Eli Wayless's assumption is valid.Most of those administered NH-03, excluding minors and young adults, were from the middle class or higher.The majority of the unaffected population in this world belongs to the socially vulnerable class.This is also a problem inherent to the cyberpunk genre.Cyberpunk is a contradictory world where a utopia of extremely advanced electronic technology coexists with a dystopia of extreme wealth disparity.A world where corporate power is stronger than public authority.In such a world, the proportion of vulnerable groups is high, and these marginalized groups are closely linked to crime.And with crime, the first time is difficult, but the second time is easy.It's a natural progression for those who have already dipped their toes in the swamp of crime to become looters in the chaos.Thus, during in-game play, there are two major survivor clans.The Liberation Alliance, centered around the gangs from the criminal quarantine zone.The City Reconstruction Committee, centered around the remaining elites and students.In truth, both groups are nothing more than schools of minnows in the eyes of veteran players, their numbers are so small.But if they continue on their current path, it's impossible to know what kind of butterfly effect they might trigger.*'If nothing else, eliminating the radiation exposure will exponentially increase the survival rate of humans.'*In the early game, the survival rate of the city's population over seven days is one percent.Even if that number were to quintuple to five percent, the number of survivors would still be quite significant.In such a situation.*'If it were me…'*What should I do?To survive for a long time, one must form a group.Because numbers equal strength.If so, what kind of group?*'Assuming I have to live here forever…'*Am I thinking too far ahead? No, I don't think so.I take a moment to carefully recall the post-apocalyptic movies I'd seen in the modern world.Their endings are generally miserable.The protagonist, left alone.A battle with loneliness.The cliché I used to complain about for being overused no longer feels so distant.*'Still, if I'm going to survive, it would be better with more people.'*And to achieve that, one condition must be met.*'It's impossible unless all the mutants and infected are eliminated.'*At least, the mutants and infected in this city.Of course, even that would be close to impossible.But it must be done.One cannot dream of a comfortable life on top of a plague that could erupt at any moment.As the conclusion that living alone for a long time is meaningless was quickly reached, the fantasy races towards its end."Form a group. A group that specializes in hunting mutants and the infected.""Hah, hah... Pardon?""It's nothing."There's probably nothing more awkward than having your inner thoughts slip out unintentionally.I didn't bother to look back at Eli, who was panting behind me, but her ragged breaths spoke for her condition.*'Still, she's keeping ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) up well.'*It would be a lie to say I didn't adjust my speed, but that was also to manage my own pace.*'The performance of the Mechanical Cardiopulmonary is certainly impressive. To move this much and not get a status ailment. No, is it because it's stacked with Mankind's Strongest Weapon?'*It hasn't appeared yet, but this amount of activity would normally have triggered at least an [Exhausted] status effect.From this point on, I must manage my endurance.Stage 2, [Very Exhausted], is manageable.But the moment Stage 3 [Worn Out] and Stage 4 [Debilitated] appear, you can't even support your own body.Her condition right now, being generous, is Worn Out. She's almost at Debilitated.The fortunate thing is that the central control center is right in front of us."Let's rest here for a moment.""Hah… I'm oka—y?""…I'm the one who's tired."I didn't suggest a break simply out of consideration for her.I don't have the luxury or the time for that.It's simply because the reason to stop is happening right before my eyes.*'A gang?'*Groups of three and five, pounding on the central center with large sledgehammers.Thanks to Gale Wayless's glasses and the added [Hawkeye] trait, the situation is clearly visible even from a considerable distance.*'Their numbers are about fifty.'*A sub-story flashes through my mind.「Man, don't even get me started. In the beginning, this place was no different from hell.」「These damn gangbangers came and tried to smash the doors in… and just when things quieted down a bit, the mayor, eyes rolled back, suddenly lunged at us…」Testimony from survivors you could see if you rushed to the central control center at the start of the game.*'Looks like this is that situation.'*I don't know for sure why they're trying to break into the central control center, but thinking about it now, I can make a rough guess.*'They wanted to amplify the chaos.'*They, of course, don't know that the end of their symptoms is mutation.So they're probably trying to escalate the chaos to make a hefty profit from this opportunity.Gangs are scum not worth dealing with in the first place, but the thought of them blocking my path sent a surge of irritation through me.*'The problem is the stress level.'*If an encounter occurs there, the choice to kill will definitely increase my stress level.My current stress level is 30. Given the nature of killing, the increase in stress level will be at its highest.In other words, the addition of a negative trait is almost guaranteed.*'This is an unforeseen situation.'*"Hmm."From a veteran's experience, a situation like this will one hundred percent trigger an encounter.*'They won't be able to break through anyway. There's no need to solve their problem for them.'*If so, is there a way to enter without going through the main entrance? That's the tricky part.It would be something like using a side path.Of course, the side path will also be blocked.If I try to break through that path, it will create a lot of noise, and the probability of attracting the gang's attention is very high.*'No, would it be okay?'*Listening closely, the atmosphere is quite intense.As long as there isn't a massive explosion, I might be able to enter without attracting their attention.Still, I can't add a negative trait already.I map out the ideal entry route in my head.*'I can't take Eli with me.'*It's obvious, but I have no choice but to exclude Eli.I didn't bring her along expecting immediate help in the first place, so it doesn't bother me."From here on, I'm going alone.""Hahh… What?"Having finally caught her breath, her pronunciation became clear. She raised her eyebrows in confusion."There's a gang up ahead. If you listen closely, you'll hear the noise.""That's… true. Hahh… But why would a gang be here?""They probably want more chaos.""You mean they came to the control center for such a reason?""It's just a guess, but probably.""This is insane."As Eli grasped the situation, she let out a sigh.The central control center is the heart of the government.In this chaos, the idea of destroying such a place would be absurd to an ordinary person."I'll follow after Mr. Han takes care of them.""No. I plan to infiltrate without causing a disturbance.""How do you plan to shut down the reactors without me?""I didn't bring you along expecting that kind of help in the first place. I'll find a way myself.""Then why did I…"For a moment, Eli trailed off and showed a pouty expression.She had realized it herself.That she was a burden from the start.And if things continued like this, she'd become an even bigger burden."…I understand. If you need any help, please come back. I'll do whatever I can.""Just stay well hidden. If the gang spots you, your situation will become difficult."There was no reply, but I didn't need to hear one.She knew it well enough herself.*'No need to worry about it further.'*As long as I enter the central control center, it will be resolved quickly. If I solve it fast, there will be no problem.* * *"What did you just say?""The, the tasers aren't charged.""Hahh…"Ken Sasaki felt a deep rage, unusual for him, begin to boil."The equipment manager.""…""The equipment manager, that son of a… huff, where is he.""Well, the equipment manager is also showing symptoms of an unknown cause…"*How can I legally smash in the equipment manager's head?*Ken Sasaki couldn't help but ponder as he looked at the security riot baton in his hand.That was the limit of his rational thought."…Start charging the tasers from now on.""Yes, sir!"*'What to do about this.'*It was a common thought that crossed the minds of everyone present.The total number of personnel in the control center was five hundred.But right now, the number of people not showing symptoms was just over a hundred.And even they had never fought before, so it was clear they would be no match for a gang for whom fighting was a daily routine."If two people form a team and take on one person at a time, wouldn't that work?""Officer, have you not seen what kind of weapons those guys have?""That's…"The gang's armament was on a different level from the security riot batons.Not only were they armed with classic machetes, industrial pipes, and large sledgehammers unsuited for the era, but the intermittent noise also suggested they were in possession of firearms.If their armament was poor, they could have tried their luck, but if they had firearms, it was a different story."There don't seem to be any explosives… so for now, let's just barricade the main entrance and watch." And so, the conclusion he barely reached."If that's your decision, Chief Administrator, we will follow.""We're reassured to have you with us, Chief Administrator!"The ensuing replies made his brow furrow deeply.In this world, such words were cruelly different from empty flattery.Ken Sasaki was not unaware that the hidden meaning behind those words was just bureaucratic buck-passing.*'These sons of bitches…'*In the midst of that, a loud roar was heard.*CRASH—!*-Open the door! If you open it now, we'll let you live!-We're busy!Because they were taking turns hammering it with large sledgehammers, the main gate was steadily crumpling.With that sight, Ken Sasaki's heart also began to pound with increasing urgency."What are you doing? Bring out all the furniture!""Yes!""Gather everything that's heavy, big, and hard!"Although he had made a somewhat rational decision, how long could they hold out?All they could do was hope that they would leave soon; there wasn't much more they could do.Is there really no way?He was engulfed in countless worries and anxieties.*'I have to do it now… If I don't, there's no one else who can.'*Ken Sasaki. 26 years old.The fact that he was the highest-ranking person among the hundred despite his young age was the result of his achievement of passing the senior civil service exam at the youngest age. That's why he also sensed it.That in this closed-off group, he was the only one who could use his head.But no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't see an answer.Perhaps life in this closed-off group had caused even his once-capable intellect to regress.But at that moment."Try using the medical defibrillator.""Eh?"Not 'yes', nor 'yeah', but 'eh'.The reply alone proved the magnitude of his surprise."It's a metal door, so electricity will conduct. If you press the medical defibrillator against the door and fire, you might be able to electrocute a few of them with luck. No, maybe it's better to spray water and electrocute them with an electronic device.""Who are… you? How did you get in here?""Ah, a pleasure to meet you. I'm from Wayless."At the indifferent expression of the man of East Asian descent who spoke as if it were nothing, Ken could only reply with a dumbfounded voice."Wayless… you say? No, more importantly, how did you get in?""Hmm, I came through the underground parking garage.""That door should have been locked too…""Yes, well. So I broke it down and came in."At the last words, Ken couldn't believe his ears.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.