Chapter 174

"Combat experience is fine too!"

Pushing aside the employee in charge of Artificial Angel maintenance, Liberi rushed into the command vehicle controlling the Salaru Organization system:

"The data is stored in the cloud. As long as we can escape, we can have as many Artificial Angel as we want! At that time, both the Loken family's stuff and that 'Flame Demon' will be defeated... Alright, that's good..."

After seeing the 'emergency unlock' message begin on the screen, Liberi burst into laughter:

"That's it! Let's run!"

PS: Waaaaaaah!

I want to pet a cat... By the way, Kal'tsit is also hugging a cat like this in this chapter.

PS2: The original plan was for hardliners to stand up to the mayor and refuse to declare a state of emergency, and then the Artificial Angel would send them, along with the entire Raisington City, flying into the air in a dirt plane...

However, after thinking about it again, I realized that after being betrayed by Kal'tsit, the Archaeology Division probably didn't have the extra energy to deal with political matters.

After all, if Kal'tsit makes a move, it means the Grand President's bird will move too. The two of them are the true leaders of Columbia's 'Previous Civilization application faction'.

As for the agent... well, initially they were probably considered a discarded asset, since no one could say for sure whether they could properly care for the No. 0 Prototype.

Not only could she be killed by Nana if things went wrong, but if she raised the wrong child, she would also be held accountable by the Grand Commander and Kal'tsit... It's truly a thankless and arduous position.

5th The Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 190 Inoue Takina's Epiphany

Watching the crimson rays of light burst through the building and shoot into the sky, Jaeger was now out of cigarettes because the vending machines in the parking lot had been affected by the battle, no longer made the panicked noises he had made the first time... but no matter how you looked at it, the attack, which seemed to have brought ship-borne weapons into a shopping mall, was far too abnormal.

"So, how about you go back to the old days where you could just shoot each other with guns? I promise the police won't bother you anymore... even if it means having the police set up a battlefield for you in the suburbs..."

Of course, it's just wishful thinking on Jaeger's part to have such thoughts, but at least now no one thinks that being cautious about those 'behind the scenes' is a waste of public resources or a pointless act that undermines public trust.

At this moment, Jaeger was sincerely grateful for the ICA's advice to "please do not get involved under any circumstances" and for the sheriff's order to "absolutely not disobey the ICA."

But this doesn't seem to mean the police can simply walk away from this... Ah, it's not about political or personal reasons.

After all, judging from the scene of the building gradually collapsing, the battlefield will soon shift to the outer perimeter due to the internal collapse.

And so, as the police officers and guards cautiously hid behind the shields of the Mechanical Hunter to avoid being hit by what appeared to be a naval cannon blast, the outermost layer of reinforced concrete exploded, and everyone first saw a figure in red, looking slightly disheveled, being thrown out.

Generally speaking, a ball thrown nearly 100 meters high is almost certainly a death sentence.

But as the opponent ascended to the highest point, the figure in red vanished from the spot. The people forming the encirclement in the distance only heard a thunderous sound, and the building shook precariously as if it had been bombarded again, leaving only plumes of smoke and dust scattered in the air like flowers...

[Officer, was that a Mach ring?]

In response to the Mechanical Hunter commander's questioning voice in his earpiece, Jaeger suppressed his hand, which seemed to be forming its own thoughts as it frantically searched for cigarettes in its pockets.

"Don't ask me about this... Anyway, how about we push the defenses back a little? It feels dangerous to be standing on the street with absolutely no cover..."

[Good idea. Let's requisition the buildings across the street from the outer ring of the shopping mall and set up firing positions... Also, my unit reserves the right to use heavy firepower if necessary...]

Although it looks pitiful, compared to the military and police who at least have a way out, Takina's situation is probably even more miserable.

Although Nana had previously said that they could retreat if things went wrong, Takina just didn't want to leave alone... Let's just take it as her arrogance that she thought she could continue to hold on on this battlefield... Even though she comforted herself like this, Takina still obediently left the building itself.

Lying on the grass beneath the arched partition used for soundproofing and possibly as decoration for a semi-underground warehouse, Takina managed to gather some information about the four monsters using a high-quality, extremely expensive precision optical sight.

They can crawl using their serpentine bodies, and their thick, counter-jointed legs can also charge forward fiercely. Their torso and tail, along with their arthropod-like small legs, allow them to stand precisely, while those small legs enable them to climb walls and even run on ceilings.

These monsters possess immense strength and incredibly sturdy crystalline shells. A mere sweep of their tails can flatten an ordinary plasterboard wall, and even the framework of a reinforced concrete building will be visibly smashed to pieces upon impact. Their four mantis-like, sickle-shaped limbs are their primary weapons, but they also possess Halo and can operate Firearms Arts using their abdominal limbs.

Perhaps the most terrifying thing is the molten substance they spew from their mouths after their bodies glow.

Although it spews out like a beam of light, its glass-like reflective properties after cooling slightly suggest it might be some kind of 'silicide'?

Getting back to the point, whatever it is, if it's applied to the body at high temperature and speed, it's definitely more painful than being slashed by a giant scythe.

While watching, Takina almost got caught in the spray's range, but because Nana deliberately left the cover and jumped to higher ground, drawing the monster's spray direction, Takina had time to escape the danger zone...

During the transfer, Takina was certain that she made eye contact with Nana, who had blocked the scythe's slash with a blue Firearms Arts in mid-air.

That look in her eyes was also the reason why Takina still believed she could continue, because Nana- senpai didn't seem to have any intention of giving up.

So, how did Nana- senpai fight those monsters?

The red-clad woman's main reliance should be the black fog that currently permeates the shopping mall.

Although Takina didn't know the underlying principles, since it was the Chief's trump card, based on her observation, it should be some kind of field spell that weakens the opponent while creating an advantage for herself.

The enormous monster visibly slows down as it moves through the mist, while Nana- senpai occasionally performs teleportation-like maneuvers accompanied by strange flashes of light.

Even if surrounded by four monsters, as long as they are within the black mist, the red-clad Feline, with Halo above his head, will appear elsewhere in the next instant.

And... I wonder if it's just Takina's imagination, but when they're within the black mist, those monsters seem to be a bit more 'obedient'... or perhaps 'sillier' would be a more fitting description for them at that moment?

Sometimes she seems to forget she has four scythes and insists on attacking with her little feet... pulling at Nana- senpai, sometimes pointing the gun at herself or firing behind her, and sometimes even hopping around on just one foot...

It seems that as time goes by, they are gradually losing their biological functions within the black mist.

But each time their predecessors seemed to bring them to the brink of death, they would flash with a huge light source inside their bodies, then frantically spray terrifying molten material in all directions. (Fin)

Aside from the first time when she was almost caught in the crossfire, every time they spat out their attacks, Nana- senpai tried her best to either attack or use herself as bait to direct their attacks towards the air, minimizing the damage.

Although Takina was also one of the members saved by this action, she felt it was inappropriate:

"... Maintaining this level of mobility continuously is too much of a burden..." the neighbor said.

Through the scope, the guy who seemed to maintain a silly grin even while being put in jail, the guy who always seemed so adept at infiltrating, finding clues, and helping the other Lycoris in white, was now clearly in a sorry state.

The red dress had burn and cut marks on the edges of its skirt because it couldn't dodge in time and was caught in the explosion.

The chest bra with bulletproof plates had several bullet holes, seemingly because Nana deliberately used the bulletproof bra to catch bullets... If she didn't use her chest to catch bullets, she would have to use her body to catch the scythe, Takina had already witnessed several incredibly dangerous scenes.

The backpack, which had been crammed full of various items, was now more than half deflated, but the firearms were still hanging on the carrying straps on both sides... Was it not yet time to discard the Firearms Arts as dead weight?

However, it seems that both the magazine of the rifle hanging on her chest and the quick-draw clip for shotguns on Nana waist are almost empty.

Even now, when Nana is holding a grenade launcher, she only uses it to fire black magical projectiles... These could be smoke bombs that create black smoke, or incendiary bombs that explode or spread black flames... However, because the crystal monster's shell seems to have magic resistance, those pure magical attacks are barely effective, and even restraining it is very difficult.

How long could our predecessors sustain such high-intensity, heavy-duty battles while also considering the safety of civilians on the periphery?

Takina felt that since she had been given the responsibility of helping the other person, she should at least play a role, right?

Lycoris in red isn't some winning weapon; it's a position, a job earned through a step-by-step promotion... Although Senior Nana always likes to suddenly change her appearance to scare people, and even throws herself into the police detention center as bait... she is ultimately a gentle senior who will immediately help her white-clad companion who is being chased, and who cares whether she will go hungry in the detention center.

Ultimately, even the ICA's 'Ghost' is nothing more than a girl who likes to buy strange gun parts and owns vast amounts of strange real estate in her city to store guns and ammunition.

I... I can no longer allow myself to lose the red robes I was assigned to for the fourth time.

If even 'Ghost' can be killed by its own power, then how can the strange rumor that Thunder can specifically kill its superiors be explained away?!

Thinking of this, Takina took a deep breath... Smelling the charred earth and the complex smells of countless destroyed goods with torn packaging, Takina looked at the still-scorching battle and tried to use her brain.

Think about it... Takina... Try to think about it... Supporting the Red-Clad is your job, isn't it? Don't just lie on the ground waiting for the outcome because the battlefield is beyond your capabilities.

Your purpose here isn't to act as a cameraman; the weapons you have cost tens of thousands of Columbian Dollar to buy at full price... Think, just like when you thought about the gap between yourself and the Red-Clad and then carried out targeted training, try to think about the current situation.

The battle wasn't one-sided, and the enemy wasn't immortal; they'd still shed shrapnel when shot, wouldn't they? So, if they could be damaged, they could be eliminated... it's just a matter of what conditions are missing...

If you can think of this yourself, then your seniors certainly could too, so why is this tug-of-war continuing?

Looking back on the battles I've witnessed so far, whenever my senior forces a crystal individual into a corner, preparing to finish it off with physical attacks or precious Firearms Arts, the crystal individual will struggle violently, making it impossible for Nana to get close, and then other monsters will swarm in to interfere.

The green light emanating from inside the crystal... is it the light of a healing spell? Is that why the enemy possesses considerable self-healing abilities?

What can I do?

Interrupting the self-healing spell?

With just a thirty-round magazine? That's unlikely... Maybe it would work with that belt-fed machine gun that the police confiscated... but the thirty-round magazine I chose for safety won't be enough to penetrate the monster's armor.

After all, in terms of the total number of bullets, Nana- senpai's shotgun has a larger number of bullets, and the penetration power of Nana magic is also stronger... But Nana- senpai's shooting is only scratching the surface of the opponent, so it doesn't seem very effective.

Therefore, there is only one remaining option...

Swallowing hard, Takina was astonished by the 'method' she had come up with, and even her usually confident gun-holding posture trembled slightly.

The best thing she can do for Nana right now is to attract other monsters when they fall and heal themselves, giving Nana, who has powerful attack methods, a real chance to eliminate a quarter of them.

In other words, she needed to draw the three monsters' attention outside the building... What would she have to face to make this decision?

That charge, like a truck rampage? That scythe-like slash, longer than one's own men?

Don't forget they also have long-range attack capabilities... Not only do I lack the ability to block Firearms Arts- Etch Rounds, but if they were to directly spew molten material at me, I certainly wouldn't be able to dodge it with my footing.

Just thinking about it... the shadow of 'death' seemed to loom over her head, Takina unconsciously gripped the gun in her hand tighter.

She was suddenly taken aback by the fact that she was actually afraid of death.

Hasn't the individual named Inoue Takina already sworn to dedicate her entire life and even her very existence to Lycoris... to that person?

Her predecessors... those red-clad women who had led her, had never been afraid of death.

Having survived only thanks to the care of several chiefs... the thought of someone like her hesitating to die during a mission filled Takina with immense shame.

... Huh? I actually survived because of the care I received from the women in red?

Takina, who had been chasing after the figure in red, suddenly discovered a problem that she might have been aware of in the past, but had always rejected from the bottom of her heart.

Why do I hate wearing red?

Why should I work so hard to complete the red-shirt standard training at the Yiling Yisi Wujiusi Bar?

Why am I so eager to complete the task that everyone believes only someone in red can accomplish?

Could it be... because I've been bothered by... what they (the ones in red) did for me...?

Recalling her initial efforts in training, seeking the so-called 'right' way... Takina pressed her cheek against the chin rest, her optical sights locked onto the four monsters, searching for the moment when one of them would become her prey.

Takina wasn't sure if she was truly fixated on the figures and memories of her past 'superiors,' after all, she had reviewed those cases countless times... She had no choice in her actions; those guys, relying on their seniority and rank, gave her orders that she couldn't refuse, leaving her with absolutely no option.

But things are different now; now I have choices.

The one fighting now is the ICA's true ace, the one I've always longed for, the one who can create miracles while adhering to his own 'right' principles... the best superior!

Inoue Takina doesn't want to become someone the Red-Clad Girl doesn't need again; she's definitely not a defective product!

As another monster fell to the ground in the black mist, emitting a striking green light, Takina immediately aimed her aim at the three monsters that were about to attack Nana again.

"Now--!"

The rapid and continuous release of Originium Arts caused Takina's vision to go black for a moment. Just as she had thought, one of the three monsters turned to look at her, creating an opening in the formation that was besieging Nana!

Go for it! Please, whatever you do, don't say you're exhausted or that you don't actually have the energy to deal with that damaged monster, otherwise I'll make sure to come back to your dreams and give you a good dressing down!

At this moment, Takina, who was silently cheering for Nana, looked as pale as a corpse.

After all, some things are obvious just by looking at them; Takina might really be going to die.

She underestimated the monsters' charging speed. Forget about the artillery fire she couldn't dodge... even their charging speed, from the moment they rushed towards her to the moment they arrived, with an estimated acceleration of over 100 kilometers per hour in two seconds... that was something that Takina, Firearms Operator, couldn't possibly outrun.

But then, the sound of crystals shattering rang out... The monster screamed in agony... Did Nana- senpai successfully defeat that monster?

With this question in mind, Takina decided to die.

"Who wants to die?!"

There was no time to change the magazine. As a well-trained Firearms Operator, Takina smoothly pulled out her MP7 from the holster on her waist... Didn't she have another gun?!

"You'd better die!"

A sharp gunshot rang out, Takina blinked... The scene before her eyes suddenly changed.

The dilapidated shopping mall had vanished, and now all she could see was a black mist, with only herself... and Nana, who was holding her, glowing faintly.

"Huh?"

"Huh--? That's not the right reaction!?"

Nana- senpai, who was holding her, seemed quite dissatisfied. Although she no longer had the cheerful and energetic look of blonde hair, she had become like those 'enemies,' looking somewhat plain, as if she were everywhere, yet nowhere at all, with a low-key appearance.

"Takina, what are you thinking?! Suddenly interfering in my battle... If I hadn't been watching your every move, you would have turned into Takina- chan already!"

"... Takina- chan's statement... so, I'm dead? We're Ghost now... ah--?!"

The stinging pain in her buttocks gave Takina a real sense of being alive. Her senior, who was holding her in his arms, seemed very angry at the moment. It was also at this moment that her body, which had been temporarily numb from firing the Firearms Arts repeatedly, finally recovered... Feeling her senior's warmth, Takina finally realized that she was being held.

And only now, seeing Takina panicking and checking if her head had turned into sauce, did the black-haired Feline's expression soften:

"You've recovered?"

"Ah... this..."

"Although my magic can distort time, it's fine for you to just talk, but if you stay here too long, Takina, you'll be affected too... Right now, I'm intentionally maintaining your condition, but... we'll have to go back to fight those monsters soon."