Rust - Chapter 988



Only Krnovel

Rust [RUST] – Episode 988

Even after the meeting was over, the nurse’s figure did not disappear from the monitor.

[I- I have something to tell you.]

“······.”

[That’s – no different – maybe the dogs and cats were avoiding people.]

“What are you talking about?”

Maru’s brow furrowed at the unexpected story.

[Well… there are some kids that people have abandoned. So there are kids that are disappointed in people and try to attack people, but there are also many kids that leave people on their own when they are sick.]

“······.”

[Not all, but definitely. There are some who ran away from home to avoid people’s eyes. If not, they wouldn’t have disappeared from the city all of a sudden. There must have been many who ran away to the forest, to faraway places, to avoid hurting people.]

“So what do you want to say?”

The nurse cheered despite Maru’s cold expression.

[At least let me tell the story.]

“So what difference would it make if we talked about it now? When wild dogs and cats are attacking hunters? The wild dogs have already crossed the line, and it is difficult to see the wild cats as safe.”

The feral cats could have been infected with the same parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. What if a mutated virus made Toxoplasma more contagious?

People infected with toxoplasma tend to judge cats as the center of attention and show abnormal attachment to cats.

Feral cats were also dangerous enough, as there was a hypothesis that the parasite Toxoplasma could manipulate infected humans into caring for their main host, cats.

“It’s good that during the first mutant virus incident, you went somewhere where people wouldn’t notice you. But now, after several years, what does it mean that you’ve come down near a city where people gather?”

[······.]

“I don’t think it means well.”

[but···.]

Maru cut off the nurse and set a condition.

“I will allow you to talk to them. If they leave where they came from or leave our territory, there is no need to kill them right away.”

[Thank you. I really appreciate it.]

Maru allowed the nurse to accompany him.

‧

Miss Kim grumbled when the nurse said she would go with Maru.

[I told you that happens once in a while.]

Since I developed the ability to communicate with animals, there have been times when I have empathized with them or treated them like people.

[Even if we talk, animals are animals and people are people.]

Even though they use their heads like humans, they are not human.

huh.

Kim Yang’s idea was simple.

A person must be human to be considered human. Are dogs and cows all human?

uh?

Isn’t this it?

Gyaut-

[Anyway. People and animals are different. If you think of them as the same, that’s when things get messed up.]

What are you going to do with the meat?

Everyone has enjoyed eating bear meat and bear soup, and even made winter clothes out of leather, so why don’t we all just talk about solving this?

You did it last time, and now you’re doing it again.

After eating the meat deliciously.

I’m telling you, soy meat and cultured meat aren’t real meat.

If you like it, then just eat it yourself. Why judge other people’s character based on their eating of meat and even go so far as to destroy the Earth?

They say it’s global warming, but what do they call it now that winters are getting longer? They say it’s an ice age caused by meat?

joy.

However, Ms. Kim did not fight with the nurses like she used to. She just showed the broad-mindedness of a solid second-ranking official.

Maru chuckled.

“Don’t mess around with them, and if you’re short on manpower, mobilize the hunters operating nearby.”

[Okay.]

The local hunters are the ones who know the surrounding terrain well.

If they didn’t quickly deal with packs of wild dogs numbering from tens to hundreds, the animals would dry up. These were hunters who would not refuse the military’s request, even if it meant protecting their hunting grounds.

While Kim Yang’s unit and the hunters began their full-scale subjugation, Maru also entered the forest with the nurse.

Just because two people had entered the forest, a pack of wild dogs began circling around.

Krrrrrr- (human)

Krrrrrrrr- (The smell of a human who has killed a nearby group.)

The nurse looked at the floor with a ‘Ugh’ expression.

[Excuse me, is that a pack of wild dogs nearby? Did you kill them yourself?]

“Oh. It should have been in the data. There were guys who attacked using the puppies.”

Krrrrrr- (Send the signal quickly. Surround them.)

Krunkrunk- (It’s clear that it’s the guy who killed the baby-)

[Ah- I guess the smell still lingered from then.]

“So you knew I killed it by the smell?”

[yes···.]

“So? Didn’t you say you were going to talk to the dog? How long do I have to wait?”

[Uh. Wait a minute.]

The nurse spoke to the stray dogs circling around her.

[Get out of here.]

Krrrrung? (What?)

Krrrrrr? (Human meat speaks our language?)

The tails of the wild dogs swung from side to side as they circled around with their teeth bared.

What the heck?

[Human meat? If you attack people, you’ll be in big trouble. If you don’t want to die, leave quickly.]

Krrrrrr- (Is this a threat?)

Krrrrrrung- (Let’s attack- That thing’s just got a hard shell.)

The hostility towards the nurse armed with the core armor began to grow little by little. The problem was the male who smelled strongly of death.

Unlike the females, who were encased in hard shells, the males, clad in bear skins, felt alien.

Krrrrrrung- (aiming at the female)

[Huh? Female?]

A method of taking advantage of the gap when the male moves to protect the female.

The wild dogs that had been circling around rushed toward the nurse. At the same time, the dogs aimed for Maru’s back.

[Ahhh! If you do this, you’ll die!]

The core armor auxiliary AI deployed a semicircular shield.

Woohoo-

puck-

Gang- squeak-

The wild dogs that had been aiming for the nurse’s ankles, neck, and arms at the same time bounced off the barrier. The wild dogs that had been aiming for Maru’s back flinched for a moment as they saw their colleagues who had attacked the nurse bounce off helplessly.

A black vine sprouted from under the male’s feet, piercing the dogs behind him. The daggers attached to the vines swung around with a whirring sound, and the dogs were torn to pieces in midair.

The tails of the dogs that had attacked the nurse went between their legs as the smell of death spread in an instant. They growled and showed their teeth, but what was hidden inside was fear.

And Maru had no intention of listening to the barking of the dogs, no matter what they might say. The black vines that had cut off the wild dog shot out like taut rubber bands.

Jeez-

The nurse held her breath as the leather that had been resistant to monster bullets split open in an instant and split apart.

[Sigh-]

It only took a moment for a pack of more than a dozen wild dogs to turn into red spots.

ah—

“Stay there. They’re coming.”

A vine of death spread between the thick trees and fell toward the approaching pack of wild dogs.

======

======

Miyaaang- (Humans are good, aren’t they?)

Miyoyoong- (Why did you say it was bad?)

The two kittens who became the mascots of the central control room looked puzzled at the butlers who played with them diligently.

‘Humans are bad.’, ‘Humans are treacherous animals.’, ‘Break down the machines controlled by humans.’ But it wasn’t like that. It was a time when everything was comfortable and enjoyable.

The machines were useful. There were automatic feeders and waterers, and cleaning machines that cleared away hair and dust from the ground.

Controlled by humans? That machine is so useful and fun? The kittens loved everything about it.

“It looks like a cat without an owner?”

“That’s strange.”

“How did you get through quarantine?”

“Who controlled the entry and exit?”

The central control room was briefly paralyzed by the impeachment of the government and the subsequent political reform. It seemed that the attack came from outside during that time.

“There is no record.”

“Where was it first discovered?”

“They said it was in the cleaning supplies box.”

“How about we just keep raising it?”

There were many employees who liked pets. In fact, most of them raised dogs or cats.

“Then shouldn’t we do an inspection first?”

“There’s no animal hospital.”

At some point, pets including dogs and cats disappeared. Years later, there was no animal hospital in the seaside city.

“At the very least, we need to provide the necessary vaccinations.”

“What are you going to do?”

“There should be a vet and animal medicine on the mainland. I should take them there.”

“?”

So the idea was to manipulate the system to create a temporary gap.

“No matter how cute the cat is, it can’t sneak out and come back. That’s not right.”

“You want to tamper with the surveillance system? Are you crazy?”

“Why are you guys so serious? We’re not talking about smuggling anything. We’re just talking about getting vaccinated and getting some medicine.”

“What would you do if these guys were the only cats right now?”

“Isn’t that what we’re supposed to protect?”

“Is it such a big deal to just step out for a bit and come back?”

“If that’s not a big deal? If messing with the security system isn’t a big deal, then what is?”

“You can’t decide anything here on your own.”

“Everyone knows that the kitten is here since we broadcast a search for its owner anyway.”

“Yes. It’s impossible to sneak out and then come back in.”

As cute as kittens are, it’s so easy to talk about ignoring procedures.

“What if they take me from above?”

“what?”

“What are you going to do if I take the kitten from above?”

“What are you talking about? Then that’s what happens.”

“Should we just sit there and let someone who doesn’t know anything take our children away?”

“No- What are you talking about? Nothing has been decided yet.”

Miyaaaa- (Why is it so noisy?)

Miyaaang- (I don’t know. Is that what humans do among themselves?)

The kittens waggled their tails on the floor as the humans started raising their voices about things like vaccinations and veterinary clinics. The butler who saw this quickly gave them Churu.

“It was noisy. Did it upset you?”

Chop-chop-chop-

By the way, you’re talking about security devices. Can you just turn them off?

Chop-chop-chop-

If you touch that, won’t the people here lose their jobs?

Then our Churu will disappear too.

are you okay.

We have a lot of people we like.

Is that so?

The kittens who had finished eating the churu jumped up and pressed the dashboard button with their paws.

Wheeeeeeeeing-

One of the entrance gates was shut down.

“There. Get down from there!”

“The gate security system has been forcibly shut down.”

“Only one stopped.”

“Isn’t that an emergency button?”

“Catch him!”

Miyaaaa-

“no!”

“Stop him!”

Tucking, tucking – thudding – the kitten’s front paws hopped across the dashboard, cracking the safety cover and pressing the button.

OMG-

“oh my god.”

“Start rebooting!”

It was a button for the mind blocking equipment.

‧

A corner of a maritime city.

There were people gathered in a space where the cement was exposed because the finishing work had not been completed.

“The access security device is still in place?”

“yes.”

“Considering the broadcast saying they are looking for their owner, it is certain that they have entered the central control room.”

“Just wait and see. It’ll take some time to paralyze the security system, right?”

I took advantage of the confusion to bring in two kittens, but that was the last of them.

“Haven’t you completely forgotten about those missions?”

“That won’t happen.”

As time passed, security in the sea city began to strengthen. Those who had come in during the memorial service and were staying in the sea city instead of returning were being forcibly repatriated one by one.

Security was becoming increasingly tighter, perhaps because Dan Brown, who had initially planned the sea city, had become prime minister. If time passed at this rate, there was a risk that the hideout would be discovered before the false emperor could leave for a subjugation operation.

“If we can’t take down the security system, we should at least take down the psychic generator.”

If not, I had to find a way out.

“One of the entrance gates has stopped working.”

“They said they were checking the security system.”

“Not all of them, but one?”

“I’m not going out. It’s too dangerous to trust a kitten and proceed with the work.”

When the former president said he would step out, David White groaned.

“What are you talking about? You came all the way here and now you’re trying to run away?”

“You do whatever you want. I’m tired of hiding like this.”

“Huh? You’re going to gather forces outside? Do you think that’ll be that easy? You don’t think you’ll get caught by Den Brown or the Sacred Kingdom’s Baekjeong?”

“······.”

Wheeeeeeeeing-

David White and the former president, who had just woken up, looked up as if the suppressing electromagnetic waves were disappearing.

“It is a success.”

“The psychic response device has stopped.”