Chapter 147
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Chapter 147
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: The Proper Role of Dolls (1)
I paid it no mind and kept teasing her, fiddling with her limp tail.
Chloe flinched and trembled but put up no more resistance.
Instead, she closed her eyes as if savoring the sensation and surrendered her body to my arms.
After our prolonged secret tryst came to an end, we reluctantly gathered our clothes and got dressed.
We roughly wiped away the marks left on each other's bodies and tidied our disheveled hair.
"Hold on, gotta mask that smell."
"Ugh, wait—this is dirt! Ugh, don't smear dirt on me!"
"Better than dirt. If you head out reeking of that potent semen stench, you'll turn into bait for the other women?"
Probably no one else sees men as prey but her...
Whatever the case, she diligently rubbed dirt all over my body to cover the scent.
The presence of whoever had come sniffing around us earlier was gone now. At the same time, Aira—the clone I'd sent to smooth things over in my stead—was also missing.
Did she head back to the main base with them to handle the situation?
For the moment, I returned to the team with Chloe.
"What happened to you two? You look like total wrecks."
"Yeah, Senior. Looks like you rolled around with some beasts."
At Nick's teasing question, Chloe smoothly deflected.
"Ah, I took the newbie to check his skills in the spider habitat. Tougher than he looks."
"...I assigned him to you to solve the habitat magic stone issue—not to roughhouse with spiders. See, Chloe? Kid doesn't mesh with your squad."
"What? You done?"
The team members' eyes locked onto us as they bickered. I ignored the stares and scanned for Aira.
So where the hell did she vanish to?
Just dispel her?
It was then.
Nick, who'd been arguing with Chloe up to a second ago, suddenly slung his arm over my shoulder.
"Chloe, abusing this stellar newbie? That's straight-up squad leader fail, got it?"
"Huh? Stellar newbie...?"
"Heard it all! That habitat passage plan! Was iffy at first, but it clicked. And you still treated him like a tough-as-nails scarecrow? Newbie, hit me up anytime. That bitch steps out of line, I'll bury her in daily reports."
"W-wait, Vice Leader."
For some reason, his face shone with genuine admiration and respect—nothing like when we'd first met.
What the...?
Heard the plan? I never told Chloe.
When I subtly probed, Nick burst out laughing and jabbed a finger somewhere.
"Your doll spilled the whole plan earlier. Sharp as hell. She's over there right now, bossing the crew around. Go see."
Still talking nonsense.
I turned toward where Nick pointed.
And beheld an unbelievable scene.
Aira was genuinely there, leading a bunch of artificial dolls in an intense strategy session over Zone 3's topographic map.
A bright yellow hard hat—god knows who put it on her—sat snugly on her head.
"Team A hauls materials. Team B carves the wall face for the ramp. Team C reinforces with Team A's stock to prevent collapse..."
"Aira...?"
"Ah, Master. You've arrived."
Spotting me, she greeted cheerfully.
The absurdity of the scene drew a dry chuckle from me.
Several unfamiliar Fifth Team seniors sat amid a cluster of mechanical dolls.
These weren't like the mannequins or human models from the doll project.
They weren't even humanoid.
Not the advanced type that talked or used skills.
Just non-humanoid work drones built for raw labor.
Wheeled haulers, multi-armed multipurpose machines—forms dedicated purely to function.
Designed solely for shifting cargo or pioneering terrain.
Over twenty of them, no less.
Where'd she pull these from...?
I gave the seniors a quick nod, then pulled Aira aside.
"What are these dolls?"
"Dolls I crafted. They can't hold a candle to Master's clones... but plenty sufficient to aid your work."
"No, I get they're your dolls...!"
I wasn't shocked.
Aira had been a doll specialist back in her sect days, and I'd just endured her Spartan training days ago.
Her doll skills outclassed mine.
But that was that.
What puzzled me was how my passage plan had slipped from my control into full execution.
Way too abrupt.
Aira replied matter-of-factly.
"Master often says 'auto-hunt' when handling clones. I merely processed the work efficiently in your stead, accordingly."
"...So you ran auto-hunt for me? Hit the auto button yourself?"
"Awkward phrasing, but yes."
Huh.
Didn't peg her as this loyal a clone...
Rather than reply, Aira flashed a cryptic smile.
Then launched into explaining her work plan spread across the map.
How she'd carve that thick wall into a 45-degree ramp.
How she'd firm the ground to prevent collapse.
Even follow-ups like safety railings along the sides and lighting fixtures everywhere.
Aira could handle full authority here.
My meddling would just hinder.
Hell, she'd even secured it from Vice Leader Nick in my place...
Honestly tempting.
Sensing my slacker thoughts as my eyes wandered, Aira seized my wrist.
"Master."
"Y-yeah?"
She stared straight at me, voice dead serious.
"Succeed in this plan, and Master's 'Clone Creation' skill advances another stage."
"...Think so?"
"Yes. Reminder: Smooth operation of the doll project and Arbiter Guild ventures demands semi-permanent mechanical consciousness clones at minimum. Eventually, sell and supply to 'customers' for revenue. Your current skill falls short."
No mana tether? Long-range operation impossible. Summon cap per instance, too.
Oof. Right in the sore spot.
But all true.
Stuff she'd hammered during training.
Maker Sect's doll project wasn't just privatizing elite hunter dolls—it obligated supplying to clans aiding original creation.
Plus this pioneering gig lingered...
No clue how many clones I'd need going forward.
"Yeah... gotta hustle."
I coughed awkwardly, dodging Aira's gaze.
Looks like I can't just cling to incubus skills and chase sex life forever.
A week later.
The 'Rift 105 Zone 3 Spider Beast Habitat Second Passage Opening Plan' ran butter-smooth under Aira's command.
Not that it lacked bumps.
Team-wide doubts erupted repeatedly: entrust something this critical fully to a newbie?
"Kid's handling start to finish? For real? Unprecedented."
"Team leader's too reckless. That responsibility on a fresh face? Brutal."
Their worries hit some marks.
Midway beast ambushes wrecked Aira's work dolls plenty, stalling progress.
Yet the plan steamed ahead.
Key reason: zero 'manpower drain.'
'Then die.'
Not human. No issue if smashed.
Doll breaks? Remake it.
That's not all.
Aira's work dolls chiseled cave walls 24/7, nonstop. No sleep. No gripes. Amid dust and roar, they toiled silently.
Most guarding? Flicker-summon Da-eun noona and Lena clones now and then to clear disruptors. Simple.
"Newbie, you sure you got this solo?"
"Yes. Seniors, take a break. Dolls handle it—no heavy guarding needed. You've slaved months; rest's earned."
"Damn... Wanna play the proud senior and refuse, but body says yes. Thanks, kid."
Unexpected vacation for borrowed squad seniors? Team morale boosted.
Blasting boulders? Da-eun noona or Lena's gig.
Yeah, Lena griped nonstop...
"Fuck, why'm I stuck with this grunt shit?!"
Each time, bed-love for all clones but Lena? Gripes vanished.
"My bad. Huh? Dick me too—I worked hard today...!"
Outcome: One week, we carved a walkable gentle ramp up a 20-meter sheer cliff.
Yield of expendable labor ignoring wounds or peril.
Hunters alone? Lena-style bitching would've dragged past a month.
Especially this era—humanity under 100 million.
Manpower's the ultimate resource.
"Great job, Aira."
"Thank you. Ladders at ramp's end corrode from beasts—minor tweaks needed."
Fine, whatever.
This week, my levels climbed nicely.
Aira's steady EXP fed me well.
• Type/Grade:Passive / Hero
• Description:Maintain dolls or summons semi-permanently. Requires periodic magic stone supply; performance reduced by 20%p. (Stacks with other combat reductions)
Sure, magic stone 'batteries' for semi-permanent drive, and combat drops from 50% to 30%... but leaps ahead of square one.
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