The smell of gun powder and this intense heat...
Feels extremely familiar.

It's not like the feeling where we were dealing with pirates.
But the sound of ringing gunfire of weapons.

Formed by magic and pellets pelted off the tip of their weapon resounded in my ears.

"Even now, the sharp and painful sound reminded me of his tradegy."

 -Baster.

________________________________________________________________________________

// Tough situation. //

The barrier generator can only be activated once after the string is pulled, lasting for a good minute. Ms.Lotte was gracious enough to provide me one after the incident.

But things went worse when the armed soldiers of the royal kingdom of Havel.
Who carried the same protective generator as I was.

Were suddenly...

Penetrated by a single shot from a terrorist sniper.
Piercing barrier of magic, created from ingenuity that should have been strong enough to repel a giant monster's attack for a good minute.

Was so easily broken like it was nothing.

This kind of firepower made my heartbeat in terror...
This is...
Undoubtedly supposedly a late-game content in the game.

A dangerous mercenary hired and becoming a boss.

(YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!)

I was stuck in the center of a gunfight with a dangerous sniper firing from an unknown building.
Smacked right in the middle and innocent student who just want to deliver a letter got caught in a crossfire.

For what reason?
I got impatient and wanted to get the job done.

"**** ME." he could only curse at himself at this point.

As the enemy seems to be winning as each one was shot took out the soldiers that were supposedly winning.

It's not strange this battle lasted for quite a long while.
It rendered their only defense useless, the soldiers began to lose morale and retreat.

As for the young lad smacked right in the middle of this gunfight.
He found a way out as a manhole was close by...

Climbing down the sewers.

...

...

...

"Damn it!....
IT REEKS LIKE SHIT HERE."

*Vrrrr* *Bang* the sound that echoes in the sewers.

If I were to compare, the hellish place up there.
Well, I rather deal with this crap than get holes in my body.

But still...
This place is extremely dark.

He raised his hand and used magic.

"Light!"

When he thought he was finally free...
The sound of mechanical noise drew his attention as it reverberated from the canals.

But it came from behind him this time.
He turned his head and saw it...

*Click*

(**** these things!)

*Bang*

He dodged as he rolled to the side as he was bathed in sewer water.
But it gave him no pause as its aim changed toward him with ruthless intent to kill.

*Bang*

Once again the sound erupted.
But it did not come from the turret, but by Baster's hand pistol.

"Sheesh, this ain't my fight." while complaining the sound of mechanical noises continued to reverberate in the sewers, after climbing up to dry parts of the sewers.

I was then surprised by a voice coming from the corner of my eye.

"FREEZE!" A voice from a group of soldiers from the opposite direction came.

I couldn't help but sigh and complain.

"Give me a break!
All I want is to deliver a letter and go home!"

"Huh? this voice...
Men!
Lower your weapons!"

Was the voice familiar and womanly voice.

Wearing a gas mask she removed it.

"Well then...
Never expected to meet you here, Baster."

"Castel Everheims." were the first word that came out of his mouth.

I was filled with relief.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"That's what I was supposed to ask you."

"We were supposed to deal with the threat.
But how on earth did you get in this kind of place?"

We were in the sewers.
But as someone who specialized in close-quarter combat.
Avoiding the sniper and facing the drones is undoubtedly a better choice...

But...
They won't make it at this rate.
I know who their enemy actually is...
and it's quite a nasty opponent in the game storyline.

"I am here sent by Lotte to deliver a letter to Annie Lent.
I tried sneaking away from the clock tower away from the fight.
but got caught in the crossfire instead."

Her expression then became troubled.

"Sorry, Baster but...
That's impossible."

"Eh? what?" I was shocked by her words.

Then she nailed it in a coffin.

"Annie Lent was one of the few girls who were kidnapped and now used as a hostage."

"You gotta be shitting me!?"
________________________________________________________________________________
MISSION CHANGE!
Deliver letter.
New Emergency Quest:
Rescue Annie Lent.

________________________________________________________________________________

My face couldn't stop twitching as things escalated so fast.
I think the amount of stress is starting to drive me insane!

Regardless...
My eyes caught a glimpse of one of her seals.

There is a spell in her arsenal that is going to be extremely useful.

"Miss Castel.
May I borrow something from you?"

"Huh?"

"I need a [Scan] Ark-Seal.
I'm sure they gave you one."

"Well...
It's natural to have one, especially when exploring ruins."

"I just want to borrow it for a few minutes.
Please!"

It was a strange request from Baster but she easily removed it from her waist and threw it towards him. He swiftly inspects the device given to him as he grinned.

His eyes were directed at the two open slots in the device.

"The latest version of the ark seals are said to be able to use mix different ark seal.
Creating a different effect, you can literally change the outcome by placing an elemental ark-seal in it..."

He shoved in Volt Ark seal on the empty slot beside it.
Then he directed at Castel with a pale expression on her face.

"Activate: Volt Pulse!"

As small sparks were released from the device.

"Miss Castel Look out!" Her soldiers reacted as they aimed at Baster then fired.

*bang*

Castel's swiftly moved her body and guarded with her sword.
Blocking their shot she glared at them in response to their action.

But then another sound came from behind her as Baster fired his weapon.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

The soldiers behind Castel thought they were the ones being fired upon.
However, the sound of metal and crackling electricity from behind them immediately changed their minds.

As they saw a drone was shot from behind them.
The shooter was none other than Baster.
He then pointed the ark-seal device behind him and fired the shocking pulse.

Revealing another.

*Clack* *Bang*

His trusty pistol provided for him destroyed it.

"We were...
Being watched?" was Castel response to my actions.

Baster then said while reloading his weapon with Mana charged pellets.
 
"Tch!?
Lost 4 pellets already.
These things cost a lot..." He complained then said.

A total of 6 shots.
Pellets capable of piercing and breaking through the toughest armor even steel.
He requested such a tool just-in-case he faced a monster that couldn't be taken out by normal means.

Such tools are rare but provide immediate punishment to those who failed to protect themselves.

"Baster, how did you know?"

"If you think about it...

It's really simple.
The turrets are too small to get a better mark on the target and be individually controlled by a single person, which means they are automated to fire enemies on the range of their sight.

But how do they do this?

Well...
Those drones are their way of targeting your men.

Invisible scouting drones lurking in the sky.

With those things up there and down below here.
The enemy can easily program the turret to fire at any approaching enemy.
Without any kind of trouble."

(That was the given explanation by the sadistic mercenary when the protagonist came face to face with him. Truthfully most players were confused when facing this jerk as most of them just drank potion till they reached the boss room while getting themselves pelted by turrets as they one-sided brute-forced their way in the story.

After that, the players are called imbeciles and suicidal idiots with good reason.

It was both memorable and quite interesting.

But the real solution was...
Just mixing two types of Ark-seals and disrupting the invisible drones to completely disable the turrets.

The game doesn't spoon-feed the players but makes them think,
why were they constantly getting shot by miniature toy turrets capable of destroying their heads like tomatoes.

Either way, this should resolve most of the problems.)

 
"We are dealing with an extremely dangerous opponent.
Someone who knows advanced military tactics and capable of using drones with great efficiency.

But it's not like the drones he sent out are perfectly untouchable.
But by mixing these two ark seal it's quite possible to disable their stealth capabilities."

He placed the ark-seal on Castel's hand then sighed.

"If only I had one of my own.
But...
I would like to thank you for saving me just now.
I don't know what would happen if your men suddenly put holes into me."

"No...
The one who should be apologizing is for me.
The men were startled by your actions.
That they lost composure of themselves.
 I deeply apologized.

We are losing a few good people up there."

"Yeah, I saw...
The sniper." Baster said.

Which made a few of the soldiers express bitterness and fear.
But Castel then said.
"But we can't really waste time here.
At this rate, something will happen to the hostages."

Baster smiled and offered his hand.

"Then I guess I'll help."

"No.
Baster your still a student." She sternly said to him.

But he shrugged.
"You are aware that a student just found the weakness of an enemy.
That you guys have trouble with..."

Then pointed at a soldier behind her who is currently having a conversation with his device.

"And guessing at what that guy over there is doing.
He is already relaying the weakness of the turrets crawling in the academy.

Are you really sure?

You don't need someone like me?
I'm here to pick up a certainly lost student who was kidnapped.
And I need that person help no matter what!"

(Lotte told me that we need 9 or so active members.
If something happens that took their lives because of their own idiocy.
It means that our active members become forfeit and we lose our result as a process!

So the more we have the more odds we are at surviving this stupid exam that will last for months!

and anything can literally happen during that time!

We can't lose a single member this soon!
But still...
Why the **** did this quickly evolve into a damn rescue mission.)

Castel sighed and said.

"Alright, but don't be a hero and follow my commands."

"Roger!" I gave her a salute as she gave the thumbs up.

Castel along with her troops and I soon carved a path in the Sewers.
Since their goal is to rescue the hostages, this was favorable for me.

...

...

...

We took out plenty of drones and finally reached the destination.
To be honest, I would have gotten lost.
If I didn't lend them a hand.

Also, the sewers reeked so much that I wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible.
During this time, I've made contact with Lotte.

"I see...
So...
Things really did escalate.

Well then...
Just be sure to send my message to Miss Castel that if something were to happen to you.
I. Will. Ruin. Her."

Baster didn't understand his circumstances but was then asked by Castel.

"So... what did she say?"

"She told me.
She. would. ruin. you.

If something happened to me."

Her face suddenly became drained pure white as she said.

"Baster, stay behind us.
I'll be carving a path."

"Uhh... are you sure about that?"

"No problem, We need to hurry."

Looks like Lotte and Castel had some history together to scare into working desperately like this.

Castel's Pov:

(Jeeze... Lotte is being quite strict.
I wanted to know more about what this kid is capable of...
The way he figured out the enemy strategy this easily the most impressive thing I have ever seen.

To think he provided solid information on the situation so quickly that our best strategist was being suppressed by this threat is completely incomprehensible!?

Resolving it like it was a walk in the park.
Who is this kid? how sharp are his wits?
How did he know what the enemy was doing?

Suspicious... but the fact he divulged it so easily.
It makes him an ally and not an enemy.

But what was surprising was how he successfully fused and used two forms of ark seals with multiple combinations.

Instantly utilizing it, despite not having one.

Is it instinct or foresight?

To create one so, naturally, find the correct combination that renders the enemy tools completely defenseless.

I thought the black rose sisters were quite talented.
I guess even their brother isn't showing all of his cards.

I heard he wasn't completely blood related to them and didn't have much magical prowess.
But, I think the academy overlooks his knowledge with tools.
This is quite an impressive talent.

Why the heck does the noble families hates them so much!?
They are wasting such capable resources, that could easily make a name for themselves.

Damn it!) I struck one of the drones and cut apart the turrets in my frustration.

(At this rate, I'll probably retire as a teacher and leave this kingdom instead.

Haaah...

If only I found a proper husband.
But most of them are cowards or complete idiots who think I'm an easy woman.
They try to take advantage of me, just because I'm desperate and at the age where I need to find a husband.

Breaking their legs and putting a knife in their mouth swiftly changed their minds, though...
But some were unlucky enough that their thing below their waist was cut off for attacking me in my bed.

Oops... I had to make Lotte cover for me, many times.
I didn't want an embarrassing rumor to spread.

Until finally the creepy rascals finally managed to hand their revenge, after spouting out lies.
That I left them half-dead...)

"Lady Castel.
We are here." one of my men said.

"Good."

As I turned to debrief them.
I can't help but look at the young lad.

(Ah... If only I was a bit younger.
It wouldn't hurt to have such a reliable person supporting my back.)

"Everyone.
Our objective is above us.
Our target is to rescue the girls captured by the enemy.

Stay calm and search for the targets.
Also...
we have at least 1 minute until our barrier breaks.
So make this a quick operation!"

I turned to the young lad and I saw him winding up and manually refilling his generator.

"Eh? Baster.
What are you doing?"

"Hm?
I'm joining, I can't go in without my generator up."

"Uhh...
Your not seriously thinking of joining the fight."

"Don't worry, I can handle myself.

Not to mention.
There are plenty of things.
That all of you need to know about our enemy."

"Eh!?" Everyone was surprised including myself.

(It was at this point.
I will soon realize what this kid was truly capable of...)