Meat Shield Reporting for Duty
"Hello. This is the meat shield."
"Truly astonishing... A perfect score."
The examiner checked the test results with a dazed expression.
Heh, of course it's an obvious result.
How many cadavers do you think this body of mine has encountered? Though, of course, not in this world!
"Even typical adults can't solve these problems this easily... You're truly remarkable."
Despite the examiner's praise, the doctor made no reply.
To outward appearances, it seemed like arrogant certainty that his child should naturally perform at this level... But I'd spent so long with the doctor that I could instantly read his true thoughts.
He's in a bad mood.
Not some grumpy toad or anything—just admit it when someone's done well. Staring without a word was just plain childish...
Ah... Reality's hitting hard all of a sudden. Did I really get utterly screwed over by a guy like this, down to my bone marrow?
The doctor in the game was trash, sure, but he had that villainous charm... This was just an irredeemable personality wreck.
They say perspective changes how you see people, but this felt a bit much.
"Is something wrong, perhaps?"
The examiner uncle was a real nice guy. Anyone could see that face begging for a slap.
"No, it's nothing."
The doctor spun on his heel. He grabbed my hand and led me away, clearly done with the place.
This was enough to drive anyone mad.
Act a little dumb and I'd be scrapped for disobeying orders. Act smart to play into his delusions, and he throws a tantrum.
Whose tune was I supposed to dance to? Doctor, answer me. We've even reached that quiet spot you love so much.
"How did you know?"
Ugh, with my brainwashing, if you omit the subject like that, how am I supposed to understand...?
This guy's gripping my hand hard? Planning to crush a fragile beauty's hand?
"How did you get every question right? I certainly didn't teach you that knowledge."
Huh? Was I wrong? Did he actually want me to fail this time?
"Answer quickly...!"
Mommy, why the sudden yelling?
"I already knew it."
"What?"
What am I supposed to do about already knowing it!
"It was all content I already knew."
"Planning to play dumb again...?"
The doctor's finger poked my temple repeatedly.
Ow ow, it didn't really hurt, but it stung my heart? Pushing a delicate girl like this was hurtful.
"I'm not asking how you got it right—I'm asking how you knew. You're so clever at other tasks, yet you answer my questions like an idiot. What's the reason? Yeah, it's mockery, right? Just like that bitch who sneered at me every day, 'You don't even know this much?' You think I wouldn't notice! You think I'd fall for that clumsy deception!!"
Ugh, my head's spinning. If this messes up my brain, will you take responsibility?
Not that I was ever that smart to begin with!
Suddenly, the doctor raised his hand high.
No way, for real? You gonna swing that?
He's really gone all the way.
...Fine, whatever. I'll take one hit. It won't hurt anyway—just a bit of bad mood.
"Doctor."
-Slap!
"I have... a report."
...Why was Emma here? And wasn't that timing way too awkward? No matter how you look at it... she timed it to let me get hit on purpose?
"Emma... What is this?"
"I'm reporting."
"Disgusting test subjects throwing twin tantrums."
Wasn't it? Or was it? That looked exactly like brainwashed Emma as usual.
Hmm, I give up. I'll just look up at him with a dumb expression like he wants.
Mouth slightly open, eyes wide as saucers.
Huh~ Doctor's words are hard, dummy Nera doesn't get anything~
The doctor was still fuming—whether at my expression or something else, his fist started trembling.
He might burst into tears soon.
"Hah... Fine. Brainwashed fools acting dumb isn't new. Wasting emotions here is just a loss."
Whoa, acting all mature now. But those glaring eyes of yours see us as less than human, huh?
I knew it all along, but you're even more pathetic than I imagined, Doctor.
"So, what is it?"
"Nera's military academy graduation record has been registered."
"I see. Leave."
"Yes."
...Me? I've never gone to school. Especially not a military academy.
No, wait—he really plans to make me a soldier?
Hmm... No matter how I think about it, the doctor's gone insane.
Four years passed.
I thought: I'll just spend my life doing research like this!
Not even real research, honestly. It felt like doing 9-year jigsaw puzzles.
No big changes in daily life otherwise.
Yeah, that brief taste of the outside world had scattered like a midsummer night's dream.
Ugh, such a tease. I wanna go out.
Oh right—I was still 150cm. Hadn't grown a single centimeter! Impressive growth curse!
...Whatever, what's the point of height? I'd traded dozens of centimeters for perfect biological adaptation as Nera—no real loss.
Anyway, I was itching to escape this tiresome forty-something's—wait, fifty-something now?—lap.
Ugh, old man smell.
Events should be starting soon... or was it another year? Anyway.
"Nera. Look here."
Yes sir, what's it today? Haven't heard from you in ages.
Don't tell me... the event I've been waiting for?
"This is the unit you'll join."
Uh... Pardon?
"You'll enter 1st Squad as an inspector enforcer."
Said it like it was set in stone. As if you have the authority... well, you do. Hardliner-backed genius lab director.
Sigh.
But 1st Squad? That's a monster den of mission maniacs, a hellscape!
And that test was for this? Why not say so then?
Spilling it now like some gracious favor—what's the deal?
Ah... I get it perfectly! You're doing it on purpose, right?!
This bastard... figured out I'm faking it all along?
You know you're doomed anyway, so you can act all bold!!
"You'll collect cadaver samples there. Guardian's already on track, but we need more groundbreaking ones. 1st Squad should provide plenty."
Ah... Suddenly a corpse collector.
But can you just haul external cadaver bodies around like that? What if a pandemic breaks out in the sector!
Wait, corpses are already everywhere here. So all the samples I've consumed were like that?
"Your target is cadavers at activation index 4.0 stage or higher minimum. Anything less is meaningless for Guardian. Perfect timing—their 3rd Squad supplier died, so you can take that role."
Ha, really. Mister—no, Grandpa! Sorry, but I'm better at research!!
I got that freak to 5.3 stage with my combo recipes, right? And now you're discarding me like a used rag to the frontlines?
I'm only 2.5 stage. Wait, supplies slowed lately—ah, that explains it.
Now it's my job? No wonder the event triggered a year early.
"Go. You'll live there from now on."
Ah... bitter... I wanted this, but why does it feel so shitty?
This feels like being thrown away.
Just incinerate me already—instead, you're sucking me dry to the marrow.
Wait, at 2.5 stage, what's even left for marrow?
Thinking again—it's just a demotion!!
Aigoo, my life—barely rose to research assistant, and now straight back to meat shield!!
Fine, live well and eat well from now on.
I trudged along, strength drained.
Strange mood. No, utterly filthy mood.
I decided to play along, but reenlistment? Too far.
Aaah~ 1st Enforcer Squad—how drill-sergeant tight is the discipline? Nauseating just imagining.
Nera's a girl, you know? Girls in the army?
Oh, apocalypse world. Kids not even adults attend military academy—what can I say.
Still, this is different. At least give me something to pack.
He's making his dislike so obvious. All I got: one outfit and an account in my name.
Whoa~ So light, easy to move~ Bouncing sky-high with each step.
Even the clothes were from Emma. Doctor didn't order it, but she handed over the suit anyway.
Maybe to leave a strong impression.
Emma... how far do you go...?
Hmm, but the suit looked awful on me. Like a middle-schooler playing dress-up in mom's clothes.
Added glasses and a ponytail—barely passable.
Wonder how much in the account? Gave me enough to live decently since I helped, right?
[1,000,000]
...Has he lost his mind?
A million—who's nose is this for? Bathhouse fees and basic food might last a month.
But is that a human life?
Since I'll die soon anyway, no point wasting it?
You're the lab director—surely you have money! Kraaak!
Fine, 1st Squad means frequent missions—no time to spend anyway. Ha ha ha.
But I have no idea where I'm going?
Not directionally challenged, but this terrain's weird. Same road, but split into floors 1, 2, 3.
Cyberpunk confirmed?
Eventually, after wrong turns, I reached the enforcer 1st Squad building.
But this feels like a regular police station, not a military base.
Really the right place? Expected tanks—at least a deuce-and-a-half truck.
Just fancy cars and a few guards...
People live here? Did I arrive too late and they shipped out?!
Then what about me? Desertion?!
"Oh, you're here. Heard a young inspector lady was transferring in. Everyone's waiting on the 3rd floor—take your time going up~"
Whoa, thanks gramps. Sniff sniff, Nera's so happy she's crying. World can be warm...
But kinda disappointing. Desertion meant I could've bolted guilt-free. Darn.
Hmm, bonded now—can't run and stain the guard grandpa's honor.
Newbie incoming~!
–Thud!!
"Captain! It's obviously the doctor's lackey—why take her? Just leave her!"
"It's an order from above."
Huh? Doctor's screwed.
Thud! Thud!
"Chief and captain both confirmed it! What those guys are up to! That inspector coming today—is she even human?!"
Of course she's human! Heh heh, what nonsense.
"Saw those parasites in their heads? That gross maggoty bug. They call it cadaver stuff! How do you treat them as people? Inspector? Don't make me laugh!"
Sigh, that girl's hysterical again.
Know what? 1st Squad members are fixed.
Captain changes, but squadmates are always Rira and Nova.
The raging woman's Rira. Calling him "Captain" (he's actually a captain, lieutenant?), no respect in her tone—definite.
Free atmosphere good? Loose discipline bad? Wait, I benefit?
Hee hee, write complaint letters galore—get demoted.
But more important: Doctor! Everyone knows?!
Thought Central Sector hadn't caught on to you being the villain—but they all know you're the black!
This isn't thorns—it's the execution block!
What's the difference from the incinerator? Can I survive here?
Sudden insubordination charges, shoot me on bogus claims?
"Rira, calm down. You should rest."
Hmm, captain's getting her meds.
Not metaphor—he probably means actual meds. 'Cause Rira really has mental issues.
Rira lost both parents to cadavers as a kid. Classic PTSD tale. Especially in apocalypse.
-Click clack.
Cool heel sounds. But why's the med-fetcher coming this way?
"Welcome to 1st Squad."
...You knew?
So embarrassing, stop talking. Hee hee.
Slowly raised my head. Checked his face.
Wonder who the captain is this time. Heart pounding?!
"...Carlos?"
"You know me? No, it'd be weirder if you didn't. Yes, I'm Carlos. But since you're in 1st Squad now, calling me Captain Carlos would be appreciated."
Gotta say it even if weird.
Why am I even here?