Horizon Ho (4) - The Cyborg's Onslaught

Lifting his head, Han Seongjin saw the notification floating before his eyes. His Intermediate Dagger Skills had leveled up.

It's only natural, really. After a fight like that.

From his experience, traits leveled up the more you used them.

"Hoo..."

Steadying his breath, he glanced at the man collapsed on the floor. This guy had been stronger than your average superhuman. Among the enemies he'd encountered since arriving in this world, this one ranked near the top.

If his underling's this tough, just how strong is the boss?

He probably couldn't even dream of taking him down in close quarters. An energy weapon's firepower felt more crucial than ever.

Retrieving his dagger, he stepped out. His eyes caught the rifle he'd discarded earlier, jammed with a bullet casing.

Tap, tap.

"What a piece of shit gun."

He tossed the rifle aside. No matter how much he smacked it, it wouldn't fire again. Shoving aside his regret, he headed toward the corpse of the enemy Nelson had shot down.

The enemy's body came into view. He grabbed the man's rifle and slung it over his back. On the corpse's back was a futuristic rifle with a handle, trigger, and energy coil instead of a barrel.

Flipping the body over, he pulled the weapon free. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The moment he gripped the rifle, a heavy metallic sensation and low vibration hummed through his hand. It was obviously no ordinary gun.

The problem was, he had no knowledge of energy weapons. No clue how to use it.

Grab it for now. There's a trigger—pulling it should make it obvious.

Slingshotting the rifle onto his back, he moved toward Nelson, who was sitting with his back against a container. Bullet marks scarred the plates of his bulletproof vest.

"Senior."

"You get him?"

"Yeah. Tough bastard, but yeah."

Nelson's face relaxed briefly at that.

"Phew... Good thing. Raiding the armory was the right call. Without this vest, I'd be gone."

Kneeling, Han checked Nelson's condition. No major wounds thanks to the vest, but the impact could easily have cracked ribs.

"Breathing okay?"

"Stings a bit, but I can move."

"Glad to hear it. Now it's just the boss left. Take him down, and we're in the clear."

Nelson's expression brightened slightly.

"Yeah. We can ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠make it out alive."

Once the boss was down, there'd be no more threats on this ship. From his experience and the info he'd gathered, sea monsters rarely messed with anything bigger than themselves. And this ship's beam was dozens of meters wide, its length stretching hundreds.

Even in the ocean, few monsters are bigger than this. Even a kraken would be smaller.

No way to call for rescue from outside, but that wasn't a big issue. The voyage lasted about a month, with several stops along the way. If the ship didn't show at even one scheduled port, outsiders would notice something was wrong. A missing ship on the route—they'd search, send rescue teams. Just hold out until then.

Of course, all that only matters if we take down the boss first.

He gripped the energy rifle tight. The boss was a cyborg superhuman. Bullets probably wouldn't work. That's where this would shine.

"Senior, you have that ultrasonic pistol, right?"

"Yeah. Keeping it safe right here."

Nelson drew the pistol, green light seeping from it, and showed it to him. It had one shot left.

"Hope it works on the boss."

"It will. Unless his brain's solid steel."

"...Hmm."

Would it, though? From feel, the pistol's range was about 7 meters. As a handgun, its ultrasonic power was weak. Ultrasonic weapons got stronger up close, so point-blank might work, but...

Honestly, in that situation, what's the point of a pistol?

Then Nelson asked, "That thing an energy weapon?"

"Yeah. No idea how it works, but you know?"

"Lemme see."

Handing over the rifle, Nelson examined it closely.

"Energy weapons aren't that complicated. Same deal—flip the power, pull the trigger, it fires."

Fiddling with it, Nelson spoke up.

"...Needs a fingerprint to power on."

"Fingerprint?"

"Yeah. That's normal. The firepower's insane—anyone could use 'em, it'd be chaos."

"You know a lot about energy weapons?"

"Not tons, just a bit. Before this job... I was a tech guy."

News to him. It hit Han how little he'd cared about his teammate's past. Though Nelson didn't know his either, so it was mutual.

"Cut off a finger from one of 'em?"

"Wonder if it'll read a corpse's print..."

It didn't. The rifle stayed dead.

"Fuck. Might as well be scrap metal."

"......"

So much for a good counter to that cyborg—they could only use it. Now they were stuck with guns and throws that might or might not work.

"No choice. Ditch it."

Nelson sighed regretfully, hurling the energy rifle far away before standing.

"Now then..."

Han took a deep breath. Last one standing.

"Time to prep. The boss is coming."

"...Right."

Nelson's face hardened with resolve.

The tall man he'd fought had been on the radio—probably with the boss. Factoring in fight time, the boss was likely close by now.

Han closed his eyes again, ears perked. Best way to detect enemies in a space like this.

Whoooosh.

Sounds flooded in like shards. He sifted for the enemy's.

He's huge. Footsteps'll be heavy.

Then—

Thud, thud.

Here he comes.

Heavy footsteps. Not far. Han snapped into combat stance. Or tried to.

Shwoooosh!!

"!!!"

A red beam screamed toward them!

"Dodge!!"

He rolled aside on instinct.

KABOOOM!!

The beam grazed his spot, flames erupting as molten container metal sprayed like fireworks!

Definitely him. The boss. Han raised his rifle instantly.

Whirr.

A red glow pierced the distant dark. There he was.

"Hmph... Quick reflexes. You're the one who took down Kallen?"

A massive silhouette, flesh grotesquely fused with metal, emerged from between containers. His right arm—pure metal, glowing red—cooled slowly. Bare-handed. The heat from his arm, the beam—it had come from there, no doubt. But he couldn't assume energy manipulation superpowers. Tech could do that too.

Clinging to faint hope, he aimed at the flesh part and fired.

Thud!

Even hitting non-metal, the bullet crumpled off harmlessly.

"......"

Body enhancement type. Confirmed. Situation was dire. Mental or energy types might've had a shot. Enhancers had no variables. Every one he'd met shrugged off bullets. A cyborg? Forget it.

The giant smirked mockingly at the shots.

...He's laughing?

"Kek. Giving me a massage?"

Mocking voice. Rage surged, but he held it.

"That energy rifle. You guys had it, right? Bring it here. Got a prize for ya."

"What prize?"

"Painless one-shot death."

"......"

The cyborg tapped a container idly.

"No idea of its power? This steel's nothing—thousands of plates easy. Fire it, and this ship gets a big hole. That's how I'll kill you."

"Bullshit. Eat shit yourself."

Middle finger to the boss, then to Nelson: "Senior, fall back. You're in the way."

"...Got it."

Seeing bullets fail, Nelson retreated into the shadows fast.

"Kekeke. Like that..."

The boss crouched. Han tensed every nerve. His mind raced for a way out, digging through past memories—game and real—for weaknesses.

"Come on!"

The massive body charged like lightning. Han ditched the rifle. Useless.

Bamut charged, swinging a fist. Han dodged and slammed one into his jaw.

Thwack!

Ng!

Like punching iron—Han's body hesitated.

Vrrr!

Bamut's right arm cylinder whirred, unleashing a barrage of punches. Han leaned back, retreating, dodging. A fist grazed his nose by a millimeter—blood trickled. One hit, and he'd be mush.

Dodging another, he slipped under, dropped low, grabbed the arm, hooked a foot, twisted his hip, yanked.

Whoosh!

"Oh ho?"

The giant's body lifted airborne. Then—

Swish!

"?!"

Midair, Bamut twisted his waist. Hips rotated diagonally, legs arcing in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a semicircle, landing firm.

Thud!

Han's jaw dropped at the unreal acrobatics.

"...Ridiculous."

"Not bad."

Thwack!

"Guh!"

Bamut's left fist buried in Han's gut. Massive force hurled him into a container.

Crash!

"Get up. Entertain me more."

"Grgh... Raaah!!"

Dagger out, Han charged.

Clang!

The blade aiming for Bamut's throat shattered like a toothpick on steel.

Whoosh!

Bamut swung his right arm. Han sidestepped, seized the wrist, rolled back, hooked legs over shoulder and side, wrenched with all his might.

But Bamut lifted his arm lightly, as if Han weighed nothing. Hoisting him one-handed, he smashed Han into surrounding containers.

Bam!

Kabam!

Crunch!

"Argh...!"

Crushed repeatedly against containers by raw power. Blood poured from Han's split scalp.

Creak.

But he didn't let go—squeezed harder.

"...Look at this guy."

Bamut saw madness-fueled obsession in Han's eyes. He cocked his left fist, smashed it at Han. Blood sprayed as Han rolled free fast.

"!"

Bamut pursued instantly, snatched Han mid-roll, slammed him down.

KABOOM!

"Ngh!"

Bamut's bulk bore down. Han dodged the incoming right fist, grabbed it. His legs shot up fast. Knee dug into Bamut's neck, other leg clamped over, ankles locking like chains behind the knee. Han poured every ounce into his thighs.

"Gr...k!"

The steel plate on Bamut's neck bent faintly, causing slight discomfort. Feeling it, Bamut glared down.

Impossible.

Blood streamed from his head, bones fractured from countless container slams. Yet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this man showed no loss of will.

Tsking, Bamut said, "I'll give you that. You're one crazy bastard."

With that, he arched his waist. Han's body lifted high. Bamut slammed him down.

KABOOOM!!

"Grah...!"

Devastating slam. Legs loosened; Han crumpled. Still, he staggered up.

Insane tenacity.

Thud! Bam!

"Guhk!"

Bamut kicked him flying into another container. Han crashed down.

Bamut approached slowly.

"You're the best I've faced. No one's come close."

To him, no one had traded blows like this without breaking. Most begged after one punch; cocky superhumans submitted. Years ago, an A-rank hero nearly killed him, but that guy was S-rank now. S-ranks weren't human. If Han had submitted meekly, Bamut might've recruited him to the underworld.

But instinct told him no. This man wouldn't serve under anyone. Look—he was rising again.

Bamut decided to erase him completely. No loose ends.

Crunch!

"Grraaah!!"

Stomped Han's leg, shattering it. Horrid snap echoed.

Whoosh! Bam!

Grabbed the collar, hurled him far. Han rocketed straight into a container. Bamut scooped up a nearby energy rifle.

Whirr.

Fingerprint scan activated it. Vast energy charged the barrel.

"Die."

Power-up hummed; blue light leaked from barrel seams. Rifle aimed at Han.

Then—

Whirr!

"Ngh!"

While Bamut focused on Han, Nelson whipped out the ultrasonic pistol and fired at his face. Pulse hit dead-on; giant froze briefly.

Fraction of a second—under half. But enough for Nelson.

"Raaah!"

Nelson tackled Bamut full-force. Arm wavered; aim shifted.

KABOOOOOM!!

BOOM!!!

Blue beam erupted, slashing diagonally through floor and wall. Destroying all in its path. Glow faded; ozone stench filled the air, massive scars gouged into containers and hull.

"You fucker..."

Thwack!

"Gahk!"

Enraged, Bamut punched Nelson flying into the distance, motionless.

"Shit!"

Energy rifles needed long reloads. Bamut set it down, activated his mechanical arm at Han. Or tried.

Rumble.

Started like the ship inhaling deeply. Low, long vibration, metal screaming.

Then—

KABOOOOM!!!

The space collapsed. Red-hot support beams, wrecked by the energy rifle, buckled at their limit, folding and snapping.

Dozens—no, hundreds—of containers atop them toppled in chain reaction.

KrakaBOOM!!

BAM!!

CRUNCH!!

Tons of steel boxes tumbled, shoving each other. Containers crushed containers; shockwaves rippled through the entire hold.

"Ngh?!"

Bam!

Crunch!

KABAM!!

It didn't stop. Supports gone, structures failed, dragging more in domino cascade. Steel rain poured down relentlessly.