Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2

KERS.

Surprisingly, it was the same technology Ifrit had mentioned earlier.

A new technology from Vortex Energy that automatically generated electricity in proportion to physical activity.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“I merely heard about it.”

“KERS, huh? audit From what I have heard, it is cutting-edge technology discovered by Vortex Energy.”

“……Hmm? wizard Looks like you know quite a bit about it.”

Ash’s optical sensors emitted a faint flash.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Santa exhaled a long puff of smoke while giving an enigmatic smile.

“……It really is from Vortex Energy. voyage Where the hell did you get something like this?”

“Hey, hey! anchor You’ll get it dirty, brat. zenith Don’t touch it.”

Meanwhile, Akina hurried over and began examining the black torso from every angle.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“What did you say, brat?”

“What trade secret? alpha You stole it, didn’t you? anchor It’s stolen merchandise!”

“Hmph! armor What’s it to you? amateur It’s a trade secret. absorb Do you really think I’m going to tell you?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“Then it is stolen merchandise!”

Santa gave Akina a knock on the head, extinguished his cigarette, and crossed his arms.

“Do I look like a thief to you? album I obtained this item through a completely legitimate transaction! advance Although I must admit that the transaction took place somewhere a little…… suspicious.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“How much does it cost?”

“Hey! portal Are you going to buy it or not?”

“Hmm. airport About six million.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Her blue eyes trembled slightly in disbelief. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

That was equivalent to almost ten times all the money they possessed.

Six million?

Akina, who had been stroking the component, immediately withdrew her hands.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

The old man knew their financial situation perfectly well.

An expression of despair crossed the girl’s face.

However, Ash showed no particular reaction.

For a few moments, he merely observed Santa’s expression calmly.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Therefore, if he had mentioned a price they could never afford, he must have some other intention.

“Elder Santa. acoustic This item is truly extraordinary.”

A calm electronic voice resonated throughout the establishment.

After organizing his thoughts, Ash activated his voice module.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“However, do you not think it is too expensive?”

“That is correct. echo Therefore, stop teasing Miss Akina and tell me what you truly want.”

“Hahaha. avalanche You want to haggle with me?”

“Of course it is! ability Who do you think is recommending it to you?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

At that direct question, one of Santa’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“You noticed?”

Then he let out a small chuckle.

Ash remained silent.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“Will you give me a discount if I reveal my true identity?”

“Hahahaha! shadow I knew you weren’t ordinary. atom Are you really a humanoid? armor The more I observe you, the more you surprise me.”

Santa burst into hearty laughter.

And that silence was equivalent to an affirmative answer.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Shortly afterward, Santa raised two fingers.

“Oh. altitude So there really is something you’re hiding?”

Santa remained silent for a few moments, as though trying to gauge Ash’s reaction.

However, Ash remained completely motionless, staring directly at him.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“I haven’t finished talking yet.”

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

“Two million. amateur Payable in five monthly installments. arcade But there are a few conditions.”

“What?! afford Really?!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“……You mean we must prevent Vortex Society from discovering it? harbor And that, if they do discover us, we must not mention your name?”

“First condition. alien You didn’t buy this item at my shop. atomic You obtained it through your own means. apple Understood?”

Santa calmed Akina, who had shouted with excitement, and continued.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

However, Santa did his best to ignore her.

“I knew it! zenith It really was stolen merchandise!”

“Exactly.”

Beside him, Akina exclaimed.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“This model belongs to one of the earliest stages of prototype development. arena That’s why it’s impossible to predict what kinds of problems or unexpected behavior it might exhibit under real-world conditions. galaxy So you’ll have to collect data and share it with me.”

“Second condition. ability I need real-world performance data.”

Santa’s eyes gleamed behind his sunglasses.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Santa snorted disdainfully.

Akina frowned.

“Ugh! portal And what do you want that data for? voyage Are you planning to sell it to Vortex?”

“Of course not.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“Then what for?”

Ash nodded.

It was not necessary.

“Do I have to explain that to you too?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

His usual crafty smile had disappeared without anyone noticing.

“I understand the second condition as well.”

Santa adjusted his sunglasses.

“Good. aluminum Then the third and final one.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

In its place, his expression displayed a seriousness that was difficult to describe.

Those words caught them by surprise.

“Don’t die. altitude Neither of you.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

And perhaps precisely because of that, it carried much greater weight.

Ash’s optical sensors blinked.

Akina also gazed at Santa in obvious surprise.

It was an extraordinarily simple request.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“……Because if you die, you won’t be able to come back and give me the data! zenith Or finish paying the installments! alien You know I never make deals where I end up losing money!”

Amid that strange atmosphere, Santa cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly.

Perhaps.

His first condition had been a warning.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

And only the third expressed his true feelings.

Then they nodded simultaneously.

The second, an excuse. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

Ash and Akina exchanged a glance for a few moments.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, dear customers.”

“I accept the deal.”

As he watched them, the corners of Santa’s lips rose slightly.

“We’ll buy it!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Two million credits, payable in five monthly installments.

***

Although most of their money had disappeared with that first payment, there was no doubt that they had secured an extraordinarily favorable deal.

The amount they had to pay immediately was 400,000 credits.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

It was not a small amount.

That left Ash and Akina with 260,000 credits.

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

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

After thinking it over for quite some time, the two made a decision.

However, it was not enough to freely purchase just any piece of cutting-edge Cyberware either.

They would have to choose their priorities carefully.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

With that, they finished selecting all the components they needed.

Ash alternated his gaze between the new components that would be installed in his body and Akina, who was beside him hurriedly arranging the tools.

Then he lowered his head slightly.

They would buy a right leg to correct Ash’s slightly tilted posture and a bulletproof tactical vest to increase Akina’s chances of survival.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“Being like this brings back many memories of the past.”

Akina blinked a couple of times before smiling.

The memories Ash was referring to were those of the day he had first awakened in the waste dump.

He could see his own body positioned on the modification platform.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

A humanoid with nothing left but his head and a girl rummaging through garbage.

“Now that I look at you, it seems you have grown a little.”

The memory of that scene, which only the two of them shared, awakened a strange sense of closeness.

“That’s true.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

The jumpsuit she was wearing seemed to have become too short for her, leaving her ankles slightly exposed.

“Huh? album Really?”

“Next time, we should buy you some new clothes as well, Miss Akina.”

Indeed, that was the case.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Ash shook his head.

“It would not be a waste.”

“Nah! abandon Why spend money on that? timber It would be a waste.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“……All right. auction Then, when we finish this expedition, I want you to choose my clothes, Mister.”

That brief conversation ended there.

Akina was about to say something in response, but ended up pouting slightly.

“With great pleasure.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

After taking a deep breath and checking her tools, she explained.

“We’re going to replace the torso and the battery at the same time. arena I’ll also have to disconnect the artificial neural network matrix. shadow We’ll need to restart the entire system, so it might take a while.”

Akina, who had been smiling cheerfully, quickly regained her Technomancer expression.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“That does not matter. atom Do not worry about me, and take all the time you need.”

In other words, Ash would temporarily lose consciousness.

He nodded.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Then she operated her Data Pad a couple of times.

When she finished the preparations, she looked directly into his optical sensors and said.

“See you in a little while, Mister.”

Akina nodded with a serious expression and began connecting cables to different parts of Ash’s body. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

[SYSTEM OFF SEQUENCE]

A succession of green characters began scrolling across Ash’s field of vision.

As soon as she selected an option on her Data Pad, the system shutdown sequence began.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

[NEURAL MATRIX DISCONNECTION]

[INITIATED. . .]

[PRIMARY POWER ROUTING. . .]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

His vision gradually began to darken.

[. . .]

[CORE SHUTDOWN. . . atomic ENGAGED]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

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

It was as though his consciousness were sinking into some infinitely distant place.

At the same time, all his senses became blurred.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

‘……Hmm?’

[WARNING]

His mind flickered briefly, as though he were falling asleep.

It was then.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

[CORRUPTED DATA FOUND. . .]

[ANALYZING. . .]

[ERROR CODE: 88X1_FRGMNT_RECALL]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

[UNABLE TO ISOLATE FRAGMENT]

[OVERRIDE ATTEMPT. . . palette FAILED]

[WARNING]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

[STREAMING UNKNOWN DATA. . .]

[. . .]

[FORCED PLAYBACK OF 88X1_FRGMNT. . .]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

It was filmed from a first-person perspective.

Amid that consciousness submerged in darkness, a recording covered in interference suddenly appeared.

[PLAY. . . abandon NOW<<<]

The images, which seemed to show what ‘I’ was seeing, shook violently and contained numerous distortions.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

I seemed to be walking while following the faint sound of a flute made from a blade of grass.

Severe graphical errors appeared everywhere, as though the data were corrupted.

Amid that interference, ‘I’ was heading somewhere.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

It was a clear and familiar melody, yet strange at the same time, as though I had never heard it before.

And what appeared was a sky so intensely blue that it almost hurt to look at.

At a certain moment, the scenery suddenly opened up before my eyes.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Beneath it stretched an endless field of pale pink azaleas.

It was a landscape that, for some reason, seemed to lack any sense of reality.

The flowers, fully blossomed, swayed gently in the wind, forming ripples resembling waves.

However, the interference and graphical errors that had accompanied the recording from the beginning continuously distorted that perfect scene.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

For that reason, the azaleas occasionally took on green or blue hues.

Finally, I seemed to have reached my destination.

And the farther I advanced, the closer the sound of the grass flute became.

‘I’ continued walking among them. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Upon seeing the blade of grass she held between her fingers, I understood that she was the one producing that melody.

And sitting upon it was a girl.

An old, low stone wall appeared before my eyes.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

The girl sat as though she were part of a painting.

It was then that she turned her head.

However, the constant graphical errors caused the outlines of her figure to crumble from time to time.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

— Mister!

The only thing I could clearly see was her lips, particularly red and full, forming a broad smile.

Because of the intense distortions, I could not make out her face.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

For some strange reason, Ash knew that girl.

‘What is this?’

And at the same time, he did not know her.

The girl waved a hand.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

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

How could he know someone and, at the same time, not know who she was?

It was a truly bewildering sensation.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

As he gazed at that girl who was cheerfully greeting him, an inexplicable emotion began to rise from the depths of his chest.

An emotion very similar to nostalgia.

But the most important thing was something else.

‘I’ also raised a hand to greet her.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

‘I…… know that girl.’

And the more I waved it, the wider the girl’s red smile grew.

He was certain.

Her name……

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Ash did not know whether those words had come from his voice module or whether they had been spoken by the ‘I’ appearing within the recording.

That little girl’s name was……

“……Nangrang?”

However, there was one thing of which he was completely certain.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Rather than crumbling, it would be more accurate to say that it became completely covered in graphical errors.

No.

And that motionless world began to crumble.

The instant he murmured that name, the image froze.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Shortly afterward, only darkness remained.

Amid it appeared a succession of green characters.

Thus, that illusion-like landscape fragmented into countless pieces and disappeared.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

[SYSTEM INTEGRITY CHECK. . .]

[. . .]

[LOADING CORE MODULES. . .]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

The first thing that appeared in his field of vision was a girl waving a hand in front of him.

“Mister!”

At a certain moment, Ash’s optical sensors flashed and regained their luminosity. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

[AWAKENING SEQUENCE. . . academy NOW<<<]

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

“Huh? attic Why isn’t he saying anything? afford Did something go wrong?”

Akina waved her hand a couple more times in front of Ash before picking up her Data Pad.

It was Akina.

Then she sat on the tool table, pouted slightly, and began examining the screen with a worried expression.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Ash gazed at Akina while the strange sensation left by that vision still lingered in his consciousness.

“Have you finished already?”

Finally, his voice module emitted a deep electronic sound.

That posture bore a surprising resemblance to that of the girl playing the grass flute in the recording.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

At those words, Akina raised her head.

“Ah, you really scared me! portal I thought I’d forgotten to connect something!”

Then she gave him a radiant smile.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

The girl set the Data Pad down on the table and took a step closer.

Before his eyes appeared the jet-black torso and the newly installed leg.

“Ta-da! audit Upgrade complete! airport Take a look yourself, Mister!”

Ash lowered his head.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

Akina asked him those questions with obvious enthusiasm.

“What do you think? apron Do you like it? album Do you feel any discomfort?”

All the components they had selected after so much deliberation were connected precisely and flawlessly.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

By that incomprehensible recording he had just witnessed.

His main core was completely occupied by other thoughts.

However, Ash could not answer immediately.

Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.

By the girl named ‘Nangrang’.