We couldn't spend all our time playing games... or rather, using the simulator.
Chores were part of the routine, and physical conditioning was non-negotiable.
In a life-or-death situation, the ultimate deciders were luck and stamina.
Luck carried the most weight, but without physical endurance, you were dead the moment you hit a frozen mountain or a scorching desert. That meant running and basic muscle training were absolute musts.
I didn't need to be a bodybuilder, but I needed a high level of endurance to function.
And so, I went for a run.
Ideally, I would have preferred a ten-kilometer trek through the mountain paths, but since they were sealed off, that was out of the question. Instead, I spent my time running laps around the track in front of the gymnasium.
We were soldiers, after all, and everyone finished their sets while humming to themselves.
This side of the facility faced the national highway rather than the mountains. Security was light here, based on the assumption that the beast was unlikely to approach from this direction.
Even so, we’d set up sensors throughout the premises. If anyone climbed the fence, a buzzer would alert us immediately.
Three of my squad members had already been caught by them, forcing me to write up incident reports, so I could vouch for their effectiveness.
As for the culprits, they claimed, “I just wanted to go buy some snacks!”
...I made a note to order more hotcake mix.
Once our chores and training were done, we gathered to play our usual game—no, I mean, the simulator.
First came the meeting to discuss our tactics.
To start, Fairy-san’s suggestion to lower the difficulty was rejected by a unanimous vote.
I had a feeling we were actually on the verge of clearing it.
“That’s why I’m telling you! It’s mathematically impossible!”
Fairy-san was fuming, but we wouldn’t budge. Changing the difficulty was not an option.
Our collective gut feeling told us that if every humanoid fighter pilot focused on crushing the Linear Blazer, we could win. That meant our pilots needed to level up.
“Leo, how do you usually fight?” Edge asked.
Honestly, I wasn't even sure.
“See, unlike Melissa, I don't have the intuition to handle positioning by feel. So, I use the radar images from Kevin’s feed as my main camera view while I fight.”
“What? That’s basically fighting blindfolded! How do you even judge the enemy’s movements then?!”
“Uh... imagination?”
A chorus of boos immediately erupted from the boys.
“See! There it is! Another one of Leo’s abnormal tactics! No normal human could ever use something like Mind’s Eye!”
“Tell me about it! This is why I can’t stand Harem Kings!”
“You damn orc!”
Their insults were getting a bit harsh.
But before I could complain, a counterargument came from the girls’ side. Specifically, from Alyssa.
“I could do it!”
“Huh?”
“Captain Leo’s tactic. I tried it, and it worked!”
“You can actually do it?!”
The fact that the newest local enlistee had managed it sent shockwaves through the boys. They were already panicking because Edge was catching up to them in terms of piloting skill. Now Alyssa was nipping at their heels too.
Their faces went pale. Serves you right!
“Fine, fine, fine! We get it! We just have to use Mind’s Eye, right?! Die, Leo!”
“Why are you taking your frustration out on me?!”
“Shut up! The fact that we’re not popular is entirely your fault!”
It was pure, unadulterated venting.
Regardless, the resolution to train in the ways of Mind’s Eye was adopted, and the meeting concluded.
We were just about to start the simulator when it happened.
Ring-ring-ring-ring-ring!
An alarm.
“Intruders confirmed! Everyone, to your stations!”
We moved fast. We grabbed our weapons and bolted outside. Thomas’s squad followed a moment later.
We transitioned seamlessly into the security humanoid heavy machinery. Perhaps because we had been grinding the simulator every day, the startup sequence was lightning-fast.
“Whoa... That’s faster than an Ace Class... Even I’m a little creeped out now...”
Fairy-san muttered under her breath. Hey, don't complain! Everyone’s piloting skills were genuinely improving.
Kevin and his team arrived in an armored vehicle, drones already prepped and launched. Kevin’s skills had leveled up as well.
When we reached the scene, the infantry were already engaged with something. The raid was still in its infancy; the main body of the garrison hadn't even arrived yet.
An invisible Zork was rampaging through the area. The regular soldiers weren't equipped to fight cloaked enemies. The gear to do so existed, but it was generally reserved for special forces.
Their scopes were set to thermography, but for some reason, the enemy wasn't showing up on their displays.
However, we were already prepared.
“Uoooooooh!”
The boys charged the invisible Zork. They were moving without relying on visual data. They could use Mind’s Eye! They had just convinced themselves it was impossible.
Three machines surrounded the beast, pinning it down with their shields before laying into it with shock batons.
“Take that!”
The dull thud of batons striking meat echoed through the air.
This wasn't a simulation. This was actual combat. Desperation fueled the boys’ movements. They were absolutely pummeling the thing.
Finally, the three machines used their combined weight to pin it to the ground with their knees. They’d caught it alive!
“A net! Bring a net, now!” a soldier barked.
The scene was frantic with people running every which way. But then... ah.
Alyssa, noticing the same thing I had, whispered, “It’s coming...”
I was already on the move. Claire had noticed it, too. The two of us sprinted forward.
I drew my shock baton and swung it with all my might into the empty air. A heavy clank rang out.
Just as I thought—there was no way there were only two of them.
“Leo!”
“On it!”
I dodged to the side. Claire’s machine leaped into the air, unleashing a devastating spinning back kick. The maneuverability of her movements was on an entirely different level.
But I hoped she was being careful. These weren't custom machines; they’d break if pushed too hard.
I followed up with a shield bash against the enemy that had stumbled from Claire’s kick. I heard the sound of a body hitting the ground, then I mounted the invisible foe, striking it repeatedly with my shield.
“Watch out!”
Ren’s voice cut through the chaos. Bang! A shot from a security machine’s handgun.
Precision fire with a pistol?! While I was still reeling from the shock of the shot, whatever was looming behind me was riddled with holes.
At that moment—
“Follow Leo Kamishiro!”
Thomas and his squad arrived on the scene. They were piloting Imperial Guard humanoid fighters. They were so massive compared to the humanoid heavy machinery that only three could fit in the area at once, but the tide of battle shifted instantly.
Thomas and his team used the overwhelming power of their machines to trample the surroundings. Since they couldn't use anything like Mind’s Eye, they simply mowed down the fences and sliced the road itself in two with their blades.
Blood splattered the pavement; they were definitely thinning the enemy numbers.
“Launch missiles!”
“Gah! Stop!”
Those were not weapons meant for this environment. But I didn't have the breath to voice my complaint.
The missiles ruthlessly pulverized the road. They, too, had been powered up by the simulator.
...But you know, that’s a national highway.
Who did they think was going to have to write the reports for the Imperial Guard, who had absolutely zero administrative talent...?