Rust - Chapter 809



Only Krnovel

RUST [RUST]-809

As we approached the audience room, a 10-won coin-sized repeater embedded in the floor and walls transmitted the order to bomb Maru.

The short and concise attack command was translated into text, and at the same time it reached the airship floating on the stratosphere boundary, the assistant AI and AI Diana responded to Maru’s command.

[This is a bombing order.]

[Check target area.]

[Starting to understand the entire terrain.]

[Micro robot inoperable.]

[Biometric EMP confirmed. Robot detector disabled.]

[Using a repeater.]

[Start tracing back the route to the repeater.]

AI Diana realized that the current bombing order was dangerous. His position was fixed, but the order was to bomb.

Diana, who had gone beyond artificial intelligence to reach artificial consciousness, ran a simulation in an instant.

‘There are more risk scenarios.’

Looking at the equipment that Maru’s group took, there were three mobile special bunkers, emergency oxygen tanks, and air purifiers for 72 hours.

Three days of drinking water, three days of food and energy capsules combined, etc. Basic survival supplies were set for three days.

The artificial intelligence Diana realized the gravity of the situation.

Bombing must be done.

Because the order came in.

But what if that puts him and his companions in danger?

There was a possibility that even the rights granted to AI, including the theory of AI dance, would be in danger. Diada immediately exchanged communications with Samantha.

[It is not something we can decide arbitrarily.]

[agreement.]

[What is the alternative?]

[I object to informing the Minister of Information and Security.]

Samantha kept Xenia Roden out of the loop. Before Diana got angry, Samantha recommended Kim Yang.

[I like it when Yania Kim, ranked 2nd, decides.]

If by any chance a power struggle were to arise, the Holy Kingdom would be at that level. Samantha’s top priority was Hood’s safety.

[······.]

Diana had a lot to say, but she was running out of time. Less than five seconds after receiving the order to bomb Maru, it was decided that it would be best to relay it to the second in command.

[Please check the current situation.]

“Huh? What’s going on all of a sudden?”

Artificial intelligence Diana relayed the situation in a 10-second cut. Kim Yang’s eyes turned up brightly.

“You just have to bomb as ordered. Why are you doing this to me?”

Miss Kim took her foot off the ground.

[It turns out that it takes time to follow the bombing order.]

Kim Yang stared at Diana’s green light for a long time.

“Can. Don’t look at it.”

[······.]

Diana had no choice but to remain silent at Kim Yang’s unexpected remark. Whether or not the artificial intelligence Diana made a calculation error, Kim Yang’s directness continued.

“You’re just like a human being, with a brain that works. Don’t learn only bad things. Don’t show me the way.”

[···What do you mean?]

“You’re doing this to avoid responsibility, aren’t you?”

[······.]

“Aren’t you afraid that if you bomb as ordered and a problem arises, you’ll start blaming it on the AI?”

[······.]

Kim Yang, with the corners of her lips slightly raised, stared at the green light.

“Why didn’t I notice it right away?”

[······.]

Isn’t that what corporate life is all about? There’s always responsibility, passing the buck, and going around and around, no different from specialized departments.

There were even times when we had to ask who was responsible for tracking us down because of the shells that we couldn’t recover. So it was inevitable that Maru would be held responsible for ordering us to bomb the coordinates where he was.

They said to bomb the head of the Supreme Dignity. It was safe and secure, and if something went wrong, who would take responsibility? But Ms. Kim was different.

“From now on, don’t look at people. If you need anything, just tell me properly. Got it?”

[······.]

“answer.”

[···All right.]

Kim Yang nodded, looking at the green camera light once again.

“Bomb the coordinates sent by the Supreme Dignity.”

[Because it is an area 4km underground, the new bunker buster must be used continuously.]

“The order is to bomb. Bomb by any means necessary.”

[Bombing begins.]

Kim Yang was simple.

It was right that Maru had told him to bomb.

It could be that they were looking for an opportunity to escape through external bombing because the situation was dangerous. Or they could have already ended the danger and were trying to clear out the remaining forces through bombing.

“The bombing order came. That means they could have sent more details.”

[······.]

“But what does it mean to say that they ordered the bombing without giving any details? It was an order to just bomb without asking any questions.”

‘AI bitch. She’s vaguely human-like.’ Ms. Kim muttered to herself.

[If there’s a problem with him, isn’t the second in line the one who takes over?]

Miss Kim chuckled.

Are AIs interested in politics? Well, these AI bitches aren’t typical.

“So if we reduce the number of people like that, reduce them, reduce them, and the higher-ups disappear, then we will have true liberation or independence. Do you think so?”

[There was no such intention.]

“Even so, the premise of such a thought presupposes betrayal. Are you thinking of betraying our highest dignity? You’ll have a good time. It will be the last time you see it.”

[The 2km underground section is not breached. We need to use stronger firepower.]

This girl is beating around the bush.

“The order is to bomb. Break through by any means necessary.”

[Use of nuclear bunker busters authorized. Bombing continues.]

Hey- Wait a minute.

When did I say I wanted to use nukes?

At Kim Yang’s puzzled eyes

The green light blinked.

You said not to choose the means or methods?

ah—

======

======

[Are you crazy? This place is 4km underground. Can you get down here with a bunker buster?]

[It’s possible. The new bunker buster has a small nuclear bomb.]

Ki-soon turned pale at the thought of breaking in with a nuclear bunker buster.

[Then you’re saying you detonated a nuclear grenade here? You got a taste for nuclear weapons after detonating a nuclear grenade? You got a taste for them? Are you crazy, Your Majesty? You said you wouldn’t use nuclear weapons? No. Does that mean you broke the seal because you used a fucking nuclear grenade? Your Majesty?]

[We have to sweep away all the guys here before we can talk to the ones left.]

Ki-soon had a seizure.

[No, fine. Let’s say I give in a hundred times and say so. I’m going to use it. I’m going to use it. But do I really have to use a nuclear weapon?]

[Oh. Since that old man used a nuke, we have to use a nuke. We have to let them know that we can attack with a nuke even if they are deep underground, so they won’t think of anything else.]

[What. We?]

[As the nuclear grenade exploded, it seemed like you wouldn’t die unless it was hit by a tactical nuclear weapon. So, deploy the bunker first.]

‘Are nuclear grenades and tactical nuclear weapons the same?’

Ki-soon said with a blank expression as he unfolded the new bunker.

[Oh, right. I have one that’s one size bigger than a bunker. Should I put it on top of this?]

[Of course. It was made so that it could be installed overlapping from the beginning.]

It would be okay if it was not one layer but two layers. Ki-soon, whose face had regained some color, quickly opened the bunker. Ki-soon, who had made a double bunker in an instant, went inside.

[It’s done. Tell them to come in quickly.]

Ki-soon poked her head out from the unresponsive floor.

Over there, a nurse and Erica were putting the broken ants back together.

‘Cleaning up the body.’

Are you okay because you’re an ant?

If it had been a mammal, Erica wouldn’t have been able to endure it.

Taking Erica to clean up the body? As expected, she was a nurse.

Look at that heart that even feels sorry for the ants.

Although it was Miss Kim who was perfect for what she did, it was the nurse who could grandly embrace Maru’s dry emotions.

‘Where did this kid go again?’

And Maru was at the end of the audience room, there was a broken tombstone or altar.

[Hey, what are you doing? If it’s okay, come in now. Or is there anything I can help you with?]

[No. Don’t come. Take the nurse and Erica quickly.]

Ki-soon called the nurse and Erica over at the sharp voice on the floor. They also seemed to be hesitating as if there was a problem.

Hey, C.

Kisoon ran to where the nurse and Erica were.

[Why are you doing this when you heard me tell you to hurry?]

[That. E- That-]

The nurse’s trembling voice.

[What’s going on?]

[This. Ants – How many are there? So, ants]

It was a voice that was anxious and scared.

[Ants?]

[Ah- Again- The ant’s head is still alive.]

[yes?]

[I want to live. I asked to be saved.]

The screen of the small pheromone translator the nurse was holding was filled with cries for help, just like the monitors in horror movies filled with curses telling people to die.

Only then could Ki-sun see the scene the two were cleaning up. It was a cold and eerie feeling, a grave of ant sculptures.

The deep emotions that blossomed in that grave. The dark emotions that were digging into my mind were gradually becoming clearer. It was as if the emotions were becoming tangible like the murderous intent of Maru.

‘Hey, Mr. Lee.’

The humming sound of the pheromone translator filling the screen with messages begging to be saved also did not seem normal. The nurse and Erica were also half-asleep as they cleaned up the corpse.

[Stop it and come here. Both of you.]

Ki-soon turned on the flamethrower at the sight of the two women shedding tears and snot.

[Let’s go to the bunker quickly. To the newly built bunker.]

[Ha- hiit-]

[······.]

As the women crawled out of the anthill and ran to the bunker, Ki-soon fired his flamethrower at them.

Puhwaaaaaaaah!

The new napalm flamethrower set the ant mound ablaze. The sticky feeling of wanting to live began to gather as if glaring at Ki-sun.

‧

‧

‧

Hurrrururuk

As hot flames rose in one corner of the audience room, Maru glanced back.

[what’s the matter?]

[The ant head is alive. And not just the ant head, there’s something weird here. Fucking feels gross. Something. I see emotions in the ant grave. These guys weren’t dead. But they have emotions. Is it because the head isn’t dead? Fuck- What the heck?]

[Calm down. If you’re going to light it, stop and go to the bunker.]

[Even though I shot him with a flamethrower, my emotions are still building up!]

There was something strange on this side too.

[Stop! Calm down, Ki-soon. You’re bombing. So stop. Enough with the ants.]

[······.]

Ki-soon caught her breath at Maru’s strong voice.

[Phew- Okay. Got it.]

[Are you calm? There’s something strange here too, so I’ll go check it out. Prepare to defend the bunker entrance. Prepare to close it when I give the signal.]

[What will you do if I just close it?]

[I also have an emergency bunker, so if you have to, you can just go into the abandoned bunker. Just close it when I give the signal.]

[Ha- Okay. Come if you can. You told me to go to the bunker because it was a bombing raid, so why are you doing that?]

[I feel bad about that, that’s why.]

[Ah- C- Okay.]

Ki-sun was left speechless at Maru’s unique feeling.

[Yeah. Right. I heard you had a feeling. So be careful not to get hurt.]

[If there’s a problem, I’ll send a signal, so you too.]

A message appeared on the HUD of the floor saying that the bombing had begun. They were digging in mainly with bunker busters, but they were blocked at the 2km section and switched to nuclear bunker busters and continued the bombing.

Looking at the photos that follow.

A scene where millions of winglets rise up as an airship bombs.

The winged hawks are seen latching onto a bunker buster missile and changing direction.

There’s even a photo of a series of small nukes being detonated to deal with the wingworm.

The bombing wasn’t easy.

[Enemy resistance is being met. Please request the use of strategic nuclear weapons.]

[Use it.]

[Launching a hydrogen bomb.]

[Three. Two. One.]

The ground shook as the 120-megaton strategic nuclear device exploded.

Knock knock …

The entire audience room shook as if an earthquake had occurred. But the vibrations did not stop Maru’s footsteps.

Maru’s gaze was fixed on the black organism entangled with the debris. It was within the radius of the small nuclear grenade, yet it did not appear to be dead.

It seemed to have withstood the blast of the nuclear grenade using the prisoners and ants it had absorbed as a shield. Most of the tentacles that had been fluttering were blackened into charcoal, but the center attached to the shrapnel seemed to have somehow remained.

Thump thump-

Thump thump-

Even though the tentacles were all burned, Maru’s senses warned him of something ominous, even though there was no danger. Not just his senses, but his heartbeat as well.

Clank-

Maru approached, holding Eclipse.

I was tempted to just leave, but I knew that Eclipse would become stronger if it ate that, so I approached it. Fortunately, it was spear-shaped, not sword-shaped, so I could stab it from afar.

The moment you cautiously approach the place where the debris and black organism are mixed.

■▯▬

■□■■

■■■□

A powerful mental wave dug into Maru’s mind.

‘It’s unfair.’

‘We are the victims.’

‘I didn’t want to come.’

‘Revenge. I want revenge.’

‘Help me.’

‘Save me.’

‘We just want to live.’

‘We can give strength.’

‘We can make you stronger.’

‘Accept it.’

‘Our grudge.’

‘Everything is yours.’

This kid-

I immediately backed away, but the psychopath doggedly followed me.

An idea that sticks close to you as if it were a guided missile.

As soon as we moved more than 30m away, the thought disappeared as if it had never happened.

Thud. Thud.

The impact of the bunker buster breaking through the 2km mark shook the ceiling.

Kuwaaaaang!

Foodddddd—

Maru opened his mouth, not caring about the ceiling gradually collapsing under the fierce bombardment.

[Do you know why I’m killing you?]

You guys are also Eclipse Bob.

Even if it’s so unfair.

Why do I kill you guys even though you asked me to help you like that?

[Those kids who claim to have been wronged do stupid things using the excuse of being wronged. Like now.]

It’s really unfair that these bastards steal other people’s bodies and eat people.

Ting – The eclipse shot off with a popping sound.