"You want me to help you hack a website, huh? Why would I do something so inefficient? There's zero benefit for me—just a waste of time. No, no. Don't bother me with this."
Air Shakur didn't give Agnes Tachyon an ounce of respect, brushing her off as if even talking to her was a waste of effort, waving a hand to shoo her away.
"A waste of time? For someone who values logic as much as you, it should be easy enough."
"Doing something with no return is a waste of time in itself. Wasting time is inefficient—whether it's one second or one minute, it's pointless."
She seemed strongly against helping Tachyon, probably aware of the other's nature. Without even hearing the details, she flat-out refused.
Tachyon didn't push the argument. Instead, her attention drifted toward Air Shakur's computer.
The screen was split into two sections: on the left was race footage, and on the right, a string of complex formulas and code.
"My, my. I didn't expect you'd be interested in her, Shakur-kun."
Changing the subject, Tachyon spoke up.
Right in the middle of the video was a blurry, shadowy figure.
Clearly, that was footage from "Friend"-san's recent race.
"What? Is it wrong for me to be interested?"
"No, of course not. It's all good—I just didn't expect you'd take an interest in a 'ghost.'"
"G-Ghost!? What nonsense are you spouting? How could something so illogical exist!"
"Even after witnessing an unexplainable phenomenon, you're still deceiving yourself?"
"Idiot! That's just the result of some method used to trick the equipment! How could there be something cameras can't capture? Besides, aren't ghosts supposed to be invisible but show up in photos? This is the opposite—it defies the very idea of a ghost!"
"Hahaha~ Shakur-kun, logic itself has its blind spots. Some things in this world just don't play by the rules… Ah, my apologies, that's not relevant here. Actually, the reason I came to you is also about the 'ghost.'"
"Hey! Stop calling it a ghost!" Air Shakur shouted.
After she'd calmed down a bit, she smoothed her hair back and sat in her chair. "Tch, fine. Tell me what you're really here for. Start from the beginning and don't leave anything out."
After all that arguing, she was finally willing to listen.
"The website we manage got hacked."
"Hah?"
Air Shakur blinked.
"You run a website?"
Wait, you actually manage a website?
Someone like you, holed up in a lab all day—you mess with that stuff too?
"That's right. And it's a site related to the 'ghost' you're so interested in. They say if you log in, all sorts of strange phenomena occur. For example…"
"Enough! Stop right there!" Air Shakur cut her off loudly, barely holding her patience. "So then, you want me to help you hack it back?"
"Of course. And if possible, we'd like you to trace the attacker's location."
"Aren't you pushing your luck?"
Air Shakur gritted her teeth.
Tachyon smiled.
The fact that she'd said that at least meant she was willing to help.
"Naturally, I wouldn't ask you to work for nothing. I came here to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Air Shakur narrowed her eyes.
"I have some new equipment in my lab. If you help me, you're welcome to use any of it."
"What equipment?"
"An electromagnetic power meter, high-powered microscope, air resistance sensors…"
These were originally instruments for experimenting with "Friend"-san, but they hadn't seen much use lately. They made perfect bargaining chips.
Sure enough, hearing the list of equipment she'd long wanted but couldn't afford, Air Shakur hesitated.
"Oh, and Shakur-kun, that site also has detailed race records of the 'ghost.' Every event she participated in, race times, data down to the microsecond—far better than you staring at that blurry shadow here."
That final point broke through Air Shakur's reservations. She made a face as if she couldn't stand it anymore.
"I told you, it's not a ghost, you— Ugh, fine, you're so annoying! Give me the website address!"
"Alright. Cafe, send the URL to Shakur-kun." Tachyon didn't waste any more words.
Manhattan Cafe, who'd been watching their exchange without being able to get a word in, nodded.
"Just so we're clear—this is a transaction. Once it's done, bring the lab equipment and the experimental data to me."
"Don't worry. Have I ever lied to you?"
"You're the last person I'd trust!"
Though she kept complaining, once Cafe sent over the web address, Air Shakur's hands flew into action.
The clatter of keyboard keys filled the room as her fingers danced. Lines of dizzying code scrolled across her screen.
"Eclipse?"
"That's the word the attacker put on the page. Not sure why."
Leaning on the chair, Tachyon explained from the side.
"A taunt? Tch—"
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Air Shakur adjusted the code, her leg starting to jitter along with her fingers.
"Webshell attack. They didn't bother sneaking in—just stole admin privileges outright. RSA encryption… Wait, are they trying to transfer the site somewhere else?"
Air Shakur's brow furrowed. If the goal was just to sabotage the site, the attacker was using overkill methods—like using a cannon to swat a mosquito.
Watching layer after layer of protection, Air Shakur's leg shook faster and faster, her grin widening.
"Alright, if you're gonna pile on this much security, you must be hiding something shady. I'll just peel it back, layer by layer!"
It seemed her competitive spirit was ignited. Air Shakur worked faster and faster, forgetting about Tachyon beside her, wholly absorbed in the screen.
Seeing her like that, Tachyon stopped talking and quietly stood up.
Let's wait outside… Don't disturb her.
She gestured this message to Manhattan Cafe.
Taking one look at Air Shakur's fierce, battle-ready expression, Cafe nodded.
Staying here would only get in her way—they couldn't help anyway.
Once they were out in the bright hallway, it felt like being reborn. Manhattan Cafe let out a long breath.
"Air Shakur, she…"
"Don't worry," Tachyon cut in. "She's a genius when it comes to computers. Once she's connected to the net, the whole world becomes her eyes."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.