Red Scourge (1)
And right at that moment, while I was staring at the gallery post basically saying 'You're fucked now.' and feeling all flustered...
A window related to the linked event popped up right in front of me, like it was finally time.
'...How the hell is this the event message for a branch chief of an evil empire aiming for world conquest?'
It offered choices that seemed straight out of a hero's playbook, with a whole 'be a savior!' vibe.
Thinking back to the reactions from the other Kim Sseupungs, I couldn't help but wonder if we newcomers to the planet could even handle it.
But that doubt didn't last long.
"Doctor, what do you plan to do about this rescue request?"
"Hmm? What do you think?"
"Answering a question with another question? How sly."
"???"
"To cut to the chase: success is great, but failure would derail our Milano branch setup from the start."
"High risk, high return, got it."
"Exactly."
I'd pegged Elena as a sharp-tongued critic, but she dropped a random pun out of nowhere before explaining further.
She skipped some details since it was long-winded, but the gist was: protecting those settlers lets us neutralize early planetary government scrutiny and fold them into our Milano-V branch.
Setting aside the Kim Sseupungs' warnings, we had no real choice but to go along with the main storyline anyway.
Plus, considering Demonia Empire's policy—world conquest goals and villainous name aside—of only caring about results, no matter what...
I decided to rescue the panicking settlers broadcasting distress everywhere and neatly convert them into my new assistants.
Of course, as obvious as it sounds, I probably don't need to mention it, but...
Once we accepted the rescue and actually deployed, clashing directly with whatever bug? lizard? Red Scourge troops were there wasn't my expertise.
"Charge, Unit 1! Body slam!"
"Heh heh heh. So, protect the residents who'll become the doctor's new test subjects and assistants from the Red Scourge horde and bring them back. Understood."
"...Yeah, exactly!"
"Even when you explain it like mush, they get it perfectly. Every time, I marvel at your test subjects, Doctor."
The actual combat fell to the ones who'd been with me from the start by setting—or more precisely, the Chimera soldiers and officers enhanced by 'past me's' modifications (the Demonia Empire support troops were just regular special forces otherwise).
My influence on the frontline fighting? Sitting safe in the stealth destroyer, watching the footage from the Chimera unit.
"What now, Doctor?"
"Nothing we can do. Fetch the popcorn, Assistant Elena!"
"..."
The unexpected part? I'd bought into the Kim Sseupungs' talk and figured the Red Scourge were some insanely powerful force.
So I was inwardly praying, 'Please don't die, for fuck's sake,' hoping no bullshit bad luck hit us right out the gate.
And from what the Kim Sseupungs said, these were bug race + reptilian + infection gimmick mashups straight out of every game ever.
Why Red Scourge Fucking Sucks (1).txt
These bastards must've been inspired by every damn SF trope under the stars.
The basic soldiers we see in quests/events have all the shitty 'space monster' traits crammed in.
For starters, commie-drip acid blood they call 'commie plasma.'
They've got internal bones and chitin shells like armor on top.
Plus claws that shred modern alloy plating if swung right, and muscles that mulch tigers or any big land predator.
If they show up early when you're clueless about science, even 100 of our grunts focusing fire and turtling won't save you—heads roll easy.
Hell, they break through, rip throats, and snowball's fucked when you need early growth.
So don't rush in to block 'em early. Hang back, let planet gov vs. Red Scourge dual it out, then scavenge—that's the meta.
Each unit with razor claws, spraying commie blood, tough shells, killer muscles, and mobility...
No wonder you'd go 'Fuck, these are brutal.' Even our 'Ziga-kyop' dude said as much.
But that thought didn't last.
-Crunch, crack! Splorch!
-"Eeeek, eee?"
-"Kill everything except the settlers. That's an order."
-"Gaaaaah!"
-"Time to repay the Doctor's grace!"
Unlike my worries, the 30 Chimera soldiers and 3 officers hopped a small shuttle from the destroyer to the site.
Then they dove in like divine judgment, shredding the Red Scourge horde attacking the settlers' truck convoy—pure 'rampage' incarnate.
I'd been thinking, 'Others have 100 troops, why only 50 for us?' after Ziga-kyop's post.
But seeing our unexpectedly OP allies wipe the Red Scourge in seconds? Sensational rush.
And since the whole thing streamed live to our ship's database...
"My test subjects are the best! Insane strength!"
"A victory of loyalty."
I edited the footage 'lightly'—cut sensitive bits, kept only my minions' badass montage—and posted it to the gallery for bragging.
The Kim Sseupungs' reactions soon after...
Our Soldiers Are Insane! Too Good!!!
Video of Chimera soldiers mulching Red Scourge troops
Good enough to pass as a dead legend's epic montage?
Red Scourge, take that! Take that! Ta-take thaaat!!
Very satisfying responses for me.