I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 605

"...I came when you told me to, and as expected. I thought it might be this, but it’s definitely a matter involving the youngest."

"Did you already know, Chief Warrant Officer Lorentina?"

"If you’re with that kid, you end up knowing things you can’t avoid, hehe..."

Virginia Beach, Virginia, NAS Oceana Dam Neck Base.

In some part of the base where the elite Navy SEALs, known as DEVGRU, gather, the Gold Squadron - Crusader’s operational team Hammerhead was having a brief moment in their break room. The dim space, smelling only of gunpowder and sweat, suddenly became bright.

The overwhelming presence of men, all with an average height in the late 170 cm range, and body fat at around 12%, was now overshadowed by a particularly noticeable figure—188 cm tall. It was hard to believe this person was in a military base and not strutting through the fashion world. Red shoes and black stockings instead of boots, a golden ratio body with silver hair flowing down to her waist.

With a figure that seemed destined for a runway, the only woman in the room stood as a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-3). The call sign "Specter," Lorentina, the team leader of Hammerhead, entered the break room, led by her squad members.

"Team leader, you’re here. Look at this, it’s amazing."

"We’re going to be unemployed if this keeps up."

"This is some crazy hype. If someone saw this, they’d think they were about to conduct a civil disturbance behind enemy lines."

"That’s not exactly what’s happening, though."

Though the situation was humorous, Lorentina quickly brought over a chair from around the room and sat. With a creak, the chair briefly screeched under her weight, but there was no real issue. Those under her command knew well what her weight was, and the chair had to be durable enough.

Grabbing a controller from the table, the observer noted the current engagement of the Mecha "youngest."

"Considering their weight, underwater infiltration without some kind of propulsion or measures would be pretty tough. And if they glint in the moonlight, they might be spotted. There are a few other issues, but I don’t think the youngest overlooked them while rolling out..."

"...Are they really that heavy?"

"Over twice my weight. Mid-500 kg range. They didn’t exactly design them with weight in mind. They used special alloys liberally."

At this size, 500 kg was already bending the laws of physics. However, considering they had been hit multiple times with 7.62mm rounds without significant deformation—just minor dents—it made sense. Even after the rounds were switched to AP rounds during the later stages, the results were much the same.

Someone with a bewildered expression added:

"I never thought a metal like vibranium would actually exist."

"I heard it binds more tightly when subjected to shock or vibrations. Apart from its extreme weight compared to other metals, it’s not much different. To break the Mecha youngest, you’d need something like a rocket launcher or a tank cannon."

"Terrifying. If they wielded shields made of similar material and took on pointman roles, they’d be unstoppable."

"That’s probably where things will go in a few years."

The mood in the room shifted slightly at that comment.

But then Lorentina added:

"But that’s only because their software is extremely advanced. They still have a long way to go. Taking that into account, the future of warfare will likely involve remote-controlled units rather than drones."

"Hehe, looks like we’re safe from unemployment. But if such units come over here, I’d prefer if we didn’t have to control a machine that looks like a woman..."

"Is that likely?"

The situation was a little awkward, though, since Lorentina didn’t really give much thought to such matters. She continued:

"But, I heard that for their face, palms, and soles, they used a new metal for protection. That’s directly related to their humanoid body shape. It’s an issue they need to resolve."

"Hmm, I don’t see it as a problem. If they can output more power than a human, a smaller body would actually be beneficial."

"As long as they don’t become too delicate, like a little girl..."

"Honestly, that’s not the important part. When the gunsmith customizes the weapon for the remote-controlled unit, the real question is whether it fits."

But the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages.

The ENVG-B helmet visor or the recently popular HMD systems were incredibly useful, but they required separate batteries. This meant additional items needed to be supplied and carried.

However, when the Mecha youngest checked their first-person cams, all those functions were integrated into the facial display. The head part also boasted overwhelming bulletproof capabilities. In other words, there was no need to wear bulky helmets that increased the hit area.

That wasn’t all. The mysterious energy source, which allowed for semi-permanent movement, meant they could operate indefinitely without needing additional batteries or bulletproof vests. Of course, this didn’t mean they couldn’t wear them—but they didn’t need to.

"By linking the power source to the weapons, supplying high-energy weapons like railguns wouldn’t be a problem. The world is progressing fast. I joined the army after seeing ISIS, Houthi rebels, and Hamas being crushed."

"By the way, considering what we’ve seen so far, I can’t imagine you’ll be able to match the power of such high-performance humanoids, Chief Warrant Officer. Aren’t you still needed on the field?"

"Based on what we’ve seen from the Mecha youngest, that’s what it seems like."

"...Huh?"

The air in the room cooled in a different direction than before.

Was there something they hadn’t shown yet? She smiled slightly but didn’t respond, and those around her knew all too well that this was her way of avoiding a question she didn’t want to answer.

Additionally, they understood that if they kept pushing for an answer, the darkness behind that smile would gradually deepen, and they would face an unstoppable beast.

Upon further speculation, perhaps it wasn’t that Lorentina didn’t want to answer, but...

"...Well, it’s not like I can show everything here."

"You’re always quick to catch on. Hehe..."

"You’ll learn whether you like it or not, team leader... Ahhh!?"

"Wilson, I think you need a scalp massage."

When Lorentina’s hands gripped Wilson’s head, a scream echoed through the room. The others cautiously looked away from the scene and tried to focus on the screen.

Some time passed, and the screen displayed the Mecha Eugene units clearing the building. The earlier conversation faded away as they completed their task.

Because the enemy was invisible, CQB had to develop as it did. When the assumption of where the enemy would be was suddenly broken, the mop-up operation became just a matter of time.

It was obvious when they fired at the humanoids through thin walls—their heads exploded. Even after breaching doors, enemies inside vanished without even a proper entry process.

Only Lorentina remained watching this spectacle with indifferent eyes.

"...I’ve used it in games countless times, but hearing that it can actually be used in real life is quite moving. So, when will that technology be implemented?"

"Not long now. At most, about six months. But we’ll need to carry large spare batteries. It eats up electricity."

"Has this been seriously discussed at the higher-ups? I mean, it’s better than getting hit by a stray bullet, right?"

"Haha."

As Lorentina spoke with a tone as if she already knew, everyone nodded along. But the reality was slightly different.

There was no need to correct her. She casually continued eating snacks while adding:

"In three months, we’ll have the manuals and modular batteries for actual use. The think tanks who developed the pulse tech want feedback, but that’s for later. For now, think about where we’ll use it and if there’s a countermeasure."

"Should we submit it as a report?"

"Compile it and submit it. I’ll skim through it later. You can think on your own or discuss with others. Just make sure you send me a short summary by tonight."

"Understood."

"I’ve seen so much of the Mecha youngest that nothing really surprises me anymore. Studying is fine, but I hope they don’t lose shark points because of poor condition management."

As the broadcast neared its end, Lorentina got up, leaving that last remark.

As she opened the door and was about to leave, a final question followed:

"So, team leader, what’s with the shark points?"

"It’s a secret."

With that, the door closed quietly, and the remaining team members laughed.

"I wonder if I’ll ever figure out what that means before I’m buried in a coffin."

"Did you hear the rumor that you can propose if you collect 10,000 points?"

"Damn, I’ll be here till I’m 70 and still won’t have 5,000 points."

"I wonder how many points that Eugene kid has..."

Of course, they had no idea Eugene had about 58,300 shark points.

Thus, the first day of the Expo came to a close.

"Wow, it's still not even the end of the Expo, and we're already getting over three hundred reception requests..."

"I thought it would be much more. If this was a fan meeting, the number would be squared, right?"

"...That’s not exactly wrong, which is making it even more chaotic."

As the smell of gunpowder faded and the sun dipped below the horizon, the darkness began to spread. The time when humanity had to adapt to the night was over, and the second fire, the electric light invented by humans, drove the night away, lighting up the world. Thus, humanity was no longer limited to daytime activities but could now operate at any hour.

In mid-February of 2037, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the Dark Zone Town, known as the second Las Vegas, and for the first time, the world began to focus on the actions and every move of the Mecha youngest that had been rolled out into reality.

By around 6 p.m., the simulation training, which had terrified and shocked everyone, came to an end, and it was finally time for the physical performance tests.

Fortunately, unlike before, Harmony and Dice could now join as spectators. Of course, they weren’t helping with the test; they were just given the privilege of watching from a much closer spot than the others.

But still, it was nearly 4 a.m. in Korea—how was everyone awake at this time? No point in asking, since I’d get the same answer anyway. I didn’t ask, and instead faced the Mecha youngest, who looked exactly like they had when they were born.

"It’s a strange thing to say, but it feels weird seeing you without clothes on."

"Put some clothes on me later."

"Put them on yourself. How far do you want me to go?"

"The Mecha youngest really seem to act cute around you, Eugene."

"You all are the same. Don’t pretend you don’t know."

The moment the Mecha youngest made a move, memories of the past flashed through my mind. Where was it again? Was it the Taerung Training Center? That’s where I first properly tested my physical abilities. I still remember how my shoes got completely destroyed when I ran the 200-meter dash.

Of course, I also clearly remembered how the soles of the ground where Lorentina and Logan ran were left with markings that looked like their foot shapes, as they sprinted barefoot.

Luckily, there would be no such incident this time. The entire floor was a type of reinforced floor. On top of that, thin rubber pads were placed on it, which could be replaced anytime, even if torn.

As the three of them stood at the starting line, the preparations around them were still underway.

The punching machine, used to measure impact power, was set up... but there would be no basic physical tests today. After all, what would be the point for a humanoid to go through those?

Instead, a few sturdy humanoids were brought in for the close-quarters combat and visual enjoyment tests. These machines were so durable that they wouldn’t break even if a dump truck going 70 km/h hit them. To be blunt, these were the same kinds I had destroyed during the old "Glory & Honor" duels.

Anyway, I didn’t have much to oversee. All tests were going to be conducted according to pre-set algorithms, so all I had to do was give them a little motivation.

And true to my words, even though I was half-zoning out, the three of them had already positioned themselves on the angled start blocks, their fingers on the ground.

How long did it take?

Bam!

• [Alert: Impact force of start block, 6.81 tons.]
• [Alert: Speed, 15 m/s, 54 km/h.]

"…Oh my."

"They’re doing well."

The three units began running, each maintaining a decent distance from the others.

Though all three were nearly at the same speed, people, shocked by the initial burst, began to realize what was happening after just a few seconds. They started running laps around the giant stadium track at that speed. After one minute, two minutes, and five minutes, it became obvious that no one could even open their mouths to speak.

Considering the Mecha youngest each weighed around 540 kg, this was an even more astonishing sight. To put it into perspective, they were running at 55 km/h, which was even faster than a Harley Davidson CVO packed with full fuel, which would weigh about 100 kg less. And while the track was being gradually destroyed beneath them, it was quite a sight to behold.

I was relieved to see that they were limiting their performance for the test, as they were expected to run for another three hours according to the pre-supplied catalog specs. But, of course, showing only this would quickly get boring. Before the ten-minute mark, all three had crossed the finish line, and as they stopped, everyone in the stadium burst into applause.

"It feels strange that people are clapping just because we ran."

"Just let it be. Now it’s time for something more fun. Brace yourselves."

"...Alright. The performance limit is set."

At the same time, I glanced at the other side.

The punching machine, now resembling a wall, and additional Mecha humanoid units waiting to be deployed. It was time for the real test—the time when blood, sweat, and hydraulics would come into play... or rather, the time when hydraulic fluid, bolts, and pistons would fly.

The first task was the impact test, something I had done in the past. The shock measurement sensor attached to the wall, with a waiting humanoid next to it. A kick was a bit of an awkward angle for the wall, so this setup was the best choice.

Geno and Rain, who had completed some basic close-quarters combat training, stepped forward.

Geno carefully measured the distance to the wall, positioned himself to deliver the optimal strike, and set his posture. If they were human, they might have stretched, but these Mecha units didn’t need to.

And then, after a while:

Boom!

• [Alert: Impact force 11.8 tons.]

"...The fact that the unit can withstand that much force is amazing."

"Well, it’s not too surprising... Rain, activate the energy release mechanism in the joints. Let’s show them properly."

"Understood."

Click, click!

The mechanical sounds of the waist and elbows echoed. The broad, flat nozzles, similar to the engines on an F-22, briefly flashed. Between them, Rain took his stance once more. But the difference this time was that through the open release panels, something turquoise was glowing.

The heat rising from the panels, the brief moment of silence.

And then, after a while, Rain threw his punch.

And—

Boom!

In that instant, flames erupted from his waist and right elbow as his punch accelerated to speeds similar to a bullet.

The shockwave that followed was incomparable to earlier, and a massive roar rang out. How long did it take before?

• [Alert: Impact force measurement failed.]
• [Alert: Panel dented. Replacement recommended.]

"...Wow."

"I thought only in comics could you leave a fist-shaped dent in metal, but it seems that’s not the case."

The metal wall was deeply dented with a fist imprint in the middle.

Rain, with his somewhat battered arm, waved it around and added:

"I don’t think we should do this again, Archetype."

"...Alright."

Should we replace the panel?

It’s one of those things where, while I’m considering it, there’s no room for complacency.