Overwhelming
Overwhelming
Immediately after finishing the contact with headquarters.
Cheonrang took care of the fallen Jeoga.
{Jeoga! Can you fight?!}
{...Ugh. Cheonrang... I am, fine.}
There was no way he was fine. Having taken a sonic-speed impact head-on, Jeoga was struggling even to stand up.
Jeoga tried to lift his machine up again and again, only to collapse. It was a concussion. Heukjo's sharp intent tore through the Afterglow Field.
{...Cheonrang. I will kill that bastard.}
Heat boiled in his previously flat voice.
{He killed Cheolgyeon, and now even Jeoga! Right now, let's concentrate our firepower and—}
{Heukjo.}
Cheonrang cut him off.
{Calm down.}
{Cheonrang!}
{Concentrating firepower doesn't work on a guy like that.}
{Think about it. How he's deflected the three of us's fire so far. Even if we concentrate our firepower on one point, he just has to dodge that point. For a guy capable of that kind of maneuvering, that wouldn't even be difficult.}
Heukjo shut his mouth.
Cheonrang was right.
That was the reason the three of them hadn't been able to land an effective hit on it until now. The more they narrowed the target, the more they were convinced they were cornering it, the more smoothly that monster slipped through the tightened net of fire.
And I was listening to that operational meeting Cheonrang and Heukjo were having.
...As expected, it's different from the game.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. I had faced those guys a few times from behind the screen. Back then, they were just mid-bosses who poured out firepower.
They were easy to catch if you just memorized the patterns.
But it was different here. As expected, living humans constantly devise their next move. If only to not die.
That guy named Cheonrang, in particular, had a working brain. He quickly admitted they couldn't win like this and immediately reorganized the board.
He spotted me as I revealed myself.
{Split up, top and bottom.}
Cheonrang's intent laid out.
{When one guy drives him, the other blocks the escape route. When he slips away, the other guy drives him again. Don't give him a break. He's just a human piloting a machine, after all.}
Alternating pressure.
If I stick to one, the other aims for my back. If I try to run, both follow simultaneously. It wasn't a bad move.
The problem is, any user who has seen the 2nd playthrough ending of Apocalypse Core knows how to shake off this kind of encirclement.
'Because in the final battle, no matter which heroine you chose, you had to face 5-on-1.'
[Afterglow Dash]
I accelerated right through, tearing the encirclement apart. Cheonrang and Heukjo followed immediately. Top and bottom, maintaining a pincer formation.
The moment I accelerated, pain like fire branding my spine flowed through my nerves. I gritted my teeth. To ensure Earl Grey behind me wouldn't feel it, I didn't let a single breath falter.
And at the point where they had followed to a certain extent, I stopped abruptly.
Logos's attitude control thrusters spewed fire, resisting inertia. Earl Grey groaned, calling my name. Such sudden maneuvers must have been too early for her.
Mach 5—Mach 4—Mach 2—
And Logos settled below Mach 1.
Cheonrang and Heukjo were still accelerating at Mach speed.
They overshot me. Exposing their backs, perfect for an attack.
{—!}
Cheonrang's judgment was fast.
{We have to stop!}
Because this situation was tantamount to exposing his back to an enemy who had stopped abruptly. Cheonrang reverse-thrusted his propulsion to bring his machine to a halt.
But.
{...Ugh.}
The recoil of the sudden stop crushed Cheonrang inside the cockpit.
I could feel Cheonrang sweating and getting anxious.
At that moment. Another thing caught my eye.
Heukjo's machine, slowing down along with Cheonrang. Its reaction was strangely slow. It hadn't stopped based on its own judgment. It was closer to stopping because it obeyed someone else's command.
I see. Is that guy's skill lower than Cheonrang's?
On top of that, what he's riding is a stealth plane. Since the machine's capabilities are focused on electronic warfare, its raw combat power is lower.
That's the weakest guy here right now.
"I'll take care of you first."
I saw an angle to finish it in one go.
However, the distance was awkward for a shield slam.
So I chose a different move.
[Assault Rifle — Switch to Rapid Fire Mode]
I didn't miss the opening of Heukjo, who was distracted by the sudden braking. I rapidly approached while pouring bullets toward his Sanctuary Field.
{Do you think I'll just let you?!}
Heukjo quickly entered an evasive maneuver. It wasn't bad movement for a stealth plane. But what a shame. I had predicted where he would dodge and already had my sights set there.
It must be something unimaginable for guys who rely on auto-aim. That in an Advent battle exceeding Mach speed, there would be someone who manually turns the screen and shoots one by one.
Ta-da-da-da-da-dat!
The bullets followed Heukjo's evasive path and struck. Every single one was a direct hit. Sparks flew on the surface of the crimson Sanctuary Field, and the barrier thinned visibly.
Just a little more.
Bang!
Cheonrang's sniper rifle fired a suppression shot.
A large-caliber bullet dug in from the side. To finish chipping away at Heukjo, I had to ignore this and go in—
I executed an evasive maneuver. While letting Cheonrang's suppression shot slide by. In that evasive trajectory, Heukjo's tattered Sanctuary Field came into view.
It was a great angle. Just before he started firing, I twisted my body and moved away from Heukjo. Then, the trajectory of the bullet Cheonrang had fired headed straight for Heukjo.
Bang!
The bullet Cheonrang fired shattered Heukjo's Sanctuary Field completely.
Paaaaang!!!
{—!}
The barrier broke. Heukjo's armor was exposed, defenseless. Got him. If I land just one more shot—
"...Cough."
The taste of blood spread in my mouth. It was hemoptysis.
"Evan?"
I waved my hand without looking back. I told you I'm fine. My favorite character, please, just trust me.
Anyway, my body kept screaming. My head was mapping out the path to victory, but this damn body was reacting a beat late due to the pain.
And because of that one beat, the next shot was late.
Heukjo raised his arm to cover the cockpit in that gap. The bullet that should have pierced his cockpit was blocked by his forearm.
[Remaining Ammo 50%]
"...Damn it."
If I waste more ammo here, I won't have enough to deal with Cheonrang. The armament of Logos, a technology demonstrator, is already meager, and on top of that, I haven't been able to get proper resupply.
"You should have packed some proper weapons, you Southern Cross fanatics."
I grumbled and wiped the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand. I glanced at my feet. Fortunately, Earl Grey was busy watching the enemy machine and didn't see my mouth.
Before I get caught, wipe my mouth quickly.
I put away the assault rifle. Instead.
[Deploy Shield on Port Side]
I lifted the massive shield on my left arm.
And fell straight down—toward where Heukjo was.
Gravity. Thrust. Logos's athletic performance. It was a descent where all three were concentrated into one point.
The moment Heukjo looked up, I was already right above him.
{Gasp...}
There was no mercy for the guy who was astonished.
Crunch!
With a crisp metallic sound, the blade of the shield embedded into Heukjo's arms that were blocking the cockpit. Crushing him, I fell to the ground. Gathering all the thrusters on my body, I pushed Heukjo into the ground with my entire machine.
Kuaaaaaaaang!!!
Two giants over 10 meters tall slammed into the mountainside at Mach speed. Debris scattered in all directions, and a small mountain was blown away entirely.
I aimed it so the damage wouldn't go toward the residential area.
...Because Earl Grey would worry.
I looked down at Heukjo.
Did the shield not reach the cockpit?
Instead.
Heukjo's arms were torn off from the elbows.
{Aaaaaargh!}
The scream tore through the Afterglow Field.
The Covenant synchronizes the Apostle and the machine via nerves. The deeper the bond, the stronger it gets, but the damage to the machine returns to the Apostle's senses just as much. The sensation of having both arms cut off burned Heukjo's nerves directly.
{Heukjo!}
Cheonrang screamed.
It was already too late. Having lost both arms, Heukjo couldn't fight anymore. Because he had no arms to hold weapons.
Now, if I lift the shield again and strike the cockpit, it's over.
The moment I raised the shield. A light flashed from behind.
It was Jeoga, who had come to his senses.
Staggering, he gripped the control stick and fired support shots. With the single-minded determination to save his comrade.
The rear ambush was unexpected. Because I was focusing on Heukjo, I missed that the fallen Jeoga had stood up. The moment he pulled the trigger again, without me knowing—
[Flicker]
Pang!
The Afterglow distorted space, and Logos popped out.
"...Cough..."
Blood is leaking out more. The Stigmata is encroaching on my body again. Damn it. I knew I shouldn't use it, but my body reacted on its own.
{...What?}
Cheonrang's shock was conveyed completely. Because he couldn't even properly perceive that movement just now.
Jeoga's bullets flew toward the back of Logos, which was right before finishing off Heukjo. The moment he was sure it would hit, that machine disappeared from that spot. And appeared outside Jeoga's line of fire.
Cheonrang had lived his whole life as an Apostle. He had memorized all the maneuver manuals of the Kyungdanryeon and analyzed even the combat records of enemy nations. He prided himself on knowing every movement an Advent could make.
However.
{Jeoga. What was that just now?}
{...I, I don't know. It was definitely there, but suddenly—}
Neither of them had an answer. It was a maneuver without even a name. At least in this world.
So they couldn't know. What that maneuver was. How to block it. How to act to not miss it again next time. As they say, there is nothing as scary as what you cannot understand.
"...Cough. Ugh."
Meanwhile, the price of Flicker was harsh. Blood gushed from my mouth. I could feel the Stigmata that started at my shoulder spreading across my chest toward my heart. Just once. My body screamed like this from just one thoughtless use. To take this much for just one time, this bastard Logos is greedy too.
"Evan!"
A scream burst from behind me. It was Earl Grey.
This time I couldn't hide it. The blood flowing from my mouth was visible right in her field of vision. Her face turned deathly pale. Covering her mouth with both hands, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Blood... blood—"
Her Divine Power was barely keeping me alive, but she was feeling that my life was slowly being whittled away nonetheless. Now that she faced the evidence of that blood.
"...I'm okay."
I swallowed the blood and tried to smile. "I won't die from this much."
It was a lie. Honestly, I don't know how much longer I can hold on either. But I wanted to tell her that, even though she was crying.
She cried.
Two shots. Three shots. Jeoga's support fire continued. Since he was firing while half out of his mind, his aim was rough, but a threat was a threat.
I didn't use Flicker anymore. Because I felt like I would die if I used it more. And I could dodge sufficiently with just Quick Thrust.
I read the trajectory of each bullet and let them slide by. My body's reaction was a beat late, but I made up for the delayed beat with prediction.
Furthermore, I could clearly hear even his intent—where Jeoga would aim next. I was at the point where I could dodge with my eyes closed.
{...That.}
Cheonrang was dumbfounded. That monster bastard, he's letting Jeoga's barrage slide by without getting hit by a single shot... to be impressed like that, I am pretty great, aren't I.
If those guys use their heads unlike in the game, let me use my head too. The closer the distance, the harder it is to block. The shield isn't bad, but it's troublesome if it breaks from more use. If it gets damaged here, I have to deal with Cheonrang with the remaining rifle ammo.
If so. My gaze turned downward. "Shall I use this guy?"
{W, what—}
I intended to lift up Heukjo, who had lost his weapons, and use him as a shield to charge.
{You bastard! You're going to use Heukjo as a shield?! Do you have no pride?!}
Jeoga's anger was conveyed down. It wasn't something I wanted to hear from guys who were trying to burn down the entire slum.
Bang!
Cheonrang's suppression fire blocked my path.
Heukjo, whom I was about to lift, rolled on the ground again.
I was standing in the middle of the collapsed mountain. Cheonrang and Jeoga, standing to the right and left of me, surrounded me. The top-and-bottom pincer attack had now turned into a left-and-right encirclement.
It was disadvantageous. Heukjo was neutralized, but Cheonrang and Jeoga both remained intact and trapped me. My armament was meager, and my body was at its limit.
I had to quickly finish off one guy. Jeoga. The guy whose judgment was clouded because he was hit hard in the head. He stood up, but he won't be fine yet.
[Assault Rifle — Switch to Rapid Fire Mode]
I charged toward Jeoga and poured out the remaining ammo.
His Sanctuary Field was quickly chipped away.
Jeoga sneered.
{Close-range firepower battle? You stupid bastard!}
{If it's firepower, I'm superior! I'll take you on head-on!}
He deployed his firepower platform.
Kwagwagwagwang!!!
Reverse Afterglow missiles and beams that pierce the Sanctuary Field poured out indiscriminately.
...Thanks. If you just take me on head-on, that's enough. That moment—
[Flicker]
It hurts like I'm going to die, but I tried to be a little greedy.
Pang!
{...Huh?}
From Jeoga's vision, and from the missile's tracking sensors, Logos disappeared.
You'd think it's normal to be able to prepare if you've seen it once. But Flicker is not that kind of technique. There's no way a human could react to movement that surpasses human vision.
Furthermore, this guy's body isn't even fine due to the concussion.
The moment Jeoga instinctively tried to look to the right, Logos was already stuck to his side.
In a posture to thrust the shield into Jeoga's cockpit.
Seeing Cheonrang and his subordinates keep allowing my shield attacks, someone might say those guys are stupid.
But this act itself was outside common sense in this world. A shield is originally an object for blocking. Not a stabbing weapon. Equipment that is useless unless you are right in front, and has no use other than defense.
A sane Apostle wouldn't even think of the idea of driving that into the cockpit of an Advent moving at supersonic speeds.
Well. But I'm Raven.
"It's over."
Once again, hemoptysis welled up. Still, the hand holding the shield didn't shake. The resolve to protect Earl Grey was not light enough to be shaken by a few mouthfuls of blood.
The moment the shield's blade was about to plunge toward Jeoga's cockpit.
Kuaaaaang!
Cheonrang's large-caliber bullet hit Logos's Sanctuary Field dead on. The platinum-colored barrier rippled greatly. The shield's trajectory missed. With Jeoga's cockpit right in front of me, I had no choice but to step back.
As expected of Cheonrang. In this situation, all my nerves have no choice but to focus on Cheonrang. It was a suppression shot that risked sacrificing himself to save his comrade.
{...Jeoga. Heukjo. Retreat.}
Cheonrang's intent was conveyed to the Afterglow Field.
{What?!}
Jeoga was astonished.
{What are you talking about! You alone against that monster—}
{It's an order.}
It was a low, unwavering intent. Cheonrang had finished calculating coldly.
Since the engagement started, I hadn't taken a single effective hit. Even though the three of them pincered, formed formations, and even ambushed, the result was that Heukjo lost both arms, and Jeoga was still staggering from the shock of being hit.
On the other hand, I was fine. ...To be precise, they must have thought I looked fine. Because they don't know my condition.
{We can't catch him even 3-on-1.}
Cheonrang admitted.
If he leaves Jeoga and Heukjo here any longer, all three will die. So he pulls his subordinates out, and he stays. He himself buys time.
{...I cannot let you die.}
Cheonrang drew his blade.
Chiiiiiing—
The sword held light.
He turned his nose directly toward Logos.
{Jeoga, take Heukjo and pull out. —I'll hold this place.}
Jeoga hugged Heukjo, who had lost his weapons.
Gritting his teeth, he disappeared beyond the sky.
Looking at Cheonrang standing opposite me, I wiped my blood-stained mouth.
That appearance of him drawing his sword was quite heroic. A warrior remaining alone to save his comrade. The resolve to draw a sword even while knowing he can't win.
That... was pathetic.
Who was it that was bombing this city until just now? Did they even try to count how many people they burned the entire slum and crushed? And yet, now they are putting on airs about camaraderie and being a warrior.
I guess his comrade's life is heavy, and the lives of the people he trampled to death were light.
"...What a funny guy."
I muttered lowly.
So there was no reason to go easy on him. The problem was elsewhere. My fingertips were trembling more and more.
How many times did I cough up blood, and how many times did I step on Flicker? My head is dizzy, so I can't think straight. My mind was slowly blurring.
The edges of my vision blurred.
It wasn't because Cheonrang's sword was sharp. It was even less because I was impressed by that guy's resolve. My body was collapsing. To the point where I could feel my judgment being whittled away myself.
I had to end this fight while my head was as sane as possible.
Earl Grey behind me gripped my shoulder tightly.
"...Evan. Stop, you can stop now—"
Having come this far, where does she want me to run?
"I'll finish it soon."
I lowered my nose toward Cheonrang.
Because today, in this place, one Apostle will definitely die.