Ch.8383. Ocean Train (2)

“Simulation starting.”

“Visual team, operating normally.”

“Artificial monster team, operating normally.”

“Safety measures team, operating normally-“

Hatan Wu-Zel nodded as he listened to the reports coming in one after another from near the control room.

“They did a good job making this.”

He spoke with a satisfied voice.

From the perspective of someone who had personally hunted large monsters, none of those people would be able to tell that it was fake.

Of course, it might seem a bit harsh when dealing with youngsters who clearly lacked proper field experience.

‘True potential only emerges when a person is pushed to the extreme.’

The name “Crucible of Struggle” itself was chosen with the intention of repeatedly exposing students to the most brutal environments.

Isn’t iron strengthened the more it’s hammered?

In that respect, this virtual simulation was satisfactory enough to make Hatan smile.

“Wow, I still can’t get used to seeing this kind of thing.”

His smile immediately disappeared when he heard the voice beside him.

A woman with narrowed eyes and a cheerful smile.

While everyone around was dressed in the distinctive barbaric attire of the Tribal Union, this woman alone wore clothing that exuded a sense of civilization.

The words that followed also reflected that difference well.

“To think that people who look like this are handling cutting-edge devices that you’d normally only find in a Demonic Spire. The Tribal Union becomes stranger the more I see it.”

“…High Priestess Tatiana.”

Hatan sighed as he ran his hand through his hair.

“Please, if you came to observe, just keep your mouth shut and watch, will you?”

“Oh my.”

In response to his harsh words, the woman stuck out her tongue and playfully raised both hands.

From Hatan’s perspective, it was a detestable sight that made him want to punch her in the face.

“Isn’t that too harsh? What did I do wrong?”

Hatan’s expression darkened further.

“Then let me be clear right here.”

Compared to earlier, his words now carried half-filled killing intent.

“I despise you, High Priestess. Considering what you did to Allan, you should be grateful you’re not dead by my hand right now.”

“…”

“He was my friend. His head was just as stupid then as it is now, but he was a warrior who was brave, knew honor, and understood how to fight fair and square.”

“…”

As Tatiana continued to smile without responding, Hatan’s frosty voice continued.

“He wasn’t the kind of man who would suddenly challenge a Great Chief who was ruling the Union well, cut off three of her limbs, and commit the insane act of exterminating her entire clan.”

Indeed, that was true.

The duel with Kasa Garda, who was respected by all warriors, cutting off three of her limbs despite everyone’s opposition—all of it.

Everything happened after this woman was appointed as the high priestess of that tribe.

Moreover, the “process” of that duel itself…

‘…It was horrific.’

Hatan inwardly gritted his teeth as he recalled the scene.

It certainly wasn’t a fair and honorable duel.

More precisely, it was a “massacre” too shameful to even call a duel.

Most of Kasa Garda’s clan members, apart from the duel participants, were killed that day.

“Chief Allan ascended to rule the Tribal Union through a fair and square duel. His authority and legitimacy are both appropriate. Don’t you agree?”

“…”

For this reason, it took every ounce of self-restraint not to strike this woman who was calmly spouting such nonsense.

Instead of responding to her, Hatan continued giving instructions to the control room personnel.

“…Track the vital signs of everyone on the train.”

“Will do!”

With the Tribal Union’s technology, obtaining that kind of information from everyone there wasn’t particularly difficult.

It’s also an essential process. Vital signs can reveal a great deal.

It makes it easier to prevent accidents and also confirms how calmly a person can handle the situation.

Those with low heart rates, minimal emotional fluctuations, and the quickest decision-making.

And, by those standards, the individuals showing the most impressive performance are…

“…”

Riru Garda and Kasa Garda.

A bitter smile crossed Hatan’s face as he saw the familiar faces.

Those two would know the Tribal Union’s tendencies, so it’s not unreasonable that they’d immediately assess the situation calmly.

‘…I don’t want to stop them from setting foot on their homeland again.’

Entering the Crucible of Struggle as they are would likely be suicidal in many ways.

It would probably be good to offer some advice before they enter.

And, besides these two.

“…Darwood Campbell?”

Hatan grinned as he saw the man moving on top of the train like a turtle crawling slowly.

Ah, right.

That guy.

He remembered him well.

The image of him boldly confronting the Pope had left a strong impression.

As expected of someone who would do such a thing, he seems to be the calmest in this situation too.

Though he’s not sure why the man is moving in such an unsightly manner.

“…”

But this time, unlike Hatan’s smiling face.

Tatiana’s face next to him twisted.

With her perpetually narrowed eyes and smile, it was a subtle change that would be hard to notice unless looking closely.

“Oh, by the way, Chief Hatan.”

The voice that followed also clearly carried that feeling.

“Can we increase the difficulty level now?”

“…What?”

Hatan’s incredulous voice echoed softly throughout the control room.

“What nonsense are you talking about, High Priestess? What difficulty—”

Before Hatan could finish, Tatiana snapped her fingers.

On the screen, it was just before Riru was about to charge at the large monster.

And simultaneously.

Yellow energy began to emanate from the large monster.

Hatan’s eyes widened.

“…High Priestess. What did you do to the artificial monster?!”

“Well, I just inserted the heart of a real large monster, ‘Thunderbird,’ into the completed artificial monster. It should be able to exert about half the power of a real large monster, I think?”

The faces of most of the control room personnel turned pale upon hearing this.

That’s “special magic” that can only be handled if it’s a “real monster.”

This is why even a medium-sized monster, which requires at least a regular knight to defeat, doesn’t compare to the tip of a large monster’s claw. Large monsters that wield special magic have power comparable to natural disasters.

Even at half strength, the people there are all students. There’s no way they could handle it.

“We can’t casually welcome guests from the Empire, can we? Isn’t this much necessary?”

“Are you insane?! Everyone there is a student from the Empire. They have no practical experience! If they die…!”

“Then they die? Is there any particular reason to care just because they’re students?”

Hatan was left speechless at the nonchalant response.

“…You’ve sold your last bit of conscience, you crazy woman. You’re disregarding students’ lives in an educational setting?”

“Weak ones will die either way. Isn’t it better to weed them out quickly?”

Tatiana’s face as she said this remained the same as usual.

Narrowed eyes, smiling face.

As if such matters were truly nothing to her.

“I did this on the Chief’s orders. If you have complaints, why not go speak to him?”

She even went so far as to shift the responsibility to someone else.

Hatan, with bloodshot eyes, gritted his teeth.

There’s no point in talking about political or diplomatic consequences, or intentions, with someone like this.

“Prepare the equipment immediately! I’m going in myself!”

Now that a real monster’s heart has been inserted, there’s likely no way to remotely shut it down.

The only option is for him to enter the simulation site directly and defeat it.

However, casualties will undoubtedly occur while he’s making his way there.

As Hatan’s expression contorted at the thought.

“Wait, Chief! Something’s strange!”

“What?”

“A massive energy is detected!”

Someone in the control room shouted.

“Massive energy? What—”

And before Hatan could ask further.

-!

-!

-!!

‘Gray’ energy.

It erupted explosively from inside the train.

From what could be glimpsed through the gaps of the broken train, it looked like two women had drawn their swords and delivered slashes.

“What is that…!”

As someone screamed.

The entire screen went black.

●

“…Are you alright?”

Let’s check what needs to be checked first.

Looking at Riru, who’s nodding blankly while nestled in my arms, she seems to be fine.

In fact, I had just come up with a plan to deal with the situation.

The ‘Stigma’ skill, with its durability boosted to the maximum using all available means, has even blocked Kasa’s strike before.

I was planning to create it at an appropriate position to make Riru “collide” with it, then catch her falling body and move away from the monster’s attack path.

That would have been the best way to protect someone who would have difficulty changing direction in mid-air.

I don’t know about defeating the monster, but at least for the purpose of protecting this person, there couldn’t have been a better plan. And it actually succeeded.

“…”

Yes.

The success is the problem.

Sweating profusely, I turn my head toward the sound of footsteps approaching—with Riru still in my arms.

“…I heard your voice from above, so I came to check.”

Elnore said as she sheathed her sword.

I alternately check the sword sliding smoothly into its scabbard and the aftermath of the “strike” this person delivered.

The train’s ceiling, which was the first to be hit by the slash, was cut more cleanly than I expected.

Of course, it’s not exactly “clean” when a chunk of metal paneling that wasn’t even directly cut by the sword has been sliced off, but that’s what I mean when looking at what was cut afterward.

The slash that extended from inside the train cut through a portion of the train like tofu, continued to extend.

It shattered the large monster in its path into “pieces” until it was almost powder.

And extending far, it even destroyed the dome-shaped “outer wall” that was enclosing this simulation set.

Thanks to that, we can now see the real sky. Seagulls can even be seen through the sparks flying from the exposed wires of the broken wall.

“I thought I should quickly save you in such an urgent situation.”

And.

I might end up being hit by an attack of that magnitude if I’m not careful.

Elnore opened her mouth with a chilling aura.

“Who is that woman?”

I look at the window that appears before me with such a voice.

< System Message >

[Target ‘Elnore’s corruption value increases by 50%!]

[Target enters ‘Suspicious’ state!]

[During the ‘Suspicious’ state, the rate of corruption value increase doubles!]

“…”

Who was the guy who said there’d be no risk of death until we entered the academy?

I want to kill him.

●