175 – Reorganization
A few days after the unrest in the back alley area was resolved.
The hideout of the last undetected Dominating Hands remaining on the artificial island.
– Sigh…
“”……””
As the rusty iron door slowly opens, the eyes of the people inside all focus on the boy who came inside.
＞ Here it is! These are the people I gathered while secretly flying a drone!
“Umm…”
＞ Of course, it’s 1/10th less than usual… But isn’t it better than nothing?
In such a situation, Pandora’s drone appears from behind and begins the briefing.
“Good job, Pandora…”
＞ hehehehe.
“So, is this the total number of people?”
Kang Ha-neul, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages, was swiping the drone with his hand as if petting a puppy. He glanced at the people remaining in the hideout and asked a question once again.
＞ They are still scattered throughout the artificial island at the level of small squads… But this is practically all the manpower that can be mobilized for an all-out war.
“…I see.”
＞ For your information, the people I was with a few days ago are currently going out. Combat training? I heard they do the same thing…
“I understand.”
Kang Ha-neul, who briefly recalled the noisy atmosphere of the flying boat and smiled bitterly, soon began to quietly tilt his head and mutter.
“By the way, are you still unable to contact that old man?”
＞ Grandpa?
“…I mean Mr. Diamond. He’s a very strong person, so I’m sure it would be helpful. In the last attack, he was on a mission, so he didn’t take much damage.
＞ Ah ha.
After hearing those words, Pandora’s drone lowered its head sullenly.
＞ Well… Actually, I’ve lost contact with you for a while.
“What?”
＞ In the past, I had requested rescue several times while escaping during an attack on the headquarters, and I sent messages consistently until yesterday… But there was no reply.
Perhaps the software has been updated, or the mechanical-sounding voice coming from the drone is starting to make me more and more worried.
＞ Aside from occasionally forcing me to do strength training, he was the only one among the executives who treated me well…
“…Really?”
＞ Spade… No, Mystic Shine? He was so scary that I hated him from the beginning.
“If you get to know her, she’s a nice girl.”
＞ That’s because it’s you. And Hart keeps trying to get me into his room… Ah.
Then, the drone’s voice suddenly cuts off.
From Noble mtl dot com
＞ Sigh…
“…No, that’s how you are.”
＞ W, aren’t you ignoring your girlfriend too much???
Soon, Pandora glances at Kang Ha-neul through the camera attached to the drone and apologizes for her mistake, raising her voice as if slightly embarrassed by his harsh response.
＞ Even so, if you put your mind to it, you can control the artificial island network as you wish!
“… As expected, there is too little power as it is.”
＞ Hey, are you there? Are you listening?
“The opponent will come with the intention of destroying the artificial island itself… Uhm…. If we fight back with this army right now…
Kang Ha-neul was lost in thought for a moment, blankly listening to her words.
“Hey, Pandora. If the troops are at this level even when an all-out war begins, what do you think the civilian casualties will be?”
He asks a question in a low voice to the drone that was flying sullenly at low altitude with a sulking emoticon on the screen.
＞ At least 2/3 of the artificial island population will suffer serious damage.
“…I guess so.”
＞ It is not simply a firepower issue. There is no system to efficiently evacuate or protect that many people.
Then, as if pouting, Pandora’s drone flies again and floats a simulation in front of his eyes.
＞ Heroes are supposed to do this, but more than half of the heroes in the top 100 have already mutated into monsters. In such a situation, if there is internal strife, there is no answer.
“…What if I control monsters with my abilities?”
Then her drone turns the screen to him, as if startled by Kang Ha-neul’s quiet voice.
“Oh, it’s dazzling…”
＞ That was never calculated in the first place.
“…Why?”
＞ Are you seriously asking this?
Then, she begins to reply in a slightly angry voice.
＞ Do you think it would be easy to control so many monsters?
“But you must have seen it a few days ago. I was subduing the demonic beasts with a single command…”
＞ Monsters are not simply monsters that have lost their reason like demonic beasts, but actual people. It takes a lot of mental power to move as you want.
“But…”
＞ You even have to move each object individually while matching its frequency. My head will probably explode before then.
“…Wouldn’t it be okay if it’s only for a short time? As long as it’s enough to safely evacuate the general public…”
＞ Then, can I go to the front lines for a while?
“That’s not possible.”
＞ Same goes for me. Even if the damage increases, I will never plan a strategy that could put Kang Ha-neul’s life in danger.
As Pandora’s drone declared firmly and swung her body around to make such a notice, Kang Haneul scratched her head with a troubled expression.
＞ Dear. We are villains, not heroes. You don’t have to save everyone, you just have to save the person you want to save.
“…However, according to his scenario, large-scale casualties are confirmed. Ultimately, I think it is essential to minimize that…”
＞ Still, it is the opposite of Kang Ha-neul throwing away his body. Maybe it’s a hive consciousness, but there’s no way the brain function can survive in a human body…
“…Wait, what now?”
Then, suddenly, Kang Ha-neul opens her eyes and asks her about what she said.
＞ Okay, why all of a sudden?
“What did you say just now?”
＞ Even if I say that with a straight face, my position won’t change! I want to live in the countryside with River Haneul, farming, and living in peace…
– Kang…!
Then, he gives Pandora’s drone, which was talking urgently, a honey chestnut.
“Stop making a fuss. What did you just say?”
＞ Well, that… I mean…
Then the drone began to speak again in a more sullen voice.
＞ I don’t know if it’s a hive consciousness, but they said the human brain couldn’t handle it…
“…Yes, that’s it.”
After hearing those words, Kang Ha-neul smiles and strokes the area around his heart.
“Isn’t that so, kkuk?”
“Kyurrr…?”
Soon, hearing a soft voice that was different from usual, instinctively sensed a sense of crisis and began to tremble and look up at his owner.
“…Oh, by the way.”
Kang Haneul, who was looking down at that guy with meaningful eyes, soon raises her head again and opens her mouth.
“Pandora, you do everything I ask of you quickly… But why are you especially late on that one?”
＞ What do you mean?
“…Third daughter.”
Then, Pandora’s drone stares at the river sky with the camera for a moment and then naturally turns its back on him.
＞ Oh, now that I think about it, there’s something I haven’t dealt with yet…
“Quirrr…!”
＞ hehehehe.
However, the speed at which Kkyukgi, feeling his life in danger, stretched out his tentacles was even faster than the speed at which the drone flew.
“Our little girl, you listen well.”
“Kwak!”
“…You’ll just have to do it like this a little later.”
“…Kkeuk?”
Kang Ha-neul stroked the guy with a smile for a moment, then muttered something meaningful and then turned his gaze forward again.
“By the way, Pandora… You’re a little suspicious.”
＞ Me, me?
“…Whenever the story of your third daughter is mentioned, your reaction is quite perplexing.”
He opened his eyes sheepishly and quietly lowered his head towards the drone that was hanging by its tentacles.
“Is there any connection?”
＞ …..!
“Now that I think about it, the game account you use… Your friend’s ID was Minamoto or something?
Soon, Kang Ha-neul begins to get closer to the correct answer.
“I thought it was just a coincidence… But something is strange.”
It was just when he was about to open his mouth and tap Pandora’s drone, which had become unusually quiet.
“Perhaps. This is just my opinion…”
– Sigh…!
“…….?”
The iron door of the hideout, which had been opened not long ago, began to open once again.
＞ Go, Kang Ha-neul…! Come behind me…!
“…You’re a drone now.”
＞ Ah.
The very moment when the sound of guns being loaded and metal being heard quietly came from all directions, and Kang Ha-neul quietly pointed out Pandora, who was making loud noises as usual.
– Ppaekkom…
Someone peeking their head through the slightly open iron door.
“Ha… First of all, we’re on the same side.”
“”………….?””
“Honestly, I still don’t know if we’re on the same side or not.”
After seeing someone’s face, Kang Ha-neul lets out a deep sigh and opens his mouth, and the villains who were ready for battle begin to look confused.
“…Wow, he’s so charismatic.”
Meanwhile, Rumia, who had bandages wrapped around half of her body, was muttering as she looked at the sight with her head out, with hearts in her eyes.
“What business is this…?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special.”
When she asked the question in an awkward tone, saying that she didn’t know how to deal with the river Haneul, who was glaring at her, the girl, who was sweating coldly while holding her head, soon smiled with her eyes. And opened her mouth.
“I have found the location of Shinwa Group’s third daughter. Would you like to go with me?”
“…..What?”
＞ !?
At those words, not only Kang Haneul, but even Pandora’s drone, which was flying next to her as if guarding her, opened its mouth wide, showing a surprised emoticon on the screen.
.
.
.
.
.
“…Ugh, ugh.”
Meanwhile, at that time.
“Ugh…!”
Kang Maru, who was sweating and groaning, opens his eyes and stands up.
“…This place?”
She still had no idea that Kang Ha-neul and Lumia were outside the room where she had been lying for the past few days.