Chapter 113
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Apophis Assault
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Psychic ranks were divided into 24 Greek letters.
Among them, the Omega (Ω)-grade Psychics—hailed as the pinnacle of the New Humanity—were said to number only five even within the vast expanse of the Lost City, a landmass rivaling a continent.
They were monsters who solidified their supremacy alongside the seven Family Heads inheriting thousands of years of history and the nine legends born from chaotic eras.
For reference, Jin had memorized them simply as "5 Megas, 7 Patriarchs, 9 Legends" for ease.
In his mental Pokédex-like catalog of legendary figures, the only one without a shadow of mystery was currently 'Gale Anaryon,' the Sword Saint. That was it.
Of course, Jin just hadn't realized it yet.
Gavelus Zahard of the Myriad Thunders was also smiling faintly somewhere in the recesses of his mind.
Anyway.
Just a few weeks ago, Jin had witnessed the Sword Saint's power up close.
Perhaps because the image of that single sword slash cleaving the heavens was still vivid in his mind.
5 Megas, 7 Patriarchs, 9 Legends.
Even based on that childish mnemonic.
It wasn't hard to guess just how extraordinary a Psychic evaluated on par with the Sword Saint truly was.
Jin thought to himself.
This operation is on a scale way bigger than I imagined.
"At this level, isn't this a government project? I'm not sure if I'm even supposed to be involved."
"What, suddenly getting cold feet?"
"Why would I? Not with a monster like that on our side."
"Hmm."
The Colonel shrugged.
Right after, with a faint smile, he started blowing raspberries, his cheeks puffing out obscenely in seconds—a sight to behold.
At that age, shouldn't he give up on living to a ripe old age out of sheer conscience?
Even just looking at his face, which seemed about twenty years ahead of his actual years in weathering.
Though in another sense, the guy's cutting-edge.
Jin thought as much while peering out the transport's window.
"......"
The aircraft, having climbed to altitude, floated above a sea of clouds. Jin silently watched the bleached-white world for a while until a sudden snoring snapped his head around.
He glanced back and forth between the Colonel, who had downed his drink in one go and passed out cold, and Q, who was intently tapping away at her touchscreen with a serious expression despite whatever urgency.
His gaze naturally shifted sideways.
"Not thinking about your meds?"
"Pardon?"
Elina blinked at the abrupt question, but thankfully, the buffering didn't last long.
"...I do. Several times a day."
Jin, who had cautiously hoped for something like "I've gotten much better," freshly realized the terror of those drugs. Meanwhile, Elina deliberately skipped mentioning the various side effects she was enduring.
She simply stated her resolve.
"But I'll keep enduring it as long as I have to. I don't want to become someone who's no longer me."
"Whoa. That's badass."
Jin gave her a thumbs-up for the admirable response, causing Elina to bow her head deeply.
Then, out of nowhere, she fidgeted with her fingertips—
"Um, so... about that... it's been a while since..."
Jin wasn't oblivious to the implication behind her hesitant demeanor.
"Got it, got it."
With a light sigh, he grabbed her wrist and ignited a blaze of radiant flame.
"Ah."
Elina's face softened under the soul-warming heat, radiating the beauty her fans dreamed of even in sleep. But Jin, observing it right up close, was lost in entirely different thoughts—
Isn't this like trying to quit smoking and getting hooked on nicotine gum instead?
The memory of burning mana until his face turned pallid made his shoulders shudder.
Unaware or uncaring of his sentiment, Elina was soon snoring softly.
Guess the drug lord talk can wait.
Jin shrugged and leaned back against the headrest, closing his eyes.
A quick nap, and we'll be there.
[Destination reached. Landing.]
The voice piercing his eardrums jolted Jin awake.
"Tch."
He swallowed the pooled saliva and checked outside. The serene sea of clouds was gone, replaced by the ground rushing up in real time.
Shiiiieuuuw---!
Thanks to its four engines that rotated 360 degrees freely and specially designed fixed wings, the VTOL transport settled vertically onto the surface.
Immediately after, the door hissed open with a deflating sound.
Led by the Colonel, who had somehow procured a fresh bottle, Q, Elina, and Jin stepped onto the ground one after another.
"You've arrived."
Agents greeted the Colonel with crisp salutes.
Familiar faces.
Ones Jin had seen back in Mute Town.
Naturally, they recognized him too. Light nods were exchanged.
Meanwhile, a bespectacled agent—the type who screamed "I'm the brains"—fell into step beside the striding Colonel.
"Situation report. Apophis is proceeding north at 4,800 meters altitude without course deviation. No notable speed changes; at this rate, it should be observable from the southwest outpost in 22 hours."
"The Pilgrim?"
"Only said they'd arrive on time."
"Always so damn willful."
As their conversation continued,
Jin took in the surroundings.
Outland.
The land beyond the city districts.
Centuries of neglect had left the wasteland in its raw, barren state, quietly meeting Jin's gaze.
Beneath an empty sky, the merciless expanse of nature stretched to the horizon, whipped by ceaseless dry winds.
His narrowed eyes refocused ahead.
There stood an outpost—clearly temporary, yet impressively well-built.
"No extra luggage, right?"
Q, a step ahead, glanced back. Jin nodded.
"As you see."
"Then follow. Briefing time."
"Yeah. Got it."
How much time passed after that?
Jin came to, finding himself seated in a folding metal chair.
Huh?
As agents took their seats one by one, Q stood before a pristine white screen and launched straight into the briefing once everyone was settled.
"As you know, our objective is to investigate Apophis."
Data materialized on the screen.
It resembled millions of pixels melted and molded, forming a立体 shape like an iceberg beached on land.
That's Apophis?
Jin marveled at its grander-than-expected form.
Q continued.
"From the Age of Light and Roses. The dwarves' final legacy and their royal fortress. Since first observed 1,053 years ago, it orbits the continent every 84 years like a comet."
Click.
Q pressed the remote.
Apophis zoomed in, revealing its surface in detail.
What the hell? Is that a turret?
Jin squinted involuntarily.
And for good reason—the rugged surface bristled with unmistakably turrets, arrayed mercilessly. No blind spots tolerated; cannons primed in every direction, easily over a hundred by rough count.
And that was just the enlarged section.
Zooming out to the full view, the total number of barrels was beyond estimation.
"Apophis's autonomous defense system is in no way inferior to modern ones. That's why past expeditions have failed so often."
Officially three times.
Including unofficial ops, seven total, Q added. The city government's expedition count.
Five failures, two successes.
"Apophis destroys anything entering within 3km radius, making transport approaches impossible. One success involved punching through the barrage via transport, but that required a Psi (Ψ, 23rd Greek letter)-grade Psychic who had awakened barrier powers. For reference, that Psychic died 41 years ago."
Whether meant to lighten the mood or not, a few agents snickered at Q's last remark.
"Can't count on that."
"Right. So we approach our way."
Click.
Apophis shrank back to miniature.
But not the end.
A holographic plane flew over the now-smaller Apophis.
Q pointed.
"As shown: transport to overhead. Parachute from beyond gun range. All wear wingsuits."
Jin's face drained of color.
P-para-what? You nuts?
His right hand shot up, defying gravity. Q's eyes turned to him.
"What?"
"Question! Drop altitude in meters?"
"Roughly 9,000m. Could be higher for safety."
"Ah."
Jin's head spun.
Crazy? 9,000 meters?
I haven't even bungee jumped.
Of course, including unwilling plunges, he had some experience.
Once, chasing rage-blind Eanna, he'd leaped from some (Exctavis) Company rooftop.
But that was maybe 40m tops.
Not an incomprehensible 9,000m.
Yeah, no wonder the EXP was 33,000.
Jin, having gulped down a bottle of red pills, sighed deeply. He dropped his arm and waved Q on.
"Obvious, but entering range triggers immediate barrage. Colonel, I, and Elina will support max, but from there, it's individual skill."
Q scanned the agents.
"No need to worry too much. That's why the Pilgrim's coming."
Pilgrim.
Code name or whatever, clearly referring to an Omega-grade Psychic. Jin perked up here, raising his head.
And listened to Q.
"They'll restrain Apophis from the ground. Unsure if they can control all 3,000 cannons, but not for nothing they're the government's ace. We can trust."
Jin's right arm rose again.
"From the ground? Not dropping with us?"
"They..."
Q paused, pondering how to explain. The Colonel spoke instead.
"Pilgrim only moves on ground. Even that's not always feasible. Jumping? Dream on. Won't make sense now, but tomorrow you'll see."
What could he say to that?
The questioner nodded in acceptance and lowered his arm.
"Continuing, then."
Q got the Colonel's nod and clicked the remote.
Jin listened intently to the rest: why the city government wanted Apophis intel, past expedition records, op overview.
Know thyself, win every battle.
Nodding occasionally, hand shooting up now and then.
The next day.
Something loomed in the southwest sky of the outpost.
A tiny dot at first, it grew steadily, asserting presence until crystal clear: the colossal fortress Apophis slicing the heavens, immense as a sky-blocking wall.
No time to gawk.
Principle Enforcer agents, geared up, lined before the transport.
30 minutes to op start.
All checked equipment solemnly.
A voice shattered the quiet.
"Pilgrim's here!"
Dozens of eyes whipped around—
Locking on a massive iron hunk approaching the outpost.
A coffin?
Jin furrowed his brow.
What the hell is that?
Not just any coffin.
Cylindrical body topped with a woman's face: unmistakably an Iron Maiden, the torture device dubbed the Iron Virgin.
Clank. Clunk—
And now, that thing was rolling up on a cart, pushed by an android.
"Finally here."
The Colonel smirked first to greet the Pilgrim.
Casual salute.
Then the Iron Maiden's core split wide, doors parting left and right. Instead of iron spikes, a glass tube filled with pale blue liquid.
Inside, a nude woman curled fetal, eyes closed in deep slumber. Hair of impossible length barely veiled her smooth contours.
The next moment.
The android towing it like a wagon spoke.
"They say it's good to start."
That voice triggered the op?
"Let's move."
The Colonel turned sharply.
Twenty-odd agents boarded the transport.
Jin included, naturally.
Soon, amid roaring engines, takeoff. Inside, Jin—wingsuit-clad—flexed his fists repeatedly, arms twitching.
Doubting the status window's intent had led him here.
Something was up, surely.
If you don't know, crash into it.
Steeling himself, he clenched harder—
"Drop prep!"
The ejection hatch yawned open with a bellow.
Vrooooom!!!
Ears rang from engines secondary.
Eye-level with clouds? Unreal.
But Jin just heh! scoffed inwardly.
Was anything ever normal?
Always like this.
Purple lightning crackled at his eyes!
"Drop!"
Colonel's shout—Jin kicked off.
Bam!
Instant acceleration.
Like a bullet from the barrel, fastest of all, hurling into the void—
"Leeeet's gooooooo!!!"
His bellow from the dantian thundered across 9,000 meters overhead.