episode_0341

As night deepened, V-animals gathered in a secluded spot. All their gazes were fixed on the center, where a white-furred rat stood.

Standing on its hind legs like a passionate preacher, swinging its two front paws, the rat let out fervent squeaks.

“I saw it! Squeak! A land overflowing with food and drink! A moment of glorious victory!”

Lemon preached passionately. He vividly described the beautiful scenery he had witnessed when he died, the abundance of food, snacks, and candies, and all the achievements their Boss had made at the glorious Violet War Memorial, until his mouth went dry.

“Squeak squeak! The Boss is strong! And he was brave and righteous!”

“Wow! That’s amazing!”

“That’s not all! There wasn’t a single bad guy, and everything was filled with joy!”

“There was so much food, enough to eat and drink until our bellies burst, and still have some left over! It was truly tremendous!”

“How much?”

“From this land to beyond that sky!”

The animals cawed and squeaked, letting out cheers at Lemon’s vivid description. Lemon felt proud seeing his friends’ enthusiastic reactions. His decision to come out and tell his story was truly an excellent choice.

“But there’s something truly important! Watch closely!”

Clearing his throat with a squeak, Lemon slowly but clearly opened his mouth.

“I can speak!”

The gathered animals were astonished as if the sky had fallen. The reactions of the monkey and crow were especially intense. They couldn’t believe that this creature, smaller and duller than themselves, could already speak human language.

Cocoa the monkey asked in a surprised voice.

“That’s amazing, Lemon! You don’t mean, you died and came back to life, and that’s how it happened?”

“I think so! What was it called, the Network? I went there and came back, and this is what happened!”

Almond the crow clicked his beak meaningfully.

“Normal people call the place you saw this. Paradise!”

“Paradise! What a wonderful sound! As expected, Almond is smart!”

The crow and the rat chattered excitedly about Paradise for a long time. Cocoa, who had been deep in thought for a moment, seemed to realize something and murmured within the animal network.

“So, if we fight hard and die, we can go to Paradise? Is that it?”

At that single sentence, the animals all froze like statues. The realization, flashing like lightning, instantly made their blood boil.

“That’s right! Let’s fight and die too!”

“Squeak! I’m going to Paradise too!”

And so, in the midnight darkness, the animals, united in heart, resolved based on their new realization.

“We fight and die!”

“For Paradise!”

**

Was it due to our immature skills that not a single prisoner survived and all exploded? Or perhaps the strange spell formations carved into their bodies were the cause. In any case, the information we collected was only fragmented and trivial.

“These are… complex security and prevention spell formations. They seem too elaborately designed for ordinary gangs or mercenaries to implement. At least, from ‘my memory’!”

“That’s strange, Unit 7200. How did you use your unique abilities before?”

“Well, from my memories as an interrogator, I somehow managed by dodging here and there… I think I’ll need more practice!”

In conclusion, additional training is needed. While multiple unique abilities aren’t entirely unheard of, they typically have similar natures, like Daphne’s healing and protective barrier. There has been no precedent for possessing abilities that are even hard to find a connection between simultaneously.

“Isn’t creating clones also a form of mental manipulation? Like our network!”

“I don’t know!”

In the end, all we got was scraps of information. At most, they were flimsy and crude fragments of memory left by what appeared to be soldiers. It seemed the Violets would have to spend a long time examining and analyzing them to find any clue. But the questions still remained. Why soldiers, of all people? We had heard rumors of retired soldiers joining gangs or mercenary activities, but there were too many unexplained parts.

“Why did the senators come here?”

I looked into whether there was any official event, and surprisingly, I found an answer quickly. The news was coincidentally briefly reporting on senators inspecting the academies.

“Was that their true purpose?”

“Well. Seeing that Restraid’s armored vehicles were mobilized, perhaps there’s a political reason?”

The Federation and the Clan forces don’t get along well, but they sometimes interact based on the interests or needs of their factions. Restraid, which has a cooperative relationship with the Federal Army, is a prime example.

“What on earth could it be…”

After instructing the other mes to collect and analyze the remaining memory fragments, I decided to focus on other matters. I had to organize the spoils of war, and also consider how to handle the Luminex problem in the future.

What was currently giving me a headache was none other than the spoils of war occupying the table in front of me.

“Guns! Cannons!”

Turning my head, I saw a scene of new toys being tested inside Helios’s private shooting range. The other mes were aiming the captured weapons here and there, engrossed in test firing, exuding an excitement like children who had received new toys.

Among the spoils obtained from the terrorists, there were many peculiar pieces of equipment, similar to our weapons yet different. Crude and heavy firearms and bows were scattered everywhere. Was this the soldiers’ preference?

Still, these guns and bows were common equipment that other exploration team members often carried when traversing dungeons. They were, in a way, ordinary combat tools with nothing particularly special about them.

The real problem was the Luminex-made weapons. The weapons I had used so far were nothing compared to these…

As I placed my finger on the thin pad in front of the trigger, a subtle vibration resonated. Soon after, a small hologram appeared on the sight.

[-Genetic authentication complete. Lock released.]

“It’s done!”

Peculiarly, these ranged weapons had something in common: they all required authentication. The first few Violets who acquired the equipment and tried to use the weapons without thinking ended up with disastrous results.

-Boom!

“Gasp!”

The moment anyone fiddled with it, a warning sounded, and the gun immediately exploded. The destructive power was considerable. Was it the malice of villains who loved stealing others’ technology, wanting to ensure their own weapons weren’t shared?

“I have no hand!”

“Then you’re Captain Hook Violet now!”

“Wow! I’m a pirate!”

Left with no choice, I briefly delved into Unit 7200’s memories. Only then did I realize the true danger of these weapons. All Foundation firearms were equipped with a genetic authentication security system, designed to activate an internal explosive if an unauthorized user merely touched them. It was, quite literally, a terrifying security device that destroyed both the weapon and the thief.

“Gasp! So we can’t use them?”

“Don’t worry! We can just use the prisoners’ genes, can’t we?”

“Aha!”

As expected, there was always a way for us Violets. Before blowing off the prisoners’ heads, we used their bodies for genetic recognition and, following the interrogator’s knowledge, reset the settings. After that, we just input our Violet data instead, and the bypass was complete.

The weapons obtained this way were roughly of two types.

“Huh… I’ve lived long enough to touch equipment from the infamous Patent Beheading Squad. Is it really okay?” Instructor-nim Frederick, who was watching, lifted the weapon curiously and examined it from all angles.

“Yes! The lock’s been released, so it won’t explode!”

Instructor-nim, touching the pistol grip, flinched for a moment. Then a long sigh was heard.

“That’s a real relief. I’ve been on edge since earlier.” Instructor-nim let out a sigh of relief.

“But why did you call me, of all people…? To a disciple who can single-handedly annihilate the elites of major clans, what help could this old-fashioned instructor be…?”

“I was just wondering if there were any useful tips for handling these peculiar weapons!” I answered with pure curiosity.

In fact, Instructor-nim’s words weren’t wrong. Let’s face reality. We had already faced the infamous elite units of the four major clans head-on and achieved continuous victories. Furthermore, thanks to ‘absorbing’ a member of the Containment Enforcement Unit, we had everything from basic weapon operation to advanced tactics directly implanted in our minds. We might not even need anyone’s advice.

“But you never know, do you? We might need a fresh perspective from a third party!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

Still, there’s always a “what if.” An unexpected piece of advice could open up a new breakthrough. External feedback would be crucial help in such a situation. We are wise and versatile Violets, willing to accept others’ counsel.

Enough idle thoughts. Now, the sleek, elongated, gray weapon to be tested first appeared, shining coldly under the light. Before us was a Luminex electromagnetic bolt caster. It was a cutting-edge railgun that launched elongated metal arrows with a whiz using an electromagnetic field along its rail. Even the Federal Army’s electromagnetic rifles were still half-baked electromagnetic weapons that relied on gunpowder, but this was a true railgun, propelling projectiles at high speed using only electromagnetic force.

“You said they were monomolecular arrows, right?”

Instructor-nim carefully detached the elongated magazine, examined it, then took out an arrow and gently dropped it onto the floor.

-Thunk!

“Ha, this is… incredible.” The arrow pierced the concrete floor as if cutting through butter, embedding itself completely. Exclamations of surprise naturally burst forth.

“There were many exaggerated advertisements among arrow merchants, claiming arrows were sharply made from dungeon rare metal or could penetrate at a molecular level. But this… the ammunition used is beyond imagination. Is there a way to resupply it?”

“No.”

That was the most regrettable part. The fact that there was no way to use such powerful weapons again. Perhaps the Foundation guys had them stockpiled somewhere. While I was lost in thought, Instructor-nim picked up the weapon and flipped the switch. After confirming a subtle vibration in the rail, he charged magic into it and aimed the weapon.

“That’s amazing. Even if you pour magic into an electromagnetic device like that, it doesn’t break down!”

“Was it called a magic shielding system? As expected of Luminex.”

The target was a 2-meter thick megasteel plate installed on the other side. Instructor-nim’s finger pulled the trigger.

The air split with a tearing roar. Only a clean hole remained in the thick steel plate, as if cut by a laser. Instructor-nim’s movements became relentless. Consecutive gunshots erupted.

As soon as the test firing ended, the waiting Violets pulled out the hibernating Violet corpse they had pre-arranged behind the steel plate.

“We already took a hit, but it’s clean. There are no arrows in the corpse! They all went straight into the shooting range wall behind it.”

“I see… The penetration power is really… Wait a minute, Violet… You rascal! When did you put your body there?!”

“Oh, don’t worry! It’s a dummy for power testing.”

“Oh dear… You almost made my heart drop. Please tell me beforehand next time…” Instructor-nim’s scolding, mixed with a sigh, was brief, and the test continued. This time, I aimed the weapon at the steel plate. It was a carbine-sized weapon, shorter than a typical rifle: a Luminex plasma rifle.

-Whoosh!

This time, a more dramatic sight unfolded. The moment the blue-glowing plasma orb, flying at high speed, collided with the steel plate, there was a blinding flash and an ear-splitting explosion. A massive hole, as if melted by the sun, appeared in the steel plate, and the hibernating Violet positioned behind it was reduced to mere ash.

“This is beyond imagination. Such energy weapons…”

“Wow… So that’s how I burn.”

At this rate, even if Daphne brought a legion, she wouldn’t be able to save it. I couldn’t help but envy the Foundation’s technology and wealth for operating such things as personal firearms.

My admiration was brief, and then I realized the reality. That was the problem. Our main enemies possessed an abundance of these terrifying weapons. Furthermore, these were merely infantry weapons, so it was safe to assume there were even more powerful ones.

The three major clans each have at least one or two sorcerer-level powers, like Valefor, who can face an entire army alone. While we had some grasp of the trump cards held by Magnabyss and Restraid, the current strength of Luminex and Arcite was simply a mystery.

“The Secretary-General didn’t seem particularly skilled in combat. Could there be something else?”

What was more shocking was that Unit 7200, despite being from the elite Containment Enforcement Unit, knew absolutely nothing about information outside of its own unit.

“That’s impossible! You were from Luminex too!”

“I couldn’t help it. The Foundation strictly compartmentalizes information by department. If you poke your nose into another department’s affairs, disciplinary action is ruthlessly enforced.”

What should we do now? Besides Enrica’s situation, there were mountains of reasons to confront them. Just as the network stirred with deliberation, the spoils test concluded.

Instructor-nim hesitated for a moment, then asked in a cautious voice.

“I understand your situation, but… you don’t mean you intend to face those guys head-on too, do you?”

“Yes.” I answered without hesitation.

Instructor-nim’s scarred face, rigid with tension, instantly softened. A slight smile spread across his lips, then burst into explosive laughter.

“Haha! Yes, that’s right! If you were the type to listen when told no, you wouldn’t have blown up the whole academy like that.” Pride was evident in Instructor-nim’s voice. “Go on and do well. Abducting that bright and good kid under the pretext of danger? Kick those bastards’ butts properly! Your seniors never backed down when they shouldn’t have either.”

“My seniors?”

Instructor-nim’s eyes deepened.

“I’m talking about Polaris Academy. In a way, you are Polaris’s last successor.”

I felt a rough yet friendly pat on my shoulder.

A successor, what could that mean? Since I was the only one actively learning and utilizing Polaris’s technology right now, I supposed it could be seen that way.

“By the way, how do you plan to handle that inspector fellow?”

“I’m going to try to talk to him and persuade him!”

I answered bravely, but inside, unease stirred. Sophia Unnie was becoming an inspector soon anyway, and I was scheduled to meet Seijis later. What if he exploded? Worry took precedence.

“It’ll be fine, right?”

**

Violet’s worries turned out to be unfounded.

“There was a conflict with Luminex?” Seijis’s cold voice echoed within the office.

“Yeah.” Violet scratched her head. Sophieel watched the scene with uneasy eyes. She couldn’t possibly predict how her younger brother would react. While she pondered all sorts of ways to calm her brother, who had consistently suspected Violet, the two’s conversation flowed smoothly.

“The Foundation has the weakest military power among the four major clans.” Seijis lowered his voice a tone, his face expressionless. “But that doesn’t mean they can be easily overcome.”

Violet’s shoulders flinched for a moment, but she soon spoke with a clear, unhesitating voice.

“We have to start now. After all, there’s only one thing to do!”

“Only one thing… I see.” Seijis’s gaze sharpened.

“Listen carefully, Violet. Now that things have escalated to this point-”

Sophieel, sensing her brother’s unusual mood, cleared her throat and prepared to intervene between the two. Although it was a reckless act, it didn’t seem appropriate to be too angry with this cute and righteous girl. However, the voices of the two grew louder and louder without giving her a chance to interject.

“I-” The cheerful girl’s voice rang out.

“We-” The cold young man’s voice overlapped.

Two completely different voices intersected in the air.

“Let’s attack the Foundation!”

“We will attack the Foundation.”

The young female inspector doubted her own ears.

‘…Why did they reach a conclusion so fast?’