-2: 79
It was a deluge of Raptures ranging from the weak Husk-class mobs to Master-Class Raptures that were a few meters in height.
But strangely, instead of the usual crimson core, they were glowing... green?
Something felt off. Especially since the Raptures weren't acting like they usually did around me.
If this was the surface, they would have either kept their distance or retreated.
But those guys were clearly gearing up to attack.
I didn't hesitate. "Ark Ranger Black! With me! Civilians, stand behind me!"
"Y-Yes!" Ark Ranger Black nodded and quickly moved to my side. "What are your orders, Commander?"
"Support! Intercept! I'll take them down!" I drew my Zweihander and rushed forward.
White light crackled as my suit powered up. The exoskeleton crackled as well as it coiled with my motions.
And then I flew forward.
The closest Rapture was a crab-like turret creature. And the moment I approached, it immediately swiveled its turret to focus on me.
But that was my intention.
"Good! I'll be using you!"
I slid underneath it, dodging the first volley of firepower and making it aim down. Then when I got underneath it, I broke one of its legs to shift it off balance. After that, I grabbed the Rapture and used it as a makeshift firearm, blasting the approaching horde.
"I-Is the Valiant using the Raptures to fight the Raptures?!"
"The Valiant became Ark Ranger White?!"
"He's doing it! He's saving us!"
I heard a lot of praise starting up from behind me, along with growing cheers.
But I stayed focused and said, "Ark Ranger Black! You're in charge of overwatch! Fire at the ones who are getting too close or to dangerous spots! Mark the targets for me!" I ripped out the core of the Rapture I was using, noting how it immediately crackled back to red after I did. But then I charged forward, keeping a mental note of any Raptures with projectile weapons.
Thankfully, whether because the more dangerous Raptures were wary of me or refused to join in whatever this attack was, most of the Raptures here didn't have any ranged weapons, just blades, flails, and other melee weapons...
'Hm?'
I swayed out of the way of one Rapture which looked vaguely like a Guardian from Tears of the Kingdom, dodging a glowing green blade.
"Wait, is she copying me?"
I swept my gaze around the surroundings again and noticed that the Raptures were all definitely melee based. And while not humanoid, they were all armed with melee weapons, as well as heavily armored...
Was it that?
I read in the manuals that the original Raptures didn't have guns or weaponry and were mostly just mechanical monstrosities. But as humanity resisted, they began to adapt the most effective weaponry, which was how they started incorporating energy weapons and turrets.
The fact that they were all armored up and using weapons now for close combat...
I burst out laughing and slashed at a joint in the Rapture in front of me, severing its limb. Then I grabbed its blade and swung it at the Rapture's core, severing it. "Should I be flattered or offended that they're trying to steal my entire fit?"
An explosion erupted in front of me, but I ran through it, swinging my Zweihander as I moved.
Since these were all melee type Raptures, I didn't need to focus on killing them, just removing mobility.
Not only that, but reinforcements were definitely on the way.
'Judging from the size of the hole and the rate the Raptures are falling...'
It was definitely a coordinated attack.
I wasn't sure who was responsible for it, but the hole had been created close to the Central Government headquarters.
That meant that it was also created a fair distance away from the Outpost since the elevators were on the other side.
Which ALSO meant that whoever did this knew that the Outpost was a considerable threat and went out of their way to avoid it.
Honestly, fair assessment.
But that brought up more questions.
Like...
'Who did this?'
It couldn't have been the Raptures themselves.
I was pretty sure the camp was split right now due to my presence. Not only that, but attacking now, when I was in the Ark instead of while I was away from the Ark... it was strange timing.
...Unless...
"You want to see how much of a threat I am, huh?"
I swept my gaze around the Raptures still pouring in en masse.
And then I realized why the cores were green instead of red.
These were prototypes. Rough creations made and sent with a single purpose of data collection.
...While I was pretty sure that the hole in the ceiling wasn't from the Raptures... mostly because it had definitely been man-made explosion from how it shattered instead of a calculated Rapture breach.
The Rapture Queen... or whoever was sending in these Raptures had simply taken advantage of the opportunity.
Still...
"That's fine by me." I rested my Zweihander over my shoulder.
And from behind me...
"Go, go, Ark Ranger White!"
"The Valiant will save the day!"
"Finally! Humanity can fight back!"
"You see that, Raptures?! We aren't helpless!"
...The citizens of the Ark were slowly reaching an all-time high morale.
I laughed and pointed my Zweihander at the Raptures. "Come! Let me show you why they call me the Valiant! Secret technique... White Masamune!" I rushed forward and spun, swinging my Zweihander. At the same time, I focused.
Maxwell had said that the microbots... or the 'Baemax' bots responded to my thoughts.
Since Sophia had chipped in for development and used the knowledge we had of Fluctlights and thought-wave synchronization...
It should work.
No, it definitely works since Maxwell had showed it off.
So...
White flashed.
The sword in my hand changed shape, narrowing to a razor edge and extending to an impossible length over five meters long.
And then the air screamed as the blade cleaved through the horde of Husk-Class Raptures in front of me.
But it wasn't over.
"...You really are just gathering data, huh?"
More Raptures fell down from the hole. Servant-Class Raptures now. And a few of the Master-Class Raptures that had fallen earlier were gathering too.
I laughed and said, "Fine. Since you want to study humanity's martial arts that much, I'll teach you first hand." I flicked my wrist and then condensed my sword into a hyperdense epee. "...Let's see who's a better killer." After that, I rushed forward.
===
Ark Ranger Black watched with complete awe. Her hand was still up, her energy blaster ready to provide cover fire.
But Commander Hoopa clearly didn't need it.
'This... This is a true hero.'
Ark Ranger Black felt her heart race.
Because this was it. This was what she, Blue, and Red did on the screen, but in reality.
Blurring between Raptures, white light flashing as his blade changed forms when he needed it. Attacks instantly destroying Raptures left and right as he moved. Every limb being used as a weapon, either to knock Raptures off balance or to snap off Rapture limbs to use as secondary weapons.
"Ark Ranger Black?" A young boy with a white hoodie and a red stripe across his shirt called out.
Ark Ranger Black looked over, her eyes wide. "Hope?! What are you doing here?!"
The young boy, Hope, looked over towards Commander Hoopa and said, "I-I was going to run away, but..." He smiled, his eyes bright. "...We're safe, aren't we? The Valiant is here... and you're here too!"
"That's..." Ark Ranger Black hesitated. She instinctively looked back at Commander Hoopa.
It was a ridiculous scene.
Ark Ranger Black knew that the commander was human. If he got injured, if he was mortally wounded... he wouldn't get a second chance like them.
Even so...
Without fear-
No. With determination and certainty
That man was fighting. Wielding the latest weapons of humanity and raw polished skill, he was clearing the Raptures like a god of war, deliberately fighting in a flashy way to draw everything to him.
So...
Ark Ranger Black took a deep breath. Then she turned back and struck a pose. "Citizens of the Ark! This is our fight! Recall the Valiant's words from his last speech! We each have our own battlefields! You are the ones that we fight to protect... so retreat! Head to safety! Your battle is to safekeep your lives! Ours is to defeat the enemy!"
She echoed the words Commander Hoopa had said that day. Of how the citizens of the Ark had their own battles... of how their battle was to live safely and freely until the day came when they could walk on the surface together.
If it was before, the citizens might have panicked.
If it was another timeline, there might have been casualties.
But here...
"She's right!"
"We can't be the reason the Valiant falls!"
"Everyone, let's go!"
"Keep an eye out for Raptures!"
"Help each other!"
...They moved in a coordinated fashion, quickly rushing towards shelter and clearing the roads.
Ark Ranger Black let out a sigh of relief, especially when she saw Hope joining the crowd and pointing out safety routes.
Then she turned back towards the Raptures.
...It was terrifying.
Ark Ranger Black had never faced real Raptures. And even though she had fought them in the simulators... even though she had studied the new combat protocols that Commander Hoopa had spread for Nikkes to look over...
It was different in person.
But...
Ark Ranger Black forced herself to take a step forward.
Commander Hoopa- No.
The Valiant was clearing most of the Raptures. At least 75% of them were being cut down wherever he moved.
But that meant there were some unaccounted for.
Ark Ranger Red and Ark Ranger Blue were nearby in a cafe, but they weren't combat Nikkes.
The Central Government Headquarters was nearby too, but the Nikkes there would be focused on securing the perimeter instead of coming to help.
'It will take at least ten minutes for support to arrive...'
In that time, Raptures could slip past him. The Valiant was able to defeat any Rapture in front of him, but he didn't have the luxury to handle any behind him.
So...
So the only one who could do it...
Ark Ranger Black took another step forward. She fired up the power gem and her suit. Then she took another step and then rushed forward with a kick wreathed in blue lightning. "Ultimate attack! Ark Black Meteor!"
-It was hard.
Unlike with The Valiant, Ark Ranger Black's attack barely shook the Rapture she kicked.
But she didn't hesitate.
The moment she realized that the Rapture wasn't down for the count, she spun around for a second kick, this time aiming at the Rapture's core.
The green light cracked and then erupted in electricity.
But by that time, Ark Ranger Black was already moving.
...It was dangerous.
Her body wasn't a combat frame. Although she trained, it was nowhere near the likes of the members of the Brave Squad Nikkes. It wasn't even on par with a mass-produced model meant for combat.
But...
Ark Ranger Black laughed, settling into a combat stance as she scanned the surroundings. "If a human is brave enough to rush into battle with just a suit of armor, then how can Ark Ranger Black stand back? Have at you, Raptures! The Ark Rangers will never allow you to achieve victory!"