Chapter 994

EP.994 Part 2 Chapter 10 Selection 07

Monsterfolk usually exceed two meters in height, and one often envisions insect-like or monstrous beings walking upright like humans.

“Same goes for games.”

In this game, *Blue Sky’s Death Dinass*, monsters come in all shapes and forms.

“So diverse that any non-human-looking ability users are simply classified as monsters.”

When categorizing them, there are Rider-type monsters, Zombie-type monsters, Demon-type monsters, and Armor-type monsters.

The Rider-type monsters are the standard ones you’d see in tokusatsu shows.

Most monsters fall into this category, and most citizens of Seoul also resemble these tokusatsu-style creatures.

Zombie-type monsters refer to undead beings, much like the past Durahan members of the Blue Wind Sect or Qing Song’s Pine Tree Brigade. Notably, resurrected individuals like Cheon Gaeul and Yu I-shin belong here.

Demon-type monsters represent fantasy-style demons.

A prime example is Kim Ji-hwa, who possesses千里眼 (far-seeing vision).

Lastly, what are Armor-type monsters?

These are entirely unique forms that don’t exist anywhere else originally.

In other words, they’re new monster types added through DLC.

Take Blazing Phoenix for instance—these beings have no physical form inside but are composed purely of magic power while wearing armor on the outside.

They can be likened to “Living Armor” from fantasy settings, combining both style and performance. Many players go out of their way to recruit such monsters as allies.

Only seven were rumored to have been added, with Blazing Phoenix [Monster Type] becoming a recruitable ally. Players then speculated:

“Could the officers possibly transform into monster forms?”

Efforts were made to uncover methods through DLC to allow officers to transform, and eventually, they succeeded.

“What if others can transform into Armor-type monsters too?”

“Really?”

“It seems there’s an additional Monster type between human form and the core beast form.”

“How do we activate it?”

“Don’t know…”

Though the conditions remained unclear, players gradually unlocked officer transformations into Armor-type monsters.

It was revealed that officers had gained new DLC-based Armor-type monster forms.

Since Blazing Phoenix couldn’t be the only one with an Armor-type form, appropriate appearances were granted to others as well.

These beings can be recruited as allies but also appear as enemies in Hard Mode battles.

Their Armor-type forms represent officers unleashing their full strength, tailored solely for combat against humans.

Just like the current Kim Penril…

*KAAANG!*

Clashes of magic resonate with metallic sounds.

The entire Changchung Martial Arts Hall trembled with sonic booms, shaking the area with magical energy. I anxiously watched their battle, hoping the audience wouldn’t get caught in the aftermath.

“Graaaah!”

Xiao Lin gritted her teeth and swung her Crescent Blade.

The Crescent Blade, forged from magic, resisted Penril’s attacks without breaking easily, but Xiao Lin’s body wasn’t so resilient.

*KAAANG!*

“Guh…!”

Each clash between the blade and Penril’s claws caused Xiao Lin to wince.

Penril seized the opportunity, slipping through Xiao Lin’s guard to swing a punch at her abdomen.

“That…”

“HAAA!”

As I was about to intervene, Xiao Lin grabbed the incoming black gauntlet aimed at her stomach and leapt upward.

*KAGA-KANG!*

Penril’s gauntleted fist unleashed a gale of wind.

Using her own magic-infused arm to suppress the force, Xiao Lin spun around and hurled Penril toward the wall.

*BAMMMMMM!!!*

Penril slammed into the wall.

This marked the first time someone had landed a significant blow in close combat against combat-mode Kim Penril.

[She’s got some fight in her.]

With light steps, Penril brushed off the dust and returned to the battlefield.

Lowering her stance with claws extended, she resembled a Black Phe…nirl.

“Hold on.”

I raised my hand to mediate their fight just as it was heating up. Though neither looked pleased, I clapped my hands and tossed something beside Xiao Lin.

“Try fighting in this.”

“You…?”

“Hurry up.”

“……”

Xiao Lin glanced suspiciously at me before pressing the large case beside her.

*Click, click.*

Steam hissed as the case opened.

Inside the steam, Xiao Lin gasped at the sight of the suit.

“Are you serious? You want me to fight in THIS?”

“Yes. It’s a suit designed specifically for you.”

“This…?”

“Exactly.”

Xiao Lin pulled out the outfit from the case—a thin, almost translucent black tights thinner than a dumpling wrapper.

“Need help putting it on?”

“I-I…”

“Don’t worry. This is specially crafted for your trial test. Your magical girl costume will be newly designed based on your preferences.”

Xiao Lin’s attire has already been decided.

Much like how she wore it during her 20 years on Earth, she would undoubtedly love it now.

“The tights are merely for testing purposes and minimal safety measures. They’re actually A-Rank Core-made armor, despite being so thin.”

“But it’s see-through!”

“All the better, right?”

“…At least it’ll be easy to move in.”

Xiao Lin hesitantly began putting on the tights.

Of course, this required her to strip down, and Xiao Lin removed all her clothes except her underwear, placing them inside the case.

*Click, click.*

The case swallowed her clothes.

Wheels automatically rolled away from the field as Xiao Lin nervously began dressing herself in the tights.

[Commander. This is taking forever…]

Penril grew restless, resembling someone who had their ice cream bucket snatched away mid-Mint Chocolate enjoyment.

[Should I just help her dress so we can fight already?]

“Please wait until she finishes.”

[Hmph…]

If this continues, Penril’s affection level might drop dangerously low.

[Is this really necessary?]

“With this, you can fight at full strength.”

[…Hm?]

“What does ‘full strength’ mean?”

My words simultaneously provoked both Penril and Xiao Lin.

“In martial terms, you haven’t used any lethal moves yet.”

“That… wasn’t a lethal move?”

Though attacking with deadly intent, neither intended to kill.

Partially due to Xiao Lin’s defense, but also because Penril didn’t unleash her full potential.

[Of course not. The Commander ordered not to kill anyone who could become an ally. Though if they die, that’s that.]

“What? Hah, laughable. That wasn’t full strength?”

[Crazy enough to seek death, huh?]

“Just talk big without landing a killing blow.”

Thus, they continued provoking each other.

Penril hadn’t used full strength, and Xiao Lin felt irritated by Penril holding back.

[Commander. Can I really kill her?]

Finally addressing me, Penril turned her gaze. Xiao Lin looked surprised but realized the seriousness of the situation.

“The tights-covered areas will only get slashed by blades, per Hikari’s simulations, so feel free to fight without worry.”

[Can I use full force below the neck? If she dies, it’s not my problem?]

“If she dies… that’s it. End of story.”

That’s exactly how it works.

Death means the end.

Even in-game heroines, aside from special cases like Yuinah, starting characters like Park Ra-on and Kim Nori can be bypassed without recruitment.

Simply put, when a heroine dies, that’s the end.

Unlike RPGs where character deaths result in removal from the frontline, this game opts for brutal realism—death truly signifies the end.

If it’s a personal heroine route?

Then the game ends.

“Xiao Lin. Survive against Penril, and I’ll reward you with your personal combat suit.”

“…Hmm, question.”

“Go ahead.”

Smiling, Xiao Lin lifted her Crescent Blade again.

“Does it matter if I defeat her?”

“…Heh.”

That’s a failure flag right there.

I nodded and stepped away.

Moments later.

Far rougher sword winds filled the Changchung Martial Arts Hall.

* * *

While recording their battle.

I descended underground to Hikari’s lab via the hall.

*Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.*

The lab resembled the early stages of the facility I saw in the 20-year world.

As Hikari began filling it with research materials, she gradually transformed it into a massive underground laboratory over time.

What Hikari creates depends on time, budget, and Cores invested.

However…

While budget and Cores are limitless, time is finite.

The game ends before December 25, 2025.

Thus, everything assigned to Hikari must be efficiently produced.

S-Rank Core weapons and armor, eight-person-capacity mattresses, homunculi—all require time.

“Phoenixroids were lucky to be created quickly in the 20-year Earth; otherwise, things could’ve gone awry.”

Had he focused on Earth conquest leisurely, he likely wouldn’t have reached the concept of consciousness divergence.

For this reason, Hikari is my benefactor.

She saved him and helped me escape infinite purgatory.

Thus…

“I’ll repay her with bobbins.”

“Hikari.”

“Yes?”

“Are you done making everything?”

“Almost finished.”

*Whirrr.*

Hikari pointed to a space where machines were actively working.

Though seemingly empty, a full-body suit appeared after she flicked her finger.

“A suit for Xiao Lin, which will be ready in a day.”

“Good.”

Xiao Lin’s suit.

Similar to the tight tights but surprisingly equipped with optical camouflage.

Meaning, Xiao Lin can turn invisible.

“Commander. After finishing this, can I take a break?”

“Or how about playing something fun with me instead?”

“Hmm…”

Hikari raised three fingers.

“I…”