𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗: 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The day after the incident at the ramen shop, Chihaya cautiously connected to the All-Rounder and left Koroge Iwa Garage, heading for the site.

Due to the progress in surveying, they arrived at the site in just a few hours after entering the forest.

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Already, the participants were lightly operating the Actanoids, checking whether yesterday’s pollen had any effects. Some were waiting in line, as there was also an announcement to clean the filters for free.

When the time came to start the task, a message was simultaneously sent by Okuma Kenichi, the representative of 『New World Tree Housing』.

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Seeing that message, which instructed where to conduct the survey, Chihaya had a bad feeling.

She was blatantly separated from the other Actanoid’s positions.

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“W, Well, a preliminary survey. . . . . .Fu-hehe, it’s all in how you phrase it. . . . . .”

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The assigned spot was deep in the forest.

Chihaya checked the rear camera.

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“. . . . . .Fu-he he.”

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A nervous laugh slipped out.

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At a raised point about seven hundred meters behind, heavy Rounder-type Actanoids such as 『Heavy Armored Helmet』 were positioned, along with heavily armed machines. Behind them were Lannoid-types with high wide-area search capabilities, such as Conductors.

Creating a wall with heavy armor, preparing for sniping, while the machines behind them searched for snipers. That was the formation.

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The heavy Rounder-type Actanoids have poor fuel efficiency and are not typically brought to remote areas.

However, they boast combat ability and power, capable of deflecting even mediocre firearms and wielding heavy machine guns.

Among them, the Heavy Armored Helmet is a top-notch model, capable of carrying and using a heavy bombardment gun weighing up to six hundred kilograms.

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It’s also the machine favored by Okuma Kenichi, the representative of 『New World Tree Housing』.

Yes, those positioned behind Chihaya were combat-specialized Actors led by the famous civilian clan 『New World Tree Housing』’s representative.

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“S, Scary. . . . . .”

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Just as Chihaya overheard at the ramen shop, she was suspected and eyed as one of the attackers.

They hadn’t terminated the contract, probably because they were keeping a close watch. Such an obvious formation must be more of a warning.

It was a real nuisance for the completely unrelated Chihaya.

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But the only evidence that Chihaya knew she was suspected was the information overheard at the ramen shop. If she were to say she was unrelated, it would only make her more suspicious or even be identified.

Chihaya couldn’t even deny it, let alone due to social anxiety.

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With nothing to be guilty of, Chihaya could only silently proceed with the work and demonstrate sincerity.

Although Chihaya felt an illusion of being watched from behind and her back tingled, the work itself progressed very carefully.

Chihaya was good at working alone. In fact, she had always done everything alone due to her social anxiety. The current situation, where no help would come, was more suited to her.

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“Fu-he, what irony. . . . . .”

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That was in the early afternoon, when Chihaya had relaxed enough to crack jokes.

Chihaya found the bone of a hidden animal’s leg in the bush and stopped the All-Rounder for a moment.

Upon zooming in with the camera, a familiar two-leaf plant was hiding in the bush.

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――A caltrop plant.

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That was close, Chihaya thought, and shifted the All-Rounder to the side to avoid stepping on it. At that moment, the large-caliber handgun strapped to her waist was blown off, and the trunk of the tree right behind her burst open.

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“Hiiyah!?”

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Chihaya hurriedly slid behind a nearby tree, pulling out the large-caliber handgun 『Rock Driller』 while looking at the burst trunk.

The freshly peeled bark was blown off, and the white tree flesh was exposed. It wasn’t a natural phenomenon.

――It was a sniper.

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The Rock Driller that was supposed to have been pulled out is destroyed from the grip to the trigger part, becoming useless.

Chihaya sends a distress signal with a pounding heart.

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“Fu-hehe, w, well, behind me, you know. co, combat, an Actanoid in battle stance is, waiting. . . . . .”

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Chihaya, the fox trying to borrow the tiger’s roar, starts losing confidence in her words when she realizes the tiger won’t move.

The expected heavy-round type Actanoids are not moving.

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“W, Why? Abandoned? Ah, no, still, being doubted. . . . . .?”

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Frantically looking at the monitor, Chihaya begins to tear up.

Without her allies moving behind her, the sniper can calmly target Chihaya.

Without rescue, there is no other way to deal with it by herself.

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“. . . . . .Fu-he he.”

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It’s absolutely impossible.

The enemy is a sniper. The range is too different. Moreover, the fact that the bullet missed because Chihaya happened to avoid a caltrop means that they must be using a high-performance machine that can increase accuracy.

There’s no way to win without even knowing the enemy’s position.

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But, if she doesn’t fight, the All-Rounder will be destroyed. It will result in a loss.

It’s all or nothing; she has to do it.

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“Fu- he he he~. . . . . .”

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With a sickening laugh from her nervousness, Chihaya begins to think.

It would be perfect if she could drag the heavy-round type Actanoids that are not moving behind her into the battle. Even if not, she must force the attacker into a situation where they have to pay attention to the heavy-round types.

If that’s the case, this timing, when the attacker must be concerned about the heavy-round type Actanoids, was the most important.

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Chihaya moves her right hand and takes a grenade prepared at the waist of the All-Rounder.

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“I can’t take it anymore.”

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While rolling the grenade at her feet, Chihaya cancels the distress signal.