Thump, thump!
I couldn't even tell whose heartbeat it was.
It was as if my brain had been paralyzed. I had to prepare for a follow-up attack, or at least yell to call someone. No proper response came to mind.
"Tongue, string."
His voice shook uneasily.
Since that day in Ulanz.
Asterike had never imagined Kim I-hyeon's death. Not even once, to be honest. He was always at the center of the incident and always prepared.
I ended up blindly believing it.
Just like Chelsea before being attacked by Nigrum, I vaguely thought that even if I die in the future, Kim I-Hyun would somehow survive.
"Ah, uh, ah, ah...."
A moan escaped Asterike's mouth without a word. She was out of breath as if she had been sprinting. Without realizing it, she hugged Kim Ihyeon tightly.
That was when.
"Let go of this."
The voice I heard in my ear was very clear.
"hyeon…?"
"I told you to let go."
"Oh, oh. Yeah."
The tears that were about to burst out suddenly disappeared. Asterique awkwardly released her arms. As her body fell, Kim Yi-hyun's face was wrinkled as if she was complaining of pain.
It wasn't a joke, it really hurt.
Asterique's sincere hug is better than a bullet.
'Fuck. Didn't you get a thud? Didn't you break a bone?'
Fortunately, there was no problem moving. I'll have to get checked again when I get back to the lab. Thinking that, I looked down the hallway above the [Static Tower] that blocked the front.
The doll was still there.
Brother, come on!
Bullets continued to fly. Lead bullets smaller than a fingernail suddenly grew larger as they left the muzzle. 5.56mm bullets were intercepted by the shield and bounced in all directions.
It's not much different from a normal gun. It's powerful enough to pierce human flesh. It must have hit him twice, but he was so calm that Asterike couldn't help but be flustered.
"Hyun. Are you okay? How are you…."
The answer was really simple.
"Bulletproof vest."
Kim Yi-hyeon would wear bulletproof vests under his clothes whenever he went out. It was a habit he had developed after his trip to Banjar. In a world where you never know when something will happen, a little too much defense is appropriate.
The problem was Asterike rather than the gun.
'I almost died.'
What if Asterike had been right? What if he had been surprised and activated [Blood Calamity]? What if his HP had dropped below 25% while the spell was on?
The odds are very low, but it might be 1%.
There was almost no body left, even with the bulletproof vest and the bulletproof vest.
Somehow the crisis was overcome.
"I'll do it. Just step back for now."
Asterike's spells are not suitable for use indoors. I have information about my opponent. If I can prevent a surprise attack, I have no chance of winning against him.
… … That was the moment I thought that.
Bam.
"Uuuuu… It's noisy…."
The door to the guest room opened and Arya walked out.
She slept with Tatalia last night. It was because Asterike had planned to go out and play with Kim Ihyeon in the morning. She left Arya there in advance so as not to be disturbed.
However, Tatalia still seemed to be sleeping soundly. And what a coincidence. She happened to be in the room closest to the shelf.
chuck!
The rifle was pointed straight at Arya.
"Arya, get out of here!"
Toodoodoodoo!
After aiming, he fired. The doll fired a barrage of bullets that were less than half full. It was not a distance that could be avoided by common sense. Especially when you were in a dazed state after waking up from sleep.
However, Arya was an unconventional person in many ways.
Pavababak!
Arya ran up the wall of the hallway backwards. Her messy hair was flying. Her bright yellow eyes were filled with wildness. It was an instinct that had not been dulled by her comfortable life.
Hanging over the light with a gravity-defying movement. Knock, knock! Just then, the bullets ran out and the shooting stopped. Seizing the opportunity, Arya fell from the ceiling.
Kwajik!
His palm struck the shelf as if he was catching a fly.
"Whoaam."
Arya yawned with her mouth wide open and shook her hand. Drops of blood spurted out. She rubbed her bloody hand against the wall and then went back to her room as if nothing had happened.
widely!
The door was closed. It was evidence that after a few months of training, he had become somewhat socialized.
"...."
The once noisy hallway was enveloped in silence.
Kim Yi-hyun and Asterike were both speechless. Their gazes could only move. The doll was in a terrible state that was impossible to describe in words, and it was unable to move again.
'This easily…?'
Mini me.
It's not a boss, not even a mid-boss. It's a named entity that appears during the stage. However, in the game, it's a very difficult enemy to deal with.
The evasion rate of up to 99% was a headache. It was impossible for an agent of the inspection type to deal with. Agents capable of ranged attacks or special weapons with high accuracy correction values were essential.
But, um.
'Well. It's reality... ... .'
As time passed, Minimi's body grew bigger. The decorations on the shelf that had been pushed away fell onto the carpet. Minimi, who had returned to her original size, was sprawled on the floor in a miserable state.
It was definitely a spell with as many disadvantages as advantages.
A ridiculous ending compared to the fuss.
But I couldn't laugh.
It was not a matter to be taken lightly.
'Why did you appear in front of me?'
In the game, he appears in Episode 15, which is set in the Shiran Empire. He is an entity specializing in assassination. Regardless of his abilities, he is a special being who surpasses the executives of the Legion.
Mini Me is both human and doll.
One of the bodies handled by the leader of the legion.
'He suddenly tried to kill me?'
It was the first contact we had, but I didn't understand it.
In the game, he never once surprised an agent of the Lab 'directly' like he did just now. The battle with Minimi. That was possible because Lab came to support the Legion when they attacked the Shiran Empire.
Even while the Legion executives were attacking Rap, he alone was left untouched. It wasn't a coincidence. Kim Yi-hyun was confused because he knew the reason.
It was very awkward from the start.
'I could have approached it more clearly.'
Even if you didn't have any knowledge of the game, it was a situation that would have made you feel uncomfortable if you had observed it carefully. Regardless of whether you could deal with it or not, there were many more effective methods than this.
Another hypothesis is put forward.
'You didn't intend to assassinate me?'
There is no proper basis for this.
But one thing was clear.
'Anyway, are you watching me?'
A development that did not exist in the game.
The fame that began to spread after the incident in Bastitera. The Legion's movements that he learned about through Kushan and Edwin. The name Kim Ihyeon must have reached his ears long ago.
Perhaps the raid was a warning of sorts.
A demonstration of force to stop touching the Legion.
If so, the answer was set.
'Do whatever you want with it, whether you see it or not.'
The leader of the legion is not something to be worried about. He may be an absurdly capable person, but he is much easier to deal with than the Great Mother. As long as his 'main body' is not freed.
You can't be free in the first place.
In the game, he is portrayed in a different light, rather than as a dark force or a powerful entity. He is a character with a complex narrative, including deep ties to the Cellbrox Lab.
And a kind of trigger to move on to the second half.
'There's no need to be scared.'
With so many of its officers having defected, the Legion's fate is already in jeopardy. They haven't even been able to replenish the Pecatum soldiers in Bastitera. In fact, if they just deal with the Great Mother, they will be reduced to a mere cult group.
The Legion is on the edge of a cliff. It won't be long before we kick its back.
'You wash your throat and wait too.'
You're scaring people, you little bastard.
* * *
I received a sincere apology from Laonis.
He could not avoid responsibility because the incident occurred in his own hotel. He did not even try to avoid it. He promised not only words but also material compensation.
A show of good faith, so to speak.
It was better to accept it, even if only for the sake of future relationships. Since it was a reward given to individuals, Kim Yi-hyeon confidently asked for what he wanted.
"─High-carbon fluorite steel, teranium, chloridium, and even carbon fiber from Buffett Factory. This will do."
Beep.
The secretary finished recording instead of taking notes.
She was usually careful not to interfere in the business between her employer and her clients. But this time, her businesslike expression cracked.
"Where are you going to use all that…."
"It's just something I need personally."
It meant that you shouldn't try to explore in vain.
"Excuse me."
"When can I receive it?"
"When is your expected departure date?"
"I'll be leaving in a week."
"I'll make sure you can pick it up then."
Aside from the Mini-Me attack, I was enjoying the vacation itself quite a bit. The casino I went to to kill time was also interesting. Maybe it was beginner's luck, but I even made a nice profit.
As a side note, Chelsea, who had been watching and training him, seemed to be shedding tears of blood. I gave him a few chips because I was worried he might get cursed, and now it seems like he's cruising along.
Of course, it was still a long way to the original point.
'Asterike has become a little bit neurotic.'
I'm not saying that I'm being hysterical towards my colleagues. I'm just being overly cautious. I've become overprotective of Kim Yi-hyun in particular, which honestly makes me feel uncomfortable.
'Oh my. I can't even be annoyed.'
I guess he felt sorry for not doing anything until the end. It was understandable. Asterike had never been active since the escape from Atlanta.
'But what can I do?'
In the first place, he is not an agent that can be taken out as you please. In the game, he just blows up allies. Even if you solve it with [Vibranium Composite Sword], there is still physical damage.
This time, Asterike benefited from being so good-natured. If you had burned down the hotel, Laonis wouldn't have been so kind as he is now.
'In the end, it's all about having the right person for the right situation.'
Astra is an irreplaceable high-power dealer, so he is treated as an exception. In the game, he is mostly used as a special agent who drops into enemy territory alone.
In general, agents who can be used in a variety of situations are highly regarded. In reality, this tendency is even more prominent. Chelsea and Edwin are good examples.
But if you turn it around, it becomes like this.
Although Asterike is weak at 'things that anyone can do', she can do 'things that are difficult for anyone'. As the story progresses, her role will increase.
'It's time to start preparing.'
Based on my experience so far, this is the timing when the backlash will begin. Even if it doesn't necessarily start, there's a high chance that the entire episode will be brought forward.
As expected.
I heard the news through Laonis around evening time.
"I'd like to hear your opinion. What do you think, Director of Lab's Research Institute, about the trends in the Shiran Empire?"
"The Shiran Empire? I haven't heard anything about it."
If there is movement, Kushan will not be unaware of it. Kushan's ears are sharper than Laonis's. He will be paying special attention to the Shiran Empire.
Why didn't you tell me?
'I guess he decided that it wasn't an urgent matter.'
But that was before I came to St. Kitts.
Maybe it's become urgent now.
"Can you share some information with me?"
Laonis, who had been thinking for a moment, opened his mouth.
"I heard that they are pushing for a large-scale summit."
Oh, that's it.
'Hey. This really got messed up.'
A scenario that would have originally started 4 years later.
It was the countdown to Episode 13, 'Harmony'.