Chapter 35. New Beginning (7)
- The circuits I meddled with were only involved with sensor manipulation, so the rest of the system is intact. It's true, it really is. I didn't just fry the circuit with the laser because it was more complex than I thought. Seriously, I'm telling the truth."
Nadia noticed the look on my face and frantically tapped on the hologram window, probably wanting to clarify the misunderstanding.
- Yeah, I believe you.
- No, you don't!
- I do believe you.
With that reply, I pushed the gate of the checkpoint. The barred door swung open easily as it was no longer locked. Nadia, who was about to type something again, followed me through the gate without further comment.
Although Nadia seemed somewhat disheartened, I didn't have the luxury to pay attention to that. The passage that properly led to the mining base had just begun. We had successfully passed the security checkpoint and entered the base's inner access route.
The lights embedded at regular intervals along the bottom, the straight corridor, the blood pooled on the floor, and the barrier that stopped halfway down. We continued walking cautiously, scanning our surroundings. While there seemed to be no places where ghouls could hide, the unstable flickering of the lights was enough to set a tense atmosphere.
Should I turn on the flashlight attached to my shoulder? No, not yet. As long as I didn't lose sight completely, I had to be wary of projecting a bright light forward. Who knows what it might provoke?
Carry captured the image of a defective security robot emitting sparks with Carry's lens. Whether it had been ambushed from behind, a gaping hole marred its chest with an unknown liquid dripping from the wound.
With a grimace from the unsettling sight, I passed by the remains left by the ghoul. The security robot's equipment was too damaged to salvage anything useful.
I manipulated my bracelet to download the map data of the nearby area. The base's structure data was accessible to anyone connected, but only for zones available to lower-level workers like me.
Detailed information regarding the maintenance areas frequented by mechanics and technicians or the nexus located deeper in the base was not visible. While the general route was shown, information on the zone, whose management it was under, and what authorization was needed to access the facilities was absent.
'To get to the maintenance area...'
First, I had to head to the cargo sector. Due to the nature of maintenance requiring proximity to a storage area for work efficiency, the maintenance area was adjacent to that area.
The cargo sector lay on the outer edges of the base, so following the passage along the perimeter would lead there. Although there was an option to head straight there from outside, it wasn't considered a good idea. In fact, it would be more accurate to say it wasn't an option at all since it was where the cargo shuttles landed, high above the ground. Since we couldn't fly, our path was predetermined.
【117 system calls. The queue is currently full; unable to respond immediately. Please wait. Estimated wait time: ERROR】
The message displayed over the security team's emergency call button provided insight into the current situation. Numerous alerts were raised, as indicated on the hologram window.
The area surrounding the calling device was stained with bloody handprints, as if someone in dire need had desperately tried to call for help. Eventually, those handprints slid downward, trailing off as if the person had been dragged away.
- Hyun-woo, do you think there are any survivors?
- Hard to say. I doubt it.
The chances of survivors seemed slim. How would one survive in a base overrun by rampaging ghouls, creatures that ruthlessly destroyed security robots?
Yet, it wasn't wise to wholly dismiss the possibility. It was wise to operate under the assumption that there might be survivors and prepare for how to handle such encounters rather than assuming none were left.
Thinking a survivor would be friendly towards us was dangerous. Even if I wasn't the brightest, I understood that much.
People often say humans unite in the face of crises. However, I had repeatedly witnessed it wasn't always the case. We were living in reality, not a utopian ideal.
Though one might know the ideal decision, choosing it was often another matter entirely because humans, who coexist with both reason and emotion, couldn't help it.
Those engulfed in panic or displaying delirious symptoms induced by Blue Crystals could attack us, unable to distinguish friend from foe.
One could anticipate, but never blindly trust those predictions. Expecting cooperation like Ted could lead to injury, which, in turn, could attract the monsters with the scent of blood.
I considered warning Nadia to be cautious but decided against it. Knowing her character, she was inherently distrustful of others she hadn't built trust with, so it sufficed for me to remain cautious.
Thud... Thud... Thud...
The soft echoes of boots striking the metallic floor reverberated. The sound felt as though it spread far due to the base's encompassing silence.
Huff... Huff...
Between the echoes of footsteps, I could hear breathing. Although the air purification system was operational and there was no issue breathing without the respiratory mask, we kept our masks on.
The source of the ghouls was unknown. Should the ghouls be spawned by infection, then protecting our respiration was crucial. It was the direct path external elements could infiltrate into the body.
To protect the eyes, one of the most vulnerable parts, removing the respiratory mask posed too significant a risk. Naturally, taking it off would soften our breaths and ease the act of exhaling.
But that was all. No way would I risk danger for immediate comfort. There's no second chance coin for survival, after all.
We exited the access route and stumbled upon a store. Cracked panels, a flickering screen, and a bent booth—all showed signs of damage, but the light indicating normal operation was still on.
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should use it, but then I shook my head and passed it by. We were already fortunate to have procured refined Blue Crystals for Carry.
Utilizing the store should truly be our last resort. After all, once we secured a data board, we could use the store back at the town.
Despite continuously surveying our surroundings, there was no sign of ghouls. Nor was there any indication of living humans. From a certain point, traces of the destroyed security robots, which we occasionally saw earlier on, disappeared, almost as if someone had deliberately hidden them.
Where had they all gone? I pondered this as we moved.
"......."
"......."
As soon as we turned the corner, we froze in place. A corpse lay sprawled on the ground. Seeing it, I wondered if someone had died or if a creature had been dealt with.
It felt more so because not only was the blood present, but the ghoul's distinctive, sticky flesh was smeared on the floor.
Nadia perked up her ears, pouring her attention into the prone body, trying to determine if it was a corpse or a creature, or anything else that might hint at its nature.
'It's too clean...'
Even before Nadia could say anything, I preemptively drew the plasma cutter and increased its power. It was suspiciously odd. While the area, especially the floor, had evidence of a horrific scene, the body lay still, its limbs drooping with zero movement.
There were no visible grotesquely mutated parts presently. To an uninformed observer, it would seem someone was murdered brutally. However, my instincts rang alarm bells. It wasn't truly dead but a ghoul feigning death.
"Nadia, wait here."
As I sent that message, I launched off the ground. Almost simultaneously, the ghoul, realizing it hadn't fooled me, rose.
Its movement was unnaturally swift, belying its previous prone state. As if the play button had been hit, the creature lifted itself with eerie speed. The ghoul omitted the preliminary actions inherent to human motion.
【Kiaaah-!】
Shedding its disguise, the ghoul displayed its monstrous nature. It screeched violently, swinging a transformed limb with deadly intent.
Its attack aimed to swiftly end me, threatening indeed, but I remained composed. If I hadn't anticipated its monstrous nature, I might have been flustered, but I already knew what to expect.
Forewarned, I harbored no fear.
To evade the ghoul's diagonally swinging attack, I leaned my body sideways. I entrusted myself to the momentum gained from the forceful push-off and inhaled deeply.
To assist the drastically shifted weight balance, I placed one hand on the floor, narrowly avoiding the swipe aimed to rend me. The metallic parts of my suit grated against its claws, scattering minute metal fragments.
It wasn't the only thing erupting around, for as I reached the ghoul, the plasma cutter at peak output firmly wedged into its side, and I pushed it against its throat.
Fwack!
High-powered plasma didn't discriminate against the ghoul's tough body. It was a tool meant for harvesting Blue Crystals. No matter how tough as stone, it was no match for the blue energy.
【Krrk?!】
Even with a punctured throat, the ghoul remained active, silent yet moving. Recalling Carrot's advice about the difficulty of incapacitation without a total dismemberment, I gripped the embedded plasma cutter tighter and pulled it downward.
The flickering blue blade split its throat down to its groin in a single motion, accompanied by a persistent sizzle.
Its upper body forcibly pried open, spilling entrails and blood devoid of warmth. As a primal reaction, it drew its limbs inward to close the open wound rather than attack.
The malice faded once I withdrew the plasma cutter and swiftly swung again, severing its head. The ghoul momentarily froze, and with a kick from me, its body toppled over, facing genuine death, not mere disguise.
"Haa..."
I exhaled the breath I had been holding as the ghoul crumbled lifelessly. Despite the short duration, the skirmish demanded multiple exchanges, leaving a sense of fatigue from this mere encounter.
Even knowing these creatures were once akin to me—a human—slaying ghouls remained an intensely disagreeable task.
Especially when dealing with the sensation of burning flesh and splintered bones. It was different from anything else, and no matter how many times I faced it, I doubted I'd ever grow accustomed.
Still, the victory was mine. I clung to that fact, forcing myself not to reveal the tremble in my fingers.
I spun around, intending to raise my thumb in triumph, when I caught sight of Nadia's unusually stern expression. Her extended hand, likely meant to restrain me after reading my message, hung frozen.
Her gaze darted between her hand and me, her eyes wide with shock. Briefly, but then she formed a scowl, clenching her fist tightly.
Realization dawned on me: I'd erred somehow.
Nadia seemed ready to lash out and strike, but then, as if reconsidering, she instead furiously tapped her message.
- You're out of your mind! You're out of your mind...! How could you just rush forward like that? Even if it appeared there was only one, there could have been more. We could've approached after further observing! If you hadn't gotten too close, it wouldn't have reacted!
【(ʘ言ʘ╬)】
Even Carry joined in, wearing an expression of extreme anger. Today marked the first time I had seen it convey such emotion.
I wanted to explain myself, to say it was a calculated action, but the sight of their anger kept my lips nearly sealed. I sensed a more significant reprimanding would follow if I tried to justify my actions now.
Thus commenced their silent admonishment.
***
- We fight together, understand? If you understand, nod, quickly.
I nodded hastily. The ghoul was dead, and Nadia, ever aware that lingering in one place was inadvisable, appeared to have no intention of prolonging her scolding.
As I sighed in relief, Nadia, looking dejected, gently touched my shoulder where the ghoul's attack had grazed.
- It's just a bit numb, I'm not hurt.
Despite my reassurances, Nadia looked worried and silently tried to push low-rank medical supplies towards my mouth. However, it was blocked by my respiratory mask.
Truthfully, I didn't need the medicine, and though I could predict the expression Nadia might make if I refused, I gently pushed her hand away, emphasizing caution.
- We should conserve the medicine. We'll need it more critically later on.
Every resource mattered, even something as seemingly trivial as low-rank medical supplies. Until we acquired the data board, until we confirmed we could, conserving was prudent.
Thankfully, Nadia seemed to grasp this, somewhat reluctantly withdrawing, dropping her hand dejectedly. Likely due to past traumas, she had a tendency to react sharply to injuries.
Though it had lessened during our time together, the recent events had exacerbated that tension again. Undoubtedly, witnessing the deaths around us triggered it.
We moved from the now-deceased ghoul's location to our next destination.
〈Cargo Sector Shuttle Station〉
【Deck malfunction present. Align for safe landing.】
What unfolded upon the opening door was a scene where shuttles, caught in a bomb explosion, laid wrecked within the deck, forming nothing short of a graveyard.