episode_0086

In the end, we had to stop the self-destruct operation.

“Seriously…” Irene placed both hands on her hips and glared at us with a ferocity rarely seen from her. We had to quietly endure the scolding.

“Self-destruct, you say? Where did things go wrong, honestly…” “But this is our Violets’ efficient tactic…” “Efficient, you say?” At the edge of her golden eyes, the thoroughly cooked corpse of a Murmillion was visible. “If you had done as I said, you could have gotten out cleanly without getting hurt. Murmillions have sensitive antennae, but their other senses are dull. If you stay still, they won’t attack. Why do you go looking for trouble?” “Ugh… but we came back to life, so isn’t it fine?” The newly generated Unit 56 also chimed in. “Exactly! I’m perfectly fine.”

It was true that we had ignored Irene’s words and acted hastily. But we had our own tactics, you know. It was really a shame that she couldn’t understand.

“Strange, what exactly is the problem?” “This is a perfectly rational choice…”

Irene, who had been carefully observing us, casually threw out a remark. “Can you show that earlier sight to Daphne too?” “Gah…!” The startled Violet immediately shut its mouth. Seeing the Violets flinch, Irene continued speaking. “I understand if it’s a situation where that’s the only method you can use. But there’s no need to fight yourselves to pieces from the very beginning, is there?” “Alright…” “…I hope you fix this habit of treating your bodies carelessly. If you’re not fighting alone, it means you should consider the people around you too. Understand?”

Come to think of it, even if our clones died, they looked like real corpses before they vanished. It wasn’t a very pleasant sight. When we hung our heads and nodded, she also retreated with a more moderate stance. “Alright, just do better next time. Let’s start again. Move carefully, okay?” “Understood, let’s go!”

We gathered ourselves once more and resumed our journey.

***

The Violet squad slowly advanced. It was a different dynamic compared to moving with Daphne. Daphne’s role was that of a supporter. Her combat power was just enough to protect herself. So we would place her safely in the center and move while escorting her.

Irene’s case was the exact opposite. She always took the lead. This was partly because she knew the dungeon’s geography well, but fundamentally, it was due to the nature of Irene’s role. In the main story, she was a close-combatant, and a tank at that. Though outwardly a petite girl, her body was incomparably sturdy compared to ours. I realized it during sparring—she was like a lump of steel. In addition to her physical abilities, even the vest and coat she wore, which looked light on the outside, were in fact incredibly robust protective gear. Made from high-grade synthetic fabric, they were bulletproof and flame-retardant as a basic, and the lining was densely packed with lamellar armor composed of composite materials. I heard it was custom-made armor provided by Helios, but when I tried to copy it, I gave up because it was a 4-star item. And we Violets were incredibly soft compared to Irene. We had to be careful.

The Violets at the front poked the ground with sticks as if detecting landmines. If they found a spot that gave way, all kinds of attacks would fly into it. “Here! Attack!”

We continued to encounter not only magical beasts but also anomalous phenomena. “From here on, gravitational anomalies frequently occur. You need to carefully observe your surroundings and throw marbles or stones into any suspicious-looking areas before moving.” “You mean that?” “You saw correctly. You can see soil and branches floating in the air even from a distance, right? You must never step into such places. You’ll suddenly shoot up into the sky, or be crushed by immense gravity.” “Look! A marble is floating up.” “Don’t touch it carelessly—!” Violet Unit 178, reaching out a hand towards the steel marble out of curiosity, was sucked into it. “Whee! I’m flying!”

The Violet floated into the air. “Grab this!” “Got it!” Violet Unit 178, clinging to the spear shaft Irene held out, was suddenly slammed into the ground by enormous pressure. “Squeak?” -Squish!

Unit 178 barely escaped with help. A moment later, the spot where the Violet had been caved in, and the steel marble was crushed. “I told you not to touch it!” “It looked fun, so I just…”

We almost became dried squid. We shouldn’t take this lightly. We composed ourselves, learned what Irene taught us, and moved, avoiding the anomalies. “How did they build an outpost in a region like this?” “They mobilized airships and helicopters. This dungeon’s altitude is quite high, you see.” According to her explanation, they selected an area deep within the dungeon that was free of anomalies, then cut down all the trees and transported entire structural pieces to build the base. Even when hunters from the outpost traveled, they would take helicopters rather than going on foot or by vehicle. “Of course, they also travel by ground. The anomalies in this dungeon are very regularly placed. And the level of the magical beasts is low too.”

As we approached the outpost, which was said to be within a dangerous zone, the number of magical beasts continued to increase. A rustling sound could be heard among the tall trees. The sound of branches breaking, and dry bark crumbling. Something like the buzzing of insect wings could also be felt. “It’s Crawltide. They’re coming.” As she pointed her spear towards the trees ahead, many-legged magical beasts with gleaming brown bodies could be seen scurrying forward. Low-level magical beasts resembling cockroaches: Crawltides. “There are so many!” “Don’t worry. Crawltides are only numerous. Their intelligence is lower than Scraxs, and their defense is terrible. Everyone, prepare!” “Ready. Let’s begin!”

With twenty members of the Violet squad lined up in two rows, Irene lightly drew the tip of her spear through the air as if painting. From beneath her feet, a radial glow, like the sun, burst forth and spread. Golden magical power scattered in all directions, enveloping us. “Power is surging…!” As the golden magical power subtly wrapped around our entire bodies, strength surged within us. We were already in a state of full-body magical enhancement, but with this added power, we felt an explosive strength. This was the effect of Irene’s unique ability, ‘Guidance of Sunlight’. Guidance of Sunlight had two effects. First, it temporarily amplified the user’s own physical abilities. This ability stacked with basic physical enhancement.

A Crawltide flew quickly, flapping its wings. The creature swung its mantis-like foreleg. In the trajectory of the arm flying in a diagonal line was Irene. -Swish! And the razor-sharp foreleg, like a knife, was easily caught by Irene’s right hand. While the Crawltide struggled, Irene kicked out her foot as if striking a ball. -Thwack! With a single kick, the magical beast’s body crumpled and flew away. The foreleg held in her hand was lightly torn off by the recoil. Yellow bodily fluid splattered. The golden magical power enveloping the girl’s body repelled the fluid as if a lotus leaf shedding water droplets, preventing her from getting dirty. Her golden-clad figure was noticeable even from a distance. The magical beasts rushed at her like moths to a flame. She continuously swung her spear, easily slicing through three or four of them.

However, the effects of Irene’s unique ability did not end there. “I’ll handle the front. Violets, just take care of the smaller ones!” She intentionally stepped to the front, drawing the attention of the magical beasts. We only needed to deal with the smaller ones. “Understood. Open fire!” Irene’s golden sword energy, standing at the center of the front, surged like a wave. Some of the magical beasts avoided it and rushed towards us. The Violets soon began their engagement. -Bang! Bang! “Eat this!” Magical beasts resembling cockroaches flew towards them, flapping their wings to dodge the bullets. The Violet firing the shotgun quickly switched weapons to a sword and shield. Golden magical power and red magical power harmonized, forming sword energy. -Swish! The Crawltide’s upper body twitched, separating from its lower body.

I felt greater speed and power than usual. The golden magical energy flowing through our bodies was assisting us. More groups of magical beasts continued to rush through the trees. A Crawltide flew towards Unit 201, who was firing anti-air shots with an automatic rifle. -Flap! Flap! “Agh!” The creature swung its foreleg. Though it quickly retreated by circulating magical power, it was too late. The sharp foreleg severed the rifle in two and struck the Violet’s waist. The Violet felt the impact and fell backward. Just as the creature was about to charge again, several spears pierced through it. The creature struggled then went limp. “Unit 201! Your waist…” “I’m alive…” I clutched my aching waist. At its original power, I should have been torn in two. Checking the situation, I saw a wound between the torn clothes. It bled, but it was just a superficial tear in the skin. Injecting a recovery potion would heal it quickly.

This was the true power of ‘Guidance of Sunlight’. Irene’s unique ability enhanced allies. When the ability was used, allies’ physical abilities and durability increased for a certain period, and magical power was imbued into melee weapons, boosting their attack power. Indeed, it was an ability specialized for group combat. “Die, you cockroaches!” The enhanced Violets formed a formation, stabbing and slicing the creatures one by one. Magical beasts were originally tenacious, but these creatures would struggle relentlessly even after their bodies were dismembered and heads severed. Confirmation kills were essential.

After the short battle ended, inspection began. “How’s the situation? Are there any injured?” “We have about two minor injuries, but no one died. Thank you for using your unique ability!” “Thank you? We’re a team, aren’t we?” She turned her back and walked towards us. Around Irene, the ground was filled with the fragmented bodies of insectoid magical beasts, spewing bodily fluids and wriggling. “Ugh… gross…” It’s strange, isn’t Irene scared of these things? “They’re disgusting creatures, but you’ll have to get used to them. Crawltides are magical beasts that inhabit all environments, just like Scraxs. They’re probably living in the Chloris Forest where we’re headed too.” “But they look like cockroaches, aren’t they disgusting?” I pointed at the magical beasts’ glistening light-brown carapaces and legs covered in bristles. “How many more disgusting magical beasts are there than these? Well, they are cockroaches. In academia, they are considered cockroaches that have mutated after being eroded by Aether.” “Ugh!” I didn’t realize it during the fight, but now that I look, they’re truly horrifying. Cockroach magical beasts! Even if Director Cronenberg and Teacher Howard had teamed up to create a VR game specializing in insects, it would have been better than this.

The Violets at headquarters, observing the field personnel, exchanged opinions. “We need to increase incendiary production. Should we get flamethrowers too?” “No, let’s learn fire magic from Professor Albert.”

Irene, looking at us who found the Crawltides repulsive, casually threw out a remark. “So Violets are scared of cockroaches?” “No! It’s not scary, I just dislike them. They’re too big!” Irene burst into laughter. “That’s usually what people call being scared.” “No, it’s not!” “I’m not scared!”

As we bickered and walked, we soon reached an open area where the outpost was visible. The outpost was a small fortress composed of reinforced concrete blocks and containers. A small helicopter was also visible on the roof. “We’ve reached our destination. That’s the outpost.” “It’s smaller than I thought.” “Although it’s called an outpost, its only role is to monitor dangerous elements approaching the safe zone.”

She lightly gestured. “So, shall we go back now? We’ve learned everything we basically needed to learn. Aren’t you hungry? I’ll buy you food.” “Yeah! I’m hungry.” “Me too, me too.” The Violets chattered.

As we turned to walk back, a loud engine sound was heard above our heads. A white object could be seen flying through the dense tree branches. “That’s that helicopter, isn’t it? From the outpost.” “It really is.” Irene’s face hardened. “A helicopter withdrawing? From the outpost? What could be the reason…” A siren wailed from the direction of the safe zone in the distance. “Violets. How is everyone’s stamina?” “We’re fine, why?” She slung her spear onto her back. “There’s usually only one reason why personnel from an outpost withdraw: when a mid-level magical beast appears.” “Gah, this is bad news!” “Still, the mid-level magical beasts here are slow. Let’s go back quickly.” Understanding the situation, the Violets ran at full speed towards the safe zone.

***

After dispelling the clones and returning to the safe zone, the white helicopter we had seen earlier hastily landed in the clearing. Hunters rushed over and were heard talking agitatedly to someone who appeared to be in charge. “What is it? Why didn’t you contact us?” “I apologize! The communication lines were cut. It’s a Crawltide Nest! Please evacuate quickly!” The surrounding workers, understanding the situation, put down their tools and headed towards the exit as if it were no big deal. “This is crazy, I was going to work overtime today…” “Alright, alright! Everyone, put down your work and move quickly. Is this the first time something like this has happened?” Seeing the people act so calmly, it seemed this wasn’t the first time such a thing had happened. We also followed the people towards the entrance.

And then, the entrance to the brightly glowing blue gate suddenly swirled with a chaotic, ink-like color. “Ugh… Aah! The gate is blocked!” “Why?” Starting with someone screaming in panic, the bewildered people became agitated. It made sense. That phenomenon occurred when a warp gate went haywire. Crossing it would make one a spatial-temporal lost child. Faced with the unexpected situation, Irene was flustered. “Why? Alkecia Forest is a place where the state of space is very stable. I’ve never heard of a gate being blocked here before…” “What do we do? Are we trapped?” It was like the saying, ‘The day you go to the market is market day’ [a proverb about bad timing or unexpected trouble]. We just came for a training session, and now this sudden disaster.

Rustling noises grew closer from among the trees in the distance. Sounds like flapping and buzzing were also conveyed from among the trees. Violet turned its head. As it focused magical power into its eyes, a shimmering brown wave was visible among the trees at the edge of its enhanced vision. “Oh, of all times…” Recognizing the situation, Irene’s golden gaze wavered. That was the horde of magical beasts they had just fought. We faced a wave of over hundreds of Crawltides. Among the trees, a multi-legged figure carrying something large and beehive-like could also be seen walking. “Eeeek! It’s a cockroach flood!” The Violets observing the situation screamed without exception.