Chapter 292
Chapter 292
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 292
Chapter Title: S5. Stellaria of the Storm ~Hope Slumbering Beneath the Ruins~ -5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Haaah—"
Clink.
Woo Chaerin let out a sigh mixed with a groan as she set down her glass. This was the third one. Instead of saying a word, she kicked off the drinking session with a performance of downing shot after shot of soju.
The side dish was dried squid. It was about a week past its expiration date. In this apocalyptic world where social infrastructure had crumbled, this qualified as fresh food.
Chaerin had brought the squid, but Gordius was the only one eating it.
Gordius sipped his soju from the tiny glass while observing her. Whether from the recoil of chugging shots back-to-back, her face was already flushed with intoxication. Downing them without a bite would hit her hard soon enough.
Her unusually disheveled state was strangely nagging at him.
Gordius rubbed his brow, paused for a moment, and tried to intervene to stop her rampage.
"At least eat some—"
"No. Don't tell me what to do."
"You'll regret it tomorrow. This is more prophecy than prediction. Even Professor Alexon, who was incredibly healthy and robust... couldn't beat a hangover."
"Future me can deal with the hangover. Not me. And stop saying true things even at a drinking party."
Gulp.
But it only backfired, accelerating her pace instead. Chaerin poured back the straight soju as if her insides were burning, but liquor wouldn't solve it. Wasn't alcohol basically fire in liquid form?
"Ah, damn... hot."
"Of course it's hot if you chug like that..."
Chaerin fidgeted and shrugged off her lab coat.
Underneath was a black sleeveless knit top. Disheveled from her drunken slouch, the strap of her bra peeked out over her shoulder.
Gordius fought the downward pull of his gaze, fixing his eyes on her furrowed brow instead, and issued a stern warning with a point of his finger.
"Don't take it off."
"I'm wearing stuff underneath? I told you not to backseat."
"Strictly speaking, you didn't say that. You said not to say true things, not not to backseat."
"I said no true things at drinking parties?"
What was he supposed to do?
He understood her feelings. Gordius wasn't heartless, and he could empathize with part of what she was going through. Fewer sacrifices were better, and none were best.
Drones were an attractive option. If humanity wasn't backed into a corner.
So he'd thought she came to fight about pilots again this time.
"...I hate being leader. It's burdensome."
"......"
Instead, unexpected words spilled from her lips.
Chaerin had done well so far. Securing materials from those in power, leading the people of Stellaria, and now the giant robot to combat the Colossal Beast was nearly complete. She was a born leader.
She had... a power that made people follow her willingly. The light from unshakeable conviction that made you want to trail behind her.
And yet, it was burdensome.
"Haven't you done great so far? Everyone in Stellaria relies on you, and you have the ability for it, Doctor."
"Not everything talent touches turns to gold. And... to begin with, I wasn't the type to lead people, and I had no experience. I just worked as a lab grunt, supporting others' research."
"...You?"
Frankly put, Woo Chaerin was a genius.
Anyone could build a giant robot in a collapsed society? She was extraordinarily capable, so Gordius had naturally assumed she'd walked an elite path.
Apparently not.
"...Connections matter, huh. They pushed me out for going to a different university, stole my ideas. No room for me in their push-and-pull."
"Wasting a gem for that."
"The kicker was, uh. Didn't take a drink from a professor at a party, and the old bastard started nitpicking from then on. Yeah... no recognition. Worked but got nothing."
"Hah. Cutting off their nose to spite their face. Can't even use the gems they have."
"Yeah, say it like that. Skip the facts, just pretty words I wanna hear."
Chaerin giggled.
The gap from her usual intellect-packed demeanor was huge, sending Gordius's eyes fleeing to the calendar on the wall. He didn't know why he averted his gaze.
Glug glug glug.
She tilted the soju bottle to refill her glass, speaking as she did. Quite drunk, it filled to the brim and overflowed a bit.
"But... wanna hear a funny story?"
"...If it's fun, I'll pay. With this dried squid."
"I miss it. Those days rotting in the lab."
"......"
Gulp. She downed the glass and set it down. Clink.
Then slid down the table, using her arm as a pillow, slouching crookedly. Half-mumbling, she spilled her heart.
"Back then, it sucked... but I could order chicken at night, buy chicken breast if I overate snacks fearing fat, take bubble baths... wow, seems so luxurious now."
"That's."
"Now they respect me as leader, acknowledge my skills. But honestly, I don't need it. Even rotting unrecognized in the lab... I'd go back to those peaceful days."
"...Is that so?"
Chaerin nodded silently.
She felt nostalgia for the past on the same Korean soil. Life was tough, but no survival worries. She missed it terribly.
That's why she stepped up.
Calling politicians despite inner trembling for support. Pulling all-nighters desperately researching. Building Stellaria. All from longing.
The desperate wish to return somehow drove her.
Gordius fed her a squid leg and said,
"Might as well dream big. After we beat the Colossal Beast, we could build a lab named after Dr. Woo Chaerin. Peace and fame both."
"Ugh, no. Sick of being on top. I just wanna live off veteran pension, doing odd jobs. For now."
"Waste. If you're wasting talent, give it to me. I'll buy it."
"Goldie... show me a number. If I like it, I'll sell."
Her eyes crinkled in a pretty smile. Gordius was about to offer a chocolate bar... but upped the bid on that smile.
"...How about the prized disciple of the Golden Tower Master, genius mage candidate for next Golden Tower Master."
"Tried it—magic aside, useless. Weak in earth science too."
"The Dr. Woo I know was useless outside science."
"Useless trades useless. Bring a contract later."
Gordius straightened up. He knew not to take a drunk's jokes seriously. Probably not that deep. Just impulse in intoxication.
After that, chit-chat.
She collected Sylvanian doll figures—aren't the shapes so cute? (Gordius saw waste.)
It's weirdly hot, can't undress with you here, so blindfold yourself. (Solved with cold water.)
And.
"About the mech name... thinking 『Meteor』."
"Meteor?"
"Yeah. We're Stellaria... a star, right? Drop that star, cave in the Colossal Beast's skull. Deep naming like that."
"Not deep, but attractive. Name worth investing three gold coins in."
"Heh, scared I'll open a naming shop."
『Meteor』.
Unit 1's name was set: "Star Fallen from the Sky".
Gordius often recalled moments from her past.
Monsters raiding the village, the fake knight boldly facing them. Crude iron armor pieced from ill-fitting scrap.
And little Gordius looking up at his back.
He remembered that silhouette. Saved by that brave knight, Gordius dreamed of giant golems since. The feeling lingered.
Like it'd protect from everything. He wanted to recreate it with his hands.
5m or 10m lacked the aura. Bigger golem could shape true reassurance for anyone.
"...Dr. Woo Chaerin, your dream will come true. It will."
Maybe size wasn't key—
"Right arm done, Chaerin."
"Good work. Mana engine stabilization done too! Goldie, come inspect?"
"Switch. Can't grasp arm load right, need a genius scientist's eye."
"Why so complimentary lately...? I'm bad at lip service, Goldie. Don't expect it."
Chatter. Workers watching Chaerin and Gordius banter saw their overnight vibe shift, murmuring.
"...Aren't those two way closer now?"
"Heard Chaerin visited that guy's room last night."
"Oh my, they did it. Yeah, people mellow with partners. Ow, ow! Why's there a rock in my shoe...?"
Gordius magicked pebbles into the chatty workers' shoes. Luckily, Chaerin didn't hear. Vrrr—!! Unit 1 『Meteor』 was 80% complete. This for perfection, but current state could move, even fight. Analysis: 85% chance to beat Colossal Beast as-is. But end there? That sliver of unease urged caution. Tank close-fire scarred surface; observation noted something pitch-black inside. So, ace in hole prepped. Chaerin's rocket boosters. Meant for space rockets, now to smash Colossal Beast's head. 『Meteor Strike』. One week to finish. Pilot Mr. Kim progressing smoothly. Training/study extended max mana engine to two hours.
"Aigoo, my girl, here to see daddy?"
"Robot! Robot moving!"
"If daddy does that, show heart with robot..."
"Stop! Robot frame can't handle raised arms, no during test runs!"
Settled on finger heart. Real fight variables, mental strain lower it, but still ample. Over one hour vs. Colossal Beast means loss anyway. Everything smooth. But. Disasters don't wait for humans. Static. Crackle.
The radio spat sudden ceasefire news. Long-missed outside world contact.
Stellaria cheered. If Western nuclear war ended in peace, they might aid Colossal Beast hunt. Optimism for brighter future.
Amid cheers, two faces hardened in shock: Chaerin and Gordius. Not good news.
Colossal Beast paused likely to topple greatest threat giant nation. Suspected mind waves induced WW3.
War over meant.
"...Deemed powerless to harm it. Practically surrender broadcast to the Colossal Beast!"
"No need project hypnosis outward, so now, the Colossal Beast...!"
-Kik. Gruk. Kk.
Radio echoed mocking grotesque noise. Simultaneously.
Beeeep—!!
"Colossal Beast movement detected! It's moving—!"
"Stayed still till now! Why suddenly?!"
Alarms blared, red lights flashed facility-wide. Bunker laughter melted to bitter anxiety.
Chaerin called emergency meeting.
"...Status?"
"Colossal Beast random destruction. No path consistency, skips some buildings, smashes others."
"No. It's killing people. Targets all pre-mapped survivor groups!"
"Ambiguous. For human kills, no need such path—"
Bang.
Gordius slammed table, silencing chaos. Looked at Chaerin.
"Key: Colossal Beast active again. Your call."
"......"
"...Interception viable. Chaerin. For Korea rebuild, launch 『Meteor』 now before casualties spread—"
"Stop. Save true words for drinking. You oppose, right Goldie?"
Avoid.
Ignore deaths while Colossal Beast slaughters, focus final piece. Raise 『Meteor』 to 100%.
Harsh best choice.
They influenced each other. So Chaerin bit lip, aimed 'realistic' for all.
"Launch on hold—"
"I-Incoming! Colossal Beast, this way—!!"
"...Hah. Perfect timing. No dilemma. Prep launch. All stations. Goldie, control room with me. Security, evac prep."
"Yes!"
Chaerin sighed emptily. Gordius scratched hair, headed control.
Refreshing. Can't avoid fight, stake fate now. Stellaria prepped for decisive battle.
People rushed tensely, desperately working.
Clank, clank, hiss—!!
Stabilizers for Unit 1 『Meteor』 detached, ceiling to outside slowly opened. Sunlight slipped in, lit robot face.
This cockpit.
Chaerin grabbed pilot Mr. Kim heading cockpit.
"...Specs won't lag. Calculated Colossal Beast physicals from destruction logs, tuned 『Meteor』 output higher. Got it?"
"Means fight well. I'll handle it, Doctor! Don't worry. And... daughter in your care."
"No such words. Fight smart. Avoid cockpit hits. Survive, return. Got it?"
"Of course. Can't leave daughter..."
Boarding complete. Control screens showed Unit 1 internals, cockpit cam, external feeds.
Gordius clenched fist. Their masterpiece on proof stage. All hopes on that robot.
Begin.
Save world or perish to beast.
Dire crossroads—now, coin flipped.
Thud. Thud. Living catastrophe here. Body too vast for any life, mighty enough to erase civilization. White surface swirled purple patterns. Twisted form oozed joy. Death, tragedy absurdly fun. Creak, crrrunch! Casual swipe crumbled buildings. Screams rang. Vs. building split noise, frail human cries like insect wings. But Colossal Beast heard perfectly. Reason for life, so tuned for it. Inherited 'that' trait. Inside. Yes, there. Huddled crying people visible.
"Kyaaaaah—!!"
"Get away, please get away! Scram!"
Head tendrils writhed, detected forward mana. Like thermal cam, 'Awakened' forms clear. Beast gingerly inserted forelimb. Glass shattered, rebar bent. Awakened spewed fire resistance—futile. Thud. Thud. Them, slowly, leisurely. Crushed dead. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud! Then, vibration. Thought building collapse, but different. Something approaching from rear. Realized—earth-shaking steps from mass rivaling self—too late. BOOM! It huge. Loud. Crude. Mana-clumped scrap iron.
KABOOOM—!!
Unit 1 『Meteor』's massive fist slammed into the Colossal Beast's face.