Chapter 108
「What should I do now?」 I ponder as I stare at the monitor. The monitor, which had been displaying the deep sea until a moment ago, now shows the New Technology Exhibition. However, it’s currently under attack. The surrounding area is the same small hall as before the match started, with three mass-produced Apollyon units kneeling there. The only saving grace is that there are no staff members in sight.
「Pilot, come out! Otherwise, we’ll shoot you dead!」
The men in plain clothes that you might see walking around any old Gekka Street, wearing gray bulletproof suits over them, who had been shouting into their comm devices about 「Thunder」, disperse. They grip assault rifles in their hands, but the real issue is the fist-sized cylinder attached underneath the barrel. I’m riding in an Apollyon, so I won’t die from mere bullets – the armor is that sturdy. But if it’s the warhead peeking out from that cylinder… I had heard in games about how anti-tank guns could now be miniaturized and attached to assault rifles, but I never thought I’d actually see it in reality. And if that hits the cockpit, there’s a risk of death. In other words…
「Well, I’m gonna die, aren’t I?」
I exhale a sigh. What I have to do is no different than usual. Recalling the internal mechanisms from when I serviced it in Ver1.06, I press three switches and step on the pedal. Unlike that time, even without a generator, heat builds up in the mass-produced Apollyon’s frame. In this situation, even if I surrender, those words make it clear that death is a certainty. In that case, moving gives me a higher chance of survival.
As if sensing that the Apollyon has started up, the hands of the so-called 「Thunder」 group aiming at me tremble, and they let out a shout in some unknown language. The other members also point their guns at me in shock, but at that moment, the Apollyon that had been kneeling behind them accelerates with a 「gwah」 sound and rises to its feet, delivering a kick to the group members. Even without MNB, a metal mass weighing several hundred kilos is flying at them at a terrifying speed. The two people it collides with are crushed along with their weapons and sent flying into the wall. The sound of flesh being pulverized is almost drowned out by the whoosh of the kick.
The last group member turns around at the sudden attack from behind, but that puts me in his blind spot. I mimic the move, sweeping my arm across the ground while slightly breaking my stance, but-
「Don’t underestimate me!」
「Huh!?」
The group member stomps the ground forcefully and leaps up. The ceiling had been set high to store the Apollyon units, but he easily avoids my attack, steps on it, and while flipping over, takes aim with his assault rifle. Underneath his pants, a thin silver machine is stuck to his legs. A powered suit. Wait a sec, aren’t these guys just terrorists? I twist my stance in a panic. As he pulls the trigger, his assault rifle spews fire. The cylinder under the barrel scatters white smoke as murderous intent rushes towards me, but it vanishes next to my body that I’ve laid down horizontally, smashing the earth with a crunch. With the devastating sound of it hitting the floor behind me and destroying it, I kick out from my prone position.
The group member who had been trying to descend from the ceiling is caught mid-air by my kick, accompanied by a sickening 「squish」 as he soars through the air. 「He’s not dead, right…?」 I think as I glance over, but although he’s bleeding, his chest is rising and falling. For now, he seems to be okay. I pat my chest in relief and express my gratitude to the Apollyon that provided backup. When I connect the comm, a familiar figure is giving a thumbs-up and smiling. Though that smile seems rather strained.
「As expected of Orange, that’s some impressive skill. To think you can move like that in an Apollyon without MNB.」
「Well, in terms of pure combat experience, fighting without MNB is actually about 1-to-1 with having it.」
That’s right, I barely used Ver2.00, only momentarily used 2.01, and in Ver3.00 it was only when I flew away. Seriously, the service period for this game is way too short. That’s why this skill is data loaded into the 「Orange Assist System」. …I guess in that environment, there were quite a few times he ended up having to fight without MNB. I feel a bit guilty about using someone else’s hard work as if it were my own. Well, it is mine though.
Now then, I look at the last of the three Apollyon units that have remained silent until now. If I remember correctly, she was riding in that one. I try to communicate but there’s no response. After a while, she timidly peeks out from the machine. The girl with green hair and excessively decorated clothes checks the safety of her surroundings, then looks at us with a beaming face.
「The Prophet saved us, didn’t he? Thank you very much. My machine didn’t have the energy to start up…」
Ugh, what a pain. Being directly confronted with the fact that you’re lying right now is mentally taxing. It’s like the feeling of haphazardly brushing off a child’s innocent question. I forcibly swallow that feeling. If things go more smoothly when I’m the one lying, then I’ll just keep doing it until it falls apart. I take a bit of an exaggeratedly proud tone as I suppress the doubts of 「What if I fail?」.
「Well, it was necessary. Besides, I knew you wouldn’t die.」
「Ooh Prophet, just ’cause she’s a cute girl you’re suddenly acting all cool, eh? If that’s your type, I bet we could find a few at our place, y’know?」
「Th-Thank you so much!」
「What are you thanking him for? Anyway, let’s get away from here. Staying alive is the top priority.」
I tried to leave after saying that, but right then – I hear screams from beyond the door.
「Death to the heretics, death to the heretics, death to the heretics, death to the heretics!」
「They have no human rights, so anything goes!」
「Feel the wrath of God!」
…I feel like I just heard some screams that I shouldn’t have. I try to close the door but before I can, the people being chased come rushing in. Several men in black and a well-dressed man in a high-quality suit flee into this hall, out of breath. I recognize him from the news. If I recall, he’s famous in the space industry – I think they called him the Space President. But why is he being attacked by such a crazed group? The meaning soon becomes clear.
「The crime of information plagiarism must certainly be atoned for. But your act of spreading the falsehood that the Earth is spherical and filling the world God made flat with deception is also a grave offense. We shall pass judgment on your double crimes! Go and die!」
I mean, freedom of religion and all, but… What era is this?
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