SWNOVELXO Chapter 27
Perhaps my comment might seem a little random, but despite often empathizing with fictional stories, I tend to strongly dislike scenes in movies, anime, or game cutscenes that feel suffocating.
Ah, it’s not like I’m arbitrarily getting irritated…?
It’s just that when characters who clearly hold the key to turning the situation around—or are in a position to do so—just stand there like statues, or when it’s obvious that the enemy is about to do something terrible, yet no one stops them… I just end up grumbling about such situations.
But then, directly witnessing the battlefield of superheroes, where an overwhelming aura of defiance was surging, made me slightly understand.
Regardless of what is right or rational, it’s a common fact that people struggle to resist the magic that paralyzes their reason.
“Hmph! This is nothing compared to what it’ll take…!!”
BOOM!!
With a single strike from the giant, the adversaries rushing down the corridor were scattered like bowling pins, flying through the air in disarray.
…A wise David might stand a chance against Goliath, but in this future world, there exist powerful beings that can’t be taken down with just a well-thrown stone. It’s safe to say the enemy reinforcements are all but finished.
“…Cough!!”
The acrid smell of gunpowder that entered through the nose instantly triggered a coughing fit.
Glancing back into the room, it was now impossible to tell whether this was originally the core production room of the organization or simply Dust’s personal chamber—it had turned into a complete pigsty. Naturally, the pigs inside couldn’t escape the mess.
“Kill him!! Kill him, dammit…! Why can’t you finish him off?! Is it because those street rats from the sewers put on mercenary badges that now they’re matching wits with security robots?!”
– VIP, please evacuate immediately.
Amidst the chaos, the mangled head of a shattered security Droid, stuck in a corner, continued to repeat formal evacuation instructions in a flat tone before finally powering down.
…Had that been a Carebot’s head part, it might have sparked unpleasant memories.
One of the original Droids had already paid its due for its clumsy attempt to attack.
Meanwhile, a panicked Dust had summoned two more covertly hidden security robots, and now Horatio and Domino were outnumbered three to two.
Still… the numbers alone didn’t make the situation look particularly disadvantageous.
BOOM!! CRACK…
TINK! CRUNCH!!
Green sparks swirled around Daredevil’s hair-circuit as an almost prehensile sense allowed him to evade an attack from behind, almost as if he had eyes in the back of his head. His speed, enhanced by risky brain modifications, rivaled even Enema’s Tracker drones.
“Hey Dust, old man… If you’ve got more toys, you’d better bring them out soon!”
With an explosion of adrenaline, he tore off a circular saw-laden mechanical arm and thrust it into the power source of a Droid, roaring with primal ferocity. His fighting style was raw and instinctual—blocking when necessary, retreating quickly if under threat, and pouncing as soon as an opening revealed itself, using anything and everything as a weapon.
In sharp contrast, Domino’s combat was filled with grace and precision, evoking the image of a nocturne played on the battlefield.
“…Will you consider my feelings for once, instead of leaving everything to me every time?”
Fired bullets struck the tips of the Droid’s outstretched arm and the edges of its tile-scraping legs, derailing the path of imminent death and disabling one of the spider-like limbs designed to function in any environment.
Though his eyes were bloodshot from excessive stimulant use, this gunslinger did not falter from his duty.
CHINK…! CRUNCH!!
An empty handgun magazine was tossed toward Dust, who had been hiding behind a tattered sofa. In response, one of the security Droids stepped forward as per protocol, blocking the projectile. Meanwhile, Domino smoothly ejected a new magazine from his waistband and reloaded his dual pistols, firing bursts of flames that hit the joints of two separate robots.
Dangerous blades and firearms were blocked with precision, while regular metal limbs were deflected with the pistols used as shields.
“Crazy… gun kata…?”
I assure you, if this had been possible in video games, the number of pistol-wielding players would have skyrocketed tenfold.
CRUNCH…!!
Horatio crushed the final security Droid underfoot, dismantling the remains with both feet on its last spider legs. With the destruction of its core and head, the machine’s light went out.
With the protected target stupidly nearby, the high-powered weaponry embedded within the Droids remained sealed. Even the final act of overloading their own power source to explode was not enacted.
“Ah…! My back aches. Ahsa, sis, are you okay?”
“…Yeah.”
Though everything around me—the lights, tiles, and all experimental equipment—had been shattered, the doorframe where I had been standing somehow remained intact.
As the stifling heat dissipated and the echoes cleared, the wounds now visible across everyone’s bodies became apparent.
As expected, their clothes were torn, revealing bright red streaks of fresh cuts across their skin. Blood trickling down strained flesh brought a moment of clarity to my racing heart.
Even Omens returned, clutching his abdomen with one hand. It was foolish of me to think the situation was just overwhelming without realizing the severity.
“…I just ran out of nutrients along the way.”
Omens gently pushed me away as I moved closer to inspect his wounds.
No, I feel terrible because it seems like you got hurt more because of me… Would you please just let me see?
“Haha! Sister, as long as we eat well and live well, it’s crucial we abide by the give-and-take philosophy!”
“…I know this much, too!”
Forcing a bright tone despite a deathly pale complexion, Horatio raised his voice. With his body enhancements deactivated, his mohawk drooped, looking quite pitiful. Moreover, Domino was busy wiping blood streaming from his eyes.
Though it’s cruel to blame, modern people also trade their time for money, and those with money buy and use the time of others. But in this world, where exchanges are presented so directly—selling one’s present and future for credits, and using those credits to buy one’s tomorrow—it was striking.
“Haaa…”
Indeed, even if it’s because of this extreme environment, these kids still come up with dangerous ideas. When tasks are done, I must recommend they look into cell reconstruction surgery costs.
“?! D-Don’t come closer…!!”
“…Or what will you do about it?”
The broker-obtained memory card from Paradise in my hand, I approached the sofa, causing Dust to have a seizure.
His trembling hand found a shard of glass on the floor.
He pointed it at me, then, seeing Domino’s aimed pistol, nervously redirected the shard toward himself.
“If I die, all the formulation data and manufacturing techniques in my head will vanish!! Is that okay?! Ow!!”
“!! That’s really petty!”
“…Damn.”
I chuckled, as the children around me panicked. For hardware and implants in the body to cease and reset, the host’s death would be required. And a shard like that wouldn’t cause an immediate kill. At my hacking speed, I could retrieve the data anyway, even if he tried.
Though I considered logically explaining and finishing my duties, I somehow wanted to grant this petty villain a taste of despair, for never fully understanding the consequences of his crimes.
“Pierce.”
“…What…?”
“Pierce it, dammit!”
I stared down at Dust pressing a sharp fragment against his sweaty neck.
…No one except Mary, who’s shorter than me so far, and this guy who’s forgotten how to stand like a human—no, this thought insults Mary. I’ll apologize next time she calls.
“But… remember this before you’re done for.”
“…?”
I locked eyes with the dazed man.
“…So long as I exist, you’ll never be redeemed, even in death. Everything you’ve cherished—drugs, data, even your life—I’ll scrape it all up and sell it. So… either live to see it, or just die.”
“…”
CLINK! The glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. The deflated face before me, devoid of any remaining bravado, was quite pitiful for the leader of a yellow-sector crime syndicate.
“…Daredevil, take note from that kind of move…”
“Asha Sister!! You’re the best—!!”
“…Just pretend you didn’t hear that.”
…While someone was busy mashing data into their swollen head, I shot an annoyed glare at the overly loud bystanders, requesting some silence.
They immediately quieted down.
…This is our hacker recovery team. We’ve obtained the item and are returning. Unfortunately, Dust… has been killed after ‘fiercely resisting.’
…If the data is safe, it’s acceptable. Suppress any remaining enemies and secure the items; provide priority assistance to the recovery unit upon encounter.
Paradise Corporation responded satisfactorily. Though muttering from other mercenaries was faintly heard, there was nothing to be done—dig if necessary.
“…I’ve been looking forward to this revenge for so long, but it feels hollow now that it’s done.”
Contrary to the two who felt it wasn’t even worth the effort, Domino, upon learning that the prototype of the drugs he started using was Dust’s creation, personally put an end to the yellow-sector’s dark legacy after the extraction.
“Children remember nightmares from their youth much more vividly and frighteningly.”
”