NIKKE: Max Bonded but System Gone

Hearing this, Green showed a little surprised face before smiling warmly.

"Alright. When the current turmoil subsides, I'll invite you back to the outpost base for another drink." Green raised his cup and took a small sip. Though he wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, the elegant companion by his side made the slightly spicy brew taste unusually sweet.

"Mm."

Scarlet responded softly.

Then an unspoken silence fell between them as her free hand gently clasped Green's fingers. The two sat quietly on the hillside, letting the wind sweep over them as they took in the desolate yet captivating scenery.

By the time the sun reached its peak, the bottle of fine liquor was emptied. Green released her hand, dusting off his pants as he stood.

"Won't you stay a bit longer, My Lord?"

"I've already been unreachable all morning. If I don't return to the outpost base soon, Rapi and the others will start to worry."

"Since you insist, I shall escort you back to the elevator."

Scarlet adjusted her large hat, settling it securely on her head, then took Green's hand and began leading him back the way they came.

"I can make my way back on my own."

"Perhaps, but what if we encounter a Rapture along the way? You're not a Nikke—how could you possibly defend yourself against these mechanical beasts?" Scarlet glanced sideways at him before asking, "I've always wondered—does one need to be a Nikke to fight Raptures?"

Green frowned slightly. "Compared to humans, even standard-issue Nikkes aren't much stronger. They're essentially enhanced disposable soldiers. If they can fight, why can't I?"

"It seems my lord is determined to grow stronger, but merely theorizing won't help you defeat a Rapture. Conveniently, look ahead."

Scarlet pointed to some ruins nearby.

A Rapture, shaped like a floating robot, was patrolling the area.

Just as model and strength classify Nikkes, Raptures follow a hierarchy of power, ranging from Husk, Servant, Master, Lord, and Tyrant. Master-class raptures can then be specified into 2 grades: Exceed and Master.

The Rapture before them was a Husk-class "Daikon" model, often referred to as "Carrot" by Nikkes due to its elongated, carrot-like body. It floated in the air, its movement slow and deliberate—one of the weakest Rapture variants in terms of agility and attack power.

"If you truly wish to grow stronger, take my sword and face this Rapture in combat. I'll be watching over you."

"Alright."

Green took Scarlet's sword, inhaling deeply before stepping toward the patrolling Rapture.

Though he had been on numerous battlefields, this was his first time personally confronting a Rapture.

He knew, however, that avoiding this challenge would only hinder him in the future. If he couldn't hold his own, he risked becoming a liability to the Nikkes or, worse, being captured and used as a lab rat.

"Scarlet's sword is heavier than I expected. As expected of a weapon designed for Nikkes. Wielding it demands every ounce of my strength."

Green smirked as his eyes turned sharp

"But… This opponent is far from unbeatable."

Green steeled himself, closing the distance with deliberate steps.

When he was roughly 20 meters away, the "Carrot" suddenly rotated toward him. The eye-like sensor on its head locked onto him, flickering with yellow light.

"Is it scanning me?"

Green hesitated. He had approached from behind, yet the Rapture had detected him so quickly.

What should he do now? Turn and run? Hide behind a cover?

No.

Raptures always send out an alert to nearby units upon detecting humans or Nikkes. Such signals could summon a swarm of Raptures, leaving no chance of escape.

"The only way forward is to conquer fear and press the attack. I have to destroy it before it can call reinforcements."

Taking a deep breath, Green gripped Scarlet's sword tightly and charged forward.

The Rapture, seemingly aware of his intentions, ceased its alert and shifted its focus. Its body emitted a red glow—a sign in Rapture communication that indicated imminent attack.

"It's going to strike?"

Dodge!

Green barely managed to dive behind a collapsed wall to take cover.

Bang!

A gunshot echoed as a bullet grazed his thigh, tearing a slit in his pants.

Looking down, he saw that the bullet had left a searing scratch, though the injury was minor.

No wonder commanders were considered high-risk roles. Even the weakest Raptures possessed enough firepower to pierce human flesh with ease, sending them to the afterlife without much effort.

"The wound isn't serious. I can still move. The Carrot, being a Husk-class Rapture, doesn't have many abilities beyond aiming and shooting. I think I'll wait for the right moment."

Bang!

Another shot struck the wall.

Seizing the brief window while the Rapture reloaded, Green burst out from behind the wall and swung Scarlet's sword with a loud clang.

The blade was incredibly sharp.

With a single strike, Green cleaved the Rapture in two.

Bzzz...

The Carrot-like Rapture emitted a distorted buzz as it fell, as though expressing regret or resignation.

Moments later, its body convulsed briefly before falling silent, revealing its shattered core.

"I... defeated it?"

Breathing heavily, Green collapsed to one knee, using the sword for support.

Scarlet, standing nearby with her hand on her straw hat, watched him with a mix of astonishment and admiration.

In all her years of existence, this was the first time she had seen a human take down a Rapture unaided—and with a sword, no less.

Close-quarters combat with a Rapture required not only physical resilience but also extraordinary mental fortitude.

The Ark had once attempted to develop melee combat units, but of the original batch of mass-produced close-combat Nikkes, Scarlet was the only survivor. The rest had either changed their mindset or perished at the hands of relentless Raptures.

No one understood the terror of Raptures better than Scarlet.

Yet, here stood Green—not only victorious but also mentally composed after the ordeal.

Adjusting her hat, Scarlet murmured softly, "No wonder the Nikkes in the Ark see you as their savior... You possess an unyielding will and the courage to face the enemy head-on. Despite walking a grueling path, you still show compassion to the weak. Truly, you are destined for greatness."

Her eyes then turned to the ground as if recalling the memories she shared with Green at her supposed 'home,' "But alas, I am, but a wanderer, and the Ark is no longer my home."

Scarlet then shook her head before getting up, "Enough of such thoughts. Go help the My Lord up."

Scarlet approached and helped Green to his feet.

Killing a Rapture with his own hands for the first time left Green's arms trembling slightly.

The tension, excitement, and adrenaline rush were overwhelming, making it hard for him to process the experience fully.

Only after Scarlet steadied him did he regain his composure. "Scarlet, did I really do it?"

She nodded. "I underestimated you, My Lord."

"You truly are different from the humans of the Ark."

"In what way?"

"In every way."

Scarlet retrieved her sword, a faint glimmer of wistfulness in her gaze.

"Humans of the Ark retreated underground out of fear of the Raptures. A century has passed in the blink of an eye since then. Today's humans—even the most bloodthirsty and aggressive among them—dare only raise their blades against their own kind or weaker foes. They wouldn't dream of confronting a Rapture. So, the fact that you accomplished this sets you apart from them entirely."

She sheathed her sword and firmly clasped Green's hand.

"Let me escort you back to the Ark."

Escorting Green back to the elevator entrance, Scarlet stopped before the large doors, watching him step into the massive lift.

Partings were always tinged with sorrow. Scarlet adjusted her hat, pressing it down slightly. "Before we part ways, is there anything else you wish to say, My Lord?"

Green nodded. "One more thing. Scarlet, do you know about the Vapaus?"

 "The Vapaus... I do. So, who told you about it?" Scarlet frowned before shaking her head, "Hmm... no need to say. I can probably guess. After all, she's the one who usually keeps the Vapaus safe. But if you're looking for more of it, My Lord, perhaps you can tell me—what do you intend to do with it?"

Vapaus was the ultimate secret weapon that only a few knew about. It is the only substance that could cause substantial damage to a Heretic. It also has other uses, such as destroying the Nymph, the very component that stops a Nikke from harming any human.

Green's knowledge of this shows that he was among the few who were searching for it. However, Scarlet isn't interested in who he got it from or where such news arrived; she wants to know for what purpose he wants to use it.

"To rally cries of human rights and incite rebellion? To let Nikkes rise above humans? Or perhaps to hoard the Vapaus for yourself, become a warlord, and rule as a despot?"

Green shook his head.

None of those were his reasons.

His only goal was to use the Vapaus to clear the Nimph program from Marian and the others in the Counters squad.

Scarlet seemed to understand his intentions. The enigmatic pilgrim smiled faintly. "The fragile balance between humans and Nikkes is maintained precisely because of the existence of Nimph. If you insist on pursuing the Vapaus, the Ark will inevitably brand you a criminal.

Especially those who climbed to power through the sacrifices of Nikkes. They'll hate you to the bone. They'll feast on your flesh, drain your blood, and paint you as a despicable traitor to humanity. Everything you have now may be lost. Even so, are you still determined to find it?"

"I must. I will find it," Green replied firmly. If he were too cowardly away now, he might be suited to face any of his Nikkes. For all cause, he wanted to avoid another tragedy like Marian at all costs.

"If the My Lord has resolved himself to this path..."

"Then, when my long-lost friend returns from the northern lands, let us meet again. At that time, I will tell you the location of the Vapaus."

Scarlet adjusted her hat and turned away slightly. "Take care, My Lord. This may be weeks before we meet again. If you find yourself missing me, feel free to send messages. I, too, will think of you from this surface world."

"Take care, Scarlet," Green said, the sadness of bidding farewell to his friend palpable in his eyes. "And next time, you'll have to teach me more about farming."

He waved at her retreating figure.

"A gentleman's word is his bond," she called over her shoulder. "If you break your promise, you'll owe me three drinks next time. Now, it's time to part ways."

Perhaps unwilling to let him see the sadness in her eyes, the swordswoman tucked an empty bottle into her coat, turned her back to him, and left without looking back.

"Should have hammered the iron when it was still hot…" Green, after Scarlet's form vanished from his sight, shook his head. Spending time with her, he thought he would be pounding a swordmaster, but to his surprise, the pleasure ride missed every time. But, oh well, he was sure not to miss the hint the second time.

Ding!

The elevator opened once again.

Returning to the outpost, Green was immediately intercepted at the doorway by Rapi.

"Commander, where have you been?"

Unlike her usual calm and composed demeanor, Rapi's face showed an unusual trace of anxiety—and a hint of aggression.

She didn't even bother saluting. Instead, she rushed up and gripped Green's wrist tightly as if afraid he might vanish again.

"I was just escorting a pilgrim back to the surface," Green explained truthfully.

"Is that so? Phew..."

Hearing this, Rapi let out a sigh of relief. But then, her tone shifted to one of reproach. "Commander, you could have left such tasks to us. Besides, the pilgrim's stance toward the Ark remains ambiguous. If she had any intention of taking you to the surface and imprisoning you somewhere, we might not have been able to rescue you in time."

"Rapi, were you worried about me?" Green asked, a little worried as to why Rapi seemed so enraged.

"Yes. As our commander, your safety is a must. Please, pay more attention to your well-being and avoid acting recklessly in the future. If there's ever a special situation, inform the Counters squad first. We can organize a team to assist you with covert operations. Otherwise..." Rapi realized she was speaking nonstop, "Commander, are you even listening?"

"Yes, I am."

"Good. I-I'll trust you this time, but please don't do it again."

Rapi finished her lecture, leaving Green slightly chastened.

Green felt it wasn't his place to argue too much, considering it was indeed his fault for acting impulsively.

Still, he couldn't quite figure out why Rapi's reaction today was so extreme. Sure, he'd done reckless things before, but her responses then were usually mild—a few words of caution, and she'd let it slide.

But today, she'd gone so far as to lecture him, question him repeatedly, and even grip his wrist tightly, refusing to let go.

What on earth was going on?

Could it be… do Nikkes also go though something like a Menstrual Cycle?

"I'll grab some brown sugar water just in case," he muttered.

Green headed to the shopping center and picked up two packs of brown sugar water. Afterward, he casually asked the store clerk if Yang was around.

The clerk replied, "Boss Yang has been busy opening a new store near the Ark recently. If you'd like to see her, why not give her a call?"

"I see. Thanks for letting me know."

Just as he turned to leave, Green's attention was caught by a display on the shelf.

"What's this?" he asked, staring at a plush toy.

To his surprise, the toy's design bore a striking resemblance to his own face.

A thought flashed through his mind. Now, he can understand why Rapi was so worried about him.

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