51: Ether Space

Today's update consists of four chapters.

This is the first chapter.

"Satu. I've prepared everything as you instructed."

"Looks like it."

With Virijianira's fatigue somewhat alleviated and having put back on the spacesuit they'd previously removed, preparations were now complete.

Thus, the three of them climbed back onto the scooter they'd previously used to clear away the rocket cones.

"Now, we're heading to the coordinates I've obtained, but here's a warning for the journey. 'Don't look, don't listen, don't smell.'"

"Why?"

"The space where my main body resides isn't exactly comfortable for humans, so I should warn you. While it's been confirmed safe for personnel from Seiryō Corporation to enter physically, being safe and being comfortable are two different things. So, even after entering, you should minimize mental strain as much as possible."

"I understand. I'll keep that in mind."

"I'll also take note. I just need to run straight ahead without hesitation, right?"

"Yeah, that's fine. The main body's already cleared a path, so just following that will get you to the destination."

As Mekokushi started the scooter's engine, a slender tendril from my main body appeared in front of me, forming a circle in midair.

"Gate opening."

"……"

And with my words, the scene inside the circle shifted.

From the ordinary wall of the corporate colony to a single path surrounded by my main body's tendrils.

At the same time, a stench drifted in—literally an otherworldly foul odor, accompanying a mild phenomenon rupture.

"Here I go."

Memokshi sharply accelerated the scooter and plunged through the circle… into the space where I was.

"……"

The researchers at Seiryō Corporation had named the space where my main body resided the Ether Space.

The fundamental nature of Ether Space seems to resemble Hyperspace, used for faster-than-light travel, though I don’t know the details myself.

But just because the properties are similar doesn’t mean the appearance is the same.

What spreads throughout this Ether Space is a world covered in silver mixed with sludge—sky and earth alike.

It bubbles up like soap bubbles, floating and popping one by one.

And as each bubble bursts, a sound echoes through the world—like the wails of humans, filled with resentment and bitterness.

A stagnant, murky, defiled world, devoid of any living creatures except me.

Ah, this is nothing like hyperspace, nor even the real world (real space).

There, everything is brighter, more vibrant, and above all, brimming with sunlight.

I still prefer that other world, honestly.

"Ah, I can understand Lord Sata's instructions now. This isn't a place you'd want to stay long."

"……"

"Good. I'm glad you see it my way. If it were just me, I could instantly rewrite the coordinates and avoid this place altogether."

A scooter speeds through such a world.

I temporarily create a path around the main route using my tentacles, blocking the outside view so it's not easily visible—but then again, with Memokshi's motion vision, or even a camera, something like this speed would be perfectly visible.

As for Vilijaniira... she's clearly seeing it all, and hearing it too, judging by that grim expression.

Honestly, the bubbles seem to be forming more intensely than usual lately... I should look into that later.

"That's the exit."

"Entering now. Please hold on, Master Vee."

About a minute of riding the scooter.

Just like the entrance, the exit created by my tentacle comes into view, and Memokshi immediately pushes the scooter through the circle without hesitation.

"Ah, we've arrived. No enemy presence around... none at all."

"...Master Sata, if the gravity direction has reversed, I would have appreciated a heads-up."

"My shield has been reduced by about half..."

The scooter flew into the air, its head facing downward, crashing into the wall with a loud bang.

Thanks to Memokushi instinctively applying the brakes and the shield mod installed on the scooter, neither of them sustained injuries... but stealth is out of the question now.

As for Memokushi's complaints afterward...

"Yeah, I guess I didn't explain it well enough. This is the first time I've jumped into an unknown place with someone else. So, Memokushi, what I secured was just a unique coordinate. That includes the direction of gravity—naturally, since we have no idea what's actually there."

"I'll keep that in mind. So, in the worst case, we could end up not just in the deep sea, but even inside a smelting furnace?"

"That's right. Maybe it'd be best if only I jumped outside visual range at coordinates other than the designated ones."

Well, I guess I'll just apologize honestly.

"Let's leave it at that for now. Anyway, where exactly are we?"

"From what I can see with the main body's sensors, we're somewhere in the asteroid belt farm of the Grogrobeta star system. It looks like they've hollowed out an asteroid of moderate size and built facilities inside it."

"Coordinates acquired. Confirmed. This is a facility unknown to both military and police forces. I'll relay the information via the highest-level encrypted channel."

Receiving Vilijanira's words, I glance around the room.

The room we're in... looks just like a proper mod research lab.

There's a device placed here—general-purpose, or rather, research-oriented—capable of applying any newly created mod.

Also, for some reason related to the work process, it seems a mod disabling the Sw in the Grogrobeta system has been installed in the facility.

"Sat. Isn't this the mod application device?"

"Yeah, that's right. It's a type that can be used repeatedly as long as there's an energy source, and it can even apply unknown mods or ones banned for various reasons. Plus, it's the latest version—something straight out of the cutting-edge research labs of top-tier companies within the empire. The fact that it's here in this place alone is enough to raise serious suspicion."

It looks familiar to me—a massive sphere resembling a celestial globe—attached to countless small devices and control terminals.

But judging by the number of buttons and controls on the terminals, this isn't something that could be obtained through the efforts of ordinary people or even terrorists.

Leaving the specifics to be checked later, such as the manufacturer and lot number... even just this much is enough to confidently assert that the person in charge here has a noble or a major corporation as their sponsor.

"Then, Memokushi."

"Hacking has already begun. Phase one completed. The danger of remote detonation or data destruction through electronic means has been eliminated for now. Downloading... that's beyond Memokushi's capabilities."

How should we handle evidence destruction through modding...

Leave it to me. I can handle things like this now.

So, securing the evidence.

Since such machines store large amounts of data, Memokshi cannot tamper with the data from outside.

The way he simultaneously manipulates data while physically damaging the power cord and radio reception port reveals his familiarity with Memocchi.

At the same time, black smoke spewed from my fingertips, wrapping around the mod fabrication machine.

With this, it should be impossible for any external interference— including attacks using coordinate-specific mods—to affect the machine or its data.

"Satā, what is that smoke?"

"Simply put, it's my ink."

"...Now that you mention it, the shape I briefly saw of your true form back there was somewhat like an octopus. I see now."

Also, be careful not to let the smoke touch the mod device itself.

This smoke is like poison to mods.

If it comes into contact accidentally, the evidence could be ruined.

"Then, once the evidence has been secured, shall we move on to securing the facility? Memo, I'll leave this area to you."

"Understood. Good luck."

Understood. That said, given that not a single security drone has shown up in several minutes, it's more likely that no one's here than that they just haven't noticed yet.

So far, there's been no sign of enemies, nor any unusual sounds.

Nothing visible from the main camera outside either.

"Still, let's proceed with caution. There might be something left behind as a surprise."

"Yeah, that's a possibility. I suppose I should pay attention to that."

Vilijaniira and I exited through the single door in the room.