Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2

“Hmm? academy Me?”

Their strange companionship got off on the wrong foot.

“That is correct.”

“Miss Akina. august You do not seem to be looking well. alien What do you say we rest for a moment?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit’s eyes gleamed.

Ifrit narrowed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously. echo It was obvious to anyone that this was a rather crude trick to make her go ahead.

Akina was surprisingly full of energy.

But she had no intention of standing idly by.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit smiled with satisfaction upon seeing Ash’s optical sensors glow threateningly.

“Akina. advance If you’re tired, do you want your noona to carry you on her back?”

Ash covered Akina with his coat, as though he had just heard a completely absurd proposal.

“I decline your offer. arctic Step back.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit began looking around with exaggerated gestures.

Shortly afterward,

“Wow, what beautiful scenery. action I think I’ll record a short before continuing.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Whatever. meadow I want to record it. apron You don’t need to wait for me, so you can go ahead.”

“No matter how much I look around, all I see is dust and walls. adjust What scenery are you talking about?”

“I’m telling you there’s no need.”

“We shall wait.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ash, refusing to back down, made his optical sensors glow.

Ifrit glared at Ash.

“I said we shall wait.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

And even in such a short time, their constant disagreements had not ceased for a single moment.

However, they had no choice but to remain together.

Like two magnets with identical poles, they seemed to repel each other continuously.

Barely ten minutes had passed since they began traveling together.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“I have a proposal.”

“What a coincidence. antenna So do I.”

Because the ruins on the other side of the door had only one path.

Ash, who continued staring intently at Ifrit, spoke.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“I hope we find a fork as soon as possible.”

“What do you say we separate as soon as we find a fork in the path? auction Regardless of what lies at the end, we shall take the path on the right.”

“Perfect. album I’ll take the left.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Both nodded simultaneously.

“We agree.”

Akina, who was walking between the two, secretly let out a giggle.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

However, that damned passageway seemed to stretch endlessly in a straight line, as though determined to prevent them from separating. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

Apparently, she found their absolute incompatibility rather amusing.

The three resumed walking side by side.

Anxiously hoping to find a fork in the path.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

And so their uncomfortable companionship continued.

‘Come to think of it, he really is peculiar.’

***

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

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

For that reason, she had encountered quite a few humanoids exploring Outer.

Ifrit was an Idol of Halloween Entertainment and, at the same time, a veteran Pathfinder who had participated in countless battles.

However, even for her, this fellow named Ash was a type of humanoid she had never seen before.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

For starters, his appearance was incredible.

She discreetly examined him out of the corner of her eye.

Far from possessing a modern combat body frame, he appeared to be constructed from all kinds of scrap parts assembled haphazardly.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

And yet, the black exploration suit he wore and the steel sword he carried on his back suited him extraordinarily well.

The fact that the components of each part of his body had different specifications was already bad enough.

It was surprising that he could move at all.

But wasn’t it going too far that they even belonged to different generations and manufacturers?

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

An understated elegance that was difficult to describe.

There was something strange yet harmonious about his appearance.

His manner of speaking, so refined that it seemed old-fashioned, and that serenity comparable to the surface of a calm lake were also peculiar.

Not to mention his meticulousness, since he never relaxed his vigilance toward her.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

No matter how much she thought about it, those scrap-metal legs should not have been capable of performing such a movement.

What had that inexplicable jumping ability been, which had allowed him to pass over her head so easily?

‘And then there’s that jump.’

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

At the thought of his creator, her attention naturally shifted toward the brat walking beside him.

Akina Greenwood.

‘He’s definitely hiding something. apple Could his creator be extraordinarily skilled?’

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Now that she considered it, that girl also had more than one peculiar characteristic.

Ordinary Technomancers did not participate in insignificant jobs like Mapping.

It was already surprising that she had successfully undergone a Cyberbrain implantation procedure at such a young age, but there were other details that attracted even more attention.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

She carried a backpack almost as large as her own body and filled it to the brim with scrap parts that, from Ifrit’s perspective, were nothing more than garbage.

But one only had to look at that girl.

They were far too valuable as human resources and were employed only to extract information of great value, namely Lost Technology.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

‘……Doesn’t she belong to any corporation? anxiety No, even if that’s the case, this is too much. airport What kind of Technomancer goes around collecting scrap?’

She even bothered to calculate their space efficiency!

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

What kind of combination was that?

Without a doubt, they made an extraordinarily peculiar and interesting pair.

A scrap-metal humanoid and a Technomancer determined to make a living collecting waste?

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

‘Wait a moment.’

That word perfectly matched the values Ifrit had always pursued as an Idol.

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‘Could they have…… star potential?’

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Wasn’t there some way to convince those two to appear in one of her broadcasts?

She had a feeling they could produce some pretty good content.

The luminous heart in her mechanical eye flashed.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

The girl spoke to her cautiously.

“Excuse me, Ifrit noona……”

While she entertained herself with those fantasies,

Perhaps Akina could not stand the uncomfortable silence either.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit responded in a considerably warmer tone.

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

“Hmm? ability What’s wrong?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit nodded with a broad smile.

“May I ask you something?”

It was a perfect opportunity.

Just as she was thinking about how to convince them, Akina had decided to speak to her of her own accord.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

However, the words she heard next made that smile disappear.

“Of course. apron What do you want to know?”

“Why did Elementary Girls disband? apple You were very popular.”

The luminous heart that had been glowing cheerfully until just a moment ago suddenly went cold.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“……Eh?”

“Never mind! amateur If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to……”

Sensing that sudden change in atmosphere, Akina must have realized she had made a mistake, because she began waving her hands hurriedly.

“Because they all died.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Undine.

“Gaia was crushed to death beneath a mountain of waste, and Sylph disappeared without a trace. advance Lastly, Undine…… Undine……”

Ifrit continued speaking while gazing into the darkness stretching out at the other end of the passageway.

She could have survived.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Until then, she definitely could have survived. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

“Anyway, that’s what happened. matrix They all died, except me.”

Apparently, the horrible memories of that moment returned to her mind, because Ifrit shook her head sharply.

Until the REST-MAN approached under the pretext of rescuing her and began dismantling her while she was still alive.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

The first to break it was Ash, who had not spoken a word until then.

He stopped and called out to Ifrit.

A heavy silence descended upon them.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ash drew his sword.

“That is not it.”

“You don’t need to console me. abandon That’s how Pathfinders end up, after all. alien Besides, all of that is in the past……”

“Heroine.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

The sadness and awkwardness that had permeated the atmosphere disappeared, replaced by a razor-sharp tension.

“There is something ahead.”

At those words, spoken in a low but firm voice, Ifrit’s and Akina’s expressions hardened simultaneously.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Like Ash, she also drew her weapon.

“Shit. auction You’re right.”

Ifrit increased the sensitivity of her auditory sensors and soon furrowed her delicate brows.

It was the large-caliber pistol she had promoted earlier, the Bloody Heart Mk.7.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

At Ifrit’s question, Ash examined the subtle energy flows and electromagnetic fields in their surroundings.

“Can you detect anything else? athlete I can barely make out that there’s something there.”

It was a secondary ability he had developed after mastering the Neuro Heart Technique.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Concealing their presences. antique It’s an ambush.”

“……They are all human. autumn There are at least five or six. matrix Perhaps more. wizard They are concealing their presences, so I cannot say for certain.”

“I think the same.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“There’s probably seven of them. agent That’s exactly how many REST-MAN I had left to hunt down. amateur Okay. arena Now I have to get back to my hobby, so you two turn back.”

Ifrit pulled back the slide of her pistol to check the chamber and then addressed Ash.

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

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Yeah. advance Exactly. timber So if you don’t want to catch a stray bullet, both of you turn back. aluminum Our time together ends here.”

“Do you intend to go in knowing it is an ambush? acquire And alone, at that?”

Ash replied.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Ha. apron Are you going to start again with the Mapping? august What the hell is wrong with you? galaxy Are you crazy? album Just give up that miserable reward!”

At the woman’s words, accompanied by a gesture telling them to leave, Ash shook his head.

“I cannot do that.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“I am concerned for your safety, heroine.”

“Then what?”

“That is not the reason.”

What kind of nonsense had she just heard?

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“What kind of stupidity are you talking about? advance Why the hell would you worry about me?”

Ifrit involuntarily adopted a strange expression. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

He was worried about her?

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Because we still have credits to collect. atom If something were to happen to you, who could attest to the work Miss Akina performed?”

“……Ah.”

Ifrit stared at him in disbelief before shrugging.

Five hundred thousand credits.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“I shall help you.”

“Then what do you propose?”

“Ha. anxiety You? arena Help me?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Wow. agent You really are quite a character.”

“I have a plan.”

“There are five hundred thousand credits at stake. agent It is no inconvenience.”

Ignoring Ifrit, who could not stop expressing her astonishment, Ash continued.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“You will draw their attention. ability Meanwhile, I shall take a detour and attack from the rear. arena The mere presence of an enemy behind them constitutes a considerable threat, so we will be able to face several opponents at the same time.”

“Really? antenna You already have a plan? adapt Let’s hear it. arena What is it?”

“In other words, you want me to be the shield?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit looked at Ash with a strange expression and then turned toward Akina.

“Wow……”

“After all, it is your hobby, is it not? silence You will have to accept at least that much.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Is this guy always this insufferable?”

Although she said that, from Ifrit’s perspective, the proposal was not exactly bad.

“Ha, hahaha……”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Miss Akina, you……”

Meanwhile, Ash addressed Akina.

Without a doubt, it would be much better than facing the REST-MAN preparing an ambush all by herself.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Perhaps because she had already accumulated similar experiences while accompanying Ash, her movements seemed extraordinarily accustomed to such situations.

Once completely hidden among the shadows, Akina gave a thumbs-up.

The girl ran off with quick steps and settled into the darkest, most secluded corner she could find.

“Yes! academy Don’t worry, sir!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“……Wow. apron What the hell is wrong with these two?”

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

Ifrit clicked her tongue in disbelief. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

“Ready!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

After staring at the ground for a few moments, she raised her head.

“Fine. avalanche If you want to help me, I have no reason to refuse.”

“You wanted me to draw their attention?”

Her eyes gleamed.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit had already struck her pose.

At the same time, the Cyberware on her shoulders opened, and her recording drones shot out.

“Perfect! anchor I’ll make sure to draw their attention properly!”

The two devices began fluttering around her while projecting beams of light.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Hello, all my Ifrities! adapt Did you miss me? voyage Your favorite Idol, Ifrit, is back! echo And that’s not all! attic Today’s main event has finally arrived! antenna It’s time to deliver justice! artist Don’t change the channel!”

One of the drones approached to capture a close-up of her face.

She raised one leg and displayed a charming smile.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

***

She gave him an affirmative nod.

Ifrit winked at the drone and then looked toward Ash, who was disappearing into the shadows.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

It was Ifrit’s latest hit, Death Carnival.

The REST-MAN, who remained hidden among the shadows while concealing their presences, began murmuring.

Lively electronic music began reverberating thunderously through the dark ruins.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Along with that blaring music, an inexplicable pressure was approaching.

Uneasy voices emerged from different points in the darkness.

“Could she have noticed us?”

“Shit. avalanche She’s here.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Fear began to spread.

The commotion that had begun spreading was forcibly suppressed.

The hoarse voice of someone who appeared to be the leader could be heard.

“Everybody shut your mouths! admire Hold your positions! aluminum Don’t do anything stupid, and wait for the signal!”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Shortly afterward,

Just like the song they were hearing.

However, that incomprehensible fear continued hovering over their heads.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

A silhouette appeared amid that radiance.

She walked down the passageway with the confidence of a superstar who had just stepped onto the stage.

accompanied by music that grew increasingly louder and clearer, an intense light began filtering through the absolute darkness.

Ifrit.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

The REST-MAN, hidden everywhere as they awaited their opportunity, involuntarily swallowed.

Finally, Ifrit stopped right in front of where they were hiding.

Despite that strange uneasiness, the crazy woman was approaching the ambush point exactly as they had planned.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

Amid the intense radiance of her luminous heart, the corners of her lips rose into a broad smile.

With the other, she formed a V and placed her fingers beside her eye.

Ifrit held her pistol in one hand.

The drones fluttering around her swept their cameras over her body while projecting dazzling lights.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 12: An Unexpected Companion 2 by Indra Translations.

“Ta-da! sphere The bitch you hate most has arrived, Ifrit!”

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