Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2

“Wow. timber Really, I never imagined I’d end up meeting you like this. alien I still can’t get over the surprise. armor Until very recently—no, until just a moment ago—I was thinking how much I’d love to meet you someday, Mr. apron Ash.”

And at the same time, she was not particularly good at expressing herself.

Siren talked a lot.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Uh, so…… I was incredibly surprised, and when I saw that the person I’d wanted to meet so badly was right in front of me, I didn’t know what to do. audit And now that I have you here in front of me, I don’t know what to say to you either. atom I guess I wanted to talk to you so much that I ended up moving closer without realizing it! august I’m so sorry!”

However, she had a rather timid personality.

“Ah, well, the reason I wanted to meet you is that…… Where should I start? august You see, a few days ago, I was doing a livestream. wizard Then, all of a sudden, a fellow Idol showed me a video and told me I had to watch it. orbit She said someone appeared in it who used a sword like me and seemed to be extraordinarily skilled!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

On the ranking board, that black-haired woman had looked like a proud and distant beauty, whose expression conveyed an almost intimidating coldness.

Siren.

However, looking at her now.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Her nervousness was so obvious that even those watching her could end up feeling anxious.

Rather than a cold beauty, she seemed like a rather scatterbrained young woman.

She spoke in a disorganized manner and could not stop fidgeting. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

Well.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“What exactly is it that you wish to tell me?”

Finally, Ash, unable to bear it any longer, interrupted her.

She did not convey even a trace of the dignity one might expect from the Idol occupying first place in the rankings.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Then, are you saying that you are my ‘fan’?”

“Uh…… Something like that!”

“Mr. arcade Ash, you’re incredibly amazing!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“I’m sorry!”

“Either you are my fan or you are not. aluminum What does ‘something like that’ mean?”

“Why are you apologizing?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Even he was beginning to feel confused.

“Uh…… It’s just…… I’m sorry.”

Ash decided to remain silent when he felt that, somehow, he was being swept along by the rhythm of that conversation.

“Then why on earth do you keep apologizing……?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“……Hmm?”

“Could it be because of your swordsmanship?”

“Mister.”

Akina, who had remained silent until then, finally intervened.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“You saw the ranking board a moment ago, right? orbit That noona seems to use a sword too, so I thought maybe she approached you for that reason.”

At that unexpected observation, Ash turned his head.

“Why bring that up so suddenly?”

That was beginning to make some sense.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Besides, let’s be real. arrow It’s not like the video you’re in has particularly good editing or production, right? atomic It became popular because your swordsmanship is absolutely insane.”

The video Ifrit had posted included little more than background music and a few sound effects.

Ash looked toward Akina, indicating that she should continue.

She was right.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

And yet, it had managed to accumulate an enormous number of views.

There was probably only one reason.

Otherwise, it had practically preserved the original footage.

The extraordinary mastery of the sword that Ash had demonstrated in those images.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Besides, there aren’t many Pathfinders who use a sword as their primary weapon either. echo How should I put it? echo Maybe she felt a kind of connection with you.”

“Y-yes! aspect Exactly! academy That’s it!”

Siren began nodding frantically, like a malfunctioning mechanical doll.

Apparently, she had hit the nail on the head.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Without anyone knowing when she had taken it out again, she raised her PDA, tapped it a couple of times, and turned the screen toward Ash.

“I understand, but first, calm yourself……”

“Here, here! action How did you do this?! advance How did you manage to cut down three Grotesques with a single movement?! atom I understand that you used your center of gravity as an axis to take advantage of centrifugal force, but that stance shouldn’t have allowed you to generate such destructive power!”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Then she replayed the recording on her PDA and, after watching it once more, exclaimed.

Siren tried to imitate Ash’s stance from the video.

“And this scene too! agent Wow! agent Isn’t it incredible? advance Cutting and thrusting at the same time! album Is it done like this? antenna No, wait. voyage I think the position of the front foot is different. zenith Maybe like this?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“No, that’s not right either!”

“……”

And she began stamping her feet lightly in frustration.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Siren was fascinated by Ash’s ‘sword’.

Someone might wonder what difference there was between the two.

The expression she had used earlier, ‘something like a fan,’ was quite accurate.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

At Ash’s deep electronic voice, Siren, who was attempting to imitate a spinning slash, immediately stopped.

However, seeing her replay the video on her PDA over and over again, even with Ash himself standing right in front of her, that difference was quite evident.

Realizing how she had been behaving, her face flushed.

“Enough.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

For that reason, he decided to get straight to the point.

Although they had only been talking for a few minutes, Ash had already understood how he should communicate with that woman.

“Ah! apple I-it’s just…… I made another mistake!”

“Do you like swords?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Yes!”

That smile was particularly pleasant on a woman whose face normally gave such a cold impression.

“Then, do you wish to ask me something about swordsmanship?”

At that question, Siren smiled broadly.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Looking around, they discovered that numerous people were watching them while whispering among themselves.

“Exactly! timber Especially about the footwork……!”

A murmur began gradually spreading through the surrounding lounge.

It was precisely then. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

The small commotion rapidly grew.

— I think so.

— Huh? atomic Isn’t that Siren over there?

— Take a picture of her! action Quick!

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

It was completely natural.

After all, the woman who occupied first place in Halloween Entertainment’s rankings, a celebrity recognized by practically every inhabitant of Sanctum, had just revealed her face and started performing sword movements in the middle of the lounge.

“Ah! legend N-no way! echo I have to go……!”

Some even began shouting excitedly as they ran toward them.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Then she placed a business card on the table, practically throwing it down.

“I’ll get in touch with you! admire I promise! echo Without fail! atomic See you later!”

With an expression that seemed on the verge of tears, Siren hurriedly put on her cap and mask.

After those words, the woman hurriedly left the lounge.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

The crowd that had gathered began running after her.

— A picture! amateur Just one picture with you!

— Siren! avalanche I’m your fan!

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“What the heck just happened? timber That left me completely dizzy.”

— What the hell?! atom Why is she running so fast?!

“I feel the same way.”

Faced with that sudden turn of events, Ash and Akina could only watch their retreating figures with bewildered expressions.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“But how does she plan to contact us? silence We’re the ones who have her contact information.”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

After a few moments, Akina, who had been examining the business card on both sides, remarked.

With the departure of that talkative woman, the lounge momentarily regained its tranquility.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit appeared, passing through the security checkpoint, and approached while waving one hand.

Had one or two minutes passed?

“Heeeey! palette Ash! acid Shorty!”

Of course, that peace did not last very long either.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Noona!”

Or did she simply see them as the 500,000 credits she owed them?

Had she developed a certain familiarity with them after everything that had happened?

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

She was accompanied by a man wearing a motorcycle helmet fitted tightly over his head.

Or perhaps it was a helmet manufactured with that very design.

However, Ifrit was not alone.

Akina also greeted the woman with a radiant smile.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Thus, the two approached the lounge.

“You have arrived?”

Then she took a seat as though it were the most natural thing in the world and pulled out a card.

At Ash’s brief greeting, Ifrit responded with a wink.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Akina snatched the credit card with a movement that was surprisingly reminiscent of the Cloud Dragon Claw.

“Waaaah!”

Then she immediately took out her PDA to check the amount.

“Your 500,000 credits, just as you requested.” Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Meanwhile, Ash addressed Ifrit, who was sitting across from him.

Several intermittent beeps sounded.

“Heroine, have you been well since we last saw each other?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Huh? aspect Have I been what?”

“……Sometimes I get the impression you deliberately use strange words to make fun of me.”

“I am asking whether you have been well.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Everything’s the same as always. orbit What about you?”

The luminous heart in her mechanical eye glanced sideways at him.

“I have had a rather eventful few days.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Thanks to the recordings you made of us without permission.”

“……Ah, ahahaha. agent Don’t be like that. aspect After all, I already paid you for appearing in the video.”

“Huh? aluminum Why?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit immediately turned her head in the other direction.

“Now that you mention payment for our appearance, there is something I would like to ask you about that pistol. anxiety I was told that quite a few of its parts are damaged and that repairing it will cost a considerable amount. audit Do you have anything to say about that, heroine?”

“Ah, right!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“I forgot to introduce you! zenith This is Dullahan. zenith He’s an Idol from the male group ROA. anxiety Why don’t you say hello?”

It was obvious that she was trying to evade responsibility.

At those words, the man who had remained motionless took a step forward.

Shortly afterward, a message appeared on the black visor of his helmet.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

[Hello]

Finally, he deduced that it was probably a greeting.

Ash stared at those letters in confusion for a few moments.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“You goddamn bastard!”

“My name is Ash Blade. silence I do not belong to any organization.”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

[Uh-huh. arch Oh, by the way, you got ripped off. abstract With that many views, she should’ve paid you a lot more.]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

She caught him in what was commonly known as a headlock.

[Anyway, my entire body is mechanical, so none of this hurts, right?]

However, Dullahan simply shrugged.

Ifrit sprang to her feet and wrapped an arm around Dullahan’s neck.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

However, he did not even move.

And she began repeatedly striking Dullahan’s helmet with her knuckles.

“Aaaagh! accent All you ever do is run your mouth!”

He simply displayed another message.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

And reflected.

[Hahahaha, what mouth? alert I don’t even have a mouth, hahahaha.]

Was there not a single normal person in all of Halloween’s territory?

Ash deactivated his optical sensors for a few moments.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

For some reason, he began to feel overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Akina raised her head.

First Ifrit, then Siren, who had appeared and disappeared like a hurricane, and now Dullahan, who communicated in such a strange manner.

A rather ironic thought for someone whose body was made entirely of machinery. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“I’ve checked it, Noona.”

“Everything’s in order, right?”

Apparently, she had finished verifying the 500,000 credits.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Yes. adjust But is what that oppa said true?”

“Should you actually have paid us more?”

Faced with the unusually intense gleam in the girl’s eyes, Ifrit finally surrendered.

“H-huh?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

[Hahahaha, this little shorty is so shameless. athlete Hahahaha, unbelievable.]

“Hehe! anxiety Noona, you’re the best!”

“……Send me the bill for repairing the pistol. advance Let’s call it even. arctic Please.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

However, just then,

Ifrit was about to explode again upon reading the message that appeared on the visor.

“You shut up!”

[Uh-huh. timber I’ve been quiet this whole time.]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

At that deep electronic voice, everyone turned toward Ash.

“Now tell me the real reason for your visit, heroine.”

Although it was nothing more than a sound produced by his voice module, it possessed a strange force that compelled people to pay attention.

“I believe you have made enough of a commotion.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“……Huh? atlas How did you know I had something to tell you?”

“It was a simple assumption. anxiety From what I have personally experienced, you do not strike me as someone who introduces people to one another merely to foster friendship.”

Ash turned his head toward Dullahan.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“You really are so easy to talk to, huh?”

Shortly afterward, a message appeared on the visor.

“Then tell me. agent Why have you introduced us to the young hero Dullahan?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit grabbed Dullahan by the arm and forced him to sit beside her.

[Wow, what incredible intuition, hahaha. anxiety It’s exactly like you said, isn’t it, noona?]

“Shut up and come sit here.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“I want us to do a collaboration. wizard The four of us here, plus one more person.”

Then the luminous heart in her mechanical eye shone with unusual intensity.

“A collaboration?”

Ash repeated the unfamiliar word.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“It means working together. atomic But before I explain, I want you to see this.”

Ifrit pulled a PDA from her clothes and placed it on the table.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Then she pressed the play button.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Furthermore, the image shook violently.

Intense gunfire, screams, and labored breathing could be clearly heard.

It was a recording made with someone’s body camera.

The person wearing the camera rolled across the ground, groaning and desperately trying to get to safety.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

And there the recording ended.

Remains of destroyed structures, Sentinels, and corpses that appeared to belong to the camera wearer’s companions appeared one after another on the screen.

Then, after a brief sound of flesh tearing, the image began spinning uncontrollably.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

However, Akina had understood.

In other words, that was all.

Ash could not understand what Ifrit intended to show him with those images.

It was a horrifying video that, at the same time, showed the reality of a battlefield with extraordinary brutality.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

The girl played the video again.

“Huh?” Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

Shortly afterward, she pressed the pause button on a particular scene.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

And behind them stood out a mechanical device covered in intricate, meticulously engraved patterns.

Several Sentinels could be seen approaching the person wearing the camera.

It was diamond-shaped and emitted a golden glow.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“Bingo.”

At first glance, it seemed obvious that it was no ordinary object.

“Wait…… Could that be a Nexus Port?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit winked at her, as though she had known from the beginning that Akina would recognize it.

[DATA RECALL: Nexus Port]

Meanwhile, Ash began searching for information about Nexus Port.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

An extremely high-density storage and network connection device containing essential data from ancient technologies.

Nexus Port.

[DATA RESEARCH. . . canvas NOW<<<]

//*

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Its potential value is practically incalculable, since a large portion of the megacorporations’ fundamental technologies originate precisely from these Nexus Ports.

By default, it rejects any attempt to access it. arena However, a Technomancer equipped with a Cyberbrain module can attempt to extract an extremely limited amount of data through Deep Dive.

Enormous volumes of technological information and backup documentation are recorded within it.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

“A day ago, an unknown Idol group disappeared during an expedition. adjust This is footage from their body camera.”

*//

Ifrit leaned forward.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

After all, only access to superior technologies could guarantee a corporation’s position within Sanctum.

“The important thing is that we still haven’t reported this discovery to the Sanctum Administration. artist Do you understand what that means? portal The other Societies don’t even know it exists! avalanche Only Halloween knows!”

Normally, when a Nexus Port was discovered, all the Societies descended upon it and ended up clashing in a veritable massacre.

Then she lowered her voice even further, as though afraid someone might overhear her.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Thanks to a series of fortunate circumstances, Halloween was the only organization that had discovered that new Nexus Port.

That meant recovering it would be several times easier than participating in a conventional Nexus recovery operation.

However, this time was different.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 19: Halloween Society 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit gave them a challenging smile.

“Want to make a real fortune?”

“What do you think?”