The game ‘Catharsis’ honestly wasn’t that difficult.
Of course, excluding the content where players compete for rankings, it was pretty easy to play.
It was just a game where you form a team of five Agents and catch the enemies that show up.
There wasn’t much to control. Besides moving around during combat and using skills, there was basically nothing else.
“Cough, Commander.”
Of course, what’s about to happen now is… real, not just gameplay.
“Your job is simple, Commander. Decide on the five Agents that will join the squad, and then cleanse the Krytianum contamination zone with that squad.”
I guess what Lindera says in the actual story might be a little different, but I tried to say something similar as best as I could.
Telling the tutorial details alongside polite language was the primary task.
Honestly, this was just a scenario and not a real contamination situation, so it wouldn’t be a problem even if it failed.
However, the things that would happen afterward were true operations, so I had to help the Commander, the Player, do well.
“First of all, since you don’t know the Agents very well yet, I’ve prepared a squad.”
The faces of the five Agents appeared on the screen in the operation room.
By now, those five Agents must be on a helicopter heading to a fake contamination zone.
“According to Marduk’s policy, we need two front-line Agents, one in the center, and two in the rear. But the formation of the five can be according to your preference, Commander.”
It was just talk to balance things out.
If the specs are good, if the level is high, and if you pick a strong character, it wouldn’t be a problem to just line up all five in the front.
I had to tell some story-related stuff to the Player, but that could wait a bit.
After all, this was just the combat tutorial.
“Most of the decisions during combat will be made by the Agents, but if you give a command, they will definitely follow your orders, Commander. If you don’t give special instructions, the Agents will proceed with combat based on their own judgment.”
In fact, whether it was judgment or not, they just used skills as soon as the cooldown was done, but now things were different.
They would likely use their skills based on their own judgment.
“Your task during the operation is to dispatch the squad and determine its movement route. It seems like they’ll be arriving soon.”
For that unknown Player, this must be the first real operation.
Even if it’s fake, it’s probably their first time commanding as a Commander.
The Boss wanted to see how they’d react to sudden situations, and honestly, I was a bit curious too.
I wondered how that handsome face would look when flustered and if he really was a capable Commander.
“…….”
By the way, is that Commander really a person or just the Player outside playing the game?
That part, I’m not really sure about either.
*
“Commander, 1st Squad has arrived at the mission area. Awaiting orders.”
“…Got it.”
I wasn’t too fond of the casual reply, but for now, the Commander was my superior.
“As explained earlier, the core of the contamination zone is located right in the center of the village. The contamination isn’t severe yet, so not many contaminated individuals should be appearing, allowing for a quick resolution.”
I repeated what I’d said before while giving tips to the Player.
The mission this time was simply to quickly eliminate the contaminated core.
“1st Squad will first move westward to assess the contaminated individuals, and refrain from attacking first. Move out.”
It was a slightly stiff directive, but the five girls of the ‘preliminary’ squad responded in their own ways.
They probably expected something different since their voices were younger compared to the previous Commander.
Of course… regardless of that voice, their eyes didn’t seem all that clear.
The unofficial first order from the cleansing Commander was followed by the 1st Squad.
Did they hear what I said and understand it?
The Player chose to move towards the center of the village.
In fact, since the contamination wasn’t severe from the beginning, there was no need to move very slowly.
Besides, it was just a tutorial, so the mission details were quite simple.
“Commander, 1st Squad is about to reach the village.”
“I copy that. 1st Squad, what’s the condition of the village?”
– Ugh— there are definitely more contaminated individuals outside the village! Probably around 40?
“What’s the potential for treatment?”
– Hmm…
– Why are you trying to answer a difficult question when you don’t even know anything? 1st Squad, Klain here. I’ll answer instead.
“Alright.”
– Most of the contaminated individuals are likely in a state where they can’t be treated, and only a few may be capable of purification.
“Then, purify the core of the contaminated area and bring those few back. Is that possible?”
– It’s likely that the contaminated individuals will gather around the core, so if they haven’t been completely affected, it should be possible.
“Hmmm…”
The Commander responded after listening to Klain, a three-star character.
After all, he had only been with Marduk for a year, so it made sense he’d overthink his first command.
Here, I thought it would be better to lend a hand.
“Commander, may I give some advice?”
“…Sure.”
“1st Squad is currently composed of Agents specialized in rapid combat and movement. I think it would be sufficient to destroy the core and deal with incoming contaminated individuals while bringing back the treatable ones.”
“…1st Squad, from now on, prioritize destroying the core. Destroy the core that has appeared in the center of the village and don’t miss the chance to find and bring back any treatable contaminated individuals while moving.”
– Acknowledged.
With Klain’s words, 1st Squad began to move again.
The contaminated individuals they encountered along the way were easily taken down by the bullets and swords held by the Agents, allowing them to continue advancing.
The fake contaminated masses spread throughout the village numbered approximately 40 to 50.
Due to their somewhat dulled senses, there were no sounds of trouble coming from their battles.
Not yet.
The Commander was keenly observing the movement path of the advancing 1st Squad.
They probably wanted to successfully complete their first command without a hitch.
I guess they think they need to achieve this to become a true Commander.
That’s probably why the Boss also referred to him as a ‘preliminary’ Commander.
– Whoa!!!
– Levy, didn’t I tell you to warn me before you blow up!?!
– Hahahaha!!! Die, all of you!
The Agents… were having quite a good time.
Honestly, it made sense because the contaminated individuals they were fighting were all fake and were basically just graphics.
The Agents were just shooting their weapons at the ground and air as if they were performing.
Oh, by the way, that grenade just went off for real.
“…Are all the Agents from Babil 07 like that?”
“Not all of them, but there isn’t much difference.”
Each Babil has a different atmosphere, and Babil 07’s vibe is quite friendly.
That makes sense since it’s not a frontline fighting area against contamination.
Not yet.
“There’s quite a difference compared to Unit 03.”
“You’ll get used to it. And you have to get used to it.”
That was a line meant to reassure the worried Commander, but it was also for me.
Given the abrupt situation, I honestly still couldn’t believe it, but I had to acknowledge it.
It would be nice if, when I wake up tomorrow, I’d find a gun between my legs.
But… I didn’t think that was likely.
The slightly cool air in the operation room felt too realistic, and the voices of the Agents reaching my ears… just felt different from the game.
– We’ve found the Krytianum core. We’ll swiftly destroy it and retreat.
“I copy that.”
As we waited, contact came from 1st Squad.
They must have found the fake core set up in the center.
If I actually saw the fake Krytianum core on site… I would’ve definitely thought it was fake, but on our screens, it looked like the real thing.
The distinctive green glow of Krytianum gemstones was shielding the core.
It’s a useful material in many ways, but it also contaminates nature and mutates humans, making it a feared substance too.
“…”
That’s why we needed to prevent contamination even more.
If Krytianum contamination spreads to areas where ordinary humans are, they will likely either die or become contaminated.
Of course, among them… some may end up as Agents.
– Nyahhhhh!!! Run away!!!
– Kyahhh! Why are you running away first!? You should run together!
“1st Squad has destroyed the core. Mission accomplished.”
“Hey.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“What should I call you?”
While listening to the loud sounds of 1st Squad fleeing after destroying the core, the Commander spoke to me.
I felt somewhat uneasy as he looked at me with that effortlessly handsome face, but he was my superior after all.
I tried to minimize those feelings and keep my expression steady.
Just because I had become a woman didn’t mean I had any intention of smiling at a man. I simply maintained a neutral expression.
Or rather, I gave a slight smile, just enough to seem nice.
“I heard you’ve been working at 07 longer than I have. Furthermore, I was informed by the Boss that you would be playing a role like my secretary.”
You seem well-informed.
It seems he hasn’t blanked out any of the things the Boss mentioned.
Though… there was one slight mistake.
“I’m not a secretary. I’m the Vice Commander, ‘Lindera,’ who will assist you in your work moving forward. Pleased to meet you.”
I introduced myself to the now unnamed Commander, maintaining my expression.
I wasn’t sure if he was a real person or a player outside of the game, but…
For now, he was my Commander.
– Hahaha! Eat this~!
– Stop blowing up bombs!!!
By the way, how long will they keep acting like that even though the operation is over?
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