The dark sedan glided through the futuristic streets of overcast Como.

What was strange was that inside the car, two of the men in suits remained silent. The third—a girl—was on edge, pressed into the corner.

"...You sensed danger from strangers and hid until I came. What a little wonder you are..." he said with a smile, stroking her black fur.

"..." The cat didn’t really react to his words. She sat on his lap, looking at the girl, and in that position, her head was actually almost at the same level as his own.

There was no way this thing was an ordinary kitten...

"Hehe, kitty..."

"Meow..." She finally stopped staring intently at the girl next to her and looked at him. The mere sound made the girl flinch.

"Worried about me? Don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine."

"..." She turned her head and looked at the skyscrapers rushing by outside the window.

"We’re going to... the Neocorp Tower. A mercenary I know offered a gig, so I need to find out the details. Besides, I have a feeling I’ll be able to learn something important there."

"Meow."

"The wolves’ lair? Yeah, I know, I know..." He sighed heavily. "And that’s why I want to ask you for a favor."

"..." The cat tilted her head to the side.

"Of course, this is a last resort, but if something goes wrong..." He looked into her eyes. "You run. As far as you can."

"..."

"It seems you have a keen sense of danger, since you managed to slip away from those clowns, so I’m counting on you... alright?"

"..."

"I’ll take that as a ’yes.’" He smiled at her.

Next, Mr. Nobody took out a puzzle and began working on it to relieve the tension. He had already grown accustomed to the cat’s piercing, silent gaze, so it didn’t bother him at all.

Ten minutes had passed, and a couple more failed attempts had been added to the previous seven hundred.

At this point, he could say with almost 100% certainty that this puzzle couldn’t be solved this way. He needed some kind of solution that was beyond his reach.

Something else. Perhaps a method on a different level.

Or maybe he himself had to reach that different level.

"By the way..." he began awkwardly, noticing a familiar silhouette outside the window. "Everyone loves gifts, right? Everyone needs them... Even cats."

"...Meow?"

"Hehe, you’re definitely going to like this..." He smiled to himself and pulled her close.

"..." While the cat was clearly confused...

*Click* A black cape snapped onto her back.

"Villains don’t wear capes, kitty... But why should that apply to their feline sidekicks?"

...

The entrance to a massive modern tower was right across the street. Its spire soared upward, disappearing into the overcast sky.

"Neocorp" The bright acid-green logo glowed above the entrance.

Dozens of people were entering and exiting every second.

Mr. Nobody stood still, staring at the tower, people had to walk around him.

"...I hate this feeling," he said, his eye twitching.

"..." The cat in the cloak on his shoulder looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"What kind of feeling?" Alex asked in confusion, standing behind him.

The three of them lined up behind him in a column, at the end of which stood a girl with a bob cut.

He barely glanced back.

"Going back to something painfully familiar." He looked down at himself and realized his hand was clenching the left side of his chest painfully. Just like in his past life. "Let’s go."

With those words, he took a step forward, and the three of them followed him in surprise.

"Are you about to give birth? How wonderful! Don’t forget to get insurance for your baby’s first years of life.

When you purchase the Platinum plan, the first year and the Neodeck implant are completely free!" read one of the banners at the entrance, featuring an image of a cyber-baby.

"Not sure where to turn? Federal Service is your answer!

According to last year’s ratings, 99.7% of the population considers it the most prestigious job!

A guaranteed career path, a full benefits package, and a sharp suit.

We want you!" read another banner featuring smiling people in formal suits.

"..." Mr. Nobody felt a sharp urge to smoke.

"Attention, exclusive offer!

Have you always looked up to those who can fly and dreamed of gaining superpowers yourself? We can make your dream come true!

Only at Concord can absolutely anyone gain superpowers! For a mere 600,000 credits (which, according to the latest data, pay off in under a year), you can embark on the Path of Greatness.

Glory to our Lord!"

"...Wait here," Alex said as they went inside, hesitating to slap him on the shoulder.

He and the other two approached the large checkpoint and began discussing something with the staff.

"Maybe we should take a walk around here for now? I heard the first 30 floors function as stores for ordinary people."

"Meow..." The cat meowed, looking toward an unusual object.

In the lobby on the first floor stood a tall statue made of light-colored stone.

It depicted a middle-aged man in a lab coat. His hair seemed too thin for his age, and he wore old-fashioned glasses.

"...I think that’s the scientist who founded Neocorp back during the previous Peak of Knowledge—Iron Heart?" he murmured. "The creator of Neodeck, plus a bunch of other inventions and parts of the massive mechanical army from the last Peak. He must be a very powerful and strong man..."

"If you’re interested, Mr. Nobody, he was the Champion of the last Peak of Knowledge. His name was Neo," Paymax’s voice said.

"It’s surprising that after the war and Big Brother’s triumph, the company is still named after the Champion of the last Peak. Very strange. There’s even a statue of him here..."

"Mr. Nobody," Alex called out to him again. "Let’s go."

It seemed all the details had finally been settled.

Mr. Nobody nodded and followed them, the cat perched on his shoulder.

He was lucky that his Pass-Invitation didn’t require a security check at the entrance. It felt rather unnatural, as if someone special had invited him... But thanks to that, he kept his entire arsenal hidden.

They stepped into one of the many elevators and headed to the 86th floor.

The transparent elevator car rose alongside the tower’s darkened glass walls. As they ascended, the entire city lay spread out before them.

Finally reaching the right floor, they walked down the hallway and headed for the nearest door.

At that moment, a chill ran down his spine, and a feeling of... dread took root in his heart.

Opening the door, Mr. Nobody saw a setting reminiscent of a familiar office space, but at the same time...

"Ah, brother, you’re already here? Perfect. First, meet our little assistant... Mrs. Somebody!"

"...!"

As it turned out, Noir wasn’t joking and had actually taken someone he was supposed to care about hostage.