18 – First Guest

Bonnie carries us on her E.S.S.' back while running so we can get home soon.

Through the surveillance cameras in our house, I could see that the fight between Ciara and the attacking robot was fierce. However, it's clear that the super soldier is so overwhelmed. She could barely deliver attacks, and the robot always dodged her.

The enemy gave many combinations of fists and kicks to the super soldier. Ciara repeatedly fell or was thrown against the wall.

"I'm all right, sir," Ciara told me via remote communication. "You see for yourself. I can already stand straight."

Indeed, she was standing looking into the camera, but I could see bruises on her stomach and left cheek.

Is it wrong to destroy those robot hoarders? I've never had consequences this big in Project Axiom.

I wanted to ask about her condition again, but I've done that too many times already, so I changed the subject. "That robot still wants to fight you, huh?"

"Yeah." Ciara sat down on the rickety couch and let out a long sigh. "He said he enjoyed fighting me and would come back for the next round. He would look for me to the death if I ran away."

"Holy shit." Bonnie, listening to our conversation on her comms, hissed. "A psychopathic robot?"

"In our second meeting later, he won't hold back. I feel he didn't use all his power when delivering the last two punches right when my energy shield was depleted."

"I've never heard of a robot that has a great desire to fight like that." Bonnie chimed in. "It's scary to think about it."

"We can win with the right strategy," I responded. "I've brought additional spare parts to make new weapons."

Some of our opponents were high-level, namely the mantis monsters and the tentacled creature. And this time, we have to fight that mad robot who likes to fight.

Even the hard difficulty in Project Axiom has never been given challenges as crazy as this.

Perhaps this is what is called the insane difficulty.

***

We got home the next day, and I found that Ciara was watering the little farm behind the house. I did teach her to grow the crops and take care of them while the others and I were away. I didn't get knowledge about that from Project Axiom but from helping my grandfather farm in the village when I was little.

"Fortunately, that robot didn't destroy this." She put on a smile, then looked at our house, which had several holes in it. "But I can't say the same for our house. I'm sorry I couldn't maintain it properly."

I observed her figure. The bruises on her face and stomach have faded a lot. Apparently, a super soldier does have outstanding healing abilities. "That's not a problem at all. We can still fix it. The most important thing is that you are still alive."

Bonnie got off her E.E.S. and immediately hugged Ciara.

"Forgive me." The tiny girl sobbed. "If only I didn't insist on leaving, I could have helped you fight that robot yesterday."

Maybe Bonnie is really worried about losing her friend again, even though she hasn't been with Ciara for long.

"I told you, I'm fine." Ciara rubbed her friend's back, then looked at Liz. "Ah, you look so beautiful now, Liz."

"Thank you for the compliment," Liz answered. "But I think we should act fast. First, I want to check your booster and sword, Ciara."

The super soldier tilted her head. "Why?"

"The technology used by those things is not something new, but its development is prohibited outside of certain applications." The mechanic explained. "My former master happened to read a lot about that technology and discussed it with me."

If the automatic energy collection technology spreads widely, the battery and energy generation industries will decline.

"Your sword and booster can absorb energy from the air, Ciara." she continued. "It would be too long if I explained how it works. The point is, I think I can increase their abilities by 20%."

"How can you be sure of that?" I asked.

"Blueprints of those things had spread among the mechanics. My master pointed out their flaws which prevented them from working optimally."

Instead of responding to Liz, Ciara asked me instead. "I leave everything to my master."

"What are the chances that it will work, Liz?" I approached the mechanic. Seeing the psychopathic robot's way of fighting, I'm not sure Ciara can beat him even though the others will help. So, this is a big opportunity.

"I don't know." she shrugged. "Maybe 50-50. If that fails, Ciara can't use her weapons or booster anymore."

Should I take this risk, or would it be better to run away? But we have started to build a life here.