Chapter 5

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 5

Chapter Title: The Type 3 Bug Nest

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My mutter made Ellen Sergeant's face harden.

"Type 3 Bug..."

In the game, it took concentrated company-level firepower just to take one down.

Our squad of ten wouldn't even scratch it.

No, we'd be wiped out before we could.

"Everyone, hit the dirt."

At Ellen Sergeant's low command, the squad members dropped to the ground in unison.

The Type 3 Bug hadn't spotted us yet and was lumbering around in front of its nest.

The problem was...

"Kieeeek."

The ten Type 2 Bugs circling it, plus countless Type 1 Bugs.

This wasn't just a nest. It was a hive.

"Squad Leader, we need to pull back immediately."

I nodded at Kallix Platoon Sergeant's words.

"Agreed."

Spotting a Type 3 Bug in the field was rare even by this world's standards.

She pondered, her expression troubled.

"Lucas."

"Yes."

"Can we backtrack the route you guided us on?"

"We can, but..."

I scanned below once more.

"Type 1 Bugs are patrolling the area periodically. The ones we ran into on the way were probably scouts doing the rounds."

"Intervals?"

"According to the... manual, Bugs patrol every seven minutes or so."

Almost said "gallery" there.

Was I that tense?

"Seven minutes is plenty. Everyone, prepare to withdraw."

Ellen Sergeant signaled with her hand, and the squad quietly lowered their stances, ready to move.

Right then.

"Urk..."

A groan from behind.

I turned to see Naga Corporal limping on his left leg.

"Naga Corporal, what happened?"

"Stepped on something..."

Looking at his foot, a sharp crystal mineral had pierced clean through his boot and into his foot.

Miren-7's specialty.

A jagged crystalline mineral on the surface that players in the game called "landmines."

But the real issue wasn't his lost mobility.

It was his blood.

The Bugs, sensitive to the scent of blood, all whipped their heads toward us at once—which meant the Type 3 Bug had spotted us too.

Proof: its three horns were vibrating faintly.

'We're screwed.'

Ellen Sergeant gritted her teeth and stood from the prone position.

"Everyone, full sprint retreat! I'll handle Naga Corporal!"

"No!"

My reflexive shout met her eyes.

Her gaze was ice-cold, screaming 'Is this guy nuts?' But her role was more critical than she realized.

"If the squad leader carries the wounded, the chain of command collapses! I'll take him—retreat now!"

"...Fine. But don't die."

"Got it!"

I slung Naga Corporal's arm over my shoulder and carefully supported him.

Or so I say—really, I hoisted him up like a sack of rice.

...Impossible without that level-up on the way here.

"Sorry about this."

"If you're really sorry, buy me a drink when we get back."

"Not just one—I'll bankrupt a bar for you."

"Looking forward to it."

Even in this mess, our banter earned us looks from the squad leader and platoon sergeant like we were both lunatics.

"None of my squad's right in the head."

"Give up."

"Damn it, everyone—retreat!"

The Type 3 Bug's roar shook the earth.

"KIIIIIIEEEEEEK!!!!!"

Dozens, hundreds of Bugs surged toward us, and we bolted for the outpost like our lives depended on it—which they did.

"If even one of you dies, I'll kill you myself!!! Run at full speed!!!!!!!"

Ellen Sergeant's shout spurred the squad into a frenzy, but dragging Naga Corporal, I naturally fell behind.

He spoke to me anxiously.

"Lucas, ditch me! We'll both die like this!"

"Can't do that!"

"That's an order!"

"Sorry, Corporal—you don't have authority over me!!"

"You crazy bastard!!!"

Thud!

Thud!!

Thud!!!

The Type 3 Bug's footsteps closed in from behind.

The ground quaked; pebbles jumped underfoot.

That instant.

I nodded instinctively at the blue window in my vision.

"Use it!!!"

A cold liquid sensation spread from the nape of my neck, and explosive power surged through my body.

My heart pounded wildly, vision sharpened, and Naga Corporal felt as light as a feather.

"Hang on tight!!"

I hoisted him piggyback and sprinted toward the rocky area.

Chinese knockoff this time?

Why's it so short!?

Eyes on the distance to the rocks—it'd be close, but doable.

Then Ellen Sergeant glanced back, our eyes met, and hers widened.

"Covering fire, everyone!"

At her order, the squad spun and opened up.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gauss Rifles spat fire; a few pursuing Type 1 Bugs lost heads to rounds. But the Type 2 and 3 shrugged it off.

Still, their fire let me drag Naga Corporal into the rocks.

"Thanks!!!"

"Survive, or I'll kill you! Everyone into the rocks! Use the narrow pass to escape!!"

Knowing this map inside out, I had to admire her call.

The rocky area's tight canyons were too narrow for the Type 3 Bug's bulk.

In the game, it was prime terrain to shake large Bugs.

But this wasn't a game.

These weren't scripted monsters.

BOOM!

As we entered, the Type 3 Bug swung an arm at the entrance.

A massive boulder shattered, shards flying everywhere.

"Hit the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dirt!!!!"

Ellen Sergeant's yell—we dropped; debris whistled over my head, clanging off my helmet.

"Urk."

"You okay!?"

"Just grazed."

But we were already deep in the canyon.

"KIIIIIIEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!"

The Type 3 Bug thrashed at the entrance, but Miren-7's crystals absorbed the impacts.

No wonder they called 'em landmines.

Fair to friend and foe alike.

Thud!

Thud!!

Thud!!!

The rocks shook, but we pushed deeper into the canyon.

"KIIIIIIEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!"

The enraged Type 3's cry echoed behind, but it couldn't follow.

Type 1s could squeeze in, but single-file negated their numbers.

We could handle them one by one—no threat now.

"Catch your breath here. Maintain watch."

At Ellen Sergeant's order, the squad took positions guarding both sides.

"Naga Corporal's status?"

"Through-and-through, but bone's fine. First aid here, full treatment at base—he'll be good."

She nodded at my report.

"Patch him during watch."

"Roger."

I pulled the emergency kit, yanked the crystal from his foot, and staunched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the bleeding.

"Yaaaahhh!!!!!!"

"Hold still."

"It huuuurts...!"

"A soldier crying over this?"

"Who's crying...! Dust in my eye!!"

His words eased the tension a bit.

"A corporal bawling in front of the rookie?"

"No sir! Just dust!"

"Dust that pierces helmets... Dangerous stuff."

"Y-Yes!!"

Amid the squad's chuckles, I finished the patch-up.

"All done. Quit crying."

"I wasn't...!"

He denied it reflexively, but soon murmured low.

"If I make it out alive, drinks are on me."

"I'll hold you to it."

Naga Corporal smirked. Did he know?

This was a death flag.

And my gut feeling was spot on.

"Kieeeek!!!!!"

A Type 1 Bug slithered in at the entrance.

"Open fire!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The lead pair nailed its head.

But as one fell, more poured in behind.

Bodies piled at the entrance, but a prolonged fight favored them. Ammo's finite.

We couldn't break out alone.

"Squad Leader, request outpost support."

Ellen Sergeant nodded at Kallix Platoon Sergeant's suggestion.

"Miel Corporal."

"Yes!"

"Link to HQ. Report Type 3 sighting and request rescue."

"Roger!"

Miel Corporal frantically worked the gear, sending the call.

"17th Special Forces Company, 3rd Squad! Type 3 Bug sighted! Engaging in rocky area! Requesting rescue!"

Static.

Static.

Static.

The voice over the comm...

Mikhail Company Commander.

"Recon sector B-7, inside the rocky canyon!"

Static.

Static.

Static.

A suffocating silence stretched.

Mikhail Company Commander's voice returned.

A pause, then he continued.

The line went dead.

"Humanity's greatest force..."

It meant one thing.

The Full Cybernetics Soldier was coming out.