Chapter 39

1.

A problem solver. An errand company. A private investigator.

People who receive requests from clients, carry out the request’s content to achieve the goal, and then receive compensation.

From bodyguard services, to theft of items, capture of important individuals, to retaking strongholds—due to the countless types of requests that existed, the fields each problem solver mainly operated in also varied.

However, while the conditions for accepting requests varied among different problem solvers, there was one condition that commonly made them accept a request.

Money. Remuneration.

That was it.

In many cases, whether they accept a request or not is decided by the amount of payment. This was no different in either reality or the Kiburatos Realm, and it was common for problem solvers to be lured by the greed of high-paying requests, no matter how difficult the task.

Thus, some problem solvers often engaged in dangerous and illegal acts for such lucrative rewards.

Of course, if the price is suspiciously high compared to the content, there were cases where the hired individuals harbored doubts and refused the request—

But such situations were, for most, a dream impossible to achieve in the initial stages of starting the problem-solving business.

Then, what is the way to quickly raise one’s recognition and credibility in the early stages of starting such work, and to accumulate funds through more requests?

Some might say it’s luck.

Others might call it networking.

But if there’s something more important than all of that, something everyone yearns for regardless of luck or connections, it would be…

Skill.

Just having overwhelming skill.

If that one problem solver possesses it, they become the ideal choice everyone seeks.

This is a universal value in any world.

Hence…

“Thank you, Anonymous! Truly impressive skills as always!”

“I’ll be on my way then.”

“Right! If there’s another task, I’ll contact you!”

It was almost inevitable that a certain girl, fresh to the world of problem-solving, became famous in this industry in a flash.

2.

There are various features to the requests assigned to problem solvers, but if we consider the daily life of the Kiburatos Realm, it is inevitable that violence accompanies typical assigned requests.

Guarding something, stealing something, destroying something.

In a world where firearms and bombs are common, using dialogue rather than force to resolve a case as a problem solver would be deemed foolish. In this world, there is a tendency to accept violence and destruction as common sense.

Certainly, there are requests that get carried out without resorting to violence, but such cases are as rare as legendary Pokémon.

In other words, the problem-solving industry in the Kiburatos Realm carries a deeply “hard-boiled” nature—an inclination to solve everything with brute force.

And even in the requests involving ‘supernatural phenomena’ and ‘unusual phenomena’, which I set as conditions when taking problem-solving jobs, this tendency was no different.

BOOM!

“AAGH!”

A circular shield, hurtling like a cannonball, struck the abdomen of a tattered robot, rebounding and landing effortlessly in the hands of a girl.

The patched-up robots that had launched the assault — who had introduced themselves as “Simple Happiness” — wavered in their gaze at the sight.

“This… This is tyranny! The one-sided violence of corporate dogs driven by greed!”

“…”

Because most of the ‘supernatural phenomena’ requests that came my way were human-caused. Either the client was mistaken, or they had ulterior motives and were using me for some hidden agenda. Since it was still the early days, most of the requests I encountered were of this kind.

Without sighing, I simply lifted my shield, as this case seemed to fall into the former category. The request was as follows:

To investigate the bizarre noise and laughter heard late at night on the client’s private property.

Upon arriving, instead of any supernatural phenomenon, there were homeless robots.

“What tyranny is this? Invading someone’s private property?”

“Er… Ugh, don’t come any closer!”

In just a few minutes, I drove out the “Simple Happiness” group from the private property, then briefly summarized the situation to the client and sent a message confirming the task’s completion.

Soon after, the client replied with a “thank you” and informed me that the payment had been sent to my account.

“…”

Without confirming, I shoved my phone into my pocket. It wasn’t because I trusted the client; it was because I didn’t want to look at the amount that had been transferred.

“Tch. Calculating bastards.”

A previous request, my first, involved meeting Gematria — it had technically ended in failure. I never uncovered the truth behind the “Higgs” phantom company, and all I got was more secrets on my side.

Even with Himari-senpai and Veritas’ help, it proved impossible. According to Himari-senpai, the systems were protected by a completely new type of firewall, making it hard to breach.

Just as it felt like my first request was collapsing meaninglessly, Gematria sent me my pay. At first, I was angered, feeling it was some mockery, but now, it just irritated me.

Especially after receiving an anonymous message from them.

[We send this to you as a token of affection. Please use it as you wish.]

Affection my ass. Bullshit.

Although my account was now flush, I hadn’t touched the money they sent me.

For no real reason.

I didn’t want to use the money they gave me, and it also crossed my mind that sudden wealth could raise suspicions.

And… the thoughts in my mind still made me feel uneasy.

These had some part in influencing my decision.

“…Let’s get to work.”

Isn’t there a saying that if you can’t solve your worries, you should just keep yourself busy?

Since I hadn’t come to a conclusion about my worries, I decided to focus even harder on my work.

Accept more requests.

Work harder as a hero.

I move steadily toward the path I’ve chosen.

In this process, personal concerns are unnecessary.

“I’ll do what I need to do.”

I immediately accepted the next request.

3.

Despite having not started my job as a problem solver for long, the requests coming my way were quite diverse.

It was difficult to simply find ones matching the conditions I set — “supernatural” or “unusual phenomena.”

Why was it like this?

“Hmm. Becoming famous too quickly is a problem. Honestly, there are even people who suggest general requests instead of what you normally handle.”

“Haha…”

The reason was simple.

It was because of the skills I displayed in the cases.

As mentioned earlier, most “supernatural” cases that came my way were human-caused. In most situations, fights inevitably occurred during the course of these cases, some of which involved difficult numbers to deal with alone.

Yet, I solved every single one of them, no matter the situation, causing rumors about me to spread immediately.

For these reasons, one of my nicknames in the business was “the problem solver who asks for trouble.”

Even though it would just be easier to accept lucrative requests, I stubbornly stuck to the “supernatural phenomena” field.

Still, because of my exceptional skills, no one dismissed me; instead, they commented that it was a waste.

“This is something Hiiro needs to choose. In fact, these activities are mainly intended to supplement his role as a member of the Special Task Force for the Supernatural, not solely for supernatural investigation.”

Should I only take supernatural investigation requests?

Or should I also take on other kinds of requests?

The answer was simple.

“I’ll also take other kinds of requests and handle them simultaneously.”

In the first place, this activity wasn’t just Silk’s, but also the activity of student “Nanashi Hiiro” to raise recognition and expand his sphere of influence.

Getting recognized by more people through a variety of requests is also a satisfying task.

“Ho ho. I thought you’d say that. Here.”

Himari seemed to guess my thoughts and immediately sent me a prepared request. After reading it, I looked at her with wide eyes.

“Himari-senpai, this request…?”

“Ho ho, it’s a simple firepower support request. Some rogue elements have seized and are using Millennium’s power facilities without permission. All you have to do is take them down; it’s a very simple task.”

Even after Himari’s explanation, I couldn’t calm down because I wasn’t focused on that aspect.

“Isn’t there something odd about the client and special notes?”

“I trust my junior to easily handle this level.”

That’s not the point!

Looking at the request she handed over with my trembling eyes, I read…

[Millennium Eastern Power Facility Recovery Request]

[Client: Millennium Seminar]

[Special Notes: Collaboration with C&C]

Nothing but names I want to avoid, dangerous ones.

Are you telling me to do this now?

I decided to take more requests to reduce my worries, but now they seem only to increase.

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