Chapter 6: [Wanted] Has Anyone Seen My Mysterious Aura?

POV - Protagonist

"So, this Phantasm Girl... or was it 'Chrono White'? The new S-Rank Slayer vanished in an instant. According to your squad's testimony, she bore a striking resemblance to a mass-produced Lica-series unit."

After being rescued by Chrono White and returning to headquarters, I had been summoned to the General Commander’s office.

"Yes. There were several differences, but there is no doubt that she was a Lica unit. Have you been able to verify if any decommissioned units fit the description?"

"We are currently looking into past disposals. However, the Lica series is the oldest among the mass-produced models. Some of the earliest units were built a hundred years ago and are still active. It’s likely a wild goose chase."

At the word "disposal," I clenched my fists so hard the skin on my knuckles turned white.

"So, tell me more about this 'Chrono'. What was she like?"

"Most of her features were identical to a Lica. However, she wore a black trench coat long enough to hide her feet, trousers, and an eyepatch over her left eye. Her eyes were purple, and she was a smoker. She seemed... weary, yet she flashed a joyful smile whenever she was annihilating a target. When she looked at us, she even laughed. She seemed to possess genuine emotions."

"That... should be impossible."

A mutter, carefully lowered so as not to reach me, reached my ears anyway.

"What do you mean by 'impossible'?"

"....! What are you talking about?"

"No, I... never mind."

Stung by a gaze that practically ordered me not to pursue the matter further, I let the conversation drop.

"Lately, it seems I have nothing but headaches to deal with. You’ve done well. Take some time to rest; I’ll have a new mission for you soon."

"Understood. Excuse me."

Prompted by the General, I stepped out of the room.

"How’d it go~?"

Blues, who had been waiting by the entrance, called out to me.

"I was a nervous wreck. The only other time I’ve seen that man was during his speech at the enlistment ceremony. I never thought I’d actually get to talk to him."

"It just goes to show how well we did on our mission! Luckily, it sounds like Scarlet and Yellow were repaired without needing to use any spare bodies."

"That’s a relief. Still... it wasn’t a victory I earned with my own strength."

"There might have been an anomaly, but you’re the one who bought us enough time for Chrono White to arrive, Commander. You should be proud!"

"Thanks, Blues. It means a lot to hear you say that."

When I smiled at her, Blues started hopping around me, clearly trying to figure out how to do something.

"Hmph. Lean down for a second!"

"Oh, uh... okay."

I crouched down until I was level with her solar plexus, and I felt something light settle on my head.

"There, there. You did a good job."

Apparently, she was doing her best to pat my head despite her height. Feeling the warmth of my comrade’s kindness, I stood back up, realizing this probably wasn't the best place for this—right in front of the General Commander’s office.

"You know, I wouldn't mind patting for a bit longer."

"I appreciate the offer, but maybe next time."

"Is that so~? Still, I wonder who Chrono White really is..."

"I wonder... who could she be?"

Recalling the mysterious aura she radiated, I began the walk back to my command room.

Meanwhile, as for me...

"It’s so... goddamn... hot..."

Back in my hideout at Dr. F’s laboratory, I was sitting cross-legged in front of an electric fan, eavesdropping on the conversation I’d just left. I had an ice pack on my head, my long hair tied back in a single ponytail, and I was dressed in a tank top and boxers with a cigarette dangling from my mouth. There wasn't a single shred of mystery left about me as I desperately fought the heat. Or rather, "overheating" would be more accurate.

"Tachyon Overdrive isn't something you can just spam, huh?"

To put it simply, the drawback of using Only Your Sky is a massive thermal surge in my processing circuits. The heat had fried my internal temperature regulation, which was currently under repair. While cooling the primary heat source—my head—I was trying to soothe the waves of heat rolling through my body.

"Overheating is the worst."

It felt like being delirious with a high fever. Because my logic circuits were compromised, my thoughts were foggy and disorganized, and my entire body felt heavy. I’m so sorry, desktop PC from my past life. I never imagined you were suffering this much. I'm sorry for leaving you running that Minecraft mob farm for twenty-seven hours straight. I'm sorry for building that massive iron golem farm.

"Well, I’ve confirmed the bugs are working perfectly. I should probably organize my to-do list while I’m at it."

By the way, I planted those bugs on their backs when I slipped behind them during the Tachyon burst. They even come with satellite GPS tracking now. What a steal!

As if to reset my thoughts, I exhaled a lungful of purple smoke toward the fan. The wind blew it right back into my face, giving me a direct hit to the eyes. I groaned in agony, staring up at the ceiling. I’m an idiot. Wait, could I use that as an attack?

Anyway, back to business. Even if some of the details are sloppy, as long as the core logic remains, I can redesign the plan as much as I need.

"First, I need to secure a weapon."

The katana I used last time was a piece of junk—just a steel plate I’d flash-forged using the lab’s equipment. As expected, it couldn't handle the Tachyon output and was completely pulverized.

"If only I had my old Cleshuze and the Pile Bunker..."

Thinking longingly of my old gear, I summarized my other objectives. One of them stood out.

"I definitely need to show up in front of the protagonist again."

Both for the sake of the character and the progression of the story.

"I’ve got the elevator running again, and I’ve camouflaged the hideout with the Chameleon optical-transparency cloth I found inside. As for weapons... if I ask the protagonist, I should be able to get my hands on at least a Phantom Sword, if not a Cleshuze."

Once these symptoms subside, it’s time to infiltrate the underground city of Paradiso.