Chapter 254

As half a day had passed in this strange Erosion Zone, the Federal Army finally made their grand appearance.

Most of the troops were ordinary soldiers, but their equipment was definitely superior to ours Violets.

While individual skills may not match those of the Hunters, they do have their own Awakened Unit.

One strange thing, however, was that only Federal soldiers had been deployed in large numbers. The following Rescue Team was much smaller than expected.

Outside the barrier, there was a bustling activity of Clan Rescue Teams hired by influential people from various academies and those with families inside.

But they found themselves bound by the Federal Army and Restraid Knights.

“Stop! This area is currently sealed!”

Amidst this, quite an interesting scene unfolded.

Normally, Restraid, notorious for belittling others, especially the Non-Awakened, was now shouting to trust the Federal Army.

“The soldiers are currently scouting ahead. Wait!”

“Don’t you trust the soldiers?”

“Hey, Knight. Since when have you been so friendly with those Non-Awakened?”

The atmosphere of the briefing delivered by Radio Violet, affiliated with Helios’ Special Operations Division, was colorful.

“As I mentioned earlier, entering from outside to inside is possible, but escaping from inside to outside is not. Our Clan has started building artificial pathways with experts.”

They may have looked like ignorant tin cans, but there were grounds for their claims.

It was a temporary meeting room dubbed the Joint Countermeasure Headquarters for the Erosion Zone. In front of the lined-up rescue members, a Restraid knight continued the explanation in a surprisingly polite tone.

“Unfortunately, we lack sufficient information from within. The good news is that the drifting convention center and the barrier’s exit aren’t that far apart. If you could wait until the passage is secured…”

“No, if it’s going to open anyway, can’t we just go in first? We’ll take responsibility for our safety, so we’ll just head in!”

“Absolutely not! Dangerous mutated monsters are roaming inside right now…”

“Come on, everyone here is a Hunter specializing in monster hunting. Code Omega? What’s so great about that identification code…”

“We don’t even know how dangerous the monster is, but you’re not going to hoard it, right? Despite being Restraid, that’s not fair. Let’s get to the point. How much is it?”

“That’s not what this is about!”

For some unknown reason, Restraid insisted that they could not let us in right now, but of course, they eventually did.

They insisted on writing a Confidentiality Agreement, claiming they couldn’t guarantee our lives, though.

Currently, around Radio Violet were troops dispatched from Cascadia and Helios temples that had just arrived by helicopter.

The larger the Clan, the more Restraid knights insisted on restraining their deployment in this bizarre phenomenon.

Feeling a sense of unease, Irene and Sister Adela had not yet given the order to enter.

“By the way, Irene, can’t we fly up into the sky?”

As I asked through Radio Violet, Irene pointed to her back, and then up to the sky.

Helicopters were hovering above the dome-shaped gigantic barrier.

“You’re right. If we’re in the dome, we can infiltrate directly from the air with our helicopter or Aegis’ airship. If you request support from inside, we’ll deploy immediately. So… what do you think? Want to give it a shot?”

“Sure!”

The last words were a message to another Violet aboard the Helios transport helicopter.

“Whoa, I’m falling!”

Wingsuit Violet jumped from the helicopter, disappearing beyond the barrier.

“All clear!”

There seemed to be no issues with the entry from the air.

“The experiment was successful, so while we wait, I’ll do some more research on what’s inside. It was called Asteria, right? The search and relic departments are looking for related materials. It might be helpful.”

“By the way, are you going to share that information with the others? Those guys! Including what I shared with you!”

I pointed to the Restraid knights, and Irene frowned for a moment but quickly regained her composure.

“…For now, fighting the monsters is our top priority. We can argue later, but right now is not the time for conflict. Don’t worry about the rest. It would be troublesome if the source of the information was traced back, so I’ll deliver it indirectly.”

To have to form a temporary alliance with those guys was quite unsettling.

Yet, I could consider myself lucky.

I hadn’t expected to run into someone I knew in a place like this.

“Hey, it’s that soldier!”

“Looks like he got promoted.”

The face of this young soldier I hadn’t seen in a while was filled with a serious expression for some unknown reason.

“Anyway, it’s been a while, Uncle!”

While the 16th Unit greeted him, the Violets in the command center were rummaging through the pile of assorted documents on the desk.

I wasn’t quite sure how the Federal Army ranks or positions were organized.

A major would probably be around the rank of mobile unit leader? The Awakened leader I had met in the dungeon had about that same position.

“Pretty high up.”

The mobile unit is a first response unit that deploys quickly in the event of a monster outbreak. It typically operates at the level of a small battalion.

Numerically, they were at a disadvantage compared to our Violets, but on the other hand, all of them were armored and armed with electromagnetic rifles.

The soldiers traveled on armored vehicles, receiving support fire from tanks, heavy armored vehicles, and walking artillery.

They weren’t mere bullet sponges.

This uncle in front of me probably held a position equivalent to a battalion commander in the real world. And that battalion commander, Major Klein, looked somewhat uncomfortable.

“It seems the commander is disappointed with his subordinates!”

“…So, what’s the reason you called me here?”

The major held up the crumpled note I had subtly handed him, his expression awkward.

“Oh, it’s nothing much, just wanted to check in since it’s been a while. I was curious about how you’ve been.”

“You’re not just here for that, right?”

“Well, I do have some questions to ask.”

Instead of answering immediately, I paused for a moment. At that, the major’s face grew even more uncomfortable.

“You are the most outstanding Hunter among the Awakened that I’ve met.”

“Wow, thanks for the compliment!”

“Thanks to you, my subordinates were able to save their lives. So I’m speaking politely right now, but… listen closely. I’m a soldier of the Trist Federation Army. You are currently a wanted terrorist. What will you do if I report you?”

“Oh, right. I forgot about that. But don’t worry. I don’t think you’re going to report me, Uncle.”

“On what grounds do you say that? As I mentioned earlier, I’m an officer. According to protocol, I should report you.”

“Well… that is true.”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

Just then, a new Violet appeared from the bathroom entrance, causing the major to startle and reflexively reach for his holster but then retract his hand.

“Hey, wait a minute, Uncle! I didn’t call you here with any bad intentions. Thanks to you, I got a nice gun and even obtained a tank! We’re good neighbors, right?”

“What you did for me back then was truly appreciated, but we are not neighbors.”

Major Klein rubbed his forehead as if suffering from a headache.

“Understood. You didn’t call me just to make such childish threats. Let’s get to the point. What do you want?”

Finally, I could say the words I had prepared.

“Tell me what’s going on outside the barrier. What are the thoughts and movements of the Federal Army and Restraid? In return, we’ll share the information we have.”

The calmness that once graced the major’s face momentarily twisted.

“What are you talking about? Do you think I’m insane enough to disclose military secrets? To a terrorist?”

“Come on, Uncle. You must have heard! The commander monster controlling the monsters is right there. It’s something called Code Omega! During times like this, we should unite our strengths.”

“Even meeting like this is… Wait, what did you say?”

At the mention of ‘commander monster,’ the major’s eyes widened. Major Klein paused, rephrasing as if he hadn’t heard this before.

“What? You didn’t know? The other Hunters are all aware of this!”

As soon as I finished speaking, the major immediately grabbed a short-range laser radio.

As I tensed up and drew my sword, he gestured for me to calm down and shook his head.

Then he raised his voice, as if to let me hear too.

“Yes, this is Unit Commander 1! Received. Regarding Code Omega—”

“Deputy Mobile Unit Leader, summon the nearby rescue team Hunters immediately and ask if they’ve heard anything about mutated monsters.”

“Understood, Operation Officer. Can you hear me? There are strange rumors circulating among the rescue team, but the command has—”

After finishing the communication, the major shook his head.

“This is the first I’ve heard of this. The rescue teams seem to all know, but why on earth do we not…”

I also tilted my head.

I was certain Irene had reported it to the military command, but why had it not been properly conveyed to the soldiers on site?

“Well then, Uncle, you don’t know that there’s a densely packed underground catacomb beneath this city. It’s full of monsters right now!”

This time, the major leaped up from his seat in shock.

“Is that… really the case?”

I had been told this fact was conveyed from Helios too, but evidently, he seemed unaware.

Whoever is in command, it’s perfectly fitting to call them incompetent soldiers.

In any case, the situation was turning out better than expected.

Now we could potentially ask about various movements based on the information we provided.

We could even discreetly request cooperation when Ariel Group mobilizes their forces.

“You really don’t know anything at all. Alright, Uncle! Listen closely…”

I unfolded a temporary map and began conveying the various pieces of information our Violets had discovered one by one.

With every marking I made, the major’s complexion grew darker.

“…I see. What on earth is upper command thinking…”

Now it was my turn to request cooperation from the major.

“Uncle, now it’s your turn to share some knowledge. Was there anything unusual on your way here? Any suspicious points? Don’t worry, we’ll help you!”

The major pondered for a moment before he began to explain one by one.

The Violets listening to him fell deep into thought, their eyes darting around.

“Nuclear bomb?”

“Priority for rescue targets, huh?”

I tilted my head.

Prioritizing rescue targets, why would they create such criteria in the midst of all this?

“Asteria City was located in a region favorable for cave formation geologically, right up until it vanished into another dimension. This also happens to be a holy place for the ancient Sacred Heart Order, which is later known as the Sacred Heart Monastery.”

Chief Morgan lightly tapped on the electronic screen a few times. Medieval-style images and several black-and-white photos, along with various blueprints, appeared on the display.

“King Resborn III of the ancient Iserial Empire actively persecuted multiple religious factions, especially the Sacred Heart Order. The persecuted believers would dig into underground tombs and secretly worship. They expanded their underground passages in various directions for survival.”

The head of the relic excavation department continued the historical lecture while presenting materials. His skills, honed in his younger years in antiquities exploration and excavation, were shining.

“So that’s how the catacombs appeared. However, this alone doesn’t sufficiently explain the scale. How could it have formed to such an extent?”

The materials Irene was studying depicted labyrinthine underground mazes like spider webs.

These were some of the few remaining records left by archaeologists before the invasion.

“Later, once this religion became officially recognized as the state religion, the area turned into a holy site for martyrs. Large and small monasteries began constructing underground tombs following the traditions of their predecessors, and the leaders of the order made connections among various monasteries’ tombs and passages for numerous purposes.”

As if he had quietly listened, Chief Viktor interjected into the conversation.

“And, according to the Special Operations Division inside the barrier… or rather, an anonymous informant, they said the monsters are swarming within those passages. Am I right?”

“Correct.”

As Irene nodded, sighs escaped from those around her.

“In other words, it’s a battlefield with no rear support. And now we have a commander monster… does that mean there’s a higher-level entity directing the monsters? This is chaotic. If they have tactics, they could ambush us from any entrance at any time. Rescuing people is no longer a concern.”

Everyone was scratching their heads over a rescue operation suddenly becoming more complicated. As the meeting for coordination among the Clans took a brief break, Irene decided to take a light walk to clear her head.

At that moment, a familiar face caught her eye. A red-haired squire following behind the knights. Though he looked more shabby and unremarkable than before, she could not forget that face.

“Could it be…?”

“It’s been a while. Senior Sebastian.”

Sebastian greeted her with a serious expression.

“Did you come for school…? No, you came for Clan business, right?”

“Yes, I received a rescue request.”

Irene replied in that manner, turning her back as she had nothing more to say. However, before she could take a step, Sebastian’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Hey, you’re Irene, right? Be careful. Inside the barrier…”

“Shut up.”

The armored knight nearby roughly pulled Sebastian, causing him to hesitate and close his mouth. Questions flickered in Irene’s golden eyes.

‘Restraid, what on earth are you hiding?’

The alleyways, the cathedral, and the darkness. A complicated underground passage filled with spaces carved out to store corpses and coffins.

In this chaotic maze, a girl was lost and wandering.

“Where on earth is this…?”

Levi frowned in frustration. Having fallen into the unknown city for several hours, she had lost her watch and phone in her ongoing struggle against the relentless pursuit of monsters.

Even if she had her phone, it wouldn’t be much help in the current situation, but still, it felt regrettable to have lost something expensive.

Her combat experiences with friends and the knowledge gained from two academies, along with the fighting spirit imparted to her by the Violets, allowed her to survive against the monsters.

It was uncertain whether it was luck or misfortune, but while battling a horde of monsters in the cathedral, she ended up falling underground.

If it was fortunate, it was that she could evade the gaze of the vile Apostles of another realm, who were primarily scanning above ground.

If it was unfortunate, it was that the crimson gaze of the blond girl searching for her had not yet reached down into the underground.

Levi was unaware of the fact that the Violets had just begun to expand their search range into the underground and were battling monsters in the dark while looking for her.

Thus, the girl lost in loneliness berated herself. Why was she always in such a predicament? Always running away foolishly, always chased.

In the midst of fear and anxiety, Levi clutched the oversized Ballista tightly.

The weapon was dirty with scratches from the unavoidable close combat and stained with the blood and flesh of monsters.

Levi wiped the Ballista languidly while deep in thought.

‘I wonder if I can fix these scratches…’

A precious heirloom passed down from her grandfather. It was something she absolutely couldn’t let break.

Fortunately, this relic weapon was still faithfully protecting her granddaughter.

As her face leaned against one side of the Ballista, the cold and smooth metal surface brushed against her cheek.

That chilling sensation helped her clear her mind.

‘It’s okay. Instructor Frederick said so, right? Surviving is winning. If I fight hard, I will surely achieve victory.’

Recalling the words left by the former instructor of Polaris, Levi slowly moved her steps into the darkness.

Even among the Awakened, her unique keen vision couldn’t pierce through this darkness.

The passageway suddenly widened and then narrowed, but the overall structure didn’t quite suit Levi herself.

“Die! Die!”

Smack! Smack!

Monsters scuttled across the ceiling and walls, utilizing the cramped space.

Using the downpour of shots to slip in, she swung the Ballista.

The strength coming from her small frame combined with the ancient weapon transformed the Ballista into an excellent close-combat weapon.

“Gah… Gah…”

Catching her breath, Levi advanced into the darkness. She repeated the actions of defeating monsters, hiding, and pushing forward again.

After moving for some time, she saw a light approaching.

‘Could it be…?’

Levi was certain. It was the exit.

She ascended the stairs, breaking through a path covered with dust and dried-out bones, arriving at a small ruined temple.

As she took a breath, a moaning sound escaped from between the cracks in the wall.

Turning her head in both fear and curiosity, she faced a sight she shouldn’t see.

“Crr… Uhh…”

Red human forms lay strewn across the floor.

Their identity: humans with their skins peeled off.

“Ugh, Urrgh…!”

Levi barely suppressed the urge to vomit.

Beside the only one writhing and showing signs of life, a eerie white man stood, holding the head of the person.

“You’re resisting quite well. Is it because you’re an Enhanced Human?”

The man in the white attire mumbled blankly, gripping the head of the man.

“Blocking? Closing the door? Is that your boss’s plan?”

The man then leaned his face closely to the moaning person.

Although in pain, the man struggled to shout.

“Damn… Monster bastard…”

“Resistance is futile—”

Boom!

Shaking off the remnants of the exploded head, the man continued.

“An act of self-determination. Perhaps…”

The man wiped the blood on his body with a gesture.

“There you are.”

Levi felt what it was like for her blood to freeze.

‘…!’

The pitch-black eyes of Levi, watching from the wall gap, met the man’s gaze for a split second.

Levi felt as though her breath had been stolen.

Just as she tried to leap up from her spot in panic, the man’s voice echoed right beside her.

‘He was right below me…!’

“Girl.”

Upon turning her head, the man stepped closer, arms wide open.

“Do not be afraid.”

“Ugh, Aaaah!”

Levi, engulfed in terror, instinctively pulled the trigger. A large bolt cutting through the air.

The fruits of courage training injected into her by the Violets shone brightly.

-BAM!

“Kyahhh!”

With the explosion behind her, Levi dove out of the window.

Unharmed amidst the dust, the man quietly followed her.

The noise had been detected even by the nearby Violets.

“What was that sound?”

“Let’s find out!”

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