Chapter 12: One-Man Army

Blood and Shadows (2)

Comet leaned against the wall of the Committee, waiting for someone. Before long, Dan Ga-yeon approached with a notebook and file folder.

"Officer Dan, good morning."

Dan Ga-yeon hesitated.

"...Yes, Comet."

Comet put her hands behind her back and tilted her head.

"Didn't we agree you'd speak informally?"

"Well..."

Dan Ga-yeon seemed to have difficulty deciding how formal to be.

"Hahaha. It's okay. I guess it's hard to drop formalities in official matters, right? Do whatever you're comfortable with."

"Yes. Thank you. Then, let's sit over there and talk."

Even so, her attitude was a bit businesslike. Comet scratched her cheek.

『Did you fight with that commoner?』

"I don't think so, but Officer Dan probably did."

Comet whispered so only the Jellyfish Princess could hear.

Sitting in a corner of the Committee, Dan Ga-yeon separated the documents in the file and handed them over.

"Our task is to recapture the power plant."

"I see."

Dan Ga-yeon explained the name of the power plant and its location in downtown Seoul.

"Seoul basically gets its power from outside, so even if we fail to recapture this power plant, Seoul's power supply won't be affected."

"So, even though the National Assembly is currently using generators for power, given time, we can use power from other power plants."

"Yes. However, the reason this natural gas power plant is important is that it can use anthracite coal. With overseas trade almost impossible due to the communication blackout, anthracite coal is a chemical fuel that can be easily obtained in the Korean Peninsula."

"An operation for the future, then."

Dan Ga-yeon nodded.

"Currently, military units are stationed at a distance, but due to the sensitive nature of the facility, they haven't attempted high-firepower operations."

A photo was handed over. A Flame Golem was visible against the backdrop of the burning power plant. Comet didn't know if she should call it a Monster.

"It would be great if Comet could take care of it."

Comet rested her chin on her hand and looked at Dan Ga-yeon.

"What about Officer Dan?"

"I'll assist you."

"That's good."

Dan Ga-yeon rolled her eyes, avoided her gaze, and organized the documents.

"In addition, there's something the Chairwoman asked you to confirm."

"I guess they need a Necromantic Arts perspective?"

Dan Ga-yeon looked around the Committee and said quietly.

"She asked you to clearly confirm whether the golem has a soul."

"They're wondering if it's an artificial life form?"

Comet also spoke quietly.

"Yes."

"Golems are the responsibility of Magic scholars, aren't they?"

"So, after the Magic scholars analyzed the video footage, they concluded that it was an artificial life form."

"Then?"

"I can't go into too much detail as you're a civilian, but the Committee is very sensitive about this matter."

Dan Ga-yeon looked around the Committee again.

"Including the Chairwoman, some members considered the cracks in the multiverse and the communication blackout to be artificial phenomena and started researching them. They haven't had much success so far, but then the golem appeared."

"Artificial phenomena..."

Comet twisted her side hair.

"Yes. So, this time, we'd like Comet to go and confirm whether the golem is really an artificial life form."

"Whether it's an artificial life form or not is in the realm of Necromantic Arts. It's not difficult."

After discussing a few more matters, Comet and Dan Ga-yeon left the Committee. They took a car and moved along a road controlled by the police. It wasn't smooth, so they had to go around some areas.

"Officer Dan."

"Yes."

"We're alone, so you can speak informally."

『Alone?』

Comet took out the Soul orb held by the Princess, tapped it for no reason, and put it back in her arms.

"Well..."

Dan Ga-yeon gripped the steering wheel and hesitated.

"Go on."

"...Okay."

"How is it? Don't you think we're closer now?"

Comet smiled brightly.

Dan Ga-yeon hesitated silently before slowly opening her mouth.

"Um, how old are you?"

"That's what you were worried about? I thought you were just awkward. I wasn't going to tell you, but if you're curious. Of course."

Comet paused for a moment.

"I'm older than you."

Dan Ga-yeon glanced at her. Comet smiled with her eyes. Her red eyes folded neatly. Dan Ga-yeon opened her mouth slightly and then closed it.

"How is it? Does it sound like a lie?"

"...No."

"Should I show you my ID?"

"No."

"You're doing it again. Don't feel pressured. There's no need to put up walls between friends."

By the time they stopped by a nearby military unit and arrived at the power plant's main gate, Dan Ga-yeon had become somewhat accustomed to speaking informally. It wasn't so much that she was more comfortable, but rather that she was forced to do so, but Comet didn't care. What's good is good.

The burning power plant came into view. As explained, it was equipped to handle fires, but it was dangerous for it to burn for such a long time.

Entering along the planned route, they found the Flame Golem wandering around, spewing fire. It was about three stories tall. Each time the golem moved, the ground was pressed down, and burning footprints were left.

"How is it?"

"It's an artificial life form. It has no soul. It's a bit unpleasant."

"Good. Comet!"

Dan Ga-yeon switched back to formal speech, probably because she was nervous. Comet pondered, looking at the golem.

"Wait a minute."

"Yes?"

"Don't you think Officer Dan can catch that?"

"What?!"

Dan Ga-yeon reacted violently.

"I think so."

"That's not true."

"But the vanguard has already figured out its attack patterns, and Officer Dan has a lot of hunting experience."

"Does it work that way?"

"If you can't catch it, just buy some time. The golem isn't destroying the power plant, so just stop it from doing anything unnecessary. Meanwhile, I'll go around the power plant and look for survivors."

Dan Ga-yeon paused.

"I'm faster than Officer Dan. Catching the golem isn't urgent, but saving survivors is. If you're in danger, just shout. I'll come to help."

Dan Ga-yeon swallowed hard, looking at the Flame Golem. Fear flashed in her eyes. But she couldn't bring herself to say that she wanted to search for survivors, which was much safer.

Dan Ga-yeon gripped the hilt of her sword.

"Okay. I'll buy some time."

"Try to catch it if you have the chance."

"Haha... I hope the golem doesn't do anything."

Comet moved to another area, avoiding the golem, and then circled back to a position where she could see Dan Ga-yeon. The golem was still moving, and Dan Ga-yeon was hiding, watching the golem.

『What are you doing?』

"Martial arts types have their Assimilation rate increase when they experience dangerous combat. Officer Dan isn't at max Stats, so we can expect her original Stats to increase as well as her Assimilation rate."

Comet shot Spiritual Power to a place where Dan Ga-yeon couldn't see. There was the sound of glass breaking. The golem, which had been walking peacefully, stopped and ran to the place where the sound came from. It was towards the building.

"W-wait a minute!"

Dan Ga-yeon jumped out and drew the golem's attention. The golem changed direction and charged at Dan Ga-yeon. The three-story-tall behemoth threw a punch, and flames erupted. The ground shook.

Comet scrambled up to a building with a good view and a suitable height.

『What are you doing, leaving the survivors behind?』

The Princess asked again.

"If there were survivors, they would have run out when the military sneaked in. How could they not have heard the gunshots?"

『Are you sure there's no one there?』

"I'm not sure. But wouldn't it be a shame if Officer Dan met a meaningless death while searching for someone who might not even be there?"

『So, it was a lie when you said that commoner could catch the golem.』

"It's not a lie, but..."

Her Assimilation rate would have increased after a few battles, so if she threw herself at it desperately, there might be a slight chance.

『Then what are you doing instead of believing in her?』

Comet scratched her cheek.

"You've got me there. Okay, let's do something good."

She came down from the building and searched the power plant site. There were many power facilities and auxiliary buildings. Of course, there were no results. Only stray Monster dogs were seen, having taken over the place while no one was around.

The situation changed when she was returning to the place where Dan Ga-yeon was fighting. Comet accidentally found a hidden power plant employee. The employee was silently watching the battle from the third-floor window of an auxiliary building, away from where Dan Ga-yeon was fighting.

『See, there is someone.』

"There was a Monster on the first floor, right? That's probably why they couldn't come out when the military came."

Comet stepped on places on the building's wall that looked like they could be stepped on and approached the third-floor window. She knocked on the window, and the employee was startled. She gestured for them to open the window, and the window opened. Comet went inside the building.

"...Are you from the rescue team?"

"Are you an employee here?"

"Yes."

"That's good. We'll go out together once that golem is caught. I'll protect you. Are there any others?"

The employee flinched and avoided her gaze.

"No. The director escaped alone at first, and the others... died."

Comet tilted her head. The reaction was a bit subtle. It was different from being sad about the death of a coworker.

"Then you can wait and go with us."

The employee sighed, as if relieved. Comet twisted her side hair, observed the employee, and turned her head.

Dan Ga-yeon was hit by the golem's punch and flew away. Engulfed in flames, she crashed through a power plant building. It must hurt, but she's probably okay.

"That's..."

The employee's eyes widened in surprise, as if it were an important building.

"Is there something there?"

"That's where the control equipment is located."

"Oh, if that collapses, will the power plant controls break down and cause a natural gas explosion?"

At Comet's question, the employee suddenly hesitated.

"...That problem is already solved."

Already solved?

Comet observed the employee silently for a moment. Though disheveled, he seemed unharmed.

"If some of the important parts, which are foreign-made, were to burn, this power plant would be difficult to use until international trade resumes."

The employee grew anxious as the golem followed Dan Ga-yeon and attacked the building. The building was engulfed in flames.

Comet twisted the hair beside her ear, pondered, and then smiled brightly.

"I have a solution."

"What is it?"

"I'm afraid I don't have the time, as I need to help my colleague. So, I think it would be best if you went to that building yourself and solved the important problems."

"Yes...?"

The employee hesitated and took a step backward.

"There will be stray dog Monsters on the way, and there may be Monsters in the building you arrive at. I'll give you a weapon."

Comet took out a knife and infused it with Spiritual Power. She moved her hand as if stroking the blade, extending it beyond the tip, and the knife's shape blurred, transforming into a spear of suitable length.

Comet shook the spear as if telling him to receive it.

"It's not difficult. If a Monster rushes at you, aim the spear and stab it. If you're worried you don't have enough strength, just put the spear tip on the ground and aim. It's easy if you only stab and don't swing it."

The employee didn't receive it, his pupils trembling.

His eyes seemed to hold a past that Comet didn't know.

"Hurry. There's no time."

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