episode_0054

Ring ring-!

Just as we were about to start talking about Scarlet and Asura’s modifications, a communication tone rang out from the terminal.

It was Alexander Valentine.

Scarlet looked at me with a displeased expression, but I shrugged and connected the call.

“[Mr. Kang Jin-woo, is now a good time to talk?]”

“Yes, Mr. Valentine. I was just waiting for your call. About the payment for the request, when will it be…?”

“[Haha, always about money first, I see. Of course, the promised payment will be made. But before that, there are a few things I’d like to confirm.]”

As expected, that fox-like old man wasn’t going to let it go easily.

“Confirm? I clearly completed the request, and all those Chronos mercenaries have been dealt with.”

“[Of course. But there’s one strange thing. Did you… return directly to Terminus right after completing the request?]”

His question seemed to be confirming something trivial, but the intention behind it was clear.

He was probing, keeping in mind the possibility that I might have stayed longer at the abandoned mine.

“Is there a problem?”

“[Coincidentally, all communication and sensor data in that area have been completely erased for some reason. So, there’s no way to confirm Mr. Kang Jin-woo’s exact return time or route.]”

‘Is it because of the Ghost Data skill?’

“[I’m just curious if there were any other unusual circumstances during your return.]”

“I confirmed there were no other threats in the vicinity and returned immediately.”

“[Hmm… for the data to disappear at such a timing, it’s quite a coincidence. By any chance, did you… go inside that abandoned mine?]”

Along with disappointment, a lingering suspicion was evident in Valentine’s voice.

He seemed convinced that I was hiding something.

“I didn’t go inside the abandoned mine. Is this related to the current situation?”

It was my intention to pretend ignorance of his true intentions and deflect his suspicion elsewhere.

A brief silence from Valentine followed over the communication line.

It seemed my glib acting had left him speechless.

Or perhaps, he was trying to find some loophole in my answer.

“[…No, it’s nothing. It’s just that… there have been a lot of unsettling rumors lately, so I just asked. I apologize if I caused you unnecessary worry.]”

In the end, he backed down.

But a lingering resentment seemed to remain in his voice.

“Don’t mention it. So, about the payment for the request, as scheduled…?”

“[Of course. I’ll process it right away. And Mr. Kang Jin-woo, I’ll contact you again soon.]”

“Understood. I’ll await your call at any time.”

As the communication cut off, Scarlet, who had been listening to the entire conversation beside me, looked at me with an incredulous expression.

“Hey, you… you just lied to that old man, didn’t you? And so calmly, too?”

“Lied? I just told the truth, didn’t I? I really didn’t go inside the abandoned mine.”

I brazenly shrugged.

Of course, I meant I didn’t go in at first. Scarlet clicked her tongue, seeing my expression.

“Ugh, getting involved with someone like you only brings trouble. Anyway, that fox-like old geezer is no ordinary person, so you’d better be careful in the future.”

Leaving her worried nagging behind, we officially began the repair and modification work on Asura.

Scarlet first activated the diagnostic system to thoroughly check the condition of the damaged parts.

Asura’s internal structure and the damage level of each component were displayed three-dimensionally via hologram.

“Hmm… the internal frame damage isn’t as severe as I thought.”

Scarlet nodded, seemingly surprised, and spoke.

“The reactor and energy system… show slight signs of overload, but the core is fine. I can repair it quickly by replacing a few parts and readjusting the system.”

She quickly identified the damaged areas and formulated a plan.

“With this… if you help me out a bit, we can get it done in a few hours. You know, I noticed you’re surprisingly dexterous last time.”

“There really isn’t a technician as good as you.”

At my compliment, she gave a sheepish cough, then immediately began staring intently at the design schematic for the built-in energy claw.

“This energy claw… its structure is truly unique. Its energy conversion efficiency is tremendous, and above all, its deployment method… it’s different from any existing built-in weapon.”

She moved her arms herself, as if imagining how the energy claw would deploy.

“It would be perfect to integrate it as a built-in feature.”

“Built-in? That’s great.”

“Alright, good! Let’s start right away! Jinwoo, don’t just stand there idly, come over here and help with the component disassembly first!”

Under Scarlet’s command, we moved in perfect coordination.

We quickly disassembled the damaged armor and components, then installed new reinforced parts in their places.

Scarlet skillfully handled the welding torch, straightening the twisted frame, while I handed her the requested tools and parts.

After several hours of intensive work.

“Phew… for now, the basic repairs and energy claw implantation are complete.”

Scarlet wiped the sweat from her forehead and spoke with a satisfied expression.

“Now, all that’s left is to run a full system diagnostic and do a final check of the energy flow and component linkages. We’re almost there.”

She connected the work terminal to Asura’s main system and began inputting complex commands.

As Asura’s system rebooted and its components were checked, only a regular mechanical hum quietly resonated.

“This… it’s going to take longer than I thought. Stabilizing the entire system and testing the energy claw linkage will probably take at least several tens of hours.”

Scarlet spoke without taking her eyes off the terminal screen.

“Then there’s nothing for it but to wait.”

I plopped down onto the sofa and said.

The fatigue from the work and continuous tension seemed to rush over my entire body all at once.

“Here, drink this.”

Scarlet took out two cold chocolate milk cartons from the refrigerator in the corner of the workshop and handed one to me.

She plopped down beside me, inserted a straw into her chocolate milk carton, and spoke.

“There’s something I’m curious about, Jinwoo.”

“What is it?”

I took a sip of the chocolate milk and looked at her.

A sweet and cool taste spread in my mouth.

“What exactly is your goal? There must be a reason why you throw yourself into such dangerous work and cling to money so desperately. Is it simply because you want to build a stronger machine? Or… is there some other urgent reason?”

The question was sudden, but her gaze was serious. As if truly curious, she awaited my answer.

I fell into thought for a moment. My goal.

It was something I had vaguely harbored since immediately after falling into this world, but also something I hadn’t yet clearly defined.

Memories of Galaxy Titans. In that game, I had seen countless endings.

The triumph of corporations, the downfall of mercenary groups, the extinction of humanity, or the repetition of endless war… none of them could truly be called a happy ending.

But now, I was in reality, not inside the game.

And this reality was set much further in the past than the game’s story I knew.

If so… perhaps I could change this tragic future? Prevent all the misfortune and destruction I knew, and create a true happy ending?

“Well… let’s just say it’s a long story.”

I replied with a bitter smile.

I couldn’t confide this enormous secret to anyone.

At my answer, Scarlet pouted, seemingly displeased.

“I don’t like men with too many secrets. What are you hiding so much?”

“The same goes for you, doesn’t it?”

I chuckled and pointed to her left forearm.

Scarlet lowered her gaze as if hesitating to speak, then, as if having made up her mind, opened her mouth.

“When I was too young to even remember, I was separated from my parents. I don’t know why. They just suddenly disappeared one day.”

Scarlet tightened her grip on the chocolate milk carton.

“Then… I met Kaien. Without asking anything, just… like family. She taught me everything I needed to survive in Terminus and let me learn mechanic skills, which I loved, to my heart’s content.”

I remained silent for a moment, then cautiously opened my mouth.

I hesitated, feeling as though I was touching on her old wounds, but it felt like now or never.

“Scarlet, have you ever considered that your parents might be connected to that unknown research group that created Nightfall?”

At my sudden question, Scarlet’s eyes widened.

She stared at me in surprise, then, as if resigned, let out a deep sigh.

“…Vaguely. I guess you had some suspicions too.”

Her voice was weak and low.

“Before, just in case, I went for a while without eating, frantically searching for information. About that research group, and… hoping to find some clue about my parents. But… there was nothing.”

She covered her face with both hands.

“Maybe… I’ll never find them. Maybe it was just my own vain hope.”

I could feel how desperately she wanted to find her parents, her earnest longing.

“Don’t give up. It’s not over yet. I’ll… help you find your parents.”

At my unexpected offer, Scarlet looked up and stared blankly at me.

“You… you’ll… help me…?”

“Yes. It might be hard alone, but if there are two of us… we might be able to find some clue, don’t you think?”

I couldn’t tell her about my Data Ghost skill or my knowledge of this world.

But if I utilized them, I might be able to find information Scarlet couldn’t access on her own.

Scarlet stared at me in silence for a long time.

And after a moment, a faint smile appeared on her face.

“Thank you, Jinwoo. Truly… thank you so much.”

We talked for a long time, then, as if by unspoken agreement, closed our eyes and slept.

How much time had passed?

“[Full system diagnostic complete. All devices functioning normally. Energy flow optimized and component linkages good. Ready for deployment.]”

At that sound, we opened our eyes almost simultaneously.