Pick Me Up!

A few days later, late evening.

I looked up.

The sky, dyed in ash gray, caught my eye.

Anytng had disconnected. No need to worry about being discovered.

After all, this party was just a one-day event.

[Invitation Ticket]

I squinted.

A golden ticket lay on the desk.

It had arrived the night I contacted Mobius.

[Tear the ticket, and a “dimensional gate” linked to the party will open!]

[However, you must observe the entry time.]

[Entry time – 201X. XX. XX, 20:00]

[Note – Please use it where no one can see. It may raise suspicion. ^_^]

[Mobius Inc.]

I picked up the ticket.

The emblem of Mobius Inc. was embossed on its cover.

“A congratulatory party?”

I couldn’t figure out why they’d throw a party.

Moreover, why invite me, of all people?

The whole situation reeked of suspicion. But still, I’d already made up my mind to attend—though I wouldn’t let my guard down. I snapped my fingers with my left hand.

[Hooray!]

Iselle twirled in front of me, appearing in a flash.

Instead of her usual black dress, she wore a short frilled gown.

[What do you think, Loki? Does it suit me?]

“Where did you get that?”

[Ahem, it’s party attire. I spent my entire paycheck shopping for this!]

Iselle cleared her throat and dusted off the hem of her dress.

[Are you really going dressed like that, Loki? You don’t look any different from usual.]

“Why bother dressing up? It’s not like I’m going there to have fun.”

I was in leather armor with a sword belt strapped on.

It wasn’t full armor, but I was prepared to react to any emergencies.

Clink. I adjusted the dagger sheath attached to my belt.

[But it’s a party…]

“This isn’t for fun. I’m going to investigate.”

I calmed my breathing.

In the worst case, the party itself could be a trap targeting me.

I’d need to stay sharp.

‘It’d be great to bring someone from the first party…’

Anyone I brought would be excellent protection.

The problem was whether they’d even let me bring someone along.

They’d likely object with both hands raised.

After checking the state of the dagger sheath, I covered the belt with my cloak.

Then, I firmly locked the door. Even the gap at the bottom of the door, which I usually left open for Goo Goo Con, was blocked. No one should know about this trip.

“Are you ready?”

[Yep.]

I nodded and held the ticket.

Then, without hesitation, I tore it.

Rip.

The golden paper tore, and light began to ripple from within.

[A “dimensional gate” linked to ‘???’ has been created.]

Vwooom.

The dimensional vortex swirled and spun.

Once I stepped through, I’d be in enemy territory. I reminded myself to stay focused and took a step forward.

A familiar feeling of weightlessness washed over me as light wrapped around my body.

—

[Royal Cruise Ship]

[Welcome aboard the dimensional passenger ship ‘Pioneer’!]

I opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw was the vast ocean beyond the steel railing.

The moonlight shimmered gently on the surface of the water, stretching to the horizon.

‘This place…’

I turned around.

Above the steel deck, a sleek, streamlined structure towered into the sky.

“What the hell is this?”

[It’s the legendary… Pioneer!]

Iselle’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me.

[It’s the luxury passenger ship for officials!]

“Officials only?”

[It’s where Mobius employees go for vacation. It has the finest hotel accommodations, a golf course, swimming pools, all sorts of leisure facilities! There’s everything from restaurants to a grand ballroom!]

Iselle’s cheeks flushed.

She seemed lost in her own world.

‘They have everything, don’t they?’

At this point, nothing really surprised me.

“Are you a guest?”

I turned at the unfamiliar voice.

A man in a suit was staring at me.

He seemed to be an employee of Mobius, judging by the employee ID hanging from his neck.

“Excuse me, could you show me your invitation? Unauthorized individuals cannot enter.”

I pulled out the invitation from my coat and handed it to him.

The man inspected the front and back of the ticket before looking back at me.

“Are you alone?”

“Iselle is with me.”

“I see. One person and one… pet.”

[P-pet?!]

Iselle’s jaw dropped.

“Please follow me. They are waiting for you.”

The man bowed his head slightly and began walking ahead on the deck.

Without a word, I followed him. When the man swiped his access card at the entrance to the cabin, the large doors opened sideways. He climbed the stairs without hesitation.

‘So that’s how it is.’

I quickly scanned the structure of the cabin.

In my mind, I mapped out the cruise ship and calculated possible escape routes. I also didn’t forget to identify places where I could fight if outnumbered. Security guards were posted throughout the ship.

‘Their weapons…’

I observed a passing man.

He wore a bulletproof vest over his suit, with a gun holster at his waist.

‘No blades.’

I clicked my tongue.

The superiority of knives versus guns was clear.

So Mobius’ armed forces operated like this.

“This way.”

The man led us into a large elevator.

After about a minute, the doors opened.

“When the doors open, you’ll be in the ballroom.”

“……”

“Ah, but before that… could you leave your weapons with us? We will store them safely.”

So, they knew.

With a sigh, I unbuckled my dagger sheath.

“Please hand over the sword as well.”

The man smiled, his face wrinkling.

I unbuckled Bifrost and handed it to him.

“Thank you for your cooperation. Please enjoy your time.”

The man smiled with satisfaction and covered the weapons with a cloth.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a grand ballroom exactly as expected. The enormous ballroom, as large as a sports field, was covered in luxurious carpets. An elegantly dressed orchestra played classical music, while various expensive liquors and buffet dishes were on display.

‘How typical. Too typical, really.’

I smirked.

The ballroom was filled with men and women in suits and dresses, enjoying the party.

“Are all these people Mobius employees?”

[Yep!]*

Iselle replied energetically.

She pointed to a corner of the room.

A group of small fairies had gathered and were buzzing around.

[Look, my colleagues are there too.]

“Go have fun, then.”

I whispered to the confused Iselle.

“Gather some information about Alpha Zero.”

I gave Iselle a little push on her back.

She looked a bit flustered but flew off toward her colleagues.

Left alone, I moved to the corner of the ballroom and found a spot to settle down.

‘Let’s see what they’re talking about.’

The ballroom was a cacophony of voices from people chatting.

I sat down and focused my hearing.

Gradually, the chaotic noise began to sort itself out.

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