Otherworld TRPG Game Master - Chapter 293



Chapter 293 – S5. The Stellar Collapse ~Hope Slumbering Beneath the Ruins~ -6

With a towering height of 80 meters, the full weight was unleashed in a swing. Combined with its mass, the magical energy struck the ‘Great Monster’ squarely in the face.

Kwahhh—!!

uuu…

The monster that had brought civilization to its knees staggered, letting out a silent scream. Unit 1, “Meteor,” seized the opportunity. It swiftly manipulated its controls, targeting the creature’s face and swinging its fist.

Kiiiiiing──

Bang! Kwang!

With the engine’s roar echoing like a lingering shadow, two jabs were thrown. The movements were light, but the power contained within was anything but. Each punch carried the size and mass capable of toppling a substantial building.

With the relentless barrage, the “Great Monster” was pushed back helplessly. Did it even have a brain? Like a person suffering from a concussion, it seemed unable to regain its senses.

The great beast staggered backward, leaning against a partially collapsed building.

In the control room, which was receiving the feed directly, cheers and whistles erupted.

“We did it! ‘Meteor’ is completely overpowering that great monster!”

“We’ve succeeded! We did it!”

“…Everyone, quiet down! Stay focused and check the cameras. The pilot can’t see everything!”

Woo Chae-rin quelled the excited atmosphere in the control room. If they could end this with such one-sided violence, it would be perfect, but everything felt oddly smooth.

The great monster clearly possessed intelligence. Its ability to spread malicious information through the communication network and instigate nuclear war was undoubtedly cunning. They could not afford to let their guard down against such a creature.

At last, dozens of body cams attached to “Meteor” captured something pale moving in one of the feeds.

“Bottom of the cam. Something is… moving!”

“That’s its tail. Pilot, it’s trying to wrap its tail around your ankle! Respond! You must not fall! It would be a huge loss!”

-Understood!

Standing still was already a challenge for the 80-meter behemoth. If it lost its balance and fell, it would require an immense amount of energy to rise again.

Kiiing──!

Hearing Gordius’s command, the pilot hurriedly adjusted the controls. “Meteor” lifted its left foot, pulling it free just before being ensnared—then stomped down.

Kuwung-!!

Creeeak!

The tip of the tail burst apart, scattering white flesh in all directions. Yet, the great monster, as if it had never felt pain, spun its body without a care for the damage.

The initial staggering had been a cunning act.

“A tail swipe… a tail attack carrying the weight of the great monster is coming!”

“Our expected output is higher. If we just maintain our stance, we can take it!”

-I’ll give it a try!

“Meteor” leaned into its stance, guarding its front with both arms. The tail of the great monster, scraping debris from the ground, swung with tremendous force, aiming to topple the metal giant.

Kuwung──!! Creeeak!

The impact crumpled the external armor in an instant, pushing “Meteor” back. However, thanks to its firmly planted legs, it did not fall.

“⋯⋯’Meteor’ suffers severe damage to the left arm! Damage rate 45%!”

“What? According to the design, if the magical power was concentrated in the armor, this level of damage should be⋯⋯.”

“It’s a minor injury for something used as a shield. Continue the battle!”

– Yes, Doctor!

Guuu⋯⋯

The ‘Giant Monster’ and ‘Meteor’ clashed, taking their stances.

Kuwung, Kung, Kuwung!

The giant and the beast charged at each other, swinging their fists without regard for who would strike first. A deafening roar echoed, as if they would tear apart from pure physical force.

White, slimy substance burst forth, and the metal gloves crumpled.

As the giant monster’s claws scraped across, sparks flew from the steel plates, leaving behind grotesque wounds. Thunk. Thud. Cut metal pieces fell one by one to the ground.

“Chest armor damage rate 32%!”

“Right arm damage rate 25%!”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

The durability of the displayed components was updated in real-time, gradually turning red. The figures were faster than Gordius had anticipated.

Both the giant monster’s abilities and ‘Meteor’s’ specs had been calculated until now. If that were the case, then there was only one variable making the situation so dire.

“⋯⋯Is it the pilot’s skill?”

Pilot Kim was a novice, both as a magician and a fighter. His punches were clumsy, and his ability to manipulate magical power was even worse.

Already, signs of overload were detected in ‘Meteor’s’ joints. He needed to stabilize by channeling magical power, but the pilot had no time for that.

This was his first experience with such intense maneuvers, and he was struggling to control the situation. If theory and reality diverged, he had to adapt to reality.

Hook. Gordius grasped the microphone connected to ‘Meteor’ and issued commands.

“Pilot, stay calm and listen carefully. I will readjust the engine ratio. Magic power 7, power 3. I repeat, magic power 7, power 3.”

“Goldie, then the operational time will⋯⋯.”

“The combat performance is lower than expected. We need to push for a short-term decisive battle more than I thought.”

-⋯⋯Understood, Wizard. I’m sorry.

Wiiiiiiing──!!

The magical engine roared violently, emitting a red glow. At the same time, ‘Meteor’s’ movements became swifter, gaining the upper hand over the giant monster.

Woom── Kwang!

With a flash, the steel fist struck the giant monster’s body. The impact caused the beast’s surface to dent and then spring back. The monster extended its claws to retaliate, but the robot’s fist was a beat faster.

– Die, giant monster!

Kwang, Bang, Kwang-!!

Striking Down. The crimson-hued *Meteor* relentlessly battered the colossal beast. Its rough movements were enough to increase the damage rate of each component, but the effect was undeniable.

The giant monster’s body began to sink into the ground. Once looking down at *Meteor* due to their size difference, it now had to gaze up at the massive robot, half-lying on the ground.

—I’ll take you down and seize the future!

KWAANG—!!

It poured down. A steel-cast meteor fell, pressing down on the giant beast. Like a nail being hammered in, it struck hard. The monster’s flesh burst and shredded, with no time to recover.

The pilot’s expression, illuminated by the camera, was drenched in cold sweat, yet he smiled with a sense of duty and exhilaration. Soon, just a little more, humanity would—

Victory was close. The explosive sounds were the drums of triumph.

Creeeak. Creeeek.

“…W-What’s going on?!”

“An abnormal reaction from the *Colossal Beast*—!!”

It was just that it wasn’t humanity’s.

—

Sizzle. Szzzz. Whack—!!

Tearing through the flabby white exterior, sharp black scales emerged. The initial white form was merely a shell, as if from within the snail-like exterior—

Kya, hahahahaha—!!

The black dragon, bursting into laughter, was now clad in sharp black scales.

“…Was this what we observed from the inside?!”

“Don’t panic, pilot! The *Colossal Beast*’s size and mass have actually decreased!”

From the original 100 meters, it had shrunk to 80 meters. A height similar to *Meteor*.

Unlike the heavy and dull impression of its first form, the second form, now covered in scales, was sleek and sharp. Naturally, its mass must have decreased. If it pressed down with weight, the fight would be easier than before!

—Ah, I see. I understand!

Wiiiiiing—

*Meteor* swung its fist once more. But the sound was different.

KKAANG—!!

The second form of the colossal beast was pushed back more easily than before. When the fist struck, it bent like a reed. However… the gleaming dragon scales only shed a few.

The damage wasn’t registering properly.

No guard. The colossal beast embraced *Meteor* as if daring it to kill. Its claws glinted menacingly.

Creeeak, creeeak.

The now sharper and more threatening claws of the colossal beast dug into *Meteor*’s back. Steel pierced like paper, inflicting wounds deep within.

“The magical power conduit leading below is severing!”

“I can’t cause any damage!”

“The output, the output is insufficient!”

The air in the control room was charged with tension.

The *Meteor* struck the colossal monster repeatedly, but the beast merely let out a mocking sound, its claws tightening. A powerful blow capable of piercing that dragon’s defenses was desperately needed.

But—

“The *Meteor Strike* is…”

“It’s impossible to make it usable right now!”

The weapon utilizing the rocket propulsion system was still a week away from completion. It was impossible to rush its production to a usable level, or to transport it before the *Meteor* was defeated.

Gordius sensed defeat looming. Woo Chae-rin reached the same conclusion but clung to a thread of hope, hesitating in uncertainty.

“If we overload the built-in magic engine…”

“That’s futile. It’s not designed to withstand such output, and above all, the pilot isn’t skilled enough to pull off such a maneuver.”

“Then, then what? There must be some way!”

“There isn’t. Chae-rin, there’s no way to increase the output any further…”

“……..”

A chilling silence settled over the control room.

Just one week.

If only there had been a week, they could have savored the joy of victory. If the Western world could have held out just one more week against the colossal monster… No, if they had started development just one week earlier!

Bang!

Woo Chae-rin slammed her hand on the table. A few tears splattered onto its surface. Her somber voice announced their impending defeat.

“…Continue the evacuation. Everyone, please leave at once.”

“Y-Yes. I will prepare for evacuation!”

“And the pilot should activate the emergency escape system—”

-…It’s over, isn’t it? I’m sorry, Doctor. I should have trained harder.

“No, you did your best. Everyone here knows you worked tirelessly, even through the night! For now, retreat. We must ensure there’s a next time…”

Creak. Creak.

The damage rate of the *Meteor* soared sharply. They couldn’t afford to delay using the emergency escape system. Yet, the words coming from the internal speaker were not a simple “Understood.”

-Not yet, the evacuation… isn’t over, is it, Doctor?

Wheeeeee—!!

The *Meteor* moved its arms to grasp the colossal monster. It locked its grip tightly, intertwining its limbs to ensure it wouldn’t break free.

The meaning of that was immediately clear. The pilot intended to cling to the monster, holding on until the very end of their life.

“Wait, just a moment.”

—I know it’s shameless to say this to someone who hasn’t even turned thirty yet. But… please take care of the future.

“Wait…!!”

The communication was abruptly cut off.

No matter how many times I shouted into the mic, I couldn’t reach the cockpit of the ‘Meteor.’ Pilot Kim, looking somewhat relieved, operated the robot with a determined expression until the very end.

Ten minutes later.

Swoosh. Crack.

The sharp tail of the colossal monster pierced through the head of the ‘Meteor,’ crushing the cockpit inside. Only then did that pitiful struggle come to an end.

“Cockpit… no life signs detected. Pilot deceased.”

“……..”

Hope turned into despair.

—

People began to evacuate. Everyone in the control room started packing their belongings and rushing toward the vehicles, leaving only Woo Chae-rin and Gordius behind.

From noble mtl dot com

Surrounding individuals urged the two to evacuate, but they chose to stay, claiming they still had work to do. Because the two geniuses had realized something in an instant.

Kahahahahaha──!!

The monstrous roar echoed as the colossal creature sprinted toward the underground bunker of ‘Stellaria,’ moving at a speed that was significantly faster than its first form. It was charging like a puma, running on all fours.

Calculations showed that it was faster to be caught than to evacuate.

The scientist and the magician turned their gazes simultaneously. There stood a prototype robot equipped with treads. Compared to the first model, ‘Meteor,’ its specs were dismal, and the magical engine they had integrated was of low output.

It wasn’t a fully humanoid design, making it inefficient.

An incompetent pilot would be torn apart in an instant by the colossal monster. To buy time in such a machine, one had to be a genius.

And so, the two remained here.

The scientist and the magician exchanged glances, and at the end of their silence, one spoke up.

“I’ll go. Chae-rin. The one who can handle the magical engine best is me, the magician.”

“…Alright. That’s reasonable. Then, let’s have one last hug.”

“……..”

Gordius felt a sense of relief at Woo Chae-rin’s surprisingly compliant demeanor. He had expected a long argument about why he should be the one to go.

There were many reasons he felt he should step up. He was from another world, and he had received requests from the mad professor. They said that death here wasn’t truly death.

There was even a clock tattoo left behind, meant to be used in a life-or-death situation, though he didn’t yet know its purpose. There were many reasons, but in truth… he hadn’t considered them.

He simply didn’t want Woo Chae-rin to take the lead.

Woo Chae-rin nestled into Gordius’s embrace. He could feel her body trembling slightly. And the rustling movements, along with something brushing against his side.

I should have realized it when you complied so easily.

“…Chae-rin, you!”

Creeeak──!!

My vision momentarily turned completely white. In that fleeting moment, I wrapped my magic around me, raising my resistance to the electric current, but it was too late. I could only manage to maintain consciousness.

Gordius, temporarily paralyzed by the electric shock, collapsed heavily into Woo Chae-rin’s arms.

She struggled to move his body. As Woo Chae-rin typed a special string of characters into the keyboard, a wall opened up, revealing a single capsule.

“Ugh, no…”

Thud. Gordius was placed inside the capsule.

“…Do you know what this is? It’s a cryogenic capsule. Built by a wealthy man who constructed an underground bunker for emergencies. If a nuclear war occurs and nature becomes contaminated, it’s designed to wake you up in about a hundred years or so.”

“…No, don’t…”

“I told you. If we’re preparing for failure… you, Gordius, must not be sacrificed. I still believe that.”

If someone must survive.

It should be not just any scientist, but the one and only magician.

“To be honest, even those fleeing are expendable. How far can they really get by vehicle? Goldie, you have to survive. For the future, you must──”

No.

Woo Chae-rin gently caressed Gordius’s cheek.

“…Maybe, at some point, you became more precious to me.”

“…”

“This cryogenic capsule will descend underground. I’ve placed the magic stone beside it, and there’s enough backup power. Even if the great monster destroys this facility, it will be safe. And… Goldie, you’re a land magician, right? You can emerge from the collapsed earth.”

So, even if everyone dies, Gordius will survive.

“I’ve informed everyone who could be contacted about you. About this battle as well. And they… will soon learn that the developer of the magic engine is buried here.”

So. Someone will come to rescue you.

They will need a magician’s help to use the magic engine.

Screeeech──.

The transparent glass lid of the cryogenic capsule closed. A mechanical voice began to chatter about the rapid freezing procedure. Gordius tried to move his body, but he couldn’t.

Woo Chae-rin looked at Gordius with a sad expression one last time before turning away. She walked toward the prototype.

Before her lay death.

-Prototype, launching.

Now, the control room’s screen, empty of anyone, reflected the external situation.

The tracked vehicle rolled forward, and the rugged-looking prototype raced across the ground. The robot fired a non-lethal cannon to draw the great monster’s attention.

The giant monster laughed like a child who had just discovered a new toy.

Steel and scales danced. With every step the giant monster took to catch up to the prototype, a piece fell away. Like a dragonfly caught in a mischievous hand, little by little, bit by bit.

Only then did Gordius realize his own heart. He had come to know it. He realized it at the worst possible moment.

Unrequited love.

He liked Woo Chae-rin, who, despite their constant bickering, could ultimately understand him.

He liked Woo Chae-rin, who, while filled with fear, faced reality with all her might for the sake of the future.

Time. Damn time!

If only it had been just a little, just a little faster. If only!

The battle was one-sided. The prototype was unable to inflict damage and was falling apart. The end was drawing near, moment by moment. And then, the final moment arrived. The attack that had brought down Unit 1.

Before the giant monster’s sharp tail struck the prototype’s cockpit, the prototype’s engine output surged steeply to over 200%. An obvious overload.

She used her talent to rev the magic engine into a realm where it should not have been able to operate.

The sorceress read her intentions. She was planning to self-destruct.

Gordius reached out with an arm that felt heavy and unresponsive, but it wouldn’t open. That gesture left only faint fingerprints on the glass wall that was beginning to fog up.

– I’m counting on you for the future. Goldie!

Just after the last transmission was heard.

────!!

A massive explosion erupted from within the prototype. With the giant monster’s scream, black scales fell away in a shower. Yongrin was not invincible. She had simply lacked physical power.

Before that sorrow could fully settle in Gordius’s heart.

Sssssss. The air inside the capsule froze completely.

“Chae-rin…”

The sorceress’s eyes closed.

—

After the outbreak of the “Giant Monster” incident, a research group named “Stellaria” created a colossal robot called “Meteor” to confront the monster, but they were defeated.

Ten years later— in the year 2037.

A 7-meter tall humanoid robot was exploring the ruins where the Stellaria underground bunker once stood. The robot was throwing aside concrete debris as it dug into the ground.

One peculiar thing was that the robot’s right arm moved smoothly, like a human, while the left arm clumsily flailed about.

“…The coordinates are definitely here, right?”

– I told you. The coordinates left by Dr. Woo are correct. I wrote them down on paper, stamped them on plates, and even engraved them on gold bars. Is that enough for you?

“It’s a problem because there’s no sign of anything coming out. As long as the coordinates are certain, that’s fine. If I find something, I’ll contact you first, so don’t wait. Communication terminated.”

– Hey, hey! The kid is getting more and more clueless—

Thud.

After the brief communication ended, the robot silently began to dig into the ground. And not long after.

“Ah?”

Clank. Something snagged at the robot’s fingertips.

Carefully brushing away the dirt, lest it be damaged, the robot knelt and halted its movements. The small magic engine powered down with a soft hiss, and the cockpit entrance opened.

From within emerged a one-armed girl.

Despite the absence of one arm, her body maintained perfect balance. She sprinted up the surface of the three-meter-tall robot and landed safely on the ground.

Then she checked the status of the frozen capsule and pressed the release button.

Screeeech…

As the smoke escaped, the figure of a man lying neatly inside was revealed. Though slightly different from the clean image the girl remembered, his features matched.

He slowly opened his frozen eyelids.

The girl took a deep breath, extended her lone hand, and spoke.

“—I apologize for the late introduction, Wizard. Thank you for saving me.”

“……..”

“It feels a bit odd to say this given my situation, but… we need your help. Once again, will you join us in ‘Stellaria’?”

—