episode_0186

The fifth basement level, the lowest floor that had served as a hangar, was cluttered with unorganized materials, parked construction vehicles, and waste.

A group of armed guards ran through the corridor.

“Search every corner! The opponent’s unique ability is to create clones. Don’t let anything go unnoticed!”

The Awakened guards, armed with large-caliber rifles and swords, split into groups of three with ordinary soldiers and scoured the underground.

There was no one beneath the cavity leading to the surface.

Then, a strange sight caught the eyes of the ordinary personnel searching the fifth basement level.

It was only for a moment, but the member gasped, sucking in a sharp breath.

“…What is that?”

What was visible under the dim light was the naked body of a woman, her back turned.

Pale skin with prominent blue veins covered a body as smooth and exquisite as a sculpture.

Her height, comparable to a man’s, was lithe yet slender. A thin waist connected the curved upper and lower halves of her body.

Maturity was prominent in her form.

Her softly closed eyes were slightly shadowed. Under the light, the color of her hair, falling past her shoulders, was golden.

It was truly decadent and bewitching.

“Reporting to headquarters. Target found. Appears to be the main body—”

The moment the personnel, feeling an eerie chill from her beauty, aimed their weapons. The woman, sensing their presence, let out a short breath and opened her eyes.

Her blood-red eyes glittered under the light, and the woman’s face twisted in instinctive displeasure.

“You saw me.”

“…!”

The woman vanished before their eyes.

When they turned around in surprise, the necks of two comrades were twisted. The moment the terrified personnel opened their mouths, their vision went black.

Excruciating pain surged from both eyes.

“Ah, aaaah!”

The witch shoved her two thumbs deeper into the eye sockets, then violently gripped the head.

With a crunching sound, the member’s head was crushed. She shook off the brains and bone fragments clutched in her hand.

Splashes of blood on her neck streamed down, past her collarbone, and into the valley between her two peaks.

“Filthy bastard. How dare you…”

As the scent of blood tickled her nose, her darkened consciousness slowly brightened.

Memories surged into her mind like a tsunami. The woman panted, looking around as if waking from a deep sleep.

‘I am…’

She thought.

Who am I? I am Violet Dunhind Ruzilin. I have no parents, because I’m a refugee from the Erosion Zone.

Who am I? Obsidian Legion Operations Team 7 Commander. Call sign Dandelion.

I am… Violet.

I am the Witch of Limitless Power.

The backlog of information poured into her mind.

Her confusion was brief. The woman closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She searched through the memories of Subject 721.

Where is this, and where am I? I need information.

“I’m outside.”

She realized it from the cold air felt on her skin and the sensation of warm blood flowing over her arms and upper body.

The second time she felt the outside air.

“Ah…!”

The thrill was short-lived. Violet, having confirmed her memories, muttered in an irritated voice, her face twisting.

“This idiotic wench really…!”

As the situation became clear, Violet scowled.

Of all things, to run into that Grand Archmage.

‘This is bad. That old man from Magnabyss doesn’t get along with me.’

Violet assessed the situation and examined her body’s condition.

She wiggled the fingers of both hands, and bent and straightened her arms.

The unique elasticity and power of muscles compressed like springs beneath her thin skin were conveyed.

This wasn’t the young, growing body she had wielded when facing Martina.

Her physical condition was optimal. Even barehanded, she could tear apart armor.

“The problem is magic power.”

The witch pondered why she had been able to reappear in reality.

The moment *she* became enraged, the *me* who had been resting burst out, and by good fortune, immense magic power flowed.

Perhaps thanks to that, she was able to recover to her prime body, fully grown from her Obsidian Legion days.

However, the temporarily created body was collapsing. It was a kind of immune rejection reaction.

After a brief calculation, she realized: if she didn’t secure a proper magic power source and regulate her physical state, the time she could remain in reality would quickly run out.

She would fall back into being a refugee in the mental world.

‘According to calculations, a maximum of one hour; a fierce battle would shorten it even further.’

She tapped the wall several times. The perceived strength and magic power were unusual.

‘Damn it, I don’t have enough time or magic power to break through the outer wall. I’ll have to go to the surface for now. Well, can’t be helped.’

She tried to think optimistically, muttering a line from an old play by Alkaios.

“So the forge of adversity, the hammer of fate, tests me once more. Ah! Beneath the anvil of despair, we vanish like mist…”

She activated her magic power. Red magic energy enveloped her body, then a black combat suit and equipment wrapped around her.

A simple application of a replication ability that fakes couldn’t use, the witch Violet felt pleased to experience her true power.

‘It’s been a while, this feeling of being on the field.’

The rough footsteps of the guards echoed through the underground.

It seemed they sensed danger when contact was lost with those vile creatures who had glimpsed her body.

She materialized a weapon in the air. For now, a one-handed sword to test her strength.

For some reason, she couldn’t use the bag that fakes would use, but she didn’t care.

It was a bit unfortunate that she couldn’t use explosives, but firearms were unnecessary anyway.

-Bang bang bang!

It seemed her first opponents would be the guards.

Bullets rained down without warning, but she lightly tilted her head, dodging a bullet flying towards her crown.

“Get up, it’s playtime.”

The witch, walking in the shadows, snapped her fingers.

A portion of her vast magic power scattered, and then black shadows surged from behind her.

Soon after, countless armed clones, identical to her, appeared.

Violet and her clones sprinted through the dimly lit underground corridor. Enemies confronting her attacked.

“What? Were they that big?”

“Shut up and shoot!”

Weak attacks were blocked by clones. Dangerous projectiles like crossbow bolts and anti-monster bullets were deflected with swords.

Dozens of clones swung their swords like a collective dance, cleaving through the hail of bullets.

“What kind of monster is this…! Prepare for close combat!”

The enemy personnel, who had been firing, put down their guns and picked up swords and axes.

At that moment, the swords in the clones’ hands instantly transformed into spears. Violet and her clones accelerated at an explosive speed.

“Cough…!”

“Aaaagh!”

The clone Violets, with unbelievable skill for puppets, plunged into the enemies’ sword attacks.

Personnel pierced by spears died.

Like harvesting grain with a scythe, the Violets mowed down enemies, breaking through the fifth floor.

“…The enemy is increasing! 30, 50, 100!”

“Unbelievable! We killed so many? What’s going on?”

One by one, the personnel’s contact was lost with screams.

Red dots on the holographic map suddenly increased. At that sight, the Grand Archmage’s face hardened slightly.

At this rate, she would soon reach the surface.

The security team leader, witnessing the carnage, sent reinforcements.

-Boom!

“Ugh…!”

As she ascended to the fourth basement level, Violet quickly ducked.

When a clone that had thrown itself forward evaporated from a magic spell, she felt a small burst of pain. Perhaps because there were fewer clones, the pain-dispersion ability wasn’t working properly.

“You won’t pass here!”

Continuing to generate clones, she attempted a frontal breakthrough once more.

This time, personnel armed with shields and swords clashed with her. Her first charge was barely blocked, and a counterattack flew.

“Stab!”

Blades glowing with sword energy approached.

The clones dropped their spears and retreated, evading attacks. In a flash, clones from behind swapped places and stabbed into the gaps. Flawless movements.

“Coughing gasp…!”

Bodies that had lost their heads fell one after another to the ground. Severed limbs flew towards the ceiling.

Mages, having bought time with the sacrifices of the melee squad, aimed their staffs.

Just as beams of light flew from the tips of the staffs, the clones swung their right arms back widely. Like a pitcher preparing for a fastball.

“…?”

With a rattling sound, chained javelins flew.

-Boom!

“Aaaagh! Activate defensive spells!”

“Get down!”

The javelins, flying with shockwaves, impaled the counterattacking mages like cannonballs. The moment the firing line crumbled, the clones surged in once more.

-Team Leader-nim! The enemy’s level is different! It seems like someone else! Aaaagh!

One by one, screams echoed from the radio. Valefor, witnessing the disaster as the offensive instantly turned into a defensive struggle, urgently gave orders.

“Security Team Leader, retreat all personnel to the first basement level. I don’t know why, but her level is different from before. Minimizing casualties is the top priority.”

“…Understood.”

A subordinate, watching the holographic map, shouted.

“They’ve entered the third basement level!”

“There’s a lockdown system here. Activate it while you evacuate! Hurry!”

As the order was given, the personnel hurried down the corridor.

The warning lights on the ceiling flashed red, signaling the activation of the lockdown system.

The right wall next to a retreating member shattered.

“Don’t come! No!”

A clone that had broken through the wall and rushed in stabbed him in the stomach. The moment he fell, dozens of swords following close behind ripped into his body.

“Aaaagh! Help me!”

When the member heard the scream and looked back, his superior urged him.

“Idiot! No time to help! Run!”

A thick metal barrier was descending before their eyes.

The personnel dragged their injured bodies through the barrier.

Down the corridor, a female member who had fallen behind rushed frantically.

“Wait, let’s go together! Don’t close it yet!”

“Hurry!”

The barrier’s movement paused for a moment.

The member, sobbing in fear, ran towards the barrier. Waiting comrades urged her on, reaching out their hands.

Just as she thought she would make it, a burning pain surged from her stomach as if she’d been branded with fire.

“Huh…?”

Startled, she looked down at herself.

A harpoon protruded from her stomach.

“Ah, no. Wait…!”

As the female member pitifully stretched out her hand, the chain connected to the harpoon clanked as it dragged across the floor.

“Aaaaah!”

“Hey! Grab her hand! Quickly!”

“Ah, no!”

The noisy metallic scrape of the chain being violently dragged across the floor. She struggled, being pulled away down the corridor. Her two hands pitifully scraped the floor.

A screeching sound and ten lines carved into the floor.

The witch Violet smiled cruelly, watching her target being dragged in, pierced by the harpoon.

“Quite a catch, isn’t it?”

She lightly lifted the member and threw him towards the back where the clones were waiting.

The clones swung their swords in unison.

“Help me! No! Noooo!”

Flesh fragments scattered in all directions, blood splattering.

While the corridor turned crimson, Violet cackled, facing the cowards beyond the barrier.

“Kyahahaha!”

Violet, covered in blood, laughed brightly with delight. The clones laughed too.

The mad witch’s laughter vibrated throughout the entire third basement level.

The personnel, who had been shocked by their comrade’s gruesome death, snapped out of it and retreated.

“D-damn it! Close it quickly! She’s coming! She’s cominggg!”

-Clang!

A killing machine was charging. The moment their eyes met its glowing red, insane gaze, the metal shutter sealed the corridor leading to the second basement level.

“We’re safe…”

Thump, thump. Large, strong vibrations pounding on the door. A sharp scratching sound on the barrier. The personnel retreated from the door.

“…Archmage-nim. We stopped her!”

The security team leader switched one of the CCTV screens and showed it to Valefor.

Numerous clones were scratching the walls and the barrier with blades infused with red sword energy.

Behind them, a new barrier descended.

Now the blonde women looked around.

“Hmm, it seems they’ll break through the ceiling like before. Is that all?”

When Valefor asked, the team leader shook his head and replied.

“Of course not! We didn’t think of it then, but…we have this!”

The team leader pressed a few buttons, and an energy field formed around the space where Violet was trapped.

The Violets stabbed here and there with their swords, but they were powerlessly repelled.

The team leader, feeling relieved, spoke in a joyful tone.

“It’s done! Originally it was for preventing monster escapes, but it can be used like this too. Do you see? We’ve caught that monstrous bitch. Now all we have to do is subdue her slowly!”

“Well, I wonder if that’ll be enough.”

“You can rest assured. Those surrounding walls are made of super-concrete, and the barrier is a special armored material made of rare metal and megasteel. On top of that, we’ve applied the latest magic absorption energy field. That woman will absolutely not be able to get out.”

As he finished speaking, the security team leader looked back at the Archmage like a dog expecting praise from its master. And he was flustered by the unexpected attitude.

Valefor was looking at the team leader with a somewhat dissatisfied expression. There was a hint of annoyance and pity in his gaze.

“…Team Leader. You might think this is an old man’s grumbling, but listen closely. I’ve learned one thing living for over a century: there are no absolutes in this world. Don’t let your guard down.”

The team leader bowed his head at the distant superior’s admonition. Valefor looked at the surveillance camera screen in a corner of the hologram.

Just then, the woman was gazing at the CCTV. For a very brief moment, Valefor felt as if his eyes had met hers.

‘What was that…?’

As the woman extended her hand into the air, a massive, rectangular sword appeared.

The surveillance camera’s screen crackled and cut out.

-Crash!

The barrier was shattered into pieces.

Violet laughed and walked out with an exaggerated gesture.

“Behold! A burning soul! It cannot be bound by chains. It cannot be confined in a prison! The storm cannot be tamed. The waves cannot be calmed! Hahahaha!”

While reciting another line from an unknown play, the clone army advanced to the second basement level.

Valefor gave instructions to the Vanguard agents behind him. Some of them descended.

The pale security team leader urgently gave orders over the radio.

“Come up quickly! Hurry!”

-It’s impossible! Everywhere is that woman’s clones!

Beyond the radio, a subordinate screamed, swinging his sword. The clones, now numbering in the hundreds, were rampaging everywhere, hunting down the personnel.

“Don’t shoot! Our allies are…”

“Hahaha!”

The clones ran, using the captured personnel as human shields.

In the fleeting moment of hesitation caused by that sight, other clones stormed in. Up, down. Left, right. Front, back.

“U-Uwaaaagh!”

A member surrounded by clones wailed in terror. Inescapable sword attacks rained down from all directions.

-Boom!

As the member screamed, a gigantic lightning whip surged between Violet and the member.

The clones turned to ash and vanished.

“Damn it! Get up quickly! We’ll buy you time, so hurry out!”

The personnel stood up one by one.

A Vanguard agent holding a halberd stepped forward with his comrades. The witch tilted her head.

“Oho?”

Intrigued, she and her clones charged at the reorganized guards and Vanguard.

A barrage of fire rained down like rain, and they clashed.

After exchanging several attacks, she felt dissatisfied with a situation that brought both amusement and regret.

“Not bad. Yes. Normally, if it were…”

Sadly, she couldn’t play with them any longer. She was short on time.

Violet temporarily retreated. The Vanguard agent, mistaking her action for the hesitation of a cornered enemy, menacingly aimed his halberd.

“That’s right, getting tired, aren’t you? You demonic bitch! You must have gotten cocky with your paltry unique ability. I’ll turn that pretty face of yours into ashes!”

Instead of responding to the taunt,

She drew two short swords.

The clones also followed the main body’s movement, dropping their weapons on the ground and materializing dual swords in the air.

“Fire!”

A magical barrage tore through the air. Flames of destruction flew towards them.

For a very brief moment, Violet and her army of clones slightly bent their waists and knees. Like sprinters preparing for an all-out dash.

“Attack–”

Violet brought out another skill she knew, besides her unique ability.

Specialized Augmented Melee Combat Technique, Raix-Haiburn Style: Form 1.

-Thump!

Magic power sprayed from her feet, causing a short explosion. The floor was dented by the impact.

Her body radiated magic power, accelerating like a rocket.

Leading a fierce piercing sound, the witch’s army shot through the enemy forces like bullets.

And then, silence.

“…?”

The personnel found Violet and her clones, who had moved behind them in the blink of an eye.

That was the last scene they witnessed in their lives.

-Slash!

The soldiers on the second basement level were torn into dozens of pieces and scattered. The result of the forgotten combat technique created by the old federation was gruesome.

Everything turned red. The floor was slippery.

Violet simply couldn’t contain this thrilling sensation coursing through her spine.

“Kyahahaha! This is it. As expected, I haven’t forgotten!”

The clones shook the blood off their swords, and the Witch of Limitless Power rejoiced, spreading her arms.

“Be awed!”

As she surged upwards in perfect synchronization, breaking through the ceiling, a bright light enveloped Violet.

Her joy was short-lived; she found enemies, stained with rage and fear, surrounding her.

And in their midst, a troublesome enemy glared at her with a staff in hand, radiating a sinister aura.

“Oh, come on, can’t you just let me go?”

Violet shrugged and chuckled.

Valefor silently aimed his staff. He commanded his subordinates.

“Everyone, get out.”

“What? But…!”

“None of you are a match for that woman. Don’t you want to live? Retreat at once. There are many who need you. Now!”

The hesitant Vanguard agents and security personnel pulled back.

Footsteps faded, and the vast space filled with silence once more. Violet realized that the Grand Archmage in front of her wouldn’t let her go.

“Oh, well, this won’t do.”

She and her clones raised their weapons in unison.