Chapter 293
Chapter 293
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 293
Chapter Title: S5. Stellaria of the Bursting Star ~Hope Slumbering Beneath the Ruins~ -6
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Its 80-meter frame unleashed a strike, pouring every ounce of its massive weight into the blow. Magic power amplified that weight as it smashed into the face of the Great Kaiju.
KAAAAABOOOM──!!
Ruuuumble...
The monster that had toppled civilizations let out a silent scream as it staggered. Unit 1, Meteor, didn't miss the opening. The pilot worked the controls in rapid succession, swinging fists aimed squarely at its face.
Vreeee──
Thud! Boom!
Two jabs whipped out, their engine whine lingering like an echo. The movements were light, but the power packed into them was anything but. Each fist dwarfed an ordinary building in size and mass.
Under the relentless barrage, the Great Kaiju was pushed back helplessly. Did the thing even have a brain? It reeled like someone with a concussion, unable to shake off the daze.
The behemoth stumbled into retreat, its back slamming against a half-collapsed building.
In the control room, watching the feed directly, cheers and whistles erupted.
"Yes! Meteor's got it on the ropes completely! That Great Kaiju!"
"We did it! We really did it!"
"...Quiet down, everyone! Keep your heads in the game and check the cameras. The pilot can't see everything!"
Woo Chaerin reined in the room's excitement. If they could just keep pounding it one-sidedly until the end, that would be ideal—but things were going suspiciously smoothly.
The Great Kaiju was undeniably intelligent. It had spread malicious data through communication networks and triggered a nuclear war. Cunning without a doubt. They couldn't drop their guard against a foe like that.
Sure enough, one of the dozens of body cams on Meteor caught a glimpse of something pale flickering.
"Bottom cam. Something's... moving!"
"That's its tail. Pilot, it's trying to wrap around your ankle! Respond now! You absolutely cannot fall! The damage would be catastrophic!"
-Got it!
Even standing steady was a challenge for an 80-meter colossus. Losing balance and toppling would demand an enormous amount of energy just to get back up.
Vreee──!
Following Gordius's orders, the pilot manipulated frantically. Meteor lifted its left foot, yanking the ankle free just before the tail could coil—and stomped down hard.
BOOM──!!
Riiiip!
The tail's tip burst open, spraying white flesh in all directions. But the Great Kaiju acted as if the pain meant nothing, ignoring the damage as it spun its body around.
That initial stagger had been a cunning feint.
"Tail swipe incoming... It's putting its full body weight into a tail attack!"
"Our projected output is higher. Hold your stance right, and you can block it!"
-I'll do it!
Meteor leaned forward, crossing its arms in a guard. The Great Kaiju's tail carved a sweeping arc through the debris, hurtling toward the scrap-heap robot with devastating force.
BOOM──!! Riiiip!
The impact crumpled the outer armor instantly, shoving Meteor back. But its legs, firmly planted in the earth, kept it from falling.
"...Critical damage to Meteor's left arm! Destruction rate 45%!"
"What? The design specs said focusing magic on the armor should prevent this level of—"
"Minor damage for something used as a shield. Press the attack!"
-Yes, Doctor!
Ruuuuumble...
Great Kaiju and Meteor steadied themselves and clashed.
Thud, boom, thud!
The giant and the monster charged, fists flying without hesitation. Raw physical force ripped through the air with thunderous roars.
White mucus exploded outward, and scrap metal buckled.
Claws raked across, sparks flying from steel plates as ugly gashes appeared. Clang. Claaang. Severed metal chunks began dropping to the ground one by one.
"Chest armor destruction rate 32%!"
"Right arm destruction rate 25%!"
"........."
Durability readings on the display updated in real time, turning red one after another. Faster than Gordius had anticipated.
Both the Great Kaiju's abilities and Meteor's specs had been accounted for up to now. So what variable was turning the tide so badly?
"...The pilot's skill."
Pilot Kim was a novice as both a mage and a fighter. Swinging fists was clumsy, and magic manipulation was even worse.
Already, overload warnings flashed in Meteor's joints. Magic needed to flow through for stabilization, but the pilot had no margin for it.
This was the first time for such intense maneuvers, so real combat controls were proving tricky. Theory and practice differed—adapt to practice.
Hoo. Gordius grabbed the mic linked to Meteor and issued commands.
"Pilot, stay calm and listen. Readjusting engine ratios. Magic 7, power 3. Repeat: Magic 7, power 3."
"Goldie, that cuts operating time..."
"Combat performance is lower than expected. Way lower. We need a quick decisive battle."
-...Understood, Mage. Sorry.
Vreeeeee──!!
The magic engine roared fiercely, spewing red light. Meteor's movements sharpened instantly, gaining the edge over the Great Kaiju.
Ruuuum── Boom!
Steel fists trailed afterimages as they hammered the monster's body. Its surface dented deep, then rebounded. The beast thrust out claws for a counter, but the robot's punches landed a beat faster.
-Die, you Great Kaiju!
Boom, thud, boom──!!
It hammered away. Meteor, glowing red, struck relentlessly. The brutal motions pushed destruction rates higher across parts, but the effect was clear.
The Great Kaiju's body began embedding into the ground. Once looming over Meteor despite the size difference, now it lay half-prone, forced to look up at the giant robot.
-I'll topple you and claim the future!
KABOOOM──!!
It rained down. A meteor forged of steel crushed the beast. Like driving nails, it pounded relentlessly. The monster's flesh had no time to regenerate—it tore and shredded.
The pilot's face on cam streamed sweat but grinned with duty and thrill. Almost there—just a bit more, and humanity would—
Victory was near. The bursting sounds were victory drums.
Screee. Screeeeech.
"...Something's off!"
"Anomalous reaction from the Great Kaiju──!!"
It just wasn't humanity's triumph.
Crackle. Zzzzt. Shrrrip──!! Sharp black scales tore through the gooey white outer shell. The initial white form had been mere casing—like a snail's, the interior revealed— Kyaaa, hahahahaha──!! A black dragon burst into mad laughter, its body clad head to toe in razor-sharp obsidian scales.
"...So that's what we saw inside?!"
"Don't panic, pilot! The Great Kaiju's size and mass have actually decreased!"
Down from 100 meters to 80—matching Meteor's height. Unlike the heavy, sluggish first form, this scaled second form was sleek and jagged. Mass reduction was natural. If it relied on weight, the fight would be easier than before! -O-okay. Got it! Vreeee── Meteor swung a fist again. But the sound was different. Clang──!! The second-form Great Kaiju reeled more easily. Punches bent it like a reed. But... only a few gleaming scales flaked off. Damage wasn't landing properly. No guard. As if daring them to kill it, the Great Kaiju dropped all defenses and lunged into a hug. Claws flashed. Crunch, cruuunch. The sharper, deadlier claws dug into Meteor's back. Steel pierced like paper, gouging deep inside.
"Magic conduits to the lower body are severing!"
"We can't inflict damage!"
"Output—output's insufficient!"
The control room stirred uneasily. Meteor battered the Great Kaiju nonstop, but the monster just tightened its claws with mocking cries. They needed one powerful blow to breach those scales. But— "Meteor Strike is..."
"Impossible to ready right now!"
Rocket-assisted weaponry was a week from completion. Rushing production to field-ready and delivering before Meteor fell? No chance. Gordius sensed defeat. Woo Chaerin reached the same conclusion but clung to faint hope, fumbling.
"Overload the built-in magic engine..."
"Useless. Not designed for that output, and above all, the pilot isn't skilled enough."
"Then, then what! There has to be something!"
"Nothing. Chaerin, no way to squeeze out more power..."
"........."
Eerie silence blanketed the room. Just one week. One more week, and they could've savored victory. If only the Western world had held out one week longer against the Great Kaiju... No, if development had started one week sooner! Bang! Woo Chaerin slammed the table. Tears plopped onto it. Her somber voice announced defeat.
"...Continue evacuation. Everyone, get out."
"Y-yes. Preparing to evacuate!"
"And pilot, activate emergency ejection—" -...We lost, huh. Sorry, Doctor. Should've trained harder.
"No. You did your best. Everyone here knows you pulled all-nighters. For now, retreat. We'll try again..."
Screee. Screech. Meteor's destruction rate spiked. No time to waste on ejection. But the internal speaker didn't say "Roger." -Evacuation... isn't done yet, right, Doctor? Vreeee──!! Meteor wrapped arms around the Great Kaiju. It locked in a crushing hold, folding joints to ensure it wouldn't break free. The meaning was clear. The pilot meant to grapple until death.
"Wait, hold on." -I know it's shameless, saying this to someone not even thirty. But... the future's in your hands.
"Wait...!!"
Comms cut off unilaterally. Shouting into the mic did nothing—the cockpit ignored it. Pilot Kim looked relieved, resolute, manipulating to the end. Ten minutes later. Shhhrrk. Crunch. Only after the Great Kaiju's spiked tail climbed the frame, skewering Meteor's head and pulverizing the cockpit, did the desperate struggle end.
"Cockpit... no vital signs. Pilot deceased."
"........."
Hope turned to despair.
Evacuation began. Control room staff packed and ran for vehicles, leaving only Woo Chaerin and Gordius. Others urged them to flee, but they stayed—work remained. The two geniuses had realized it instantly. Kyahahaha──!! The Great Kaiju racing toward Stellaria's underground bunker roared faster than its first form—leaping on all fours like a puma. Calculations showed it would catch up before they could evacuate. Scientist and mage exchanged glances. There sat a prototype robot on endless tracks. Laughable specs compared to Unit 1 Meteor, low-output magic engine included as a backup. Not fully humanoid—inefficient too. Any amateur pilot would be shredded instantly. To buy time in that machine against the Great Kaiju? Only a genius could. That's why they stayed. Scientist and mage locked eyes, breaking the silence.
"I'll go, Chaerin. A mage handles magic engines best."
"...Fine. Logical. Then, one last hug."
"........."
Gordius inwardly sighed in relief at Woo Chaerin's quick acceptance. He'd braced for an argument where she'd insist on going herself. Reasons abounded for him to volunteer. Otherworlder. Promise to the mad professor. Death here wasn't true death. A clock tattoo left for emergencies. Plenty of rationale—but truth be told, he hadn't weighed them. He just didn't want her going. Woo Chaerin threw herself into his arms. He felt her trembling. Then rustling—and something pressing his side. Should've checked when she folded so easily.
"...Chaerin, you!"
ZZZAP──!! Vision flashed white. He instinctively wrapped magic for lightning resistance, but too late. Consciousness barely held as full-body paralysis hit. Stunned by the shock device, Gordius slumped into her arms. She dragged him with grunts. Typing a code, a wall parted, revealing a capsule.
"Ngh, col...d..."
Thud. Gordius tumbled inside.
"...Know what this is? Cryo capsule. Made by the bunker-building tycoon for doomsday. Wake in a century after nuclear fallout poisons nature, or so."
"...No..."
"Told you. Plan for failure... and you, Gordius, can't pilot. Still think so."
If someone had to survive. Not another dime-a-dozen scientist—but the one-of-a-kind mage.
"Truth? Even those evacuating... might abandon them. How far can vehicles go? Goldie, you must live. For the future, you—" No. Woo Chaerin caressed his cheek tenderly.
"...Maybe, somehow, you've become more precious."
"........."
"This cryo capsule descends underground. Magic stones beside, backup power plenty. Even if the Great Kaiju razes this, safe. And... you're an earth mage, right? You said you could escape buried soil."
So, even if all died, Gordius would live.
"Told everyone reachable about you. This battle too. Now... they'll know the magic engine dev's buried here."
So. Someone would come rescue you. Mages essential for magic engines. Hiiiiss──. Transparent lid sealed. Machine droned on rapid freeze procedure. Gordius tried moving—couldn't. Woo Chaerin gazed sadly once, then turned to the prototype. Ahead lay death. -Prototype, launching. The now-empty control room screen showed outside. Tracks whirred; crude prototype charged the earth. It fired useless guns to draw the Great Kaiju's ire. The monster laughed like a child with a new toy. Steel danced with scales. Each catch shredded prototype parts. Like a dragonfly in a brat's grasp—bit by bit. Only then did Gordius know his heart. Too late, worst timing. Affection. He'd bickered endlessly with Woo Chaerin, yet always understood each other. Her terrified yet defiant fight for the future—he loved that. Time. Damnable time! Just a bit faster! The fight was one-sided. Prototype inflicted no damage, crumbling. End neared. Then, the final blow—the one that felled Unit 1. Before the sharp tail pierced the cockpit, prototype engine spiked over 200%. Clear overload. She'd used her genius to overrev the magic engine beyond limits. The mage read her intent. Self-destruct. Gordius reached with limp arm—no. Frosted glass took only a handprint smudge. -Future's yours, Goldie! Last comm rang out. ────!! Massive explosion from within. Great Kaiju screamed; black scales rained. Dragon scales weren't invincible. Just lacked raw power. Before grief fully filled Gordius's chest— Shhh. Air inside froze solid.
"Chaerin..."
The mage's eyes closed.
After the Great Kaiju crisis, research group Stellaria built giant robot Meteor to fight it—and lost. Ten years passed—AD 2037. A 7-meter humanoid robot scoured ruins atop Stellaria's old underground bunker. It hurled concrete chunks, digging. Oddity: right arm moved smoothly, human-like. Left arm jerked awkwardly.
"...Coords definitely here?" -Told you. Woo Doc's last coords match. Wrote on paper, stamped plate, engraved gold bar. Satisfied?
"No sign of it, that's the issue. Coords good enough. Find it, call first—don't wait. Comms off." -Hey, kid! Getting more brusque eve— Click. Short comm ended; robot dug silently. Soon.
"Oh?"
Clunk. Something snagged on its fingers. Cautious not to damage, it brushed dirt, knelt, halted. Tiny magic engine died with a hiss; cockpit hatch popped. Out came a one-armed girl. Balance perfect despite missing arm. She dashed across the 3-meter sitting robot's surface, landing safely. Checked cryo capsule, hit open. Hiiiiss... Vapor cleared; man lay neatly inside. Slightly unkempt from memory, but features matched. He slowly opened frost-rimmed lids. Girl deep-breathed, offered her lone hand.
"—Greetings are late, Mage. Thanks for the rescue."
"........."
"Odd from a rescuee, but... we need help. Join Stellaria again?"