The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 128: How to Synchronize (2)

’Beasts,’ the monsters from the other dimension, could largely be divided into two categories.

One was the mutated forms of normal flora and fauna in this world. Examples include creatures like Crawltide, which evolved from cockroaches.

The other was organisms from beyond this dimension. Even without considering the mutations caused by ether, these beings were fundamentally different from lifeforms native to this world. Many believed they were remnants of alien species destroyed when their dimensions were consumed.

The beasts blocking our path belonged to the second category.

"...Fifteen beasts encountered ahead. Prepare for combat."

Irene, who was leading the procession, raised her arm to signal a stop. Our team, which had been moving in a loose three-column formation, quickly responded upon spotting the horde of beasts.

As I shifted position in the formation, my eyes fell on one team member’s bag. Levi was assembling a ballista pulled from his bag. The thing was massive—hard to believe he carried it so effortlessly.

Ahead of us stood several human-sized beasts clad in what appeared to be armor. They moved as a group, advancing toward us.

Their name was Spartoi, stone beasts that attacked humans on sight.

While the six team members in the center of the formation prepared, the Violet Squad in the first and third columns reformed into a four-column defensive stance.

"Hold on, everyone. Let me try shooting first."

Hearing my suggestion, Irene nodded and glanced back. Everyone seemed to agree. The number of beasts wasn’t overwhelming.

Ten Violets in the first row armed with automatic rifles stepped forward. I had something I wanted to verify.

「Commence fire!」

-Tatatatata!-

The sound of gunfire erupted like popcorn popping, and a rain of bullets engulfed the beast horde. Sparks flew as the bullets clashed with ether shields.

Observing through her scope, the first squad leader Violet grimaced in frustration.

「They deflected it!」

The barrage pierced through the ether shield but proved ineffective against the ceramic-like armor beyond. Continuous gunfire eventually brought one beast down, but that was all.

When the squad leader Violet signaled, another Violet pulled out a different weapon—a large-caliber combat rifle.

-Bang! Bang!-

The larger caliber succeeded in penetrating. However, even then, it took several shots to inflict significant damage. The beasts, though dismembered, continued advancing.

It wasn’t until pipe bombs and grenade launchers were used that they were decisively eliminated. I clicked my tongue in displeasure.

「Wow, they really are bulletproof!」

Next, a crossbow was deployed. It was a semi-automatic type with a 30-bolt magazine. A single magic-infused bolt slowly flew out and pierced a beast’s armor.

「Ugh!」

As anticipated from our research, these creatures were resilient against physical force. I drew my sword, infused it with magic, and slashed at one of the beasts. A creature that had resisted bullets split cleanly in two.

Looking around, I noticed another group of Spartoi approaching, likely drawn by the gunfire. This time, there were 40 to 50 of them. Quite a number.

It was time to begin training. The first exercise: defensive drills!

"Alright, everyone. We’ll hold them off—go finish them!"

As the Violet Squad switched to shield formations, the team members waiting in the rear sprang into action. Irene infused us with golden magic from behind, while Daphne deployed protective barriers.

The Violet barricade was complete just as the Spartoi reached us and began pounding the shields with their bare hands. The impact of their magically charged arms caused the wall to shudder momentarily.

"Do you need me to step in?"

"We’re fine. We’ve got the team."

Irene’s question was met with a confident grin from the squad leader Violet. Although her smile was hidden behind her mask, the sound carried clearly, prompting Irene to return the gesture with a quiet smile.

"Now, attack!"

As the Violet Squad held the front, Lucian stepped forward, exuding confidence.

"Why the sudden shooting spree? These beasts are naturally bulletproof."

"We’re testing something! Just provide fire support!"

Before I could finish speaking, he clicked his tongue and snapped his fingers. Five small magic circles appeared above him.

"Watch closely, Violet. This is magic!"

Wearing gloves inscribed with complex magical runes, he pointed toward the beasts. Blue magic arrows materialized from the circles and struck the creatures, toppling them in a series of explosions.

"Impressive, huh?"

"Stop showing off and focus on the fight."

Chastised by Irene, he briefly looked sheepish before resuming his attacks. While spells rained from the rear, a pink-haired girl dashed to the flank.

"Here I go!"

-Bang! Bang!-

Her magnum pistol roared repeatedly. The bullets, imbued with her unique ability, shattered the heads of the beasts. Three Spartoi, sensing danger, turned their heads only to be slashed by a flaming sword. As the Violet barricade held the front, Kalia darted to the side like a panther, wreaking havoc on the beasts before retreating.

"Everyone, fall back now!"

A clear voice rang out as multiple thin green barriers materialized, separating the beasts from the Violet shields. Daphne’s modified protective barriers allowed us to retreat swiftly. From the gap in the shields, a large figure wielding a poleaxe emerged.

"Alright, here I go!"

Granite charged forward awkwardly with his weapon. He hesitated slightly upon seeing the beasts beyond the barrier. But as the shield vanished, and the beasts lunged, his axe swung with surprising might.

The poleaxe, glowing white with infused magic, slashed in a sweeping arc. The result was explosive.

-Kaboom!-

Seven charging beasts were obliterated at the waist in a single blow. ’Obliterated’ felt more fitting than ’slashed.’

The Violet Squad reassembled, forming the shield wall once again. Now, all that remained was the decisive ranged strike!

A powerful bolt shot would topple them like bowling pins...!

"Ah... ah..."

"...?"

But no shot came. The black-haired girl, who was supposed to deliver the final blow, trembled instead.

"Levi? What are you doing?"

"S-Sorry! I-I need to shoot, but..."

Prompted by Daphne, Levi finally came to her senses and raised her massive ballista. However, the beasts were already upon the Violet shield wall.

「Was it too close to shoot?」

「Looks like it.」

The close proximity seemed to hinder her. The squad ceased training and drew their swords instead.

"Irene, let’s go!"

"Charge, charge!"

Moments later, the golden-edged spears of the shield wall charged forward, crushing the beast horde completely.

"Is there a problem?"

"S-Sorry. They got too close..."

Levi mumbled something incoherent.

Was it because the weapon wasn’t suited for short-range combat?

After a brief reorganization, we resumed our march.

Later, the Violets continued their advance toward the location where the wyverns were said to be.

During that process, we carried out various small-scale experiments.

For example, assigning one Violet to each team member.

“So, the one with the blue armband on their arm will act as a radio? Is that what you’re saying?”

When Kalia asked, the Violet with the blue armband on her right arm nodded.

“Yep, I’m No. 51. From now on, I’m the Radio Violet!”

“I’m No. 691! And that one’s No. 217!”

Kalia shook her head in disbelief and muttered, “As expected, you’re still the same…”

At the moment, I distributed short-range laser communicators to the team members. These devices were supposed to work even in the interference-heavy dungeon environment.

However, these communicators were unreliable. Even small obstacles like a hill would render them ineffective. It’s probably because I bought the cheap ones.

It wasn’t a problem when we moved together, but when we had to spread out, it became an issue. Especially since the dungeons ahead were expected to be more complex and easier to get lost in.

So, I resolved the issue by assigning one Violet to each team member.

The concept of a “human radio” seemed unfamiliar to everyone at first. No one understood it until I demonstrated it myself. I stationed one team member beyond a hill and had another member relay a message.

“Testing, testing. This is Daphne. Irene, can you hear me?”

The words entered the ears of one Violet, were transmitted through the Violet Network, and then repeated by another Radio Violet.

“Testing, testing. This is Daphne. Irene, can you hear me?”

By utilizing the sharing of senses and thoughts, the spoken words were conveyed instantly. This entire process took less than a second.

“Hah… I just can’t comprehend your clone abilities. So, you’re saying you’ll use this thought-sharing ability to relay messages without delay?”

“Exactly!”

Looking at the Radio Violet assigned to him, Lucian opened his mouth in disbelief.

“So, can magic do something like this?”

“…No.”

“Then I win!”

As the Violets puffed up with pride, Lucian showed a rare look of defeat. Magic, no matter how advanced, couldn’t beat the Violets.

Now that the team members were convinced of the principle behind the Radio Violets, it was time to test something new.

We arrived at an area notorious for wyvern disturbances. While the team rested, the Violets searched for a suitable spot to serve as an observation point. They found a relatively high hill nearby.

「Start digging!」

「Set up the gun emplacements! Fill the sandbags!」

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With synchronized chants, the Violet squad quickly dug into the ground and constructed sandbag defenses. Fifteen minutes later, small firing positions were completed one by one. Nothing was impossible for the Violets.

This area would host machine guns, anti-materiel sniper rifles, and crossbow marksmen. It was an anti-aircraft position designed to unleash a barrage against the wyverns.

「Let’s move Levi here as well!」

During our previous encounters with monsters, Levi hadn’t done anything. She hadn’t even fired a single shot in close combat. Even the axe guy who came with us had nervously but diligently done his part.

Perhaps her oversized ballista was only effective for long-range combat. In that case, she should do well in ranged engagements.

「It’s a secure position, so she should be able to fire freely, right?」

I dragged Levi to the stronghold. It was the safest spot, covered with camouflage netting, on the highest ground.

“Levi, stay here from now on. When the radio gives the signal, fire immediately. Got it?”

“Y-Yeah, I got it!”

And so, we waited for the wyverns to appear.

After a while, the sound of flapping wings grew louder, and a wyvern appeared from the milky sky.

“I’ll lure it in!”

I fired several signal flares into the sky. As the red lights shot up, a gray, greedily-eyed wyvern flew toward us. Its crimson eyes scanned the ground below.

-Kraaaaaaa!

The wyvern soared over our heads, gathering something in its mouth before spitting it out. It was an acidic liquid infused with magic!

“Scatter! Daphne, get the shield ready!”

The Violet group and team members quickly scattered under the protection of a barrier. The ground sizzled and bubbled as the acidic liquid splattered and corroded the surface.

“Open fire!”

Soon, the anti-aircraft positions around the hill unleashed a barrage. Beams of light tore through the sky. Amid the confusion, a magical spear launched by Lucian pierced through one of the wyvern’s wings. The monster screeched and plummeted to the ground.

“Now!”

The grounded monster spotted the Violets rushing toward it with weapons. Just as it attempted to flap its wings and take off again, it collided with an unexpected obstacle. With a thud, its wings struck a translucent, greenish barrier.

“It worked!”

Daphne exclaimed triumphantly. Several transformed shields she had deployed above the creature had blocked its ascent. The Violets and Irene swiftly surrounded the monster and began striking it relentlessly.

“Die!”

The team members took turns battering the creature until they eventually severed one of its wings. The beast was now grounded for good.

Irene immediately spoke to the Radio Violet.

“Channel Levi. Now’s the time—fire!”

The Radio Violet relayed the order without hesitation. However, Levi’s hands trembled uncontrollably. She stared at the wyvern as if in a trance.

“A-Ah…”

“Hey! Shoot already!”

I couldn’t stand it anymore and smacked her on the back. Levi snapped out of it and finally pulled the trigger. The ballista’s string creaked as it released, sending a large, white bolt hurtling toward the wyvern’s spine. While the beast was immobilized, the Violets swarmed over its body and stabbed it mercilessly.

“We did it!”

A blood-soaked Violet descended to the ground. However, the celebration was brief, as the Radio Violet in the anti-aircraft position grumbled.

“What’s the problem now?”

“I-I’m sorry…!”

Her modest red ribbon and twin tails quivered with unease. I stopped myself from scolding her further when I saw her guilt-ridden, trembling black eyes. I didn’t know what else to say.

The Violets in the barracks, who had been observing the scene, rested their chins on their hands in dissatisfaction.

Levi had complied with our commands and eventually fired her weapon. But there was a problem—her hesitation.

「In battle, even a second’s delay can decide the outcome!」

「We set the stage and gave the order, and this is the result.」

She was far more timid than I’d anticipated. If she’s this scared of distant enemies, what will she do in closer engagements?

「That weapon. Can’t we just use it ourselves?」

Ballistae like Levi’s were rare, and the ones available on the market were vastly inferior. Leaving her behind and using her weapon myself seemed like a better idea.

I handed Levi a snack to console her, convincing her to let me examine her weapon under the pretense of curiosity. Though reluctant, she finally agreed.

As I touched the weapon and brought up its status window, I was dumbfounded.

「What kind of nonsense is this?」

「A 5-star weapon?」

The status window displayed five stars.

[Wailing Song of Annihilation ☆☆☆☆☆]

First Martina, and now this—why do the most random people end up with 5-star weapons?

A 5-star weapon, huh? That’s nice. If I could use it, it’d be great. But there was a problem.

「Wait, it doesn’t work?」

I couldn’t use it. When I tried pouring my magic into the ballista, it didn’t budge.

What? Was it a user-exclusive weapon?

“Is this something only you can use?”

“Y-Yeah. It’s a relic weapon, so it recognizes me as its owner…”

I see, so it was a relic weapon.

I considered asking about the weapon’s origin but decided against it. There was no point in taking it since I couldn’t use it. It would just be a decoration.

Still, it was too valuable to discard. The metal bolts it used were easier to acquire than rockets or anti-tank missiles and just as powerful.

Since she was now a part of the team, I had to change her mindset by any means necessary.

「I’ll turn her into a warrior!」

「A soldier of steel and blood!」

I resolved to transform this timid and cowardly girl into a lover of violence.

What the Violet unit needed was someone who would revel in their enemies’ blood and take pleasure in leaving widows and orphans in their wake. We couldn’t afford a stammering, reluctant child who barely followed orders.

In the 21st century’s peaceful society, Levi might have lived as a shy, model citizen. But in this world, where violence reigned supreme, we needed a warrior who relished in crushing her enemies.

What should I do?

With only one day left before the next dungeon, I would find a way to change this girl’s mindset no matter what. It was time for mental reconditioning.

I’ll make her a warrior of blood!