Chapter 139

Efnir spoke again.

"The establishment of an organization is a long process, and an organization like the Apostle could never be built overnight."

Agreed.

Fushihara Ayaka also spoke.

"They hid deep underwater because they believed the time was not yet ripe, but now that they've shown their claws, there's no doubt they have something to rely on, and this 'reliance' is very likely a 'Ruins' that hasn't been recorded by the Human Federation."

"What we saw was just an Apostle Squad; no one knows the true size of the Apostle Organization. If there were a few more, or even dozens more, beings like the Angel, not only would Xijing City be unable to easily contend with them, but even the Central Province wouldn't be able to easily fight them off."

"No, I think the Apostle Organization's power hasn't reached that level yet, otherwise they wouldn't be hiding from the Human Federation's investigation team..."

"But they are growing stronger; Qinglan is the best example."

Masaki Hina's words silenced Fushihara Ayaka.

Qinglan will appear as Angel, something no one expected a week ago. It was because of this that Efnir was seriously injured in that battle.

If the Apostle possess the means to transform Qinglan into Angel and force Qinglan to serve them, then they could also use the same method to increase the number of Angel once again. Flying Swallow, who disappeared along with Qinglan, remains missing, making it difficult not to wonder if she too has become the next "Angel."

Similarly, one of the opposing force's combat capabilities—the "Apostle"—has much more lenient selection criteria than the Agents. As long as a sufficient number of Sacred Relic are provided, any Eligible can become Apostle.

"Ruins Technology"—that's the truly terrifying aspect of the Apostle Organization.

"The Apostle possess Ruins Technology unknown to us, and no one can predict what the future holds."

Masaki Hina continued swiping her finger, and the screen switched to an electronic document.

"Of course, the intelligence we have so far only allows us to speculate. We combined the information we extracted from Karina and obtained some encrypted clues from the memory card, including two encrypted signatures related to Liujin City. However, after checking the database, I found some discrepancies—the writing format of the target signatures is exactly aligned with the Liujin City code."

Masaki Hina paused for a moment, then returned to the main topic.

"Simply put, Liujin City may not be the Apostle's lair, but it definitely has some connection to Apostle. Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that Liujin City itself is a trap or a smokescreen to mislead us, but we can't deny that if we can investigate Liujin City, we might be one step closer to the final answer."

Masaki Hina switched the screen and unfolded a series of documents.

"We must figure out why the Apostle came, and where Apostle Ruins equipment came from, otherwise our battle will not be over."

I agree with that.

"The disappearance of Codename H is extremely mysterious. The only explanation we can offer is that Codename H must have possessed some kind of technology related to 'Ruins Technology,' otherwise we cannot explain the various inexplicable abilities that appeared on her."

If there is anything that remains hidden in the dark side of this world, it is undoubtedly "Ruins".

The civilizations that vanished in the distant past, leaving behind technologies far surpassing those of humankind, are the greatest value of "Ruins," but this is also the most dangerous aspect of "Ruins."

The possibilities inherent in "Ruins Technology" have far exceeded the scope of human control.

When technology is used to make weapons, then the technology itself becomes the danger.

"Only in this way can we explain the various unheard-of abilities and motives of Codename H. The Apostle have mentioned the word 'Ruins' more than once, and that's why they came to Xijing City. Now the only question is—what exactly are the Apostle and Codename H searching for?"

Listening to the discussion between Masaki Hina and Fushihara Ayaka, Efnir suddenly spoke up.

"In that case, I'd like to know the current situation in Liujin City."

Efnir looked at Masaki Hina and continued:

"There are many important supplies and equipment inside the 'Dead City,' most of which are things that the Human Federation Investigation Team could not easily take away. They must still be left in Liujin City. I believe these things are very tempting. In the past two years, have no other Beyond the Boundary Action Teams gone to investigate?"

Withered and rotting trees become nutrients for other trees. The destruction of a city is certainly a heartbreaking tragedy, but beyond the sorrow, the unclaimed heritage it leaves behind becomes an important resource for other cities.

After the Erosion Entity and Dregs have destroyed a city, they quickly lose interest in the completely dead city and move to areas outside the city. At this time, the Human Federation sends an investigation team to search for and retrieve the Beacon left behind by the agents after their deaths.

For those people, recovering the Beacon was a higher priority than other investigative tasks.

Because the Agent Beacon is a very important strategic resource.

However, they would leave behind any other supplies that they were unable to take with them, which would then become nourishment for other cities.

In the two years following Liujin City's transformation into Dead City, it's highly likely that other Beyond the Boundary Investigation Teams would have been dispatched there. In other words, it should be easy to determine whether Liujin City was Apostle's stronghold.

"I also investigated this, but the results were quite interesting—there was nothing in Liujin City. Someone took away those important supplies and equipment before the investigation team even arrived, and they didn't even leave behind the hard-to-transport food."

"Did they even take the food?"

Food is difficult to transport and has a relatively low value compared to other materials, so it is not a high priority for the investigation team to recover, Beyond the Boundary Investigation Team often selectively ignores it.

Moreover, even if they are taken away by other investigation teams, the Human Federation should leave a record. To avoid disputes or even battles Synchronization teams in the Fallen Zone Beyond the Boundary over resources, which would reduce the human workforce, the Human Federation very strict control over this aspect.

Since nothing was left behind, this is undoubtedly a puzzling point.

"And, there is another incident that deserves special mention: a year ago, a Beyond the Boundary Survey Team was temporarily stationed in Liujin City, but they encountered an S-level Erosion Entity. On that occasion, only two soldiers from the survey team escaped; the rest of the soldiers and their agents were all wiped out. Because of this, Liujin City has been deserted for a long time."

202. The Shadow of the Past

"It's only danger level S...?"

Everyone's expression turned serious, and Efnir's gaze wavered slightly.

Humanity's greatest enemy— the Erosion Entity —are unique life forms that appear alongside Erosion Disaster. Their origins and formation remain inconclusive, but what is certain is that their appearance always coincides with Erosion Disaster. Humans use the abnormal fluctuations in Corruption Energy to warn of Erosion Disaster and the emergence of Erosion Entity.

The occurrence of Erosion Disaster is inseparable from special factors such as the accumulation and unusual fluctuations of Corruption Energy.

In order to efficiently respond to combat command against Erosion Entity and optimize the allocation of manpower and resources, the Human Federation has a complete set of classification standards for Erosion Disaster. According to the energy response level, there are five major ranges from D to S, from low to high. Generally speaking, the energy response level directly determines its danger level, so the expression "danger level" is often used instead of "energy level".

The classification of Erosion Entity is directly linked to the energy response level of Erosion Disaster.

Within urban areas, Corruption Energy fluctuations are interfered with by the Boundary Stele System, making it difficult to form S-level mega-disasters and D-level micro-disasters. A-level disasters are also quite rare. However, even C to B-level Erosion Disaster were once difficult for humans to resist.

Above that, a Class A Erosion Disaster is already a very serious disaster, requiring the deployment of the city's most elite combat forces for careful handling.

Grade A will also be further subdivided into three levels: "Special Grade A", "Grade A", and "Quasi-Grade A" according to the energy reaction from high to low.

Throughout the Human Alliance history, there have been numerous cities that have suffered severe damage or even been destroyed due to Class A Erosion Disaster.

The Erosion Disaster that swallowed and destroyed Maesakagawa, one of the satellite cities, was classified as "Class A".

The Erosion Disaster that almost completely overwhelmed the headquarters of the Orderkeepers Organization the Xijing City was classified as "Special A-level". Given the circumstances at the time of the disaster, it would have been impossible to resolve the Erosion Disaster without the efforts and actions of Efnir. The town of Maesakagawa was destroyed after the stationed agents were killed in battle, is the best example of this.

S-class is a terrifying disaster several times more dangerous than A-class. The appearance of any S-class Erosion Entity is an absolute nightmare, and it would not be an exaggeration to call it a "natural disaster". A typical medium-sized city like Xijing City simply does not have the means to fight against S-class.

Almost all of humanity's encounters with S-Rank Erosion Entity ended with humanity paying a heavy price. The few victories were all achieved through large-scale operations led by the Central Province to exterminate S-Rank Erosion Entity. These operations mobilized the most advanced combat forces of all humanity, and the resources consumed in a single battle were enough to support the establishment of a medium-sized city. Even so, there was one battle that ended in a crushing defeat.

The only good news is that S-Rank Erosion Entity are extremely rare. Even near the White Hole Erosion Zone, where Erosion Entity are densely concentrated, it is difficult to find even one. Moreover, they almost all have their own unique behavior patterns. The city's Boundary Stele System has a very strong interference effect on them. To date, there has been no record of S-Rank Erosion Entity actively attacking the city and destroying the Boundary Stele System.

Therefore, humanity was able to survive despite the threat of Erosion Disaster.

Masaki Hina continued:

"The key point isn't here, but rather—the two who escaped. In the entire Human Federation's records, the number of times S-Rank Erosion Entity has been killed is extremely limited, and there are probably no more than five agents in the entire Human Federation who have fought an S-class Corruptor and escaped unscathed. You can imagine how difficult it is to escape from the jaws of S-Rank Erosion Entity."

Masaki Hina looked at Efnir.

"I'm just presenting the data, Efnir. You're the person here who has the most authority to speak on this."

Xijing City has naturally never been attacked by an S-class S-Rank Erosion Entity, and no one has ever had contact with one. But if we were to ask who among the people in this conference room has the most acute understanding of the danger posed by S-Rank Erosion Entity, it would undoubtedly be Efnir.

Because Efnir had encountered and fought a near -S-Rank Erosion Entity during a mission to investigate Beyond the Boundary.

Efnir was well aware of the danger posed by near -S-Rank Erosion Entity, and that S-class beings were several times more powerful than near-S-class beings, beings that no individual could possibly contend with.

"That's not wrong..."

Efnir spoke solemnly.

"The danger of S-Rank Erosion Entity is no exaggeration. Without the protection of the Boundary Stele System, a single S-Rank Erosion Entity could easily annihilate a medium-sized city. They are truly terrifying enemies."

"That's exactly right."

Masaki Hina nodded.

While still serving in the Central Province, Masaki Hina had a relationship with a powerful agent with a distinguished military record. As one of the strongest agents in the Central Province, that person was undoubtedly a top-tier expert and one of the strongest assets in the Central Province, possessing the formidable strength to face and suppress an A-level Erosion Disaster on his own.

Even she could only flee in disarray when faced with S-Rank Erosion Entity.

That person once said that there were four people in the entire Central Province whose strength was equal to or greater than hers.

Those five people are the strongest shield in the Central Province.

However Efnir Masaki Hina, Masaki Hina couldn't for some reason imagine Efnir's defeat.

In Masaki Hina's eyes, Efnir was never truly defeated.

When Masaki Hina first took office, Efnir was just a newcomer with a slightly outstanding record and a sharp edge, as well as a paranoid training fanatic who seemed unapproachable.

At that time, Masaki Hina was sent to the remote mid-sized city of Xijing City due to her rudeness in the factional struggle. She was full of resentment and did not pay much attention to this slightly special girl.

Surprisingly, in just a few months, Efnir transformed from a new agent into a capable "chief" leader.

Whether facing a Class A Erosion Disaster, a near-Class S Erosion Entity, Angel even more terrifying than Erosion Entity, or a hooded girl Codename H with mysterious abilities, when everyone feels despair, only the name of Efnir brings peace of mind. The so-called "magical girl" possesses such magic.

Efnir always attracted Masaki Hina's attention.

Masaki Hina saw many things she had discarded in Efnir, and once again reclaimed the original intention that led her to choose this path. She kept watching Efnir and became fascinated by Efnir figure.

If she hadn't met Efnir, Masaki Hina would probably be a different person, complaining about the injustice and darkness of the world, and losing the courage to resist.

Therefore, Efnir is special to Masaki Hina.

203. Investigation Plan

That was all a long time ago.

Everyone has a low point in their life. For Masaki Hina, the person who gave her the courage and resilience to climb out of the trough was Efnir. Therefore, Efnir was a very important person to her, and it was a feeling that was hard to express.

But Masaki Hina would probably never say such a thing aloud in her entire life.

Because she understands Efnir, she understands even better the distance between "Masaki Hina" and "Shiomi Yukina" for Efnir.

As a combat commander, a fundamental principle is to never recklessly engage in a battle that is doomed to failure.

Masaki Hina wouldn't make that kind of mistake.

Slowly withdrawing her gaze, Masaki Hina composed herself and continued her previous statement:

"Efnir is an agent who has fought against near- S-Rank Erosion Entity. Her words carry more weight than mine, and I believe none of you here will question them."

No one voiced any objections. Masaki Hina glanced around and sighed softly.

"Encountering an S-rank enemy during a mission Beyond the Boundary usually means certain death; that's the majority of the time... On that particular mission, almost all twenty-seven soldiers and two agents were killed, but two of them survived. Two soldiers... well... the suspicious points are pretty obvious, aren't they? And according to the records, those two also died not long after."

"So, this is just what's on the surface?"

"The suspicious points are obvious—that incident might not be directly related to the Erosion Entity, but rather it was the work of someone else, and the two survivors were probably just a 'messenger' or a 'smokescreen'."

"But without a doubt, this is also a breakthrough point."

In response to the questions and doubts from Efnir and Fushihara Ayaka, Masaki Hina continued.

"We still don't understand why the Apostle have targeted our Xijing City, but there's no doubt that if they can come once, they can come again. We paid a heavy price to thwart Apostle plot; thousands suffered as a result. Some of our soldiers died in battle, some were wounded, and others fell into their control... We cannot turn a blind eye to this. No one knows if they will come again, when they will come, or even if we have the courage to face such losses again."

Masaki Hina's words caused everyone present to look grave.

Especially Ayse and Furan.

For Canary to Ayse, Lily to Furan, they were each other's most important and irreplaceable existence. For them, the appearance of the Apostle almost took away everything they had, which represented an absolute hatred that could not be tolerated.

Whether they are deceased or missing predecessors, or the unconscious Fengling Shiyin, they are all comrades and companions that Efnir and they cherish.

As survivors, they must fight to uphold the will of the dead.

"Therefore, I believe we should take the initiative. To capture Apostle in one fell swoop, an investigation is essential, and the most important thing is to find out why the Apostle came, which is the root of everything."

"Masaki Hina said softly."

"We've been conducting investigations and searches aimlessly, but this time, we have a clear target. I think we might find answers or clues in the suspicious Liujin City, and we can use Liujin City to search for the real truth behind this."

"... May I say something?"

At this moment, Shinomiyami Nami had not spoken until now, suddenly raised her hand.

"Yes, Siyejian. Please speak."

"I think it's perhaps more appropriate to leave this matter to the Human Federation... We... we don't have the strength to confront the Apostle head-on..."