by Yoo Seong
‘I found some recovery ampoules at the bunker the other day but it is no use extending my life for a few minutes if I can’t defeat the Gigantic. I’m also being attacked by shells and stamping. Either of these attacks would mean instant death. However, it isn’t possible to run away. If I sneak away from the Gigantic’s legs then I’ll be turned into ashes before I even get 100 metres.’
This wasn’t a situation where he could gamble. But Ark didn’t have any countermeasures and time was running out.
‘Is it still not ready yet?’
Ark rolled around the ground without any spirit.
–Ark! It’s here! The preparations are finished!
Clem’s voice was suddenly heard through the Nymphe. Ark who was sliding around on the snow suddenly turned around. While Ark, the Rama, Gigantic and the federation army were engaged in a fierce battle, the other detachment members had hid in the wreckage of the Rama headquarters. A small light of hope appeared on Ark’s face.
“That’s it! Hopefully now……”
While the Gigantic was catching up with him, Ark had planned different ways to escape with the detachment. The Gigantic was only following one person around. It had selected Ark who was the leader of the detachment.
‘Well, I did install some C-6 inside headquarters……’
Ark regretted it but it was the way things turned out. Ark was able to plan out some strategies with the detachment while running around. Clem had contacted Ark to report that the preparations for his plan were finished.
‘This is the best I can do. If it doesn’t work then I’ll die!’
“Everybody get ready! There is only one chance for this!”
–We know.
Clem answered as Ark grabbed his sword.
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
There was a red flash and the Rama base started shaking. When he flinched and turned around, Ark saw that the Gigantic fighting against the federation had collapsed with the lower part completely destroyed. The tank shattered underneath it was spouting a black smoke. It was the federation’s final tank that the Gigantic was about to crush.
‘What’s that? Why did that happen when the Gigantic stepped on the tank……?’
Ark made a puzzled expression. Then Clem’s voice was audible from the Nymphe.
–It self-destructed.
“Self-destruct?”
–Yes, that red flash if the nuclear fusion engine of the tank exploding. But the nuclear fusion engine is designed to prevent any attack from an outside attack. That means the nuclear engine was purposely exploded. They exploded the engine as soon as it was stepped on. The shield was already stripped so the Gigantic couldn’t withstand the damage. The commander carrying out such a bold strategy……
Clem murmured with surprise. It definitely wasn’t a tactic that Ark would’ve thought of. That’s because Ark didn’t know about nuclear fusion engines until now.
‘The tanks contain nuclear fusion engines? Wait? Then perhaps……’
Ark thought for a moment before asking Clem. It was a technical question so Heksu replied.
-It is possible.
“Then can you take care of it right away? It won’t be possible with the Royal Guards but the federation army won’t be watching the Silver Hand. Hegel should stay there as only the Silver Hand members should enter the federation camp.”
–What are you going to do?
“I’m going to prepare the situation.”
–Understood. We’ll believe in you and obey your command.
The group that was hiding in the wreckage of headquarters moved onto the battlefield.
‘I said that but……
Ark threw his body again to avoid the falling foot and looked up at the Gigantic. It would be meaningless if he couldn’t take care of the Gigantic. He moved it near the headquarters where the detachment had prepared his plan.
‘The preparations have ended! Now it’s time for a counterattack!’
Ark’s eyes flashed. And……
“Snow Walking!”
Sasasasak! Sasasasak!
He slid like a cockroach between the Gigantic’s legs. Well, it wasn’t that different from his previous actions…..but there was one thing different. Until now, the hill near the Rama base had interfered with the Gigantic’s movements. But after communicating with Clem, he gradually sneaked out of the hill and moved towards headquarters.
Kuong-! Kuong-! Kuong-!
The Gigantic definitely became faster when they moved away from the hill. Besides, it was easy to read the movements and avoid it since they were moving in one direction. Fortunately he had become used to the movements in the last 10 minutes.
‘Pay attention! Pay attention! Pay attention! Pay attention!’
Ark concentrated and moved desperately. Just when he had moved 200 metres……
–Kuak! These damn federation soldiers!
Two Rama warriors rushed towards Ark. They were Rama warriors who ran back after killing the federation soldiers near the front. They saw Ark as insignificant prey. They wanted to try and obtain a bit more achievements before dying. But their timing was bad.
–Hyung-nim, there! Where the X is marked on the ground!
He then heard Hegel’s voice from his Nymphe. An X drawn on the snow caught his eye. Ark used Snow Walking to run towards where the X was marked before turning with a pleasant smile.
“Now! You stupid chunk of iron! Step on me!”
He shouted with a loud voice.
Roaaaaar!
A huge foot started to fall from 10 metres above. Ark threw his body back and shouted.
“Hegel, now!”
-Yes, Hyung-nim!
And the moment the foot stepped on the X marked spot!
Tung! Tung! Tung! Pajijiji!
A sphere buried in the ground started to emit intense electromagnetic waves.
-The electromagnetic mine has been triggered!
It was the electromagnetic mine used when the Silver Hand was fighting the Nakuma. Of course, it was a small mine so it couldn’t completely neutralize the Gigantic’s huge shield. The shield was peeled off the foot that stepped on the X spot.
“But that is good enough! Hegel!”
Ark yelled again!
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
The area marked with an X exploded. The Rama near the area became bloody rice cakes and flew away. The Gigantic that was aiming its gun turrets at Ark also wobbled. The Gigantic tried to move its foot to regain its posture but the leg was shocked by the explosion. The Gigantic lost its centre of balance and fell down.
Ku ku ku ku, ku kwa kwa kwa kwa!
There was a deafening roar as the 50 metres Gigantic fell onto the battlefield. A smile of satisfaction spread on Ark’s face.
“It’s a success!”
Space 9
Doom Machine (Part: 2)
“It’s almost finished.”
The blood stained Valencia looked around. The Gigantic had been destroyed once it stepped on the tank that self-destructed. It was an excellent choice. The Gigantic had already been stripped of its shield. The ordinary metal couldn’t withstand the explosive force of the nuclear fusion engine. In the end, the whole leg had been blown up and the Gigantic collapsed.Then Valencia moved quickly.
“Pedro, charge at the Gigantic!”
Valencia led 10 soldiers and attacked the lower part of the Gigantic. A group of Rama could be seen in the interior. They were a crew on board the Gigantic to block outside jamming. A gunfight started when Valencia and the armoured warriors burst in but they were engineers. Their opponents were elite warriors of the federation.
“Rush in and knock out the power reactor of the Gigantic!”
The armoured warriors took out the engineers and rushed towards the power reactor. If they took out the power reactor then the Gigantic would be destroyed.
-The Gigantic has
been destroyed and 3,000 victory points acquired!
The message appeared in front of Valencia and his 10 subordinates. Valencia’s morale soared and he left the Gigantic while taking care of the remnants of the Rama. His victory points quickly reached 4,000.
‘If I combine the achievements I received previously and the points I got for reporting the Rama base then that is 8,000 points. If the 4,000 victory points are converted then it is 12,000 achievements!’
12,000 achievements was an overwhelming amount! He would definitely be given a gold medal of valour.
‘But that only applies if I defeat the remaining Gigantic.’
There were 2 Gigantic that emerged from the Rama base. Only one was remaining now. It was running around somewhere on the Rama’s side but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t attack the federation. However, the biggest problem was the remaining power of the federation army.
‘There are only 150 troops remaining. And there are only 50 members of the armoured platoon left.’
The armoured platoon had received the most damage from the Gigantic. Furthermore, 3 Memeods were destroyed by the pincer attack of the Gigantic and Rama so only 2 were remaining.
‘But I have no choice. If I can’t defeat the Gigantic then the war won’t end. No, we will lose. Then there is no meaning in receiving the victory points. I will obtain nothing!’
“Pedro, reform the battle arrangements. Clean up the Rama and advance towards the other Gigantic!”
Valencia led the troops towards the Gigantic. Then he noticed dozens of soldiers moving in the opposite direction.
‘What’s the? Why are those guys…..wait? Perhaps…..?’
Valencia watched them carefully. He remembered those soldiers. They were the mercenary troops that had their truck fall into a pit and were given Ark’s henchmen to help.
‘And just now they emerged from the Rama’s headquarters with Ark. Then…..’
He had some lingering questions through the battle. He had wondered how Ark and his henchmen managed to get behind enemy lines first. He still didn’t understand but one thing was clear. Ark was associated with that mercenary group! They had devised the truck falling into the pit to trick Valencia and join Ark.
‘This was all planned from the beginning? They wanted to join with Ark to stab me in the back and then run away in the confusion? And they are right in front of me!’
Valencia glared at them before speaking to Pedro.
“Pedro, have the armoured platoon……”
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
A loud roar rocked the battlefield. When he flinched and turned around, the sight of the Gigantic collapsing caught his eye. It was a scene that Valencia never even considered.
“T-that guy is……?”
“Ark! He is Ark!”
The person standing in front of the Gigantic was surprisingly Ark.
‘He hadn’t run away yet?’
All thoughts of the mercenary group disappeared from Valencia’s head.
‘This is an opportunity! I don’t need to worry about some mercenaries. I can dispose of them once the battle ends. I have bigger fish to fry right now. It won’t be a problem if I accidentally kill a soldier during a fight against the Gigantic. If I become the hero who won the Beltana war then I can make it go away, even if I become chaotic. My first priority is making sure he dies to prevent him from reporting about the Carrier MR-II!’
“Pedro, follow me!”
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
Valencia operated his battle suit and rushed towards Ark. 10 armoured warriors followed him. Valencia ran across the snow towards Ark. At the same time, Ark was rushing towards the collapsed Gigantic. Needless to say, the Gigantic being knocked down was all Ark’s strategy.
‘There is no method to escape the Gigantic. However, it is suicide to fight among the federation soldiers. I should sneak out of the battlefield and wait until the battle ends before joining back up with the federation. I have to seal the Gigantic’s movement in order to do this.’
Ark came to that conclusion. That’s why he used the detachment to devise a way to sneak out from the Gigantic’s view! Ark used himself as bait to gain some time while the detachment buried dozens of C-6 in a specific area. The moment the Gigantic stepped on the X, it was hit by an electromagnetic mine and the foot blown up by C-6! With the foot damaged, the Gigantic would collapse to the ground and it was possible to beat it.
‘But I can’t seal the movements with just that!’
There were 2 legs. Besides, it was a lump of machine with 386 computers attached! Despite falling down, the Gigantic was called the Devil of the Battlefield for a reason. Not surprisingly, the Gigantic tried to turn its remaining leg 180 degrees and raise the huge body.
‘I have to make it fully collapsed!’
That was the reason why Ark was running towards the Gigantic. The shield around the Gigantic’s leg still wasn’t recovered from the electromagnetic mine. And dozens of C-6 had exploded so the foot and ankle became ragged. Ark ran quickly and wielded his sword.
Kang-! Kang-! Kang-!
Even if it was weakened, the sword wasn’t enough to get through the metal. However, Ark wasn’t thinking about attacking the ankle with the sword. The reason he hit the ankle with his sword was……
“There!”
Ark’s eyes lit up. The moment the Gigantic was hit with the sword, some blurry colours appeared on the armour It was entirely blue while the part hit directly by the C-6 explosion was red or orange. The colours represented the durability of the armour! The blue parts were the areas that didn’t receive any damage while the red was where the durability was at the lowest point. It wasn’t visible but it meant there was a crack in the armour.
‘I wouldn’t have known this without Metallurgy.’
It was the skill he learnt in order to avoid being scammed by Tori, Metallurgy! Ark was able to grasp the Gigantic’s durability thanks to Metallurgy. One of the applications of Metallurgy was finding the status of the metal with a single tap. Therefore Ark could identify the status of the Gigantic’s armour.
‘This is the weakest place in the Gigantic’s armour!’
Ark took out a C-6 from his bag and attached it to the armour part glowing red. He then threw his body facedown to the ground on the other side!
Pepepepeng!
A hole was blown in the armour of the ankle.
“That’s it!”
Ark cheered as the Gigantic wobbled and collapsed again. The ankle could no longer support the 50 metres body thanks to the hole. This was Ark’s final goal. He had completely sealed the Gigantic’s movements. Now he just had to hide and leave the rest to the federation army. If he joined up after the battle ended then Valencia couldn’t attack Ark anymore.
‘That Valencia bastard, I’m curious about what expression he will have on his face.’
Ark imagined Valencia’s bitter expression with a satisfied smile. All of a sudden Hegel’s voice was screaming through the Nymphe.
–Hyung-nim! D-danger!
“What?”
Ark turned with a bewildered expression.
Syu syu syu syu! Syu syu syu syu! Syu syu syu syu!
10 shells were flying towards him? However, Ark wasn’t looking at the shells. 10 armoured warriors were rushing across the snow. No, it was the person leading the group!
“……Valencia!”
Kwa kwa kwa kwa! Kwa kwa kwa kwa!
At the same time, the place where Ark was standing exploded. Smoke and flames soared from the spot the 10 shells hit. However, Valencia wasn’t satisfied with just that.
“Shoot! Make sure he doesn’t leave alive!”
“Don’t stop shooting even if you see that bastard’s body!”
“We have to kill him before any other soldiers arrive!”
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
Valencia and the 10 armoured warriors continued firing. Bullets relentlessly fell and pieces of ice and dirt flew up. Valencia took out hi
s beam sword as he narrowed the distance and shouted.
“Check that guy’s corpse! Look for it!”
“I can’t find it!”
“I don’t see it over here either!”
“It can’t be! He couldn’t have survived all of that! No, it doesn’t matter even if he is alive. If he is alive then he is clearly hiding somewhere. Don’t miss him! Look for him everywhere!”
Valencia ordered with a cruel expression. Then Pedro’s voice was heard from behind him.
“Leader-nim, look over here!”
He turned and saw Pedro pointing towards the Gigantic’s ankle.
“There are traces that someone entered here. He went inside through the hole!”
“That rat bastard. He must’ve run away. But……”
Valencia stared at the hole before smiling.
“He dug his own grave by running into an inconspicuous place like this. Pedro, enter the Gigantic and chase after him. Take care of it inside the Gigantic! Do you know what I mean? Wipe out everything that catches your eye. I will take responsibility. If we take care of everybody inside the Gigantic then it will be the federation’s victory. No, it will be your victory!”
“I understand!”
The armoured warriors moved inside the Gigantic. Their target was the engineers and power reaction inside the Gigantic and…..Ark. Now that the armoured platoon had entered the Gigantic, the destruction of the Rama engineers and power reactor was guaranteed. Therefore, the armoured platoon’s top priority was Ark! Valencia and the armoured warriors entered the Gigantic and followed Ark’s traces.
“Leader-nim, there is an object moving in front of us!”
“That guy!”
Valencia’s eyes flashed and he shouted.
“This is a small passage. There is nowhere for him to run away. Fire!”
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
The 10 warriors started firing their Gatling guns inside the narrow passage. Hundreds of bullets flew through the passage that was only 3 metres! Valencia and the armoured warriors filled the aisle with bullets. They moved forward 10 metres until they reached the place with the power reactor. The running shadow screamed and collapsed.
