◈ Episode 146

The operation team proceeded with the departure procedures as scheduled. As instructed to Kamael, they left some agents behind. Just as they were crossing the border, a voice came over the radio.

-Are you sure this is okay?

It was a question from Leila, who was riding in a different vehicle like last time. She was originally a person who was worried a lot, but this time, the other agents must have felt the same way.

'Even though the number of people dispatched is small, the lab has made some kind of investment.'

We had to consider the details rather than the number of people.

From Leila and Ghost to West Creek. There are only three elite agents, and there is also a professor who grows significantly with each operation and becomes closer to his appearance before losing his memories.

That's not all. Even Kim Lee-hyun, who was treated as an elite within the organization despite not being a member of the rap group, was mobilized. He was a force that anyone familiar with the circumstances of the rap group could never ignore.

However, the operation team failed to achieve any significant results.

The only thing that is significant is that they have established a friendly relationship with the Ishrad side. This was an achievement made possible by the professor and his group moving around busily while Kim I-hyeon was in and out of prison.

The fundamental problem has not been solved.

They rushed to Ishrad in a panic based on the information leaked by Edwin. Despite all the excitement, they ended up returning without even catching the tail of the Legion.

On the surface, it seems that way.

"No problem. You can trust me."

-Yes, of course Mr. Hyun believes in it. He has already agreed to the plan.

Still, Leila continued.

-I don't feel at ease. It's a dangerous operation after all.

-I think so too. Was it okay to leave Asterike behind?

The professor agreed with Leila's opinion.

It was an understandable reaction. When Kim Yi-hyun gathered the operation team and explained the plan, most of them looked hesitant. At first glance, it sounded like it was high risk and uncertain.

'It was eventually accepted, but what would have happened if there had been no results?'

I guess it must have been hard to convince him. At least it wasn't as easy as it is now. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable because the rap seems to be relying too much on Dustbone, but it was definitely easier at times like this.

Instead of coaxing and pacifying, Kim Yi-hyeon only spouted out facts.

"It's because it's Asterique. If it was someone else, it wouldn't have worked."

-… … Hmm. Honestly, I don't know, but yeah. You would know best.

It seemed like it didn't really hit home. Maybe it was because she hadn't been active for over a year. It seemed like she wasn't able to objectively assess Asterike's capabilities.

But Kim Lee-Hyeon knows. Just as the professor said, he knows better than anyone else.

The extraordinary power she displays now that her allies are no longer an obstacle.

Astrid is the most dependable agent when deployed alone.

"I bet you'd really like it if you heard it yourself."

Chelsea, who had been driving the car for Echidna, smiled bashfully.

"Why don't you tell me directly? You were just whining about ruining the date."

"What are you talking about? I don't remember that happening."

I've never done anything that could be called a date. Taking her to prison? It was just a necessary procedure. I needed to get her to meet Noctane and Asterike.

I never imagined it could be interpreted in another way.

'Is the child still mentally unarmed?'

Kim Yi-hyun wasn't interested in romance. It was natural. Thinking about Snowfield and Nigrum still makes me feel chills. What kind of world is this where one wrong step can put your life at risk?

Fortunately, it wasn't a problem that needed to be fixed as quickly as before. It didn't have a negative impact on the operation, and it didn't make any strange demands.

Separately, I also think that I am grateful for favors. Whether it be affection, friendship, or camaraderie. Unless you have a very twisted personality, you can't possibly dislike being loved by others.

"I knew it. Anyway, I just want you to compliment me sometimes."

"...Motivation is important. Once you get things organized, it will take care of itself."

"I compliment you with more than just words, you know?"

"It's consistent, it's consistent. Like a donkey."

Even as they joked around, there was a palpable tension inside the car. The road leading to the Ishrad border. Beyond the barbed wire fences on both sides, a forest was visible, perfect for an ambush.

Two vehicles are running along a road where nothing is left. They are completely defenseless. Even if they are attacked, they cannot expect help from others.

If.

If there is a terrorist group active in Ishrad. If they are frequently watered down by Cellbrox Lab. If we assume that they consider the Lab a thorn in their side because of that─.

This is a golden opportunity you absolutely don't want to miss.

-Come.

The radio from West Creek signaled the start.

Squeak!

As if it had promised, the car suddenly slowed down. The agents each grabbed their equipment and prepared for battle. Kim Yi-hyeon was conscious of the [Chulyeongjeong] he had brought along.

Toodoodoodoo!

Bullets rained down from the forest. The bulletproof glass windows withstood the impact. After a round of bullets, a shadow of a person appeared between the trees.

-The number that can be confirmed right now is about thirty.

-There are quite a few. Be careful, there seem to be walkers mixed in too.

-West Creek, please. I will protect the professor.

The operation team remained calm as they had anticipated the attack. Although they were outnumbered, no one was frightened. There must have been at least one time when Lab had surpassed Legion in terms of numbers.

The agents burst out of the door and used the car as cover. Westcreek didn't rush in either, but aimed his pistol first. With precise aim, he pierced the Legion soldier's chest.

It is a satisfactory response.

"We'll join in too. I'm telling you this out of concern, but don't die doing stupid things. We won't pick up your body."

"Oh. Why do you say such things?"

"Because there are new recruits too."

More than 90% of the advice was aimed at Echidna. Perhaps it was because the situation was similar to that of Naraka. Her face had turned pale, but it was not the time to care for her leisurely.

'You have to figure out how to survive.'

If you can't follow, there's no reason to force you to follow.

Dustborne also quickly followed suit and began to intercept. Gunshots rang out in the empty road. Despite the unfavorable situation, it was Legion who was actually hit.

Bang! Bang!

Chelsea fired a single shot with the rifle mounted on the bonnet. As promised, all the bullets hit the vital spot. Echidna's exclamation filled Chelsea's pride.

'By the way, I always find it fascinating when something like this happens.'

This time, Kim Yi-Hyeon's prediction was right without a doubt. As he said, as soon as we left Ishrad, the Legion's forces appeared. This proved that the Legion was secretly active in Ishrad.

That wasn't all.

Kim Yi-hyeon had instructed Chelsea in advance. She was not to use spells on the common soldiers. In other words, she was to be wary of the strong, not the commoners.

While she was reducing the enemy soldiers one by one, Chelsea glanced into the forest. Soon, there was a thud, thud sound and the ground began to vibrate slightly. At that moment, she thought it was like the footsteps of a giant.

"Avoid!"

West Creek's scream. After a very short pause, something came flying like a shell. It tore through the barbed wire like a piece of paper and headed straight for the car. Chelsea and Echidna were taking cover.

Just before the collision, the shield intervened.

Fight!

Edwin's body, unable to bear the shock, fell onto the hood. The aftermath pushed the car body. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body. It was a blow that even Pecatum's strength could not withstand.

If it hadn't been for the equipment he had carefully acquired, it would have been crushed terribly. Edwin took a closer look and identified the flying object.

A strangely large square sword was rolling around on the ground. When I saw the distinctive weapon, a certain person naturally came to mind. As expected, a man was coming out of the forest at that very moment.

"My, my, you betrayed me. Oh, Edwin Berenice…."

A giant that was at least two meters tall. Bloodshot, red eyes visible beneath the iron mask covering its face. Skin with distinct needle marks, as if it had been patched with artificial leather, and a subtly different color and texture.

Individual name: Rags. A modified human from the Legion.

Crunch!

A hand the size of a pot lid tore off the barbed wire more easily than cardboard. Even though the thorns pricked his skin and the bullets fired by the agents struck his entire body, the rags did not even groan.

"What the hell is that piglet, isn't he sick?"

"...Probably a test subject of the Legion. The situation is not good."

Leila responded to Pablo's words and surveyed the situation. If it were just soldiers, it would be no problem to deal with it, but that wasn't it. It had absurd strength and toughness. If they allowed any more approach, the balance would collapse.

It was a time when the fighters of the lab were only waiting for the professor's instructions.

Crunch.

Chelsea quickly replaced the magazine and pulled the trigger.

Pavabak!

The bullet that left the muzzle lodged itself in Rags's abdomen. At first glance, it looked no different from the dozen or so bullets that had been fired before.

However, the results were not entirely the same.

"그륵...!"

The approaching rag was pushed back half a step. The power was greater than that of a normal bullet. Although it was far from fatal, it was effective enough in Kim Yi-Hyeon's opinion.

'As expected, they are a good match.'

The spell that Lazuli passed on to Chelsea is an enchantment ability. It can give special effects to metal. It is the power to strengthen the hardness itself rather than modifying it with the regular materials such as ice bullets or incandescent bullets.

The fraudulent point is that there is almost no difference in mass. This means that a regular lead bullet boasts a stopping power superior to that of an armor-piercing bullet. There is no significant effect on the velocity and recoil.

'If Mithril had been used properly, it would have been a disaster.'

What if Mithril's body could withstand multiple spells? Or at least, what if there was a trustworthy incompetent by his side to pass on Lazuli's factor?

Even if the former was realistically difficult, the latter was quite possible. If Mithril had been popular and trusted by his subordinates, he would not have died so meaninglessly in Banjar.

'I guess I was just lucky.'

In the end, the spell went to Chelsea.

And with this, its practicality has been proven.

"Professor, you take charge of the soldiers."

Kim Lee-hyeon spoke with his gaze fixed on the rags.

"We'll catch him."

-Can you do it?

"If you don't have confidence, you wouldn't say something like that."

-Okay, please. West Creek, dig in and break the line. Don't let them get in your way.

As soon as the order was given, West Creek jumped over the barbed wire and rushed toward the Legion troops. He was a crazy guy after all. He didn't have healing powers like Edwin, so he wasn't afraid.

But thanks to that, my attention was distracted.

Even though it reduces the number of allies, it is not a unique strategy. Rather, it is one of the standard strategies. It is a method of dealing with the boss separately.

You have to handle both dealing and tanking with a small number of agents. It's the complete opposite of twisting your whole body to squeeze out the performance of all the agents in your formation. It's closer to what's called dealing damage.

Inevitably, high-performance equipment and personnel are required… … .

Of course, that's not a problem, since we already have both.

"Block it well, Edwin."

He pulled out [Chulyeongjeong] from the scabbard hanging on his waist.

"If it's useless when it's important, I'll get out."

"Why do you always say things like that…."

Edwin sighed and readjusted his shield.

Bro, bro!

Chelsea pulled out her pistol instead of her rifle with special bullets and pressed the soldiers aiming their guns at her from behind the rags. Echidna helped her.

'I feel like Echidna is floating a little.'

Melee dealers and tanks. And ranged dealers.

It was a combination that was more than enough with just Dustborne's personnel.

"Let's finish this quickly."