TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
===BREAK===
Entering the virtual reality for the second time, they switched to another arena.
This time, it was a subway map with strong vibes of the Old Capital, modeled after the complex terrain of places like Dead End Hollow.
Piles of debris blocked paths everywhere, and abandoned trains turned the area into a maze-like environment.
"The terrain's more complicated now, but [Null_Face]'s computing power should be limited, and the space is still huge," Yanagi adjusted her glasses, speaking calmly. "We'll use the same tactics as before. Just adapt the formation carefully, and this stage should be over quickly."
"The Deputy Chief is right. I think this will be easy, too."
Harumasa nodded, sensing that [Null_Face] wasn't exactly clever.
"Hehe, easy?"
A sharp, cold voice rang out.
At the same time, Soukaku suddenly raised her small fist and lightly tapped Yanagi's thigh.
The snow-white, firm flesh of her thigh jiggled slightly. There was no real harm, but something was clearly off.
"Sorry, Yanagi, I suddenly lost control of my body just now…"
Soukaku bowed her head, embarrassed.
It felt like her body had almost struck Yanagi, but fortunately, she had restrained herself in time.
"Do you all feel similar impulses?"
Yanagi thought of [Null_Face]'s voice and looked at Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa.
"A little, but we can control it."
Harumasa nodded seriously.
"Mm. This body also had the urge to slash you all once."
Miyabi casually rested her hand on her sword hilt, speaking calmly. "But such fleeting external malevolence cannot shake my will."
[Null_Face] observed their expressions, grinning smugly. "You noticed, didn't you? I've gained greater permissions and can start manipulating your body data!"
"You have only two choices: either conserve energy and quietly sit there for me to enjoy your slow despair, or turn on each other so I can watch a show."
Unfortunately for him, he couldn't fully control Hollow Special Operations Section 6's data to see a real spectacle of mutual slaughter.
Those were the most important data in the VR system, protected by core programs. Even at his limit, he could not seize complete control, only less than half.
To truly trap Section 6, he would have to bypass the control commands and replace their data with non-combat Proxy data.
Then, Section 6 wouldn't be able to harm any virtual data and would be trapped here indefinitely.
"Do you think we'll believe your words?" Harumasa said lightly, a mocking smile on his face. "The more an enemy doesn't want us to act, the more it proves we're doing the right thing."
"The fact that you're warning us now shows that you've seen the first special data-form cleared—you're panicking!"
Having sent Section 6 on countless missions and faced many clever and cunning enemies, he wasn't easily intimidated.
If he believed everything the enemy said, he would have died eight hundred times over.
"Hmph!" [Null_Face] snarled, coldly laughing. "My surprise for you isn't just that! Last time, you could control the data-forms' range without killing them—this time, you won't be so lucky!"
"I've gained further permissions. I can now freely make data-forms die and respawn—they'll appear wherever I want!"
"Ke ke ke ke ke!"
He watched the four of them through data surveillance, eager to see their shocked, fearful expressions.
He wasn't going to trip over the same trap twice.
This time, he had fixed the loopholes. Let's see how these guys handle it!
"…"
Soukaku immediately looked worried.
What were they going to do now!?
"Hehe, [Null_Face], you really aren't very clever."
Yanagi's glasses reflected a streak of white light as she chuckled lightly. "Thanks for the information. Now we can prepare and solve this with only a little effort."
"If I were you, I'd have hidden this info, pretending I still couldn't control data-form respawns, keeping the other three far from me. Then, at the critical moment, I'd draw all data-forms toward myself, allowing them to attack me at once, and I could thin their numbers directly."
"Cut one finger, hurt ten more!"
As she spoke, Yanagi carefully analyzed the terrain, leading Miyabi and the others in the direction of the special data-form.
"Damn, why didn't I think of that!"
[Null_Face] was dumbfounded, realizing he'd missed a golden opportunity.
If only he had thought of Yanagi's method earlier, he could have eliminated the woman who ruined his first scheme.
With only three people left, it would have been much easier to deal with them!
Suddenly, he felt like a pig with a brain on his neck. He had tried to show off and missed such a good strategy. He had made a fool of himself!
No, no, no… it's because this woman was just too cunning!
"Found it!"
Yanagi muttered under her breath, leading the charge toward the special data-form.
While [Null_Face] was busy talking, he hadn't deployed any blocking data-forms. Moving through the area was even easier than the first time!
"What!?"
[Null_Face] realized something was wrong and hastily forced the special data-form to flee, deploying all kinds of data-form monsters to block their path.
They found the special data-form faster than the first time, even taking advantage of the conversation to make their move—such ruthless efficiency!
He felt like an idiot.
No, no—it was the other side that was too smart!
Meanwhile, Hollow Special Operations Section 6 formed a tight line, each member no more than twenty meters apart.
Whenever a monster blocked the path, three of them would engage it.
Unlike the fixed-point defense last time, this time they moved while blocking, maintaining a forward line.
Whenever [Null_Face] deployed a monster ahead of the first person, the three others would rapidly catch up, clearing a path.
This was the variation Yanagi had mentioned from the first time. Though more complex and requiring strong coordination, it was no challenge for Section 6.
Soon, the second special data-form was killed by Miyabi's sword strike, taking barely any more time than the first.
Once the last one was eliminated, they could return to reality.
Returning to the HIA Club VR environment once again, everyone exhaled in relief.
Harumasa patted her chest, looking at Yanagi with gratitude. "Deputy Chief, luckily you're not [Null_Face]. That would've been sinister! If it were his plan, we'd probably have suffered massive losses."
The VR system was now fully sensory—too much pain could be fatal in real life!
===BREAK===
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