A full-power shot, almost as if the electronic trigger had been pulled and left unchecked. Knowing that the Tech Gobs are stronger than they look, I unleashed a heavy-armored mode burst on the first one that tried to clamber over, and while its head was torn off, the body stayed mostly intact as it was blown away.
［I wasn’t informed there were survivors inside!］
［That is not one of our tribe! It is an unclean being!!］
For a moment, I panicked, fearing I had accidentally gunned down an individual desperately clinging to life inside. If such was the case, why wasn’t I told from the start?!
But, if this is just another deformed drone imitation, then no mercy is needed.
［Disable the safety mechanism! We’ve only got eleven shots left before we’re out of ammo!!］
I signaled to the others to prepare for firing and targeted the heads of the Tech Gob imitations as they tried to climb over the opening. I made the opening small on purpose, so no more than two could jump out at a time, making things relatively manageable.
Yet, there’s no more ammo left in my clip. Apart from the one I’m currently loading, this is my last clip. I can’t beat them in energy-saving mode, so I’ll have to switch to melee or use a single-shot coil gun.
With the last shot from my current clip fired, I managed to eliminate twelve of them, but more kept on pouring out from further inside.
〔Yaahhhhhh!!〕
The Sylvanian nearest to me thrust a bayonet into the neck of an imitation that was just about to emerge, followed by a shot that blew off its head.
…Wait, what’s odd here? I only had these bayonets made because they’d come in handy, but they’re supposed to be replica stereoscopic reproductions that mimic forging techniques and thus shouldn’t be sharper than regular blades.
Which begs the question: why are they piercing through the skin of these heavily armored targets that are supposed to be tough? Could it be that the surface is softer while the skeletal structure beneath is incredibly hard?
［Fire in sequence! Don’t waste any bullets!!］
We now understood why there were no Myrmecoleos or Hovs deeper inside. They probably employed a doctrine that left the exteriors to these creatures, while letting the imitations handle the inside. Being smaller, they can move more easily inside and are faster, giving them the advantage.
〔I’m out of bullets! Can anyone spare me some!!〕
〔I don’t have much left either!!〕
［Use these! But heads up, I’m out too!!］
We continued intercepting the incoming imitations, but after the fierce battle earlier, the majority of my comrades were almost out of ammo. There’s some reserve in our backpacks, but it’s like trying to pour water on a burning stone.
Let’s face it—Tiamat 25 is a medium-sized factory vessel. Usually, it’s run by only a mechanized human captain and a number of self-conscious units managing the vessel. But given its capacity to carry hundreds of thousands, it’s no surprise it could hold tens of thousands of these imitations.
Ahhh, damn! If only I had grenades in situations like this!!
“Damn it, if it comes to this, we’re charging in!!”
“Wh-what!?”
I clenched the hilt of my sword, holding the flashlight in my mouth.
Without knowing the enemy’s total numbers, our options are few.
They probably lack any sort of self-awareness. Given that they remained silent and waited within the ship until we opened the door and became a threat, they were likely waiting for orders from the central control.
If that’s the case, hijacking the control system and restoring normal functions should stop them.
“We will charge straight to the control room! I’ll go first! Everyone, support me!!”
“Nozomu! Why is it always you taking insane risks like this?!!”
“It’s not reckless if it’s the only way to resolve the situation! Stop acting like I enjoy taking risks!!”
After confirming another Tech Gob imitation had been taken down by gunfire, I braced my foot on the edge. As another creature emerged, I stomped its face back into the void with my heel.
［Ridelberdy! Next one’s on the right, right?!］
［Yeah! Then climb the passage and turn left twice, then right once to reach the destination!!］
“Understood! ‘Sacred Spear’ is all yours!!”
On the other side of the illuminated bulkhead, countless red, glowing eyes stared back at us. I’ve long since lost count.
“Here I come!! Chestooo!!!”
Shouting with spirit, despite the fact it doesn’t exactly align with my own school of martial arts, I jumped headfirst into the hole, wildly slashing under the dim light. I cleaved through anyone within reach, cutting my way towards the right as instructed.
As I ran, slashing ceaselessly, I realized that although the feel of cutting through single-atom molecules is almost weightless, there’s no time to sharpen my blade given the high density of enemies this time around. The real challenge begins once the monoatomic structure breaks down.
As the Sylvanias and Tech Gobs also tumbled into the gap I had created, they were furiously battling the enemies now attacking from behind. Those out of bullets were using their bayonets to stab and finishing them off in hand-to-hand combat. For their sake, I need to push forward as quickly as possible.
Melee combat is much riskier than ranged fighting. Ideally, I’d prefer to return all the brave souls who joined me on this perilous expedition safe and sound, despite knowing how impossibly selfish and foolish such a wish might be.
When we reached the final ten meters, the monoatomic structure collapsed. The resistance became more noticeable, and I felt the blade cutting through the enemy with proper edge.
Alright, now we’re entering the realm of classic VR games! Even without using such luxurious armaments, I used to slay hundreds in-game, so let’s make it happen!
“Chestooooo!!”
Though the ability to slice through everything has been lost, the sharpness of the edges remains robust. Letting an otherworldly cry rip through the air, I swung my blade with ferocious intent, advancing forward.
If possible, I decapitate; if not, I slice the torso for a certain kill—thankfully, these foes are unarmored. With relentless determination akin to a maddened hound, I drove forward and onward.
Upon turning down the corridor and recognizing the vertical wall wasn’t that high, I opted for a slightly risky yet effective triangular jump. Despite the high risk of landing awkwardly on my back with great humiliation, thanks to my assassin’s parkour skills honed in games, I managed it.
“Yaaaaaahh!!”
Using the momentum from landing, I swung my blade in an arc to clear the area, several heads and torsos flying down below.
Good, I can keep going. Forward, forward!!
Though my blade and I are starting to tire and dull, I pressed onward regardless. Compared to the battles I’ve faced in Earth defense VR games—wherein, incidentally, we’ve triggered mini ice ages by detonating large-mass munitions, albeit during conflict situations—the density here feels quite manageable. Just keep pushing forward, self!
Thus, I barreled along the corridor, trampling through the white blood while turning left. Without much concern for dodging, as long as I don’t get hit in any vital spots, I pressed forward. The overalls I wore were made of anti-blade, anti-bullet fibers, quite durable enough to withstand minor cuts.
My throat was hoarse from shouting, but to prevent my comrades from dying while holding me off from behind, I continued advancing.
Moreover, the gunfire followed, covering my trail. Each shot echoed as they fired down the path I had forged for them, bolstering my morale and allowing me to ignore the pain, pressing onward.
Rounding the final corner, the control room was just ahead when I heard an unpleasant sound.
It wasn’t an organic voice but rather a compressed radio alert understood only by mechanized humans and self-aware units:
“Warning. This ship is currently in lockdown mode. Provide control name and recognition code.”
Damn! Why’s the security system half-functional at this point?! If you’re operational, deal with these invaders first!!
“Lieutenant Nozomu Matake, affiliated with the Galactic Higher Sentient United Forces Consolidated Space Army’s Second Second Seed Ship Fleet!! Recognition code: ■■■■■■■■■”
But if the security system is functional, the doors should open, right? As I shouted and swung my blade, an ominous beeping sound rang out.
“Error. This vessel is in lockdown. Requires clearance from at least an upper-level officer for recognition.”
Damn it all!! What happened to the standard manual override!!
While kicking the face of an approaching imitation and crushing it between the wall to incapacitate it, the sound of pressure release hissed.
Wait, hold on, just a sec.
What seemed to be the control room—its heavy door likely ceremoniously painted by the Tech Gobs—slid open to reveal two bulky silhouettes.
These were automated machines devoid of multiple-self awareness, simply operating by their pre-programmed instructions. They were the so-called artificial unintelligent guard units, characterized by the multi-purpose sensor elements protruding on their shoulders, which were embedded into the chest areas. These were universal models carried on every ship.
Even mass-produced model units, with the standard exoskeletons that could crush a bottle like it was nothing, were nightmarishly strong against my current state.
And the reason was clear—they carried chain coil guns on their arms.
“Whaaaaaat!!”
Recognizing both me and the imitations in the corridor as threats, the guard units began firing their coil guns without warning. Each shot had the same power as heavy armor-piercing rounds, just enough not to damage the hull, yet delivered with incredible rate-of-fire, sounding almost as one continuous noise.
I screamed as I grabbed the neck of an imitation nearby to use as a shield against the onslaught while sprinting backward down the corridor, narrowly dodging the deadly fusillade.
“What the hell?! I’m an officer! What’s wrong with the IFF system!!”
Apparently, due to the emergency lockdown, the friend-and-foe identification system was lax, and these units continued their relentless barrage without mercy, reducing the imitations but making it near impossible to withstand their barrage.
Damn it—I pulled out my coil gun, trying only to aim the barrel into the corridor, but as expected, a warning tone sounded, and the electronic trigger locked.
Our IFF is functional, preventing us from firing on allied units.
Struggling to override the settings, I activated the protocol for dealing with mutinies aboard the vessel. An emergency report was transmitted to the fleet headquarters, but receiving no response meant no one was left. Following emergency procedures, I managed to deactivate our IFF—but…
What’s the point when I can’t even take down the large guard units? The bullets rebounded from the sensors on the ends of their gun barrels.
Of course! I knew this would happen!!
Damn, I tried targeting their presumably weaker sensor parts, but they were protected by a transparent and impenetrable visor, causing the rounds to bounce harmlessly away. Ugh, these are such nuisances, yet normally they’d be manageable!
Nonetheless, I continued to fire in energy-saving mode, hoping for some semblance of deterrence. I shot toward whichever direction they moved to stop them in their tracks, then turned my fire to the other. We couldn’t let them push us further along with just the relentless curtain of bullets.
Breaking them requires the “Sacred Spear.”
However, carrying it up here with both Sylvanian and the Tech Gobs would be incredibly difficult. How long until they arrive? The gunfire is still distant, echoing near where I performed the triangular jump earlier.
“Ghhhh, aaaargh!!”
Is that Galatea’s voice?! Looking back, and sure enough, there she was, running toward the corridor with the absurdly heavy “Sacred Spear” on her shoulder. Could she have mustered the sheer willpower to climb all this way?!!
“Nozomu!! What’s with that horrible noise!?!”
Hearing the thunderous sounds, she probably realized it must be necessary and carried it here! Are you an angel, Galatea?!
“Get that thing over here fast!!”
Never did I expect two consecutive goddesses to deliver the “Sacred Spear”! Reaching a record-high level of excitement, I fired off all remaining bullets to stymie the guard units’ movement, then received the particle cannon from Galatea, who was utterly spent.
The charge was at 100%, the barrel fully chilled, and everything was ready.
“Alright, let’s step back a little!’
“Huh huh… what!?”
Stepping back from the corner of the corridor, I waited, my blood-soaked boots pressing into the hallway. The high-pitched wails of accelerated particles in the gun’s muzzle intertwined with the sound of advancing guard units.
Just a little more—three steps, two steps, one step…
As the two guard units peeked around the corner, simultaneously, I unleashed the “Sacred Spear” without hesitation.
It’s always said that the ancient tradition of waiting around corners with high-powered weapons is the strongest for a reason…
