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A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 36 - Point Nemo (part 5)
As I walk through the graveyard of loot boxes, I can feel a bone-chilling breeze through my spine. There must be not less than thirty boxes here. Bloodshed. With the loot boxes, there also come lots of valuable items inside. I just go scavenger for a few minutes and I have sufficient components to fully upgrade my weapon, along with an amount of ammunition and healing items that can last me the whole game. In the centre of the big laboratory, there is a big platform with a table on top which resembles a crafting bench. It lights up when I open my stats table. I approach the table and put my gun down. There is an arrow mark appearing in my vision, so I press on it. - Let's see... Congrats on discovering this crafting bench. Please follow the instruction to upgrade your desired items. I take out the wealth gap reduction module and place it on the bench, along with other modules and components. After the bench has registered the modules I have, from the ground next
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 37 - Point Nemo (part 6)
After my death, the virtual reality headset blinks, and I am sent back to reality. I take the headset off, to see myself connected to a bunch of sensors and modules. Most of the players killed in the early game have already dismantled the setup and visited the spectator's lobby, while the few late survivors are also taking off the setup with the help of the assistants. Then, in a corner, the familiar figure is smiling triumphantly, while still wearing the setup. After that, a voice is transmitted across the virtual reality field. - And, announcing the top three players, in the third place, Heinrich Lenz from Eastern Europe cruise, with seven kills. In the second place, Yuusha Takahashi from Japan cruise, with three kills. And in the first place... I just put my right hand on my face and sigh. - Mirai Sasaki from Japan cruise, with twenty-five kills! The diamond trophy and other related prizes will be sent to your home within a few hours. Other players, tha
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 38 - Point Nemo (part 7)
The first day on the cruise just ends like that. The organisers announce that the refractive veil of the ship has been disabled, and since the ship has travelled sufficiently far away from the land, the ship is surrounded by the deep, starry night sky, as well as the sea view that expands even out of the human eyesight. After the sumptuous dinner, we are on the top floor of our hotel block. Mirai has set up a telescope for stargazing. Normally, it will be the time for couples to be lovey-dovey in places with a good view, such as places that are elevated or along the rear of the ship, but somehow, just for today, we are the only people here. The rest of the passengers are still busy exploring the huge infrastructure of the ship on the first day, and I would expect the trend to resume tomorrow, when they are bored with exploring and shift to something quieter. The telescope is a big tube supported by a tripod, with many wires intricately connected to a box that acts both as a pr
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 39 - Point Nemo (part 8)
It is already midnight, and instead of trying to sleep, I toss and turn in my bed, with the thoughts of the words Mirai said lingering in my mind. What is she implying by 'not a random occurrence', and how, or rather, why, would humanity be going in the wrong way? I flick my hand and the tablet appears in my hand. As usual, there are only two sections, the arsenal which stores all of our weapons, and the archive, which saves information about the Intruders and their technology. Except for the arsenal, most of the information in the archive is constructed by Mirai's memories, there are no traces of memory about her identity that can be found. After more than half a year, there is still a sense of distance between us. Personally, peeking into somebody's private life is not my thing, but I just feel strange deep inside. Mirai also says that over time, she will let me know more about her identity. Guess all I can do is wait. The mysterious vibe that blends with the friendly and
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 40 - Point Nemo (part 9)
Soon after the race, the grand clock on the ship makes a loud ringing, signalling the midday of the second day. The shops start their first wave of visitor reception after the vibrant night, although the traffic is not high yet. Mirai and I are occupying a bench in the corner of the invention room. I am waiting for her to analyse the camera footage and compile the statistics regarding the recent occurrences. Without any specialised tools to do data analysis, and with a supercomputer next to me, maybe even better than a supercomputer, I cannot perform any calculations, and I would not even attempt to do so. The only thing that Mirai shows me is a percentage bar that slowly runs to a hundred per cent. - How long until you finish the data analysis? - I start to feel impatient, as the bar starts to slow down. - I have very little data, you know? And I need to perform extra calculations to maximise accuracy, at the cost of time. Just find something around here to p
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 41 - Point Nemo (part 10)
I return to my room and close all of the windows. After making sure that nobody is near, I make a call to Issac. The call is also encrypted to avoid any third parties, just in case. After a few seconds, the other side picks up the phone. - Hi, Issac. What happened? - Yuusha. This sounds a bit weird, but... Is my secret exposed? - Yes? - I hesitate a bit. - There is a group of armed people visiting the university, and they specify that they want to visit the head of the department of Applied Science. I do not think that something bad may happen, but, do you have any idea? - I do not have any. But why do you ask me? - These armed people asked about the Huntly Mine incident. I freeze for a few seconds. Issac continues. - But no worries. I am not, like, suspecting you or something. I am just a bit concerned for your safety. - Oh, thanks for that. - I sigh in relief. I feel the other side of the p
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 42 - Point Nemo (part 11)
- Yuusha, wake up. We have some troubles. Big ones. - OK, give me a moment. It is three in the morning. I wake up, just to see something, I mean lots of "something", flying outside the window. Their lights flash through the window like an extravagant theatrical performance. People on the ship would think that these drones are a part of the cruise, so they would not care much. But for us, this ignorance is a threat. The drones can just roam about freely exactly because nobody cares. - Finally, you are awake. I think the situation now is quite self-explanatory, right? - Yes, I can see it very clearly. But what do you want us to do now? - I believe I have said it already. We will commence our operation now. So it is not just a dream. - Well, what are you waiting for? Go do your basic hygiene now. Time is crucial. - Fine, fine. It is not like I can argue with her regarding this matter. I quickly take a piss, bru
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 43 - Point Nemo (part 12)
According to Mirai's data, this gate is the most unguarded one among five to six entrances. The primary gate automatically opens, leading us to a smaller room. After we enter the room, the primary gate closes tightly. Two high-pressure pumps drain all of the water inside the room, leaving a dry space. The verification machine of the secondary gate emerges from the ground, asking for identification. - Give me a minute. - Mirai gives me a pat of assurance on my shoulder and approaches the machine which is protruding from the ground. A few connecting wires grow from Mirai's left arm. She plugs the wires into the machine and performs a hack. In exactly one minute, the machine is disabled, and after the primary gate, the secondary gate opens. - Okay, done. - Mirai retracts her wires. - Nice. I know the outcome of Mirai's attempt by heart, but a compliment does not kill. As the gate opens, there are specks of light, enough for us to switch back to no
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