52 – Experiment Room (7)
Tetis Libra glanced at the excited individuals.
I understand their joy. Surely, he was also pleased with himself.
Think about it. Armor. Not just any ordinary armor but the next-generation armor created by Peregrine Alto.
It’s something you can’t even obtain with money. But the important thing is…
Drachan provided that item without asking for anything in return.
“……”
Penegrin Alto.
The most famous weaponsmith and scientist within the resistance army.
Her long service in the resistance played a significant role in earning her fame. She was a veteran among veterans, with more than ten years of experience.
Despite having dealt with all kinds of high-ranking officials, she hadn’t lost her own voice. One could tell by observing how the soldiers in the facility treated her.
She is not easily swayed.
To obtain something from someone like her…
“…Certainly at a cost.”
What did she pay? Tethys Libra asked him, approaching discreetly. However, he shook his head in embarrassment.
“I think she needs combat data.”
“…Why would she depend on us? If it’s Penegrin Alto, she could use more useful soldiers.”
“Well, about that…”
A lie.
He is lying.
Tethys Libra fidgeted with his armor. Not just one item like this, but four. To receive them in accordance with the team size…
“……….”
What did Drakan sacrifice?
…Such a foolish man.
Tethys Libra didn’t bother to ask. It was also part of his consideration not to break his kindness.
He simply made a firm resolve in his heart.
“…I will become an excellent commander for headquarters… Drakan… I won’t forget this favor…”
“Uh, Captain. Why are you crying?”
“Dust got in my eyes.”
“But it didn’t.”
“……”
. . .
Penegrin Alto.
The gift she gave us was a printing.
“If we’re going to dress as a team, shouldn’t we have a logo? Engrave it behind the armor.”
“Do we need formalities?”
“It’s romantic.”
Blanca nodded vigorously.
“Romantic… I can’t stand it…”
Avakusa let out a dry cough.
“Honestly, if an awesome print is stuck on your back… Your shoulders will feel alive…”
“Hmm…”
“Why? Is it unnecessary?”
“No.”
A print on the clothes.
It’s nice. That’s all. If I have a choice, I’d rather wear eye-catching armor than dull armor.
“…But with what?”
Honestly, after the 13th Division’s service period ended, they would soon be going somewhere else.
This new generation armor was provided under the name of ‘renting,’ but in reality, it was given by Fenegrin Alto.
Maybe they’ll wear it outside too… It doesn’t mean I want something like the 13th Division on my back…
“Hey, Avakusa.”
“What?”
“You say you’ll become a mercenary later, right? It’s not something you just throw away overnight… Won’t you also wear it during your mercenary days?”
“…True?”
“In that case, if there’s a cool print like the 13th Division on your back…”
Avakusa’s face twisted.
“Let’s go for something cooler! Not related to the Resistance!”
“Uh…”
Tetis Libra blinked.
“What do you mean by the Resistance logo?”
“No! Isn’t this personal issue? I don’t want to forcefully use the Resistance logo!”
“I agree. Honestly speaking… I don’t really care about the Resistance or anything… But the Resistance logo looks cheap.”
“Not… not cheap!”
“It looks cheap, sir. Honestly, even you, Captain, complained about the Resistance logo when you saw it last time.”
“T-That was just a passing comment!”
Fenegrin Alto chuckled.
“Don’t worry, everyone.”
“Excuse me?”
“This amazing Peregrine Alto, a genius scientist, will personally choose the logo!”
“We’re not going to include anything related to the 13th Division, right?”
“I don’t particularly like the resistance either. I’m just working because they give me a budget.”
Peregrine Alto chuckled.
“Above all, this next-generation armor is my invention, Peregrine Alto’s creation. It’s just like my face, so the appearance is also important in its own way. Whoever sees it must think it’s a cool guy that definitely raises my worth. “
“…Free advertisement?”
“It’s a free advertisement! Since I’m not getting paid for it!”
Peregrine Alto measured the dimensions of the soldiers.
“I’ll take care of the printing…I’ll handle any minor details as well…Let’s see…”
Peregrine Alto took out a ruler.
“Do you need personal weapons?”
“…Are you providing that too?”
“Well, we only have firearms anyway. If you need any other close combat weapons, let me know. Of course, I won’t provide bullets separately. Tell the supply team to take care of that.”
“Of course!”
“If you’re going to do it, you have to make it look convincing.”
Peregrine Alto chuckled while looking at me.
“Are you thankful?”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
I bowed my head. Peregrine Alto lifted his finger and patted my head.
“If you’re thankful, bring back lots of data. With this much help, I believe you can bring excellent data.”
“……..”
A scientist who couldn’t let their guard down.
. . .
Exactly two weeks.
The armor was completed. Though the overall appearance hadn’t changed much, it had been tailored to fit each individual’s body shape.
“Basic insulation function is included. Of course, keep in mind that there’s a limit to the temperature it can withstand. Never, ever do anything like diving into an icy lake on a snowy day.”
“Why go to such extremes…”
“The person who received the armor before did something like that. They almost froze to death.”
Peregrine Alto continued with a casual explanation.
“Also, the defense system I mentioned before is built-in. The projectiles are the basic form and will protect against most physical impacts.”
“What about body enhancement?”
“It’s there. But first, we need to complete the user registration.”
Peregrine Alto tapped on his laptop. He entered each individual’s data code into the armor.
“This is like weaving together a miniature computer with clothing. It may seem simple, but it’s a complex mass of advanced weaponry.”
“Isn’t it prone to malfunctions?”
“No, you’re wrong. Before any malfunctions occur, the system is set to shut down automatically. Unless it gets hit directly by a projectile and partially torn apart, it will continue functioning. Well, even if it gets torn, it will repair itself over time.”
“A recovery system…?”
“Exactly.”
“That… that’s worth a fortune…”
“But don’t think of selling it. Once the user registration is complete, no one else can use it. Even with considerable technical skill, hacking won’t be possible. Besides, there are other features… a cleaning system, emergency reboot system, and various others. But the body enhancement was what you desired the most.”
Peregrine Alto commanded Avakusa, who was donning the armor.
“Throw a punch.”
“Like this?”
Bang!
The air exploded. Blanca was taken aback by the sudden pressure.
“Th-this performance is amazing!”
“The increase in physical abilities given by the armor is roughly twice your own. The third-generation armor could probably go up to 2.5 times, but the lightweight next-generation armor has its limits.”
“Oh…”
Peregrine Alto spun his chair around.
“A small hint. Do you know how battles between armor users end?”
“I don’t know.”
“When neither armor’s defense system can be penetrated, the fights turn into simple energy clashes. The one whose armor runs out of energy first is the loser.”
“Ah… I see.”
“The energy consumption for the attack system is higher than the defense system. If you maintain body enhancement constantly, the armor will be depleted in less than an hour. Practice turning it on only when necessary. And above all…”
Slip.
Avakusa, who was excitedly jumping around, tripped and tumbled over.
“Controlling the sudden increase in strength for a moment is also extremely difficult at first.”
“Hey, you… J-just that… hahahahaha!”
“It seems like you’re not the type to make fun of others! hahahahaha!”
Tetis Libra nodded slightly.
“Thank you, Fenegrin.”
“Hmm. No, it’s not thanks. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. We both have something to gain from it. Drakan.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like the printing?”
I turned my jacket inside out.
A skull with a rose piercing it diagonally.
The printing itself is dark red. It strangely stands out while also seeming hidden, catching the eye.
“What does it mean?”
“A skull is cool, and a rose is even cooler. When two cool things meet, it becomes the coolest thing.”
…I have a feeling this kind of sense is more for kids.
I put on the jacket. A hologram appeared before my eyes.
Starting with indicating the current state of my armor, I could immediately see the remaining energy levels, special functions, and insulation capabilities, among other things.
…I guess it feels similar to when I entered the Titan.
In the surrealist status window, I continued my thoughts lightly. Without needing to utter a word, simply thinking caused the mode to change.
From shield to physical enhancement.
Lightly clenching my fist, I struck the air.
Bwaaah!!!!
The air tore apart. In an instant, a blast of wind swept through the entire laboratory.
Fenegrin Alto groaned.
“…Try not to use that unless it’s really necessary. The aftershocks alone make things shake. If you add what you possess on top of that…”
I didn’t need him to finish his sentence. I realized it on my own.
If I add my peculiarity…and enhance it with golden light…
A high-explosive bomb launched with my entire body.
I would become a moving disaster.
“…What is that…? A sonic boom from a person’s fist…?”
“A monster, isn’t he…? Are all the dragons like that…?”
“Drakan, if you have something to say, always prioritize dialogue. Please don’t become like Abacusa.”
“What do you mean, a primitive being like me?!”
“Well, something similar.”
“Similar.”
“Hey!”
Got a little stronger…
Maybe that’s how I should look at it.
Since the last battle, I’ve felt something. This world is more terrifying than I thought, and I don’t always meet just easy people.
Even with this kind of power, if I were to meet someone like Decker Vein, I might crumble.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Power.”
As expected.
It’s more comforting to have it than not.