Cute Masquerade (Part 2) (Rewritten March 2025)

(This little tidbit is even better knowing you and Astrid used to be an item—so here it comes! That guy in front of you spent ages trying to hit on her and failed every single time. Miserably! What a clown!)

(Stop teasing me like that, Helen,) Alan said telepathically while Kathleen rose from her seat.

"Excuse me for a minute, gentlemen. I'll be back in a minute. Please, Alan, keep enjoying yourself."

Kathleen exited the room, accompanied by one of her NPC maids, and Rupert, her bodyguard, who silently closed the sliding door.

(I'm not messing with you this time. I'm being dead serious. It was the talk of the guild back then. But hey, it's not like they ever were a thing, so everything is fine, right? Whoops, I need to go now. Bye~!)

Only Alan, Marco, and the female NPC called Kasumi remained. The digital woman then rushed to fill their cups.

"That's Kathleen's way of saying that we can freely talk, at least for 5 minutes," Marco said, before sipping.

I can't… let that information deter me from my main mission... Alan felt his throat dry and gulped his cup. Focus, Alan, focus.

"So, what is it, Alan the Ghost?" Marco asked, loosening his tie. "What's so important that you came all the way here just to talk?"

Alan looked down at his cup, already getting filled by Kasumi.

Come on, speak… I risked a lot coming here because I knew I couldn't leave this unsolved. I endured Helen's crazy flight, betrayed Tamara's trust, and even confronted Amelia Laflamme! Don't let that info get in the way!

Alan took a deep breath, opened his User Interface, and closed Helen's Party Chat. He then wondered if it was okay to talk in front of the female NPC.

I'll have to watch what I say, just in case.

"That nightmare spell you cast on me last earlier… How much did you see?"

"I saw everything." Marco shrugged. "To others, it may have been a couple of seconds, but for me, it was like watching a one-hour video reel of your… secrets."

"You know what this information may cause…"

Marco sneered. "Is that why you're here? If I told anyone about your eight-month escapade, it would only make you look like a martyr or a hero, and I have no intention of doing that."

"Fine. Keep it that way." Alan straightened his posture. "But we must address the other subject."

"I'd rather not…" Marco said, shaking his cup so that Kasumi could serve him more.

"You're the only person I can talk with, so please, listen…"

"You want my help, don't you?"

"It pains me to say it, but yes. Call it bad luck, or destiny, but you ended up getting involved in this, one way or another. So…"

"Destiny?" Marco snickered. "Do you believe in that crap?"

"It's just a way of saying it…"

"Then I'd recommend that you choose your words wisely. I get bored easily. And just as a reminder, the clock is ticking."

Alan showed his teeth, grunting. "This is a serious issue, Marco! The integrity of this ship and its population is at risk!"

"I'm struggling to see why that's my problem. You're the one that was selected by that computer."

"This involves all of us!"

"And yet, you choose to maintain it a secret."

Alan got over the table to grab Marco by the collar of his shirt, spilling their drinks. That coincided with an explosion from outside the building that shook the entire room, although he did not notice it, for his eyes were locked on Marco's. "Are you fucking drunk?!"

"I wish! Since my Vitality increased to Silver rank, I can barely feel the effects of alcohol."

"Can't you see the implications of this?! This ship was sent to space so humanity could have another chance! If we don't do something, everything will be in vain!"

"You're Kathleen's 'special guest', so I won't retaliate, but if you don't let go I'll make sure that you get nightmares every single night for the rest of your pathetic life…"

Alan bit his lower lip and returned to his seat as Marco readjusted his clothes and said, "It's been three years, Ghost. Three years since that event supposedly happened. And since your return, have you seen this world in shambles?" Marco asked, staring at Alan's frown. "The answer is no. Because nothing has happened. I may even bet that nothing is lurking in here."

"But--!"

"You wanted to talk? Let me finish. Let's look at the facts first. If what that computer says it's true, and that thing got inside, it may be hibernating, or it's incompatible with this system."

"'Computer'? Are you referring to Isabella?" Alan shook his head slightly. "Why would that thing be incompatible?"

"From what I've been told, The Novus mainframe it's the most 'organic' machine humanity has ever developed. 'Neural Symbiosis', 'Perpetual Rem State'... Would you relate those terms with what a regular fridge or toaster can do?"

"This is not a regular toaster we're dealing with, and you know it."

"And this is not a regular VR headset." Marco raised his voice. "The fact that three years have passed and nothing has changed, it's the best proof we have. The Novus it's the most secure place on this ship."

"So, do you want me to sit here, drink, and forget everything about it? Just like you?"

Marco sneered. "Oh, by all means, go! Run through all the Novus in search of this boogeyman. I bet you could do a better job than the Administrators, that can detect everything inside their System."

"Do you know any of them? An Administrator?"

"No," Marco replied, mildly smiling.

"Do you know how to contact one?"

"No, but I wish you good luck finding them."

"I can't believe it… You're a moron."

"And you're truly unfortunate. I wouldn't like to be in your shoes."

At least I tried… Alan snickered, saying nothing more.

As he stood up and walked towards the exit, Marco followed him with his gaze. "Wait. There's something else I'd like to discuss."

"You said that this was my problem, right? So I'll solve it myself." Alan was about to open the door, but a phantasmagorical silhouette rose from the floor and blocked his path.

It was a black humanoid with the head of a crow, and without moving or making a noise, it told him to stay or else. When Alan saw its bottom, he noticed that a shadow stretched out all the way to Marco's seat.

"I had to listen to your charade. It's my turn now. Come, it's something you need to learn, eventually." Marco took a sip. "It relates to your beloved Astrid."

Hearing that name coming out of his mouth made Alan form fists.