An Irreversible Choice
Nine hours after the battle against the first unmanned weapon, Blue Dog, had ended, the announcement rang out.
Jung Su-a wiped the sweat from her brow. Around her lay the shattered remains of countless mechanical unmanned weapons, scattered in broken heaps or smashed beyond recognition. There were beast-shaped units, tank-like models, and towering humanoid robots far larger than any person, yet every single one of them shared the same miserable, devastated state.
"Good work, sister."
Hwa-ryun approached as Su-a was wiping her face and handed her a drink. Su-a sank wearily to the ground right where she stood and began sipping the beverage.
"Haa~! It's finally over! There were so many of them... Haa~"
"To be honest, we never imagined you would defeat all of them like this..."
"...Did I go overboard with the flair?"
"Don't concern yourself with that. It was simply beyond our expectations. You did nothing wrong. We requested this test from you with total destruction in mind from the beginning."
"That's a relief, at least..."
"In any case, thank you for your hard work. The official request is now complete, so please rest. Vice Commander Arpa will treat you to dinner this evening."
"...Understood. I'll head back to my quarters first and wash up."
From Hwa-ryun's words, Su-a instinctively understood what was coming. Arpa was going to use the meal as an excuse to make his move on her. Normally she would have refused such an invitation, but...
Without realizing it, a trickle of arousal had begun leaking from between her legs.
It was because the memory of Arpa's powerful body, his thick cock, and his masterful techniques that had claimed her so many times during the journey to the Omega Empire had resurfaced, stirring the pleasure her body had already learned.
Again... Just like those days coming to the Omega Empire... it's going to feel incredible, isn't it?
Su-a had already decided to be honest with herself and simply enjoy the game. With those lewd thoughts swirling in her mind, she finished the combat test, returned to her quarters, and stepped into the shower.
While Su-a was washing and resting, Arpa reviewed her combat data.
"...She was already quite strong in the Changcheon Murim replay... I provided support using the An Rok-san character, but I never expected her to grow this powerful in such a short time."
Arpa paused the footage of Su-a's combat test and switched to another video. This one showed Cindy and Hwa-ryun in battle. Just as he had done with Su-a's test, Arpa watched their combat scenes with gleaming eyes, analyzing every detail.
Beside the footage of Su-a, Cindy, and Hwa-ryun, semi-transparent screens displayed information that no one but the individuals themselves should know: the specs of their equipped gear, levels, traits, and other private data.
After several hours of thorough analysis, Arpa stopped the playback as the appointed time approached and began to move.
"...The rest... I'll take what I need to take first."
A faint smile played across Arpa's face as he headed toward the meeting place.
Starting today... I will have all three of them in my grasp... Just wait for me, Jung Su-a.
Unlike his usual demeanor, Arpa looked positively thrilled.
After resting, Su-a, Hwa-ryun, and Arpa gathered in one place for a meal. In the vice commander's quarters, an array of luxurious dishes was laid out before them. As she ate, Su-a discussed compensation and the details of the request with Arpa.
"Hmm... So there are quite a few adventurers stronger than you, Jung Su-a."
"Yes. I've never met them personally, but my adventurer ranking on Pantera was eleventh. Officially, there are at least ten more S-rank adventurers stronger than me."
After treating her to the meal and exchanging light conversation, Arpa began asking Su-a several questions and recorded her answers. The rest of the dinner proceeded normally.
Once the meal was over, Arpa sent a contract to Su-a's Bio Device and made his proposal.
"I will make this proposal official. Jung Su-a, the Epsilon Legion wishes to employ you properly."
"So the reason you said you wanted to meet Hwa-ryun and recruit me was this offer?"
"Correct. The detailed contract terms have been sent to your Bio Device. Please read them."
Su-a checked the contract that had been transferred to her Bio Device. While there were many clauses, the core condition was that she would become affiliated with the Epsilon Legion.
But... I can still act freely as I wish under normal circumstances. Above all, the only time I would fight as a member of the Epsilon Legion... would be during wartime situations.
As Su-a was reading through the contract, Hwa-ryun spoke to her.
"We have no intention of forcibly pulling you, who belongs to a neutral faction, over to our side. You may refuse without issue, so please don't feel burdened. Simply consider it as gaining an affiliation after being a free adventurer. There are already several precedents of high-ranking individuals in our faction who were active as mercenaries or adventurers, received scouting offers like you, and joined the Epsilon Legion."
"Hwa-ryun, what would you like me to do?"
"For me, staying together with you would be best. However, the choice is yours alone. I have no intention of forcing you into anything."
"If you accept our proposal and assist us during wartime, we will not hold back in providing support to you either, Jung Su-a."
"The contract itself doesn't seem to have any problems, but... strictly speaking, wouldn't I still not be a true member of the Epsilon Legion? I would only become affiliated and fight during wartime situations. Normally I would remain a neutral adventurer from Pantera... Aren't these conditions too favorable for me?"
The terms were so advantageous that suspicion bloomed in Su-a's mind, but Arpa's confident words left her silent.
"You are a woman worth that level of treatment. Your combat ability, your status as an S-rank adventurer, and Jung Su-a... your beautiful appearance as well. The Legion Commander has already given his approval."
"......"
Watching Arpa speak with such seriousness while looking directly into her eyes, Su-a began to conclude that although he was clearly an NPC targeting her, she could trust him when it came to official matters.
"Very well. I will accept your proposal, Arpa."
"Haha. Thank you. In that case, I have one more proposal to make."
"Pardon? What is it?"
"Jung Su-a, the thing you refused at the beginning. To undergo the body reinforcement procedure."
"...Th-that is..."
"It is merely a suggestion. However, I assure you it is a choice you will not regret. You will definitely become stronger... and you will obtain far more pleasurable ecstasy."
At Arpa's blatant words, Su-a's face flushed red. But what surprised her even more was Hwa-ryun's next statement, causing her eyes to widen.
"Sister, I also want you to receive the body reinforcement procedure."
"What? Hwa-ryun, why...?"
"Because I will be deployed in combat soon as well."
"Combat? I heard that the Empire and the Federation are essentially in a cold war, with only minor clashes occurring?"
"...This is a military secret. You must not leak it. I cannot provide detailed information, but... intelligence has arrived indicating that the Federation will soon launch a full-scale offensive against the Empire once more."
"What?!"
Shocked by the unexpected news, Su-a unconsciously raised her voice. At that moment, she noticed a private message from Hwa-ryun and quickly read it.
After gathering the information from Hwa-ryun's message, Su-a began questioning Arpa.
"When you say intelligence... it isn't confirmed information?"
"Correct. Information like this is never guaranteed to be accurate. Still, there's no harm in preparing for it. Jung Su-a, the Empire is using many methods to strengthen its forces besides you. You are simply one of them. And the Epsilon Legion is the strongest legion in the Empire. Lieutenant Hwa-ryun currently holds a staff position, but that alone does not prevent her from being sent to the battlefield. That is why she continues training even now."
Listening to Arpa, Su-a fell into thought. Her initial refusal of the reinforcement procedure had been based purely on intuition. However, the fact that Hwa-ryun wanted to undergo it together shook her resolve. Above all, her changed mindset of truly wanting to enjoy the game stirred her heart, and in the end, Su-a made her decision.
"I understand. I'll receive the reinforcement procedure together with Hwa-ryun."
Cindy has already gone through with it... and there's no reason to refuse becoming stronger, is there...?
Using Cindy and Hwa-ryun as a shield for her doubts, Su-a ultimately ignored the warning her intuition had sent. With this choice, she stepped onto a path from which there would be no turning back.
