Raid on Sector 41 Port -3-
Raid on Sector 41 Port -3-
Families that hold magic as their symbol possess at least one symbolic magic. Symbolic magic is different from Unique Magic, which can be used from the 5th rank onward. Although the phrase 'family magic' sounds plausible, if you peel back the layers, most of it is just normal magic modified by substituting the properties the family seeks. Therefore, someone with detailed knowledge can tell the difference.
'It's certain.'
Max stared at the opponent's gun barrel and lowered his stance.
Even though he couldn't use it himself, Max, who perfectly remembered the system, was convinced that the opponent was a Steiger person even with a covered face. Even the magic that had just pierced the Shield felt familiar.
'Hornet.'
It's a Steiger shooting magic designed to maximize penetration. A magic focused on killing opponents who choose defense over evasion.
'Who is it? Judging by the output, they're also 4th rank...'
Within Steiger, 4th rank is not low. It's not a position where one would engage in something like a side job for pocket money. Various inferences flash through Max's mind.
Was the port monopoly not happening under Neptune's protection, but rather Steiger above Neptune? Could there even be someone above Steiger? What line did the Bohemian Mercenary Association take to do something like this? What's inside the container? Does that side know me?
Max gritted his teeth to forget the distracting thoughts.
'Turning my back on Steiger is something I've been thinking about continuously.'
But the fact that my father, Layton Steiger, had built a bridge with Crimsonhowl bothers me. Am I feuding with not only Steiger but also Crimsonhowl? A place meant to kill me from the start?
'No. That's self-importance for now.'
Thinking a little, it's not that. It's different. There's a gap in information that I don't know. Moreover, Layton Steiger doesn't use this method. If he were to kill his son, he would do it cold-bloodedly in front of everyone, claiming it's for the family's benefit. There's no way he would forgo a chance to prove himself and attempt a quiet disposal.
'Hoo...'
His thoughts accelerate. He recalls his father, who had tried to send him to Cheonmyeong Pharmaceutical while building a bridge with Crimsonhowl.
'There's only one conclusion.'
There's no clear answer from thinking here. Even conversation is meaningless until they're taken down.
'I'll subdue that bastard and make him spit everything out.'
Max vigorously poured magic power into his circuits. The opponent already had his hand on the trigger. Multiple magic circles were drawn on the gun barrel.
[Ripper]
Pababak!
A blade of magic power collides with bullets tearing through the air. The projectile that advances without hitting the bullets is blocked by the Shield.
'What just appeared at the gun barrel is a bullet acceleration magic circle created by Steiger.'
It's a magic called Driver within Steiger. His thinking doesn't stop, and he focuses on the opponent's actions.
—Chalk! The bolt smoothly retreated and advanced.
The equipped rifle is, as expected, a bolt-action favored by Steiger. It's an operating method that has become rare in Haze recently. Unlike Mado Myeongga Ezra, which incorporates shooting magic into rapid fire, this is Steiger's desperate measure and stubbornness from failing to solve the overload on the firearm.
'Good... If it's bolt-action, I'll push with speed and close the distance.'
At the point of knowing the opponent's magic completely, Max gains the upper hand. He slowly walks back and drops off the container. While falling, he points his finger.
[Impact Shell]
Paang!
He strikes the top of the container that had been used as a foothold until just now with a shockwave. Several crumpled containers fly toward the opponent.
The one in the combat uniform was seen leaping up. With the moon at his back, he aims the gun barrel this way.
Tadadang!
A rapid three-round burst hard to believe from a bolt-action. One bullet grazes his eye area, giving a burning sensation.
[Wire]
Predicting the opponent's landing spot, he sets a trap. Following telekinesis.
[Manipulate Hands]
An invisible hand grabs a bundle of stacked rebar and strikes the one lingering in the air.
Kkaang!
With a satisfying sound, the opponent falls to the ground, but it's hard to consider it a clean hit. He clearly defended in midair.
'He's fast at deploying Shield.'
The one hit by the chunk of iron and slammed into the ground jumps up. He even avoids the Wire set at the landing point.
'His senses seem sharp too.'
Unlike his opponent, Max, who voluntarily came down to the ground, moved his Shield and body to avoid being caught in the gun barrel. His body runs without rest, while his mind plans a way.
Taking time, he forms a system.
4th-rank telekinetic magic.
[Poltergeist]
An autonomous telekinesis that gives simple commands to a specific range. As it's magic that designates an area, precision is the worst. The downside is that even the caster doesn't know which objects will move. Therefore, it's hard to expect destructive power, but it's perfect for creating confusion.
'Here...'
Before continuing to the next, Max clears the broken Shield. He assembles a new compressed Shield and moves it along the gun barrel.
Tang! Tadang!
Using his reinforced body, he increases the firing speed to simulate rapid fire, but again it stops at three shots. 'Is the gun the problem beyond that?'
Max adds information while maintaining the stalemate and steadily closes the distance. The scattered telekinesis begins to create anomalies.
Buuuung!!! Uuuung──!!!
The trucks and vehicles parked at the harbor charge recklessly at the enemy. The driver's seats are empty.
"!?"
The one checking the vehicles, perhaps flustered, hesitates and climbs onto a container. But the container right next to him opens with a clatter, and the door strikes him.
"Keuk!"
A vehicle running at full speed crashes into the enemy pushed down.
Kudangtang!
It was a gruesome sight, but Max did not stop.
'A traffic accident isn't a fatal blow to a 4th rank. At best, minor injuries.'
The vehicles ramming continuously while rolling their wheels are jostling. The bastard will soon break out.
'I'll seize momentum with Atlas Fall. At least cause a defect in the gun...!'
As Max hurried the preparation of the magic, perhaps sensing the ominous magic power spreading across the ground, the bastard's struggle intensified. Just as he was about to complete the magic's spiral. An unknown figure broke into Max's space and swung a sword.
"!"
Urgently evading the spot. Usagi appeared at the spot where Max had been standing and blocked the blade.
Kagagak!
They push each other's blades away and create distance. Each positions themselves beside their comrade.
""...""
Max and Usagi exchanged quiet glances. It seemed they had flowed here while fighting the enemy. Usagi had quite a few wounds on her body. Even the prosthetic arm replacing her left arm shows damaged parts.
"Ah, I hate this, hate this~ I should quit fieldwork or something."
The enemy who retrieved the blade was a male with a languid voice. The opponent also seemed to have quite a few wounds like Usagi. The cyberware visible through torn clothes seems to be a model similar to Bibol's. What catches the eye most is the mark on his attire. That is not from Aqua Shell.
'A high-ranking official of Neptune?'
The sword-wielder lazily swishes his sword and saunters toward the Steiger person who escaped the Poltergeist.
"Are you alright? You said you'd go confidently, I didn't know you'd struggle like this."
"...Shut up."
The Steiger person speaks for the first time. Even though it comes out as a modulated voice, it feels irritable.
To Max, this is an extremely grateful situation. The Steiger person may think his identity hasn't been exposed, but the picture reflected in Max's eyes is different. It's a blatant display of the picture that Steiger is in line with Neptune.
"I had the impression that ninjas are weak in frontal combat, but that ninja is quite strong. Many mercenaries have been killed by that woman."
"That guy is a rare 4th-rank telekinetic."
"Uwah~ 4th rank with telekinesis? Not the kind I want to fight. Can I call it a day?"
"If you want to die, turn around. I'll put a hole in your head."
Unlike the Steiger and Neptune employee who blatantly exchange information, Max and Usagi exchange information briefly and quietly.
"Shooting magic. It's a style focused on penetration, so don't defend, evade."
"A standard swordsman with a stubborn feel different from appearances."
That was enough information about the enemy. Like the Gaia Food request, if the situation is unavoidable, he wouldn't avoid it, but Max originally didn't want to get close to a warrior of the same rank.
'Is Bibol alive? Where is he fighting? If he's alive, I want to finish this quickly before Bibol gets taken down. Regardless of whether he's alive or dead, there exists someone capable of suppressing Bibol, and if they join here, it'll be the worst.'
"Continue combat?"
"No problem."
At Max's question, Usagi says she's fine and lowers her stance. On that side, they also formed a formation with the swordsman defending the Steiger.
"I'll assist moderately with telekinesis, so take advantage of it yourself."
With a nod, Usagi steps forward. Usagi must also know that they need to reach a quick conclusion. Four people with their own fighting styles begin to move simultaneously.