episode_0254

Most of the troops were regular soldiers, but their equipment level was a cut above even our Violets. Individual skill might not match that of Hunters, but they also had their own Awakener unit.

One strange thing was that only Federation soldiers were deployed in large numbers. The scale of the rescue team that followed was smaller than expected. Outside the barrier, various academies and clan rescue teams hired by influential figures with family members inside were bustling. However, they were tied down by the Federation Army and Restraid Knights.

“Stop! This area is currently sealed!”

Amidst this, a rather interesting scene unfolded. Restraid, typically known for looking down on others outside their own clan, especially non-Awakeners, was urging them to trust the Federation.

“Soldiers are currently on point, scouting. Wait!”

“Don’t you trust the military?”

“Hey, Mister Knight. Since when have you been so chummy with those non-Awakeners?”

The atmosphere at the briefing site, relayed by a radio Violet from the Helios Special Operations Department, was diverse.

“…As I mentioned before, it is possible to enter the barrier from the outside, but impossible to escape from the inside. Our clan has begun constructing an artificial passage with experts.”

They looked like crude-looking tin cans, but their claims had a certain basis.

In the temporary meeting room, dubbed the Joint Erosion Zone Countermeasures Headquarters, a Restraid Knight explained with rare courtesy in front of the assembled rescue workers.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t enough information from the inside. Fortunately, the drifted convention center and the barrier’s exit aren’t too far apart. If you wait until the passage is secured…”

“No, if it’s going to open anyway, shouldn’t we be allowed in first? We’ll take responsibility for our safety, so we’re just going in!”

“No! Dangerous mutated monsters are currently roaming inside…”

“Everyone here, aren’t you all Hunters whose profession is hunting those monsters? Code Omega, you say? What’s so great about that identification code…”

“That monster, I don’t know what’s so great about it, but you’re not trying to monopolize it, are you? Even if it’s Restraid. This isn’t right, is it? Let’s get to the point. How much?”

“That’s not it!”

For some unknown reason, Restraid insisted that they couldn’t enter for now. Of course, they eventually let them in. But only after forcing them to sign waivers stating that their lives couldn’t be guaranteed.

Currently, around the radio Violet, there were units dispatched from Cascadia, and Helios agents who had arrived a little while ago by helicopter.

This strange phenomenon, where Restraid Knights accompanied larger clans, demanding they refrain from sortieing, made Irene and Adela, sensing something uneasy, hold back from issuing entry orders.

“By the way, Irene, can’t you just fly there?”

When I asked through the radio Violet, Irene pointed behind her, then at the sky. Helicopters flying above the hemispherical giant barrier came into view.

“You’re right. If we’re inside the barrier, our helicopters or Aegis’s airship can directly infiltrate from above. If you request support from inside, we’ll dispatch immediately. So… what do you say, want to try?”

“Alright!”

The last words were a message to another Violet aboard a Helios transport helicopter.

“Wow, I’m falling!”

A Wingsuit Violet who jumped from the helicopter disappeared beyond the barrier.

“All clear!”

Entry from above seemed to have no problems.

“Since the experiment was successful, I’ll investigate more about the inside while we wait. You said it was Asteria, right? People from the search and artifact departments are looking for related materials. It might be helpful.”

“But, are you going to share information with the others? Those guys! Including what I told you.”

When I pointed at the Restraid Knights, Irene frowned for a moment but quickly composed herself.

“…For now, fighting the monsters is the top priority. Later, maybe, but now isn’t the time to quarrel. Don’t worry about other things. It would be troublesome if the source of information were traced, so I’ll deliver it indirectly.”

Having to make a temporary alliance with such people. It was unpleasant.

Still, it was fortunate. I didn’t expect to meet someone I knew in a place like this.

“It’s the military mister!”

“He seems to have been promoted.”

***

The young soldier’s face, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, showed a grave expression. Though I didn’t know why.

“Anyway, long time no see, Mister!”

While Violet 16 from the field greeted him, the Violets at the command post rummaged through the various documents piled on the desk. They weren’t sure what rank or position he held in the Federation Army. Would a Major be a Mobile Commander? The Awakener captain I met in the dungeon before was exactly that position.

“Quite a high position.”

The mobile unit is an initial response force that quickly dispatches when monsters appear. Its size is equivalent to a small battalion. While numerically inferior to our Violets, all of them wear exoskeletons and are armed with electromagnetic rifles. The soldiers ride in armored personnel carriers and receive fire support from tanks, heavy armored vehicles, and walking artillery.

They weren’t just cannon fodder. The mister in front of me was equivalent to a battalion commander in the real world. And that battalion commander, Major Klein, seemed uncomfortable.

“The battalion commander seems disappointed in his subordinates!”

“…So, why did you call me here?”

The Major opened the crumpled note I subtly handed him with a troubled expression.

“Oh, it’s nothing much, just wanted to say hello after a long time. I was curious how you’ve been doing.”

“Surely, that’s not all, is it?”

“Well. Actually, I do have a few questions.”

I paused instead of answering immediately. At that, the Major’s expression grew even more uncomfortable.

“You are the most outstanding Hunter among the Awakeners I have met.”

“Wow, thanks for the compliment!”

“Thanks to you, my subordinates were able to save their lives. That’s why I’m speaking politely now, but… listen carefully. I am a soldier belonging to the Trist Federation Army. You are a currently wanted terrorist. What will you do if I report you?”

“Ah, right. That’s how it was. But don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll report me, Mister.”

“On what grounds do you say that? As I said before, I am an officer. By principle, I should report you.”

“Hmm… that’s true.”

I calmly shrugged. As a new Violet suddenly appeared from the restroom entrance, the Major flinched and instinctively reached for his holster before withdrawing his hand.

“Oh, wait, Mister! I didn’t call you here to do anything bad. Thanks to you, we got a good gun and a tank, didn’t we? Aren’t we good neighbors?”

“I am truly grateful for your help then, but we are not neighbors.”

Major Klein pressed his forehead as if suffering from a headache.

“…Alright. You didn’t call me here just for childish threats like this, did you? Let’s get to the point. What exactly do you want?”

I could finally say what I had prepared.

“Tell me about the situation outside the barrier. What the Federation Army and Restraid are thinking. In return, we’ll share the information we know.”

The Major’s calm face instantly contorted.

“What are you talking about? Do you think I’m crazy enough to tell military secrets? To a terrorist?”

“Oh, Mister. You must have heard too! That there’s a boss monster controlling the monsters over there. Code Omega, or whatever it’s called! This is when we need to work together.”

“Just meeting like this is already… Wait, what did you say?”

At the words ‘boss monster,’ the Major’s eyes widened. Major Klein stopped speaking and asked again as if he had never heard of it before.

“What, you didn’t know? All the other Hunters should know by now, right?”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the Major immediately picked up a short-range laser radio. As I nervously drew my knife, he held out a hand and shook his head, motioning me to stop. Then, in a loud voice, as if to make sure I heard him too, he made contact.

“Yes, this is Mobile Commander 1! Received. Regarding Code Omega—”

“Deputy Mobile Commander, immediately call the nearby rescue Hunters and ask them. Check if they’ve heard anything about mutated monsters.”

“Understood, Operations Manager-nim. Can you hear me? There’s a strange rumor circulating among the rescue teams, but the command—”

The Major finished his transmission and shook his head.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. The rescue teams all seem to know, but why on earth are we…”

I also tilted my head. Irene clearly said she had informed military command, so why wasn’t it properly disseminated to the soldiers on site?

“Then, Mister, you probably don’t know about the catacombs densely laid out beneath this city either. They’re full of monsters right now!”

This time, the Major jumped up in surprise.

“Is that… truly so?”

Helios had apparently relayed this information too, yet he seemed unaware. I don’t know who the higher-ups are, but ‘incompetent soldiers’ is a fitting description.

In any case, the situation wasn’t turning out badly. Now we could ask him about various developments based on the information we provided. When the Ariel Group deployed its troops, we could also subtly ask for cooperation.

“You really don’t know anything, do you? Alright, Mister! Listen carefully…”

I spread out a temporary map and relayed all the information our Violets had discovered, one by one. With each mark I made, the Major’s expression grew increasingly grim.

“…I see. What on earth are the higher-ups thinking…”

Now it was my turn to ask the Major for cooperation.

“Mister, now you tell me what you know. Was there anything strange when you came here? Anything suspicious? Don’t worry. We’ll help you!”

The Major thought for a moment, then began to explain one by one. The Violets who listened to his words rolled their eyes in thought.

“Nuclear bomb?”

“Priority for rescue?”

I tilted my head. Prioritizing rescue targets? Why would they establish such criteria in a situation like this?

**

“Before Asteria City disappeared into another dimension, it was located in a geologically cave-rich region. This place was also a holy site for the ancient Sacred Heart Order, later known as the Sacred Heart Monastery.”

Department Head Morgan lightly tapped the electronic screen a few times. Medieval-style paintings, various black-and-white photos, and diverse blueprints appeared on the screen.

“Resborn III of the ancient Itherial Empire actively suppressed various religious forces, especially the Sacred Heart Order. It is said that the persecuted believers dug tunnels in the underground cemetery and secretly held worship services. They expanded the underground passages in various directions for survival.”

The head of the Artifact Excavation Department presented materials and continued his history lecture. His skill, honed by years of antique exploration and excavation in his youth, shone through.

“So that’s how the catacombs came about. But that alone isn’t enough to explain it. How could it have formed to this extent?”

The data Irene was looking at showed an intricate web of underground labyrinths, some of the few records left by archaeologists before the invasion.

“After this religion was officially recognized as the state religion, this area became a holy site for martyrs. Large and small monasteries built underground tombs following the tradition of their predecessors, and the leaders of the order connected the underground tombs and passages of each monastery for various purposes.”

Department Head Viktor, who had been listening attentively, joined the conversation.

“And, according to the Special Operations Department inside the barrier… no, an anonymous informant, monsters are swarming and roaming in those passages. Right?”

“That’s right.”

As Irene nodded, sighs escaped from those around her.

“In other words, it’s a battlefield with no rear. And a boss monster… that means there’s a possibility of a higher-ranking entity commanding the monsters, doesn’t it? What a mess. If it understands tactics, it could launch a surprise attack through the passages anytime, anywhere. Rescue isn’t the only problem now.”

Everyone was racking their brains over the rescue operation, which was proving more complicated than expected. As the meeting for clan coordination took a short break, Irene decided to take a light walk to clear her head. That’s when a familiar face caught her eye. A red-haired assistant soldier trailing behind the knights. Though he looked shabbier and more unsightly than before, she couldn’t forget his appearance.

“You, could it be…”

“…Long time no see, Senior Sebastian.”

Sebastian greeted her with a dark expression.

“Did you come for school matters…? No. You came for clan matters.”

“Yes, I received a rescue request.”

Irene answered and turned her back. There was nothing more to say. However, Sebastian’s voice stopped her as she was about to leave.

“Hey, you’re Irene, right? Be careful. Inside the barrier…”

“Silence.”

A nearby armored knight roughly pulled Sebastian, and he hesitated, then shut his mouth and turned away. Doubt sparked in Irene’s golden eyes.

‘Restraid, what on earth are they hiding?’

**

Alleys, cathedrals, and darkness. A complex, tangled underground passage filled with excavated spaces in every wall to enshrine corpses and coffins. In this confusing labyrinth, a girl was lost and wandering.

“Where is this place now…”

Levi frowned in frustration. It had been hours since she had been dropped into the middle of an unknown city, and she had lost her watch and phone from the incessant pursuit of monsters. In truth, even if she had her phone, it wouldn’t be much help in this situation, but it was an expensive item, so she regretted losing it.

Her combat experience with friends, the knowledge gained from two academies, and the fighting spirit taught by Violet had helped her survive the monsters. Whether it was luck or misfortune, while fighting monsters in a cathedral, she fell into the underground.

It was lucky that she had been able to avoid the attention of the vicious Apostles from another dimension, who were primarily scouting the surface. It was unlucky that the golden-haired girl’s red gaze, frantically searching for her, had not yet reached the underground. Levi didn’t know. Violet was just expanding her search area to the underground, fighting monsters in the darkness, looking for her.

And so, the girl, steeped in loneliness, mocked herself. Why was she always in this state? Always alone, foolishly running and being chased. In fear and anxiety, Levi hugged the ballista, which was much taller than herself. The weapon was stained with scratches from inevitable close-quarters combat and the blood and flesh of monsters. Levi sadly cleaned the ballista, lost in thought.

‘These scratches… can’t I fix them?’

It was a precious heirloom passed down by her grandfather. Something that could never be broken. Fortunately, this artifact weapon was still faithfully protecting its granddaughter. As she rested her face against one side of the ballista, the cold, smooth metal surface stimulated her cheek. Levi used that chilling sensation as a stimulant to steady her mind.

‘It’s okay. Instructor Fredrick-nim said, didn’t he? That surviving is winning. He said if you fight tenaciously, you will surely win.’

Recalling the words left by the former Polaris instructor, Levi slowly took a step into the darkness. Even her unique eyesight, exceptionally keen even among Awakeners, could not penetrate this darkness. The passages would suddenly become larger or wider, but the structure of this place itself did not suit Levi’s characteristics well.

“Die! Die!”

Thud! Thud!

Monsters using the narrow space to run along the ceiling and walls. As they easily broke through the barrage of attacks, she swung her ballista. The strength from her small stature combined with the heavy ancient weapon, transforming the ballista into an excellent melee weapon.

“Huff… huff…”

Catching her breath, Levi advanced into the darkness. She repeated killing monsters, hiding, and advancing again. After moving forward for a long time, light approached her eyes.

‘Could it be…?’

Levi was certain. It was an exit.

Breaking through a path covered in dust and dried skeletons and ascending the stairs, a ruined small temple greeted her.

As she caught her breath, a groan leaked out from a crack in the wall. Turning her head out of unease and curiosity, she encountered a sight she wished she hadn’t.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Red human figures were sprawled on the floor. Their true identity was flayed humans.

“U-ugh…!”

Levi barely suppressed her urge to vomit. Next to the only writhing red person showing signs of life, a strange-looking white man stood, gripping his head.

“Quite resistant. Is it because he’s an enhanced human?”

The man in white muttered absently, holding the man’s head.

“Blockade? Closing the gate? Is that your leader’s plan?”

Then the man leaned closer to the groaning man’s face. The man cried out with difficulty, even in pain.

“F-f-fuck you… you monster bastard…”

“Resistance is futile—”

Bang!

Brushing off the remnants of the exploding head, the man muttered.

“Suicide, then. Indeed…”

The man, who had cleanly wiped off the blood on his body with a gesture, turned his head.

“There you are.”

And Levi realized what it felt like for her blood to freeze.

‘…!’

Levi’s black eyes, watching from a crack in the wall, instantly met the man’s gaze. Levi felt as if her breath had stopped. Just as she was about to quickly stand up, the man’s voice echoed right beside her.

‘He was down there…!’

“Girl.”

Turning her head, the man approached with arms outstretched.

“Do not be afraid.”

“U-u-uuaaah!”

Overcome with terror, Levi instinctively pulled the trigger. A large bolt tore through the air. The fruit of the courage training instilled by Violet shone.

—Boom!

“Kyaaaah!”

Leaving the explosion behind, Levi leaped out the window. The man, who appeared unscathed through the dust, quietly pursued her.

The noise was also detected by a nearby Violet.

“What was that sound?”

“Let’s go!”