The battle was over in less than ten minutes.
"...after."
Kim Yi-hyeon glanced at the hanging tip of the sword. Blood, flesh, and traces of life were all over the hilt. Although there wasn't much difference in actual weight, it felt heavy.
'It's a bit burdensome.'
Even though I've already adapted, that doesn't mean I've become a pleasure killer. I didn't really think much of it when I swung my sword, but once it was over, a sticky feeling of disgust rose up to my feet.
The expedition. If you remove the filter of the game's content, it was ultimately a massacre.
'It's also depressing that I have to clean this myself.'
I remembered Tamtam's advice to take care of my equipment properly. Something that others take for granted could not be this awkward. Until now, all I had to do was release the spell.
I tried using it to get used to it, but it ended up giving me more work to do. I liked the strength and sharpness of the weapon, so I will continue to use it often.
by the way.
"Your skills have improved in the meantime, Hyeon."
"...Because I never miss training."
"You're doing well. If Ghost saw you, he'd be quite surprised."
West Creek's praise was particularly harsh today. He has a keen eye for battle. He might have noticed something when he saw Kim I-Hyun's movements.
'It's a bit of a stretch to say that my skills have improved.'
The day of the battle with Nigrum.
Since being injected with blue water, the physical specs themselves have improved. Although it may not be a dramatic change, it is difficult to pass it off as a difference in condition.
In terms of game-like expressions, it can be said that the overall ability has increased. If expressed in numbers, it would be close to the average of a 4-star agent. At least, if he were to arm wrestle with Pablo, he would be confident that he would win.
'Should I like this?'
There is no change in the 'mutation rate'. It remains the same even after a considerable amount of time has passed. The worry that it might mutate while I am sleeping has disappeared, but... I cannot shake off the feeling of unease.
'If I get the chance, I'll consult with Kushan.'
It was something to think about slowly. There have been no significant negative effects yet, unless there are serious problems. So far, there have been only positives.
"...That, team leader."
Navy spoke hesitantly.
"Was it really necessary to go this far?"
"To this extent?"
"There were many non-combatants as well. It would have been possible to capture them, even if it was a bit inconvenient. This kind of one-sided massacre… frankly, I don't like it."
The distorted expression was noticeable. The expression of displeasure also seemed to have been considerably toned down.
It was an understandable backlash.
Even though he is a veteran, Navy is also an agent of the lab. If he has been working on a policy of 'humane solution with few casualties' so far, he cannot help but feel guilty.
It was a conflict that was often mentioned in the game.
The player's power, which had clearly appeared as absolute good, gradually ends up 'inevitably' killing people. The agony that comes from that gap is also one of the themes that runs through Polaris.
Kim Yi-Hyeon was not as noble as Leila. He was simply an enemy, so he was killed. It was cleaner to just deal with him rather than let himself or his colleagues get hurt in the process of capturing him.
On the other hand, what Navy wanted was legitimacy.
"You can find out if you look around here."
Kim Lee-Hyeon knew exactly what they were researching here. However, since it was difficult to explain the source of the information, he did not share it with his team members.
Seeing is believing. If you take a look, you will understand and rationalize it.
"Once you've organized it, look for data. Research data, records of goods being exchanged, lists of researchers. Take everything. Whether it's useful or not, you can decide later."
And finally, he added:
"If you find anyone hiding, deal with them immediately. We don't need any prisoners."
* * *
5 days later.
"Is this true?"
"Then it would be a lie?"
Flapping, flapping.
Kim Yi-hyeon turned the page with one hand, his chin resting on his hand. It was a feast of formulas and technical terms that made his eyes dizzy. It was data that was impossible for the average person to interpret.
But there were some parts that were easy to understand.
- Subject 027, tissue necrosis during administration of Helixivir type B.
- Subject 039, genetic material from a speeder undergoing mutation was transplanted. Blood flow expansion and acceleration as well as nerve cell activation were observed for 309 seconds, but a rejection reaction occurred afterwards.
- Subject 043, connect the nervous system with Subject 031, who is undergoing mutation… … .
"At least I can't write something like this in my head."
Team 1 returned after clearing out three locations. To cut to the chase, all three were biological research labs. Facilities that kidnapped residents of nearby cities and used them for human experiments.
"What is this, Helixivir?"
"Mostly Elixir… I think it was Panax here. It seemed to be a drug mixed with other chemicals. I don't know the details. I sent it to the lab, so they'll analyze it, but I'm not sure how long it'll take."
Panax. The name for the blue water in Basteterra.
"At first glance, it appears to be an experiment to create mutants using Panax. There have also been attempts to mutate monsters or animals and then transplant them into humans."
"What on earth is the purpose of this…."
"I guess you want a chimera soldier."
Ainoa covered her mouth after hearing the report. A disgusting feeling came over her, as if she had swallowed a maggot. She was realizing day by day that the reality she knew was nothing more than a sand castle.
"Legion..."
I can't understand their behavior. I don't want to understand it. Maybe it's because I've never seen their true form, but they seem as bizarre as the devil worshippers in old tales.
Since when has this Bastitera been active in secret?
"...I think it was when I was eight years old. There was an annual event where we would go back and forth between the church and the palace as a sign of fellowship. At the time, it had been a long time since I had gone out, so I waved my hand in agreement."
"The cotyledon was different. There must have been a lot of people there."
The question was whether he had been shameless since childhood. When Ainoa glared, Kim Ihyeon motioned for him to continue talking.
"But then, my eyes suddenly turned to the alley. The plaza was packed with people, but that place was deserted. I guess that's why I found it so strange."
"Was someone beating up people there?"
"No way. One or two people just looked at me and walked by. That was it, but I had nightmares for a whole week. I was just standing there, peeking down that dark, quiet alley... That's what it was."
"That's how it is when you're young."
Kim Yi-hyun had a similar experience. Even if it was an exaggeration to call it a nightmare, the underground parking lot was particularly uncomfortable. The murder case he saw on TV kept coming to mind.
"That's how I feel right now. Things like this are happening in places I don't know about."
"Do you think I heard that for nothing?"
"I'm glad you found out that I'm not such an irresponsible person. If I had thought that way even for a moment, I would have been too embarrassed to show my face."
Ainoa sighed with tears in her eyes. She then looked at the data again and asked.
"Isn't it really the Legion's own decision?"
It was a question for the final confirmation. I did not want to believe that the Bastetans, or even the nobles I knew, were involved in these inhumane acts.
But I already knew the answer.
"Yes. As you can guess from the photo, it's quite large. There are a lot of people, so a lot of supplies are needed. It's a burdensome amount for outsiders to regularly supply."
How suspicious would it be to buy a lot of supplies and transport them to an abandoned mine? Even if you hire a Pecatum transporter, it would be hard to avoid suspicion. In other words, someone must have helped.
"Of course, if that was the end, it would have been just a feeling..."
Kim Yi-hyeon grabbed one of the stacks of papers spread out on the table and handed it to Ainoa. After receiving the data, Ainoa began to turn the pages. Soon, her eyes widened.
"That's the transaction record. It seems that research data and medicine on mutants were handed over to the nobles of the mountain faction. The identity card of the transporter sent by the 'customer' is also included in the middle."
"Why did you leave this information in writing?"
"I guess he was planning on cutting off the tail when necessary."
There is a high probability that there is something related to the Legion hidden in the nobles' mansions. Evidence gathered to betray the Legion when the time comes. Maybe even mutants.
"The evidence part is almost resolved, so now it's time for another excuse. I don't know the laws of Bastitera, but how can a powerless princess search and seize the mansion of a noble family without warning?"
"Well, I'll try if I can, but… It won't be possible unless Brother or Mother personally steps in. And even that would mean risking some bloodshed."
Kim Yi-hyeon was lost in thought. The king is not in a state of movement. He has never appeared in the game.
Even if he had been healthy to begin with, it is uncertain whether he would have cooperated. If there had been a proper ruler, the country would not have ended up in this state.
'The prince is also anxious.'
In the story, when a civil war breaks out, he is a character who kills anyone outside his own camp. Although he is portrayed as a crazy murderer, the special nature of the situation must also be taken into account.
War tends to devour the unprepared. We learned this from the previous Cilicia defense. We cannot see the true nature of wartime situations.
And more than anything, there are no other options.
"I guess I'll have to involve your brother."
"My brother."
Ainoa said after thinking for a moment.
"I heard that several nobles, led by Count Bedeloff, are insisting that my coming of age ceremony, which was suspended, be held again to appease the people."
"There must be a hundred assassins involved."
"How about waiting for that moment? If the royal prestige is damaged in a place where the people gather, then my brother will also take action. If I share this information with you when the time is right, I'm sure you won't ignore it... "
She pouts while we're talking.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Kim Yi-hyeon looked at me as if he found it extremely pitiful. I thought it was an ingenious plan, but it seemed like it wasn't for him.
"I envy you. You must have ten lives."
"Well, I know it's dangerous."
"It's not that dangerous. What if a bomb attack happens? There's a limit to how much we can protect."
He cast his gaze at Carmen, who was standing silently.
"How have you been?"
"There were 11 attempted break-ins, eight attempted poisonings, and four attempted bombings. I also received various suggestions on a personal level."
"You're just leaving."
Ainoa put down the lemonade she was about to drink. Her appetite was already decreasing day by day. It wouldn't have been strange if a bomb had been placed by her bedside one day.
"…If the result is the same one way or another, then we have to do something."
"It's not the same. At least I'm still breathing because I'm stuck here."
Ainoa twiddled her fingers as she watched Kim Yi-hyeon, who was struggling with his arms crossed. Even though she had come prepared, there wasn't much she could do on her own.
At that moment, a memory suddenly came to mind.
It happened a long time ago. One day, a snake appeared in the palace where Adrian lived. He was reading and was very surprised. He was also angry and severely punished the caretakers.
Adrian was the type of person who reacted greatly when he felt a sense of crisis. Unlike Ainoa, he was the type of person who could only calm his mind by drawing his sword.
"Well, how about this?"
Ainoa cautiously offered her opinion. Kim Ihyeon's expression, which had been indifferent, gradually became more serious.
When the story was over, he smiled with satisfaction.
"You're really something."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It's closer to a compliment than an insult. It would be a hassle to prepare in advance, though."
"My brother is scheduled to come for an inspection in a few days. If we wait for that time..."
"Oh, then..."
The two men and women began to plot a plot. They put their heads together and whispered. If a third party saw it, it would be a sight that would make them exclaim, "Oh my!", but Carmen, who was watching, was just trembling.
'You say things like that with a smile.'
To her, they both seemed like psychopaths.