episode_0221

Our dream of sending Violet to Adela Unnie’s house was short-lived, and we returned to reality.

This was because a mystery had emerged that needed solving.

“By the way, why isn’t it working?”

“Indeed.”

Over the weekend, we Violets tirelessly swung our swords, searching for something.

Specifically, to reproduce the technique from the day we sparred with the professor.

“Unit 1461, switch!”

“Unit 988, in!”

Violets were continuously swapped out every hour, but reproducing the technique from that time proved difficult.

It felt like we had gained an enlightenment, like in a wuxia novel or movie, but perhaps it was just luck.

Eventually, the Violets, feeling bored, put down their swords.

“How on earth did we use it?”

“I don’t know!”

I tilted my head and examined the sword I was holding.

It felt like there was something to know, but I wasn’t sure if there was a better way or not.

“I wonder if there’s a better way…”

The Violets pondered for a long time but couldn’t find an answer.

“I don’t know. Should we go ask Instructor-nim?”

I went to the room next door and asked Instructor Fredrick-nim.

“How can our technique re-emerge?”

When we asked, Instructor-nim replied with a bewildered expression.

“That’s what I want to ask you. How did you even use it?”

“I don’t know!”

We even sparred for a bit, hoping there might be a good method, but the result was the same.

“It’s difficult…”

“…It seems this might be related to your unique ability.”

Instructor-nim, who had been deep in thought, called Professor Albert-nim to exchange opinions.

“Violet is a hive mind. Could it be a phenomenon created by chance?”

“That’s possible. But then it becomes even more difficult to interpret. It’s not like a surprise box. Do we have to practice until the technique resurfaces?”

“It could also be the effect of dual sparring.”

The two discussed complex topics, but no conclusion was reached.

Perhaps we Violets are geniuses.

“Wait, have we looked at *that* before?”

That’s right, we Violets had a status window. We had been so focused on weapons that we hadn’t really checked our own situation.

“Then let’s take a look.”

I lightly called up my status window. And I frowned at its changed appearance.

“Why is it like this? Is it because it’s been too long since I last saw it?”

…

Name: Violet Dunhind Ruzilin Epithet: Calamity of the Western Sector Status: Aegis Vocational School 1st Year Student / Ariel Group Member / Helios Frontier Service Special Operations Department Lv:6̷̡̭͙̝̱͉̰̥̮̯̹̳̯͋̆̾̋̀͌̌͗͗̎̐͌̑͘ͅͅ5̴̬̤͕̠̑̎͆̏͋͘ Health: 7400/7400 Mana: 120̵͈̞̞̞̜̣͚̰̈̇̈́̄100/120100 Skills & Knowledge: Lv■̴ Lv■ Lv■̴̐ Lv■ : Lv■ ■■■-■■■ ■■■■ Technique:■̴ ■■■ ■■■■: ■ Unique Ability: Lv5 Lv5̴̨̧̢̦̫̞̺̱̳͍̩̣̤͋́͂́̈̎ Synchronization Aptitudes: * Backstab – Damage increases when attacking an enemy from behind. * Weakness Exploitation – Damage increases when attacking an opponent with low health. …

The overall content was the same. The last time I saw it, the level was around 30, so it had more than doubled.

Perhaps it was because we had taken down so many people that the level increased.

“As expected, murder is the best way to get stronger!”

“But what’s the level now?”

The problem was that the status window was severely glitched.

“Why is it like this?”

“I don’t know.”

We just scratched our heads at the unknown situation. What on earth went wrong?

“Ugh, I don’t know. Let’s just eat.”

“Okay!”

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.

Perhaps there’s a hidden power within us Violets!

**

While studying for a long time at the academy, the Violets practiced various miscellaneous things.

“So this is how you mix cement.”

I put cement, sand, and various other materials into a barrel according to the ratios I had heard and learned from those around me.

Apparently, this is how you make strong concrete.

“We made it, at least. It seems to have turned out well.”

“But we’re not going into construction. Where would we use this?”

Once practice was over, the Violets chatted amongst themselves within the network.

“Later, let’s put people in barrels and pour it over them! Then it’ll be easy to throw them into the sea.”

“That’s a good idea! Like in a movie!”

Unit 1515, who had been listening quietly, offered a differing opinion.

“But isn’t just throwing them into the sea enough? If we put them in barrels and throw them, it’ll be heavy!”

“That’s true. Wouldn’t it be better to just cut them up and scatter them?”

“How about using it to seal Awakened Ones alive? Leave only their heads out and solidify their whole bodies!”

“Oh? That’s a good idea!”

We discussed in a meeting what would be best.

Because the opinions of all Violets must be equally respected.

“But it seems difficult to use directly in the field. How about learning how to use construction machinery later? Like learning about construction 3D printers too.”

“Wouldn’t that cost too much money?”

“That’s right, money!”

“Then let’s earn it!”

Various opinions flowed back and forth with lightning speed. Words, sentences, meanings, and emotions flew unobstructed throughout the network.

In this conversation, there was no discrimination, no hierarchy. We Violets were all free democrats.

Every Violet had the right to voice their own opinions and chatter, regardless of their creation order.

Sharing opinions through free and equal discussion was the firm power that built a healthy Violet network.

“Meeting adjourned!”

As a result of the discussion, we decided to use concrete depending on the situation at hand.

Sharing and discussing each other’s ideas made it feel like we were living diligently today as well.

“Discussions are fun after all!”

Feeling proud of the democratic process, Unit 661 went out for a walk outside the school.

Waving to the security Mister-nims as I exited the school’s main gate, the clear, cold sky welcomed me.

“I am a free Violet!”

After excitedly stretching my arms and moving forward for a while, as I was walking through the city, someone stopped me.

“Excuse me, could you spare a moment?”

I was startled and turned around. Two people, a man and a woman in suits, stood there. They approached me with kind smiles.

“Excuse me, we are from ‘Ilshimdang.’ We are conducting a survey on the changing values of modern people; could you spare a moment?”

The man spoke in a gentle voice. I slightly frowned. A sudden survey.

“Ilshimdang?”

“Ah, we are a group that helps students with their mental stability and self-development.”

The man continued his explanation in a kind tone.

“It’s an organization created to help people escape from academic and daily stress and find inner peace. We also run programs like meditation and concentration training, and operate study groups.”

“In a complicated world like today’s, it’s stronger when you’re together rather than alone, isn’t it? That’s why we named ourselves ‘Ilshimdan’.”

The woman also chimed in with a warm smile.

“Do you perhaps attend Aegis Academy?”

“Yes, that’s right. But how did you know?”

At her words, I widened my eyes in surprise. How did they know I was an Aegis Academy student?

“Ah, you just came out of the main gate a moment ago. Actually, my younger sibling also attends Aegis Academy!”

The man replied with a bright smile. Something felt off, but it was a plausible explanation.

“If you attend Aegis Academy, I think you might be interested in our program… Would you like to experience it once? No pressure.”

I shook my head. At a glance, the atmosphere strongly suggested they would force me to buy jade mats or cosmetics the moment I followed them.

“Sorry, but I’m a bit busy. Goodbye for now!”

I ignored them and quickened my pace.

Just a few steps later, I felt something strange. Unit 661 glanced back.

“Where did they go?”

The man and woman had already blended into the crowd and vanished. The Violet, feeling uncomfortable, continued forward.

Then, a chilling feeling suddenly struck her.

One Violet carefully pointed out:

“Wait, didn’t we turn on our perception dampening device right after leaving school?”

Unit 661 was so startled that she nearly jumped on the spot.

**

The Federation, which had suffered for decades under the pranks and insults of the Four Great Clans, took the opportunity afforded by a new justification to rampage through the Academy City for months, unleashing their pent-up frustration.

As a bonus, they retaliated against the insolent religious faction that had dared to provoke them.

The Federation Army Mobile Unit entered the southern sector’s dungeon with Restraidna’s armored knights, who made no effort to conceal their discomfort.

“Today, we end those Unification Society bastards here.”

Major Klein, adjusting his newly pinned insignia, commanded.

The crackdown on illegal religious groups was gradually nearing its end.

Soon, the operation to clear out the remaining forces of the hidden Unification Society cult began. The quiet Isolei Forest, shrouded in mist, was engulfed by the screams of magical beasts and humans.

-Rat-a-tat!

Non-Awakened soldiers unleashed a volley from their electromagnetic rifles. Bullets pierced through the fanatics’ bodies, and flesh exploded.

-Boom!

One Awakened devotee launched an Aether-infused bolt. White smoke billowed from an armored vehicle.

However, unable to withstand the ensuing barrage, the devotees took cover behind obstacles.

“U-Ugh! No! I can’t die without seeing the Unification!”

“Brother-nim! Sister-nim! Everyone, calm down!”

Amidst the chaos, a terrified devotee raised a hand and stepped forward.

“Save me! I surrender!”

-Splat!

The devotee’s head exploded from a heavy metal bullet. The cries of the devotees who had lost their comrade were soon buried by the deafening roars.

-Boom!

A rapid-fire volley obliterated the cover. Awakened officers charged.

Blue blades sliced through the air. Aether-reinforced sword strikes ignored bodies protected by mana and cut through flesh.

-Thump! Thump!

Knights in massive armored suits charged, trampling the fanatics.

Each time a giant sword swung, the bodies of the resisting devotees were cut in half as if harvesting grain, and blood surged.

Their clinging to life and lamentations over a failed faith were buried beneath the heavy footsteps and mechanical sounds of the armored suits.

“Mop-up of remnants complete.”

Frowning lines appeared on Major Klein’s forehead as he listened to his subordinate’s report.

The battlefield, now a pandemonium, was littered with the corpses of fanatics.

Memories of the past flashed through his mind.

‘The incident at Vittorio Arcade is finally over.’

Even now, when he closed his eyes, he could see them: the soldiers who had fallen pointlessly in the dungeon.

Thanks to the Ariel Group’s efforts, the greatest grudge had been settled, but he held no particular goodwill towards these fanatics either.

Just then, a subordinate approached, saluted, and reported.

“Commander-nim, we’ve secured important data as a result of searching the hideout.”

He headed towards the crude pile of tents that the Unification Society had used as a hideout.

Amidst the musty smell that stung his nose, countless documents filled the interior.

“This is…”

“Evidence has been found that the Unification Society was connected to various underground organizations. It seems there’s more than just one or two of them.”

Klein sifted through the documents. Typical of a secret religious group, they were plastered with messy codes.

In the books and documents that were somewhat decipherable, unfamiliar names stood out clearly. Could this be the clue to a new conspiracy?

“Hey, Major. How long are you going to stay here? This is why Non-Awakened get called slow…”

An armored knight standing nearby grumbled, looking down at him.

The creaking of his armor exuded an intimidating presence.

Major Klein managed to resist the overwhelming intangible pressure and raised his head.

“It’s not slowness, but meticulousness. These guys are dangerous. They can control magical beasts through unknown means.”

“So what? Artifacts that control lower magical beasts are common. It’s nothing big. Even if we encounter them, we can just sweep them all away, so what’s there to worry about?”

“It’s not just low-grade. They can control high-grade…”

Just as the Major was about to continue, the armored knight snorted. Contempt for Non-Awakened was evident.

“Hmph, scaredy-cat. Alright, don’t forget to share the information. Got it?”

The knight grumbled and turned away. The Major sighed as he watched him.

He suddenly missed that unidentified girl terrorist organization he had met in the dungeon before.

Having boarded the command vehicle, the Major once again examined the documents. Suddenly, an unfamiliar word flashed before his eyes.

‘Ilshimdang?’

Klein’s gaze sharpened. What kind of organization was this now?

“Return to base.”

The mobile unit departed, carrying a new question.

Inside the shaking vehicle, the Major thought.

There were too many organizations with bizarre names in this cramped Academy City.