Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: The Infection Lord's Core
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The Infection Lord's threat level hadn't been precisely determined.
That was because no direct combat capabilities had been confirmed.
Typically, they assessed combat prowess verified through engagements, production capacity, and other factors posing risks to humanity before reaching a conclusion.
As such, the Infection Lord was estimated at level 7 to 8 even without considering its combat abilities.
'Exactly level 8.' In my knowledge of the original story, the Infection Lord lacked direct offensive capabilities.
It could defend itself with barriers and tentacles, but without defensive units like Bishops, it was utterly defenseless.
The same held true now.
I let out a short sigh as I watched the Infection Lord being dismantled miserably under Jang's hands.
'Is it... over?'
Considering the energy it had invested in nesting in the hatchery and growing, it didn't seem like it had anything left to hide.
Preparing and reinforcing three Bishops must have been a stretch for it, no doubt.
Before that, it had deployed anti-air forces to fend off the fleet's attacks, so it made sense that it hadn't assembled enough escorts to protect itself.
I headed for the core first.
In the center of the pillar of membrane where the Infection Lord had detached, a bulge protruded, and an intense light pierced through the membrane, glowing with an eerie red hue.
"Support me."
-Roger! Extracting the core requires sealing the blood vessels connecting to the surrounding Blood Vessels.
If not done properly, the energy stored in the core could dissipate pointlessly.
That's why specialized extraction equipment was needed, but with R3D3's help, I managed it simply.
I was shocked by the size of the core.
It was as big as an adult man's torso.
Vastly larger than any hatchery cores I'd seen before.
Even compared to other level 6 cores, it was noticeably bigger, likely influenced by the Infection Lord. 'Got the most important part.'
The Infection Lord's body had been torn into dozens of pieces, yet it still twitched, clinging to life.
Jang, stimulated by the aliens entering the hatching chamber to protect it, was now fighting near the entrance.
'No longer interested?'
Well, it wasn't in any state to pull off more tricks.
I chewed my lip, hesitating for a moment.
Given my current condition, I should retreat immediately, but I couldn't bring myself to abandon the Infection Lord—one I might never encounter again—and withdraw.
In the end, with R3D3's assistance, I strapped the core to my back and latched onto the Infection Lord's brain. "Hurry..."
My impatience amplified my ability.
Drawing on the skills honed during my Independent Unit operations, I unleashed my power at full strength to analyze the Infection Lord.
I discarded most traits before fully grasping them.
I could only take one anyway.
As the original author, I knew about the Infection Lord in advance, so I planned to extract one specific trait.
'No, no, not that. This one...'
As soon as I confirmed the trait, I absorbed the related alien factors from the Infection Lord.
Whether it suited me or not could be determined later.
As long as I didn't apply it, the influence would be minimal, so I could deal with it when I had time.
"Urk...!"
At that moment, a piercing death cry rang in my head.
Raw agony.
Hatred toward humans and the confusion of life's final moments reverberated through.
Since my ability connected me directly, the emotions flooded in unfiltered.
I had no choice but to endure.
'...Resentment?' Amid the turmoil, I sensed one emotion tinged with doubt.
Resentment.
Not just resentment, but a mix of injustice and betrayal.
It was somewhat understandable at a glance.
I snapped out of it, realizing I was getting swept up in the Infection Lord's emotions, and yanked my hand away in shock.
"Huff, huff...!"
-Master, are you alright? Intense stress response detected. Cold sweat trickled down my forehead.
A stinging numbness spread from the nape of my neck, coursing through my body once.
-Master? Beep!
"...Yeah, I'm fine."
-Master's vitals have reached critical levels. Immediate retreat recommended.
I nodded and stood.
I didn't forget to secure the Infection Lord's core last.
'I'll have to come back.' There was still so much to gather, but I couldn't linger any longer.
To fully eliminate the hatchery, I'd need another operation soon anyway.
With the core and Infection Lord gone, the next one should be straightforward.
I glanced at Jang, still battling the aliens.
"How do we get him out...?"
The assault operation had only the final hurdle left.
*
Nine hours after the hatchery assault began.
The assault team emerged, signaling the operation's success.
The fleet, already anticipating victory from the hatchery's anomalous reactions, couldn't hide their joy. -Incredible! You've saved Paradisos. Oh, God!
The operation wasn't fully complete yet, so we were keeping it to a brief voice call, but the cardinal's voice brimmed with overwhelming emotion.
-Transport ships to pick you up are already en route.
"Understood. See you soon."
The cardinal's voice remained bright until the comms cut off.
But I couldn't smile.
Over 700 had entered; only about 500 survived the grueling ordeal.
Most casualties occurred during the retreat.
Not from combat, but from armor suit damage preventing proper contamination seals.
Even elite martial artists couldn't stay unscathed when their bodies failed them.
After nearly 10 hours of intense fighting in extreme conditions, this survival rate was impressive.
On the transport back to the fleet, I surveyed my surroundings.
"You okay?"
I asked Merdi, whose face was pale and drawn.
She looked worse off than me, who'd faced the Infection Lord directly. "Not okay."
"Hang in there a bit longer. I'll treat you as soon as we get back." I couldn't do much right now.
I was on the verge of collapsing myself.
No generating treatment fluid either.
Back on the ship, there was prepped treatment fluid; consume that and self-heal.
Merdi glanced at me briefly, then nodded readily.
Considering her usual aversion to help, this was unusually compliant.
'...She's worn out.'
Superhumans and Crusaders alike had pushed too hard.
Operating for hours in contamination levels double the estimate had wrecked their conditions.
Even lively Shepin couldn't walk out on her own.
She was now in a liquid tank, on life support.
"Why the grim face?"
"...Nora."
Nora approached, having been quiet until then.
Her face wasn't great either.
Makeup hid some, but the skin discoloration and breakouts on her neck couldn't be concealed.
"The op succeeded, didn't it? You should be happier."
"That's..."
But Nora's voice was as bright and relaxed as ever.
Just her tone made her seem free of worries.
She peered into my face intently, then nodded as if understanding, and spoke.
"Something bothering you?"
"...Yeah."
"Our little maknae is too kind-hearted."
Nora gently cupped my face with both hands.
The warmth from her palms flushed my cheeks.
"But don't blame yourself too much."
"...Not blaming myself."
The squad losses weren't my fault.
On the battlefield, such things happened endlessly.
At first, I'd agonized for days.
Couldn't accept that familiar faces were gone forever.
Tried not to think, but they haunted me; the more I suppressed, the clearer they became.
Same now.
Just more accustomed.
Emotions dulled; not easily shaken.
But today marked the first mass casualties since forming the Independent Unit.
Forty dead out of 200 combat crew.
Ten more clinging to life on machines.
Could anyone emerge unscathed?
Nora kneaded my face a bit longer, eyes locked, then suddenly pulled me into a hug.
My face met the impressive bust I'd only admired from afar.
"...Mmph! N-Nora?"
I flailed, not daring to touch, but she didn't loosen her grip.
She released me after a moment.
Rubbing my flushed face, I raised my voice.
"Sunbae!"
"Feeling better? Commanders can't mope around."
It did snap me out of it.
Still, the method was too extreme.
'...Not that it's bad.' My gaze drifted to Nora's chest.
Our eyes met; I flushed and looked away.
Nora just smiled.
"Would love to comfort you more, but that might cause trouble. I'll head back—cheer up."
"...Y-Yeah."
Nora left with a cryptic remark and returned to her seat.
Then, a chilling voice came from right beside me.
"Enjoying that?"
I flinched involuntarily.
Merdi glared with narrowed eyes.
"Look at you, all lovey-dovey. Can't keep your head straight."
"No, that's not..."
"Shut it. Be quiet."
I clamped my mouth shut.
All that remained in Nora's spot was unwarranted grievance.
*
News of the Infection Lord's reappearance and subjugation rocked the Union.
Humanity, having already lost a planet to it once, erupted in cheers.
Coming amid recent frontline setbacks, the positive buzz was even more fervent.
Amid it all, the Independent Unit's exploits stole the spotlight.
Subduing the named entity dubbed an unstoppable catastrophe with just 7—27 including Crusaders—was monumental.
Attention poured onto the participating superhumans.
For civilians, lesser-known Crusaders drew less interest, intensifying the focus.
Among them, my name topped the lists—having stuck with Jang to the end and severed the Infection Lord's lifeline—followed by the other superhumans gaining fame.
A far cry from the sporadic mentions before.
Rumor had it a superhuman magazine with billions of subscribers would devote its cover and half its pages to this issue.
"Golden Fleet? It's not even official—who started that?"
"Why so mad?"
"Easy to misunderstand. Sounds like we painted the ship gold and parade around. And it's not a fleet—just one small warship."
I vented while reading articles.
The absurd phrasing had my voice rising unwittingly.
Shepin sidled up and read the interview aloud.
"The Golden Fleet's commander and superhuman, Leonard Monarch, who led this operation to completion, demonstrated exceptional leadership since academy days... Hey, why close it?"
"Stop."
"Good writing—why not read it?"
Shepin grinned mischievously, patting my back.
Painfully quiet for days, now hyper like she'd stockpiled energy.
"Full of errors—why read?"
"It's all spot-on."
"I agree. It's worth celebrating the captain's rising fame."
"...Even you, Frederick."
I clutched my head.
The bridge's renewed clamor signaled recovery—a good sign—but the excessive attention felt burdensome.
"Any separate contacts?"
"Nothing worth your time. I'll handle the rest."
"Got it."
Leaning into the captain's chair during Sia's report.
Paradiso's martial law wasn't fully lifted, so most could be ignored, but with Darmosa's "recommendation"—read: order—I had to field some comm requests.