Chapter 76: Monster Hunt
“Lebadel, Grent. Something is approaching.”
“…Huh!?”
The voice of Zwanzig broke the silence as she addressed the two men gathered around the campfire during their night watch. Although the escort duties were primarily handled by the attendants of the Paraiso, they couldn’t afford to be completely unguarded, which is why they took turns keeping watch at night. However, this was the first time she had actually called out to them.
“Is it bandits?”
The two men sprang to their feet, drawing the curved swords (Cutlasses) they had prepared nearby.
“The footsteps are soft and light. However, there are multiple, likely over ten. They appear to be quadrupeds.”
“Quadrupeds? If they’re attacking in a pack, it could be wolves… or perhaps, monsters (Hyenas).”
Lebadel, the escort, responded to the report from the Communicator Android.
Hyenas.
This was one of the potential monsters they had been briefed about beforehand. Typically, they lived in grasslands far from the city.
“I’ve heard tales of small merchant caravans being attacked occasionally, but…”
“Is this your first time seeing one?”
“It is for us. Perhaps Agritend or Leon have encountered them before.”
They had a protocol in place for such situations. If something suspicious was spotted, the first step was to raise the alert. If it was deemed an unavoidable danger, everyone would be notified.
“Making too much noise might provoke them. Let’s quietly wake everyone.”
“Understood. Lebadel, take care of the others. I’ll wake Agritend.”
“Got it.”
The Multi-legged Tank stationed on the perimeter powered up silently. Its infrared cameras captured the movements of the beasts lurking nearby. Ideally, they would launch a drone, but it would inevitably make noise. Instead, they received footage from a reconnaissance drone stationed 20 kilometers above. Fortunately, the night was clear, with no clouds or fog to obstruct their view. The resolution was slightly grainy, but they could confirm the situation without issue.
They conducted a full scan and identified the targets. There were a total of eighteen of them. Their body lengths ranged from 60 to 80 centimeters. The tactical AI began assessing the threat level of the beasts encircling the campsite.
“Ma’am, could you wake up?”
“…Huh…?”
RINGO gently shook the Commander (Eve), who had been snuggled up against her in deep sleep. The danger level was low, but there was no option to remain silent while the delegation was under threat. It was around 11 PM local time, approximately half an hour behind their home time. This planet had a larger radius than Earth, resulting in less time difference despite the distance. However, due to the differing rotational speeds, a direct comparison was not feasible.
“Ma’am, the delegation is surrounded by a pack of beasts.”
“…What?”
Perhaps the gravity of the situation finally registered, as she began to stir and peek out from under the sheets.
“Report…”
“Yes, Ma’am. The campsite is currently surrounded by quadrupedal beasts, presumed to be monsters (Hyenas). The danger level is low, but since combat may occur, we have transitioned to Combat Formation Type 1.”
“Hmm… What’s the threat level?”
“Assessing. Estimated at E. Local response is possible.”
Since she hadn’t been jolted awake by an emergency alarm, she wasn’t particularly worried. In fact, she was still quite sleepy.
“If it seems fine, I’ll go back to sleep…”
“Yes, Ma’am. If the threat level exceeds C, I will report again.”
“Please do…”
She entrusted the situation to RINGO and decided to return to her dreams. If the threat level was at B (Worm) or higher, it would warrant her attention, but at E (no problem), she could simply hear the report later. It was one thing to be awake, but with her drowsy mind, this was all she could muster. RINGO had deemed the situation manageable. Recently, RINGO had gained enough experience, and the local equipment was well-prepared.
Thus, Commander (Eve) snuggled back into RINGO and drifted off to sleep once more.
“I’ve never heard of wild wolves being around. It must be monsters (Hyenas).”
This was the assessment of Agritend Luvania, the delegation’s representative.
“Is it rare?”
“Yes. They typically don’t attack caravans like this. Perhaps it’s because there are so few of us. Normally, a group would consist of at least thirty people. The campfire and torches would be much more conspicuous, and there would be more horses.”
“I see.”
While the Communicator Android responded accordingly, the Multi-legged Tank’s Mother Unit was deep in thought. It was true that they had a smaller number of people, with only six horses in total. However, they had two Multi-legged Tanks and one Mother Unit, massive combat machines at their disposal. Any ordinary beast would likely avoid or flee from such unknown entities nearby. Yet, the Hyenas showed no signs of retreat, encircling their camp instead. One even approached the Mother Unit, seemingly oblivious to its presence.
For reasons unknown, these Hyenas were hardly wary of the Multi-legged Tanks or the Mother Unit. Consequently, a situation arose where the Hyenas formed a near-circle around the campsite, with the Multi-legged Tanks and Mother Unit positioned dangerously close to that circle. If the three machines were to move, they could decimate the pack in mere seconds.
At that moment, a command from RINGO came through.
“Engage and suppress immediately. Collect samples from the corpses. There is no need to keep them alive. Use rifles, blunt weapons, and grenades for the attack.”
In response to the command, the tactical AI began evaluating the optimal method of attack.
“They’re coming.”
“Huh!”
Just as everyone was bracing themselves, the Hyenas sprang into action. Three of them charged from the left, across the lake.
“I will—”
“Do it.”
As the escort Yubia attempted to move, Zwanzig blocked her with her right hand while raising her assault rifle with her left.
Zwanzig operated her Assist Suit and pulled the trigger with one hand.
With a gunshot, bullets pierced the charging Hyena’s body. Three rounds shredded through its lungs and heart, exiting from its back, taking its life in an instant. Another Hyena met its end as she swiftly drew a combat knife from her waist, slashing from the base of its neck down to its spine, killing it instantly. Almost simultaneously, she lifted her left leg and drove her toes into the jaw of a third Hyena, snapping its neck with a swift kick. The sound of breaking bones echoed as it spun and fell, dead on impact.
Thud, thud, thud, the three bodies hit the ground.
The ten men present stared in shock at the scene unfolding before them.
Three Communicator Androids fired in succession. As the two Multi-legged Tanks activated their searchlights, the lower rotating turret unleashed a barrage from its Gatling gun, sweeping the area clean. The Hyenas fell one after another, their dying screams filling the air.
“Whoa…!”
The sudden flash of light and gunfire startled the men of the delegation, causing them to cry out in alarm.
Total annihilation.
Twelve Hyenas had been dispatched by gunfire, leaving only three remaining. Perhaps frightened by the sudden light and noise, the last three turned to flee. However, their actions were futile. A grenade launched from the coaxial grenade launcher mounted on the Multi-legged Tank exploded, scattering shrapnel upon impact. Two of the Hyenas were blown away, their bodies torn apart by the metal fragments as they rolled across the ground.
“Last one.”
The final Hyena faced off against Dreißig, who charged forward with an extendable baton. Accelerated by her Assist Suit, she closed the distance before the Hyena could react, swinging the baton with precision. The carbon fiber baton, supported by artificial muscles and an exoskeleton, delivered a devastating blow that caused severe internal damage, claiming its life in a single strike.
It was a true display of overwhelming force.
This was the first time they had witnessed the full combat capabilities of the team. Particularly, it was the first demonstration of their movements while wearing the Assist Suits. The entire delegation watched in stunned silence as they processed the spectacle.
“Clear. Confirming all heartbeats have ceased.”
“All hostile entities in the vicinity have been eliminated. Safety is declared.”
While still holding her assault rifle, Zwanzig and Zwanzig raised their voices in unison. This was, of course, to share information with the delegation. Dreißig twirled her extendable baton before stowing it in her thigh holster.
In the center of the campsite, brightly illuminated by the Multi-legged Tanks, the men sat down weakly, still in disbelief.