Paradigm Parasite

Chapter 111: "Retreat"

[Mc Pov]

I let out a light sigh after seeing off the woman who seemed to be an executive.

When I took control of the first floor, I had been given some rough instructions, so I was supposed to move accordingly....

I would have killed her if I could have.

It's a bad idea to let people like that live, you know.

I guess my cautiousness to find out what they were up to backfired.

Well, it was not the smartest way to kill everyone, but as long as we were able to destroy the base, it was a success.

There were several conditions for our retreat, and this was one of them. Intervention by the Knights or Gnosis.

Since he did not want to get into a fight with them, he said we should pull out when they came out.

I was instructed to do so by the magic stone for communication that had been entrusted to me, so I pulled out for the time being.

I was surprised that Darzain had heard about me.

Where in the world did the leak come from?

I thought I had killed everyone in Oldia.

This makes it pointless to kill them and keep their mouths shut.

Oh, what a hassle.

I wondered what to do, but I couldn't come up with any good ideas, so I shelved the idea.

For the time being, we're going to retreat. I destroyed the wall facing outside with Crab Monster.

I checked down through the hole that opened up and jumped down.

Kicking in the air with the ability I got from the woman I just killed, I slowed down and landed.

After all, it is convenient not to have to chant every time.

Well, in my case, I can reproduce it with only a little resource allocation, so it's only useful if I have it.

I move to avoid being seen and remove my mask at a suitable distance.

This mask is useful, but it doesn't make me disappear, so I stand out more when I walk around town....

Well, I quickly head for the meeting place indicated...or rather, the "workshop".

There was so much commotion that onlookers were heading to the scene one after another, but no one was paying any attention to me.

Still, it was a big deal.

The fact that he was able to do something so spectacular and carry it off without a hitch proves the high level of his abilities, as well as his magical skills.

In fact, that man, while rampaging on the first floor, used [Retience], a higher level version of [Silence], around the building to completely block out all sound.

Thanks to this, it took a long time for people around to notice something was wrong, which is why we were able to destroy the base.

Well, I wouldn't say the people there were small fry, but they weren't that strong either.

I pat my left arm.

...Well, they were a reasonable group to try out the new equipment.

First up was the Crab Monster.

I like this one very much because it was easy to use.

It's heavy, so I just slam it into the right place and most fellows are disabled with a single blow.

The shears are also very powerful, and a human being was easily dismembered like a plastic model part.

Originally, the weapon was designed to destroy the hard shells of monsters, so there was no way for humans to be able to withstand it.

Next was the thing in my left arm.

I had no complaints about the range and power of the attack.

Most of them would die before they knew what hit them.

In fact, except for the female executive, they couldn't even react.

How was she able to react?

I tilt my head inwardly.

Hmmm. Was it bad that I held out my arm?

Well, I'll think about that as I use it.

Lastly, the coat was sturdier than a bad suit of armor.

It had a good blade protection performance, and although it took a hit from the woman's fingernail, the result was almost unscathed.

To be honest, I was very satisfied. That old man is a big deal.

If I need new equipment, I'll go to him for advice.

Oops, while I was thinking about it, I began to see it.

When I enter the premises, I see that bad-taste statue - or rather, the watchman.

Well? Do I just talk to him?

I decided to talk to whoever was available to me for the time being.

"I was told to come here. Is there any problem if I come through?"

No response.

Well, that's okay. I had asked permission to come here. Let's go through.

I went through the side and approached the workshop, but I wasn't attacked.

It was a good thing they didn't.

I went the way I came last time and headed for the basement where the headman was supposed to be.

The place was as bloody as ever.

I went downstairs to the headman's room, where I found Vertex, who had arrived earlier, sipping a cup of tea.

"You're late."

"The roads were busy."

"Oh, you're back too, brother. Wait for me while I make you some tea."

As I put down my weapon and took a seat, Headman offered me a teacup filled with tea.

I gratefully accepted the cup of tea and got down to business.

"First of all, let's check. Is there a senior executive up there?"

"I don't know if she was an executive or not, but there was a woman who seemed to be a big deal. She had quite a few parts, I'm sure of it."

"Did you kill her?"

"No, I let her go because I was running out of time."

Vertex heard this and clicked his tongue.

"Tsk. You should have killed her."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what cards she had in her hand, so this time I was just observing her. If there is a next time, I will try to kill her."

I apologize for my honesty here.

It is possible that I could have killed her if I had pressed her with force, but I don't want to be too reckless with someone I don't know what she has in her hand.

"Well, well, Verbo, don't say that. He did what he had to do, didn't he? Then it's not right to blame him. Don't you agree? Let's talk about something more substantial instead of this nonsense."

He continued, "What did you find out?"

"There was an apostle ......."

"Oh. It finally came out. Rather late, isn't it?"

Not surprised about that.

We had heard that there were apostles. It would be the difference between early and late.

"So? What was they like?"

It's obvious that they're going to be hostile.

We should gather information and plan countermeasures.

I've abandoned the warm and fuzzy idea of settling the matter through discussion from the start.

I don't know if it's Darzain or Tuke, but they seem to be one of those annoying people.

I don't care if they're reincarnated or not. Let's kill them as soon as we find them.

The question is, where should we destroy them most efficiently?

"No, I felt a presence, but they didn't show themselves. I intentionally created an opening to lure them in, but I didn't get them."

What, you didn't see him? What a useless client.

"Now, we have about nine and a half days left. Now that we've destroyed their base, they'll be quiet for a while. I'm thinking of staying here until the deadline."

"Are you an idiot? Of course we're going to attack. We have a general idea of where the escapees are likely to go and what they are likely to do."

Ah. I see.

I'm getting a better idea of what he's likely to do.

I might add, he's going to finish the job while I'm still here. I have a feeling he's even going to use me up and overwork me.

Vertex takes a box from the shelf and turns over the contents.

Magic stones are scattered on the table.

Magic stones...are these for communication?

It's a little late for this, but a magic stone is a battery-like stone that stores magic power.

They are usually dug out of the mountains or found in the bellies of magical creatures, so although they are expensive, they are relatively easy to obtain.

The way to use the stone is to release the accumulated magic power by channeling it or destroying it, and it will show its effect.

The effect is that if you engrave a magic circle on the magic stone, it will activate the corresponding magic.

However, since the magic that comes out of the belly of a monster has already been engraved, it is necessary to have a magic stone with the desired function made at a specialty store or purchase one for sale at a store.

Incidentally, two magic stones for communication come in a set.

In other words, it seems that communication is only possible with a set combination.

So, what are these magic stones?

"When they move, one of them will respond. Until then, we wait."

Are you on guard duty?

"Oh, then I guess you'll be free for a while. Then come with me to test the equipment, brother! I want to hear how the stuff I gave you is doing!"

I looked at Vertex and he replied, "Do what you want," so I'll go ahead without reservation.

"Oh, I'll go along with you. I'm feeling like I could use some equipment after all..."

With that, I headed for the back room.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

After playing with the toys made by the headman for a while, there was a change in the situation.

It seemed that the net that Vertecs had set up had caught them.

They seemed to be planning to go out from the favelas through the outer wall of the city.

It seems that they are now gathering up all the scattered people and making arrangements to exit the royal capital.

Apparently, we are going to hit them when they get out of the city.

We are now on the move, listening to what they are saying.

"Confirmation. The transplanted parts of the female executive that you were able to confirm are "feet," "nails," and "lungs," is that correct?"

"Yes, I was able to confirm those three. But I judged "lungs" because she was breathing suspiciously, so it might not be the same. Perhaps, but I am sure there are others. I'm also suspicious of the "eyes," seeing as how precisely she slashed at me with her fingernails while I couldn't see."

"I see."

"So, if an apostle comes out, you'll deal with the executive, is that right?"

"Yes. If no apostles appear, you will take care of the executive. The other members are nothing but scum, but they have a strong sense of camaraderie. As long as you don't let the executive get away, they'll stay where they are."

...That's a lot of loyalty.

Still, I don't get it. It reminds me of the woman I trampled to death.

She gave up her life to let her friends escape. Giving up your life for someone else? That's really stupid.

First of all, you should worry about your own life, right? Then, if you can afford it, then others.

If you can calculate the advantages and disadvantages of helping someone on top of that, then there's nothing to say.

The woman who i stomped her head on was desperately trying to hold me back, but i don't know what she was thinking....

...No, wait.

Suddenly, a possibility surfaced.

Ah, so that's what it is.

Perhaps those guys were forced by the anti-betrayal device.

Then everything makes sense.

I see, Darzain makes convenient use of human resources.

I see what you mean.

Now that things are clearer, I can see where things are headed.

I feel sorry for those who are being forced to do this, but I'm not going to tolerate it.

If they come at me, I'll kill them.

And I'm interested in the apostles and whatnot.

Now, will they come out?