Chapter 245: Opportunity Cost, Sunk Cost (4)

Chapter 245: Opportunity Cost, Sunk Cost (4)

Opportunity Cost, Sunk Cost (4)

The scenery reflected in my eyes is serene.

Somehow, it feels gentle and cozy.

Soliette suddenly had that thought.

This must be underground, in the middle of nowhere.

Its just supposed to be a descent to detonate the Bottle of Souls and find the Knightmare.

Yet, the underground space gradually blooms with color, spreading like paint.

Natural features begin to appear, and the climate changes vividly.

It really is never-ending.

That was Jareds comment. Soliette wiped the sweat and sand from her forehead.

The scene, now whipped by a hot wind, has become a complete desert.

Thats true. But it seems were not far off. It must be the Bottles defense mechanism.

Soliette spoke out such thoughts.

They were all her own speculations.

It seems to weave these landscapes to protect from the explosion.

.

It was then, as Jared was forming a faint smile.

Kwa-gwa-gwa!

A massive form surged from the desert floor. Sand rushed in like a tsunami.

It was a house-sized scorpiona giant scorpion.

!

Soliette and Jared quickly took up battle stances. The scorpion struck first with its tail.

!

The stinger, like a pillar of stone, thrust forward. Soliette blocked with her sword, but her body was pushed back. The weight of the tail carried on the blade was heavy.

Whirl!

At that moment, magical roots sprouted from thin air, entwining the scorpions tail. Sharp arrows followed, rushing into the gaps in its exoskeleton.

It was simultaneous support.

Soliette looked at the support with a puzzled face.

Soon, people landed.

There were four of them.

What are you looking at, friend?

They all had different faces from before, but she recognized them instantly by their manner of speaking.

Soliettes initial party.

Each one, [Kal], [Hans], [Jenny], [Chris].

.

Soliette smiled silently.

Indeed, a party is needed for an adventure.

Mr. Jared. These are my companions.

Soliette introduced her party to Jared.

I see.

Jared nodded.

Lets save the chit-chat for later!

[Kal] moved first. The scorpion swung its pincers, but [Kal]s sword blocked them. [Chris] detonated his arrows. [Jenny]s magic supported them.

With skilled cooperation, they easily hunted the scorpion.

Phew.

Situation over.

After dismantling the scorpions body, the party used its carapace to build a small shelter.

Gurgle-

A rumble came from Soliettes stomach.

Just wait a bit. Scorpion meat is surprisingly tasty, you know?

Catching the sound, [Kal] spoke up. Soliette scratched the back of her neck and looked at Jared. Jareds face was lost in thought.

. n0ve(l)bi(n.)co/m

Suddenly, Soliette was struck by a strange question.

Eating in Bethune doesnt affect reality. No matter how much food she consumes here, it doesnt translate to nutritional intake in the real world.

Yet, she has been in this place for quite some time.

Clearly, shes been filling her sense of fullness with meals from here.

Is it because souls are gathering in Bethune? Or has Bethune already become a part of reality?

Its an unsatisfactory explanation, but

It could be possible.

Just like Jared is breathing and living right before her eyes.

* * *

Edsilla Sanrama district.

Ten minutes before midnight on Saturday, as specified on the cue card.

Ludeniel set out for a walk with mixed feelings. He walked a dark path not far from the mines.

.

Tension gripped his entire body, but he walked nonetheless.

According to that consultant, he had nothing to lose.

After all, there was nothing left to lose

Exactly at midnight.

Thump.

A small tremor echoed through the mountains.

Aaaaah!

A thin scream drifted in.

Ludeniel flinched in surprise but immediately ran towards the source.

It was indeed the community mine.

How could this be.

A sudden landslide had blocked the tunnel. A fire had also broken out outside.

It was the scenario from the cue card.

Ludeniel looked around the area. A small crack was visible at the end of the tunnel.

Thats the spot.

Gulp.

Swallowing his saliva, he activated his Magic Body. It had been so long since he last used it that pain surged through his veins, but he pushed his body into the crack first.

Hey! Breaks over!

While Quantum Mechanic was distracted by its expansion, Lithium Corporation had grown rapidly. They had secured a robust mercenary connection in preparation for battle and introduced extreme mana stones, which were at least twice as efficient as synthetic mana stones.

Theres a dinner party tonight, so lets wrap up quickly and go!

R&D was also a success.

Thanks to that, Lithiums catalog now included not just simple handguns but also magic knives, magic bullets, and various other portable weapons

Like the future before my regression, no, were advancing even faster than that.

[Managers Office]

I knocked on the door of the managers office.

Knock knock-

The door opened immediately.

Ah, youre here. Chaser Shion.

Sonya smiled. I sat down in a chair.

Yes. Quantum Mechanic is about to be divided.

Is that so? Im looking forward to it. Weve also finished everything. With the stock weve prepared, we can swallow up the Midwest.

I nodded and looked at the TV in the corner. The 9 oclock news on Edsilla was broadcasting.

Ah, hows the election strategy going?

Just a moment. It should come up even if its just a brief segment.

I pointed at the TV screen.

That bitch, shes definitely cozying up to Frank.

But seriously, no matter how much there is to gain, would she really want to fuck that old man?

Erent silently corrected the manuscript, and suddenly her eyes caught the companys name shining in LED lights in the middle of the hallway.

[Edsilla Post]

Seeing those letters brought on a sense of disillusionment.

She didnt study her ass off in college for this. How long does she have to rot here, just polishing manuscripts for seniors who are in bed with the bald boss?

Thats when it happened.

Courier delivery.

Ah!

Startled by the sudden voice, Erent shuddered. It was a person wearing an Otto bike helmet.

He placed a thick envelope on her desk.

Who are you?

Courier delivery.

The courier quickly left, and Erent blinked at the envelope.

?

There were no markings on it.

No recipient, no sender, just a plain red envelope.

Erent cautiously opened the flap and shook out the contents. A small cell phone and a stack of documents fell out.

She picked up the documents first.

[Syrimus Report]

Syrimus Report?

As far as she knew, Syrimus was a regional Senator from the Sanrama district. A man who was gaining prominence in politics these days with the backing of the Voltac family. Someone whose election was already 90% certain

!

Her eyes glued on a particular part of the document. Her hair stood on end with shock.

Who the hell could have

No, theres no need to get this worked up.

Erent quickly calmed herself down.

The most important virtue for a journalist is fact-checking. If you get blinded by non-facts, your career in journalism evaporates into a puff of smoke.

The content is just too unbelievable. This kind of trash belongs in a brokerage firm, not here.

Ahem.

She glanced around cautiously.

Fortunately, no one seemed interested in her. They were all busy moving around due to the election season, or on the phone, editing articles.

Drring-

Suddenly, the cell phone rang.

Erent looked at it.

Drring-

The ringtone came from the small, ladybug-like phone.

With trembling hands, she answered the call.

Have you received the information?

A calm voice soaked into her ear.

Erent quietly asked back.

Who is this?

The information delivered to you is all factual. Ms. Erent.

Her breath hitched slightly at the mention of her name.

She couldnt even utter questions about why this was being sent to her, who the person was, or who the source was nothing came out.

Click-

She hung up the phone without realizing it. She stuffed the envelope into her bag and hurried onto the Elevator.

As she was about to close the doors of the Elevator on the 57th floor.

Ah. Hold on a moment.

A man stepped inside.

He was tall.

A man in a suit that matched well with his blond hair and blue tie.

Erent, without realizing it, glanced at him and pressed the button to close the doors to the first floor.

Whirring

On the descending Elevator, the man suddenly said something odd.

Its an uncommon opportunity.

What.

Erents face hardened. She turned to look at him with wavering eyes.

The man continued, his gaze focused only on the doors of the Elevator, that is, straight ahead.

Dont you want to rise, to go up?

Ding

In the meantime, the Elevator reached the first floor.

The value of that information depends on you.

The man walked straight out.

Erent couldnt say anything to him, and he blended into the crowd in the buildings first-floor lobby and disappeared.