Chapter 148

A good tree doesn’t make toothpicks. This is an old proverb from a now-defunct country.

The saying advises against wasting valuable resources and time unnecessarily and was commonly used to reflect the contemporary atmosphere that belittled soldiers.

Perhaps due to the trend of looking down on soldiers, this nameless country was the fastest to perish during the First and Second Dimensional Invasions.

Interestingly, even after the existing national systems were integrated and restructured into a federation post-war, this proverb continued to survive and be used among the Awakened Ones.

Currently, this phrase serves as a form of self-deprecation and satire for Awakened officers regarding the lack of capable Awakened volunteering for the federal army.

In fact, unless there’s a special motivation, there’s no reason for a capable Awakened to enlist.

If one has talent, they can join a large clan, enjoying incomparably higher income and benefits compared to being an officer. If they dislike clans, they can live freely as freelance hunters or individual resolvers.

Ultimately, the only talents the federation can attract are the crumbs left behind by clans and corporations.

As some low-quality Awakened officers’ civil issues and misdeeds were extensively reported by the media, which was under the influence of clans, public perception worsened. Thus, at some point, people decided to refer to Awakened soldiers as “toothpicks” in reference to the proverb.

Language is truly social.

Sadly, the man standing before the Aegis Academy students, Major Marius, was, in a bad sense, a model “toothpick.”

A former B-class hang-on hunter, he was currently interrogating students under high pressure.

“Can’t answer right away? What’s your affiliation! Why are you here?”

In front of a male student, a dark muzzle revealed its ominous intent. The 27 model electromagnetic pistol looked extraordinarily large and threatening.

“I’m really a student! I showed my student ID!”

The male student, finding his courage, protested in front of the gun’s muzzle.

Unfortunately, Major Marius, with his inferiority complex filter turned on, interpreted the student’s words as, “How dare someone from a second-rate clan speak up!”

“How can you prove that’s true? How could a student be active in such a deep area? Speak up!”

Reflecting his master’s discomfort, the servomotors of the exoskeleton attached to the major buzzed threateningly. Around them, soldiers holding large rifles also intimidated the students just as much as their superior did.

“I said I’m here for a field trip…”

“We’re currently conducting a special military operation. We’ve received intel that suspicious types like you are collecting dangerous relics in this area and plotting conspiracies. Why are you near the relic?”

Major Marius pointed to a serrated sphere propped up in one corner of the building.

“Was that a relic?”

One female student opened her mouth in confusion, prompting the major, feeling insulted, to slap her across the face.

“Shut up! Who gave you permission to answer?”

“Yikes!”

The Ether Protection absorbed the shock, but the girl, caught off guard by the violence, flinched in surprise.

“If you don’t cooperate…”

Major Marius couldn’t finish his sentence. A group of armed forces was seen walking through the alley.

– Ah, mic test! Hello!

The loudspeaker turned on, and soldiers in jet black uniforms marched towards the federal mobile unit.

Currently, as the Violet Squad unfolded, I was dumbfounded.

“What the heck are those guys doing here?”

A group of soldiers was dragging poor students in for interrogation. I felt a sense of déjà vu from the scene.

“Ugh! It’s imperialism!”

“Colonial rule! Nazis!”

No matter how threatening the Awakened are, surrounding tens of young students with soldiers and outright hitting and threatening them is just inhumane.

These guys surrounded the students like the mercenaries who ambushed Irene back in the day, using tanks and armored vehicles.

“What kind of mentality is this?”

I summoned more troops from beyond the alley just in case. A platoon-level force was deployed.

“Stop! Stop! Identify yourselves!”

As they noticed us, they became alert. I whispered to Irene for a moment.

“Can I borrow the clan name?”

“Of course! If we don’t use it now, when will we?”

Thinking that a simple answer would come off lacking substance, I decided to utilize the prestige of my friend’s clan.

I spoke into the loudspeaker.

“We are the 10-6-8 operational team of Helios Frontier Services, Ariel Group! We are currently operating under a request to rescue students from Aegis Academy! What are you?”

“What? Helios? Ariel Group?”

The beret-wearing soldier who had been most actively bullying the students stepped forward.

He looked like a thoroughly exasperated soldier. The insignia on his beret was unfamiliar—definitely not military. What was he even doing?

“I am Major Marius of the 60th Mobile Combat Unit. Who is your top officer?”

Oh, a major. That’s a bit higher than I expected.

I shrugged, and a masked Irene cautiously handed over her ID card.

A guy who looked like his aide quickly took it and inspected it.

“Hmm, is this real…”

“Irene Solstice, Team Leader. May I take those students with me?”

The major snorted and replied.

“No, we can’t let you. This is our jurisdiction. Where’s the proof that those kids are students?”

“The identities can be guaranteed by Helios and Aegis Academy. Any further issues can be discussed outside the dungeon. Now, can you please let them go?”

“There are pictures here too!”

I showed the list and photos that Adela had given me. The major frowned hard.

“Probably similar-looking folks! Plus, do you see that relic? They were tampering with the relic we’re investigating. This is a serious threat to security!”

“No! We thought it was just a statue or something!”

“We only took pictures out of boredom; what’s the problem?”

The students behind protested.

The standoff between Irene and the major continued.

“We will escort the students.”

“Not possible! What do clans know?”

Ugh, that jerk. They keep bringing up security issues and identity guarantees to nitpick. And this guy is a major.

I recalled the blurred memories from my time in the military. There was someone like that back then.

“Was he a major or a lieutenant colonel!”

“A jerk who abused soldiers and harassed higher-ups until he got stuck!.”

That guy, who lost his opportunity to advance and ended up banished for drunk driving, looked just like the major now.

To think there would be such officers across time. He must be an arch-nemesis of the world!

As he continued to be unreasonable, I could see Irene starting to get more annoyed.

“Then, we have no choice but to take action against the ten oppressive and inhumane acts committed against those students just now. We will need to discuss the three agreements between the federation and the academy city, clan autonomy infringing issues, and the obligation to ensure the safety of academy students, as well as violations of military law by the federal forces.”

“What did you say?”

I wouldn’t stay quiet either. I pointed to the black box attached to Irene and us with my finger.

“We recorded everything just now. We’re ready to file a report to the media. Can you handle the consequences?”

“…Ha! Whoever it is, how dare these little brats make a fool of the military?”

He snapped at me as if he wanted everyone to hear. The soldiers behind him began to move as well. The buzzing noise from their exoskeletons grew louder.

“Could it be?”

I couldn’t lose this battle of wills, so I deployed the Violet Squad. I noticed the federal soldiers and officers panicking as they spotted the Violets in black uniforms appearing from various directions.

“What, what’s going on? Where did those soldiers come from…”

Seeing the startled major, Irene spoke firmly.

“Helios and Aegis Academy respect the rights of the federation in both the city and within the dungeon, and we appreciate your duty and service, soldiers. However, if these actions are repeated, we will have to remind you about the agreements concerning the academy city.”

“And the Cascadia Family too!”

“You little bastards!”

Just as the major was about to draw his sword in anger, noise was heard from behind, and a car rushed up to a halt. One of the officers, appearing flustered, hurriedly got out and tried to stop the major.

“Ugh! Let go!”

“Commander of the mobile unit! We just contacted someone from the academy side. They confirm the students are legit! Please lower your sword!”

“Why didn’t you say that sooner!”

Having lost his justification, the major had no choice but to back down in frustration. The students were returned their weapons and handed over to us.

“Damn it… Photos! Just erase the photos!”

“Let’s do that. Whoever took them, can you show me your phone?”

The students deleted the pictures they took of the relic. The prideful Major Marius gathered his relic and left with his subordinates. The officer who had been stopping the major approached us and the students.

“I’m Captain Klein. I apologize for what happened earlier. There’s really no excuse. We did something unacceptable to the students.”

The officer bowed his head in apology.

“Uh… what…”

It’s unfortunate that a subordinate has to clean up after their superior’s mess; it’s truly a difficult world.

*

“Thank you!”

“Uh, what’s there to thank? You should thank Adela!”

After rescuing the students, we loaded them into the vehicle and sent them toward the coordinates Adela had mentioned.

“I wandered too far and ended up in the factory area. I thought it was interesting and took pictures, and that’s when the federal army showed up and made trouble.”

Irene said.

“Terrible, what kind of people say they’re soldiers? Those guys are blocking the monsters rushing over the barrier. The world is doomed.”

Kalia spat, looking in the direction the federal mobile unit had left.

“I hope other students haven’t faced the same fate.”

Daphne spoke, sounding worried. I reassured my friend.

“Don’t worry! Unless they’re some jerk like Alex, they won’t provoke threats.”

And my words turned out to be true.

After rescuing the first team from the soldiers, while exploring the factory area, the second group we encountered was quietly hiding inside a building.

“Thank you! There’s been a Noxterra sighting…”

These guys ended up lost and encountered high-level monsters, fleeing and ending up in a place they didn’t know about.

After finishing the exploration of the factory area, while returning for a rest, we encountered another group of students surrounded by ghoul soldiers.

– Tatatatang!

“Made it!”

“Adela was looking for you guys. Follow us!”

After finding the last group of students, a whole day had passed like that. The Violet Team was heading toward the safe zone, raising yet another flag. Since no one was waiting at the coordinates, I intended to take the students directly to the entrance.

This time, it felt nice to rest at the lodging in the safe zone. A comfortable bed!

And then, I suddenly witnessed the zealots recklessly mimicking the Violet’s secret techniques.

“Rescue is coming!”

A tremendous noise shook the ground and ceiling of the dungeon.

“Hey? Isn’t that our technology!”

I watched as gigantic elevators heading to the gate exploded along with my team.

“Hey?”

“They’re collapsing!”

“Waah!”

“Gyaaah!”

Amid the screams, the elevator in the safe zone toppled over. All that remained was a massive vertical cliff.

“Why does it look like this every time we come to a dungeon?”

Could it be that we’re trapped again?