Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Strength
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“Is the tearful reunion over? If you want a fight, I won't back down. But I've waited until your chat wrapped up, so at least take my situation into account.”
Before analyzing just how much combat prowess this mechanical girl truly possesses, my first priority is to lure her away from here.
A battle near the amber is out of the question. The aftermath could destabilize the amber crystals, or worse, she might turn them against me.
She's no pushover—that much is clear. The amber can't be exposed. No, this isn't just a hunch; it's cold analysis.
No matter how massive or dangerous my foes, the odds of me losing have always been vanishingly slim. Yet this mechanical girl, whose thoughts I can't read, radiates [The Creator's Malice].
The word "defeat" flickers before my eyes.
It's obvious at a glance: she's a superior being crafted for violence and combat.
A thirst for domination? A desire to show off? Or perhaps the absurd fruit of a dream to create something overwhelmingly extraordinary?
If that's truly a product of Joo-ho's civilization, then their hubris must have doomed their entire species to extinction long ago.
Judging solely by Joo-ho, they seemed like a benevolent race. But it looks like I was dead wrong. They're belligerent, meddling in things beyond their control.
In the end, they're no different from that moon hanging in the sky.
Drawing males from across the universe,
forcing grotesque breeding and biological experiments on this massive planet...
“Why don't we move somewhere else first.”
She's dangerous. No disruptions to the plan can be tolerated.
“We'll fight outside the temple. This cramped space isn't fit for settling things between us. If that boy gets caught in the crossfire, there won't even be a corpse left.”
I suggest relocating while downplaying any mention of the amber, but the expressionless mechanical girl is already scanning and analyzing her surroundings, forming her own judgments.
Will she even listen? Or does she have her own ulterior motives? Her precise, efficient movements only heighten my unease.
Her actions are impossible to predict. What exactly did humans define as [Perfection]?
"I agree. Follow me. We'll start the battle outside."
"Ha! You can reason after all. Excellent."
Now I get it. The mechanical girl operates on pure logic. Her patterns differ from organic life, but her pursuit of the most rational judgments and actions makes her predictable.
She values Joo-ho deeply, so she won't risk combat in this confined interior where he might get hurt. Even a slim chance constrains her.
And so, only the two of us ascend the stairs.
The injured Joo-ho rests comfortably inside the temple, while the two machines vying to prove which is more perfect and powerful head back to the surface.
"What a pity. You're discarding your own strengths."
Even as we go, I probe for openings with brief conversation.
Fair fights be damned. To win, I'll use anything.
"Would your creators truly approve of you like this? To me, all that talk of love and emotions just seems like a cancer eating away at you."
"..."
Light appears.
The sun has risen.
We'll exit the temple soon.
Before that, I need to stack the odds in my favor.
"From my chat with Joo-ho, he doesn't even seem to like you much. If anything, he fears you. What was it he said... Something like, 'not even alive, yet mimicking a living thing...'"
From behind the mechanical girl, I train a particle cannon on her. Hate me if you must. I still have to win. I can't fall here.
"...You monster bitch!"
Bang-!
It should have ended there. Or at least inflicted serious damage.
Psssh-
But an ominous hiss vibrates the sand and air alike.
The particle beam scatters in all directions, shimmering like the iridescent light of the rising sun. Only glittering afterimages fill the space between us.
She stands tall on both legs, utterly unscathed. She blocked my shot with those delicate hands.
"Dr. never says things like that."
"...Ah, right."
Even at moderated power to avoid detection, no mere machine part could deflect that.
"How did you block it?"
"Deflected it with equal output."
I couldn't make sense of her words, but
soon, massive explosions erupt above us, showering radiant beams of light everywhere.
"...Haha, this is fun."
Rain of light pours down. Beautiful, yet somehow poignant.
My ambush was mere arrogance. Time for the real fight.
"Show me your full power. I'll go all out too."
I won't lose in combat.
For this day, I've reinforced my body. I never anticipated facing someone like her, but my combat engine at 100% won't yield to any mechanical girl.
"Beings like us strong ones need experiences like this now and then. A battle with no holds barred."
The final holy war for my
[Mission],
ignited alongside crimson plasma.
—————————
Boom-!
The air tears apart. We've barely exchanged blows, yet sand scatters wildly, enveloping us in a massive sandstorm.
In raw power, I'm superior. But the mechanical girl never blinks those blue eyes, reacting to every punch, blade strike, and even plasma bursts detonated right before her palms.
"Impressive! So fun...!"
Once more, I concentrate energy in my hands. If I unleash it across a massive area, she won't react in time.
"Try blocking this!"
Reaction speed means nothing against overwhelming firepower. Even if it levels the desert, this dangerous mechanical girl must be erased here.
Thud-
The compressed blast sweeps the area. I'm not immune either, but my defenses outclass hers.
One big hit like that gives me the edge. I won't lose to her.
Ziiing-
But as I search the sandstorm for her remains, a high-heat laser fires past my temple. A fearsome weapon boiling the very air.
Lasers pursue me relentlessly after. I dodge barely, leaving yellow scars of molten sand, sandstone, and metal bubbling in the desert.
The searing heat is notable. Even evaded, my armor plating is charred black, radiating warmth.
"...Cheap shots like that won't kill me. I'm above you. I'm stronger!"
Still, combat favors me. Amid the vision-obscuring sandstorm, we hurl our mightiest power sources at each other freely.
We scorch shadows and trajectories alike. Crimson plasma and blue lasers tangle repeatedly, birthing massive lightning within the storm.
"I won't lose! Not to some fool who can't even grasp their own power and weakens themselves again!"
My red engine boils over.
As the fight drags on, the intensifying engine corners the mechanical girl bit by bit.
Yes, this is my victory.
No chance of defeat. Power stays with those who crave it endlessly.
"Where's that confidence from earlier? Is that all you've got? That's your limit! That's weakness, girl—the very weakness you chase!"
Hours of combat, and I'm still standing.
Her assaults haven't finished me,
energy surges through me,
and the longer it goes, the more attuned to battle I become.
"This is power! I forsook biology for perfection! No more limits to bind me!"
And moreover,
I'm growing accustomed to wielding the small amber crystal embedded in my core.
I was right after all. Shedding worthless organic traits is the path to strength.
To become superior,
to achieve anything,
we must discard biology and embrace perfection.
"You, the lifeforms of other universes, this planet, that moon, even the sun—they can't stop me. The repulsive monsters existing since the universe's birth, those called gods—I'll surpass them all right now!"
Liberation washes over me. I've found the answer.
This contradictory mechanical girl who sought me out has given it to me.
I was right.
In the end, I win.
Only [Perfection], born from discarding all organic traits, can conquer biology.
But the blue-glowing girl approaching through the sandstorm again,
her silhouette,
radiates confidence surpassing mine.
"You're late."
Another small silhouette joins her.
A presence I overlooked, too absorbed in battle.
Kyaaak-
A grotesque cry echoes. Even in the sandstorm, a sharp tail ignores it entirely.
"I've bought us enough time."
"Good work."
The native girl who extracted the amber before.
The winged one didn't come, but this horrific creature with its striking tail and claws has returned.
"...We're allies for now. Kill that tin can first."
"Understood."
Is it my imagination?
She feels even bigger than before.
It's only been a few days.