Chapter 85

Between Saori and Rin, Efnir is an observer, or rather, a supporting character and participant. From Saori, Efnir feels the same genuine emotions she has for Yukina.

Without a doubt, Saori's feelings for Rin are no different from the feelings she has for Yukina.

Similarly, if Efnir stubbornly continues down the path she originally chose, she will probably only end up with Yukina's disappointment and hurt gaze.

"I have no idea..."

Efnir did not answer Masaki Hina directly, but kept her true thoughts to herself.

At that moment, Masaki Hina pushed open the door in front of her, Shinomiyami Nami, Ayse, and Elincia appeared before her, gathered around a computer looking at something.

Upon seeing Masaki Hina and Efnir, they greeted each other, and then Efnir and Masaki Hina went to the computer.

A screen appears on the computer.

"Commander, this is the clearest photo we've captured so far."

Shinomiyami Nami sat in front of the computer, her fingers rapidly tapping on the keyboard, and the image on the screen refreshed and became clearer frame by frame.

Efnir, Elincia, and Ayse stood quietly to the side, watching.

Masaki Hina squinted at Efnir and said softly.

"Enlarge."

"Um..."

Soon, the image on the screen was zoomed in all at once, and looking at the enlarged and blurry image on the screen, Masaki Hina frowned.

On the screen is a slender girl in white, who is currently guarding the "Defense Line" between the "Beyond the Boundary" region and the "Boundary Stele," and is known as an "Angel."

"Wearing a mask... this guy."

Efnir frowned, then looked at Shinomiyami Nami.

"Is this what they call an 'Angel'? Can we detect her signal?"

"No, she seems to be blocking the 'feedback' from the Boundary Stele. All we can get right now is information about the type of energy she's using."

"Energy type? Any clues?"

"It refers to the Corruption Energy used by the 'Angel'."

Masaki Hina explained, Shinomiyami Nami added, "Yes... what she used was the Corruption Energy that constitutes the Erosion Entity, born with the appearance of the White Hole Erosion. Thanks to this, her attack was unable to break through the Boundary Stele's 'Barrier Network'..."

"But there's no way to do it outside the 'net' area."

Masaki Hina shrugged, Shinomiyami Nami promptly pulled up a photo taken from a helicopter. Looking down from the sky, it was clear that the area outside the "Barrier Network" had long since become ruins, and the numerous defensive fortifications that once existed there had been completely destroyed by the "Angel."

Efnir took a deep breath.

"So, although it's a tricky situation, she can't do anything about us for the time being, right?"

"While that's true... if things continue like this, the surrounding facilities won't be able to be maintained and rebuilt, and the West Line will become the weakest point in Xijing City... If things continue like this, it will be very bad."

"Play the previous recording again."

Masaki Hina said.

"Um..."

With a few quick taps, Shinomiyami Nami tapped her fingers, and a video began to play.

The video is blurry, but you can vaguely see a girl called "Angel" floating down from mid-air, and then a blinding beam of light explodes from her palm, piercing through the thick protective wall in one blow.

The attack continued to sweep across the defensive fortifications surrounding the Garrison District, and within just a few minutes, a large area had been completely destroyed.

The video ends at the moment the white light falls in the direction of the camera processor.

"It's really not funny... No matter how many times I watch it, it's still so outrageous..."

Masaki Hina sighed and looked at Efnir.

"This level of attack is completely beyond the capabilities of humans, isn't it? Even an agent wouldn't be able to utilize energy like that..."

Ayse and Elincia exchanged a glance, then looked at Efnir. Ayse raised her right hand and said, "Senior Efnir might be able to do it... Her 'Stairway' far surpass our level in terms of duration, maximum force they can withstand, and the number generated at one time, and the time interval between each generation is also quite short."

"But that kind of thing is a 'low-level' usage set up by the 'Beacon' program, right? It's completely different from the energy beams of those Angel..."

"That's true..."

The amount of Order Energy that an agent can draw upon each time is limited.

Utilization is also limited.

This limit varies among agents; simply put, each agent's "Output Energy Level" is different, which can be reflected in "Adaptation Rating".

One of the most important reasons why Efnir stands out among agents is that Efnir possesses an astonishingly high level of Adaptation Rating as an agent, which makes her fighting style significantly different from other agents.

That's why Ayse said those things.

"'Angel'... that's not a very interesting name."

Efnir frowned as she watched the video.

"Right? They actually have the audacity to call themselves 'Angel'? If 'god' is really something like this, then it's utterly disgusting."

Masaki Hina smiled.

"But I'm an atheist."

"Is the 'Angel' still there and hasn't left?"

"Yes."

Shinomiyami Nami typed on the keyboard, "From the moment the outer defenses were destroyed until now, she hasn't even moved an inch."

"You've been staring in the direction of the Boundary Stele?"

"That seems to be the case..."

"Tsk..."

Efnir took a deep breath and rubbed her chin.

"It seems that the 'Angel' has no way to cross the 'Barrier Network,' hasn't it? In that case, I have a suggestion."

"I know what you're thinking. You're planning to give that guy a try, aren't you?"

Masaki Hina wore a poker face, but the deep meaning in her eyes was undisguised.

She looked at Efnir and asked, "Our intelligence indicates that 'Angel' is completely immune to our firepower. Her effective attack range is over 200 meters, and her energy beams attenuate completely within 50 meters after being intercepted by 'Net'—so here's the problem: our personnel must maintain sufficient attack range to be considered safe, but our agents don't have that kind of abnormal energy beam attack ability. Moreover, if our agents are defeated, they won't receive any artillery support, which could lead to unforeseen consequences."

Masaki Hina quickly presented the information and added further details.

"In other words, sending an agent into battle will face considerable danger. Even so, are you still going to try?"

"Just shoot her once, there won't be any problems."

Efnir remained noncommittal about Masaki Hina's words, her eyes fixed on the computer screen.

118. Testing

"Regarding the former, in terms of long-range attacks alone, both Yukina and I can do it, right? Of course, having me here is enough. Besides, the biggest reason I gave this suggestion isn't the 'Boundary Stele' or safety, those things don't matter... What I'm trying to say is that if we only focus on defense, there's no other possibility but to fall into a passive position."

"Efnir said."

Ayse nodded in agreement, but then immediately realized something and looked at Elincia beside her, only to see Elincia pouting, which was unusual for her.

Elincia's Order Weapon is a "Sword-and-Shield." Although it has some offensive capabilities, Elincia excels at defense.

Elincia's face now showed an expression of "being offended." Just because she doesn't usually speak doesn't mean that Elincia won't react at any time.

Ayse gave an awkward laugh, pretending not to hear.

"That idea is certainly not bad. In fact, based on the current intelligence, the composition of the Angel might be more accurately described as an 'Erosion Entity' rather than an 'Apostle.' That's why her energy was erased by the Boundary Stele and she can ignore our bombardment. She just looks like a humanoid Erosion Entity... But thinking about it from another angle, we might be able to use the Order Force to harm her. So I've also considered whether we should send an agent to fight her."

Masaki Hina smiled and looked at Efnir.

"There's one reason we're waiting for you here—if we're going to send someone, I'd like to hear the advice of our top agent."

"In that case, you can just send me out directly."

"Efnir spoke up."

"Am I probably the only agent here capable of long-range attacks exceeding 1km?"

"Turn off all the searchlights!! And the helicopters, don't leave a single one!"

The soldiers shouted loudly, and one by one the lights on the control tower went out.

The night was still filled with noise, but darkness had returned.

"How about it, Efnir, is it clearer this way?"

Masaki Hina's voice came through the earpiece. Efnir jumped off the armored vehicle, the broken ground creaking as it did so.

"Ah, this is a huge help. If those lights were shining on her all the time, it would actually affect my vision... -- Ah, it seems a bit chilly tonight."

Efnir shuddered, silver light swirling around her, and her body rapidly shrank to the size of a junior high school student.

She took a deep breath, and the night breeze lifted her silver hair.

"Ha, that's much better."

"I have this feeling... it's clearly something dangerous, but you, Efnir, seem so relaxed about it..."

"I just didn't want to look serious."

Just then, another car drove up.

Ayse and Elincia also jumped out of the car and came up behind Efnir.

"Senior Efnir! We've arrived too!"

"Senior."

"Ah, it's Ayse and Elincia. What brings you here?"

"The commander said, let's observe it in person... We can see it more clearly with our own eyes than on the computer screen, hehe."

Ayse stuck out her tongue, and Elincia simply nodded in agreement.

"Okay... then you should keep your distance."

"Um!"

Efnir turned and waved to the armored vehicle.

"You should all go back quickly too."

"Yes, sir!"

The armored vehicle retreated back into the Barrier Network of the Boundary Stele.

"Ayse and Elincia, now you both step back, back to at least 100 meters away."

"Huh? Do we have to go that far? But Senior Efnir, you..."

"I feel a little restricted with you all here."

Efnir smiled slightly, "Besides... the 'Angel's' attack range is just a theoretical value. Who knows if you might be caught in the crossfire here? This is just for safety's sake."

"Senior, I can stay. I'll protect you if there's any danger."

Elincia stepped forward and spoke, but Efnir shook her head and refused.

"You protect Ayse, so don't worry about things here."

"Senior..."

Ayse wanted to refuse, but Efnir's expression hardened. "This is an order, step back."

"Yes, yes..."