Chapter 147: Surrounded (1/2)

30 minutes later, the bombardment hadn't stopped at all and there were already two instances where the ruin we were in was hit. Luckily, the screen covering us wasn't damaged.

There were also sounds of Metagens flying above us that were scouring the place. I once used the Orb of Concealment to see the situation outside.

Our supposed patrol area indicated by the mission details was already surrounded. They're just waiting for the bombardment to end before they march inside to look for us on foot.

Tough luck, eh?

We were really put on a chopping board.

Rearranging the events that occurred which led to this, it started with that Darkgen scout. What was it doing an hour away from the Black Market anyway? Instead of retreating after seeing Pasuta, he shot at him when he's currently alone. If that wasn't stupid, then what was?

I know I also made some kind of stupid decision when I had that stall owner go berserk. But I had to do it. If nothing happened, we would've gotten more information but the result was as expected.

And it would still lead to this point even if I didn't do anything in there.

When I told what I found out to the five Elite Members, they all turned gloomy as if their graves were already dug.

Haa... Cheer up, will you? The strongest Plot Armor we can ask for at this moment is coming for us.

Ah. Not exactly for us, but for me.

As if I could tell them that. But really, to think that these guys will suddenly decide to surround us and kill us without a second thought.

Is this possibly a normal occurrence? A whole Patrol Team getting wiped out? Or an Assault Team going MIA from their mission?

If it's like that then the three factions were too lax or these guys were too good at erasing any traces that could point to them

Ah, the League could be said as lax as well but I'm being biased about it since it's not as large as them and Nysia wasn't that eager to manage her executives.

I guess I'll suggest to Nysia to reform it and have someone she could truly trust to become something like a CEO who could manage the Executives and below with her and her Core Pilots as the figureheads and main military force.

That way she could be lazy all she wanted and she could also leave this world with me without the League disbanding because of her absence. Win-win, eh?

”Reinforcements are coming, chin up guys. You'll be able to go home and if you did well, I'll recommend all of you to get more incentives to aid those who wanted to become Core Pilots or a clear future for those who wanted to have a stable retirement.”

Giving them promises like this was a known tactic to raise morale, even if it wouldn't have that much effect, they would start to think that a miracle could happen.

Well, their survival was already confirmed unless something unexpected happened. If not for my connection to Nysia, I'm not confident at keeping them all alive.

After hearing my words, they looked up and somehow cast away some of their gloom.

As long as this place holds, we wouldn't move.

But yeah… Even if we didn't move, that's not the case for our enemies.

Soon enough, the bombardment stopped and the march of the Metagen and Darkgen alike started to fill our ears. I counted them earlier and there were at least 5 times our numbers and that number was only those who were already in their Metagen and Darkgen, there were also those in Powergen that would sweep every ruin to look for us.

There's really no one in this area but us and that was confirmed by Nell with her ability so it was already almost 90% certain that we're their targets. There are still other possibilities we couldn't rule out but yeah the possibility was too low for it.

”An hour at best. She will arrive in an hour. Follow my lead and I'll ensure that you all will be able to go home.”

Though I'm the strongest, I have skills that could empower and support them. As long as they don't mess up, I'll make sure to keep them alive.

”We're at your command, Sir.”

The five of them saluted and shouted in unison. No matter what, they really didn't have a choice now.

”Alright. Get in your Metagen, everyone”

After commanding them, they all released their Metagens from its compressed state and entered it.

The same as them, I released the Purple Haze and jumped inside.

I had Nell to use her ability to observe the enemies through her Enhanced Hearing. Using the result of her observation, I drew out a plan for us to avoid being encircled completely.

Incorporating their abilities into the plan, if everything goes well, we'll be able to keep moving and stall for time. The only unaccounted variable was the enemies' abilities that's why I put in the Dispelling Arrow as a key skill. It will be used to stop them from disrupting my plan.

”2 minutes.”