Neon Quarters
I am now in the Neon Quarters scouting a possible Anomaly for Kei and Eta. The quarters is a place Eta hates with passion after the trouble with the Ji Ceng.
In front of me is a gang. One look at them and I know they have a plethora of augmenting tattoos, nanotech, muscle-enhancing drugs, and prosthetics that can rip any non-augmented and enhanced person to pieces.
Next to me is Mai who is looking at the gang with hands on her hips.
“Uh, you had problems with them?”
“Not me personally. Worked out the deal. Which confuses me why they think this is a good idea.”
Mai crossed her arms and looks at the men.
“Well, they are clearly problematic.”
“Hold up.”
I took my phone and gave Sato a call. He picked it up quickly.
“Sato. Yo. Are we still angry with Ji Ceng.”
“You picking a fight, Assistant-kun?”
“Nope. They are. Calling to let you know if I don’t appear.”
“A, call your Boss, will you. Let me look at them.”
I switched to video-call. Sato eyed the gang and spoke.
“Fuck off, you lot.”
With their faces seen. They could only click their tongue and leave.
“Ah, I’m glad that my face can still make them run.”
“Thank you for the assist, Sir.”
“It’s alright. You caught me in my free time.”
He turns the call off. I pocketed my phone and sigh. It’s really hard to do business in this city without connections.
“So, are we going?”
“Lead the way.”
Neon Quarters is what I expected it to be. Women and men offering their services. Everyone has their own fetish and the Quarters . Bright lights that make you want to wear a glass. It’s also full of drunkards and men hoping to get some women without the commitment and effort.
Mai’s clinging to my arm as we go through the Quarters. With the way she dressed up it’s natural that some hands would grab on. She thought the best idea to drive them away is to make them think I hired her.
A cabaret bar with an appearance that screamed that it would take your wallet away. I followed Mai in. She chatted with the receptionist and after a short glare from said receptionist. I followed the flight of stairs and stood before a double-door guarded by Kurogane Renmei members.
“Mai, who is this?”
I handed in my business card. The gangster read the card and gave me one hell of a professional bow.
“Welcome to the Cherry Cicada. Please go ahead.”
We walk past them. Below the cabaret is a club that was unlike the cabaret above. Only Kurogane members and guests they allowed are in here and yet here I am walking down here like I belong because I made contact with one of the contacts that Mai made. Mai here has apparently been given a favor and instead of walking around the service train selling goods and trying to catch men at night. She’s now a sworn member after a bet.
“Well, aren’t you glad that the smoking pipe was useful to you?”
Selling the smoking pipe seems to be some sort of challenge.
“Wait, wouldn’t anyone buy it? I’m sure some of the girls could do it.”
“Ah, it doesn’t work like that.”
I stop to take a look at the sign selling some ‘rare katanas’.
“That real?”
Mai takes a look at the poster. She is searching the edges of the poster.
“Oh, it’s a real alright. See that symbol?”
There’s a ‘りき’ kanji written on the bottom right of the poster.
“It says Riki so it’s probably real. You want to buy one? We can go there if you want to!”
“How about the client?”
“Eh, they can wait!”
Tiny alleys similar to the streets of Tokyo and Akihabara once. It made me remember a time where there were no shoulder-mantle-wearing fascists walking around that estate.
Back Alley where we found the forge had the same methods. I asked permission to enter with my weapons. After getting permission, I got to enter the workshop and saw a fairly muscular, hairy man.
“Riki-san!”
“Oh? Mai, you bring another customer?”
“Yeah. This one who made me sworn.”
“Oh, the buyer.”
He takes an examining glance at me. Then his eyes went on the blades dangling on my hips. His eyes remain on my personal blade, castor.
“Nice blade. Is it fine if you let me see it?”
I hesitated. I looked at the blades displayed and saw the crucible blades he’s working on. I took my castor out like a child who didn't want to hand over his precious toy.
“Is this wootz steel?”
Riki smiles.
“I personally call it Riki’s Steel. But you are somewhat correct. My wares are made from studying Toledo, Damascus, Noric, Bulat Tamahagane, and Wootz Steel. I thought to myself… maybe I can use them to make steel of my own? I know that there are a lot of factory-made items… and nanotech, but blades made personally… give it soul to them.”
“I see.”
I detached my castor and handed him the blade.
“Nice blade. An own formula too. I don’t like how techy it is though.”
I took the castor back. Not feeling the weight of it on my waist makes me uncomfortable. Like a part of me is missing.
“Anyway, since you are here. I’ll let you purchase one of my blades. I only have three right now.”
He took out three cases. The first sword is beautiful with a lot of beautifully drawn symbols. It is sharp and yet it is something I’d want to hang on my wall and admire rather than wield in battle. The second is a combination of practical and good looks. The last one is crude and so boring that you’d mistake it for just another katana. It does have a Riki’s symbol on it. It is perfectly balance and the weight makes it easy to wield.
I took it and then held my tongue first. Riki’s cocky look and Mai’s about to erupt smile and my own selfish desire made me hand over the cash. My balance’s just enough to land me a few weeks of food…
“Arigato!”
Riki handed me over the sheath and the blade. I saw Riki handing cash to Mai and her keeping it in her purse.
“She gets a commission?”
“Kinda. She’s pretty good. Stupid sometimes.”
Mai shrugs. I adjusted the ‘tana to be on the same side as where I put eta’s spare sword. I left Riki’s workshop and followed Mai back to the cabaret where we got into the interior.
“We’re here!”
The door opens. My eyes widen and I moved. Mai holds her body up in front and behind the person she’s shielding was a long-haired man with the front of his hair held up by a circlet. He was like a human whose skin is sticking to his bone. He takes something out of his pocket. Mai handed it to me while I heard the click of rifles behind the guy. His skeletons are now aiming at me.
“You are licensed by the OB.”
I dialed the contact number and waited for it to ring.
“Hello, is this the Otherside Bureau’s Contract Division?”
“That is correct. Are you here to confirm or inform?”
“Confirm.”
I read out the badge number. While waiting for confirmation I held my blade tightly. Mai is sweating. The necromancer behind her is keeping an uninterested look.
“Indeed. Our record states that he is Kenji Hayama, a OB-licensed necromancer. Is there something wrong?”
“Just confirming, thank you Operator.”
“We will record your 50th call, Agent. Thank you for informing us.”
I sheathed my blade and gave a deep bow.
“Forgive me for this, Mr. Hayama.”
“Hmm, it’s alright. I like brazen people. I see that you are the man who paved for Mai’s sworn-status.”
He beckons me to sit down. I can hear the undead, the skeletons of his wearing realskin lowering their guards.
“Expensive skeletons.”
He nods his head slothfully.
“Augmented. Necromancy needs sustenance and the human frame is fragile. Plate them and they become powerful soldiers that need no rest and sustenance other than my burning soul. Do you not have any questions, Agent?”
“No. If you are licensed, then that’s that.”
Mr. Hayama raises a brow.
“I see. Then I will work with you. Miss Mai told me your office specializes in investigating anomalies.”
One of his undead took a brown folder and handed it over. I took a read of the docs inside and skimmed through it.
“A gambling anomaly?”
“Yes… this anomaly has made a den of its own. A single-room slot machine that devours money until the machine devours the cash. We have… tested it, but it seems like it will earn us a lot of money.”
I’m guessing that there is something wrong with that. No one hates earning money, but the thought of their clients dying seems to trouble them. Who'd want to play near something so dangerous? Anomalies are troublesome in this era and they do not attract favor from customers.
“May I ask why you want to remove this?”
Mr. Hayama raises a dreadful smile.
“If this anomaly spreads… it will devour the dens… and if it's become too successful. Our enemies will have reasons to destroy us. The OB discriminates against the Anoms and the thought of leaving one alive will undoubtedly ruin business. Anoms must never dominate… for who knows? It might become sentient and we will have a demon of wealth among us.”
It was too good to be true. And the Neon Quarters… it’s a place where no one must dominate. Anyone that tries to one-up another usually gets ganged up. Mr. Hayama here understood the purpose of the Quarters and also the reason why even the OB are so careful not to disrupt anything in the quarters. It’s a place where a constant balance must exist for it to function.
I lean back and put on my business demeanor.
“Then may I ask why you haven’t taken care of it?”
“We have tried. With blades and guns and even explosives. One could take shelter on it and I’m sure that you will not die even if a nuke drops on it.”
It sounds powerful. So dangerous that I can’t decide for myself. I excused myself and talked to Kei. She listens to me and her words somewhat relieved me.
“Oh, it’s one of those. Hmm, a slot machine instead of a poker table? I’ll have to see this.”
I gave the address and also informed her that there’s a necromancer.
“I have confirmed that he is licensed by the OB.”
“Good. I’ll tell Eta to lock her swords just in case.”
The two arrived after a few minutes. I got some drinks with Mai on their bar while waiting for them.
The burning look on Eta’s face made the necromancer smile. Kei negotiated with the necromancer and after reaching an agreement. Kei told the necromancer that they’ve met a similar case and she can take care of it.
“We want your clan to call us when you find an anomaly like this. Will you agree with that?”
“I agree.”
Kei raises a brow.
“How easy.”
“No, I have read your records.”
He turns to me.
“And I like working with reasonable individuals. I hope that you can take care of this. That will be all.”
We signed the contract under an independent contract signing office to attest that both parties signed the agreement and will be effective once the anomaly is resolved.
Mai led us to where the single-room slot machine is and upon entering. Kei and Eta were locked inside the room.
“Will they be alright?”
“Who knows?”
It took them 4 hours to take care of the anomaly. Eta carried a sack of cash while covered in hundreds of cuts. Kei’s not looking good as well. If anything, she looks anemic. She has lost a lot of blood.
“You’re done?”
“Yeah. Curious?”
Kei takes the smoking pipe I’ve been gnawing and takes a puff.
“Anomalies like this are fond of gambling. You know how it’s common sense to insert a coin or a chip to win… but it’s a gamble. I gambled my blood while Eta gambled her skin. So we made a bet to the anomaly that if we don’t die until we have won. It will kill itself and surrender the cash that we took from them.”
“So you won.”
“Kinda. Anomalies like these are usually eliminated by this method.”
I look at the money sack they are carrying.
“Are we keeping it?”
“No. The only thing we’ll get is our pay. It’s impolite to steal from Syndicates, Assistant.”
It’s also the best way to make them think our office was worth the contract.
Neon Quarters
I am now in the Neon Quarters scouting a possible Anomaly for Kei and Eta. The quarters is a place Eta hates with passion after the trouble with the Ji Ceng.
In front of me is a gang. One look at them and I know they have a plethora of augmenting tattoos, nanotech, muscle-enhancing drugs, and prosthetics that can rip any non-augmented and enhanced person to pieces.
Next to me is Mai who is looking at the gang with hands on her hips.
“Uh, you had problems with them?”
“Not me personally. Worked out the deal. Which confuses me why they think this is a good idea.”
Mai crossed her arms and looks at the men.
“Well, they are clearly problematic.”
“Hold up.”
I took my phone and gave Sato a call. He picked it up quickly.
“Sato. Yo. Are we still angry with Ji Ceng.”
“You picking a fight, Assistant-kun?”
“Nope. They are. Calling to let you know if I don’t appear.”
“A, call your Boss, will you. Let me look at them.”
I switched to video-call. Sato eyed the gang and spoke.
“Fuck off, you lot.”
With their faces seen. They could only click their tongue and leave.
“Ah, I’m glad that my face can still make them run.”
“Thank you for the assist, Sir.”
“It’s alright. You caught me in my free time.”
He turns the call off. I pocketed my phone and sigh. It’s really hard to do business in this city without connections.
“So, are we going?”
“Lead the way.”
Neon Quarters is what I expected it to be. Women and men offering their services. Everyone has their own fetish and the Quarters . Bright lights that make you want to wear a glass. It’s also full of drunkards and men hoping to get some women without the commitment and effort.
Mai’s clinging to my arm as we go through the Quarters. With the way she dressed up it’s natural that some hands would grab on. She thought the best idea to drive them away is to make them think I hired her.
A cabaret bar with an appearance that screamed that it would take your wallet away. I followed Mai in. She chatted with the receptionist and after a short glare from said receptionist. I followed the flight of stairs and stood before a double-door guarded by Kurogane Renmei members.
“Mai, who is this?”
I handed in my business card. The gangster read the card and gave me one hell of a professional bow.
“Welcome to the Cherry Cicada. Please go ahead.”
We walk past them. Below the cabaret is a club that was unlike the cabaret above. Only Kurogane members and guests they allowed are in here and yet here I am walking down here like I belong because I made contact with one of the contacts that Mai made. Mai here has apparently been given a favor and instead of walking around the service train selling goods and trying to catch men at night. She’s now a sworn member after a bet.
“Well, aren’t you glad that the smoking pipe was useful to you?”
Selling the smoking pipe seems to be some sort of challenge.
“Wait, wouldn’t anyone buy it? I’m sure some of the girls could do it.”
“Ah, it doesn’t work like that.”
I stop to take a look at the sign selling some ‘rare katanas’.
“That real?”
Mai takes a look at the poster. She is searching the edges of the poster.
“Oh, it’s a real alright. See that symbol?”
There’s a ‘りき’ kanji written on the bottom right of the poster.
“It says Riki so it’s probably real. You want to buy one? We can go there if you want to!”
“How about the client?”
“Eh, they can wait!”
Tiny alleys similar to the streets of Tokyo and Akihabara once. It made me remember a time where there were no shoulder-mantle-wearing fascists walking around that estate.
Back Alley where we found the forge had the same methods. I asked permission to enter with my weapons. After getting permission, I got to enter the workshop and saw a fairly muscular, hairy man.
“Riki-san!”
“Oh? Mai, you bring another customer?”
“Yeah. This one who made me sworn.”
“Oh, the buyer.”
He takes an examining glance at me. Then his eyes went on the blades dangling on my hips. His eyes remain on my personal blade, castor.
“Nice blade. Is it fine if you let me see it?”
I hesitated. I looked at the blades displayed and saw the crucible blades he’s working on. I took my castor out like a child who didn't want to hand over his precious toy.
“Is this wootz steel?”
Riki smiles.
“I personally call it Riki’s Steel. But you are somewhat correct. My wares are made from studying Toledo, Damascus, Noric, Bulat Tamahagane, and Wootz Steel. I thought to myself… maybe I can use them to make steel of my own? I know that there are a lot of factory-made items… and nanotech, but blades made personally… give it soul to them.”
“I see.”
I detached my castor and handed him the blade.
“Nice blade. An own formula too. I don’t like how techy it is though.”
I took the castor back. Not feeling the weight of it on my waist makes me uncomfortable. Like a part of me is missing.
“Anyway, since you are here. I’ll let you purchase one of my blades. I only have three right now.”
He took out three cases. The first sword is beautiful with a lot of beautifully drawn symbols. It is sharp and yet it is something I’d want to hang on my wall and admire rather than wield in battle. The second is a combination of practical and good looks. The last one is crude and so boring that you’d mistake it for just another katana. It does have a Riki’s symbol on it. It is perfectly balance and the weight makes it easy to wield.
I took it and then held my tongue first. Riki’s cocky look and Mai’s about to erupt smile and my own selfish desire made me hand over the cash. My balance’s just enough to land me a few weeks of food…
“Arigato!”
Riki handed me over the sheath and the blade. I saw Riki handing cash to Mai and her keeping it in her purse.
“She gets a commission?”
“Kinda. She’s pretty good. Stupid sometimes.”
Mai shrugs. I adjusted the ‘tana to be on the same side as where I put eta’s spare sword. I left Riki’s workshop and followed Mai back to the cabaret where we got into the interior.
“We’re here!”
The door opens. My eyes widen and I moved. Mai holds her body up in front and behind the person she’s shielding was a long-haired man with the front of his hair held up by a circlet. He was like a human whose skin is sticking to his bone. He takes something out of his pocket. Mai handed it to me while I heard the click of rifles behind the guy. His skeletons are now aiming at me.
“You are licensed by the OB.”
I dialed the contact number and waited for it to ring.
“Hello, is this the Otherside Bureau’s Contract Division?”
“That is correct. Are you here to confirm or inform?”
“Confirm.”
I read out the badge number. While waiting for confirmation I held my blade tightly. Mai is sweating. The necromancer behind her is keeping an uninterested look.
“Indeed. Our record states that he is Kenji Hayama, a OB-licensed necromancer. Is there something wrong?”
“Just confirming, thank you Operator.”
“We will record your 50th call, Agent. Thank you for informing us.”
I sheathed my blade and gave a deep bow.
“Forgive me for this, Mr. Hayama.”
“Hmm, it’s alright. I like brazen people. I see that you are the man who paved for Mai’s sworn-status.”
He beckons me to sit down. I can hear the undead, the skeletons of his wearing realskin lowering their guards.
“Expensive skeletons.”
He nods his head slothfully.
“Augmented. Necromancy needs sustenance and the human frame is fragile. Plate them and they become powerful soldiers that need no rest and sustenance other than my burning soul. Do you not have any questions, Agent?”
“No. If you are licensed, then that’s that.”
Mr. Hayama raises a brow.
“I see. Then I will work with you. Miss Mai told me your office specializes in investigating anomalies.”
One of his undead took a brown folder and handed it over. I took a read of the docs inside and skimmed through it.
“A gambling anomaly?”
“Yes… this anomaly has made a den of its own. A single-room slot machine that devours money until the machine devours the cash. We have… tested it, but it seems like it will earn us a lot of money.”
I’m guessing that there is something wrong with that. No one hates earning money, but the thought of their clients dying seems to trouble them. Who'd want to play near something so dangerous? Anomalies are troublesome in this era and they do not attract favor from customers.
“May I ask why you want to remove this?”
Mr. Hayama raises a dreadful smile.
“If this anomaly spreads… it will devour the dens… and if it's become too successful. Our enemies will have reasons to destroy us. The OB discriminates against the Anoms and the thought of leaving one alive will undoubtedly ruin business. Anoms must never dominate… for who knows? It might become sentient and we will have a demon of wealth among us.”
It was too good to be true. And the Neon Quarters… it’s a place where no one must dominate. Anyone that tries to one-up another usually gets ganged up. Mr. Hayama here understood the purpose of the Quarters and also the reason why even the OB are so careful not to disrupt anything in the quarters. It’s a place where a constant balance must exist for it to function.
I lean back and put on my business demeanor.
“Then may I ask why you haven’t taken care of it?”
“We have tried. With blades and guns and even explosives. One could take shelter on it and I’m sure that you will not die even if a nuke drops on it.”
It sounds powerful. So dangerous that I can’t decide for myself. I excused myself and talked to Kei. She listens to me and her words somewhat relieved me.
“Oh, it’s one of those. Hmm, a slot machine instead of a poker table? I’ll have to see this.”
I gave the address and also informed her that there’s a necromancer.
“I have confirmed that he is licensed by the OB.”
“Good. I’ll tell Eta to lock her swords just in case.”
The two arrived after a few minutes. I got some drinks with Mai on their bar while waiting for them.
The burning look on Eta’s face made the necromancer smile. Kei negotiated with the necromancer and after reaching an agreement. Kei told the necromancer that they’ve met a similar case and she can take care of it.
“We want your clan to call us when you find an anomaly like this. Will you agree with that?”
“I agree.”
Kei raises a brow.
“How easy.”
“No, I have read your records.”
He turns to me.
“And I like working with reasonable individuals. I hope that you can take care of this. That will be all.”
We signed the contract under an independent contract signing office to attest that both parties signed the agreement and will be effective once the anomaly is resolved.
Mai led us to where the single-room slot machine is and upon entering. Kei and Eta were locked inside the room.
“Will they be alright?”
“Who knows?”
It took them 4 hours to take care of the anomaly. Eta carried a sack of cash while covered in hundreds of cuts. Kei’s not looking good as well. If anything, she looks anemic. She has lost a lot of blood.
“You’re done?”
“Yeah. Curious?”
Kei takes the smoking pipe I’ve been gnawing and takes a puff.
“Anomalies like this are fond of gambling. You know how it’s common sense to insert a coin or a chip to win… but it’s a gamble. I gambled my blood while Eta gambled her skin. So we made a bet to the anomaly that if we don’t die until we have won. It will kill itself and surrender the cash that we took from them.”
“So you won.”
“Kinda. Anomalies like these are usually eliminated by this method.”
I look at the money sack they are carrying.
“Are we keeping it?”
“No. The only thing we’ll get is our pay. It’s impolite to steal from Syndicates, Assistant.”
It’s also the best way to make them think our office was worth the contract.
