Chapter 174

The trigger was pulled without error.

I pride myself on my sharp reaction in line with that woman’s timing as she burst out.

However, the sound of the gunshot I heard in isolation was actually the overlap of attacks from both sides, and the level of her combat sense exceeded my expectations, leading to a situation where the shots and the entry could not be distinguished, which resulted in the breaking of my first line of defense.

“Ugh…!!”

“Kuh…!”

I felt a burning pain in my shoulder as if I had been scalded, and she clenched her teeth at the sensation of the bullet grazing her temple.

The act of pulling the trigger happened almost simultaneously. I would assert that.

But in terms of bullet speed, that small difference can develop into a fatal chasm; the shock I received just before my pistol fired caused my aim to waver. Isn’t that a bit much? I had done my best to respond.

And! Is there really a way to shoot that accurately while rolling out like that!?

Aside from the suppressive fire that gouged the floor, I think it’s unfair that there were no stray or wasted rounds.

Even though she must have been in quite a lot of pain, her skin peeling and her hair being torn out by the roots.

Confirming that my hit location looked fine on the surface made me furrow my brow, as I felt a chill as if sensing the bulletproof capabilities of my suit. It seemed like a forewarning that next time she would aim for the unprotected area above my neck.

And… ah, damn. What do you mean I’m fine? It really hurts like hell.

“Ugh…!!”

As the initial burning sensation faded, an indescribable sting and throbbing pain filled its place. But I firmly believe that my arm is not broken.

Because there are still crises I must overcome, I can’t afford to suffer any combat power loss yet. No way…!

Bang! Bang!

Without any time to check if my arm was functioning properly, I grabbed my wound and kicked off the chin I had been resting on to roll back into the room, escaping from that crazy, single-minded woman’s line of fire.

I felt that if I pushed myself a little, I might get a chance to shoot a couple of rounds into that agile assassin who had just come to a sudden stop while moving against the wall, but while I was overcoming the pain and readjusting my aim, I thought about how viciously she might charge at me again, so it seemed right to just hold back that urge.

Risking my life for the opportunity cost of fooling my wounded pride seemed clearly inadvisable.

Oh? Wasn’t this the time to shoot properly and silence the enemy? What, am I scared?

…Yes, that’s correct. I gave up because I simply couldn’t come up with that prospect.

After taking a hit, I was filled with regret. Why was I trying to fight fairly in the body of a rear-line worker, a cyber engineer… tears welled up.

Honestly, I vividly felt that if I had slacked off just a bit on my stance earlier, I would have probably been shot in the cheek or in the eye instead of the shoulder.

Boom!!

Given that… I had to lure the battle to a slightly more favorable position.

“Close the entrance! Activate the fire-blocking shutters…! What else… Ah, initiate the Protective Isolation Program!!”

I slammed the door shut with force, extending my connection with the home system that was about to expire.

After canceling a maintenance procedure that was going to run a self-diagnosis due to the strange log gap created to erase traces of control being seized, I turned on any device that would separate the corridor from this place.

Unfortunately, there were no registered active self-defense systems like automated turrets, but this should be enough.

The enemy’s armament barely consisted of a pistol. Even if they were in military uniforms, it wasn’t reasonable to think they’d be wearing formal attire full of spare magazines for such an occasion.

At best, with their meager firepower, wouldn’t they barely be able to break through the shutter?

If they were going to clumsily try to break through to conserve ammo, then I planned to turn their extended arms or legs into a honeycomb, completing my secondary line of defense.

…I hope I don’t have to retreat to a third line. Even if my physical safety could be assured, I would have to return to the unpleasant confession made before Show, who surely would demand an answer. I had no confidence in handling that at all!

“Hah… Alright, let’s see if they dare to charge in.”

The act of countering an opponent also resembles a strategic investment that consumes finite resources like time, ammunition, and mental fortitude, so it would place a burden on me to some extent as well.

But compared to her, who has to enter a room where she might not know what awaits her, my burden must surely be negligible.

Most of the advantages that come into my mind were all in my favor, so I thought there wouldn’t be any further variables.

Yeah, it should have been like that…

Kah! Bang!!

“Uh!? Hey, you crazy—what the hell? Where did you suddenly bring that much firepower from…?!”

It felt like an insane barrage of iron and lead was pouring down on the entrance, blocked by three layers— the locked wooden door, fire shutters, and a graphene shielding screen for gas leaks or chemical weapons.

Moreover, the last explosion that shook the air and even the floor was imbued with the shockwave of explosive materials that could never be produced by a mere rifle.

Given the clanging metal sounds, I can guarantee that the outermost door was brutally destroyed.

Did Heirong’s reinforcements arrive? That doesn’t make sense.

There were neither ominous communications nor intelligence about such a thing, and the area was in a state of engagement due to the encirclement we led, so they shouldn’t be able to carry out significant military activities.

Moreover, if they had unleashed that kind of firepower earlier, I would doubtlessly have been unable to retreat this far and would have been caught on the spot, right? Why is there suddenly this reckless outburst now…?

“…Ah, right. They must have just obtained it.”

Damn. There was indeed an opportunity for them to acquire arms that didn’t exist a moment ago.

Due to the absence of any janitorial or service personnel, weapons belonging to a special squad of Enema were strewn about in the front corridor.

While naturally changing my defended line to the executive office, that woman could now opportunistically take hold of the stray items lying around and use them as she pleased. Hmm.

Clang!! Clang!!

“Damn…!”

I gnashed my teeth as I watched the firewalls being gouged through the translucent shielding.

Should I just break the window and jump down? How many stories up are we… Though it looks like the fourth floor, it’s not a standardized structure and seems way higher.

Jumping from this height haphazardly might leave me stuck as a stationary target instead of allowing for a smooth getaway. Plus, the outside situation involved intense gunfire, meaning I would also have to be wary of blind bullets, so it didn’t seem very appealing… ugh.

Boom! As I sat there lost in thought, the shattered pieces of the shutter blown apart by the grenade tumbled over the carpet.

Screech! A projectile burst through that gap, ripping through the tough carbon sheet and creating a space for a person to enter somehow.

“…”

“……..”

And then a suffocating silence.

On the other side, they knew I was waiting, and I was busy desperately thinking about what I could reveal to stop that heavily armed woman.

“…?”

The silence lasted longer than I expected.

The obvious signs of hesitation from the attacker mingled with the acrid smell of gunpowder that filled the room.

What should have been a matter of seconds changed the scene drastically for some inexplicable reason, stretching out to a whole minute… Huh? At this rate, I already win before we even fight, right?

Why is she loosening her grip after keeping the pressure on all this while, ruining her chances and inviting disaster?

…How very complacent.

★

“…So, Lieutenant Min, how long has it been since you’ve served under Heirong?”

“Exactly 8 years and 232 days. Shall I recount it excluding the training period?”

Snip!

With a cutter that had a circular groove to place the head of the object, like a guillotine, Major General Tian sliced through a thick cigar with a shake of his head.

It wasn’t about nitpicking the exact time; rather, it was simply a casual request made for company to accompany his thoughts. Just knowing the approximate number of years was enough.

“8 years and 7 months… Almost 9 years, huh.”

He took a sip of creamy whiskey ordered from the service bar in the chairman’s area. Before the taste and aftertaste could even roll down his throat, he inhaled another puff laden with the spicy flavor of the dark hued maduro cigar.

To grasp both different values should require time and patience, but given that he couldn’t afford such luxury, he thought it was rather unfortunate.

He opened a confidential document conveyed by a specific secretary he hoped would turn into a good relationship in the future, and quickly skimmed through the essential points once more.

Current sanctions in progress, related high-ranking Enema officials, and the punishments to be imposed on them.

Funds and business have always been inextricably linked.

In this regard, Kasane’s special drug had already proven to be a marvelous gift for the upper class on its own, and as long as the distribution channels were good, it also became a steady source of income, but… if it had gotten entangled in messy political issues, the narrative would change drastically.

…Moreover, having a decent alternative in the form of a close aide to the executive director heightened the stakes even more.

“…Lieutenant Min? There’s an order you are to quietly comply with.”

“I shall respectfully comply, Major General Tian.”

Her hands met behind her back, straightening as her heels clicked together, and her spine and neck became perfectly aligned.

The servant who didn’t quite fit with the relaxed atmosphere transformed into a soldier with the mere mention of an order.

Heirong doesn’t generally shy away from conflicts with Mega Cop.

But that only applies if the marshals and equivalent generals consent; if a mere major general causing issues with Enema due to networking… there would be no favorable words to say.

“Do you remember the girl you were with Director Edamatsu earlier? Reports say her current location is likely above the main building. Go kill her; she’s an enemy of Heirong.”

This was coercion, with no discussion on safe return methods nor definitive orders on how to do it.

In fact, not just killing her but even injuring her would be impossible as there would surely be guards assigned to track me.

But the fact that an agent under Heirong had taken action against someone beloved to the executive director overseeing this is what truly mattered, leaving behind results. With just that, many more offenses could tighten their mouth against, if nothing else.

“Is this an official event?”

“…Didn’t I say ‘quietly’? Unfortunately, there will be no support. Think of a method yourself…”

The major general cut himself off just as he was about to imply “Go and embrace everything and die.”

He understood that to get someone loyal and very rigidly obedient to operate according to his designs would require concrete directions, not merely praising their stubbornness and unremarkable competence.

However, no matter what, one cannot show a boiling pot and chopping board that would cook the dog they raised.

She probably had no clear consciousness that she had joined a faction.

She likely thought that the absolute obedience to her direct superior was what had been evaluated. It would have seemed strange compared to other colleagues, thus being promoted faster and having slightly more opportunities to showcase her skill, and oddly being invited to events in the company of the general.

Thanks to that, “Major General Tian” and “Lieutenant Min” will have a significant number of aligned records in visits, making her an excellent candidate to serve as a scapegoat.

“I will accomplish it splendidly.”

In a world where sometimes excessive devotion can be a disqualifying factor, a soldier with no sense of self is akin to a convenient disposable item.

At least she thought to take care of her family left behind… As the alcohol began to take effect, the major general was quite satisfied with his idea filled with emotion while checking the list of new aides to recruit.

Kbang!

“!!”

A shrill scream pierced the ears.

Having thought it was some kind of explosive, Lieutenant Min had paid great attention to shooting it down, only to narrow her eyes at the strange bursting object releasing a peculiar sweet smell.

A girl happily carrying snacks and strolling around had to be the enemy of Heirong destined to be assassinated; it was a thing of disbelief for someone with common sense, but remembering that she was indeed affiliated with Enema helped her gather her composure.

A warped mindset paired with a strength that didn’t exactly match her appearance or atmosphere was almost identical to Enema’s patented slick modification technology.

And… understanding that there were countless contradicting commands was the result of insufficient authority.

Since she was highly trusted for carrying out solo missions.

Generally, moving with only minimal information was for security reasons.

Ultimately, isn’t the fulfillment of responsibilities what embodies the soldier’s spirit?

A soldier mustn’t let minor doubts lead to failure in executing orders. Even if that includes the process of seizing the wrist of a young child.

Lightly. Yet cautiously through her shots.

Adjusting the trajectory against the retreating path of the target and her own angle of entry, Lieutenant Min caught her breath and closed her eyes, as was her long-held habit.

As her sight was obscured, the flow of war clung to her skin and then transformed into fragmented information entered into her brain.

The enemy’s breathing, slight movements. Even the trivial schemes derived from those.

It was a level of resistance that could only be considered adorable. Her worn-out mind felt a pang of guilt.

Wasn’t she aware of the vast amounts of data a living person emits just by being in that location? It was a trap badly set.

For a moment she hesitated, wondering if it was acceptable to add this to her personal kill count.

But with a conviction to end it swiftly, Lieutenant Min hurled herself and aligned her pistol’s sights on the girl.

‘…What?’

Her hands went astray for two primary reasons.

First, the target’s suit, which she had overlooked in their initial encounter as she focused on the face, had an unmistakable connection: it was the same one worn back when they attended a laboratory inspection. It was a combat uniform made from a special new material, boasting its glossy texture.

Due to the excessively high production costs, there were no standardizations, nor were there any plans for public orders beyond its material remaining. This was confirmed by her scope’s scanning function.

The second, crucial reason was that the bodies of Enema trackers sprawled everywhere seemed to project her future…!

“Guh…!”

The realization that she had just missed the perfect opportunity struck hard within her mind.

She registered the blood trickling from her split scalp, but as she reoriented from that unstable posture, allowing the target to escape into the guest room was not something she could afford to contemplate.

Having been told by others, “You resemble a tracker,” it was clear to Lieutenant Min as well that she was trapped.

In a battlefield equipped with gear, she could still handle things one-on-one, but in a close-quarters fight like this, it would be difficult.

‘Stupidly, to let my guard down…!’

The enemy was an unknown figure equipped with advanced combat suits that even Heirong’s generals couldn’t fully gear up.

It was a mysterious demon, leisurely enjoying dessert after slaughtering the top-special agents of Enema with no fear.

Thus… she would kill with all her might.

Snap…!

Without delay, she donned the tactical vest occupying a corner, kicking up a discarded rifle and checking its condition. The blood stains remained on the butt and cover, but there was no sign of blood entering the muzzle, chamber, or magazine.

She suppressed the fear rising from her chest with the sound of gunfire.

Am I walking into the jaws of death?

Mechanically, she breached the double or triple-sealed entrance.

She emptied the magazine and replaced it with a new one once the chamber was clear. When the barrel overheated, she didn’t hesitate to lay it down and focused on targeting another one.

While the heated air from the gunpowder began to warm up, she was beginning to regain her cool.

Realizing that there were no guarantees that the girl and the trackers were the same person, and at the same time… if they were on the same side, that possibility of an immediate strike was relatively high.

Well, do the weapon scars left on the corpses differ? What if they caused fracas among themselves?

Then the explanation of the Enema enemies would be missing.

“…”

Before she could distinguish how much was fantasy and how much reality, Lieutenant Min found her center. A soldier doesn’t judge recklessly. They simply follow orders!

Creeeak… BAM!!

The iron door hiding behind the wooden door finally fell.

To be precise, it briefly caught on the triple-layer wall but couldn’t withstand being reduced to tatters on the floor.

Aside from the entrance, which was destroyed by the violent entry, the corridor was messy, while the inside remained clean.

The vigilant enemy… was taking cover by flipping over a metal desk at the corner of the room, pointing directly toward her.

No one would be here to laugh at the sight of them exchanging glances amidst the hair hiding, trying to avoid a pathetic demise. Most had died prematurely due to negligence in concealment.

“Hey, you crazy woman…! Before we all end up killing each other, can I ask one thing!! Why are you going after me!?”

Throwing her voice against the one still watching for an opportunity outside.

Instead of a scream, it was almost like a sarcastic laugh, and rather than a question, it came across as a one-sided declaration. Lieutenant Min pondered on the motivations concealed behind that shout.

However, since she ran straight here without even changing into a uniform, hiding her identity was impossible. If rumors spread based on testimonies, it would be difficult to block, so she answered with the determination to accomplish her purpose.

“Because you have been identified as an enemy of Heirong.”

“…Damn.”

As if she had grasped something. Or as if she found herself in an absurd situation.

The girl muttered softly, extending her hand toward the glass window as if to declare she was abandoning the tiresome standoff.

BAM!!

There wasn’t a cheerful shattering sound as the projectile struck the glass faster than sound typically would.

“…Ha. This mansion’s exterior windows are of course reinforced glass.”

Though her skills might have been uncertain, the disappointment in realizing her lack of experience swelled inside her as she calmly indicated that there was no way out anymore.

Ultimately, opting to turn her back rather than facing a pivotal moment made her the weaker party.

She might not know the precise reason, but if her mission were fulfilled, Lieutenant Min had no complaints…

“Hmm? I know that too. It was just that a guest was coming, so I thought it would be rude not to make a greeting with one hand.”

Before Lieutenant Min could process that mocking smile, the stiff figure who had been waiting for it to conclude flew in from behind the vibrant lights and gunfire.

——!!

The air exploded with a piercing sound. It felt like the atmosphere was ripped apart, with a deafening boom resonating through the chamber.

An execution weapon, having accelerated to its extreme through gravity, embedded itself in the center of the window where a despicable spider web formed from a bullet had already settled. Following it, an artillery shell boasting a mass exceeding 500 kg fell down into it, as was to be expected.

– …If you don’t retreat, I will execute you immediately. –

In that manner, a droid declaring itself the gatekeeper protecting Anastasia Valentine descended with great spectacle, shattering the special glass in one strike.