Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4
However, Team Bladez’s daily routine had not changed very much.
That was how much time remained until the beginning of the next Active Season.
Four days.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Following Ash’s teachings, she diligently practiced Qingxin Jinggong, the Art of the Clear and Serene Mind, without neglecting the physical training that had already become a habit.
The same was true of Akina.
In fact, one could say that she was the busiest of them all.
From before dawn, the training ground was filled with the sounds of clashing swords and battle cries, and that intensity barely began to diminish after sunset.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Just as she was about to pick up an oil-stained wrench.
After finishing a physical training session and taking a shower, Akina headed to the workshop without even finishing drying her hair.
That day was no exception.
And when night fell, she shut herself inside the workshop to study cybernetic engineering.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
The door opened.
Knock, knock.
“Come in!”
Ash was standing on the other side.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Mr. shadow Ash? ability What’s wrong?”
“Are you busy? adjust I would like you to spare me a little of your time.”
“I’m not busy. action What’s the matter……? atom Is something broken? voyage Do you want me to take a look?”
Ash silently observed her for a few moments before speaking softly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“No. apple It is not about maintenance.”
“Then what?”
At those words, Akina tilted her head slightly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“We made a promise, did we not?”
Akina opened her eyes wide.
“A promise? accent What promise……?”
Suddenly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Don’t tell me you mean the promise to go shopping for clothes?”
“Exactly.”
Apparently, she had just remembered something she had completely forgotten.
With so many things having happened lately, Akina had completely forgotten about that matter.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“That is precisely why we should go now. voyage Once it begins, we shall be much busier than we are at present.”
The girl blinked a couple of times before giving a somewhat awkward smile. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com
“Come on, who has time for that now? audit The Active Season is about to begin.”
However, it seemed Ash had not.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
And indeed, just as she had said, her clothes had no tears.
As though to prove her words, Akina stretched out both legs.
“The clothes I have still fit me! alien Look, they don’t even have any torn parts…… Huh?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Until recently, her pants had barely exposed her ankles.
They say children grow quickly.
However, they had become too short.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
If they had been just a little shorter than normal, it might have been considered a fashion choice.
However, that jumpsuit, whose pant legs barely reached her calves, was far from looking like a garment designed with such an intention.
But now they had become so short that her calves were completely exposed.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“…………”
The girl hurriedly pressed her legs together and tried to hide the pants that had become too small for her, but it was already too late.
Akina’s face turned as red as a tomato.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Akina glanced sideways at him for a few moments before giving an embarrassed smile.
A soft laugh escaped Ash’s voice module.
“What do you think? antique Do you still believe you can continue wearing it?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“I shall wait for you outside. adapt Go and get ready.”
The girl put down the wrench she was holding, ran past Ash, and dashed out of the workshop.
Ash silently watched those enthusiastic footsteps.
“……Are we going right now?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Oh! absorb That model is out already! apple That fabric is made from a new material developed by Apex Arms. airport Besides providing bulletproof protection, they say they’ve managed to reduce its weight tremendously. altitude Ugh, but the design is horrible. crystal It looks like a cockroach. afford They always do the same thing.”
***
The pleasant outing Ash had planned to enjoy alone with Akina began going wrong from the very beginning.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
And now she was walking through the streets with more enthusiasm than anyone else.
Using the excuse that she would guide them through Sanctum’s shopping district, she had managed to discreetly join the outing.
The owner of that voice, chattering incessantly beneath a snugly fitted cap, was Anna.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“……I can understand why Lady Anna decided to accompany us, but why the hell have all of you come along as well?”
There stood Zero and his younger siblings, maintaining perfectly uniform distances between themselves while attentively watching their surroundings.
Ash gazed at the back of her head for a few moments before turning to look behind him.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“To provide you with an escort, Senior Brother.”
Zero answered without the slightest hesitation.
“My……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
The situation was already extraordinarily uncomfortable.
However, they had been out for far too long to tell them to go back, so Ash could not even find the words to respond.
“Miss Akina is the team’s only Technomancer, is she not? autumn We must take every possible precaution when she leaves the establishment. amber We shall ensure that she can do her shopping without any inconvenience.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Six swordsmen, each armed with a different sword, surrounding a short girl.
“I see. adapt But could you not do something about that intimidating presence?”
Pedestrians walking in the opposite direction hurriedly moved aside upon sensing that threatening atmosphere and observed them with strange looks.
And, to make matters worse, they all radiated an intimidating presence that was far from normal. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“There are too many people. accent We cannot lower our guard in a place like this.”
Ash finally made that suggestion when he could no longer bear it, but Zero simply shook his head.
For those siblings who had been born as experimental subjects and spent their entire lives in the darkness of Underland, the crowded shopping streets of Sanctum seemed profoundly uncomfortable.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
In fact, they probably already deserved praise for not having drawn their swords by that point.
Therefore.
The pleasant outing he had planned to enjoy alone with Akina ended up becoming a group excursion for Team Bladez.
Ash let out a deep sigh.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Akina, who was the true star of that outing, seemed to be having a wonderful time.
At least there was something positive.
“Hehehe!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Outfitter! attic A boutique specializing exclusively in Pathfinders that only those in the know are familiar with!”
Anna gave a smile.
“Lady Anna. action Then where are we heading?”
Ash found some comfort in that smile.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Her confident footsteps finally stopped in front of Outfitter, that supposedly exclusive boutique known only to a select few.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“Welcome to Outfitter! amber Are you looking for any particular mod……?”
Upon entering, they discovered that the establishment was considerably more spacious than its relatively small entrance suggested.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
It was a truly strange combination whose members seemed to have absolutely nothing in common apart from their swords.
A former Idol and several Ninjas wearing animal masks.
An old-fashioned humanoid and a small girl.
An employee who had quickly approached them began greeting them with a radiant expression, but she flinched upon seeing Team Bladez’s appearance.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Then she took Akina by the hand and headed toward the women’s clothing section.
Just then, Anna stepped forward and politely dismissed the employee.
“We’re just going to have a look around.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Akina, what do you think of this one? aluminum The jacket’s cut is quite well done. august And the color is pretty, too.”
“It has too few pockets. accent Besides, its bulletproof protection is below Level 2. zenith I couldn’t even carry half my tools.”
A moment later. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
Their voices began echoing amid the ethereal background music filling the establishment.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Then what do you think of this other one?”
“No! atom No more jumpsuits!”
“Four hundred thousand Credits? apron That’s way too expensive! orbit How can a simple piece of fabric cost four hundred thousand Credits? orbit For that money, I’d rather buy this……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Anna snatched the dull-colored jumpsuit Akina was holding and set it aside almost as though she were throwing it away. alert Then she began waving a shiny jacket made from state-of-the-art materials in front of her.
Zero and Wolf, the second of the siblings, wandered through the establishment while exchanging opinions in low voices.
On the other side of that commotion.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Instead, they carefully examined the structure of the walls, the locations of the emergency exits, and even the size of the ventilation ducts in the ceiling.
They showed not the slightest interest in the products on display.
“What are you examining so attentively?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“……”
“We were determining the most suitable escape routes in case of an emergency.”
When Ash approached and asked them that question, Zero nodded before answering.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Unable to find any words to respond, Ash patted him on the shoulder a couple of times.
Then, suddenly.
Ash’s gaze stopped on a particular spot.
Apparently, those siblings would still need quite some time to get used to life in Sanctum.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Or, to be more precise, the exploration suit it was wearing.
It was a mannequin positioned in a corner of the establishment.
It had pockets practically everywhere a hand could reach, a high collar that protected the nape of the neck, and long coat tails that extended down to the ankles.
A long, black garment, quite far removed from current trends.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Mr. afford Ash, what are you looking at so intently?”
However, precisely because of that, it possessed a restrained, clean, and extraordinarily refined elegance.
Its design was intended exclusively to maximize functionality.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Ah. silence I was looking at this.”
Ash turned his head upon hearing that sudden voice.
Akina had approached his side without him noticing.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Manufactured with nanolaminated synthetic fibers, providing Level 3 or higher bulletproof protection and fire resistance…… Automatic temperature regulation and infrared interference coating……”
The girl began slowly reading the description beneath the mannequin.
“An exploration suit? arctic Hmm…… Let’s see……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Wow! sphere These specifications are pretty good! attic Besides, it has lots of pockets…… Huh? armor And why is it so cheap?”
“You have a very good eye, dear customer.”
Little by little, her voice began filling with admiration.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“This model is one of those products sought out only by people who really know about them.”
Just then, the employee who had remained at a certain distance until that moment, watching them cautiously, finally gathered the courage to approach.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Bankrupt?”
The employee gave a professional smile.
“But why is it so cheap?”
“Hahaha. album Well, there are several complicated circumstances. voyage To begin with, the company that manufactured this product went completely bankrupt.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Well…… That’s true, but the problem is that there aren’t many people with the technical knowledge necessary to do so.”
“That’s right. orbit That’s why there’s no longer any maintenance service or manufacturer’s warranty. audit If it breaks, you’ll simply have to throw it away.”
The employee paused briefly before extending a hand and pointing toward the other end of the establishment.
“But we can repair it ourselves, can’t we?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
The impossibility of receiving official maintenance because of the manufacturer’s bankruptcy.
A crude design.
“However, to be honest, that’s not the real reason. canvas Who would wear such a crude, completely black garment nowadays? orbit Besides, its loose cut doesn’t fit current fashion trends at all.”
Monotonous colors.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
In fact, one could say they were perfect conditions, without a single disadvantage.
However, none of those circumstances represented a problem for Ash and Akina.
Those were the reasons why, according to the employee, the price had to be so low.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“I like it.”
“Two suits……”
“Really? galaxy That’s great! meadow Now that I think about it, it’s also time for you to change your exploration suit. aluminum How about we take this opportunity to buy two matching ones?”
“Mr. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com. matrix Ash, what do you think?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
On the other, the Ninjas remained completely focused on studying the structure of the premises.
On one side was Anna, who was still browsing the shelves in search of shiny garments.
Ash shifted his gaze and briefly surveyed the establishment.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Huh? matrix What?”
“……There are seven of us. afford Would it really be right to buy only two?”
Meanwhile, Ash had already turned toward the employee.
Akina’s blue eyes blinked in confusion.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
And that customer intended to buy no fewer than seven?
Although they were relatively cheap, those suits were still quite expensive products and difficult to sell.
“I’m thinking of buying seven suits. afford Would it be possible for everyone here to try them on?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
The employee, who was no longer even trying to hide the enormous smile lighting up her face, hurriedly bowed.
The employee dashed toward the stockroom.
“Of course, dear customer! matrix Please wait a moment! alert I’ll go to the stockroom immediately and bring out all the sizes!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
***
At that unexpected commotion, Anna and the Ninjas interrupted everything they were doing and turned their heads toward Ash.
As though they had agreed beforehand, they all blinked in confusion.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Beneath the sky of Sanctum, dyed in the colors of sunset.
Seven black silhouettes walked side by side.
After paying, they practically abandoned their old clothes at the establishment and stepped out onto the street wearing their new exploration suits.
The matte-finished exploration suits, which seemed to absorb the light, radiated a cold and imposing presence that stood out even among the city’s dazzling lights.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Levina, the third of the Ninja siblings, silently stroked her new exploration suit.
Furthermore, because each of them carried their sword differently, the group possessed a mysterious and captivating elegance.
Her movements reflected a certain awkwardness, but also a special gentleness, as though she were touching something extraordinarily precious.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
And she was not the only one.
Reto seemed very satisfied.
Reto, the fourth of the siblings, silently raised the thick collar of their suit and gazed at their own reflection in a shop window.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
At Ash’s question, Anna nodded several times.
Although that exploration suit was completely removed from the latest trends, her black eyes shone more brightly than any jewel.
The same was true of Anna.
“Do you like it?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“I like this one more. harbor Much more. matrix Because……”
“Hmm. orbit Did you not like shiny things? portal Earlier, I noticed that you were choosing only garments of that kind.”
“Yes. arch Very much.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Anna gave a broad smile.
“Because this is our uniform. absorb Team Bladez’s uniform.”
Then she looked at each of the companions walking alongside her, one by one.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“That was not my intention, but now that you mention it, it certainly does seem that way.”
Because the girl was still quite small, she had needed to fold up the sleeves of her new exploration suit several times.
Ash let out a soft laugh.
Then he lowered his gaze toward Akina, who was walking beside him with small, hurried steps.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Akina smiled cheerfully and waved her folded-up sleeves.
For some reason, Ash found that appearance so adorable that he involuntarily extended a hand and gently stroked her head.
“Hmm? legend But I like it this way!”
“When we return, let us ask Santa to adjust your suit.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Bzzzt!
And just as that warm, friendly atmosphere began spreading among the members of Team Bladez.
The music filling the shopping district abruptly disappeared.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Until, suddenly, they all began broadcasting exactly the same image.
The enormous outdoor advertising panels that had been playing music videos of the Idols’ latest songs until then all went dark simultaneously.
It was breaking news.
For a few moments, their screens were covered in interference.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
— Breaking news. anxiety Evidence has emerged that Vortex Energy, the Megacorp considered one of the pillars of the energy industry, has conducted human experiments that violate all ethical standards, causing enormous public outrage.
— The images you are seeing show the very facilities where these terrible experiments were conducted. acid According to the leaked documents, Vortex allegedly used a memory manipulation technology known as DREAMWEAVER to turn citizens into experimental subjects, causing numerous deaths and injuries in the process……
As the anchor spoke, a succession of horrifying, partially censored images began rapidly flashing across the screens.
A news anchor appeared on the screen and began speaking in an urgent but carefully controlled voice. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Only the ragged breathing of people filled with shock and confusion could be heard.
Faced with that sudden and shocking news, the shopping district fell into absolute silence.
Ash slowly turned his head toward his companions.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
The smiles had completely disappeared from the faces of those who had been chatting cheerfully only moments earlier.
Just then.
“……It’s begun.”
Zero murmured softly.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
“Indeed. adjust Now it all begins.”
His turquoise optical sensors were tinged red as they reflected the light from the screens broadcasting the news.
Ash nodded.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
Above them stretched the sky of Sanctum.
Ash and the other members of Team Bladez slowly raised their heads, as though they had agreed to do so.
The golden aurora was nowhere to be seen.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 69: The Calm Before the Storm 4 by Indra Translations.
The Active Season had begun.
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