Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3

Those who had remained gazing at that majestic spectacle began returning to reality, one after another.

A golden aurora snaked across the dark blue sky.

The rest stop’s backyard once again filled with the noise and excitement of the party, as though nothing had happened.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Santa shouted as he raised his glass.

“Hahaha! airport Cheers!”

At first, everyone had enthusiastically responded to his invitations, but by that point, the others had begun discreetly moving away.

He had already proposed more than ten toasts.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Ifrit.

“Cheers!”

The two clinked their glasses together with a resounding chime and, without needing to coordinate, drank at the same time.

Everyone except one person.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Beside them, as they were already pouring themselves another round of alcohol, Siren seemed to be in a completely different world.

The plate Ash had served her earlier remained almost untouched in front of her.

Despite having only just met, they seemed to get along extraordinarily well.

Then they exchanged broad smiles.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

She had begun behaving that way from the moment she discovered that Ash had personally prepared the food.

Siren treated it as though it were a sacred relic, taking tiny bites with extraordinary solemnity and savoring each one with the greatest possible attention.

The strange aura she gave off made it difficult to approach her and strike up a conversation.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Every time she heard that question, Siren smiled radiantly and nodded repeatedly.

“Is it good?”

Besides, she looked so happy that no one dared interrupt that solemn gastronomic ceremony. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

Only Akina, who was sitting beside her, occasionally asked her a question, as though it were nothing particularly important.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Akina watched that reaction with a satisfied smile.

Ash was talking with Jack O’Lantern.

Meanwhile.

No one knew why she seemed so proud, considering that she had not even been the one who prepared the food.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Ash liked that tranquility.

The thickness of the armor, capable of blocking even sounds from outside, gave him a sense of security.

The cabin, surrounded by thick armor plates, remained relatively quiet.

Inside Revenant, the armored vehicle.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Of course, we had to sacrifice a little exterior armor to achieve that speed, but that doesn’t mean it’s poor quality. shadow The steel plates undergo a triple-compression process, so they can withstand light firearms without any problems! accent Ah! orbit And the suspension is customized! advance It originally used electromagnetic fluid shock absorbers, but maintenance was a little complicated, so……”

Jack knocked several times on the vehicle’s wall.

“Basically, in emergency transport vehicles, speed is everything, you know? zenith And that’s why the heart of this beauty is a twin-turbo V12 engine manufactured by Apex! airport Ahhh, this thing is an absolute gem! atom You can bet that practically no other vehicle will be able to keep up with it.”

While Ash, seated in the driver’s seat, examined the numerous gauges and monitors, Jack O’Lantern continued his explanations.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

In truth, Ash did not understand even half of what Jack was explaining.

“I see.”

However, the young man spoke with such enthusiasm that interrupting him felt a little awkward.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

The cabin was narrower than that of Jack’s state-of-the-art armored vehicle, in which he had traveled previously.

However, since the only permanent members of his team would be Akina and himself, that did not present any major problem.

Therefore, Ash merely responded from time to time with appropriate comments while examining Revenant’s interior from the perspective of someone who was still a beginner.

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Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Although he still had no idea exactly what functions those devices performed.

While he remained lost in thought.

In fact, the proximity of all the controls, which seemed to be within arm’s reach, gave him a strange sense of reassurance.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Someone knocked several times on Revenant’s rear hatch.

He tossed Jack O’Lantern a can of beer he was holding and displayed a message on his visor.

It was Dullahan.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Ahhh, just when I was getting to the interesting part.”

[Step outside for a moment. atomic I need to talk to Ash Hyung about the schedule.]

Jack complained with obvious disappointment.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

[Normally, Ifrit noona would be the one who should handle talking about these things.]

Meanwhile, a new message appeared on Dullahan’s visor.

Nevertheless, he opened the can of beer Dullahan had handed him and stepped out of the armored vehicle.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Ash looked at Ifrit, who was still toasting with Santa even at that moment, and nodded.

He gestured with his chin toward the outside of the hatch.

[But as you can see, she’s already completely drunk, hahahaha. album So it’s up to me.]

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Dullahan sat down in one of the rear seats and took a small data chip out of his clothing.

[Yup.]

“The schedule? riddle Is this about our agreement?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

[We have to transfer the information Akina has stored in her head onto this chip, but from what I can see, that’s going to be completely impossible today, hahaha. action I was thinking it would be better to have fun today and start tomorrow. altitude What do you think, Hyung?]

Ash nodded immediately.

[Perfect. silence Then it’s settled.]

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“I shall inform Miss Akina as well.” Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

[Okay.]

However, Dullahan did not rise from his seat.

Their conversation ended quickly.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

At Ash’s question, Dullahan nodded.

[It’s nothing important. adopt I just think I’ve never properly thanked you.]

“……Is there something else you wish to tell me?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

[To be honest, it wouldn’t have been strange at all if we’d all died during this exploration. august But we managed to return alive thanks to you, Hyung.]

Dullahan hesitated for a few moments before displaying a somewhat longer sentence on his visor.

“……Thanked me? arrow For what?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

[Oh, and the food was incredible too. beacon Seriously, it was absolutely delicious.]

[And we even managed to make it into the Today Best for the first time, hahahaha.]

Dullahan seemed to feel a little embarrassed and scratched his helmet a couple of times.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

[If you press that button, you’ll connect directly to our emergency channel. adapt So if anything ever happens to you during an exploration, press it.]

Then he pointed to a button located beside the driver’s seat.

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Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Without a doubt, they had installed it recently while preparing Revenant to hand over to him.

Ash gazed for a few moments at the red button protruding from the center of the vehicle’s console.

The button had a different design from the other controls surrounding it.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Then he turned his head toward Dullahan.

[Not at all. galaxy We’re the ones who should be thanking you.]

“You have my gratitude.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Ash remained alone for a few moments, observing the driver’s seat and the controls surrounding it.

Dullahan turned around without hesitation and stepped out of the armored vehicle.

Apparently, that was all he wanted to say.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

First, the Elementary Girls team had arrived.

The place was filled with lively voices and loud music.

Shortly afterward, he also left Revenant and returned to the backyard, where everyone else was gathered.

In that way, the first night of the Rest Season passed peacefully, amid the pleasant sensation of full stomachs and the warm intoxication of alcohol.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

It was around that time.

Then, even Siren had joined the celebration.

None of them had received a formal invitation, but Ash considered that such spontaneity had its own charm.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

When a truly unexpected visitor arrived at the rest stop.

Even when music is playing at full volume, there are moments when a brief silence occurs. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

The instant when one song ends and the next begins is precisely one of them.

***

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Thud. arctic Thud. abstract Thud.

The sound of someone violently pounding on an iron door could be heard.

That exceedingly brief moment when the pounding rhythms stop and even the melody disappears.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

His audio input devices detected that the sound was coming from somewhere very close and that the pounding continued even after the next song began.

But not Ash.

Therefore, Ash reached a conclusion.

Most of those present were too drunk to notice the noise or simply mistook it for one of the city’s countless sounds.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Ehhh?”

Someone was pounding on the door of Santa’s Rest Stop.

“Elder Santa.”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Someone is pounding on the rest stop’s door.”

“A visitor? palette What visitor?”

“It seems another visitor has arrived.”

Santa looked at him with narrowed eyes.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Before Santa could finish speaking, a dull crash reverberated throughout the place, accompanied by the sound of something shattering into pieces.

Boom!

Under the circumstances, it was obvious that the supposed visitor Ash had mentioned had just knocked down the establishment’s front door.

“Leave it. apple We’re closed today……”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Santa sprang to his feet, completely furious.

“What damned lunatic dares to……?!”

His outrage over the damage caused to his business mingled with his irritation that someone had interrupted a party he was enjoying so much.

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Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

After all, everyone present was a Pathfinder.

Their gazes sharpened.

The others reacted immediately as well.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Amid a cloud of slowly dispersing dust and fragments of shattered iron, a figure appeared in the rear doorway connecting the establishment to the yard.

And, before everyone’s eyes, collapsed.

At the same time, they instinctively reached for the weapons at their waists and turned their heads toward the source of the crash.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Sa…… Santa Hyung……”

As he breathed raggedly, he managed to utter a few words.

It was a middle-aged man wearing an elegant long coat.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Upon hearing that voice, Santa lowered his sunglasses and examined the stranger.

He pushed aside everyone in front of him and practically ran forward, shouting toward the bloodied man.

Immediately, the old man’s face turned pale.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Forgive me…… Forgive me, Hyung…… I couldn’t think of anywhere else I could go……”

“Rudolph!”

The middle-aged man, Rudolph, leaned against Santa’s chest and began coughing, expelling a considerable amount of blood.

Santa rushed desperately toward him and caught him to prevent him from collapsing completely.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

At that precise instant, when everyone present was focused on that unexpected arrival.

Seeing his miserable appearance, as though his clothes had been reduced to rags, Santa was about to say something.

However, Rudolph spat up blood again.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

When they turned their heads toward the source of the sound, they discovered that Ash was already standing in front of Santa and Rudolph, shielding them with his body.

Everything happened before anyone could understand what was occurring.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound tore through the silence. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

At Ash’s feet, a strange black shuriken was embedded in the ground.

The blade was still vibrating slightly, as though it had just deflected some object.

If he had not intercepted it, that shuriken would have pierced straight through Rudolph’s heart.

He held his steel Blade in one hand.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“……A shuriken?”

But a shuriken?

Ifrit was the first to react.

She drew her self-defense pistol and pulled back the slide as she muttered.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Rather than a weapon, it looked like a primitive relic.

In an era when Smart Guns could alter the trajectory of bullets and small drones existed that could pursue their targets and pierce their skulls, using a throwing weapon that was nothing more than a hard, pointed piece of metal was absurd.

“What the hell? zenith Who uses things like that in this day and age……?”

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

However, Ash had a completely different opinion.

Something that belonged in a museum.

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Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Its force was comparable to that of the sniper rifle he had encountered during the previous exploration.

He lowered his gaze toward the blade of his sword, which was still vibrating slightly.

And such a throwing weapon had reached them without making the slightest sound.

The destructive power of that projectile had been sufficient to make his Blade continue trembling even after the impact. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Its attack had been so stealthy that even Ash would have had difficulty reacting with such speed if he had not possessed his Electric-Qi Sense.

Its true power depended on who wielded it.

The simplicity of a weapon was not what mattered.

After all, if one examined only its structure, Ash’s primary weapon was also nothing more than a Blade of extraordinary hardness.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Ash immediately recalled a profession.

‘……An assassin.’

Someone capable of throwing concealed weapons without making a sound and imbuing them with destructive force comparable to that of a bullet.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“Show yourselves.”

There was no one there.

Ash’s turquoise optical sensors shone intensely as he directed his gaze toward the roof of the rest stop, from where the shuriken had come.

His conclusion was correct.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

With the golden Veil covering the entire sky as a backdrop, the air began to ripple slightly.

They emerged so naturally that they seemed to have been there from the very beginning.

Then, from that distortion in space, several figures appeared.

However, that lasted only a few moments.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Furthermore, they all concealed their faces beneath deeply drawn hoods and animal-inspired masks.

They wore what was commonly known as Techwear, clothing designed to prioritize functionality and practical utility.

And all three were dressed similarly.

There were three in total.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

A series of LED lines densely covered the surface of their clothing, like blood vessels.

However, those details were merely part of their attire.

What truly caught Ash’s attention was something else.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Even at that moment, they emitted a faint light that blurred the outlines of their bodies.

“……”

None of them spoke.

Without a doubt, those lines were the fundamental component of the optical camouflage technology that had allowed them to appear seemingly out of nowhere.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

And precisely because of that, it was even more chilling.

They simply remained motionless, silently observing those beneath their feet, like predators watching their prey.

Their presence was strangely indistinct.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

“The Ninjas have already made it this far……!”

Upon seeing them, Rudolph grew even paler and murmured in a voice so faint it could barely be heard.

Ninja.

Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors 3 by Indra Translations.

Those were the truly unexpected visitors who had arrived at Santa’s Rest Stop that night.