Supporting Characters in the Game are Obsessed

Upper-Class Area, Royal Vegas.

77th floor of Bella Vista.

The casino where casino games and parties are always held 24/7.

The attire of the people enjoying the party was quite distinctive.

There were those dressed extravagantly in luxurious Lamé suits, unique individuals flaunting their internal cyberware, and women literally draped in scandalously minimal fabric.

However, there was one common trait among all the partygoers.

That was the fact that everyone was wearing a distinctive ‘mask’.

Today’s party theme was ‘Masquerade’.

Of course, it wasn’t a real ball. There were very few people dancing on stage, apart from the hired dancers.

Most were either engrossed in gambling with varied stakes or engaged in private conversations while hiding their true selves.

Watching the scene of the party gloomily was the security employee, Thompson, who let out a secret sigh.

‘…This is the reality of Neon City.’

The sight of the city and corporations conspiring together was quite disgusting.

He would have liked to report to NCB24, but they were all in cahoots anyway.

Moreover, considering the murderous rent he had to pay every month, it was his position to turn a blind eye and plug his ears.

Besides, he had already signed a non-disclosure agreement, so it would be just as troublesome for him if this party got out.

Thus, Thompson focused on his security duties, concealing his wide-open eyes.

Just then, an air vehicle pulled up to the external entrance of the 77th floor of Bella Vista.

Thompson cleared his mind and approached the vehicle.

Checking the invitations and identities was his main task.

Three people stepped onto the wide expanse of the red carpet from the vehicle.

‘…Three people?’

Thompson felt a moment of confusion.

Normally, one invitation entitles one person.

Since they couldn’t bring a companion separately, it was quite rare for multiple participants to arrive in the same car.

But while it seemed strange, it wasn’t impossible.

Thompson scanned the three elegantly dressed individuals.

‘One man and two women.’

Due to the mask perched on their noses, it was difficult to tell which corporate figure they belonged to. However, they exuded the most distinct aura among all who had arrived so far.

The man seemed unfamiliar with such occasions, adjusting his tie and continuously glancing around.

Thompson approached the man first and asked.

“Excuse me. May I check your invitation?”

“Ah, yes.”

Thompson’s vision interface transmitted the man’s data.

The code on the invitation was genuine. He checked the identity data linked to the city database.

‘Shun Lee….’

Thompson felt another wave of confusion.

If someone was attending this ‘party’, they should be a famous person Thompson would know, but it was extremely rare to see a face and name he didn’t recognize.

‘No, I feel like I’ve heard that name before….’

Thompson shook his head slightly.

After all, his job was simply to verify the authenticity of the invitation and the identity of the guests.

He slightly bowed to the man.

“I’ve confirmed it. Have a great time.”

Next was the woman.

‘…An elf, and with red hair?’

Thompson’s eyes widened as he saw the ears protruding from the woman’s mask.

No way.

But the content from the city database he viewed through the invitation couldn’t be wrong.

Desperately suppressing his urge to ask for an autograph, Thompson thought of all the memories he had being comforted by the voice of the world’s most famous singer.

Not wanting to let his slightly misty eyes show, Thompson raised his voice even more.

“…I’ve confirmed it. Enjoy your time!”

He bent at a 45-degree angle, putting all his politeness into it.

…But,

To think she rode over with Andrea….

Could it be ‘that guy’?

Thompson wanted to turn around to see the man’s back, but welcoming the last woman was more important.

So who was she….

…Oh?

“M-M-M-Monolith’s Chairman…?”

‘The Sovereign’.

Thompson’s mouth went agape. His whole body was suddenly drenched in cold sweat, and his tense muscles stiffened.

Hearing Thompson’s words, the chairman of Black Monolith, Taylor Blackstar, raised his finger slightly.

The mouth of the mask had an opening, making it easy to see the mouth’s shape.

“Shhh.”

“Y-Yes…!!”

Instinctively responding loudly, Thompson quickly covered his mouth with both hands.

Eventually, Taylor Blackstar walked away, following the man and woman ahead.

Thompson bent at a 90-degree angle, or rather, 120 degrees towards their retreating figure.

When nearby colleagues approached to ask what was going on, Thompson couldn’t straighten up until the three disappeared.

—

Royal Vegas’s unique characteristic ensured that a black and blue night sky filled the glass walls.

After only seeing cloudy skies every day, it felt refreshing to see a holographic sky without a cloud in sight.

The party wasn’t as dark as expected, nor too bright either.

It was just the right lighting.

Stage, bar, gambling tables.

The atmosphere was similar wherever you went.

In other words….

“It’s perfect for whispering secrets.”

The bustling city’s darkness was well visible.

I, with a natural instinct to avoid crowded places, found a spot by the window and watched the people passing by.

Everyone attending the party had their unique masks covering their faces. Even waiters and security staff were all masked.

This was what had been stated on the invitation.

[We request participants to wear a mask equipped with [Signal Distortion Function].]

Just like the bunny doll Julia had.

Given that it was a secretive party, they were likely sensitive about photo or video data. Although since the upper echelons of the city were involved, the chances of things getting out were slim; the expectation was to be careful.

…Ugh, I’m feeling drained.

With so many people around, I started to feel a bit nauseous.

Noticing my mood, the chairman passed a drink to me from a nearby waiter.

“Why, tired already?”

“…Just a bit.”

I already wanted to go home.

I gulped my drink, looking at the chairman.

It seemed to be champagne. Tiny bubbles brushed against my lips. It might have a higher alcohol content than expected, so I figured one drink would be just right.

The mask covering the chairman’s face was of the same design as the one Andrea and I wore.

It wasn’t particularly extravagant, being a simple form that only covered around the eyes.

On the flip side, it made the chairman’s beauty stand out even more. The faint rosy lips visible below the mask were delicately closed.

I quietly stared at the chairman, then asked in a small voice, careful not to be overheard.

“But, Taylor didn’t have to come here, right? You must be busy with work.”

The chairman looked at me and smiled.

“My fiancé is attending the party, so of course, I should come too.”

“But there seem to be quite a few fiancées who couldn’t make it.”

“That can’t be helped, heh.”

Anyway, I sent a silent prayer to Justin Borg, who was probably stressing over the chairman’s departure.

I wonder if he will end up hospitalized again.

I briefly reflected upon the chairman’s playful voice.

Now that I think about it, the chairman has changed significantly. In the past, she wouldn’t have joked around like this.

At that moment, two men approached the waiter for drinks and settled near us.

Not intending to eavesdrop, I caught their conversation naturally.

“Hey, have you heard the rumor?”

“What rumor?”

Their conversation was quite informal.

But when the next piece of dialogue came out, I almost spat my drink out.

“I heard that the ‘Sovereign’ came to today’s party.”

At those words, the other man scoffed as if it were funny. He was wearing a complete white mask.

“Hah! Where do you even dig up such strange rumors? Do you think that’s believable?”

I thought the same.

“…I mean, it wouldn’t be impossible, right? It’s not like this party is tiny.”

“No way; it’s too small for the Sovereign. It’s believing in such silly rumors that causes your stocks to plummet.”

“…You’re stuck with Monolith stocks yourself.”

“…How could I have guessed about the engagement?”

Well, even the bride didn’t anticipate it.

Anyway, they seemed to be on friendly terms.

The first guy scratched his head and continued.

“Well, I didn’t believe this either. But there’s another rumor that seems to be true.”

“What is it?”

“Apparently, that ‘Andrea’ is at this party—.”

While I was eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Ugh, I didn’t call. I have no idea why they’re being so clingy.”

Just then, the topic of their conversation, the red-haired Sovereign, Andrea, approached with a frustrated face (even though she wore a mask, her expression was clear).

The man conversing looked our way.

I desperately tried to ignore his stare and asked Andrea.

“Did you have a good time?”

“…Yeah, they kept begging me to sing. I told them if that’s the case, they should book the dome concert hall below.”

She must be referring to the venue where Andrea performed in the past.

I chuckled, responding to Andrea.

“Why didn’t you just sing one song?”

Andrea pouted at my words.

“…I decided to sing just one song anyway.”

She seemed dissatisfied in various ways.

Still, she loved singing; there was no reason to keep declining. The reason for Andrea being invited to the party was probably her singing.

As I was about to tell her well done, the attention from two men’s conversations sharpened a bit.

Thinking about it, few could be identified as easily as Andrea based on appearance.

With blood-red hair, braids flowing down to below her buttocks, and pointed ears jutting out from her mask, her identity was clearly exposed.

“…Hey, isn’t that Andrea?”

“Who’s that next to her? I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere.”

Now that I looked around, other attendees were starting to glance our way one by one.

Even with masks, it was overwhelming.

I felt the urgent need to change locations while keeping a straight face.

“Let’s move. We need to find our target.”

Just as I said that, two women gripped my arms tightly, preventing me from truly moving.

“….”

What the….

Calmly assessing the situation, I mustered a smile and firmly conveyed my strong opinion.

“Um, could you both let go….?”

““No.””

Now I really wanted to go home.

The murmurs around us were growing louder.

…I need to find the mayor quickly.

The only silver lining was that there was another ‘woman’ who could help find the mayor right here with me.

[99.9% match rate, detected entity ‘Mayor of Neon City’].

“Oh, really?”

Even though the mask had a signal distortion feature, Eve was nestled inside my data module.

Meaning, her data was still with me.

Therefore,

We could easily locate the masked mayor.

—

‘…Something feels ominous?’

The mayor of Neon City, Alexander Harding, suddenly thought this in his mind.

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