CounterSide IF

by SwanSixWings

Counterside: Line Battle Arena's fanfic of alternate history setting.

2. BOOK II Rise of the Administrator

Counter:Side IF

BOOK I: Twisted Fates

BOOK II: Rise of the Administrator

BOOK III: Legacy of the Voice

BOOK IV: Minuet of Draco Serpensque

BOOK V: The Urban Fairytale

BOOK VI: Karin's Counterattack

BOOK VII: Old Veteran

BOOK VIII: Mater Matriae

BOOK IX: Waltz in the Dark

BOOK X: Bellum Replacericum

BOOK XI: The Origin

BOOK XII: Imperium Sine Fine

BOOK TWO

Rise of the Administrator

"Every little step I take, you will be there, Every little step I make, we'll be together "

"And as a matter of fact, it blows my mind… "

"Everybody wants to know what's going down, not with the James, not the Jim, but the Bobby Brown "

Unaffected by Corruption Waves, the well-preserved scenery of boring wastelands made a very rare and pleasant sight. Upon the road parallel to the Brown Rock Canyon which boasts its magnificent look, an old roofless junker was running while playing nostalgic eighties music.

The driver was Eddie Fisher of R7 Irregular Scouts. Both Charlie and Jessica were sitting in the back seats.

Karin Wong hired those mercenaries, she was sitting next to Ed.

Karin said. "I think I've heard this melody somewhere before. Was it from a video game…?"

Eddie replied. "Hmm? No, it's just one of the tracks that I'd occasionally listen to with my daughter." His attitude is friendly and confident, giving quite a different impression from his counterpart in other universe.

Charlie laughed and said, while his arms crossed. "Well, it's not that bad for classic music. I thought they're all boring."

Jessica said as she chewed a chocolate bar. "This isn't classic, fool. The genre doesn't refer to any random old songs."

While they were talking, the car was shaking a bit.

Eddie glanced at Karin. "There are lots of road cracks, you see? I'm going as fast as I can like you asked, but clearly it's worsening the condition of my car…." Then Karin said while she rested her chin on right hand and looked at the canyon. "Don't worry about it. I will pay you enough to buy a new one."

"Very well, then."

"…."

"But can I ask something? I figured you're the commander of Delta Seven. Why do you even need us?"

"Jehuty Biotech of America…."

"Sure, the target."

"It's complicated. This is a secret mission and the military isn't officially involved. That's why I require a private service of mercenaries like you."

Cold dusty wind gently breezed.

Stretching both arms, Charlie said. "Well, You came to the right place! We can handle rough jobs quite easily!"

Jessica said as she tossed a trash to the left. "Again, you and your big mouth."

Eventually, they could witness the large building that awkwardly stood out in this wilderness. That's the target, Jehuty Biotech company that Karin wants to infiltrate. The colonel intentionally chose this time because she had intel that Dean Conner, whose real name is Wilbur Whateley, is currently in there.

'Maria, Jake. I will avenge you, even if it costs my life.'

.

.

.

On the rooftop of the Alphatrix main office, at 7:00 AM KST.

Approximately it's about 3:00 PM in America, but in Ground One where the Coffin Company is, it's early morning.

Administrator ordered Hansol to wait there and asked Jia to send OZ girls: Dorothy; Skia; Liona.

The weather felt slightly cold. Olympian saw Hansol first, Then Jia and others. Seeing everyone gathered, it stepped forward.

"Hansol. I heard you attacked the group which is named as Wizard."

"Correct, Sir. That is true. It was reckless of me."

He shouldn't have made a decision like that by himself.

He's an employee of Coffin Company and belongs to it. Not a freelance Counter. They can interpret this as the entire company declaring war against them.

Knowing that, Hansol couldn't say anything and dropped his head.

But this looks really wrong and stupid to Dorothy. She opened her eyes wide and said in huge disapproval.

"I don't care whether you're really Administrator or not, but would you blame him? For what? What's so bad about helping others? He saved the helpless abducted children while you adults didn't do anything."

Olympian, not breaking the silence, just moved its machinery parts and made noises.

Though Administrator was just thinking, to them it looked like this menacing colossal machine was really angry.

"…B-But maybe you can blame me instead. I promise, we can do anything for you, so forgive him."

"That's right, we couldn't do it by ourselves so we asked his help. Hansol didn't do anything wrong…."

Dorothy and Liona said in a hesitating and murmuring voice. Skia Crow said in a calm and soft tone as well. "…You are not that petty, aren't you?" her headgear made ' :( ' signal.

While resting his chin, and looking through all the other monitor screens, Administrator said.

"Dorothy, I heard it right, am I? You will do anything."

"Oh, if it's not something so weird."

Dorothy blushed while she put her hands in the pockets.

Olympian turned its lens to Jia.

"President Jia, they shall also participate in this operation."

"But…."

Jia looked like she didn't like that decision.

Though she pleaded her exceptional loyalty in the monitor room of Administrator, but seemingly this is a different issue to her since they will send kids to the battlefield.

This looks rather odd to the Administrator. The world had been turned into a living hell where everyone should have to fight for their lives against monsters regardless of age or experience.

"Olympian even in this basic form can fight against level 4 Corruptors. Do not worry."

"Shouldn't I go instead of them, if it satisfies you?"

"I need you to do what I asked here since it's the job only you can do."

Listening to their conversation, Dorothy made a nervous face. "W-What? Admin, Where are we going?"

Administrator explained through Olympian. "After Hansol took care of them, we sent investigators to the theme park and collected some data indicating the connection between the Wizard and Jehuty Biotech. They abducted children for human experiment purposes. To save them, I need your help as well."

Jia closed her eyes and let out a sigh. She could easily expect how OZ girls would react.

Of course, Dorothy answered immediately. "Alright, I'm in!" and without any word, Skia also showed 'O' signal with her headgear. Just like them, Liona raised her hand and said. "T-Then, I will go too…."

Jia said to Olympian. "You knew how they'd respond in the first place."

"Humanity demands heroes more than ever."

"…."

"What about it?"

"I'm just thinking, it's too early for them. That's all."

Then Jia lowered her head and stared at Olympian's lens with a worried face as if she looked through it to Administrator.

"Promise me that you will protect them."

"I promise."

Then Olympian called ADS Coffin. Kim Hana copied, and a few minutes later the ship descended slowly through the clouded sky. First Dorothy, then Skia, then Liona, then Hansol, finally Olympian walked up the stairs and boarded the ship.

The destination is Jehuty Biotech of America.

Administrator already knew Karin headed there. But more than that, also he knew that she can't handle the Artificial Corruptors that Wilbur created.

ADS Coffin rotated its head. At full speed, she flew to the Brown Rock Canyon.

Fingers crossed, Administrator was sitting and thinking while his eyes fixed upon the screens.

'Delta Seven in this universe had been reduced to nothing, almost. Due to the conspirator, they lost both Maria and Jake to the Replacers.'

Only Karin survived from there like a miracle, and that was her report.

As soon as they finished the dimensional jump, Replacers bombarded them.

Resting his chin on fist, Administrator thought. 'Karin, she's the only one left. Thor was dead long before I came, Rosaria didn't lie. But still, whether it's Kyle or Karin, we need a powerful ally.'

Administrator yawned.

"This ship is very slow, indeed."

He forgot to turn off the mic, so Olympian said exactly what Administrator mumbled.

Hansol said while eating a sandwich. "Well, this is a very old model. Can't be compared with the Administratorate's newest ships, right sir?"

'Oh, I forgot.'

Then again he was boring just as much as others so Administrator asked. "What were the meals like in the company?" Hansol said. "Oh, I didn't expect you would be interested in something like that."

"Why?"

"I mean, this is so petty for you, sir."

"Your life isn't petty to me. So tell me, if you don't mind."

Hansol scratched his head.

"We had so many curries. curry rice, curry bread, chicken curry…."

"What…? In whose preference?"

"I don't know, they just gave them."

He seemed to really don't care, and chomped his sandwich again.

'Was there anyone who likes curry that much in Coffin Company?'

While they were talking to each other, Skia displayed '?' signal on her headgear and questioned. "…Do you like curries?"

Hansol answered with a dry laugh. "Oh, I don't know. They're definitely not my favorite, but not that I hate them."

Skia looked at the floor. "Bummer." the signal was changed to '….'

"Wow, I never heard of a company giving worse food than school lunches." Dorothy turned her eyes from outside of the window to Olympian.

"It has nothing to do with me. I just became the CEO."

"…Oh, I didn't know that. Then just fix it quick. Nobody would want to work there."

Liona sparkled her eyes after drinking her milk. "But I want to see how good curry chickens would be! Dorothy, you like chickens, right?"

Dorothy shrugged. "Whatever. You can have mine. It's all yours."

'Sometimes it really surprises me that we can make lively conversations with food.'

Speaking of it, Administrator suddenly got curious, so he asked Hansol. "What were the Company Dinners like with your master?"

Habitually Hansol crossed his arms but then he realized the sandwich sources got on his shirt.

Liona gave a wet wipe to Hansol. "I think someone needs this."

With smile Hansol took it. "Yeah, thanks."

As he rubbed it on his arm, Hansol answered to Olympian. "We always did rock-paper-scissors to decide who'd choose the menu. When I lost, I picked whatever I wanted to eat. When she lost, she picked for herself."

'What? Why did they even bother to do that?'

That's strange and overly complicated, Administrator thought.

But he didn't say anything. Hansol continued.

"That's the unique rule we have. Not just for Company Dinner. She did that to encourage me in training as well. Maste said, 'One day you might surpass me. You can buy me when that happens, and I'll gladly celebrate your improvement over my defeat. But for now, I'd like to teach you what's more important is will to improve, and there are always rewards for efforts.' and, I-"

'What? Did she actually say something like that?'

Hansol's face dimmed in concern for Hilde.

'She certainly has a different personality than what I expected from Hilde.'

The Administrator moved Olympian's cannon to gently(?) pat Hansol's shoulder.

"Don't be discouraged. She will come back to us soon."

"Sir, that hurts."

"Oh. Sorry."

'I feel like I'm slowly understanding everyone and their relationships.'

The Administrator thought while stretching his back. 'This world is truly full of surprises.'

Coffin Company without Soo Yeon, Shi Yoon, Mina.

But even in this world, people have their own memories and hopes.

'I wonder who's making curries, though.'

Thinking such trivial issues put Administrator in a relieved mood.

Though Administrator claimed the mission was attacking Jehuty Biotech, but it's the secondary goal.

His priority is on Karin, she must survive: Whether withdraw her or work with her to destroy Wilbur.

"System, to the marked location at normal speed. Hansol, ready your blade. Dorothy, Skia, Liona…."

"Yes, we're ready too!"

Dorothy boldly responded, Skia and Liona seemed to be rather cautious.

'For now, just observing the battlefield will be sufficient for them.'

"…You three should hold the position and wait for orders."

Liona let out a sigh of relief, Skia didn't say anything but made 'O' signal on her headgear. Dorothy, on the other hand, apparently didn't like that.

"Then why are we even here?"

"If I found where the hostages are, then you should escort them to the ship."

"I see. I get it, that perfectly makes sense."

Though she looked rebellious, but she had one clear goal apparently: Saving the unfortunate children.

Then suddenly they heard gunshots from outside. Hansol reported as he looked below. "Administrator, sir! There are about forty Corruptors on the ground encircling four unidentified mercenaries!"

"…."

The Administrator moved Olympian to the catapult of ADS Coffin and ordered Hansol.

"Come to me, Hansol! The others, wait in the ship!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

Then from above like a giant meteor the black warmachine fell. descending, Olympian launched a barrage of missiles at the enemies in front of Karin, like a bomber.

Hansol caught its speed and was falling next to Olympian, Administrator moved Olympian's crimson lens and gave him a command. "Do you see that woman with long brown hair? She must survive. Protect her."

Don't know why, but it doesn't matter. Gripping his sword tightly as he answered. "Understood!"

'It was the best for spreading rockets to where they can see, as it indicates the fact that we're their potential allies. But now it's all up to me. Olympian as base model cannot equip powerful weapons so it had to take Future-At-War's weaponry: Not really plentiful missiles; The cannon isn't a good weapon against level 1 Corruptors attacking from blind spots.

'Of course, Olympian can shake them off when they got close, but still it's not optimized.'

'With that….'

Boosting backward, Administrator landed Olympian not right next to Karin but in the middle of the engagement and ADS Coffin. If they could break out of the encirclement, Olympian can provide covering fire.

Then Hansol, too, landed safely like a cat from such height.

It's the move Hilde taught. Hansol then raised his sword and cut a Corruptor in half.

"Even with that inital fire, about thirty Corruptors are left."

'If Administrator just bombarded foes with cannons and missiles then we could have killed everything without any difficulty. But the whole point is saving that woman. So I'm entrusted.'

While Hansol focused on both combat and analyzing the tactical situation, Karin asked from behind.

"Who… are you? I didn't expect any reinforcements."

"Yang Hansol of the Coffin Company. Admin… I mean, our CEO told me to protect you."

Hansol said while he carefully observed enemies, then, parried the claws of a Corruptor.

Charlie barely could hold the enemy even with that large shield. But then he saw Hansol, dealing with the same enemy rather easily. "Hey! So you're a Counter?"

"I am." with the reply, from left to right Hansol executed a great slash. Blood spilling, another Corruptor was slain.

'If Master was here, she could easily wipe out them with her furious Bladestorm….'

Still not as good as her, Hansol thought. But to Jessica, he looked like a superhuman.

"Unbelievable power… but how could you know we were in danger?"

"I can't say, all I heard is this is our mission!"

Like thrusting a spear, Hansol stabbed the eye of a Corruptor. Then using its body as leverage he kicked and pulled off the sword.

Eddie asked. "That giant machine firing missiles is your boss, correct?"

"Yes, he's our CEO!"

Then set his left foot as axis, Hansol rotated his whole body to swing his sword against a Corruptor.

Any of those attacks literally killed them in a single blow.

'He's as powerful as Jake! His movements are well-connected, balanced at both offensive and defensive. He doesn't seem to overly rely on the brutal force of CRF, but his swordsmanship. Is he self-taught? Since he came from Korea, was he trained by other martial artists?'

Stood next to Hansol, Karin gunned down Corruptors. While she was observing his movement, she was surprised when Hansol made scary eyes and ran toward her.

"H-Hansol?!"

But with silence, Hansol thrust the blade into the heart of a Corruptor trying to claw at Karin's waist.

'…What? Was he fully comprehending the surrounding environment while he made such confusing fast movements?'

Hansol said to Karin who was impressed more about him rather than a Corruptor which could take her life.

"This ring formation is about to be broken! Can you see our ship? That thing! We must run through there, right now!"

Hansol pointed his finger at Olympian and ADS Coffin in the sky. The black warmachine kept using missiles to push off Corruptors and tried to crack the encirclement with its cannon.

Charlie said. "Agreed, we really should! But what can we do?!"

At that time, something crossed Hansol's mind. In a case like this….

"Give me that shield!"

Rather forcefully Hansol took Charlie's shield.

Hansol shouted.

"Everyone, stay close to me and keep shooting outward!"

Though Charlie wasn't the brightest guy, but he was a veteran of mercenary. So easily could grasp what Hansol was trying to do.

"Very smart of you, I like it! Show us your strength!"

Charlie smiled as he reloaded his submachine gun. The others too, nodded, made back-to-back stance and rushed while spraying bullets everywhere.

"AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!"

With a horrendous charge, Hansol bashed all Corruptors in his way, and following that sheer force Karin and Eddie and Charlie and Jessica, all successfully disengaged. They broke out and passed Olympian.

"Hansol, get to the ship with everyone! I will follow that!"

"Roger that!"

Olympian then pushed itself forward, though the Corruptors swarmed it, but the black warmachine didn't even bother to use ranged weapons: Just rolled its body, crushed everything with its body.

'To come up with that plan in this situation, quite competent. If Shi Yoon was here then what would he do?'

Maybe he would just kill everything faster?

Thinking something like that, Administrator rested his chin on left hand, with right hand he did button mashing.

Since Olympian is a very sturdy machine, ramming and slamming into everywhere doesn't cause any damage to it. So he didn't even care.

Yet since it's the Corruptor's nature to attack every non-Corruptors, foolishly they kept pushing themselves to this dreadful black warmachine. They were brutally stomped, snapped and shattered.

It was overwhelming.

Hansol and others could see that from the ship as well.

"So this is what it feels like when someone as strong as level 4 corruptor is on our side."

"This isn't full power of it."

Just as Hansol said that, at the same time immediately from below Olympian ascended to the ship. Eddie stood next to Hansol saw it and almost tripped.

"Ah! You scared me!"

"Sorry."

Did that thing casually said sorry to me?

This is all surreal to Ed. Indeed, the life fighting against Corruptors is what he got used to, but he never imagined to see a high-technology giant robot fighting with him in the battlefield.

Is this some kind of fever dream? He still can't believe what's happening.

Charlie said. "So, you're the CEO of Coffin Company, huh? Man, you're huge and awesome."

Olympian lit its red lens and glanced at them. "It is I. No one is hurt. That is good."

From their behind, Dorothy and Skia and Liona approached. Hansol turned his head and said.

"That was a tricky situation, Though Administrator and I somehow managed it perfectly."

Dorothy agreed. "Yeah, we saw that from here. Probably we couldn't do much help even if we were with you, I guess."

Karin said. "Huh? I thought this is a warship. Why kids are here?"

"Kid? You don't look much older than me."

Dorothy leered at Karin, her hands in the pockets.

"Umm… no offense, I apologize."

Eddie thought as he looked at Liona and Skia. 'They're older than my daughter, but still too young to ride a Dimensional Ship like this….'

Anyhow, Olympian greeted Karin.

"Colonel Karin of Delta Seven. If you're still going to assault Jehuty Biotech, it will be best for us to attack together."

"Who exactly are you? How did you know that I was here?"

"I'll tell you everything. But first, why don't you take a rest? All of you seem to be exhausted. Don't worry about Wilbur, he won't go anywhere soon."

They're clearly allies, though unexpected.

Karin, out of her relief, let out a deep sigh and sat down on the floor. The others too, lay down or leaned against the wall.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, when Aki went to Coffin Company, Neither Olympian nor Hansol were there.

Hana told Aki to go to President Jia in the Alphatrix's main office building and assist her, she said.

That sounds ridiculous even to Aki, since, what can she do anyway?

'I think they forgot I'm not that resourceful person….'

After a few minutes of walking, she finally reached there.

With hesitation she talked into the intercom but the guy didn't let her in.

But fortunately she found Jia at the front door who recognized Aki and finally came in with her.

'Why something like this always happens to me? I'm exhausted already.'

In the lounge, Aki sat on the sofa and lowered her head. Her Buster Sword felt like an embarrassing toy.

"So, You're from the Coffin? I thought they're an elite group. Since when did they send an errand girl like this?"

From behind women in a trench coat approached.

"I'm sorry, who are you again?"

"Lin Xien, a freelance Counter. You're a complete clueless rookie, aren't you? Your company hired me a few times and I worked with them. What's your name?"

Then she put the sunglasses in the inner pocket. Surely Lin looked like having some experiences, unlike Aki herself.

"I'm Hirose Aki of Fenril Squad."

"Well met."

"So, how is Hilde and Hansol doing?"

"Oh, you see, today Hansol went with our new boss…."

No, wait. Is it okay to tell the company's activity to the outsider? Aki thought.

While Aki was rather reluctant to continue, Jia came back and said. "Detective Lin, Coffin Company is conducting a field mission today. Captain Hilde was wounded from the previous mission and she's in the hospital now."

"Master Hilde was defeated?"

Lin couldn't hide a disturbed face.

Jia sighed. "It's hard to believe, isn't it? But it's true. Though at first, I tried to ask the investigation to them…."

"…I see, that's why you called me. You did well to consult me since it's my profession for chasing down rabbit holes. A fine decision, President Shin."

While listening to their conversations, Aki realized Hilde was a famous and recognized figure more than she expected.

Lin, crossed her arms, pondered about something, then cocked her head and asked. "From old Han dynasty it was all the same. When the society falls into chaos, heretics rise from everywhere. So, is there anything I should know more?"

Jia turned her head to the middle of the lounge room and said. "Computer, let us begin the briefing."

Responded by a clear woman's voice, the blue hologram structure was unfolded at the center: Showing the damaged vehicles and scattered bullets everywhere near the abandoned apartments.

"We identified them as part of Magellan's Prediction Society, and our Alphatrix security force dealt with them."

"Excellent."

"I deduced they might be a supply division."

"Interesting… but why?"

Then Jia gestured to instruct the computer. Then the hologram was zoomed in, and the images of the evidences they collected in the area became larger. "In the container there were clothes and MREs, but also ammunitions not matching with their firearms."

Xien nodded. "Of course! It's reasonable to think so. But if they're a supply division like you said, then which direction they were heading to?"

"It's less crucial information as it didn't lead us to any clue. We searched all expected areas yet found nothing."

That's why she was hired. Lin was known for her sharp mind and not stout body.

Of course, Jia could handle this if she committed that much, but there were so many other things she must take care of by herself.

"I see… then it might be better to visit there first."

"…."

Then from her pocket Xien drew a cigarlette and bit it as she crossed her arms again, recollecting the information. Aki noticed Jia was looking at her, felt like something bad was about to happen.

'Uh, umm, why does she stare at me?'

As she met Aki's eyes, Jia turned her head to Lin and said. "You might need assistance, so Ms. Hirose here can help you. Contact me if you pick up something important."

"W-What?!"

Ominous feelings are always right, Aki thought.

"Okay, then! You won't be disappointed. Aki, shall we go now?"

Lin grabbed her arms and forcefully dragged her outside.

They didn't say a thing, even after several minutes of walking.

Aki kept glancing at Lin who was checking all the data transferred in her tablet. Since there wasn't a thing to lead to a clue she poked her head with a digital pen, Lin sighed and put them back in her large coat pocket.

"U-Umm… Very strange case, isn't it?"

"Yes, Aki? Did you say something?"

"I-I mean… ah… haha…."

Though she tried to say something, but she had such disastrous social skills, so she couldn't accomplish anything.

Poor Aki with her unfortunate habit. But Lin continued the conversation by herself. "Surely. If you can solve the mystery just by reading the report then everyone could become an investigator."

Lin stretched her arms. "Well, if Jia requires my help then it's not an easy job. That much I figured."

"Haha, I think life gives us challenges."

….

Why did I say something stupid again, Aki thought.

But seemingly Lin was amused by that. "Oh! Clearly so. Personally I took missions like these as good challenges, indeed."

Lin turned her head to Aki. "You talk like an old man that I knew. Say, how many Corruptors have you killed?"

"E-Excuse me?"

"As mercenary you make a living with that two-handed sword, aren't you?"

'No way, someone's talking about my sword again? Maybe I should have left this at home.'

This Buster Sword was mainly for cosplay purpose. Because the protagonist of her favorite game used it.

"N-No! I just can't afford that many bullets for each fight so using this sword instead. Nothing else!"

"Hmm? But isn't that a fine sword? You're being humble!"

…Oh, she doesn't know….

'This is so stressful….'

One hour later.

They arrived at the area where the fight between Magellan's division and Alphatrix's security team happened.

In this ghost town, like giant nails hammered abandoned buildings stood there which were completely tained by Corruption Waves, the vision of dead silence gave a real chill. Even the wind felt very unnatural but something coming out from the abyss, Aki couldn't stop shaking her hands.

She soon noticed something.

'What's this?'

She turned her head to Lin and asked. "Can you see it? It looks different from the holograms in the lounge."

Aki could see Lin's keen eyes looking through the whole area, Checking all possibilities while she was smoking.

"Hmm…."

"Isn't that weird? All corpses are gone!"

"Yes, I have eyes too."

Lin brought forth a Corruption Detector. As she was doing her job, Aki felt like this was a real mystery, out of curiosity and she asked in an excited vocie. "Maybe the Alphatrix team buried them?"

"What? Why do you think so?"

Lin said as she didn't turn her head.

"I mean… uh, why not?"

"Stop embarrassing yourself, rookie of Fenrir."

"…?"

"Why would you even bother to do that with Corruptors? You see, those are worse than radioactive wastes. If you put them under ground, making it much harder to purify the area."

I did it again, said something really stupid again. Aki blushed.

"Nowadays even Korea has some strange cultists."

Lin poked the bloodstains with her eyes closed, focused. Obviously something happened after the battle and before they were coming.

'Since no other people know about this engagement, obviously it's someone related to Magellan and not us.'

But for what reason Magellan's Prediction Society bothered to do this?

Alphatrix's patrols already took away everything they carried.

How intriguing….

'Not just for that, It looks like… they were pulled from the below? No, that's absolutely impossible.'

After she was done smoking, Lin tossed a cigarette and stepped on it. Aki asked. "Do their corpses even matter?"

"We must consider."

"But why?"

"Those Magellan cultists made and used so-called Elixirs on fellow cultists. Fearing its secret ingredients would be revealed to outsiders, in the past they removed corpses. In the past they did it."

Lin continued. "See, when they do something weird, there are reasons behind it. Tracking it down is the basic to a detective."

Lin glared at Aki. "Coffin rookie, you don't know anything?"

"I-I'm sorry…."

"…."

She looks like a scolded dog now.

Lin just turned her head and moved. better focusing on the job.

"H-Hey, wait!"

But suddenly.

"…What did you say?"

For some reason, Lin looked back, said in a scary deep voice as if she was startled by something.

It's an odd reaction. Aki said. "N-No, I didn't say anything, just wait for me."

Lin looked around.

…Something is here.

Something, whispered.

"Didn't you hear anything?"

But it's not like Aki would make such sound.

Then…?

"No, nothing particularly."

"…."

Feeling instinct, Lin sat down on the ground and cautiously put her right ear to it, as if trying to listen to something.

Aki couldn't even assume what she was doing. then Lin repeatedly did the same thing in different spots.

'What's wrong with her?'

Then Lin looked at her and ordered. "Aki, could you put your head to the ground? I want to confirm whether you can pick up something or not."

"What? Do I have to?"

"Yes. Do it, now."

"N-No! I don't want to mess my hairs."

Then Lin said with an annoyed face. "You're the employee of the Coffin Company, they sent you to President Jia who told you to help me. If you don't, I will report this."

For one reason or another she's beginning to disappoint.

"…Fine, I will do it. If that makes you happy." Aki felt that was so unfair but nonetheless she complied.

But even she couldn't hear a thing. Lin kept demanding her to check other spots but since neither of them couldn't find anything, she eventually stopped stubbornly asking and gave up.

"…Is that so? Perhaps there was really nothing."

Then Lin just walked into the entrance of the train station.

"Uh, Lin? Wait for me!"

Feeling a bit exhausted, Aki followed her with giant Buster Sword.

'So in the end, we found nothing…! What was that all about anyway?!'

Thirty minutes later.

Deep inside of the underground terminal station, they couldn't even find a Corruptor though it felt like something was glaring in the darkness. Lin didn't make any noise and calmly advanced while Aki was very nervous and kept looking around.

"Lin, do you think the bad guys are hiding in here?"

….

"L-Lin?"

She was next to her a minute before.

Where did she go? Aki thought.

Realizing she was alone in the unfamiliar place, Aki was alerted and frantically moved her body to every angle, then she tripped.

'H-How…?'

Being more scared by the sound she made, now Aki was in total panic.

Then from afar someone was walking toward her. Fiery lighting flashed. Aki squinted and tried to look but it was so bright in red or yellow, like the sun of the underworld.

Then finally she could see what it was.

It was a man in a begie jacket. From his back, rectangular-shaped blazes were burning like wings. Upon the edge of his hand, the energy blade was extended.

Maybe he's a Counter too, since the flame manipulated in his wings and hand looked identical in form.

"It seems the darkness isn't your ally."

'W-What is he?'

Making mysterious smile, he swung his hand and stretched his energy blade even longer.

His wings were evaporated in thin air as he approached Aki, illuminating every step with that blade.

Fearing his presence, Aki hurried to stand back and pointed the tip of sword at him.

"I-I will cut you if you come near me!"

"Hmph…."

But he didn't stop.

Aki couldn't hold herself and raised her blade above and charged, slashing it downward. But the man blocked it quite easily.

Even more, with that futile attack, Aki lost her balance and collapsed.

"Aw, Aww… I-It hurts…."

The man slowly walked to her.

This time, Aki tried to stab him just like Hansol did.

She didn't even know that a great sword isn't particularly good at such a thrusting attack.

Yubin made an amused face since he also knew that.

'It's a fine sword, shame she doesn't even know how to use it.'

"Ai-Yaaaaaaaaah!"

Then, stood still Yubin gazed at the incoming attack. At the exact moment, he lunged his energy blade to the tip of the enemy's weapon and quickly bent it over, swept his fist upward.

"W-What?!"

Aki couldn't understand what was even happening. With all her might she ran toward him, but how? Her entire body felt twisted and then she stumbbled.

Then Yubin, picked up her sword and handed over its handle, which surprised Aki.

"Eh? Uh, what?"

"I figured you're not the part of those Magellan cultists."

"Of course, I'm not! President Jia sent us to investigate so I came here with Lin, Umm… I mean-"

I shouldn't say my friend's name in a situation like this, Aki suddenly realized it.

But it didn't matter.

Yubin didn't say anything but ponder as his left hand on right elbow and rubbed his chin with right thumb and index finger.

It was clear Aki also misunderstood him as foe.

She said in a shy voice. "Umm, you see…."

Yubin was just focusing on something in his mind. Aki said again.

"H-Hey."

"Yes?"

"So you have nothing to do with… them, whoever they are. I'm sorry."

Yubin seemingly didn't mind it at all.

"Oh, don't worry about it."

"So… umm, who are you?"

"The name's Na Yubin. Let's just say, you could recognize me as a diligent and modest city hall officer."

"C-City Hall…?"

Then someone said from a distance.

"Why do you even bother to pretend? Recently I couldn't even see you there."

It was the voice of Lin.

Not just her. She was accompanied by the young blond girl with yoyo, and serious-looking brunette lady with a sword.

"Oh, Lin! Where have you been?!"

Lin ignored Aki and kept talking to Yubin. "I couldn't hear any news from Six Wings recently… and now we met here again."

Yubin didn't say anything as closed his eyes. Jisoo crossed his arms and nodded. "Obviously, a mediocre detective like you couldn't even grasp our design."

Amy stopped playing with yoyo and reported. "Captain! I gave all that shit to her, just like you asked."

"So you were sent by the president of Alphatrix?" Yubin asked Lin who took a cigarette from her pocket.

"Maybe?"

"My, you really don't have to hide it. Why would you be here in the first place? Only the few are willing to hire you as an investigator. Also, this region is under the protection of Alphatrix group which frequently engaged with the Magellan cultists. Well, there is only one conclusion to be deduced, isn't it?"

"Don't be a smartass, just believe whatever you want."

Yubin said. "The data you received from Amy tells the lists and whereabouts of Magellan Society. President Jia can make the best use."

"…."

Everything was stored in the small data device which was in Lin's pocket now. Lin nodded as she took out a lighter from the other pocket.

Lin said. "It's very impressive of you to track down those pesky little runts. Surely they were convincing enough, I give that. But I want to ask one thing…."

"What is it?"

"Haven't you sensed anything in the area where they fought today?"

They fell into silence in a short moment. Yubin shook his head. Lin then shrugged her shoulders and pulled down her hat. "So I was just hearing things? Perhaps I need to get some sleep."

Then she turned her body and left.

When Aki tried to follow her, Yubin grabbed her arm.

"Eh…?"

"Can't we talk a little bit?"

He didn't seem to have any ill intentions, so Aki nodded.

"By any chance, do you know who is Replacer Bishop?"

"Replacer Bishop? I never heard of it."

Yubin tilted his head. 'So she hasn't met her yet?'

"Maybe our CEO could know, or Captain Hilde in the hospital… oops."

Again, Aki said something unnecessary. But this time something good actually came from it.

"You mean, that Hilde, an S rank counter of Fenrir, was defeated by someone?"

"I-I mean… Yes. She was."

He asked in a very serious voice. Aki affirmed.

"How? What could possibly defeat the last Valkyrie?"

'…The last Valkyrie?'

Aki asked. "Are you her acquaintance or something?"

"No, I only knew her name."

'…?'

"Well, only recently I became a Counter."

"Though you were pretty good at fighting."

"Haha… I thank you for the praise."

Yubin gave her old USB.

"I figured the CEO of Coffin Company is actually Administrator. So…."

"Wait, How did you know that?"

"Sorry, I have no time to explain that. But Aki, can you deliver this to him? Tell him that Yubin sent it. Also, please make it clear that I'm not the Adversarius and not against him."

"Okay, I got it."

Though she couldn't understand what does he talk about, but Aki can do a simple job like that.

"Amy?"

"Yes, Captain?"

Amy was doing all kinds of crazy tricks with her yoyos in the corner. when Yubin called her, Amy put them back in the pocket.

"Can you go with Aki? I'm worried that she might be attacked by Corruptors or Replacers."

"Sure, got it."

Then Amy left with Aki.

"Hmm…."

Yubin took a deep breath.

"What do you have in your mind, Captain?"

"I'm thinking about Bishop."

"Bishop, sir? Ah, yes. She has a connection with Magellan Society. But we couldn't see anyone here…."

"…."

Yubin lit the energy blade - Catastrophe Blade - from his hand and illuminated the underground area. In tranquility the fiery flame guided their direction.

'….'

"We should leave too."

"But isn't there something we need to do?"

"No, that's enough for today. Now we realized that our Administrator took over the situation. The destiny bound us together."

But when they turned back, they couldn't notice it.

From the shadow, a pink-haired woman was looking down at them with menacing eyes.

Twenty minutes later.

They left the terminal station.

Yubin kept looking around, and Jisoo stuck close to him.

When they arrived at the place where today's battle happened, Yubin suddenly stopped.

Then, he said without turning his body.

"Now is the time to strike. Perhaps you have no courage to face me?"

With those intimating words he brushed off his blazing wings again, and he slowly turned his eyes to back.

"…Replacer Bishop."

From a surprisingly close distance someone clicked her tongue, and rapidly advanced.

"How couldn't I sense him…?!" Jisoo gripped the handle of her sword, and tried to feel her enemy.

But nothing was caught.

And then, from every direction energy projectiles were launched.

Footworking noises spread all over the place.

"So this is Replacer Bishop?! Captain!"

However even though those energy blasts were landed on them, since they were too powerful Counters so took almost no damage.

Assuming they were fired from all angles but it has same pattern and rhythm, Yubin figured out the enemy is just one.

'Even with improved perceptions of Counter, it's hard to know where even she is. not only that, Bishop uses a stealth device too. Then we need this approach.'

Yubin ordered Jisoo. "Use the Seal of Lightning to yourself, now!"

Jisoo immediately struck the sword to the ground. Seeing that, Yubin crossed both arms to each shoulder, made a focus as he closed his eyes and inhaled, then stretched his arms wide as he opened his eyes.

"Lightning Earthquake!"

His yell pierced the hollow sky, followed with crimson thunder from his back, beneath his feet the electronic shockwaves were released like tidal waves.

But Jisoo could nullify its effect for herself since she used the Seal of Lightning.

With that, the figure of shadow was paralyzed.

"There!"

Yubin threw the blade at her as he swung his arm from bottom left to top right, with fearsome speed it traveled so fast and was stuck into her body.

Bishop couldn't use the personal stealth device anymore, her form was revealed: A masked pink-haired girl.

"Ku… great, Yubin. Never thought you have such tricks in your sleeves…."

'…This is exactly Replacer Bishop. But it doesn't feel like Shin Na Rae….'

Something is not right.

Yubin cautiously walked to Bishop as he still maintained The Catastrophe Blade struck Bishop's body by clenching his right hand.

Then raised the left hand to his chest, casted another Catastrophe Blade as he swung his hand to the bottom left.

Yubin approached Bishop and asked.

"Answer me, then I will give you a painless death. For some reason, we couldn't find anything. Why are there no Magellan cultists or Replacers? where are your friends?"

Replacer Bishop answered with a sniggering face as if she was ignoring the pain.

"Shall we make it more interesting, then? How about trading questions?"

"Intriguing. What do you dare to inquire from me?"

With Catastrophe Blade Yubin slightly pushed her cheek. His wings generated fiery noise.

"You proved your wits by immobilizing me. But not about that, how did you notice I was stalking you?"

Yubin closed his eyes.

Then he answered as he clenched his right hand harder. With that, the energy blade shoved up thrust deeper, Bishop vomited blood.

"…Perhaps it's only fair to know that before you die."

Jisoo, came closer and standing next to Yubin, put her left hand on the waist and looked down at Bishop.

Yubin said. "It's Power Word. It's not classified as neither divinity nor corruption. Pure spell type. Perhaps the witches of Strega are familiar with it."

"…What is Strega?"

"Ah, no wonder you don't know. They don't exist in our world anyway. You see, I dropped countless energy spheres on this entire area which helped me to detect you."

'…Oh, so that's why he did that.'

Jisoo, who's proficient in the eastern spells, could also see them.

But Jisoo herself couldn't guess by what intention he casted all those Rune spells.

They were actually sending signals to Yubin.

With a dark glance Yubin brought his Catastrophe Blade next to her neck. "Your question is done. Now I will have mine."

Then Bishop cackled. "Quite unusual tactics you got there. The cultists? What an incompetent dogs. I took care of them, everyone in this province."

Upon listening this, Yubin thought about it. 'Obviously Bishop would give such treatment. They are nothing but the expendables to Replacers.'

Yubin asked. "Why do you even need to remove them? Was it the order from Dominic or Jaina?"

That was an unexpected question. How does he even know about true identity of Replacer King? Bishop opened her eyes wide.

"What? Who… are you? How did you know that?" But soon she giggled as if mocking him. "Seemingly you know more than you should, and arrogantly showing off that, but unfortunately… you're not even close."

And then suddenly.

Something, dark and morbid, strange life forms resembled maggots were raised from the ground.

"…the Feast hAS STARted. the HOst of the feast hAS ARRIVed…."

"…tHE FEAST will complete the imperfect KNOWLEDGE and perfect imperfect beings…."

"…the long thirST and hungER are finally coMING to an end…."

"…TODAY, the blood and flesh of the hoST will be on the table, and the swaLLOWER shall become the SWALLOWed…."

"What?!" Sharp voice of astonishment came out from Yubin's mouth. "What is this?! What even is happening in here?!"

Yubin turned his eyes and head like crazy. "What's the meaning of this?! What, and how?!"

Was it panic?

Was it anger?

Probably both, Yubin couldn't hide his surprise.

But Jisoo kept her cool. 'I don't see why the Captain is being so nervous. They don't seem that powerful.' Ironically that's because she knew less than Yubin, and Yubin knew more than her.

Yubin didn't explain anything about Dark Lord Gha'agsheblah yet to his Six Wings team members.

Naturally, in Jisoo's eyes, they're merely some weak Corruptors in a bizarre form. But Yubin knew whom they belonged to.

That's why there are so many points that he had to think about.

'What the hell is even going on? Replacer Bishop is using the power belonged to Dark Lord Gha'agsheblah?'

'The Replacers have nothing to do with Edel. No, more than that, Eckhart Society never went outside western europe!'

'But what if Dominic of our universe forged an alliance with the Dark Lords? That explains why the Administratorate fell so quickly. But if so, then why couldn't we have seen any Corruptors being commanded by Dark Lords since Operation Terraside?'

'What's more, none of them couldn't explain why these Corruptors of Gha'agsheblah are taking orders from Replacer Bishiop!'

'Damn it, if any of those Dark Lords is actually working together with the Replacers, I can't even measure how much strong they are compared to their counterparts in other universes!'

"Ahahahahaha!" Seeing Yubin's smug face become twisted beyond recognition, Replacer Bishop laughed like a devil beyond his reach.

Felt more anxiety about the distant future rather than the imminent danger, Yubin furiously shouted. "Explain, Bishop! What's this all about?!"

Then he saw the chunk of abyss growing under Bishop's feet, her figure was swallowed into it as she taunted him. "Oh, so it's not like you knew everything? Good luck with figuring this out by yourself!"

With overwhelming fury, Yubin yelled as he pushed his clenched right fist into the thin air. "You think you can run away from me?!"

But Bishop already escaped.

Immediately, Catastrophe Blade reappeared on his right hand.

"Captain!"

Still couldn't shake off fears of the uncertain future, Yubin said as he turned his eyes to the Corruptors.

"Let me tell you this, Jisoo. Though they look puny and weak, but the meaning behind them is far greater."

Yubin continued. "But for now, we must do what we should. Maybe Administrator will give us the answer."

Then Yubin cast two Catastrophe Blades for each hand, charged at the unthinkable chaos with wings burnt spread.

.

.

.

Above the Brown Rock canyon, surrounded by white clouds ADS Coffin looked like a sky castle that ascended people lived in.

Though it gave such a romantic impression, yet they couldn't be soaked in a mood like that.

As they regrouped they had to plan another assault.

They stood around the round table. Olympian, Hansol, Dorothy, Skia, Liona, Karin, Eddie, Charlie, Jessica. Upon it, there was a map of the building inside.

Yet the tactic suggested by the Administrator was rather simple.

If Olympian bombarded and lured the Corruptors inside the building, then a division led by Karin infiltrates through the sewer.

while Fenrir squad has a priority of liberating the test subjects, Karin is to find and assassinate Wilbur.

There are about a total of four hundred Replacers and Corruptors waiting inside of the building. Also estimated that there are five level 3 Corruptors.

Everything else is just level 1 or 2 Corruptors which Hansol and Karin can easily deal with.

As soon as Administrator finished the briefing through Olympian, Hansol raised his hand.

"What is it, Lieutenant Hansol?"

"What should we do if you fail to lure the level 3 Corruptors outside?"

"It doesn't matter. If Wilbur doesn't send them forward then I will go inside and destroy them."

"I see. Understood."

Olympian said. "Jehuty Biotech is notorious for its immoral projects. Yet not only human experiences but also he artificially created the synthetic Corruptors. Though their technology is still immature, it can't be overlooked. We must end them, right here, right now."

"But if so, then why don't we all just attack from outside?"

"No. Wilbur might do something unexpected like taking children hostage or executing a self-destruct sequence."

Dorothy asked while she looked down the building.

"Wow, I can't even believe someone like that actually exists. Is he that low?"

"Yes." Karin ground her teeth. "Admin knows him very well. Through bribery and betrayal, he built his successes. But this Wilbur, if he is cornered, then he will do literally anything."

"Karin, You have no objection?"

"Wait, isn't it optimal that ADS Coffin should be positioned behind the canyon, and then when Wilbur tries to escape, use it to snipe or pursue him?"

"Why?"

"There is a possibility that when you're attacking and we're inside, Wilbur might take a flight and escape."

"I will chase him down with the ship if that happens. The reason why I need to take Coffin with me is that I only have limited ammunition. If I use all missiles and cannons then I should quickly jump on the ship to reload."

"I see. So this is the best formation we can take. I'm convinced."

Though she couldn't realize that, but everyone already noticed her dark spirit. She's being cooperative like this because she really wants to murder Wilbur, even if it costs her life.

She didn't explain anything but her attitude is that much apparent.

But that concerned Administrator. 'I will not allow myself to trade Karin for Wilbur.'

Anyhow, Administrator assumed command and led the battle by himself.

Forty minutes later.

Olympian walking on the ground while controlling the ADS Coffin above.

Estimating that Karin and others probably went through the sewer and got inside the building, Administrator controlled Olympian to shoot the cannon at the front gate.

Such a destructive firepower and loud sound, it shot over and over. It's like now there is a proper siege weapon knocking the wall.

Moments later, the small Corruptors hidden under the ground arose and charged at Olympian.

'When we met Karin, I never asked why she was in that situation. Probably this happened to them.'

Administrator was unimpressed and made Olympian leap to ADS Coffin.

From the sky it bombarded missiles, and then immediately reloaded and shot them again. They were acting like bomber together, and a few minutes later all the level 1 Corruptors were wiped out.

After that, from Jehuty Biotech building the winged Corruptors were deployed. Probably they were sent to destroy the ship.

Recognizing this, Administrator dropped Olympian to the ground and pulled back ADS Coffin, fired missiles into the air, then aimed other flyers and hit them with the cannon.

With screams most of them fell, only four of them were left.

Then suddenly, five level 3 Corruptors were deployed.

Administrator lost his word. "Really? Is this his best?"

Olympian fired another missiles at other winged Corruptors, and turned itself to face them.

"How naive that you can win the war by mindlessly throwing powerful monsters. Clearly, you didn't study war at all."

Though Admin obviously knew Wilbur wasn't listening, he talked to himself while aiming the leg of a level 3 Corruptor.

With blasting sound it was crippled.

"If I were you, I will send the level 3 Corruptors first. I will never just throw winged Corruptors in a column, but divide them and surround the ship from the left and the right."

The Administrator looked at the screen without any emotions but only with the eyes filled of reason.

He turned Olympian and fired the cannon at other Corruptors.

Though nobody was listening, Administrator kept lecturing.

"But this was your decision, sending the flyers of high mobility first then the armored huge Corruptors. Thus one by one they got killed. I doubt that you'd have a chance even if you had level 4 Corruptors."

Now all the level 3 Corruptors were mortally wounded.

Resting his chin on right hand, only with left hand Admin pulled back Olympian and aimed their eyes.

Unlike Titan of Future-At-War, Olympian has extremely high mobility and speed so the level 3 Corruptors couldn't be matched with it.

"I have seen other Wilburs in many different universes. But they were always the same. Man of ambitions and not abilities."

Olympian kept attacking them mercilessly. Already one of them was fallen.

At the same time, Karin succeeded in infiltrating through sewers.

Detecting the intruders, All metal doors were shut down with warning sounds, but Liona used Toto to chew and chop them all.

They found the room of human experimental subjects and secured all the children.

"Who are you?"

"Can we get out already? Teachers said we should be in the room…."

Dorothy looked at the children with long blond hair. "Ein, Zwei, Drei, Vier? What a name, they didn't even see these children like actual humans, didn't they?"

Skia made a '….' signal on her headgear. "But still, we saved them. They will have better lives now." Dorothy flipped her hair. "Yeah, the lives they deserve. Hansol, we found everyone, right?"

While they were talking, the little girls surrounded Liona and tried to touch Toto in playful attitudes. Though Liona worried a bit, Toto smiled with its eyes and didn't bite.

Liona counted all girls and said. "Wait, Hansol! Didn't Jia say there should be someone called Lucid?"

Hansol nodded. "Yes. I will find her too. So you guys leave here with kids."

Dorothy said. "I can help you. Since I'm faster than you so…" but Hansol declined. "No. You must go with them. this region is filled with unknown Corruptors. It'd be better for you to scout the area while Skia and Lion protect them."

"But if you couldn't find that Lucid…."

"I will do my best to search her."

Dorothy didn't argue further. "Okay, I will leave this Wilbur guy to you as well." then Dorothy left first, the others made a line and followed her. Skia at first, the kids were behind her, and Liona was at last.

Karin watched them while she made a determined yet grim face. Eddie said. "I have a daughter who just looks like them. This isn't a pleasant sight to me as well."

Karin mumbled. "Before I came here, all I wanted was vengeance."

"You didn't have to tell me. We could see it."

"…Is that so?"

"It's hard to see a person who makes such an honest face in these days."

Jessica said. "I don't really know what happened to you, but you looked so determined as if tried to throw your life in here. We're mercenaries, you know. Each day we live on the boundary of life and death, so we can easily read what each other thinks."

But clueless Charlie said. "Really? She was?" Jessica nudged him with her elbow. "Just shut it."

"Determination, you said. Yes, I had one." Karin said in a soft voice, "If I can kill that traitor and die here with it, I thought that should be fine. But even if all this was caused from the negative and dark obsession, still I made something good out of it."

Hansol didn't say anything but quietly listened to them. And to him, Karin turned her eyes. "Hansol, I think we should go now. If we find Lucid then just leave this place with her." Then she looked at Eddie, Jessica, Charlie. "And you guys too. This is already enough. You can leave with him."

Charlie said. "Wait, is that okay for you? Didn't you say you really want to see the end of that Wilbur guy?" Karin looked outside the window. "I don't think we need to worry about that."

There, Olympian controlled by Administrator slaughtered all level 3 Corruptors extremely violently and gruesomely.

"I learned this today. Even if it wasn't by me, the evil will be punished."

How could she meet Administrator and Coffin Company here?

Is this fate or coincidence? But anyhow, Karin reminded herself of the promise that Olympian gave.

She felt everything was done.

Revealing the eyes filled with grief, Karin cocked her rifle.

A few minutes earlier.

From the moment of Olympian's counterattack, Wilbur only made mistakes and failures. But his petty personality couldn't admit that and only blamed his underlings.

Looking at even the level 3 Corruptors couldn't put up a fight, he called Shena.

His advisor said. "Sir, there are a few helicopters left. You should evacuate now."

Wilbur screamed at him. "What the fuck are you even talking about, are you fucking stupid? Are you a spy of that Karin bitch?! Haven't you seen that fucking robot is moving? You think I can get away from that Dimensional Ship with fucking slow-ass chopper?!"

Though Wilbur made a lot of wrong judgment, but he had a point for this one.

His advisor couldn't say anything. Then, a Replacer soldier rushed and reported. "Corner, sir! We have intruders in the test subject room!"

"What?! Now? How?! Wait, who came again?! Hey! what the fuck are you even doing?! Change the fucking screen!"

On the monitor, he could see the mercenaries and Karin herself.

Though Wilbur only recognized Karin and not others, which made him even more confused.

'What?! Who the devil are those people? Wait, that fucking robot came from nowhere, but attacking me with that Karin bitch. Like, what the fuck? Who the fuck even made that Robot anyway? It's certainly not Delta Seven. Then? Administratorate? Future-At-War? No technology of mankind can build something like that yet!'

'Damn it, there is no fucking time for thinking about this!'

Then Wilbur shouted at him. "You! Bring Lucid here, hurry!"

"Sir!" Then he turned back and ran off.

But Wilbur immediately called him again. "Hey! Wait, wait! Wait! Hey!"

As he returned, Wilbur said. "Not just for Lucid, bring the Corruptor Nightmare as well. No, no! Bring them to the hangar below the rooftop!"

It can be easily assumed by anyone that he can't even hold himself.

'This might work, when Shena comes I can get the hell out of this hellhole. Till then, if those useless Replacers buy time… ha, hahaha!'

Wilbur pressed a self-destruct switch. Soon the lights turned red and made warning sounds.

His advisor asked. "What are you doing?" Then Wilbur replied with an angry voice. "Why the hell are you even asking? We're so fucking done! It's only ten minutes left! Just get the fuck out of here and you might live!"

Wilbur took a mic and said. "I've grown tired of you imbeciles! That's right, I decided to blow up this fucking place! If you want to live then just get the fuck out of here! Out!" When everyone was hurried to flee in panic, Wilbur rather made a satisfied face.

'Good, Good… with this chaos Karin might take some time to get up here. …hmm?' While he was thinking that, he looked at the monitor and saw a Replacer run away as he left the Corruptor Nightmare and Lucid in the hangar.

'…No, I think any of that really doesn't matter. That broken bitch of failure is here now.' Suddenly feeling easy, he calmly walked upstairs unlike a few minutes before.

Not just for the Replacers but also Karin and others could hear that warning message.

With great hurry, when they opened the doors Hansol stood front and took the bullets with his body, behind him Karin gave support with covering fires, Eddie and Charlie followed from behind and covered their back.

Jessica was in between them. When Karin spent all ammos then exchanging the gun she held with her, and reloading the gun she took. This allowed Karin to keep shooting.

Karin thought. 'This is fine teamwork. They're as good as our Delta Seven soldiers. Hmm…?'

Then Karin saw a purple-haired girl on the monitor. Seemingly she looked like that Lucid, but the problem is that Wilbur pointed a pistol at her head and was shouting something.

"Look! Hansol, I believe that's Lucid!"

Delivering the final blow to the last Corruptor Hansol turned his head.

They were at the hangar. "A girl with violet hair. She's older than I thought." Then Hansol swung his sword a few times and said to Karin. "Hurry, then. We're right there!"

Karin gave Jessica her assault rifle and took a sniper rifle from her. "Lead the way!"

The area was clear. They stepped up and left behind all the Corruptors they killed.

Wilbur now hearing their footsteps, panicked and screamed at Lucid. He looked at the Corruptor Nightmare that didn't change its form.

He said to Lucid. "What?! What the hell is your problem? Just make this shit transform into something!"

"You'd know at this point. I can't do it."

"This fucking useless piece of shit!"

Then Wilbur pushed her and she fell on the floor. But the Corruptor Nightmare was still unchanged from its cloudy state, wordlessly floating.

Wilbur's behavior looked random but there was a reason behind it.

Jehuty Biotech had only one purpose: Breeding synthetic Corruptors for the Replacers to use them as weapons.

This Corruptor Nightmare is one of them. It can read the mind of Counter and imitate what he fears the most.

Theoretically this sounds incredibly strong and useful, but it had a lot of downsides. It requires the enemy as being Counter, and its combat capability is dramatically changed and almost uncontrollable.

"Fucking shit, if I were a Counter then probably I could've killed them all with this Corruptor!"

He said the truth for that one.

But soon his horror turned into anger as he looked at Lucid.

She looked back with pitiful eyes, knowing he was filled with frenzy and despair. Wilbur felt like she was mocking him.

"What the hell are you even looking at?! No, I mean, I can't understand you at all!"

Then Wilbur, again, grabbed her collar and put the gun on her forehead. "What the fuck is wrong with you anyway? Do you want me dead?! Maybe that's what it is, isn't it? I mean, we tortured and tormented you whole time but you DON'T fear us?! It's like, do something with this thing!"

Though Wilbur was the one threatening Lucid, he was the one desperate and cornered.

The whole scene was nothing but irony.

That's right. Since Corruptor Nightmare only can react with Counter, Wilbur tried to force her by any means.

"…Fear, you said but we humans cannot fear something we fully comprehend. I think you also know that…."

"No, I don't fucking care about your philosophical bullshit! Wait… hey, they're fucking coming!"

This also triggered Wilbur and he fired his pistol everywhere, showing his insecurity.

Then, as Hansol and Karin coming closer, the Corruptor Nightmare shivered. Immediately Hansol broke through the door.

"There you are! Your evil deeds will end here, Wilbur Whateley!" By great anger his yell was erupted with a loud cry, it went through everyone's ears. To everyone he already looked like a successor of medieval knight.

Behind him, Karin and others followed.

Wilbur's face became really pale, he squeezed Lucid's neck and put the gun at her head. "T-They're here! Here, here! Die, y-you! If you come any closer then I will fucking kill her! Hear me?! I will fucking kill her, I can kill her!"

Yapping like a crazy Wilbur was but Lucid saw the Corruptor Nightmare responded and was finally changing its form.

Hansol made a disgusted face as he looked at Wilbur.

The tension was increased further when Wilbur couldn't take it anymore and he shouted like a maddened beast. "Get the fuck out here! Get out! I said get the fuck out! You don't hear me?! Does this look like a fucking joke?!"

Then he pulled the trigger… which led to nothing ultimately.

Only clicking noises happened.

Now Wilbur finally realized, that, he wasted all bullets moments before, when he randomly fired everywhere.

"Ah…."

It's over.

In his mind, there was nothing left.

At that moment, immediately Karin aimed Wilbur's wrist and fired.

But the lady luck is always unfair. The pistol was bounced off and that's what took the bullet, not Wilbur himself.

Karin growled. "…The worst of us always has the best luck."

Karin reloaded her rifle as she walked closer to Wilbur. "But it's all over for you now, Wilbur. I think you spent all your luck with that."

But then, Hansol and Lucid said at the same time. ""Stop!""

Karin immediately paused and asked. "…What? What's wrong? …Wait… What is that?"

The Corruptor Nightmare. From the melted goo form, it was turning into something else. Hansol felt a danger with his instinct.

Lucid said. "This child is called Nightmare. As Corruptor, it has an ability that reflecting the trauma of the Counters and imitating them!"

The dumb-founded face of Wilbur was turned into an arrogant laugh again. "Hahaha! What a fucking stupid cowards! All of you are just done!"

Karin shot again at his face but this time, he blocked it with Lucid's bag.

As though talking to himself he said loudly. "Of course, all of you are Counters and should have something to fear! How couldn't I think that? I should use yours for it!"

Wilbur continued. "Especially you, Delta Seven bitch! You barely saved yourself when Maria and Jake were fucking dead!"

"You… disgusting trash!" Karin became extremely infuriated by that, tried to aim him again but Wilbur hid behind Lucid.

Overwhelmed by emotions Karin realized she couldn't keep her composure and hesitated. If by mistake she took Lucid down, then she will definitely regret that.

"How intriguing! Let me show you what you're so afraid of, hmm? Wah-hahahahah!"

Wilbur twisted his whole body in joy while he was using Lucid as a meat shield, as if dancing he taunted Karin with his whole body.

Ignoring that man, Hansol only focused on the Corruptor Nightmare which is now turning into a form of woman. And then, he finally saw it.

Sollicitatio.

He felt his heart was almost stopped.

The monster he couldn't do anything about it, and, could be nearly killed by it. The tip of blade was shaking.

Karin was confused because she couldn't understand what is even going on. The Corruptor looked in Hansol's mind, not Karin's mind. But since Wilbur provoked that this Corruptor's imitating Karin's fear, she couldn't follow the context.

But after looking at Hansol's face, Karin finally realized.

'I see…! So this is the reflection of Hansol's fear and not mine. Of course, with such skills, he probably had encountered many powerful Corruptors.'

But Wilbur still assumed that was something coming from Karin, so he mocked her more. "What's this, Karin? So this ugly old bitch is your trauma? What a fucking stupid idiot! Your fucking face scares me more, dumbass. Anyway, I don't want to be involved with you smelly rats, so this is goodbye!" he stepped backward as he said that, then hurried to the elevator and went to the rooftop.

Again, Karin couldn't shoot down Wilbur.

This time, the bullet was blocked the door of the elevator.

'I can't believe this… my hands are still shaking.'

Unlike Hansol, Anger was never Karin's friend but only ruined her in the crucial moments. It only made things worse.

Hansol faced the Corruptor Nightmare which took the form of Sollicitatio by himself. Identical black and red crosses were discharged from its body and rotating.

Lucid said. "Be careful! I don't know what exactly you're fearing, but the Corruptor Nightmare has equal power to level 3 Corruptors!"

Took her advice, Hansol looked at the Corruptor. 'Sollicitatio was the level 5 Corruptor. Then this thing is weaker than her, though it uses the same attacks?'

Soon the black cross was flying to Hansol. He parried it off. 'It seems so. It was much harder to block at that time. Also, it was much faster than this.'

While he cautiously approached the Corruptor Nightmare, he felt something ominous.

'She said this Corruptor can read the mind of Counter and imitate the trauma he has. Then….'

Corruptor Nightmare threw multiple black crosses at him but when they were deflected, it pointed at Hansol again to make them turn and fly back.

It's hard to change his stance to offensive from defensive. When Hansol met its eyes, Corruptor Nightmare raised both hands with a vicious smile.

Then, simple yet irregular patterns were suddenly changed.

Black crosses now encircled and rotating around Hansol. This is exactly the same technique that Sollicitatio used.

'I thought so!'

At that time, this was checkmate to him.

That happened again.

All of a sudden Hansol was cornered in a difficult situation like this. He hadn't improved that much from the last time and definitely wasn't prepared for this.

Soon, the black cross in front of him flew toward him. Hansol blocked it with his left hand pushing the side of his blade. But then, from the back and the side, like bullies the crosses attacked from all directions.

'Nightmare to Counters. So that's why they gave it that name.'

The Corruptor made an evil grin like real Sollicitatio. Soon, another black cross rushed to his face. But this time it was different. when Hansol tried to parry it, from behind the other cross slashed his back.

"Argh…!"

With sharp pain, Hansol couldn't deny he was in the losing position. Of course, he expected this when he saw the face of Sollicitatio. Though….

Jessica said. "W-What the hell is even this Corruptor? So Hansol has been fighting with monsters like this?" she also heard what Lucid said, and understood the meaning of this: Hansol fought with something like this before and survived.

That alone made her surprised.

Charlie felt the same. "I mean, even if I block one of them with my shield, the other still can hit me from behind!"

"…."

Eddie didn't say anything but look. Something was very peculiar about this Coffin Company.

'Yang Hansol. Is he a Japanese? or Chinese? No, that name belongs to Korean style. Then probably their company is located near Ground One. But how? This Taskforce has that huge machine as CEO which is nearly invincible, and this man is certainly a heavily trained swordsman. Why didn't people talk about them that much?'

Karin stepped forward and aimed at the Corruptor Nightmare. 'Hansol is in danger, and if we don't chase down Wilbur fast… I need to do something!'

This time, her bullet hit the eye of Corruptor Nightmare.

"This is my chance…!" Hansol thought Karin's attack blinded the Corruptor, and tried to jump and get out.

But, just like before, the black crosses were launched at the right angle as he ascended. Again, Hansol took the same attack and fell.

"Ugh… Uh, Ugh…." His left knee on the floor, Hansol tried to stand up by pushing his sword against the ground.

It's not over yet. With his audacity, Hansol threw his eyeglasses to the side and stared at the image of Sollicitatio with great hostility.

"Hansol, are you okay?!" Karin urgently asked, but Hansol said nothing.

'Wait… If this works…!'

Hansol said to Karin. "Colonel Karin, she might throw crosses at you, so beware!" Karin said. "But you're…!"

Hansol just looked at her and smiled. Then he made dust with his feet.

Eddie thought. 'Trying to hide in that? But….'

Just like he worried, Corruptor Nightmare laughed and snapped her finger. Soon the black crosses flew into it.

Then suddenly, They heard something was broken. When the dust clouds flew off, it revealed a giant hole.

"W-What?"

"No way! Where is he?!"

"…Hansol?"

Since the Corruptor Nightmare couldn't understand what's going on she just stared it. And then, from below….

As the floor was breaking,

"Ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhh! Shoryuken!"

Hansol's sword gripped by his right hand rises upward vertically, with him showing his back. The image of Sollicitatio was sliced in half, like a Vanshee it screeched.

"Kiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!"

Actually, Hansol knew that if he tried to cover himself in the dust then the Corruptor would throw the crosses in the confusing way.

So he punched the floor and went down, and from there he leaped up.

'I won. But this feels like nothing but a cheap trick, not my true strength. I cannot defeat real Sollicitatio with this.'

He said this to himself inside, Hansol knelt like a Japanese Samurai and put his sword at waist like sheathing it. Definitely doesn't look like a knight but, anyhow, Charlie and Jessica clapped.

"That was amazing!"

"You fought really good, more than any Counter I have ever seen!"

Hansol let out a sigh and turned his head, made dry laugh.

"It was nothing, haha…."

Eddie said as he smiled. "Well, if that's nothing then we're literally nobody, isn't it? Don't be too humble."

Karin wiped his eyeglasses with her shirt and gave it back to Hansol. "Here. I have never seen a Counter with such immense strength and skills except Jake. You claimed yourself as a knight, and I think you're truly worthy of that title."

Hansol took it from her. "Well, I'm honored."

Lucid approached them and said. "I-I… heard it. so, Ein and Zwei, and the others are…?"

"We already took them out of this building. I'm here to rescue someone named Lucid… I think you're her, right?"

Lucid responded as she hopped a little like a bunny. "Yes, that's me! I'm Lucid. But… we have only a few minutes left before this facility explodes…."

While they were talking to each other, Karin furiously kicked the elevator door.

Hansol asked. "What happened?"

"This elevator… doesn't work! That Wilbur is still up there…!"

Lucid hurried to come. "Only the Jehuty Biotech workers can access them. Let me help you." And she pushed a button and opened the door.

"Ah… it's worked. Thank you."

When everyone got into the elevator, Lucid asked Karin.

"Where should we go? To the first floor? Or…."

"To the rooftop." she said in a cold voice. Her mind was filled with pure hatred against Wilbur.

But she realized saying that with such a tone didn't feel right, so Karin rephrased it. "I mean… we need to chase Wilbur as quickly as possible. You have nothing to worry."

Lucid said in a pleasant voice without minding it too much. "Okay, be careful."

In a few seconds of silence, Charlie glanced at Lucid. 'Though the colonel said we can leave when I find this girl, I should see the end of it. It seems like Ed and Jess have the same thing in mind too.'

At the rooftop of Jehuty Biotech.

Finally, they could see Wilbur there. When he saw Lucid next to Karin, Wilbur twisted his face and said. "Lucid, you goddamn useless garbage… you dare to side with her? Fucking traitor, I should have killed you at there!"

Seeing his face Karin felt the urge to kill again. She pulled a handgun and pointed it at him. "Traitor? Her? You're the one who should be condemned. and your time is over." As soon as her words were finished, she pulled the trigger without hesitation. but….

"Sorry, I can't allow that."

But her bullet was caught by the fingers of pink-haired woman with a violin.

"Ha! Did you see that, Karin? That's all you can do, pathetic fool!"

Strangely enough, Shena seemed to be annoyed by Wilbur as well. "Shut the hell up, you're nothing without me."

Wilbur silenced with a frowned face.

"Anyway, I will take Mr. Conner from here. Sorry, I guess what it's over is your time, lady."

Shena began to play her violin. Wilbur pulled out a strange helmet from nowhere and wore it, and everyone else just cluelessly looked at her: Since they hadn't encountered with Elysium Philharmonic they had no idea what she was doing.

Unlike most Corruptors, Elysium Philharmonic possessed the ability to attack the human mind directly.

But….

Fortunately, Hansol and others will never know. Because from their rear giant missile flew toward the helicopter behind Wilbur, shattered it into pieces.

"W-What?! Wait, what the hell?! How is that thing still alive?!"

Immediately following that, the other missiles were locked on to Shena and launched. This interrupted her performance as much as her annoyance, she had to pick up Wilbur and levitate.

Olympian landed in front of Hansol.

Wilbur took off his helmet and shouted at it. "That fucking piece of scrap metal! Seriously, fuck you! What have I ever done to you?! Fuck you!"

Shena looked at the destroyed aircraft and sighed.

"Is it Titan of the old Administratorate? It looks… troublesome even for me. What shall we do?"

Wilbur looked at Shena and said in a somewhat respectful tone. "You can't fight like this, aren't you? I think we should run."

But at the same time, Administrator spoke through Olympian. "Die, Wilbur." then the homing missiles from its back were launched.

"Hmm…?"

Shena gazed at them intrigued, and she whistled at them.

Then the missiles were spread at random directions and exploded in the air.

"Jammer? When did Elysium Philharmonic learn something like that?"

"Oh? You know us? Wilbur, did you foolishly pick on something out of your size again?"

"I-I don't know…."

Silently, Shena and Olympian stared at each other.

ADS Coffin was coming this way.

Shena felt a little bit amused. "There were not many people who leave alive, knowing who we are. Machines, I say. Humans have improved vastly from that time. We will meet again, my robot friend."

From her feet pinkish energy spheres were beginning to charge. They distorted the surrounding air as it made threatening noises.

Level 4 Corruptor isn't something to be overlooked. But….

Administrator could predict just by looking at her eyes.

Shena kicked the energy spheres. From her right foot to ADS Coffin, from her left foot to Karin and Hansol.

She touched her eyebrow with stretched index and middle fingers then moved them away as she bid farewell, Shena withdrew with Wilbur.

Administrator made the ship descend to evade the projectile.

But the other projectile was still the problem.

"T-This is…!"

At first, Hansol tried to block it with his sword, but he realized it was too much for him, so he dodged.

The energy sphere hit the rooftop, pierced through the whole building, landed on the ground. The building crumbled and was beginning to collapse.

"K-Kyaaaaaaaah!" Karin screamed as she fell.

Upon that moment there are two decisions what the Administrator can make. Either chasing Shena or saving them. Olympian can fly, but even if it pursues, it may not be enough to deal with Shena right now.

But if he tried to kill Wilbur, it wouldn't be so difficult to pull off.

Though, there wasn't anything to hesitate.

Administrator only came here to save Karin, he didn't care about Wilbur in the first place. Soon, Olympian went down faster than anyone falling to the ground, with extended cannon and colossal body it caught everyone and then flew to ADS Coffin.

One minute later.

In the bridge of the ship, they could see the sunset and multiple explosions from the Jehuty Biotech facility next to the Brown Rock canyon, as it completely collapsed.

Charlie whistled. "What a sight, this is just like a movie!"

Jessica said as curling her hair. "But we couldn't finish that Wilbur." Eddie turned his eyes. "Yes. Though we did our best, we failed."

"Failure? But… it wasn't pointless. You stopped their crazy plan and saved the kids!" Dorothy said to disappointed adults.

"Yes. For that, I have deep gratitude for all of you." Lucid stepped forward.

Dorothy looked surprised. "Wait, you're that Lucid?"

"I am, that is my name."

"So you're older than me. I thought there were only children like Ein and Zwei."

Is that so, said by Lucid as she turned her eyes to Karin.

She stared at Olympian as if she was having something to say.

Since Administrator wasn't actually in there but only operated Olympian through screens, he realized that only now.

"What is it, colonel?"

Karin sighed.

"Wilbur is gone. You promised me, remember? No matter what happened you'd kill him."

"I had to save everyone, including you."

"I know that. it's just…."

She had a considerate and thoughtful personality, so couldn't ask why didn't you chase Wilbur in front of everyone.

As though a human turned his body, Olympian rotated itself.

"Probably Jake would want this too."

"Did you meet him before?"

"No. But I feel like I made the right choice that he'd wish. Not punishing Wilbur, but saving you, Karin. I can feel it."

His words.

That's what she wanted to hear from others since she couldn't tell herself. Unrealized yet from the part of her actually wanted someone forgiving her failure.

She smiled softly and looked at the sunset through window.

"Perhaps…."

As she made up her mind, Karin said to Eddie. "I'll send you the bonus pay I mentioned. Though the mission itself wasn't successful, but we could make a great friend today."

It was certainly unexpected, Charlie smiled. "Really? Usually they don't swing things like this. Wow." Jessica was the same as well. "Like, why not. If we messed things up then that's over."

Eddie said. "I'm sorry that we couldn't be much help for you."

Karin thought. 'Though Jake hated mercenaries so much, I think it wasn't so bad to work with them, after all.'

Then Olymian said. "Why don't you have dinner with us?"

"My, I couldn't really expect you'd make such proposal."

Administrator replied. "I didn't mean whatever you're thinking." Karin giggled. "Just kidding. You know, maybe next time. I've to return since this took longer than I thought."

Then Karin called a ship. A few minutes later UDS New Ohio arrived. Both ships opened their hatches and were moving parallel. To bid her farewell everyone was gathered.

Karin, since she was a Counter, just hopped and got into UDS New Ohio. As she was leaving with the ship, the children waved their hands as they said. "Bye-bye, Karin!" to them Karin gave a soft, comforting smile as she waved her hand too. "You guys too, take care!"

Everyone, Hansol who crossed his arms, Charlie who also crossed his arms as he grinned, Jessica who leaned her elbow to the wall, Dorothy and Skia who silently looked at Karin, Lucid and Liona who was looking after the kids, Eddie who made a serious face as stood next to Olympian, and even the Administrator who wasn't actually there. Everyone could know.

Something tormenting Karin's mind was now gone, her heart was released from it.

Closing its door, UDS New Ohio slowly departed then disappeared beyond the horizon of sunset.

Eddie asked Olympian watching the ship gone.

"You're serious?"

"Yes. You can bring your family to Coffin in Korea, which would be much safer than here. I want to hire you until the Terraside Incident is over."

"Ha, haha… but you also saw we're not that much helpful. Perhaps you really ran out of options."

Olympian stood motionlessly.

"Are you going to decline?"

"Not at all, I'm just saying."

"You're leaving your home. I expected you might not like that."

"It's not like I'd live in there forever, am I? Until the Replacers are all gone, We will do what we can."

Then Olympian moved its body toward Ed.

"Good. R7 Irregular Scouts, Welcome aboard."

The two looking at sunset in a relieved mood were surprised when Olympian said their names.

"What? What was that, Eddie?"

"Oh, we're joining Coffin Company then?"

Eddie nodded. "Until this Terraside is over. You have no objection, right?"

"No, of course not!"

"Well, if he doesn't mind us then…."

Olympian turned its lens to Hansol. He was using his phone.

"You have done very well, Hansol."

"Uh, sir? Umm, yes. I'm just doing my job."

Hansol immediately stopped when Olympian talked to him.

"Who did you call?"

"Aki. I asked how my master was doing."

"…."

"Also, she said that I need to inform you about…."

The following words were unexpected.

"-Na Yubin."

"What?"

"Aki said she met a man who's called Na Yubin. He too knows you're Administrator, he sent something that you need to know."

Right, he's here too.

Why couldn't Administrator hear Yubin's name when he asked Hilde about everything?

In many universes he has seen, Soo Yeon was always with Yubin since they're both the disciples of Hilde.

When Soo Yeon died, Yubin should have been there as well. But, Hilde never mentioned his name at all.

Then this Yubin is here, hoping to get something from this encounter.

'Does he help the Replacers in this universe too?'

But nothing he can presume for now. Olympian said to Hansol.

"I see. I will look into this matter when we return to the company."

Then Olympian came inside the ship with everyone.

ADS Coffin closed the door and traveled through the clouds shined by sunset radiant in a calm and peaceful mood.

A few hours later.

Vice president Hana received the memory device from Aki and placed it on the desk of the president's office. As the giant machine Olympian walked in he could see it.

There was also something else that he heard from Aki through Hansol: Yubin isn't Adversarius - Antagonist - and he's not against the Administrator.

'Perhaps so, and with that I might get a powerful ally.'

Olympian connected the memory device to the computer.

'I wonder….'

After a few seconds, Administrator could see there is only one movie file in the disk.

But why?

Feeling rather strange and ominous, Administrator played it.

On the screen it shows the dark and cryptic scene.

It is the headquarter of the Administratorate established by the mother computer in sequence of back-up plans in case of the assigned Administrator quits.

This place was a complete ruin when he checked it the last time but this vision proves the restoration plan was executed correctly at some point.

Computers and machines making beeping noises everywhere in that dark large room, sentry bots and cleaning machines could be seen just like the secret hideout where the Administrator currently is.

Then a minute later, someone appeared.

"Hmm…?"

Administrator witnessed something totally unexpected.

It's not Yubin. It wasn't anything he anticipated.

And that figure suddenly destroyed all robots and also destroyed the mother computer.

"W-Wait… Is this person…?"

Out of surprise he stood up and looked at the monitor.

And then the figure in the screen looked back, with a busting noise the video ended.

"…."

This is the crucial information Yubin sent.

'Obviously, he wanted to tell me that this individual is my enemy, the cause of the fall of the Administratorate.

Administrator sat on the chair and pondered, with his right hand covering his mouth. 'This game board is certainly bizarre. How much could the randomizer do? From what context this person became my enemy?'

But no answer was given to the Administrator at the moment. Olympian ejected the device and put it on the desk. Outside the window there was the moon brimming with dim colors of dreamy light yellow, celestial sky of cobalt blue of deep visage among it was. The serene silence subdued horror of Synthetic Corruption Wave released from the lost ships.