371 – S7. The Fixers of Omelas – 2

The entrance to the *Utopia Industries* Headquarters.

*Beep beep beep-!*

Finn and Vecchio, about to pass through the gate, had to stop as the alarm blared shrilly. An armed guard stepped forward and announced:

“Individuals without verified identification are not permitted to enter.”

“Ah. So you need a chip to get through here. In that case, could you perhaps pass this on to a Joe, who I understand is a guard here? It’s a favor for a close friend.”

“Items from individuals without verified identification cannot be allowed inside, in order to prevent the threat of terrorism.”

“⋯⋯Yeah. I understand. So, when does, uh, Joe come out of the building?”

To Finn’s question, the armed guard at the entrance replied curtly:

“Bodyguards employed by *Utopia* are not permitted to leave the building until the end of their contract period. Go away.”

*Thud.*

They gave Isekai Hero Finn and Isekai Pope Vecchio the flat-out rejection at the entrance…

………

[Request 1: Locate ‘Drunken Mama’s’ son, Joe, at the *Utopia Industries* headquarters and successfully deliver his lunchbox.]

To complete the request, they’d need to get inside to do anything, but with admission impossible, a way to unravel this problem seemed distant.

They sat side-by-side on a bench in a park artificially constructed near the company. Holographic leaves fluttered overhead. They began to ponder. Now, what would be the best course?

First, a question.

“Um, Finn. Why did that guard refuse us?”

“It’s because we don’t have an identification chip. In this Omelas, those of the middle class and higher are implanted with a chip behind their necks from their fetal stage. It serves as identification. We don’t have one.”

“…Hmm?”

If they were thought to be illegal entrants, it was understandable. Even in their original world, someone whose identity couldn’t be guaranteed was treated with suspicion as a potential dark mage.

But the little Pope Vecchio caught on something off in Finn’s words.

“Middle class people, then…does that mean one must have money to acquire it?”

“Yes. The price is considerable, so those whose lives are arduous and difficult can’t afford an identification chip. I’ve heard…those who live in poverty and then earn money will buy this identification chip first. A kind of goal, if you will.”

A bitter snapshot of society. This Omelas didn’t treat those who didn’t earn a certain level of income as citizens.

Without an identification chip, many welfare services and amenities were also unavailable. Visits to public facilities were prohibited. The maglev train was off-limits. They were completely driven to the outside of these privileges.

Finn stroked Vecchio’s head as he spoke.

“It’s… a frigid world, here. That’s why I told you to stick close to my side. Omelas prevents crime with severe laws, but only those with chips can benefit from that.”

“Even though the buildings are so tall, and so abundant?”

“The cardinals weren’t much different, were they. Well… even in a city like this, there are of course those that aren’t completely bad. Look over there.”

Finn gestured with his eyes. Vecchio turned his head.

Beyond them, an advertisement was playing from a huge LED installed on the building’s wall.

In the screen, the blonde Chairman Marco smiled as he spoke. ‘Better function, better life. Invest in your worth. Utopia Industries.’

Finn gazed at Marco in the video with obvious affection and said,

“He’s the owner of the headquarters we tried to enter earlier. He’s conducting an active relief campaign targeting the poor, and there are a number of people who have escaped unfortunate circumstances thanks to his help. There are many heartwarming stories.”

“He’s a good person…!”

“Among the wealthy, I believe he’s the most virtuous. Well, then. We’ve killed enough time, let’s head back.”

“…Huh?”

*Eucha*. Finn stretched, rising from the bench. Since they were rejected at the entrance anyway, there was no way for them to complete the mission. What more could they possibly try?

So, they would go back and say that due to such-and-such circumstances, they were unfortunately unable to deliver the lunchbox. That was the only thing they could say.

But if they returned too quickly, it wouldn’t feel sincere, so they had killed some time to convey that they had tried their best.

Little Pope Vecchio, following Pin’s rising form, also awkwardly straightened, yet wore an expression that suggested a great lingering attachment. Regret, quite palpable, dripped from those eyes.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Pin sat back down on the bench, met Vecchio’s gaze, and asked cautiously.

“Your Holiness. Is there something troubling you?”

“Ah, no, Pin. I am⋯⋯ alright.”

“You can be honest. It’s alright.”

“⋯⋯Um. Ummm.”

Hesitant. Vecchio fidgeted with his fingers. The shadow of a puppet life, lived at the whim of former Cardinals, lingered still. The little Pope found expressing himself a little difficult.

But Pin waited, calmly. Until he could find his voice. Never coercing, never rushing him. Never even pinching⋯⋯.

And so, he could find the courage. To whine about wanting to go with her, to push for play. Vecchio gazed into Pin’s pupils, giving voice to his thoughts.

“This request, I think it might be a little more⋯⋯ important to those people than we realize. That’s what I thought. Because──”

—

The bodyguards hired by 『Utopia』 cannot leave the building until their contracts expire. Ummm. Perhaps to prevent confidential information from leaking?

Anyway. That means, Mr. Jo hasn’t seen his mother in a very long time, I think. Long enough to say he ‘wants to taste Mom’s cooking after all this time.’

From inside the building, to the outside⋯⋯ I don’t know what means he used to contact her, though. Ah, a mobile, phone? Here, artifacts that allow you to converse from afar are quite common, aren’t they!

Yes. I’ll continue.

The one who made the request, ‘Drunken Mama,’ also hasn’t seen her son in a long time. I imagine she misses him terribly. And in that state, she gave in to her son’s request.

She must have wanted to make a lunchbox and deliver it to him. She’s always boasting about her son to Pin, so I know she’s deeply in love.

So this mission, in other words.

[Request 1: Find Jo, the son of ‘Drunken Mama’, within the 『Utopia Industries』 headquarters, deliver the lunchbox, and soothe their long-standing yearning.]

Isn’t that it?

I want to fulfill ‘Drunken Mama’s’ request. I can recall what that yearning feels like. When I was waiting for Pin, I was also very lonely.

Ah, of course. Of course⋯⋯ If it’s dangerous, or if we have to do whatever it takes. That’s not what I want. I wouldn’t want Pin to be in danger. I’m just, merely thinking that it would be nice if it happened⋯⋯.

—

Have you ever seen the expression of a young child who wants a toy, but knows that their family’s circumstances don’t allow for it? Silently admiring it with only their eyes, swallowing their disappointment.

Pin was not so cold as to remain unmoved by that expression. Especially since this wasn’t even for her own benefit, but for the sake of another.

The words escaped her before her brain even had a chance to think.

“Then, let’s do it.”

“I-Is there a way?”

Sparklysparklysparkly!

Bechio’s eyes, like a galaxy, shimmered with expectation and longing. From that starlight, Finn drew propulsion. Alright, so it’s just delivering lunchboxes, right? Let’s get this done.

The world is dark. The world is filthy. Favors granted could be counted on one hand, but things that don’t go your way are like mountains. Even so.

“Yes, I’m in!”

He didn’t want this kid’s world to be so realistic and merciless.

Now, since everyone at the company has an embedded ID chip. Whether you disguise yourself as a cleaner or whatever, you’ll get flagged at the entrance.

And the windows on the building’s exterior are controlled by the central system, so scaling the building to infiltrate it is out of the question. Hundreds of CCTV cameras would notice anyway.

That’s where a certain profession comes in.

Just like how in the old world, you’d call a wizard when strange and bizarre things happened, in cyberpunk, when you’re hitting a wall, you need to speak that name.

“A hacker. We need a hacker.”

“A hacker…?”

“Yes. This world is rife with goddess-like structures. So… to put it in simple terms, you can think of it as if everything has a goddess dwelling within.”

“Then Omelas is even more sacred than a sacred city!”

Bechio imagined tiny goddesses spinning around inside objects and giggled. Finn continued his explanation.

“That’s why, persuading these little goddesses… Hacking, we can solve most problems through hacking. Actually, I can do it myself. I have a candidate for a terminal I’ve been keeping an eye on.”

Finn glanced around furtively, circling the *Utopia* headquarters once. As his eyes shone divinely, he was able to see the world from the goddess’s perspective.

The buildings became translucent, and the flow of information running through them appeared as lines. The upper floors, with security that was disgustingly solid, were as black as black boxes, but he could see through the first floor.

And he found it. A billboard installed right in the middle of the pedestrian walkway, connected to the interior of the *Utopia* building.

If he hacked along this line, he might be able to reach the gate at the entrance.

Finn placed his hand on the billboard and concentrated. Then he activated the power granted by the goddess. This was the advantage that would let Finn make a living as a fixer.

While others tried to hack with mechanical devices and terminals, he could hack inconspicuously, with his bare hands, using divine power!

“Keep watch. If someone dangerous comes while I’m working, let me know.”

“Leave it to me, Finn!”

The Pope stared intently, standing guard. Finn gripped the billboard and began his work. First, he gently twisted his divine power to connect a virtual cable…

Then, if he broadcast it to the next device…?

[Error: Unauthorized terminal]

“Well, Omelas’ top conglomerate wouldn’t be that easy to crack…”

So, he’d have to steal the authentication key used internally and retry…

About ten minutes passed like that. After a long struggle with the billboard, Finn managed to complete about 15% of the entire plan. If he could melt away at it for another two hours or so, he might be able to hack the central gate.

Bechio, diligently watching, poked Finn in the thigh with his finger.

Poke poke.

“…Hey, Finn.”

“Yes? Did the Ironclads show up or something?”

“Uh, no. No problem. It’s not that… um… would you mind if I tried?”

“If it’s just practice. Still, be careful. If you mess with something wrong, a siren could go o–”

*Swish.* *Swish, swish.*

“Uh-oh.”

*Dee-leek.* *Beep.*

“Uhhh…?”

[Security Authentication Successful: Thank you for visiting Utopia Industries.]

Just like that, they were in. Finn stared at Vecchio, eyes wide.

“Did… did I mess something up?”

“No, no. You were perfect. You did great!”

“Really?!”

Finn thought as he patted the Pope on the back. *Right, the Pope is a position that directly communicates with the Goddess, and only those with that talent are chosen. And the Goddess is extremely digital.*

Which is to say, it wouldn’t be wrong to state that the Pope could talk to computers.

“Fi… Finn, I thought we’d need them, so I brought some security bypass keys too. There seem to be a lot of locked doors inside…”

The Pope, in truth, had the makings of a genius hacker.

He just blasted right through. No alarms sounded as they passed through the gate. The armed guard looked at them strangely, but didn’t do anything else.

*Maybe he thought they had clearance from somewhere.*

Vecchio had also secured a list of low-ranking employees during the hack, so he could quickly find where Jo was. The two met Jo in the on-duty room on the 7th floor of the building.

Jo, unshaven and dishevelled, tilted his head, a question mark seemingly floating above him.

“…How did you get here?”

“We just… got here. Here’s your lunch box.”

“Enjoy it, Jo! ‘Drunken Mama’ must have worked hard on it!”

“Well, thank you for now.”

Jo opened the lunch box. Inside, it was filled with dishes from his memories, including soy-sauce-braised jelly. And he… his eyes began to well up slightly. Home-cooked food. How he had missed it!

He bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Fixers. I was thinking about quitting, but I think I can hold on for another six months.”

“Hee hee…”

Delivery complete. Finn adjusted his sunglasses, muttering softly.

“Mission clear.”

“……..!!”

Vecchio, though lacking sunglasses, mirrored the gesture, his lips moving silently. Mission clear. His heart thumped like a drum.

He had helped someone for the first time. And even received thanks.

Until now, he’d only lived to aid in the creation of “Antibiotic”, or attending papal lessons, never experiencing such direct feedback. Praise never truly resonated.

But this time, it felt different. He had spearheaded something significant. He felt he deserved the praise!

The little Pope Vecchio’s shoulders crept upward.

“….Ahem.”

Seeing this, Finn turned his head, hastily covering his mouth, and laughed silently.

Yes. He did well to continue the mission. Everything went smoothly. They weren’t caught, and they even completed the request, didn’t they?

Most importantly, the little Pope seemed happy, and that gladdened him.

“Alright, shall we return? Let’s slip away unnoticed.”

“Yes….! Unnoticed…..!!”

The Pope, flailing his arms with dopamine-fueled energy, began his journey home with Finn. He pressed the button for the first floor in the elevator. Whirring, whirring. Descending. And then.

—

Thus they arrived at the first-floor lobby of “Utopia.”

Click, clack.

Dozens of soldiers stood, surrounding the elevator. They weren’t pointing their weapons, but were ready to at any moment.

And in the very center.

“It wasn’t Christmas today, but we have Santa Claus visiting our company. Haha. Did you successfully deliver your presents?”

Marco stood, beaming at the two. Not an advertisement, but the real thing.

Finn broke into a cold sweat.

Their unauthorized entry had been discovered….!