"..."
"..."
After sending Harun off, the interior of the car sank into a long silence.
Kael was resting his chin on one hand, gazing out the window.
He did not say a word.
Even amidst such an awkward atmosphere, Elena was prepared to respond to him at any moment.
She was the Chief Secretary of Seraph Industry.
And she was someone who understood and executed the Representative's orders more precisely than anyone else.
This task was an assignment personally entrusted to her by Adrian Arkwright.
Guide Kael and Harun to the Surface Level comfortably, and provide them with compensation.
And.
Do not leave a bad impression on the young man named Kael.
No.
Win his favor, if possible.
Elena maintained a calm expression on the outside, but a question lingered in her mind.
'What could possibly be so special about this man?'
Of course, protecting the Representative's granddaughter in the Underground Level was reason enough to warrant VIP treatment.
That much was understandable.
The things he had directly requested from the Representative as compensation.
None of it posed any significant burden to Seraph Industry.
In fact, it could even be considered excessively modest.
However, Adrian had emphasized and added another order to her.
Do not do anything to upset Kael, and naturally gather information about him.
Build a cooperative relationship, if possible.
However.
Why?
The doubts that arose regarding his orders did not easily fade.
Without lowering her gaze, Elena quietly operated her wrist terminal.
Then, she accessed the Seraph internal network and began searching for information on Kael.
[Kael]
[Origin: Unknown]
[Existing Citizen Registration Record: None]
[Illegal Immigrant Detention Record: Confirmed]
[Temporary Labor Contract Record: Confirmed]
[Last Known Residence: Magiterra Lower District, 7th Industrial District, D-12 Block, Underground 20th Floor, Unit 1409]
[ACU Registration: None]
[Cyberware Registration: None]
[Biometric Assistive Device: None]
Everything up to this point was information she already knew.
The problem was what came next.
[Special Notes: ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■]
Elena's finger froze at the black bar concealing part of the information.
'A security lock?'
As the Chief Secretary of Seraph Industry, she possessed clearance to access up to Level 1 classified files.
With her level of authority, she could view almost all high-level data within Seraph. Of course, top-secret minutes from the Board of Directors or materials on the level of the Representative's personal safe were exceptions, but general personnel, security, and technical records should never have been blocked.
Elena submitted an access request, but.
[Requesting Access]
[Verifying Clearance]
[Access Denied]
An unexpected outcome occurred.
However, thinking there had been a mistake, she submitted the request once more.
[Access Denied]
She could not understand it.
If it was information that even her clearance could not open, the number of people who could access it was limited to just one.
A protocol directly under the Seraph Representative.
It was information locked under the personal authority of Adrian Arkwright.
'A security lock set directly by the Representative.'
Elena looked back at Kael.
Looking strictly at the verifiable information on the surface, he was an ordinary person. Well, although people without ACUs or cyberware were rare in this day and age, such people did exist, often referred to as minimalists.
However, that was not what mattered right now.
Just what kind of information had the Representative hidden by going as far as setting a security protocol himself?
Her curiosity only deepened, but...
She was the Chief Secretary.
If it was information blocked directly by the Representative, there was no reason to force her way through. No, she must not do so.
Just then.
"Excuse me."
At the sudden voice, Elena's fingers froze.
"Y-Yes?"
Her reaction had lagged for a brief instant.
It was a very minor slip, but Elena reproached herself inwardly and quickly straightened her expression.
"Is there something you need, Mr. Kael?"
Without taking his eyes off the window, Kael asked.
"Where is public security the worst around here?"
Elena was momentarily at a loss for words.
Because the question was so bizarre.
Someone who had just arrived at the Surface Level would usually ask the exact opposite.
Yet, he was asking for the place with the worst public security.
Wondering if she had misheard, Elena carefully asked back.
"Did you say the place with the worst public security?"
"Yeah."
"..."
She had to answer.
"By Surface Level standards, the area with the most unstable public security is the Graverock Block in the Eastern Outer Circulation District."
When she operated her terminal to bring up a holographic map, an area close to the outskirts of the Surface Level was outlined in red.
"Its official name is the 9th Outer Residential District, but locals call it Graverock. Although it is not directly connected to the Underground Level, it is home to a mix of illegal immigrants, unregistered laborers, retired mercenaries, and low-level gangs. It is far from the Seraph Management Zone, and security dispatch times are quite slow."
Kael glanced at the map for a moment, then spoke with an indifferent expression.
"Then I'll make that my residence."
"..."
Silence fell over the inside of the vehicle at his words.
For a moment, Elena doubted her own ears.
"P-Pardon?"
It was a reaction unbefitting the Chief Secretary of Seraph Industry.
Yet, this time, she could not help it. Anyone in her position would have reacted the exact same way.
"Mr. Kael. The place you just mentioned is not a recommended residential area."
"You said the security is bad."
"Yes. That is precisely why I am saying this. The Graverock Block is dangerous."
Elena tried to explain as calmly as possible.
"Just because it is the Surface Level does not mean everywhere is safe. In particular, the outer districts have organizations operating outside the official security network. While the Seraph name can serve as a shield to some extent, it is not absolute."
"It's fine."
"It is not fine."
Elena spoke a bit firmly without even realizing it.
At her words, Kael looked at her.
His eyes wondered why she was stopping him so adamantly, so Elena caught her breath and spoke again.
"According to your current registered profile, Mr. Kael, you have neither an ACU nor cyberware. The Graverock Block is not a good place for an ordinary human to live safely."
Elena continued carefully.
"The Representative instructed me to treat you with utmost courtesy, Mr. Kael. That did not mean leaving you neglected in a dangerous place."
"It's not being neglected."
Kael replied calmly.
"Because I'm the one who chose it."
"Even so, I cannot simply guide you there."
Even then, Elena continued trying her best to persuade him.
"Residential facilities within the Seraph Management Zone are fully equipped with crime prevention, medical care, meals, communications, and transit rights. Graverock lacks such amenities. In particular, since you are not yet accustomed to life on the Surface Level, Mr. Kael, it could be all the more dangerous."
"I just have to get used to it."
"Problems could arise in that proc—"
"If a problem arises, I can just solve it."
At his stubbornness, Elena closed her mouth and eventually raised her terminal.
"...I will contact the Representative for a moment."
Kael shrugged his shoulders.
"Sure."
Elena contacted Adrian Arkwright through his private line.
The connection did not take long.
- What is it?
"Representative. I need to confirm a matter regarding Mr. Kael's residence."
- Is there a problem?
"Mr. Kael wishes for the Graverock Block rather than the secure residential facilities within the Seraph Management Zone."
A brief silence followed.
Elena thought the Representative would naturally refuse.
- Is that so?
However.
- So that's how he's playing it.
"Representative?"
A quiet chuckle came from across the terminal.
- How interesting. Do as he wishes.
"However, that place is dangerous."
- I know.
"According to Mr. Kael's registered profile, he is a pure human with neither an ACU nor cyberware. The Graverock Block is unsuitable."
- Elena.
Adrian's voice grew slightly serious.
- Do not judge that young man solely by his registered information.
At his abruptly altered demeanor, Elena caught her breath.
- And if he goes out of his way to choose that place, he must have a reason.
"...Understood."
- Just don't put surveillance on him. Don't blatantly deploy protection personnel, either.
Elena glanced cautiously at Kael for a moment, then asked in a voice so quiet he could not hear.
"...Are you saying we should completely neglect him?"
- No. Watch from afar. From very far away. Far enough that he won't notice.
"..."
- If you think it will be too difficult, don't do it.
Adrian spoke as if reading her mind.
- Because that's better than getting on his bad side.
"Yes, Representative."
- And Elena.
"Yes."
- Grant what he asks for as much as possible. However, leave an avenue open so he can reach out to us.
"I will keep that in mind."
The call ended, but Elena stared down at her terminal for a while.
Kael was still nonchalant.
"Is it settled now?"
Elena let out a short breath.
"Yes."
She composed her expression professionally.
"The Representative told me to respect your wishes, Mr. Kael."
"Then to Graverock."
"Understood."
Elena transmitted a message toward the driver's seat.
"Change destination. 9th Outer Residential District, Graverock Block."
- Confirmed.
The vehicle's route changed.
Deviating from the road leading to the Seraph Management Zone, it gradually turned toward the outer circulation district.
***
The vehicle came to a stop before the boundary of the Graverock Block.
Officially known as the 9th Outer Residential District, it was one of the areas with the highest crime rates in Magiterra.
As the vehicle door opened, the air of the Surface Level surged inside.
Kael slowly stepped outside.
Elena also stepped out behind him.
"Mr. Kael."
"What is it?"
She pulled a small business card from inside her coat.
It was a thin card engraved with a silver circuit pattern against a black background.
"Here is my business card, so please contact me immediately if you need anything or find yourself in danger."
Kael looked at it, thought for a moment, and was about to refuse.
Seeing Elena's expression, he let out a short sigh.
"Fine."
In the end, he took the business card and slipped it into his pocket.
At that, Elena's expression seemed to soften ever so slightly.
She bowed her head once more.
"I will prepare candidate residences and basic supplies. However, this district is not a Seraph Management Zone. I advise you to avoid unnecessary conflict as much as possible."
"I'll try."
As if that answer was not particularly reassuring, Elena gazed at Kael for a moment.
Then, she got into the vehicle and headed toward her next destination for her subsequent duties.
Once the vehicle departed, Kael stood in place and stretched.
A faint crack popped from his shoulders and neck.
"Am I finally free?"
He looked around and muttered to himself.
"No. Is this the beginning?"
The Graverock Block had an entirely different atmosphere from the general residential district where Harun had gotten off.
The exterior walls of the buildings had basic maintenance fitting for the Surface Level, but cracks ran through various spots.
The billboards were filled with excessively bright neon signs and provocative, sensational content.
Things like ads for cheap tranquilizers, ads for procedures bordering on illegal circuit enhancements, and recruitment phrases for daily labor contracts.
"..."
The people on the street either averted their eyes the moment they saw Kael or, conversely, sized him up openly.
Still, it was better than the Underground Level.
At least the air was fresher compared to the suffocating stench of filth, and he didn't have to dodge trash falling from the sky.
Even so, judging by appearances alone, it was undeniably a neighborhood with poor public security.
However, that was precisely why Kael had chosen this place.
Taking slow steps, Kael began to recall his plan once more.
A legitimate ACU user had little reason to go out of their way to hole up in a district like this.
And those who used High-Rank ACUs would surely work for corporations or operate solo.
There would be no reason for them to be in such a secluded place.
However.
Low-rank magicians who had committed crimes were different.
The scoundrels' den that every city inevitably possessed was the perfect place for them to hide away.
No one would complain if he stole ACUs from them.
It wasn't an area where the police operated properly, and such people were even less likely to have ties to corporations.
What's more, it would ease the burden on his conscience.
In this world, he needed a spark to reawaken his circuit.
By that standard, this district was a fairly decent candidate for a hunting ground.
Besides, he didn't like the idea of dancing in the palm of corporations either.
No matter how favorable they were, Seraph Industry was still a corporation.
Kael had no intention of riding on the goodwill of such people for too long.
It was then.
He heard signs of presence deep inside the alley.
'One, two, three... no, more than that.'
Even so, Kael did not stop walking.
Soon, several people swarmed out from the dark alley.
One wore a leather jacket and sported a prosthetic arm bearing traces of illegal modifications.
Another was armed with a cheap blade and gun.
All sorts of punks entered his sight, but Kael paid them little mind.
Then, something embedded in the neck of one guy caught his eye.
An ACU.
They blocked the road, surrounding Kael.
The gazes he had felt from a distance earlier were probably from these guys.
The man standing at the very front scanned Kael up and down.
Embedded in the nape of his neck was an ACU that appeared to be around Rank 2.
It did not look well-maintained, but it was still active. That was what mattered.
A faint light gleamed in Kael's eyes.
The man who seemed to be the leader sneered at Kael, completely oblivious to the situation.
"Well, well. Looks like a kid from quite a well-off family."
The guys beside him also snickered.
"Looks like he took a wrong turn?"
"He arrived in a Seraph car, didn't he?"
"Then that's even better. Can't we get a hefty ransom for him?"
The man leading them stepped closer to Kael.
"Why did such a precious gentleman come to a place like this?"
At his words, the corner of Kael's mouth twitched slightly.