Hello there, if you guys didn't read the extra volume, then I'll summarize it for you.
First of, we consulted president kisha about needing a base. Then, after some few checking here and there, we decided on one building. Well, I said decide but its practically forced on us. Since that's the only building that met my criteria, I had no choice but to accept it.
My angels, of course, rebelled. They said it was old, the designs sucks, and the very atmosphere of the building is not suited for a base.
That's why I let them design or basically renovate the building itself.
Now, asfor the building itself, it has five floors. First floor is loby, second and third is offices, and the rest is either sleeping quarters or any other extra stuff that we needed.
Pretty neet right? Anyway, that's all.
...
Two weeks after we fought ziyan and 'completed' our mission, me and lia are currently standing infront of a huge building.
"Um... Why are we here again commander?"
Lia asked, as she stare in front of a huge building owned by the double a. It was none other than the recruitment center. In game, it was just some part from the screen that you could go easily and recruit angels.
In real life however, its actually a huge ass building with many floors installed on it.
"Why?"
I smirked at lia.
"To recruit our next angel of course."
"I knew that! Jeez!"
She crossed her arms and pouted. She thought I was treating her dumb for asking that question.
I giggle before patting her head to calm her down.
"Okay okay. I'm here because I need a new angel. Not like you aliya and ria are not enough. I just need someone because she can help us."
"Help us with what commander? You could just use any of us three and it will be done!"
She puffed out her chest as she pointed at herself proudly.
I mean, she is right. She and the other two angels currently on my platoon can complete it. But it will be hard.
Why make it harder when there is an easy way?
That's where the question why we are here come from. The angel I needed is still currently stuck here and needed to be recruited.
"Its okay. We needed a new family anyway, why not do it?"
"Family..."
She muttered as she look at the ground. This is the first time she heard someone calling her a family, hence why she's like this.
"Let's go."
"Mhm..."
She nodded as she followed me behind.
Now, you might ask, where is aliya and ria? Well, what I am about to do is not suited in front of those two.
You will see why.
...
As we go inside, we were met by different platoons. We ignored them as we head towards the receptionist.
The receptionist saw us and smiled. She bow and greeted us with a warm smile.
"Welcome commander. I reckon you want to recruit an angel?
I nodded before she followed up.
"Then, please head towards the [Ideal] section."
She pointed to her right, but I interrupted her.
"No need. We want to go on the [Defect] section."
The receptionist's eyes widden in shock as she heard those words. From her perspective, if I wanted to go to the defect section, that means I don't need an angel to use, but a 'meat shield'.
That's right.
Even in recruitment, there are two sections. The first one, is called [Ideal] section. On this section is where any kinds of angel you want to recruit that weren't picked for the academy.
The angels here are almost the same with your first angel. They are just unlucky to be denied to have partner for the academy.
On the other hand, [Defect] section is where you will find angels who have a defect on them. Whether it could be from their bodies like missing limbs and have any kind disabilities or from their personality itself.
As for why they are still being kept is said to be meat shield or bait for invaders on the front lines.
"I understand..."
The receptionist hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. She lead me towards the defect section and bow.
"This is where I'll stop. You have to do yourself the rest commander. I hope you can pick the right angel."
She excuse herself before leaving me and lia alone. As she left, lia immediately bombarded me with questions.
"Why on defect section commander?! Didn't you know what lies beneath these two huge metal doors?! A bunch of unfitted angels that's what!!"
"I know. So calm down lia."
"B-but!—"
"Lia"
She immediately stop when she heard my tone and drop the subject. Throughout the two weeks we've been together, she learn some few things about me despite already have those strange feelings on me.
She knows that when I only called her name, it means she need to shut up and just obey whatever.
Despite me saying I will save them, doesn't mean I wouldn't be strict on them. Straightening them up is also my job so once we are in a crucial moments, they would obey without hesitation.
Of course, I'm not talking about like those idiots. I am only strict when I needed to be and still treated them kindly and gently if not.
"Now, let's see if she's here."
As I open the door, I was greeted by a spear heading straight on my head. Seeing this, made me sighed.
Of course, it is still the same even in real life.
Since the game become reality, things like this stuff didn't changed it seems.
You see, there is also another reason why commanders like those cowards wouldn't choose this section.
And that is the chaos it can do once you open this two metal doors.
"Commander!"
Acting quickly, she activated her second mode and quickly edited the two huge door in order to block the spear that was targeting my head.
"Who did that?!"
Lia shouted as stea came out of her head. She was mad. Very very mad.
The fact that these defects dared to hurt her commander is unbelievable and unforgivable.
As she was fuming in front of me, a lazy voice cut through.
"Tch... How disappointing. I wanted to see a commander's head being blown into pieces."
The spear that was embedded on the two metal doors, suddenly jerked. It was pulled out of it and quickly return to its rightful owner. Towards that lazy voice we heard.
"[Parry]. Nice to meet you."
As the smoke that was created by the impact of two objects cleared, we saw an angel standing few meters away from us.
She wear an highschool uniform for girls. Her purple wings fluttered behind her back as it protect her. While the same spear that was thrown is now back on her right hand.
She pointed it at us and asked.
"Why are you here? Don't you know commanders are hated on these section?"
I smiled.
"Calm down parry. I'm here to recruit some one from the emperor."
A pseudo code. A name that shouldn't be known by someone like me, who is a rookie commander.
Hearing this, I saw her eyes widden in shock before turning it into anger.
"You?... You wanted to recruit from the emperor?!"
She's now shouting. Her laziness was removed after hearing why I am here and who I was recruiting.
"Die!!"
She rush towards me as she gripped her spear tightly. Seeing lia in front of me on her second mode, she understand she didn't have a chance to defeat her.
Yet, after hearing what I said, and the knowledge of why angels like them are being recruited, made her rational vanished.
In her perspective, she thought I would make the princess as bait or use as a meat shield.
"Lia, don't go overboard. Treat her gently."
"Understood, commander."
With her on second mode, her quirk of being stubborn disappeared. What was replaced was the loyalty and obedience that were enhanced further.
That is also why second modes are in need. Not only they are vastly strong compare to their first mode, it also enhances their obedience and loyalty towards their commander.
"Tch..."
Lia blocked her attcks quite easily as I saw the emotionless eyes that watch ever move parry make. At this point, the winner is already determined.
"Seize this nonsense and let my commander through."
"Ha! You think I'll let you through?! Just because you have that stupid mode doesn't mean you can look down on angels like us!!!!"
She dodged a debri that lia edited and thrown. Bouncing off to a wall, she tried to rush towards her, planning to lock lia on a close combat.
What parry didn't know is that lia is almost unbeatable in close combat without the use of any modes. Meaning, her natural talent for close quarter is almost unmatched.
Hearing lia sighed, I naturally did so.
Trying to force her to engage in close combat is like trying to challenge a fishman in water.
No matter how trained you are in close quarter, if your opponent have an unmatched talent with effort on top of it, you'll naturally loose.
I silently pray for parry as she was also one of the candidates I will have to recruit in the future.
You can have a chane to get back at lia once you unlock your second mode, so don't worry.
But that probably will be hard as lia will gain more experience than her. After all, second modes are determined by how long they awaken it.
...
As parry got close, lia cut out a piece of metal from the door laying on the ground beside her and slowly edit it into a long sword. Though her main weapon is a sniper rifle, she also tried to learn weapons meant for close combat like swords and blunt weapons.
And after a few gruesome training for cold weapons, she found at least one who she is comfortable with. A long sword.
Practical, easy to move around as she is used to carrying sniper that has ten times her weight, and very long. It act like the sniper version of melee weapons.
As for weapons like spear or war axe, they are meant for long/mid range so she deem them useless.
Sword families are what she was after.
"You think that will stop me?! Grahhhhhh!!!!!!"
Parry shouted on top of her lungs as her weapon collided on the long sword that lia just molded on time.
Once the blades met, it created a massive spark that seems threatened to ignite fireworks.
Once they met, they exchanged int a heated blade exchange.
Parry for a side thrust, and lia blocking it.
Parry goes for her stomach, trying to attack her vulnerable areas. What she didn't know is that its useless against lia. Why? That is because lia didn't care if her vital areas are attacked or not. Since she was so use snipping people from the back, the feeling of being stabbed couldn't register on her mind.
"Grraaaahhhh!!!!"
Lia lounge herself at parry, which made her eyes widden. This move by lia made her hesitate whether she continue it or not. Thinking she has some kind of plan why she would rush.
She has seen it. Her weapon currently strapped on her back, she could tell what kind of angel she was.
'What the heck?... Why is she confronting me?'
Then, as if she realized something, her eyes slowly turn red. Not because she was about to unlock her second mode or anything similar. She was just mad, mad to lia underestimating her.
Yes, she didn't unlock her second mode yet, but would that justify underestimating her?
As the two got closer, lia saw her opponent suddenly got even more agitated and were wondering why. From her perspective, rushing blindly is just her way of fighting close combats due to her not having any restraints that clog someone's mind.
"How dare you!!!! Just because you're some angel who unlock her second mode doesn't mean you could look down on other angels like that!!!!!"
Her anger resonated throughout the front section of the defects.
Look down?
I giggled, not because I was making fun of her or mocking her. I giggled because she didn't know who lia is.
Rushing recklessly without care is her way of fighting you seriously. Whether she's from the back or front, you wouldn't be able to tell what kind of fighting style she has.
Then, I smiled.
That's why she is called the most unpredictable angel on my platoon. You wouldn't be able to identify whther she would defend or attack blindly like just now.
To boost that kind of mentality, notice how lia can edit things around her. It perfectly describe the way she fights, as how you edit things. You could start at the end, middle, or the beginning, people wouldn't be able to predict what would you edited until they see the result.
But would that matter? As long as you got what you wnated from the edit, you're satisfied enough.
Just like lia. As long as she hit her opponent, she's satisfied enough to quit.
As expected, as the two collided, parry was able to hit lia's stomach covered with her blue armor. It was useless, rather than hurting her, she was the one who got hurt.
Lia's fist connected on her rick cheek. That punch was so strong it created a small shockwave around them before she was planted to a nearby wall, knocked out and couldn't fight anymore.
Lia, seeing she was down, slowly floated back beside me and kneel down on the ground.
"Its all good. You can cancel your second mode now."
I said as I patted her head. She nodded, and cancel her second mode. The usual stubborn lia came back, pouted while her arms crossed below her chest.
It didn't highlight anything though sadly.
"Hmph! That stupid angel thought she could win on me! Even if I didn't use my second mode, she'll still be planted on that same wall!"
She boasted, which is true. Even if lia is just on her first mode, she still could beat the now unconscious parry, partially not as smooth as it was.
I smiled before walking towards parry, which irk lia.
I slowly pulled out parry from the wall and gently lay her down on the ground. Even if she's an enemy right now, she will be one of my angels in the future. Treating her like she didn't exists and move on will leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Why treat her better early rather than late?
I learn that phrase the hardway, hence why I'm treater her like this right now.
...
As we walk further inside, we finally reached our destination. Two golden doors greated us which mad lia confuse.
"Uhhh... Is this the place you wanted to go commander?"
She asked, not sure whether we are in the right place or not. After all, this feels like a mantion instead of a gloomy place like its reputation.
"Hmh."
I nodded as I gently open the two doors. They look big but they are surprisingly not that much heavy. Matter of fact, they feel plastic. Probably to intimidated commanders who want to recruit meat shields.
...
Once we were inside, we were greeted by an even more grandeur place.
"What the heck?..."
I saw lianwidden her eyes as she didn't expect to have this kind of structure inside of aplace called 'Odd' by commanders.
"Too much isn't it?"
I giggle.
"Yeah! How the heck did they even build this inside?! I mean, look outside! Its just metal and wires?! Now its all gold plated things!"
Her reaction is normal. Even when I first saw this inside the game, I question those developers whether they were on drugs or something.
Designing the front bad while the designing the interior grandeur and sparkly?
"Who goes there?"
A sudden voice interrupted both of our thoughts as we snap our head towards the voice. It was coming from the upper floor of the main lobby.
"Shi! Shi! Shi! Shi! They're probably trying to fill their platoon with some meat shields~"
Another strange, yet weird voice commented.
"Enough. We all know why they are here."
Then, a stern voice reprehend the weird voice.
"Ara~? They were able to pass parry~? How interesting~"
Another voice chime in. It was alluring, seductive even to the point of losing myself.
"Zzz...."
The last didn't speak, just loud snoring.
Five people stand at the upper floor, their faces were covered by shadows yet I knew who they are.
Here they are.
I smirked.
My future hunting dogs.
That is right. The five people in front of us right now is my platoon's assasin. The only group that controls from the background to make sure everything was running smoothly.
The [Nightmare Reign].
But right now, I'm just some ramdom commander in their eyes. Not the commander they worshipped.
That's right. This group actually worshipped me, the player, inside the game. No matter what order I give, they unconditionally prioritise it the most. No matter what conditions I give, they will follow through, even if its against their will.
One of the group that prioritise on assassination and only acts behind the platoon.
The only group that no one knows except me.
Well, that was the case in the past. But now, lia is now added on that list.
They are so secretive that no angels in my platoon know who they are nor what they look like. They are that effective at hiding.
...
"State your purpose. Though, I already know them nonetheless."
The angel in the midle spoke with an authority you couldn't object. It feels like you're talking to your boss or talking to a police officer after you were caught doing something bad.
Yet, instead of answering, I slowly drop my left knee on the ground and kneel in a knight like position.
The reason why I didn't bought aliya and ria with me? This is why.
The result was obvious. All of the members of the nightmare reign widden their eyes in shock.
A commander, kneeling in front of them? Without hesitation as well?
Is this a dream?
No way in hell A commander knelt towards them, to their leader.
"You."
The lady in the middle, pointed at me who is still on the same position.
"What are you doing? Do you think acting like this would—"
"I greet her highness, the emperor."
She stopped. The way I spoke, the way I spouted those words. She couldn't believe them.
I triedamy paths, yet they all ended in tradegy.
And the path I am walking right now, leads to where 'paradise' is.
[Rudolf].
The angel who's pride is so high it reaches heavens themselves. Yet, once you tame her, she is nothing but a person full of delusional thoughts.
Rudolf, also known as the most delusional angel to ever exists in the game.
An angel who has nothing but made up scenarios inside her mind.
The King of delusions herself.
The emperor of uncertainty.
"Ho?"
Her eyes glint like seizing her pray. That is right, rodulf seem to be already inside her delusions as she continue speaking.
"Stand. State your visit, commander."
"?!"
The remaining four beside her widden their eyes in shock. They were in disbelief. Rudolf calling out a commander 'Commander'?
You must know, throughout their lives with their leader, rudolf have never ever call any commander 'Commander'. Heck, she wasn't even respectful nor notice any of them.
She has this 'I don't care' attitude to any vommander they face, yet I seem to be the only exception.
Following her command, I slowly stand up, lower my head before stating what I came here.
"If I may so be respectful emperor, I would like one of your member to join my platoon."
"I see."
The corner of her mout slowly turn up as she smirked.
"Which one?"
"?!"
'She's actually lending us?!'
All of them thought at the same time after she replied to me. It seems like this day is the one they wouldn't forget.
"Her."
I muttered, pointing behind me. All of their heads slowly turn to look who I picked and why.
"E-eh?... M-me?"
A gloomy looking angel who watched everything since the beginning, flinched when I piinted at her. She didn't expect nor glad to be picked.
"Ho? State your reason. Why would you pick someone like her? Or does it matter when picking your meat shield is it?"
Despite her sarcastic tone, I could feel the tension of not letting the angel I picked. It seems like she really cares everyone here.
She might be delusional, at least she care for her fellow angels.
"That is because she is important, your majesty."
"How so? At first glance, you see nothing but full of inferiority and gloominess yet you're willing to recruit her? Well, I am just curious that's all."
I acted like I was thinking a reason to resonate with her question as I reply.
"When you're mining your majesty, do you value an untrimmed stone over the already cover jewel?"
"Ho?"
I saw her eyebrows twitch, she love such sentences when talking to her.
"Yes of course. Why bother expecting something that might turn out to be disappointing?"
I shook my head.
"That is where you are wrong your majesty. Everything has to be picked, whether they are trimmed, or already been uncover. Because—"
My eyes darted at the angel I wanted to recruit secretly before continuing.
"—they might be turn out to be a fine gem."
"Pfftt!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
The emperor laugh. She actually laughing right now.
"Ah!! Impressive!! Truly indeed!!"
She pointed at me with full vigor before declaring something that made everyone shock.
"I like you! I hope you don't die out there, commander. If you do so, you may have the rights to recruit me when you return!"
She then smirked, finishing her ridiculous declaration over me.
"?!"
The four angels beside her widden their eyes yet again. It seems like there was not enough shock today, as rudolf, the most prideful and stubborn angel declare of wanting to join on my platoon.
I smiled.
Classic rudolf. She sure is still the same just like everyone else. Why am I not surprise.
"I see."
Then, I kneel in one knee and response to yet another shocking statement.
"If I ever comeback, I will not only recruit you your majesty, but also all of the angels beside you."
"Pfftt!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!"
Shelaugh yet again, not surprise I have to guts to even declare such words. You must know, even though they can't beat lia right now, those five on top of me all of have the same activation of second mode like aliya. They don't need years to activate them, just the right situation or materials.
Though they don't know this, one of them can activate a second mode now actually. She just didn't know it yet that she already have the ability to do so.
If she did activate her second mode, lia wouldn't be able to defeat her but at least we can escape in time. Though, this trip will be useless then.
Not only I failed to recruit her, I also activated one second mode from those five.
That is why I was fortunate enough to recruit her smoothly and get out without setting any bad impressions on them. Rather, I did a masisve impression on rudolf which is enough.
Now, who am I talking you may ask? Well, I am talking about the angel who is now behind me.
Since she was picked and the leader, rudolf, agreed, she has no choice but to follow me from now on. That's how this place works, as long as you have her approval, you have no choice but to follow it quietly.
[Seona]. She wears a highschool uniform that perfectly fits her child like body. Don't be fooled by her appearance, she's already pushing thirty this year.
As for why she's like that, she naturally suffers from an illness called [Neotenic complex syndrome]. Hence why she look like an elementary school.
At her back peek two beautiful violet wings that flutters here and there.
Now, as for why I needed her, it is due to her second mode. It is one of the most versatile modes to ever exists if you ask me. With her around, I can pass through that.
I smirked internally before snapping back to reality. Since I am done now, I'm leaving.
Its not yet time to recruit those five. I learn that the hard way.
One of my plays back when everything is just a game, I recruited them much earlier than it was tend to be.
The cause? That play through. Honestly, I lost some good loots when everything resets and regreted it.
Well, looking back at it now, I surely am an asshole huh? I didn't even care about my angels dying, I was focus on those stupid materials that could be easily obtained as I know how now.
While their lives, though also resets, still their lives that I should have been more careful.
Objects and lives are different thing. One is not alive while the other breaths. Of course life is much more important than some measly things that could be recreated.
I hated that. The me who threw lives with no hesitation. I hated that.
I hated it so much that I wish I could go back in time and punch myself on the face.
I hate it. I hate it very much.
I...
I hate myself.
...
"Since transaction is over, may I take my leave your majesty?"
I said in a respectful tone while bowing my head in front of rudolf. Seeing my gestures, she's naturally satisfied and nodded.
"You may."
"Thank you."
Gently grabbing seona's hand and lia's hand, we quietly left the room as rudolf watch us leave.
"How interesting."
Grin flashes through her face as she considered us, the only person, to ever satisfy her delusions.
"Until we meet, commander."
I didn't know it was enough. Whatever Idid just now were enough for her to join my platoon yet I seem to not noticed it.
...
"Welcome!"
Smiling, I presented seona's soon to be home slash base that I got from the president.
She nodded quietly, still couldn't believe she was picked nor didn't want to anyway. Ever since the defect section ever created, there was not a single failure of not being a meat shield at the battle.
She was sure of it, that look on her face, despite being neutral, I could feel her uneasiness and fear.
Seeing this, I sighed internally. The past commanders before me were really fucked up. They treated the angels from the defect section as some kind of shield meant to take damage despite having no clue on who they are using.
The first time I recruited her, it was pure chance. Since I didn't have any currencies to draw from the gacha, the game still has a way for you to recruit characters.
The place we've been to is one. Though, its not as effective as drawing in the gacha as you will always get unknown characters that the game haven't even introduced yet.
At gacha, characters you can draw have this long ass description about them. Yet, when you tried recruiting one, they were only described by their name and what is their role on your team.
I sighed internally again without showing it on my face. I thought I was going to be disappointed when I recruited her, but I immediately take it back.
I grin massively as I was able to secure a win conas early as now.
[Seona], also known as the [Monster]. She was called by that due to her second mode's capability. What it is, you ask? Well, her second mode is the third most broken second mode.
[Adaptability]
That's right. Her second mode is called [Adaptability]. A very well known ability throughout fiction yet one of the most broken to ever exists.
The same goes in the game. The description of her second mode stated that, as long as she has a 'part' that still exists, she is able to adapt to any and most phenomena.
That means, as long she has some parts left, she'll be able to regenerate and adapt to it.
Aliya throwing her an attack that has the same heat as the core of the sun, she was able to adapt to it.
Yuki, freezing her to at most limit, almost touching absolute zero, she was able to overcome it.
Lia and ria, editing her and destroying all her parts, she lived.
No matter what, as long as she didn't get obliterated in an instant, she will be able to adapt to it.
That's why I needed her. She will cary me on the early parts of the now reality game.
"Tch... I still don't get why you have to be recruited by commander. You look like you do nothing but sit in the corner and watch."
I sighed in exasperated before patting her on the head. I'm not disappointed, just sad. After all, this quiet shy girl will literally carry us for the most part from now on.
"Calm down lia. Now, why don't you give her a tour?"
"Ha?! Why would I?! You deal with it!"
'Plus, she made you kneel just for you to recruit her?! Unacceptable! Just that alone made her unbearable!'
She has this hostile expression written on her face as she protested on what I just ordered her too.
"Lia."
She stopped, before sighing in frustration.
"Let's go! Try to keep up with me will ya?"
With a look of a typical tsundere expression, she lead seona towards the front door of the building as I heard her starting some kind of explanation in order for seona to keep up and understand her.
Would you look at that.
I giggle.
You'll learn soon enough.
Inside the game, the two of them, lia and seona, become the closest bestfriend later on. Contradicting and also ironic about her frustrated action just now.
__________
To be continued
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