Chapter 208: Their Respective Training (1/2)

Akira was going through training with Alpha in his home. Sometimes, he would also participate in mock battles with Erio and the other children in the wasteland. He had decided to only go to the ruin again once the automaton and the other relics he brought back from Lida commercial district ruin were fully converted into money. But for some reason, it was not done yet.

Old-world automata were highly valuable relics to corporations for many reasons. Whether to improve their own technology or to fix them before reselling again, there were many companies trying to get their hands on these automata. Normally, one should have no problem selling them, it should have been easy to exchange them for money. But that was not the case this time and the reason for that was because they were brought back to the city as a team with Akira.

If it was solely Togami’s team, they could just leave selling the automata to Drankam, which can use its connection. Even if there might be some problem regarding how to divide the money, it would be solved between the team selling the automata and the gang. Even if the result might not be ideal for Togami, they could make up for that by negotiating with the gang. That way, the gang would be able to secure its share with no problem as well.

But with Akira added to the equation, it was not that simple. After all, Akira was only allowing Drankam to handle the sale of the automata to make it easier to divide the money later. If Drankam took a cut on that money, Akira would obviously complain. If it was just a common Hunter, Drankam could just crush him using their connection with City Management. But when it came to a Hunter above Rank 40, in the worst-case scenario, it might end up in a full-blown war and the damage from that war would no doubt have some form of repercussion.

Normally, Drankam would first buy the relic from the Hunter to gain full-ownership of it before selling in order to avoid this problem. But there was another problem with that approach. If the negotiation with Akira did not go well, it might significantly reduce the profit that Drankam might gain from the transaction.

Personally speaking, Akira himself said that he had no problem dividing the money evenly. But according to the report from Togami and Reina regarding Akira’s contribution in securing the automata, it would not be strange if he demanded half of the reward. On the other hand, if they tried to negotiate with Akira, he might change his mind and decide to demand more shares than he had right now. And in the worst-case scenario, Viola might stick her nose into the negotiation and carry away most of the profits. Drankam already knew Akira’s relation with Viola from Mizuha’s report.

Drankam was stuck in a difficult position, trying not to worsen its connection with a high ranking Hunter as well as the company it was working with.

To top it off, companies were also working behind the scenes to make adjustments. The automata that Kurosawa’s team had destroyed the other day already changed hands to a certain company. If there was a relic that resembled the complete form of that destroyed relic, it would speed up the investigation process of said relics. Moreover, it might shed a light on its connection with the fifth automaton that got away. If possible, the aforementioned company also wanted to get its hand on that automaton as well. Thus it was working behind the scenes for that.

With all of these factors added into the complexity of the matter, they ended up taking more time than usual to sell the automata.

Akira already knew what was going on from a short report given by someone from Drankam, which in response, he only said that he would wait patiently if it might sell for a lot more. He already got the expense from that expedition covered by Shiori, so he had no reason to rush it. Although the smaller relics were already exchanged for money, all of them were used to cover the expenses.

Because of this, and some other things, Akira decided not to go exploring ruins for the time being and spent most of his time training inside and outside his house.

—*—*—*—

Togami and Reina’s group were about to get out to the wasteland when Reina, who was sitting on the driver’s assistant seat, mumbled.

“Good grief, I wonder when we are going to be allowed to do Hunter jobs again.”

Togami smiled wryly.

“Calm down, if you don’t like the training, you can take a break instead, you know?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to do it and I do still think that I need more training. But we’re not even allowed to do common monster extermination requests, you know? Isn’t that a bit too strict? Don’t you think so too?”

“Well, you have a point there.”

“Right? I really wish they would lift the restriction.”

Togami’s team was given a temporary restriction from Drankam so they could not do Hunter jobs. This was for the sake of preventing matters from becoming more complicated in case the rightful owners of the automata died. Although they were not exactly happy about it, they decided to obey the restriction. However, as they felt that it would take more time than usual, they decided to negotiate with the higher-ups. In the end, they were allowed to do some low-risk Hunter jobs.

“Our job today is to help out in testing a still-in-development augmented suit. Although it’s just training because we’re not allowed to do dangerous Hunter jobs, we are still getting paid for it. Depending on how you take it, it might actually be a good offer. By the way, where is Shiori-san?”

The only maid sitting on the back seats was Kanae.

“Ane-san has another business to attend to. Milady, Ane-san left because she thought that we’re not going to leave the city. Although I’m letting you out to the wasteland, it would be a great help if you try to be careful. After all, it is still the dangerous wasteland. So make sure not to just go hunting for monsters on a whim when we spot one. I don’t want to get split open by Ane-san after all.”

“I know, so can you please just let it go for a bit for a change of pace.”

Reina lightly sighed.

“Shiori has been bugging me about my mannerism again lately. She has also been actively making me take on that training again. To be honest, I don’t think it’s necessary at this point… Although mannerism is indeed important, I just don’t see why she’s getting stricter lately…”

Before Reina continued her thought, Kanae smiled and interjected.

“I don’t know if it’s because you’ve been working with Togami-boy a lot lately, but Milady, your word-usage is getting rough lately. So I bet Ane-san wishes to fix it before it gets worse.”

“Ughk, well.”

“How is that my fault?”

Reina, who knew that Kanae was not completely wrong, became flustered. Togami only smiled bitterly in response to it. Kanae deliberately chose her words such that the heart of the matter was to be taken lightly. But of course, neither Reina nor Togami noticed it.

Erio and Togami were actually helping to test the coordination support system augmented suit. Since Akira did not participate in the test that day, the team was divided between Togami and Reina versus the rest.

The mock battle was divided between the minority vs the majority. The minority referred to those who were using the augmented suit with the overloaded setting. After Erio decided to keep using the overloaded setting, some other children actually asked for the same setting. While the rest, or the majority, were children who were using the original restricted setting. Although the difference in their numbers was huge, they were able to put up a good fight which showcased the difference in their fighting prowess.

That was when Togami’s team came. After a short explanation from Tabata, they decided to set the mock battle as Togami’s team vs the rest. Since Kanae was only there as a bodyguard, she did not join the mock battle and only participated as an observer running around the battlefield.

As Erio and the other children took a short break until Togami’s team finished their preparation, they started to talk about the new addition to the test.

“Say, that maid is the one from back then, right? But where is the other one?”

“Yup, you’re probably right. But to be honest, rather than that fake-looking maid, I actually prefer the other one that looks like a proper maid.”

“Is that so? I actually like this one more though.”

“…You have a very bad taste, you know?”

“What did you just say?!”

The start of the mock battle cut their endless idle talk. As they went to their respective starting positions, they then waited for the signal to start the mock battle.

Erio nervously waited while mentally preparing himself when the support system from his helmet made a suggestion.

“Detected high anxiety level. Please keep calm to ensure effective decision making.”

“…I know.”

“It’s Yatsubayashi. Open up the air composition adjustment function! You should be able to use the modified battle stimulant that I made! Those two once worked together with Akira out in the wasteland, you know! So basically they are like 2 Akiras! If you don’t want to get a one-sided beating, just use the battle stimulant although it’s still in the clinical trial phase. You can’t get strong unless you prepare yourself to take risks, you know! Use the augmented suit, the coordination support system, and the battle stimulant, they are your shortcut to gain super strength. I know they’re still in the testing stage, but just use them! ”

Yatsubayashi’s excited voice could be heard from the support system. Although Erio was surprised by that voice, he seriously considered that offer, and eventually, his wish to get stronger trumped.

“…Alright, I’ll use it.”

“Roger that, injecting the stimulant now.”

The inside of the helmet turned slightly green from the battle stimulant. Every time Erio inhaled, he could feel his anxiety level lowered and his five senses sharpened. The pain from the previous mock battle also slowly alleviated. As he waited for the countdown, he could feel the power coursing through his limbs, even the countdown on his display felt like it was running at a slower rate.

Erio’s spirit was lifted, he thought that he might have the chance to win with his newly gained power. The moment the signal for the start of the mock battle went up, he immediately kicked the ground and started running.

It was two against many and their opponent was supported with the coordination system. Normally, it would have been hopeless, but Reina and Togami compensated for that difference with their equipment and skill. They kept moving around to cause confusion. Although they did not communicate with each other, they moved around together as a team very well. They divided the fight into smaller 2 against 1 fights as they hunted their opponents one by one. When they were about to get surrounded, they would charge to break the encirclement to get away and then maintain the upper hand.

No one was taking it easy in that battle. If they let their guard down even for a split second, the other party would immediately turn the table around. But Togami and Reina felt a sense of satisfaction as they continued to fight with a smile on their faces.

Reina shot down another one of her opponents and thought.

[These guys are strong! I heard that they are not Hunters and just amateurs though, is this the power of the coordination support system? If equipment can really make them this strong, I can imagine why Akira would splurge his money on equipment and training. I had been really ashamed of myself from back then, but…]

Reina smiled.

[I can’t let people think that I’m nothing without my equipment! I can’t let myself lose for the sake of all the training that I did with Shiori and Kanae as well.]

Togami also shot another one down as he thought.

[They are strong. So this is the power of the coordination support system, huh? If I’m not mistaken, Katsuya’s team was using a stable version if not the beta version of this system and they were using it superbly. I even heard that some officers in the gang are thinking of getting this system for all the young Hunters in the gang. I can understand that, but…]

Togami lightly smiled.

[Just how much would it cost? No wonder why Shikarabe and the other veteran Hunters don’t like the young Hunters. Well, I’m on the side of the Hunters who would receive the support, so I have no problem with it, but the veteran Hunters would basically pay for it. Well, sooner or later, I would be joining their side though. I can’t really afford to lose now against people with nothing but excellent equipment, after all, I need to get stronger and earn more money. At least more than what I would need to pay in the future…]

Togami and Reina did their best in order to surpass their past selves. Because of that, they were able to annihilate their opponents and won the first hard-earned victory.

Although Erio and the other children lost the round, Yatsubayashi was satisfied with the result. He then amusedly said to Tabata.

“How was it? It has this much effect with only this price. It is pretty impressive, no? Its cost-benefit ratio is way higher than your usual battle stimulant.”

“Even if that’s true, it’s not like I can do anything about it. It’s true that our augmented suit allows them to use the battle stimulant in the middle of the fight. But it is originally for medicines. Not for battle stimulants mixed with accelerator drugs. Moreover, the available medicine is based on the other companies that the main company is working together with. So we can only use yours for testing like this.”

Yatsubayashi frowned and said.

“Even with this result?”

“I don’t have authority to decide which medicine to use. Well, I will at least send the data to the main company though. So just hope that they would consider using your battle stimulant.”

Yatsubaya looked even more displeased.

“I bet for people like them, performance is number two and they will pick the medicine from some big drug company for the sake of their companies’ interest anyway. Good grief, these people keep giving vague refusals. No wonder cheap but good medicines would never reach the market.”

“Safety takes precedence and it’s important to confirm and prove it. That is why those huge corporations spent most of their money on that, no?”

“Humph, I wonder about that now.”

Tabata looked at the obviously displeased Yatsubayashi and lamented his decision.

[…Good grief, I ended up letting a weirdo join the testing. I really hate my stupidity from that time. Although he’s really a good doctor, he’s just suspicious, or more like, I feel like he’s not the usual doctor.]

Tabata allowed Yatsubayashi to attend the testing after a short negotiation with Viola. He was basically the doctor for Erio and the other children. Because Viola used the previous incident as leverage, Tabata could not refuse her demand.

Tabata then thought of something and asked Yatsubayashi.

“Say, this is just a random guess, but you are not from the Rebuild Laboratory, are you?”

“Why do you think so?”

“No reason in particular.”

Yatsubayashi smiled as if to laugh at himself as he said.

“If that is really the case, I would be working hard on my research with an unlimited amount of budget from the huge corporations by now.”

He then continued but with more spirit this time.

“If you really think that I am that good, it would be great if you would provide me with some aid money for my research. If only I can get a proper production line for mass production and finish off the rest of the testing, I’m sure it would sell like hotcakes. Wait, no, a license would be enough, so if you can offer this drug to some medicine companies connected to your company, then…”

“Haah, like I said, I have no authority to do that. So just give it a rest.”

“Really now, you guys are just insufferable.”

Tabata rejected Yatsubayashi’s offer, thus making him look more displeased than before.

When the Rebuild Laboratory was disbanded, some of the researchers went rogue since they did not like their research being controlled by the Corporate Governments. Even to this day, many were still actively pursuing their research in secret while running away from the Corporate Government. That was a common rumor which was flying around between researchers in the eastern district.

Tabata already knew about that rumour, which in that case, that would mean Yatsubayashi might have a connection with some big companies. But Tabata just shook his head and threw out that thought from his head.

Erio frowned and looked desperate. They finished some rounds after that, but they could not win against Reina and Togami at all, not even once.

They had different equipment, different talents, different accumulated experience from both training and real battles. There were many reasons why they could not win a single round. Erio knew that those reasons were reasonable. But, he just could not accept it. After all, if he accepted them, it felt like it was the same as giving up. He would be shutting himself from taking the road that the strong took. That kind of distorted thinking was what pushed him further.

As the next round started, Erio whispered to himself to be stronger.

“More…”

The system made a guess out of that incomplete sentence.

“Warning, using more battle stimulants would put the body in immense stress. Do you still want to use more battle stimulants?”

“…More.”

“Understood, injecting battle stimulant.”

“…Stronger.”

“Warning, using battle stimulants would put the body in more stress. Do you still want to use more battle stimulants?”

“…More!!!”

“Understood, injecting battle stimulant.”

Erio said so unconsciously, but the system kept injecting more and more battle stimulants. The huge dose of battle stimulant granted him immense power. When he started the next round, he felt like he had temporarily become superhuman.

Reina could not react when Erio suddenly started moving unnaturally fast. The moment she noticed, it was already too late. She could not evade the incoming bullet and the exchange ended up in a draw. As the ‘hit’ notice came up in her display, she laid down on the ground in deep frustration.

Togami did his best even after his only ally in that mock battle was shot down, but since the rest of the opponents jumped into the fray thinking that it was a good chance after Erio shot down Reina, the round ended in his loss even though he put up a good fight.

The signal to end the mock battle came up. Those who were lying down on the ground after receiving their hit notice pushed themselves up again. Erio’s team realised that they had won the round and celebrated their victory.

Kanae went to Reina first, she then said apologetically to Togami who came a bit later.

“Sorry, it was my fault.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. They’re really strong, I got shot too.”

Kanae then said with a serious face.