Chapter 6: This Really Is Hell

Rapi remained resolute.

"We haven't received any orders to retreat."

Anis was practically fuming.

"So, we're supposed to stay here and die like cannon fodder?"

"Leaving without orders could disrupt the operation plan," Rapi replied, calmly reloading her weapon, her demeanor so cool it seemed out of place on a battlefield.

"But the plan blew up with that transport!-" Anis snapped back.

But before she could finish, the tide of the battle shifted.

A figure suddenly appeared, attacking from the Raptures' flank. She tore through their ranks, slashing her way through them like a tiger among sheep, scattering the Raptures in disarray.

Those terrifying Rapture machines, so menacing to most, fell to her blade as easily as vegetables under a knife.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Explosions echoed one after another!

Blades flashed, scattering metal fragments in all directions!

Amid the drifting smoke, that fierce glow followed her graceful figure, her movements as smooth and elegant as a dancer's. Those seemingly impossible maneuvers flowed from her effortlessly, captivating anyone who saw her.

In her hand, the crimson longsword gleamed like the scythe of death, harvesting Raptures with every flash.

Within ten minutes, the Raptures were mostly wiped out.

Rose's strength matched her sister Scarlet's, and perhaps even exceeded it. She was among the elite of the Pilgrims, making her prowess in this skirmish almost overkill.

Even the two Nikkes she was assisting were stunned.

"You've got to be kidding—this is crazy!" Anis exclaimed, looking as if she'd just seen a ghost.

"Compared to her, we look like fools."

Did someone like this really exist in the Ark?

Rapi, too, was amazed.

The battle ended quickly and no Raptures were left standing. Metal limbs and fragments lay scattered, some draped over utility poles, others embedded in walls.

In the crackling bursts of electrical sparks, wisps of smoke rose into the air the Raptures were annihilated.

Rose sheathed her blade and returned to Mo Chen's side, who having already witnessed Rose's strength, was unsurprised by her feat.

He was more interested in the points he'd earned.

Jackpot!

There had been over a hundred Raptures.

Each one was worth at least ten points.

Adding this to his previous total, he now had over ten thousand points.

Ten thousand wasn't an astronomical sum, but it was enough to buy many essential items.

However, the decimal points in his total amused him.

Could you even save half a person?

That's a dark joke.

"We're Rapi and Anis. Thank you for coming to our aid," a clear voice called out.

Mo Chen looked up to see a striking girl standing in front of him.

With deep pink hair, a dark red military cap, fair skin like porcelain, delicate and elegant features, and eyes that looked like red gemstones, she was captivating. Her close-fitting combat suit accentuated her long legs and curvy figure—she was unforgettable.

But rather than her looks, it was her words that caught Mo Chen's attention.

Rapi, Anis?

It was really them.

Mo Chen looked them over, a bit surprised.

They were main characters from the original story, practically two of the main trio.

"Hey, Commander, staring at girls like that is kind of rude," Anis said, amber eyes watching him suspiciously. "And, by the way, what unit are you from?"

Her tone carried a hint of caution.

Compared to Rapi, Anis had an even more striking figure.

Her shoulder-length hair was a soft, pale blonde, with a playful accessory perched on top. Her face was just as beautiful, as if intricately carved, with bright eyes and a radiant smile that was hard to ignore.

While Rapi had a cool demeanor, Anis was more lively and mischievous.

Her combat suit fit snugly, accentuating her curves. As she stretched, her figure became even more pronounced, as if it were ready to burst from the uniform.

"But still, thank you for saving us. Without you, we'd probably be goners."

Mo Chen chuckled, unfazed.

"I'm Marian, here with the Commander to meet up with everyone at the rendezvous point," Marian said, stepping forward to greet the two Nikkes.

"So, you're the backup team?" Anis asked, surprised, the words slipping out without a second thought.

"No way—you guys survived the explosion?"

Mo Chen: "..."

"Why do I get the feeling you were almost hoping we hadn't?"

After confirming each other's identities, Anis chuckled, though she still looked a bit puzzled.

"Well, it's one thing for Nikkes, but you're human. I can't believe you made it out alive…"

"Guess I just got lucky."

Mo Chen thought to himself, "You really know how to talk."

But thinking about it, if it weren't for the system, he'd be long dead by now.

"Oh, and stop with the formalities. I'm Mo Chen."

"Mo Chen… that's kind of an unusual name," Anis said, pulling out a tablet. "Hmm, let me check…" Her slender, manicured fingers tapped nimbly on the screen.

"Huh?"

Anis seemed to notice something.

Rapi caught her expression.

"What is it, Anis?"

"…This Commander seems to be a complete rookie."

"…What?"

Anis pulled Rapi closer, showing her the tablet, and lowered her voice.

"He graduated from the military academy just yesterday."

"…"

Anis muttered under her breath.

"But he is kind of handsome!"

Rapi handed the tablet back to Anis and approached Mo Chen, hesitating before finally asking.

"Is it true that you were appointed as Commander just yesterday?"

"Is there a problem?" Mo Chen asked, puzzled.

"No, it's nothing."

But Rapi's expression hinted at a bit of disappointment.

"...Has the Ark fallen this low? Sending a rookie Commander on a mission like this?"

She murmured it quietly, but Mo Chen's sharp ears caught it.

He didn't mind, though. After all, he hadn't been in this world long, and his knowledge came from school and the internet—he was indeed a rookie.

"…What did you say?" Marian, who was standing nearby, seemed to have overheard and her usually gentle expression turned cold.

"N-nothing," Rapi quickly changed the topic, realizing her mistake. "Regardless, from this moment, you're the Commander of this unit. I'll now hand over the operational status. Are you ready?"

"Yes, go ahead."

From Rapi, Mo Chen got a rough understanding of the situation.

Around fifty hours ago, a Nikke unit conducting a search mission in the perimeter area lost contact after being attacked.

The Ark sent Rapi's squad to investigate.