307. Dispatch
Creating weapons requires more effort than one would think.
Physics, thermodynamics, chemistry…
Of course, most of it is merely replicating results already established in other fields of research. However, putting those pieces together to create something remarkable is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher. It is not something that can be accomplished without skill.
In that regard, Professor Klein takes pride in his work.
[…What did you just say?]
The change in tone that immediately followed the declaration from Dowd Campbell might be due to that context.
No matter how audacious his usual attitude may be, fundamentally, Professor Klein is a researcher who takes pride in his creations. There is no reason for him to feel good about this situation.
“No.”
However, whether he likes it or not.
The human who made such a statement continued without batting an eye.
If that sense of pride itself is made up of data extracted from a living person, then there is no need to respect it.
“I told you. These discarded things you created are already more than enough.”
…”
Professor Klein’s face twisted.
Of course, he had no intention of considering anything from the beginning, given that he came to speak with Professor Mobius. This guy has the talent to dig his own grave with his mouth.
[Do as you please then.]
They say that when a person is too angry, their head turns cold.
Looking at Professor Klein’s demeanor, filled not only with anger but also a sense of helplessness, it was clear that those words were not entirely wrong.
Immediately after uttering that sentence dryly, Professor Klein hit the red button on the control panel.
At the same time, a cyborg armed with various close combat weapons emerged from one of the gates located inside the dome.
Although smaller than the automaton based on relics operated in the shadow world, it gives off an unmistakable feeling that it was developed solely for the purpose of human extermination, even with less heaviness.
Powered by rare metals, transistors, hydraulic pistons, and numerous circuits for remote control.
As a result, it is a device capable of moving at a terrifying speed, perhaps even reaching the speed of sound.
It is clear that a human sealed with “Magi” is an enemy with specifications that are certain to be annihilated without being able to even breathe.
So, it is a very certain fact.
“-Haah.”
Dowd sighed deeply.
“-Uh, whatever.”
The Alpha, who had been observing from the control seat, let out a small snicker of obvious disregard.
Well, he did have a somewhat unlucky demeanor to begin with, but now it was almost as if he was purposely provoking them with his entire being.
Glancing over at Professor Klein, I could see that his initial anger had now turned into a bewildered expression at such an attitude.
Even if they didn’t know, the cyborg walking out over there exuded an extraordinary atmosphere.
“…You put quite a lot of effort into making it.”
“Just to get the budget, you’re making a big fuss-“
Though the tone was not friendly, it was a fact that even the professors at the control seat agreed that the opponent was not someone to be taken lightly.
And yet, that guy.
‘Why does he seem completely unfazed?’
Reading Professor Klein’s expression, which clearly showed his thoughts of “Why does he seem completely unfazed?”, the Alpha once again let out a hidden laugh.
‘…No, no matter how you look at it.’
Of course, I don’t have any intention of disrespecting Professor Klein, who is one of the cornerstones of the Matop professors. The abilities of these humans who have made it this far in terms of personality or character are real.
However, that man kept saying something before he came here.
‘Arrogance can even turn a fortress upside down.’
Because they are people who look down from above, a detailed analysis of Dowd Campbell was probably almost filtered out.
Even if he doesn’t have “magic,” the foundation of the abilities he can wield is not just that.
For example, the scene unfolding before us right now is a good example of that.
–!!
The sound of pistons starting to pump vigorously echoes from the cyborg’s body, signaling its movements.
Supersonic, perhaps even beyond that, maybe even beyond the speed. Science, which can even cross the limits and is hardly distinguishable from magic, makes such things possible. Following that, the cyborg’s body moves. It reaches Dowd Campbell in an instant.
The process of the movement is omitted, and all that is left is the result, like in a crazy speed.
However.
Dowd Campbell catches up to it.
He reacts.
“-What!”
A voice filled with astonishment flowed out of Klein’s mouth.
If they were human, catching up would be impossible. No matter how strong they were, no one would be able to do that.
‘He probably made it while thinking that it would be impossible, though.’
Even if you take away the magic.
Dawud Campbell is undoubtedly a monster.
It’s a very simple fact.
As crises mounted, his physical abilities, exaltation through holiness, martial arts, and more—all of these were accumulated in the “history of strength” that resided within this man’s body. He clearly had not given any thought to exploring it, displaying an attitude of complacency.
The result was clear as well.
Before the cyborg’s weapon could reach him, Dawud raised a water cup.
And then.
“Hup.”
With all his might, he “thrust” it into the cyborg’s chest.
A blow combining extreme physical abilities, meticulously honed martial arts, and countless experiences from life-or-death situations.
The result.
The external casing of the fist shattered, and the cyborg, with the water cup firmly thrust into its core drive unit, faltered ungracefully with a clanging sound.
“…”
“…”
The entire dome was instantly filled with silence.
It might have felt even more silent than when Boris’s mechanical dinosaur had destroyed Mobius’s safety net.
And amidst that silence, the sound of Dawud rummaging through a box echoed in all directions.
Eventually, he pulled out a spoon.
“Next, I’ll try this.”
“…”
The control seat was engulfed in a dreadful silence once more.
In the midst of it, Astrid spoke with a helpless voice.
“…Are you seriously claiming that you killed it with your bare strength and then finished it off with everyday utensils?”
“…That does seem to be the case.”
Alpha turned his head in agreement with Astrid’s muttering.
Of course, it was a valid point.
However, when he looked at Klein, who was trembling with fear right now.
“It seems to be an ‘effective’ way to undermine the opponent’s pride.”
One could not deny the effectiveness of provoking one’s opponent, even if it was infuriating.
“It’s definitely my son.”
“…Is that something to be proud of?”
●
“-That motherless bastard-!”
“…I am, in fact, this child’s mother.”
“aaah-!”
“…”
Astrid closed her ears and kept her mouth shut, as the profanity-laden words erupted from Professor Klein’s mouth like a torn torrent. But rather than being angry at such language, she found more amusement in Klein’s shattered mental state.
“Next, I will try with scissors.”
From Noble mtl dot com
The technologically advanced humanoid was cut by scissors that seemed fit to only cut paper or fabric.
“Next, with an iron-“
The sight of a nano-machine colony being crushed to death by an iron was almost akin to metaphysical horror.
“Next, with a spatula-“
The sight of a giant bio-mutant created by a spatula being killed was, well, that.
…How did this happen?
“He’s my son, but how is he doing this?”
“…How would you answer if the professor asked you that?”
While such peaceful conversation was exchanged, Professor Klein’s condition worsened as he had a seizure beside them.
If initially, other professors, including Mobius, had sent glances filled with pity and disdain at his pathetic state due to having less preparation, now they almost stared at him with eyes filled with sympathy.
Of course, if anyone saw their masterpiece being torn apart into shreds by something insignificant, their eyes would roll.
In the past, Professor Klein had spewed out curse-like words, but now he only produced sounds resembling a wild animal’s cries, which made it clear.
That’s right.
[This incredibly inhuman brat! Stop it! Stop it-! Do it properly-!]
It was almost to the point where he would beg, beyond getting angry.
Of course, the problem lay in the fact that the opponent was someone who would clearly not listen to such requests, a pure garbage of this era.
“I am doing it properly.”
With a bitter laugh, Dawood Campbell, who had green blood heavily splattered on his clothes and was laughing with blood on his lips, responded.
As if saying, What can you do if I’m not serious?, with that expression.
“Well, I mean, if I were losing, I wouldn’t know what I could do. But in reality, I’m winning like this!”
[This damn brat-!]
“It was these shoddy creations of yours that ended up torn apart.”
With that, Daoud chuckled again and began to strike the mutant with the ladle.
The pitiful sight of Professor Klein’s ambitious creation, which should have been a disaster in the material world, screaming in agony every time the ladle swung, was almost heart-wrenching…
“Or something else.”
Just as Professor Klein was about to lose his mind and bang his head against the window, he suddenly heard that voice from Daoud.
“Would you like to hear a suggestion? I’ll be serious if you listen.”
“…! Professor Klein!”
Mobius shouted with a frown.
No, this is not good. I don’t know what it is, but there is no reason to pay attention to what the other person is saying.
I have a bad feeling. I have a strong sense of impending loss.
Perhaps it was a scream entangled with such thoughts, but it was quite impossible for those things to enter the ears of Professor Klein, whose eyes were already rolling back.
“Tell me first! Stop that nonsense right now!”
A broad smile appeared on Daoud’s lips.
It was clearly a much more bitter expression than what he had been wearing up until now.
“Right.”
It is likely that only Caliban inside the Soul Linker wrapped around his arm would have barely heard that murmuring voice.
●