novelraw Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134: MacGuffin (4)
At my words that there was something to check briefly, MacGuffin raised an eyebrow.
“Talking is fine, but are the basic rules maintained?”
“What rules are you referring to?”
“Information requires a corresponding price. The basic rule of this world.”
Anyway, this is a world created by MacGuffin.
What is in front of me is the owner of this virtual world.
When talking to such an overwhelming existence, rules are more important than anything else.
If she were a crazy person saying she could change the terms at will because she is the owner, the conversation itself wouldn't be established.
“Of course. However, it is interesting that you, who broke the rules, ask that. Don't people call this case like this? Hypocrisy?”
“I have never broken the rules.”
“Never broken the rules? Have you forgotten how you entered here?”
MacGuffin's eyes narrowed, and silence settled around us.
Everyone in the bar, including the hedgehogs who were boisterously playing poker just a moment ago, looked this way with round eyes.
That guy is getting on MacGuffin-nim's nerves.
The hedgehogs' eyes seemed to be saying that.
But I wasn't scared.
Instead, tapping the table with my hedgehog-ified front paw, I started speaking.
“I didn't forget. I entered through the backdoor. It opened refreshingly.”
“Right. Entering by breaking through there unauthorized is a rule violation…….”
“No, it’s not.”
I cut her off sharply.
“I didn't break a locked door. I confirmed for you that the door you mistakenly thought was locked was actually open.”
MacGuffin stared into my eyes.
Her pupils adjusted in size like camera lenses.
It seemed she wasn't used to the situation of being interrupted itself.
Even so, she was waiting for my words.
“I am someone who came to help you. If I really harbored ill intentions, I could have sold information to hostile forces or something. Isn't that right?”
I put my front paws on the table and stood up abruptly. Again, I am currently in a hedgehog state.
No matter how seriously I talk, in MacGuffin's eyes, I would look like a doll raising its front paws and squeaking.
But it doesn't matter. The weight of my words isn't light.
“Calling me an intruder is completely wrong. I only discovered a system flaw and tried to prove it by experimenting directly. And I proved it perfectly.”
The reason I am standing in front of you right now is because I proved your flaw perfectly.
MacGuffin's expression became blank.
Even shamelessness has a limit; since the intruder was rather shouting loudly, it was understandable she was at a loss for words.
But at the same time, it must also be that she has nothing to say. Because logically, nothing is wrong.
Regarding this matter, if I say so, it is so.
Staring straight into MacGuffin's eyes, I brought up the last thing I had to say.
“……And information requires a corresponding price.”
MacGuffin clearly said, the basic rules are maintained.
The basic rule that ‘Information requires a price worthy of it.’
“The backdoor I discovered and proved directly, I demand a price for that information.”
So I can demand this boldly.
“MacGuffin, please pay according to the rules you created.”
It's troublesome if you think I'm throwing a tantrum. This is a predetermined term.
I quietly waited for the opponent's reaction.
MacGuffin didn't answer immediately.
Instead, maintaining her composure, she lowered her gaze for a moment and fell into thought as if calculating something.
‘It’s coming soon.’
She looks calm, but inside, she must be running all sorts of calculations.
She is a Super Information Entity transcending humans.
And I know the pattern MacGuffin shows.
The typical flow that comes out when MacGuffin perceives she has been challenged.
MacGuffin's main pattern is far from combat.
A typical fight fighting with weapons doesn't occur.
Instead, she presents a psychological trial.
She enjoys using the method of putting the opponent on a testing table and making them find a solution.
‘Cocktail of Destiny.’
It is a trial MacGuffin presents to the most annoying existences.
The method is like this.
She puts down two glasses of cocktails in front of me.
Without any explanation, she makes me choose and drink one of the two.
At a glance, there seems to be no problem.
Since cocktails made by MacGuffin basically contain information.
Whatever I drink, don't I gain information?
But the reality is different.
One glass contains light information.
If I drink the light glass, I pass.
Then MacGuffin responds with a kind attitude.
And the other glass contains a tremendous amount of information.
Enough that a human brain cannot endure it all. Literally burning the cranial nerves.
If I drink this glass?
Is there anything more to say.
Elimination, and nine out of ten times, death.
There is a high possibility she will thrust that trial at me too.
‘Even so, I’m ready.’
Everything is within expectation.
Even if the worst trial, two glasses of cocktails, is given, it didn't matter.
Because the expedient to prepare for it is already in my head.
Rather, to me who drank the glass just fine, MacGuffin would show a reaction like this.
- How on earth did you notice?
Then I would be able to gain the upper hand again through that victory.
As a price, rank increase, unlocking functions that would take years to unlock.
‘Because coming back to this space just once more is a huge profit.’
It's an information cheat code.
Anyway, I am ready for all patterns.
So bring whatever.
‘Because I’ll counter whatever it is.’
The moment all sorts of guesses and calculations were rampant in my head, MacGuffin finally broke the silence.
“I see.”
She nodded.
What is it? Too meek an attitude.
“It is exactly as you say.”
It was flawless. Gentle and soft.
A perfect smile as if she had learned the concept of smiling perfectly.
“Thank you for informing me of my inadequacy.”
“Yes?”
Wait, this wasn't in the expectation.
I was only picturing a future where she accepts the provocation and presents a test.
Admitting it meekly?
This easily?
‘Why?’
Until just before, I acted quite rudely.
Intruding at will and using weird logic that it's your fault I entered here.
On top of that, I threw a tantrum demanding her to hand over the bundle.
Then naturally I thought a trial would be given.
And I intended to raise my rank drastically by overcoming that trial.
MacGuffin admitted cleanly, then put her hand into her bosom.
And took out a card, put it down on the table, and pushed it straight towards me.
“Would this be sufficient as a price?”
Damn it, she didn't fall for the provocation in the end?
Maybe I underestimated MacGuffin too much.
‘Without a trial, giving a reward is meaningless.’
MacGuffin's rank system has a total of 7 levels from VIP to A~F class.
My goal is to attain at least C-Class, and for that, a 3-step increase was needed.
However, just informing about a backdoor naturally couldn't expect that level of special promotion.
But MacGuffin's expression was unusual.
Staring intently into my eyes was somewhat persistent.
Only then did I check the card she handed over.
It's an ID card, neat yet ordinary.
And the information written inside is…….
‘It’s me?’
My appearance changed into an SD character, with a peculiar outfit.
‘Cleaner?’
The occupation written next to it, and the outfit, both are Cleaner.
Simultaneously with confirming that, my body began to change.
From a hedgehog back to an SD human character, and the outfit was the same cleaner outfit as in the photo.
“……What is this?”
“I gave you a suitable price.”
At my question, MacGuffin showed a beaming eye smile.
No, what kind of price is this on earth.
Are you telling me to clean the shop or something?
To think MacGuffin would mock me in this way.
I stared blankly at the large mop held in my hand before I knew it.
“So with this, what, shall I wipe tables?”
“Usually, it is used to wipe floors, right?”
Huhu, there was no sign of MacGuffin's smile fading.
Do I look funny? Funny?
You said thank you. Is this gratitude?
I want to argue, but actually, I wasn't in a position to throw a tantrum.
If I reflect on myself cool-headedly, I am defined like this.
‘A nuisance who threw a fit after entering unauthorized.’
Following that, a realistic problem came to mind.
If it becomes like this, handling the necessary aftermath becomes difficult even if I use the Moonlight Stone.
Just when worry was weighing down my mind.
“It would be good if you take charge of cleaning in your spare time starting today. ‘Everywhere’ in MacGuffin World, that is.”
MacGuffin said while wiping a glass.
Putting particular emphasis on ‘Everywhere’.
‘Hm?’
In the unusual atmosphere, a new notification was delivered.
[You acquire the Cleaner’s Authority.]
‘Cleaner’s Authority?’
[Cleaner’s Unique Authority]
[1. Entry restrictions for all areas lifted for maintenance.]
[2. Use of special facilities such as Auction House, VIP Lounge possible.]
[3. Payment (CREDIT) provided upon removal of system contamination]
……
‘Wait, this…….’
As I read down the description, my eyes widened.
‘Entry to all areas possible, and even special facilities can be used?’
I was speechless for a moment.
“What is wrong? You have no words.”
MacGuffin asked as if curious.
‘Of course I’m speechless.’
The rank I wanted was C-Class.
Minimum rank to use the anonymous Auction House and freely trade stolen goods.
But this role called Cleaner surpassed that by far.
“For a cleaner, the authority seems large, isn't something wrong?”
“Didn't you ask to give a price worthy of the information? I only gave a worthy price.”
That can't be.
Backdoor is of course a problem to fix, but for MacGuffin, it's not that grave information.
“Is this really the worthy price?”
To me asking sincerely, MacGuffin tilted her head.
“I don't know in what context that question came out.”
“Information about a backdoor isn't this valuable…….”
Aha, so it was about that.
MacGuffin nodded as if she understood.
“Ah, I get it.”
She continued speaking with a beaming smile.
“Sometimes there are people who don't know their own value well.”
MacGuffin brought her face close.
No breath was felt. Because MacGuffin wasn't breathing.
“The price I paid isn't about the backdoor. It is the price for the person who found and entered that door on their own feet.”
Price for the person?
“Let’s talk step by step when we meet next time. Mr. Cleaner.”
With those words, MacGuffin tapped my cheek.
Slowly my body pixelated and scattered.
***
When I moved somewhere and my body was reconstructed again, the smell rushed in first.
“Ugh.”
As soon as I inhaled, my face frowned automatically.
A stench of sewer mixed with burnt smell pierced my nose.
‘W-What is this?’
The surroundings were a mess.
Dim lighting, unidentified filth stains flowing down the damp floor walls.
It seemed to be a sewer.
The bottom where filth gathers.
A message floated in the air.
[MacGuffin]
[Please remove the contamination of the Data Processing Plant.]
“Contamination?”
Dark red filth was stuck thickly here and there.
Unidentified and I didn't even want to know. A disgusting smell wafted thickly.
“Don't tell me, cleaning this?”
No, right?
It won't be.
“Squeak!”
Then a sharp cry was heard.
Only then did the surroundings become clearly visible.
Hedgehogs dressed in the same outfit as me were moving busily holding mops and tools as big as their bodies.
One of them discovered me and approached with an angry expression.
“Squeak! Squeeeak!”
And tapped my leg as if urging me.
“W-What?”
“Squeak squeak! Squeak squeak!”
Don't talk back and move quickly.
The creature was definitely saying that.
‘What kind of…….’
Being a cleaner meant I really had to clean?
And such a dirty place at that?
I reflexively opened the system window.
Cleaner's Authority popped up as if waiting.
‘Auction House…….’
DING-!
[Auction House]
When I opened the Auction House, entry occurred naturally.
It was a function that wouldn't open due to access restrictions until before.
I moved my fingers a few more times.
Item registration, information browsing, transaction processing.
All no problem.
MacGuffin-provided anonymous market where relics, equipment, and materials can be traded.
No brokerage fee, no commission, no aftermath.
Just had to pay Credits as system usage fee.
‘She certainly gives the authority.’
Thanks to that, preparation is also finished.
Only waiting remained.
In 3 days, I will use the Moonlight Stone, and if things flow well according to plan, I can earn huge profits.
Both financially and in terms of ability.
It was when I was about to smile with satisfaction.
“Squeak! Squeak!”
The hedgehog's urging pierced from behind again.
This time, it was poised to hit me, raising the mop altogether.
But no chance.
‘I can just log out.’
[Cannot log out - Please finish the work first.]
There was…… no chance.
Only then did I realize the obvious truth that great authority comes with a great price.
With a resigned expression, I looked down at the mop in my hand.
And squatted on the floor just like that and scrubbed over the filth.
SQUELCH-
The moment the mop touched, the stench exploded out.
“Urrgh…….”
“Squeeeak!”
“Ah, be quiet. I’m wiping!”
It was terrible.
Record-breakingly.