I Am Not a Robot. Beep-bop

Chapter 60: Give It to the Kids! 3

-Wadadada!

-Sasasak!

Immediately, a stealth march began with me and 20 children.

The children, knowing they had to sneak food, immediately suppressed their presence.

Even though the main unit wasn’t here, the Mega Corp staff and hired Hunters guarding the base weren’t few in number.

However, during the past week of playing with the children at the Saya Guild shelter, I realized something.

The girls of the Immortal Legion not only excelled with swords and guns but also played tag and hide-and-seek like it was their daily routine.

And their games of tag and hide-and-seek weren’t ordinary by any means.

Running on walls and ceilings was just the beginning.

I didn’t know the specifics of the mana control method Sohi had, but all these kids seemed to share it.

Naturally, their physical capabilities and sense of presence were far superior to most Hunters or Awakened individuals.

If they hid behind a wall carelessly, they’d be caught instantly by the seeker, so these kids had already trained themselves to master techniques like erasing their presence, infiltration, and stealth movement.

If they got caught, that would be even stranger.

[Hehehe…]

To the extent that, even when they slipped right past Earnest Rail, who was patrolling diligently, neither the hired Hunters nor the staff noticed their stealth.

“Hmm? What was that? A falling leaf?”

Even a Hunter who could sense the sound of falling leaves couldn’t perceive the children’s movements.

It wasn’t that the Hunter was dull; the children’s stealth was simply on an absurd level.

Even considering their small statures, it was surprising that all 20 children moved together without making a single sound, let alone leaving footprints.

‘Honestly, isn’t the one with the worst stealth here me?’

【You’re quite self-aware, Human.】

I hadn’t even learned basic stealth walking techniques yet.

On top of that, with my weight, every step I took left traces, including footprints.

Thankfully, Theresa lifted me with her mechanical tendrils, allowing me to move as quietly as possible like a spider.

[Hehe, Teacher! That’ll get you caught!]

[Quieter, like this~ like this~]

‘I can’t do that…’

【Copying the children’s mana dynamics is currently impossible due to insufficient data. I recommend coating your entire body with liquid metal.】

I had a lot of molten metal absorbed from the Scrap Dragon in my body, but its mass was too great, making thuds with every step.

Without appropriate materials, it seemed better to stick with my current state.

At least my android shell didn’t require breathing or have a heartbeat, minimizing my presence. If I were human, I would’ve been caught long ago.

[We didn’t get caught!]

[The grown-ups are total dummies~]

[Dumb adults!]

[Hehehe!]

The children seemed to find avoiding even professional Hunters hired by Earnest Rail highly entertaining.

Given their basic dislike of adults, tricking adults brought them a sense of satisfaction. Stealth and hide-and-seek were already familiar games, so they enjoyed themselves naturally.

The stealth distance from the bushes where we were hiding to the presumed dining hall was 1.3 km.

Earnest Rail’s base was by no means small.

Although they were driven out by Dawn after being backstabbed, this base originally served as a large military hub for two Mega Corps.

In terms of size, it was at least as big as three or four soccer fields combined.

On the other hand, this meant there were plenty of hiding spots, such as empty buildings and unorganized supply tanks, offering places to rest.

Continuing stealthily like this…

“Arrived!”

[Hooray!]

[Wowww!]

The children cheered, raising their arms in celebration upon reaching the dining hall.

Although the absence of the main unit left the numbers much smaller than usual, it was far easier than I had anticipated.

But there was a problem.

“Ugh, I’m so tired.”

“That’s just how Mega Corps are. They think throwing money around means we’ll bend over backward for them…”

Though we’d arrived, someone was there.

As the children froze mid-celebration, arms raised, our eyes met.

“………”

The person had just been sitting at the table, about to eat a meal kit.

“Who’s…?”

“What are those kids? Wait, are they even kids?”

Unlike the uniformed Earnest Rail staff, this person seemed to be a Hunter hired through a brokerage, judging by the casual attire.

Hmm, what now?

Should I kill them?

[Teacher, what do we do?]

[Should we kill them, Master?]

[Kekeke, my left hand trembles!]

I hadn’t expected to be caught sneaking in, but the kids seemed more eager than me to kill the person first.

“No, kids, that’s not how we handle things. Let me deal with this.”

[Aww, can’t we just kill them?]

[Sohi said all adults who see our faces have to die!]

[Yeah, that’s right!]

“Why are you saying such gruesome things so casually…”

Logically, the kids were right; killing the Hunter would be the safest option.

Saya Guild’s custody of the girls from the Immortal Factory was still unknown to the Mega Corps.

Leaving a witness alive wouldn’t benefit us.

Still, they were Hunters.

If it were staff members instead, they’d undoubtedly have to die by our hands. But the Hunters stationed at Earnest Rail’s base worked for money and tasks.

In other words, if we offered a different price, we could persuade them.

“You there, state your affiliation and name… Oh, I think I know you! Aren’t you Alice? I saw you at the Barrier Agency.”

“Oh, seeing your face jogs my memory.”

Fortunately, the two Hunters seemed to recognize me.

Considering the live broadcast of dragging that scumbag Returnee to the Barrier Agency, it made sense that a Hunter present at the time would have seen me.

“You’re here for an Earnest Rail job too? Don’t tell me you took on a Dawn Guild request?”

“Dawn? I’ve never even seen their request forms.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I wasn’t with Dawn but was a long-term contractor for the Saya Guild.

“How can we trust that?”

How could I prove it?

I couldn’t exactly pull out my heart to show my sincerity. Hmm…

I also couldn’t kill them without knowing their capabilities.

Moreover, as Hunters, they likely carried emergency communication devices or distress signals to alert Earnest Rail’s main force or executives.

I and the children could not be 100% sure we could take those two Hunters down within 5 seconds before they could raise an alarm.

[Teacher! Just kill them!]

[Yeah, that’s right!]

[Annihilate them!]

Meanwhile, the children whispered about killing them, their voices audible only to me, making it feel like a horror movie.

Alright. At times like this, you’ve got to be brazen.

“By the way, do you know about the board of directors at Earnest Rail? I’m directly contracted by them.”

“You’ve got a smooth tongue. How can we believe that?”

The two Hunters, seemingly still doubtful of me, subtly began drawing their weapons.

Hey now, put those away.

My kids were also quietly preparing to fire black flames from their hands.

Fine. From this point, how shamelessly I can lie will be the key.

“Do you know one of the directors has an illegitimate child?”

“What?”

“One of the directors at Earnest Rail is a lecher who gets women pregnant whenever he sees one.”

“…What is that supposed to mean?”

“And these kids are those illegitimate children.”

I gestured at the 20 girls standing behind me.

At my words, the Hunters’ expressions grew subtle.

Though the children’s faces were hidden by their armored suits, their voices and petite figures made it clear they were indeed young.

Honestly, why did I suddenly bring up an Earnest Rail director?

No particular reason.

I just took a gamble, assuming that anyone in a high-ranking position at a shady Mega Corp would naturally have a bad reputation.

Judging by the Hunters’ reactions, it seemed like my bluff was working better than expected.

“…We don’t know you. We’ve never talked to you, and we don’t have any basis for trust. Why should we believe that?”

“Whether you believe it or not, my task is to filter out the director’s illegitimate children.”

“Filter out? What do you mean?”

“They dress the kids up in armor, throw them into this mess, and let them fight in near-real combat. Whoever survives gets officially recognized as their child. I’m… something like their guide.”

“…….What.”

The two Hunters looked aghast, as if they were at a loss for words.

“No, no matter how high up a Mega Corp director is, what kind of garbage human being would…?”

“A man who fathered so many children and refuses to take responsibility? And then throws them into some death game?”

Wow, this lie is going over better than I thought.

Was Earnest Rail’s reputation really this bad?

“This… this is insane… What kind of nonsense is this? Hey, why did you even take on such a task? Didn’t you consider reporting it to the Overseer?”

Uh, well.

Since when did missions come with moral considerations?

I brushed my hair back and placed a hand on my waist as I thought of what to say next.

At that moment, the Hunters’ faces grew even more horrified.

“N-no… don’t tell me…”

“This… this world… Did the Earnest Rail director even touch someone as young as you?”

Huh?

“No way… How could this happen? That scum of a director even forced himself on you…!”

Huh, what’s with their reaction all of a sudden?

What did I do?

Are they freaking out just because I put my hand on my waist…? Oh.

【Human, the Hunters’ expressions changed as soon as you placed your hand on your waist—specifically, your lower abdomen. They seem to believe your fabricated Earnest Rail director impregnated you.】

“……?”

What?

“I… I’m sorry…”

“We didn’t realize you had such circumstances…”

The two Hunters bowed their heads at a 90-degree angle toward me, while the children giggled, whispering things like, “Huh? Why are those adults acting so weird?” and “Pfft! They’re so dumb!”

“Alice, we’re pulling out of this situation from now on.”

“No matter how much we’re getting paid, witnessing the filthy side of Earnest Rail, we need to take this up with the Barrier Agency.”

Hmm, fine.

It seems like there’s been a massive misunderstanding, but if the result is favorable, does it really matter?

I decided to take full advantage of this situation.

“If the Barrier Agency finds out, the kids and I will be in danger. Who knows what that director might do to us…”

“Then, is there anything we can do to help…?”

Oh, they’re almost fully convinced.

I looked at them as pitifully as I could and said softly.

“…Can’t you just turn a blind eye and pretend you didn’t see us here?”

“Why don’t you come with us? The Barrier Agency can protect you and the children.”

“No, I can’t. There’s no way the Mega Corp doesn’t have eyes in the Barrier Agency.”

“This… how could this happen…?”

The two Hunters seemed on the verge of tears, their reddened eyes glistening.

Huh, do I look that pitiable?

“We’re just hungry and stopped by the dining hall for a bit. Couldn’t you overlook that and let us feed the kids? That alone would mean so much to me… That director didn’t even provide food, just dropped us here to fend for ourselves. We’ve already been starving for two weeks. Please, just look the other way, okay?”

“…Sigh.”

“Haaah…”

In the end, the two Hunters sniffled, turned their heads away, and walked out.

Their departure signified they’d decided to ignore this situation, pretending they hadn’t seen anything.

Okay.

The misunderstanding was severe, but there was no need to clear it up.

“Kids, let’s go!”

[Let’s go!]

[Let’s loot!]

[Oh yeah!]

[But, Teacher, are you pregnant?]

“Shh.”

Anyway, now that the obstacles were gone and we’d reached the dining hall, all that remained was to gather the food.

It wouldn’t be difficult.

We just needed to take all the piled-up meal kits and be done with it.

A single steel box was taller than the children, but luckily, I had the inventory ability I had stolen from a certain scumbag, and the kids were strong enough to lift the boxes with one hand.

[Wow! Whoa! There’s chocolate!]

[There’s chocolate milk too!]

[Banana milk!]

[Mint chocolate milk? I’ve never seen this before. What is it?]

“Throw that away!”

[Ehh?]

[It tastes like toothpaste.]

[Really?]

Each child grabbed a box filled with meal kits.

Although the kids were strong, their small statures meant they couldn’t carry multiple boxes at once.

According to my status window, my inventory level was 1.

It probably couldn’t hold an unlimited amount, but it was sufficient to carry the remaining meal kit boxes the kids couldn’t manage.

“Hehehe…”

Honestly, I felt pretty good.

Each meal kit box was worth quite a bit.

Even at the lowest estimate, a single box filled with meal kits had to be worth over a thousand dollars.

Each of the 20 kids carried one.

And I had stuffed roughly 40 more into my inventory.

In terms of value, I was now stealing—or rather relocating—about $60,000 worth of goods.

‘Oh, right. I should recharge the auxiliary batteries.’

Before leaving, I took two auxiliary batteries from my inventory and plugged them into a corner outlet in Earnest Rail’s dining hall.

If I leave them plugged in here in a corner, people might think they’re corporate equipment and leave them alone, right?

Actually, wait.

“Excuse me…”

I cautiously spoke to the two Hunters who were still pointedly ignoring us near the door.

“…Is there something we can help with?”

“If there’s anything you need, just say the word.”

“It’s nothing big. Over there, I’m charging some batteries… They’re for the kids’ dorm generator. Could you keep an eye on them so no one takes them?”

The two Hunters nodded without turning around.

“You can trust us.”

“We won’t let anyone take them.”

Wow.

How utterly reliable.