Overload
Carlos's eyes caught Nera's uniform, now thinned out even more. Why had it turned so thin? Was it because of the blood that had soaked it so deeply? There must have been some problem. But more than that...
Those hands grating on his nerves unnecessarily—he didn't like them. The fabric was being tugged. A faint iron scent wafted over. The moment she let go with a pop, the taut cloth clung stickily to her chest. Contours that shouldn't have been visible came into view. The hem lifted again. This repeated about three times.
As Nera reached to tug it once more, Carlos grabbed her hand.
"What is it this time?"
Her eyes were as brazen as ever. Before that boldness, Carlos lost his words. In the brief silence, a wave of futility washed over his heart. His follow-up words were pointless.
"Fine. Looks like there was an accident. I get it, so stop."
Countless retorts had flashed through his mind. Why can't you act more properly? Why show it with actions when words would do? But he doubted they'd reach the inspector before him. Carlos shook off the stray thoughts. Then, without a word, he stepped out of the vehicle.
Kyaa~ Pervert.
The beauty's glaring at him, so why grab her hand all of a sudden? Did he want to hold my hand that badly? Nah, no way. That workaholic who only looks like my old character on the outside wouldn't be interested in girls.
Still, he opened and left so smoothly. It wouldn't open when I tried, though. Did he have the keys? I've been playing an escape room without knowing. The darkest place is under the lamp—old sayings are spot on!
Then... maybe I should exit naturally too. This inspector needs to inspect how cleanly we handled the cadavers.
I slipped out of the vehicle, glancing around cautiously. Luckily, no one blocked my path. Carmen... or, well, Carmen again...
Everyone looked exhausted. Each enforcer was superhuman, but they'd been moving since morning, so it made sense. Rira was sprawled on the ground in her sky gear. Nova was dozing off, leaning on her qubits. The 3rd Squad had some energy left—a few stood guard, others collapsed similarly. Dillan was down with them.
Impressive. He'd survived this brutal battlefield after all.
But... something felt off. Was the recruit's reaction always this intense? Had he evolved a stage during the fight? But does that even make sense? In the game lore, enforcers need extra Star Adaptation Procedures to grow stronger. Outside procedures, activation index only rises via overclocking. And overclocking usually requires stimulants...
I didn't want to believe it, but... the emergency kit was torn open. And he wasn't just collapsed—he looked like he was convulsing. Just in case. Really, just in case, maybe I should grab a gun? Sudden dark evolution would be trouble.
Decision made, I focused all my senses on the recruit. Twitching limbs at intervals, ragged breaths from deep in his lungs. Yeah, definitely not normal.
I loosened up lightly. Over-tension throws off aim. I walked forward confidently. With each step, eyes locked on. No cover in this open space. A gunman moving awkwardly screams suspicion.
"Inspector... what's going on?"
The bald squad member beside him sat up, eyes full of wariness. Look behind you, not at me.
"Huff... huff..."
"Don't come closer."
Fine? Then I'll just shoot. I shouldered the assault rifle. Pulled the trigger.
Bang!
"Crazy...!"
The bald guy flinched and dodged. But I wasn't aiming at him anyway.
"Aaaahhh—!"
The scream from the formation's center drew people instantly.
"What?! What's happening?! Cadavers from the ground?!"
"What is it?! Ambush?!"
The rushed crowd saw the downed recruit, then turned to me.
"Nera, what the..."
Carmen trailed off.
"Knew it! A girl hanging with the Doctor can't be sane!"
All 3rd Squad guns trained on me. Rira nearly charged.
"Hold!"
Surprisingly, Carlos stopped them. Oh? I planned to keep going regardless. Didn't expect backup—let alone from Carlos.
"That recruit—when did those 'horns' grow?"
Captain's eye for detail, huh? Yeah, I'm not shooting on a hunch. Everyone's too lax.
"What'd you say...?"
Those aiming at me finally looked at the recruit.
"Ugh, ughhh!"
Crunch, crrrunch!
Horns thickening on his head. No need to watch more. Anywhere else, I'd slice to check, but head's hopeless. Politely, I approached—gun trained.
"Recruit, you okay?"
No touching—might bite. Prodded with the barrel from a distance.
"Ughhh, uhhh... Inspector...?"
He answered? Air shifted instantly. Gasps everywhere.
"How do you feel now?"
"D-don't... know. Dizzy... and... gonna puke."
Crrunch.
New horn on the right. He writhed in pain.
Hmm.
"Doesn't seem time for termination procedure. Right?"
"...Yeah."
Carmen's voice cracked. Should I do it? Head knows he's done, but pulling trigger's tough. No choice. Hesitation is the enemy.
"I'll d—"
Bang!
Shot as Carmen spoke. Should've waited a sec.
"Kaaaah, aaaah—!"
Mutation speeding up. Twisting made aim slip. Too late to switch—keep firing. I pinned his back underfoot. Headshot clean. He froze briefly, then twitched again. Pinned harder. Shot again. Until he stopped for good.
Mood totally crashed. Normal to grieve a death, but... their faces are weird. Like Rira's empty stare—trauma vibes.
Rira couldn't watch the end, left early. Came back smelling sour... probably puked. Sat head-down in vehicle silently since. Surprising. Thought she was only pitbull or golden retriever mode.
"Inspector Nera."
"Yes."
"Well done."
"Yes."
Wow, praised. But zero joy. Feels forced. I'm a bit rattled too. Don't look as wrecked as others, though.
I turned to the window. Outside, 3rd Squad carried the cloth-wrapped recruit slowly. Should be cleaning cadavers, harvesting precious 5.1 stage sample now. But with this, minimal maintenance then funeral.
"After the funeral, we'll debrief. Rest till then."
Carlos exited. Now just frozen golden retriever Rira and half-dazed Nova. Dead quiet. I'll catch depression. Want out, but awkward. What face for 3rd Squad? Didn't do wrong, but still...
Lost in thought, presence nearby. Glanced—Nova, nearly asleep, right beside me. Nearly jumped. How's she so silent? Why me? First time this close.
"Good work."
Nova reached out. Gently petted my head. Huh? Comfort?! Wasn't moping, just blank as usual. Others might call psycho.
While I pondered, she pulled away. Closed eyes, soon soft breathing. What was that? Sudden comfort, then gone before feels hit. She slept like nothing.
Good sign? Never dreamed of bonding with 1st Squad. Carlos okay-ish, but his goodness only. Pure merit, no personal ties.
Nova approaching first? Unimaginable. I gazed outside. Short funeral nearing end.
Post-funeral: hellish cleanup. Why clear wasteland? Untreated corpses draw more cadavers. Quiet now 'cause we cleared. Leave 'em, infinite wave by rescue tomorrow. Good XP farm? Maybe not for enforcers!
I hauled bodies hard. Always carrying since arrival. Am I soldier or delivery guy?
Thoughts wandering, tossed corpse. Qubits orbited stacks.
Whoosh!
Enough piled, photon cannon fired. Burnt scent. Ashes left. High-tech convenience.
Nearly all gone. Left: massive meat lump, late Electro Turtle teacher's corpse.
Staring, deep dilemma. Eat or not? Already maxed—no need hunting strong ones. But here? Different. Mid P.V. Virus useless, but past 5.0 stage? Game-changer. Dr. Licht'd amp it better. Report inevitable anyway. Take it. Craving fresh cadaver sashimi.
"Can I take a bit before incineration?"
Better ask than steal. Carlos eyed me. Why ask me? Yeah, after my antics, permission's funny.
"Do as you like. Wasn't blocking sample recovery. It's for humanity."
Really? But remembers your sulk over samples?
"Not yet."
...Moody. Everyone knows Doctor's shady. Got permission.
Practically danced over, special lab box in hand. Reached meat chunk. No knife. Gripped, yanked—tougher than thought. Bit down, fell back. Butt-plant, blood splash. Flesh in mouth. Swallowed secretly. Tiny amount, no change. Shame... Steal amp later.
Boxed meat, returned. Rira still there. Noticed me, turned. Whoa... scary face. What'd I do?