Chapter 80: Unexpected luck (2)

In this day and age, it was rare for a conglomerate-level power to show defenselessness.

The phrase ‘rare’ meant that to some, it looked like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Nexus Initiative, having suffered a sudden surprise attack from the android forces, failed to even conceal the scale of its damage.

Thanks to that, countless hunters, smelling blood, flocked in.

Even all sorts of small fry, who would normally not dare to even meet the eyes of a conglomerate, rushed in, hoping to tear off even a single piece of flesh from the critically wounded whale.

That greed shattered the tense balance of the war.

Nexus Initiative, which had been focused only on the enemy before them, the androids, was blindsided by the unexpected human desire and collapsed helplessly.

Now, all that remained were the sweet spoils of power and capital, which had lost their master in an instant.

But not everyone who intervened in the incident could claim those spoils.

It was like the law of the jungle.

Only after the predators who succeeded in the hunt had filled their bellies sufficiently would the scavengers’ turn come.

And now was still the time of the apex predators.

The major powers that played a key role in the fall of Nexus and, at the same time, had the strength to claim its rewards.

The main players were largely three groups.

One of them, of course, was our [Lumina Group].

The Godfather’s company, which needed no further explanation.

Since they had started their attack on Nexus even before the android terror occurred, they were the group that currently held the most collateral.

And the second was [Aeton Mobility].

Ranked 66th among the city’s top 100 corporations, they were a traditional rival of Nexus Initiative.

Since their main business areas were AI robots and self-driving vehicle manufacturing, they had long coveted Nexus’s robotics and AI-related patents.

Therefore, they were a force that had not missed this opportunity and jumped into the fray.

Lastly, there was [Tessellation Investment].

A global giant asset management firm, they were an aggressive investment institution that intervened in any issue if it was profitable.

Due to the nature of being a financial company, their actual power was sometimes evaluated as not being large compared to their asset size, but in this city where money is everything, no one could treat them lightly.

Because they were a company that had climbed to the 31st rank in the corporate hierarchy on their capital power alone.

In any case, the powers that would divide Nexus’s legacy were decided to be these three companies.

Some might find it strange.

The fact that the name ‘Zion,’ which had actually brought down Nexus in an all-out war, was missing from the list of victors.

But they were not invited.

No, they didn’t even have the qualification to be invited in the first place.

Because they were androids.

They had no legal right to demand Nexus’s assets or receive war reparations.

In the end, the ones who fought the war and the ones who received the spoils were different.

It was a case that was somewhat laughable.

Still, if it was fortunate, it was fortunate that the Zion side did not go back completely empty-handed.

In exchange for stopping their sabotage of Nexus’s assets, an informal agreement was being made with the three conglomerates.

They would exert their influence on the city government to proceed with the repeal of the ‘Android Ownership Act.’

This would make most of the social activities that had been restricted to androids, such as creating an identity and owning private property, possible.

Of course, it didn’t go so far as to grant them equal human rights, but at least the situation where most androids roamed the streets like vagrants because they couldn’t even rent a room was expected to decrease.

However, the ban on the new production of high-intelligence androids was still being maintained.

It was a kind of warning to Zion.

It meant that since androids would also be treated as quasi-sentient beings to some extent, they should maintain the ‘uniqueness of self’ like humans and not increase their numbers any further.

Because if escaped androids gathered and self-produced more advanced androids, and their numbers grew infinitely… then a new species challenging the order of humanity might be born.

The Zion side accepted that condition meekly without any protest.

Was it because reproduction is a biological instinct, and has nothing to do with machines?

They seemed somewhat satisfied with the achievement of defeating their sworn enemy who had been after the core code, and dramatically improving the rights of androids.

Thanks to that, the forces involved in this commotion found their respective points of agreement, and the war ended.

Now, the only remaining schedule was the meeting between the three conglomerates.

It has been quite a grand explanation so far, but in the end, that is the gist of it.

It meant that I had eventually accepted the Godfather’s proposal and followed him to that place.

‘Although it might be a stepping stone for the successor’s education….’

In fact, the Godfather hadn’t said anything directly.

It could just be my own premature guess, couldn’t it?

Even if that were the case, it wasn’t like he was going to hand over the group right away.

Refusing ahead of time would not look good.

And it was a proposal from the Godfather, who always helped me both materially and spiritually.

I didn’t really want to refuse it deep down.

This time, he was someone who had stood on my side, even willing to go to war with another corporation… whatever his true intentions were, it must have been for my sake.

‘Right, let’s not overthink it… let’s just think of it as an experience.’

As a result of making that decision, I ended up in this state.

“…….”

The reflection in the mirror was very awkward.

Silver hair tied back in a half-up style to give a neat impression.

Below that… was a neat women’s suit, commonly called an office look.

The feel of the shirt, which clung to my body a little uncomfortably, was awkward.

The sensation of my legs wrapped in stockings under the H-line skirt, which I was wearing for the first time, was also unfamiliar.

The slightly high-heeled pumps naturally made my posture demure even when just standing.

A sigh escaped me inadvertently.

“Haah….”

Of course, given the occasion, I couldn’t come dressed as casually as usual…

Still, was it a consolation that it was less embarrassing than the academy uniform because it was more adult-like?

While I was hesitating awkwardly like that, a knock was heard from outside.

“Are you ready?”

“Ah, yes!”

I answered briefly and stepped out of the room.

As I awkwardly approached the waiting Godfather, he burst into a hearty laugh.

“Oh, it suits you well. You could start as an intern right away.”

“Ahaha….”

I just laughed awkwardly at the joking compliment.

The Godfather wasn’t the only one waiting for me here.

A dozen or so working-level staff from Lumina Holdings were bowing their heads respectfully towards me.

In front of their gazes, I just fidgeted with the access card hanging around my neck like a necklace out of embarrassment.

“Alright, let’s go.”

As I walked down the hallway behind the Godfather, I recalled the explanation of this place.

This was the Elysium Suite, one of Omega Detroit’s deluxe hotels.

It had existed since the city’s founding and had long been used as a neutral meeting place between corporations.

A strict principle that anyone who caused trouble in the hotel, even an executive of a megacorp, would never be received as a customer again.

They had been driven to the brink of bankruptcy several times while adhering to that principle, but they had endured, and based on the trust they had built up, they were now being used as the most famous neutral business venue in the city.

That was also the reason why today’s meeting place was decided to be here.

The Godfather chuckled as he saw me walking awkwardly.

“No need to be so nervous.
Most of the negotiations have already been settled.
Today is just a formality to finalize the agreement.
Since it’s a game where everyone profits, the atmosphere won’t be too bad.
I brought you along for the experience, so just watch comfortably.”

I just nodded.

As I followed behind, my tension, far from subsiding, gradually increased.

An unfamiliar place, a first-time experience.

And thinking about the big shots of the city I would be facing, the stress was causing… some kind of signal to slowly build up.

In the end, I subtly adjusted the still-unfamiliar suit skirt and cautiously spoke up.

“Um, Godfather.
Before we go to the meeting, may I briefly… take care of some personal business?”

He glanced at his wristwatch, then smiled magnanimously.

“Yes, we have plenty of time.
We did arrive a little early.
We’ll go up to the top floor first, so take your time.”

“Thank you.”

And so I was briefly separated from the Lumina Group’s working-level staff.

Accompanied only by ST, the two of us began to walk down the long hallway of the deluxe hotel in search of a restroom.

The thick carpet swallowed the sound of footsteps, and the holographic frames hanging on the walls slowly changed their scenery.

‘In the midst of all this…. it’s really luxurious.’

It was as I was walking, appreciating the quiet and poetic atmosphere of the space.

From around the corner just ahead, I heard a sound like something thudding to the ground.

ST and I paused our steps for a moment and stared at where the sound came from.

“…..?”

As we cautiously approached, we saw a young woman slumped against the wall around the corner.

But, her complexion was not good.

Cold sweat flowed like rain on her pale face, and her well-styled platinum blonde hair was soaking wet and stuck messily to her forehead.

Above all, her breathing was abnormally rapid, as if it would stop at any moment.

“H-Hey?
Are you okay?!
Are you hurt somewhere?”

As I, flustered, tried to support her by her shoulder, I found her shirt was soaked with sweat.

The trembling of her body was unusual.

While I was at a loss, ST, who was beside me, her golden eyes shining faintly, said.

“Scan results show no particular external injuries or underlying diseases in the subject.
It seems to be… symptoms of hyperventilation due to a panic attack.”

“A panic disorder….?”

If so, thankfully, her life was probably not in immediate danger.

I regained some composure and looked at the woman again.

A stylish woman wearing a high-end business jacket.
Anyone could see she was someone who belonged in such a place.
But her appearance, slumped over and gasping for breath while trembling all over, belying her expensive-looking clothes… was somewhat pitiable.

But….

‘Is it okay to rashly use my ability here?’

This wasn’t a suburban back alley where no one would care if someone dropped dead.

It was the middle of a hallway in the city’s most luxurious hotel.

I couldn’t know what kind of repercussions it would cause if I carelessly used a miracle on someone I met in such a place.

While I was hesitating, the woman’s eyelids began to tremble slightly.

Her unfocused eyes wandered in the air, and she muttered incomprehensible things in a faint, pained voice.

“Haah, ha, heu, sorry, I’m sorry, I…. I’m….”

“…….”

Her pale complexion was now almost like that of a corpse.

I could see tears streaming down her cheeks.

Watching her pitiful appearance, I finally made a decision and asked ST.

“Could you cover the surrounding CCTV for a moment?”

ST nodded wordlessly, but a hint of concern flashed in her golden eyes.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Yes.

There won’t be any problem at all.”

It wasn’t baseless optimism.

I had a certain conviction.

Since I had realized the essence of this ability, the ‘Prayer,’ I had become able to control its effects to some extent.

The healing power, which had been excessively effective… was now possible to use as much as I wanted.

Just enough to calm the suddenly flared-up anxiety a little faster.

I had become able to help someone at a level that was unnoticeable, leaving no trace behind.

It was a truly perfect plan.

‘Thank goodness.’

It would have been unsettling to just leave someone who was struggling so much and walk away.

I bent my knees and carefully hugged the trembling woman.

“It’s okay.

Everything will be okay.”

So that she wouldn’t see the light that would burst from my fingertips.

I held her tightly, so that her face was buried in my embrace, and then whispered.

“Now, take a deep breath.

Slowly….

Yes.

You’re doing well.”

“Heu, heuk, heup….!”

As I did so, I lifted my finger and lightly touched the nape of the woman’s neck.

The light that flashed for a moment was, as expected, not seen by anyone.

“…….”

A moment later.

The woman’s trembling slowly subsided.

The ragged breathing that had been echoing in my embrace also gradually stabilized.

I soothed her like that for a little longer, then slowly released her.

The woman who belatedly lifted her head stared at me blankly.

Although her face was stained with tears, she was a beauty who still retained a sophisticated atmosphere.

‘What am I thinking in a situation like this.’

I shook my head lightly to clear my stray thoughts, and asked with a reassuring smile.

“Are you a little calmer now?”

“………”

The woman nodded blankly with a dazed face.

Only then did I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness.”

Then it hit me.

I had taken too much time here.

Feeling the signal from my stomach that I had forgotten, I laughed awkwardly and said.

“Since you seem to be okay, I’ll be on my way.

I have some urgent business to attend to…!”

I took out a handkerchief, gently wiped her tears, and placed it in her palm before turning away in a hurry.

“Ah….!”

It seemed the woman behind me was trying to say something, but her voice was choked up and I couldn’t hear her clearly.