Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion
That would be its dictionary definition, but in reality, it is more like something mysterious.
The relationship established between people.
Or the connection that binds someone to something.
There is a word called inyeon, which means bond or destiny.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Those we wish to keep close may leave without looking back, while the people we would rather not encounter appear again and again.
Perhaps it could be described as an encounter that arrives amid countless fleeting moments, as though it had been arranged beforehand.
That is why the bonds of fate can sometimes be strange.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
On this occasion, it was the latter.
“Huh……?”
It was a narrow passageway.
“……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
There was barely enough room for one person to pass through.
Both Ash and Ifrit had their weapons drawn.
Ash and Akina found themselves face-to-face with Ifrit, who was walking toward them from the opposite end.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Although they had only just seen each other, both had sensed the other’s presence beforehand.
That gesture seemed to silently convey something like, ‘You two again?’
Ifrit holstered her pistol and frowned.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Hello!”
“We meet again, heroine.”
He did not seem particularly happy to see her either.
Seeing that the woman facing him had put away her weapon, Ash also sheathed his sword.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Akina, who was hiding behind Ash’s enormous body with only one of her eyes barely visible, greeted them.
After that, none of the three spoke.
Hearing her, Ifrit awkwardly raised a hand.
“Ah, hmm…… Hello?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Unable to endure the suffocating awkwardness, Ifrit scratched her head and was the first to speak.
In truth, they did not have much to say to one another.
They remained like that for at least ten seconds.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“So…… How’s the Mapping going?”
“I see……”
“Well.”
A few moments passed.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“And how is your hobby going?”
“Badly. academy I don’t know where they’ve hidden themselves. alert I can’t find a single one.”
This time, Ash was the one who spoke. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ash nodded at her words.
“I see.”
“I agree. voyage Especially about the awkwardness.”
“……Argh, enough! alert We both have things to do, so let’s just go our separate ways already. aspect I can’t stand this much awkwardness!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
In other words, Ifrit was telling them to retreat so that she could pass.
“Perfect. artist Then back up.”
Barely wide enough for one person.
It was a narrow passageway.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Ha! sphere I’ve traveled a long way too!”
Ash shook his head.
“We have traveled a long way. alien You should retreat, heroine.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
A battle of wills began.
“Well, I don’t believe you either!”
“I cannot believe you.”
The two Pathfinders, standing at opposite ends of the narrow passageway, stared intently at each other without yielding a single inch.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Ifrit, refusing to be outdone, adopted a carefree posture and began whistling.
Ash remained with his arms crossed, motionless as a stone statue.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“I’m warning you, when it comes to stubbornness, nobody beats me.”
“Stop wasting time and move aside. august Don’t you have Mapping to do?”
“Interesting. apple I possess considerable patience.”
Neither showed the slightest intention of yielding.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Fuck, I’m telling you to move!”
“Will you be able to catch the REST-MAN if you continue wasting time like this?”
“What the hell are you talking about?!”
“When the human spirit seeks purity, but the heart disturbs it, and when the human heart seeks stillness, but desires lead it astray……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Akina, unable to continue watching them, intervened.
“W-wait!” Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.
“Do you seriously want us to fight?”
“That you should calm your heart and retreat.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ash shook his head.
“That is unacceptable. orbit If we did that, I would have to pass far too close to that heroine……”
“Why don’t you stop arguing and just pass each other while keeping close to opposite walls? crystal I think the passageway has enough room for that……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“But we’re the ones who don’t have much time.”
Akina’s words were true.
“……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ifrit, being a famous Idol, surely possessed a private vehicle.
The time available to them was limited.
But Ash and Akina did not.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Although they still had some time to spare, they could not afford to squander it.
One never knew when or where something unexpected might happen.
If they wanted to complete the Mapping commission and reach the rendezvous point at the agreed time, they could not waste their time on such an insignificant dispute.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ash looked at Ifrit.
“What are you looking at? action I already told you I’m not moving aside. afford Ever!”
He simply had not imagined that he would end up wasting it in such an unexpected manner.
In fact, the very reason Ash had stubbornly refused to retreat was precisely time.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
He had to put an end to this absurd confrontation.
As he gazed at that luminous, heart-shaped eye glowing provocatively, Ash let out a faint sigh.
She did not seem to have the slightest intention of yielding.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Without answering, Ash firmly wrapped his steel arms around Akina.
“Miss Akina.”
“Right? shadow Now that you’ve thought about it, it’s better to do what I said, isn’t it?”
Ash turned toward Akina.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Hold on tight.”
“Hmm? alien Sir, why……?”
The girl’s small body was completely enveloped in his embrace.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Why are you telling me that all of a sudden? timber Kyaaa!”
The ends of his Gore-Tex coat spread out like black wings.
Cloud Sea Flying Shadow.
Before Akina’s brief scream had finished echoing, Ash’s body soared into the air in a spiraling motion.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
It was an explosive leap that seemed to defy gravity.
Ifrit, who had been maintaining her defiant stance with a rather insolent attitude, raised her head with her mouth hanging open.
The scrap-metal humanoid she had been arguing with just moments earlier was flying over her.
“Eeeh?!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ash carefully set Akina down.
What was surprising was that, despite such a heavy body having traveled several meters through the air, his landing produced neither the slightest sound nor impact.
And he was even carrying Akina in his arms!
Before she could react, Ash had already passed over her head and landed on the other side.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Akina, still dazed, merely shook her head.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“Are you hurt?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
While Ifrit opened and closed her mouth without managing to utter a word, the mysterious humanoid and the girl disappeared into the darkness of the narrow passageway.
The scene had been too shocking for her to respond immediately.
Ash then turned toward Ifrit.
“We shall take our leave. voyage You may continue on your way, heroine. orbit And I hope we do not meet again.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
The Mapping was approaching its final stage.
“……I should’ve recorded that for the stream.”
***
Only Ifrit’s belated murmur remained lingering in the air.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
The main reason for that difference was a stone door.
They had completed 95% of their assigned objective.
As they began calculating the time needed to return to the pickup point and organizing their withdrawal, Ash and Akina arrived at a place whose atmosphere was completely different from anything they had seen until then.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Without a doubt, it conveyed a completely different feeling from anything else they had encountered during their exploration of the ruins.
It was easily ten meters tall, and its surface was covered with geometric patterns and unknown characters.
However, neither Ash nor Akina showed the slightest interest in the door.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Well……”
“Hello.”
Because they found Ifrit sitting in front of it, nibbling on an Energy Stick.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
That made her seem even more suspicious.
Ash concealed Akina behind his back.
Surprisingly, she greeted them quite cordially.
“Are you following us?” Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Then is this an ambush?”
“If I wanted to ambush you, I would’ve shot you already.”
“What are you talking about? timber I got here first.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“……And why were you waiting for us?”
“But it’s true that I was waiting for you. absorb I had a feeling you two would end up coming here too. arrow Although it would be more accurate to say that all the passageways lead to this place.”
Ifrit stood up, brushed off her backside a couple of times, and smiled broadly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Eh? avalanche Me?”
“Because I need the brat.”
Akina poked her head out slightly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Come to think of it, I didn’t even ask your name. apple What’s your name?”
“Explain what you need first.”
Just as Akina was about to answer, Ash interrupted her.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ifrit shrugged and gestured behind her with her chin.
“This door. anxiety Do you think you can open it?”
“You really do have quite a distinctive personality.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Of course I can!”
Akina, apparently interested, took a step forward.
She was referring to the enormous stone door.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Oh, really! crystal Then could you open it……?”
“……Wow, you two really do have distinctive personalities.”
“As long as you pay me enough credits!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Akina frowned.
“Fifty thousand credits? acquire Isn’t that a little too cheap?”
“Wow, brat, you’re less ambitious than you look. orbit Does this look like fifty thousand to you?”
Ifrit gazed at the ceiling for a few moments, thinking, and then extended one hand with all five fingers raised.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Five hundred thousand credits?
“Exactly. action Five hundred thousand.”
“Eh? orbit Then don’t tell me……!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
And now someone was offering her five hundred thousand?
They had spent two entire days exploring and collecting absolutely everything they could, and they had not even managed to earn two hundred thousand credits.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
After rattling off those words at breakneck speed, Akina tied back her abundant blonde hair and practically ran toward the stone door.
“……She does not always behave that way. antenna We have simply had many expenses lately……”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, noona! alien My name is Akina Greenwood! antenna I’m a promising Technomancer! timber You want to open that door? acoustic Leave everything to this Akina!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“By the way, aren’t you going to ask?”
“Ask what?” This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
“I understand.”
“You don’t need to explain.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Why I want to open that door.”
After that brief exchange, Ash and Ifrit also approached Akina.
“……You’re right, but for some reason, it annoys me that you guessed so precisely.”
“Is it not because of the REST-MAN? athlete For example, because they fled to the other side.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Seeing a cable inserted into a body that, at first glance, appeared completely human produced a rather strange sensation.
She was already connecting a cable to the port located at the back of her neck.
Once the preparations were complete, Akina turned toward Ash.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ash nodded as well.
Her gaze was extremely serious.
“Sir. antenna You know, right?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Of course.”
There was a good reason for that solemnity.
The act of infiltrating the ancient civilization’s cyberspace through a Cyberbrain module.
Deep Dive.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
At that moment, protecting the Technomancer’s body became the Assault’s most important mission.
The body remaining in the real world was nothing more than a living shell.
Once the Dive began, the Technomancer’s consciousness was transferred into the immense cyberspace.
It was also the fundamental reason why Technomancers, who practically lacked combat capabilities, ventured through the ruins.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
They were two people who entrusted their very lives to each other, bound by a shared destiny.
That constituted the very essence of Pathfinders and an absolute rule that must never be broken.
While the Assault’s sword and weapons kept the threats of the real world at bay, the Technomancer navigated cyberspace to control systems, decipher codes, or obtain Lost Technology of incalculable value.
How, then, could the relationship between a Technomancer and an Assault be described as merely a relationship between companions?
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Akina smiled faintly at Ash’s words and connected the end of the cable to the data port beside the stone door.
“Go without worry. galaxy I shall remain here the entire time.”
Then she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
the girl’s small body trembled slightly and began to rise very slowly, as though defying gravity.
Levitation Phenomenon.
Shortly afterward,
She remained suspended approximately a handspan above the ground.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
It seemed the Deep Dive had been successful.
A faint blue mist began rising around Akina’s body.
It was a characteristic phenomenon that appeared when a Technomancer’s consciousness left their body and infiltrated cyberspace.
Ash positioned himself in front of her, as though intending to block all access, and drew the steel sword he carried on his back.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Then he spoke in a low, firm voice.
It was only natural.
Even Ifrit, who until then had proven completely unpredictable, refrained from making jokes or playing tricks during the Deep Dive.
“Step back. atom From this moment onward, I shall consider anyone who approaches an enemy.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Without saying anything, she stepped back.
After all, she was a Pathfinder too.
Ifrit understood perfectly well the seriousness a Deep Dive demanded.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
A few moments of silence passed.
Ifrit, who had moved farther away than necessary, murmured.
She even raised both hands to demonstrate that she had no intention of using her weapons.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Your name was Ash Blade…… right?”
As though she had already expected that, Ifrit continued speaking.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Ash did not respond.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“From what I can see, you mainly use a sword. armor Even so, you should prepare some means of attacking at a distance. shadow During a Deep Dive, your mobility is limited.”
“You two look good together. arcade I hope you survive for a long time. alert I’m not being sarcastic. timber I mean it.”
Ash continued without responding.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
It was then that,
—Rumbleeeee……!
“I did it!”
With a deafening roar, the enormous stone door began to open.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Miss Akina. anxiety Are you all right?”
Ash immediately sheathed his sword and supported Akina when she began to stagger.
Her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes shone brightly with the joy of success.
Akina opened her eyes while breathing heavily.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Meanwhile, Ifrit approached and let out a whistle.
Ash gazed at the girl, who was smiling cheerfully, unable to say anything for quite some time.
“Hehe! academy Sir! echo Did you see that? abstract I opened it! apple Ah, how disappointing! arena Cyberspace wasn’t all that impressive!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Yeah. arch Extremely.”
“That was fast. aluminum You’re pretty good, huh?”
“I’m fast?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“When you’re finished exploring, come to Halloween Entertainment. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors. album I’ll transfer the five hundred thousand credits to you immediately.”
“Perfect! ability Then shall we go?”
Ifrit was about to pat Akina on the head, but upon seeing Ash, she withdrew her hand.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Ifrit, who was about to enter through the door, turned around.
“Where are you going?”
“To the other side of the door.”
“Yeah, yeah. echo Wait, huh?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“We have not finished the Mapping yet.”
“Uh…… Why?”
“So what? abstract You want us to go together?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Ha!”
“We never said that. antenna So you may go ahead.”
This time, Ash answered.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
The luminous heart in her mechanical eye flashed.
“Are you telling me you’re going to walk behind me?”
Ifrit let out a mocking laugh.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
This time, it was Ash’s optical sensors that glowed.
“That was not our intention, but I suppose that is how it will be.”
“What kind of insanity are you talking about? arcade How do you expect me to walk peacefully knowing you two are behind me? riddle If you’re so insistent, you go first. crystal I’ll follow you.”
“What an absurd proposal. acoustic Do I have any guarantee that you will not attack us? autumn I have already experienced your unpredictable behavior, so do not speak such nonsense.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Oh, come on!”
“Argh! autumn I’m telling you to go first!”
“You go ahead, heroine.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
“Then why don’t we just walk side by side? adjust Okay?”
There is a word called inyeon, which means bond or destiny.
Akina stepped between them.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
That would be its dictionary definition, but in reality, it is more like something mysterious.
The relationship established between people.
Or the connection that binds someone to something.
Perhaps it could be described as an encounter that arrives amid countless fleeting moments, as though it had been arranged beforehand.
Translation of Cyberpunk Martial Hero Chronicles - Chapter 11: An Unexpected Companion by Indra Translations.
Very strange.
That is why the bonds of fate can sometimes be strange.
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