episode_0017

[Item: GX-Final Impact Pile Bunker (Rank S)] [Price: 250,000 CR]

I swallowed dryly, looking at the astronomical numbers floating on the system shop window.

250,000 credits.

It was a truly unimaginable amount, far more than what I had even after combining the rewards from defeating Aegis with my existing money.

This might be close to the price of a small warship. It was no wonder Scarlet had scoffed at me and treated me like a madman. From the start, if there hadn’t been a shop system, an individual mercenary like me wouldn’t have been able to obtain an item like this.

‘Damn… it’s so expensive.’ But I couldn’t give up. The Pile Bunker was the core and the dream of my close-quarters combat build. With just that, my Bug Bear would no longer be a pile of scrap metal.

I closed the shop window. There was no way I could buy it right now. But that didn’t mean there was no method at all. My eyes naturally turned to Yuna, who was still standing there, looking back and forth between Scarlet and me. Icarus Technology’s ace pilot. If it was her… perhaps?

Perhaps sensing my blatant gaze, Yuna frowned slightly and asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I hesitated for a moment. 250,000 credits. It was too large an amount to ask her to lend, especially to someone I had only just become acquainted with, and who was entangled in such complex interests. If I said it wrong, I might be treated like a swindler or only increase her suspicion.

But did I have any other options right now? Scarlet had clearly stated that I had to handle the cost of the parts myself. I didn’t know how long it would take to find other jobs in Terminus and gather such a large sum. In the meantime, the pirate admiral Belzero Karmail might find me.

The risk was great, but it was worth asking once. Hadn’t she said earlier that she came all this way because she was worried about me? And Icarus was willing to invest in my potential.

I firmed my resolve and opened my mouth. “Yuna, could I possibly borrow some credits?”

“Credits?” Yuna repeated, as if surprised. Scarlet also watched us with interest.

“Yes. As you can see, my mech’s condition is terrible, and proper modifications will require a significant amount of funds.” I covered it up as naturally as possible.

“But the amount is quite large. About 250,000 credits.”

“250,000?!” At my words, not just Yuna but even Scarlet, who was listening nearby, opened her eyes wide in surprise. Scarlet interjected first. “250,000 credits is the price of a decent used mech! What on earth are you going to do with that? Are you planning to coat your scrap heap with pure gold?”

“He’s probably trying to buy the Pile Bunker.” Yuna cut off Scarlet’s words and glared at me. Her gaze had turned cold again. “The GX-Final Impact you mentioned earlier. Is that really such an expensive item?”

“It’s not just expensive, it’s hard to get, I told you!” “That’s right.” I admitted briefly. There was no need to hide it any longer.

Yuna stared at me silently for a moment. It seemed as though quick calculations were happening in her mind. 250,000 credits. It was by no means a small sum, not just for an individual but even for most mercenary groups. Even if she was an ace pilot, it would be a difficult amount to readily lend.

I observed her expression and carefully added. “Of course, if it’s too much of a burden, it’s fine. I’ll look for other ways.” This wasn’t out of misplaced pride, but to gauge her intentions.

Then Yuna’s expression subtly changed. “What do you take me for?” She looked at me coldly, as if she had been insulted or as if my words had touched her pride. “Did you think I would feel burdened by such a small amount? I have more than enough money.”

As if to prove a point, she took out her personal terminal and operated it. A moment later, a deposit notification appeared on my terminal. [+250,000 CR / Sender: Yuna]

“…!” I opened my eyes wide and checked the deposit details. She had truly sent 250,000 credits without hesitation. I couldn’t tell if it was due to her pride, an investment in me, or some other intention, but the result was astonishing.

“Is this enough?” Yuna lowered her terminal and asked coldly.

“Uh, uh. Thank you, Yuna. I’ll definitely pay this back.” I gave my thanks in a dazed state.

“Paying it back is a given.” She replied gruffly, but the tips of her ears seemed slightly red.

Now the funds to buy the Pile Bunker were secured. I turned towards Scarlet. “Scarlet, I’ll bring my mech here then. I’ll be back when it’s ready.”

“What? Are you leaving already?” Scarlet wore a disappointed expression. But her gaze was directed not at me, but at Yuna beside me. Her eyes began to sparkle like a child’s.

“Hey, Yuna!” Scarlet suddenly rushed towards Yuna as if pouncing. Yuna recoiled a step instinctively, disgusted by Scarlet approaching her.

“I have a favor to ask. It’s not like that guy, asking for money. Silvera! Could you please let me see Silvera just once? Please! I’m just so incredibly curious about what it looks like!” Scarlet, forgetting all decorum, began to cling to Yuna’s arm and plead. Her eyes were filled with curiosity and admiration. As a genius technician, it was natural for her to want to see Silvera, the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology, with her own eyes.

“G-Get off me!” Yuna tried to shake Scarlet off in disgust. But Scarlet clung on tenaciously. “Please! Just once! Even just a peek!”

Her sweat- and grease-stained work clothes seemed poised to touch Yuna’s pristine white suit. Explicit displeasure and disgust rose on Yuna’s face.

“I told you to get away!” Yuna finally lost her patience and forcefully pushed Scarlet away. But Scarlet, undeterred, tried to cling on again.

“Well then, I’ll be going.” I waved my hand at them, and taking advantage of their bickering, quickly exited the repair shop and arrived at the landing bay.

[Would you like to purchase GX-Final Impact Pile Bunker (Rank S)? 250,000 CR will be consumed.] “Purchase.” [Purchase complete. 250,000 CR has been deducted.]

With my command, a colossal object was summoned in front of the Bug Bear. It was a huge, ponderous Pile Bunker, like a siege ram. A black reinforced frame, a massive hydraulic cylinder, and at its tip, an incredibly thick superalloy stake. Just looking at it, one could feel its overwhelming destructive power. The weapon I had only seen in games now appeared physically before my eyes.

“Kugh…! Finally, in my hands!” After admiring its grandeur for a moment, I came to my senses and went to the landing bay management office, paid additional credits, and rented a small anti-gravity transport pallet. Then, I carefully secured the Pile Bunker and the Graviton Damper onto the pallet.

Now all preparations were complete. I boarded the Bug Bear again and, towing the anti-gravity pallet, moved towards Scarlet’s workshop.

#

Inside the Admiral’s quarters, located deep within the bridge of the colossal pirate flagship ‘Crimson Tide,’ the room was adorned with expensive carpets, antique furniture, and walls filled with war trophies. Simultaneously, cutting-edge holographic displays and tactical situation boards flickered, and a woman sat deeply ensconced in the commander’s chair. Her long black hair flowed over her shoulders, and her tight-fitting dark red uniform further emphasized her charisma. She was none other than the notorious leader of the Red Veil Pirates, Admiral Belzero Karmail.

In front of her, a holographic replay of a recently concluded battle log was playing. It showed the final moments experienced by the three elite pirate units she had sent inside the Zero-Point Containment Chamber of Titan’s Tomb. On the screen, a dilapidated Bug Bear and the even more astonishing wreckage of the XG-01 Aegis were visible. Then, after a scene where the Bug Bear pilot retrieved something from the wreckage, the pirates’ ambush appeared, followed by the sight of her subordinates fruitlessly exploding from a blue laser beam that flew in from somewhere at the last moment.

When the video playback ended, Belzero turned off the hologram without a word. Instead of anger or disappointment, only the light of cold, sharp analysis flickered across her beautiful face.

‘Aegis should have been guarding the entrance….’ She slowly tapped the armrest of her chair with a slender finger. ‘How did he defeat it with just a third-generation Bug Bear? That pilot… he’s no ordinary fellow.’

Her gaze turned to the energy analysis data recorded on one side of the screen. ‘Unknown modifications? Or the pilot’s own ability?’ In any case, the outcome was clear. Her subordinates had failed, and the target was now in the hands of that unknown Bug Bear pilot.

‘Then… the Atlas V Graviton Damper must be in his hands.’ A faint, cruel smile appeared on Belzero’s lips. Her foolish subordinates had effectively sacrificed their lives to pinpoint the target’s location and owner.

Of course, the unexpected interferer who appeared at the end was annoying. ‘Even Icarus’s Silver Witch got involved. This has become bothersome.’

But she was not greatly perturbed. Whether it was Yuna or Icarus, if they interfered with her getting what she wanted, she would simply remove them. The important thing was that she had discovered the whereabouts of the Graviton Damper.

Belzero leaned deep into her chair and took out a long, dark cigar from a luxurious case beside her. She lit the tip of the cigar and slowly exhaled smoke. The bitter yet fragrant smoke gently spread into the darkness of the admiral’s quarters. Beyond the smoke escaping her red lips, her eyes shone, lost in cold, deep thought.