As I stood in front of the shelter’s interior doors beginning to open, Ji-woo walked up next to me. She gave me a quick smile, eyes flicking over me.
“Are you sure you don’t need anything else?” she asked, and I gave a shake of my head as I adjusted my backpack straps, the ice axe poking out the top.
After I’d put the healing salve on and changed my clothes, I’d invited the officers in. Thankfully, neither of the officers had commented on my hoodie, though Ji-woo had turned to face away from me for a moment, her shoulder shaking suspiciously.
Getting them to show me how to refill my magazines turned out to be helpful, too. It wasn’t complicated or anything, but they had some tips on how to do it quickly. I also got to see the bullets closely for the first time in decent lighting. The actual bullet was a bright silver color, but the casings were all colored in a shiny, metallic black. Well, except for the silver crescent moon and bunny head emblem that Selene had decided to put on all of them.
While we worked, I noticed Sergeant O’Malley seemed to be acting differently towards me. Not in a bad way, but I’d noticed he seemed more distant and only referred to me as “miss.” When I asked Selene, she said that was the standard honorific for Magical Girls, while male Guardians just used “sir.”
After we finished, things progressed quickly. We’d developed the plan for my cover story which involved placing officers around the civilian wing of the shelter and preventing them from coming close to the security wing or entrance. Sergeant O’Malley had suggested not telling the other officers about me, instead saying that he was the one heading out. While revealing myself to the other officers shouldn’t have posed a problem, he and Selene seemed to think it didn’t hurt to be extra careful.
So, as far as anyone else in the shelter knew, Sergeant O’Malley was the one sneaking out, and Ji-woo was in the command center while the remaining three officers worked to keep people quarantined to their wing and away from the entrance. In reality, Sergeant O’Malley and Ji-woo would both be waiting in the command center, monitoring the situation and waiting for my return.
After that was decided, the last thing that had happened was Sergeant O’Malley loaning me his gun belt. It hadn’t fit, of course, but some creative knots and knife work had more or less fixed it. We’d removed the pistol holster, instead attaching as many of the officers’ magazine holsters as possible. All together, I ended up with six magazine holsters strapped across the front of my waist. The other two loose magazines I’d stuck into my hoodie’s pockets, discovering that there was mesh netting inside that formed a tight pouch I could tuck the end of each magazine into. They weren’t the most secure things, but they were definitely better than nothing.
Speaking of the clothes, they’d proven to be impossibly perfect. The sweatshirt was slightly baggy, but in a loose, comfortable way. It was also lined with something impossibly soft on the inside, some kind of fluffy wool-esque material. Meanwhile, the jeans were tight, but hadn’t required a ridiculous amount of shimmying to get into. Weirdly, the jeans still let me move easily, somehow staying snug without restricting my movements. The combat boots were the most normal item, simply fitting around my feet in a cozy embrace.
In all, I was pleasantly surprised. I was used to wearing clothes that didn’t quite fit, and I’d asked Selene how the Gate seemed to know exactly what was needed. She’d explained that because she was connected to me, she naturally knew all my physical vitals which included my measurements. Just like whenever I summoned anything else, she was able to put in the correct information and make sure I got exactly what I needed including any… customizations that were decided on.
I sighed, adjusting the hood slightly around my head as the shelter doors finished opening. In the end, I’d never gotten a good answer from Selene on why she thought the bunny ears were a good idea. It wasn’t that big of a deal or anything, and so I gave up, simply making a mental note to carefully explain what I wanted to summon from now on. Besides, the hoodie did look cute… it just wasn’t something I would wear in front of other people in a million years.
“Well, I guess this is where we part ways,” Ji-woo murmured as the doors finished opening.
I looked at the woman, feeling uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure why she seemed so worried about me, not when the alternative would be one of them going out there. Still, it felt wrong to just leave her without saying anything.
“I’ll be careful,” I said, causing her to blink before she looked at me and gave a strained smile.
“I know this is your… job,” she said. “But at the first sign of trouble, the kind that you might not be able to handle… just remember you can always turn back, okay? Saving those people is important, but taking a risk and getting yourself hurt isn’t going to help them either.”
A flutter of warmth tingled through me along with another emotion I couldn’t quite identify. It was a little thing, but potent, as if it was condensed into a small, burning ball of… something. It made my throat tight, and so I simply gave Ji-woo a nod before I stepped forward into the airlock, Selene hopping by my side.
Even without the doors opening completely, it still took a small eternity for the interior doors to close and the exterior doors to open. I took the time to shove my emotions down and refocus on my mission. As the outer doors finished opening, my eyes were drawn to my health bar, and I frowned.
“Selene, why is my health only at 84%?” I thought to her, aiming the gun down the empty hallway as I stepped out.
[The damage from your first Anathema encounter was not fully repaired,] Selene responded. [While the Greater Regenerative Gum was able to heal your immediate wounds, it didn’t truly restore your intestines to full functionality. The fix is functional but will not hold up in the long term. As such, your maximum health is effectively reduced. Do not be alarmed, as getting proper treatment after the Usurpation will be relatively easy.]
I shivered at the memories, pushing myself to keep moving to the stairwell doorway while aiming at the stairs leading to the first floor. Thankfully, no Anathema came down, and we were able to slip into the stairwell without incident.
The stairs only went down one level, and we reached the bottom quickly. Without hesitating, I crouched next to the door as Selene to slip through before I carefully shut it. Then, I waited, flicking my eyes to my minimap.
Selene informed me that my minimap also filled out as she went through places, something I hadn’t noticed happening before. Even as I watched, the shape of corridors and rooms began to fill out at a quick pace. I tried to ignore my nerves as I waited in the silence, but my hands started to get sweaty around the grip of my gun.
Trying to distract myself, I focused on what the map was actually showing me. From the shape I could see so far, the basement really was a maze of long, narrow hallways, and I briefly wondered what the architect was thinking. Maybe it had to something do with them trying to cram as many of the mall’s utility and non-commercial rooms off the main floors as possible, but it still seemed rather haphazard.
The blue dot marking Selene seemed to finish scouting after five minutes or so, as it turned back and started heading back to me. When the dot showed itself right outside the stairwell, I opened the door, letting Selene hop through.
“How does it look?” I whispered.
[Only a few Anathema are patrolling the hallways, and most are types you have already faced. A few of the bigger office rooms contain larger groups, but those appear to be remaining stationary. We have a relatively clear route directly to the generator room, though I wasn’t able to scout the room itself. The door there remains intact, which is not usually a problem, but this one is built from material that can contain any ambient mana that leaks from the generator.]
“Wait, what do you mean normal doors aren’t a problem?”
[I can phase through most solid objects so long as they remain relatively still and are not too thick. It destabilizes my physical form, however, reducing the time I can remain manifested unless I am given more mana.]
“Oh…” I shifted from one foot to the other as I mentally changed tracks. “Did you find any signs of the group they sent before?”
[I found bullet casings and blood… both Anathema and human. While there were no bodies, the amount of blood in certain places does not suggest a positive outcome.]
“But if there were no bodies…” I trailed off, giving Selene a questioning look.
[Ah… There were no bodies because the Anathema feed on mana, and while humans are unable to use mana, they still generate small amounts. Their bodies would have been devoured as a source of strength. That, or taken to a nest where their biomass can be converted more directly, though that seems unlikely as I have seen no signs of a nest.]
I paled, forcing myself to give Selene a nod as I tried not to dwell on the images her explanation conjured.
“Okay. Do you have a suggested route then?”
[Indeed. We should be able to arrive there with relatively few encounters.]
I paused at that. That was ideal, but at the same time…
“What about taking out some of the Anathema patrols as we go?” I gave her a nervous glance. “I mean, just the ones that are alone. With the narrow hallways, I’d have the advantage, and getting some more points and experience seems…”
[An excellent idea,] Selene’s tails swished excitedly. [Getting easy points when possible is always a wise course of action. I also believe that the layout of this floor will make the sound of your firearm quite difficult to directly pinpoint from a distance.]
“Alright… let’s do that then.”
I reached for the door, placing my hand on the handle. Before I opened it, I gave myself a moment to steady myself, steeling my resolve. Only once the fear and anxiety prickling beneath my skin was smothered to a manageable level did I throw open the door, following Selene as she began hopping down a path.
The halls of the basement were dark, bathed in the dim scarlet light of the emergency lighting. The pale white walls and bleached tiles would have normally given the hallway a sterile, almost hospital-like appearance. With the red light reflecting off the floor, it instead seemed ominous and slightly eerie. The fact that we passed through some doorways with their doors broken down didn’t help either. That, and the narrow hallways were only wide enough for two people to walk down if they were willing to walk uncomfortably close together, adding a claustrophobic feel to the atmosphere.
I did my best to ignore the foreboding impression the basement gave off as Selene began navigating me through the maze, and it wasn’t long before she stopped me at a corner.
[A hound is about twenty meters ahead, facing away.]
Peeking around the corner, I saw the creature stalking away from me. Holding my breath, I stepped into the hall, taking my time to aim with both hands. With the hound facing away from me, there was only one place for me to target. Even though it didn’t seem like a particularly vital area, I was pretty sure a bullet entering through its backside and traveling down the length of its body could be devastating depending on how far the bullet penetrated.
I tried to keep my breathing and hands steady, letting the ring around the dot of my reticle shrink to a small size before I squeezed the trigger.
Even with the silencing enchantment active, my Umbra let out an impressive crack that echoed through the confined space, making me jump slightly. The Anathema seemed just as surprised, stumbling and falling to the ground as my bullet hit straight on. It scrambled, clawed feet skittering on the tile floor as it turned to face me. When it was halfway through the turn, showing me its entire side profile, I let loose another shot. The targeting circle was bigger this time, making me worry I might miss.
I was rewarded with another flinch and speckled spray of dark blood. The hound finished turning to face me and began closing the distance in an awkward, limping run. Targeting its head, I started firing, giving myself a second between shots to recenter.
The first shot missed while the second hit a leg, causing it to fall to the floor and lose momentum. Taking the extra time as it pushed itself back to its feet, I aimed before letting loose a third shot.
Black ichor splashed from its head, and the hound fell to the ground in a motionless pile.
[Defeated (Fomorian Hound - Level 3)]
[Reward: 10 Points]
[New Point Total: 62 Points]
I let out my breath, as exhilaration surged through me. The hound had barely been able to take more than a handful of steps, and it had only taken me…
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
I checked my HUD. Five bullets. Five shots and only one of them had been a miss! Sure, the Anathema didn’t have much room to dodge, and it was quite literally a straight shot… but it still felt like I might have gotten better. Plus, five bullets was only a third of a point to replace. If I could keep up that level of accuracy, ammunition wouldn’t really end up costing me as much as I first feared.
[Excellent,] Selene commented with a flourish of her tails. [Good job at not panicking when it turned. Your discipline is improving fantastically. Shall we move on to the next one?]
A happy warmth flushed my cheeks, and I gave Selene a nod and meek smile. After I swapped my magazine out for a fresh one from my hoodie pocket, we took off.
The next one she took me to was another hound, but this one was heading towards me. The moment I turned the corner with my gun raised, it began to run the thirty or so meter distance. Thankfully, the hallway was long, and I took a moment to try centering on its head. The slight bob of the hound’s body as it ran made it hard, and as it reached the halfway mark, a flutter of panic pushed me to start shooting.
I fired five times in rapid succession, leaving my ears ringing. The hound fell in a limp, sliding sprawl that left a trail of black blood across the ground.
[Defeated (Fomorian Hound - Level 5)]
[Reward: 10 Points]
[New Point Total: 72 Points]
As the pounding of my heart settled, I noticed the point reward. Frowning, I turned to look at Selene.
“Why don’t higher level Anathema give more points?” I thought to her as I reached into my hoodie’s pocket and pulled out my previous, partially spent magazine.
[Point values and how they are calculated is a complicated subject,] Selene watched me as I ejected my current magazine. Working swiftly, I started refilling it with bullets from my other magazine while Selene began her explanation.
[The simplistic answer is that Anathema have a relatively low level variance of five to ten levels before they evolve or upgrade into a new type. This results in a new name as well. For example, Fomorian Hounds are only found between levels one to five. On reaching level six, it would evolve or upgrade, possibly being reclassified as a Greater Fomorian Hound. This new type would naturally have a higher point value. Because the level variance in any one type is usually a fairly small range, it was decided to average the amount of points awarded between the threat posed by an Anathema type’s maximum and minimum leveled versions.]
“How different would a Greater Fomorian Hound be from a normal one?” I asked as I finished filling up the magazine. I slotted the full one back into my gun, stashing the now almost empty one back into my pocket.
[As an upgraded type and not evolution, it would mostly just be an all-around better version. This gets into the more advanced subject matter of modifiers like prefixes. Essentially, a modifier added to a name only shows a change in the type of Anathema, not the general species it hails from. The Anathema might have a new ability or trick, but modifiers are generally added to denote a difference in stat values more than anything else. Anathema with a modifier usually don’t even look much different than their normal counterparts.]
“So… the name is the only thing that really matters when it comes to point rewards? At least, for what I should be paying attention to?”
[Simply put, yes. One important thing to note is that the experience you earn for defeating an Anathema is not averaged like points are. Defeating a higher level Anathema will always give more experience than a lower level of the same type.]
I supposed that made sense. From a gaming perspective, the stat difference between a level five hound and a level one couldn’t be that much either, so applying an averaged value to the reward points seemed reasonable. I had some other questions like how an Anathema’s “threat” was determined exactly, but that could wait until later.
Refocusing myself back on the task at hand, I turned my attention to my minimap.
“How many more single patrols are there?” I asked as I looked at the winding hallways.
[Only two more. The rest are in larger groups or are too near one another to realistically take out without potentially alerting them.]
“Okay. Lead the way.”
The next was a ghoul, like the ones from the first floor, but instead of patrolling, it was standing eerily still in a dark corner, head tilted at an impossible angle. I don’t think I would have noticed it at a glance without Selene’s forewarning. Luckily, it was looking down another hallway, not facing me. Moving slowly, I took my time to properly line up my sights. It was a little over twenty meters away, about the length of a tennis court.
My pounding heartbeat made it difficult to still my aim. Forcing myself to slow my breathing, the targeting circle eventually shrank to only envelop the ghoul’s head. Slowly, hoping to not jostle the gun and disrupt the circle, I squeezed the trigger.
The single shot shattered the silence, and black ichor sprayed the wall behind its head.
[Defeated (Forsaken Ghoul - Level 8)]
[Reward: 10 Points]
[New Point Total: 82 Points]
Four levels above me, and it only took one bullet. In a way, I guess it made sense. Even if I wasn’t using a gun, a sword strike to the head would have a predictably similar outcome. Besides, if this was like the games I’d played, four levels wasn’t a big difference, especially not when it came to how sturdy something was.
Shaking my head, I moved on, following Selene to my last target.
The final Anathema was another ghoul, this time shuffling towards me down the corridor. I kept most of my body covered behind the corner as I peeked out and aimed, taking only a brief moment before I opened fire at its center mass in a rapid barrage. From fifteen meters away, it didn’t stand much of a chance, barely having time to react as the bullets tore into it and sprayed the hallway with blood. On my sixth shot, it flinched violently before falling to the ground.
[Defeated (Forsaken Ghoul - Level 7)]
[Reward: 10 Points]
[New Point Total: 92 Points]
Once again, giddy triumph surged through me. It was astonishing how different this felt compared to when I was with Brian. Before, it had been all about survival, each moment desperate and hurried. I had thought this would be the same way, especially considering how much more rested on my shoulders this time.
For some reason, though, I felt much more calm. Sure, I still felt the stinging fear, especially right before I shot at an Anathema, but it felt so much more manageable. That, and there was something else hiding behind it, another sharp, almost expectant feeling.
Why does this feel so different? Is it because the only thing that will stop me from turning on that generator is dying, and Selene and Error Machina have already pointed out how unlikely that is to happen? Is it because even though there’s so much more pressure, so many more people relying on me, this time I was prepared for it? Expecting it?
Or was it that I had a personal stake in it this time, and I would not allow myself to fail? Anything but success wasn’t even an option I was willing to consider, and because success meant me also surviving, there was nothing to worry about. I would live, the people in the shelter would live, Lily would live, and that was all I was willing to accept.
I shook my head. In the end, the reasoning wasn’t important. Not right now, at least.
Crouching down, I pulled off my backpack and opened a pocket, taking out the box of ammunition.
“Selene, can you scout out the path one more time and tell me what to expect while I refill?”
[Of course.]
She took off, and I hurried about my task. With the twenty-five loose bullets in the box, I was able to keep one round chambered in my Umbra and refill both magazines I’d used so far back full with eight rounds left over. It ended up taking me longer than I wanted, the dim red lighting making me fumble a few times. Selene returned before I finished, though she let me work in silent concentration. When I was done, I put my backpack on and looked at Selene.
“Anything?”
[The way remains clear. Once we reach the door, open it slightly and leave it that way while I scout the room.]
Nodding, I followed her as she hopped off. It took us a while to twist through the maze, but we reached our destination without incident. The door itself was made of a silvery metal with an odd gloss that looked vaguely familiar. It came to me a second later as I realized it looked exactly like the material my silverbane bullets were made of. Silverite, was it?
Next to the door was a handprint and keycard scanner. Placing my hand on the scanner, there was a low humming sound before it let out a beep, the screen turning green as a loud click came from the door. Reaching out to the door handle, I pushed the door open a crack, letting Selene squeeze through.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the room inside, but my minimap informed me it actually opened up into a fairly large room. Interestingly, there were also what looked like pillars lining either side, though I wasn’t sure what purpose those would-
Selene blurred back through the opening, skidding to a frantic stop.
[Close it now! Quietly!] her voice came to me in a forceful whisper.
My muscles tightened all at once at the seriousness in her voice, and it was all I could do to stop myself from slamming the door closed on reflex. Carefully, I followed her instructions, pushing the door closed and gently releasing the handle until the lock clicked shut once again.
“What’s wrong?” I turned to her worriedly. “What is it?”
Selene sat on the ground, her tails flicking around in agitation. For a moment, she didn’t respond, which only sent my heart pounding faster.
[There is an Anathema in there,] Selene finally answered. [It must have come directly through a rift into the room, as it is too big to fit through the door even if it broke it open. Though the knowledge I was given on Anathema types is hardly all-encompassing, I know this particular Anathema is strong. Very strong. It must have been drawn by the ambient mana in the room from when the generator shutdown.]
“Okay,” I swallowed. “So what do we do?”
Selene turned to me, her tails curling downward.
[I do not think you understand,] Selene said gently. [There is a general rule regarding Anathema when comparing strengths: If they are within five levels of you, the difference is negligible. If they are six to ten levels higher than you, they will be a tough opponent to be faced with caution. Eleven to fifteen levels and you are facing a challenging opponent who you must prepare extensively for. Sixteen to twenty levels and you are essentially facing a boss monster, a deadly serious fight you should not attempt alone. Anything more than twenty levels above you will most likely have such a significant disadvantage that attempting to defeat it is impossible. This rule is based on, of course, Magical Girls who are utilizing their Astral Shift and the stats it provides.]
“Alright…” I nodded slowly. “How high of a level is this Anathema?”
[Without a kill notification, it is impossible to tell exactly. However, based on my limited database, it is most likely in its twenties, though I would suspect the lower end. Even so, this means it could be anywhere from sixteen to twenty-five levels above you.]
A chill went down me as the implications hit me fully. Even if I had my Astral Shift, it would still be in the near impossible range. As it was…
[Besides, I think you are all too familiar with how dangerous this particular Anathema can be.]
I blinked, giving Selene a confused look.
[Do you remember your conversation with Lily about how far she was in Magical Girls’ Sunset: Rebellion? About the boss she was stuck on?]
I frowned in thought, then felt my eyes involuntarily widen. She was still on the third dungeon, which meant…
“The Arachnomantis…” I whispered in growing dread, and Selene dipped her head in acknowledgment.
I stood there, my mind racing at the implications. There was an actual boss monster in there, in the room that held the only hope of saving hundreds of people. More than that, it was a tough boss, and the first time I’d beaten it, it had been a close fight even with other players helping me. Sure, I’d gone back to train on it alone after I’d gotten a bunch of levels, but even though I’d managed to solo it multiple times…
Something clicked in my head, and I felt my breath catch for a moment. Slowly, my heartbeat began to calm down into something manageable, and I found myself looking at Selene.
“Selene, you told me earlier low level Anathema tend to stick to patterns like video game enemies. Would the Arachnomantis use the same moves and attacks as the one in Rebellion?”
[Mostly,] she hedged. [Still, this is the real world, and all Anathema are capable of improvising in what are colloquially called “common sense attacks.” Something like a quick, close range attack such as a bite or punch is always on the table. With how complicated a creature the Arachnomantis is, I suspect it might be fairly limited to its observed behaviors, but it would still outclass you far too much to-]
“Selene ,” I cut her off. “How many times did I fight the Arachnomantis in Magical Girls’ Sunset: Rebellion? How many times did I fight it alone and win?”
Selene shifted from one foot to the other, hesitating.
[Six times,] Selene admitted. [The last two you managed it without taking any damage.]
“And the only reason I stopped going after it was because it wasn’t giving good enough rewards anymore. Selene, I literally know all twelve attacks it uses down to their names. Even if it can improvise, it hardly matters when I won’t be staying in range.”
[You still don’t have the combat experience or stats to do this. You also won’t be dodging with the simple press of a button but with your physical body. One hit, one simple mistake could prove catastrophic. Even if you dodge, you will tire, especially without your stat bonuses. Even if you were transformed and benefitting fully from your stats, this still would be nearly impossible. You would be facing an Anathema of a higher caliber completely alone in face-to-face combat.]
“Yes, I would be,” I paused, taking a deep breath. “And I know this isn’t a game. That’s exactly why I have to do this. If I don’t, hundreds die.”
Selene’s tails drooped down, her head lowering.
[Mai… this is too dangerous to do alone. Please, reconsider.]
I crouched down in front of Selene. Even though I could feel the fear inside me making my heart skip the occasional beat, it felt like a distant, unimportant thing. I gave Selene the most reassuring smile I could.
“I know you’re worried about me, but this is something I have to do. And… I think I have a plan, one that, if it works, will make it so at least half the fight isn’t even a challenge.”
She seemed to perk up at that, raising her eyes to meet mine.
“Besides,” I whispered aloud, giving her a soft smile. “I’m not doing this alone.”
At that, Selene went motionless for a moment. Then, her tails raised, and she gave me a deep nod.
[I can’t exactly argue with that, I suppose,] Selene sighed, her tails giving a flick. [Very well, then. Let’s figure out how to defeat a boss.]