A few days had passed since Mino and Kineki got trapped in a pit during the automaton attack. During that time, Yoku had created several gadgets—two laser drones, two spy drones, and a combat drone that could fire bullets.
He handed them to me with a grin."You were always good at this sort of thing," he said, as if I had a natural talent. "Take care of them. These were the last chips I managed to steal from the Doctor's island."
We also built an artificial energy system: a wind-powered generator and a power bank to store energy. A decent backup system for what was to come.
Now, we're at the marketplace.Yoku had already given up after hours of people ignoring our booth. "Sigh, I can't believe we wasted so many supplies on this… I'm gonna sleep." He stomped off into the back.
Only Yuri and some weird guy named Simon were left. He still hasn't told me his name, so I haven't let go of that detail. If I mention it, he might think I'm strange—or worse, suspect something.
Yuri slammed her hand down. "Damn crooks. Why can't they see this is a new era?" she muttered, half-praising herself, half-cursing the crowd.
I leaned on the table.Of course it's like this. People are always hesitant to trust something new—distilled water, the lightbulb, even electricity back in my world.But I'm not too worried. If it fails, it fails. If it succeeds, then it'll be because the product earned it.
Then Simon smirked."Hah. You two done playing like adults yet?"
I blinked. Yuri shot up, visibly annoyed."What did you just say, you frickin' sucker?!"
He laughed. "Come on. No one's gonna buy this. People don't risk money on something new."
…Honestly, I'm getting tired of this too. Sitting here for hours in a stall no one cares about.But why am I so angry? Would it have been better if I hadn't tried at all?
Simon continued."We need to take this to Elben. That's the only way to get this town to notice it. So, kid… why didn't you do that?"
Yuri's face turned red."Well… the Doctor usually had enough resources. He handled everything himself back on the island."She rubbed the back of her neck. "Okay?! I'm not an energy business expert. The others on the island were usually kind and came to help first…"
I thought to myself—Yuri had already done so much. She found the best land value, handled the legal stuff, and even decorated the store. I could never have done that…
[Adam's Electric Store. How cute.]I can't believe she used "Electi" as a pun for "electric"...
I munched on some bread crackers from a wrapper.Where did they even get these?
"Nom, nom…"
Then Simon turned to me."Hey, Adam."
…What now? Is he gonna lecture me again? Why is he even here? He worries me."WHAT?" I snapped.
He chuckled."Heh. So you already think I'm that kind of person, huh? Relax. Just a question."
…
"Do you know a boy named Royoku Mortem? From the lower stratum?"
I paused, trying to remember...'Oh.'It felt distant—like trying to reach into a memory too deep to grasp. Heavy. Faint. Nostalgic.
Is this what nostalgia feels like?
I sighed."I hate this… I wish I could remember everything."Then I replied, "No, sir. Never heard of him."
"I see… such a shame."
"Well, let's go," Simon said.
As we stepped outside, people were staring. Rumors about how we'd destroyed multiple automatons were spreading—especially the one at the fighting arena.What are they, crows?
Some bandit-looking people were suiting up in military gear. I looked up—there was no sky, but somehow, snow was falling again.
"This again…"
People were scrambling, grabbing energy packs and supplies.
"Hey! What are you doing taking our surplus?! Are you trying to get us killed?!"
"C'mon, Adam! Let's go!" Simon shouted.
We made our way to the central hall, where Elben was managing the town's logistics. People were arguing about food shortages and cold waves.Thankfully, Yoku had stored a ton of food from the animal facility…
Elben looked over at me."Sorry, kid. We'll talk later."Then his eyes landed on Simon."Oh… it's you. What do you want?"
"We're trying to replace this town's energy system and double the output," Simon said. "We've already got some working prototypes."
Elben drummed his fingers on the table."Oh, right… rumors of a functional energy system. Sounds good. But we want half the ownership."
Greedy bastard…
I clenched my jaw, stuffing more crackers into my mouth to keep quiet.And he kept talking.
"C'mon, Simon, Adam… We're all struggling in this cold, and now you're trying to turn it into a project?"
I was about to argue, but Simon stepped in.
"Listen, Elben. I know your current power supply is dwindling. Don't play dumb. Without us, this town's energy grid is going to fail."
Elben narrowed his eyes."And without us, who will even buy your product? You need the town to grow your project."
"You lose more than we do. Be reasonable, Elben."
Elben gritted his teeth."You think I don't know what's happening here? You want to control the town's energy—you'll basically own the place. So what is it—half of everything or nothing?"
Silence.
I was about to agree. Honestly, I didn't see myself as valuable. I was just grateful Simon had stepped up. I was still inexperienced.
But Simon turned and said, "Let's go, Adam. Some people would rather lose everything than lose control."
As we walked away, Elben's voice cracked."Wait! One-fourth of everything!"
Simon didn't even turn."One-tenth. No higher. Think on it, Elben. We'll be back."
We walked outside. Winter had returned.
"Hey, Simon… why'd we walk away?" I asked.
He smiled."It's good to let people suffer a bit. Makes them realize how valuable your ideas are."
I realized it then—this was just like in the manga. When the protagonist proposes something big, then walks away, forcing the other party to consider.
A guard sat nearby, yawning. He looked tired, with a rifle slung over his back and binocular-style sunglasses on his face. Probably in his late twenties or thirties.
He saw Simon and nodded."Oh, Mr. Simon. Done with work?"
Simon replied, "Not yet. But we'll be back."
The guard noticed me staring and smiled."Winter's here again. Hope I make it through this week. Want a smoke?"
"Ah… no. I don't smoke."
"Too bad."
We sat for a bit, watching the city bustle. People preparing, moving crates, rationing supplies…
Despite everything, humanity always finds a way to adapt.
We three men just sat there, breathing in the cold air.
Men… really do make friends easily, huh?
Ahh… the snowfall.