Chapter 34: 23:59:15 (2)
Chapter 34: 23:59:15 (2)
“Damn it.”
I muttered those words within a world turned entirely gray.
If my brain or my eyes had simply malfunctioned, I wouldn't have said such a thing. If that were the case, I could have at least laughed, thinking it was just like the old days.
Inside this endless world, everything was dyed in shades of gray.
They swallowed colors; they swallowed senses. And in their wake, only gray remained.
The carapaces of those things probably weren't gray to begin with. It was likely the result of being swept up in their own power.
A gray sea surged.
A gray sky shimmered.
In this achromatic space where gray flesh scattered into the air, I was the only one seeing color.
Myself and my lava-colored tentacles.
In the vast, colorless expanse spreading infinitely, only those colors proved my existence.
I was the only one spilling red blood.
I was the only one scattering red flesh.
In a world growing increasingly monotonous, the Otherworldly entities rushed at me without end. By scattering their gray flesh into the air, they made the dull world even duller.
At some point, even that gray flesh became invisible.
The boundaries of individuals collapsed, and the gray carapaces became one with the world. The blood spurting from their bodies became the seawater, and the flesh they scattered became the clouds in the sky.
It wasn't even Otherworld Erosion; it was a unique biological property they possessed.
Vroooooom.
The foghorn-like sound of the Leader Entity echoed again.
Their language was the height of monotony.
They did not rush. They did not gamble. Even if an opening appeared, they ignored it, attacking with stubborn persistence.
The pinnacle of simplicity and boredom.
That was why I could realize their nature so quickly.
They were individuals yet a colony. Beings that had reached the extreme of unified simplicity. Something that was, as a biological species, the entirety of a single world.
Swallowing colors was merely a byproduct of their attempt to dye this world in their own image.
How could I know such a thing? It was probably because I was becoming one with them.
At some point, my senses grew dull.
The pop of bursting flesh gradually turned into bizarre, muffled groans, and the saltiness of the blood and flesh I inhaled turned into a stinging pain on my tongue.
As if the grayness intended to dominate my very thoughts, even my attacks became simple.
The rotation that once boasted a brilliant trajectory had now turned into a simple circle.
My strength alone was enough to shatter The Enemy’s carapace, but this couldn't last forever.
Though it defied my common sense, this was the nature of these beings.
They weren't trying to mix the world into themselves; they were beings trying to mix themselves into the world.
They were true invaders, qualitatively different from the monsters who wore mascot suits and left graffiti on the world.
A laugh escaped me.
“Ahahaha.”
To think that a true invader would only appear once the world had become nothing but a stage for clowns.
I should have moved faster. Before these kinds of monsters appeared, I should have properly established the definition of a Hero.
A moment of regret. Was it because The Enemy noticed my weak thought?
Countless eyes turned toward me.
The Leader Entity, which had been watching the world while leaving me to its subordinates.
Though it had been struck countless times by my hammer, its gray carapace shone without a single scratch as its gaze fixed on me.
A Giant Monster looking at me as if to end everything.
Just by being caught in its gaze, my right hand suddenly stopped moving properly.
My entire body froze.
Had it burrowed into the gap in my heart?
Was my will this weak? To fall before enemies of this caliber.
They weren't particularly strong enemies.
Perhaps it was because the creatures themselves were simple.
Their attacks weren't threatening.
Their speed wasn't that fast.
There were no tricks or techniques.
Their power was quite formidable, but it didn't compare to mine.
In terms of pure strength, the vanguard from ten years ago—the emotion-eating tentacles—would have been stronger.
And yet, why were they able to claim victory over me?
Why was I unable to defeat them, leading to a Public Enemy Designation?
If you want to win a war, win with the number of soldiers first.
I couldn't remember who said it, but that person would be pleased. A being that faithfully implemented that theory had appeared to destroy humanity.
The Leader Entity survives by diverting all damage to the sub-command entities, and the sub-command entities cover for it by pouring out in infinite numbers.
Even if I gathered my strength to destroy everything around me, they would divert all the damage to a few individuals, and the colony would survive.
The implementation of violence through numbers, which every strategist dreamed of. No matter what overwhelming power came their way, no matter what scheme they fell into, they would never be defeated individually.
The only way to beat them was through violence using the same numbers.
I never imagined I would lose to simple numbers.
I had always argued for quality over quantity, but this time, I would have to concede that point.
“Fine, I lose. You damn crustaceans. You won this round.”
I raised my one remaining hand, the one holding The Hammer.
The right hand I had maintained just to keep holding The Hammer until the end.
I wanted to raise my already-vanished left hand as well to signal my surrender, but I doubted they would complain about a physical impossibility.
Click, click, click.
Did they understand my gesture? For the first time, the crustaceans expressed emotion.
Clicking their pincers, they began to close in on me. As if to destroy their adversary and move forward.
I slowly lowered my raised hand and looked at the stopwatch hanging from the middle of The Hammer’s handle.
26 hours and 23 minutes since the start of the battle.
I held out long enough.
“I said I lost, but nothing more than that.”
Because my defeat isn't the defeat of humanity.
I can't give up my life just yet.
Shoooooo.
In the monotonous gray world, a non-monotonous sound reached my ears.
A familiar tone—the sound of projectiles advancing while spewing flames.
And the explosions that followed.
Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom-boom. Boom. Boom.
The supportive bombardment of countless war machines falling endlessly.
Personally, it was a sound I disliked, but right now, there was no sound more satisfying.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“Bullshit. You’re 4 hours and 23 minutes over. You told me to hold out for only 22 hours.”
A unique mechanical tone mixed into the voice.
A Gray Giant clad in massive armor.
An S-Rank Hero who protects the Management Bureau.
Librarian.
As I was cradled in his mechanical arms, I asked for the information needed for a counterattack.
“The battle records?”
“Everything has been recorded.”
“The containment line?”
“Installation is complete at the locations bordering the Pacific.”
“How many gathered?”
“Everyone is present.”
“Good.”
A beam saber ignited in the Gray Knight's right hand, and he tucked me under his left arm, presumably to protect me.
My small body was curled up, wedged against the knight's massive frame.
It was exactly like an American football player carrying an oval ball.
“....”
Still, this feels a bit wrong.
“Isn't there a protective pod or a transport unit coming?”
Specifically, someone else who could do something about this bizarre situation.
“The senses of those who contacted the gray space have been distorted. There are very few who can fight on this battlefield.”
Ah, is that so?
Well, if even I could barely hold out, it would be difficult for ordinary soldiers to endure.
“Hold on tight. We’re breaking through.”
Whoosh.
My senses warped. Vague, drowsy sensations, as if I were dreaming.
Librarian’s Reality Manipulation.
As a strange sensation, like a filter being applied, spread around us, the sky and sea regained their color, and my senses returned to normal.
Only a narrow range had regained its color, but it was enough to restore my mental stability.
Looking down, I saw gray flesh floating in The Sea.
“Experiment complete. Confirmed that restoration is possible through my power.”
“That’s good news.”
Considering planes can't even fly over the Atlantic side yet, this was something to be grateful for.
As soon as I thought that, Librarian began to accelerate.
Igniting the jetpack on the back of his armor, he charged toward the Gray Crustaceans blocking our path.
I was a bit worried if the attacks of Librarian, a Hero specialized in support, would work, but it was a useless concern.
Every time his heavy right hand swung, a Purple Flash erupted, and the gray entities in front of us were sliced apart, carapaces and all.
Right... the quality isn't that high....
If only we could do something about those numbers... then...
As my mind relaxed, drowsiness washed over me.
How many years has it been since I felt this tired?
I need to get as much sleep as possible before the next battle....
Now that my comrade is here... let's rest... for a moment.
With that thought, I closed my eyes in my comrade's arms.
* * *
A woman caught me as I rushed out of the infirmary.
Light gray tech-wear.
Countless syringes tucked into her pockets.
The healing-type Hero who had treated me.
“Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. You need more rest....”
“I know my body best.”
An argument that hadn't changed a single bit since the old days.
I knew she was worried because she was a healing specialist, but I wished she would give up on saying the same thing every time.
“More importantly, why are you here instead of at the meeting? It was a general assembly.”
“Because I’m a non-combatant. And I don't really understand what they're talking about anyway....”
You, a non-combatant?
The Mutants who died with their necks snapped would wail if they heard that.
Though I did agree that she wouldn't understand the meeting's contents due to Oxymoron’s personality and her lopsided knowledge.
I only thought it; I didn't say it out loud. I didn't want any more injuries.
“Just come with me. Those guys probably don't know what they're saying either and are just talking nonsense.”
“If your condition worsens, I’m dragging you back by force, no matter what anyone says.”
Sure. After anesthetizing me with your fists, right?
I walked down the hallway with her and arrived in front of a certain door.
The place where everything was decided 15 years ago.
The place where the Management Bureau began.
The grand conference room of those who founded the Bureau.
Clatter.
As the ancient door opened with a creak, gazes were shot toward me.
The gazes of veterans who had been active as Heroes for at least ten years.
A meeting of madmen who, whether voluntarily or not, had postponed their retirement and discarded themselves for the preservation of humanity.
“Look at that. The loser has arrived.”
“Shut it, Lord of Infinite Castles.”
“You won't even call me 'old geezer' anymore? Kids these days.”
I passed the empty chairs and sat in the one in the center.
“Why the hell are you sitting there?”
Ah, he’s especially full of complaints today.
“If you have a problem with it, get more seniority than me. My junior, Lord of Infinite Castles, with your measly 26 years of service.”
“You damn brat.”
Ignoring that old geezer.
“The situation?”
“What do you have to say for yourself, arriving late? Just go read the materials.”
“You should go out and get beaten up in my place too, Heavenly Sword.”
“I don't fight while getting hit like you, okay? It’s embarrassing to be from the same school. A Martial Artist should dodge attacks and....”
Ignoring that idiot Heavenly Sword, too.
“Mr. Kong Jianping, please be quiet. Aren't you old enough to know better?”
“Calavera! You shut up too!”
Whatever was happening, an argument broke out between Heavenly Sword and Calavera, who had both been snapping at me.
They’re like children, always bickering.
Ignoring Heavenly Sword, who was shouting and fluttering his martial robes, I tapped on the tablet containing the data.
Civilian evacuation routes, the locations to install barriers after the current temporary one, the number of Heroes who responded to the Mobilization Order.
Hmm? The number of Heroes who responded to the mobilization is over 90%?
“The number of Heroes who responded to the mobilization is strangely high. Does 90% even make sense?”
“Huh? What are you talking about? There’s no way it’s over 90%. Have your eyes finally... eh?”
“90%? Crimson★Hammer, you’re quite the joker... wait?”
Tap, tap, tap.
As if they couldn't believe it, the conference room began to fill with the sound of people tapping on their tablets.
These bastards. They were giving me grief when they hadn't even looked at the data themselves.
“I manipulated the information about The Enemy on my end. If the brats these days saw that information, they’d all run away.”
The Lord of Infinite Castles spoke, tapping the table with his cane.
“If we spread the information you brought back as it is, the result is obvious. They’d all flee, just like they do during the regular mobilization drills.”
The Old Man's cackling laughter echoed quietly in the conference room, and most of the participants nodded in agreement.
“How much did you manipulate?”
“The nature of the Leader Entity and its rank, and the details regarding that strange gray world you experienced.”
“The analysis of the gray world?”
“Librarian said it’s a similar method to his own Reality Manipulation. Currently, the research and commander divisions are fully deployed and checking it.”
So that was why Librarian was nowhere to be seen. If the research and commander divisions are gone... then the only ones left here are brainless idiots.
No wonder it’s so noisy.
“Then, has the operation been decided?”
“I was just about to mention that, and you happened to arrive. It saves me the trouble of saying it twice.”
Beep.
As the Lord of Infinite Castles tapped his tablet, the screen at the front of the room changed.
From the footage of me fighting the gray carapaces to a satellite photo.
Overall, it was an ordinary satellite photo, but there was something conspicuous in the middle of the ocean.
A wide-spreading gray sea.
“Are they prioritizing taking as much land as possible instead of heading straight for the nearest coast?”
If so, their arrival at the defense line would be later than expected. At that speed, in two to three days.
“They intend to prioritize expanding their territory over advancing.”
A voice tinged with excitement flowed from the Lord of Infinite Castles.
“It means that no matter how much it rages, it’s still just a beast.”
Heh, heh, heh.
The despicable laughter of a damn old geezer.
“Then the operation is obvious, isn't it? I’ll build a barrier with my power, and we’ll thin out their numbers. That’s all.”
“That’s no different from usual.”
“That’s what’s good about it, you damn brat.”