Chapter 128

Yukina tugged at her skirt with some concern, took the heavy weight from Efnir's hands, and suddenly asked, "Speaking of which... Naoko, there's something I'm actually quite curious about..."

Efnir slightly raised her eyelids, holding the tablet in her hands, and smiled gently.

"What's wrong? If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them for you."

"It's not really a problem... it's just something I'm somewhat concerned about..."

Seeing Efnir's serious gaze, Yukina smiled shyly, her fingers twirling a hair tie at the end of her hair.

"Although I've gotten pretty used to it by now... I'm still curious, why do all our agents wear this style of clothing?"

"You mean, this kind of exaggerated combat suit that looks like it's from a stage play?"

"That's not exactly what I meant..."

"I understand, actually I also thought this outfit was strange at first."

"Eh? Naoko too..."

"At the very beginning, at the very beginning."

Efnir waved her hand, emphasizing this.

At that time, Efnir had just become a girl, and she was extremely uncomfortable with this kind of dress. Although Efnir was not a particularly introverted person, Efnir still vividly remembers the feeling of shame she felt when wearing this outfit.

In combat, it's a different story; when you're on high alert, it's easy to overlook "what you're wearing."

But training was a complete disaster.

Of course, that was a long time ago, when Efnir had just become the agent, and because it would damage her dignity as a reliable older sister, Efnir would not tell Yukina about those times in detail.

"But to be honest, this isn't something we can decide..."

Efnir explained with a slight smile.

"The 'Beacon' is a product of the Ruins Technology, not entirely of human origin. Simply put, the 'Beacon' is originally the warrior's 'equipment,' a weapon provided to the warriors of that lost civilization. If we humans want to use the technology of that lost civilization for our own purposes, we need to 'transcode' it."

"'Transcoding'?"

Yukina blinked curiously.

She had never heard of these things before; they were all confidential matters related to agents and Beacon, secrets that ordinary people would never have access to.

But it is also the underlying reality of this world.

"It's similar to the technology of translating their writing into a language we can understand... Of course, that work is infinitely more complex than we can comprehend, and it involves the extremely obscure science of mass-energy."

Efnir thought for a moment and then said.

184. Combat Reinforcements [Tenth Update]

"Whether it's the Order Weapon we use or the combat suits we wear, they are all inherited from that lost ancient civilization. However... we can only analyze and activate a portion of the 'modules'—combat attire, 'Stairway,' and Order Weapon. Only these three. 'Body function enhancement' is a major benefit brought by the 'combat attire.' But in fact... the 'Beacon's' functions are not limited to this."

The Beacon System's functionality cannot be fully utilized—this is the limitation that Efnir's understanding of humanity's current use of Ruins Technology is limited to.

Since its inception, the Beacon System has been the core of the agents' combat capabilities and is the most powerful equipment humanity has ever used to combat Erosion Disaster. However, in reality, very few people truly understand it.

Few people know where its true potential lies.

"Beyond the currently usable functions, there are many aspects we cannot yet explore, including one of the functions we are currently researching and exploring—an energy utilization method that scientists have always considered of paramount importance: the 'Shield.' Essentially, it is a Beacon's 'inherent function' similar to the 'Stairway.' Theoretically, if the 'Order Weapon' are the offensive armaments of our agents, then the 'Shield' is the corresponding defensive armament. However, our human scientific methods are not yet able to analyze it, so the 'Shield' cannot be used by us. Moreover... the 'Shield' is only one of the most basic functions among many 'inherent functions.' Beacon technology is the true crystallization of Ruins Technology, the 'Battle Armament' used by that lost civilization, containing countless possibilities."

"Huh? So... the 'Beacon' we're using isn't even in its complete form?"

"You could understand it this way, or rather, our Beacon are just 'copied versions'. Because the scope of human exploration is limited, we humans have never been able to fully understand the key technologies contained in 'Beacon,' which is unavoidable. In fact, research shows that the development rate of complete 'Beacon' systems is less than 30%. But one thing is clear: the amount of information contained in each 'Beacon' is fixed, and this amount of information determines the range of inherent functions we can use."

Efnir looked away, gazing at the brightly lit screen above her.

"Like a computer program, we are merely users. We cannot work outside the framework set by the program. Therefore, rather than 'forcibly cracking the program to gain administrative privileges,' we humans choose a simpler approach—'selecting users who conform to the rules set by the program.' In short, the 'Beacon' chose us. Currently, a large part of the research conducted by human researchers is focused on analyzing 'Beacon technology.' Once we achieve a breakthrough in 'Beacon technology,' I believe it will definitely be able to change the course of the world."

Efnir's words caused Yukina to fall into a brief moment of contemplation.

"So..."

"Efnir!"

At that moment, Shinomiyami Nami's figure suddenly appeared at the edge of the training field.

"Nami? What brings you here?"

"Because there are some very important things I need to tell you, the Commander sent me here... The Commander is currently busy investigating Karina, so she doesn't have time to tell you this in person..."

"Karina? Has she been caught?"

"Yes... the operation was carried out last night..."

"So that's what it was all about?"

Efnir nodded slightly and took the documents from Shinomiyami Nami's hand.

"Anything else you gained?"

"Target Codename H has escaped..."

"Codename H?"

Efnir paused in her hand.

She naturally knew who the Codename H was. If she wasn't mistaken, it was very likely that the person who handed the Beacon to Yukina was this Codename H. At the same time, H was also a key figure who played the role of "sister" with Sakurai Sachi in the Maesakagawa Incident.

"Yes, Codename H possesses very mysterious powers and is an enemy we have never seen before."

Efnir opened her mouth softly, about to say something, when a piercing alarm suddenly blared throughout the entire training ground.

Yukina was slightly startled by the sudden noise, while Efnir quickly took out the agent's dedicated terminal and connected to the combat command.

"Report the situation, what happened?"

"Ah, yes, it's Miss Efnir... Um... We received a communication from the Garrison District management department that the Corruption Wave level is abnormal and is about to exceed the critical value. B-Rank Corruption Disaster is expected in ten minutes! The location is in the C1 and C3 areas of the East District. An evacuation warning has been issued, and agent 'Furan' has been dispatched to provide support..."

The female combatant on the other end explained the current situation in one breath, and then added one more sentence.

"New orders have been received... to assemble the combat personnel... to organize the operation against 'Codename H'..."

"H?"

Efnir remained silent for a moment, then glanced at Shinomiyami Nami.

Shinomiyami Nami nods.

"The recent Erosion Disaster was most likely caused by Codename H. This is information obtained from Karina. I think the Commander probably judged that this Erosion Disaster must be related to Codename H, which is why he issued this order. But... Efnir, I know what you're thinking. Codename H is very dangerous. You're still injured, so it's best if you don't join this operation."

"..."

Efnir didn't speak, but instead put the phone to her ear again.

"This is Efnir. I've been assigned to reinforce this operation."

"I want to go too!"

Yukina gently hooked her finger around Efnir's drooping hand. Efnir raised her eyelids, and her left eye met Yukina's gaze.

She paused, then spoke again.

"Me, and Fifina."

The morning sunlight carried the coolness left by the rainy night.

Futaba Erii applied light makeup, picked up her handbag, and bumped into her younger sister.

"You're still home? Don't you have class today?"

I don't want to go.

The younger sister gave a sullen reply, then tossed aside the cushion, lay down on the sofa, and started playing on her phone with her cheeks puffed out.

"If I don't go, won't I not have enough credits to graduate?"

"So what if it's not enough? I don't want my sister to tell me what to do. Go find your Efnir!"

Futaba Erii paused for a moment, then lowered her voice.

"I... I won't go to see her today..."

"What does this have to do with me?"

Futaba Erii looked at her younger sister, who was a year below her and also studying at Western Capital University, and gave a wry smile.

"Well... I'll head out now. Call me if you need anything."

There was no response.

It seems she's genuinely angry with herself.

When I go home tonight, I'll bring her some of her favorite dishes.

Futaba Erii thought of this.

On the sofa, the girl's phone remained blank on its initial screen until the sound of the door closing came, at which point she slowly raised her eyes and gazed at the quiet entryway.

"What a... idiot older sister..."

185. Reverie [Eleventh Update]

On the bus, Futaba Erii leaned against the window, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

The sky was crystal clear after the rain.

The churning clouds and the blinding sun—the world in Futaba Erii's eyes looked exactly the same as it had a few years ago.

Just a few years ago, she rode in a luxury private car and had someone pick her up and drop her off every day, but now she has to get up early every day and catch the bus at the right time.

It's not that I have any complaints.

It's just that I feel a sense of loss because of this.

After her father went bankrupt, Futaba Erii gradually got used to taking the bus every morning.

On the bus, there were several other students wearing the same Western Capital University student uniform as her. It wasn't far from the apartment where Futaba Erii rented to the school. Because of her younger sister, she didn't choose to live in the school's student dormitory and would travel back and forth between the school and her rented apartment every day.

It's become a habit.

However, I woke up a little late today, so the bus was much more crowded.

Futaba Erii returned home in the afternoon the day before yesterday.

She spent the rest of the weekend in a daze, tossing and turning all night, unable to fall asleep. She didn't even know when she finally drifted off. Inevitably, the image of Efnir, whom she missed, appeared in her dreams, but this time, Efnir stood in a distant place beyond her reach, farther than far away.

In her dream, she lost her important feelings once again.

This feeling lingered from the weekend until last night, preventing me from sleeping well and almost causing me to miss the bus this morning.

Futaba Erii wouldn't normally act like this.

Even when her father went bankrupt and became seriously ill, she never wavered because of anyone. She lived every day according to her plans, and no matter how great the difficulties she encountered, she never lost the composure she had as a young lady.

But now, after witnessing Efnir kissing other girls, he's been having all sorts of wild thoughts and has been suffering from insomnia for two nights in a row.

Futaba Erii couldn't help but feel a little mocking of her current self.

All of this is because of Efnir.

Because of her fondness for Aphrodite, she was easily captivated by every move Efnir made.

The phrase "having your heart stolen" undoubtedly describes this feeling.

But Efnir could no longer belong to her.

"Where did Efnir go with that girl after that? What did they do? It rained that night, did Efnir get home in time?"