Once outside, I noticed other Commanders in various states of frustration or depression.
...Honestly, fair.
If I was risking my life for pennies, I'd be pissed too.
Objectively, what I achieved should have been impossible. I couldn't expect anyone else to replicate my actions.
Even so...
'Taking down a Tyrant-Class Rapture ONLY got me 100K each. And the modified Tyrant-Class Rapture didn't change the sum.'
It was a lot of money in comparison to the effort I put in.
But it wasn't in the grand scheme of things.
I'd glanced at the conversion chart the teller used while I was waiting.
A Husk-Class Rapture only netted 10 credits.
Servant-Class, 100 credits.
Master-Class, 1,000 credits.
Lord-Class, 10,000 credits.
Tyrant-Class, 100,000 credits.
And at the top of the list, Heretic-Class, 1,000,000 credits.
Realistically, most Commanders could only deal with Husk-class Raptures. And probably only a dozen or so at a time. That meant for a day's work, they would probably get 120 credits. Barely enough to eat, let alone maintain their Nikkes.
I was exceptional. Considering how I could exactly pinpoint weaknesses, I could farm everything below Tyrant-Class with ease and just a handful of Nikke without any damage. The only expense was ammunition, and if we used my coilguns, that expense was zero.
Net profit. And ONLY profit.
"Commander?" Marian's soft voice echoed.
I blinked and realized I had been staring at the other Commanders.
Shaking my head softly, I said, "Let's go. We have supplies to restock."
With a decisive turn on my heel, I started marching off towards the markets.
Rapi and Marian immediately moved behind me in tandem.
As we left though, I could hear whispers from behind me.
"Why couldn't that be me?"
"What makes him so different?"
"I risk my life, I lost so much, and all I get is this? But he gets everything...?"
...Man, what a shitty world this was...
===
It didn't take long to order the supplies.
More ammunition, boxes of food, coffee...
Even after grabbing enough to last for a few months, we only were down 100K. That left 100K left to spend... 60K in my bankbook if we were using that.
"Hm..." I stared at the transactions and said, "There's quite a lot leftover."
Rapi glanced at the trolley filled with crates of supplies she was wheeling around. "Commander. This much food is unnecessary."
Marian hesitated. "Rapi's right. We aren't like you, Commander. We just need enough to maintain our mental health."
"Well, as your Commander, I'm the one who gets to decide that. And like I keep saying, I'm not the sort who cares about 'optimal solutions' but 'certainty.' And I can only be certain you guys are in peak mental health if we have excess."
It was a simple logic.
Hell, I applied it to myself.
When you were starving, you always ate more than you needed to.
When you were full, you didn't overeat too much, if at all.
In a similar sense, if you operated from a space of lack, or 'barely enough' then your operational capacity was actually below the minimum since you were focused on not wasting.
But if you operated from abundance, you didn't have to worry about waste, so you always performed at your peak because you could afford to lose things.
Rapi frowned. "...That... does make logical sense. But others won't see it that way, Commander."
Marian nodded. "Rapi's right, Commander." She pursed her lips and glanced down at the cart of supplies she was wheeling around too. "People will think you're just showing off... or that you're spoiling us."
"Let them." I kept walking, not breaking stride or hesitating. "I don't care what they think. They get to live in peace here. It's not their world to comment on."
Just like back on Earth, you had people who thought they had the right to speak on 'world issues' just because they were a bit informed.
But they didn't.
Unless you were there in person, were personally affected, or otherwise, you were just spouting nonsense.
There needed to be a solid basis for your thoughts. And if you called something your belief, you had to be willing to lay your life down for it.
Most people- No, the average and median citizen of any civilization would never reach that level.
And so they didn't matter to me.
In fact...
If I was being honest, I was barely tolerating the people in the Ark.
Rationally, I knew they were just misinformed and prejudiced.
Rationally, I knew that could be changed over time.
...But personally, I still felt like a clear show of force followed by the carrot would work better. Faster.
It was always easier rehabilitating fear born of decisive and 'justified' violence than changing entrenched narratives accumulated over time.
But that was just me.
And I wasn't about to take the easy route. Not yet.
It made life boring, you know? Like cheating in a video game.
The whole point of it was the struggle and earning inch by inch of victory, not in the end result.
Rapi was quiet. Then she looked at me and said, "Commander. Permission to speak candidly?"
"Always granted, Rapi."
"That mindset will turn the populace against you. Sooner, rather than later."
"I'm aware. In fact, I'm counting on it partially."
Marian frowned and said, "What do you mean, Commander?" She leaned forward and said, "Do you... want to be a villain?"
I smiled at her. "A villain to the many is a hero to the few. And a hero to the many is a villain waiting to be born. People can understand villains. They can't understand heroes."
It was a fundamental bedrock principle. One we saw over and over and over again in reality.
People loved the fall from grace. They cherished villains. And while they admired heroes, it was always with the sort of wonder whether they will hold onto that heroism even in the face of despair.
I say, fuck that.
I'd rather the world hate me, save the people I care about, and be the hero to a few individuals rather than cater to all of humanity.
Rapi was quiet. Then she let out a sigh before putting on a soft smile. "...I suppose that's why you're our Commander. Only you could say something like that and mean it."
"Right? Now, I saw a nice cafe over there. Let's go buy some gifts for the others."
Rapi pursed her lips.
Marian looked concerned.
...Hm...
===
...Ah. That's why.
Inside the cafe, the sales assistant, a well-dressed woman with light brown hair, stared at Marian and Rapi with clear disdain before shifting her gaze to me. Putting on a professional smile, she said, "...What can I help you with?"
I took off my helmet, tucking it under my arm. Then, I brushed my brown bangs aside to reveal my eyes before putting on a professional smile of my own. "I'm here to buy pastries. Pies, cupcakes, donuts... whatever you have.."
The shop assistant looked at me, her expression wavering a bit. But she glanced at Marian and Rapi before looking back at me, disdain clear in her eyes. "For whom?"
I took a step forward, killing intent clear in my gaze while maintaining a bright smile. "I'm afraid that's classified. Now." I took another step forward. "You can ring me up, get a nice and hefty commission, then forget about all this. Or." I took one last step until I was standing right in front of the shop assistant's face, looming over her. "I can formally request it as military supplies via the Central Government. Of course, when I do, it's undoubtedly going to result in a formal audit. And you know, it's black letter law that you aren't allowed to mistreat Nikke." I rested my free hand on my sword hilt. "...And it's also black letter law that, for the sake of humanity, the average citizen is to comply with formal requests by Commanders."
The shop assistant swallowed. She eyed me, the sword, Rapi and Marian... then she stammered out, "A-Are you threatening me?"
I shifted my hand to my wallet instead, pulling out my bank card. "No. I'm providing you a business opportunity that you can forget about while pocketing the change. But if you won't accept my payment here and now, I can provide payment in... alternative means."
Rapi's voice echoed. "Commander. It's fine-"
I held up my hand.
Rapi frowned, but stopped talking.
Staring intently at the shop assistant, I smiled. "What will it be? Do you want to help the 'Hero of Humanity?' Or do you want to give him reasons to defect?"
Did it finally get through to the shop assistant? Or did she pick up on the fact that I absolutely did not care about her and would be fine just moving her aside and manually ringing myself up?
Either way, she bowed her head. "...Understood. What would you like?"
===
After purchasing a dozen boxes of various pastries, we headed back towards the Outpost.
On the elevator ride back up, Rapi finally broke the tension since we left the store. "Commander. You didn't have to do that."
"I did."
Marian leaned against her trolley and frowned. "...This is going to cause issues, Commander. I'm worried..."
"It won't."
Rapi looked at me, pursing her lips. "How are you so certain, Commander?"
"Because it was intentional. Look." I leaned against the side of the elevator and said, "Rapi. Think about how that lady had reacted the moment we walked in."
"...What about it?" Rapi tilted her head, confused.
"She was rude, wasn't she?"
Marian chimed in, lips pursed. "She was VERY rude. To you especially, Commander."
"Right." I nodded at Marian. "Like Mari said, Rapi. She was rude."
Rapi frowned. "What does that have to do with it, Commander? It's just manners."
"No." I shook my head. "It's not just manners. Think about it." I looked at the flashing elevator lights as we ascended. "Nikke are weapons. Commanders are the ones fighting to reclaim the surface. Even taking it into the worst light and treating you all as expendable, Commanders themselves are indispensible. So. Why did she treat me like that?"
Rapi paused. "That's... a fair point."
Marian tilted her head, thinking. "...That's right, Commander." She glanced at me. "It IS strange. Even if she was a Nikkephobe, that level of impudence..."
"It's born from experience. Likely, she's only seen commanders who failed. Who showed up bitter, pathetic, and all bluster no action." I thought back to the commanders I had seen outside the Central Government Office. "The 'illusion' of heroism was shattered for her. But imagine it. Someone like that meeting a Commander who was both equipped for warfare, carried the presence of someone who was bathed in death, and yet restrained himself. For the greater good. But who was also one step away from throwing it all away... What would she think?"
Rapi was quiet. Then she slowly said, "...Perhaps that there are others like you in constant deployment. And that the only reason the Ark remains peaceful is because of others like you. And if you had a reason to turn your back on them..."
Marian quietly finished. "Then everyone would die."
Silence filled the elevator.
Then Rapi said, "Commander. That's rule by fear."
"It is." I nodded. "I don't know that shop assistant's story. I don't know her history. Maybe she has a good reason to hate and look down on Nikke. But she should know her place. She's just a shop assistant. Her job is simply to complete the transaction, not to run her mouth. Especially to people like us, who are actually risking our lives."
Rapi pursed her lips.
Marian hesitated and said, "But Commander. That's... not what a hero does. We... You should inspire people. Not shut their voices down."
"Marian." I looked at her. "A hero is not the same thing as a 'Brave' or a 'Yuusha.' A hero is someone the people look up to, who they draw inspiration from... But a 'Brave.' A 'Yuusha'... they are simply a warrior of valor. One who stares at impossible odds and proceeds regardless, claiming victory upon that gossamer thread. I... WE are not the same as heroes. Our 'function' is different."
It was similar. But the nuance mattered here.
A hero was someone that people aspired to become. Like a torch leading the way.
A 'yuusha' was someone who got the job done. They could be seen as stars or torches leading the way... but at the end of the day, they were people who 'finished the story.'
A hero's job was to inspire others.
A yuusha's job was to defeat the Demon Lord.
They overlapped, yes. But they were distinct.
And we weren't heroes. We were the Brave. The Yuusha. The ones who would defeat the world's evil and reclaim the surface for humanity.
I was quiet and then said, "I am not a hero. At my core, I am a person who sees evil, faces it, and severs it where I can, when I can. Whether that makes me a villain or a hero, the future can judge. But what matters at the end of the day is that we HAVE a future."
Rapi looked at me with mixed emotions. "Commander. That's..."
"Absolutist? Totalitarian? Probably. But." I looked at her. "It's how you save everyone. A 'hero' can only save the people in front of him. But a 'villain'? When they claim the world, they get to choose what to do with it." I chuckled. "And, well..." The elevator doors opened up, revealing the Outpost in the distance. "Right now, I'm choosing to protect humanity. But that may very well change. Still." I walked out and glanced back. "At the least, until the Rapture situation is sorted, we're all on the same side. Humanity should be united until then. So don't worry about it. I'll make sure we're sorted."
===
"Oh my god." Anis immediately grabbed a box of donuts off the pile and held it up like a sacred artifact. "Commander... I forgive everything you've ever done."
Rapi sighed. "Really, Anis...?"
"Yes!" Anis immediately grabbed a chocolate eclair and stuffed her mouth. "This is amazing!"
We were back in the Outpost.
Since the area was clear... and since I had set up the perimeter with coilguns that I could remotely operate, we were all having a strategy meeting in my office.
To that end, I had placed a stack of donut boxes on my desk, with coffee to go around as everyone sat down.
Marian and Rapi immediately took the seats to my right and left, respectively.
Neon and Anis took seats on the side of the table to my right.
Finally, Nami, Suri, and Hana took seats on the side of the table to my left.
"Alright." I grabbed a simple glazed donut and a cup of coffee. "Strategy session and future planning. Shifty mentioned earlier today that Chief Andersen wants us to investage a research base up north to find information about a group of Nikke called 'Pilgrims.'"
Marian nibbled on a caramel glazed donut and then tilted her head. "Pilgrims? Is that a squad name?"
Rapi hummed, sipping on her coffee. "Pilgrims... it sounds vaguely familiar."
"Ooh!" Neon held up her hand. "Are they like a legendary party? Like the Goddess Squad?"
I shrugged. "Maybe? I don't have the details, but from what Shifty sent me after our talk, it seems like they're on our side, just on independent missions."
The info was scarce, but the data packet that Shifty sent on our way back to the Outpost showed that Pilgrims were apparently friendly to humanity and that if we met them, we should aid them if possible.
Considering how I vaguely remembered 'Pilgrims' being a group of Nikke you could recruit in game, that made sense.
Nami shyly raised her hand. "Are we being deployed as well then, Commander?"
Hana hesitated. "Yes... Did you want us along as well? It might be difficult... but we'll do our best."
I shook my head. "No. If all of us leave, the Outpost will be left vulnerable."
Suri paused in the middle of dunking a frosted donut into her coffee. Looking at me, she said, "Did you want us to stay here then? By ourselves?"
I nodded. "That's right. You're all still new to combat. While you have proper combat specs, you don't have experience. Fortunately, the Outpost is well fortified, and Raptures keep showing up in manageable numbers. Not to mention the fact that this is a strategic situation... worst case scenario, you can flag reinforcements."
Nami let out a relieved sigh.
Hana visibly relaxed and then nodded. "We can do that."
Suri frowned. "...Won't it be dangerous?"
"It will be. But it's known danger. My concern with you isn't in your combat specifics, but in your adaptability to unpredictable Raptures. I've left a manual of common Rapture morphologies and weaknesses for you to study. My goal for you three since you're basically blank slates is to train with those methodologies and eventually continue training future recruits." I pulled out a manual from my desk and slid it over.
Suri took it and flipped through, carefully studying the pictures. Nami and Hana both leaned in, studying it as well.
Neon peered from her side of the table and gasped. "Is that a cheatsheet for fighting Raptures?!"
Anis's eyes widened. "When did you have the time to make this, Commander?"
"The recycling facility is very versatile. Also, I ended up doing it anyway while I was studying what was salvageable, so I just recorded it."
Rapi looked over as well and said, "...This could revolutionize Rapture combat protocols."
"And it already is. I heard Chief Andersen is already working on making this standard." I paused. "Well, the general theory. I haven't showed this manual to anyone else yet."
Suri placed her hand over the cover of the manual and looked at me with her clear blue eyes. For once, a bit of light returned in them. "...Leave it to us, Commander."
Nami nodded. "Yes! We'll study hard and practice so we can teach it too!"
Hana smiled. "It's a bit too much still thinking about going on a mission... but if it's studying like this, it's doable. Thank you for considering that, Commander."
I smiled. "Of course I considered it. You're all my responsibility, you know?"
"Ugh." Anis sighed. "You're always being so cheesy like that, Commander." Despite her words, she had a warm smile on her face. "You've gotta be careful, you know? At this rate, we can't even work with other Commanders."
I gave a serious nod back at her. "That's the point. This is an order. Ignore anyone else who tries to command you all. You're under my direct command. And I am confident that anyone else is inferior. Thus, my commands take precedence. Until proven otherwise, operate under that premise."
All the Nikke shared a look. Then they looked at me again.
Rapi was the first to break the silence. "...You're ordering us to commit insubordination?"
"No." I said calmly. "I'm informing you that any other commander giving you orders is an attempt at inciting insubordination. Unless it's the Deputy Chief Andersen specifically, and only because he knows his stuff, you don't answer to anyone but me."
Silence.
All the Nikke took their time processing my words.
But I let the silence sit.
This was a test- No, a confirmation.
In my research, I looked up how Nikke were made from the Recyling Center's databases.
And I learned that it was via injecting nanomachines into a female brain.
While the specifics obviously weren't detailed, it DID explain that Nikkes were created in the form of said female's ideal. And that lacking a clear image resulted in turning into a mass-produced Nikke.
I also learned that the nanomachines were the reason why certain things were 'hard-coded' into Nikke, like being unable to shoot a human.
...But at the end of the day, it was still a female brain in a mechanical body.
A human in a suit.
Moreover...
'If it's a nanomachine, then it can't be too complicated.'
...There was a high probability that the nanomachines were actually just piggybacking off the human brain instead of having directives in themselves.
Kind of like flashing an OS onto a hard drive before copying the data onto a new drive.
But said drive was a brain... which was adaptable. Neuroplastic.
Meaning...
'The mind can control the nanomachines.'
...There weren't any 'true' hard limits.
And even if there WERE 'hard limits' encoded, those didn't account for semantics.
So...
"Huh." Anis slowly blinked. "That... makes sense. Weird." She rubbed her chin. "...I strangely feel like I can tell another commander to shove it right now."
Neon gave me a thumbs up. "Order received, Master! Even though I'm a spy, you're my real boss! I'll make sure to stick to your directives!"
Nami looked concerned. "Is it really fine...? I'm... well, I feel like I could ignore orders now too. But I'm not sure that's a good thing..."
Hana let out a sigh of relief. "Good thing or bad thing, what matters is that we don't have to listen."
Suri stared at me before saying, "Commander."
"Yes, Suri?"
"...You're dangerous."
"Clearly." I nodded and finished my donut. "Now, back to the main topic. Although there wasn't a set time limit on when to set out to the north, I'd like to set off before the week's end. So..."