episode_0132

The inside of the Violet Network was always bustling. The plaza, decorated in various colorful hues, was filled with identical yellow-haired girls.

Hundreds of Violets chattered and played, waiting for their turn to go out and act.

In the center of the plaza was a large fountain, where a huge stone lion statue continuously gushed water from its mouth.

Suddenly, a flash of light erupted from the lion statue in the fountain. The Violets who had been playing turned their heads.

The light signified the appearance of a new Violet. The girls bounced excitedly.

“A new Violet is coming!”

When the light faded, a Violet appeared from the statue’s mouth. The Violet slid down the stream of water as if on a slide and landed outside the fountain.

“Hello, wonderful world! I’m No. 705!”

The newly born Violet smiled brightly and waved. Another Violet waiting nearby beckoned to the girl.

“Hi there. I’m No. 512. Just follow me for now.”

“Why?” “It’s time to watch a battle!”

No. 705 tilted her head.

Following No. 512, a large screen set up on one side of the plaza came into view. No. 512 explained the current rescue operation.

Detailed explanations weren’t necessary. Immediately after being born, No. 705 had received all the memories and thoughts of every other Violet. This was, after all, a formality.

No. 512 grumbled as if remembering something.

“You’re lucky, though. Hmph, the first thing I did after being generated was carry pipes…”

“Eek!”

No. 705 shuddered at the memory of No. 512’s heavy labor right after her birth.

Heavy labor right after being born! Violet secretly regretted saying it was a wonderful world.

Seeing No. 705’s expression darken, No. 512 quickly added.

“Don’t be too scared! The Violets who work in the workshops get more delicious food.”

“Wow! That’s a relief.”

No. 705’s face brightened again. The two Violets chattered as they arrived in front of the screen. Many Violets were focused on the display.

“The operation is about to begin! Watch closely. You’ll be going out soon too!”

On the screen, twelve snow vehicles of various sizes were seen near the gate. The Violets shared the sensations of the scene, immersing themselves in the situation.

“I’m so jealous, I want to fight too!”

“Shh, focus. It’s starting now!”

Soon after, a squad of Violets in white winter combat suits appeared. The squad members got into the vehicles with their team.

As the engines started, the silent vehicles rumbled heavily and shook, like sleeping magical beasts awakening. Their tracks slowly moved, pushing the vehicles forward.

Soon, the camouflaged snow vehicles traversed the middle of a vast snowfield. The snowfield, covered in thick snow, was quiet, but there were human footprints and vehicle tracks here and there.

The Violet Company Command issued instructions to the squad one by one.

“From Violet Company Command! Our mission is to rescue the students isolated deep within the dungeon. As you all know, the Pastera Snowfield is currently in an extremely unstable state. The magical beasts’ aggressiveness has increased, and the internal climate can change rapidly at any time. Prioritize avoiding engagements and reaching the destination as quickly as possible!”

No. 10 at headquarters compared the electronic map on the desk with the locations of the Violets in the field.

As the shared five senses and various pieces of information were combined through the collective unconscious, the spatial awareness of the dungeon’s interior vividly expanded within the Violets’ minds.

Violet herself didn’t fully understand the principle, but now the girls could vaguely perceive each other’s locations on the map. No. 10 thought this sensation they were experiencing was like a satellite navigation system.

A new order was issued, based on the imprinted location information.

“To the convoy. Vehicle No. 1 and Vehicle No. 2 move to the center, Vehicles No. 3 through No. 12 deploy to both sides! Escort in a column formation and identify surrounding threats!”

“Understood!”

Vehicle No. 1 was a sturdy vehicle reminiscent of an armored car, and Vehicle No. 2 was a smaller four-seater. The rest were two-seater vehicles called snow bikes.

Each vehicle carried armed Violets and their team members. Above them, a squadron of six powered hang gliders followed.

“To Flight Unit 1, follow the convoy for now, then disperse at the entrance to the deep zone.”

“Got it! But it’s too cold here! Send some hot packs!”

“VA-1. They’re in your inventory. Use them!”

The Violet called VA-1 rummaged through her inventory and pulled out a hot pack. Flying through the dungeon’s strangely cracked skies, like a spiderweb, felt like showering in ice water.

Following the vehicle tracks, they soon saw the defensive wall surrounding the gate and the guard hunters.

“From Headquarters to Vehicle No. 1 and Vehicle No. 2. You’re about to pass through the border zone, so maintain this formation until you enter the deep zone.”

“Understood!”

After sending messages to each vehicle carrying team members, the Radio Violets relayed them to the team members inside. Leaving the barrier, a small forest welcomed the convoy.

The Radio Violet in Vehicle No. 1 opened the vehicle’s roof and peeked out her head to survey the surroundings. Hunters were butchering magical beasts or working nearby.

Nos. 10, 21, and 33 at headquarters scanned the electronic map and dungeon-related data. They had heard it was wide, but it was quite wide, even more than expected. No. 10 checked the areas marked on the map and reviewed the schedule.

“We just left the safe zone. It will take some time to pass through the border zone.”

The academy city’s clans classified dungeons with large areas, like the Pastera Snowfield, into three zones based on their distance from the gate.

First, the safe zone, where all magical beasts and threats have been cleared and a barrier erected. This place is literally safe.

Beyond that is the border zone. It’s dangerous due to its distance from the gate and the activity of magical beasts, but a wired network allows for communication with the outside and calls for rescue. Its difficulty is medium.

Beyond that is the deep zone. It is quite far from the gate, and the wired network is either not established or frequently breaks.

The number of magical beasts is several times that of the border zone, so its difficulty is high.

The place where Alex and the students are currently isolated is the Stigma Mountains. It’s deep within the Pastera Snowfield’s deep zone, where mountain peaks are visible far beyond the snowfield.

Violet wondered how these young students managed to get here. Even B-rank and A-rank hunters don’t overexert themselves or move alone in the deep zone.

As the convoy passed, the attention of nearby workers and hunters turned to them. Occasionally, minor magical beasts, drawn by the noise, rushed over, but Violets on snow bikes snipped them down.

After a long drive, they reached the vicinity of the deep zone. The mountains were closer. A snow vehicle rapidly approaching from the opposite side was seen.

It was the same type of vehicle the convoy was using. Violet realized they were people from a clan responsible for dungeon management.

The vehicle saw the convoy, stopped, and honked its horn. A hunter got out of the vehicle, rushed over, and knocked on the window.

“What is it?”

“Huh…? You’re not from our clan. Who are you?”

“We rented it!”

When Violet No. 48, the driver, explained the situation, the hunter was startled.

“What? Are you crazy? I don’t know who you are, but you seem young. Turn back right now!”

“Why?”

“The deep zone is dangerous right now. The area near Stigma Mountain is an even bigger mess. The number of magical beasts has increased several times more than usual. An ice storm is about to hit too. Forget rescue! If you don’t want to become rescue targets yourselves, turn your vehicles around quickly. We’re withdrawing right now!”

“But this is our mission, isn’t it?”

“No, forget the money, you need to survive. And that vehicle, you said you rented it from our clan. Are you planning to wreck it?”

“We’ll use the vehicle well and somehow return it!”

When Violet showed a resolute attitude, the hunter shook his head.

“Sigh, tsk tsk… If you’re determined to go die, there’s nothing I can do. But listen, young lady! One piece of advice. The Yetis are seriously enraged. Be careful!”

“Understood! Thanks for the advice!”

The clan’s vehicle disappeared in the opposite direction. Feeling uneasy, the Company Command had some team members disembark from the vehicles. Lucian, dressed in his winter gear, grumbled.

“What? Are we starting already? You said we could transfer inside the deep zone?”

“I just have a bad feeling about it. Don’t forget, get on the bikes!”

Irene, Kalia, and Lucian got on the snow bikes as previously arranged. The two girls told Violet they wanted to drive the snow bikes themselves.

“You know how to drive them!”

“I learned this much a long time ago.”

“Well, you said it’s no different from a motorcycle, right? And it doesn’t seem much different.”

“What about you?”

“…Ah, well, this is crazy…”

“It’s okay. I’ll give you a ride!”

“Sigh…”

The two girls expertly drove the snow bikes. Seeing this, Lucian made a face as if his pride was hurt, but then he sat in the back seat of Vehicle No. 10, driven by Violet.

“Personnel deployment complete!”

Headquarters checked the situation.

Levi and Daphne were assigned to Vehicle No. 1, Granite to Vehicle No. 2, and Irene, Kalia, and Lucian were assigned to Vehicles No. 3, 7, and 10, respectively. Before entering the dungeon, they had agreed to move according to Violet’s instructions.

If Violet was the pawn, queen, and king, the remaining team members were the knights, rooks, and bishops on the chessboard.

Company Command was tasked with the heavy mission of effectively utilizing these variables given to them.

No. 10 saw the scenery that the field personnel were observing. A dark blue mountain range, covered in snow and ice, was visible. How many magical beasts were teeming within it? Would the rescue targets even be alive?

The Violets of the command shook their heads, clearing their hesitation.

Anyway, the main objective was to reach the ether emitter. In the worst case, they could just retrieve the students’ bodies. They’d get paid less, but they’d just have to accept it.

They took a breath, then exhaled.

“Advance again.”

The Violet convoy moved. Perhaps it was because the deep zone was close. Before long, an urgent report came in from the flight unit.

“This is VA-2! Convoy one o’clock direction, multiple magical beasts approaching. Numbers over a hundred! Magical beast type… Ice Skullkits!”

“Emergency! Emergency! Prepare for combat!”

The Radio Violets, who had been dozing, quickly snapped their heads up and shouted.

“Emergency! Emergency! Enemy! One o’clock direction!”

The roofs of Vehicle No. 1 and Vehicle No. 2 opened, and Violets holding machine guns poked their heads out.

Magical beasts with familiar, wolf-like appearances came rushing over the hill towards the convoy. They were Ice Skullkits, a variant that had evolved to adapt to the snowfield. Their paw pads had widened, and their bodies had grown larger, perhaps to traverse the harsh snow.

And, they were not alone.

“What the, this is driving me crazy! Violet, tell everyone! Magical beasts riding magical beasts!”

“Gah! It’s true? To combat formation!”

Kalia, speeding on Bike No. 5, looked ahead as if dumbfounded. Somehow, a group of Scraks was riding Skullkits and charging forward.

“Those ugly creatures! How did they even think of riding other magical beasts?”

The command immediately ordered an attack.

“Levi, they’re trash over there!”

“Oh… they really are?”

Another sharpshooter appeared on top of Vehicle No. 1. A gigantic, inky black ballista unfolded its tripod. Levi, who had been timidly surveying her surroundings, grabbed the weapon’s handle, and her eyes changed.

First, the nearby bikes drew the attention of the magical beast pack. Skullkit riders, armed with ice spears and swords, approached the snow bikes.

“Open fire!”

– Rat-a-tat-tat!

Violets in the passenger seats fired their rifles, taking them down one by one. As the gunshots rang out, more enemies, drawn by the sound, swarmed in.

“Levi! Three o’clock ridge, towards the bent tree!”

“Ugh! Got it!”

While the bikes blocked the enemies, the machine guns on the roofs of Vehicle No. 2 and Vehicle No. 1 spit fire. Beams of light struck the pack of magical beasts charging up the hill.

“Aargh! Disappear!”

Using the light beams as a guide, the ballista unleashed medium-sized bolts imbued with magic. The noise was less, but the destructive power was more fatal. Each bolt tore through the formation.

Caught in the barrage, the magical beasts were frightened and turned tail and fled. As the scared Skullkits ran wild, the Scraks riding on top of them were seen falling off.

“Well done! Vehicle No. 1 and No. 2 cease fire! Vehicles No. 7, 8, and 9 charge! Vehicles No. 10 and 11 provide cover fire!”

Kalia and the Violets drew their swords. They had to slaughter them all before they could regroup and return.

With Vehicle No. 5 in the lead, three bikes pursued the magical beasts up the hill. Flaming bullets struck the backs of the fleeing magical beasts, causing them to explode, and swords imbued with sword energy slashed down on the backs of the magical beasts.

– Roar!

The heads of the Skullkits that had been loitering and looking for an opportunity to attack exploded one by one. The combat rifle fire of the Violet in the passenger seat was precise.

Soon, a victory report came from the sky.

“VA-3 reports to Headquarters. Threats eliminated!”

“From Headquarters, well done everyone!”

“We won!”

No sooner had the Violets declared victory than another pack of magical beasts swarmed in.

“Levi! Eleven o’clock front! Clear them out!”

“Got it! Just disappear! You trash!”

Excited, Levi’s eyes gleamed wildly as she turned the ballista towards the target. With a tearing sound, bolts ripped through the Skullkits’ bodies and pierced the Scraks in a line.

While Levi reloaded the magazine, the machine guns spit fire, riddling more Skullkit riders with holes. However, because of their sheer numbers, the magical beasts approached the convoy.

Just as a head-on collision was imminent, Company Command issued new orders.

“This won’t do. Vehicles No. 3 through No. 7, prepare to charge. Vehicle No. 1, prepare to deploy the shield, and Vehicle No. 10! Prepare for magic attack!”

The three bikes at the front accelerated. Four bikes that had been dealing with the remaining magical beasts and following joined from the right.

“Irene! Are you ready? Now!”

“Got it. Hold on tight!”

Seven bikes charged directly into the magical beast pack. No sooner had the Radio Violet opened her mouth than golden magic emanated from Vehicle No. 3 at the very front, enveloping the other team members.

“Everyone, prepare!”

Everyone except Kalia raised their spears. The golden magic merged with the red sword energy, strengthening their power. The spears shone brightly.

The magical beasts were getting closer. Their greedy and ferocious eyes were visible.

“Grand Spear!”

The spears imbued with magic aimed straight ahead. The bike formation itself, like a giant arrow, charged towards the magical beast pack blocking the path. Magical arrows flew over the formation’s heads, piercing the enemies. Bullets and bolts flew, riddling holes in the magical beasts’ ranks. Still, the malicious magical beasts growled and continued to charge head-on into the convoy.

“Everyone cease fire, brace for impact! Chaaarge!”

The magical beasts’ claws, teeth, and gleaming weapons filled their eyes. They were getting closer. They were approaching. Just before impact, pale green protective shields deployed over the snow bikes.

And then, impact. With a thunderous roar, the spears plunged into the magical beasts.

– Boom!

The bike formation pierced through the magical beast pack at a single point, like a battering ram. The cavalry spear charge opened up a wide path in the blink of an eye. Through it, the convoy swiftly pressed forward.

“Kill them! Kill them all!”

“Hyaa!”

As three or four magical beasts were impaled on her spear, Irene shook her spear as if dusting it off, flicking the corpses away. The Violets who discarded their spears wildly swung their swords, cutting down enemies. Two snow vehicles passed over the magical beasts that hadn’t died from the attack, ending their pathetic lives.

“That’s it! We’ve passed through!”

Unable to withstand the impact, the magical beast pack disintegrated instantly. The Violet convoy headed towards the entrance of the deep zone, as if they hadn’t been hindered at all.

“Haha…! We cleared them all out! Violet, how was that?”

“Levi, you did well!”

Perhaps from the brief thrill of victory, or perhaps from the cold, Levi’s face was flushed red, and she trembled with excitement.

As the battle ended, Daphne had somehow come out of the roof and was looking around. She asked the Radio Violet with a worried expression.

“Violet, how far have we come? Please let the others know too.”

The Radio Violet received an immediate answer from Headquarters.

“Yep, they just said we’re at the very entrance of the deep zone!”

Hearing the Violet in the back seat speak, Irene sighed.

“That hunter was right. If the area near the deep zone is like this, how many more enemies will appear ahead…”

“Don’t worry! Once we pass through the canyon, the number of magical beasts will decrease significantly.”

“Conversely, that means there are many here. Don’t you think?”

Violet didn’t know how to respond to Irene’s words.

After passing hills and forests, a canyon welcomed the Violet convoy. The Stigma Mountains were closer than they had been hours ago. The convoy crossed the passage through the canyon, unaware of how many more obstacles lay ahead.