Chapter 38: One-Man Army

Strawberry (1)

Comet looked in the mirror at the temporary residence in Incheon. She grabbed the hem of her skirt, twisting and turning to examine herself.

『Why are you fussing over your appearance so much?』

"It's my first appointment, so I have to pay attention."

『It seems like you're trying too hard for a friend.』

"Officer Dan doesn't seem to think we're friends, so that's why. Shouldn't I try to gain her favor somehow?"

Comet nodded, satisfied.

"Okay. Let's go. We're going all the way to best friends."

She left the temporary residence. Arriving at the meeting place, she found Dan Ga-yeon sitting on a bench, lost in thought with a serious expression.

Comet approached cautiously.

"Officer Dan."

"Oh, you're here?"

"Are you worried about something?"

"I'm always worried these days."

"I guess so."

Dan Ga-yeon looked at Comet and laughed hollowly. Comet laughed back. The atmosphere was good.

"Shall we go, then?"

"Take this. You said we'd eat ice cream, but I thought it would be hard to find a store while walking around, so I brought some."

Dan Ga-yeon took out two cone ice creams and handed one to her. Comet gladly accepted it.

"Nice. Shall we stroll along the beach and have a conversation now?"

"About that, Incheon is a coastal city, but it takes a while to get to the beach. How about going to the harbor instead of the beach? You can still see the sea, right?"

"Ah, I see. Let's do that. Let's go."

Dan Ga-yeon drove the car. The place they arrived at was Incheon Port. After getting out of the car and walking, the sea came into view.

Comet blinked. The pier was C-shaped, with its entrance open to the sea. There was a lighthouse at the entrance to the sea. Civilian ships were docked along the pier. They were all different sizes.

Some people were walking around. Since the sea route was blocked, it didn't seem like they were there for work, but rather reminiscing about the peaceful past while looking at the sea. Sighs were often heard. Comet wasn't sure, but it didn't seem like a place where they could leisurely stroll and eat ice cream cheerfully.

Comet looked at Dan Ga-yeon. Dan Ga-yeon avoided her gaze.

"Is this Officer Dan's kind of place?"

"Haha... I think I came to the wrong place."

Dan Ga-yeon looked at the sea for no reason. Comet watched Dan Ga-yeon, then unwrapped the cone ice cream. It was chocolate flavored and studded with walnuts. Comet licked the ice cream.

"It's not very romantic, but it's unique in its own way, so I think it's good. My first appointment with Officer Dan is in a place like this, so it will be memorable."

Comet looked at the sea.

"I'd like to apologize once again for the many mistakes I made during the last raid."

"You don't have to. I've already received your apology."

"That's true, but it just ended with an apology. I don't think I've dispelled Officer's Dan's prejudice."

"Prejudice? I don't have any."

A voice that sounded quite sincere was heard. Comet turned to Dan Ga-yeon.

"Really? You don't have any?"

"Of course. I'm accepting Comet as she is."

Dan Ga-yeon smiled.

Comet became a little dissatisfied. She felt the urge to take out a knife and see her reaction. But she held back.

Instead, she sighed deeply.

"I'm glad to hear that... As I said before, I'm not good at reading the atmosphere. So, I hope you'll be honest with me. I get confused. Even if you try to kill me while being honest, it's better than lying."

"What?! I would never do that!"

"That's just an example. Even if you did, I wouldn't be angry, so please feel free to treat me comfortably."

Comet carefully hugged Dan Ga-yeon. Dan Ga-yeon paused, then hugged her back. She could feel her body temperature.

A moment passed. Dan Ga-yeon carefully opened her mouth.

"...I still find it difficult to understand Comet, but I'll try. Little by little, so we can have a good relationship."

Comet stepped back and looked at Dan Ga-yeon. A smile spread across her face.

"Thank you for being honest. I'll try too."

Comet smiled with her eyes and held up the ice cream.

"The ice cream is going to melt. Let's eat it quickly."

『Why is that commoner so good-natured? If it were me, I would have asked for permission and then punched her! Take this! This is my honest truth! Thwack!』

The little jellyfish grumbled.

Hearing that, Comet sulked. She licked the ice cream with a slightly pouty face.

After that, she chatted with Dan Ga-yeon. Dan Ga-yeon continued the conversation somewhat actively, as if her promise to try wasn't just a lie to avoid the moment. Comet was satisfied and laughed during the conversation.

The atmosphere was good. That is, until the people at the pier became noisy and boisterous. Dan Ga-yeon stopped talking and looked at the people. Then she turned her gaze towards the sea.

Waves were rolling in from the distant sea. They were much larger than usual. It was close to a small tsunami.

A little later, a monster appeared from the sea. It was something similar to an octopus with many legs. Even though it was near the horizon, it felt quite large. The monster moved straight towards the pier. That alone caused a small tsunami.

Sirens wailed in the city. The people who were spending time at the pier began to flee in a hurry.

Dan Ga-yeon glanced at Comet for a moment, then looked around without saying anything.

Ships and people.

Dan Ga-yeon organized her thoughts in a flash, then slightly lifted one foot. Her foot struck the ground with precision. The ground partially shattered, and the sound of the impact overwhelmed the commotion. The fleeing people paused and turned to look at Dan Ga-yeon.

Dan Ga-yeon calmly opened her mouth.

"Is there anyone here who owns a ship?"

As if they knew each other, their gazes turned to one captain. Dan Ga-yeon pointed at him and gestured for him to come closer.

"Are there any Awakened here?"

One person was visibly hesitant. Dan Ga-yeon pointed at him this time and gestured.

As the two people approached, Dan Ga-yeon rummaged through her pockets. A notebook was taken out and opened. Her committee identification was revealed.

"I ask for your cooperation."

#

Dan Ga-yeon and the Awakened boarded the ship owned by the civilian captain. Comet watched, then slipped aboard secretly. She crammed herself into a suitable place and hid. Her posture became unsightly as she squeezed herself in. She felt somewhat embarrassed thinking that the Princess might be watching.

The ship fearlessly left the pier. The captain glanced at Dan Ga-yeon as he steered the ship.

"Is this really possible?"

"Just lure it away so it doesn't crash into the harbor."

"I'm still uneasy."

"It's huge, so you can hit it even if you shoot magic from afar. If you buy time and lure it away, the military will be mobilized. You can use long-range magic, right?"

Dan Ga-yeon turned to the Awakened.

"I'm not confident in the power, but I think I can at least hit it. I can just shoot it into the sky."

"That's enough."

"Ah, the waves are so big, should we really go?"

The captain muttered discontentedly. The approaching waves were visible.

"Please."

Dan Ga-yeon bowed her head.

"No, I'm not saying I won't do it. That's just what I'm saying."

The captain spoke nonchalantly, but his hands were trembling. Dan Ga-yeon calmed the captain, and the ship gradually moved away from the pier. A small tsunami rolled in, and the ship swayed.

"Ah, I don't know if this is right!"

The captain hurriedly operated the navigation equipment. The staggering ship barely regained its stability.

When the ship reached a certain point, it changed direction and moved diagonally. If everything went according to plan, they would be able to lure the monster away from the harbor.

Dan Ga-yeon took the Awakened to the bow of the ship.

"Can you do it?"

The Awakened nodded and raised both hands to the sky. A ball of fire appeared in the air and grew larger over time. The Awakened was sweating profusely.

"Shoot it."

The ball of fire was launched in an arc. The flame, scattering embers, flew and struck the monster's torso directly. The monster staggered and wriggled its legs. The sea heaved, and waves crashed in all directions.

"Good."

Dan Ga-yeon muttered softly. The monster changed direction and moved towards the ship. The loudspeaker on the bridge crackled.

"It's fast?! It's too fast?!"

The captain's terrified voice echoed.

Dan Ga-yeon turned to look at the bridge.

"Escape at full speed!"

"Ah, it's not as easy as it sounds!"

The ship changed direction and turned around. The ship fled like an arrow, and the monster followed. The distance was closing rather than widening. Dan Ga-yeon ran to the stern of the ship. One of the monster's legs was raised high into the sky.

"Ugh!"

The captain screamed. The leg came down, and Dan Ga-yeon, who had braced herself in advance, unleashed a sword strike. The sword strike was fired and cut off the leg. The end of the severed leg fell beside the ship. Spray rose, and the ship swayed.

Dan Ga-yeon turned to look at the bridge.

"I'll buy time, so please wait until the military arrives!"

Dan Ga-yeon kicked off the deck and jumped into the sea. A small splash rose, and Dan Ga-yeon ran on the sea. The monster and Dan Ga-yeon clashed. Mana flowed from the sword blade, cutting off the monster's legs.

It was a short-term combat technique for the swordsman class. It seemed to be possible thanks to the increased assimilation rate. Seeing her use it, she probably wasn't planning on conserving Stamina like she did during the Dungeon raid, considering the considerable Mana consumption.

The ship slowed down and stopped after gaining some distance. The sea heaved from the monster's struggles. The sword strike split the obstructing waves. The monster grabbed the fallen leg and attached it to the severed area. The leg was reattached.

Dan Ga-yeon momentarily paused, then kicked off the sea. A jet of water was launched at the spot she had just vacated. The water jet collided with the sea, exploding and creating a spray. The monster unleashed Mana, creating multiple jets of water. The water jets were fired indiscriminately. The spray flew in all directions, obscuring the view.

An Awakened, who had been watching the situation from the deck, was horrified and ran to the bridge.

"Captain! This isn't good!"

"What, what's not good?"

"She's a prosecutor, so if she uses Mana like that, she won't last long!"

"Re, really?!"

The captain looked at the battlefield in a panic. Dan Ga-yeon was deflecting the magic and focusing on evasion. The shockwaves from each action made it clear that she was using Mana in real time.

"We need to increase the distance now!"

"What about that public official?"

"She must have a plan, that's why she went! We're just here to cooperate! What kind of pointless death would this be if we die like this!"

The captain looked at the battlefield, swallowed hard, and looked around the bridge. There was a family photo hanging there. He paused there for a moment, then looked back at Incheon Port.

The captain began to operate the navigation equipment with a stiff expression. The somewhat calmer Awakened quietly opened his mouth.

"Let's get away from the harbor for now. I don't know what the monster's purpose is, but it seems like it's trying to get to the ground, so it'll be safe for now if we're in the sea."

"Hey, you! That's not how you live!"

The captain pulled the lever roughly. The ship moved and sped towards the monster. The captain grabbed the microphone. The loudspeaker crackled.

"Stop there and come up here! I'll run away at top speed!"

Dan Ga-yeon looked back at the ship in the air and chuckled. Then she lightly raised her thumb with one hand.

As the monster's leg brushed past, Dan Ga-yeon changed her posture and kicked the monster with both legs. With the shockwave, Dan Ga-yeon, who had been in the air, plummeted towards the ship. Dan Ga-yeon landed lightly, adjusting her posture.

The ship swayed, changed direction, and fled at top speed. The monster roared and followed. One of its legs was slammed down at the ship, but it was cut off by a sword strike. The severed leg fell next to the ship. The ship staggered.

The captain jumped up and down in horror.

"Ugh! I don't know if I can live like this?!"

Comet smiled lightly and came out on deck. Looking at the harbor, she could see fighter jets flying in from the horizon. The sound of the planes overwhelmed the noise and changed the atmosphere. Missiles were separated and fired.

The monster roared and unleashed Mana. Magic was prepared and fired at the incoming missiles.

Dan Ga-yeon, who had already jumped up, took a stance. Mana surged on the sword blade, and a series of sword strikes were unleashed. The monster's magic was cut off.

The safely guarded missiles passed by Dan Ga-yeon. Explosions and flames. Strong winds and fire filled the world.

Dan Ga-yeon's long hair fluttered. The sword blade moved as if shaking off debris. Sunlight reflected and sparkled. The neatly moved sword blade went into its scabbard.

Dan Ga-yeon combed her hair down. The wind blew with the embers.

Comet suddenly felt her heart beating.

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