Terror Infinity Side B
Chapter 11, H.O.T.D 2
Jin SL: (Nice! Everyone, thank you for the hard work! The path is clear and the mission is all but settled. We have just a few things to do, but it's nothing to worry about!)
In Team Japan's room within Saya's manor, Jin sat cross-legged on a bed littered with papers and speaking to the team scattered across Tokonosu City over Hikari's Soul Link. These papers were documents delivered to Team Japan in the afternoon by Saya of the Walking Dead Unit upon agreeing to work together to face the zombie legion. The documents on the bed informed him of everything they needed to know and more, so Jin was in a very good mood. In addition to these reports his comrades learned a few things that weren't included in the reports, or were just too top secret to risk leaving a paper trail.
◆ Shuai, Connor, and Drake - The three explored the city and learned many things. Upon the start of the apocalypse civilization fell extremely quickly and chaos took its place, but the efforts of the Walking Dead Unit and the Takagi faction, lead by Saya's parents, some form of order was restored through the combination of modern weaponry and the new God and Devil System. The survival camp they created grew in both population and territory as the army they formed wiped out the undead within the city, invading mutant beast, and took in civilian from both within and outside the city. The laws set up were strict, yet fair and although there was not much food the people felt safe and secure. Unfortunately, that was till the organization of the survival camp grew bigger through inviting former JSDF commanders, the 5 Military Heads, and the Mayor of the city who had gathered their own people and resources. This was a move to bring more stability, yet it did the opposite. The social order fell as most of the 5 Military Heads and the Mayor allowed crimes to go unpunished by those of their subordinates and people of privilege before the apocalypse for various reasons similar to the original "God and Devil World". The Takagi faction wouldn't stand for this and if not for the need of their power at times they would have gotten rid of them. It was now common knowledge that the the three powers within the city were not on good terms with each other.
◆ Shin, Hikari, and Aqua - After speaking to the main characters they learned a lot of Enhancers and Evolvers, and how they become more powerful. Just like in the novel of "God and Devil World" consuming the cores of Mutant Beast, Essence Beads, small beads found inside the bodies of powerful Mutant Beast, one could raise one's stats greatly without leveling up. They lost there effects the more you consumed them, but Shin and the others thought that if they could acquire some then maybe they could increase their own stats. Also, Takashi and the other main character revealed a startling military secret about just how they all acquired the power of Unlocked Mode.
Each member of the Walking Dead Unit including Alice has unlocked the Genetic Constraint. They saw how Team Japan was the same in this respect, so didn't hold back the method they used to do so.
◆ Sachi - Sachi had set off alone to do her own investigations. The documents that Jin received and what Drake and the other learned from talking to the people revealed the general idea of how everything was for them, but not the deep and darker secrets. Sachi first investigated the police who were corrupted save for those hired by Saya's parents like Rei's father the police commissioner of the city, which then lead her to a string of corrupt official and their families abusing their power. Things like sex slaves, prostitution, child prostitution, illegal gambling, hoarding of food and water, and torture of citizens picked up the street in the dark of the night (Hearing this remind Shin of the setting of Akame no Kill in a bad way). Saya's parents strictly forbade such actions and even deported or killed those who openly behaved with evil intent, so they did terrible thing in secret and were just waiting for the day the Takagi's reign came to an end. Sachi... dealt with quite a few of them, and leaving behind a few ruined houses she acquired information that not even the Walking Dead Unit or Saya's parents and their staff knew. Sachi had collected documents, names, plans and even dates confirming the plans for the three of the 5 Military Heads and the Mayor's treachery.
Jin SL: (This is great stuff! From Shuai's group we've confirmed that supplying food and water for everyone would win them over hands down. They are just looking to survive one day to the next and can barely think about what they will be doing next week, much less months and years in advance. They try, but things like hordes of zombies and mutant beast attacks stop them. Next time we call Drebin893, we'll buy enough goods to win everyone over. I can also think up a few more things we can exchange to gain even more influence.
Just one point can get us 1 ton of gun power and the materials for the shells are even cheaper. Like 1/10, or 1/100 of a point. Tokonosu City Survival Camp has barely enough ammunition to fend off 3 million zombies according to the reports I was given and if something goes wrong, which they probably will with the intervention of Team Kenya, what they have won't be enough, so they might like this. Also, it has become impossible to grow edible food after the apocalypse began. The seeds are unable to germinate. There are probably some seeds in God's exchanges that can grow even on wasteland planets in space without oxygen. They don't give us an edge in combat, so such life-saving seeds for the people of this world might not even cost ten points for a bag.
Next, from Sachi we learned the dreaded plan of the Mayor and three of the 5 Military Heads. A secret plan to revolt immediately after the threat of the zombie legion is neutralized. I'm sure Saya's father would like to know of this treacherous plan when we meet him. Lastly, our leader and his group discovered a treasure of immense importance and possible a big Bonus Mission! The location of a fruit that can turn Enhancer into Evolvers, but more importantly unlocks the Genetic Constraint!
Takashi's Walking Dead Unit discovered on one of their fantastic adventures a tree deep within a Mutant Beast infested forest a fifteen-day drive outside the city. The main characters fought a hard battle feeling a high level Type 3 Mutant Beast wanting to protect something, and they desired it and won. Rei, Saya, Kohta, Shizuka-sensei and Alice ate a very unripe fruit and became both Evolvers and gained access to the First Stage. Takashi and Saeko ate an almost ripened fruit and they became Dual Evolvers and unlocked the Second Stage of the Genetic Constraint. This was a military treasure which could create an army of Evolvers, but after the main characters had left... the forest grew larger and more mutant beast occupied the forest.
They told the benefits to Saya's father and tried to claim it and he gave them three battalions worth of soldiers, but powerful Type 3 Mutant Beast in the dozens held the armies at bay. There were even sightings of a Type 4 Mutant Beast that was level 100 among them. This made it impossible for the main characters even with the assistance of the military to claim this treasure as their own, but it shouldn't be impossible for us. Shin, everyone, we need to find this tree and bring back it's fruit! The main characters only lost consciousness for a few days with a severe fever, and afterward they were reborn Evolvers who have unlocked the constraints. Allowing Newbies to consume this fruit increases their survivability and usefulness to the team. It also has benefits to us. It's a shame the tree is so far away and infested with high-level Mutant Beasts, when we need to already prepare for a zombie invasion in the millions. If we can obtain the ripened fruit before Team Kenya arrives the balance of power between our teams may even reverse.
A team of Players of the Second Stage can definitely wipe Team Kenya! I'm also curious about the fully matured fruit. Maybe it could even unlock the Third Stage, or serves some other purpose... but we can't obtain this fruit without abandoning the main mission and the city won't lend us military forces at this time and nor will the main characters agree to come with us to get the fruit. I'll explain more later, so everyone can come back for now. I've finished my analysis of both the mission, the enemy's power, and what we'll be doing from now on.)
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Late in the evening, Team Japan regrouped back at the manor. Shin, Hikari, Aqua, Shuai, Connor, Kisara, Sachi and Drake were standing around Jin waiting for him to start, but first their leader asked a question.
Shin: "So what is it that you have to say? Also, what did you mean before that mission is all but settled? The battle hasn't even begun and the other Team hasn't arrived yet. What are you scheming?"
Jin: "...Nothing much, and I meant what I said. The mission is all but settled. Long as our plans to gain influence succeeds our chances of survival will be over 90%. What we will do and what we've already done will allow us to safely pass God's trials for us all. I'll get more into that later, but for now I'll like to start with my analysis of the God and Devil System."
Aqua: "Go on then... but is this going to be like when Shin went on and on for hours about Chinese Web Novels and the contrast between Japanese Web Novels?"
Shin: "It wasn't that bad."
Hikari: "It was that bad! I now actually have an interest to read the novel, you damn otaku!"
Jin: "Hahaha! As always this team is too interesting. Now, let me begin with the God and Devil System of this world. According to what I've seen and heard from Shin, the system is an easier, yet inferior system to God's."
Shin: "Really?"
Jin: "Yes. First are stats. For us the average of a normal human is 100, but here it's 10, so the conversation is 1 stat point in G&D System is 10 in the God's exchange system. What those like Takashi and others have going for them is the ability to level up to increase stats more frequently than us, who have to go through so many challenges just to get a few points and rewards. It's especially easier on Evolvers. Both Enhancers and Evolvers can also collect passive skills and essence beads to increase stats. There are also skills to temporarily increase stats as well, so most enhancers, especially Evolvers may be stronger than us physically, yet they won't have energy like Ki or Mana to strengthen themselves with."
Drake: "So anyone not Shin or Aqua should avoid a fist fight with anyone especially strong, but long as we use our powers correctly we should be okay."
Sachi: "Not quite. Its my opinion that we should stick to surprise attacks. I think we'll do better against armed group of Enhancers when they don't know we are coming. We lack the training and numbers to take out an armed organization by ourselves. We're more monster hunters than killers of men in large battles, so unless our power is so great we can discard the threat of bullets, snipers, and bombs we shouldn't fight an organized army straight up without a plan. We might manage if we go all out and recklessly defeat the enemy as fast as possible and coordinate the attack with Psyche Force Scan and Soul Link..."
Shuai: "Wait! Why are we talking about attacking humans right now?"
Jin: "Haha, well get to that soon enough. Next about this world's system is that it's far easier to acquire weapons, items, skill, and armor than God's reward equals danger system. You just have to go out and kill monsters. Items will then "Drop" sooner or later, especially during the early days of the apocalypse, but the options from God are vastly more superior in quantity and quality. Armed with just a C tier Sci-fi gun like the EMP Rifle with infinite ammo, if given enough time Aqua can kill at least 100,000 normal zombies all by herself before it overheats from continuous fire. A single B tier magic weapon if mastered can kill just about any boss monster under level 100 to my knowledge."
Stolen novel; please report.
Hikari: "Is it that simple?"
Jin: "No, but for Shin or Aqua it would be with their enhancements and the Unlocked Mode on top of it all. Now that brings us to the next and final subject. Combat potential. Our Unlocked Mode is superior to it counterpart in this world, Evolvers, by a few tiers. While Evolvers are called geniuses as they gain more stats easier and learn things quicker, like former housewife learning to use a sniper rifle in no time at all, unlocking the genetic constraint is superior. There's the danger of the recoil at first, but afterward you gain impressive power and combat insight that Evolvers just can't compete with. Even a normal human who only reached the First Stage can possibly kill someone with ten times their stats under the right conditions. To simplify it, all of us here can create a miracle when facing an opponent greater than us, but Evolvers are more suited for dominating over their fellow man."
Shin thought about what Jin said about their combat potential and couldn't deny it. It is a reoccurring event in "God and Devil World" where Yue Zhong would just take out his gun and shoot someone in the head, normal person, high-level enhancer, or otherwise without any resistance even if they had high stats and combat experience. This wouldn't happen to them as Unlocked Mode increases their perception of danger, give them combat instincts, along with increased physical and mental abilities. Any one of them could dodge that bullet aimed at their heads or block it with a weapon or if they were desperate with a part of their body, yet the people here can't, and that's due to them not having an Unlocked Mode to bring out their full combat potential.
Jin: "That's enough about the system and move on to our Side Quest. The 1 point for every 1000 zombies. God is trying to tell us with this unbalanced is he believes we can't evolve further by facing normal zombies even in large armies. Team Japan has reached a level of power that we could wipe even 10,000,000 zombies alone if given 2 weeks and that there were no evolved zombies, but at the very least God acknowledges the threat of millions coming to attack at once, so it made it 1 point for every member per 1000 killed. If we ever get a third mission in "H.O.T.D" I doubt God will give us points for killing normal zombies the next time around. It will be unlikely that we can kill the majority of the zombies to gain the full 3000 Points each and it isn't worth calling Drebin893 for a few tactical nukes. The kind of weapons needed to kill off this legion of zombies in one blast would cost tens of thousands of points and high level rank rewards, not that he sells those items requiring rank rewards. We won't make up for the cost of buying them, so let's give up the idea."
Aqua: "No one here except you would be crazy enough to consider killing 3 million zombies, so you don't have to worry."
Shuai: "But shouldn't we worry about what's going on in our strategist's head?"
Shin: "There would be no end to it if we do, so don't bother. Jin, continue."
Jin: " Okay (Ignoring the insults). Next is the threat level of the evolved zombies. For us it's not cost efficient to target the normal zombies, so the evolved zombies will be our main targets. From what's Shin has told me they're stronger than the ones that appeared in "God and Devil World", but are still manageable for us. Also this mission is one where we can acquire a lot of points all around, so our goal is farming gold, no I mean points. The first stage of evolved monster, L1 and S1 zombies are a threat to the common man and low-level Evolvers, but not to us, so it's just 1 point, but with the possibility of a large number of them attacking they could be a good target for farm points with Aqua's EMP Rifle and Connor's high powered Triggers. The second stage of evolved zombies; L2, S2, H1, and Hunter Type 1. We haven't encountered Hunters just yet, but I imagine like the others they can give trouble to those lacking good gear or those of them who had not unlocked the Genetic Constraint. They are 10 points per kill, so they are a target for us to farm, especially in large numbers. The third stage of evolved zombies. L3, S3, Hunter Type 2 zombies. Each one of them rewards 500 Points and D rank reward to every member of the team. Quite the large jump in rewards and they're are our ultimate prizes in this mission! I suspect that there won't be too many of these for us to kill, but we should be especially careful. They are enemies that reward fifty times the points than the second stage evolved zombie along with a D rank reward to every member. Their power will definitely surpasses what was shown in the original "God and Devil World". Shuai only killed one by blind luck yesterday."
Connor: "How strong?"
Shin: "I would think strong enough to push either me or Aqua to death. So powerful that even if I went all out I could still lose if I'm not careful. I've talked to Takashi and he said the Walking Dead Unit once killed an L3 and S3 about a month ago. The punch of an L3 blew away a tank into the horizon and they could jump over 300 meters to move from place to place. I suspect the monster digging tunnels was a L3. The L3 also possesses armor like skin to brush off a bombardment of rocket launchers and even his Devil Flame couldn't leave a burn mark on it. Takashi said he and the rest of his team took almost a full hour to break open its armor. Maybe the EMP Rifle or Connor won't be able to instant kill it. As for S3... they might as well be phantoms with how fast they could move. He and his team are powerful Evolvers over level 40, Takashi breaking level 50, but an S3 was still just a blur in their eyes. They only killed it by leading it to a nearby minefield. They also have incredible instincts, so Connor can't snipe one unless on of us get it to stop moving. Also, although Z command types were not listed in the mission they were still dangerous as well if they were to appear. The main characters once approached one with a group of soldiers and a Z2 sent out a mental attack that crippled the minds of everyone other than themselves. Takashi and the other main characters haven't come across the next stage of Hunter type, so we have nothing to go on, but from the novels I've read they should be close to speed to the S3, but more cunning and can spit up acid that can melt any modern fortification. The acid attack should be avoided at all cost."
As Shin went over the danger the zombie's elite forces presented, yet was confused about one thing. Who was leading the approaching zombie legion? Looking at the story of "God and Devil World" it should obvious be a Z type control zombie like a Z1 or Z2 zombie. Shin hadn't read so far into the story to know how smart and cunning a possible Z3 Zombie could be or how many zombies could it control, but it didn't seem to add up. Whoever was controlling the zombies took actions illogical for a zombie. Even for a command type. It tried to study Shin, and his team's ability, and even ordered the zombies to take action to against his team to lengths impossible for an intelligent, but still simple minded zombie.
Shin: (Could it a mutation of a Z type zombie? A plot change by God? If so it isn't listed in the information on our Player Watches... could it be a Hidden Side Quest or Bonus Mission? It could be a chance to acquire more points and rewards... but it's impossible for us. If this mutant Z type is leading the legion of zombies he'll hide himself among its 3 million followers and escape amongst them if he thinks that he has lost. Team Kenya may also protect this zombie as well. We aren't in a position to take the risk, so it's best to give it up for now.)
As Shin was considering about a potential Bonus Mission Jin moved to the same subject as well.
Jin: "Now Bonus Mission if we ever decide to come back and do missions here for points and rewards. Clearing a city to gain access to the Newbie Village, a D-DD tier mission which is low as we can borrow the power of the this city's army and main characters if we do it right. Recapturing the capital for the Main City, Tokyo, C-CC tier mission. Reestablishing control of Japan, B-A tier. I've read "H.O.T.D" and I remembered that Saeko's father went away oversees. Trying to find him might lead to something. If he left to teach swordsmanship he may have gone to China, Taiwan, Korea or maybe even India. Well have to ask her. Lastly and most likely a big Bonus Mission would be making contact with the protagonist of "God and Devil World", Yue Zhong!"
Shin: "Yue Zhong? You mean he's here in this world?"
Aqua: "It would make sense since this is a Cross Series and we've confirmed the God and Devil System. It would be odd if he weren't involved somehow, so how do you for certain know he's in this world, Jin? This isn't just a guess, right?"
Jin: "Yes. It was in the documents I received from a person matching his description. Tokonosu City Survival Camp once tried asking for overseas aid. It never panned out, but they received a report from the Japanese consultant in China before it was overrun with Zombies. About a warlord gaining influence in China who's a powerful Evolver who fights alongside a Skeleton Demon. This should be Yue Zhong! Meeting or defeating him will definitely lead to something big! I have a few other ideas as-"
Shin: "Stop talking about thing way, way into the future! I don't mind going on and on when I talk, but when others do it it just sounds like an info dump. Let talk about what we will be doing now. You said that the mission is basically cleared. Why? We haven't done anything just yet. We also haven't fought the legion of zombies yet either."
Jin: "Let me answer your question with a question. To win wars do you leave it up to fate and hope for the best?"
Shin: "...I'm guessing no."
Aqua: "No would be right Shin. I'm not good at looking at the larger picture, but I was still in the Marines, so I know a thing or two. And what I learned is that preparations are what win wars. Government or any organization don't want to wage a war that they could lose, so they prepare and calculate their chances of victory beforehand. Ideally, they only want to invest the manpower and resources into a war when they are 100% sure of victory. 100% is impossible, but something close to it and if it's less than 50% they would want to avoid war at all cost if possible. We teams of God's Dimension from different nations are made to fight battles where we could be wiped quite easily and sometimes we have to take risks and not know if we can win, but when a large organization starts engaging in battles like us it means there's something fundamentally wrong going on."
Jin: "Aqua is right. When fighting a war you want to make sure you've prepared for everything and that you will win. That's what we have done, or will do."
Drake: "I'm lost."
Jin: "What I'm saying is that we've made all the moves necessary to acquire victory in this mission. The first move we made was thanks to our very own Shuai."
Shuai: "Me?"
Jin: "Yes. You and Gnome to be exact. The two of you identified the hidden tunnels underneath Tokonosu City Survival Camp. If we had not noticed them in time, this would have been the biggest threat to us during the mission set up by God. The city will come under attack. One would normally think the only threat to the city would be the invading zombie legion, but that's too simple and nice considering the personality of God. Like in HxH Greed Island, God gave us 90 days to complete the mission, but not completing it before Team Germany arrived on day 61 pushed us into a corner when Bomber killed all the clans for their cards and threatened us. Team Germany appeared just then as well, so we were put in a passive position in spite of having a whole month left in the mission. God would have probably summoned Team Germany for the final chase no matter what, but my point still stands."
Sachi: "So the tunnels were the trap this time! If we never noticed the tunnels in time possibly thousands or hundreds of thousands THEM would have burst out of the ground when we were fighting the legion and Team Kenya, and if by some miracle we were able to stop THEM coming from underground..."
Hikari: "We would have failed the mission or at least lost most of the citizens of the city. Perhaps they would have appeared behind the army as well and destroy any defenses we set up. It would be the end of us."
Jin: "Of course. As the team to appear first we were given a chance to prepare the most and obtain influence of the NPCs of the world. That's the human side. THEM, they seem more frightening, but long as the human side has enough weapons, ammunition, and we handle the evolved zombies correctly the battle will be our victory. The only variable is Team Kenya, but if we exclude them, no even if you exclude us and the plot changes from God, this battle would favor the human side even if at a high cost of resources. Tokonosu City Survival Camp has a 90% chance of victory long as the human side is... united."
Shin: "Okay, but what other preparations have we made that guarantees victory for us?"
Jin: "Ah, that's simple. Magic Bullets! The moment we introduce Tokonosu Survival Camp the method to craft magic bullets it's all but over for the other side. Even with the lowest grade magic bullets, the human side will obtain a weapon extremely lethal to THEM and will cut down expended ammunition by a factor of ten. That was why Saya Takagi was so startled by the concept of magic bullets will have on the battlefield. If you don't have the skill with a gun to get consecutive head shots then you're going to waste a lot of ammunition to kill just one of THEM. Possible 20-100 bullets, and I'm excluding all the bullets which miss the target completely. Like you told the main characters Shin, you could just give guns to little kids with no training and wipe out thousands of zombies. Magic Bullets need to be crafted by carving a Rune Word of the shell casings, but the lowest grade magic bullets are very simple to make. Any of you could do it just by me showing you once. It's that's simple, so once mass production begins and every soldier has a gun loaded with low-grade magic bullets... Hahah! We could even take on a legion of 10 million THEM with room to spare!"
Shin: "I see. Pretty genius of you. Also, unlike a normal army we have Enhancers and Evolvers who can fight at close range to save bullets. Long as we keep the evolve zombies in check we will definitely win! Jin, you're surprisingly useful evert now and again."
Jin: "Hahahha... Just every now and again? That more than what I thought? But Shin, it's not that I'm smart, but that I, we all identified the problems we needed to face and found solutions. While not every challenge we come across in these missions will allow us the time to prepare like this, when we can we should do so like now. I'm not exaggerating when I say we've cleared the mission. Locating the tunnels in time and introducing the foreign element to this mission world, magic bullets, we've successful completed the challenges that God has thrown at us. We just need to make sure our plan to strengthen the city works. Gain our influence to act as we please and prepare for the only unknown variable. Team Kenya! The same variable which will allow Tokonosu City Survival Camp to withstand the enemy invasion with minimal risk. Team Japan has won the team battle before it's even begun!"
Jin said so with extreme zeal in his voice and a hint of madness in his eyes. His confidence was scary, but Team Japan knew that it'll be Team Kenya and the zombie legion who will be frightened to death.
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