episode_0045

Through her blurry vision, Kaien’s face wavered into view, looking down at her as if nothing had happened. On her face, there was not a shred of pity, nor a hint of fatigue.

‘Damn it… this is unbelievable. How could this…’

Nix shakily lifted her arm and pressed it against her damp forehead.

She had considerable, perhaps even arrogant, pride in her unarmed combat skills. Even during her time in the regular聯合軍隊 forces, her close-quarters combat ability was undoubtedly ranked among the top, and she had proven her skill in countless real battles.

But Kaien had overwhelmed her as if mocking all her techniques, experience, and the desperate times she’d endured. She couldn’t believe she had been toyed with without even managing to land a proper blow.

“Why? Not enough yet? Want to do more?”

Kaien’s voice showed no tremor, even after the fight had ended.

“…No…ma’am.”

Nix was startled by her own involuntarily polite speech. She turned her head away from Kaien’s gaze. The coldness of the floor seemed to cool the burning sensation of defeat.

If it were merely a matter of physical ability or strength, Nix might even have been superior. A body forged by youth and ceaseless practical training.

But the result was this mess, this miserable state.

‘The difference in experience… Is this what veteran skill means?’

Nix could vaguely sense it.

An overwhelming difference in experience.

Every one of Kaien’s movements was imbued with the veteran skill she must have acquired by overcoming countless life-or-death situations. Unpredictable unconventionality, not found in any textbook, was perfectly integrated.

“I’ll… keep my promise.”

Nix let out a long, heavy sigh, and with a groan, she barely managed to sit up.

“Oh, it seems discipline has been quickly injected. Very pleasing to see.”

Kaien slowly approached and stood directly in front of her. Her gaze, looking down, held a faint sense of satisfaction.

“The loser was supposed to become a dog, right? Seriously… will you do anything?”

A mischievous glint appeared in Kaien’s voice.

“Yes… a promise is a promise.”

Then, an even more mischievous and playful smile appeared on Kaien’s lips.

“Hmm, good. Then, if I tell you to strip completely, right here and now… will you do it? Oh, and that includes your underwear, of course.”

“…!”

Nix’s face instantly turned bright red. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared blankly at Kaien, but she couldn’t utter a single word, only biting her lower lip. A storm of intertwined shame and anger raged within her.

After a silence that felt like hours, Nix, as if resigned to everything, slowly reached her trembling hand towards the hem of her clothes.

It was at that moment.

“Hahahaha! Just kidding, just kidding! My goodness, this young lady actually looks like she’s about to strip completely!”

Kaien clutched her stomach and laughed heartily for a long time, then wiped away the slight tears from the corners of her eyes with her finger and spoke.

“What do you mean, become a dog? So inflexible, just like a soldier. Just lend me a hand with work. Your abilities are too good to waste.”

Nix gazed at Kaien with a blank expression, then, realizing the situation, let out a deep sigh and leaned her body, now relaxed from tension, back onto the floor.

“…Understood. And… if we fight again, I will never lose.”

It wasn’t anger, nor shame. A new fighting spirit blazed in her eyes.

Kaien smiled with satisfaction as she looked at Nix.

“I’ll accept any time.”

****

The Data Ghost skill enhancement was successfully completed, and I activated the shop interface.

While Asura’s basic repairs and modifications would require Scarlet’s touch, I needed to scout for enhanced components beforehand. It was a matter directly related to my survival.

My gaze first went to the armor category. This was an area I had keenly felt the need for in previous battles.

Most of the top-grade components were still locked, but even among them, I found useful ones that I could purchase with my current situation and funds. These were components that would synergize with my evasion-focused combat style, rather than simply increasing defense.

[Kinetic Reactor Coating Frame (Grade: A)] [Effect] – 20% reduction in Kinetic Flow skill energy consumption. – 15% improvement in mobility system reaction speed and efficiency while Kinetic Flow is active. – 10% increase in unit’s basic energy recovery rate. [Penalty/Requirements] – Physical Defense –25% – Energy Defense –15% [Price: 320,000 CR]

Seeing the name of a component I used to enjoy in old games made me feel inexplicably glad.

‘I have to sacrifice a significant amount of defense, but my main focus is evasion anyway. This level of penalty is acceptable.’

Considering the synergy with my skills, I meticulously examined other components.

[Vector Control Thruster Pack (Grade: A+)] [Effect] – Enables ultra-precise posture control in extreme mobility situations. – Maximizes mobility through integration with Kinetic Flow skill. [Penalty/Requirements] – High energy requirements (can be offset by Kinetic Reactor Frame). – Requires high pilot skill and adaptation time for precise control. [Price: 420,000 CR]

[Hawkeye Long-Range Detection and Targeting System (Grade: A)] [Effect] – Able to detect ultra-long range targets, perform precise analysis, and simultaneously track multiple targets. – Maintains detection capability even in severe weather and strong jamming environments. – Maximizes accuracy when linked with precision strike assist system. [Price: 280,000 CR]

[Cipher Active ECM/ECCM Suite (Grade: B+)] [Effect] – Wide-range enemy sensor jamming and communication disruption. – Strengthens allied communication security and defends against enemy jamming attempts. – Bonus to enemy system penetration and jamming success rate when using Data Ghost skill. [Price: 190,000 CR]

I was disappointed by the locked components, but from what was available, I racked my brain and selected what I thought was the optimal combination for the current situation.

‘Next is weaponry, I suppose.’

This experience had made me more acutely aware of the importance of having various armaments to suit the situation and using them appropriately. I reflected on my previously complacent judgment.

‘The Particle Acceleration Rifle was too much of a luxury. It was difficult to control, and its energy efficiency was terrible.’

After all, the pile bunker on my right arm was already a powerful melee weapon with destructive power close to a finished product. The problem was that it required a cooldown time after use, and during that period, I had no suitable means of attack. The Particle Acceleration Rifle’s recoil was too severe to fill that gap, and it was difficult to hit opponents who moved nimbly. Moreover, it didn’t fit at all with the energy efficiency-focused concept of the Kinetic Reactor Coating Frame I was currently planning.

I needed a weapon that allowed for more flexible and sustained firepower projection, while also utilizing my mobility.

‘Something multi-purpose… Ah, there’s a perfect fit right here.’

[Item: Arclight Variable Beam Magnum (Grade: A)] [Effect] – Precision Sniper Mode: Maximizes single shot power, long-range accuracy correction. Medium energy consumption. – Rapid Fire Mode: Greatly increased fire rate, medium-range sustained firepower and suppression capability. High energy consumption. – Greatly enhanced aiming correction and effective range when linked with Hawkeye Targeting System. [Penalty/Requirements] – Slight delay during mode switching (0.5 seconds). – Temporary overheating risk with excessive rapid fire mode use (cooling required). [Price: 250,000 CR]

‘My situation handling ability will definitely improve. The linkage with the Hawkeye system is also appealing.’

I nodded with satisfaction and added it to my watchlist.

The left-hand weapon was sorted, and next was the shoulder section.

A pulse-type shield seemed suitable for the left shoulder to reinforce defensive capabilities. While my primary combat style was evasion, if I could deflect unavoidable attacks or use it as a shield in crucial moments, my survivability would greatly improve.

[Aegis Pulse Short-term Reactive Shield Generator (Grade: B+)] [Effect] – Deploys a single high-output pulse shield automatically or manually upon hit detection. – Perfect defense against one physical/energy attack (reduced defense against over-grade attacks). – Slight increase in shield deployment speed and defense when Kinetic Flow is active. [Penalty/Requirements] – Not for continuous use (requires 15 seconds recharge time). – Temporary system shutdown risk on overload (3 seconds). [Price: 170,000 CR]

‘It can reliably block once in a crisis.’

It was a perfectly suitable performance for me.

Finally, the right shoulder. I wanted to add offensive utility here.

[Shackle-Linked Jamming Missile Pod (Grade: B)] [Effect] – Fires 2 small jamming missiles simultaneously (total capacity 8 units). – Temporarily greatly reduces target’s sensor disruption and evasion rate upon hit (5 seconds). – Wide-area suppression and allied support possible with simultaneous guidance of multiple missiles. [Penalty/Requirements] – Missile capacity limit (resupply needed). – Reload time needed (10 seconds per pod). [Price: 150,000 CR]

The Shackle Missile Pod. While its direct lethality was low, it was unmatched for binding enemies or creating openings. It was also excellent for buying time for the pile bunker’s next attack or assisting with aiming the Arclight Magnum.

“Phew… good. This should be enough.”

I meticulously checked the components on my watchlist once more. The total amount was not insignificant, but the value seemed well worth it.

[Would you like to purchase all components on your watchlist?]

‘If I buy them here now, a difficult situation might unfold.’

Whenever I had purchased components from the shop until now, they had appeared directly in front of my eyes, like summoning magic. With Scarlet’s troops and Nix’s mercenary band watching, if giant components suddenly dropped in droves inside the transport ship… just imagining it gave me a headache.

[Recommended Delivery Destination: Scarlet’s Workshop (Estimated Arrival Time: Immediate)]

‘Huh?’

As I reached to close the watchlist window, a small phrase I hadn’t noticed before caught my eye.

‘Is delivery possible? And to a specific location?’

Just in case, I firmly pressed the ‘Select Delivery Destination’ button on the interface. A notification of a large amount of credits being withdrawn from my account appeared, along with a purchase complete message.

[Thank you for your purchase, Player Kang Jin-woo.]

And indeed, shortly after, a new notification flashed.

[Notification: All components you requested have been safely delivered to Scarlet’s Workshop.]

‘…Is this intergalactic instant delivery, beyond rocket delivery?’

It was difficult to explain precisely, but it was certainly a privilege only someone who had entered this game could enjoy.

A smile naturally formed on my lips.