Just a moment. Before we relay the current situation, let’s clarify the peculiar term “compatibility” together.
If we go strictly by the dictionary definition, compatibility refers to “the phenomenon where qualities match each other, or the qualities themselves.” It does sound a bit awkward, doesn’t it? After all, how often do we find that words commonly used in real life or specific situations actually have different meanings? This applies here as well.
In gaming, compatibility refers to a situation where one party has the conditions to unilaterally overpower or suppress the opponent. For example, if A finds it challenging to counter B’s specific skill, or if the narrow map leaves no room for retreat, thus making it hard to win long-range combat against close-range.
Older users might find it difficult to understand how such a concept applies to the FPS genre, where both players could possibly knock each other out if they hit each other’s heads based on aiming skills.
Now, we need to look at the refined branches of this concept.
In a hyper FPS, the differences arise from the special abilities each character has. In a realistic FPS, the variables depend on the type of armor and weaponry used, as well as the type of ammunition fired. In a game with strong RPG (Role Playing) elements, there may be gaps based on levels or tiers.
And in the chaotic melting pot of Neo Haven, compatibility obviously leads to interactions where players can bite and claw at each other.
You might have painstakingly developed a headshot-specialized build, only to find that the quest target is a fast robot that destroys power sources or batteries rather than heads, leading to a difficult time.
You may have finally upgraded your note, intending to ignore minor damages and just charge ahead, but end up stepping right into a minefield.
Even if you armed yourself with a single-shot weapon to save some credits, facing an overwhelming number of infantry units that barely fit your field of view may also be described as a type of compatibility.
…Bad memories tend to linger longer, and somehow it feels like I’ve only listed unfavorable cases as examples, but anyway.
Despite the lengthy digression, the relationship of compatibility reflects the existence of clear vulnerabilities (Weak Points) when confronted with specific foes or situations.
Thus, Exatech, leading the forefront of automation and mechanization, could hardly overlook such considerations.
Even if they are currently collaborating closely on many fronts, if they were to part ways, there lies the arch-nemesis Elysium, which could turn into a creature inside a lion, along with the incessantly dubious activities of hacker groups, and various freelance personnel scattered across the market.
Enumerating potential threats, there isn’t an end in a city like Pandemonium, so it’s no surprise that Exatech, not being foolish, had laid down its own countermeasures.
Countless security programs they’ve developed themselves, of course.
Key facilities and equipment were designed with separate power supplies and independent control systems to ensure quick reclamation even if compromised. Engineers were implanted with power spinal implants and terminal connectors in their bodies to connect directly to the network system without time lag, enabling them to defend efficiently.
Who would dare to touch those who have meticulously arranged responsiveness, flexibility, budget, and manpower?
Anyone not a player who merely treats the process as a mini-game wouldn’t normally dare to confront a mechanical legion boasting pure physical power.
…But what about me?
The hacker industry is full of diverse individuals; despite having unlikely methods just as varied as the number of people, my skills diverge from the norm.
Even if I inject mismatched voltage haphazardly, it works somehow, and when I get frustrated and yell at it to make it work, it tends to begin functioning for real—perhaps that was too harsh of an expectation.
“…Ugh, this feels unpleasant.”
I crunched…! and lightly stomped on the wriggling floor that felt as if a mole was burrowing up from below, restoring it to its original state.
The urban legends of grotesque landscapes resembling ghostly actions are merely part of the visualized consciousness world, where every code and signal swims.
It’s now a natural image for me to pass through, having visited countless times, particularly when I need to focus on my tasks.
I thought it wouldn’t be anything new since I had already experienced eliminating uninvited guests trying to sneak in… but that was a delusion.
– Gah!? Uweeeeeek…!! Cough, gurkk…! –
“Um, I’m sorry…!”
The sound of retching echoed pitifully into the void before it abruptly ceased, and I threw an apology that wouldn’t even reach the party in question.
If earlier hackers from Paradise were perpetually fighting a growing weed, now it feels like cutting down a tree. It may not vanish with mere slashing, but once it is addressed meticulously, it will shake even its roots.
Rather than decoding the infiltration code properly to invalidate it, my method of simply forcefully ‘rejecting’ it is evidently giving a mighty backlash to the engineers at Exatech who have come to manage it.
They probably never envisioned that strong connections and high signal strength would turn into such a misfortune.
Skeeeech…… BOOM—!!!
Of course, aside from feeling bad about it, I didn’t forget to fire a few shots towards the laboratory control room as a warning to “back off.” No ill feelings, but business is business, and I need to increase the success rate.
In the original game, hacking implants have a limitation on capacity, and entities that have been successfully hacked incur a debuff.
The very essence is that even if it takes time, a no-risk assault is nearly guaranteed, yet… does pulling the trigger gently send bullets out gently?
BANG—!!
Or do I need to be scolded! Who told them to line up those turrets so densely? They’ve plastered the place thinking they could make and install them at cost.
“Phew….”
I waved my arms to bring countless monitors into the air.
Enduring a throbbing headache, I assessed the overall situation based on the cameras I had seized.
The laboratory remains in silence amidst the fiery onslaught of external turrets belching flames to their heat overload limits.
I thought the standby defense personnel or Dreadnoughts would immediately deploy, but surprisingly enough, they cut off the power even from the defense systems that were supposed to be agile and began to fortify.
I never thought they would cut off sections where control was uncertain without hesitation. Is it the case of “MegaCorp,” even when they’re rotten? If I had seized their mobile weaponry, I wouldn’t have to worry about fire support… how unfortunate.
No, it’s not about regretting missing the chance to operate an epic giant mech; it’s because once Leonar steps inside, the external turrets become useless except for standby!
Anyway, the resistance is quite formidable. Initially, I intended to capture as many internal facilities as possible during the first hack and confine the staff inside to prevent them from exiting entirely, but I never expected my head to hurt this much starting from close to just breaching the outer and inner walls.
For the next infiltration, I ought to either incapacitate them entirely to prevent any return or figure out some other means.
“This is… truly surprising. To be honest, I don’t quite understand why you’re imitating a mercenary. I’d think you could be taken in anywhere given the commotion.”
“Uh….”
Like a human who has lost the concept of lung capacity. Even while racing with full power, he asked leisurely and curiosity-driven questions, catching my tongue for a moment.
I’ve had some experience in playing pretend cops, and Five Eyes has left potential doors open.
Enema? I’ve already been processed out, and as for Paradise… to be precise, I’ve never actually received a paycheck.
“…I found that corporate life doesn’t suit me. So, I decided to maintain good relations with most.”
“Hmm… clever. Well, I’m sure you’ll manage, but do be careful. Most will likely think that rather than leave you as an ambiguous foe after witnessing such skills, it’s better to take you out preemptively.”
“……Yeah, you’re right.”
I informed him that I had blocked the connections to the laboratory and surrounding networks for easier recovery later, and he seemed impressed.
When the ports aligned around the facility spun 180 degrees and began firing inward, there was a moment of shock.
Leonard, who was now relaxed enough to worry about others, offered advice that I took to heart.
Yes, I don’t always go with a frenzy of cleaning up after finishing a job for no reason.
In this town, where computerization is a norm, even with attempts to erase traces, something can always be left behind, and I need to be careful of the incoming indiscriminate threats.
Alternatively, I could immerse myself in a comparatively larger organization where I could pull the “if you’re confident, come try to catch me” approach like this man.
“Ah, should I open the door? I locked it, so it might not open with the prepared cracking tool.”
Upon seeing Leonard’s army reaching close to the laboratory exterior, I inquired about the entrance I had meticulously locked to ensure not a single ant could escape.
Perhaps he wasn’t just waiting for today as a courtesy, as he responded with a cynical decline.
“No need. If the door suddenly opens at this timing, the remaining troops will likely suspect an additional assault. I have a plan for this situation.”
Creak!
With the answer, the movement of the lower joints striking the floor hastened, and with an immense force, cracks spread across the paved road with every step he took.
Seizing the advantage with momentum.
Before analyzing his actions further, which transformed accumulated grudges into violence.
At this point, we need to examine Leonard’s research field and military structure briefly.
He definitely said he prepared fifty Droids and two hundred Drones. There was no discrepancy when I verified before the launch.
However, when we think of fifty combat-purpose Droids and Drones aiding them, wouldn’t we envision a division of human-shaped robots equipped with rifles lining up, with drones buzzing around gathering information here and there?
Leonard’s military force had a slightly different flavor.
Generally, in terms of robotics, “human form” is thought to incur more losses than expected, along with liabilities in combat.
Though it may become advantageous for various tasks, the target area increases, numerous weak points appear in vulnerable joints, and component lifespan declines as drawbacks flow out in droves.
That’s why guard Droids are not crafted to open up like armor folded on spider legs when deployed.
Nevertheless, Exatech persistently produces models resembling primates not without reason. Rather than preferring to drive with dedicated joysticks, they favor an operator method using brainwaves to connect and maneuver as if tapping into augmented reality.
Short training periods for rookie operators meant that in the end, handing them similar constructs for smooth use was the best approach.
Our Sir Léonard was said to be conducting research to overcome this structural limitation before landing in this situation.
Grrr…!
Sharp beastly claws claw into the smooth exterior.
With a body boasting elegant curves, a form that seemed ready to exact the vengeance of its ousted owner rushed forth to conquer the castle.
If I were to give it a name, perhaps Houndroid?
A shape converged from two animals that could be listed among the top five most lethal to humans. With the body of a hunting dog and elegantly swaying long tendrils, it catches the eye.
Fifty such close-combat dedicated monsters.
The reason I mentioned that there may be instances where it might fall short of executing all commands during battle stems from this. It’s still a developmental prototype, likely with insufficient operational optimization.
“Ugh…!”
With a stunt action that would make anyone doubt the claim of being a former researcher.
Leonard, with his coat fluttering, wrapped one of the leading hunting dog’s tails around his arm like a rope, leaped up vertically with several auxiliary jumps.
I don’t know what thoughts traversed the minds of the defense personnel, who were sticking to the wall while evading turret assaults upon witnessing the pack of dogs dive down onto them in mid-flight.
– Ha, hell. –
– ……? No, what the hell is this…! –
Creak, crash.
There were no typical warnings one would expect from semi-intelligent AI. Apparently, they were all puppets controlled by operators.
The hunting dogs, powered by an unmatched jump ability, tore the limbs of Exatech’s standard robots apart with explosive acceleration.
Their extraordinary grip power directly inflicted physical force, warping the heavy armor and spaced armor of the robots prepared for gunfights brutally.
– Confirmed enemy troop composition! Presumed to be four-legged assault-specialized robots!! –
Despite the sudden ambush, it seems they were not caught off guard by the near-worst facility situation, as some exhibited skilled pilot capabilities, rolling away to evade the initial assault.
With the help of operating programs, they adeptly realigned their aim and reformulated their ranks, appearing closer to the ideal form of the army Exatech envisioned through human judgment.
– Troops inside the facility, make the longest corridors a barrier until system recovery… Ah, damn it. –
BOOM—!!
The already prostrate hunting dogs sprang into action. Sir Léonard majestically landed on the ground, with his coat flaring out dramatically. Following him, a swarm of drones adorned the night sky, their heavy weapons aligned toward the ground.
Even though he was in a safe position controlling from afar, it seemed quite challenging to maintain focus on the briefing.
“……Coming back like this is nostalgic. I’d recommend you step aside, as I’ll butcher anyone standing in the way.”
His theatrical mask bore the most vicious grin I had ever seen.
While he had been on the side of the weak until now, he too was a villain in his right.
Knowing exactly how the laboratory was structured, the means and scale of defense—from this, it made no sense that a human preparing two hundred drones would merely aim for a well-behaved reconnaissance purpose.
He simply wanted a cheap and rapid mobile platform, and to organize efficiently, he merely overclocked the flight outputs of the drones, stuffing them to their limits with ammunition.
Drudududududu—!! Dagasgasgagahat—!!!
Debris from the broken flooring flew upward, with dozens of robots collapsing nearly simultaneously.
The earth quaked with the impact, causing turrets to lose their aim, with stray shots merely managing to take down one or two drones.
Once the ear-splitting sounds of metal crashing past and the crumbling noise of drivetrain components subsided, their efforts to somehow delay Léonard’s advance were completely dashed.
A pathway into the facility had finally opened.
…Wait a minute. Was the power of the fire net created by two hundred aerial support drones this grandly depicted?
Not at all. They boldly left the cover so I merely rotated the turrets I had been toying with to slam in high-explosive shells.
“Looks like you might have a knack for mercenary work after all? Quite sinister. Given the atmosphere just now, wasn’t it obvious that I was supposed to be fighting?”
“…Why do you look as if you’ve seen someone better than yourself? Drone ammunition isn’t infinite, so obviously, we need to conserve whatever we can!”
Absolutely, I wasn’t thinking about helping preserve his full strength for my own selfish calculations to gather a bit more afterward. Truly.
