Emm...
It's Black Silence and Popcorn Machine...
Arthur watched as the two figures gradually walked away, and only when their figures were about to disappear at the exit did he come back to his senses.
He really didn't expect to run into this 'Scallion Pancake Couple'—Roland and Angelica—here.
(T/N: Idk why the author called Roland Popcorn Machine and the couple Scallion Pancake, i guess its something from Library of Ruina game, if someone can give context i deeply appreciate it)
As the male protagonist of the Lobotomy Corporation sequel, Library of Ruina, Arthur had some understanding of Roland and the others...
The story of Library of Ruina, in simple terms, takes place after the fall of Lobotomy Corporation, when Angela stole the Light Seed and caused the phenomena of White Night and Dark Days. Because the light was not completely dispersed, a strange phenomenon called Distortion appeared in the City.
And Roland and Angelica, these two...
One is a First-Order Fixer, and the other is a Color Fixer. As the first-tier combatants of the City, they could have continued to fight; after all, no company or association would refuse Color Fixers and quasi–Color Fixers who came to them...
However, they were already tired of the cruel Fixer life and just wanted to retire peacefully and live a normal life.
But all of this was ultimately destroyed by a Distortion named The Pianist.
Angelica died, and Roland, with the help of another Color Fixer, the Purple Tear, came to the Library to search for the truth, but happened to encounter Angela...
But that's a story for later...
And now, it seems this 'Scallion Pancake Couple' is still working as Fixers at Charles's Office.
"Senior, who are you looking at?"
As the crowd dispersed, Komini and Rose surprisingly found Arthur, who was still dazed in place, first.
"Fixer?"
Rose, who was nearby, followed his gaze and immediately spotted Roland and the weapon he was carrying, easily deducing their identities.
"Yes, after all those things happened, the Hana Association certainly needs to call in more people."
Hana Association?
"..."
Hearing Rose's words, Arthur's expression suddenly became a little unnatural.
He, of course, knew the weight of this association...
As the highest administrative Fixer Association in the City, the Hana Association stands above all others.
Unlike the Shi Association, which specializes in assassination, or the Liu Association, which specializes in direct combat.
The Hana Association is responsible for coordinating and managing all Fixer Associations. At the same time, they issue official documents related to commissions for various incidents, assess the danger level of abnormalities occurring throughout the City, and bestow Colors upon Fixers who transcend their established ranks...
And for a top First-Order Fixer and a Color Fixer to appear here, he already felt something was amiss.
Now, it even involves the highest authority among Fixer Associations in this City?
"What exactly happened in W Corp Nest?"
Wanting to clarify the current situation, he asked directly.
"You don't know?"
Rose didn't hide it. Rather, it was a hot topic in W Corp Nest now, and she found it strange that Arthur and the others didn't know.
"A Star of the city–class distortion, Blood-Red Night, recently escaped into W Corp Nest..."
"Star of the city?!"
This time, it wasn't Arthur, but Komini's expression that began to show shock.
Abnormal incidents in the City are generally divided into five threat levels from low to high: Canard, Urban Myth, Urban Legend, Urban Plague, Urban Nightmare, and finally Star of the City.
Among them, Star of the city is the highest rating.
As the name suggests, they are stars hanging over the City—existences that City dwellers must look up to.
Those who can bear this title are generally commissions that are extremely difficult to handle, often involving matters that touch the core interests of Wing Companies, or dangerous entities whose influence spans entire Backstreets or multiple Nests, destabilizing the order of the City itself, and requiring direct oversight from the Hana Association.
And generally speaking, such commissions are handled by Color Fixers or exceptionally powerful First-Order offices...
"This 'star' indiscriminately kidnaps and kills residents in the Backstreets and Nests. Now, there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Nest residents who have died at her hands, severely endangering the safety of W Corp Nest... The commissions submitted by various associations are piled up so high they can't even fit on the walls..."
Ignoring their surprise, Rose waved her hand and continued to explain.
"Originally, the Zwei Association and the Liu Association had also intervened in the investigation... But now it's all been handed over to the Hana Association. I hope there will be some good results this time."
'So that's how it is...'
Arthur suddenly understood, but soon, as he gradually grasped the truth of the matter, he had only one wish.
'Sigh... I hope I don't get dragged into this...'
A First-Order Fixer, a Color Fixer, and who knows how many other Fixers the Hana Association has arranged, plus a Star of the city–class Distortion...
What kind of heaven-defying free-for-all is this... Why are they all holed up in W Corp Nest now!
This is completely different from the vacation in the outside world he imagined...
And Komini had just recovered from her initial shock, but she was still a little incredulous.
"I only entered the Lobotomy Corporation Branch for 7 days, and so many things happened outside?"
"Yes, who knows how fast this world can change? But..."
Noticing the guest's nervousness, Rose still offered some simple comfort.
"Everyone, as long as you are in W Corp Nest, it's still relatively safe. Um... Also, I won't go into the specifics of the work for everyone. Let's continue..."
Two hours later.
After visiting all the accessible places, they finally arrived at the original elevator entrance.
"Everyone, if you want to dine, you can take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Showing your L Company employee ID will also get you a free employee meal..."
Rose gave her final instructions. Her task was almost complete. She nodded and prepared to enter the elevator.
"Then, if you'll excuse us, we'll take our leave. We'll meet again if fate allows..."
However, the voice from behind suddenly made her stop.
"Arthur, what do we do now?"
"Just stay put..."
"Senior Arthur, Senior Yulia, why don't we go eat first? I'm quite curious about what W Company's staff meals taste like."
The three people behind were chattering noisily, talking about nothing substantial, but there was still something that caught her attention.
"Yulia?!"
Hearing that name, Rose, who was in front, suddenly frowned sharply and turned to look at the blue-haired Lobotomy Corporation employee walking at the very back.
"..."
Seeing that Rose in front of her had finally reacted, Yulia just smiled slightly.
She hadn't been home in a long time, but she also didn't expect this W Company employee to not recognize her even after two hours.
But now, she could only sigh.
"Long time no see, elder sister..."