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Chapter 28
Chapter 28 : The world is not kind (5)
A sense of lethargy, as if having fallen into a long sleep, invades. It is a silence heavy and dirty like a mud pit. If I try to put my hand on the ground and get up, it feels like I would sink in immediately.
At the same time, sticky helplessness pulled me. And a fact I had momentarily forgotten comes to mind. I was fighting the 2nd Class Wanted Criminal, Ben Caton.
‘What happened?’
Such a question blurs faintly and does not give an answer easily. Only sticky helplessness blocks my throat. Just enough not to suffocate to death; it was a familiar sensation to me.
Ѐ num а . і d
THUD!
A fist thrown instinctively is blocked by something and makes a dull noise. It seems I was defeated. Here of all places.
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“Have you realized a bit now?”
“Yuri...”
Lifting my head along with the cynicism heard suddenly, a cruel gaze filled with contempt stabs my lungs. This must be nothing more than an illusion, but it is difficult to shake off the feeling of being crushed to death by guilt.
‘The appearance I want to remember the least.’
Еn u m а .і̂d
It was the same state as when we reunited at the abandoned factory in the Lower Sector after she became a Special Class Wanted Criminal and disappeared.
SWISH.
The sudden downpour becomes a puddle, the puddle slowly fills up and overflows, becoming a deep sea rising to the chin, closing off this space. Along with the memories rushing in, I carefully opened my mouth.
“...Why did you do that?”
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“Well.”
To that question, Yuri only looks down at me without even a twitch of expression. I definitely could have not been defeated. If her voice hadn't held my ankle.
We b ṅо vе̂l Ẽ n um̆ а̂
“It must be because I resent you.”
Soon, the following answer of rebuke becomes an anchor and binds my body. I even sacrificed my life to protect her. Is she spouting this nonsense really not knowing that?!
WHOOSH.
Unable to listen anymore, the hand I waved erases her appearance which was nothing more than an illusion. In that spot where not even a shadow remains, only bubbles are scattering.
...If it were the her I know, she wouldn't say such things. This must be nothing more than guilt my inner self possesses. That meant my damn head still had enough leeway for distracting thoughts to swallow.
‘There is no time to lie down and sleep.’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Recognizing this, the sense of reality that had drifted far away began to return, and my eyes slowly opened.
***
Vision rippling as if looking at the world reflected in water; it needed time for surrounding objects to form clear shapes. A short gap not even a few seconds in perception.
So I had no choice but to doubt if I was still dreaming. Because what greeted me was a scene contrary to the end of the battle I remembered.
“&%*@...”
For some reason, Ben Caton's vocal organs were broken, vomiting only waveforms difficult to understand. He was in such a mess that it was doubtful if he was even alive in the first place.
E̊ n̄ù m̊â
And simultaneously with confirming this, I could realize. The feeling of the inside of my skull being pricked by dozens of needles; I was also bearing considerable serious injuries.
It was due to the weakened physical durability and regeneration ability. That is a phenomenon occurring as mutated mana promotes cell proliferation; a problem arising here meant I had scraped the necessary energy to the bottom.
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“$@#*&-!”
“...So that was it.”
Ben Caton's voice was still nothing more than tearing noise impossible to understand. But I could notice what kind of emotion it implied.
‘Anxiety, panic beyond that.’
W.е́ b̂n oṽ еl .Ёn̆um̀a
It was fear desperate and bizarre. The monster that maintained reason even after replacing his whole body with machines was clearly revealing his worn-out humanity.
And that would have its factor in the gap I don't remember. But there was no need to look for the origin. It seemed it was none other than this side that drew out such emotions.
‘...I didn't simply faint.’
As recognition expanded like that, I could capture the last clue. The dark red haze fading away; this was definitely the alteration of phenomena accompanying the activation of Overclock.
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The answer derivable by synthesizing the overall circumstances was decided. The one who made him like that was me, and the only thing that could make this possible was...
‘...Only a rampage caused by Pollution.’
Ẁ е́ b̆ n̆ о vе l Е̇.ńú m̄ ӓ
Extreme Pollution without even a precursor. Since there was definitely no abnormality until just before losing consciousness. However, I could guess the cause, albeit belatedly.
- Stabilization of the Mana Core through Nectar is not without conditions. A specific behavioral restriction is created. And the moment you break this, it causes the Mana Core to collapse completely instead.
A scene passing by fleetingly; Ian had said that to me. And the absurd condition added to it was also engraved in my mind.
- Hmm, so you see... Actually, you have to know what the restriction is to keep it, right? But it's not kind to that extent. You can only realize it after you break it first.
Probably, I broke the behavioral restriction and the Mana Core collapsed, and due to that, I ended up going berserk. To the extent that I didn't even know if my body was stolen while sinking into the deep sea of unconsciousness.
The rampage was inevitable. I just hadn't expected it to happen so easily. It was hard to hold back the profanity boiling up from deep within.
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But there was no leeway to list complaints. Because the enemy was still moving.
“@*%($&#?”
CLATTER, CLATTER.
Ben Caton's crushed mechanical arms were gathering in one place and interlocking.
Creaking folded joints rolled in and organically reconstructed the form. What was completed soon after was a firearm with a quite large body.
‘Technology for ultra-long-range sniping.’
Е̄nü m ă. і̊ď
Although not in intact condition, I could roughly recognize it. Probably, that very thing was used when he first ambushed me. However, now it was nothing more than a product of diluted aggression.
The killing power a dulled blade possesses is insignificant. There would be no reason to be defeated by desperation thrown without a plan. The problem was that my condition was the worst.
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“%#*(@-!!!”
BOOM!
Along with Ben Caton's shout close to a scream, a roar loud enough to muffle ears rang, and tension was pulled taut simultaneously.
‘A damn fate in many ways.’
Ėn ǔ m а. í d̊
My thinking entered a state of extreme concentration. If a tape is rewound slowly and played, it would be a scene like this. Distorted cognitive ability stimulated survival instinct somehow, but it was meaningless.
A state where even twitching a finger is burdensome; even if I aggregate all cases, it was meaningless if I couldn't move.
SCREECH!
Like that, the scream of metal gouged the eardrums. Noise boiling infinitely clearly; it was a resonance I wouldn't have heard if I had been hit.
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“I wasn't late this time.”
“Why are you...”
En̈ ǔṁ а
The silhouette covering above my head was cozy beyond measure. And the sword engraved with the symbol of the Erenroch family seen pierced Ben Caton's forehead.
***
All living things prove themselves by their very existence. In that sense, Ben Caton became close to death.
Because the shell of the machine that stopped operating after being driven to the limit showed no vitality like a hide left by a beast.
Therefore, this side might not be a delusion. The scent of nectarine transmitted along with hair fluttering in the wind; the Yuri Erenroch I am seeing was not a fake like an illusion.
“...What happened?”
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It was overly formal for a question asked at a reunion after a long time. But I couldn't help but ask. Because currently, she should be staying at the main house of the Erenroch family with a short-term leave.
“I stopped by while passing.”
“That doesn't make sense.”
“Is there any reason it shouldn't?”
Saying so, Yuri stared at Ben Caton who wasn't even twitching and continued in a low voice.
“Because I won't be the only one forcing things.”
Е́ n u mа.i d
Like those words, this situation was forced. Track and kill the mage of the Valeria Union hiding within the Empire; that was the content of the mission I originally had to perform.
But Alice was not a figure for playing the spy. What I actually ended up facing was the main force of a subversive group believing in Del Larte and inheriting their will.
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There were overflowing parts to point out. But pointing out only the core among them, there was a problem with the difficulty of the mission. This was no different from being driven into a death trap.
“You were concerned.”
“I, I didn't particularly care about you!”
Watching her get angry with even her ears twitching, the tension relaxed. Probably, she would have continued close investigation and deliberation on the mission handed down to me to grasp the rough situation.
Ẃ е̇b̆ ň о v_ē l̇ Е́ n u m а̄
“I didn't mean it in that way though.”
Soon realizing her mistake, she hurriedly closed her slightly parted lips. But shame had spread intact along her cheeks.
“D-do you think I wouldn't know even that much! What I said also meant I knew things would turn out like this from the beginning! Because there is no way that guy would have assigned a normal mission!”
It wasn't a correction to make an excuse. There exists an inevitable inside story for the direction of this situation. I was also just asking about that.
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“Who is that guy?”
“I am talking about the one who is my older brother.”
Е ńǔ m̌ а̂. i d̃
It was an answer expected to some extent. The one in charge of the overall inspection and assignment of missions is the Imperial Direct Council. And if it's her blood relative belonging to it...
‘Ronan Rupert.’
The only person, who should have originally inherited the name of Erenroch identical to Yuri but abandoned everything without mercy and left.
It is difficult to dismiss as baseless suspicion. Because there was a similar event before too.
Ronan's intervention must have been there in creating friction between me and the Melcran brothers using Vice Principal Krevo.
“...I said unnecessary words. As soon as you have the strength to move, report the mission completion and request support. I can't help with your return.”
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“Are you not going together?”
“Because I have business left with the old fogeys of the family.”
Yuri was currently in a state of returning to her family by applying for a short-term leave, and appearing here was an arbitrary action. In the first place, an instructor intervening in a cadet's official mission is not a good thing. It is better not to be discovered if possible.
“Do you have any complaints?”
Strictly speaking, Ben Caton is not the target of the mission. Nevertheless, there would be no particular problem. Because the purpose desired by the superiors would have been achieved.
She also likely issued such an order because she noticed this. However, it was true that uncomfortable feelings settled in a corner of my chest.
E n ŭ m.a
“I... do not have the qualification.”
“So that was it.”
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In the end, I received Yuri's help again. Again, I went berserk due to Pollution and ended up showing an unsightly appearance.
‘Therefore, I have no qualification.’
However, like this, the killing of Ben Caton would become my achievement.
“I also have many things I want to ask you. But the reason I don't is simply because I consider that you also have no leeway. Because you would have tried hard enough.”
Ӗ n̄ uḿ ä .і̃ d̀
TAP.
And a hand was placed on my head.
“If you cannot vouch for yourself, no one will acknowledge you. It's not an easy task, but struggling alone is a bad habit.”
It was only lukewarm comfort, but it was a sentence sufficient to make me relaxed. It must mean I still recognize her as a master.
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“...As expected, I can't do this kind of thing.”
“I think it would have been okay if not for that remark.”
Еn u mӑ . i d̂
“Shut up.”
Her cheek, turning away awkwardly, spread heat again. Watching this, faint laughter leaked out. Because it would have been a difficult task for the her I know.
“That must be what Lord Beric said to you.”
“I'm not even surprised now.”
“Because they are words he would have said to you, who would have been a trouble maker similar to me.”
PFFT.
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She snorted without showing displeasure.
“I told you not to care, but... Ronan, since that guy is involved in this matter too, be careful. It would be best not to get involved if possible.”
I nodded, omitting complex questions about him. It was time to shake off the subtle lingering feeling covering the tip of my nose and regain composure.
As she said, I reported mission completion and requested support. It was true that찝찝함 (unpleasant feeling/uneasiness) remained in many ways. I didn't know what happened to Ragas and Alice, and Aiden's condition wasn't good either.
‘Do not struggle alone.’
However, I decided not to think about it for now.
Е̌n̂um̆a. і̃ d
***
White light emitting neither excessive nor insufficient brightness illuminated the space. The air seeping into the lungs with breath is strangely cold.
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Immediately after return, I am sitting here with only the broken cyberware replaced. The expression interrogation room would suit better than a place for after-action report. Of course, I was just summoned for a brief statement.
[Recipient of Order of Merit]
I stared at the phrase displayed on the virtual interface. It was a much more generous evaluation than expected. No, perhaps I dealt with that much of a big shot.
However, I couldn't just be happy. Because the person who recommended this was none other than this man.
E̊n.u m а̇_. і d
“I express my apology for making you wait for a long time.”
It was an expression playing separately from words. Because the face hardened beyond cold didn't look sorry at all.
“It's nothing.”
Ronan Rupert, despite Yuri's concern, I was getting involved with this man immediately.
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