Chapter 11: Mutual benefit

Symbiotic relationships were extremely common in nature. For example, moss that grew on the backs of some slow-moving animals providing both food and camouflage for the animal. Organisms depended on each other in nature to survive. Humans could be said to be the same. They were social animals after all.

Rakia returned to see Gin sleeping on the ground in front of her door. He was soaking wet, but the weather was warm anyways. She sighed as she carried him in. The boy was lighter than she thought.

By the time Gin woke up, breakfast was already done.

A plate of food kept warm by hanging from her spear.

Gin was in no mood to eat but his stomach argued fiercely against it. He must feed.

Opening the lid, the savory aroma of a hearty breakfast tickled his nose. A plate of roasted vegetables along with imitation egg and sausage. The bell peppers and onions were pan fried to perfection and retained a little bit of a crisp. The egg was made from nutritional paste, as was the sausage. But the scent emitting from them smelled delectable. It was neigh but impossible to find an unmutated chicken now days anyways.

Gin looked around and saw Rakia had left again. But since he was in her house now and the plate was sitting next to him, he might as well eat.

He felt the warmth of a well-cooked meal. The warmth invaded his body and left him feeling far more satisfied than before. How will he ever repay her for this?

Even Zin’s cynicism weaned a little. Acts of kindness like this was rare in today’s society. But overall, he still kept a tight defense.

When Gin was done, he washed the plates and carefully placed it back in the cabinet. Might as well clean up after himself.

Still in a half stupor, Gin sat in the hammock and stared at his surroundings. The kitchen took up a majority of her shop. The small room on the side housed a tiny bathroom. The only thing that looked like a bedroom was the hammock and the nightstand beside it.

The ground was made of granite and was resistant to heat. The walls were made out of the standard cement plaster although plenty of pipes and wiring exists within them.

The kitchen consisted of multiple mechanisms used for cooking. A stove, a grill, a heat plate, a hearth, a large oven, a smoker, and many more gadgets.

Walls upon walls of cabinets housed various tools, plates, and utensils. There was even a draw full of nothing but various types of chef knives.

Gin was amazed by the completeness of Rakia’s kitchen. It must have taken a fortune to fully stock everything. A true collection that took a long time to build.

“She’s amazing.”

Gin spotted a picture frame hanging on the wall near the hammock. A quote was written underneath a picture of herself.

“Food is Life.”

The picture of Rakia looked old, but she looked exactly the same in the picture. Gin suddenly realized something.

“She is like me. We don’t age.”

“Perhaps.”

Zin was interested too now. Gin’s symptom was a mystery. Although it had been documented by the company, it was generally ignored as if it was a taboo. To find someone else who was un-aging was rare. Maybe she knew something more.

“Ask her about it.”

“B-but.”

“Don’t get shy on me now, idiot,” Zin sighed, “Just ask.”

“Isn’t it taboo to ask a girl about her age?”

Zin froze.

“Boss told me that a while back.”

“Your boss is also an idiot.”

“My boss is a wise old man with years of experience!”

“He’s a senile old coot with nothing else to do but to lie to children.”

They continued arguing back and forth for a while. Finally, Gin felt awkward that he was alone in Rakia’s house.

“I should leave.”

“Remember to ask her about it.”

“I will, I will, stop reminding me.”

Gin sighed and left the warm kitchen. The rain outside felt cold and unforgiving. Gin ran towards the escalators leading down to the docks.

There was no news from the boss. Nothing from the higher-ups saying what to do next. No new jobs and projects for him to take on. Gin was left clueless and thus he wandered.

The docks were packed with people. Employees who wore a huge variety of uniforms moving along with their daily job. Some went up to get food, some was moving containers towards the storage. Everything was like clockwork. Nothing to delay the just-in-time storage methods of the company.

Gin looked at the drones that helped carried the enormous metal containers. They were controlled by a few personnel following behind in foot. An entire swarm was needed just to move the ten-ton titan.

Suddenly, an idea formed in his tiny brain.

“Hey, my brain isn’t tiny!”

“Just keep thinking,” Zin chuckled.

A swarm of drones was useful. And everyone wanted food. Instead of having to travel to the canteen, why not have it delivered?

“I can make tons of delivery drones and make credits off of that!”

“What would you be delivering?”

“Rakia’s food!”

“Oh, ho ho, helping your little lover huh?”

“S-she isn’t my lover…”

Either way, a plan formed, and the idea grew. He could further expand to other restaurants as his business grew.

“What would you call it?”

“I want to call it…Ninshubar.”

“A what?”

“Ninshubar.”

“What the hell is that? Wait, let me check the company’s database.”

Zin froze for a second then returned.

“A messenger goddess? Really now? At least we can use the eight-pointed star as a symbol since its related to her.”

“I heard it from a friend. She was the vassal and friend of Inanna and was a messenger goddess. Inanna later on became worshiped as Ishtar.”

“Who the hell are you making friends with that knows these kinds of random information?”

“Ok, fine, he’s just a coworker.”

“Hey, idiot, the entire city consists of nothing but coworkers. Every living person here works for the company. That doesn’t narrow it down at all.”

“Zin, please, just accept it.”

“Fine, but the name is too long. It needs to be shortened.”

“What about Nin?”

“That works. Lemme check the copyright claims that the company current owns and oversees.”

Moments later,

“You’re in luck kid, it’s not taken.”

“Great! Register it now!”

“Fine fine, it will cost you though.”

“H-how much.”

“80% of your worth.”

“T-that much?”

“Copyright claims aren’t cheap.”

Gin thought hard about it. He didn’t have many credits left. But if this business endeavor succeeded, he would make it all back and more. A risk must be taken.

“Do it.”

“And, done. You now hold the copyright of the company name Ninshubar or Nin for short. I also threw the eight-pointed star in as a symbol.”

“Thanks.”

“Now go talk to Rakia, at least get that part of the business set. I’m sure she will agree, its more money for her as well at very little cost.”

Gin ran back up to the canteen and was once again soaked.

Rakia returned hours later to see the excite kid waiting outside her door again.

“You realized I didn’t lock the door, right?”

“I didn’t want to just barge in.”

“You were inside to start with.”

“…Oh.”

Rakia sighed.

“Mead, get the heater ready.”

“It’s already done.”

“Thanks.”

She opened the door and let the boy in.

The familiar warmth relaxed his shivering body. Even though his uniform was waterproof, he didn’t turn on his helmet for some reason.

“So, what are you so eager for?”

“I have a business proposition.”

“Oh? You have one? Not your AI?”

“Yes! Hear me out.”

“Go for it.”

“I want to make a swarm to drones to deliver food. People will pay a small delivery fee to be able to enjoy food outside of the canteen. Specifically, your food.”

“I’m interested, keep going.”

“Since I have the drone blueprints as well as buying rights for parts from my last job, I can make the drones as long as I have the raw materials.”

“How will you advertise?”

“I will first use word of mouth. Telling my team and coworkers will allow the business to spread initially. Perhaps we can introduce a referral system to help advertising.”

“You realize that will cost money, right?”

“It will be worth it.”

Rakia thought about it for a while. She soon realized she has nothing to lose joining the business.

“Sure, I’ll join.”

“Yes!”

Gin jumped up in glee.

“Calm down kid. Things haven’t even started yet.”

Mead and Zin quickly reminded him.

What Gin needs to do now is to actually build a drone. Since he applied for the copyright, he lacked the funds to buy the parts now.

“I-I was too eager,” Gin complained as Zin explained his situation.

“I can lend you some credits, but you have to work for me.”

“Really?”

“Yea, there’s another area boss spawning next week.”

“Oh…,” Gin frowned.

“Don’t worry, I’m not stealing this one.”

“So, we are fighting it head on?”

“Not exactly. You will see.”

Gin once again spent his daily free meal at Rakia’s place. Breakfast was on the house thankfully. With everything discussed, Gin wanted to ask about the boss.

“What type of boss is it?”

“It is a stationary type.”

“So why is no one else going for it?”

“It is located in a very difficult place.”

“Where?”

“Area 82.”

Gin frowned. The higher the number the lower the area. Area 82 is deep in the valley. It was a place that got little sunlight and was colder than usual. He has never been there as well, so he doesn’t know exactly what the area looks like.

“Is it safe?”

“Safe enough for us.”

“Why area 82?”

“Because the place is called the Den of Sin. A place for gambling.”

“Isn’t gambling frowned upon by the company?”

“Doesn’t mean it is fully illegal. A few moguls opened up several gambling areas down in the lower areas away from the usual peering eyes.”

“What type of boss spawns there?”

“A very rich kind of boss.”

Gin’s eyes grew wide when he heard about the money.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you a cut. It should cover quite a bit of the start-up cost.”

A type of augmented reality boss that spawns in a gambling den. What type of boss could it be?

There are various bosses that are money related. If Gin recalled his chats with his fellow coworkers on various fantasy monsters and historical creatures, greedy monsters were aplenty. Full of nothing but avarice, these monsters were the embodiment of greed and want. Ironically fitting for a gambling den.

They discussed their plan of action. The gambling den was well secured. They couldn’t just sneak in like the storage areas. Places involving money were more heavily guarded than places with just raw material.

Luckily, all types of mysterious and unknown riffraff can enter the place, as long as they have money of course. As Gin was broke as hell and Rakia had nearly all her assets in her shop, they lacked the necessary funds to enter.

“We need to get some credit and fast.”

Gin agreed.

Luckily, there was a way to get some money, provided you had help. The Corporate Bank. Gin needed a guarantor in order to take out a loan. The only one who he might be able to receive help from was his boss.

Gin wanted to ask Rakia if she had anyone who could help, but Zin suddenly interrupted.

“Don’t bother. She won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Haven’t you seen how she behaves and acts around others?”

“N-no?”

“Exactly, there are no others around her. They avoid her. Which means they must know something about her personality that passively causes them to avoid her.”

“What exactly?”

“How should I know? I have just been passively observing. Not a single person has visited her shop, she doesn’t interact with anyone else nor does she try to attract customers. It’s as if she wanted to be left alone.”

“I feel like we shouldn’t be talking behind her back.”

“Don’t worry, you are facing her right now.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Gin stopped talking when he realized Rakia was now staring at him.

“What were you two discussing?”

“N-nothing.”

Gin tried to change the topic.

“I can ask my boss to be a guarantor for a loan.”

“Do you trust him?”

“He’s like a parental figure to me.”

Rakia thought about it for a moment before agreeing.

“Ok, get in contact with him.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

“B-but I need some time.”

“We only have a week to prepare. Be fast.”

“O-ok.”

Gin nodded obediently.

Rakia sighed and then smiled.

“Want some food?”

Gin perked up immediately.

“Yes, please!”

Food was always a good way to improve the mood.

______

“Hey boss,” Gin said in a call.

“How you holdin up kiddo?”

“So far so good, I guess.”

“That’s fine. I just finished dealing with Hunter’s will.”

“H-his will?”

“Yea, the company released it after he was properly pronounced KIA. Bastard barely put a single paragraph on his will.”

“What was it?”

“Nothing you need to worry your head about kiddo. Anyways, why did you call? Need something?”

“Oh right, can I ask you for a favor?”

“What is it kiddo? You know you can always ask me for help.”

“Uhm, I kind of need a guarantor for a loan.”

“Oh, what are ya buying?”

“I want to start making some drones to sell back to the company.”

“Ah I see, contract work huh? Sure thing.”

Gin gave his boss some half truths and successfully obtained a guarantor. But he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty over it. He was sure his boss was feeling some helplessness involving Hunter’s death and he was also sure he must have taken advantage of that somehow.

But he needed this. In order for his big business plan to work, he required the assistance of Rakia. Thus, he must accomplish this favor in order to hopefully gain her acceptance. As Zin had pointed out before, she seemed cold towards other strangers, but she was strangely kind to Gin.

“Don’t worry kid. The guilt will eventually go away.”

“Would it?”

“Hell no, but you can keep telling yourself that to feel better.”

“Screw you…,” Gin grumbled.

He looked up at the ceiling of his room. After being away for such a long time, he realized that his room was smaller than he remembered. It felt cramped. The walls were too close, and the ceiling crept down like it was going to smother him. Gin closed his eyes in hopes that the vast darkness would help ease the feeling. But the sounds around him kept reminding him of his surroundings.

He covered his ears as well and hoped to drown out the noise. Sensory depravation finally helped soothed the feeling of claustrophobia. Gin never had to deal with this before. He was always inside of the city limits. Always within some walls of some sorts. This mission was the first time he was out in the wide-open places without a barrier. It didn’t scare him then due to the adrenaline but now, it nearly crippled him. He didn’t fear closed or opened places before.

Suddenly, it stopped.

“You were infected.”

Zin solemnly stated.

“Infected? By what?”

“A parasite. Your boss was right, parasites are aplenty out in the wilderness.”

“What type?”

Gin’s face paled as he thought about the squirming monstrosity inside of him.

“It is a minor one that causes imbalances in the host’s mind as it secrets its fluids. It has a short life cycle and thus must reproduce rapidly. There is medication for it and I already sent a request to the company for some.”

Zin sighed.

“You were lucky this was only a minor bug. I cannot fully monitor your full physical being without going into exceed mode. For now, you will be quarantined. Hopefully, your friend Rakia hasn’t been infected by your contact.”

Gin was suddenly worried.

“Would she?”

“Depends on the current life cycle of the parasite. Upon reaching maturity, it would release infectious nodes through body fluids such as mucus or saliva. As long as she keeps her place clean and avoid directly touching your mouth, she should be fine.”

“T-touching my mouth?”

Gin blushed.

“Kid, you’re 18 years old now. Just because your body stopped growing at 13 and you look young doesn’t mean your mind is still the same. Grow up.”

“B-but.”

“It is the nature of all living beings to continue their genes. It is their prime objective. And you are no different. As a flesh and blood being, your main goal in the ecosystem is to reproduce to ensure the next generation thrives. Just because you apes have developed society doesn’t mean you are above that.”

Zin complained.

“Take it as a blessing that you can reproduce at all. Those who do not will end up extinct like the late panda bears.”

Gin was quiet. His mind was imaging all sorts of things. Certain things that he only heard about from older co-workers.

Zin sighed. He knew his words went in one ear and out the other.

“Damn naïve kid.”

For now, they are stuck in quarantine until the medication has ran its course. The parasites may not be harmful, but they are still highly infectious. Especially parasites from the wilderness that can evolve at a rapid pace.

Suddenly, Gin had a worrying thought.

“What about boss? Is he infected too?”

“I do not know,” Zin replied, “Give him a call, just in case.”

But it would seem Gin’s intuition was spot on. His boss didn’t answer any of his calls.

“We were talking normally just a few hours ago…What could have happened?”

“I will check the company’s public database.”

Suddenly, Zin froze.

“Bad news. It’s an outbreak.”