Inganock: Dark Green Zanthu 1

 

~8th year of Inganock, Unknown Season. Fantasy City~

...This was before he ascended the Golden Spiral Staircase.

...This was in the enclosed Fantasy City.

"You nearly died, so I'm thinking you should have been more aware of dangers like that. You understand, Ati?"

The Black Cat was upset not from what the Traveling Doctor Gii's words were like, being unsweet and romantic. It was from thinking it wrong to expect having romance while in Inganock, and given she wasn't exactly interested in having a relationship with this thin, cold pale-skinned man, it didn't seem to matter. However, the words were far more than she imagined them to be.

Prior to sneaking into his apartment in the 28th district on the 7th tier and whispering into Gii's ear who was awaken that night, the Black Cat heard of a rumor while wandering through the Infinite Crowded Street.

It was recently in regards to the eccentric Wandering Doctor abruptly became motivated to pretend to be a Runner. Rumor has it that he was gathering intel on the Biring firm, a newly made company that specializes in precise Crack Engiens such as neurological equipment.

She immediately recalls it.

The other day, she had nearly lost her life in an incident.

To survive such a world of conflict, she had implanted herself with a defective accelerator meant to strengthen up her weapon which was "speed". Crack Engines for the nerves were very expensive to begin with. It wasn't something anyone could have bought with just one or two fights alone. The only people who strived for it were those who were Runners or Guards that converted themselves to heavy engineerization. The demands were low and the technology required for them is advanced, making them prices for them skyrocket. She had heard they were handmade by engineers bit by bit. Naturally, the Black Cat jumped at the chance of buying a new product from Biring firm that was being told at a bargaining price through the black market.

And it nearly killed her.

It was supposed to be made as a Crack Engine, but only an odd piece of a Green Stone was inside it. It was a fake. She'd have died had the first nerve fluid exchange happened but thanks to Gii, she narrowly avoided death.

She recalls feeling his hands on her naked neck as the accelerator meant to "stimulate the spinal cord" was removed while it was healed with the Cracking Effect. It felt oddly seductive. Not in a weird way but...it felt weird to her.

"Shut it."

"Even so, you should listen. You're a Runner. You and I both know we live beside danger," Gii even put on his glasses to assert that he was awake and spoke. "That's not the same as being reckless, Ati. You should avoid the dangers that can be avoided. Just go ask Stanislaw to double-check."

"...But that old turtle is a liar."

"Even then, keep this in mind."

The black cat had expected the talk to come out.

She had figured he would have gone over his investigation on the Biring firm. Ask her for her cooperation. Maybe even a hack and slash. She had hoped to even see something she hadn't seen for the first time in years: That of his serious eyes, cold eyes which showed he was still alive. But it seems he didn't intend to do that.

Instead, it looked like he was going to be lecturing her until dawn.

Who do you think you are, she asked, trying to act all high and mighty. The only people who'd say such things to others while in Inganock were either idiots or con artists. She almost wanted to say it, but held it in.

She held it in as she puffed out her cheeks. 

Being upset as she was, she clung her body and chest to Gii's arm to spite him. Her cold skin had immediately taken his warmth. Despite being upset, the black cat tilted her head to her own feelings of comfort.

"Mmh."

"Are you listening, Ati?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Officially, the new product from Biring firm wasn't on the distribution channel. It was not surprising, as modified Crack Engines weren't able to be produced let alone researched without the permission from the upper tiers or city management.

This was referred to as being forbidden.

Naturally, any new products were only distributed through the black market. Thus, the company wouldn't suffer from any damages even if the products turned out to be defective as the affected products will simply vanish from the black market. A shady pawnshop may have to sell off their entire stock, but those who are into the business would know that this wouldn't last very long both commercially and physically.

At best, the company would be underfire for a few months only for things to return back to normal once they're able to restart selling rare Crack Engines at low prices.

Even for a new company, they'd still be part of the Fantasy City of Inganock. They'd naturally take any reasonable means in order to survive.

That was fine.

The Black Cat simply thought it was foolish of her to fall for something like that.

Though there was just one thing she didn't like. That was to do with Gii's attitude. He was doing something beside his medical rounds, which was very rare of him, and didn't even ask for her help.

Apparently he had enough money to even pay and hire a Hacker.

All she got was a lecture until dawn.

She simply didn't like that.

"So. We're going to be attacking that thing, right?"

"Yeah."

"I was wondering what this was all about when he said he'd pay me if I came, and he just came right at me. I was surprised."

"Shut it."

"It's been three months since we last attacked a transport vehicle."

"I said shut it."

The Black Cat continued to ignore David's muttering while peering from the alleyway onto the deserted main street. They were a noisy bird. This man had turned into a Pardes ten years ago just as the Black Cat mutated into a Pucelle. His beak skillfully formed human-like expressions but today, they were especially upset.

She wasn't certain whether he was going to take his anger out on her.

Maybe he would take it out on others. Perhaps not, even.

Perhaps that was all that needed to be said. According to the information they got from Hacker D-Head, their attack on a special transport carriage about to pass through the main street, which was drawn by a carriage horse that mutated into a Bug Horse could be said to be an act of venting their anger on.

It was a miracle they came across D-Head, a skilled hacker yet an eccentric man (though not as eccentric as Gii). He was wandering around through Information Space at the City Skyscrapers in his spare-time when they came across him in person rather than via an Engine Phone, where they met at a drug bar in the Infinite Crowded Street. They would have never thought of doing this without them.

The Black Cat gave him some shillings, and was able to get the information.

That is to say, it was classified research materials being transported from the Biring firm in the 4th tier to their headquarters in the 1st tier where they are currently researching the nervous system to use Crack Engines on. It was checkmate.

"We'll have to get there first before they do."

"Who are they?"

"...It's a secret." Though he knew of something, he didn't say it. "There aren't any guards. Only three people are in the vehicle. That okay with you, noisy bird?"

"That's okay with me, cat."

The black cat nods.

She thought of herself as the "black cat", but the bird never calls her that. She was merely a cat. It was likely because her clothes. She wanted a bustier-class stab-proof suit but the color was lighter on it. What she had on was cheaper so she bought it. It did make her white skin stand out, so it wasn't exactly ideal for night time fighting work. Surely, she would buy a darker one. Something stylish with plenty of stab-proof protection.

And...

"It's time," Her big "ears" announced the arrival of the special vehicle.

"It's that the weapon you'll be using?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty used to it."

Shrugging, she pulls out her built-in chrome claws. In response, the bird pulls out what seemed to be a gun. It wasn't a banned gunpowder gun, but an air pressure firearm. It was an impact weapon developed independently by Inganock using compression gun technology from the Northern Central Empire. Though its range was short with being 3 meters, if it connects, it can even stop a soldier that's undergone heavy engineerization for 2 seconds.

For the Black Cat, 2 seconds was enough.

"It's here."

The special vehicle came onto the main street, coming in at great speeds. First, they would neutralize the Bug Horse attached to the vehicle for their attack. The bird likely would be going for the wheels, making it tip over but only when it happens. For the Black Cat, that wasn't an issue.

The Black Cat took a steady breath and gauged their timing.

The Bug Horse was galloping the down the street as it skillfully approached with its eight legs, both small and large. The moment it reached their closest point, a pair of shadows leapt out of the alley at breakneck speeds. One kicked off the cobblestone, the other waited in the air.

The Black Cat and the Bird of Prey leapt towards the carriage.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"So you were the ones who caused that transport vehicle accident, I see."

The words spoken to them didn't sound very emotional. Perhaps it was due to coming from a mouse. Morimoto, a man of the Soy Mice fantasy race whose experience was unreadable compared to the bird's, had on the same expression when he opened up the suitcase that was a result of fighting.

He simply wiggled his nose.

The Black Cat tilted her head, wondering what sort of emotion was that.

"This was last night. I remembered it because I know it's been some time since we've had a traffic accident without any causalities. Runners are very skillful, yet do such troublesome things."

"Killing is even more troublesome," She recalled Gii's face for some reason.

"Ain't that right? Anyways, here's this."

Said Morimoto, flicking a silver suitcase with one of his claws.

This wasn't to the Black Cat but rather to Stanislaw, an elderly Purkol who was arrogant like he owned his shop despite being in his Engine Factory.

The old turtle dealer had came over without the Black Cat calling for him.

Though Morimoto had only requested to have an appraisal of the suitcase's contents that was carried by the special vehicle, Morimoto had called in for the old second-hand fixer for some reason. The man had remained silent and looked displeased, refusing to even greet the Black Cat. Quite an unpleasant old man, they were.

"I heard about this from Master Gii."

"The Green Stone," The old turtle finally said something. He sounded very sulky.

"Yes. That was him. I guess you'll be contacting him later, Master Stanislaw?"

"Yeah. He's already gotten involved."

What?

At last, the Black Cat put a stop to it. Even if she were to have waited for Stanislaw, one of the bosses of the Infinite Crowded Street and one of the few lower tier fixers, she wondered why Gii's name was being mentioned for and stepped in. Besides, she was the one who did the job. Not him. It had nothing to do with him!

"He was the one who brought up this 'Green Stone' thing."

"So what, that makes you in charge of this? Who the hell you think you are, Stansilaw? Just because you pretend to be a fixer don't mean you can steal something from this Black Cat here..."

"How much?"

"What?" Now what are you saying?

"How much you want? I can give it to you and you can take it off your hands right now, cat lady."

"If you're picking a fight, you can have as much as you want. With your turtle life."

Without being aware, the Black Cat bore her fangs at him.

Her emotions were growing as were her claws, naturally. This wasn't someone who she could pick a fight and get away with. She couldn't help herself feeling angry despite her rationality telling her to cease. After all, she was the one who caused the violent fight last night, yet this man was attempting to keep her out of the loop like this.

Idiot.

Fool.

That pale, Gii...

"...Sorry for being late. Morimoto. Stansilaw. I heard on the phone that you got a new type of 'Green Stone', yes?"

Yes. The source of her anger had shown up.

"Huff!"

"Ah, you idiot! Stop, black cat! They're getting away, Master Gii!"

"Eh...?"

"Huff!"

"Wha, Ati...w-what? Wait...hang on a sec..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~Start of 535 in the Royal Calander. Seikyo~

...This was after he ascended the Golden Spiral Staircase.

...This was in the University City in Seikyo.

"Alright, gentleman. Let's begin."

A clear voice reverberates throughout the surroundings.

This was a room of tranquil knowledge. Here, even an infant's whispers could reach another's ear. It was a dark, locked room made with only the small part of a great society that permits multiple conversations simultaneously as demonstrated by a saint from the Far East. Perhaps it could even be called an altar?

All knowledge that one speaks is transmitted to the great abyssal leader of the Society, Althotas Thoth Hermes.

"This is in regards to the recovery plan for the grand Green Fragment."

"This plan has been entrusted to Agent M, everyone. As for the new plan following the recovery, myself and His Excellency the Professor will be in charge of it."

"You naive fool, Baron Munchausen. What are you two planning?"

"You're quite terrifying, Your Excellency Machine Lord. I'm quite certain the plan will be of great use to you."

"The Professor's wisdom is wonderful. Let us wait for the plan to be complete, Ladies and Gentleman."

"Oh my. Lord Weishaupt is in quite the good mood today. I quite adore male virgins who I can understand all of them from just their voice."

"A virgin, I may be. But that is why I am beloved by the abyssal knowledge."

"Settle down. I hope you reconsider the plan once it is complete."

"Then you may do as you wish. Once all of the fragments are gathered, there will be no more complaints."

"Well then. Everyone, please wait for a little while.
Until the day comes when Agent M, appointed by His Excellency the Leader returns from the Fantasy City from the strange land of Kadath..."

(To be continued)