Chapter 42

This is the second part of today's two-part post.

If you haven't read the first part, please start there.

□■【High-Class Operator】Yugo Receps

◇◆◇

"Yugo, have you ever heard of personality tests by category?"

About a month ago, in real time.

I had just joined the clan, and the clan owner asked me this.

At that time, the clan was already the largest in Dryfe, and thanks to its success in wars, it had ample budget and personnel.

Masters wishing to join were endless, and the number of members was approaching a thousand.

I was a rookie who had only been playing Infinite Dendrogram for a month and one of the Masters who joined at the same time.

However, due to some real-life circumstances, I had caught the owner's eye and joined the clan at his invitation.

Because of this, I often had conversations with the owner in Infinite Dendrogram as well.

"From the sound of it, it's similar to a personality test by blood type, right?"

That was my response, but to be honest, I don't believe in personality tests by blood type.

I prefer to focus on who I am each day rather than believing that my personality and character are largely determined by the blood type I was born with.

One's character and personality should be decided by how one wants to be.

This is something I believe applies both in real life and in this world.

"Blood type, huh? I don't like it because it lacks a solid basis. If you're going to do a personality test, you should look at the brain, not the blood. But, that's a different story."

The clan owner took out a whiteboard from his item box and started writing something on it with a marker.

He always carries it because he likes to explain things.

He's also a conspiracy theorist, so he uses it to explain his plans when he comes up with them.

It's fine as long as his conspiracies end up as jokes...

But often, he comes up with plans that are tragic for the victims even if they can laugh about it themselves.

I feel bitter about it, but I can't stop him.

...Let's get back to the story.

The owner drew a human figure representing a Master and listed the Embryo categories next to it.

"The Embryo is the 0th form of an egg, and it observes the Master's actions, personality, and other personal traits before evolving into the first form, right? So, in reverse, the Embryo's type can reveal the Master's personality."

I see.

Since the Embryo itself is derived from the Master's personal traits, it's more accurate than a blood type test.

"It became popular about a year ago in real time. I tried to compile it myself. However, there were many irregularities with the higher-level Embryos, and I couldn't pinpoint specific types. There were also unique types like 'my Embryo' that had no counterparts. In the end, I could only verify the four basic categories and one other type with a certain degree of accuracy."

The categories the owner listed were Arms, Gardener, Castle, Territory, and +α.

"Owner, the basic categories don't include Chariots."

"Yeah, Chariots. I couldn't quite figure it out, so I left it out."

That's a shame.

It was one of the categories I was particularly interested in.

"Anyway, let me explain briefly.

Arms are often brave people who aren't afraid of getting hurt. They're headstrong, foolish, emotional, and passionate. There are various ways to describe them.

Gardener is the opposite, being cowardly, afraid of getting hurt, lonely, or someone who wants to be protected.

These two are pretty much as you'd expect, right?"

Indeed.

Weapon type and guardian type. Their characteristics make sense.

I'm curious if this applies to non-weapon Arms as well.

"Castle is introverted, kind, craftsman-like, meticulous, and cooperative.

Territory is dominant, stress-prone, rule-bound, self-righteous, and a lone wolf.

By the way, my Embryo's first category was Castle."

I see.

Some might disagree with this.

Especially with the owner being a Castle.

"There are also hybrids that combine multiple categories, so it's not definitive. But that's the basic idea of the categories."

"What about the +α category, Owner?"

"Maiden."

At the sound of that word, I felt my eyes widen slightly.

"Type: Maiden. A rare category that occasionally appears. It has two characteristics: it is always a hybrid with one other category, and its basic form is human. It's a human, not a humanoid monster like a Gardener."

I know these characteristics.

"Maiden is the name given when the human form is female. For males, it's different, but we rarely see them."

"So, what about the personality of a Maiden's Master?"

"They don't think of this world as a game—considering the lives in this world as equally important as those in reality."

I gasped at his words.

"Well, what do you think of my theory, Yugo?"

In response to those words... what did I say?

◇◆◇

The leader of the bandit group, who finally emerged from the fort, introduced himself as Gohz, a Just Fighter.

A Just Fighter is one of the higher ranks in the Fighter series, specialized in close combat.

The fact that he has a job suggests he is a demi-human, despite his monstrous appearance.

He can communicate.

"You did a good job, didn't you? All my cute subordinates are wiped out."

"Yet, you don't seem angry or sad about it?"

"Well, now I can feast on their dead flesh, can't I?"

...This man.

"Sweet children's meat is delicious. Sometimes I crave bitter adult meat. Did you know? The meat of evil adults is even more delicious because it's bitter."

"Unfortunately, I'm a vegetarian."

"Heh! That's impressive, staying healthy like that. Masters are tough, after all."

So, he's aware I'm a Master.

"I've been watching your movements from the fort. You're too good. It's obvious you're not an ordinary Dryfe soldier."

"Hmm. You should have come out before all your subordinates were wiped out."

"If you finish them off, it saves me the trouble."

"...What?"

"Actually, we were planning to leave here. Just me and another leader, heading to a different place. The subordinates and kids were just in the way. I was planning to kill and eat them all."

The bandit leader is abandoning his hideout and subordinates?

What could be the reason for this?

"Why are you doing this?"

"I won't tell you. Besides, even if there's a reason, if Maze says so, I'll follow."

Another leader has the lead, and this man is just a tool.

...It reminds me of someone.

"The subordinates are already dead thanks to you. The rest are the kids underground and the additional kids the subordinates brought."

Gohz's gaze seemed to be directed at the carriage behind the Marshall II, where the children were.

"Not happening."

I operated the Marshall II, aiming the Battle Knife and Hand Cannon.

"Hahahaha, I figured. But..."

Gohz lowered his center of gravity,

"With that broken junk, you can't beat me, OOOOOOOO!!"

With a roar that shook the earth, he charged at me, his shoulders bulging.

It was a reckless charge with no technique.

I swung the Battle Knife down at him.

The explosive shells from the Hand Cannon were ineffective. To deal effective damage, I needed armor-piercing rounds.

Considering this, I attacked with the Battle Knife, which had superior physical attack power per area.

My target was a vital spot—the carotid artery.

But the result was...

"Does it work, AAAAAAAH!!"

The Battle Knife was shattered against the skin covering the carotid artery, which was neither horn nor claw.

"..."

Immediately after, Gohz's massive body collided with the Marshall II, shaking the cockpit violently.

"BUMOOOOOOOOO!!"

The Marshall II should have been several times heavier.

But Gohz's power overcame the weight difference.

After pushing the Marshall II over ten meters, he grabbed it and threw it.

After a moment of weightlessness, the Marshall II was slammed into the ground.

"Ga, ha... ..."

My body, restrained by the harness, didn't hit the equipment, but the impact forced the air out of my lungs.

I tried to catch my breath, but no air entered my lungs.

I couldn't even move the levers to regain my footing.

Was it the Marshall II that was broken, or was it me?

"Yugo"

"Hmm, ha... I underestimated you. This minotaur is strong. Top-class among high-level jobs... If the conditions are right, he could even aim for a super-class job..."

The super-class job in the Fighter series, Super Fighter, is held by Figaro, so it's unlikely.

Still, Gohz is undoubtedly strong.

He could even defeat a Master with a high-level Embryo.

To be honest, even if the Marshall II were in perfect condition, my chances of winning would be slim.

The combat power of the Marshall II is on the level of a sub-dragon.

With my "Operation" skill at level 7, it can perform at 140% of its capabilities, but it's still not enough to match this man.

"Yugo"

"Yeah, I hear you, Kyuko."

"Use a skill?"

"..."

Should I use it, or not?

My combat power is inferior to Gohz.

Especially in my current battered state.

The cannibal strongman is too much for the Marshall II and me.

But if I use a skill, if I use the Embryo, the outcome will be different.

I can definitely defeat the cannibal strongman.

But using the Embryo's skill is for the "plan"...

"My stomach is empty, you know."

Hearing his voice, I looked at Gohz through the cracked camera eye of the Marshall II.

Gohz, in the middle of the battle, had his back to me. Perhaps, in his mind, the battle was already over.

Gohz was searching through the bodies of his fallen subordinates.

He stripped the armor and clothes from the bodies, and then—began to eat the flesh.

"Delicious, delicious. Quite well done. They were good subordinates, after all."

He devoured the bodies of his subordinates with satisfaction.

"..."

Feeling nauseous at the sight, I checked the status of the Marshall II through the equipment window and the feel of the levers.

The armor was 70% stripped, and the remaining armor was severely damaged.

The left arm was completely non-functional, and the right arm moved sluggishly.

The legs still worked.

Weapons... the Hand Cannon had detached along with the left wrist, and the Battle Knife was damaged.

There was no way to fight with the Marshall II in this state.

"The options left are..."

Use a skill, or leave without using one.

I can't use the skill for the "plan."

I can't take a penalty here for tomorrow's "plan."

So, should I run...?

Even if I run, Ray is still here.

He might defeat Gohz.

So, even if I leave...

"After the meal, it's time for dessert."

Gohz said, taking something out of a bag on his waist.

"..."

The moment I saw it, my thoughts went blank.

What Gohz took out was a ball-sized object.

A girl's severed head, with wide, terrified eyes and blood-streaked hair.

Gohz tossed it into his mouth like popcorn.

The demon's teeth in his mouth easily crushed the girl's head.

"Delicious, as always. The meat of a child who's been terrified to death is the best. But it's a bit too small."

Saying this, Gohz headed towards the carriage.

His purpose was clear.

When I understood what he had done and what he was about to do, the hesitation in my mind vanished.

Instead, my heart was filled with pure—anger.

"Yugo"

"Kyuko"

"Will you use the skill?"

"---You know, don't you?"

I stood up the nearly destroyed Marshall II.

"Gohz"

At my words, Gohz turned around.

"Huh? Can't you sleep, Master?"

"Can't I?"

Yes, I was sleeping.

I was half-asleep.

I can't use the skill because of the "plan."

I was going to avoid the penalty for the "plan" and run away.

Nonsense. That's not me.

The character "Yugo Receps" that I have imposed on myself is not that kind of person.

So, I declare my anger.

"I declare—I will not forgive you."

At my declaration, Gohz laughed.

"Haha. You're just a Master playing a game. The Masters who came here before were the same. They weren't serious either. You don't really live in this world because you can't die here, right?"

"Indeed. The starting point for all of us Masters is play. But some of us hear the voices of those who exist in this world, who live. Some of us layer sorrow over the laments of the weak who have died. From there... some of us define who we are."

So, I will define.

I am the thorn of the rose.

If I can be the thorn of the rose that pierces and pierces through the evil men who scatter beautiful flowers and precious lives.

That is Yugo Receps.

The role I desire, the role I will play.

"Know this. You will fall into hell for the sin of killing people with your own hands."

Following the defined role, Yugo Receps declares to the evil man Gohz.

"---'My hell will destroy you'"

To make you receive the punishment for your sins.

"Try it if you can, OOOOOOOO!!"

Enraged by my words, Gohz charged again.

If I take another hit, the Marshall II will be completely destroyed, and I will die inside.

But that outcome will not come.

"Kyuko"

In response to my voice, Kyuko landed on the shoulder of the Marshall II.

"False Emblem...解除"

Through the camera eye, I saw Gohz's shocked expression.

Of course, he would be shocked. He can see it now.

The sudden appearance of Kyuko.

The emblem on the back of her left hand, which proves she is a Master, is disappearing.

Yes, Kyuko is not a Master.

There is no Master named Kyuko.

Kyuko, no, her true identity is...

"---Let's go, 'Cocytus'"

"Yes, ---'Master'"

Kyuko—Cocytus transformed her entire body into white and blue particles, descending into the Marshall II, merging, and transforming its appearance.

A momentary blizzard swirled around the area, turning white and then disappearing.

In the center, the transformed Marshall II, with me and her standing inside, emerged.

The Marshall II is now covered in a new armor that resembles translucent white ice.

It carries azure ice blades shaped like crosses on both arms and its head.

Its internal structure has been enhanced even further by the infused magic power, surpassing its original performance.

It looks like a personification of an ice church.

This is my Embryo.

Type: Maiden with Chariots—Cocytus.

"GOOOOOOOO!!"

Even at the sight before him, Gohz did not stop his charge.

Correct.

No hesitation, no fear. As a pure warrior, Gohz was top-notch.

Gohz was truly a strong man.

But it's over.

The moment I decided to use Cocytus's power, the cannibal strongman Gohz had no chance of winning.

The preparations are complete.

The gates of hell are now open to welcome the sinner.

"---Those who pass through this gate, abandon all hope"

Reciting the inscription at the entrance to hell, I activated the skill.

"《Hell Gate》"

---Immediately after, Gohz was dead.

To be continued

The next post will be tomorrow at 21:00.

(￣(エ)￣)＜By the way, the common personality traits of Chariots are "actor," "liar," "fun-loving," "indecisive," "stress-prone," and "explosive."