Chapter 280 – New Ecology – There Is No Rescue Team
Just as there are people who buy and suffer, there are also those who buy and face danger.
These are people who, in pursuit of profit or pleasure, creep into places they are told not to go and end up in trouble.
There is a risk of falling, but it is a good spot for fishing, and a hiking course that stimulates the desire to conquer even though casualties occur one after another.
If you are kidnapped while traveling or doing missionary work in a place classified as a danger zone.
When the world was running normally, rescue teams and diplomats would come out and save people, but now they will meet their end without a word.
You’re lucky if you die right away. In today’s world, things can be more painful than death.
The scene I am currently seeing through the central control room screen is one of them.
Platform entrance to the subway in a ruined city. There are strange corpses scattered in front of it.
“It looks like he died while trying to escape from inside.”
Even at the moment of death, he had an attitude of extending his hand in the opposite direction of the entrance.
What’s important is the wounds on the legs and back, but rather than being bitten or scratched, it looks like something was sticking out from inside.
[We were ordered not to go any further than this.]
The officer on the screen said.
His rank is lieutenant, and soldiers scattered throughout the surrounding area are aiming at the entrance to the underground stairs with tense faces.
The lieutenant also glanced into the dark basement even during the brief report, seemingly afraid that monsters might come crawling up.
[There has been no fighting since we discovered it, but we suspect it is a parasitic infection.]
The infectious agent itself is dangerous, but parasitic entities are especially feared.
It is small and unnoticeable, can enter through small openings, and the end that it faces when attacked is nothing short of terrible.
Even the bravest veteran soldiers were reluctant to operate in places where parasites were discovered.
[Handover completed. From here we enter.]
And as you know, digging into places like this is our military’s specialty.
When the stalker robots failed to respond, the lieutenant signaled to the soldiers.
[Thank you for your hard work. Everyone withdraws!]
The soldiers withdrew in perfect order. As if I had been waiting for this moment.
Leaving that scene behind, the robots advance up the subway stairs.
“A lot has changed in the past three years, but these guys are still active.”
The robots that appear at first glance on the screen are, of course, the Stalker series.
Even though various parts have been improved, it is not enough to call it a next-generation robot.
Rather than moving from the 3rd generation to the 4th generation, it feels like the 3.3 to 3.5 generation robots have been differentiated into various variations?
Instead, a large-scale generation replacement of the old model was carried out, and all 1st and 2nd generation Sleepless and Marauders were replaced with 3rd generation Stalker models.
“Isn’t it true that it is such a great luxury product?”
Artemis said with a face full of pride.
“It was definitely a level of perfection that was ahead of its time.”
The shock I felt when I first saw Stalker’s demonstration in the city is still vivid.
The incredible mobility that moves through buildings like Tarzan, the powerful combat power, and the ability to respond to the environment.
In order to achieve further meaningful progress here, it will be necessary to achieve century-old technological development.
“Is this a longevity model?”
I smiled happily as I watched the robots moving tactically on the screen. Since they are the guys I went on the most expeditions with, I feel especially attached to them.
“I wish you would pay more attention to your longevity.”
Milkshake and bean butter placed in front of me. I was a little appalled by the menu composition, which seemed to explode in sweetness and calories just by looking at it.
“The combination is amazing.”
It was a menu selection that she would never have given in the past, but she did not apply to me who was in the midst of gaining weight.
“The taste is guaranteed. “It’s a very popular menu item even on Prime.”
“I’m entering a den of infectious agents, and I want to enjoy this while eating it?”
The four robots had already gone down the stairs and were heading toward the platform.
[Vegetable contamination is detected.]
At first glance, hard tissues that look like plant roots are spread out in all directions on the floor.
The walls and ceiling were covered with organic matter that looked like lotus roots or cones, and it looked like something you should never eat.
As the color was so pale, it looked somewhat similar to the dessert in front of me, so my appetite plummeted.
“You’re used to eating something while watching operation videos, right? “I ate as many as 32 cup ramen noodles while watching the operation to eliminate infectious agents.”
“… But in times like this, something like light black coffee is better.”
“If you eat that, you won’t gain weight. “Eat only as much as you can and have some left over.”
“Then throw away everything else? Then you will be punished.”
As someone who grew up in an orphanage, leaving food behind is absurd. A feeling of rejection comes from deep inside my heart.
“Who punishes?”
Artemis pulled his chin and smiled charmingly.
“Um, God or something.”
“Even if Zeus drops a thunderbolt, it won’t reach where we are.”
She picked up a piece of butter and put it in her mouth, as if to tell her to stop making weird noises and eat it.
Suddenly.
The most resistance I can do is to swallow her fingers along with the embutter. However, the response is not very encouraging.
“Hehe, do my fingers taste better than the refreshments?”
“…”
Tribute.
Instead, she even took the liberty of tickling my tongue with her thin index finger.
Not long ago, she was a bit vulnerable to this type of prank, but after her first night together, she felt more mature. I’m not easily embarrassed.
Side!
Her index finger nail that slipped past my lips was shiny with black gloss.
At first glance, it may seem like we are having fun, but we both keep our eyes and ears open to the situation on the ground.
[No signs of battle inside.]
[Movement Executive Director.]
[Operation of normal vision and thermal imaging vision.]
As we went deeper, a stopped subway train appeared. All the windows were broken, and long-dead cobwebs were scattered everywhere.
“Is that really a spider? Or…”
“Based on the spider web pattern, it is true that it was hit by pure spiders. To begin with, most infected spiders have wandering habits.”
The proportion of walkers, who accounted for the absolute majority of infectious agents, has decreased significantly after the distribution of the vaccine.
Although it still boasts the largest number in terms of percentage, the number of infectious agents of non-mammalian origin has increased rapidly.
The Spider River lineage was a nightmare both visually and in annoyance.
[I discovered something.]
Finally, a group of corpses were found.
They all appear to have been assimilated with contaminated organic matter growing on the floor or walls. No, is it closer to being used as fertilizer for those organic substances?
“Homeless people? Or are they explorers?”
“Judging by the outfit, it seems to be the latter.”
In other words, a dangerous place that others avoid means that there are many places to plunder.
Likewise, it is an attractive place for those who are fugitives or are not welcome anywhere.
Attempting high risk, high return is as common as ever.
However, when you win on the risk side, the rescue team does not come.
[Heat source is captured.]
The stalker, who was moving smoothly, stopped and pointed his gun.
The target is organic matter that looks like coral and sticks to the wall like a fossil.
When switching to thermal imaging, yellow light suddenly began to appear inside the blue cones. It suddenly turned red.
[Movement discovered. Discovery of movement.]
The cone’s spouts opened, and a creature the size of a fist emerged from inside.
Leech? Or a slug? A disgusting-looking white mollusk opened its mouth like a starfish.
[Engage!]
Without further ado, loud gunshots rang out, and the battle began.
The iron balls fired from the large-diameter shotgun flew out and instantly turned them into minced meat.
Pump!
Along with the fluttering meat pieces, the shattered cones scattered white powder and fragments in all directions.
But this is just the beginning. White cones opening their mouths in all directions.
[Shaaaaak-!]
Numerous sounds echoing within it collided with each other and resonated.
Bang!
Tatang!
This is a situation where a human soldier would panic, but robots respond calmly.
While continuing to move to avoid being surrounded, we fired accurately at priority targets based on the level of risk.
[Proximity warning!]
Molluscs flying diagonally from a pillar touching the ceiling.
The majority were shot down from the air, and some who barely escaped the fire were struck by butts or fists.
Meanwhile, molluscs are constantly appearing from cones here and there. It was literally like touching a beehive.
However, the enormous amount of combat data accumulated over the past three years of engagement led to the best response tactics.
[Retreat 3 steps.]
[Firing.]
[Stop fighting.]
[Retreat 4 steps.]
The robots shot quickly and precisely, but did not fight actively.
They were taking their time, giving priority to killing only those who approached them. As if they wanted it to pile up quickly.
By the time the cones stuck here and there were no longer spitting out, the floor was covered in pitch black like a swarm of rats.
[Incineration begins.]
Two robots carrying flamethrowers stepped forward.
Intense flames erupted from the entrance of the nozzle containing a blue flame.
The darkness of the subway cleared away in an instant, illuminating faded advertisements, rotting sheets, and skeletons that had rotted away a long time ago.
Searing waves of fire swallowed aside the molluscs that tried to devour the intruders.
The crimson light coming from the central control room screen is so intense that even I, watching from a long distance away, feel like my face is burning.
[Wait!]
Those who did not die spread out in all directions with their bodies on fire.
New flames pour down on the ripening body. The small monster’s tearing screams and the disgusting sound of burning meat filled the speakers.
“Further investigation would be difficult. “We need to evacuate before the fire spreads further.”
The burning subway in the sight of retreating robots. Seeing that, I was convinced.
An independent ecological system is being created by infectious agents.
The vaccine is steadily weakening their power at this moment, but he is not able to put an end to it.
The desire to somehow live in that subtle gap, the desire to spread even further!
The fundamental instincts of the infectious agents were finding a new direction.
