Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! Novel - Chapter 316
Pick Me Up – Chapter 316 – Mission Type – Transcendence (1)
One week later.
On the seventh floor of Niflheim, a dirigible was ready to depart from the central hangar.
It was a medium-sized aircraft built for special missions, the Sleipnir.
With a jet-black body and the emblems of Niflheim engraved on its surface.
It would be the flagship used in the rapid incursion into Eden.
“Operation preparations?”
In the control room on the upper level of the hangar.
Siris asked her aide beside her.
“We have completed the installation of the external armor and anti-aircraft weapons. We also finished the contamination prevention tasks. Combat supplies, including fuel, are at full capacity. We are ready to depart at any time.”
“Good job. When the mission officially begins, order the fleet with troops to gather in Dimension 1000. If we succeed, a portal to the frontier will open.”
“Understood.”
“Then, give the order for all forces to stand by.”
“Yes, ma’am! We wish for the Black Ram’s victory!”
The young aide saluted Siris with military precision and left the control room.
‘Finally…’
Aaron clenched his trembling hand.
The day of the operation had finally arrived. In the control room, members of the 13th floor who would board the Sleipnir, along with Niflheim officers and aides, were present to see them off. The gathered heroes watched the ship with determination beyond the reinforced glass.
‘I’ve done everything I could.’
The Ruin spear was sharpened.
He had practiced the feeling of thrusting the spear countless times.
The spear on his back glowed with a sharp edge.
‘Brother, I’m coming.’
Aaron’s eyes turned fierce.
“Have you said goodbye to your subordinates?”
Siris looked around.
Lidygion, who had finished talking to his assistant, smiled slightly.
“We’ll see each other again anyway. I told them to sharpen their swords.”
“I’ve also finished my goodbyes!”
“I have no one.”
Yurnet closed her book.
A dimensional door was already connected to the Sleipnir on the right side of the control room.
‘The mission personnel are…’
Aaron looked around.
The incursion into Eden would be carried out by a single team, but there would be more crew on board.
Initially, Yurnet was going to control the Sleipnir alone, but after the mission leaked, many heroes volunteered.
In the end, ten technicians were selected for repairs and control, and two operators to relay the mission’s situation. The gathered heroes were prepared to face death.
“I’ve said it many times, I cannot guarantee your survival during the mission. It’s better for you to withdraw if possible.”
“No! Let us help rescue the Master!”
The man at the front of the group of technicians shouted.
Siris nodded with a sigh.
“I trust everyone knows the contents of last night’s report.”
Everyone in the control room stood up.
Siris looked at them with a clear gaze and grabbed the handle of Lævateinn.
The red scabbard emitted a dazzling glow.
“All aboard. Ignite the celestial fire.”
“All aboard. The mission starts now.”
Bzzt!
The dimensional door in one corner of the control room glowed faintly.
It was the portal activation signal. Siris was the first to enter.
Behind her, the heroes began to enter one by one.
‘Fuu.’
Aaron took several deep breaths.
Once inside, there would be no turning back.
‘I’m sorry, Nina. I promise to find you.’
Siris had said she would give him permission to visit his sister.
He could also bring his master.
“Let’s go too. Glory to Niflheim!”
Next, the non-combatant heroes entered.
Two operators and the technicians lined up and entered the dimensional door.
“I wish you victory.”
The high-ranking officers of Niflheim watched from behind.
In the plaza outside the control room, thousands of Niflheim heroes would be cheering them on.
‘I will be the last to board.’
The total number of Sleipnir crew members was 17.
Aaron walked to the end of the line.
“Hmm?”
The eyes of the officer in charge narrowed as he observed the formation.
He whispered to his superior.
“I believe there’s an error in the selected personnel.”
“What error?”
“Aren’t there supposed to be 17 in total? But look, there are 18 people. When was another technician added?”
“I’ll check.”
A middle-aged man in uniform approached the formation.
“Stop everyone! Step away from the dimensional door.”
The line halted.
After examining the people, the middle-aged man narrowed his eyes.
“It seems there is an intruder among us.”
His gaze turned to Aaron at the end of the line.
He saluted politely and spoke.
“Mr. Nidelk! We cannot allow any mistakes in this mission. Please take appropriate measures.”
“……”
“Niflheim has many enemies. They could have sent a spy from an active Lobby.”
Aaron held his head.
And murmured softly.
“There’s no problem.”
“Pardon?”
“Yesterday, I received a new report from the officer in charge. The number of technicians on this mission is 11.”
“But I’ve never heard of that report…”
After a moment of reflection, the man saluted Aaron with a regretful expression.
“My apologies! It’s correct to report any irregularities to the superior officer. I’m sorry for interrupting. Glory to Niflheim!”
The uniformed officer stepped back.
The boarding continued.
‘A superior officer, huh.’
Aaron was neither a member of Niflheim nor someone with great achievements.
He was someone who had been selected for the 13th floor only because Muden had given up his spot.
And yet, no one showed opposition.
The reason was one.
Absolute faith in Niflheim and Loki.
‘With such strict discipline.’
Aaron joined the middle of the line.
And secretly approached a stowaway.
“Miss Jenna.”
The technician walking beside him lowered her cap.
“This kind of behavior is not good. If they find you, they’ll throw you out immediately.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You won’t be able to hide your identity inside.”
“Jenna? I’ve never heard that name.”
Haa.
Aaron sighed deeply.
“We’ll have to talk inside.”
“A hero from the 13th floor talking to me, a mere technician?”
The girl playfully winked and entered the dimensional door.
Aaron followed her.
Upon exiting the other side, a long hallway appeared.
The second floor of the Sleipnir. Following the hallway would lead to the central control room.
“Follow me.”
Aaron took the girl technician by the arm and led her to a nearby storage room.
He closed the door from the inside and lifted the technician’s cap. Round brown eyes and red hair. The girl looked around with playful eyes.
“Niflheim is really bright inside too. They must have spent a fortune.”
“Miss Jenna.”
“Why are you calling me?”
“Why are you here…?”
“I came to help my big brother, of course.”
Jenna Shirai shrugged.
“It was obvious they would reject me if I talked to that scary sister. Unlike you, Aaron, I don’t have connections. If I had known this, I would have treated the director better when I came before.”
“So…”
“I came secretly.”
Jenna smiled mischievously.
“You can’t go home now, can you?”
“I was going to go back, but I felt unjustly treated. They praised me when they needed me, and now that I’m useless, they discard me. Isn’t it the same for you, Aaron? You won’t pretend it’s different for you, right? I’d be very disappointed.”
“That…”
Aaron was at a loss for words.
Jenna lightly nudged Aaron’s side with her elbow.
“If you help me a bit, I’ll be very useful in this mission.”
Jenna pulled out a small glowing stone from her pocket.
“Do you know what this stone is? It’s a dimensional stone. Bell and I got it with a lot of effort. If you shake it…”
Bzzt!
A portal began to form with a clear magical wave.
Jenna waved her hand to disperse the portal and put the stone away.
“It can open a portal to Taonier.”
Although her tone was playful, her eyes were extremely serious.
Aaron knew Jenna was serious. This girl had really come to help her brother.
‘Even so…’
It won’t be easy.
Aaron spoke firmly.
“The place we’re going to is heavily contaminated. Besides, the enemies there are far more powerful than monsters. You’ll have to risk your life. You don’t have to do this…”
“No.”
Jenna grabbed Aaron’s right hand.
With such force that her knuckles turned white.
“I’m going to go home, but I can’t leave it like this. I want to meet my brother once more in my homeland. The same goes for the others. Like you said, we… risked our lives to come here. I’ve heard about the mission while hiding. Let us help. We’ll be useful, for sure.”
“How many are there?”
“Bell, Kishasha, Katio. Ah, maybe you don’t know Katio. There are many more. They’re all determined. We’re prepared for our brother who fought for us.”
Aaron and Jenna looked into each other’s eyes.
Aaron exhaled deeply.
“We’ll have to hide it from Siris…”
“Of course!”
They’ll probably scold him a lot later.
‘For the sake of my brother… I’ll endure it.’
Aaron continued speaking.
“Wait here in the storage room.”
“Yes, sir! Jenna’s squad awaits orders.”
Jenna saluted energetically.
‘The heroes of Taonier.’
Aaron thought of a man named Belkist.
That man of great talent and fighting spirit was responsible for his downfall.
‘Haa.’
He wanted to face him once more someday.
Aaron shook his head and left the storage room. It wasn’t long before he arrived at the Sleipnir’s control room.
A control room of 100 square meters.
With a large crystal at the front, surrounded by all kinds of instruments and controls.
Nihaku, standing next to the captain’s seat, turned to look at him.
“Where did you come from, rookie? Did your stomach hurt?”
“Yes, sorry.”
Aaron coughed.
“You’re a bad actor, kid.”
Lidygion, leaning against the wall next to the door, smiled.
Aaron flinched.
“I just received a report that someone else boarded.”
“……”
“I won’t ask for details.”
“Thank you…”
Aaron observed the control room.
The Sleipnir had left Niflheim and was heading quickly to the first server.
Siris was reviewing the mission plan at the front of the room, while Yurnet recited spells in the large magic circle on the right.
‘It’s good that both are busy.’
Aaron sighed with relief.
If they had discovered this, they wouldn’t have let it go.
<Connection complete.>
Yurnet’s voice echoed in the control room.
Soon after, the image of a woman in a robe appeared on the front panel.
<I am Sijel of Mobius. Niflheim, can you hear me?>
“We hear you. It seems the connection was successful.”
Siris replied.
<The code correction is complete. Connecting accounts.>
Sijel raised her hand.
Simultaneously.
[Pick Me Up!]
A large holographic message appeared on the left side of the control room.
[Master Anything, welcome to Pick Me Up!]
[Correction Code 1103: The account name has been changed to ‘Niflheim’.]
[Correction Code 5313: The control menu and access methods have been changed.]
[Correction Code 3365: The data transmission method has been changed.]
[Correction Code 9754…]
The connection message from Taonier’s Master, Anything.
[Loading complete.]
[T O U C H! (Select)]
Anything had entered the main menu.
On Anything’s control screen, the Sleipnir was shown leaving the field.