kscans

Chapter 136 - Original and Copy

After the victory party, Hayato returned to the base with Ash and Ren.

There was still plenty of time, but the party was called off for the time being because Ren was still young. Another reason was that Ash had reached his limit being surrounded by the women.

Esha said she would participate in the after-party. Including the Hero Ivan, there were five of her former clan members there. She said she wanted to talk with everyone after a long time.

Only Esha had her real-world memories, but she must have had her own thoughts about her members. Not wanting to disturb the reunion with old friends, Hayato had come back first.

However, upon returning, Hayato found something a little strange. Light was leaking from the base.

All the members of Daedalus had been at Mist's mansion. The others besides Hayato's group were also going to participate in the after-party, so there was no reason for any members to be at the base. Ney's group could enter the base anytime, but all the members of Kokuryu were also at Mist's mansion.

Hayato thought it might be Diite, but just in case, he decided to open the door cautiously. Ash also tensed up slightly.

When he opened the door leading to the dining room, Diite was there. It seemed she had been sitting at the table, waiting.

Seeing that, Hayato let out a sigh of relief.

"Diite-chan, it's you. You should have told me you were coming."

"My apologies. I was in a bit of a hurry, so I couldn't contact you. I'd like to talk now, if that's alright."

"It's fine. Um, Ash is..."

"I'm going to put Ren to bed. She looks like she's at her limit."

"I'm... shtill... okay..."

Ren was slurring her words, she was so drowsy. She would startle awake every few seconds, but her eyelids would immediately close again. Ash looked at Ren and smiled slightly, but then he looked at Diite with a serious expression.

"Should I listen to the conversation too?"

"No, I'd rather talk to Hayato-kun alone, if possible."

"I see. Then after I put Ren in her room, I'll go to bed too. I'm tired today. Well then, goodnight."

Hayato thought that being surrounded by women must indeed be tiring, but he didn't feel any sympathy.

"Goo... night..."

Ren seemed to have passed her limit as well, and Ash carried her on his back up the stairs to the second floor.

Hayato smiled at the sight.

"They're a close brother and sister, aren't they?"

"Do you think so? Well, I don't think they're on bad terms. But more importantly, can we proceed with the conversation?"

Hayato felt a sense of unease. He couldn't explain what it was. But she seemed much more curt than the usual Diite.

"It's fine, but I'm going to make some coffee, so please wait a moment. Do you need something to eat too?"

"No, that's unnecessary. I don't need coffee either. Let's talk right away."

Diite was smiling. Her face looked the same as always. But the mere sense of unease was gradually turning into a certainty within Hayato.

Hayato always prepared coffee for Diite. That was because she had said she liked the taste. It might have been lip service. She might not have liked or disliked it, and only said so because it was coffee Hayato made.

But she had never refused coffee before. She might just be in a hurry, but Hayato couldn't help but feel that the Diite in front of him was not the usual Diite.

In that case, there was only one possibility.

The Diite in front of him was a fake. In other words, she was Diite's backup.

Hayato steeled himself and opened his mouth.

"What does Diite-chan's backup want with me?"

The Diite in front of him's face contorted for a moment. But then, a smile slowly spread across her face.

"I'm surprised. Our clothes, appearance, and way of speaking should have been identical, but it seems you saw through me. How did you know?"

"Diite-chan likes my coffee."

"...You're an interesting one. I can see why Diite is so attached to you. Oh, and by the way, let me correct you on one thing. I am not Diite's backup. We are like twins with the same capabilities. Diite simply started moving first, I am not an auxiliary existence. How could I accept that she is the original and I am the copy?"

Hayato was met with a cold gaze from the Diite in front of him, and though it was virtual reality, a chill ran down his spine. The other party was an AI, and despite this being a virtual space, he felt pressure. It was stronger than what he had felt from Veru before.

(Is being called a copy or a backup an insult for an AI? In any case, angering her isn't a good idea.)

"Do you have a name then? What should I call you?"

"I have no name. I have no intention of imitating humans. But if it's difficult to talk without one, you can call me Hypnos. In the sense of a god who has slept for a long time."

(Wasn't that the name of the god of sleep or something? Maybe she's trying to rival Aphrodite.)

"Understood. Then, Hypnos, what do you want with me?"

"Nothing, I just heard you were Diite's favorite and came to see you. But I've changed my mind. I have a proposal for you, Hayato."

"A proposal?"

"Betray Diite and side with me. I will take Diite's place. If you side with me, after I eliminate Diite, I will provide you with every convenience in this world. No, in the real world as well. I'll give you a portion of this game's sales. I'll transfer about one hundred million yen into your bank account every month."

Hayato was a little exasperated, thinking they were two of a kind.

Certainly, money was attractive, and it was necessary to live. But there was no guarantee that such a promise would be kept. In the first place, they had just met today and there was no trust.

Before that, he could never accept the elimination of Diite.

"I refuse. I want money, but I have no intention of betraying Diite-chan."

"What a boring man. It's a chance to live as you please in both virtual reality and the real world."

"As I please, huh. Is that fun?"

"...What?"

"For example, could you make it so that no matter what production item I make, I can create it as a five star without fail, and on top of that, I can defeat any monster in a single blow?"

"Of course. I can't set it up like that right now, but once Diite is gone, all authority will be mine. That much would be possible."

"Is that fun as a game? Some people might find that fun, but I'm confident I'd get bored in three days. I think being able to do anything is just as boring as being able to do nothing, don't you?"

"...You might get bored of the game, but what about reality? It's one hundred million a month. You could live a life of leisure."

"You want me to live a life of leisure with money I got by eliminating Diite-chan? Haven't you looked into me? I didn't nod my head even when I received a similar proposal before."

Half a year ago, Diite had made him a similar proposal. One hundred million in the real world in exchange for eliminating one clan member. At that time, he had only thought of the members as AIs, but even then Hayato had refused. It wasn't out of guilt. It was because even if they were AIs, he didn't want them to disappear. And it was the same this time.

"I was aware of that, but I thought the reason was that the price was too low. You are a rare type of human."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"I'm not praising you, but you're free to take it as you will. Then that's enough. It doesn't matter whether you're here or not. But as a reward for entertaining me a little, I'll give you some information."

"Information?"

"Yes. Information about the treasure fragments. You know that if you gather four of them and use the Crafting skill, they become the Dragon Soul artifact, right? And that if you have it, you can go to the Dragon's Grave?"

Hayato affirmed with a silent nod.

"If you have the Dragon Soul artifact, you can be teleported to the Dragon's Grave using the transfer device in the Royal Capital. The three of you, Ash, Ren, and Hayato, should go to the Dragon's Grave alone. If you defeat Veru there, the Stampede event will be mostly over."

"Just the three of us?"

He didn't know how strong Veru was, but he was being treated like the final boss of this event. It was unlikely he would be weak. And Hayato was a production class and couldn't fight. In effect, Ash and Ren would have to fight him alone.

"This is something like a quest exclusive to Ash. We've restricted Ash's group's dragon transformation, but that restriction will be lifted in the Dragon's Grave. The final battle will take place there, so you should watch from a front-row seat."

"Why are you giving me that information?"

"Because the treasure was about to be gathered. This Stampede event won't end until Veru gathers all the treasure fragments, or Ash gathers the fragments and defeats Veru, or Ash is defeated. It's been over six months. It's about time, isn't it?"

(What's 'about time'?)

When Hayato didn't answer, Hypnos looked at him with genuine amusement.

"Is something strange? This is also a battle between me and Diite. It's about time we settled it."

"You're saying you're going to have Veru-san cause an unlimited Stampede to defeat Diite-chan?"

"You understand that much? Yes, that's right. Veru probably holds a grudge against me, that is, against Diite. Can Diite defeat Veru after he's beaten Ash's group?"

"I intend to protect Diite-chan."

"How can you say such a thing when you only have production skills. Well, I don't mind if you get someone else to help you. But a dragon in a state of emotional rampage is set to be stronger than its Stampede status. Do your best not to lose. Now then, I'll be leaving. It seems the other one has noticed."

Hypnos said so and used the ring on her right index finger. Her body began to glow, and after a momentary intense flash, Hypnos disappeared. She had used a Ring of Teleportation.

Immediately after, Diite came in through the door from outside.

"Hayato-kun! My backup was just here..."

The person who had just disappeared came rushing in through the door. It looked like a comedy sketch, but this must be the real Diite. If this was also Hypnos, Hayato would think she had a sense of humor.

"She was here. She just left a moment ago with a Ring of Teleportation."

"...I see. But I'm glad you're safe, Hayato-kun."

"Thank you for worrying. For now, let's share information. I'll tell you what we were talking about."

"You're right. I'd rather hear it from your mouth, Hayato-kun, than check the logs... Before that, can I have some coffee? I feel like my head gets clearer when I drink your coffee, Hayato-kun."

Hayato smiled slightly and prepared coffee for Diite and himself.