Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2
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.
Ash’s optical sensors emitted a faint flash.
KERS.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“……Hmm? orbit Looks like you know quite a bit about it.”
“KERS, huh? anchor From what I have heard, it is cutting-edge technology discovered by Vortex Energy.”
“I merely heard about it.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Hey, hey! avalanche You’ll get it dirty, brat. anchor Don’t touch it.”
Meanwhile, Akina hurried over and began examining the black torso from every angle.
Santa exhaled a long puff of smoke while giving an enigmatic smile.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“What trade secret? legend You stole it, didn’t you? admire It’s stolen merchandise!”
“Hmph! palette What’s it to you? acquire It’s a trade secret. acquire Do you really think I’m going to tell you?”
“What did you say, brat?”
“……It really is from Vortex Energy. matrix Where the hell did you get something like this?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Hey! attic Are you going to buy it or not?”
“Do I look like a thief to you? alert I obtained this item through a completely legitimate transaction! autumn Although I must admit that the transaction took place somewhere a little…… suspicious.”
“Then it is stolen merchandise!”
Santa gave Akina a knock on the head, extinguished his cigarette, and crossed his arms.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Akina, who had been stroking the component, immediately withdrew her hands.
“Hmm. armor About six million.”
“How much does it cost?”
Her blue eyes trembled slightly in disbelief.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
That was equivalent to almost ten times all the money they possessed.
Six million?
However, Ash showed no particular reaction.
An expression of despair crossed the girl’s face.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - 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.
The old man knew their financial situation perfectly well.
For a few moments, he merely observed Santa’s expression calmly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Of course it is! timber Who do you think is recommending it to you?”
“Elder Santa. acquire This item is truly extraordinary.”
After organizing his thoughts, Ash activated his voice module.
A calm electronic voice resonated throughout the establishment.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“That is correct. arena Therefore, stop teasing Miss Akina and tell me what you truly want.”
“However, do you not think it is too expensive?”
“Hahaha. atomic You want to haggle with me?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Then he let out a small chuckle.
“You noticed?”
At that direct question, one of Santa’s eyebrows rose slightly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Hahahaha! voyage I knew you weren’t ordinary. galaxy Are you really a humanoid? orbit The more I observe you, the more you surprise me.”
And that silence was equivalent to an affirmative answer.
Ash remained silent.
Santa burst into hearty laughter.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Santa remained silent for a few moments, as though trying to gauge Ash’s reaction.
“Oh. matrix So there really is something you’re hiding?”
“Will you give me a discount if I reveal my true identity?” All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Two million. abandon Payable in five monthly installments. arrow But there are a few conditions.”
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
However, Ash remained completely motionless, staring directly at him.
Shortly afterward, Santa raised two fingers.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“First condition. wizard You didn’t buy this item at my shop. auction You obtained it through your own means. anxiety Understood?”
“What?! arch Really?!”
“I haven’t finished talking yet.”
Santa calmed Akina, who had shouted with excitement, and continued.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“I knew it! alert It really was stolen merchandise!”
Beside him, Akina exclaimed.
“Exactly.”
“……You mean we must prevent Vortex Society from discovering it? academy And that, if they do discover us, we must not mention your name?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
However, Santa did his best to ignore her.
Santa’s eyes gleamed behind his sunglasses.
“Second condition. alpha I need real-world performance data.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Ugh! portal And what do you want that data for? matrix Are you planning to sell it to Vortex?”
“This model belongs to one of the earliest stages of prototype development. anchor That’s why it’s impossible to predict what kinds of problems or unexpected behavior it might exhibit under real-world conditions. arrow So you’ll have to collect data and share it with me.”
Akina frowned.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“Then what for?”
“Of course not.”
Santa snorted disdainfully.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Ash nodded.
It was not necessary.
“Do I have to explain that to you too?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Santa adjusted his sunglasses.
“I understand the second condition as well.”
“Good. abandon Then the third and final one.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Those words caught them by surprise.
“Don’t die. armor Neither of you.”
In its place, his expression displayed a seriousness that was difficult to describe.
His usual crafty smile had disappeared without anyone noticing.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Ash’s optical sensors blinked.
And perhaps precisely because of that, it carried much greater weight.
It was an extraordinarily simple request.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Amid that strange atmosphere, Santa cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly.
“……Because if you die, you won’t be able to come back and give me the data! aluminum Or finish paying the installments! adapt You know I never make deals where I end up losing money!”
Akina also gazed at Santa in obvious surprise.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
The second, an excuse.
His first condition had been a warning.
Perhaps.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Ash and Akina exchanged a glance for a few moments.
“I accept the deal.”
Then they nodded simultaneously.
And only the third expressed his true feelings.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
As he watched them, the corners of Santa’s lips rose slightly. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, dear customers.”
“We’ll buy it!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Two million credits, payable in five monthly installments.
The amount they had to pay immediately was 400,000 credits.
***
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
That left Ash and Akina with 260,000 credits.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Although most of their money had disappeared with that first payment, there was no doubt that they had secured an extraordinarily favorable deal.
It was not a small amount.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
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. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
After thinking it over for quite some time, the two made a decision.
They would have to choose their priorities carefully.
However, it was not enough to freely purchase just any piece of cutting-edge Cyberware either.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Then he lowered his head slightly.
He could see his own body positioned on the modification platform.
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.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
The memories Ash was referring to were those of the day he had first awakened in the waste dump.
“Being like this brings back many memories of the past.”
Akina blinked a couple of times before smiling.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“That’s true.”
The memory of that scene, which only the two of them shared, awakened a strange sense of closeness.
A humanoid with nothing left but his head and a girl rummaging through garbage.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - 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.
“Now that I look at you, it seems you have grown a little.”
“Huh? athlete Really?”
Indeed, that was the case.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Ash shook his head.
“Nah! amber Why spend money on that? alien It would be a waste.”
“Next time, we should buy you some new clothes as well, Miss Akina.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Akina was about to say something in response, but ended up pouting slightly.
“……All right. anchor Then, when we finish this expedition, I want you to choose my clothes, Mister.”
“It would not be a waste.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Akina, who had been smiling cheerfully, quickly regained her Technomancer expression.
That brief conversation ended there.
“With great pleasure.”
After taking a deep breath and checking her tools, she explained.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
He nodded.
“We’re going to replace the torso and the battery at the same time. arctic I’ll also have to disconnect the artificial neural network matrix. atlas We’ll need to restart the entire system, so it might take a while.”
In other words, Ash would temporarily lose consciousness.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Akina nodded with a serious expression and began connecting cables to different parts of Ash’s body.
“That does not matter. autumn Do not worry about me, and take all the time you need.”
When she finished the preparations, she looked directly into his optical sensors and said.
Then she operated her Data Pad a couple of times.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
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.
“See you in a little while, Mister.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
[NEURAL MATRIX DISCONNECTION]
[PRIMARY POWER ROUTING. . .]
[INITIATED. . .]
[SYSTEM OFF SEQUENCE]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
His vision gradually began to darken.
[CORE SHUTDOWN. . . portal ENGAGED]
[. . .]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
It was as though his consciousness were sinking into some infinitely distant place.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
At the same time, all his senses became blurred.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
[WARNING]
His mind flickered briefly, as though he were falling asleep.
It was then.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
‘……Hmm?’
[ERROR CODE: 88X1_FRGMNT_RECALL]
[ANALYZING. . .]
[CORRUPTED DATA FOUND. . .]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
[FORCED PLAYBACK OF 88X1_FRGMNT. . .]
[OVERRIDE ATTEMPT. . . zenith FAILED]
[UNABLE TO ISOLATE FRAGMENT]
[WARNING]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Amid that consciousness submerged in darkness, a recording covered in interference suddenly appeared.
[PLAY. . . antenna NOW<<<]
[. . .]
[STREAMING UNKNOWN DATA. . .]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
It was filmed from a first-person perspective.
Severe graphical errors appeared everywhere, as though the data were corrupted.
The images, which seemed to show what ‘I’ was seeing, shook violently and contained numerous distortions.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - 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.
I seemed to be walking while following the faint sound of a flute made from a blade of grass.
Amid that interference, ‘I’ was heading somewhere.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Beneath it stretched an endless field of pale pink azaleas.
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 Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
However, the interference and graphical errors that had accompanied the recording from the beginning continuously distorted that perfect scene.
The flowers, fully blossomed, swayed gently in the wind, forming ripples resembling waves.
It was a landscape that, for some reason, seemed to lack any sense of reality. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
For that reason, the azaleas occasionally took on green or blue hues.
And the farther I advanced, the closer the sound of the grass flute became.
‘I’ continued walking among them.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
An old, low stone wall appeared before my eyes.
Finally, I seemed to have reached my destination.
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.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
However, the constant graphical errors caused the outlines of her figure to crumble from time to time.
Because of the intense distortions, I could not make out her face.
It was then that she turned her head.
The girl sat as though she were part of a painting.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
The girl waved a hand.
The only thing I could clearly see was her lips, particularly red and full, forming a broad smile.
— Mister!
‘What is this?’
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
How could he know someone and, at the same time, not know who she was?
It was a truly bewildering sensation. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
And at the same time, he did not know her.
For some strange reason, Ash knew that girl.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - 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.
But the most important thing was something else.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
And the more I waved it, the wider the girl’s red smile grew.
‘I…… know that girl.’
‘I’ also raised a hand to greet her.
An emotion very similar to nostalgia.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“……Nangrang?”
That little girl’s name was……
He was certain.
Her name……
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
However, there was one thing of which he was completely certain.
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.
The instant he murmured that name, the image froze.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - 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.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Shortly afterward, only darkness remained.
Thus, that illusion-like landscape fragmented into countless pieces and disappeared.
Amid it appeared a succession of green characters.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
[. . .]
[LOADING CORE MODULES. . .]
[SYSTEM INTEGRITY CHECK. . .]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
[AWAKENING SEQUENCE. . . ability NOW<<<]
“Mister!”
At a certain moment, Ash’s optical sensors flashed and regained their luminosity.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Akina waved her hand a couple more times in front of Ash before picking up her Data Pad.
“Huh? sphere Why isn’t he saying anything? riddle Did something go wrong?”
It was Akina.
The first thing that appeared in his field of vision was a girl waving a hand in front of him.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
That posture bore a surprising resemblance to that of the girl playing the grass flute in the recording.
Then she sat on the tool table, pouted slightly, and began examining the screen with a worried expression.
Finally, his voice module emitted a deep electronic sound.
Ash gazed at Akina while the strange sensation left by that vision still lingered in his consciousness.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Then she gave him a radiant smile.
“Have you finished already?”
At those words, Akina raised her head.
“Ah, you really scared me! shadow I thought I’d forgotten to connect something!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
Before his eyes appeared the jet-black torso and the newly installed leg.
The girl set the Data Pad down on the table and took a step closer.
“Ta-da! audit Upgrade complete! riddle Take a look yourself, Mister!”
Ash lowered his head.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 21: UPGRADE COMPLETE! 2 by Indra Translations.
“What do you think? abandon Do you like it? galaxy Do you feel any discomfort?”
Akina asked him those questions with obvious enthusiasm.
However, Ash could not answer immediately.
All the components they had selected after so much deliberation were connected precisely and flawlessly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - 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.
By the girl named ‘Nangrang’.
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