Chapter 41: Second Match (9)

Even my Neural Overclock, Crafting Vision, and all the combat cyberware that always stayed on like they were part of my

body—

I shut them all off, forcefully.

I have no choice but to keep essential artificial organs like my heart and lungs running, but the energy they use is

relatively small. Even if Eve keeps leeching that energy and I keep replenishing it, it won’t be a fatal loss.

I slowly close my eyes and regulate my breathing.

At this moment, besides the sound of my heartbeat and breath, I hear nothing from my body.

I had gotten so used to the tiny hums and whirrs from thousands of implants and cyberware that I hadn’t realized how

loud they really were.

Now that they’re gone, the unfamiliar silence makes me uneasy.

But that unfamiliar feeling… also excites me.

“Aha! You’d rather shut off all your implants than let me steal your energy? Even the artificial muscles in your arms, legs,

and spine? If you do that, you’ll be in worse shape than a regular unmodified body, you know?”

Eve taunted, tapping her sword on the asphalt.

“Pathetic. Truly pathetic. What kind of confidence made you choose something that only weakens you?”

“That goes for you too, doesn’t it?”

Twitch.

Eve’s smirk faltered slightly at my sharp retort.

“Sure, when you had almost infinite energy being fed to you, your implant abilities must’ve been amazing. But now that

your energy is dried up and you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel… don’t you think I’m more used to that kind of

fight?”

“Shut up. You’re nothing but a washed-up brawler now, unable to use your remaining energy. But I’ve still got some left.”

She growled, eyes flaring like she’d charge any second.

Yeah. Her eyes still glow faintly blue. She must still have some energy left.

She did steal some from me earlier when I used Crafting Vision without understanding her ability.

“Plus, I can still use basic musculoskeletal implants. That alone makes me ten times stronger than you. So how can you

say we’re the same?”

“You’re right. I take it back—we’re not the same at all.”

Strange.

Just moments ago I was unsure if I could win, but now, that doubt is gone. I feel nothing but confidence.

“I’m still way stronger than you.”

“What… did you just say?”

“Energy? Weapons? Muscle strength? No. Those alone can’t close the gap between us.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Are you losing your mind now that you’re backed into a corner?”

“You still don’t get it.”

I deliberately drop my guard and lower both arms.

“If your head won’t understand, then your body will have to learn.”

Two steps.

What are you doing? Don’t come any closer! I said don’t come!”

I walk forward calmly, not even clenching my fists.

But Eve, who has both a sword and energy, starts backing away from me.

Pointless.

Step.

Three steps.

“You said you had the advantage, didn’t you? So why are you backing away now?”

Step.

Four steps.

 SHUT UP!!”

Eve screamed and started swinging her sword wildly through the air.

All I’m doing is walking, yet she’s terrified.

Somehow, this ironic situation feels familiar. Like I’ve been through it before.

“That’s right. Now I remember. This happened back when I was in QPD too. You were trying to develop a combat style

that steals energy from enemies, weren’t you?”

“You asked me if stealing energy from enemies and getting stronger each time would make you theoretically invincible.”

—‘Captain! What do you think? With this method, I’ll always win every fight, right?’

Sapphire-blue eyes sparkling as you looked at me.

Now I remember clearly what kind of person Eve was back then—how passionate and pure she used to be.

All these memories are returning now, in the middle of this fight.

“Why are you bringing up such old memories? Don’t tell me you’re going to start talking about ‘precious comrades’ or

some sappy nonsense?”

And what did I say to her back then, full of hope?

Knowing how I was, I definitely shot down her theory point by point.

“Are you ignoring me on purpose? Hey! Leilia!”

“I remember now.”

“What?”

—That’s bullshit.

—You’ll never surpass someone by relying on stolen power.

—That makes no sense! If I steal all their power and make it mine, I’ll be stronger! Why wouldn’t I surpass them?

—Because true strength isn’t something that can be taken.

What you’re doing is just stealing electricity at best.

—True strength? What is this, the 20th century Olympics? We’re fighting on the front lines of 2073 technology! That’s too

idealistic.

—Too idealistic? Hah… Then if you can’t understand it with your head, you’ll learn it with your body.

I was super busy back then, but when she called my words “too idealistic,” I got so annoyed I sparred her myself.

—Let’s say you stole all my energy. I’ll turn off my implants and stand still. You can use everything you’ve got. Come at

me.

—Wait, really? What if you get hurt—

—Don’t worry about injuries. Fight like you’re going to kill me. Otherwise, you won’t even touch me.

—…I’m coming!

Eve bit her lip, raised her sword high—

She didn’t have sword aura back then, but even basic QPD implants were more than enough to crush a regular human.

She closed the 20-yard gap in one leap and aimed straight for my neck.

But.

Way too slow.

There’s no way a sluggish swing like that would hit me.

With just a small twist of my waist, her sword missed by inches.

 isn’t going to cut it. You think in real fights you can just freeze after missing once?

Eve responded with a slash at my thigh instead of words.

It was a good move—ambush attacks can take down stronger enemies.

Still too slow.

Her slash missed my leg and hit the sand.

I spun my body, and—

I kicked her right in the temple.

—So? Want to keep going?

Eve was smart. She had made it through intense training to get into QPD.

She knew I had gone easy on her—that I’d pulled the force from my kick.

—How did you do that?

—What?

—You weren’t even using implants, so you were slower than me. How did you dodge twice and even counterattack?

I was losing interest. I checked the time—yep, time to go.

Besides, even if I explained everything, would she understand?

—That’s something you’ll have to figure out on your own.

She looked up at me with wide eyes.

She hadn’t even realized she called me “Captain” again.

—You need to figure out why you couldn’t beat me even after I shut off all my implants, why your energy-stealing method

is flawed. Until then, don’t even think about joining missions.

—What? But—

—But what?

—But… I may not be as strong as you, but I’m still QPD…

—Yeah, you’re QPD. A QPD so weak you couldn’t beat me, a woman without implants or cyberware.

—If you go out on missions like this, you’ll just drag others down. So keep training. Work. Think. Improve.

I said all that and turned away, no hesitation.

If I stayed even 30 seconds longer, I’d be late for the meeting.

And yet…

—So? Did you ever figure it out? What I told you to discover on your own?

Eve, who’d been aimlessly swinging her sword, stopped. Her mouth dropped open.

—Captain? Wait… you remember that day?

“Captain,” she said.

Not “Leilia” or “hey,” but “Captain.” Like three years ago.

She probably didn’t even notice she’d said it.

“Yeah.”

“Really? But then… why did you pretend not to know my ability was energy manipulation?”

what should I say?

That I genuinely forgot because I didn’t think that day was important?

That I only remembered because of this fight?

That when I saw you on the Third Bridge, I didn’t remember anything but your name?

Hmm… Maybe sugar-coating would help here.

—I just didn’t realize how well you’d learned to control it. I guess you weren’t this strong three years ago. But now… I can

say it proudly. You’re a proper QPD now, Raab.

Yes!

Calling her by full name and praising her growth totally worked.

Her stiff expression slowly softened… until—

Eve suddenly covered her eyes with one hand, tilted her head back, and laughed like a maniac.

—Why? Why are you laughing?

After the eerie laughter stopped, Eve lowered her hand.

Only cold rage remained in her eyes.

—Stalling time is over.

Even though we’re far apart, I can hear her grinding her teeth.

—I’ll kill you.