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Chapter 23: Barrier
🕑 Added 2024-03-25 17:50:07 +0000 UTC"Finally done!" Shining sighed with relief as we reached Guardian Command under the moonlit sky. With the city quiet and mostly deserted, the moon shone brightly against the dark backdrop.
"Thank you so much!" My father and Mayor John expressed their gratitude upon our arrival.
"How did the evacuation go?" I inquired.
"We've successfully loaded three thousand people onto the ferry this afternoon," they reported.
"They should arrive in Eden by tomorrow if the ferry maintains full speed," someone added.
"Taking such a risk worries me," Serene commented, hinting at a preference to have joined the ferry instead.
"We couldn't have left. D-rank monsters have been spotted in the north district. We need to ensure the shelter's residents are safe during evacuation," White Ocean, her teammate, pointed out.
"I thought anathemas couldn't survive in the sea," I remarked.
"While true that anathemas generally avoid water, certain high-level ones can fly or even swim to cross the sea," came the explanation.
"Serene, you've already cleared the path yesterday. Plus, tomorrow's ferry will bring additional D-rank MG support. They'll be safe," someone reassured her.
"I'll accompany the next ferry then," Serene decided.
"And who will look after this place in your absence? Stop with your worry. Relax a bit."
"Let's get some rest; I'm exhausted," Shining yawned, then turned to me, "Black Lily, Let's go."
"Wait, you all know each other's real names?" Serene asked, surprised.
"Yes, we were friends before she even became an MG, so we share bunk beds," Shining explained, wrapping an arm around me.
"Ugh, so jealous! A Black MG, that's SSR rarity," Serene said, looking at me with a mix of envy and admiration. I was unsure what SSR meant; it seemed like a mystery.
Suddenly, the sound of a growling stomach broke the silence, and laughter filled the room, a light moment in our busy schedule. Despite not having had the chance to eat lunch, the respect and space given to us by the refugees as we made our way to the cafeteria reminded me once again of the privileges that came with being an MG.
As we settled into our seats, occupying three tables close to each other in the cafeteria, I noticed some stares directed our way.
"So lucky..."
"There's a rumored Black MG, first time seeing one."
"Wasn't she contracted just yesterday? How's she already out in the field while we were just sitting here doing nothing?"
"She must have leeched EXP from Shining's team. Blacks get priority because they will become strong."
"Eh? That's news to me."
"With only about 30 or 40 Blacks in Eden, even if they're given priority for usurpation zones, it doesn't affect us much."
F-rank MGs tasked with defending Guardian Command had gathered at a nearby table, their whispers reaching our ears despite their distance.
"That's the rumors for blacks. Maybe you should challenge them to a duel when we're back in Eden's Guardian Command next week?" Serene suggested with a smirk.
"No, I don't like fighting," I replied, returning my attention to the porridge before me, allowing their gossip to continue unabated. Having been part of the Shirayuki family, I was accustomed to being the subject of gossip; their words held no weight for me.
"I've never fought a Black MG before..." Serene mused. "I wonder which of us were stronger..."
"Ah, me neither! But we're D-rank, you know. Wouldn't it be like bullying to challenge her?" Red Hound, the red Magical Girl, added. Despite her name, she sported cat ears and wore a revealing outfit that showed off her midriff and thighs, a contrast to the canine imagery her name suggested.
I had my doubts about the level of protection provided by some of the more revealing magical girl outfits, but Felicia explained that MGs could choose any design they preferred. Even opting for a bikini would offer the same level of protection as wearing full plate armor like Red Flame Darkness. Additionally, such armor wouldn't restrict movement at all. Felicia clarified that the costumes materialized during astral shift were essentially illusions; the real safeguard was the shield aura enveloping the entire body. However, these astral shift costumes could show signs of damage as an indicator of diminishing shield aura.
"Really? I'd hesitate to challenge a Black MG; they've bailed me out in tight situations before," Serene commented.
"Shining, didn't you have a duel with a Black MG?" Red Hound turned her attention to Shining.
"Yes, I did!"
"And how did it go?"
"Well, I sort of won? But they didn't use their signature moves, so it's hard to say for sure," Alice mused, reflecting on the encounter. Dinner felt somewhat uncomfortable, with many still staring at me and treating me as if I were on display. Afterward, we retreated to our respective rooms.
"It's surreal, getting these stares even after becoming an MG. It felt more intense than when I was just Yuri..."
"MGs do attract attention," Alice remarked.
"But there are many MGs who remain under the radar. In Eden alone, there are over a thousand MGs, but only about a hundred or two hundred gain widespread recognition, especially those below C rank," I lamented, hoping to blend in more as a newcomer. F-rank MGs usually only get mentioned in local community circles, akin to the dynamic in idol companies where only a tiny percentage rises to significant fame. Despite our desperate need for Magical Girls, we still refrained from recruiting those at the F rank.
Alice gave a wry laugh in response.
thump
A sudden pulse jolted through us, a wave of nausea overwhelming as we were roused from our beds by a sinister premonition. We all felt it, an ominous sense of dread that something dark was approaching. Without hesitation, we transformed and rushed to Guardian Command, where Serene and all other magical girls, totaling 19, had gathered as if summoned by a call from the abyss.
"What's happening?" I asked, tension evident in my voice.
"It's the Rebellion," Felicia provided the explanation, echoing Serene's concern.
"I've never felt anything like this. I knew a rebellion was possible, but..." Alice's voice trailed off, her worry palpable.
"Rebellions of this magnitude are unprecedented in sanctuary cities. We've taken extensive measures to prevent them," Serene added solemnly.
"Really? But it's happening now, right?" Sapphire chimed in, drawing from her own observations.
"When a rebellion occurs, the Anathema can transform their nest into a breeding ground. They have the choice to rapidly spawn lower-level Anathema or take their time to spawn stronger ones," Blue, Sapphire's familiar, explained loudly for all to hear, with Serene nodding in agreement.
A roar tore through New Mesa, instilling despair directly into our souls. Outside, panic ensued among the citizens, prompting the mayor into action.
"Have any anathema breached our defenses?"
"No, ma'am."
"Prepare to activate the emergency barrier!"
"Understood."
"Assure the refugees. We're safe! We're activating the emergency barrier now," my father and the mayor commanded, while Serene instructed us to spread out and calm the refugees. With over 4700 refugees in our charge, panic could easily lead to tragedy.
I hastened outside, scaled the wall, and peered out over the desolate city of New Mesa. Black smog churned, engulfing a house before a monstrous entity emerged. It was a behemoth clad in chitinous armor, with teeth reminiscent of a shark and legs like those of a lion, standing as tall as the walls of Guardian Command, a stark reminder of the threat looming over us.
Numerous creatures emerged, marching steadily toward us: Arachnomantis, ghouls, hounds, Fomorian soldiers, Fomorian gorillas, etc. Another pulse sent shockwaves through my being, followed by more. A bipedal beast, taller than the first, sported tusks as large as a truck but lacked a mouth at their base. Another creature, short but covered in spikes like a hedgehog, emerged, followed by a gigantic leviathan adorned with horns and cables, its body crackling with lightning focused around its horn.
A yellow dome of a barrier enveloped us, alleviating the pressure. Guardian Command had activated the barrier. All the Magical Girls ascended the wall to assess the enemy they faced.
"Eh? You don't know?" one of the Magical Girls asked her familiar. The others quickly voiced their agreement. They beat me to the punch about the massive Anathema we faced.
"We do not have an extensive list of Anathema in our soul gem. Would you like to send a query to the central Guardian Command? You could expect an answer within three working days," Felicia explained. "However, you would need to be outside the barrier to do that."
"That's too long!" Shining exclaimed. She, too, seemed to ask the same question and received the same answer.
"Well, it doesn't matter. The barrier is up," Serene dismissed the looming threat. "Now, how should we escape? We could turn off the barrier at any time, but sneaking past them would be a challenge."
"Why escape? Won't Eden send a strike team or two to handle this situation?" I inquired.
"Negative. The strike team is currently occupied with eradicating a level 200 anathema's nest on the outskirts of Eden. If we wait for assistance, we could be here for more than two weeks."
"Unlike the standard barriers in sanctuary cities, I've heard this Guardian Command's barrier includes an escape route," I shared with Serene. "But only my f... I mean, Osamu Shirayuki and Mayor John are privy to its location."
"Alright, let's get some rest, everyone. The show is over. I'll need to confirm the details of the escape route with the mayor and the branch director, Mr. Osamu Shirayuki, tomorrow," Serene announced, her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and resolve.
Suddenly, a monstrous roar filled the air as the tusked beast charged directly at our barrier. Its powerful assault met with the barrier's resilient force, causing a loud clang to echo through the area, accompanied by ripples of yellow energy across the surface. The beast's tusk shattered upon impact, eliciting a pained cry from the creature. Undeterred, it quickly regrew its tusk and launched repeated charges, only to eventually give up and patrol the barrier's perimeter instead. Despite the initial alarm, the barrier withstood the onslaught, proving its efficacy once again.
"Whew. I was worried for a second there. Hahaha. How stupid of me." Alice's chuckle broke the tension, her relief palpable as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. Serene couldn't help but smirk at the beast's futile attempts. The emergency barrier, a pinnacle of Zenith's technology provided to humanity, stood unassailable before them. It had been repeatedly tested against anathemas of various sizes and strengths. Without fail, it held its ground, an unbreakable shield against the onslaught, proving its resilience even against foes surpassing level 200. This reinforced confidence in their safety, a testament to Zenith's engineering prowess, ensuring that, under its protection, they were secure against the Anathema lurking outside.
The night's silence was shattered again as the tusker, unfazed by its initial failure, charged the barrier with renewed ferocity. The collision sent a sonorous clang reverberating through the air, accompanied by a visual spectacle of yellow energy waves pulsating across the barrier's surface. Despite its relentless assault and rapid regeneration of its tusk, the beast's efforts proved futile against the impenetrable shield, eventually resorting to a futile patrol around the dome.
As we returned to our quarters, the persistent clashes against the barrier became a distant backdrop to our attempts at rest. Curious about Anathema's relentless attacks on the barrier, I sought Felicia's insight.
"They persist in their assault because, on some primal level, they recognize the barrier as a hindrance to their malignant instincts. However, their understanding doesn't extend to the barrier's mechanics or its invulnerability. It's a manifestation of their frustration and aggression, nothing more," Felicia explained, offering a glimpse into the Anathema's rudimentary intellect.
Comforted by her explanation, I settled down for the night, the sounds of the barrier's defiance against the darkness lulling me into a restless sleep, pondering the day ahead and the discussions it would bring with the city's leaders.
"As the night enveloped us, the persistent clanging against the barrier became a distant, continuous echo, a backdrop to our attempts at rest. Curious about the relentless assault, I turned to Felicia for insights. Her speculation was that the anathemas might be attempting to deplete the emergency barrier's energy reserves. This behavior was particularly intriguing, as anathemas typically didn't survive long within sanctuary cities, yet they seemed aware that emergency barriers, especially those reliant on battery power, could only withstand a few hours of sustained attack. However, this emergency barrier in Guardian Command, powered by a mana generator, presented a formidable defense capable of lasting months before the risk of overheating.
Felicia clarified that in sanctuary cities, while individual shelters might not contain mana generators, they were supported by shielding stations capable of energizing emergency barriers externally, ensuring protection remained intact within the Reality Enforcement Device's range.
"That's incredibly sophisticated," I remarked, impressed by the strategic foresight in safeguarding humanity's last bastions.
Felicia replied, "The rapid adaptation and innovation by humans over the past thirty years, despite the steep learning curve and urgency, is truly commendable. It's unfortunate that haste led to errors, but the progress is undeniable. The exit hole in the emergency barriers was something we never thought of before. Well, we did think about it, but we never thought you didn't merely imitate our technology but trying to modify it. It was reckless, but it will lead to unprecedented innovation."
"Thank you, Zenith, for standing with us," I expressed, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude and determination.
"Likewise," Felicia replied, her acknowledgment echoing the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the Zenith, each learning from and supporting the other in the continuous struggle for survival against the anathema threat.
