I Became a Sub Heroine in a Cyberpunk Game

The atmosphere of the guests occupying the place with force and fear is quite unpleasant.

Whispering sounds and watchful gazes stab at my body here and there.

Though it is dangerous to judge hastily in this world, the significant wariness directed towards a seemingly defenseless woman like LeeInJo, who has nowhere to hide a weapon, is rather remarkable.

Well, it’s obvious they are likely burdened with considerable stress themselves.

Moreover, in my case, there is still space left to hide one or two weapons inside my clothes, so their vigilance seems quite reasonable… no, cough!

…Despite wearing a neatly arranged researcher coat for a while, I think this treatment is excessively harsh.

I felt unpleasant but endured in silence. It was not only for our objective; we were merely playing the role of ‘the prisoner handed over from another search team,’ so it was most natural to await treatment passively.

Huh? Then why did I specifically mention treating the injured person before even listening for a response?

That’s… wait a minute. Who is that cursing me for having a bad habit of digging my own grave in a situation where I should have wrapped up well? Do you want to die for real?

By trying to see the world solely through such a twisted perspective, one begins to contemplate the side effects of trying to save those that should be saved.

Of course… since the lives of the two bait actors performing on the front line depend on this, it is indeed wise to approach cautiously, but we have faith in our own resources, after all.

Anyway, even though I should be lying flat on the ground, the reason I acted up is this: while shaking in fear might suit a nurse, whose qualifications are easier to obtain, it is natural for a doctor, who has the authority to write prescriptions beyond merely handling a medical kit, to remain calm. (Source: Zero)

Moreover, in this area, there are laws that enforce participation of medical professionals in emergency relief activities, so if someone knowledgeable sees the injured guards bleeding profusely but turns a blind eye as a self-proclaimed doctor, it raises further suspicion.

“…You said to come here? Who said that??”

“Ugh…!!”

As expected, although they are scrutinizing the closed first aid kit and my clothing closely, the man presumed to be the leader of this special team, with a deepened voice, first threw the question without immediately pressing down the person who introduced themselves as a doctor.

A few near the entrance did nod their weapons slightly in approach, but considering this, the response is rather favorable. Good start. Hmm.

So I should clearly finish presenting an alibi.

Originally, this part was meant to be spoken in a frightened voice by Bethany, but… she was so frightened that I ended up taking her place.

“Believer Albert, who mobilized us for treating the wounded of the congregation said, ‘Do not hesitate with the heretics; spare the hands of the understanding,’ and we can’t just kill the strict medical personnel, nor can we leave them alone. So the Paladin told us to come here and stay quietly.”

“If it’s Albert… he’s a C-2 team assigned software engineer.”

He growled suspiciously and fell silent for a moment.

Though obscured by the suit, it seems he intends to contact someone to ask why they were dumping prisoners onto us… as if he would be able to contact us. It’s us who wiped that team out.

Ah, by the way, Albert is the man’s name.

Just before arriving here, he had fainted after disclosing all the possible information about the infiltrators and received a chop from Zero.

The data relinquished in despair has been utilized very effectively in various ways. Yes.

“Then, I believe there shouldn’t be an issue… Let’s proceed with treatment first, Bethany? Blood coagulants and gel. A thorough examination will be necessary, but as long as it’s under pressure, there shouldn’t be a life-threatening situation.”

“Uh, ugh… Yes! Here you go, Dr. Anastasia….”

However, after parting, they act as if they know nothing about what’s occurred.

In reality, the order of events is entirely reversed, but since no one else can prove it, what’s to be done?

As a sign of non-resistance, I slowly lowered my arms, which had been raised above my head and felt stiff from holding them up for so long, grabbed the first aid kit, and checked the blood flow of the guard leaning against the door, administering the blood coagulant first.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a simple syringe but a disposable supply that retracts the needle when a button is pressed.

I could simply follow Zero’s instructions echoing in my head for the medical steps, but it might have been difficult to pull off a skilled-looking performance.

The atmosphere around me is… while the duo that suddenly appeared is irritable, since we’re posing as a doctor and nurse, they couldn’t act aggressively against us, creating a slightly watching situation?

Additionally, it seems that there was concern about how publically admitting that communication with one of their own is cut off appears weak since it hasn’t been mentioned that cross-verification is impossible yet.

Wow, the headwear certainly has wings now.

Even though I’m still at a learning level trying to figure out tax implications and credit laundering, if it’s within the realm where acquiring a qualification can be managed with some spare studying, perhaps I could earn it later on?

…Well, influenced by various video contents I’ve seen in my past life, the muffled voice of a masked doctor muttering things like ‘nurse, scalpel,’ is somewhat amusing, but this should be manageable.

Originally, I intended to imitate the real Dr. C from Harvest Planet but failed.

Outwardly, they might claim to respect individual choices and emphasize the importance of personality, but behind those words, humans tend to criticize everything… but English accents have been remarkably carefree for several hundreds of years.

Anyone who nitpicks on that must be a truly vile and regretful fellow.

So if you were to rush in, wouldn’t it be more effective to strike at a different point? …Yes, just like this part.

“Did you say you are Doctor Anastasia and Nurse Bethany? Guess you’ve just started working at the broadcasting station.”

“…I transferred from Enema and am still adapting to my new job. I didn’t expect to get caught up in something like this as per the contract, so I’m a bit jittery.”

As I administered an anti-inflammatory painkiller to his arm with a slight hissing sound, I smeared coagulant gel on the severely split scalp while casually responding to the voice behind me.

While subtly holding Bethany’s hand, which was shivering like petrified from being exposed to their gaze.

It seems they don’t have absolute proof but instinctively feel something amiss and awkward about the situation.

The truth is, both my manager and I are somewhat wearing hastily thrown-on clothes, which leads to the unavoidable ambiance of cosplay.

“No, if such lovely ladies came here willingly as hostages, it seems everyone should feel sorry… yet you all appear quite doubtful. Your reactions suggest a familiarity among each other.”

“Is that… something I could take as a compliment?”

Ah, quite observant.

In that brief moment, you are not just examining us blindly; you’re also comparing how others react.

Having considered this possibility, I made a conscious decision to bring my familiar manager along, often visiting the news room, thinking that was a wise choice. But externally, I dismissed their flattering words as discomforting.

Indeed, Erin, who’s at the desk, looks like she doubts whether these two could even squash a cockroach, wondering what can be driving them to act like this…

Wasn’t there time to calculate the moving time and angle for the shot? Trust me, just wait a bit.

In truth, I had eagerly volunteered, yet unexpectedly ended up in the role of ‘the protected walking into enemy fire,’ as Masanari was about to lose his mind.

Facing a collision between personal principles and reality, I argued against the historical and traditional bait operation but ultimately accepted that disobeying orders is a greater sin.

Huh? So did Zero say anything special? It would have to be an experience not rare for him to be so flustered.

He simply said to do one’s part, but if necessary, he would distract the enemies with suppressive fire, so he asked to lay flat and take cover. …I believe he’s not resigned to that.

Therefore… haha, Masanari, get accustomed to the harsh work environment as quickly as possible. I’m the type to bet everything I can use, regardless of whatever, to claim the table.

Well, I’ve taken care of my rationale and reduced the fear of being shot for the moment.

They seem suspicious but are likely trying to bypass the issue due to a lack of evidence… Shall I pull the trigger just once?

“Once the treatment is complete, please sit quietly facing the wall without being a nuisance, with your hands behind your back. I’m sorry, but our side will take custody of the used first aid kit.”

“But the announcer is still bleeding excessively. At least I want to stop the bleeding for that person….”

“Oh dear…!! I would like you to refrain from exaggeration, Doctor. It’s not like they were hit with the butt of a gun; it’s just a long gash from hitting the corner. Do you honestly believe we can’t distinguish that?”

Suddenly!

Since the broadcast transmission had been interrupted, tensions were already high when I abruptly rose, and with that, all eyes turned towards me as I stepped towards the desk without permission.

In addition, the barrels, which seemed on the verge of spitting fire, also turned toward me, and our nurse naturally pressed close to my side. Among the other hostages, some had already taken in a dreadful imagination, inhaling a shaky breath.

In the eyes of the increasingly vigilant enemies, an enormously unbalanced scene is likely reflected.

One woman seems too busy shivering to inflict any harm, while another, who had previously acted somewhat confidently, now bites her lips with a face of ‘uh-oh!’ as she threatens.

“You’re oddly passionate about your work for someone who has been responding so coolly. Do you have some reason to come closer?”

“That is….”

Deliberately trailing off her words. Her gaze seems uncomfortably flustered, as though unsure of where to land.

‘I am someone who has a close connection with you regardless of how anyone looks at it. I am hiding something that can certainly fuck things up~’ would inadvertently show in her demeanor, forcing the leader, who had tried to dismiss us as formally as possible, to immediately stiffen.

“…Hey, B team close by. Start a body search on that doctor lady. If she has any communication devices or gadgets, strip them away immediately, and insert cyberware disruption clips into her neck. Something is amiss.”

“Ugh…!! Let go of this!”

Crash!

Originally, I was planning to act like I was putting up a resistance. Umm, I was supposed to.

Before my mental preparation was fully complete, going through another experience of being forcibly disrobed by someone else, I unintentionally gave a rather vivid (?) response.

How ridiculous. Even while self-hypnotizing to dismiss reasoning in deceiving the fool about to die, I had been promising to keep this as something to regret in the back of my mind.

…Thank you so much for this, you bastard!!

“Ugh!? Hah! Dr. Anastasia…!”

“No, I will actively cooperate with the body search! But you guys, this is harassment… wait, how far are you trying to look?!”

“!? You crazy rapist bastards! Just because the broadcast stopped, what kind of despicable act is this…!!”

Angry Erin, while protesting on our behalf, was shoved away again.

When they lifted my doctor’s gown, confirming the black suit made of composite materials inside, the terrorists pondered whether to view this as part of the fashion… or if something was actually being hidden.

Attempting to dig even beneath that, I strongly emphasized that there was only underwear, but they pretended not to hear.

Once a flame has been ignited, it’s not easy to extinguish; the view of two women potentially appearing to be assaulted unfolded even though it fundamentally contradicted the righteous premise they claimed.

Still, none of them hesitated to swiftly focus on the search process, appearing anxious.

Obviously, having removed all the magazines beforehand, there was nothing to find on me, and since Bethany had completely changed into a uniform from the hanger, there wasn’t anything to be found there either.

Are they suspicious? Of course, they must be heavily suspicious.

At this timing, the team that had lost contact sent someone here? In a way that wouldn’t allow for verification?

The act of treating them seemed serious enough that I debated whether to ignore it, and yet showing signs of panic for making a mistake?

Doesn’t that reek of a cursed lie?

All this time, I’ve been mocking you for that. Instead of balancing the tightrope that allows for no suspicions, you should lead the direction you prefer.

Did a counter-terror unit manage to infiltrate, or was there some third force I hadn’t considered?

Surely we won’t do a suicide attack like you, but has the broadcasting station decided to give up hostages and take extraordinary measures?

One thing I’ve realized, contrasting greatly from the ordinary life of the 21st century, is that this world is insane, containing modern unicorns that possess extraordinary talents and unique identities like in a game.

Whether me or them, we ultimately evaluate others based on our own standards.

Expectations and projected desires that arise from relationships are by-products of oneself. It means facing one’s inner self to untie the knots of connection is hardly manageable. Hmm.

Thus, judging by their dress, these fellows who succeeded in sneaking in while deceiving others will detest being tricked into looking into a mirror.

So with this, I’ll conclude. I will make sure you feel you can’t contain yourselves if you don’t have a violent fit.

Can you let our kids waiting in designated spots self-destruct before we trigger something? This is a request I’m making personally.

“How long…!!”

“Um…?”

A voice filled with considerable doubt escapes from the man.

The typical interpretation would be ‘Until when will you continue the harassment-like search?’ But how about weaving in that there is an uneasy and desperate gaze at the same time?

Beside the large box-shaped aging signal exchange device for broadcasts.

If someone were slightly hunched there, would anyone notice the hidden corner?

If one kept peering intermittently at that corner, it might be interpreted as ‘How long should I keep attracting attention?’ nudging whoever is hiding.

Even though they’d prefer to assure themselves that there wasn’t any suspicious activity in the room they had been occupying, wasn’t it a tad chaotic due to the signs of the head announcer?

Nothing can be completely certain. Nothing at all.

No, if left unattended, someone might go checking with their own eyes, but I do not wish for them to resolve their inner conflicts through such a boring approach.

‘Fuck! If I fail here, not only is it embarrassing, but it’s a disaster, Anastasia…!!’

Patzuzuch…!!

…Guh!

Did someone hide any device? No.

Besides Bethany, did someone else recruit inside? Not likely.

But the switchbox jostled a little and emitted a noise as if something had slammed into it.

While I continuously chewed out the flawed humanity of those Arcadians.

Knowing that multiple factors, including pride and the outcome, were at stake, I expanded the magnetic net I had prepared on my arm, bracing myself for electrocution, as I heard a ringing in my ears like circuits frying within me.

That enthusiastic scientific experiment, treated like a ridiculous trampoline game, showing outputs as a sincere contest was certainly no vain boast.

It turned out that using the low output up until now to accelerate quickly and rotationally generate greater magnetism was an utterly absurd and misguided idea.

Even though I learned it just fine in physics, I had solely focused on the notion of superpowers, forgetting the obvious solutions.

First, tightly coil the coiling- arm with coils, and the structure must be woven densely. Just like the net of a magnetic field I saw in the studio!

Creeek—!!

“There you are!?”

Bang———!!!

Because shots fired reflexively near the microphone, the booming sound followed a sharp high-decibel ringing that echoed throughout the entire news room.

That shooting skill blasting the jammed switchbox was magnificent.

Honestly, I wanted to applaud for such a perfect reaction that matched my expectations.

While the commander’s preemptive strike drew attention, the terrorists quick to turn their barrels towards the blown dust, failing to even notice the seemingly harmless bait that is us, or the entrance they should be cautious about, or the eerie presence hovering above.

Now, here’s an important question.

How many seconds will it take for their focus to return to normal centered in the wrong direction?

Moreover, if an actual threat arises, is there any guarantee that each individual would react instantaneously and choose the right responses among those numerous hazards?

The answer will soon be self-revealed as the special agents jumping down from behind the lighting and the droid pouring in through the front door, glowing bright red. So do value your own grades. Yes~

Huh? So what have I been doing all this time?

First, I need to deal with the guy trying to peek into someone’s underwear! What’s taking so long!!

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