Digital Devil Story: Reincarnation of the Goddess by Aya Nishitani Read Free Book Online Page A

weight of the economy on their shoulders; even now, there was still light coming from the twelfth floor of the Mitsune Productions building. The Third Export Division managed all trade with Europe. There were only two weeks left until August, when the EC Import Regulation Act would take effect. In a last-chance rush to get exports out, all the department's traders were being forced to work at full capacity around the clock.
    Inevitably having gotten tired at this hour, some people were taking catnaps on the sofa, whereas others had gone out for a bite at the ramen shops near Tokyo station. Inoue narrowed his bloodshot eyes and inputted the next day's projected exports into the online system's workstation that connected him with the overseas export system. But with his metal-framed glasses covered in fingerprints, he didn't look nearly his normal stylish self.
    "How much is left?" Hashiguchi, who had been napping on the sofa, propped himself up on his elbow and called over to Inoue. His voice clearly stifled a yawn.
    "It shouldn't take too long--all that's left is the household electronics slated for shipment to France." Using his vinyl code sheet as a fan, Inoue blew air onto his chest through his V-neck T-shirt.
    "So how much have the exports increased by?" Rubbing his swollen eyelids, Hashiguchi looked over Inoue's shoulder at the screen.
    "200% more than last year, most likely. When I think that all this might get stopped at customs, it scares me."
    "Some friction has to be expected. After all, in two weeks, we're going to take a 90% hit off of last year's exports."
    "The kacho and the others are sure taking their time. How long does it take to eat a bowl of ramen? I bet they stopped for drinks afterwards."
    "Why don't you have a rest. I'll take over with the data entry for a bit." Hashiguchi patted Inoue on the shoulder and smiled sympathetically.
    "OK then, thanks." As Inoue stood up and stretched, the modem rang. The LED signalling data transfer from the national branch office lit up.
    "What do they want at a time like this?" Hachiguchi said.
    "Oh, I'm sure they just want some of our leftover stock. Of course with all our efforts focusing on exports right now, this isn't the time for that." Already getting ready for a rest, Inoue had no other excuse to make.
    "No need to get upset at them...the poor guys at the branch office are still working at this godforsaken hour, just like us."
    While soothing his coworker, Hashiguchi swiched over to the disk drive and turned the computer over into receive mode. The list of enumerations vanished, and the screen turned completely green. Normally at this point, the ID number of the person sending the transmission would be displayed onscreen. However, the display was changing many colors and displaying strange unknown symbols instead.
    "What the heck is this?" Unusual letters scrolled down the screen, but the two of them had no way of knowing that it was ancient Hebrew. Presently the screen displayed an image of a standing statue of a man.
    "I'd like to tell those guys at the branch office not to play stupid jokes in the middle of the night like this." Looking disinterestedly at the screen with a sidelong glance, Inoue lit a cigarette.
    Perhaps it was because of the tobacco smoke, but the two men did not notice the musky smell that started seeping through the office. Still, even as a prank, this mysterious statue was pretty well-done CG. A body with the symmetry of an ancient Greek sculpture. Long, black hair. Vivid, rose-colored lips. And his deep black eyes had an unfathomable devilishness about them.
    "Not that it makes any difference, but this is some pretty high-level CG here," said Hashiguchi.
    "Is it CG? It looks almost like a photo." As Inoue looked closely at the display, the unpleasant smell of singed cigarette filter wafted through the air.
    "Oh! Sorry 'bout that." While Inoue turned his attention to putting out his cigarette, the man drawn on the display smiled and pointed