NOVEL NEXT Chapter 355
Today Again in Peaceful Violet Network
“Entering Point C, enemy resistance is fiercer than expected!”
The command center scrutinized the maps spread out like spider webs within the network.
Dozens of large and small Violet tactical maps displayed various terrains and spaces. Within them, yellow dots constantly moved against red dots.
The projection method of the maps was complex. In the V-mice and crows’ view, crooked lines drawn from the gathered information floated in their sight.
The maps spread out on the operational table combined visual information. Thus, a perfect augmented reality emerged within the network.
“Advance from the corner! Guard forces are dispersed due to the dormitory fire. Squad 3, immediately join Squad 2!”
“Suppress the turrets with lasers, concentrate fire from the machine guns, then charge for 5 seconds. 5121, are you ready to die? 3, 2, 1. Charge!”
The Violets plastered to every operational table quickly manipulated themselves on the map. Simple feedback was immediately relayed to the real combatants rushing down the base corridors.
Suddenly, the Violet giving orders fell into thought. Who was it that gave the order to give orders? Was it me? Was it us? Strictly speaking, isn’t this just self-suggestion?
“Uh, I don’t know! Anyway, Squad 6 joins Squad 2! Concentrate fire from the machine guns!”
The confusion ended. Once the orders were given, the Violets would just act. The targets were enemies stubbornly resisting with unmanned turrets and mobile bunkers on the upper floor.
While the shield squad held back the firepower, a Violet with an ammo bag stepped out between the lines. Three gun barrels began to rotate slowly.
– Ratatatatatat!
The triple-barreled machine gun roared and rotated at a blazing speed. As the storm of bullets poured over the enemy lines, the assault squads took that moment to charge.
“Ease up! I surrender! Please let me live!”
“Drop your weapons and lie down! Move and we’ll shoot!”
Demoralized foundation staff began to raise their hands one by one. While some Violets quickly had the prisoners kneel and restrained them, others searched the facility thoroughly like starving beasts.
“Where’s the other stuff?”
“…What other stuff?”
“Come on! We’re going to blow this place up, so unless you want to see it fly, start talking!”
Under threats and intimidation, they pressed the staff for answers. Once everything was cleared out, only one procedure remained.
“Begin the explosion!”
Foundation strongholds collapsed one by one. Starting from the most vulnerable spots, spreading in all directions, then gradually moving to the stronger ones.
**
The foundation’s responses were varied. Some places desperately clung to evacuating personnel, while others resisted staunchly to the end.
“Ugh!”
One of the V-mice subdued a laboratory.
“Monkeys retrieved! No terminal has been found. Could it be because the scale is too small?”
“Good, then retrieve all data and equipment and blow it up!”
We took control of the research facility, dragging out the guards and researchers. These poor souls would be handed over to the Scholarship Officer and tossed into a secret prison. Until they found use for them, they’d live on frozen foods and vitamin supplements, drinking only water.
“Now you’re free!”
“Uh…?”
That caramel fellow confidently placed his hands on his hips in front of the monkeys. Giving freedom, yet actually bringing them here, reality was truly unpredictable.
Since this was the case, let’s coax them suitably and ensure to pick better next time.
However, the researchers’ reactions were unusual.
“What… the monkeys can talk! Ariel Group! What on earth have you done?”
A researcher shouted. I immediately struck the back of his head. Now that I had noticed the truth of the V-mice, I couldn’t let them go anymore.
May they live forever playing games.
“Shut up!”
After knocking one out, I quickly placed a bag over the heads of the other prisoners.
Before long, a transport helicopter landed amid the neutralized air defense network. Now, it was just a matter of shipping them off.
“Stay strong out there!”
As 421 concluded its mission, it began reverse generation immediately. Countless battlefields still awaited my presence.
As the body was deconstructed into magical power, it transitioned into a new form. The scenery before me turned into a complicated concrete maze.
Amid the walls of the intersection, bullets rained down, indistinguishable between friendly and enemy.
What I had to do here was simple: kill and disrupt whatever I saw!
“Landing complete! Immediate deployment!”
Combatants in white armor and robots unleashed indiscriminate gunfire. The ear-splitting noise echoed, my vision blurred and my body tingled. Suddenly, I instinctively realized the situation.
“Nemesis Protocol! They brought it!”
Through a hole in the wall beyond the walls, an orange-clad enforcement team came into view. Suddenly, deadly railgun fire came flying with precision. Plasma projectiles as hot as the sun pierced the walls.
But this time it was different. Now, we had countless Violets on our side.
Countless Violets created high-resolution maps. This meant we could faintly read the operational details of the Nemesis Protocol!
“Concentrate the fusion beams! We need to blow them away before they bind our magic!”
All I needed to do was press the map to indicate. While the enemies desperately launched attacks, clearly aware of our magic use, it was already too late.
Ten streams of beams mercilessly tore through the hidden empty spaces among them.
– Kachink!
A floating machine revealed its true form, belching smoke. As the enemies fell into a momentary confusion, the Violets surged in like a tide. Taking me as a shield, they poured in with all their might.
“We are the wave!”
Proxy units and androids desperately tried to fill the gaps. But it was futile. Our Violets were a tsunami.
They charged in unison. With axes, swords, and spears!
“Bzzzt!”
In our tactically immersed state, we noticed the robots’ movements as if in slow motion. They raised their arms high.
– Kaaaang!
The swords of hybrid monsters and machines howled eerily in the air. The electric, ultrasonic blades collided with the sword energy in an instant.
But at times like this, we relaxed our grip on our right hand, drawing them in. Then immediately, we pierced through their chest.
“Kyiiii?”
– Kachung!
The first row crumbled in the blink of an eye. The foundation’s resolute human combatants took their stances but—
– Boom! Bang!
They were shattered by bullets that came flying from the side in an instant. The second row crumbled helplessly. A bomb-laden Violet clung to a terminal, activating the detonator.
– KABOOM!
Another protocol was destroyed. The Violets in the intersection swiftly changed their positions.
Amidst the running squads and elements dividing in multiple directions, there I was, dragging heavy equipment through alleyways and walls. This was a heavy weapons base.
“Okay, deploy here! Other reinforcements will arrive soon!”
The tripod clattered as it anchored itself to the floor. The assembled body smoothly climbed atop the tripod. The barrel aligned perfectly. Turning half a rotation to connect, I completed the setup in 8 seconds, when an awaiting ammunition Violet smoothly inserted five shells into the chamber from midair.
“Enemy scale confirmed! One squad of robot troops! Two squads of Awakened Ones! They’re all heavily armored!”
“Just leave it to me!”
As the gunner Violet pulled the trigger, a heavy pressure engulfed me.
The androids advancing under the cover of unmanned armored vehicles faltered briefly, and a shower of metal storm burst forth, sweeping away the can-like enemies like bowling pins.
I mechanically slid a new magazine into place. The ravenous machine gun greedily consumed the ammunition.
Fire, reload, fire!
– KABOOM!
A grenade, suddenly flying in from around the corner, exploded. We hastily raised our handheld shields, and a transparent, sticky gel adhered to our bodies.
Upon realizing the enemy reappeared right before us, I understood the gel’s effect.
“Ugh! My limbs won’t move properly! What’s this jelly-like substance?”
Our limbs, engulfed in the gel, could not move as they wished. More critically, the gel sticking to our weapons disrupted our sword energy.
“It’s a suppression-type nano gel!”
“How interesting! A new means of attack!”
As we switch out our weapons for new ones, we cut down the charges rushing at us relentlessly.
“With this, you can’t stop us!”
**
Even as reinforcements were completely cut off at the intersection, the battles at the key targets we had aimed for grew more intense.
One of the places that showed weak resistance was Point A. Intelligence indicated there would be central record storage terminals here and it was a core facility for the foundation’s ether research. It was sizable enough to draw the enemy’s attention.
The issue was, this place was in a school called the Artoria Academy. Fighting with academy guards, who had no idea what was happening, it was crucial to suppress them without causing damage.
“Alright, surrender! We have nothing to do with the academy! We just want to teach the foundation a lesson, so get out of the way!”
As we Violets posed as the righteous faction… no, as the righteous Ariel Group, the reaction from the Artoria Academy was clear.
“We will never yield to terrorists!”
With resolute faces, the academy guards pointed their swords at us. As the blue sword energy flickered, we drew our swords in response, a multitude of crimson sword energies ignited from the shadows.
“Are you serious?”
“Um, wait, can’t we just stand off for now? There are too many eyes watching…”
As they faced numerous swords, their attitude changed in an instant. Such wise office workers.
“Good! Just stay right there!”
Disabling security, we raced through the academy, with students emerging from the dormitory, looking on at us in confusion.
“Eek! It’s the Ariel Group!”
“Yeah, that’s right! We’re Ariel!”
“Can I take a picture…?”
“No! Get back to your dorm quickly! This is now a battlefield!”
Fortunately, no further obstacles appeared. Just as I waved my hand, trying to open the foundation facility door, a rather shameless-looking man leading his subordinates suddenly emerged, blocking the entrance. Judging by his attire and demeanor, he looked like a faculty member on duty.
“No! You barbarians! Do you know where you are? How dare you enter the sacred academy’s operational building—”
On seeing him, I heard someone grinding their teeth behind us.
“Violet, can I take care of this guy?”
“Yes, sister!”
While this guy continued his showy lecture, a woman silently stepped out among our Violets.
A chilly aura enveloped her behind the cold metallic mask. As she clenched her fist, the sound of crushed bones resonated.
Clearly, she had a deep grudge against that man.
“You audacious brats. Why, are you not afraid? Do you know the foundation sponsors this academy? So—cough!”
– KACHUNG!
Sophie El slammed him against the wall before he could finish his sentence.
Soldiers who had been hesitating screamed and fled as soon as the Scholarship Officer sent them a glance. Truly a bunch of cowards.
“Sister, seems like there’s a story here?”
“Hmm… That guy was trying to sell students’ personal information to clans and attempted forced contracts. And how brazenly he obstructed the Inspection Bureau’s investigation! I’ve wanted to kick his ass for a long time…”
With a refreshing smile escaping behind her mask, she spoke.
“I now understand why Seijis is acting in the shadows. It feels great!”
Not letting the opportunity slip, I whispered.
“Sister, why don’t you join the Ariel Group while you’re at it?”
Sophie El playfully shrugged her shoulders.
“Hmm… That sounds good?”
The subsequent facility takeover proceeded with lightning speed. Those who stood in our way fell before the Scholarship Officer’s overwhelming strength.
Though occasionally helicopters or drones would fly over our heads, the foundation faced something it had not predicted.
The fact that our Violets wield mystical fingers of magic against the enemy.
“Transport helicopters incoming! Airships are visible too! Harmful birds!”
“Boom!”
In an instant, thunderous roars filled the sky and our fighter jets emerged. Under the onslaught of our good Violet birds, the enemies were left no choice but to burn and crash.
“We own the skies!”
**
The next place where strong resistance awaited was Point B.
This was also suspected to be a location with terminals, and while fewer than Point C, considerable numbers of personnel were being held there.
– Clang!
This facility used quite cunning tactics to block us. Suddenly, the entire area was enveloped in an invisible, bizarre wave. We quickly discerned its nature.
– Click! Click!
“Huh? The trigger won’t pull! Aaah!”
“It’s a combustion-inhibiting magic!”
Startled, 8521 threw down his gun, pulling out a crossbow.
Like the evil Vice Student Council’s relic, our reliable friends like explosives and firearms were completely neutralized.
Meanwhile, they poured bullets at us without restriction.
“Damn it! I have to use magic!”
Barely taking out my magic staff, another barrier unfolded. This time, even magic was rendered inoperable. Vision Memory Chips spun uselessly in the air as we ground our teeth in frustration.
“Blocking even magic!”
At this rate, we would have to break through the enemy’s defenses with close combat and crossbows. That would be if it was just us.
– Whoosh!
Intricate beams of blue light sliced through the air like waves.
The enemies swiftly hid behind cover. The armored wall etched with magic was confident it could block arrows wrapped in magical power.
Through the air vent above, we caught fleeting glances of their boastful faces.
But soon, those expressions turned to despair.
“Oh no!”
An arrow that had been brushing over them suddenly altered its course, penetrating an enemy’s head.
The enemy had no time to react upon witnessing their comrade’s demise; they quickly became like a hedgehog, riddled with arrows.
“Violet, the path is cleared. Let’s advance!”
A woman in a black combat uniform continually pulled back her bowstring. The flying arrows arched unpredictably, piercing through the hideouts of the enemies’ hearts.
They deftly evaded attempts to bounce off with swords and drew a parabola to destroy the lenses of the turrets and puncture the vital spots of the heavily armored machines.
“Well then, what do you think? Did I help?”
From behind her camouflaged net reminiscent of a funeral shroud, Sister Adela beamed a meaningful smile.
“Your shooting was flawless!”
The Ariel Group has the best archery expert.
It’s not just Sister Adela! We have solid allies skilled in gunpowder-free marksmanship. Archers from Cascadia rain arrows from behind the Violet shield line.
“…Then, please keep up the shield, our cute and charming little knight?”
In that moment, I recalled that we had knightly titles. It was only natural to respond accordingly in this situation.
“Yes! Your Highness!”
**
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the luxury of such lightheartedness amid the fiercest battlefield. This location we named Point C was literally a fortress built deep within a mountain.
– Thun-thun-thun!
The interior was wider than expected, as they had excavated within the mountain. Turrets jutted from the walls, and robots swarmed like a hive. More perilous were the defenses that swarmed out behind each door, accompanied by Stregonics.
“KYAAAAH! I lost my arm!”
The sacrifices of the Violets piled up like rain soaking the clothes. Each corridor we penetrated saw comrades fall like autumn leaves.
Especially in the corridor leading to our target point, the resistance was hellish, whether it was because prisoners were trapped inside, or the enemies had resolved to fight to the death.
Irene, the one who pierced through an enemy at the forefront, ducked behind a Violet shield to evade a torrent of railgun fire.
As she caught her breath, a mouse radio suddenly crawled out of her pocket, poking her ear and squeaking.
“The outer suppression is going smoothly by Helios. These guys decorated their stronghold defense with dungeon-grade ECM.”
“Of course! I’m glad I brought the mouse, right? Orange?”
The mouse giggled, but nearly fainted upon seeing the bullets bouncing off Irene’s body.
“As you can see, their firepower is too strong! I’m fine, but is charging in really the best option? What about an alternate route?”
“There’s none! We must push through the front gates. It’s okay, Irene! I prepared transport aircraft for this scenario. They will arrive in 5 minutes!”
“Got it! Then let’s finish it with the next charge—”
– KACHUNG!
The door opened, revealing a new enemy. Two giant steel beasts resembling spiders emerged and began a counterattack against our overwhelmed soldiers.
“Spiders?”
“They are multi-faceted tanks!”
The turrets mounted on their backs turned toward us. In surprise, the Violets scattered, as a dazzling beam of light penetrated a squad that had been responding.
“GGAAA!”
“I’m losing my upper body!”
After finishing its laser fire, the tank spat out shell casings. In the tactical immersion state of 421 and the reconnaissance crow’s view, the words [Hazardous Material: Handle with Care] appeared vividly.
After replacing its battery, the monster unleashed another deadly beam.
– KABOOM!
Heavy weapons fired back but were hopeless. Rockets surged forth like lightning from the air. The charge barrier wrapping it nullified all threats.
“Fusion beams or flash whips?”
“I’ve tried. The shield absorbs them all.”
Thinking they had the upper hand, the multi-faceted tanks intensified their assaults under the support of their fire.
“Damn it! If only the Iron Fist were here, we could crush that tin can!”
Thinking of that black-haired kid snoozing at the Cascadia training ground irritated me. As if reading my uncomfortable mood, Irene gently spoke up.
“Rugilinn’s Iron Fist is too big to fit here. Instead…”
In an instant, I understood what she meant. For walking machines, we needed counterwalking machines.
“Commence descent!”
First to arrive in the sky were the biplane transporters. From their long hulls, heavy knights poured out like water.
Clunky steel masses spread their parachutes and landed near the entrance. As the knights charged towards us, even greater giants plummeted from the sky.
The ramp of the airship flung open wide. While it couldn’t match the tanks, iron giants equipped with heavy weapons and large missiles descended from the hold.
Fighter jets and drones cutting through the tangled night sky descended at formidable speeds. As the parachutes unfolded, vibrations akin to explosions pierced the air. Just before landing, balloons for shock absorption inflated beneath their legs.
“Stealing from the naval base paid off!”
– POW!
With a whoosh, we packed the parachutes. Following the confrontation with the fusion tanks, this was the second real deployment.
Finally, the armored knights and multi-purpose walkers slammed their feet down on the ground. Our counteroffensive against the multi-faceted tanks began.
“Full attack!”
– Thud! Thud!
With the blunt sounds of bombing, heavy shells smashed into the enemy lines.
Though the armor was weak, the firepower of the walking platforms was overwhelming. Multi-faceted tanks stood in our way, with fiery showerings of infantry rockets and grenades.
“Concentrate the rocket fire! Overload their defense systems! Defeat is victory!”
Amid the barrage of smaller explosions, the area around the tanks was enveloped in sizzling currents.
Another thunderous roar rang out.
Shells pierced the battered defenses and crashed against the tank’s turret. The tank reeled back, spewing black smoke.
“Good! One has been severely damaged! Let’s take out the remaining one!”
The last multi-faceted tank unleashed a lethal laser toward us. Again, Violets fell as the tank swiftly maneuvered and targeted the walker.
Then the smoke grenade erupted.
“Irene! Now!”
The deadly beam narrowly missed.
The instant the battery fell to the ground, armored knights with golden magical auras leapt through the thick smoke to make a desperate charge. The hail of fire battered down upon them.
– Clang!
The glowing red armor melted in the face of the laser strikes. But that brave sacrifice opened the path to victory.
The surviving armored knights advanced right up to the enemy.
The blazing limbs of the tank were severed one after the other.
– KAAAAAN!
“Victory!”
With a unified and determined charge, the Violets crushed all resistance and finally reached the doors.
Now, only minor obstructions remained. We entered a room filled with numerous coffins. Activating just a few control panels should do the trick.
“The moment of liberation has arrived!”
Whoever was trapped, it was time to return their freedom.
**
“…Fighting continues in the intersection.”
Director Kwavna let out a deep sigh as he faced the flood of reports. All the board members and Secretary General Fegan were pouring their efforts into remedying the situation, yet a breakthrough was nowhere in sight.
The enemy’s combat power was overwhelming.
“Our forces are dispersed in all directions. Main forces are stuck, leaving only reserves. The remaining forces are for attrition.”
“Follow the control algorithm’s directive and deploy aerial and ground forces toward the key facilities only. For other facilities, focus on personnel evacuation.”
An unavoidable choice. What needed to be cut, had to be cut. As long as personnel resources and intellectual assets were preserved, the foundation could be rebuilt, that was a steadfast belief.
It was at that moment when faith began to waver.
“Emergency! Abnormal access detected at Point C-A1. It’s presumed the enemy is attempting to penetrate the central record storage database.”
A fatal report reverberated through the chaos. A serious expression fell on the faces of all board members in the command room. A horrendous hypothesis flashed through their minds.
‘Could it be that the enemy’s ultimate goal was the record storage?’
Misfortune didn’t end there.
“A-03 detention facility has fallen!”
“This can’t be… Isn’t that the isolation facility for the containment targets?”
This incident implied that critical variables hidden in the foundation could be unleashed. There wasn’t even time to review the detainee list.
“Communications are severed, making the incineration protocol unfeasible. In that case…”
“It’s time to use that.”
A forbidden choice arose in the minds of the board members. Before anyone could speak, Director Kwavna strongly resisted.
“It’s unacceptable! It is an insult to our heroes! We must reflect on why our foundation exists!”
“But we haven’t even secured an effective sample. We need enemy capture, but that’s impossible in the current situation. To succeed in a pest control operation, we have no choice!”
The argument confirmed swiftly there. The control algorithms had pushed them to make judgments without hesitation.
[Full execution of the plan is impossible under the current circumstances. Probability of foundation collapse exceeds 80%]
[To improve operation success rate, a superhuman entity with overwhelming combat power is required]
[Active recommendation to release the hibernation chamber]
Secretary General Fegan let out a deep sigh. The board members hesitated no longer.
“Deciding on the consensus of the board.”
In the heavy silence, an unavoidable decision fell. The Secretary General declared.
“I shall approve the release of Helman from hibernation.”