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Chapter 45

“Calm down, 102. We’ve requested external support, so we have to wait.”

“Damn it! Are we going to let that guy have his way the whole time? We should strike before they wipe us out!”

“It’s not possible.”

William, watching the argument between his fellow officers and M01, wasn’t pleased. In terms of rank, M01 was higher, so it was normal to follow his orders. The reason the police officers were resisting and not following M01 was because M01 was a machine.

‘MegaCorp’s deep-seated robot hatred persists.’

William, having spent a long time in the military, understood why MegaCorp’s people still harbored animosity towards androids and cyborgs.

‘Star Union.’

At the time MegaCorp was established, many lower-class workers were forcibly conscripted for space colonization. While there were a significant number of androids, they were a minority compared to humans. Tragically, human lives were cheaper than using robots.

Amid the countless lives being pushed into the dark void, some colonization ships began to choose a different path. The androids managing the colonization ships began to malfunction and rebelled against the upper Capital, using their network to infect other ships’ androids.

As a result, the scale of the rebellion grew, and not only androids but also ordinary workers joined in.

A massive rebellion force led by machines, and eventually even lower-class workers, marked the beginning of the Star Union.

The androids of the Star Union argued that, to survive in the harsh environment of space, they needed to replace their bodies with superior technology, and humans voluntarily became cyborgs to adapt.

The ideal community they aimed for was one where machines and humans coexisted without discrimination.

‘…That’s the Star Union’s claim.’

StarUnion presented themselves as a just group resisting the corrupt MegaCorp, but in reality, it was quite different. The rebellion had its origins in the malfunction of machines from the start. A rebellion led by mad machines was unlikely to go smoothly.

The androids of StarUnion even turned unwilling laborers into cyborgs. They went so far as to implant chips into their brains, stripping them of free will.

After the rebellion, they expanded their influence by attacking other exploration ships and forcibly turning settlers into cyborgs. Naturally, the ordinary citizens of Megacorp didn’t welcome Star Union. Who would like those who kidnap them and turn them into machines by force?

Although centuries had passed, the resentment against machines still ran deep in the minds of Megacorp’s citizens.

Anyway, regardless of the historical context, it was not desirable for allies to argue among themselves in such a critical situation. William was the first to calm down the police officers.

“Hey, everyone, calm down.”

“But…!”

“We are police officers. I understand your concern for our colleagues, but don’t forget our mission.”

“Ugh.”

As William calmly appeased them, the police officers also showed a more composed attitude. William then called M01.

“Hey, M01.”

“Please, Detective Team Leader.”

After the StarUnion’s rebellion, Megacorp had imposed several restrictions when making androids. One of them was to change the android’s data recording device to a closed system to prevent accidents from being interconnected. Since the android network had been one of the causes of the rebellion, it was a necessary measure.

However, such a restriction was too burdensome, especially in a war where information exchange was critical. Therefore, the commanding androids temporarily had their restrictions lifted.

“You are right, but the special trade center androids at the T&C Special Trade Center have recently changed their policy for EMP defense. They have applied shielding technology, which limits data transmission via the communication network.”

“…I see.”

William understood that this might be due to the Council. In the space city, the most dangerous weapon wasn’t plasma weapons or state-of-the-art battleships or even the metallic gremlins. It was EMP attacks because in a structure where everything was controlled by machines, there was nothing as threatening as EMP attacks.

They raised the EMP protection level in preparation for the Council’s arrival, and it seems they also made changes to the androids.

“So, can we deduce anything from that limited information?”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to make sure that the target may not be human. I want to verify.”

“Do you mean to say the target could be a different intelligent being?”

“When 112 was taken away, I briefly saw him, and he didn’t look human.”

“He didn’t look human?”

“He had an appearance more akin to a monster or a beast.”

“I see. I will check.”

M01’s eyes lit up green when he said that. It indicated that he was in the process of decrypting the information sent by the androids. Commanding androids could remotely access the data stored by subordinate androids, but during this access, they became completely vulnerable, as intentionally designed by MegaCorp.

‘…What a foolish restriction.’

William thought about how many soldiers had suffered due to this damned restriction.

While William was lost in thought, M01, who had finished decrypting, spoke up.

“As you mentioned, it is speculated that it is something beyond a typical human.”

“Tell me more.”

“M06 on the first floor and M05 in the fifth-floor corridor both suffered high-penetration attacks.”

“Like a Gauss rifle?”

“No, M05 had its data storage device destroyed by projectiles thinner than tungsten rounds, and M06’s power source was estimated to be destroyed by psychic attacks.”

Because they received fragmented information, M01 used the term ‘speculated’ instead of ‘analyzed.’ However, William trusted M01’s words since he knew that androids’ analytical capabilities surpassed those of humans.

“So, it’s someone who can use psychic power and has high-penetration weapons. Then what happened to M03, who went upstairs with M05?”

“M03 was destroyed by an attack from an undocumented biological entity.”

“What does that mean?”

“After expanding the scope to include registered biological entities, the weapon that destroyed M03’s data storage device shows a 90% similarity in form to the tentacles of a large extraterrestrial cephalopod species discovered in the deep-sea of E-101 planet.”

William was familiar with E-101 planet. It was a water-covered planet where he had heard Mars’s prime capitals were keenly interested.

“There shouldn’t be any sea monsters here. So, is the enemy a Hulk mutant?”

“There is no model with the genetic transplant of the particular biological entity among Hulk mutants.”

“…Is it a new species, or perhaps an unknown one to us?”

Considering it’s believed to be an intelligent entity, it was difficult to classify the enemy as a wild animal. It seemed more plausible to view it as a yet-to-be-revealed prototype of the Hulk mutant.

‘Could it be that the Yujin family is trying to challenge T&C?’

The technology for creating Hulk mutants was partially monopolized by the Yujin family, so William’s speculation wasn’t entirely baseless. He suspected that there might be power struggles among the top capitals during the Council.

If the mysterious adversary had read his thoughts, the process might have been entirely wrong, but the result would have been accurate, he thought.

Whether M01 misunderstood William’s thoughts or not, he added, “You don’t have to worry. Even if everyone here is wiped out, the information will be safely transmitted to Earth’s Central Security Team. When applying camouflage technology, we also upgraded our data storage devices to two, so unless the enemy completely destroys us, the information won’t be damaged.”

“…That’s fortunate.”

William smiled bitterly at the android’s oblivious comment. Unlike androids, who had no concept of death, he had no desire to die here.

He spoke his thoughts to M01, “I agree with waiting for reinforcements, but before that, the enemy might counterattack. It’s better to be prepared.”

“I concur with that suggestion.”

“Administering the enhancer would be wise.”

“While upgrades have reduced side effects, are you sure it’s safe?”

“It’s better than dying.”

“Understood. Authorization granted for enhancer administration.”

With M01’s authorization, William and the four police officers present at the scene received the enhancer.

Having taken the enhancer after a long time, William shivered slightly from the familiar discomfort and relief. Looking at the similar expressions on the faces of the other officers, it seemed they felt no different.

Then, one of the armed police officers received a call on his communication device.

“It’s a communication from 112! I need to answer it…”

“Just a moment. I’ll take it.”

M01 received the communication device from the police officer’s hand and pressed the button.

***

‘Aren’t they coming up?’

I was hiding on the stairs, trying to eliminate the enemies as they ascended, but I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of them.

‘Are they buying time?’

If they’re calling for reinforcements from over there and waiting, it’s not a pleasant situation. They might get reinforcements, but I won’t. The longer this takes, the worse it is for my side.

‘Should I take the initiative from my side?’

Currently, there are nine enemies detected by my senses. Three androids and six police officers.

One android and one police officer are waiting on the first floor, while the rest are all on the second floor.

‘If they gather, I could sweep them all at once.’

My most powerful weapon is the ‘Monster’s Tentacle.’ It’s a trait created by fusing the claws and psychic power mechanism from White Gallagon’s genes, which were transplanted into my body.

Until now, I’ve only used it with the enhanced psychic power mechanism, but that’s not the true potential of this trait.

[Monster’s Tentacle: Inherits and enhances the existing ‘Psychic Power Mechanism’ trait. Can use psychic power.

*Note: Use the power of the dragon carefully.]

Just like Adhai, the Blue Gallagon, used the tentacles for a psychic impact, all Gallagons use their tentacles in their mouths for psychic abilities.

‘While it’s a trait I couldn’t have naturally as the ‘Tentacle of the Dragon,’ I obtained an organ that looks exactly the same through fusion… I should be able to use Psychic Breath.’

The mentioned psychic power and the power of the dragon in the text box refer to the White Gallagon’s unique ability, the ‘Psychic Breath.’

As the text box warned, the Psychic Breath is a powerful ability inspired by the heat rays shot by the protagonists of classic Japanese monster movies.

In the original, I could easily take down this apartment, but I can’t produce that level of output. Of course, I should be able to sweep away the enemies in the corridor with a single blow, but the problem is the enemies on the first floor.

‘The problem is the ones on the first floor.’

Psychic Breath consumes a massive amount of energy, leaving me vulnerable immediately after use. If the enemies on the first floor decide to attack as I unleash the Psychic Breath, I won’t have a way to defend myself.

‘Let’s keep the Monster’s Tentacle as a trump card.’

I decided to turn on the communication device one last time to lure the enemies out.

[This is M01. Speak. 112.]

“It’s torturing me! Please! Please, help me!”

[Is the one torturing you a human?]

The android asked me with a dry tone.

‘Is it a human?’

Did they assume I was human and not fight me as a result? Why this sudden question?

‘Do they know I’m not human?’

As far as I know, MegaCorp androids can’t share information with each other. By design, MegaCorp prohibits information sharing among robots due to a past robot uprising.

‘They might have seen me when I captured the police.’

It’s possible. Upon reflection, one of the police officers seemed to have kept an eye on me until the end.

It was a very brief moment, and it was dark, so I assumed they couldn’t see me, but maybe that wasn’t the case.

While I was pondering this, the android on the other side continued.

[Based on your late response, there is a greater than 70% chance that you are not number 112. From now on, we will consider number 112 to be martyred.]

“Ah.”

With that, the android disconnected.

‘Hmm.’

Certainly, the android is quick on the uptake, as even with a slightly delayed response due to my thinking, it immediately realized that I’m not 112.

‘This kind of situation hasn’t happened in a while.’

In the game, the mimicry mechanism was a unique attribute I possessed, so many players fell for it. However, as time went on and I became more famous, players devised their own countermeasures. They checked speech habits or speaking styles, asked for information only known to colleagues, and used various methods to identify me.

‘Well, I can’t deceive them.’

I resolved to destroy the communication device. The method of unsettling the enemies and then launching a surprise attack is now difficult to use.

‘Is the only option left is a direct confrontation?’

Going down and attacking the enemies head-on. Frankly, it’s not my preferred method.

‘They’re probably watching me closely from the other side.’

Unluckily, the police who received the enhancer are probably waiting for me. With upgraded combat suits and the effects of the enhancer, they’re even more formidable. Armed with Gauss rifles and enhanced by the enhancer, they’re not to be underestimated.

‘I might have to prepare to lose an arm or a leg.’

Of course, I have no intention of running away. At the very least, I need to take care of all the ones on the second floor. They know I can mimic the voice of the monster, after all.

‘…I should try a proper pincer attack this time.’

Just because I took down one of the enemies doesn’t mean I’m going to be hunted down. They might have noticed something, but they still don’t know that we’re a group of three.

I explained the plan to the others and then stood up.

‘Well, Let’s go.’

This time, I need to have faith in my tough exterior and the combat abilities of the group.