New Magic
"Why do these guys seem like they're from a Neonic subsidiary?"
The moment Enoch finished speaking, his Hod implant sparked with electricity. His nerves accelerated, muscles contracting. In a world where everything slowed, Enoch threw a punch. Not at the face, but the gut. He couldn't risk accidentally exploding the head, so he chose the safest spot.
Thwack!― He shut down the target's Hod before the fist connected. A heavy thud echoed in his ears. Right beside him, a mercenary with covered eyes twisted in agony. Angela's hack at work. Eye reboot? Or neural overload. Not that it mattered much.
The important thing was Angela made subduing them way easier.
> Mark on the right shoulder.
Enoch's fist slammed into the mercenary's nape. As the limp body crumpled, a surging katana blade appeared behind it. The moment the target's Hod reactivated, Enoch drew Mugeuk.
> Marco Tech. Ran into them in the Wasteland once.
The katana sliced clean off. Enoch instantly reversed his grip on Mugeuk, flat side down, and smashed the mercenary's neck.
"So?"
> Thought it was weird back then... Urgh, right rear.
Enoch didn't even turn. He thrust his arm back. Thunk― His wrist snapped, barrel ejecting. Bang! A rubber bullet fired without hesitation.
> Makes sense now. Angela, sniper in the fifth container left.
Angela's eyes glowed blue. Soo, about to toss a pebble just in case, nodded in satisfaction. Far off, the frantically reloading sniper convulsed and slumped.
> Too many for simple guards. Weapons are top-tier too. Last one's in the third row back, blue container.
Enoch kicked off without pause, swinging Mugeuk. The steel container split like tofu. Inside, a woman clutched a trunk bigger than herself.
"Wh-what the―"
Enoch ruthlessly kicked her jaw. Crack! She passed out hugging the trunk, no scream escaping.
> And that trunk.
"...Neonic's logo."
> Yup. But it's not out on the market yet.
At a glance, it was like a portable safe. Could Mugeuk cut it? Probably. It was repulsor-based, after all. But no need to test. Who knew what was inside. Could be a bomb.
"This the target?"
"Yup."
A gust made Enoch shiver. Soo had snuck up behind him.
"What's so special?"
"Piece of magic, I think."
Soo's pupils slit vertically. Her tail slipped out, gently tapping the trunk. Solid. Warm. Whatever was inside, this mercenary guarded it like her life. Had to be something Neonic needed supplied. What would implant-and-cyberweapon giant Neonic crave from the Wasteland? Magic, obviously.
Soo reached out without hesitation. Her razor-sharp nails sank softly into the trunk. The other hand too. Then she twisted both.
The trunk began tearing slowly. Miki and Angela, following Enoch, gawked. Miki at the tail, Angela at Soo's visible panties―no pants.
"Huh? Th-that? Tail? Why? There? What?!"
"S-Soo! Why no pants?! And those trunk panties?!"
Enoch sighed in relief. Standing in front, he luckily missed it. If he'd been behind... God, no thanks.
"Pants snag on tail. Uncomfy."
"Still! No way. Tomorrow morning, shopping with sis. Panties too!"
"Yeeeah... hassle."
Soo half-assed the reply, splitting the trunk. The heat leaking out intensified. Crimson light seeped from within, dyeing her silver-gray hair sunset-orange.
"Ah."
A short sound escaped Soo. Admiration? Or regretful sigh?
At least we found it.
Wind blew. Not the usual cool breeze―warm, rough. Her sunset hair fluttered. Her free hand grabbed the tear. Crunch― The trunk warped. Her tail wedged in, widening the gap.
Fire, as expected.
Mana sparks hadn't lied. A hum reached her ears―man's song, their greeting to her.
Pop―Crack― The trunk tore fully. Soo's cute tongue licked her lips. Tail thumping excitedly on the ground. What if it hit? How to dodge a swing?
As Enoch pondered uselessly, Soo withdrew her hand from the trunk. A small stone in her pale palm. No ordinary pebble. How could one emitting soft light and fireflies be?
"...What is that?"
"Magic piece."
"Soo, so that's..."
"Yup. Magic."
Soo beamed. The stone in her hand crumbled to ash. But her smile lingered.
"Imperfect, but new magic anyway."
A tiny flame, like a lighter's, flickered from her fingertip.
"Coulda just hidden from the start, no?"
"Found magic."
"Finding magic means profit? Or showed cuz we found it?"
"Both."
Noise cloaking the four swirled heart-shaped. Like Soo's mood.
"Enoch, light ya up?"
"Quit smoking."
"Smells like cigs."
"Five hours clean."
"When ya restart?"
"Dunno."
"Tell me then. I'll light it."
Noise hid Enoch's face, but his grumpy sigh said it all. Probably eyebrow twitch, glaring at Soo.
"Why cigs? Other stuff too."
"Can't light you on fire."
"Drop Miki, smoke one."
"Kay."
Soo slowed to match Miki, poking her side.
"Miki."
"...Tail? No, yeah?"
Miki, tail-shocked and magic-witnessing, was spaced out. No wonder―Soo's tail wasn't implant, no matter how you looked. Felt alive, cool-warm-soft... Wrapping her waist? Tears galore. Ground-thumping quakes. Could snap a waist easy. Plus, Miki feared tails since kid-lizard nightmare. All wriggly tails scary now.
"Tell Topher everything. Better if you do."
"...Why?"
"Topher's coming back to Eden."
"Coming? Oppa... chased by Luthien?"
"That's why he's coming."
All eyes on Soo at her short reply.
"...Soo?"
"Soo, what're you..."
Her face invisible in Noise. Even without, meaningless. She'd say it anyway.
"Didn't mention, huh."
Everyone knew her expression. Probably her usual lazy smile.
"Gonna smash Luthien."
Night sky dark, surroundings quiet. Faint moonlight beyond hazy clouds, rusty container-yard stench―reality's proof. Without, might seem dream. Or wish it was.
"Tell Topher, Miko then. Miki too. Come watch if ya want."
Fights are funnest to spectate. Soo said, tossing a pebble to smash a fence CCTV. Noise vanished. Fresh wind followed her steps. Streetlamps stretched their shadows long. Soo hopped hers, spinning.
"Bye Miki."
Lazy smile, as expected.
"Had fun thanks to you."
Clean goodbye with Miki. Short time, but eventful―surprisingly crisp farewell. Soo showed no regret. Turned back excited.
"Meet again someday. Curious what you'll be like."
Heading to bound Marco Tech staff.
"What now with these? Sketchy to release."
They'd seen Angela, Enoch, even Mugeuk. More reason not to.
"Angela, wipe data?"
"Just our info?"
Angela nodded readily. Couldn't erase memory, but nano-computer data yes. Marco Tech employees, Neonic sub or not. No Neonic ICE, no unique firewall. Hack succeeded in clash. Used-and-discarded Neonic mercs. No data? They won't be believed. No hack traces left. Or simpler: stole Neonic goods. Dead men walking.
So...
Angela eyed Soo. Vs. taking stuff―er, relocating justly―Soo avoids killing without reason. Same here.
"To Serena."
"Luthien?"
"Yup. They know anyway."
Back to Neonic? Dead. Obvious. Hide elsewhere, find shelter. Eden merc survival 101.
"Less suspicion, yeah."
"Might even like it?"
Enoch, Angela nodded. Introduce Southpeak bodyguard firm, hand over Neonic-collab staff. Too good to pass, suspicions or not.
"When handover?"
"Now."
Soo tapped headset, waving.
"Hi, Lena."
"Lovely dawn."
Her hair soaked, fresh from waking shower. 3AM wash? Busy girl. Connector and corp life.
Soo showed the seven downed.
"Beat Marco Tech guys, turns out Neonic sub. Help."