Booooooo!
The stopped car began to accelerate rapidly and leave the line. It was a striking sight even in the midst of the chaos of the unexpected battle. For a moment, the battlefield became quiet.
"That son of a bitch…!"
Echidna frowned and spat out a curse.
As Kim Yi-hyun had seen through it, Echidna had guessed his betrayal. It was easy to predict based on his previous attitude.
Kim Yi-hyeon always maintained the position of a 'collaborator'. He never moved as a member of Nuova Era. A representative example was when he infiltrated Cavaratti alone.
He had acted as he pleased, not for the sake of the organization or the boss. He had been a great help to Echidna up until now, but the day of their separation was approaching.
The problem was timing.
Will Echidna put chains on Kim Yi-hyeon first? Or will Kim Yi-hyeon run away first? After making a decisive move, the plan was ruined by a surprise attack by a strange man.
'Did you even guess this…?'
No, no way.
Echidna shook her head and shook off her distracting thoughts. Even if she really did play on Kim Yi-hyun's palm until the end, nothing would change.
She came to Naraka. It was simpler than she thought.
It was clear that he had benefited from Kim Yi-hyeon. It was extremely unpleasant to have missed him right before my eyes. However, after conquering Naraka, it was a minor matter. There was no significant difference in terms of numbers.
The difference will probably be minimal.
"Ah, aaaah!"
"This damn thing. Save me…!"
"Shoot! Don't let them get any closer!"
A tearing scream. The sound of flesh bursting and gunshots.
"Haa, haa."
My breathing becomes rapid. Fear takes over.
I couldn't bring myself to lean out of the car I had parked as cover. Even though I tried to deny it, the feeling of the two of them, no, the one empty seat was so unsettling that it made me shiver.
Did I become dependent on him without realizing it? Maybe that's why I wanted to have him even if it meant forcing myself to do so. Maybe I wanted to build a different kind of relationship while letting go of my worries.
"─Echidna-sama!"
widely!
I came to my senses with a strong feeling of being grabbed by my shoulder. Antonio was right in front of me, and his stern, reproachful gaze was glaring straight at me.
"Oh, you're alive."
"Yes. He left without killing anyone."
"…What is that?"
Echidna clenched her fists. She acted like a mafia. She must have made choices that were in keeping with the organization's rules, just as she had always done. But why?
Regret washed over me.
"If by any chance, if by any chance we meet again…."
Could it be different then?
"...."
Her wavering gaze regained stability. In the place of her anxiety, fighting spirit took over. She felt the vivid texture of iron and glared at her enemies. Those who were between humans and monsters.
"Antonio, cover straight."
You have to survive to see what happens next.
* * *
I was able to shake off my pursuer without much difficulty.
No human can run alongside a car in an environment without obstacles or curves… but at least the guys from earlier weren't one of them.
That's why they also destroyed the means of transportation first. It was a common tactic of the Hashashin. It was shocking that they didn't notice the attack even though they were on guard.
Getting out was as easy as expected.
"Do you think it was the best option?"
"what."
"I think you understood. Why are you asking again?"
A direct question that seems to tell you not to muddle through.
Kim Yi-hyeon met Edwin's eyes through the rearview mirror. As always, he had a blank expression, making it difficult to read what was going on in his mind.
But you can roughly guess what it is going to be like.
He is testing. What kind of beliefs and manners does Kim Yi-Hyeon have as a person? Whether it is okay for him to leave the Legion and rely on it.
Kim Yi-hyun's choice was the same as when he was in Asterique. Now, even if he wasn't as honest with himself as he was then, there was no reason to sugarcoat things while wearing a mask.
"Yeah. It was for the best."
"Why?"
"Because there's no chance of winning."
"Something new, something old."
This is the title of the event where Echidna appears. Always looking for a challenge in her heart, she leaves Timorta. After cooperating with Lab and taking over Kavarati, she challenges Naraka.
And just like before, they are attacked by the Hassin. Nuova Era is destroyed. The members of the organization are annihilated, and only Echidna miraculously survives thanks to Antonio's sacrifice.
Echidna, who was left alone, was not welcomed in Kavarati. She had been wandering the desert for a while, so the characters of the rap had already left. She was treated as a plaything, and the ending was that she was assassinated.
"I guess you know who they are."
"Somewhat."
The being that decided her fate was undoubtedly Hasasin.
'It's absurd.'
A group of people made up of a single mutant race, like Noface. They have two characteristics. The first is that they have the ability to share thoughts through a kind of telepathy.
The second is diet.
"They are omnivorous. They will eat anything, whether it be humans or monsters."
"Huh? Didn't you get madness when you put a monster in your mouth?"
"It wasn't just madness. You saw that their bodies were all abnormal."
Normally, he should be running wild like an animal, but he still has some sense of reason left.
It is because of the ability to share thoughts. The 'network' connected with the same kind of people makes the mind strong. If one is easy to break, it is like a tree branch that does not bend easily when many people come together.
There are some completely crazy guys that come out often, but then you just have to kick them out. That's how they lived. They literally chewed and swallowed up the fools who looked down on Naraka without knowing what was going on.
"I still don't get it. Is he that much of a burden to you?"
"You're free to think of me what you want, but I'm not that great of a person."
It was a given.
The members of Hashashin are the owners of absurd specs. They are on par with close-range specialized 5-star agents. They boast abilities that are not even worthy of a long-range agent like Chelsea.
There are 11 strong people like that.
Even with Edwin, the odds of victory are hopeless. We have to be on guard against reinforcements and end it in a short battle, but with the current formation, it's impossible.
If you use Helixivir, it would be a different story. When you weigh the risk and return, it wasn't a wise choice. Echidna's value wasn't that great.
Above all else.
The relationship had already deteriorated by the time the gun was pointed at them. In fact, there was no need to ask who was responsible. If Echidna hadn't moved, Kim I-hyeon would have pulled out the gun first.
Kim Lee-hyeon muttered as if expressing bitterness.
"What a crappy world this is."
This is a trash game. They even put in unbeatable stages in events.
NO─8.
This is a defeat event that has been experienced several times in the past. You may be able to clear it if you try again, but it is set up so that you will definitely fail the first time.
If there is one more point to explain,
For this stage, Kim Lee-hyun did not change the planned flow. He approached the stage without any variation. What does this fact mean?
Abandoning Nuova Era was the method the professor chose in the game.
'What would the professor do now?'
I don't know for sure.
* * *
It's still too early to relax.
I crossed the desert, taking turns here and there. If I had only used the straight path, I would have been very likely to be ambushed. It would have been better to move cautiously, even if it took time.
'It's fortunate that there are many relics.'
If it had been just a desolate place with nothing, I would have gotten lost long ago. Fortunately, there were ruins scattered around Naraka that served as signs. All I had to do was recall my memories and move forward.
Ah, those are the Baruni ruins.
In the past, Naraka was a prosperous land beyond comparison to what it is now. There were five cities connected to the central city called 'Maurya'.
The place that was once called the city of gold has now become so desolate. It's a shame.
It was an ambassador assigned to an old scholar.
The professors and his party visit Naraka again several years after the 'New, Old' event. The cause was some news that had arrived at the lab.
The story was that a large-scale disaster had occurred in Naraka.
'All the lower ranks will die. It's a long way off from now.'
A journey to investigate the disaster and explore the ruins. With the help of a scholar who is well-versed in Banjar's history, you can travel around Naraka relatively safely.
It's not an old event, so I remember it clearly.
They say that in modern times, there are many things that run rampant without law or morality. In the old days, there was order in Banjar. The reign of the Murad dynasty led to a golden age.
It is said that he predicted the future with a magic tool and easily defeated powerful enemies.
Some of them may still be in the Baruni ruins. I don't know if the magic is true or a vain delusion, but if it wasn't, wouldn't there be smoke coming out of the chimney? They probably aren't mere relics.
The vehicle arrived at the Baruni ruins.
Stone pillars, worn by the wind, stand on both sides. Upon entering, an arched door welcomed visitors. It was so generous to grave robbers, so its reputation as a golden city was not in vain.
"You came to a good place."
"It was written in the literature. It was a neighborhood that was famous for many things since long ago."
I told Edwin a reasonable explanation. It was hard to believe, but there was no other way to explain it.
'Found it.'
A temple located right in the center of the ruins.
There are animal statues placed around it. It looks like it is guarding a temple. It is an elaborate structure that looks like it will come to life at any moment and drive away intruders.
But it wasn't a threat. The broken and weathered statue was no better than a toothless tiger.
If there's a threat, it would be those.
"Tsk. Those persistent kids anyway."
On the road we had just passed, a shadow appeared behind a pillar in the distance.
"Three people?"
"They seem to be different from the pursuers from before."
"That must be true. I was being careful, but I guess there were watching eyes."
It seems that there is a guy among the sergeants who specializes in reconnaissance. If he brings in a nearby comrade while relaying information in real time, it makes sense.
Well, how could you have noticed Nuova Era's intrusion so quickly? It would have been impossible unless you were extremely sharp-eyed.
"I haven't heard anything from here on out. What are you going to do?"
"I have business at that temple. It would be a problem if there was a huge fight inside and it collapsed."
"Then I guess we have no choice but to fight."
"You said it."
Edwin blinked at the words he heard. Soon, equipment was brought into the back seat.
"You're not the only one being tested."
The blade that Kim Yi-Hyeon carried around. And a shield that he took out from somewhere unknown.
"I need to see what you're capable of."
"...."
"What are you doing not getting off?"
As I was staring blankly, he glared and urged me on.
"If this continues and they try to destroy the car, you and I will both die. Do you understand?"
"Are you sure you won't run away alone?"
"That's not wrong. Then let's do it like this."
The car slowed down and entered the temple.
It stopped at a point close to the entrance without going too deep. Next, Kim I-Hyeon got out of the car before Edwin.
"Is this okay?"
Edwin couldn't help but sigh. There was definitely no need to worry about Kim Hyun running away alone.
When in a hurry, just block the entrance. Even if there is a hidden exit inside, it is not easy to gain speed inside. If you chase after it as soon as you hear the engine sound, you can catch up.
Conversely, this means that Edwin can no longer escape.
"You are truly a terrible human being."
"Thanks for the compliment. Just hurry up and get out before those guys get here."
He had no choice but to grab his sword and shield.
* * *
The innermost part of the temple.
As it was an open historical site, there were traces of grave robbers everywhere. The chests placed on small platforms were wide open, and there were even platforms where the chests themselves had disappeared.
'They took it all out really frugally.'
There was no gold or silver treasure anywhere. There were only fragments of walls and tombstones with unknown characters carved into them, or even more worthless trash rolling around.
As is the case everywhere in Polaris.
There is jade buried among the trash.
Kim Yi-hyeon cleared away the debris piled up in the corner. There was a pitch-black awl lying underneath. It was about 50cm long. It was unique, but compared to the treasures that had been there before, it was just a piece of junk.
When I discovered it, the corners of my mouth went up involuntarily.
"Ha, I finally got it."
It was the moment when the second purpose of coming to Banjar was achieved.