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