by Yoo Seong
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
“Everybody down! Sword Defense! ”
Ark rushed away from his team members and wielded his lightsaber. The blue light drew a complex pattern in the air as the bullets spread in different directions. A similar scene was occurring dozens of metres away.
“The guy is the leader!”
“Huhuhu! Okay! I’ll show those Rama the power of the M-620!”
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
Hedro and Kurakan started shooting their guns at the Red Slaughterer’s head. But like Ark, the Red Slaughterer swung his lightsaber and the bullets scattered all over the place. Sword Defense used the electromagnetic property of the lightsaber to change the trajectory of the bullets. Once again, the Red Slaughterer had been the originator of the skill and Ark learnt it from him.
“Don’t waste bullets!”
Ark looked back at the team and shouted. There were 20 Rama warriors over the deck of the Silver Star including the Red Slaughterer. On the other hand, Ark’s team only had 8 people. Of course they weren’t ordinary soldiers. Slayer, Sadain and Kaya’s skills were first class while Kurakan had good equipment. Ellain was also an NPC with a higher level than Ark.
‘Even if we’re outnumbered, we won’t be easily pushed……’
The opponents weren’t sloppy guys. The Rama warriors that descended were the Red Slaughterer’s personal troops, the Red Front! They were notorious on the battlefields in the Bellin constellation. If they numbered double Ark’s team than he couldn’t guarantee the odds. No, he was certainly at a disadvantage.
‘First it was imperative to reduce the numbers!’
“Don’t worry about the Red Slaughterer! Attack the other guys! Their bullets are limited at that range. So concentrate on hitting their parachutes!”
The target changed to the Red Slaughterer’s henchman after Ark’s command. Of course, they weren’t waiting for the bullets politely either. They used the jet equipment on the parachutes to avoid the attacks and fired back. However soldiers firing from the top compared to those firing from the bottom. The result was obvious.
“Ark!”
“Hyung-nim, I’m coming out!”
Leon and Kalliben escaped from the gun turrets.
Tutung! Tutung! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
Once Leon and Kalliben started shooting, sparks flew from the parachutes of 5 Rama warriors. One person flew in the wrong direction and crashed into Impeltus’ mountains and exploded. The remaining Rama warriors who witnessed the death of their colleague cast away their flaming parachutes and jumped.
“Now Ellain, Sadain!”
Ark shot forward like a bullet. He flew towards the Rama warriors falling on the deck and wielded his sword!
“Sonic Sword!”
The Rama warriors were pushed back by the shock wave before they could regain their posture and was thrown off the deck. Ellain followed behind Ark and used the same skill to push them off the deck. Meanwhile Sadain didn’t have any skills so he took more time but he also took care of a warrior. The deck was hundreds of metres in the air so there was no need to check the result once they were pushed out.
‘Those fellows are taken care of!’
Ark spun around and looked at the deck. And not far away another Rama warrior was falling! Ark once again flew forward like a bullet. The moment he was dashing across the upper deck of the Silver Star! A red shape fell in front of him.
Snap! Chwajijijijijik!
Red sparks exploded!
–That’s enough Ark! I’m also here!
The sparks occurred from when he hit the red armour. It was the Rama’s battle suit that felt no different from insect skin! He remembered that battle suit. Like the Asura, this red battle suit belonged to the Red Slaughterer! Ark looked at his determined expression and smiled.
“You’re late. I got bored waiting so I killed several guys.”
–I liked those subordinates.
“I’m sorry.”
–There is no need to apologize. You’ll be killed soon.
“Who? Me? That’s impossible. I have no intention of dying.”
–You should do that. It’s not worth killing you if you just die politely.
“I’m just asking out of curiosity but do you really not remember? Or are you pretending not to remember? Although it is different if you’re made of electronic thoughts. Maybe if your memory keeps on being deleted than you won’t remember to go after the ultimate goal anymore. I’ll just continued beating you up until your memory flies away.”
–No, one experience was enough. Of course….
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
Then bullets flew from both sides. The bullets flying from behind Ark were Kalliben and Leon aiming at the Red Slaughterer. The bullets shot from the other side were from the Red Front landing on the deck of the Silver Star. Both Ark and the Red Slaughterer moved. Flames rose from the two people! The Red Slaughterer moved back like he was sliding on ice.
–…..The result will be my victory! Detection!
“Don’t talk about a dream you can’t fulfil! Sonic Sword!”
Red and blue lights clashed in the air and exploded. Sparks flew up and fell to the deck. No, it was caught in the blast and scattered in all directions. It was the Red Slaughterer who caused the blast that blew across the deck! Ark rushed towards the Red Slaughterer from the opposite side.
–Dragon Fury!
The red sword extended like a laser! The red light shot forward at the speed of light and cut through Ark’s neck. Ark’s body crumpled into fine pieces and scattered. Then 4 other Arks laughed.
“You’ve been standing still. If you want revenge then you should come up with some new techniques.”
–This is…..alter ego?
“That’s correct. Khafra Fencing 3rd style! Galaxy Sword!”
The voice was heard from behind the Red Slaughterer! Dozens of blue swords surged like a tidal wave and rotated around the Red Slaughterer’s body. And the moment the wildly swirling swords were about to strike the body!
-This is impossible! Blood Sword!
Dozens of red lights floated above the Red Slaughterer’s head. The red lights changed into long points and flew towards the blue swords. It was the Red Slaughterer’s wide area attack Blood Sword!
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
Just like Galaxian Sword swirled like a typhoon, Blood Sword created dozens of red swords! There was a chain explosion as dozens of red and blue swords clashed and an electromagnetic storm occurred. Then a message popped up on the Nymphe!
-#%$$##$$#$#$%###$!
The electromagnetic storm caused the Nymphe to malfunction.
–Not yet! You’ll need more power than that to take me down!
The Red Slaughterer roared while approaching.
“That’s what I intend!”
A low voice said from the other side of the electromagnetic storm. A warrior clad in armour appeared in the midst of the heavy smoke. This was Ark’s battle suit, the Hyper Drone. A pair of eyes shining from the sleek, streamlined helmet moved towards the Red Slaughterer.
“I will remind you. Why you couldn’t beat me.”
—————————-
“This is…..”
“It is impossible to aim.”
Kurakan and Leon mumbled with stupid expressions. Their eyes were fixed to the centre of the deck where the Red Slaughterer was facing Ark. They called it a deck but the Silver Star was basically a long, cylindrical fuselage aircraft. The deck had a gentle slope while the outer walls curved like a pipe. Furthermore Kurakan had to clean the ship when it was docked at S-20 and there wasn’t one day where he didn’t slip. But the state of the deck didn’t seem to affect Ark and the Red Slaughterer at all.
Snap! Kwajijiji! Pepeng! Pepeng! Kwa kwa kwa kwa!
The shine of the swords that clashed without any breaks! It was difficult to even see the two wielding the sword. The only way they could tell there was a sword encounter was
the sparks flying. They couldn’t support Ark at all.
“There is no need to interrupt.”
Then the gunner approached and said.
“At that standard there is no meaning in having the support of their teammates. Any cover fire would instead be a disturbance. And we’re not in the position to be so leisurely. Those guys didn’t come down to watch the fight.”
The gunner’s eyes turned towards the soldiers gathered near them. The Red Front had managed to land thanks to the Red Slaughterer blocking Ark. They had cast off their parachutes and were moving forward in formation.
“You’re not wrong but…..”
Slayer looked at the gunner with dissatisfied eyes.
“How do we know you’re not going to support the enemy? I don’t know what Ark is thinking but I hate you! Your colleague in the black helmet killed Melina-nim!”
“I was just giving you advice before it becomes difficult here.”
“I don’t like that attitude!”
“Slayer!”
Then Leon’s voice was heard from behind. The Red Front passed the area where Ark and the Red Slaughterer were engaged in the centre of the deck. They didn’t want to start a crude battle and accidentally damage the Red Slaughterer. But a wide space had formed on the opposite side of where they were fighting. At the same time, grenades started to fly to where Ark’s team was waiting.
“There is nowhere to run away!”
“Ohh! Leave it to me! Iron Castle!”
Slayer popped forward and lifted his shield. Slayer and Leon hadn’t just been killing time until they met up with Ark again. They had also steadily adventured and raised their levels and skills. Slayer especially focused on defensive skills. He desperately needed defense skills because Melina was a healer. Thus the skill Iron Castle was born! When the skill was used, two shields were created. The 3 shields forming a line side-by-side had the same effects.
“Bring on the grenades!”
Pepeng! Pepeng! Pepeng!
The grenades collided with the shield and exploded. Slayer looked at the gunner and laughed.
“How is it, my defense technique? The grenades…..cough! What, what the? This smoke?”
Smoke emerged from the grenades that collided with the shields.
“This isn’t a grenade! Smoke bombs!”
“S-smoke bombs? Dammit! These bastards…..”
“Slayer, above you!”
“What? Eek?”
Slayer lifted his eyes at those words but it was too late. Four small objects were flying in an arc over the shields! In fact, the most hated weapon of shield users were grenades. Unlike the bullets that flew straight, the grenades could fly in an arc so it was difficult to block with a shield. Therefore troopers or snipers normally stopped the enemy grenades before they were thrown. However the grenades had been blocked by the smoke bomb so Leon and Kalliben didn’t notice. And just as the grenades were over the shields!
Tang-! Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!
4 shots rang out! At that moment, the 4 grenades exploded in the air at roughly the same time.
“What, what the? The grenades flying in the air……”
Slayer stared with a puzzled expression. And behind him in the same posture as a western movie was the gunner holding a pistol! Slayer stared at the gunner holding the pistol before scratching his head with an embarrassed look.
“Eh? T-thank you.”
“Don’t pay attention to it. I’m still not your colleague.”
“What? T-this bastard! I really hate you!”
Slayer yelled angrily. But the gunner wasn’t interested in Slayer’s affection (?). He just turned his head and shouted.
“They used the smoke bombs so they will start the assault soon! The space is limited so we can’t escape the scope of the smoke bombs! All troopers should turn on your infrared scopes, stay behind the tentacles and prepare for a shoot-out! Warriors like Slayer should get ready for combat!”
“I won’t listen to your orders! And why do you want the troopers to prepare for a shoot-out? It doesn’t add up!”
“You mean me?”
The gunner turned and asked. Then a Rama warrior jumped through the smoke holding a dagger in both hands. The gunner’s hands moved like lightning. He moved the pistol from side to side and pulled the trigger. The 2 shots were so fast they seemed to be fired at the same time but the surprising thing was the accuracy. When the gunfire rang out, both of the Rama warrior’s wrists were hit and fresh blood splattered. He pierced through the wrists of the dagger wielding enemy without any errors. Then the pistol was rotated again and fired at the Rama warrior’s gaping chest.
Tatatatang!
It was like a machine gun was being launched! This was possible because of the pistol’s special nature. In general, automatic pistols had a defined firing rate. But the gunner used a manual revolver pistol. The manual pistol’s firing rate depended on the speed that the trigger was pulled. A manual pistol was inferior to the automatic pistol in many ways. But depending on the ability of the user, a firing rate similar to a machine gun could be achieved.
-Kuheok!
“I feel more comfortable in close combat.”
The gunner said as he quickly reloaded the pistol. The moment he aimed his muzzle at the stumbling Rama warrior! Another Rama warrior ran through the smoke screen and twisted a dagger. The gunner moved his upper body to avoid it and turned his muzzle. He followed up with successive gunshots. However the Rama moved to the side to avoid the bullets before lifting the machine gun in his left hand. The gunner made the pistol revolve and fired at the machine gun handle before pulling the trigger again.
Tang tang tang! Tu tu tu tu! Tang tang tang! Tu tu tu tu!
Dozens of shots fired in a few seconds. The Rama warrior that was entangled with the gunner smirked.
-When did you start your close distance marksmanship? It is like when I met Ark’s team…..there is a considerable amount of skill. Ark’s subordinates might be amateurs but they are respectable warriors. But the most wonderful thing is the capabilities that seem to expand when they meet the enemy. I have to concede that Ark is a good leader. I am the Commander of the Red Front, Keiko so your opponent isn’t lacking.
“Why do you need to make a reason for fighting?”
The gunner murmured as his bullet casings dropped to the ground. And he kicked the large bullet casings on the ground before rushing to Keiko.
“Bullet Storm!”
Ta ta tang! Ta ta tang! Ta ta tang!
-Excuse me. I originally didn’t have such a character.
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
Keiko avoided the large bullet casings and fired his machine gun. The battle between the gunner and Keiko wasn’t the only one. 10 Rama warriors had started flocking through the smoke screen so Ark’s team divided to the side and started to engage them.
-Barbarian’s Fang!
“Welcome to the alter ego! Sonic Sword!”
As expected, the person with the most prominent skill in the Royal Guards was the strongest Kusan warrior Ellain. He might’ve wandered around lost for a while but now he had completely adapted to fighting with the life support equipped! The strongest Kusan warrior overwhelmed and pushed back the Red Front. However Ark’s team also had powerful users.
“Armed Lightning Spear!”
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa! Pajijiji!
Among them, one user that captured a lot of attention was Sadain. He wore his battle suit as soon as the fight commenced. He used his lightning spear to face 5 Rama warriors at once yet showed no signs of being pushed. Of course, it wasn’t just Sadain.
Tutung! Tu tu tu tu! Tutung!
The troopers used the tentacles as cover and started pouring out bullets. In close combat there was a considerable interval when fighting with a spear so the troopers covered for that interval with their gunfire. The battle suit clad Leon also used bullets with the push effect to cover his allies and fight the enemy!
“Super Magnetic Sh
ot!”
Leon played a key role in tilting the battle against the Rama warriors to their side. The special effect of Kaya’s battle suit also couldn’t be ignored. Espers could buy battle suits that produced a similar effect to Esper skills. Kaya’s battle suit was like that. The performance was lower than other battle suits but….
“Armour armament!”
Kaya activated her armour at the same time. Kaya’s body floated in the air and particles of light concentrated around her.
-The gene activated Esper battle suit Optisian has been triggered.
Optisian was made with the power of a strong spirit. The wearer’s genes will be activated to its limits and the body’s capabilities will be amplified. This effect will be applied to the wearer and all colleagues through mental exchange. However, if two Optisian activates in the same party then only the stronger effect will be applied.
Kaya’s battle suit gave a buff effect to the entire party. The strengthening effect was lower compared to other battle suits but it was still UP! It even had an exclusive skill.
“Bio Tornado!”
A storm of mental energy swirled around Kaya! The Rama warriors caught in the storm had parts of their body turn strange. Bio Tornado caused a storm of intense mental waves that confused the enemy’s DNA. Some had their nose disappear or increased by three, others had arms growing from the back of their head, missing legs or even deadly mutations.
Of course, the Rama warriors didn’t take it lying down. They were the strongest Rama warriors who reigned over the Bellin battlefields with the Red Slaughterer! They hadn’t gained that reputation for nothing. They were equal to Kaya, Sadain and Leon but they were overwhelming to the Royal Guards! The Rama warriors including Keiko also had battle suits.
-Armour armament!
The Rama warriors equipped their battle suits!
Pepeng! Pepeng! Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa! Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
The battle became even more violent.