LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 88
A mass of flesh collides with steel.
With a noise that seems to sever the world, a violent shockwave envelops everything.
As the visible shockwave spreads, shattering already crumbled buildings, Galm, who merely deflected Steel Titan’s punch with his protein and fat made flesh, bursts into a chuckle and swatted away the incoming fist.
“Show me everything you’ve got—!”
In response to those words, Steel Titan begins to unleash war weaponry that has not been used until now. A barrel of 800mm caliber that could turn a tank into scrap explodes with fury.
The massive barrel, larger than one would imagine a cannon to be, launches a projectile several times the size of Galm, and that projectile races forward, seemingly ready to obliterate anything in its path.
The projectile was fired at a speed so fast that ordinary beings would never be able to react, but Galm was no ordinary being now.
The pinnacle of bio-creatures created by humanity. The ultimate being that evolved in the desired direction after consuming the genetic code of Levitan.
‘Pretty big… I’ve never seen anything like this before during my active days─!’
As Galm caught sight of the incoming projectile with both eyes, he reached out toward the bullet. The moment his hand gently brushed over the bullet, the projectile that had been hurtling toward him diverted far away.
The price of flicking away a projectile weighing several times his own weight was significant. Bulging veins and tendons on Galm’s right arm burst, and blood began to squirt out from his forearm that couldn’t withstand the pressure.
Galm looked down at his trembling arm and grinned.
“Is that all you’ve got? It’s a bit lacking to say you destroyed an entire city with this.”
[─Checking enemy’s martial capabilities.]
Seeing Galm provoke him, Steel Titan lightly extended both hands. Dozens of cannons sprung forth from Steel Titan’s body.
The ominous barrels aimed at Galm. Each one as large as the barrel that fired moments ago.
[All cannons, fire!]
Ka-BOOM! With a roar that would be heard when the world ends, dozens of shells showered down toward Galm.
Upon seeing this, Galm swallowed hard and raised both hands, starting to deflect the incoming shells.
In the process, some of the shells exploded even before reaching him, engulfing Galm in fire, but… Galm ultimately held on.
“Uha, Hahaha—! This is fun! So much fun!”
Now it’s my turn. Just as Galm thought to move forward, his body suddenly froze in place.
After repeatedly pushing his body past its limits, it simply stopped moving.
Galm instinctively realized this was the side effect the scientist had warned about. He was forcing moves that couldn’t be implemented with just one genetic code, so it made sense for his body to break down.
‘—Damn, is this where it ends…?’
As he mindlessly stared at Steel Titan, a familiar song reached his ears. A song he often heard in City E when he was bored.
—Listen to my song!
A fierce guitar, bass, and drum filled the battlefield alongside the song. Even Steel Titan momentarily halted its movements upon hearing it.
As the giant robot paused, Levitan dashed in and swiftly tucked Galm under her arm.
“You foolish idiot! Didn’t I say I can’t do this alone!?”
“…Lev, it’s—.”
“Argh! Seriously—! I told you Eight-tan was coming! We need to escape—!”
“The scientist, here?”
“Yep!”
Incredibly confusing statements. How could the scientist possibly be here? As Galm pondered, he looked up at the sky and realized that it was indeed true.
In the distance, something was flying with a vapor trail. It was too big and too fast to simply be an airplane or fighter jet…
[─Enemy entity detected]
As Steel Titan aimed its barrel at the sky upon detecting something on the radar, the flying entity accelerated faster than the shells could be fired and swiftly kicked Steel Titan in the face.
[Falcon Kick—!]
A powerful impact so intense it made the massive body flip backward. While Steel Titan staggered, another robot landed on the ground and extended its fist toward it, opening its mouth.
[Nice to meet you, brother.]
[…You are.]
[I am ST Series Unit 2. Steel Falcon.]
Falcon gave a light bow.
[I’m your younger sister.]
At those words, something inside Steel Titan shattered.
* * *
“Ugh, UAAAHHH—!”
My body accelerated.
For a brief moment, I felt like all the blood in my body was being pulled to one side due to the accelerating gravity, and in the blink of an eye, Steel Falcon arrived on the ground, having poised itself in front of Steel Titan.
When I finally regained my senses, I shouted at Steelstone, who was gripping the control sticks.
“Steelstone! We made it! Get a hold of yourself!”
“Ugh, ughhh…! Already?”
“Yes! Now it’s your turn, Steelstone!”
Unlike the fully automatic control of Steel Titan, Steel Falcon was equipped with control sticks. This was due to Steelstone’s insistence that he couldn’t just leave the disciplining of his child to another child.
I liked accommodating such insistences, so I gladly agreed to help. Yet now that I was behind the control sticks, I was slightly regretting it…
‘How am I supposed to control a robot?’
Anyway, the notion of Steelstone controlling Falcon to defeat Titan was a far-off dream. Even if he moved the control stick, Falcon wouldn’t follow him 100%. Just like how fighting games have assists for beginners, Falcon’s AI would provide the optimal solution.
The control stick’s presence was a way to share the responsibility. The responsibility of having created the monster that is Steel Titan. The responsibility of punishing it with his own hands.
A father’s responsibility.
[Younger, sister…?]
[Yes, brother—!]
Steel Falcon stated as it swung its foot. With a body that was nimble compared to the heavy Steel Titan, Falcon’s kick landed squarely on Titan’s side, causing that side to cave in.
Satisfied with the successful hit, Falcon bounced up and got ready to unleash a punch at Titan.
“…Falcon. I’m counting on you.”
[Yes, father.]
[Father? Are you saying that thing is inside you—?]
[Father is inside. You, brother, have never had him ride.]
[…We have no parents. All we have is our master.]
Steel Titan sharply denied Steel Falcon’s words and glared wide-eyed.
[Only pilots.]
In the next moment, all the barrels on Steel Titan’s body revealed themselves. Steel Titan was a war weapon. Designed to win battles against the whole world alone.
Inside it were bombs and shells that could annihilate a nation.
Steel Titan began to fire all the remaining projectiles. The bombardment was deadly enough that Falcon could be in danger of taking a direct hit.
“Falcon! Form Change!”
[Yes, father!]
Falcon resolved this with a single booster and form change. Its body transformed into something resembling a fighter jet, instantly accelerating and evading missiles and shells with ease.
Unlike Titan, loaded with war weapons, Falcon had no weaponry inside at all.
What Falcon sought was solely speed. It gave up everything else for that speed.
[Falcon Kiiiiiiick—!]
As Falcon circled above Titan while dodging shells, it seized Titan’s opening and quickly dove down to the ground.
Like a falcon hunting its prey. Falcon continued to soar through the sky, persistently aiming at Titan’s head.
However, Titan’s previous destruction of City W was not mere luck. Titan, having rapidly adapted to Falcon’s movements, grabbed one of Falcon’s legs and hurled it away.
[GAHAAAAA!?]
Falcon screamed as it collided with building debris, rolling on the ground. Quickly regaining its composure, Falcon transformed and got out of that spot.
Moments later, before the comma could barely pass, countless shells rained down onto the area.
Falcon looked annoyed at Titan, which was bombarding from a distance.
[Father! I don’t have any ranged attacks!]
“…I’m sorry.”
[You’re only favoring brother! This is too much!]
As Falcon whined, it once again executed unbelievable acrobatic flights, dodging all shells and swiftly flew to Titan, grabbing its two legs.
What the heck was it doing? Falcon’s engines began to overheat to the point of melting.
[Hah, AAALLAAAAAHHH—!]
[What the-.]
[Die already—! Damn brother!]
Falcon’s turbo engine heated up like crazy. The boosters began to burst as it lifted Titan’s massive body into the air.
Soaring high into the sky, Falcon flipped Titan upside down and slammed it down toward the ground.
[Falcon Driver—!]
KA-BOOM!
A deafening roar erupted with an earthquake as Titan, held captive by Falcon, struggled while its head was buried in the ground.
Upon seeing this, Falcon sighed and asked,
[What are you doing now? Father?]
“…O-Okay.”
Steelstone shuddered slightly while observing the sibling rivalry.
It was understandable.
Even I, who was watching from the side, felt a chill at the murderous intent Falcon was directing at her brother.