Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

927. Lunch Time Is Over

“If you don’t mind answering; why is Oboros Infinitas sending Level 10s against Impuritas that are over Level 70? Wouldn’t you be getting in the way?”

“Other than the fact that a Color is here – Not in my books. Besides, they can keep reviving as needed. It’s beneficial for us all if they don’t take the path of least resistance.”

The Orange Disruptor brushed it aside.

This was standard procedure, after all.

“Then it’s more accurate to say that they’re here because you were called here.”

“Bingo~! As their Harrower, we stick and die together. Just not me of course. I’m not immune to death. Harrowers are treated differently in Oboros Infinitas. They get to keep their Soul... Some of them do. Not all... actually, I'm the only one I know that isn't trapped in this cycle. Repenters fight for their right to earn it back.”

“I see.”

The topic didn’t faze the Repenters. This was normal to them. Though Usari showed a level of disdain, she ultimately shrugged and continued to eat, like it did not matter.

“That look ain’t mean jack. Usari agreed to the terms. Usari will fulfill them. Usari will get what she wants in the end.”

“A benefit of being part of the Acedia Special Division. Though getting here was… quite the experience.” Hayte admitted.

Icara wrote: “Terms are agreed upon prior to our contract. Orange Disruptor is bound to her own.”

 It was fascinating to hear. She had thought that the Repenters would have despised working under Oboros Infinitas. However, this was quickly corrected by the Orange Disruptor.

“We’re special. No other way to put it. Whatever our goal is, wherever the stars or the strings guide us – or our very own Director – I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Speaking of the Director – You look just like her! Usari swears you’re sisters!”

Usari bounced from her seat, pointing directly at Frost.

In the next instant, her hand was severed clean off in the blink of an eye.

“A-Aaaaah! Ngh –!”

“I apologize for her rudeness. A mere, little…”

The Orange Disruptor stood from her seat.

Then, she grabbed the ears of the rabbit and held her free hand like a blade to her throat.

“… dared to lift a finger towards –!”

The room went silent. An unbearable pressure emanated from Frost as she gripped onto the edges of the table, leaving imprints into the wood.

Her golden gaze froze the Orange Disruptor in place. Sweat dripped from the side of her neck, for she was in the crosshairs of none other than the Amalgam.

“Drop her this instant. We’re eating right now. If you dare spill their blood in front of me again…”

Frost didn’t finish her words.

She wanted the Orange Disruptor to imagine the horrors of what Frost was capable of.

“Even if they’re Repenters, please remember that these parts of the Nex Megalopolis are places I hold dear to my heart.”

This meant: “Don’t cause unnecessary trouble in civil parts of the Nex Megalopolis.”

The last thing she wanted was to further traumatize the poor vampire barmaid.

This show of dominance further increased her standing with her as well.

“Heh… So the Director… isn’t just your boss. Hehehe… Usari is thankful for the Black Dove!”

“Your punishment will wait later. Aren’t you protective of these criminal scums.” The Orange Disruptor sighed and heavily plopped onto her seat. “Not used to it at all~”

“Usari will one day kick your ass when she becomes the new White Incandescent.” Usari raised her handless arm into the air in celebration. “White Wing will be nothing to Usari!”

“Usari.” Frost commanded.

“Eeek! Y-Yes miss ma’am Color Incandescent Black Dove Healer Combatant –!”

“Come here and get healed before I finish what your Harrower started.”

“Of course!”

“How pitiful. I suppose it’s in the nature of Colors and brethren to despise another.” Hayte recited. “Icy. Wipe your mouth while you eat.”

He took a small cloth and began patting her mouth down.

But Icara continued to eat, suddenly pushing the cloth into her mouth. She stared absentmindedly into the void as she chewed.

Then, her face turned blue.

The fact that Hayte nor the others reacted meant that this was common occurrence.

* * *

As they finished up their meal, the Orange Conductor further explained the rationale for bringing such weak Repenters here.

“The system we use is different from the Risk Classification System. We’re not so concerned about the risks involved since death is an afterthought. But a degree of risk must always be involved. Otherwise, Repenters as a whole become redundant. For what purpose? In the end, that doesn’t concern us.”

They both knew well why Repenters were being thrown around like this. It was to extract as much Nex from them as possible. The Repenters themselves were unaware of this.

However, the way Icara looked at them both hinted that she also understood.

She even nodded to show this.

The Orange Disruptor continued:

“The Notoriety Classification is what use. Some call it the Circles of Infamy. It follows the same naming scheme as the Risk Classification System used by Adventurers, but applied in a different context.”

Icara drew a large grey circle in her notepad.

“You start at the outer rings where no one will bat an eye. Those are outliers that either have no classification or have no real demand for their elimination.”

She then drew a green circle within the grey one.

“Green Trickle. Beings that have some form of notoriety. We call them GT’s and put whatever codename the big wigs put next to it.”

Yellow Trickle, Blue Trickle, Red Hailstorm, Violet Hailstorm, Black Monsoon, White Monsoon, and finally – Eternal Night.

“As for why we have Level 10s, this mission was rated for Yellow Trickle. YT – White Midnight Sightings.”

“And because it’s based on notoriety, Repenters can face creatures that are far higher than what they’re rated to fight against.”

“Exactly! We brute force the mission, depending on what is required. The lower your Division’s Infamy, the less rated you are to take on higher Notoriety missions. These few outer circles are considered the hardest. But I tend to disagree. It never gets easier.”

It ensured that a Repenter was never comfortable… that they were always fighting for the right to claim back their freedom. But the price they had to pay for becoming a Repenter was high.

Frost did not forget the crimes that were committed against the Healers.

What Scarlet Logic did to the Nex Megalopolis.

Nor the Impuritas.

Let alone other nations that dared to wrong them.

“My only concern is how notoriety guarantees a safer Nex Megalopolis.” Frost said.

“We move fast, rapidly, and Act X does give additional missions for events before they occur. Without them, tracking these creatures becomes impossible. Remember this – by the time we receive information about a Corrupted case, chances are that the Corrupted has already relocated. Part of our role is also detective work as a result.”

“Then it can’t be helped.” Frost sighed. “So then what about Infecta Rot? Will you take care of them?”

“We’re going to have to~ And since you’re here, would you mind tagging along? We have a briefing in the next hour.”

Frost wasn’t going to give up her chance to learn more about Infecta Rot. They were the only Impuritas she hadn’t been exposed to. After mentally discussing it with Jury, her answer was a resounding: “Yes.”

“Lead the way. I’d regret it if I left this in unreliable hands.”

“Mhm.” Jury firmly nodded.