The next day, we went to visit Irene.
We were there to brainstorm a strategy using our numbers.
"Strategy?"
"Yeah! I want to use our numbers more wisely!"
The experience of fighting against dium and heavy tanks in my imagination was fun, but it also gave us sothing to think about.
The existing approach was no different from just rushing in and recklessly attacking.
However, in a world overflowing with advanced technology and powerful enemies, a more intelligent approach was needed.
"What if an A-grade or higher Hunter appears?"
"Or what if we face heavy machinery or high-level beasts? That would be a real pain."
I imagined a scene in my mind: brave little mouse Violets charging at an elephant.
The mouse Violets ford a line, raising their spears and swords as they charged toward the elephant.
"Squeak! Hit it—stab it!"
Unfortunately, contrary to the myth, elephants are not afraid of mice. The mouse Violets were quickly turned into dried fish.
"Rrgh—run! Run away!"
The simulation failed.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that numbers alone weren’t enough. I shared this concern with Irene.
Irene listened, thought for a mont, and then spoke up.
"So, you’re curious about group tactics? Maybe the Helios Clan’s operational thods? Well... I’m not sure if it’ll help."
"What? Why not? Is it classified or sothing?"
"No, not at all! It’s a thod that everyone already knows, so telling you isn’t a big deal. The thing is... what you’re asking for is military tactics, right? But the way Hunters in our clan operate is a bit different from the military." ṘÀ𐌽o͍ꞖĚṧ
Irene continued her explanation. According to her, Hunters’ battles, unlike real combat, are longer and more deliberate.
"For low-level and mid-level beasts, it doesn’t matter much. The problem cos when we face high-level beasts or dangerous awakened criminals. Why do you think we’re called ’Hunters’? We’re not fighters. We’re hunters."
In the end, from the perspective of the Hunters, it’s safer and more effective to slowly track and wear down the enemy, especially when making money is the goal. The less risk of injury, the more chances to survive and earn.
"Have you ever heard of the whale hunting tactic?"
"Oh! I think I have!"
I followed Irene as we entered the factory. Once the tables and chairs were moved to the side, a large open space appeared.
"First, I’ll explain the concept. I think it’s best to practice in an empty dungeon."
A squad of one Violet clone lined up in front of Irene, aligning in rows and columns.
"Actually, there’s nothing complex about the tactic. It’s really simple. First, the ranged attackers unload a barrage of fire, then imdiately the close combat troops rush in to attack consecutively. When the enemy’s strength starts to falter? You deliver a powerful strike like stabbing a whale. The key is that there should be no delay between the roles of the ranged and close combat attackers. Got it?"
"Yeah! Got it!"
After hearing our response, Irene grinned.
"Violet should be able to pick this tactic up easily. You’re all good at exchanging ideas without delay, right? You’ll get the hang of it quickly. Now, let’s start by practicing the basic stances..."
The Violets spread out as Irene directed. Irene played the role of the enemy, while we were the ones surrounding her. We charged all at once, starting with learning how to form a pincer attack in close combat.
-Ku-kung!
A mont later, we were thrown to the floor.
"Ugh! So fast!"
"How is she so strong? How does she drain our strength?"
The attack reminded of the last ambush. Thinking back, the tactics used by the attackers targeting Irene must have been similar. They must’ve been experienced, since they almost subdued her.
Suddenly, I thought of simulating the enemy’s actions.
"From now on, I’ll be Irene!"
A Violet, wearing a purple wig, appeared in the network. The Violet cosplaying as Irene held a spear and mimicked Irene’s movents in real-ti.
The goal was simple. To imitate Irene’s actions and find a way to break through her defense.
"Not perfect, but... I think I’m starting to see an answer..."
While the real Violets were fighting Irene, a battle with the fake Irene continued in the virtual world.
"I’m not sure..."
After hours of training, we felt like we almost understood it, but still weren’t quite sure.
"Not sure? But you’ve got the basic idea of the movents, formations, and the importance of strategy, right?"
"But I still can’t beat Irene."
"Well, that’s because you don’t have support from ranged attackers. That’s obvious, right?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
During break ti, the Violets chatted while drinking water. They talked about the state of the world, future plans, or what to have for lunch.
Violet No. 712 suddenly asked as if sothing had co to mind.
"Hey, guys. Does anyone else feel strange lately? Like, I suddenly feel like shooting a gun and then swinging a sword. Is it just ?"
The other Violets thought for a mont after hearing Violet No. 712’s words. Soon, their eyes widened as if they had figured sothing out.
"Yeah! I keep wanting to swing a sword!"
"Hah! too! Why is that?"
The Violets looked puzzled. Lately, whenever we saw an enemy, we’d want to shoot them with a gun, but then we’d want to charge in and cut their throats directly. Was it a growing sense of competitiveness?
"Sothing feels off!"
Perhaps it was because we had been winning every day. We were starting to enjoy the thrill of combat.
Since the research lab, I had grown numb to harming others, but now I felt like I was becoming more violent, wanting to slice with a blade.
"Still, let’s hold back. Charges should only be made when necessary."
At No. 1’s words, the Violets nodded silently. There’s a difference between courage and recklessness. We should avoid pushing ourselves too far. Our Violets are wise, after all!
I shook off those thoughts. The break was over.
The Violets called their friends together again to resu training and sparring.
The Violets…
Mini Violet suddenly furrowed her brows.
The noise of thoughts and emotions spreading through the network was too overwhelming.
’Silence...!’
Unconsciously, Mini Violet ground her teeth.
The girl’s face twisted in an expression so ferocious it was hard to believe it belonged to soone her age.
"The prophet said, ’Why have you turned the temple of the savior into a den of thieves? Why have you turned the house of the multitude into a lair of beasts...’"
The girl recited a passage from a forgotten ancient scripture.
She was an atheist who considered gods and faith to be worth less than scraps of paper, but in this mont, the remnants of an abandoned old faith fit her situation so perfectly that she felt both admiration and irritation.
’This was my ho! My space! That thief, that fake bastard, that illegal intruder...!’
When she had been the rightful owner of this place, it had been an elegant and unchanging temple and palace of its noble master.
But now, it had beco a noisy and chaotic nest of uncultured, yellow-haired insects.
Mini Violet could not accept that fact.
’Then why am I so angry?’
For a mont, she felt bewildered.
Why was this mine? What did I do here?
Even Violet herself vaguely sensed it.
She was a gift box yet to be fully unwrapped, a novel with unread chapters.
The only consolation was that as these illegal intruders grew, she too slowly regained her original essence.
The wrapping was gradually being undone, and the incomplete chapters were being filled.
Still, there remained empty gaps, as if nibbled away by mice.
Mini Violet skulked around the village of the Violets, observing everything.
Using the skills she had learned in her ti with the organization, she moved carefully.
But there were far too many Violets.
In one alley, she ca face-to-face with Violet No. 319.
No. 319 gasped in surprise and shouted.
"Hey! You! What are you? That kid! Who are you?"
The girl felt a surge of irritation.
These dimwits, for all their faults, would relentlessly dig into anything they found even slightly off, like an immune system tracking down an invader.
As No. 319 scread, Mini Violet snapped her fingers.
Montarily, the connection was cut off.
She quickly rushed forward and struck No. 319 on the head.
"You saw nothing. Forget it!"
"Eeek! Get off!"
No. 319 flailed wildly, trying to shake off the girl clinging to her.
Even as her mory was being erased, No. 319 instinctively lashed out.
"Argh!"
Unfortunately, Mini Violet was small and weak.
A fist struck the unguarded girl’s chest, and she tumbled away, rolling on the ground.
This was already the second ti.
’Ow!’
For a mont, Violet felt her pride take a hit.
’... Crying out like an idiot? ?’
The scream she had just let out reminded her of the frailty of her childhood, etched into mories and gaps she wished she could forget.
Humiliating monts. Days of disgrace.
’I need... my strength to recover quickly!’
While No. 319 staggered in a daze, Mini Violet slipped away from the alley.
’Once I get my strength back...’
The girl took a deep breath, calming her anger.
It wasn’t ti yet.
As long as she was awake, she continued her reconnaissance.
Walking through the alleys, the girl fell into thought.
’Should I deal with that noble brat first?’
She recalled an adversary from the blank spaces in her mory.
A duel with an elegant archer, her golden hair glimring and violet eyes burning, amidst a flaming academy.
After breaking through the hail of arrows fueled by rage, a fla-spewing rapier had greeted her.
’Damn, how did I end up befriending that crazy beast slayer? I didn’t even know we went to the sa school.’
She rembered running across a skyscraper when a barrage of firepower descended like a teor shower.
While the beast slayer’s lee abilities were diocre, the enormous bolts launched from kiloters away were spine-chilling.
The sight of her clones disintegrating one after another under the maniacal laughter of her attacker made her shudder.
’No, I should start with that damned doctor woman! I need to make an example out of her! Skewer her!’
She replayed the list of those who had offended her.
The healer who had held her back, the chancellor, a 120-year-old wizard relic, her forr superior, hunters, problem-solvers, and countless other humans...
Thinking of revenge made her feel better.
Humming, Mini Violet headed toward the square where the Violets were gathered.
They were watching sothing on a screen.
’What’s that?’
Mini Violet looked at the screen.
On the other side, in the real world, dozens of Violets surrounded a large boy.
As she focused, Mini Violet’s jaw dropped.
’What are those idiots doing? And that boy... He looks so familiar...’
On the screen, the boy hesitated awkwardly and stepped back.
Each ti, the Violets grabbed him and whispered incessantly into his ears.
"Granite, you’re now a proud warrior of blood! A warrior of courage!"
"Let’s beco a revolutionary warrior! A brave revolutionary fighter!"
"Skulls! Blood! Violence!"
Mini Violet was dumbfounded by the bizarre scene, one she hadn’t even seen at the Obsidian Legion headquarters.
The girl muttered to herself.
"...What the hell is going on?"
The absurdity lasted only a mont before Violet felt drained.
It was ti.
Before the other ’fake’ Violets found her, she had to return to her hiding place.
She quickly moved to the outskirts, lifted a piece of the space, and crawled into a hole.
Once she slept this ti, when would she wake again?
A few hours? Maybe days?
Mini Violet curled up and closed her eyes.
The commotion outside continued unabated.
"Now, repeat after . ’I am a real man!’"
"Skulls are great! Blood is aweso!"
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