C256
A few days later, late at night.
I looked up.
The ash-gray sky filled my view.
Anything had closed the connection, so there was no worry about being discovered.
Besides, I was only going to be out for a day for this party.
[Entry]
I squinted.
On the desk lay a golden ticket.
It had arrived the same night I contacted Mobius.
[Instructions]
[Break the ticket and a ‘dimensional portal’ to the party will open.]
[However, adhere to the entry time.]
[Entry time – 201X. XX. XX, 20:00]
[Note – Use the ticket in a place where no one can see you. It might raise suspicions. ^_^]
[Mobius Inc.]
I picked up the ticket.
On the cover was the emblem of Mobius Inc.
‘A celebration party?’
I didn’t understand why they were holding a party, nor why I had been specifically invited.
It smelled like a trap. Though I had already decided to go, I wouldn’t let my guard down. I snapped my fingers.
[Yay!]
Iselle appeared spinning in the air.
Instead of her usual black dress, she wore a short frilly dress.
[What do you think, Loki? Does it look good on me?]
“Where did you get that?”
[It’s my party outfit! I spent all my salary at the mall to buy it.]
Iselle coughed fakely as she smoothed the bottom of the dress.
[Loki, are you going dressed like that? It’s no different from usual.]
“Why dress up? We’re not going on a trip.”
I wore my leather armor and a belt with a sword. It wasn’t full armor, but I was prepared for any emergency.
I made a metallic sound as I adjusted the knife sheath at the back of my belt.
[But it’s a party…]
“We’re not going to have fun. We’re going to investigate.”
I took a deep breath.
In the worst case, the entire party could be a trap targeting me. I needed to stay alert.
‘It would be good to bring members of Group 1…’
Anyone I brought would be an excellent escort. The problem was whether they would be allowed to attend the party. Most likely, they would strongly oppose it.
I checked the knife sheath and covered the belt with my cloak. Then I firmly closed the door. I even blocked the small passage under the door that I had left open for Gugukon. This exit had to be secret.
“Are you ready?”
[Yes.]
I nodded and took the ticket.
Without hesitation, I broke it.
Crack.
The golden paper tore and light began to ripple from within.
[A dimensional portal connected to ‘???’ has been created.]
The dimensional vortex swirled and rippled.
Entering meant venturing into enemy territory. I needed to keep a clear mind. I reminded myself of this as I took a step forward.
A familiar floating sensation enveloped my body along with the light.
[Royal Cruise]
[Welcome to the dimensional cruiser ‘Pioneer’.]
I opened my eyes.
The first thing I saw was the rolling ocean beyond the metal railing.
The water’s surface glowed softly under the moonlight, extending to the horizon.
‘This is…’
I looked around.
On the metal deck, a streamlined building rose towards the sky.
“What is this?”
[It’s the legendary… Pioneer.]
Iselle looked at me with sparkling eyes.
[It’s an exclusive luxury cruiser for Mobius employees. Here is where Mobius employees spend their vacations. It has a first-class hotel, a golf course, a pool, all the recreational facilities you can imagine. Restaurants and a grand banquet hall, nothing is missing.]
Iselle’s cheeks were flushed.
She seemed lost in her own world.
‘I’m not surprised.’
Nothing surprises me anymore.
“Are you a guest?”
I turned at the unfamiliar voice.
A man in a suit looked at me curiously.
He seemed to be a Mobius employee, wearing an ID card around his neck.
“Excuse me, can you show me your invitation? Unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter.”
I took the invitation out of my pocket and showed it to him.
The man checked the invitation on both sides and then looked at me again.
“Did you come alone?”
“With Iselle.”
“Understood. One person and one… creature.”
[Creature? A creature?!]
Iselle opened her mouth, surprised.
“Please follow me. They are expecting you.”
The man made a slight bow and began walking across the deck.
I followed him silently. The man swiped his access card at the cabin entrance, and the doors opened wide. He climbed the stairs without hesitation.
‘So this is how it is.’
I quickly examined the cabin structure.
Mentally mapping out the cruiser, calculating escape routes. Also looking for places where I could face multiple opponents. There were visible security guards all over the ship.
‘As for their weapons…’
I observed a man passing by.
He wore a bulletproof vest over his suit and a gun in a holster at his waist.
‘They’re not carrying melee weapons.’
I clicked my tongue.
The superiority of firearms over melee weapons was clear.
It seems Mobius’s security forces are well-equipped.
“This way, please.”
The man led us to a large elevator.
A minute after the doors closed.
“When the doors open, you’ll be in the banquet hall.”
“…”
“Ah, but before… could you leave your weapons? We’ll keep them safe for you.”
I knew it was inevitable.
I sighed and released my knife sheath.
“Also the sword, please.”
The man smiled.
Reluctantly, I handed over my Bifröst.
“Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy the evening.”
The man smiled satisfactorily and covered the weapons with a cloth.
Then, the elevator doors opened. The view was of a luxurious banquet hall, as expected. The hall was as large as a stadium, covered in luxurious carpets. A band played classical music, and there was a wide variety of liquors and buffets on display.
‘This is too cliché.’
I let out a sarcastic laugh.
Men and women dressed in suits and dresses enjoyed the party in the hall.
“Are all these Mobius employees?”
[Yes!]
Iselle responded energetically.
And pointed to a corner of the hall.
Small fairies were gathered, murmuring.
[There are my companions.]
“Then go enjoy.”
I whispered to the confused Iselle.
“Gather information about Alpha Zero.”
I gently pushed her.
Though she seemed dazed, Iselle flew towards her companions.
Alone, I headed to a corner of the hall and settled in an appropriate spot.
‘Let’s see what they’re talking about.’
The hall was filled with the noise of conversations.
I sat and sharpened my ears.
Gradually, the noises began to clear.
“Who is that? His clothes are ridiculous.”
“That’s Loki. The master of Niflheim. He’s supposed to have killed El Cid.”
“Why is he alone? Where are his attendants?”
“I don’t know.”
They glanced at me sideways.
I must have seemed strange to them. Everyone in modern attire, and me in armor.
“Is he an idiot? Doesn’t he know what could happen to him? He doesn’t even look that strong.”
“El Cid was killed by that kid? I don’t believe it.”
“He didn’t kill anyone. He just took the credit.”
I closed my eyes.
They didn’t approach, just murmured from a distance.
“The director too. Why invite a stranger to this party? It doesn’t make sense.”
“What if confidential information leaks out? They won’t be held responsible.”
“Really, our superiors without common sense make us suffer. We come on vacation and they ruin the atmosphere with this weird guy.”
They didn’t seem to have a favorable opinion of me.
I didn’t expect otherwise.
“Do you know that the director is no longer what he used to be?”
“They say he lost his position in the company’s internal politics. He no longer has influence in executive meetings. He just spends his time on the internet laughing like an idiot.”
“There are rumors they’ll change the game director.”
Not only did they dislike me, but they also didn’t like the party organizer, Alpha Zero.
“But one never knows. If he finishes the tower, he could become the president’s right-hand man. Like almost happened with the previous number one. Though he ruined his chance himself.”
“Then, should we greet him in advance?”
A woman in a dress started walking towards me.
Seeing her, I gave her a stern look and she quickly backed off.
“What’s with his eyes? He looks like he could kill someone.”
“Don’t touch him. They say he’s a rabid madman.”
‘There doesn’t seem to be any useful information here.’
I stopped listening and began observing my surroundings.
“Don’t pay attention to them. They’re just worthless words from worthless people.”
I turned my head at the voice.
Next to a marble pillar, a woman in a suit greeted me with a nod.
She had a neat appearance, her dark blue hair tied in a ponytail, and a metal sheath at her waist.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Sijel, the director’s first-grade secretary. Thank you for accepting our invitation. The director greatly appreciates your effort in defeating El Cid.”
“I didn’t defeat him. He went to die.”
“That depends on how you look at it.”
Sijel whispered.
I frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure.”
Sijel smiled.
Then she cleared her throat and examined me.
“Did you come alone?”
“I only brought Iselle.”
“And the heroes of Niflheim?”
“They didn’t come. Why?”
“I understand.”
Sijel scratched her cheek, somewhat worried.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. The director is on his way. See you later.”
She bowed and started climbing the stairs to the center of the hall.
I smiled ironically. I couldn’t guess that woman’s intentions.
The master of ceremonies took the microphone.
<Let’s give a round of applause! The director and producer of Pick Me Up, Mr. LeCardis!>
The hall erupted in applause.
‘Alpha Zero.’
Squeak.
The doors in the center of the hall opened.
A middle-aged man appeared.
‘Rather than walking… it seems like he’s rolling.’
He was in a wheelchair.
With a vacant look, he observed the hall, and his gaze met mine.
“Loki.”
The director murmured in a monotonous voice.
“Where is Siris?”
“…”
“Siris-chan…”
What is this guy saying?
The man murmured with a vacant expression.
“I wanted… to lick…”
“What?”
“Lick… lick…”
I frowned.
“He’s completely gone.”
Someone murmured in the hall, but he didn’t seem to hear.
“Siris-chan…”
The man moved his wheelchair towards the open door and disappeared.
I was stunned.
‘What the hell?’
I couldn’t believe it.
Is that Alpha Zero?
The one responsible for Pick Me Up?
‘…’
I checked the back of the invitation.
[Note – We highly recommend the participation of Siris, the Submaster of Niflheim.]
Now I understood why they wrote that nonsense…
<Let’s give a round of applause for the excellent speech of the director!>
The hall resonated with empty applause.
“He seems to be finished.”
A cynical laugh was heard among the applause.
I looked towards that place.
A blond young man in a white suit smoked a cigar.
“He should have retired earlier.”
The young man exhaled smoke.
Then he looked at me.
“You too. It seems the president is interested in you, but don’t think of resisting. You don’t want to end up like El Cid.”
“…”
“Don’t you still understand why we invited a mere master? It’s to let you know your place. This is a warning. No matter how strong Niflheim is, you’ll never beat us. Remember that.”
The young man threw his cigar on the ground and crushed it with his foot.
He stood up and deliberately bumped into me as he passed. Some men who seemed to be his bodyguards followed him.
‘…’
I immediately left the hall.
The young man descended the stairs humming. I watched him for a moment before heading to the railing.
‘No one around.’
I took a paper out of my pocket.
[Party Program (For Executives Only)]
I had slipped the paper from his pocket when he bumped into me.
I read the document carefully until something caught my attention.
[2:00 a.m. – Meeting in the seventh-floor conference room. Mandatory attendance for all team leaders. Screening of Dorado’s finale. Discussion on El Cid’s actions and prevention of recurrences.]
Screening of the finale.
Just what I needed.
‘The seventh floor.’
The top floor of the cruiser.
Surely there would be strict security.
“Hey! What are you doing here?”
I turned around.
One of the young man’s bodyguards was walking towards me.
I quickly hid the paper.
“What were you doing here?”
“Nothing in particular.”
“You look suspicious…”
He frowned and reached for his gun holster.
“I’m going to search you. Raise your hands and.…”
Crack.
I grabbed his right arm and twisted it.
“Ah!”
The bone popped out of place and I grabbed his head, slamming it against the metal railing.
Thud. His nose broke, splattering blood. Then, I kicked his leg. The bodyguard spun in the air and fell over the railing.
Splash.
“…”
I’ll need to look for that guy.
I shook the blood from my hands and descended the stairs.
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