Chương 166: Chapter 47: “What We Saw in the Depths of the Central Factory”

The enemies completely surrounding us began to approach in an orderly manner, slowly crushing the distance to apply pressure. Lilna and I were pushed closer until our backs were almost touching. At that moment, one Prelion leaped out and slashed at me, as if to test the waters. I saw through its blade, dodged under it, and simultaneously swung my Qi Sword down on its head. Split vertically in two, the killing weapon separated left and right and fell to the ground, exposing its inorganic contents.

I've seen gruesome human corpses in similar states many times, but compared to that, this affects my heart much less. Seeing me cut down the enemy without mercy, Lilna raised an eyebrow. As if to say it was a little unexpected.

"You kill normally too, huh. I thought you were a pacifist."

"I don't need to hold back against an enemy without a heart." I don't know if that was the signal, but the other Prelions raised their blades and jumped at us all at once. Without even a moment to coordinate, we responded immediately. True to their name as special units, they felt much tougher than the general soldiers of Dieclan. However, compared to Dielevats... They might be stronger than the non-combatant Tranity, but compared to combat types like Zeed or Steargol, they are probably quite inferior.

Anyway, they are only strong enough for us to handle without problems. Each one's movements look stopped compared to Lilna. I can see through them easily. She must feel the same way. She decapitates enemies and sends their limbs flying with her 《Inclear》 without any difficulty. However, above all, their numbers are great. We can handle up to two at a time, but dealing with three or more simultaneously is a bit tough. We maneuver well to create one-on-one or one-on-two situations as much as possible.

The fact that they all approach eerily quietly with the same pale, expressionless faces pasted on made me feel like I was having a nightmare. Perhaps judging that they were getting nowhere, the enemy changed their attack pattern. While the nearby enemies brandished their blades, the distant enemies aimed intensively with beam rifles. If I didn't have a means to prevent shooting, it would have been a hopeless attack. But the current me has defense added on by the effect of 《Mind Burst》.

Shooting is not a big deal as long as I can detect it. Compared to Plato's craftsmanship of shooting through accurately without any sign from a long distance. I dodge some, and for the parts I can't dodge, I concentrate Qi reinforcement on the hit location to block it. Lilna seemed to take no damage at all thanks to 《Deatress》. She was troublesome itself when she was an enemy, but terrifyingly reliable as an ally. As for me, being targeted intensively on my left side where I can't use Qi was admittedly a bit tough.

Lilna noticed it sharply and covered for me. I called out to her as she pierced through the umpteenth killing angel.

"Thanks."

"It's my responsibility." Reinforcements seemed to spring up endlessly, one after another. Enemies are replenished no matter how many we defeat. I don't want to waste extra stamina, but we can't easily break out of the stalemate. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Still, the reinforcements from inside the factory seemed to be finite after all. Judging the timing when they stopped, I nodded to Lilna.

I took her hand and broke through the encirclement in one breath with 《Passtrive》. While applying focused reinforcement to my back, amidst beams flying like rain, we turned our backs to the enemy and ran into the entrance of the dome. When we jumped in, the first thing that caught our eyes was a large number of huge mechanical devices. As expected, everything is almost exclusively shining silver.

I understand that the special alloy Polamit is an excellent material, but seeing it used so relentlessly everywhere, my eyes were starting to hurt. Press machines and belt conveyors are lined up in an orderly manner in a certain array. As you can see at a glance, it was an assembly line. And it seems to be a manufacturing line for Natura. For some reason, the line wasn't operating at all. It might have stopped because of the emergency. Rows of unfinished Natura heads were lined up, staring at us with lifeless eyes.

They look like they're about to start cackling any moment. Just the heads. On the other hand, I saw bodies without heads hanging in midair. Bodies of naked young men and women. They were probably in the middle of docking. Exquisite female limbs that could be mistaken for humans were exposed boldly. But finding headless bodies hanging casually didn't make me happy at all. Honestly, it was an extremely eerie sight. Something that would appear in a horror movie. Lilna seemed to have the same impression.

She muttered softly.

"Seeing where we are actually made isn't pleasant."

"I agree." The Prelions chased us and entered inside immediately. More came from the back too, putting us in a pincer attack. Naturally, if they shoot beam rifles inside, the equipment will be destroyed. Perhaps judging that as bad, they launched a close-quarters combat using only purple light blades. We deal with them just like outside. I didn't have the mind to destroy the Natura manufacturing line either. The purpose is to ascertain what is in this place.

And the discovery of the computer system that probably exists here too—and for that, destruction without complaint. Since I only use the Qi Sword originally, I don't need to hold back regarding movement. Perhaps out of consideration for me, Lilna had been fighting without using 《Frazor》, which would involve me, from the beginning. So there was no particular inconvenience. Rather, it can be said that it became easier to fight since the enemies couldn't shoot as they pleased.

"It seems it's not on this floor. It should lead to the underground somewhere. Let's find the way."

"Got it." While continuing the big brawl, we eventually found something that looked like the main elevator over there. Taking a signal with Lilna, we found a gap and ran up to it together. Lilna pressed the elevator button. While waiting for the cage to arrive, we combined our strength to check the enemy's movements. As soon as the door opened, we boarded simultaneously. We mercilessly cut and kicked out enemies trying to ride with us.

Now if we just press the button next to the entrance, the door will close, but... Enemies keep coming, so the door shows no sign of closing.

"I don't want to break it too much, but it's unavoidable." Lilna transforms her right hand into a muzzle.

"Target lock-on. Energy filling 10%. 《Selphanon》 —Fire." A light blue beam, the same color as Lilna's hair, is fired. Since it's 10%, the power is moderate, but it had the desired effect of blowing away all enemies approaching right in front of us. I was suddenly curious, but didn't she just simply shoot forward? Is it a specification to say that even when not locking onto a target? It's not something to ask at a time like this, so I keep silent. When I pressed the button again, the elevator door finally closed.

It descends to the underground layer with a smooth movement without sound.

"Come to think of it, we haven't seen Plato yet."

"Maybe he's lurking in the back. Even if not, he'll come." I had a premonition bordering on conviction. Because an irregular factor trying to expose the truth hidden in this world is stirring up one of the most important bases. He has no choice but to appear before us. He might already be aiming for a sniping chance from afar. I have to stay alert. The elevator door opened. The surroundings had completely changed, filled with an eerie silence. Dim fluorescent-like lights vaguely illuminate the dark passage.

The Underground Top Secret Area. Inside that huge silver pillar that was always visible in Geesnatura. We are probably the first rebels in history to step foot in here. The Prelions didn't chase us anymore. Drawing a circular curve, the passage continued forever. It was a structure reminiscent of the streets of Diesnatura. It sloped gently and extended downwards. While being wary of the surroundings, I walk with Lilna and proceed forward. Eventually, we came to a place with a huge door on the inside.

Biological — Manufacturing Plant. Some characters are worn out, but there was a plate with those words written on the entrance of the room. When we braced ourselves and approached the door, it opened automatically with a loud pssh sound. From the loudness of the sound, it can be inferred that it had been neglected for a long time. And beyond the door.

"What... is this..." Lilna turned completely pale and lost her words. To be precise, she shouldn't have a complexion being a Natura, but she looked completely like that. She, who is always calm, is trembling her shoulders and flustered. It was no wonder. Anyone would be like that. Because, right there. There was a shocking truth that would overturn the premise of this world from the very foundation.

"... I see. So it was like that after all." I thought it might be possible. Although I didn't have proof. My guess was correct. It was floating in green liquid. In glass cases lined up in a row, it is contained one by one. From inside, there was a Thing staring at us at one point. A form before becoming a human. The skin is not finished. Muscles of messy flesh cover the body surface completely. He is—no, there is a slight bulge in the chest. It might be a she. It bared its teeth towards us. It might be laughing.

It might be crying. I felt like the sorrow of a created thing was put into that expression. In there——. There were Humites in the middle of manufacturing.