episode_0141

Suicide bombing is the act of detonating one’s own explosives.

And suicide bombing is a core tactic of the Violet Corps.

No matter how sturdy an Awakened is, they are still made of flesh and bone. Humans are even weaker in durability than magical beasts.

Therefore, with a large quantity of bombs, anyone can be pulverized.

In the Irene rescue operation, the exchange ratio between enemy Awakened and Violets was nearly 1:1, so it’s still quite effective.

However, suicide bombing had one weakness. When used, one Violet invariably dies!

Considering what a single Violet can do in a prolonged battle, merely detonating a bomb and ending it feels like a waste.

Therefore, a lightning spear was undoubtedly a useful weapon, given that it wouldn’t cause death upon use.

The problem was that our healer showed an almost convulsive aversion the moment she saw this weapon. This was because I had gotten excited and rambled on with explanations.

“If you use that, you’ll definitely get hurt. You might even die!”

Daphne clung to me with a half-tearful face. I protested.

“No! It’s a spear, isn’t it? It has a long range, too. It’s just a bomb with a slightly longer reach. I’m telling you, it’s safe!”

“If it’s so safe, why wouldn’t other people use it? Anyone can see it’s an absurd weapon. Don’t you agree, Irene-ssi? Do the clan’s hunters use things like this?”

Daphne turned her head to look at Irene. She looked back and forth between Daphne and me. Please, say something good!

She opened her mouth with a reluctant expression.

“…Lightning spears are an obsolete weapon. They’re dangerous and single-use. They’re equipment freelancers use, though. But, you…”

“Ack!”

“See! She said it’s dangerous, didn’t she?”

I felt betrayed by Irene.

“That’s too much!”

“That can’t be. It must be a trending, cutting-edge weapon.”

“But it’s true. Those are weapons weirdos use. Still, there’s a way to use them well…”

Lightning spears must surely be weapons for outgoing people who are good at reading the trends of the times.

But Irene, having picked up some strange information from somewhere, was spreading fake news.

Who knew the ills of the information age would be found here. I’m depressed!

“So, you’re saying I’m a weirdo?”

“…Well, you do have a bit of that side, don’t you?”

Being treated like a weirdo by my friend, my mouth instinctively pouted.

While I turned my attention to Irene, Daphne approached with a determined look and snatched the lightning spear I was holding.

“You two, are you listening to me?”

“This is confiscated. Please use a safe and good weapon instead. Please!”

“Huh! Give it back!”

“I won’t give it back!”

When I stretched out my arm, Daphne took a step back. Just as I was about to pounce, a thin green barrier blocked me.

“I’m sorry, I’ll pay you back the money you spent buying this. But I don’t think this is right! Please understand!”

The lightning spear vanished from Daphne’s hand. To think she put it in her inventory.

To use a transformation barrier, how cowardly.

But Daphne’s thinking was too shallow. Stopping us Violets with just this much is impossible.

“Command says! All units charge! Surround her!”

“Let’s go!”

“Waaaaah!”

A part of the Violet squad working nearby was dispatched and rushed at Daphne.

“W-wait. Violets? What are you doing! Daphne, why are you again…”

“Give it back!”

“If you don’t give it back, I’ll tickle you!”

The moment the Violets swarmed her, Daphne lightly tapped her staff on the ground. A round barrier enveloped her.

“Hiyah! It’s blocked!”

“Please give up. I’m sorry for taking your item, but as a friend, I just couldn’t stand by and watch you do something dangerous!”

For some reason, Irene stopped herself from saying something.

“…Why are you guys doing this?”

The Violets surrounding the barrier tapped on it. She shook her head with a stubborn attitude and turned away.

As soon as Daphne turned around, she discovered Unit 612 lying flat on the floor inside the barrier. She flinched in surprise and took a step back.

“So you’re finally looking over here.”

“H-how did you get in here…”

“Well, I skillfully jumped in just before the barrier went up. Daphne, you’re trapped in here with me!”

I hugged Daphne tightly so she couldn’t escape. Inside the barrier, other Violets continuously manifested and seized her.

“Let, let me go! Let go! Ahaha! Kyahahahaha! Hahaha! No! What are you doing?!”

“I’ll tickle you until you give it back!”

“Kyahhh! Hah! N-no! Hahahahaha! Th-that’s sensitive! Aah, hah!”

Inside the barrier, Daphne, covered by Violets, suffered tickle torture. Hearing the commotion, the other teammates also came towards us.

“A-alright! I’ll give it back! Stop! Hahaha!”

After about a minute, Daphne declared her surrender. We took the lightning spear she pulled out of her inventory and jumped around in joy.

“Hooray!”

“Weapon of victory!”

As I was declaring victory, I felt a strange atmosphere and turned around. A disheartened Daphne was looking at me sadly.

“Is that weapon really that good?”

“Ah, I… well…”

Seeing my friend’s wronged expression, I felt guilty.

Just as I was thinking of returning it, I heard someone lightly tapping the floor a couple of times.

“Hey, can you listen to me for a moment?”

Irene was looking at us, somewhat dissatisfied.

***

The conflict surrounding the lightning spear was resolved very simply. Irene’s suggestion was very simple yet ingenious.

“If it’s really that dangerous, you can just use it with a barrier, can’t you?”

“Ah.”

“You’re right?”

It was a brilliant solution comparable to Solomon’s judgment. Daphne, realizing it belatedly, stood with her mouth agape, speechless.

“You’re right, I really can’t believe I didn’t think of that…”

She was flustered.

The incident was thus concluded. But I continued to feel apologetic, so I apologized to Daphne.

“Hey, I’m sorry for tickling you!”

“…I also tried to just take my friend’s item without asking. So there’s nothing to apologize for.”

She also laughed a little, as if embarrassed.

Our conflict ended this quickly.

Hehe, though I’ll have to be a bit mindful when using it, I successfully reached an agreement with Daphne.

Now I can use it as I please. I’m happy!

“You can’t use it as you please! The pole can be replicated, but the specialized warhead attached to the front is the problem. You only have three lightning spear explosive tips in stock!”

“Ugh, really? I’ll have to get more later, then. Or attach our own bombs!”

It was fortunate I asked that hunter where lightning spears are sold.

They said it was a small workshop, I’ll have to visit it later.

After the commotion ended, as we moved to another location, Kalia, who was next to me, asked.

“Is that really that good? Honestly, I don’t get it.”

“Kalia, I’ll let you try this sometime if you get the chance! It’ll be super fun!”

As Unit 247 grinned and handed over the lightning spear, Kalia gently pushed my hand away with an awkward expression.

“I’m good. Still, I guess it’s better than throwing yourself onto a motorcycle, right?”

“When was that even?”

I grumbled.

Kalia, seemingly half-listening to me, pointed her finger in Daphne’s direction.

“More importantly, that kid. How was she at the academy? She definitely seems like a model student.”

“That’s right! How did you know? Daphne studies hard.”

Kalia, after hearing my words, pondered something deeply and then opened her mouth.

“As expected, Daphne. I wonder if she’s been a little influenced by you. I don’t think she wouldn’t have failed to think of what I just did.”

“What did you say?”

“Never mind.”

What could she have been influenced by? Seriously!

The Violets clapped their hands.

Besides, the other teammates’ gazes were somewhat strange. It would be troublesome if the courage they had been instilled with dissipated.

“C-crazy woman… if not a Federal agent, then what? An assassin from a cult?”

“V-Violet is really, really creative, isn’t she? D-don’t you agree?”

“It’s dangerous, but an explosive axe… hmm, seems a bit dangerous. What about a rocket axe?”

That’s a relief. Everyone except Lucian wasn’t looking at me badly.

Violet and the teammates returned to their main task.

We continued to move between buildings, hunting magical beasts and excavating artifacts.

“Wow, look at this. They’re sunglasses that glow from the eyes!”

“They’re called Blood Acceleration Socks. They say if you wear them, your blood circulates so fast your leg veins burst?”

“Ugh! It’s trash!”

The shield accessories that the Skraks group had been wearing earlier weren’t visible.

Most of the items were like the Holy Grail that the Aegis student, whom we rescued last time, happily picked up.

“Well, they say they’ll buy stuff like this too. Just pack it up for now! If not, you still have that contact, don’t you? The artifact trading company owner.”

“Aha! We can ask that person about it then!”

Even trash has its uses.

While we were chatting and working hard, a rumbling sound was heard from afar.

As a Violet outside the building scanned the surroundings, a heavy procession came rumbling into view from beyond a blurry road, glowing.

The noise gradually grew closer.

“What is that?”

I soon realized the source of the sound.

It was tanks!

Four tanks were eagerly rushing forward. Behind them, multiple combat vehicles, armored trucks, and armored personnel carriers followed in a line.

“Tanks in a dungeon?”

“Are there any clans that use tanks?”

I activated my broad yet shallow knowledge.

The objects before my eyes were vehicles with tracks and turrets. Although a bit small in size, they were definitely tanks. But aren’t those expensive? And heavy too.

Hearing the noise, Irene came outside and watched the procession of vehicles with a suspicious gaze.

“They’re Federal light tanks. Almost no clans operate those… Could it be?”

Hearing her words, I could see the flags hanging on their vehicles.

Laurel wreath, a round sphere, a star, wings.

“Look at the flag! That’s…”

There’s only one organization that uses that symbol.

Just then, a beeping sound came from the vehicle procession’s speaker, and an announcement blared out.

-Citizens of Rustrum, our Federal Army 60th Mobile Combat Unit has arrived to suppress illegal private organizations. Please do not interfere. We are currently performing peacekeeping operations. Please do not interfere. We repeat once again…

The hunters who were exploring nearby poked their heads out, wondering what was happening. The atmosphere among the people was not good.

“Citizens, my ass…”

“Why have those tax-stealing bastards come all the way to the dungeon? Isn’t this a violation of the agreement?”

While the person who appeared to be the commander busily lectured through the broadcast, the convoy turned a corner from where we were and headed down an alley. Coincidentally, there were four vehicles parked next to it by hunters.

The tank, turning the corner, simply crashed into the parked cars beside it and drove past.

The last car was completely flattened.

Did they not see it?

-Crunch!

“Ugh.”

Half of the car was flattened. Perhaps due to the impact, an alarm blared.

A middle-aged man, who appeared to be the car owner, appeared. His eyes, darting around, wavered as if an earthquake had struck. The man rushed over in shock.

“My car!”

The convoy paused briefly. The man fumed and approached the nearest combat vehicle.

“Hey, where’s the person in charge? Don’t you see that?”

In response to the man’s protest, the convoy responded by turning its turret.

With a low whirring mechanical sound, the tank turned its turret, and the unmanned turrets on the vehicle’s roof aimed at the man. Faced with the large, dark muzzles, the hunter drew his sword.

“W-what was that?!”

-Please do not interfere. We are currently conducting a special military operation. Step back. Otherwise, we will open fire..

As the man hesitated at the threat, the Federal Army vehicles turned their turrets back to their original positions. They sped off, continuing on their way. They were heading towards the deep zone.

I was appalled. How could there be hit-and-run drivers like that?

The man, belatedly furious, swung his fist behind the convoy.

“Hey, you Federal bastards!”

Other hunters nearby, seemingly also victims, consoled him.

“Bear with it, is this the first or second time those bastards have done that?”

“Still, in cases like this, they usually handle the insurance well.”

Irene, who had been watching, spoke up.

“Clans often aim turrets and threaten rookie hunters as an act of bullying. It turns out it’s true that the Federal guys learned it from watching them.”

Kalia said curtly.

“That’s just how powerful brutes behave, isn’t it?”

***

While the Federal Mobile Unit moved into the deep zone, a group of people entered an indoor plaza formed deep within a building in the deep zone.

The interior was filled with corpses. At the gruesome sight, the face of the man in the conical hat at the front contorted.

“Ah… our brothers and sisters…!”

“Deacon Mikelos has passed away! Elder Matt too!”

The congregants of the Unity Council trembled uncontrollably with rage.

“We only wanted freedom of faith!”

“Damn heretics!”

While the lower-ranking congregants passionately spewed hatred for their oppressed faith, Karnan surveyed his surroundings. His sharp gaze fixed on one spot.

What should have been there, wasn’t.

“Now, brothers and sisters. Calm yourselves.”

His low, heavy voice shook the surroundings. The congregants became docile, as if they had never been angry, like the sea after a storm.

“Our family has been murdered. Our artifact has also been stolen.”

At the mention of the stolen artifact, the congregants wavered. As their dormant anger showed signs of resurfacing, Brown raised a hand to calm them.

“Now is not yet the time for anger. We don’t know who the thieves are, nor where they are. We still have a greater task remaining. Here, in the heart of the dungeon, the most important artifact still remains.”

One congregant, unable to contain their resentment, shouted.

“But all our brothers have been affected!”

“Therefore, our journey must not stop even more so. We cannot allow the blood shed by our family members who died here to be in vain.”

Karnan now continued, almost shouting.

“I understand. I am angry too! However, we must use that anger as fuel to move forward. For the freedom of faith, for the day the turning point arrives!”

The Elder of the Unity Council drew a scythe-like curved sword and held it high.

“We will capture the thieves. We will subjugate the heretics. And we will absolutely secure the artifact necessary for our great endeavor. Because that is our destiny!”

The congregants regained their fervor once more and shouted as if possessed.

“Ugh! The heretics!”

“Ugh! Kill them! Avenge them!”

Having finished his speech, Karnan stepped back.

While the deacons and Awakened congregants calmed the highly agitated other congregants, tidied the corpses, and surveyed the surroundings, he gave instructions to the other elders.

“Send messengers to gather the congregants in other sectors. There are others who have come to find that artifact, not just us. There’s no time.”

One congregant left the spot. Karnan calmly issued his next command.

“Prepare. It’s time to unleash the magical beasts. Our opponents are high-rank hunters. There seem to be several mages. Check your weapons. You brought enough Black Ice, right?”

The lower-ranking elder nodded.

A short while later, from beyond the dungeon’s shadows, a mix of humans and non-humans ran through the shopping district streets.