Chapter 141

Episode 141. Nanami’s Greatsword (2)

****

The command center of Facility 82 was bustling with activity. No, Dr. Kim. How much chaos do you usually cause just by escorting the Director? And now you’re sitting in a clearing with an artifact that attracts monsters like moths? Does that even make sense?

But since the Head of the Precognition Department and the Head of the Remote Viewing Department agreed to this absurd plan, and even Nanami gave her approval, there was no one left to argue against the Director’s idea.

‘I saw the future, and it’s a good plan.’

How am I supposed to argue with that?

There was nothing the Support Department Head could do but anxiously tap his feet. Sure, he sent drones and light tanks, but still.

Couldn’t they at least have the Special Forces accompany them? Or provide an escort? Or even send a field team?

Anyway.

Right now, all the Support Department could do was meticulously search the area with drones. They were already inside the abandoned factory.

But more than that.

The abandoned factory area was larger than expected. Even after Ganymede’s Clockwork Dragon had rampaged through, there were still buildings standing.

What if the Director gets hurt? Will the Seoul Branch explode? There’s no one left to work. We haven’t even found a new lead researcher yet.

Director Kim better not get hurt.

****

Meanwhile, in the abandoned factory.

I held my breath and scanned the interior. Monsters were still roaming around, but the Blue Rose entity controlling them hadn’t shown itself yet.

First, let’s take out that spider or whatever it is.

“Command Center, this is Dr. Kim. Please report the location of the Hunter-Killer drones. Currently facing a massive clockwork monster.”

The voice of the Command Department Head came through.

[Yes. After consulting with Dr. Chloe, we believe there are two Blue Rose entities on-site. One related to the Chorus of Darkness, and the other related to the Clockwork Church.]

“Are you insane? What if the containment subjects leak information about an ongoing operation?”

[Ah.]

“Let’s discuss this later, Support Department Head.”

I reloaded the Gauss Musket. I wasn’t sure if the spider would go down in one shot, but if I aim well, maybe I can disable it.

Only one way to find out.

I moved to the safest position possible and aimed at the clockwork spider. The factory interior was dark, but not completely devoid of light, so the spider’s silhouette was clearly visible.

Bang!

The muzzle flashed, but if the clockwork humanoids didn’t go down in one shot, there’s no way a monster this big would.

I kept firing.

Bang! Bang!

This time, I hit its joints.

I wish I had an anti-tank missile right now, but unfortunately, Popo couldn’t carry something that big.

The spider charged at me, and I took cover. There are many ways to kill a spider, but the bigger problem is not knowing where Spring is. It could show up at any moment.

“Headquarters, is the Hunter-Killer drone inside the building or monitoring the perimeter? Please deal with the spider.”

[Spider… We currently don’t know the Director’s location. We’ll search the building.]

The operators in the command center aren’t fools; they wouldn’t miss a car-sized spider. A few seconds later, the sound of a large drone’s propellers and an explosion echoed.

Did they get it? I moved to a new position and checked the direction of the explosion. Clank, clank, clank. The metallic footsteps suggested it was still alive.

[We’ve located the supernatural entity. Sending in the rest of the drones.]

Boom! Boom! Boom!

I didn’t say there was only one drone.

Sometimes, money solves problems. I confirmed the footsteps had stopped and re-entered the factory. Hurry up and show yourself, Spring or whatever.

This is getting frustrating.

****

Even though the Pygmalion Series has been enhanced, they’re still human. On the other hand, the Blue Rose Series, while varying in power, are entities created from divine materials.

This was a lopsided fight from the start.

This will only prolong the battle. Two gazes met through gas masks, and both paused momentarily to maintain maximum vigilance.

“Artificial being. Why do you fight for the Foundation? The Foundation doesn’t recognize your worth and only seeks to hide and eliminate you from the world.”

Behind Black, reality seemed to ripple. Nanami could see it. Behind Black, black tentacles flapped like angelic wings.

They weren’t physical wings, but that’s what her mind’s eye perceived.

“What has the Foundation done for you? How about fighting to cut down your oppressors, break your cage, and create a world where you can be free?”

Nanami adjusted her grip on her sword.

“I fight for whoever pays my salary.”

“Well, I guess we’re not on the same page.”

The area where the two fought was a wasteland. Sword marks gouged the ground, sword energy scattered in all directions, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt gunpowder.

“We are the cage, and we are the masters of this world. Why should I destroy the system I belong to? For the hell you want to create?”

“To create a just world. A world where things that truly exist have the right to be seen under the sun. A world where magic is liberated.”

“……”

Nanami’s gas mask stared at Black. Black closed his mouth. The opponent was a monster who could cut warships with a sword. There was no way to reason with him.

Clank. Clank. Clank.

With each step Nanami took, cracks spread across the concrete floor. Black stepped back, preparing to defend.

This isn’t looking good. I might die here.

No time to draw a gun or pull any tricks. The moment I try to draw or wield a weapon with one hand, Nanami’s sword will slice me in half.

Black fled to the upper structure of the factory.

“Running away?”

Nanami swung her sword again, and this time, the terrain began to change. Dust flew in all directions, and Black hastily fled to the second floor. Nanami hesitated.

There might be traps on the second floor. Or maybe he has a plan. Charging in recklessly isn’t a good idea.

Should I regroup with Dr. Kim? No. Dr. Kim is probably invisible and hiding. Finding him would be difficult. That’s not an option.

I’ll just have to chase him.

“Command Center, this is Nanami.”

[Yes.]

“Send a science vessel to our location. I’ll dissect these bastards on-site and bring their specimens back to Foundation Headquarters.”

[Uh, understood. Sending a research helicopter.]

Nanami turned off the radio and chased after Black into the area where he had disappeared. Whatever traps are there, I’ll find a way to counter them.

****

Black held his breath.

This area was relatively open compared to the rest of the factory, but it still had walls and a ceiling one floor high.

A somewhat enclosed space.

A subtle difference, but with spatial limitations, controlling the space becomes easier. Now, all he needed was for the opponent to take the bait.

The attacker has the disadvantage.

To defend is to prepare. To fight not just the opponent but also their preparations. Usually, the defender has the upper hand.

“What’s this? No place to hide?”

“Come and see.”

No more words.

Nanami charged down the corridor. This time, her trajectory was visible. Black extended his hand, and blackness spread through the hallway.

The Chorus of Darkness began to echo. Black fog enveloped Nanami, and in the darkness akin to the abyss, something opened its eyes.

“This is my domain.”

A declaration.

Black raised his sword and charged at Nanami, who instinctively parried the strike. The Chorus of Darkness muffled all sound, and the black fog obscured vision.

Now, Black felt confident.

Slower than before. The speed of her parries and the weight of her attacks were much lighter. Black pushed her back.

Finally, Nanami took a step back. Black prepared to exploit the opening, but at that moment, a flare streaked past him.

“Let’s see if this helps.”

Nanami resumed her attack.

Even in a supernatural space, physical limits exist. With each step Nanami took, the sound of crumbling concrete echoed.

She couldn’t see it yet, but if the walls or floor were destroyed, the supernatural space might collapse. Nanami decided to keep fighting.

Even when fighting in the production area on the first floor, the surroundings were riddled with holes. This place won’t last much longer either. It’s possible to bring it down.

****

What’s that now?

I turned my head toward the source of the noise. It sounded like a sword fight, but why is the building collapsing?

Black fog was rising from a corner of the factory’s second floor. An eerie, unidentifiable music echoed.

I’m not sure if the tactical headset blocks auditory cognitive hazards. I checked my gear, preparing to enter the problematic area—

“Your opponent is me.”

Startled.

I dropped a flashbang and quickly took cover behind a corner of the hallway. Finally, the Blue Rose entity seemed to reveal itself……