Chapter 82

“This is… absurd.”

Even though it was a prosthetic arm, it had been on the battlefield for over a decade.

Moreover, as it was a special model equipped with pressure-sensitive feedback sensors, there was no way it could have misinterpreted the sensation.

There was definitely the feeling of impact.

Even if the arm shattered at the moment of contact, the adversary should have taken some significant damage from the force of the blow; yet the droid in front of him remained completely intact.

Asyef observed the fragments of his prosthetic arm suspended in the stretched-out time.

Having been confident of victory, his center of gravity was leaning forward, and it was already too late to pull back.

In that case, it would at least be reasonable to leave some information to help the branch agents who would be losing their commander suddenly.

Even the scattering fragments were almost maintaining their form, making it inappropriate to even call them fragments. It was as if the components that made up the prosthetic arm had simply strayed from where they were meant to be without any reason.

Questions gave rise to more questions, and blooming curiosity birthed a longing for answers.

After all, his own death wouldn’t mean that Five Eyes would lose.

Rosaline would carry out the remaining operation on her own; it was just that his pride would not allow him to collapse without uncovering the secret of this absurd magic.

How could this be? No matter how sophisticated the artificial intelligence was, it shouldn’t have had the upper hand before recognizing the danger.

– “…Indeed, Ahsa. You have devised a clever Defense Matrix. If such a thing is possible, we should prepare dedicated parts to amplify the signal strength.” –

“…?”

Why was the one who had shattered his prosthetic arm now speaking nonsense as if he had just grasped something?

Well… was it not obvious? This wasn’t something a combat machine could achieve by merely throwing punches.

Yes, unless the hacker, who had made requests for recruitment to the branch, was on the other side of the communication device. …Wait a moment, a net hacker?

As he re-entered the cyberware hologram he had lowered to guard against incoming follow-up strikes, Asyef was finally able to check the exact status of his prosthetic arm.

“This bastard…!! When did he infiltrate my system?!”

– Since you keep rejecting Ahsa’s goodwill, I have no choice but to offer it to you in this manner. –

Grinding his teeth wouldn’t change anything.

The numbers and characters imprinted on his retina conveyed simple information, and it felt chilling all at once.

His prosthetic arm was prioritizing self-diagnostic and inspection commands from an unknown source over the combat orders issued by Asyef’s brain.

Release of the outer steel plate for internal inspection, disassembly of precision cleaning joints, discharge of contaminated coolant and fuel, and so forth. The signals that had already flowed into the circuits were busy wreaking havoc on his arm.

Creak!!

Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a persistent virus, as a semblance of control returned when he managed to focus his awareness, but that didn’t mean the parts scattered in the alley would assemble themselves.

In the end, with the basic skeleton of the arm remaining bare, Asyef found it hard to resist properly, and the tin can grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the ground.

“Shit…!”

“I don’t know what trick you played, but once caught, you’ll be turned into scrap metal…!”

Boom!! As the heavy impact sounded, the surrounding agents attempted to rush in frantically, but Asyef, covered in dust, regained his composure while trying to assess his opponent.

“Don’t make contact with any mechanical parts on your body! Keep your distance! Rosaline! Did you notice anything?!”

“I’m detecting weak signals, like some sort of weak transmission, near the droid’s body! It seems to be indiscriminately overworking the embedded receiver… but I need more time for details…”

It seems Rosaline was feeling the same humiliation, as she stumbled but managed to successfully identify the nature of the magic. However, the problem was that knowing this didn’t yield any useful strategy.

Though a massive wave of signal jamming could solve the problem in one fell swoop, it was a reckless demand considering they couldn’t even fire a single bullet freely in the current situation.

“…In short, it seems we’ve surrounded ourselves with some kind of counterfield. Unfortunately, we have no more time to devote to research. We must either push and suppress or retreat with the least damage.”

“It’s a real hassle that we can’t let our prosthetic arms or legs touch.”

“I wonder if the artificial eye is safe…”

– … –

The remaining Five Eyes members muttered as they readied their weapons.

Despite the transformation from a simple reconnaissance mission to a full-blown close combat, they exhibited a remarkable sense of duty and fighting spirit; however, from the tin can’s perspective, which was still receiving Anastasia’s intentions, it was nothing short of ridiculous.

If only they had respected their master’s judgment that there was no particular entity to be hostile against from the beginning, both sides would have avoided any loss.

Even if fundamentally good, there were patients of suspicion who could not accept goodwill or mercy as it was… Perhaps that’s why they might cling to the unfeasible task of building an ideal state.

– Aren’t you being too stubborn? –

Having lost the upper hand in negotiations, it would have been reasonable to admit mistakes and bow down or retreat.

It was difficult for the artificial intelligence to understand their insistence on forcing a one-dimensional choice of brute force until the end.

Were they so determined not to compromise with those associated with the corporation? If that was the case, they would not have even attempted to involve Anastasia in the first place. Or was it that their rationality was impaired by endorphins or dopamine released in their brains?

The answer to that question came from Asyef, who looked regretfully at the scattered components of his prosthetic arm.

After transferring a hand axe into his other functioning arm, he simply offered a remark.

“Isn’t it a bit too prideful to tuck your tail between your legs just because you got hit once? After all, we’re supposed to be an elite unit from the capital headquarters, and yet you treat us this way.”

– …Is that so? –

The tin can, having briefly searched the diverse uses of the word pride and the situations in which it could apply, checked the severed fingers of its own hand again.

If that were to be applied here…

Two fingers and one arm… the calculation still didn’t add up.

– Then I will return exactly what you gave me according to orders. –

“…That does seem like a hefty bill.”

The gazes of the gathered members fixated on the leader’s prosthetic arm for a moment before returning to the unfeeling droid.

Asyef grumbled at the absurd calculations, but the carebot’s judgment always lay elsewhere.

– Compensation for Ahsa’s surprise is separate. –

Clack!!

Before Five Eyes could utter a curse or two, with the sound of asphalt cracking, the droid struck first.

Further conversation would be a luxury now.

“Don’t be fooled! While it might be agile, the speed itself isn’t that—!! Shit?!”

Now, there were no loud preparatory movements or premonitions that would indicate the strengthening of its limbs.

Pulling back its fist to gain speed? Rotating to add centrifugal force to its kick?

With overwhelming power gained from being redesigned, the tin can approached recklessly and stretched out its limbs.

That alone was enough for the agents to face the threat of being rendered combat incapable.

Steel pipes, axes, hammers, sickles, swords. There was no need to bother with the length or consideration of the weapons the enemy held.

“Fuck!”

Buwung…!! Clang!

Some sliced through the air while others, unable to remain in their master’s hands, fell to the ground.

What good was it to swing with vigor? If the tin can burrowed into the gap before their weapons could reach, they had to throw everything away and retreat.

“Wha?! What the hell…!”

“Back off and cover our intrusion signal! Don’t let them rampage inside!”

Asyef shouted at a comrade whose prosthetic leg had been dismantled by the turned Midas.

Even while predicting what might happen and moving in preparation, falling into a state of panic when experiencing it first-hand seemed unavoidable.

The fear of the unknown probably surpasses even courage or conviction.

“?! What is this…? I definitely dodged it?!”

“The signals are intensifying! At this rate, approaching will be just as difficult as brushing against them…!”

“This bastard…!!”

If the momentum had simply shifted to the hunter becoming the hunted, it would have been a relief; instead, it resembled a parent playing tag with their child.

Unable to bear it any longer, Asyef abandoned the idea of looking for an opportunity and clashed with the tin can once more.

The balance was precarious, and his running posture was unstable, resulting in weak attack momentum, but the sharpness of the axe remained, and his determination was still fueled.

Bang! The kick propelled with passion thrust into the back of the tin can that was staggering while clutching the fallen prosthetic leg and robotic eye.

Though the gloves looked fine, it was certain that a clear shoe print had been left, and the scanner of the carebot flared red at the sight of the outrageous commotion.

– Do not be arrogant. If it weren’t for Anastasia’s order not to kill you… –

“Ugh!”

Interrupting the cautionary words, the swung hand axe narrowly grazed past Asyef’s head, and perhaps wanting to restrict that movement, the gaunt prosthetic arm plunged into the tin can’s waist.

Having already lost flesh once, it showed no hesitation in making additional contact… but it was too late. It was said not to take a life; who said someone would be obedient about it?

Creak!!

The elbow of the carebot delivered a heavy blow to his side, biting into Asyef like a foolish sacrifice caught in a bear trap.

As the body spun, the arm could not withstand the force and tore apart from the middle.

“!! Asyef!”

– Then if you had decided to retreat from the beginning, you wouldn’t have had to suffer such collateral damage… would you? –

The tin can, tossing aside the metal wedged in its side, felt something strange as it looked at Asyef’s face, which was adorned with a look of satisfaction.

Following that glance, it turned its head to see the hand axe stuck in its shoulder.

It seemed that the implanted arm had failed to completely tear through the armor, but since the blade was embedded so deeply it was almost unnoticeable, it certainly must have caused some mild damage to the body underneath.

In that moment, while contemplating whether to permit a higher level of response to Anastasia—

“Leader! It seems the mercenaries are arriving soon!”

“…Good. Let’s all meet safely!”

– …? –

With one mind and intention. Collecting evidence that would identify them, they began to disappear into the darkness, backs turned.

A single blow. Not even a clean hit, let alone a hit that could be called effective.

Yet Asyef, Rosaline, and the rest of Five Eyes decided to retreat with an almost refreshing ease.

Even though an imbalance had occurred in the power difference, flipping their positions in an instant.

Striking a sudden blow against a stronger force and escaping was the trademark of a rebel. There was absolutely no reason for shame in making that judgment.

– Should we pursue? At this rate, it would be possible for me to finish them off completely. –

– Hm… Heh… No…! You really…!! Just wait right there! –

Where had the calm negotiator from earlier gone? The communications were now filled with panting noises.

Initially, it should have been them welcoming the others; instead, their master was coming to them. The tin can lamented its failure as it hurried its legs.

Loneliness didn’t last long. Right before coming out onto the main road, a small shadow cast itself at the corner.

Like a bird untouched by the tides of this world, she floated in. After confirming the familiar silhouette, she suddenly leaned against the wall and began to retch.

“Ugh…! I… I can’t do this anymore. It’s not just a one-time electric shock; running while transmitting sustained signals and diffusion… You might as well just kill me….”

– …I’m sorry. –

After only a half day apart. Seeing the worsening condition of his master, the tin can vowed never to allow Anastasia to act alone again.