Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 127
127. Mari-nee and Secretive younger Sister (part 1)
Late at night, after Onee-chan and Masa-nii had fallen asleep.
I was staring at the large seamless display installed on the entire wall of my room.
This custom-made display could freely divide and resize the display area, adapting to the ever-changing situation to show information in the most optimal state.
My investment partners suggested that using a blindfold circlet to dive into the information would be more efficient since it has no limits on the number or size of windows and doesn’t take up space, but I have a different opinion.
The more information you have, the harder it is to manage.
Even if you display information indiscriminately, it’s meaningless if you can’t handle it, and seeing too much can confuse your judgment.
No matter how convenient things get, the amount of information a person can process at one time is limited, so it’s only natural.
That’s why I set a physical limit on the information I handle.
This display ensures that if it gets too cluttered and I need more information, I either close something or narrow down other areas to secure display space.
I believe that focusing and selecting information trains my ability to handle it.
Normally, I’d display investment information on the screen, but right now, nothing is shown.
Instead, a tool resembling a Shiba Inu, which helps with information gathering, sat at the edge of the display.
This handy little thing, named Nano after its creator, could fetch information not available on the surface web.
Usually, Nano doesn’t respond when I talk to it.
“You woke up without oversleeping. Good job.”
When I said that, Nano suddenly stood up on its hind legs.
“For Makimaki’s request, it’s special. Besides, if I overslept again, who knows what would happen.”
A voice, rising in pitch at the end of each phrase, came from Nano’s mouth.
“That’s harsh. I only sent someone to wake you up, you know?”
“Do you know, Makimaki? Normally, people don’t send a fully armed private military company as an alarm clock?”
“I was just being cautious in case something happened. Also, it wasn’t a private military company, it was a private security company!”
“Same thing!”
Nano shouted with its mouth wide open, but I ignored it.
“The good thing about those who do their job properly for money is that negotiations go smoothly.”
“Who gave this kid such a powerful amount of money… oh right, you earned it yourself. What a handful!”
“Oh, is that so? And who was it that I saved, again?”
“Ugh…”
It was a few years ago that I was asked by a hacker acquaintance to help Nano, who was being hunted due to its high hacking capabilities.
Though I say helped, I merely provided funds, the actual rescue was done by the private security company contracted through the hacker.
The details were unclear as it was an overseas incident, but the rescue operation involved intense fighting, and several people were injured.
Although the contract didn’t cover injury compensation, I sent additional money as a thank you, which they greatly appreciated. Since then, they occasionally provided me with information and accepted my personal requests.
In return for this rescue, I had Nano cooperate on a few things.
The Shiba Inu tool was also created by Nano.
This time, I asked Nano to gather information inside Caduceus Corporation for reasons unrelated to investments.
It was more about situational awareness than uncovering wrongdoing.
“First, let’s check the situation inside Caduceus Corporation as requested.”
With a gesture mimicking a howl, Nano displayed an image of a conference room-like place on the entire screen.
“This is the central control room for monitoring the internal security status, right? How did you get in, considering how stringent their security is?”
The screen showed people discussing something while operating multiple holographic displays.
“It’s simple. No matter how tight the security system, it’s designed by humans. If you’re part of the design team, creating a backdoor is easy.”
“Would Nano really take on a request from a company like Caduceus?”
“Just like you, Makimaki, I have a bit of a name for myself in this world too. It’s not uncommon for me to be asked to do pseudo-intrusion penetration tests from outside. This time, while patching the security holes I found, I also secretly planted a backdoor that only I can use.”
The Shiba Inu placed its paws on its hips and puffed out its chest proudly.
Nano made it sound simple, but actually doing that would be incredibly difficult. After all, the people who commissioned it are professionals themselves, and to secretly create a hole without them noticing shows how high Nano’s skills are.
“Now that the secret’s out, let’s listen in on the audio,” Nano said.
With a motion like snapping a clapperboard, the voices from the meeting room began to play.
<<We’ve been asked by Yuuki-san to strengthen the monitoring of online posts regarding Mari-san… but what’s going on? With so much attention, it’s impossible to have zero antis, yet we’re not finding any malicious posts.>>
<<To be precise, they are being posted, but somehow they are deleted immediately after being posted.>>
<<Is the site administration handling it? Even so, the response is too quick. Besides, it’s strange that posts on sites specializing in such gossip are disappearing.>>
<<The manner of deletion and the subsequent handling are also unusual. Even if someone deletes it, they don’t use a stepping stone to avoid being traced, instead, they erase the traces of deletion itself. Moreover, despite it being an anonymous board, they’re identifying the addresses and exposing them on the anonymous board… quite a skill.>>
<<How should we report this to Yuuki-san? We haven’t done anything…>>
“…”
At that moment, the image and audio were cut off.
It was good to see that Caduceus Corporation was taking proper measures for Onee-chan, but I felt bad for them. I’d have to tell Yuuki-san later not to scold them.
I didn’t intend to say who did what, though.
“That’s about it. Are you satisfied?”
“Impressive. It doesn’t take much time since the request.”
“I utilized the same tool you use, Makimaki. By narrowing down the information extraction targets, I only had to add a deletion function. Exposing addresses was a bonus. As for the real-life information, I spread a lot of fake data to bury the real ones. Hiding a tree in the forest, so to speak.”
“As expected of Nano! But still, there were malicious posts, huh. I anticipated it, but knowing that people can still post those things after seeing Onee-chan like that is infuriating.”
The numbers on Nano’s paw pads indicated more posts than could be counted on one hand.
“The pros and cons of online anonymity. Recently, the negative aspects stand out more.”
“When I was in school, there were constant posts one after another.”
But now, I don’t feel anything about it.
In fact, I get criticized more than ever, but I’ve decided to support Onee-chan, so I won’t let such attacks bother me!
I also have to support Masa-nii.
“Makimaki, you’re strong,” Nano remarked.
“Not really. Compared to me…”
“Your sister is stronger?”
“Hehe, Nano, you’ve come to understand quite well.”
“I’ve heard it many times. I can predict it.”
The Shiba Inu Nano shrugged as if saying, “Good grief.”
Such expressive gestures!
“I’ll send this time’s payment. Do you prefer yen or cryptocurrency?”
“I don’t need either. Instead, I have a request.”
“A request?”
So far, Nano has always kept work and personal matters separate. What could it want now?
I was on guard, but the words that came from Nano were unexpected…