NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 30
The red sensors of the creatures facing us, but they did not immediately charge.
The consistent behavior of Invader combat units that do not fall under the control of high-level devices. But now was not the time to worry about such things.
‘Why are there Invaders in the academy?!’
At the absurdity of the situation, my mind spirals into confusion.
In truth, the three major threats represented by the Invaders, the Ustansha, and the Cryptids occasionally infiltrate the Fangju directly depending on the direction of events or storylines.
But there has never been a case where such an infiltration occurred before a proper event had even begun.
Moreover, for Invaders to infiltrate the academy, it should only happen right after the event where Cuiet caused chaos while hiding in the Nightmare.
‘Ah.’
When I recalled that thought, a forgotten puzzle piece began to fit into place.
Cuiet’s chaos. Nightmare.
Could it be that we subdued the Nightmare before the event, thereby fulfilling the trigger or conditions for the Invader infiltration event?
I shake my head and focus on the creatures.
Even though they all take on a humanoid form, the one wearing a cloak catches my eye.
‘Three Attack Bot A Types and one Hunter Bot…’
The Invaders’ main weaponry primarily consist of tanks or self-propelled artillery, armored vehicles.
However, for various scenarios, including urban combat, they employ a mass-produced line of combat units that mimic humans, called bots.
The Attack Bot A Type is one of the most common and unremarkable enemies, but the issue lies with that cloaked Hunter Bot.
‘Carrozel sniper rifle and multi-purpose machine gun…’
Judging by both armament and appearance, it’s definitive. Specialized for infiltration operations, it excels at high performance, allowing for VIP assassinations and destruction missions.
This Hunter Bot belongs to the elite tactical units within the Invader bot-types, a formidable foe even compared to me at this moment.
Regardless, there’s no time for slack. For whatever reason, these creatures in front of me are real.
And these ones won’t let Nisia and me walk away to the dormitory peacefully.
“…Summon, Little Drone.”
– Consuming MP to summon a creature.
A small drone summoned behind me.
Without stopping there, I summon a generous six drones in total.
“Drones, go to the dormitory and fetch Nightmare. Don’t fly directly; move to the rear, create some distance, and then proceed.”
Wheeeeen…
The drones subtly move their bodies to indicate an affirmative response, and the sound of them speeding away from me is heard.
The surroundings quickly fall quiet.
In truth, the best course would be to send the drones to the academy building to alert either Airina or Ryuje about the situation, but the radius limitation restrains me.
Just sending drones to the dormitory is a nerve-wracking distance; the academy’s main building, located farther away, is absolutely unreachable.
“…Gear Liberation.”
[ Converting gear to battle form. ]
Meanwhile, Nisia retrieves the training gear—sword type—from her pocket and activates it.
The Attack Bots simultaneously pull out large blades from their waistbands about the size of forearms. Streams of red blood trickle from their blade tips.
‘Did they breach the academy gates?’
Though the academy gate’s security surpasses that of an ordinary school, it’s essentially ceremonial rather than practical.
Of course, bots created for slaughter would easily breach it on a surprise attack.
While pondering this, the Hunter Bot’s eye lights up.
[ Confirmation, target entities. Human 1, 2. Low weapon level. ]
The crude voice sounds even more eerie because of its rough nature.
[ Swift removal required. ]
[ Verified. ]
They’re coming.
“Nisia, dodge behind!”
“!”
At my shout, Nisia quickly leaps back.
For a regular student, her jumping ability is exceptional, but her opponent is an Invader.
Clang, clang. Clang!
Sounding metal as Attack Bots quickly rush towards me.
Among them, the one in the center suddenly accelerates and thrusts its large blade forward.
Clash!
Sparks fly as the Attack Bot’s blade slides over Nisia’s sword.
“Haaak!”
Nisia takes no pause, swinging her gear to strike the Attack Bot.
Bang!
Perhaps due to the training gear’s lack of edge, the sound that resonates was closer to a bludgeon rather than a blade.
Somewhat insufficient power.
After being pushed back, the Attack Bot regains its posture and charges again.
“Summon, Mini Cart. Armament with a 36-gauge turret!”
– 36-gauge turret has not been unlocked yet. Do you wish to use skill points to unlock it?
“Just hurry!”
– Skill unlocked, consuming MP to summon creature equipped with said armament.
With the announcement, the Mini Cart appears beside me.
However, the fully accelerated Attack Bots do not stop their rush.
In an instant, the distance closes, as they lift their swords once more.
“Mini Cart, fire!”
Bang!
The Mini Cart shakes violently as the 36-gauge shotgun fires. Small, yet deadly rounds of lead rush toward the Attack Bots.
[?!]
The momentum of the Attack Bots’ charge diminishes due to the unexpected shower of lead.
“Now! Aim for the heads, Nisia!”
“Got it!”
The sword swings.
With a loud bang, the training gear and the Attack Bot’s head collide, deeply denting the helmet section and halting its movements.
“Mini Cart!”
Bang!
The lead shots fired again.
These shots pelt the already dented helmet but only deepen the dents on the armored plate.
“Keep firing!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The shotgun fires at short intervals.
On the second strike, the dented armor plate falls off, and finally, the third hit lands on the Attack Bot’s head.
Crackle, crackle…
The bot sparks and collapses, but two Attack Bots remain.
“Summon, Mini Cart!”
– Consuming MP to summon a creature.
“I’ll distract the one on the left, Nisia, you take the one on the right!”
“Got it!”
In response to my words, Nisia throws her bag towards the right Attack Bot.
Confirming this, the right Attack Bot’s sensor flashes briefly and lifts its left hand to knock the bag away.
Immediately following, it thrusts its black blade forward.
“But—!”
Before the blow could land on Nisia, she successfully stabs first.
Bang! Crack—
Pushed back significantly by the precise stab to the sensor, the bot moves away as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the Attack Bot on the left attempts to target Nisia from behind, but I use the unarmed Mini Cart to confuse it and cover with the turreted cart, preventing easy access.
“Good, let’s—”
At that moment, I sensed a change in the air.
A cold gun barrel pointed at us from the dark.
“Nisia! Dive down!”
As my shout echoes, a flash cuts through the darkness.
BOOM!
The noise reaches a second later.
With a close call, the bullet from the sniper rifle passes us and disappears into the dark.
Unaware of the current situation, the Attack Bots quickly back off, directing their gaze toward the Hunter Bot.
[ Update: Noise caused by small arms fire; infiltration determined as a failure. Removal of witnesses using weaponry; swift retreat required. ]
[ Acknowledged. ]
Following the Hunter Bot’s command, the Attack Bot returns the large blade to its waistband and retrieves an assault rifle from its back.
The assault rifle looks crude as if made from roughly cut iron.
Their gun barrels aim at us.
“Edu, brace yourself!”
“Okay!”
Taking a large step back, Nisia immediately activates her barrier.
A translucent blue protective shield appears at the same time, and gunfire erupts.
Tatatang! Tatang!
Ching, ting!
The storm of bullets is easily blocked by the barrier, but that’s not the issue.
Click.
Once again, the Hunter Bot aims the sniper rifle.
Carrozel sniper rifle.
A high-precision large-caliber rifle built for VIP assassinations, it’s the main perpetrator of the Hunter Bot’s notoriety in the AOE.
Though the Attack Bot’s assault rifle may be manageable, the barrier from the training gear would not endure an attack from this.
“Mini Cart!”
With my directive, the waiting Mini Cart rushes toward the Hunter Bot.
[ Rejected.]
In an instant, the Hunter Bot retrieves another weapon from its waist.
Flames spew from the multi-purpose machine gun as the Mini Cart advancing toward it is hit point-blank and destroyed.
– Warning: Serious damage to summoned creature. The summon of Mini Cart has been canceled.
– Warning: Serious damage to summoned creature. The summon of Mini Cart has been canceled…
“Tch…”
While the notifications fly consecutively, that’s not the critical matter.
“Nisia, I’ll signal you. Move when I do!”
“Got it!”
Nisia replies, keeping watch on the Attack Bots firing from both sides.
Holding my breath, I concentrate my gaze.
The Hunter Bot aiming the sniper rifle again, the moment its gun barrel aligns straight.
“Now!”
“!”
Moving just as the rifle discharges its flash, the bullet barely grazes past us.
“Edu, you alright?”
“I’m fine, how about you, Nisia?”
“I’m f—”
Her words cut short as Nisia suddenly collapses.
“Ungh…”
“Nisia? Did you get hit?”
“It’s my fault. The barrier didn’t fully activate while I was moving.”
Even lying down, Nisia doesn’t release her grip on the gear to make sure the barrier doesn’t drop, despite the visible blood streaming from her leg, signaling her inability to move further.
Losing our means of transportation in this unfavorable condition means only one thing, and I know it better than anyone.
“Summon, Mini Cart! Armament with a 36-gauge turret!”
– Consuming MP to summon a creature equipped with said armament.
As the cart forms behind me, gunshots strike even before its summoning completion.
Tatatang!
– Warning: Serious damage to summoned creature. The summon of Mini Cart has been canceled.
“Tch…”
The creatures now spread around us from three directions, as if having already decided they’ve won, the Hunter Bot approaches without raising its guard.
[ Unreasonable. ]
Its head slightly tilts,
[ Clear power gap. Resistance is irrational. Resistance is an unreasonable choice. ]
The constant red glow of its sensor seems to scan us like flowing data.
[ Human, a lump of irrationality, low biological completion, giving up is reasonable. ]
The random blabbering continues.
Then, a familiar sound brushes by my ears.
Vweeeng…
A naturally arising smile.
“Hah, you tin cans wouldn’t understand that.”
[ Tin can, human’s derogatory remark towards us. However, meaningless; emotional response lacks rationality. ]
“Yeah, yeah, good rationality. But did you know this?”
The gradually growing sound and wind.
[?!]
By the time the bot notices, it’s already too late.
“There are better things in this world than just rationality!!!”
I stretch out my hand to the sky and call out to the drones gathering above.
“Drone! Drop it!”
Viieeng…
As the drones pull back, the purple gear aimed at us falls.
Nightmare.
[ Interception. ]
Tatatang!
The sparks of rifles lighting the night sky.
Though the bullets accurately hit the Nightmare, it nonchalantly wraps itself in a barrier and continues its descent towards me.
[?!]
Thud.
My hand perfectly catches the Nightmare.
[ Kume… No, Master, what is the matter? ]
“You can see, it’s the Invaders.”
[ What are these tin cans doing here? ]
“We don’t have time for this nonsense. Nightmare, partially release your exclusive function.”
[ Ah… So you’ve finally recognized my magnificence! ]
Perhaps the neglect of a long period paid off, as the voice sounds ecstatic.
“Hurry!”
[ Understood! Releasing exclusive function; raising gear output to maximum! Please release your gear! ]
“Gear liberation!”
[ Affirmative, converting gear to battle form.]
The moment Nightmare’s voice amplifies, a sniper rifle points towards it.
[ Rejected ]
BOOM!
The immediate shot strikes before me.
However, the attack bounces off Nightmare’s barrier.
[?!]
[ Haha! You tin cans thought you could pierce my body? Bring a tank next time! ]
Nightmare, laughing in an elated voice, transforms even as it speaks.
The graceful curves with shades of purple metallic parts are accentuated by an elongated rifle barrel, a hallmark feature of the sniper model.
This is the form of the awakened Nightmare in battle.
[ Output 100%! Master, initiating function release! ]
– Notification: Will you unlock the exclusive ability – Manifestation of Possibilities, of Gear Nightmare?
“Unleash!”
[ Yes! Releasing! ]
An overwhelming sense of power surges through my body, distinct from mana, yet intensely energizing.
This is actually what it feels like.
I clench and unclench my fists, feeling the power and leveling the weapon at my target.
I now have 13 skill points left and my max MP is in the 700s.
There’s only one thing left to call.
“Summon Armor, Colossus!!!”
– Consumes 1 skill point to temporarily unlock and summon Colossus.
Zzack.
Electric current flows through my body.
All the mana contained in my body dissipates instantaneously, forming a sphere behind me made entirely of mana.
[ Rejected, Suppress.]
Tatatang!
At the Hunter Bot’s command, the Attack Bots immediately open fire on the sphere.
However, the bullets bounce off like they’ve struck a thick slab of metal.
[?!]
Then, the sphere changes form.
The hovering mana condenses into black iron, forming complex machinery like cylinders and wires.
The body crafted from iron and gears, like that of the Invaders who stand as human adversaries, yet the colossal giant swears allegiance not to a massive control device, but to a diminutive girl.
Kung.
The thunderous footsteps resonate across the ground.
Squeak—
Steam belches from the vents located within the joints.
Finally, Colossus reveals himself.
[ Update: Unexpected situation. Immediate retreat required.]
[ Acknowledged.]
The Hunter Bot’s instruction immediately causes the unscathed Attack Bot on the left retreats without hesitation.
“Who sent you?! Colossus!”
The colossus raises its hand and strikes.
BOOM!! Grumble!!!
Explosions erupt from the ground and dust is scattered.
Though it caused a powerful vibration underfoot, the Attack Bot’s silhouette is no longer there.
“Tch…”
The hunter bot revealed, having apparently passed its optical camouflage cloak, now stands bare. At its side joins the damaged Attack Bot that took a hit from Nisia.
Though I would want to chase down the fleeing enemy, it’s impossible to leave Nisia injured and use my last power to track them.
They must realize this too as they draw their close-range weapons to break through the barrier.
The Attack Bot wields a greatsword, while the Hunter Bot retrieves an ion sword—basically a lightsaber-like weapon.
[ Update, remove the caster.]
[ Acknowledged.]
Two shadows of darkness approach.
A head-on charge despite the towering giant before them, yet a shadow eclipses them from above.
[?!]
The wind-slicing Colossus swiftly grabs them.
While it’s often said that large entities are slow, it’s not necessarily true when it comes to machinery.
“It ends here.”
[…]
In the blink of an eye, the captured Attack Bot and Hunter Bot struggle but remain firmly held within the six-meter giant’s grasp.
“Colossus, crush them.”
Kung.
The giant clenches its fist with force.
[!!]
Crack, bang!
The Attack Bot’s red sensor is instantly extinguished as it crumples under pressure. The Hunter Bot still tries to resist, but for how much longer?
However, with a somehow freed arm, the bot hurls its ion sword at us.
Crackle—
Instant instability and trembling of the barrier on contact.
“Futile struggle—”
As I’m about to mock the bot, I catch its sensor blinking.
That’s it, the action bots perform right before executing explosive attacks within the AOE.
Even more, the bot rips out its own power core and holds it up with its right hand.
Beep. Beep. Beep—
[ Control, all organisms must be controlled. ]
“Damn… you insane tin can!”
Besides, aren’t explosive patterns reserved for top-tier Hunter Bots in the later phases of the game?!
“Colossus! Destroy it!!”
Colossus immediately crushes it. With a creaking sound, the Hunter Bot’s sensor shuts off, but the power core it held falls to the ground.
And now, the red blinking light from inside the power core.
Beeeep Beeeep Beeeep Beeiii—
“Damn! Block it, Colossus! Nightmare! Maximize the barrier output—”
At that moment, the surrounding darkness is completely erased.
BOOOM!!
—
After some time…
It’s dark.
A space where even the sense of time fades.
Amid vague boundaries, the faint sounds growing from a distance gradually intensify, slowly returning sensation and consciousness.
“Edu… Edu! Snap out of it!”
“President…?”
“Indeed, the president! What has happened here!”
“In… vaders… ugh!”
A sharp pain surges through me, and the simultaneously mild warmth on the back of my head.
“President, Edu’s injuries are as severe as Nisia’s. We must get them to the infirmary immediately!”
Diana’s voice—so emotional, I didn’t know she could express such emotion.
“Y-yes. Indeed. Let’s get both of them to the infirmary as soon as possible!”
Saying this, Ryuje picks me up, but I grab her arm.
“Edu? Why are you doing that?”
“Enemy… ran… if we don’t stop them… the rooms—”
“…The enemy fled?”
I nod at Ryuje’s words, prompting his immediate departure in some direction.
“President?”
“The enemy has fled. I’ll chase after them; Diana, please take these two to the infirmary quickly.”
“Yes.”
The air momentarily chills around me before warmth envelops my body again, and the night air brushes my cheek.
“Both of you needn’t worry, you’re safe now.”
“Yes… thank you….”
Before I can finish my sentence, my eyelids close.
“Edu? Edu!”
Diana’s voice fades as I once again sink into darkness.