Chapter 25 – The Vanguard Slayer

[Weaponry Enhancement Engineering Bios]

[Clearance - Level 4]

[Weapon of Mass Destruction Unlocked]

[Level 1 - Particle Cannon]

[Level 2 - Uranium Blade]

[Level 3 - Shadow Curtain]

[Level 4 - Lightning Storm]

As soon as the WMD Series menu appeared on my holographic screen, I felt a surge of cold determination. I knew exactly what I had to do. With a swift press on the [Uranium Blade] option, my left arm thrummed to life, pulsing with red-hot circuitry that ran like rivers beneath my skin. I aimed my hand toward Myrrh, steady as a trigger finger, each second stretching with anticipation.

“Uranium Blade, Activate!”

The command echoed, and a crimson cybernetic circle blazed into existence above Myrrh, casting an ominous red hue over the sparring floor. Recognizing the danger, Agent Feena leaped back, her posture taut, ready for anything. Her movements left a faint trail, and her sharp gaze was now locked on the weapon forming in Myrrh’s hand.

With her remaining right arm, Myrrh reached up into the flickering red circle, grasping the cool steel hilt that materialized there. As she withdrew it, a blade of sickly green energy hummed to life, casting an eerie glow on her face. Myrrh swung the blade to her side, assuming a unique stance—part defiant, part unyielding, and all her own.

“So, this is the Weapon of Mass Destruction Series,” Agent Feena murmured, her voice edged with an unmistakable note of admiration. Her green mechanical eyes scanned me, bright with intrigue. “Nothing like this is in the WEEB database. It seems you only reveal it when your partner is in real trouble.”

I met her gaze, expression cold, keeping my intentions close. A confrontation with Agent Feena about the WMD Series was inevitable, but first, I would need to consult with Myrrh after the match.

Myrrh gave a tight smile, her tone lifting with a hint of confidence. “Is this what you’re looking for, Agent Feena?”

“Yes,” Agent Feena replied, a spark of intensity flaring in her eyes. Flames erupted around her fists as she dropped into a combat-ready stance. “Show me what you’ve got!”

Myrrh lunged forward, her movements swift and determined, her mechanical right arm arched and ready to strike. As she closed the distance, she swung the glowing green blade with a fierce downward slash. In a blur, Agent Feena's pink Frame Unit twisted, dodging to the right with a precision that left Myrrh exposed, an opening on her blind side.

It was the perfect opportunity for Agent Feena to counterattack. But the Uranium Blade had an unexpected twist.

As Myrrh’s blade sliced through the air, it tore open a volatile rift, splitting atoms in its wake. A blinding burst erupted from the blade, a chain reaction that exploded within the confines of the hangar, filling the space with a thick, roiling smoke.

“Damn!” Agent Feena shouted, her voice laced with urgency. “Activate Overdrive Mode!”

Agent Feena’s pink Frame Unit ignited, the gaps in her mechanical armor glowing with searing crimson energy. Flames surged along the seams of her suit as she leaped back just in time to avoid the fallout from Myrrh’s nuclear blast. Her agility was remarkable, the intensity of her motion leaving a faint afterimage of fire in the air.

"W-What was that?” Myrrh murmured, stunned, her gaze locked onto Agent Feena's red-hot form. “She’s too fast!”

“She… she actually turned red?” I whispered, staring, mouth slightly open in amazement.

Then, as swiftly as it had flared, the crimson glow faded. Agent Feena’s armor returned to its original pink and white, the flames dying down to a low, controlled ember. She raised both mechanical arms in a gesture of surrender. “I yield,” she announced, her tone steady but edged with caution. “If we keep going, this could get lethal. Let’s call it a day.”

Myrrh lowered her radioactive blade, the weapon’s faint glow casting a final eerie light as the duel concluded. The air was thick with tension, and the memory of the clash still crackled, a fitting end to a match of unexpected twists and close calls.

<><><>

Agent Feena led us to the KAWAII Office, a sleek, high-tech space with soft lighting and metallic accents, where the comforting aroma of chamomile tea wafted through the air. We settled into a small, cozy nook where Myrrh and I gratefully accepted the tea and a tray of delicately arranged biscuits.

As we sipped, we recounted everything to Agent Feena—details from the Blackout of Metropolis, the terrifying moment when the Cosmic Beast took Myrrh’s life, my desperate pact with the Machine God, and the mysterious Frame Unit that had relentlessly hunted us down.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

When we finished, Agent Feena’s gaze grew distant for a moment before she reached into a drawer, retrieving a slim folder. She opened it, revealing a series of photographs. They were taken during that fateful night: grainy, haunting images of Cosmic Beasts wreaking havoc in the darkness, and several striking shots of Myrrh, mid-battle in her Frame Unit Mode, standing alone against the monstrous onslaught.

“These pictures,” Agent Feena began, her lips curving into a smirk, “are more than enough evidence to warrant disciplinary action. First-years and second-years are strictly forbidden from deploying without authorization. You’re both fortunate that these are classified and haven’t been shared publicly.”

“Haha… thanks for that,” Myrrh said, chuckling nervously and scratching her cheek, her tone light despite the tension. “You really saved our butts.”

But Agent Feena’s smile faded, her expression turning deadly serious. She leaned forward, her mechanical green eyes narrowing. “That’s not why these photos are being kept under wraps,” she continued, her voice dropping low. “There’s classified information in here that may provide leads… leads that point to the real instigator behind that blackout.”

“The culprit?” Myrrh echoed, her head tilting in confusion, her gaze caught on Feena’s intense expression.

“Yes,” Agent Feena replied, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “The raid that night was orchestrated by someone on the inside—likely a member of the university. If we publicize these photos, the culprit would be tipped off, making it harder to catch her off guard. We need her to slip up, to make one careless move that’ll expose her, because she’s not just a threat—she’s deadly.”

She pulled out another photograph, setting it down with deliberate precision. It showed a red bulky Frame Unit, its silhouette shrouded by a dark cloak, standing ominously amidst the flames of the ravaged city.

“This mysterious Frame Unit,” she continued, her eyes flashing, “the one you fought that night—it single-handedly killed three Vanguard WAIFUs sent in ahead of you.”

“No way…” I muttered, the realization hitting hard. “She took down even the Vanguard?”

Agent Feena nodded grimly. “Vanguard WAIFUs are our elite. They’re the first line of defense in any raid and are top-tier graduates of the university, each licensed and experienced. That’s why this mysterious red Frame Unit is so unsettling. And, just as intriguing, is the fact that the only one who managed to hold her off was you two.” She turned, fixing her sharp gaze on me. “Now that I’ve witnessed your power, I don’t doubt that, if you had control, you could take her down.”

“She still got away, though,” Myrrh interjected, a hint of teasing lacing her voice. I started at the unexpected weight of her hand ruffling my hair. “Maybe if this guy knew how to handle his mysterious powers better, we could’ve captured her.”

I scowled, swatting her hand away. “Oh, so it’s my fault now? You’re the one who died that night, remember?”

A mischievous grin tugged at Myrrh’s lips, but before she could retort, Agent Feena interjected. “Actually, I might know what triggers the WMD series.” She gestured for our attention, her expression turning scientific and sharp. “During our duel with Miss Alicent, I monitored both of your brainwaves. I noticed they synced perfectly whenever she was in danger.”

“Huh.” Myrrh sighed, letting her shoulders relax as she thought back. “For a second there, my mind just… went blank. I never realized Zaft felt the same way. I think this might be the first time he’s activated it willingly since he made the contract with the Machine God.”

Agent Feena leaned back, crossing her legs with a measured smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything—and the two of you did well to survive that night. Just remember, keep everything we discussed here to yourselves. No one can know about the mysterious WAIFU or this Machine God you two encountered. I don’t know what sort of being you crossed paths with, but I’d advise you to guard that information carefully.”

“Copy that, Agent Feena.” Myrrh offered a playful salute, a slight grin lifting her face. “But, one more thing. That crimson light you used during our fight—what exactly was that?”

Agent Feena’s expression softened, a hint of pride in her smile. “Ah, the Overdrive Mode,” she said. “It’s an experimental skill we’ve developed for WAIFUs in the investigative team. It triples both agility and power, amplifying the Frame Unit’s capabilities. Quite the asset in a pinch.”

Myrrh’s eyes lit up with wonder. “So the WAIFUs in the investigative team get that upgrade, huh?” She glanced down, fingers tapping thoughtfully on her knee. “I have to admit, joining KAWAII sounds tempting.”

“I thought you wanted to follow your mother into the Vanguard?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

“I do,” Myrrh replied, her tone thoughtful. “But my mom… she doesn’t have something like Overdrive Mode. As much as I want to follow in her footsteps, I also want to surpass her.” Her fists clenched, a spark of determination lighting her eyes.

Agent Feena’s gaze softened, her admiration evident. “I have no doubt you’ll surpass her,” she said, touching her cheek in a gesture of thoughtfulness. “You’re one of the most skilled WAIFUs I’ve encountered—forcing me to use Overdrive Mode was no small feat. If our fight had continued, I can’t say I would’ve left unscathed.”

“Myrrh only managed to corner you because of me,” I muttered, unable to keep the edge from my voice.

“Oh yes, you too,” Agent Feena replied with a sly grin. “The two of you would be quite an asset to the KAWAII.” She reached over to the table, picking up her tablet and scrolling through it with a casual swipe.

“Wait… are you implying that you want to recruit us?” Myrrh’s eyes lit up, and she pumped her fists, her excitement bubbling over in a rare display of childlike enthusiasm.

Agent Feena glanced up from her tablet with an amused smile. “You’re welcome to apply for an internship, but there’s one condition—you’ll both need to secure your licenses first.”

With a quick tap, she turned the screen toward us, revealing a flashy advertisement. In bold letters, it announced: Licensure Examination Tournament for WAIFUs Now Open.

Myrrh’s eyes sparkled as she leaned closer to the screen. “Looks like our next challenge just found us,” she said, her voice laced with determination.