[52] To Beat an NPC (1/2)

I suppose this was inevitable.

It wasn't like I'd completely forgotten about Elaine, and her peculiar... characteristics.

Simply, a succession of events had caused the matter to slip my mind, if only for the briefest moment.

In my pursuit of knowledge, while I built connections with the survivors of this country, fulfilled the System's requirements to accumulate currency, working on stretch goals to explore beyond Eden's borders, I'd also neglected to pay better attention to Elaine.

Or maybe because the four-stars... Millie, Frost and Briar, had been considerably easier to stabilise. Their circumstances had been more straightforward, and I'd grown comfortable as a result. No, that wasn't quite it. I'd let my guard down. My wariness, at least, had begun to wane.

I thought there was still time to avoid this, to allow her accompaniment, to find a different means of reconciling her life in Cyverse to this world. But was it a vain attempt, after all?

Since Elaine's summoning, we had never shared an equal relationship. Only by relying on her initial confusion and the ingrained decorum she still afforded the Doctor, had I managed to keep her close... though largely due to the weight of my inherited title. The fastest and most effective way to truly reach this woman, earn her trust and have her see me as someone worth her time... was through physical confrontation.

Yeah. She's what people often call, a musclehead. Though, not a title to demean her intelligence, but simply as a reflection of her stubborn character.

In the end, this is only the only way.

The method to stabilise her Sanity, at least in principle, was rather straightforward. Putting it into practice, however...

Level 17. And a 5-star Operator.

Holding back?

It was a simple jest, really. Even if we were only having a friendly spar, how certain could I be that she wouldn't hurt me over the slightest misstep? Getting into a confrontation with someone who could crush my skull as easily as an empty soda can was practically suicide.

Double that risk, knowing what I know of her in her Personal Episodes.

Even now, I could almost see that mass of unbridled darkness buried deep within this woman.

Beneath that mask of seeming indifference, those bright amber eyes held a complexity that belied the character known as Elaine Valburn. They remained fixed ahead as she walked with effortless poise, her bearing as composed as ever.

"Don't even try."

The words came without her so much as turning her head, just as I made a small, deliberate move to slip away, merely to test whether she'd notice.

One might have mistaken her for someone with eyes in the back of her head.

Elaine's awareness extended well beyond what ordinary peripheral vision could account for. The sort of instinct honed through countless encounters, where the slightest shift in one's surroundings could mean the difference between landing a blow and taking one.

The Ringborn Heiress was, above all, a fighter. The boxing ring was where she felt most at home, where her instincts and temperament found their fullest expression.

Against someone with senses so finely attuned, finding an opening in her guard seemed almost impossible.

Would someone like me, not even a Cybergene, even be a match for her? I suppose... I could at least take some comfort in the fact that she hadn't actually attacked me yet.

With that thought, I followed her further into the Stronghold.

Even with the tension weighing on my mind, I couldn't help but let my attention wander as we passed through its expanded interior.

Stronghold Level 3.

Having grown tenfold in size since Level 2, the Stronghold now encompassed a sprawling thousand square metres. The additional space had allowed me to establish several more dedicated facilities, upgrade existing ones, and expand their individual capacities. As a result, the overall layout had become considerably more elaborate, with each section serving its own purpose.

The Stronghold's spatial configuration was flexible, allowing me to distribute its available floor area according to my preferences. I'd kept most of its facilities on a single floor, with a maximum ceiling height of four metres, while reserving a smaller second floor below.

That was where Elaine and I were headed now.

We took the elevator down, a small convenience that I couldn't help but appreciate. Having access to something as mundane as an elevator inside a secure hideout was quite the luxury these days. I doubted I'd ever take such amenities for granted again.

When the doors opened, we stepped into a corridor that extended in both directions, with several rooms branching off along either side. These were the Operator Areas I'd built, each serving as an individual living space. One of them belonged to Elaine.

Our destination was situated directly opposite the elevator. A heavy blast door occupied the entrance, its reinforced metallic surface framed by thick mechanical supports. There was no conventional handle, only a recessed access panel and a narrow strip of illumination running along its edges.

"Hey... Elaine."

"Cold feet, Doctor?"

I shook my head.

"Don't you want to grab a bite first?" I trailed off, gesturing towards the pantry area nearby. "I could cook up some of that smoked luncheon meat from today's haul. You know, a little reward for all the hard work today."

Elaine responded with a hearty laugh.

"A snack? Sounds delightful."

"Then..."

"A meal after a workout would be all the more delectable. Fine, real meat from this world. I can hardly wait."

"..."

Her eyes narrowed into crescents, as though she'd just been offered something far more enticing than a meal.

"Cut the pleasantries, Doctor. No matter how many pretty words you try to weave with that silver tongue of yours..."

Elaine drew in a long, languid breath, shoulders rising before falling with a contented sigh. The excitement seemed to radiate through her entire body, as her smile spreading across her lips held an almost feverish anticipation.

"Today is the day I finally test your mettle."

I felt a small twitch in my cheek.

Well, at least I tried.

I could still refuse, of course. Nothing was physically stopping me from turning back now. But after all the preparations I'd made for this very moment, backing down would be little more than an admission of cowardice. Worse, I couldn't simply let an Operator of Elaine's calibre walk away in her current unstable state. Doing so would put everything I'd worked towards at risk.

I couldn't afford to let that happen.

At the very least, I wasn't entirely without a fallback. Though I'd rather not resort to it.

Certain cards were far more effective when kept closer to one's hand.

For now, I'd just have to make do with the courage to take the first step.

"If you're a man, don't run away from me, Doctor."

A faint irritation stirred in me.

As much as I was aware of the gap between us, I wasn't quite the same person I'd been when all this started.

"...Who's running away now?"

"Heh."

...

No, perhaps... this was simply her way of cornering me, leaving me with only one decision I could make without losing face.

I looked over at Elaine, whose smile had taken on an unmistakably smug quality.

This woman...

Even with her excitement running high, Elaine still had the presence of mind to find the words that struck right at my pride, almost as though she'd seen through every excuse I could possibly make.

"Good... Good! That's more like it, Doctor!"

Elaine's voice boomed, carrying her excitement all the way down the passage.

"Keep that fighting spirit alive. I want you coming at me with everything you've got."

Let's go then.

Sensing the approach of a person, the entrance slid open, revealing a compact, enclosed chamber.

Smooth metallic walls surrounded a seamless floor, while recessed panels ran along the ceiling, casting an even, pale light over the otherwise bare interior. There were no conventional training apparatuses, only a few embedded consoles and inconspicuous sensors integrated into the surrounding surfaces.

AppraisalTraining QuartersLevel 1Facility TypeOperationalDimensions5 × 5 × 5 mFloor Area25 m²Volume125 m³Upgrade StatusAvailableFunctionsCombat TelemetryContinuously records combat data for Operators within the facility, including movement patterns, reaction times, attack trajectories, defensive responses, physical performance and energy expenditure. Recorded data can be accessed through the Console after a training session concludes.Structural Reinforcement FieldIntegrates a high-density reinforcement matrix into the facility's structural framework, increasing resistance to physical impact, kinetic stress and structural deformation. Automatically regenerates over time when damaged. Higher facility levels increase maximum structural integrity and accelerate its recovery rate. (10,000/10,000 HP)Sub-facilitiesConsoleAn integrated terminal for accessing recorded combat telemetry, reviewing performance data and examining individual combat parameters.Adaptive Lighting ArrayA programmable ceiling-mounted lighting system capable of simulating different illumination conditions, including daylight, low-light environments, emergency lighting and specialised combat scenarios.

Elaine took a few steps inside, her heels clicking against the floor as she looked around. Her gaze travelled across the walls before settling on the open space in the middle.

"Is this really the best place you have for us to spar?"

...Eh?

"Of course, I won't deny that having a dedicated space is convenient for working out, but..."

She turned towards me, a faintly dissatisfied expression on her face.

"It's rather small, no?" Elaine stretched out one arm, gesturing towards the surrounding walls.

Small...

Rapping her knuckles against the nearest wall, she sighed.

"And I doubt it would last very long under any serious strain."

Last long...?!

"Surely you don't think a room like this could withstand a proper bout with me? You're insulting me, Doctor."

I mean... the Training Quarters hadn't exactly been a priority when I'd first developed the Stronghold. At the time, a basic facility had seemed sufficient. There were plenty of other facilities that took priority, and I hadn't expected to be using it for anything particularly demanding.

In the first place, it was constructed with Elaine in mind.

But considering who I was dealing with, perhaps I'd been a little too optimistic.

"...I'll see what I can do."

I brought up the facility interface and opened its upgrade options.

Facility UpgradeTraining QuartersLV. 1 ➧ 2Materials requiredSynthalloy400Omniplas100Plasmatite100Cognitium5Estimated Completion Time: 12 HoursConfirm Upgrade?AcceptDecline

While spending that many Cognitiums felt like a waste, I did have enough materials for the upgrade... though the estimated completion time gave me pause.

Twelve hours, huh...

Yoru wasn't around to help accelerate the construction, either.

"Elaine, ...wouldn't a smaller space be enough? I mean, you used to fight in venues of a similar size, didn't you?"

For the first time since we'd arrived, Elaine's expression changed.

It was only a moment, but the composure she'd maintained so effortlessly seemed to crack. Her lips parted ever so slightly, and the faint dissatisfaction in her eyes gave way to something unnerving.

"Doctor."

Her voice was flat.

"..."

A little investment, I suppose, for combat-oriented Operators.

That way, I wouldn't have to keep feeling the sting of wasted resources.

Facility UpgradeWould you like to accelerate the construction of Training Quarters LV. 2 for 100 Z-Chips?Accelerating construction will immediately complete the upgrade.Confirm Accelerated Upgrade?AcceptDecline

I let out a sigh.

Right. No need to make this any more complicated.

I confirmed the expenditure, watching the deduction with the quiet anguish as we stepped back into the corridor.

"Just hold on a moment."

I closed the menu and placed a hand against the door. A faint mechanical hum stirred behind its metallic surface, followed by a series of heavy clicks as the locking mechanisms disengaged. A thin line of light appeared along the doorframe, gradually brightening before the entire entrance illuminated.

Elaine glanced towards it.

"Is it done?"

I stepped forward as the blast door began to slide open, releasing a dense cloud of steam into the corridor.

"See for yourself."

I stepped forward, and the heavy blast door slid open with a mechanical hiss. A dense cloud of steam billowed out from within, spilling into the corridor and briefly obscuring the entrance.

Elaine stepped inside first, giving herself a little shake as she brushed away the lingering vapour. The rapid construction had evidently left quite a bit of heat and condensation behind. Still, there was no trace of any unpleasant odour or lingering fumes. The facility's ventilation system seemed to have already cleared away whatever harmful residues the construction process had left behind.

Paying to win still worked in this world.

AppraisalTraining QuartersLevel 2Facility TypeOperationalDimensions15 × 15 × 5 mFloor area225 m²Volume1,125 m³Upgrade StatusAvailableFunctionsCombat TelemetryContinuously records combat data for Operators within the facility, including movement patterns, reaction times, attack trajectories, defensive responses, physical performance and energy expenditure. Recorded data can be accessed through the Console after a training session concludes.Structural Reinforcement FieldIntegrates a high-density reinforcement matrix into the facility's structural framework, increasing resistance to physical impact, kinetic stress and structural deformation. Automatically regenerates over time when damaged. Higher facility levels increase maximum structural integrity and accelerate its recovery rate. (25,000/25,000 HP)Sub-facilitiesConsoleAn integrated terminal for accessing recorded combat telemetry, reviewing performance data and examining individual combat parameters.Adaptive Lighting ArrayA programmable ceiling-mounted lighting system capable of simulating different illumination conditions, including daylight, low-light environments, emergency lighting and specialised combat scenarios.Audio SimulationAn integrated audio system capable of reproducing environmental sounds and ambient noise, allowing for more immersive training scenarios. Supports customised audio profiles to simulate different acoustic environments. Also includes a selection of combat soundtracks that can be played during sessions.

I followed Elaine in, coming to a stop beside her.

"Well? Do you like it?"

Elaine didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked around the expanded chamber, taking in its newly constructed interior before turning her gaze towards the ceiling.

"Doctor. Turn off all the lights, except the one in the middle."

I glanced at the controls, then complied.

One by one, the ceiling lights dimmed until the entire chamber fell into darkness, save for a single light directly above the centre of the room. Its illumination fell in a concentrated pool across the smooth, uninterrupted floor.

Elaine slowly turned her head, surveying the space once more.

Then, with both arms outstretched, she let out a low whistle.

She shrugged off her red fur coat and flung it aside, leaving it in a heap near the entrance. Without another word, she began walking towards the middle of the room, her heels clicking against the floor. Once beneath the solitary light, she stopped and tilted her head upwards, closing her eyes as the illumination washed over her face.

She stood there for a while, seemingly savouring the moment.

As though intoxicated.

I watched her in silence.

Eventually, Elaine lowered her head and turned towards me. The madness in her eyes hadn't subsided; if anything, it had settled into something more focused. Her posture was relaxed yet ready, as though every part of her was waiting for the first move.

"I suppose this will do."

A faint, challenging smile.

"Make your final preparations, Doctor. Then step into the ring."