Chapter 6

6.

"There are only 40 Karktu individuals identified near the entrance."

The sight of the Karktu in the enlarged hologram made him feel a chill. What kind of creatures could they be? Han frowned and asked,

"How many have been eliminated?"

"About 30."

"How long can the barrier hold?"

"We have reinforced it as much as possible and are still repairing it, but it won't last much longer. Although the Karktu's intelligence is low, their instincts are excellent. Even if the barrier doesn't collapse, they could still cross the ridge and enter the base. The barriers in areas other than the barrier have remained intact so far, but if the number of Karktu increases, we can't guarantee that."

"What about Sierra?"

"Since the communication was cut off, we still haven't been able to contact her. However, it is known that Sierra, the lieutenant, took an autonomous module when she went on the exploration mission. If she finds an undamaged mech, she can activate it and join us."

"If we can't contact her, it's just an uncertain possibility. Is there no available method right now?"

The feeling of coldness down his spine was very unpleasant.

"We are already using all available resources to defend. If you want more, there is none at the moment. We have already informed the Union about the situation at the base. I recommend that you leave the planet as soon as their transport ship arrives."

"What about the soldiers?"

"There is no one more important than you, Commander, in the base."

"So you're saying that we should hold out until the time comes and then take the device to separate you and escape alone?"

"I am speaking realistically. Even if the transport ship arrives immediately, not all of our allies can retreat. Someone has to stay and hold back the Karktu. If the situation worsens, even the Commander might not be able to escape when the transport ship arrives."

In the tutorial, the surviving Sierra took on that role. Ironically, the Sierra who could take on that role is now missing due to his orders.

"Damn it. Steel Armor. At least give me the Steel Armor!"

"I do not recommend it. Your presence won't change the situation."

"Shut up and bring it!"

"Please stand in the designated position for Steel Armor fitting."

Han stood in the place indicated by the hologram with a somewhat grim expression.

This is not for fighting on the front lines like a Space Marine.

Using a rifle shouldn't be difficult, but without military training, how can he have the confidence to fight?

This is insurance. A kind of insurance.

The Steel Armor is a powerful weapon that allows survival even in close combat with the Karktu.

"Depending on the user, it might perform better than the game's settings. Of course, the opposite could also be true."

This is not a world with limited variables like a game.

"Things have progressed according to the tutorial so far. But there is no guarantee that the same result of everyone dying and only I surviving will happen."

Several variables have already occurred.

First, he is Han, not Idrasil.

Second, Sierra and her squad, who should have stayed at the base, went on a resource exploration mission and lost contact.

Considering these two facts alone, the possible variables are endless.

In the tutorial, the protagonist didn't die, so he will survive no matter what? How can he be sure?

"If the Karktu enter the base..."

A fierce battle will break out.

Space Marines will likely prioritize protecting the Commander, but will they still do so when their lives are on the line? Such people are few.

"I have to protect my own life."

The control center is the safest place in the base, but there is a task that needs to be done first: the production of mechs.

Even without mechs, the basic defense facilities will prevent the control center from being breached immediately, but if even one Karktu enters the center, he is as good as dead.

The Steel Armor is the minimum means to prepare for this.

Han hesitated for a moment, and Wo guided him again.

"Please stand in the designated position for Steel Armor fitting."

Han stood in the place indicated by the hologram with a somewhat grim expression.

The walls around him opened, and the Steel Armor and machines surrounded him.

"This is kind of creepy."

As Han looked at the machines with a tense expression, Wo's guidance continued.

"Do not move until the fitting is complete."

Click! Click!

As soon as the words were spoken, restraints in the shape of rings bound his limbs.

"Unless you're the Hulk, you probably can't move anyway."

Whirr! Clank! Click!

As soon as Han's thoughts continued, the Steel Armor began to fit his body at a rapid pace with mechanical sounds.

Pssst! Pshh!

"User: Synchronizing with Han Idrasil"

"Synchronization complete."

Click!

Thud! Thud!

"Oh!"

Taking a few steps, Han momentarily forgot the urgent situation and was enveloped by a sense of excitement.

"This feels like being Iron Man."

"Is there any armor that can shoot beams from the chest?"

"If you mean a beam that has destructive power, it is extremely dangerous. Strong energy is inherently unstable."

"Is it impossible?"

"It is possible, but it is very inefficient. The amount of energy a beam can carry depends on its power, but as personal equipment, it is limited. In that case, using heavy weapons is more efficient and safer. Accumulating energy in the armor that exceeds the power of heavy weapons is like carrying a powerful bomb."

"True, protective equipment should be efficient for its purpose. There's no reason to place dangerous materials in a life-critical area. Tony Stark was a special case..."

As Han nodded in agreement, Wo's guidance continued.

"The only weapon is a rifle."

Looking up, he saw a sci-fi gun on one side. All of them were guns he had never seen before.

"Well, a gun is a gun."

Approaching, he picked up a rifle of appropriate size.

Text appeared and disappeared on the helmet's visor. Han noticed something unusual as he checked the text without thinking.

"Huh? This isn't Korean or English, what is it?"

Despite this, he could understand it without any difficulty.

"Well, in this situation, what can't be..."

Whether it's Iron Man or the text, there was no time to spare in such a relaxed situation.

Whirr! Clank!

The metal parts of the rifle interlocked precisely, transforming into a form ready to fire. Pressing the button again, it shrank for easier carrying.

In both cases, it seemed that firing was possible.

"The barrier's durability is almost gone. In this situation, the Commander has two options."

Han, who was examining the rifle, looked at the holographic situation board.

"What are they?"

"The first is to wait until the situation becomes urgent, then separate from the center and wait for rescue."

Han felt a surge of resistance. Prioritize an AI over a human?

"Why do I have to separate from you?"

"The reason the Union will urgently dispatch troops is to preserve a super AI. There are not many super AIs like me in the entire Terra. Whether or not I am preserved is closely related to the Commander's survival."

Generally, the AI in the control tower, which is similar but subordinate to the center, conducts the battle. In the tutorial, the protagonist didn't separate the super AI for no reason.

"The center and the tower were not much different in the game, but in reality, they are. As the setting..."

In the game, the two facilities were essentially just design differences.

So, he thought it was just a background setting to emphasize the protagonist's special nature, but it seems that's not the case. Narrowing his brows, Han said in a curt tone,

"What is the second option?"

"Wait for Lieutenant Sierra to return."

Han brightened and asked,

"Lieutenant Sierra? Has her status been confirmed?"

"It is unknown. However, based on the situation before and after the communication was cut off, it was not due to an enemy attack. Therefore, the probability of her survival is high, and if she returns, she may have secured a small number of mechs or necessary resources."

Han realized Wo's intention.

"Both options require me to be alive. You're telling me not to leave the control center until the situation is decided?"

"That's correct. If the Commander dies, the remaining barriers and defense systems will become useless, and the possibility of survival will be zero."

"I don't want to go to the front lines either. But if things continue like this..."

"Explosives?"

"The few remaining explosives have already been installed in the barrier and inside the base."

"They are monsters. They don't target key facilities or the control center first. Their only target is food. I am also their prey. So, I will give the order."

As bait, using their instincts to control them.

Han paused for a moment and continued,

"Don't wait for the barrier to break. When the enemies are concentrated on the barrier, detonate the mines laid outside!"

"It's too dangerous. In the short term, it will cause significant damage, but as the Commander said, this planet is a place where Karktu continuously appear. Since we don't know when the transport ship will arrive, we need to delay the battle as much as possible, even if it means some casualties."

7. Ununderstandable Order (4)