Chapter 216: Support Has Arrived (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 216: Support Has Arrived (5)
After a brief training session and lunch, we head toward Otaki-machi.
Since it could be dangerous, the field team stands by near the city while we scout the planned search perimeter.
"Follow my lead!"
"How many times do I have to tell you not to wander off? It's dangerous."
I growl as I quickly snatch the flying gnat out of the air. Ellie pouts, her cheeks puffing out.
"But it's boring! Fresh air is nice and all, but doing this over and over is no fun."
"We didn't come here for fun."
I stuff the complaining, child-like Ellie into my vest pocket and continue the search.
"Still, it feels like we're out on a retreat, so it's nice," Satomi says.
"You're right, unnie. It’d be perfect if we could have some boiled chicken out here," Kwon Ye-jin replies excitedly.
Their ideas of a 'retreat' seem a bit different, but everyone looks to be in good spirits. Perhaps because the training has been so intense, they seem to view hiking up a mountain as a form of rest.
…That’s a good thing, right?
It feels a bit off, but as long as they’re happy, I suppose it’s fine.
"Hey."
Ellie, still tucked in my vest pocket, calls out to me.
"I feel it again."
"Yeah, I know."
Ellie stares intently past the forest. There’s a hill in front of us, so we’d need to climb higher to see anything, but she’s looking in the right direction. My Mana Detection is pointing exactly there as well.
"Today too?"
"Yeah. Let's bypass it."
We keep our voices low as we shift our search direction. There’s no need to walk straight into an obvious trap.
The tactic of using intense observation waves to lure people in was something that appeared in the game’s story. Even if I hadn't known the plot, I’m not naive enough to fall for such a clumsy bait.
Currently, the search party is moving as a single unit because of potential villain involvement. Moving together naturally narrows our search range, but the reason we haven't found anything isn't just because of the area we're covering.
Whether they have a skill like a mole or something else, the bastards are hiding underground. Judging by how the observation waves aren't fixed in one spot but fluctuate wildly, they must have dug a labyrinth of tunnels under the entire area.
I don't know their exact identity, but they’re targeting Black Unicorn. If not, it would mean they’re so numerous that they’re everywhere we go, which is even more nonsensical.
Since we report our intended search areas to the Japan Association before moving, our route is easy to track. They seem to be waiting like an antlion, hoping we’ll pass through their zone. Do they really not know what my skills are?
Or does it mean the Mana Detection skill is just that underestimated? Either way, I’m grateful if they think so.
"We're clocking out."
"Already?"
Lee Yu-na asks in surprise, but after seeing my expression, she quickly nods and leads a curious Kwon Ye-jin away.
Now that I’ve mapped out their base of operations while wandering around, it’s time to exterminate these cockroaches.
*
Song Jae-ah summons the heroes who have finished their search back to headquarters.
The heroes, who spent the whole day wandering without results, gather in one place with exhausted faces. Song Jae-ah steps forward among the heroes, some of whom aren't even trying to hide their annoyance at being called for no apparent reason when they just want to rest.
"Why were only we called separately?"
Not all the searching heroes are present. Only the Korean Support Headquarters and the hero parties I’ve vetted and deemed trustworthy during the search are here.
Victoria looks at the gathered heroes and then glances at me with an intrigued expression.
Song Jae-ah walks up to the podium and turns on the projector, displaying a map of Otaki-machi on the white wall.
"Tomorrow, we will be eliminating the villains."
As Song Jae-ah speaks confidently, without the trembling she showed during our many practice sessions in the office, the look in the heroes' eyes changes. Just moments ago, they looked like exhausted, rebellious students, but they are all B-rank or higher heroes.
The heroes shift their postures and focus as Song Jae-ah flips to the next slide. Blue lines are drawn over the map of Otaki-machi. She points behind her and continues.
"The villains are currently located underground in Otaki-machi."
"Where did this information come from?"
At a hero's question, I raise my hand and speak.
"I have an Error named Elisia with me."
"I am not an Error! I am Elisia, the noble Fairy of Joy born from the dew of a narcissus!"
Ellie stomps on my head and gives a graceful bow to the heroes, pretending to be dignified. The other heroes have seen her with me many times before.
"Elisia feeds on emotional energy and can detect negative emotions much like a skill. Her range is far wider than mine. She was a huge help when we were clearing out the monsters hiding in Miura City."
When I praise her, Ellie grins from ear to ear, clearly pleased.
"And she detected those emotions underground?"
Victoria asks, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"Yes. I apologize for not informing you sooner. However, thanks to her, we were able to map out the underground tunnels."
I turn my gaze to the projector screen, and the heroes follow suit, looking at the complex web of blue lines drawn on the map. Having captured their attention, Song Jae-ah continues.
"We have identified four entrances so far. Since this was confirmed through reconnaissance alone, there may be more, but tomorrow we will enter through these points to eliminate the villains hiding below."
"Is there no other support?"
"None at the moment."
"Why not?"
When a hero asks with a frown, Victoria speaks up with a sneer.
"It means there’s a traitor inside. Let’s be professionals and catch on quickly."
The hero who asked the question stiffens at Victoria's words.
"And isn't that why only the 100% trustworthy hero parties were handpicked to be here?"
Only then did the hero realize that several parties from the search team were missing, and they looked at Song Jae-ah with startled eyes.
"That is correct. Since they might flee, the request for support will only be made exactly when the operation begins. Our job is to blockade the entrances and prevent the villains from escaping."
"Isn't there one more thing?"
Victoria smiles meaningfully at her, and Song Jae-ah nods.
"Yes. We are to seize whatever it is that is being used to forcibly trigger dungeon explosions."
"…Does such a thing really exist…?"
Since there had been no definitive proof of humans causing dungeons to explode, it had mostly been treated as a rumor. One hero asks, their face turning pale.
In this world that relies on the Jewel of Life, the idea of monsters emerging from dungeons is a terrifying prospect even for heroes.
"Whether it is a skill or a device has not been confirmed. However, we are certain it exists."
As Song Jae-ah delivers the line she practiced countless times in front of the office mirror, the heroes let out low groans of dismay.
Aren't they being a bit too scared, though?
I feel a bit uneasy seeing the heroes look more shaken than I expected. If something like Belarus actually came out of a dungeon, a whole nation could fall in an instant.
While everyone wears a dark expression, Victoria raises her hand.
"Go ahead."
"About that 'something' that may or may not exist."
Victoria speaks casually at first, then shifts her posture to look Song Jae-ah straight in the eye.
"If we seize it, who does it belong to?"
Mmm—she went straight for the jugular.
At Victoria's words, the eyes of the heroes from other countries change. Technology that can explode dungeons is a formidable weapon. Whether a nation or an individual possessed it, it was something everyone would be wary of.
"We're here to help Japan, sure, but I have no intention of handing them a weapon like that on our way out."
As Victoria speaks with her predatory eyes gleaming, the other heroes watch for a reaction. However, Song Jae-ah speaks calmly, just as we practiced.
"No clan and no nation will possess it. It is a completely harmful thing that has no place on this Earth, so we will destroy it. Whether it is a device or a human."
"That's a rather cold answer for a hero. But I like it."
Victoria, who had been stirring the pot, nods in agreement with Song Jae-ah.
What a relief. I was worried she might say, "America is the strongest, so we'll take it."
With Victoria's agreement, the heroes, moved by Song Jae-ah's words, nod in favor of destroying it.
"The operation will begin at the same time as the scheduled search activities. Security is paramount, so everyone here must destroy their copies of the operational plan after reviewing them. Do not inform your respective party situation rooms or field teams until the operation begins."
"So, a large-scale black op."
At Victoria's summary, the heroes nod with grim faces.
It ended well. Song Jae-ah and Victoria set the atmosphere perfectly without me even needing to step in. Song Jae-ah's one-on-one coaching paid off; she delivered her lines perfectly and firmly won over the heroes.
And Victoria actually helped out quite a bit.
I give a small nod of gratitude to Victoria, who is still ignoring Song Jae-ah and looking at me with an amused smile. Did she realize I’m the one pulling the strings from behind?
Seriously, you can't underestimate a single one of these A-ranks.
Ah, wait, there’s one over there.
I look at Song Jae-ah, who is maintaining a stoic face but has her fists clenched in joy because the meeting was a success, and then I turn to my members.
"We need to get ready too. First, check the documents and memorize the plan. The password is B75TA449."
"So the Captain already knew."
Satomi, who hadn't complained during the search but had been curious why I was ignoring instructions and changing routes at will, looks at me with eyes full of respect.
"Ahem! Of course I knew. It's all thanks to me."
Ellie sits on the crown of my head, acting smug.
"It doesn't matter who found out. What matters is finishing tomorrow's operation successfully. You've all had plenty of experience with narrow passages in dungeons, right?"
"Yes. Just give the word, and I will be the Captain's sword at any time."
Satomi nods resolutely.
"Hornet, how much experience do you have fighting in narrow tunnels?"
Hornet's combat style relies on mobility, so narrow spaces are a disadvantage for her. Hornet, who had been checking the document with a reluctant expression, twirls her baseball cap on her finger as she answers.
"I prefer to avoid them if possible, but I won't be a burden."
"I'll be counting on your Air Blast."
The Air Blast, which instantaneously detonates compressed air to push the user and everything around them back, would be a huge help in an emergency within a narrow tunnel.
"It's not called Air Blast!"
"Why, Hornet-unnie? It's a fun name."
"Don't name things just because they're 'fun'!"
As Kwon Ye-jin speaks innocently, Hornet grumbles and pulls her hat down low. She’s surprisingly weak against Kwon Ye-jin. Well, she’s weak in bed, too.
Seeing me watch her with a smirk, Hornet flips me the bird and goes back to reading the document meticulously.
I’ve changed a lot, but Hornet is also slowly changing as she adapts to Black Unicorn.
Just as I’m thinking I hope everyone continues to grow like this, Song Jae-ah approaches.
"Silver Blood made a request. Can you hear them out?"
I head over to Victoria with her. Victoria skims the overall plan and makes a proposal.
"It's a bit risky, but would Black Unicorn be willing to move with Silver Blood?"
"Do you want our detection capabilities?"
"Yeah. It looks like a labyrinth down there, so it’s too inefficient for us to move on our own."
I consider the map for a moment before nodding.
"Yes, fine. Let's do that."
"I knew you'd understand."
Victoria looks delighted, almost as if she wants to hug me, her ample chest bouncing. I watch her breasts go boing-boing for a moment before the meeting finally breaks up.
Everyone leaves with tense faces, and after finishing my own preparations, I lie down on my bed.
To think they’d use observation waves as bait. It makes me laugh how similar their methods are to the game; I guess people are the same everywhere.
The more valuable the bait, the better. But they’ll have to be prepared for the consequences.
I grin, looking forward to uprooting the Alliance tomorrow.