Rust - Chapter 959



Only Krnovel

Rust [RUST] – Episode 959

Late May.

Maru frowned at the sight of the spotted Alps. The Alps, which should have been covered in white snow, were instead exposed with black rock here and there.

‘The snow melts too quickly.’

The snow and ice that had been frozen solid until the end of April melted all the way to the mountain ridges in just two to three weeks.

‘The Alps’ eternal snows are melting so quickly.’

It was late May, and if you recall that last year, a sudden heat wave started in June, it would not have been strange for the temperature to rise so rapidly, but this was the Swiss Alps.

‘Didn’t you say there’s a section where you can ski even in May and June? Mindungsan? That’s ridiculous.’

The lower peaks were already bare, and the higher peaks were already half melted. Judging from this place alone, it seemed like the annual temperature range this year would be greater than last year.

‘If you compare this winter to last summer, it’s -75 degrees Celsius to +45 degrees Celsius.’

It was literally murderous cold and heat. The annual temperature difference was 120 degrees. With this level of annual temperature difference, it would have been difficult for most living things to survive.

The same goes for plants. A plant that can withstand -75 degrees Celsius is not normal, but a plant that can withstand 45 degrees Celsius is not normal either.

Maru suddenly remembered the plants he had seen near the Rocky Mountains. Plants that had endured the terrible temperature difference and remained green even in the middle of winter. Was that normal?

‘They say that what’s in Zurich now is even worse than that…’

If the plants in the small Chinese gardens are like that, the ones in the plant research labs would have mutated even more.

[Ooooooooooo—-]

[You’ve arrived!]

[Gyaaaaaaah!]

[Oraburning!]

A white private airship landed amidst the enthusiastic welcome of Naruzu. The sight of younger sisters with identical faces calling out to their older brother in groups of a thousand.

To be honest, it was a bit scary, but Maru tried to keep a calm expression. It was a secret that Naruzu welcomed him with even more enthusiasm because of his calm appearance.

‧

After the long and short procession of the older brother of Maru, the situation report followed. Starting with the reason why Naruzu had decided to make a quick retreat, the final reconnaissance process was displayed on the large monitor.

[Currently, it has been confirmed that there are fewer plant forms···.]

Naruz’s detailed reconnaissance revealed that not all plants in Zurich had mutated.

[The main base is the Chinese Garden and the Plant Research Center, and the area is gradually expanding···.]

The main colony is on the shores of Lake Zurich. It spreads around the Botanical Garden and Botanical Research Center, which consists of three circular domes in the Chinese Garden.

[Although a small number, we found mutant plants in individual pots in the casino.]

“A flowerpot?”

[Yes, I checked. There was a nutritional supplement labeled as a plant researcher. I haven’t confirmed the correlation, but it seems to be significantly related.]

“Getting samples?”

[It is dangerous with the equipment we currently have, so we did not bring it in.]

“···Well done.”

Looking at it this way, it was a bit unstable, but Naruz was good at going in and out. If he had gone in just to establish some public service, it might have been dangerous.

[My brother praised me.]

[Oh, you looked this way.]

[The briefing isn’t over yet.]

[Kka-eup.]

[Calm down. I’m going to ruin the briefing.]

[Still, it’s only been a few months since I’ve seen my brother.]

Maru asked the accompanying plant expert for his opinion.

“It moved fast enough to catch a crow. It seems to be moving closer to a carnivorous plant.”

The researcher continued his explanation, zooming in on a leaf, stopping at a scene where the branches were moving like the joints of an animal.

“We’ll have to take samples and analyze them to know for sure, but what’s condensing on these leaves doesn’t appear to be dew or moisture, but rather some sort of adhesive and digestive agent.”

It is said that it has both a strong adhesive power that makes it impossible for a crow to escape once it is caught, and a digestive power that can melt it in an instant.

“Based on the data so far, it seems to be optimized for protein degradation, but given the specificity of the mutant organism, it is difficult to be certain.”

This meant that it was difficult to be certain whether the core armor’s plating would withstand it.

‘It seems like we need a sample to confirm.’

As Maru’s death unfolded, Naruzu had to take the risk because the sample and everything else would just become fertilizer.

“It’s a dangerous operation, so I’ll get support. I’ll be there to back you up···.]

Before the mouths could open, Naruzu raised his hands.

[My brother backed me up?]

[Me. I’m going.]

[Where. I have to climb the ladder.]

[I raised my hand first.]

[Because you guys went last time. The kids from last time are out.]

[When was that story?]

[I’m worried that it’s been more than 6 months!]

[I told you I raised my hand first!]

There was an overwhelming influx of applicants to participate in the sample acquisition operation.

‧

Because Maru had been through a lot of experience, he had a gut feeling even though the warning of his pounding heart had disappeared.

“The rescue signal from the mercenary unit came from the direction of the plant research center. That means the plants have set a trap.”

The Naruz who participated in the operation nod their heads simultaneously.

“···I don’t know if I can control the biological EMP (electro-magnetic pulse). So, take the emergency reboot system with me. In that case, retreat immediately.”

[four.]

[yes.]

[Okay!]

Maru said another caution while watching Naruzu answer as if each person had their own unique personality.

“I’ll descend if necessary, so don’t force yourself in dangerous situations, and retreat immediately when I arrive. Don’t stay near me because I’m supporting you. That’s more dangerous.”

[four.]

[ancient.]

[Yes- Write-]

“Okay. Let’s start with the flower pot in the casino.”

[[[Old story-]]]

‧

Pot-

A light drone illuminated the dark interior of the casino.

The windowless space of the casino was brightly lit, and the luxurious decorations began to reflect light.

[Alpha- No abnormalities-]

[Bravo- No more-]

It was a simple operation of carrying the flower pot I saw when I first scouted. Naruzu’s movement speed was fast.

[What about the flamethrower?]

[Waiting completed.]

[Be careful. It looks like the fire extinguisher is still active.]

[Confirmed.]

A red light was flashing on the fire alarm mounted on the ceiling.

[But. Isn’t it a little strange?]

[what?]

[It’s so cleanly organized here.]

[The fire alarm and fire extinguisher seem to be alive, so it seems to have been maintained until recently.]

[There are survivors?]

[If it was there, it would have been there last time I came?]

[Quiet. That’ll be later.]

[For now, just quickly grab the flower pot and go.]

[······.]

[······.]

The HUD (Head-Up Display) showed the screen from when I first reconnoitred and the screen I just captured side by side for comparison.

[The goal is around the corner.]

[Confirmed by drone.]

First, Naruzu sent a drone to check the corner, then raised his arm and clenched his fist.

[uh?]

[huh?]

[······.]

[No flower pot?]

When I turned the corner, the flower pot that was supposed to be there was gone.

[Check for traces on the floor.]

[Is this a sign of being dragged?]

[Not sure.]

[Check the traces with a drone.]

A drone flies by, scattering bright lights. The footage taken by the drone appears on the HUD. The dirt sprinkled on the thick carpet little by little looked like it was dragged around, not carried.

Maybe I turned the corner twice?

Where the drone returned to was a brightly lit hallway. There were flower pots lined up neatly in a row. At a guess, there were more than ten flower pots, each with fresh leaves.

[The lights are on in the hallway.]

[Have you checked with the Fox Team Central Management Office?]

[Fox. Central control room entry complete.]

[It took some time because the door was locked.]

[CCTV?]

[The entire dashboard is broken. It looks like it was intentionally broken.]

[Secure undamaged hard drive.]

[Fox Team retreats.]

[The hallway is lit up?]

[Only the flower pot is visible from this side.]

[Should we send the drone further in?]

[Enter.]

[Drone entry.]

The drone with its lights off quietly approached the flower pots. The drone passed through the center of the flower pots lined up along both walls of the hallway.

[Wait a minute. Look at the floor.]

The drone stopped in place and looked left and right. Dirt scattered here and there was visible.

[?]

[why?]

[Why is there dirt here?]

[What does that mean?]

[If people moved···.]

Before he could continue saying, “There’s no way it would have dropped this much dirt,” the drone crashed.

Piyuwoong-

[Bio EMP!]

[Step back!]

[Send spare drones!]

As the standby drone turned the corner again, the once brightly lit hallway was plunged into pitch darkness.

Pot-

A bright light illuminated the center of the dark hallway.

[uh?]

[why?]

[Too close.]

[what?]

[Flowerpot! The flowerpot is all the way to the corner!]

[uh?]

Pyuwoong!

The spare drone crashed.

[It’s a flower pot!]

[The flowerpot used a bio-EMP!]

[Flamethrower!]

[okay!]

Flames reaching temperatures of nearly 3,000 degrees swirled around the corner.

When the time comes, when the time comes, when the time comes—-

Sprinklers and fire extinguishing gas were sprayed from the ceiling simultaneously, accompanied by a loud fire alarm.

[Check ahead.]

[Keep spraying the flamethrower.]

Whoosh whoosh-

[Battle robots?]

[I’m taking it out now.]

[Send the drone first.]

[Keep sending them so they drain the EMP.]

[We can’t keep using EMP.]

[I have to collect even a single leaf!]

[Aura-]

[Aura-]

Naruz raised his spirits by shouting Aura-Burning.

[Wait a minute. Check the antenna display.]

[The long range antenna is dead.]

[me too.]

[Communication with headquarters lost?]

[Is it only short distances now?]

That’s right- That’s right-

The sound of something approaching, scraping the ground.

The thick carpet was burning with flames, and something was coming, scratching at the wet floor.

[What is the flamethrower doing!]

[It’s spreading.]

Unlike the first time, the napalm flames were extinguished in an instant. The water pouring from the sprinklers was not just water. The gas that was spewing out was the same. Before I knew it, the chemical, biological, and radiological countermeasure equipment of the core armor was fully operational.

[gas!]

[Gas! Gas!]

[Get back!]

That’s right-

The sound of something approaching through the thick fog that obscured my vision. The external cameras were a mess and the sensors weren’t working properly.

The environment changed in an instant.

[Why did you stop?]

[It’s blocked.]

[The barrier has come down.]

[Was the entire casino a trap?]

[Communication?]

[Disconnected. Only proximity communication is possible, everything else is dead.]

Even the distance that proximity communication could reach was not that long. It seemed that the gas or liquid contained a substance that caused communication failure. Perhaps the flower pot was emitting such a substance.

[Let’s blow up the barrier and everything with a nuclear grenade.]

[What if the building collapses?]

[I checked the structure. If we blow up the barrier on that side, this corner won’t collapse.]

[You can hold out with a makeshift bunker.]

If this was a trap, getting caught would be the worst thing.

[Communication has been cut off, so your brother will be here soon.]

[Blow it away!]

[okay.]

[okay.]

Naruzu set up a makeshift bunker in the corner, went inside, and dropped a nuclear grenade.

□□□□□□□□□□□□—

Hot flames and shockwaves tore through the makeshift bunker in one corner, ripping it apart. Even after just one corner was turned, the shockwaves and flames were strong.

[It didn’t collapse!]

[Whey. It’s a small grenade, but its power is no joke.]

[No one got hurt, right?]

[doesn’t exist.]

As we emerged from the dilapidated bunker, a casino building with a large hole in it stood precariously.

Naruzu quickly went to where the flower pots were. After turning two corners, he saw a crispy baked flower pot.

The overturned flower pot looked like it was either running away from the shock wave and flames or had been knocked over by the shock wave.

[Did it all burn?]

[Take care of it even if you ride it.]

[Ah- The roots here look okay?]

The roots visible inside the broken flower pot did not appear to be burned.

[Chi- What’s going on? Why was the communication cut off?]

Naruz let out a ‘Kya-‘ sound at Maru’s voice.

[This whole place was a trap.]

[A trap? It’s right in front of you.]

It was Maru who landed as soon as communication with Naruz was cut off.

[Yes? I blew it up with a nuclear grenade.]

Naruzu, who was collecting roots while watching the entity chattering away, shook his head.

‘The plan was to collect samples, but I don’t know what’s important.’

The moment when you pick up a living root in the scorched earth. Crunch – The root wraps around the core armor’s forearm like a snake.

Pew pew pew-

The core armor has been shut down.

(Here! This is the root!)

Naruz shouted, but it only echoed inside the core armor, which was completely silent.

‘Reset button. Reset.’

Kkaddeuk-

The roots wrapped around his forearm and entangled his fingers. In an instant, the roots had engulfed one arm and his entire torso.

(What are you doing! I can’t see this!)

Surely you’re not just looking that way to see your brother?

You crazy bitches.

In that moment, with the sound of something being cut, my arms and torso that had been tightly bound found freedom. The core armor that had been disabled returned to normal and the HUD screen returned to normal.

[Are you okay?]

The sight of my older brother right before my eyes.

[Kyauh-]

[?]

Naruzu, who had cut off the roots with a new clip, had a worried expression on his face and fainted at the sight of Maru.

.