Side Effects
Arclight Squad's primary synchronization for all members was complete.
"Then, shall we start the performance test?"
We gathered back in the training room and confirmed our completely transformed states through light sparring and real combat against external zombies.
The results showed that Arclight Squad's overall strength had grown far beyond before.
If our previous combat power was 1...
Now it was roughly 3?
Everything had changed that much.
At this level, the occasional zombies crossing into the Ark posed no problem at all.
And that was not all.
We could even handle them if they came in large hordes.
Plus, the synchronization device isn't a single-use item.
With more combat experience in this state, we could use the synchronization device again to upgrade their firmware.
It was as if their growth potential had opened up endlessly.
"Next, I plan to reinforce Arclight Squad's armaments."
Karen said this while analyzing Arclight Squad's data.
"Reinforce? With the Ark's resources?"
"Well... something like a minor upgrade. For example, adding a silencer to Pomen's machine gun?"
Karen eagerly shared the ideas that had come to her.
I nodded as I listened.
In our current situation, even these small improvements would more than suffice.
"Excellent, Karen. As expected from our ace engineer."
"Heehee— of course! For you, Commander, this much is...!"
Karen shrugged her shoulders, but when I patted her head, her face turned beet red, as if it might explode.
"O-Overload! The Commander's touch... ah...!"
She mumbled something incomprehensible and then froze stiff.
I shook my head with a smirk at the sight.
At that moment, Arva, who had been listening quietly from the side, spoke up softly.
"Commander. May I suggest an expedition?"
"An expedition?"
"Yes. To Hongwei-7. I propose we bring back the high-grade materials still scattered there into the Ark. Securing all those resources would greatly aid in expanding the Ark's facilities."
At her words, Karen snapped out of her daze and chimed in.
"Y-Yes! With those resources, we could further improve the synchronization device, medical facilities, defense systems...! We might even build structures with other functions."
"Hm..."
"And we might be able to create new comrades to help us."
Arva's final words made me pause in thought.
Her proposal was utterly reasonable and appealing.
Since Arclight Squad grew leaps and bounds through synchronization...
With this level of power, re-exploring Hongwei-7 was more than feasible.
Even if that futanari monster from the previous expedition reappeared, we wouldn't be scrambling anymore.
Besides, the Ark's resources had clear limits.
Infinite power might be possible with the ECHOs and this world's cutting-edge tech...
But completing that would take far too long.
In the end, to survive this hellish world, we had to secure external resources.
Above all, the mention of new comrades piqued my interest.
Arclight Squad alone can't manage everything in the Ark.
We needed more ECHOs, especially ones with diverse abilities, to boost the Ark's survival chances.
"Fine."
I gave a short reply.
At my approval, Arva looked at me with unwavering resolve, while Karen's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Prepare for the expedition. Our target is Hongwei-7. And Karen, you're coming along this time."
This was because we couldn't use Arva's abilities for material acquisition.
Having our specialist engineer along would allow us to secure the necessary resources accurately and swiftly.
"Yes, Commander!"
"Understood."
As I listened to their responses, I prepared to head to the commander's quarters to gear up with White Tiger and expedition equipment.
But Arva blocked my path.
"Commander."
"What is it?"
"Please leave this expedition to us."
"...Huh? What do you mean? Of course I'm going."
On-site command was my role.
Moreover, I had to participate in direct combat to earn Money Compass cash, which created opportunities in crises.
"No."
Arva shook her head firmly.
Her post-synchronization gaze was deeper than before, filled with unyielding determination.
"You are the heart of Ark 69. Any risk to your safety threatens the Ark's very existence. The reason we grew stronger is so you no longer need to expose yourself to danger."
"......"
I could guess what she meant.
But unlike other commanders, I couldn't just hide behind the ECHOs.
"Arva, to use the artifact..."
"Yes, I know you must enter combat yourself for that. But please entrust this expedition to us. Hongwei-7’s danger level is still unknown. Let us secure it first, then you can move."
"Hm..."
"We'll leave Noah in the Ark. Her defensive capabilities can handle any issues while you're here."
"...Alright."
I had no choice but to nod at Arva's earnest plea.
I'd miss the Money Compass cash, but she wasn't wrong.
This was a good chance to properly test the Mito Drive's effects and focus more on physical training.
"Fine, then. I'll leave this expedition to you, Arva."
"Thank you, Commander."
Arva finally looked satisfied and saluted crisply.
I felt a strange mix of affirmed authority as commander and being protected by an ECHO.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A day after Arclight Squad departed on an expedition.
An awkward peace settled over Ark 69.
Especially without Pomen, who used to pester me constantly or subtly seduce me, the command center felt empty.
To combat the emptiness, I threw myself even more into physical training.
"...It'd be nice if stats showed up like in a game."
My reflection in the mirror hadn't changed much from before.
It hadn't been long since I started exercising, so it was inevitable, but even with the forbidden drug Mito Drive, shouldn't effects start showing by now?
No matter how hard I sweated, it was hard to tell if my stamina was improving.
"Commander, your form's a bit off. Arch your back more. That way, the stimulus hits the right spot."
"Ah, got it."
I steadied my breathing at Noah's gentle voice from behind.
Noah's coaching, unlike Arva's, carried her unique meticulousness and warmth. And a danger of another kind.
"Commander?"
"Yeah?"
"You have to... move like this."
Noah pressed naturally against me to correct my posture.
Her soft, ample breasts touched my back, and through her training clothes, her warmth and scent reached me.
May Donghae Sea and Baekdu Mountain endure eternally, Namu Amida Butsu, Kwanseum Bosal.
Every time she did that, my little buddy perked up wildly.
Noah wasn't trying to tease me on purpose.
ECHOs didn't feel shame about physical contact as humans did. If anything, she was careful not to make me uncomfortable.
Besides, Noah wasn't just any ECHO to me.
[It's fine, Commander. I'm not struggling at all. My body is yours... Use it freely, as you like.]
[Did you sleep well, Commander?]
She was the Saintess who gave me lap pillows to promote sleep and even relieved my urges with handjobs or blowjobs whenever needed.
With her casually touching my body from behind like it was nothing, my lust boiling over was just a natural reaction.
"......Hm."
"Commander?"
"N-No, nothing."
"Hee hee hee. You can't focus on training. Worried about the expedition squad, I suppose?"
"Yeah."
Actually, it was your figure and the panty lines showing through your training leggings.
But I couldn't say that.
I just gave an awkward smile and nodded.
And this uncontrollable urge could only be resolved the easiest way.
"Good work, Noah. I'll go wash up first."
"Yes, Commander. I'll handle the cleanup here. What about food?"
"Don't worry. I'll make do with nutrient packs anyway."
Saying that, I left the training room, pretending to head to the showers, but I stepped outside instead.
My destination was the underground water plant.
There, Alpha would be quietly doing her job as always.
As expected, Alpha was replacing a massive pipe.
I glanced around and tapped the pipe to call her.
"Commander, you—"
Before she finished, I pulled out my already hard cock.
And shoved it straight into her mouth.
"Mmmph?!"
Alpha's eyes widened in surprise.
But she quickly caught on and started working her tongue and throat over it.
"Ngh! Mmm! C-Commander!"
After enjoying her mouth for a bit, I laid her on the cold floor, spread her legs wide, and thrust in.
"Ah, aaah—! It feels so weird!"
"Good?!"
"Y-Yes! So good! Th-This must be love?! Commander! It feels so good—!"
Alpha cried out in pleasure-mixed moans, her face lost in ecstasy.
Was it from the heated training?
Or the Mito Drive?
I didn't know, but my lust felt explosive.
I pistoned into her like a beast.
After a few desperate thrusts, Alpha arched her back like a bow, gasping raggedly.
From between her trembling legs, my milky fluid leaked out.
"......"
Normally, such an intense release would leave me tired, but why?
My erection showed no sign of softening.
"I'm not done yet, Alpha."
"C-Commander? Ah, aaah! W-Wait—! Hiiik?!"
I started thrusting roughly again.
At the renewed pistoning, Alpha clung to me, screaming moans.
I enjoyed her cries and poured everything deep inside once more.
But...
"......Hiiik?! Ngh! Ooh! Oooh?!"
"Something's really wrong here..."
Even with Alpha becoming half-broken, spewing semen from her holes, my dick was still alive and twitching for more.