The Evil Organization’s Recruitment Ad

Chapter 36

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Chapter 36
TEORA – Maroon 5 – Chapter 36

The newly established research facility was dubbed [Purgatory Island] within Metallica.

Situated on the Pacific Ocean, the exact location of the island was known to only a few individuals in Metallica. The island was covered in a specially-engineered dome-shaped cloaking device, making it invisible to radars.

Since it wasn’t easy to freely travel to and from the island, it was obvious that Neito and his team would have to live on it. Of course, they were provided with the residential, dining and recreational facilities that they needed, and there were also other inhabitants apart from the employees of the research facility.

Other than Niina complaining that there are no women to fool around with, it seems like the facility doesn’t lack anything…

On the day of their arrival, they immediately resumed their work.

Although he wasn’t directly related to the compet.i.tion, Niina exceeded Neito’s expectations by working energetically in reviewing and researching the materials needed for the cyborg project. At any rate, he was in a hurry to get the job done.

It was sloppy to a certain extent, but when mistakes were made –

[Oh, some errors popped up. I’ll fix it.]

– he’d quickly correct it. Well, his att.i.tude was a little bit of a problem, but in the end, he still finished his work.

[You’re really good at this.]

[Is that so? Well, then I’m pretty amazing… Hey senpai, want to grab some food?]

[It’s still 11AM.]

[Breakfast doesn’t exist for me, so it’s natural that I’m hungry at this hour. I’ve been eyeing that katsu since this morning.] (EDN: Katsu-don is pork cutlet with rice.)

[Well I’m going to have curry I guess.]

[Katsu curry would much be better.]

This kind of conversation was very common.

Tsurugi, as he was focused on weapon testing and combat motion for the {Spiritual Silhouette} that was being developed for the compet.i.tion.

Tsurugi had no background in such things and he didn’t have a country of citizenship, but his skill was definite. Little by little, he showed good results. On the other hand, Maki, the development head, was constantly calling him into meetings.

Since Maki was a scientist, it was obvious that she had no battle experience. For these matters, she asked advice from Tsurugi.

[Regarding this data, Maki-san, the shoulder’s power is too much and the balance is off.]

[A-Ah, is that so…? Maybe I was too fixated on only the right-handed finishing blow…]

[Understood, but a punch’s power doesn’t solely rely on the shoulders. It also depends on the hip movement and footwork of the individual — Like…this…!!]

[Wow! …That’s an amazing speed!. I see! As expected of Tsurugi-san! Then I’ll modify the energy usage of the lower half and give it more power.]

The simulation was steadily progressing.

Anice was also displaying her capability in the research lab.

She was a genius in battle and engineering due to the special education she received as the daughter of Crimson’s boss.The workers also brightened up due to Anice’s cheerfulness, and at times, she guided them in their problems. She also helped Neito with training and conditioning his body to be able to handle the augmentations that would be made.

The next day after settling into the facility, Neito took the compatibility test. The compatibility test was not solely created for the compet.i.tion, but had always been used for projects. Tests were performed to measure physical strength, reaction speed, mental resistance

, immunity and the like.

Neito’s compatibility results were {D}.

The compatibility levels are arranged by:

{A} – Compatibility is extremely high, the rate of success for augmentation is above 100%.

{B} – Compatibility is high, augmentation would result in an above average subject.

{C} – Compatible, augmentation should cause no problem.

{D} – Compatible, but complicated operations during augmentation is not recommended,

{E} – Low compatibility, augmentation is risky.

{F} – No compatibility, augmentation is life-threatening and is not advised.

For Neito, it was lucky that he was at least able to somewhat proceed with the augmentation. He managed a rating of {D} due to his strong mental fort.i.tude.

In order for them to win the compet.i.tion, Neito needed to improve his rating and gain some physical strength. Although it wouldn’t be easy, he decided to do his best until the date of his augmentation.

So, aside from his duties as a lab head, he trained with Anice as his coach.

[There there– Nate, just a little bit more ♪.]

[…O…okay–!]

[Three more left! Fight!]

[… 198 …. 199 … Haa!! … 200!!]

[Good job! You did well. Here, have a drink.]

[…th-thank you. Just a moment, please.]

While having training weights on his back, there was a monitor displayed in front of him with a b.u.t.ton that Neito had to press continuously. The training was supposed to simultaneously improve his physical strength and his reaction, but this really took a toll on Neito. It wasn’t something he could skip out on, but if it wasn’t for Anice’s help, Neito really thought he wouldn’t be able to do it.

(As the days pa.s.sed by productively in the research facility, Neito’s team members worked through a mountain load of work, each enriching the projects with their experience.)

It really isn’t a bad team… Neito thought.

On a certain day, Neito, who just finished his training regiment, went back into the research facility to retrieve certain things he’d forgotten. He spotted Maki who was still working alone.

Ooh, she’s doing her best… She’s really focused.

Neito thought fleetingly

I really want give her something or just go cheer for her. We are co-workers after and all… And she did a lot of good things for me too… Well in a sense, I want her to like me.

Mulling over his troubles, he bought a canned coffee.

If I say ‘good work’ and then give her this coffee… She wouldn’t think of me as a bother, would she? It would be devastating if I made a bad impression on her…

As Neito was wandering around in the corridor, Niina happened to come by.

[Ni-Niina, why are you here at such a time?]

[Eh? Ah, I occasionally stay in the lounge since it’s bothersome to go home. I also bring in games to play. Why is senpa…ah, ohh, I see.]

Niina peeked into the room from the corridor, and when he saw Maki had stayed behind, he grinned.[W-what is it?]

[Oh nothing… Senpai, did you know that Maki-san prefers tea than coffee?]

[Really? I-is that so?]

[Yeah, so it would be better to give her tea. There’s a vending machine in B-block that sells it. You might want to offer her that since it’s the one she likes.]

[… I’ll be back after buying it.]

[Hey, senpai.]

[What?]

[You still have that coffee? Can I have it please?]

[… Here.]

[Thanks.]

Neito smiled bitterly at Niina’s sharp intuition, but was admittedly impressed by the fact that he was noticed.

[You’re really a villainous person, senpai. But who would’ve thought that you’re that kind of person in private It really confuses me. You’re way too depressing.]

Niina commented while opening the can.

[…But well, when you get serious… I guess you look cool, so I think you’re okay overall.]

While saying as such, Niina hid his embarra.s.sment by gulping down his whole. After that, he left.

With even such trivial things going on, the days left until the compet.i.tion continued to swiftly pa.s.s by.

Problems also came up.

It was when Neito checked up on the research booth.

[……Hmmm.]

[What happened, Maki-san?]

[Ah, Neito-kun… Nothing, it’s just a little set-back.]

Neito decided to hear more.

The power of the {Spiritual Silhouette} seemed to be still rather weak. There were two particular reasons.

First, the conversion of the subject’s spiritual energy to external power was inefficient. Far more spiritual power was needed to bring it up to expected levels due to this faulty rate.Second, even if the first problem was solved, there would still be a flaw. There was still a need to find an alternative source of the mental energy that would be used.

Those were the two problems that they faced.

Neito was no scientist, but he had an idea to solve the first problem.

[… Hey, for the spiritual energy, are we going to use the soul of an individual?]

[? Well yes. That’s an simplistic way to describe it, but you’re not wrong.]

Is that so… if that’s the case…

[I know a person, well, I can’t really consider them to be [people] but they are skilled in soul manipulation. They gather and use souls as a barrier for their fortress and other stuff.]

[!? Really? That a high-level technique called [Spiritual Control]. In theory it is impossible to do that, and it hasn’t been actualized…]

[I don’t know much, but those guys are sure to be cooperative since they’re being held by Metallica… They go [Kukko kukko] and look scary, but do you want to see them? They may able to give us a hint on this subject. In the end, they’re good guys I guess. And they did say that they’ll be able to help me in the future.]

[Yes! I’ll be looking forward to it!]

Having decided to do so, Neito decided to sneak into the base established by Metallica for [them] and was greeted by.

You… saved…us…

While holding out their scaly hands. Maki who while listening, was at the same moment intrigued and terrified on hearing their theories of spiritual manipulation.

Having just listened to their words, Maki-san is sure amazing to understand such complex theories.

Those type of events frequently happened on the island.

Three months had already pa.s.sed since Neito and his team arrived on the island.

The second issue that Maki mentioned was still left unsolved. They needed to find a small yet high output storage for spiritual energy. In the end that object might not exist at all.

On the other hand, Ikeno and his team were also present on the island. Although the only time they could test each other’s project was during the compet.i.tion.

Even so, they were in the same island. They would coincidentally meet each other occasionally. Two days before the finalization of the projects, Neito was in the cafeteria eating Curry Udon when he happened upon Ikeno. The time was nine pm. It seemed like Ikeno was also grabbing his dinner.

[…… good work today.]

[……. A-ah, you too.]

They only took notice of each other’s presence for a short period of time.

The cafeteria only had counters with long benches. Since there weren’t many people around, Ikeno ended up sitting three seats away from Neito.

[……]

They ate their meal in silence.

They were both aware of each other’s progress on the project. They were both lab heads, so it was natural that they would get a lab report every now and then. Since Ikeno was a prideful individual, Neito had no reason to doubt his report.

[……Ikeno.]

[What?]

[I saw the design for your project. You’re really amazing.]

Ikeno’s team dubbed their project {Beetle Crystal}. It intends to incorporate external energy to mechanize the subject’s body and furthermore, Ikeno entertained the idea of an {external energy source} to be added into the project.

Neito couldn’t forget. Using {Over Technology}’s armor, Beetle used crystals as fuel for energy.

The crystal takes energy from a higher dimension and releases it back into this one. It was a terrifying invention made by the Harrison research facility.

After the Harrison offensive, Ikeno swiftly handled the integration of the techniques used to make the crystals into Metallica. Furthermore, the development of such crystals were considered top secret, known to only a few individuals within the company. Currently, one department had monopolized the benefit from it as well as some executives within the company.

[What do you want to say here Komori? ‘But it was me who defeated Beetle’ or the like?]

[No, although it’s true that I was the one who fought with Beetle, you were the one who arranged the equipment, formation, partic.i.p.ants, route and attack timing. I won’t say I won the battle all by myself.]

That was indeed the truth. In the end, that was a joint project between two departments.

Ikeno was also the one who supervised the integration of the crystal technology in Metallica. It was no surprise that he would bring some of it with him.

In hindsight, in order to succeed, Ikeno had already planned out which cards he needed to have. This was something that, Neito didn’t even think of.

He is strong… I’ll admit that.

[… and that is the truth. I’m glad you’re such a competent person.

…. I’ll be going ahead. Go easy on me during the compet.i.tion.]

Neito finished his meal and determined that there was no other reason to remain.

Neito couldn’t say it out loud, but he admired Ikeno. In the end, they were like two sides of a magnet, never destined to be friends.

That’s what Neito thought.

In twenty-second century j.a.pan, the Rocks Organization, who were considered defenders of justice, existed with support from the United States. The reasons were unknown as to why the United States supported the Organization. Some say that it was because of the technology that they possessed; handed down to them since ancient times. Due to this they became superhuman with various characteristics pertaining to their powers.

Among them, the Rocks Organization in j.a.pan had some special characteristics.

Most of the members acted on their own.

Dylan, who first appeared 20 years ago; Beetle, who protected the Harrison research facility; Ramone, who protected the island of Okinawa from aquatic threat. There were also others in existence.

Although they could be the backbone of a branch, most of them acted on their own. In the end, the number of people with special powers were limited and with this, it was hard for them to come together. They preferred to spread out and extend their area of protection.But there was an exception. One group of heroes decided to stick together when tackling problems. They were famous within their own territory.

10 years ago, there was a period where research on psychic power was popular in j.a.pan.

The researchers wanted to prove whether or not humans were able to use telekinesis, teleportation and telepathic abilities. They gathered children as research subjects and put them into a school to develop such abilities. This was the birth of the [Maroon] school.

[Maroon] looked like it was making progress with their research, but soon, the personal ambition of their founder began to show. They educated and brainwashed children making them private soldiers in preparation before letting them out into the world.

This made [Maroon] pursue Metallica. They used children with psychic powers as soldiers against Metallica.

Children who possessed psychic powers were like emotionless machines and often self-destructed due to mental breakdown. It was almost like a genocide seeing as how many died.

Now, [Maroon] no longer existed. Why? There was a rebellion within their ranks.

Their brainwashing methods weren’t perfect. Among them, five children were particularly friendly with each other. They experienced tough training and developed their abilities together. They were the closest friends. With this friendship, they endured the harsh training and managed to come out on top.

They, who now knew right from wrong, understood how cruelly [Maroon] had treated them.

As a result, they escaped the clutches of [Maroon], and were dedicated to protecting people with their psychic powers.

Psychic powers are the embodiment of a person’s heart. They, who shared a strong bond with each other, were significantly stronger than those who were emotionless machines. With that bond, they were able to save many people.

With the rebellion from within and the constant attacks from Metallica from without, [Maroon] was destroyed.

Now, they are working with the Guardians and have fought against evil all around the world.

Years later, they have grown up and further enhanced their friendship through the countless battles they’ve experienced. They were adored by the common people for their close bond.

Beni Koutarou

Kogure Souichi

Yamabuki Kaoru

Rey – Evergreen

Momoi Sakura

Now in their (Teens? Adulthood? youth is really vague), they were bound by justice and friendship, they were called

{Maroon 5}

Born from [Maroon], the five of them stopped [Maroon].

Currently, as defenders of justice, they were headed to cut down the evil in their path.

They had found a root of the evil organization, a root that spreads evil throughout the world.

The information they got was a special case, but the source was reliable.

There was a mole inside the organization that leaked the information. After all, that’s what evil organizations do. There was no need to ask for the reason or why the individual did it. The five of them couldn’t even think of betraying their friends.

Evil destroys oneself from within. With no bonds to connect them, evil can be easily dealt with.

The tighter the bond was, the stronger one could become. That’s why they were determined that they wouldn’t lose to any evil organization.

{Purgatory Island}: The Island where modified humans were being created.

Maroon 5 was heading to Purgatory Island via a submarine

(AN: I’m worried that this is turning down as a whole. I’ll remain as it is next time.)

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