Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 142 142: You Really Are Going to Get What’s Coming t

"Rose, forr student of the Network Security Academy. Although she never received official certification, she was theoretically one of the top hackers of that era, and the compatible candidate for the Fairytale-Type Unit No.1, 'Sleeping Beauty.' But during the process of being converted into a Nikke, she exploded because her body couldn't withstand power on the sa level as Liliweiss."

Abe quickly summarized the explanation in a low voice.

"That's the official explanation, anyway. But only people in our laboratory know the truth behind it."

"Still, there is a possibility that you survived. After all, you were a hacker. That skill itself was engraved into your instincts. And after becoming a Nikke, your abilities were probably connected to that as well."

Abe's gaze turned serious.

"So back then, did you upload your consciousness into the network? Or was your consciousness rely copied? Which one was it exactly? I'm curious."

Both Charon and Rose knew that the Rose before them was the real one. After all, the technique Charon used to revive her ca from the Shelter.

But Abe's theory was also reasonable.

A copy of consciousness remaining in the network all this ti… honestly, that sounded pretty romantic too.

[Believe whatever you want, Professor Abe. And also… thank you for all the help you gave before this.]

Rose gave a slight bow from within the screen.

[Taking care of this guy probably wasn't easy, was it?]

"That part wasn't too bad. We didn't know each other for very long, but this brat really did bring quite a few surprises."

Abe glanced at Charon before looking back at Rose.

"For example… the current you."

Abe was extrely interested in Rose.

The first-generation Fairytale-Type Unit No.1 existing as a being living within the digital world – despite completely challenging her understanding of reality – was enough to ignite her research instincts intensely.

Unfortunately, Abe wasn't an expert in network-related fields. Things like electronic ghosts had never been part of her research domain. Naturally, there was no way she would feel safe exposing Rose to her colleagues either.

Years of experience had already taught her that the current governnt wasn't worthy of trust.

It was better to reserve that trust for the Goddess Squad… and for the commander hiding in the shadows behind them – Charon.

That night, they talked for a very long ti.

About many things.

But then–

"Charon."

In the middle of the conversation, Abe suddenly asked:

"Why… haven't you asked about Ana?"

Charon, who had been speaking animatedly just monts ago, suddenly froze.

Silence slowly settled over him.

"Ana…"

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

"I really want to know whether she's doing well. But honestly… I'm afraid she's already forgotten ."

"In her life, I was just so passerby she knew for less than a month."

Several years had already passed since then.

That tiny little girl from back then had now grown into a young woman.

After all that growth… would Ana still rember the man she once spent ti with?

If he actually heard that she had forgotten him…

He felt like he would probably sink into depression for quite a while.

"You bastard…"

Abe stared at him, realizing he genuinely ant it. Her fists instantly clenched.

"You're seriously thinking about that at a ti like this?"

[…Who's Ana?] Rose suddenly asked.

"Uh… she's a little girl I rescued from the ruins. I brought her directly to Abe afterward. I guess you could say Abe's been raising her ever since."

Charon hurriedly explained before looking toward Abe.

Rose rely sneered coldly from the tablet screen.

"Do you want to know how she's doing now?" Abe asked.

"…I do."

"Good."

Abe pulled out a tablet.

It wasn't as large as the Shittim Chest, but she had apparently hidden it inside her clothes. When she handed it to Charon, he could even sll a faint lingering fragrance on it.

Charon hesitantly took the tablet and turned on the screen.

The instant he saw it, his eyes lit up.

"Fairytale-Type Second Generation Unit No.1 – Cinderella. In both testing and performance data, she is currently the strongest existence. Her exclusive weapon, 'Crystal Shoes,' is capable of producing wide-area high-output firepower exceeding even the Goddess Squad."

"It could be said that, purely based on the data, her individual combat power surpasses the entire Goddess Squad – excluding Liliweiss."

Charon practically hugged the tablet as he carefully read every single word.

Without realizing it, he felt his nose turning sour.

So that's how it is…

She really achieved the dream she once spoke about.

Looking at the photo of the girl – now graceful and fully grown, having matured so astonishingly – Charon's expression looked as though he was both crying and smiling at the sa ti.

The joy overflowing from the bottom of his heart was so genuine that even Abe started feeling a little embarrassed.

After all, she herself had watched Cinderella grow up.

And the na "Cinderella" had originally been sothing Abe stubbornly insisted on giving Ana.

[...]

Rose rely watched Charon's reaction quietly.

Then she let out a soft sigh without saying another word.

"Let tell you so good news."

Abe suddenly spoke.

"That girl not only hasn't forgotten you… she's probably even showing signs that her feelings have started changing into sothing else. You should be careful."

"..."

[...]

Rose's eyes instantly beca sharp.

"…Huh?"

"Just signs. Don't overthink it."

"But if you waited a few more years before seeing her again… then by the ti you finally appeared in front of her, you'd probably end up locked away sowhere like a basent."

For the first ti, pity appeared on Abe's face.

"And at that point… even I probably wouldn't know where you were."

[Wow. So you really are going to get what's coming to you, you womanizing bastard.]

"Abe!"

Charon suddenly lunged forward, sliding dramatically onto his knees right beside her while tightly grabbing her hand.

"This is the request of my entire life! Please let see Ana! I'll guide her back toward normal thinking! At the very least, I won't let you all stay unaware of it!"

[And exactly what part of you is normal, may I ask?]

"Alright, alright, stop making a scene."

Abe quietly pulled her hand free from his grip.

"I originally ca here while hiding this from those kids anyway. eting her once is possible."

"But right now, their contact with outsiders is being heavily restricted."

"At the mont, VTC, the Central Governnt, and the Big Three corporations still haven't reached an agreent."

"They're still arguing over who exactly owns them."

"They're still arguing about that?" Charon asked.

"And whose fault do you think that is?" Abe complained.

"Back then, when the issue about the lee unit replacing Rapture parts got exposed, Liliweiss forcibly intervened and directly took ownership of Unit Six for herself."

"So now, anyti the topic of ownership cos up, they have to settle everything in advance. Otherwise, the Goddess Squad might swoop in and claim the results again."

"And the people funding the project definitely aren't willing to accept that."

"…Yeah, fair enough."

After all, the current Goddess Squad was essentially an independent organization.

No one could truly supervise them.

That was, of course, under the condition that Liliweiss – the core pillar holding everything together – remained alive.

Thinking about the Panacea pill inside his backpack, Charon had already decided what he was going to do.

"Anyway, until those politicians nail their own nas into the girls' NIMPH systems, they probably won't allow them to enter combat."

"And besides…"

"I still haven't started production on the final Nikke yet. I'm currently searching for a compatible candidate."

"What's the codena of the last one?" Charon asked.

"Red Shoes."