Chapter 362

It was an exquisite and ruthless sight, like a leaf blown by the wind.

The butterfly's beak is long. The sharp suction cup, curled like a spring, extends at an incredible speed. Stretching takes an instant, and rewinding takes an instant. Even those who possess Nen Ability cannot dodge it with human reaction speed and physical ability. It has the ability to penetrate the ground and crush Stone with ease. If it hits, it will penetrate the human body as if it had never existed.

Perhaps this is the identity of the strike that shattered my red Crystal. That was a speed Quinn could not react to, possessing the power to destroy the main body's armor. This is not an opponent you can confront head-on.

But Catlai is in the biting rain. He is still alive in the rain of Bullets. There is no figure of a desperate person wandering in the Abyss of death. This is the reason he is alive.

Through his ability, he can perceive the enemy's Malice and predict their attack trajectory. The opponent is a bug that cannot be called high-IQ; there are no tactics between truth and truth like in interpersonal combat. The trajectory is easy to read because the long-nosed attack only extends in a straight line. This is not difficult to predict.

However, the enemy has a faint speed, a kind of advantage of that degree. It is no longer a dimension where reaction can catch up even if it can be predicted. Catlai's prediction goes beyond prediction. If we do not act before the enemy has clear Malice, we will be too late.

This is not a technique that can be achieved by ability effects alone. All the martial arts he has accumulated so far are condensed. Body handling, footwork, Zanshin—there is not a single gap. His way of life is focused on avoiding rather than attacking.

Even with such high skills, evasion is considered a good choice. The attack grazes, as if it slides over a thin layer of skin. Even just dodging one shot is an unexpected Miracle.

Such attacks continue unabated. Five enemies attack him at the same time. Why is he still standing? Can he keep avoiding it? It is beyond what theory and probability can explain.

The aura rising from him, even if it were flattery, could not be called beautiful. Even if you understand his constitution, it is shockingly primitive. There is a naked humanity. A reliance on life, an obsession with greed. There are no ideals troubled by purity or neatness.

Fear, regret, struggling with life. Its appearance is similar to prey cornered by a predator. The enemies are attracted by this weakness; they crazily aim only at him, ignoring me when I am by my side. They do not realize that he is emitting an aura to prevent him from escaping.

Like looking in a mirror, my weaknesses are reflected in him. Awakening emotions you unknowingly deny within yourself. Unable to accept this, he hates and tries to attack him to blame others.

The way his aura works is probably simple. He does not deny his weaknesses, nor does he hide them more than others. I am afraid, lamenting, in pain, and I have accepted them all.

He is just a person. He might be the most ordinary person I have ever seen, but at the same time, he is far from a normal person.

Those who are born with a strong warrior spirit, or those who have matured after overcoming many deaths, do not understand. It is impossible to imagine a person who never stops fighting, yet is always human.

Like a butterfly, I cannot take my eyes off him. Forgetting that you are in a battle, you will see every move.

I left the fighting to Quinn. Since the network between Quinn and the main body was cut, it was impossible to see what was outside the belongings bag. The information Quinn saw and heard was only stored in her brain and not shared with the main body. If Quinn died, this temporary information would be lost.

So the main body used En to observe Catlai's movements. When Quinn attracted the enemy and showed an opening, he killed him with a Sith Bullet. At the same time, the main body continued to observe Catlai.

Spirit, technique, and life were all recorded in detail. I felt I had to do this.

What is a human?

I have asked all the members. This question made me laugh, asking if I wanted to become a philosopher.

This question, which I thought anyone could answer, turned out to be much more difficult than I imagined. Even if a philosopher spent his whole life exploring it, he would never reach a universal conclusion.

Then, how could I, who am not even a human, know? No matter how I observe their appearance, the truth is immeasurable. If you only need to imitate the figure, you don't have to worry too much.

Quinn carried Catlai through the woods. He was already dead.

I could not avoid the butterfly's kiss. On the contrary, it is abnormal that he kept dodging without being hit. It wasn't a direct hit either, just a slight scratch, but the Poison that entered from there killed him.

In battle, even though he was poisoned, he never slowed down. I don't know the strength and type of the poison, but I can imagine that if I endured it, it would not be enough. Shortly after I defeated the last butterfly, it stopped moving, as if a string had been cut.

I don't know how to express my feelings now.

Would a normal person shed tears here? Do you regret not being able to protect yourself? Are you grateful for your help? Praise the pride of the warriors who fought for their comrades.

None of them are enough to describe my heart. One thing I can say for sure is that it is a pity.

I wanted to talk to him more. He knew many things I didn't. I wanted to learn more martial arts from him. The near-death Buto you just showed me was truly amazing. I was so fascinated that I forgot to breathe.

Still not enough. The wish to know more about him will no longer be fulfilled. Sad enough that I cannot give up, my heart is frantic.

Perhaps this is why he carried the corpse. When it dies, it is not a "living thing" but an "object." There is no need to run while carrying luggage that hinders your actions. According to military regulations, the bodies of members who died during the investigation of the Dark Continent must be disposed of on the spot unless used as research Material. On the contrary, it is said that ignoring it is the correct practice.

If so, I think the value of this corpse is more than just luggage.

I finally understand why.

Quinn, who had been running for a while, slowed down and finally stopped completely.

Good news came from the research ship Quantum Road. The final expedition ended, the expedition finally paid off, and they returned. The construction of the difficult docking port has reached its limit, and Commander Andam announced that construction will stop after the return acquisition is completed. This news brought hope to the exhausted crew. The long-awaited time to go home is almost here.

At the time of Departure, the detachment consisted of 4 members and 1 "girl," and after completing the investigation, even if 1 person died, they survived.

The Disaster "Worm," identified as a B-type estimated danger, has the characteristic of laying eggs just by looking at the eyeballs of a creature. As a result, many members were eaten and killed by worm larvae upon first contact, and those who escaped by removing their eyeballs before hatching were driven to blindness and died on the way home.

Various countermeasures were taken based on that lesson, but in the next expedition, two people were infected due to the appearance of enhanced worms. However, because one eye was always closed during the operation, blindness was avoided.

It can be said that this is an amazing achievement. Andam praised those who returned without reservation. At least on the surface, it looked that way.

Of course, this man's heart is dissatisfied. I don't care about the safety of the returning soldiers. What he cares about most is the reward brought home.

According to the story, it is a type of ore that affects the surrounding gravity. From Andam's perspective, the honest impression is, "So, what is it used for?" If this were a Mujiseki that could generate 20,000 kilowatts of electricity just by being put in water for a day, Andam would not have any complaints. Its value is self-evident.

If analysis continues, it has the potential to become a historic Discovery, bringing breakthroughs to humanity, but it is currently unclear what kind of benefits it will bring. Andam is looking for direct, practical benefits, not theories that scholars just gobble up at their desks.

His political opponents in the country will hold generally similar views. This is the only time they are dissatisfied with Andam's achievements. If there is a chance, they are people who try hard to find others. The most important thing for them is the name value of the return.

If Andam had completed the docking port without delay, he would not have been criticized. Even if you don't know if the reward is useful, it would be a credit to increase the original mission. However, if you throw a large sum of money into the sewer, the main mission fails, and then you bring back trash, you will definitely become the object of criticism.

I want an epoch-making reward that can offset the failure of the mission. I am only in the mood to abuse the 200+ members who died because of this worthless Stone.

But you are helpless if you don't have it. I am just thinking about the possibilities now. There is still an unavoidable important task left for him. The question is how to dispose of the girl who accompanied the investigation.

If she is useful to the United States, I am not afraid to let her on the ship. The topic of rescuing the girl left behind in the Dark Continent should be there, so this investigation has meaning. Since there is an official record of cooperating with the investigation and contributing to the reward, she cannot be left behind for no reason.

That said, this is not an existence that should be welcomed without thought. Andam let Quantum investigate Quinn's movements. Not only that, even the equipment I gave her was carefully crafted. The mask Quinn wears has a built-in microphone and a small camera for eavesdropping, which have all been retrieved.

I roughly know what actions Quinn took during the operation. It has also been proven to be capable. I also have a grasp of human nature and its transformation. Knowing that she is extremely dangerous, can we tame her as one of our "friends"?

The ship has a "Guide" on board when crossing the Marginal Waters. The demi-humans summoned by the Gatekeeper clan, negotiating with them is the domain of the licensing agency, and Andam does not know the specifics. However, it is certain that it is an indispensable existence for sailing in the Dark Continent.

However, in the past five investigations, due to the expectations of the Guide, the investigation team ended up bringing the Disaster back to their own country. Although they did not directly take such actions, they also dared to ignore human errors. There are experts who speculate that this may be the "commandment" of the Guide, but if the threat of human extinction is brought back again and again because of this, it would be unbearable.

The Guide has both good and bad sides for humans. What does the rescue of this girl mean to them? Considering past cases, I would like to hear opinions, whether positive or negative.

The answer is neither. "Do as you please," he only said.

I am in a room on the ship. Quinn's knees are bent, sitting in a dark, narrow box. There is a window, but it is night now. No light passes through.

For some reason, coming here reminds me of the past. It reminds me of the ant nest I used to live in when I was not Quinn.

I got a private room that I can use freely. You cannot walk around the ship alone, but you cannot be under house arrest. I also talked to the commander of this ship. He praised me like a hero. Thanks to you, the soldiers all went home. Thank you for helping my friend.

Thank me? Have you ever helped your friends?

Within the scope of what I can imagine, I should be able to reach the best result. He was allowed to board the ship and promised to protect Quinn at Sahelta in the United States. It's not that I can suddenly live like an ordinary citizen over there, but considering my background, this is a natural measure. He even told me he would arrange my life without any inconvenience.

Not only that, I was also allowed to bring my main body in. The duffel bag was not confiscated; they simply checked the contents inside. What else could you want? No matter how desperately I tried to convince myself, the thirst spreading in my chest never Extinguished.

In the end, I did not provide rewards like a Soul Stone. I wasn't stingy. Although there were returns from the beginning, I still kept it hidden and accompanied the investigation. I cannot say it now.

If I had come out earlier, maybe I could have changed the ending. No matter how many assumptions you make, the past that can no longer be overturned will come and go again and again.

"Hey, Quinn! Are you there?"

A knock sounded in the room. I didn't answer, but the door opened. A familiar face was watching them.

"Wow, it's pitch black! At least turn on the light. Ah, so you don't know how to use the light? Damn it, let me explain it properly."

It was yesterday that Cher arrived at the ship, but at that time I was covered in wounds and in a state where I couldn't stand. She was more tired than anyone else responsible for using En to search for enemies. Because there was no catlai, the burden increased many times over compared to an outbound trip.

Due to the lack of it, the burden increased many times over compared to an outbound trip.

"How is your body?"

"I'm fine now. I have confidence in my own recovery, because it is a Transmutation type."

It might have recovered some, but a part of it might be a large part. Although he was not injured, he had overused his ability to the point where his Aura had been exhausted by long-term consumption. Recovering from yesterday to today should not be such slight fatigue. I said I should rest, but Cher wouldn't listen.

"More importantly, they are going to hold a meeting for Quinn now, come on, stand up."

I had heard of it. But I had no intention of going. I didn't want to leave this room. Cher scratched her head in distress.

"Let's go see how the captain and Tokunosuke are doing on the way, shall we?"

Gragg and Tokunosuke were in the ship's infirmary. They were infected by larvae, seriously injured, and lost an eye. We had prepared medical equipment and medicine just in case, but we couldn't perform perfect extraction surgery in the jungle. Of course, the mission continued after the surgery, so I had to work in a state far from resting.

The infirmary was close to my room, but I couldn't go out on my own, and I was worried about their condition. In the end, Cher pulled my hand and left the room.

"Ola, I've come to see you! Get up!"

"Gob!?"

Tokunosuke's wound was inflamed. It is believed he was infected. However, hearing that it was not life-threatening, I breathed a sigh of relief. Due to symptoms like fever, he still couldn't get out of bed, but he would get better soon.

However, suddenly punching a sleeping patient in the stomach is not good. I told him to let me rest, but Cher wouldn't listen.

"Ah, ah... Good morning, Mr. Quinn... Ah, is it still night... No, it's already night...?"

"Be strong, you poor guy."

"That Cher seems to be doing well..."

"A beauty came to see you, you're doing well, aren't you?"

"Beautiful girl... 'Taiji'...?"

"Huh? Toku-kun, what do you want to say? Huh, does your stomach hurt? You said your stomach hurts? Do you want me to rub it for you? Come on!"

"Chocolate!?"

Tokunosuke was already exhausted. It was a return trip struggling with injuries and infection. Most importantly, he also did a good job searching for enemies with his ability. The stock of paper molds I prepared had run out, and improvised birds were flying.

Unlike the "automatic" type of nencho he handled initially, the improvised nencho belonged to the "Emitter" type. Performance such as range and duration dropped sharply, and Aura consumption was intense. He also pushed his physical condition to the limit to get here.

"Oh, it seems the captain isn't here."

Gragg also lost an eye, but managed to avoid infection. Unlike Tokunosuke, he wasn't asleep and looked to be in better physical condition, but he took care of himself and rested in the infirmary.

"Maybe you went to the Venue first, let's go too?"

"I can't go with you in this state, but please enjoy yourself, Mr. Quinn."

"Oh, get well soon."

Left the infirmary. Headed to the conference room where the social gathering would be held.

The sound of the electric light began to scorch deep in my ears. At the end of the iron corridor, I could see the door to the conference room.

Slow down. But the door was right in front of me. The long corridor disappeared so suddenly, as if it were closing in from the other side.

The door opened.

Black smoke gushed out from that gap, like a giant Snake flicking its tongue. I am beckoning you to pull me in.

"Hey, Quinn, you'll be fine. Didn't expect you to be so shy. When we are Together, I'm fine."

The surrounding miasma would even distort sound. Seeing Cher swaying like a mirage, I gripped her hand tightly.

The conference room was infected by miasma. The source was the people inside. I don't know if I can call it human. Something with a humanoid silhouette, black smoke rising from its whole body. Except for Cher, almost everyone was in that state.

It hit me all at once. When I entered the room, I was shaken by the suffocating heat. Due to the suffocating miasma, my vision tilted unexpectedly. Everything lost its normal shape like stirred paint.

"——!"

"——"

It made something that sounded like a voice. They clapped their hands Together to do something. A strange creature walked out from the crowd.

The monsters in this room were all emitting nauseating black smoke, but the black smoke emitted by the monster in front of me was clearly different from the others. The smoke spread with a foul odor, as if licking the skin. Focused on Quinn's chest and private parts, it clung to them, never leaving.

"————? ——!"

The constant, harsh, sharp noise gave me a terrible headache. Although I wished I could wake up if it were a dream, I knew this scene was exactly what I wanted.

This is what I wanted to know.

The monster grabbed something from the table and held it up in front of me. I investigated it. Contrary to my heart warning me not to look at it, I couldn't take my eyes off it as if possessed.

A Transmutation hand held a Plate. From the undulating smoke and soot, a dark red mass.

When I woke up, I was walking outside the room. Cher was holding my hand. What happened to the fellowship? I'm sure I had been walking on my own feet until now, but I don't remember how it happened.

Someone walked down the aisle. I recognized that person. Cher straightened her posture and saluted with agile movements.

"Hmm, my physical condition isn't perfect yet, don't you worry."

"Ha!"

"Also, sorry, I scared you just now, Quinn. You seemed very depressed, so I held a meeting to take a break, but it seems it was a careless decision. I gathered a lot of people, I shouldn't have..."

The person speaking to me was Commander Andam. I had heard of this man from Gragg before. I heard he was my most respected teacher and someone I could trust.

Just as previously reported, Andam listened to my story kindly and made arrangements for my treatment. It could be said that it was only because he was the chief executive officer of this ship that I could board, and he accepted me quite actively as well.

"Hmm, the person Xiu hit just now, that should be a big shot from 'Dugu', right?"

"This is Vice Minister Tapornado."

"Is that really that bad? Well, I can't say it well, but... Quinn is a very good person, he just got angry! Hand."

"Don't worry, Mr. Tapornado was not injured, and he does not have any Malice toward Quinn. Quinn's boarding will not be canceled because of this matter; I will not let such a thing happen."

"That's good..."

Andam is the only person other than Quinn I can talk to seriously, but that does not always mean anything positive.

He never emits any miasma. Not only that, even in that abnormal space, he still maintained his normal appearance. I also confirmed I was in the Venue earlier. In the turmoil where even Cher lost her original form, he alone remained completely unchanged. Only the area around him was orderly, as if it had been cut off.

He is in a world where we have not met. It feels like we are standing in different places. The format is fundamentally different.

Seeing is terrifying, but knowing what you cannot see is even more terrifying.

"Both of you should take a rest today."

"No, we haven't met yet."

"I see. I thought you would come to the Venue with Xiu, but... I couldn't get in touch with you."

"This is not like a captain; he is a person who does not avoid promises and orders."

There was no Jajanken sound. I wasn't really listening to their conversation, but I didn't miss the part about being unable to contact Gragg.

Something must have happened. My heart pounded with a bad feeling.

"You don't need to worry. There must be a problem with the radio. Cher, take Quinn to his room—"

The voice was drowned out by an alarm sounding from inside the ship. An emergency broadcast followed the alarm.

"Level one alert! There is concern that an unknown threat has invaded this ship! I repeat, level one alert situation..."

I selfishly thought this ship was a safe place. Having survived safely during the long mooring, I was satisfied with the baseless assumption that peace would last for a while.

This ship is in a state of balance that could collapse at any time. Now, this moment is nothing more than the moment of collapse.

Must protect. Most of the people on this ship are nothing more than objects of disgust to me, but the ship itself must be protected.

Most importantly, there are some friends you cannot lose. No one should go missing again.

I ran. I did not change my consciousness, but was driven by aimless impatience.