Rust - Chapter 521



Only Krnovel

RUST [RUST]-521

The South and the Empire began to clash in Seattle, in the West.

In fact, it was an outcome neither side wanted. To be honest, the South and the Empire had no intention of deploying large numbers of troops because of the F-22 factories, facilities, and equipment, although they were important.

The South subcontracted the Seattle and F-22 related matters to the Ojin Group. The Empire simply wanted to use it as a testing ground for experimental items produced under the W+ program.

It would be good if both sides could secure F-22 facilities, and at the very least, they would be satisfied if the other side did not receive related technology and equipment. So, no matter what the outcome, it was an issue that should not have a major impact on the South and the Empire.

Even if the South suffered damage, it would only end with the Ojin Group’s military unit being blown away, and even if the Empire failed, it would only end with the failure of the demonstration experiment, but that was a mistake.

The Empire could not have imagined that not one, but three clone test subjects would be stolen alive. So the Empire had no choice but to mobilize its forces to recover the lost test subjects.

The South also misjudged. It would have been fine if the misjudged group had been crushed at an appropriate level and ended there, but that was not the case.

Not only has Ojin’s military force been defeating the Imperial forces piecemeal, but intelligence has also been received that an Imperial clone experiment is somewhere in Seattle.

It was too valuable to just blow away. I couldn’t hand over that power to the Empire. And what if I had the chance to get the experimental subjects, the epitome of Imperial biotechnology?

There was a lot of shouting in the Confederate convention hall.

“Are you saying we should send more troops? Should we send more troops now?”

Are you out of your mind?

“If we don’t send it, are you saying we’ll just let Seattle fall like this?”

“Let’s just leave it. Seattle and New York are polar opposites. If we keep Seattle, New York will suffer a loss.”

“I agree. Seattle is half-ruined. It would take a huge investment of human and material resources to rebuild it even a little.”

“Are we going to abandon the cutting-edge industries in Seattle? Are we going to hand over our critical technologies to the Empire?”

A Virginia Company representative answered the question.

“The core technologies and equipment with security ratings have already been stolen.”

“What does that mean?”

“You know, there was a control and domination experiment in Seattle, right? I’m talking about the story of how they tried to move important equipment and facilities at the time, but it fell through.”

An experimental study was conducted in Seattle to see if the queen could be used to control and dominate cannibals. The results were a failure. A princess who could control the queen’s rampage was also attached, but that also failed.

The reason was simple: they were both dead.

Afterwards, they tried to pack up the important supplies and equipment remaining in Seattle again, but it had all been completely looted.

“Are you saying that the F-22 parts, equipment, and materials have already been stolen?”

“At that time, I didn’t think about the F-22.”

There were no aircraft carriers, and there was no intention of acquiring them and using them. Moreover, almost all airports were occupied by flocks of birds or rats, so there were no plans to recapture the airports and expand air power.

“The power of the Ojin Group is greater than expected.”

“Still, since a lot has been revealed through this operation, that’s enough.”

“How about we clean things up now that the military is tied up in Seattle?”

“I disagree. Have you forgotten that I am a woman who has been hiding such a past all this time?”

Not only the already famous tentacle monsters, but also the people called Director Kim were dangerous.

“It doesn’t look like a clone.”

“It’s even stranger that it’s not a clone.”

If they were clones, they should have the same DNA, like identical twins. However, these Kims, the directors, were not only different in height, weight, and body type, but even in gender. The only things they had in common were dark suits and sunglasses.

At the beginning of the battle, they were clearly human, but later they transformed into amorphous monsters that were impervious to bullets. The Ojin Group certainly had a lot to hide compared to its size.

“Is there a psychic in Ojin?”

“I think that’s possible.”

How many eyes were there to monitor and watch over the Ojin Group? But it was definitely strange that no information about the tentacle monster or Director Kim was uploaded.

“It might not be a psychic ability, but rather a psychic drug.”

“It’s a psychiatric drug. For sure···.”

Everyone nodded to the words of the Virginia Company, who was well-versed in drugs. Considering the pharmaceutical capabilities of Chairman Na of the Ojin Group, it was certainly so.

“So. What do you think we should do? Even if we tried to reduce the force, it was still beyond our expectations.”

That was the problem. Even though the Ojin Group members were scattered in all directions and Chairman Na was kept under semi-restraint, he still had that kind of power.

“I think maybe it’s not that they failed to take over Korea, but that they didn’t do it.”

“···Are you saying that being stuck on the island was also an attempt to induce us to approach it?”

“If it’s a condition, Russia or China. If not, Europe, Australia, or the Middle East would be better.”

“It would be better to avoid using force.”

If there was a possibility that the current situation was caused by the Ojin side, there was no need to touch it. It would be better to dig deep first.

“The Ojin Group will do that. Then what about sending additional troops to Seattle?”

It was tough because of the monster rats and beasts, but it was the same for the Empire.

“Given the situation, I think it would be best to reduce the Empire’s power as much as possible.”

“······.”

The Confederacy decided to send more troops, and fighting between Imperial and Confederate forces began to intensify in Seattle.

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The emergency telegram from Seattle was sent after the information sent by Ms. Kim was analyzed by the artificial intelligence in the Ark Tower in Detroit.

Hood was surprised to hear Maru’s words.

[You said Mr. Bernard Green should be given a red flag? Samantha?]

“It’s not just Samantha, it’s the result of a meeting between three AIs.”

Three artificial intelligences each in control of a special supercomputer module. Diana, Samantha, and Tria discussed the matter and calculated that Kisun was in danger.

[···High-risk rating? In effect, it’s designating them as top priority targets for elimination. Samantha, who knows human relationships well, would never make such a judgment.]

“For your information, it was unanimous.”

Xenia Rodin became quiet at Maru’s answer.

Of course, it wasn’t necessary to follow the AI’s predictions and analyses. As always, the decision was made by a human… Maru.

It was true that Ki-sun was seen bleeding in Seattle. There was no way that Kim Yang would not have recognized Ki-sun, and judging from the Empire’s reaction, it was the same.

The Empire has been harassing the Holy Kingdom and Maru ever since it confirmed that the tentacle monster was Kisun.

So, it’s like, ‘Your friend, the tentacle monster, is killing a bunch of our kids. What are you going to do? Are you okay with us cleaning this guy up? Or do you want to do it yourself?’

[I recommend you don’t go.]

“Why?”

Hood took a deep breath. He had checked the information about Bernard Green before. He also knew the general reason why he returned to Korea instead of joining us.

[This may be a trap.]

“A trap? Is this something you did to lure me?”

[Yes. There is no reason for Bernard Green to be showing off his slaughtering ways like he is doing now. It is also a behavior pattern that is very different from the existing information.]

“······.”

According to the records, Ki-sun was not a person capable of committing mass murder.

But Hood thought that the fact that he was suddenly committing mass murder without hesitation meant that there had to be something.

Then, isn’t that something meant to lure Maru?

That was Hood’s first impression.

‘You set a trap with Ki-soon?’

‘who?’

‘not without reason?’

Maru’s eyes sank heavily.

“Any other reasons?”

[It’s a matter of location. The area where Bernard Greene is moving is the outskirts of Seattle. It’s a good place to bomb and shell effectively.]

Maru’s greatest weakness was large-scale artillery fire and bombing.

Ironically, the area where Ki-sun was active was not in the city center but in the outskirts, so even if they were bombarded with shells and missiles, there was very little civilian casualties or infrastructure damage. This was my second suspicion.

At first, it was better to fight in the outlying areas, but if you wanted to be efficient and prepare for the future, it would be better to go into the city.

He wasn’t stupid enough to not be able to make that kind of judgment. So, if he was intentionally going around the outskirts, what was the reason?

[If you look at the battle footage sent by Yania Kim and the Empire, it seems that urban combat is the best place to use tentacle abilities. It’s easy to avoid reconnaissance, and it’s also good for surprise attacks and escapes. However, Bernard Green is intentionally avoiding urban areas.]

“Yeah. Again?”

The hood didn’t stop even at the cold tone of the floor.

[The last thing is that he is a tentacle monster.]

“That’s why it’s a trap? Why did you think that was the reason?”

[The records show that the barnacles on Bernard Green were removed using rapid-acting medication.]

That’s right. All the areas contaminated with barnacle larvae were cut out and treated with a pink rapid healing agent.

[If someone became a tentacle monster even after having it completely removed surgically, there must be a similar case.]

“There was. In southern China.”

[···Are you saying that in southern China, they surgically removed the snails and treated them with rapid-acting medication?]

“No, that’s not it. There was a similar case.”

[They are not similar at all. What matters is whether the same results have ever been obtained under the same conditions.]

Hood, who was briefly excited, took a breath and continued talking.

[I’m saying that maybe the problem is that Bernard Greene became a tentacle monster.]

“···And is Ki-soon moving like that right now an attempt to draw me in?”

[I think that’s very likely.]

Maru checked the footage sent by Kim Yang and the Imperial Army again.

Clang-

The sight of each and every tentacle moving as if it were alive. Imperial troops being pierced and cut off by the sudden appearance of the tentacle monster. The scene where they persistently attacked the regular soldiers without exosuits was definitely a bit like that.

Ki-soon was the kind of guy who could pull the trigger when he had to. Likewise, he wasn’t the kind of guy who would kill people he didn’t have to.

But the Ki-sun in the video was definitely unfamiliar. Slaughtering dozens of people and then changing locations to kill them again was very different from the Ki-sun Maru knew.

‘If it were Ki-sun, he would have chosen to escape rather than mass murder. With that kind of ability, it doesn’t seem like running away would be impossible.’

Are you calling me? Even using such methods?

[So you must not go. As I said, if even one problem arises, the Holy Kingdom will collapse.]

It wasn’t just the kingdom that was going to collapse. Everything that had been maintained until then was likely to fall like dominoes.

“Huh- Then what should we do?”

[I think the best way would be for Yania Kim and Bernard Green to connect.]

If the goal was to lure Maru or kill him, it was relatively less dangerous for Kim Yang to move.

There is an opinion that it is worth a try, as she is familiar with Ki-soon and continues to show growth.

[Above all, as long as His Majesty is in good health, no matter what happens, he will not easily think of harming Yania Kim.]

If Miss Kim dies or gets seriously injured, Maru will definitely take revenge. Maru took a deep breath and nodded.

“···Let’s do that. But if you feel that something is wrong, please prepare to go to the scene right away.”

[Yes. I will prepare it.]

Srr–kirrrrrr

As Maru pulled out Eclipse, the stickers stuck here and there began to fall off little by little.

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Director Yu Mark 2, who had been placed on a barred bed under the pretext of needing to rest, was barely able to get out of bed.

Ugh-

As soon as feeling returned to his stiff limbs, Director Yu Mark 2 headed to the command and control room. Since Mark 2 was used to freely entering and exiting the command and control room, there was no problem.

‘CCTV. Where is the CCTV control button?’

The appearance of the triplets on the CCTV screen. Just as Director Yu Mark 2 is about to touch the CCTV, a voice is heard from behind.

“Our poopy diaper, you can’t sleep. What are you doing instead of sleeping?”

Kiyong-

The sound of the exosuit’s motors was muffled.