NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6 - Meteor 6
Chapter 6 – Meteor 6
Luther Lightseeker, one of the playable characters in Star Savior, was a combat homunculus equipped with 9th generation nanites.
Luther’s final combat style depended on how the nanites were developed, and could be broadly categorized into three types.
‘Long-range bombardment, close-quarters combat, and legion.’
Long-range bombardment and close-quarters combat were self-explanatory.
Long-range bombardment focused on overwhelming firepower, melting enemies before they could approach with an arsenal of beam weapons like the Energy Gun, as well as ballistic weapons like missiles and Gatling guns.
Close-quarters combat specialized in diving into enemy lines with enhanced defense and mobility from the Nanosuit, then slicing through enemies with a hyper-vibrating blade and lightsaber.
‘And the legion type, which controlled multiple drones simultaneously.’
While the long-range and close-quarters types used only one to three drones, the legion type was different.
It controlled dozens of drones, forming a ‘drone legion’ to dominate the battlefield.
If the long-range and close-quarters types were ‘warriors’ who directly engaged in combat, the legion type was a ‘commander’ who orchestrated the battle from behind.
‘This is a tough decision.’
In terms of sheer firepower, long-range bombardment was the best, but in terms of individual combat ability, close-quarters combat reigned supreme.
Of course, the legion type couldn’t be ignored either.
Since its role was completely different from the other two, the scope of its abilities was also different.
The legion type was a true all-rounder, capable of simultaneously performing combat, healing, reconnaissance, and hacking.
‘In the game, I had to choose just one.’
While it was up to the player which of the three tech trees to develop, they ultimately had to choose one.
There wasn’t a specific reason, but rather a matter of game balance.
If Luther possessed all three tech trees, he would become an overpowered character, breaking the game balance.
‘But this is reality… couldn’t I develop all three?’
Moreover, he could now develop the nanites using magic stones.
‘If it wasn’t from a small fry like a Jackal, but from a larger one.’
A powerful dragonkin like a Jogress.
Or even beyond magic stones—a dragon heart from an evil dragon.
Luther briefly imagined himself equipped with a dragon heart.
A true decisive weapon, unleashing firepower equivalent to a battleship’s main cannon and commanding a legion of drones to dominate the battlefield.
It was a bit chuunibyou, but it was also undeniably exciting.
“Integra.”
“[Yes, Master.]”
“Is it possible to develop all three tech trees simultaneously?”
“[It is possible, but it seems somewhat inefficient in the current situation.]”
“[After establishing a certain foundation, I recommend focusing resources on a single function.]”
“Okay, so I can develop all of them eventually.”
“[It will be possible if you secure sufficient resources.]”
That was enough.
Luther nodded with a satisfied expression and looked at the letters of light floating before him.
Energy Gun, Nanosuit, and Drone.
‘Let’s learn what I need right now.’
This wasn’t the world of Star Savior, but the world of Dragon Hunter 3.
‘Then it’s the Energy Gun, right?’
The Nanosuit, which greatly enhanced close-combat abilities, was tempting, but for now, it seemed better to acquire at least one ranged attack method.
‘I do have the Nanosuit, even if it’s only Lv0.’
Moreover, Luther’s basic physical abilities were already superhuman.
He couldn’t expect a dramatic change from upgrading the Nanosuit from Lv0 to Lv1, so it would be more efficient to acquire a completely new function and expand his tactical options.
‘Being able to do things impossible in Dragon Hunter 3 is the advantage of Luther, the collaboration character.’
Having made up his mind, Luther touched the floating letters of light and selected the Energy Gun.
“[Generating Energy Gun specialized nanites.]”
“[Generation will take 31 minutes and 27 seconds.]”
Luther nodded again at Integra’s words and looked at Karen and Max.
As expected, they were looking at him with complex expressions.
They seemed quite surprised by him absorbing the magic stone.
“[Master, their reactions are closer to awe and astonishment.]”
“[In Max’s case, he seems to have mistaken your conversation with me for a special incantation.]”
It was a plausible interpretation.
To Max, it would have looked like Luther absorbed the magic stone and then chanted in an unknown language.
“[It seems they are starting to truly believe you are an angel.]”
It was the beginning of a misunderstanding, but Luther decided to accept it.
In the current situation, it was advantageous for Karen and Max to believe he was an angel.
‘Hoo… alright.’
Luther straightened his posture and spoke to Karen and Max.
“Defeated Jackal. Large bite marks on Jackal. Proof Jackal attacked by other dragonkin.”
At Luther’s words, Karen and Max seemed to snap out of it and nodded with serious expressions.
“Mis- no, Karen. It’s also strange that the Jackal was alone. Moreover, with a wound that size… there might be a Jogress nearby.”
Max’s way of addressing Karen suddenly changed.
But Karen simply nodded as if it were natural and spoke to Luther.
“I think it would be best to move. Did you… I mean, did you just say something similar, Luther… sir?”
Other dragonkin might be attracted by the smell of the dead Jackal’s blood.
The campsite was originally in a relatively safe area of the Forest of Ancient Trees, with almost no roaming dragonkin, but an exception had already occurred.
Moreover, if there really was a Jogress nearby, it would be better to move as soon as possible.
“Let’s go this way. It’s best to get as far away as possible from the direction the Jackal came from.”
Max spoke to Luther, quickly extinguished the bonfire, and gathered his belongings.
“I’ll lead the way.”
Karen, with a sling bag, skillfully started moving through the bushes.
She looked no older than her late teens, but her every movement exuded experience.
‘She definitely looks like a main character.’
Not only was she strikingly beautiful, but she also possessed many qualities that made it hard to believe she was an ordinary extra.
‘Max also seems competent.’
Although not as striking as Karen, Max had the air of a seasoned warrior.
“[Master, it seems we have arrived.]”
It was impossible to travel too far in the middle of the night.
After about 20 minutes, the group stopped at a place where a fallen tree blocked one side.
“Let’s settle down here for now.”
The Forest of Ancient Trees, with its many ancient trees, had many such spots suitable for spending the night.
After Karen and Max settled down, Luther naturally took a seat opposite them.
And a brief silence.
It was Karen who broke the awkward atmosphere.
“Luther… sir, may I ask you about what happened earlier?”
Luther nodded at the cautious yet polite question.
She probably wanted to ask about him absorbing the magic stone.
“Thank you. If I’m not mistaken… did you absorb the magic stone?”
As expected.
But instead of answering immediately, Luther observed Karen and Max’s expressions.
They both seemed expectant.
“[Master, perhaps the angels believed in on this planet have the ability to absorb the energy source of alien lifeforms.]”
“[Or at least there might be a legend about it.]”
Judging by their reactions, it was a possibility.
So Luther nodded and said,
“Absorb magic stone. Absorb and use as power.”
Karen and Max let out small gasps of admiration at Luther’s reply.
Integra’s guess seemed to be correct.
“[For now, it seems beneficial for them to believe you are an angel in order to gain their cooperation.]”
“[Moreover, since it is true that Master came from the sky, it can be interpreted as a kind of angel.]”
“[It’s not a lie, in a way.]”
Integra spoke like a con artist in a very gentle voice, but Luther inwardly agreed.
Having suddenly woken up in a game world—or rather, a world almost identical to a game—he had to prioritize efficiency over his conscience for now.
“Luther… sir, then I’ll continue the story we were talking about.”
Karen spoke at just the right time and glanced at Max.
“Ahem, then I’ll continue the story from here.”
The story of the meteorite that fell in the Forest of Ancient Trees.
“So, around sunset tonight…”
“[To summarize, they were about to head back when they saw a meteor fall, and they came deeper into the forest hoping to find meteoric iron or rare materials.]”
“[And then it got late, so they camped at the campsite.]”
Integra summarized Max’s long-winded story concisely.
Luther covered his mouth slightly and asked in a very low voice,
“Integra, what do you think?”
“[Max seems to know the relatively accurate location of the fall.]”
“[Although we cannot accurately estimate when Master crashed, given the current circumstances, it is highly likely that the meteor Karen and Max saw is the spaceship, so it is worth searching for.]”
Luther agreed.
And at that moment,
As Max finished his lengthy story, Karen took a breath and spoke to Luther.
“Luther… sir, would you like us to help you find the meteorite?”
It was an offer Luther would gladly accept.
Moreover, Karen’s bright smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower.
But instead of nodding immediately, Luther thought for a moment.
Traveling with them would definitely be beneficial for him.
But would it be beneficial for Karen and Max?
“[They seem to want to repay the favor to Master, whom they believe to be an ‘angel’.]”
Integra spoke bluntly in a very gentle voice.
Luther had similar thoughts, but he felt it wasn’t just that.
He could feel genuine goodwill from Karen and Max.
It was probably a mix of wanting to help an angel and genuine kindness.
“Alright. I’ll go with you. I’ll be in your care.”
Karen and Max’s faces brightened as Luther replied with a gentle smile.
“Let me introduce myself again. I’m Karen.”
Karen stood up and introduced herself, and Max also stood up, lightly tapping his chest with his fist as if in a salute, and said,
“I’m Max. I’m traveling with Karen.”
Since both of them stood up and introduced themselves, Luther couldn’t just remain seated.
He stood up, tapped his chest, and said,
“Yes, I’m Luther.”
“[Master, I’m Integra.]”
Integra suddenly introduced herself as if she didn’t want to be left out.
Luther chuckled softly and was about to continue the conversation.
He wanted to ask what year it was, and if this really was the era of Dragon Hunter 3.
But at that very moment,
Karen’s face, who had been about to start speaking, suddenly became hazy, and the same happened to Max.
“[Master! Foreign substances detected in the atmosphere!]”
“[Suspected to be poison!]”
The moment Integra shouted urgently, Luther jumped to his feet and quickly covered his mouth and nose with his hand.
‘Paralyzing Mushroom Spores!’
A toxic substance that caused severe paralysis and other physical abnormalities upon inhalation.
But as far as Luther knew, there was only one type of monster in Dragon Hunter 3 that used Paralyzing Mushroom Spores.
And that monster didn’t exist in the Forest of Ancient Trees.
‘But why?’
There was no time to think.
Luther quickly turned around and had Integra check for life signs.
Although Integra’s detection range was limited to a radius of about 10 meters, her ability to scan omnidirectionally, ignoring terrain, was a huge advantage.
“[Master! Behind you!]”
Luther quickly turned around and reflexively raised his arm.
And several poisoned needles pierced his arm.
‘Damn it!’
Poisoned.
That was the moment Luther thought so.
“[Poisonous substance detected in the body.]”
“[Commencing detoxification.]”
The 9th generation nanites.
Luther’s fading consciousness regained clarity.
–CROW–