Pandora of Fantasy And Reality Chapter 35

Person Search

Ponsuke and co undertook the person search request.

First they listened to Lighter’s story.

They left the plaza to the complicated alleyway of the Capital of Hope and entered a small café.

They chose a place that was outside of public eye because many players recognized Ponsuke and pointed to him.

(Internet’s effect is amazing.)

The café was a calming place that didn’t look old despite the weight of age that it made them felt.

They tried entering this place because there was no player in it, but Lighter was slightly excited after seeing the inside.

「This is amazing. It’s like a world of drama or movie. There was also a time when I adored this kind of café.」

Alfie was chuckling seeing Lighter speaking like that.

Something must be on her mind as someone who knew Lighter in real life.

The four sat around a table and made an order.

After the drink came, Ponsuke asked Lighter about the necessary information.

「Now then, let me ask the important question first. You said that  you’re searching for a player with the same name and race like you……is  it for a malicious purpose?」

Lighter weakly shook his head to that question. Alfie explained in his place.

「I guarantee it. Lighter absolutely won’t do something like that.」

Ponsuke folded his arms.

「Is he planning to take revenge or anything similar to that player’s friends?」

Lighter shook his head.

「I just, want to hear their story. It seems that talking about real  life is a breach of manner in here, but please know this at least. The  gnome player who called himself Lighter was my son. He can’t even come  to this world anymore but……I absolutely won’t do anything bad to his  friends.」

Ponsuke apologized.

(Alfie gave her guarantee and he said that it was his son……can the dev help somehow if we contact them?)

「My apologies. Then, my next question. This is extremely  important……what time your son usually logged into here? We won’t be able  to search at all unless we know this.」

Lighter said that there was no problem if that was the case and explained to Ponsuke.

「My son was hospitalized. The hospital there prepared a room where  they installed VR machines for the patients. According to the  reservation log there, he always logged in at five o’clock every day.」

Mariela talked about Nanako when she heard that.

「Nanako-chan mentioned before this how she needed to make reservation  in the hospital, so I guess there’s no mistake. And his login time is  also consistent, so there’s no need for us to go search at another time  slot.」

Alfie was looking at Ponsuke with expectation in her eyes.

「Ponsuke, you can do something right? You looked like you got an idea at the plaza! So, what are we going to do first!」

Ponsuke answered Alfie’s question with a lot of confidence.

「For now let’s go talk with the specialist.」

The three went 「Eh?」 with a dumbfounded look. Then a player wearing a  somewhat short hooded robe that hid his face entered into the café.

「Ponsuke-kun, can you pick a meeting place that is easier to find?  Also, what’s with you suddenly contacting me just now asking about what  to pay attention to when searching for someone?」

The player who acted as information broker was looking at Ponsuke with exasperation.

Only his mouth was visible and he was sighing.

「Ahaha, actually there is something else that I want to ask you now.」

The information broker――the male player turned his eyes toward the  gnome. He seemed to feel something and looked d won slightly while his  hand tugged down on his hood.

「……I’ll decide after listening to your story.」

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「If you investigate the ID that is assigned to the biological data  from the VR machine where the player logged in, then the dev might  inspect the information for you.」

The male information broker told Lighter that information after  hearing about his circumstance. That way was to check the player ID and  showed that he was the father of that player and asked the management to  investigate the data.

There was a system for parent to browse the data of their child.

Originally the system was used for the purpose like monitoring the money spending of the child.

However Lighter turned pale and shook his head.

「He logged in through the hospital’s machine. I permitted the ID to  be deleted because it contained my son’s personal information.」

The information broker consoled Lighter after hearing that.

「Aa, it’s fine. The information that you can obtain from the dev isn’t that much of a big deal.」

The information that could be obtained through this way at most was  how long the player had logged in or how much money they had spent.

It was only that much. There was also various other data than that,  but any of them could only serve as clue for obtaining information about  the player’s friends or party.

The information broker crossed his arms.

「It’s possible that the dev might help you with contacting your son’s  friend or party member if you explain the situation to them. But, the  dev’s response cannot be relied on recently.」

Alfie interrupted.

「Why is that? We have proper reason here.」

「It’s because they aren’t providing that kind of service. For the  dev, the customer’s circumstance isn’t their business. Besides, this is  the most important reason……the large scale update is close at hand. The  dev is really busy right now. There should be a lot of contacts from  players flooding them every day.」

Ponsuke recalled. His friend Riku had mentioned it.

(The World of Sloth is going to be cleared soon huh. He said that  there will be large scale update after the world is cleared. I guess  that’s why.)

「It will take time even if you tell them your circumstance. And even  during that time the friends of your son might also go through various  things, like changing their login time, or modifying their avatar, or  various other reasons that will make it impossible for you to contact  them.」

The more time passed, the harder it would become to search for those friends.

「It won’t be impossible to look for them but, I’m sorry if I sound  heartless, but this is a game world. Your son’s friends who don’t know  about the circumstance might not think much about why he has stopped  logging in recently. It might be that their relationship inside this  game was just a casual one.」

Lighter conveyed his feeling toward the information broker.

「Even so that’s fine. I want to know how my son saw this world using this body that is the same avatar like him.」

Perhaps he would hear something that he wouldn’t like if he found  those friends, the information broker warned. But Lighter’s feeling  didn’t change.

「I understand. Then I’ll also search for them from my end. However, I’ll expect a large pay for it.」

Lighter nodded.

「Yes. But, I don’t know the appropriate amount for this kind of thing  so……will a few million be enough for the investigation fee? That’s the  amount that I can prepare right away.」

Ponsuke, Mariela, and the information broker who were drinking to wet their throat choked when they heard that amount.

Mariela explained to Lighter but――.

「Lighter, transaction using real money is forbidden. That’s why,  let’s do the transaction using something else, like item or point.」

「I see. Then it’ll be fine if I buy some expensive items for now?」

A screen was displayed before the two of them while they were talking.

It was a purchase screen for paid items and the like, but the information broker forcefully put a hold on it.

「Cut it out you guys! That’s not what I’m asking for, what I want is  information! For this case……let’s have Ponsuke-kun who made this request  to me pay for it.」

The information broker looked at Ponsuke.

Mariela joked.

「Feels like I had heard that line from somewhere. Is it like the film scene of having someone pay with their body?」

The information broker laughed a little and nodded.

「I guess. You aren’t wrong.」

Kukuku, the information broker chuckled sinisterly.

Lighter stood up on his chair in surprise. Mariela held her weapon inside the café and stood in front of Ponsuke.

Alfie’s face reddened and she drew her sword.

「I had heard that there are people with that kind of hobby but……we won’t hand over Ponsuke.」

Lighter was also bewildered.

「What in the world. So this game has that kind of function!? As I thought I should have stopped my son from playing this!」

Ponsuke was watching things unfolded with a cold gaze. The  information broker panicked and raised his voice saying things like 「No!  It’s a misunderstanding!」.

「You said that I should pay with my body but, what is the specific?  It’s going to be something different than what these three are thinking  anyway.」

The three went 「Eh?」 in surprise, but he ignored them and continued the talk.

「Yeah, that’s right. I want you to tell me what will happen after you  offer the fire dragon’s horn on the altar. I’ll give you the location  of the altar. As for the person search……I’ll have you reenact a popular  video. Furthermore you will do it after putting advertisement……at the  notice board of the Capital of Hope’s plaza.」

Ponsuke made a very reluctant face, but the information broker laughed.

「Ahaha~, actually there are a lot of request to me for investigating  the time slot when the three of you are dancing. I’ll also take the  video of the dance. Also, you guys were wearing the freely distributed  wear weren’t you? You should change to proper outfit for this.」

Lighter looked at Alfie with puzzlement.

「You’re also doing dance Alfie? Is it the traditional dance? But, calling the outfit for that as wear is strange……」

Alfie averted her gaze while saying.

「……No, it’s aerobic dance.」

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