"Who are you?"
Putato took a few steps back, warily scanning Palara, but his gut told him she wasn't a threat. She was wearing a pure white dress, as calm as the surface of a pond.
"It's me. I drove for you a few times before. I'm just not a driver anymore."
DAMMIT!
"Is gender-reassignment surgery that common in The City?"
Putato immediately thought of Katae. Had this guy changed his gender too?
"The newcomer did have some work done, but I only had the standard surgery for Palara's appearance and physique."
Standard?
"How did you recognize me? Is my appearance that obvious?!"
Puzzled, Putato looked down at his outfit. It was completely different from his Smiling Faces days. Back then, he was wearing the red coat and mask of the Smiling Faces.
Palara simply looked toward the distant horizon, a nostalgic and sentimental look on her face.
"I returned to the Depreciation Gang to help more people. Those corporate employees abandoned by their families and society, they get no recognition and are drowning. So, I've provided a platform here where we can hug each other."
"I usually find those drowning people on the internet and become their friend. Now, the Depreciation Gang recycles and appraises secondhand goods and people. I believe the meaning of depreciation is to recreate their value."
"It might sound weird, but I can see the level of emptiness in them. As long as they share it and receive a hug and recognition, that emptiness shrinks. I find my own value and meaning through this process."
Putato was listening in a fog, truly unable to grasp Palara's actual situation. She couldn't have suddenly awakened a superpower, right?
"Your emptiness is unique, so I could recognize you at a glance."
"Whatever. I'm here for Mapi, a kid of a Zwei Association Fixer. He ran away from home and supposedly ended up here."
"I have to keep secrets. Everyone here is called Palara."
So he is here.
He hadn't expected this commission to be so simple, but Putato was still a bit worried about Palara leaking his identity. He wondered if The City sold any memory-erasure sprays.
"The reason I proved myself to you is that you helped me out of the haze before. But I won't reveal any information about the meet-up members. They only came here because they trust me."
"Likewise, I won't say anything about your business."
"You'd better be careful."
"What's this? Urban Girl?"
Seeing Palara click into Urban Girl's stream, Putato's mind shifted, and he quickly brought up another matter.
"Can I join this new Depreciation Gang of yours?"
"No problem. Please, share your troubles with me."
"Uh, I'm really short on cash right now."
Even as he spoke those blunt words, Palara didn't point out his lack of sincerity. She simply listened with a smile, and Putato immediately felt his Work Card chime.
[Congratulations on joining the Depreciation Gang]
[Acquired Work Talent: Palara]
[Description: Depreciation is not the denial of the past, but the shaping of the future]
[Effect: The sense of reassurance radiated by your speech and writing is significantly enhanced]
Huh?
Why this kind of effect? This was supposed to be a Syndicate, yet it didn't grant any combat-oriented talent, and there was only one effect.
"Your Syndicate seems pretty upwardly mobile. If anyone causes trouble, you can contact me."
"Thank you, Vanda."
"But don't you have any armed personnel? Those three guarding the door were scared witless by me."
"They're just temporary volunteers providing security for the gathering. But I'll handle that later. Many people are eager to rebuild the Syndicate; this is the largest recycling plant in the area, after all."
"Then why don't you hire Vanda as the vice-leader? Having a notoriously vicious figurehead should keep even the local neighborhood watch off your back."
"Thank you, Putato."
As soon as she spoke, Putato felt a distinct shift in Palara's emotions. It seemed the Work Card was capturing these nebulous, intangible feelings to provide him with these miraculous talents and items.
Furthermore, the card transformed from Khaji wasn't uncontrollable like other Distortions or L Corp Abnormalities; it even provided him with constant positive interest. Was this really a Distortion phenomenon?
[Congratulations on your promotion within the Depreciation Gang]
[Acquired Work Item: Depreciation Jeans]
[Description: Time can only erode the future, but it can never wear down the past]
[Effect: This item is indestructible]
This was unexpectedly useful. At the very least, Putato didn't have to worry about his pants being shredded every time his Mist exploded.
Putato pulled off the hoods of the gathering members one by one until he snagged Mapi, the blonde kid trying to escape. Under Palara's calming explanation, the surrounding people didn't swarm him.
"Let me go! That bastard picks on everything I do! This isn't right, that's no good, everything has to go his way!"
"My stuff has to be arranged his way, I have to eat things I hate, he just wants me to obey! Only here do I get recognized!"
THUD.
Putato tossed him into a taxi.
"You don't need to tell me. You can run away again next time. I'm making money off your dad either way. Actually, why don't we team up and split the fee fifty-fifty?"
"Holy crap! You're trying to scam us?! I'm gonna report you!"
"The name's Vanda. Look, you should pay more attention. If the Depreciation Gang were human traffickers, you'd be screwed."
"Hmph! Palara is different! What do you know?!"
[ Shamisen:
- Angelica [60000 Ahn]: So the rumors were true. How miraculous.
- San [10000 Ahn]: Streamer, do you only reply to messages over 10000 Ahn? Does the Prescript care about money too?
- Yang [10000 Ahn]: Urban Girl, can we meet in person?]
[ Putato:
To Angelica: The Backstreets are about to face a disaster.
To San: Knowing the will of the Prescript comes at a price. Now it costs 100,000 Ahn.
To Yang: I am The City. ]
[ Putato: Shamisen, don't forward anything under 100,000 Ahn. I'm too busy to handle it all.]
Casually replying to those eccentric questions, Putato couldn't care less about altering the plot or being targeted for being too arrogant. As long as he hyped up the stream to boost his Fixer persona, Vanda, his reputation would skyrocket and high-grade commissions would find their own way to his door.
Besides, the one whose reputation was being trashed was The Index; what did that have to do with an ordinary salaryman like him?
...
Molar Office.
Mapi was dragged away by his grim-faced father. Putato, meanwhile, was eager to confirm the next commission. Even if the talents and items from low-tier organizations were mediocre, having more was always better.
"Vanda, there's a commission specifically for you. And it's from inside K Nest. When did you make those connections?"
On the stairs, Olga waved curiously down at Putato.
"What? Someone requested me specifically?"
"I'm not entirely sure about the details myself. They just called and specifically asked for you by name. You're really making a name for yourself, aren't you?"
"Even though Harold's audit was a bit of a pain, Fixers from other districts have heard of you. Tsk, tsk. I'm afraid you'll be leaving my little hole-in-the-wall Office soon."
Sitting behind her desk, Olga dramatically pressed a hand to her forehead in mock sorrow, reaching out to stamp the commission form the client had signed.
"Drinks are on me after shift."
"I knew you weren't some ungrateful prick! You'll definitely become a top-tier Taboo Hunter, Vanda. I might even have to hit you up for a favor eventually. Anyway, I've sent the client's number to your phone."
Putato dialed immediately, but there was no answer. He was just about to ask Olga for clarification when a message from K Corp arrived.
[Honorable Fixer Vanda, this is a designated commission from a subsidiary department of K Corp. Outstanding performance may lead to consideration for official employment as a staff Fixer. If interested, please return the call at this number.]
Why all the secrecy?
Putato immediately checked in with Olga and then stepped behind the Office to return the call. He wondered how K Corp had suddenly dropped an offer in his lap; had his reputation in the Backstreets actually reached the ears of the Wings?
"Hey. Tell me the job. Make it quick."
A cold, aloof male voice came through the line.
"It's like this: K Corp's refined products are highly coveted. Our department recently lost a significant amount of high-concentration stock. We would like to hire you to retrieve them."
"Don't the Wings have their own Taboo Hunters? Why call a Grade 5 Fixer like me? Or are you saying the theft of core products doesn't qualify as touching a taboo?"
For a sudden commission like this, Putato was on guard. In The City, there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Fixers couldn't just blindly take jobs; one bad clause in a contract could leave you with nothing.
"It's simple. We already know the thief's location. We need a capable Fixer to retrieve it, but this can't go through official corporate channels. The missing goods have already been filed as 'operational loss'."
"Hiring a whole Office for this is a waste, and high-tier Fixers likely wouldn't even glance at such a minor contract. You are a highly suitable candidate."
Damn!
Is he basically saying I'm "cheap and reliable"?
The corruption in K Corp seems pretty severe. They obviously want to skim some stock and hide it from their superiors. That promise of "official employment" is clearly just a pipe dream.
"Fine. When?"
"Our investigation is nearing its end. We should be able to contact you in two or three days. we will issue the official commission then."
After talking for so long, the commission wasn't even official yet. Putato couldn't be bothered to waste more time with this shady character. He gave a brief acknowledgment and hung up.
[ Shamisen:
- Don Quixote [2.13m Ahn ]: So the Prescripts truly carry the will to save The City! I shall use this commission fee to aid Urban Girl with all my might!!!
- Roland [100k Ahn ]: Hey, hey. This guy is just scamming for cash. Does anyone actually believe this?
- Sinclair [100k Ahn ]: Excuse me, do you know the whereabouts of Grey Haze?!]
It seemed raising the minimum tip amount was very effective. The chaotic questions dropped significantly. Putato looked smugly at the remaining balance after the platform's cut. Shamisen was proving to be an incredibly valuable tool!
[ Putato:
To Don Quixote: That is a knightly deed! Urban Girl acknowledges you!
To Roland: Mind your own business.
To Sinclair: I know. ]
Putato typed with lightning speed as he walked back into the Office. He was prepared to grind through a wave of commissions today to ensure the Hana Association wouldn't have anything to nitpick regarding his experience during his next promotion.
"Sorry, but since Union Co. is involved, this job is ranked Urban Myth at minimum. You're way short on funds."
"I don't have that kind of money! I'm not asking you to take down Union Co. members! Someone's life is on the line!"
A young girl with fruit-shaped hair clips clutched her head in frustration. She stomped her feet, shaking several alphabet charms and a butterfly jibbitz loose from her Crocs.
Putato bent down and picked up the butterfly charm. Looking at the girl's anxious face, he signaled the receptionist that he was stepping in.
"What's the job?"
"Who are you?"
Mucam frowned and turned to face Putato. Seeing him wrapped in bandages, she took a few steps back in alarm, but catching sight of him handing back her butterfly charm softened her stance.
"Grade 5 Fixer, Vanda."
Hearing this, Mucam's eyes lit up. She rushed forward and grabbed Putato's arm excitedly.
"My friend was taken by Union Co. people! If we're too late, he's going to be scrapped!"
"This is all the money the rest of us could scrape together!"
Mucam held out a pouch filled mostly with small change. Her face was a mix of desperation and embarrassment. Sensing the eyes of others in the Office on her, she hung her head and began to pull the pouch back, not even daring to plead with Putato further; after all, a Grade 5 Fixer must be expensive.
"Name, location, and go file the commission at the front desk."
Putato gave the girl's shoulder a light tug, pulling her out of her surprise and confusion.
To hell with this cyberpunk City!
Putato didn't care if the money was enough; he only cared about what he wanted to do!
"I followed the salvage truck before. It's at the nearest repair station! His name is Brandon; he's an automated vending machine!"
"But don't get it wrong, he's a living person! He even treated us to drinks before!"
Putato immediately recalled the optimistic salaryman slotted into the vending machine who had told him jokes. Without even waiting for Mucam's thanks, he stormed out, fury rising.
It couldn't be that in a City full of bastards who survive, the decent ones are the ones who have to die!
...
Union Co. Repair Station.
"Repairs are only provided for products with a comprehensive insurance contract. We only service official Union Co. prosthetics. Don't bring me a massage gun and ask if I can overclock it! We do not offer illegal modifications here!"
The shop was barely two meters wide, with most of the space taken up by glass display cases for prosthetic parts. Beside them was a steel door leading to the repair room. Putato slammed his hand onto the counter, startling the grease-covered mechanic so badly his whole body jolted.
"What do you want?! This place is on the local neighborhood watch protection list! If you're a local thug, you'd better think twice."
"I'm Fixer Vanda. Where is Brandon?"
"Uh, why are you looking for a machine?"
The mechanic relaxed slightly but kept a sharp eye on Putato's hands, terrified of a sudden attack.
"I'm saving a person. Simple as that."
"That's corporate property! And that's not a person, it's just a pre-programmed routine."
"Impossible! I know a person when I see one!"
Fuming, Putato reached out and snatched the mechanic as he tried to retreat, hauling him over the counter. The mechanic immediately begged for mercy.
"He really isn't a person! Who would slot a personality chip into a vending machine just for an optional customer service feature?"
"Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?! If it were a corporate program, would it give out free drinks?! Get it through your head, I'm Grade 5 Fixer Vanda."
The mechanic, who had been acting innocent, cursed under his breath and deflated like a punctured ball. He pointed toward the steel door, his tone now sycophantic.
"Brandon's in there. He's about to be scrapped. The Corporation canceled the human-customer service project precisely because he was giving out free drinks."
"The Corporation's original idea was to have customer service manage everything: restocking, power, self-repairs, and sales; so the vending machines could print money without any managerial oversight."
"But they realized they gave customer service too much authority. If he dares to give away products for free now, he'll dare to fake sales figures later. The higher-ups weren't happy."
Putato slammed the mechanic back onto the counter, leaving him clutching his chest in pain.
Gripping his Violent Knuckles, Putato smashed the iron lock with a single punch.
BANG!
He swung the door open to find the familiar vending machine.