A Week Flies By
A week had passed like the crack of a whip.
Yuna had successfully completed her academy lecture based on the systematic training materials and combat simulation modules she received from Nyx.
[Jinwoo! Thank you so much. With your help, the lecture went extremely well. I'll see you soon.]
The satisfaction of guiding her through every little piece of advice during nightly hologram calls and standing in as her practice partner for presentations made a faint, pleased smile curve her lips even without her noticing.
In the morning she received theoretical instruction from Nyx on combat protocols and various regulations, while in the afternoon she studied hand-to-hand combat and real-world dagger techniques in the training room.
“Not bad at all. Your movements are noticeably better than before.”
Every time Nyx corrected her stance, her body pressed snugly against Yuna’s back.
Each time a soft yet firm sensation brushed through her, Yuna found herself tensing without realizing it. Yet Nyx didn’t so much as raise an eyebrow.
Perhaps she was simply too absorbed in training, or maybe she was deliberately pretending to be unfazed.
Since that day, Nyx seemed to be making a deliberate effort to hide any personal feelings from her.
“You’ve internalized all the theory, haven’t you? I hope you’ve memorized everything.”
“Of course. I’ve already memorized it all.”
“Your words are so fluid…”
Nyx glanced at her with disbelief and muttered.
“By the way, has your mecha modification been finished yet? Scarlet said it’s almost at the final stage.”
“Seems like the two of you have gotten pretty close. You’re exchanging private contacts now?”
“We’re both going to be living here for a while anyway. What’s wrong with a girl becoming friends with another girl?”
She, Yuna, and Scarlet.
They had grown accustomed to sharing meals together every day, while Detch had quickly become close with Kaien’s soldiers and spent most of his time with them.
“Then I’ve wasted your time today as well.”
Yuna gave a light nod as she started to leave, and Nyx simply nodded once before turning away.
While walking toward the dormitory block, an urgent message arrived from Scarlet.
[Jinwoo! Where are you right now? Get to the workshop immediately!
Your Asura is finally finished!]
Yuna’s lips spread into a wide smile at the excited shout.
“Really? Okay, I’m heading over right now!”
She turned without delay and set off toward Scarlet’s workshop.
The moment she stepped inside, Scarlet greeted her with a flushed face.
Behind her stood the majestic new Asura.
“You’re here? What do you think? Impressive, right?!”
“I’ve caught only glimpses while going back and forth, but seeing the completed machine like this is incredibly moving.”
“Those leg parts, boosters, and the generator you asked me for… You really managed to get them. Tell me, who exactly is that guy you’re dating?”
“Haha… Anyway, I spent quite a bit on this one.”
The enormous reward from Gideon had practically emptied her accounts for the Asura overhaul.
Still, she felt no regret.
◈ Ground mobility and jump performance improved by 20%.
◈ 15% increase in lower-body responsiveness and stability while Kinetic Flow is active.
◈ Slightly enhanced leg durability and improved energy conduction.
◈ 15% increase in instant evasion and charging acceleration.
◈ 5% additional energy reduction for part-specific maneuvers while Kinetic Flow is active.
◈ Improved fine posture control and enhanced ground grip.
◈ 30% increase in maximum energy capacity.
◈ 20% improvement in energy supply stability and instantaneous maximum output.
◈ Maintained energy efficiency and system stabilization under high-load conditions.
Yuna nodded in satisfaction as she scanned the purchase list floating in the system window.
Some of the top-tier components Scarlet had originally requested remained locked behind unmet conditions.
Yet, true to her genius-mechanic nature, Scarlet had immediately prepared backup plans and rebuilt Asura around the optimal parts she could purchase.
“Scarlet, mind if I take her for a quick test drive? I just want to get used to the new feel and run a basic systems check.”
“Of course! The test area behind the workshop is completely empty, so hop in and give her a spin.”
Scarlet pointed to the wide open yard with a confident smile.
Yuna stepped into the cockpit of the newly born Asura without hesitation.
The hatch sealed and the familiar system boot sound echoed. The instant she gripped the controls, a sensation utterly different from before flooded every cell of her body.
She gave the throttle lever the slightest push. Asura responded as if it had read her mind, launching forward with impossibly smooth power.
After only a few minutes of testing, she could feel with every fiber of her being that Asura had become far more powerful and agile than anything she had experienced before.
“Haa… With performance like this, even a swarm of opponents should be manageable.”
Once Asura was lifted back onto the lift and she stepped out of the cockpit, Scarlet stood with arms crossed, radiating pure satisfaction.
“How is it? Amazing, right? This is Scarlet’s masterpiece!”
“Indeed. You’re the undisputed genius, Scarlet.”
She opened her personal terminal and checked her remaining credits. The balance was abysmal.
‘It looks like it’s time to top up my credits again.’
*****
In the bridge of the massive pirate flagship Crimson Tide, Admiral Belzero Karmail sat alone in her private office, chin propped on one hand as she studied a holographic star-system distribution map.
“Admiral.”
The door opened quietly and a shadow-like aide entered, bowing deeply.
“Urgent report from the Warp Hound division. The old Bugbear that blocked our path at Titan’s Grave has finally been detected with its last signal.”
Belzero’s left eyebrow rose in mild interest.
She kept her gaze fixed on the screen and asked softly.
“Oh? And where is it now?”
“According to the data, it’s in Terminus Station, Admiral.”
“Terminus Station… What kind of place is that?”
The aide immediately projected the prepared data onto the hologram and continued.
“According to confirmed records, it is an independent autonomous zone known as the sanctuary for free mercenaries within this sector.”
The aide explained with precise, calm tones.
“An absolute neutral zone where corporate and federal government influence is minimal, and where mercenaries, information brokers, and weapons smugglers gather.”
“What’s the combat strength like there?”
“It possesses advanced self-defense systems, and the average combat capability of the mercenaries stationed there is also considered significant. Small to medium corporations would be reluctant to provoke them.”
“A den of mercenaries…”
Belzero let out a satisfied chuckle and slowly stroked the hologram with her long fingernails.
The aide stepped cautiously closer and lowered his voice further.
“Admiral, there is additional information. The report from Captain Blackfang… the unidentified crimson-red custom mecha that appeared at the Nova Seed heist.”
“Go on.”
“After comprehensive analysis of fragmentary combat data and contextual evidence from the Warp Hound side, the pilot of that mecha is the same one who piloted the Bugbear we tracked.”
The aide stated firmly.
“In other words, the probability that it is the target we are currently pursuing is extremely high.”
Belzero’s eyes flashed with sudden sharpness.
“Primary armament includes a pile bunker alongside a high-output particle-accelerator rifle for long-range armor penetration.”
“A pile bunker… and a particle-accelerator rifle…”
Belzero’s lips slowly parted in what seemed like savoring a delicious catch.
“Have we obtained the combat recording data?”
“Of course, Admiral.”
The aide quickly manipulated his terminal. A vivid replay of the intense battle unfolded across Belzero’s massive hologram screen.
She watched in silence for a long moment, then gave a faint nod of satisfaction.
The aide cautiously asked for the next course of action.
“Should we immediately prepare the fleet and dispatch a reconnaissance and intimidation force to Terminus Station?”
Belzero slowly shook her head.
“Not yet. The time isn’t right.”
She waved her hand lazily.
Her finger tapped the holographic image of the shabby Bugbear from Titan’s Grave.
‘How the hell did a spherical Bugbear destroy Aegis…? I still can’t believe it even when I see it with my own eyes. And where did he use that precious Atlas V Graviton Damper? That rare piece of junk.’
No news of the graviton damper ever appearing at any black-market auction.
‘Could he have installed it on that scrap Bugbear and modified it for the crimson machine?’
A curious smile touched the corner of Belzero’s mouth.
“Aide.”
“Yes, Admiral.”
“I’ll have to move personally. I’ll head straight to that Terminus Station.”
The aide’s expression hardened like stone.
He stared at her in heavy silence for a moment, his eyes filled with deep concern and a fierce determination to stop whatever plan she had in mind.
After a long pause, the aide finally spoke with great difficulty.
“Admiral… please, reconsider. It is far too dangerous for you to move personally.”
“Dangerous…? How long has it been since I’ve heard that word. It might actually make a nice change of pace.”
“Even though your face is not widely known, making a solo approach without any escort is extremely risky.”
Despite the aide’s earnest plea, Belzero’s black eyes remained completely unmoved.
“Must I really take such a risk for you to act alone, Admiral?”
“Yes. I must confirm it myself.”