Chapter 18 – Thank you for the meal
Chapter 18 – Thank you for the meal
There is something called TOT firing.
Also known as ‘Time on Target’ firing; I’m not entirely sure about the details, but it was a concept explained to me by a former comrade from my previous life who had been a Captain.
The principle was as follows:
Self-propelled guns fire three times—at high, medium, and low angles—and the timing is adjusted so that all three salvos impact the target point simultaneously.
In other words, you send the friend taking the long detour first, and the friend taking the shortcut later, so that they both arrive at the destination at the same time.
The reason for going through such a tedious process was this:
If shells began to fall with time gaps, the enemy would react by evading immediately after the first shell landed.
By using this method, it is said that one can concentrate and project firepower in a short period even with a few self-propelled guns. The concept I applied to the Assault Cannons using this logic was this ‘Curtain Fire.’
Due to the nature of the Assault Cannons, which launch energy spheres, it was easy to adjust the speed and angle of the projectiles. Using this, it was possible to achieve a concentration of firepower even greater than a self-propelled gun’s TOT.
Of course, it didn’t mean much against mindless Monsters, so it wasn’t a technique I used often, but it was a huge help against humans.
Because it creates what is known as ‘shock and awe.’ And ‘shock and awe’ easily sublimate into the emotion of ‘awe.’
Just like Chae Minju right now.
“I feel like this is unfair…”
“Pardon? What is?”
I asked with a straight face.
“Is this really… just a part of your ability?”
“Yes. Ah, in case you don’t believe me, I’ve prepared a gift.”
I summoned a Worker Bug that had been hiding in the corner.
“Ding!”
“These are mine too, so don’t be surprised.”
“Oh my, who is this?”
The Worker Bug was holding a piece of clothing in its mouth.
“Hmm… what is this? It looks like a hoodie…”
“It’s a bit hard to explain in words… It’s nothing strange, so would you mind trying it on?”
Minju looked flustered.
“Uh… right now?”
“Yes. It’s no big deal, so don’t worry.”
As I repeatedly emphasized, she looked at the clothing with a suspicious expression and began to examine it. It seemed she decided to take a chance.
And the moment she held the clothes against her body—
Whirrr— Shhh!
“Kya, kyaaa?!”
In that instant, the clothes transformed themselves to fit Minju’s body shape and began to envelop her.
It was… a Cloth Magitech Armor!
“Uh… eh?”
Having completed the donning process, Minju looked confused.
Cloth Magitech Armor had weaker durability accordingly, but it still possessed a minimal Mana Shield.
In other words, as long as Mana was supplied properly, it could sufficiently block an unexpected ambush or two in the very early stages.
Furthermore, it didn’t get dirty, making the convenience top-notch.
I explained these points to her thoroughly.
‘And… it allows me to share a certain amount of her information with myself.’
To put it simply, I had put a leash on her without her knowing.
‘In the end, this is the path for both our sakes.’
It might have been an excuse, but it didn’t matter.
“Wow, this is really comfortable.”
“You can wear it under your clothes.”
“Thank you!”
Seeing her smile brightly, I felt that the time was ripe.
Now it was time to get back to the main point.
“So… Ms. Minju.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to join our group?”
A direct question.
“Uh… I… well…”
She seemed to ponder for a long while, then, as if she had made up her mind, she began to speak.
“To be honest, I felt that if I were with Mr. Siwoo, I would absolutely never die… In my heart, I really want to be with you. But the truth is, I’m not alone right now…”
“Yes. I heard. You said you’re with a Survivor Group, right?”
“Yes… but honestly, I don’t really care about them. But I have a younger brother. He’s my last remaining family.”
Her voice trembled as she spoke the last sentence.
“Ah… I’m sorry. But if you’re okay with it, I can protect your brother as well.”
I decided to drive the point home.
“R-really?”
“Yes. How does that sound?”
She pondered for a while once more.
Soon, she answered like this.
“I’ll talk with my brother and contact you as soon as possible. Could we meet here again in the near future?”
‘She’s fallen for it.’
I swallowed a laugh inwardly.
“Yes! Of course.”
Everything went according to my plan.
* * *
And so, after she said she would talk to her brother, we finished our meeting for the day and parted ways.
I knew from the start that “Come home with me!” wouldn’t work today. Unlike the case with Sua and Deokchan, she clearly had a place to return to.
That was why I had prepared the Cloth Magitech Armor to give her as a gift and secretly put a leash on her. I anticipated that she wouldn’t flip over on the first day.
‘I feel a bit sorry, but.’
I knew well that this wasn’t the “right” thing to do.
However, I did not yet trust her 100%.
No, I shouldn’t.
My own life, the people relying on me, and further, the lives of all humanity were at stake.
‘As long as I don’t abuse it.’
I excused it to myself as a necessary evil.
Meanwhile, I also decided to provide her with a few more helps.
‘I’ll always keep this cafe tidy. I’ll hide cellphone power banks, drinking water, food, and light clothing in the restroom, so you can come and use them whenever you need.’
It meant that if she were in an emergency, she could flee to the cafe at any time (using her ability).
In a sense, I had provided her with insurance.
Of course, she was someone who had survived almost until the end last time.
That was an achievement impossible by mere luck, and I guessed she would likely survive well this time too.
But there was no need to make her suffer for nothing.
Moreover…
[Chae Minju can always, at any time, lean on Seong Siwoo]
…if it was to plant that thought in her head.
‘Now… Minju’s matter is settled for now.’
Now, the dessert remained.
* * *
[Composite Research in progress… 34%]
Over the past few days, while setting up the cafe scenario, I didn’t forget to scout the situation of the nearby Nest.
To put it bluntly, the swarm of Monsters I brought today to show off my firepower had been lured from that Nest.
In other words, that Nest was currently almost empty.
‘I have to eat this.’
Leaving it alone would only result in the mass production of Monsters anyway.
Of course, those Monsters had Mana Stones, but in the end, it would be more convenient to farm if I used a Nest Mana Stone to personally fix a Dimensional Rift and create a Dungeon.
‘Man… this time really is different.’
I thought to myself anew.
I’m so busy repelling those who attack me that I’m actually seeking out Nests to farm. In the past, this was something I could barely even dream of.
At most, it was only a few investigation teams trying to find clues to resolve the situation, or Hunters who located rare Artifacts and sought them out.
Yet here I was, already thinking that ‘there aren’t enough Monsters.’
“Is this… right?”
It was a growth potential that was almost scary even to myself.
* * *
Before the full-scale cleanup of the Nest, I started by checking my combat power. This was to verify any damage that might have occurred.
‘Assault Cannons. Come here.’
First, the four Assault Cannons.
They were waiting, aimed at designated angles from designated locations for the best Curtain Fire. Thanks to that, I had been able to create a much more dramatic display than usual.
While simultaneously minimizing the disclosure of my abilities.
However, their firing method wasn’t limited to indirect fire.
Rather…
Sometimes, direct fire was far more efficient.
After a short wait, they approached.
“Heh! Heh! Heh!”
The sight of them running on four short legs, clumsily shaking their long barrels, looked ridiculous at first glance, but they could still reach considerable speed.
“Hmm… the Assault Cannon kids are fine.”
Next was the Magitech Armor.
Currently, four units were guarding the shopping mall.
Two units each escorting Sua and Deokchan, and besides Sua’s master, eight units were attached to me, escorting me.
“What, this one must have been covered in acid.”
Unfortunately, one of them had almost run out of Mana, and its left arm was almost completely corroded.
‘The Mana Shield was breached too.’
That was possible if a strong amount of damage was dealt in an instant.
This was also the reason why I didn’t bother making Magitech Armor out of cloth unless it was for someone like Minju, who had to be protected secretly from afar.
I immediately ordered a Worker Bug to bring steel, generated only the corroded parts, and commanded the one hit by acid to undergo maintenance in a corner of the cafe.
Then, along with the remaining seven units and four cannons, I set off toward the Nest.
It was cleaning time.
* * *
Krik— Krik-krik—
Thorn Spiders making unpleasant footsteps.
They were doing their best to protect the Nest.
And that ‘best’ was…
Whish—
Firing thorns from their rears.
Pak-pak-pak-pak-pak!
But it was useless.
Four of my Magitech Armor units were holding thick steel shields, playing the role of cover in the front perfectly.
“Chubby tanks are the foundation.”
Behind them, three Magitech Armor units provided covering fire with guns. Further back, the Assault Cannons were in charge of the actual firepower projection.
Boom—!
Boooom—!
Every time light erupted from those long barrels, the Monsters were blown apart helplessly.
Then, the Worker Bugs would silently go and collect the Mana Stones, simply refilling the Assault Cannons’ Mana.
And the routine was to advance a few steps, stop briefly for the Assault Cannons to handle any Monsters blocking the way, and then advance again.
Of course… I had absolutely nothing to do.
“Haaaaaam—”
I was on the verge of yawning.
Occasionally, if there were leftover Mana Stones, I would just order them to fill the empty spaces inside the Magitech Armor like a trunk.
After about 30 minutes…
Finally, we arrived in front of a building made of giant flesh.
It was the Nest.
* * *
A giant mass of flesh, wrapped in pulsing veins that pumped Mana and blood. With teeth and mouth-like things attached here and there—who knows what it eats.
On top of that, eyeballs that recognized us and watched warily were scattered literally ‘everywhere,’ completing the Nest.
“Seriously, the visuals are horrific no matter when I see them.”
It was a perfect one-line review.
“Now… what to do with this?”
First, I called one Assault Cannon and instructed it to fire at maximum output.
Whirrrr—! Boom!
A long, drawn-out firing sound.
K-boom!
A massive impact sound followed, but unfortunately, not even a scratch remained on the Nest. It was because of the strong Mana Shield enveloping the Nest.
This was also why the military struggled to remove Nests.
‘If even the Assault Cannon’s maximum firepower is only this much…’
It was difficult to damage with general conventional weapons, unless they were special strike weapons like the so-called earthquake bombs or bunker busters.
Even if they managed to pierce the Mana Shield and leave a scratch, a living Nest would simply recover itself quickly.
Of course… if I didn’t have a method, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place.
“I guess there’s only that way, right?”
I gathered the Assault Cannons and aligned them in a semi-circle.
Just like a precise Crane Wing Formation.
“Assault Cannons. Load maximum firepower.”
Whirrrr—!
As I ordered maximum firepower, the barrels began to glow brightly, holding masses of light.
“Now, wait…”
Whirrrrrr—!
The vibration sound of the barrels grew louder.
“Good, wait…”
Whirrrrrrr—!
Like a puppy drooling before food, the Assault Cannons began to slowly leak light.
“Alright, all together, now—fire!”
K-BOOOOOM—!
And as the four Assault Cannons fired simultaneously, a peculiar phenomenon occurred.
The masses of light expelled by the four units didn’t just break apart; they gathered at the center, gradually creating an even stronger light.
“Yes, good, keep going!”
Fwaaaa!
The moment the Assault Cannons continued to fire the masses of light, the maximum firepower light gathered from the four units…
Was shot straight toward the Nest. This time, not as a mass, but as a straight, connected Pillar of Light.
K-BOOOOOM—!
And it impacted.
“Kieeeeeek!”
A huge hole was ripped through the Nest, and it began to gush blood like a waterfall.
As if it had never imagined it would be the one to suffer.
The eyeballs of the Nest looked around in panic. And the maws attached to the walls created a harmony of horrific screams.
“Kieeeeeek!”
It was a fatal wound.
Unable to withstand the blood flowing out at a massive rate, the creature gradually turned pale and eventually stopped moving.
“This is it.”
I ordered the Worker Bugs to recover the Mana Stones and headed home.
‘Finally, my first Nest Mana Stone.’
The dessert was completely finished.
1 Comment
Login Required
You must be logged in to comment on this chapter and rate the novel.
Login to rate this novel
Errors:
Multi-purpose fire: “Fire Manipulation, it seems unfair…”
…
early-stage Fire Manipulation two or three times.
…
sheer luck and Fire Manipulation
…
I first ordered one Assault Cannon to use Fire Manipulation and fire at maximum output at it.
Damn that man: The cloth Magitech Armor was as weak in durability as the man, but even the man had at least a minimal Mana Shield.
Waz that: Castle Lord of Seoul’s caliber.
How to wear a fort: Mountain Fortress on.
nests are people to!: what should I do about this man?”
man: “There’s nothing else but the man, right?”