Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT?
The enormous speakers installed on each vehicle blasted deafening music, as though they were all competing to attract attention.
Dozens of armored vehicles crossed the wasteland, covered in extravagant paint, neon lights arranged in geometric patterns, and all kinds of decorations of unknown origin.
As soon as they left Sanctum and entered Outer, the suppressed madness of Halloween Society erupted all at once.
This expedition was different from the very beginning.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Then they began their broadcasts, shouting toward the drones following them.
Some Idols climbed onto the roofs of their armored vehicles while they continued moving.
That scene resembled an expedition far less than a carnival procession dominated by madness and discord.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Another flashed a victory sign with his fingers in front of a competitor’s wrecked vehicle that had just exploded.
The commentary came through the vehicle’s radio.
One roared while drinking an energy drink that had just been released onto the market.
— Ohhh! antenna Team Underdogs is starting off strong! august They cleanly eliminate one of their competitors and win the hearts of the viewers!
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ash watched that scene through the window.
However, before Chatterbox could finish expressing his admiration, another gigantic explosion occurred.
A partially destroyed armored vehicle was sent flying through the air.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
And the value that dominated that expedition was obvious.
Popularity.
Then he remembered that, with the exception of himself and Akina, everyone present belonged to Halloween Society.
A society united by a single value.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
The confrontations taking place there were not intended to ensure survival.
In that world where even battles to the death had become mere spectacles, ‘Likes’ and ‘donations’ were more important than survival.
They were much more like a spectacle designed to achieve higher audience ratings.
From that moment onward, everything would be determined by a single truth the viewing figures.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Fortunately, Ifrit, Dullahan, and Jack O’Lantern, the members of their team, were behaving relatively calmly.
That was the true nature of that expedition.
“Fuck. auction These idiots are already doing stupid shit right from the start.”
Ash’s turquoise optical sensors turned toward Ifrit.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“Ash, everything needs to make an impact. autumn If we start doing crazy things too while everyone else is doing the same, nobody will pay any attention to us.”
At his question, Ifrit smiled broadly while maintaining her personal weapon, Dragon Breath.
“Heroine, do you not intend to participate in that commotion?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“Exactly, noona! All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com atom The real protagonist always shows up at the end! zenith Hehehe!”
“There’s not much to explain. august In the end, all the viewers want to know one thing. atlas Who’s going to finish in first place. legend We just have to find the Nexus before everyone else. alien The audience? admire We can steal it from all those idiots.”
“……Could you explain that in more detail?”
Jack O’Lantern, who was driving, shouted.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
A message also appeared on Dullahan’s visor.
“……I see.”
[Amateurs try to attract attention from the beginning. audit It’s that simple.]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
They simply used different methods.
Thinking about it, that was perfectly natural.
Deep down, they were no different from the others.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
After all, they all belonged to Halloween Society.
Ifrit.
Dullahan.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Jack O’Lantern.
Popularity.
There was only one reason they had decided to participate in that dangerous recovery operation, even going so far as to recruit support members.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Greater recognition.
They wanted to become the most dazzling figures on the enormous stage represented by the Nexus recovery operation.
Ash felt the urge to ask them something.
More viewers.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
However, he did not.
What the hell was this ‘popularity’ that made them willing to risk even their own lives?
‘Did I not live a life completely consumed by a single obsession myself?’
“……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
If someone asked him why he had lived that way, would he truly be able to answer?
The only difference was that, for them, that obsession was popularity. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.
For Ash, it had been revenge.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ash adjusted the steel sword he carried on his back and mentally distanced himself from that world of violence disguised as entertainment.
After all, someone traveling aboard a ship cannot see its shape from the outside.
Ash was not sure.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
However, it seemed that this festival of madness had no intention of leaving him alone.
With that brief exclamation, the armored vehicle they were traveling in swerved sharply.
The excitement of the festival did not affect him in the slightest.
“What the fu……!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Through the window, he spotted five or six motorcycles advancing toward them across the wasteland.
Ash caught Akina, who had lost her balance and was about to be thrown across the vehicle, before raising his head.
“Kyaaa!”
Jack O’Lantern had jerked the steering wheel.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ifrit, who had ended up thrown against one end of the vehicle because of the sudden turn, cursed.
“Those motherfuckers……!”
One of them carried a heavy weapon whose barrel was still smoking.
Apparently, they had just fired at them.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“I shall accompany you.”
“So they want to play?”
“Perfect! acoustic Let’s have some fun!”
She was about to open the upper hatch when Ash also stood up.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
The wasteland had become a scene of utter chaos, enveloped in clouds of dust kicked up by dozens of vehicles and the thunder of gunfire.
The freezing wind of their movement whipped their clothes violently.
Both emerged through the upper hatch of the armored vehicle, which continued speeding forward.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ratatatata!
Then they pulled alongside the armored vehicle and began firing.
Amid that confusion, the motorcycles approached, raising an enormous cloud of dust.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ifrit cursed again.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
The bullets produced a shower of sparks as they struck the armor plates.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Dragon Breath was a shotgun.
Then she gave a crazed smile and raised her weapon, Dragon Breath.
A shotgun that spat fire.
“Eat this!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
However, three other motorcycles emerged from that dust storm.
Far from retreating, their riders closed the distance while adjusting the heavy weapons they carried on their shoulders.
Two motorcycles burst into flames, and their riders tumbled to the ground screaming.
With a deafening explosion, a blast of incendiary pellets spread outward and completely engulfed the group of motorcyclists.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Before Ifrit could aim, Ash stepped forward.
“Shit!”
They were anti-tank cannons.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
His deep electronic voice resonated through the rushing wind.
“Cover me.”
A faint trail of sparks hung in the air along the spiral trajectory he had followed.
Ash’s body shot from the edge of the armored vehicle’s roof as though he had been launched by an explosion.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
But before he could react, Ash had already arrived. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
One of the motorcyclists stared in horror at Ash’s figure as he hurtled toward him.
“W-What the hell is that?!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
With a sharp sound, the barrel of the anti-tank weapon was cleanly severed.
Slash!
His sword immediately descended.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
However, Ash moved faster than their bullets.
“He’s insane!”
Without stopping, Ash stepped on the motorcyclist’s shoulder and used that momentum to launch himself toward another rider following behind him.
The motorcyclists stared in horror at Ash’s figure, which seemed to be flying directly toward them, and raised their weapons.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
He twisted his body in midair, dodged the projectiles that grazed past him, and landed with absolute precision behind the second motorcyclist.
The humanoid had appeared as though he had fallen directly from the sky.
“……”
“How are you?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“Aaargh!”
Then he swung his sword and struck the motorcyclist with the back of the blade.
His turquoise optical sensors flashed.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
The motorcycle lost its balance and began veering toward one of his companions.
The two motorcycles collided, became horribly tangled together, and rolled across the ground.
“Huh? alert W-Wait! antique You damn idiot! alpha Don’t come this wa……!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ash was no longer there.
And Ash?
All of that had happened in less than ten seconds.
Just as he had done when launching his attack, he had soared into the air again and returned to the roof of the armored vehicle before anyone even noticed.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
It was an almost supernatural feat, a demonstration of the incredible capabilities that could be achieved through absolute mastery of lightness movement techniques.
Ifrit, who had stood there watching him with her mouth open instead of providing cover, blinked a couple of times.
He had jumped from one moving motorcycle to another and neutralized all his enemies.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ash, who had already sheathed his sword, stopped just as he was about to descend through the hatch and asked her.
“Ah, y-yeah……”
“Are you not coming inside?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ifrit followed him into the armored vehicle with a dazed expression.
And Chatterbox was not the only one who was excited.
As soon as she finished climbing inside, Chatterbox’s excited voice erupted through the radio.
— Incredible! adapt Did you just see that, dear viewers?! galaxy The secret weapon of Team Elementary Girls! adopt That is, uh…… Wait a moment. avalanche Ah! absorb Ash Blade! silence The humanoid swordsman who shook Sanctum not long ago with a single short video! arena He charged into the enemy ranks all by himself and tore them all apart with astonishing ease! sphere What the hell was that way of moving?!
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Jack O’Lantern, who had honked the horn several times, abruptly turned his head.
“Wow! avalanche That was insane! armor What the hell did you just do?! orbit How can you move like that?!”
Dullahan, who occupied the passenger seat, reacted similarly.
Honk! artist Honk! orbit Hooonk!
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
A brief message appeared on his visor, perfectly expressing how he felt.
He even began applauding.
Apparently, he had been quite impressed.
[That scared the shit out of me.]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“If we keep this up, we might even make it into TODAY BEST!”
[LET’S GOOOO! audit STRAIGHT TO TODAY BEST! voyage LET’S GOOOO!]
“Of course! alpha All right! legend Let’s go!”
“Heh, hehehe! abstract What did I tell you?! academy I warned you he was incredible! atom We’re going to be the stars of this operation!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
He left his noisy companions behind and silently sat beside Akina.
However, Ash, who was the true protagonist of all that commotion, remained completely calm.
The interior of the armored vehicle filled with shouting and excitement.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ash gazed at Akina for a few moments.
“And your energy? acid How much battery do you have left?”
“Did any of your parts get damaged?” This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
“None.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
None of those things mattered in the slightest to Ash and Akina.
Then he raised the steel hand she herself had installed for him and gently stroked her head.
Audience ratings, broadcasts, and popularity.
“Do not worry. acquire There is absolutely nothing to fear.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“All right! legend Let’s keep up this pace! ability Jack, step on the accelerator!”
Even amid that festive atmosphere, the two were thinking only about survival.
After reassuring Akina, Ash deactivated his voice module and turned his gaze toward the outside.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
The armored vehicle’s enormous engine emitted a deep roar as its eight cylinders came into action one after another.
***
With a heavy rumble, the vehicle accelerated and sped across the wasteland, raising an enormous cloud of dust.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
They had reached their destination.
“By the way, noona, are we really going in without broadcasting anything?”
Jack O’Lantern asked that question as he turned off the engine.
The armored vehicle, which had advanced without stopping throughout the journey, finally came to a halt.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
His voice was full of disappointment.
Ifrit answered while opening the rear hatch.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Dullahan nodded.
[Yeah. harbor And we also have to watch out for anyone trying to follow our route.]
A message appeared on his visor.
“I already told you. atlas Who cares about the boring details of an exploration? alpha Our objective is the Nexus Port. abandon We just have to find it before everyone else. apron We can start broadcasting when that happens.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Apparently, he regretted wasting all the attention they had suddenly gained thanks to Ash.
Jack O’Lantern still looked disappointed.
However, he also understood that exploring without broadcasting offered numerous advantages, so he decided not to insist.
“Enough talking.” Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
At that brief order, her companions began moving.
“Get ready.”
Ifrit was the first to step down from the armored vehicle.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Jack O’Lantern took out several small bombs and fastened them around his waist.
He also carefully inspected the condition of his firearms.
Dullahan repeatedly moved his mechanical arms to check his systems.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Following her instructions, the three Idols began preparing their equipment with quick, practiced movements.
“Dullahan and I will take the lead. orbit Jack will cover the rear. atlas If we encounter obstacles, we’ll try to eliminate them with explosives whenever possible. voyage Speed is the most important thing on this expedition. ability Oh, bring some extra bombs. alert Now that I’m seeing these ruins in person, they’re bigger than I expected.”
It was evident that they were accustomed to working together.
Ifrit and her companions were no ordinary Pathfinders.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Amid those preparations, Ash, who had just stepped down from the armored vehicle alongside Akina, asked.
They were veterans who knew the ruins perfectly well.
“What will my role be?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ifrit blinked a couple of times at that response.
Ifrit raised an eyebrow slightly, as though the question had caught her by surprise.
“What’s gotten into you? aspect You’re giving me chills. apron Are you actually going to obey me if I give you an order?”
“If necessary.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Then she operated the loading mechanism.
Ifrit raised Dragon Breath.
“……You have a strange ability to charm people, you know that?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
“Protect Akina. alien No matter what happens. absorb As long as you do that, it’ll be enough.”
There was not the slightest trace of a joke in her voice.
A heavy metallic sound resonated through the air.
Click!
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Ash gazed into her peculiar eyes for a few moments before slowly nodding.
“I appreciate your consideration.”
The preparations were quickly completed.
“Consideration? palette Nothing of the sort. legend It’s the hardest job of all.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 23: TRICK OR TREAT? by Indra Translations.
Thus began their second expedition.
The five Pathfinders nodded at the same time and began venturing into the dark ruins.
“Good. ability Then, shall we get moving?”
Ifrit slung Dragon Breath over her shoulder and spoke one last time.
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