Chapter 18: Tina Deploys

Amidst the ruins, the dust had not fully settled, and the air was filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder and scorched metal.

“Yo, this human girl is quite something, she took out so many Beyond Beasts by herself!” A slightly playful voice came from the shadows of the ruins.

“Correction: Tina is not human, but the Humanoid Weapon Research Society’s second-generation intelligent semi-robot.”

Tina, holding her firearms, spoke in a voice as cold and devoid of inflection as a machine.

The Bloodkin man standing behind her was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting that response.

“Uh… no matter your origin, you’re quite cute looking.”

Aibrune stood with his hands on his hips, leaning lazily against a broken pillar, his gaze scrutinizing Tina with interest.

‘Hmm~ Not human? So it’s a block of iron.’

He was a squad leader of the Rose Legion, and the three Bloodkin members beside him were his subordinates. They had been dispatched to Tantan City by Vice Staff Officer Auston to carry out a mission.

“Aibrune, why do we, the Rose Legion, have to run errands for the Second Progenitor? Traveling all this way, and having to risk human retaliation!” one of the team members couldn’t help but complain.

“Let’s put aside your grievances for now,” Aibrune displayed a composure and leisure different from the others.

“These are extraordinary times for the Rose Legion. Our Legion Commander’s strength and confidence were severely damaged after having his dragon wings severed by the human Chief Exterminator, and our Vice-Commander Diva also met her demise.”

“Our Vice Staff Officer is also seeking favor from a higher-ranked noble, to secure a foothold…”

‘But… Auston’s aura is gone?’

‘Was he killed?’

‘Has the human Exterminator army already arrived? No… normally it shouldn’t be so fast, so how did he…’

The team member sighed helplessly.

The Rose Legion was currently in a precarious state; without the protection of powerful allies, their future was uncertain. To achieve cooperation with Second Progenitor-sama, they had no choice but to humble themselves.

The casual conversation came to an end, and Aibrune’s attention returned to Tina.

He showed a mischievous smile: “Looks like you’re quite self-aware, knowing you couldn’t escape, which is why you didn’t move while we were chatting. Sensible, good.”

“Aibrune, you’re not thinking of making a move on even this little girl, are you? You loli-con!” another team member teased.

As soon as the words fell, the four Bloodkin exchanged glances and burst into a knowing laugh.

Aibrune was famously easygoing at Alpha Academy, but he kept his distance from lolis with fierce eyes – those girls were often devils in cute skins, making him hesitant to act rashly.

But Tina, standing before him, perfectly fits his aesthetic.

Her cold, expressionless, and quiet demeanor, exquisite features, and emotionless eyes were practically his “dream loli.” The thrill of love at first sight had probably already exploded within him.

Tina’s gaze scanned the four Bloodkin like a scanner, calmly analyzing the enemies’ strength. While they conversed, she wasn’t idling; instead, she integrated data through her built-in system, evaluating the combat situation.

Suddenly, the words “loli-con” triggered her core directive.

Her normally unwavering pupils flashed with a mechanical glint, and she spoke coldly: “Tina is not human; her body is primarily composed of machinery. If you do not mind being injured by steel plates and gears, you may try.”

She paused, her tone growing even colder, “My former instructor once warned me with extremely high emotional urgency – that when encountering this situation…”

“Tina, you must engage the enemy. Initiate combat protocols immediately!”