Mega Cop, when it comes to important matters related to larger corporations, they tend to lower the reporting level out of consideration for the social order and public morals they maintain.

However, how much of that will hold up if a large-scale gunfight happens in the city, especially if it involves a high-profile fall from grace at an upper-class party?

Although press control is the norm in society, this area is geographically a successor to the U.S.

The long-standing tradition of “I don’t want to? Tough!” is standard, and it’s honestly odd to believe that the restrictions on reporting—which often remained unobserved—would be honored this time.

Of course, that belief leads to…….

“……be careful. I’d rather not end up in a situation where I’m a victim of whoever might follow me thinking, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize someone was after me!’.”

– So, should we consider articles like “Enema’s Secret Preference? Preferring petite girls who look breakable over tall beauties!?” or “Who is the black inspector’s mysterious woman?” as a genuine pursuit threat? –

“Of course…? What, are you saying I have to find such bizarre pronouns? Ugh…! Just give me the media outlet’s address first.”

Immediately bowing his head at my statement,

Zero, who was diligently transmitting navigation data, blinked at several external nodes as if he was worried.

– …If you’re planning to move directly, I’d rather carry out the sabotage myself. –

“No, don’t treat me like a calamity that destroys everything wherever I go! Just the internet address and access link!!”

I couldn’t outright deny it since I had no grounds, but it was wrapped in an unreasonable imagination, so I scolded him before checking the received message.

While I’d use my abilities, there was no need to go grand with crashing websites or smashing articles.

I just needed to fix the path taken when all the hyperlinks and images on the homepage were clicked to a random porn site.

Glancing, it appeared to be a place already inundated with clickbait articles that would likely attract the ire of an unspecified multitude, so even if they retaliate now, it wouldn’t be strange.

“Phew….”

Thud.

I exhaled the breath I had temporarily regulated and laid down on the bed.

Additionally, to replenish the calories I had expended, I slurped from my drink straw lazily.

Ultimately, based on several unwritten rules and facts, what we were doing was to ensure safety regarding the escape event from that day as it turned out to be far more raucous than anticipated, so we’ve been laying low for about a week.

Checking whether or not I had a tail.

…Why does that thought process or mindset seem so criminal? Absolutely not…!

Neo Heaven continuously offers the lesson that the choices are free, but the consequences are yours alone.

According to the actions of the players undertaking quests and missions, various factors like changes in character affinities, bounties, and faction relationships affect everything constantly.

If I were to put it strongly, I could say it’s indoctrinated.

In any case, mixing the experiential standards I’ve built over thousands of hours with the current social legislation of Neo Heaven, if I roughly judge it….

Unauthorized exit during operations is subject to strict penalties such as wage reductions and suspensions under internal regulations, but excluding Enema from that for now.

Residential intrusions and special thefts… have become ambiguous since the involved parties have disappeared, but rights remain, so even if they aren’t pursued now, if they do come into effect, I’d be harassed for at least 20-30 years.

The officially most serious crime of murder of Officer Heilong might amount to fifty years in prison, even considering justifiable defense? This could vary depending on Heilong’s disposition, but it’s dangerous to hope for leniency.

On top of that, if Show vanished without answering me, causing me to hold a somewhat unsatisfying grudge… I could be forced to trudge exclusively within the realm of unregulated labor soon.

“……Ah, please.”

Even though escaping from such a stifling environment where I had to be cautious with every single word was the priority, I behaved this way.

The more I thought about it, the more I was annoyed with the circumstances that coerced me into making such choices.

…I’m tired! I’m so tired!

It’s not that I have complaints about checking into a business hotel and resolving all my meals with room service while lounging around, but it’s the subtle lingering consequences that keep bothering me!

And on top of that, I’m just depleting a savings account that seems to have no days of abundance.

It’d be so convenient if the matters of the world would maintain the shape molded like clay, but always, the moment the hands touch or pull away, it bounces back unexpectedly causing a headache.

…Along with being snagged by odd things.

Even if the game continually provided fresh feelings, I didn’t want to receive reality in a similar manner.

“Ugh…! Is Kajun really working to the bone? Why hasn’t there been any news! Can I consider no news to be good news?”

– Did you perhaps set something special up? Such as a signal guaranteeing Ahsa’s safety? –

“…….”

As I thrashed on the bed sheets, Zero, sitting on the floor while diligently web surfing and keeping vigilance around, posed a reasonable question.

It’s understandable that they’re worried since I’m the one who has to determine the destination of our party while just lounging around… but sorry, I didn’t have any saved contacts.

I didn’t want to give them any chance to complicate matters further, and I believed that at this stage, it would naturally result in a sort of “Well, the deal’s done, I’ll take my leave now” as a cool and charming villainous team disbandment.

Thus, the retirement process according to that failed contract would also naturally be completed. Hmm.

…See you later, you jerk.

“……I’m sorry.”

– ? As long as I can serve Ahsa anywhere, I’m fine. –

I began by apologizing, seeing Zero’s body still rugged and not having received proper repairs.

In the end, even though I managed to escape from Enema, I only faced losses… the captain at the helm is largely at fault. It’s a huge fault.

But I can’t keep stalling like this forever, so soon, whether external threats are hovering or not, I’ll have to decide on our course of action~ I thought at that moment.

Finally, a certain piece of contact arrived from the detestable villain. And it was through the only remaining channel.

Beep!

“Hmm?”

I blink.

Most of the unnecessary notification sounds from my cyberware were muted, so it was rare for any meaningless sound to ring in my ears.

I’d heard that some malicious ads or programs trick users by overriding settings, but that wouldn’t work on me.

If that’s the case, it means at least it’s a contact from one of the few members in my contact list or related to some important function.

[ 1,290,000,000 C has been deposited into the virtual account of Anastasia Makarovich. ]

[ Depositor’s message: I’m not sure if you truly need this, but I initiated the transfer to prove that the procedures are complete. Well, it’s clear this will be a dummy account so I estimated it appropriately… look forward to the next time. Dearest senior. ]

“Uh.”

With all that I heard, I didn’t even think to snark about what the next time meant between us, nor question the odd title.

What immediately shocked me was the overwhelming sequence of numbers I had never experienced before, thrilling me as the jackpot pleasure tingled down my spine.

I may not be rich, but I finally got hit with a monetary windfall…!!