Chapter 102: First Battle

Yonomori Nami was Ephnel’s operator, and in most combat missions, she would accompany Ephnel.

But not always.

Even in a well-prepared combat mission, an Agent might not always be able to maintain contact with their operator.

This was because Erosion itself had a powerful ability to interfere with various types of signals.

If they were in the city center, this effect would be reduced by the Boundary Monument’s obstruction of the Erosion, so communication methods would be available most of the time.

However, if they were in a place like the defensive line, which was very close to the area outside the Boundary, the concentration of Erosion would be high enough to have a very strong impact on signal transmission.

In that case, it would be difficult to achieve accurate signal transmission, and the Agent would have to be prepared to fight alone.

This was the same as in investigation missions outside the Boundary.

“Therefore, you must rely on yourself and memorize this information before the battle begins. This will be your compass in battle.”

“Mmm…”

Yukina firmly committed every word Ephnel said to memory.

She tried hard to calm her mind, as if she were back in a classroom, imprinting the battlefield below in her eyes and quickly gathering intelligence according to Ephnel’s guidance.

In areas where Erosion Organisms appeared, the map’s positioning would also become useless due to the loss of signal.

In this situation, being able to judge the current battle situation before the fight began was undoubtedly very advantageous.

This was also a battlefield strategy for Agents.

“The most important purpose of our existence as Agents is to protect. In battle, in addition to ensuring our own safety, providing support and rescue to the victims is also a top priority. While banishing the Erosion Organisms, we must pay attention to the evacuation of others and establish our combat objectives accordingly.”

Ephnel didn’t look at Yukina, but stared intently at the ground.

The Erosion Organisms rampaging on the western line gradually enlarged in her vision.

Ephnel had experienced such a conversation before.

A long time ago, her senior had said this to her.

Later, she had relayed the same words to Fuurin Shion.

And now, she was saying them to Yukina.

“I will land on the rooftop. Yukina, you will be responsible for providing me with supporting fire, and at the same time, use the advantage of the high ground to report the positions of all Erosion Organisms and the evacuation situation to me in real time. Remember, no matter what happens to me or what I encounter, you are not to move forward past my position without my order.”

“Understood… I-I will follow Naoko’s arrangements!”

“Make good use of your weapon. This is an Agent’s greatest strength. Try to feel it, let it become a part of you. Every battle you experience with it will make you stronger.”

“Mmm…”

“Then, we are going down. Now, enter Sync.”

“O-Okay!”

Yukina gently closed her eyes and held her breath.

In a flash of silver light, her attire had changed.

A heavy, crystal-like longbow appeared in her hand, and a dress like ice and snow, or a curtain of water, materialized on her body.

Her aqua-blue hair shone like the bright moon at the bottom of a lake, even as the setting sun was about to completely disappear.

“You’re more skilled than the first time. Remember this feeling.”

“Mmm…”

Yukina nodded.

As she spoke, silver light surged, and Ephnel also entered her banished form.

In Yukina’s eyes, Yanase Naoko disappeared, replaced by a silver-haired little girl who was a head shorter than her, “Ephnel.”

After entering her banished form, Ephnel became much more childlike in an instant.

This was not only reflected in her cheeks and voice; her body, except for her chest, had also shrunk to a certain extent.

This caused the belt that was originally tightly fastened at her waist to slide up at once due to her  waist suddenly became slender.

It slid straight up from her waist and got stuck right below the two protrusions on Ephnel’s chest, creating a deep indentation, as if a balloon had been squeezed tightly.

Ephnel’s lips twitched slightly.

She had encountered this situation before, but in the past, she was always alone and only had to support her own weight.

Now, she had to bear the weight of two people at the same time.

Although with her Agent’s body, it wasn’t painful, the feeling of that area being squeezed so tightly was extremely strange.

Previously, she hadn’t given much thought to that strange sensation, but after being kneaded by Yukina last night, this strange feeling immediately became ambiguous.

Ephnel pressed her lips together with a subtle expression, brushing away the sensual image that flashed through her mind.

Her gaze immediately became clear and focused again.

Ephnel looked at the rooftop dozens of meters below and said loudly, “Dismantle wingsuits, engage in battle!”

After saying that, she and Yukina simultaneously pressed the button on their waists (chests).

With a click, all the buckles on their bodies sprang open, and amidst Yukina’s soft gasp, the two of them plummeted straight down.

…

Ephnel held Yukina as the two of them fell rapidly.

Then, at a certain moment, a silver patch of light, like moonlight, appeared under Ephnel’s feet.

Ephnel used this to rapidly reduce a portion of their downward momentum, then dispelled the patch of light and continued to fall.

Using “steps,” Ephnel adjusted her falling speed and direction.

Her target was a large, flat building.

It was a command tower, thirty meters high, with a large amount of equipment installed.

Standing on the edge of the tower’s roof, one could see everything happening over a large area.

For Fifina, a location with such a wide field of view was an excellent combat position.

But at this moment, the top of the tower was already occupied by an Erosion Organism the size of an SUV.

It was a semi-upright walking monster with thick, giant feet and a long tail.

It seemed to have already spotted the two human figures of Ephnel and Yukina and was baring its black, sharp fangs, screeching at them.

Yukina nervously watched the Erosion Organism.

The piercing roar reached her eardrums.

Seeing the distance between them and the Erosion Organism rapidly closing, she subconsciously hugged Ephnel tightly.

“As Fifina, the first thing you must ensure is the safety of your combat position. Only then can you maximize your combat effectiveness.”

Ephnel stared intently at the Erosion Organism, controlling their angle of descent as she spoke.

“Now, before we fall into its attack range, attack it with all your might.”

“M-Mmm!”

Ephnel held Yukina’s waist tightly, while Yukina took a deep breath, staring at the Erosion Organism.

She forced herself to overcome the fear in her heart and forcefully drew the longbow in her hands.

There was no need to nock an arrow.

As the bowstring was drawn, a translucent arrow shimmering with azure light materialized between Yukina’s fingers, gently pulsating with her every breath.

Yukina adjusted her breathing, trying her best to calm down.

Her palms were already sweating, but her gaze was stern as she aimed straight at the Erosion Organism.

…