All masters of Cyberpunk

Episode 8

 

 

8. The Crystallization of Romance

 

 

Drrrrrr!

 

The shutter lifts, revealing the silhouette of a treasure stored in a neatly organized warehouse.

 

The body is thicker than it looks.

 

The big front fog lamps and historic trapezoidal windshield are trademarks of the model it’s based on.

 

A Harvard-Davidson off-road tourer.

 

Among the five motorcycles available in Seoul 2056, this is the one that stands out for its quality and performance.

 

‘……It’s even crazier in person.’

 

I was honestly impressed.

 

Maybe it’s because I rode motorcycles as a hobby in my original world.

 

Even Ki-young’s subordinate, who guided me to Warehouse No. 5, gulped and swallowed dryly.

 

I was speechlessly impressed by his rustic yet beautiful appearance.

 

The subordinate clapped his hands together and began to explain.

 

“Ki-Young, that bastard, he took the last model left in Harvard’s store, and he pampered it like a child.”

 

“I can see that.”

 

“We’ve got gas in it, so you can take it right away.”

 

Even as he said it, his eyes were filled with regret.

 

This guy’s got a head full of shit; I should hit him with an iron pipe.

 

As if he sensed my displeasure, he stepped back, looking at me.

 

“Why, why do you look at me like that?”

 

He’s unnecessarily perceptive.

 

If it were him and not Ki-young, the leader of the Underdog Bikers, he’d have given me Harvard and disappeared long ago.

 

“It’s nothing, but we’ll need to get some raid coatings and special modifications.”

 

“What? You think you’re going to take this thing out in the open?”

 

I nodded wordlessly as he looked at me in astonishment.

 

The reason for my insistence on a motorcycle rather than a regular vehicle was clear.

 

“Raids outside the city.

 

Just like now, fulfilling’requests’ such as taking out criminal organizations within the city was one of the Hunters’ lucrative ways of making money.

 

Raids were originally the biggest money-maker and the very reason for the Hunter’s existence.

 

Fighting off mutants outside the Green Zone or retrieving lost valuables.

 

The risks are obviously multiplied, but the rewards are often worth the risk.

 

“It’s nice to have a bike like this so I can explore on my own.

 

Plus, most of the raids took place on abandoned high streets and urban centers.

 

I was able to proceed unhindered by vehicles that had been turned into scrap metal or the rubble of collapsed buildings that had been left in place during the chaos.

 

The only vehicle that could maneuver through the wrecked city was a two-wheeler.

 

It’s not for nothing that the central government of Daejeon has massively increased the number of motorcycle riot police.

 

“By the way, what are you guys going to do now? Apparently, Ki-young is done.”

 

For an asshole with no skills, he’s got a lot of connections.

 

The members of the Underdog Bikers, the organization he bragged about so much, kicked him in the back of the head in a way that made him too scared to be subdued.

 

“It’s not even a slap.

 

After being dragged down by a couple of big guys with murderous intent in their eyes, Oh’s end was as clear as fire.

 

The death of a human being in Daejeon’s Green Zone, especially a gang leader who was used to preying on the backs of the common people, is not something to gossip about.

 

On the contrary, it would be a good thing if he didn’t get blamed for the death.

 

“Of course, brother. I didn’t like him either; he was full of shit.”

 

“Do you know of anyone else who could take his place?”

 

“Oh, that.”

 

The receptionist trailed off, avoiding my gaze. I look at Chuck.

 

“You.”

 

“Oh, no, brother, I’m not going to do anything; of course I’m going to disband it. It’s only right that this useless motorcycle club be eradicated from Daejeon City forever, amen!”

 

The guide falls flat on his face, as if he’s going to be harmed.

 

However, I surprisingly liked him.

 

It’s always been the case that those who have a clear sense of where they are and know how to use the proper techniques tend to survive longer.

 

He certainly seems to be more perceptive than the squadron leader,Ki-young, and has more connections.

 

“I have a suggestion for you, though it’s none of my business.”

 

“Yes! Anything you say, big brother!”

 

I said, putting my hand on the receptionist’s shoulder.

 

“You and me, we’ll do a job.”

 

 

* * *

 

 

“Don’t disband the organization; you lead it, and I’ll take care of the arrests.

 

‘Brother, thank you so much!

 

“Sooner or later, something big is going to happen, and I’m going to need your help.

 

 

I succeeded in persuading the former middle boss of the Underdog Bikers and the new boss of the future, Pyo Ki-young.

 

“How long are you going to live at the bottom?

 

What’s the point of ripping off the powerless villagers when you’ll just have to crawl like a dog in front of the more powerful?

 

Don’t be so miserable; let’s make something big with me.

 

They’re from the South District, where all the gangs run rampant, and they’re hungry for power and might.

 

I was afraid to throw out the bait, but he didn’t hesitate to take it.

 

 

“I’ll follow you for life!

 

 

To Pyo, I was an A-class hunter secretly dispatched from Seoul.

 

In a way, I’m a local maintainance worker—or worse, a Dongjul from a more powerful organization.

 

There’s no way a biker can run a background check on me.

 

 

‘And don’t ride your motorcycle loudly in the North District neighborhood. Don’t ride around at night, either. It’s dangerous to be out at night.

 

“I’ll make sure they’re taught well, and that bastard Ki-young is to blame!

 

 

You’re referring to Ki-young.

 

I didn’t mean to hold him responsible.

 

“Be careful, big brother!”

 

And with that, they cleaned up the fledgling organization, Underdog Bikers, and as a reward, they were rewarded with coveted luxury mounts that the general public couldn’t even see.

 

haan had a dumbfounded look on his face, as if he couldn’t believe everything he had seen so far.

 

“You really brought it back…”

 

“Of course I did.”

 

“What happened to the request? Is Ki-young dead?”

 

“I don’t know. It’s the organization’s business, so they’ll take care of it. Besides, it’s a $500,000 job, so I’d rather have it under my control.”

 

“You found a local ally. Is this easy?”

 

She said it with a hint of regret in her voice.

 

“By the way, Mr. Lee Do-jin, are you a manifestor?”

 

“Do you think I would have beaten a gargoyle with a boltgun then?”

 

“…….”

 

When I responded in a way that suggested I was asking the obvious, Haan scratched the back of my neck in amusement.

 

“What class are you in? I’m guessing amplification or physics.”

 

“I’ll keep it a secret for now.”

 

Psychic powers are both the identity and the weakness of the Hunter, who primarily uses them.

 

Seoul 2056’s signature sidekick character, Haan, is a reliable figure.

 

It was too risky to play her hand when we didn’t yet know what stance she would take.

 

In the original story, she acts as a reliable helper, but that’s only the original story.

 

It was possible that her attitude could change at any moment.

 

‘Besides, this is Kim Sang-yup’s ability.

 

Shockwave.

 

A technique that amplifies shockwaves generated by simple contact.

 

As simple as it was to explain, there were many abilities with similar characteristics, so even if it was Haan, she wouldn’t recognize it right away.

 

She’d mistake me for an agent and hunter sent on a secret mission in Seoul or elsewhere.

 

But if I keep exposing my abilities, it’s only a matter of time before she finds out.

 

I’ve already told her everything, so I don’t want to give her anything that could incriminate me.

 

She knows the implications of Hunter’s abilities, and she hasn’t been persistent in asking about them since he refused.

 

“You’re strangely secretive.”

 

“Isn’t that charming?”

 

“You also seem to have a lot of unfounded confidence.”

 

I exchanged light banter with Haan, then shook her hand.

 

“Anyway, thank you for accompanying me. I’m afraid I’ve interrupted your rest for nothing.”

 

“Never mind, I didn’t have anything to do, and let’s just say it was an interesting tour. Are you going back to the office?”

 

“Personally, I’m only going to inform the official. Technically, I didn’t take care of the boss myself.”

 

But I’ll make sure to tell the next boss, Pyo Ki-young, about the noise complaint, so the tired-looking official won’t have any more sleepless nights.

 

“I’ll come with you, then.”

 

“You don’t have to.”

 

They must have some pretty cool transportation. I quickly put on my helmet and climbed onto the Harvard.

 

“We’ll part ways here for today, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

Drrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

Boom!

 

The Harvard’s engine is a scary thing to start. The 98-horsepower monster with a zero-back 3.5 begins to howl.

 

I sprinted down the open road toward the reddish sunset of the codfish.

 

The road stretched in a straight line to the horizon, the skyscrapers of buildings towering beside it.

 

It was the first stage of Seoul 2056, and the front lines of a battered South Korea were more romantic than they seemed.

 

Of course.

 

It’s not purely a matter of mood, though, as the swirling sunset haze looks like a city on fire forever.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Click-click-click.

 

The basement is lit only by the glow of a holographic monitor.

 

Haan, the secretary of the Chilgok Guild, tapped away at the touchpad, toweling off her damp hair.

 

She wore a white sleeveless top and black dolphin pants.

 

It was a comfortable outfit, but it made his toned body stand out even more.

 

Her abs were sharply defined and figure eleven.

 

Her biceps, which were even harder than they looked, gave away the fact that she was a well-trained ‘human weapon’.

 

A position as an undercover agent in the Great War was not for the faint of heart.

 

“……whoa.”

 

Haan sighed deeply and stretched.

 

It had been a long day. One day he’d gone to pick up a job, and the next day he’d smashed the local gang, the Underdog Bikers.

 

He was so tired, all he wanted to do was hit the sack.

 

Still, she couldn’t forget her duties as a state employee and agent.

 

She set the touchpad aside and reached for the neural interlocking device in the corner of her desk.

 

NBIDs, as they were known.

 

It was a device that connected the brain to electronic space, maximizing the security of information.

 

It was mainly used by large corporations and government organizations, such as the military, that required extremely sensitive security.

 

Of course, since it directly connected the brain and nerves to an external machine, there were many cases where the user died or the brain became necrotic because it couldn’t withstand the overload.

 

This wasn’t the case for choi-hyun, as she was a manifestor just like Lee do-Jin.

 

Brain Acceleration.

 

She possessed a deceptive superpower that allowed her to win against anyone in electronic warfare.

 

It was one of the reasons why Haan, who, in terms of pure combat power, was barely an operative, was able to become an undercover in the Great War.

 

“Let’s get going, then.”

 

Haan plugged the Envid’s wires into the nape of his neck.

 

It was a bizarre yet curious sight, as if his black hair were connected to a mechanical device.

 

“Authorizing access to the unique satellite network.”

 

She closed her eyes and concentrated, and her consciousness flew through the electronics in a flash.

 

The netline.

 

A place that seemed to be real but was never real.

 

“Welcome back to Netline Headquarters (HQ), Intelligence Command, Agent Haan.”

 

Soon, an AI composed of countless electron particles greeted her.