The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 78: Violet in the Deep and Dark City (3)

The outskirts of Stygian Lane, under the dim streetlights, beasts with various stories gathered.

When the vehicle stopped in front of a commercial building, Bronson, seated in the backseat, gave orders to his subordinates through his earpiece.

Members of the Calamity Gang hastily got out and surrounded the building.

“Move quickly! Don’t let a single rat escape. Send a few men to the back of the building too!”

“Those guys walking in from the left? What do you mean shoot them? They’re Aramis Crew kids with blue armbands. Explain the situation and get their cooperation!”

Watching his subordinates pull out rifles and aim at the building, the boss of Calamity grumbled.

‘How did it come to this?’

As he was about to abandon the deal that seemed too risky, he thought of taking a few things as compensation. But then, unknown awakened individuals attacked his subordinates.

Judging by the silence, they were likely all dead.

Of course, subordinates could always be replaced.

However, for such an incident to occur before negotiating with another gang meant a blow to Calamity’s reputation.

In this brutal world, reputation was life itself.

‘Leslie must’ve set me up. I’ll feed that bastard to the beasts!’

Bronson pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

Just as he was about to light it, someone next to him cleared their throat.

“I understand your preference, but I’m not fond of cigarette smoke.”

“…Apologies.”

When Ricky folded his arms and tilted his head slightly, Bronson hastily put the cigarette back.

Compared to this detective agency owner, the gang boss was no more than a leopard to a domestic cat.

“So, you’re saying you want to make an additional contract? I guess taking down one earlier wasn’t enough.”

“Yes! Exactly. I’m not sure about the exact number, but there are nearly ten awakened individuals in that building who seem to be problem solvers. I’ll add to the previous payment. Was it an additional fifty percent?”

“Three times.”

“Pardon?”

“You said there are about ten enemies, right? Hazard pay is separate. Three times the fee. If not, I’ll be clocking out for the day—”

This was daylight robbery not mentioned in the contract. But as Ricky pretended to get out of the car, the flustered Bronson had no choice but to comply with a servile grin.

‘This washed-up relic thrown out by a clan sure knows how to milk it.’

“Oh, no! I’ll transfer it right away!”

As he made a call, a notification arrived, confirming the money had been deposited.

Bronson, cautiously watching the problem solver, hesitantly opened his mouth.

“Uh, but… can you handle it alone?”

“Alone? What do you mean, sir? I brought more staff for this.”

Outside the car, two motorcycles pulled up, and a young man and woman dismounted.

“And remember, the payment is calculated individually for each person. Don’t forget, sir.”

“…Of course! Please handle this well.”

Unable to protest, Bronson could only smile awkwardly while keeping an eye on them.

‘These damn problem solvers…’

The two got out of the car.

Under the glaring vehicle lights, gang members stood guard behind the car, holding automatic rifles.

Most of the gang’s weapons were outdated automatic rifles, but they also had large-caliber shotguns for hunting beasts and a few sleek firearms mixed in. ȓά𝐍ȫBĘṩ

“These are standard combat rifles from the Federal Army! They’re the latest models, and it took some effort to acquire them. We also brought armor-piercing and anti-beast rounds. All you folks have to do is clean up afterward. Hahaha!”

“Ah, I see.”

Trying to restore his bruised pride, Bronson bragged. He held a large hunting rifle in his hands.

Ricky nodded and whispered a few words to his staff while glancing around.

“They brought high-powered weapons for a gang.”

“They must’ve seen something. Their rifles are plastered with unnecessary attachments. Still, considering they brought decent ammunition, they have some sense.”

Ricky mentally upgraded the gang’s competency rating by one level.

Their preparation for Ether shielding was commendable.

However, they hadn’t accounted for high-speed motion suppression barriers or combustion interference fields, which was unfortunate but forgivable.

A group of young gangsters wearing blue armbands squabbled with the Calamity Gang before swiftly heading toward the building.

They were the Aramis Crew, a self-proclaimed problem-solving group mainly composed of young dropouts from academies.

“Hey! Where are you guys going? We agreed to take it slow!”

When Calamity members tried to stop them, the youngsters responded with middle fingers.

“Get lost! We’re going our way! Let’s go, boys! We’re taking the prize first!”

“Yeah~! Let’s go!”

A flamboyantly dressed boy with pink hair drew his sword and headed for the building’s entrance, followed by his underlings.

Bronson chuckled incredulously while Ricky shrugged.

“Those little punks…”

“Calm down. If they’re offering to scout ahead for us, why not take advantage? Let’s see what kind of opponents we’re dealing with.”

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed, followed by commotion on the third floor.

Ricky looked up at the windows.

Inside the dark corridor on the third floor, red flashes and white magical energy glowed wildly.

The clanging of metal, screams, and small explosions erupted in rapid succession.

“Die!”

“Screw off, you bastard! Aaargh!”

“Kyaaaah!”

The angry shouts turned into screams in less than thirty seconds.

The fight’s aftermath shattered the windows on the third floor one after another.

“Impossible! I’m from Aegis! Aaaargh!”

A louder scream pierced through the window as something fell onto the car’s hood from the third floor. A pink-haired head rolled onto the ground, drawing everyone’s shocked gazes. Bronson commented nonchalantly.

“Macau, that junkie dropout, finally bit it after showing off. Tsk tsk.”

The glowing magical energy in the darkness faded, and even the screams subsided.

As everyone focused on the third floor, a bloodied boy stumbled out from the first-floor door, running desperately.

“I don’t want this anymore! Save me—”

A red beam shot out from the third-floor window, severing the boy’s head mid-sentence.

“As expected, even if they’re just students, taking down that many so easily proves they’re no amateurs. Shall we begin? We’ll take the side route. Keep the line open and stop firing when I signal. That’s when we’ll enter.”

“…Understood. Fire!”

Click!

Tatatatatata!

As Ricky gave his orders, Bronson sighed briefly and instructed his subordinates.

Rifles pointed at the third floor unleashed a barrage of gunfire.

“Earlier, I noticed windows on the building’s right side and back. Mitchell, Lake, head to the rear office area. I’ll enter through the side stairs.”

“Yes, sir!”

Using the blinding muzzle flashes as cover, the three problem solvers from the Tusk Detective Agency circled around the building.

Meanwhile, on the dark third-floor corridor, the Violets scrambled on the floor to avoid the hail of bullets.

After shooting down the one trying to escape to the first floor with a crossbow, a fierce volley of bullets rained in through the windows.

Tatatatatata!

「Get down! The firepower is different!」

Violet No. 110, lying face-down on the pool of blood, felt uneasy.

Her clothes were soaked, stained by the blood of the gang members slaughtered earlier and the students from before.

The Violets hurriedly pulled out their riot shields, using them as cover while crawling backward into the room opposite the window.

The building’s walls seemed thinner than expected, or perhaps the enemy’s firearms were simply that powerful.

Despite their quick retreat, some bullets managed to pierce through the walls.

“Kyahhh!”

One of the Violets was struck in the head by a ricocheted bullet and died instantly.

Now, only nineteen Violets remained.

「Hey, did you hear that earlier? That pink-haired one mentioned something about Aegis.」

「What? Don’t tell me Aegis is another one of those crazy academies!」

「It must be a bluff!」

Even amidst the heavy gunfire, the Violets exchanged lighthearted banter.

A prestigious academy fighting alongside righteous figures, like the Inspector in the main story, wouldn’t possibly accept such delinquents.

「They’re shooting like mad, and the firepower is no joke!」

「Crossbows are too slow for this. We really need guns, too.」

While bullets rained down like a storm, the Violets stationed quietly in the alley and the opposite building reported urgently.

「Focus, everyone. I’ve spotted three more breaking off from the gang, circling around. Judging by their posture, speed, and weapons like swords and axes, they’re Awakened.」

「What?」

All the Violets briefly stuck their heads out, contemplating the enemy’s tactics.

Using heavily armed, unawakened gang members to suppress movement with gunfire, while deploying Awakened individuals to the flanks and rear?

Violet’s thoughts shifted to the historical records, medieval warfare games, and novels she had encountered before her possession.

Though the execution was different, this was unmistakably…

「The hammer-and-anvil tactic.」

The Violets assessed their own strength objectively.

No matter their skills, these hardened underworld enforcers could likely slaughter one or two Violets with ease.

And this office building was far too cramped to leverage their numerical advantage.

They needed to leave the building.

Back at the temporary headquarters in the dormitory, Violet No. 1 issued new orders.

「Office team, grab the submachine guns we picked up from the gang earlier. They’ve got decent firepower. Rooftop team, prepare Molotovs and stand by. Will fifteen be enough, or should we prepare more?」

「Got it, I’ll add a few more. Oh, and there’s something unusual about the weapons they’re carrying. Want to see?」

Through the Violets’ eyes, they observed a tattooed, bearded man firing a long, sleek-looking rifle.

Even compared to the cheap rifles held by the other gang members, this one appeared expensive and formidable.

「Isn’t that a weapon used by the Federal Army? There are also guys carrying huge shotguns. Target them first! Alley squad, block the expected escape routes.」

「Understood. Oh, and the Awakened ones are waiting outside now. Looks like they’re planning to come in.」

Six of the Violets, lying low to avoid the gunfire, cautiously began repositioning.

「We don’t have a choice. No. 75, hold them off inside until we wipe out the gang. Use additional magic if needed.」

Right then, the gunfire stopped.

From the alley, the Violets noticed the Awakened individuals stepping back slightly, preparing to leap forward.

There was no time to hesitate!

「Now! Attack!」

At the rear of the Calamity Gang, Violets who had been lying in wait on the rooftop suddenly rose.

Most of them aimed their crossbows at the gang members’ exposed backs, while a few held Molotov cocktails.

The Molotovs were fitted with a simple device that ignited upon impact, eliminating the need for wicks.

The sound of bowstrings snapping was followed by glowing red lines streaking through the air.

Molotovs arced silently through the air.

“Ugh… Guh!”

“Argh!”

“What the—Johnny? Are you okay—”

BOOM!

The synchronized volley caused gang members armed with rifles and shotguns to collapse, while flames erupted atop the vehicles surrounding the building.

“Ahhh! Hot! It’s so hot!”

“Screeeam!”

The gang members engulfed in flames writhed on the ground.

Some tried rolling to extinguish the fire, but it only spread as the ground caught alight.

The Molotovs contained a special adhesive incendiary from a workshop, burning fiercely for minutes.

Bronson, who had been observing from the rear, managed to escape the Violets’ focus by sheer luck.

“Damn it! Fall back! Everyone fall back! There are more behind us! Fire! Shoot them!”

Suddenly, dozens of black figures jumped down simultaneously from the rooftop and third-floor windows.

A series of soft thuds echoed as they landed lightly.

Small-statured individuals encircled the Calamity Gang.

“What… what the hell is this…?”

One gang member trembled at the sight of the mysterious figures.

Their black masks and doubled-up goggles gave them an eerie, lifeless appearance.

In unison, the group of strangers unsheathed their single-handed swords, which began glowing red with magical energy.

Without leaving a single gap in their formation, they charged, leaping over the burning vehicles.

-Ratatatata!

As soon as they cleared the vehicles, their submachine guns in their left hands unleashed streams of bullets.

Gang members sprayed blood as they fell.

The blades, glowing with magical energy, slashed through enemies in an orderly, mechanical fashion, like machines in a factory.

“Fall back! Shoot! Shoot, damn it!”

“Boss! There’s too many of them! Too many! Argh!”

The gang retreated, firing wildly, but the Violets advanced like dancers in perfect synchrony.

The distance was too short; the gang could barely fire a few shots before their heads were lopped off.

Methodical slashes painted crimson arcs through the air, while the rooftop Violets continued sniping any who attempted to escape.

Some reinforcements from the alley also joined to block key exits.

-BANG!

Violet No. 54, who had been mechanically stabbing a gang member in the chest, had her head blown off.

This small success belonged to Bronson, one of the few surviving gang members still resisting.

Ironically, his success was thanks to the Violets’ decision to keep him alive.

The Violets managing the battlefield had marked him for capture.

「Rooftop team, stop! Don’t shoot the guy with the hunting rifle! Judging by his clothes and how he’s giving orders, he’s an officer. Capture him! No matter what!」

“Y-You… you freakish monsters!”

The Violets turned their heads in unison to stare at him.

The sheer synchronization sent shivers down Bronson’s spine.

Another deafening blast echoed as Bronson’s large-caliber beast-hunting rifle tore a gaping hole in Violet No. 32’s chest.

Frantically breaking open the chamber to reload, his trembling hands fumbled, causing him to drop the bullet.

A bolt was lodged in his arm, jutting out grotesquely.

“Ughhh!”

He questioned whether his opponents were even human.

Beneath the black masks and goggles, there was no trace of emotion—only an unsettling inhumanity.

‘What are they, killer robots straight out of a movie…?’

Groaning in pain, Bronson tried to flee but was soon captured and pinned to the ground.

Looking around, he realized that none of his comrades were left standing.

Only the eerie black-clad figures surrounded him.

A thunderous noise shattered the air.

The sound came from the third floor, where the remaining windows exploded into shards.

「This is No. 75. Including me, six are dead. They’re coming down.」

The warning came as three Awakened individuals leaped down from above.

The sound of their landing thudded heavily.

“…Whoa, that’s a lot more than ten people, huh?”

Ricky, carrying a large axe, joked with a slightly startled expression as he regained his composure.

The Violets turned their gaze toward him with their robotic precision.

The unnerving synchronization made the troubleshooters step back involuntarily.

Ricky’s eyes, scanning the Violets, met those of Bronson, who had been subdued by the black-clad figures.

Bronson closed his eyes in despair.

‘Damn it, it’s all over. That guy will probably run away too…’

The Violets moved forward, weapons in hand, as Ricky and his staff approached.

“Mitchell, what do you think? Should we retreat?”

“No? Their movements were precise and their attacks were intimidating, but they’re manageable.”

“Lake, your thoughts?”

“I don’t know where they’re from, but cutting them down was satisfying.”

Ricky twirled his glowing glaive as he walked toward the Violets. Bronson asked weakly.

“Why…? After taking so much payment…”

“Why, you ask? Sir, my principle is to always honor contracts with my clients. I need to give what I’m paid for. Guys! What’s our additional assignment?”

At Ricky’s question, the young man and woman behind him answered.

“The extermination of the target.”

“And our company motto?”

“Even if it costs us our lives, we honor our contracts.”

Ricky grinned confidently.

“Well understood. Let’s go!”

In the late-night alley, amidst burning cars, the three problem solvers charged forward. Fueled by pride, they dove into the pitch-black mire.

Although we died, we successfully delayed them for a short while.

Currently, No. 75 and five other Violets had returned to the network and were actively reporting their weapons, characteristics, and points of caution.

“Mitchell! Close the gap!”

「That woman! She’s holding a hammer, right? It’s not a hammer; it’s a magic staff. Her specialty is electricity. Seems like she’s immune to magnetic magic. Watch your footing!」

A short-haired woman with brown hair swung a peculiar long-handled hammer through the air.

As we scattered backward, a small circular magic circle appeared where we had been, unleashing electricity that swept across the ground.

“Tsk! She missed?”

The woman charged through the electrified ground.

「If the hammer head hits you, you’ll feel a paralyzing shock, so block with the shaft. She also uses spinning kicks often!」

Right after blocking the attack, No. 65 ducked hurriedly.

The woman’s leg swept over his head like a whirlwind.

Immediately after, No. 65 was sliced into four pieces and rolled across the ground, cut down by a green-haired man who descended from above.

“Lake! You’re late!”

“What? This isn’t even that bad.”

「The guy with the dual swords over there. The power can be blocked with a shield, but he’s insanely fast! The thing attached to his right arm is a crossbow.」

The man with dual swords suddenly extended his right arm. No. 56 ducked, narrowly avoiding the bolt that grazed his right ear.

He retaliated by swinging his shield, forcing the man to jump back.

The Violets quickly switched to riot shields and pressed the green-haired man. His dual swords, cloaked in sharp sword energy, furiously scraped against our shields imbued with magical energy.

At that moment, the leader of the problem solvers, wielding a glaive surrounded by orange sword energy, crouched and charged forward.

「The most important thing: the guy with the glaive, right? He’s the leader, and his attack range is insane! His impact force is massive too. That’s what killed us earlier!」

The glaive-wielding man charged forward. We tried to test his rush by blocking it.

“Gah!”

“Urgh!”

Five Violets were cut down along with their shields.

The speed and impact force felt comparable to about 0.5 Irene, slower than Martina but with a much wider attack range.

Enhanced vision captured the glaive’s sword energy extending and retracting momentarily.

Faced with formidable opponents, the Violets’ minds began rapid calculations. Blades clashed, and three or four more Violets fell onto the cold floor.

「When the woman rushes in and releases lightning, the green-haired guy strikes and retreats, while the leader tears through everything.」

「Rooftop team, should we snipe them?」

「No, not yet. They haven’t noticed the rooftop team. Field team, use the captured submachine gun. Prepare the Molotov cocktails. Shame we used up most of the explosives last time.」

While engaging in a fierce battle with them, the Violets quickly completed their calculations.

Orders were issued from the temporary command center to represent everyone’s will.

「…Permission granted to use the Blades of Incandescent Flame.」

Upon this declaration, the Polaris-made one-handed swords carried by the frontline Violets transformed into the Blades of Incandescent Flame.

In their heated state, these blades weren’t much different from other 3-star weapons in performance.

We rarely used rapiers because we weren’t accustomed to them, and they felt wasteful emotionally, being 5-star. But now was the time to use them.

The ‘real’ Blade of Incandescent Flame was held by No. 90 at the back of the formation.

A trump card hidden among the fakes.

It would lull them into complacency and deliver a decisive blow.

Our corpses dissipated into magic.

The sight seemed to startle the problem solvers, who glanced around warily.

“They weren’t real. It’s a clone technique! I’ve never faced it directly before…”

“Their weapons suddenly changed. Were they all illusions?”

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“Don’t worry. We still don’t know where the originals are, but at this level, we can win.”

While the problem solvers exchanged words, we launched an offensive. Close-combat members armed with swords, shields, spears, and axes charged in.

“They’re coming!”

「Open fire!」

As we advanced, captured submachine guns appeared in our left hands.

Magazines were emptied in two seconds.

They flinched.

The Violets moved in a dispersing march-like formation, encircling them.

This time, the leader charged from the front.

The green-haired dual-swordsman circled around us, stepping cautiously, while the slightly slower woman swung her hammer through the air again.

A magic circle quickly formed beneath us.

Ignoring it, the Violets recklessly charged at them.

The leading Violet was electrocuted and sliced in half by their blades, but we managed to get close.

“What the hell…?! Aaagh!”

It was a trap.

The dying Violets simultaneously conjured Molotov cocktails in their hands.

The Molotovs exploded, spilling their contents onto the ground.

Burning incendiary material clung to the problem solvers’ feet and legs.

Even through Ether shielding, the heat seemed unbearable, as the woman staggered backward, tapping her feet like she was doing a frantic dance.

The green-haired man and the leader also grimaced as their pants caught fire.

And behind the self-destructing Violets, a formation armed with riot shields closed in.

“This is driving me crazy. Just die already! Why are there so many of you?!”

The woman swung her hammer wildly in desperation, while the green-haired man furiously slashed at the shields with his dual swords.

From behind the dense shield wall, gaps suddenly opened, and over ten spear tips extended outward.

The leader deflected them, but the woman with the hammer was pierced by three or four spear tips in her stomach.

The green-haired man also took a hit on his arm. He tried to retreat but was slowed by his injuries.

Let’s try the strategy we learned by getting beaten by Kalia here.

We dodged his bolts and blocked his blades. As the man searched for an opening to escape, he extended his right arm again.

At the same time, No. 34’s hand produced a loaded crossbow. The man’s eyes widened.

-Ping!

“Ugh…!”

No. 34 and the man died together.

The bolt ignored his Ether shielding and pierced cleanly into his heart.

“Damn it, should I have just run away?”

The last remaining leader chuckled helplessly before steeling his expression with determination.

He began swinging his glaive furiously once more. Violets armed with rapiers charged in like moths to a flame.

“Let’s see who wins this!”

Amidst the collapsing Violets, No. 90 leaped forward, launching a series of attacks.

The leader, spinning his glaive to deflect the oncoming strikes, noticed her presence shift.

“What is this…?”

The sharpness and power were on an entirely different level.

Violet No. 90 didn’t stop there; she immediately channeled magic into her sword.

Flames burst fiercely from the tip of the blade.

“What the hell is this?!”

The leader was blown away by the fiery storm that erupted in front of him.

Barely twisting his body at the last moment, he managed to avoid a fatal injury.

In the process, he also managed to bisect Violet No. 90.

He tried to push himself up, leaning on his spear shaft and gasping for air.

「…Persistent. Fire.」

“Arghhh!”

The rooftop snipers showed no mercy, pulling the triggers of their crossbows.

It was only after multiple bolts pierced his body that the troubleshooter leader finally collapsed.

「…It’s done. We’ve taken them all down. Although, it seems a few survivors remain.」

「Let’s clean up quickly and head back.」

Even amidst the chaos of battle, it appeared that the gang’s officer-level member was still alive.

“Ugh… this is a nightmare…”

While one group of Violets dragged him and the other prisoners away, others quickly gathered loot and withdrew.

Dawn was breaking before anyone noticed.

By morning, after everything was settled, the streets were a wreck, and there was plenty of work left for us.

While the Violets interrogated the prisoners and moved to raid the gang’s base and office, we transported the unconscious intermediaries to the hospital.

“It’s done. They should wake up soon.”

The hospital, matching the desolate environment of Stygian Lane, accepted anyone without question.

It was a place that didn’t care who walked through its doors.

Even as unidentified figures in black masks carried in multiple injured individuals, the staff merely gave a quick glance before diagnosing them.

There was even an Awakened healer using healing magic!

As we waited, the first to open their eyes among the injured was the bartender woman.

She looked around as she regained consciousness.

“Where am I…?”

Violet No. 110 responded with a wide smile.

“A gin with butter, on the rocks, please. Make it Black Label!”