Arknights: Mobile City

Pioneer strolled at a leisurely pace at the rear, Laurentina walked with her usual swagger in the middle, and Texas led the way at the front, glancing back now and then—unable to hide her exasperation.

Of the three, Texas was easily the most cautious, always gripping her ID Card. As for Laurentina and Pioneer… the mood felt more like a stroll in the countryside than an expedition into danger.

Texas had come to rely on her ID Card completely now—not out of paranoia, but simply because it was just too useful.

But things weren't quite as carefree as Texas imagined. Pioneer, or rather, Obsidian himself, was actually hard at work.

Right now, Obsidian was continually adjusting the dilution of K Corp's ampoules, making sure the formula would heal Terrans properly, not melt their bodies down to raw matter.

Once perfected, he transferred the doses to Pioneer through the City's authority.

That was why Pioneer seemed so relaxed.

With ampoules in hand, Texas and Laurentina practically had extra lives. If the three of them couldn't clear this laboratory, it'd be more realistic for the City to disband on the spot.

"Wait, something ahead…"

Texas suddenly halted, sharp as ever. Laurentina stopped almost simultaneously; both had picked up on faint, rustling sounds up ahead.

"You hear something?"

Obsidian's voice was low, but he didn't pause—just kept moving, much to Laurentina and Texas's confusion. He looked straight at the lab door, then pushed it open with one smooth motion.

"That's the monster I was thinking of… If we want to explore this place, there's no way around killing it."

Pioneer's voice was even as his mechanical head turned to look at his two companions.

"All right—get ready."

"Tekelili!—"

The moment Pioneer pushed open the door, a piercing shriek echoed through the ruins. Texas and Laurentina's eyes widened as the creature came into view: a twisted lump of flesh with a dozen human limbs mashed together, like someone had forcibly kneaded a dozen bodies into one grotesque, tumor-like mass…

In its writhing hands, it wielded a number of well-crafted workshop weapons. The abominable thing rolled forward, its countless limbs flailing, launching itself at the trio.

Obsidian, watching from afar, raised an eyebrow as Pioneer spoke up:

"Huh, people-centric technology, huh?"

"What the hell… is that thing…?"

Texas was honestly sickened by the sight, while Pioneer stayed unfazed—almost bored.

Seen too much—hardly as disturbing as a Tomerry, honestly. Just another curiosity.

Still, Obsidian couldn't deny a glimmer of delight.

This is almost certainly the lab's handiwork… which means there's real tech hidden here.

Let it be something useful…

With that, Pioneer sidestepped, lashing out with a powerful kick. Over three hundred kilograms of force made the monster falter for a split second. Laurentina, meanwhile, revved her chainsaw and charged, slashing into flesh with a look of disgusted fury.

No artistic value whatsoever!

Who could make something this ugly?!

Texas fought down her nausea, slapped her ID Card into place, raised her gun, and fired.

[Suppressive Fire]

A new ability unlocked after her third breakthrough—suddenly, a web of bullets hammered into the creature, blood spraying as it lost its balance, only to slam down and lash at Laurentina and Texas with its workshop weapons.

The blades tore skin in an instant. Laurentina and Texas dodged as best they could, but fresh wounds bloomed across their bodies.

Just then, Pioneer calmly loaded a K Corp ampoule into his launcher.

The glimmering green fluid pulsed as Pioneer raised his hand and fired at both of them.

A momentary sting—and, to their surprise, their wounds instantly closed, perfectly healed.

"Keep fighting. I'll handle support."

Pioneer's tone was tranquil. Laurentina shot him a startled look.

She recognized it immediately: it was the same drug Pioneer had used to cure her Oripathy… She'd assumed it was rare, but from the way Pioneer used it now, it seemed practically mass-produced.

They're just using this miracle cure like it's nothing…?

Laurentina could only marvel inwardly as she plunged back into the fray.

Texas didn't hesitate, firing off [Impact Rounds] before closing in, swapping mags as she pressed the attack. In the end—

Point blank, Texas leveled her gun at the monster and pulled the trigger.

[Suppressive Fire]

The monster seized up. Then, in an explosion of gore, it burst apart. Texas stepped back, frowning as she released her Identity. Pioneer quickly followed up with two more ampoules—these were heavily diluted; any more and even Pioneer wouldn't dare, lest they risk bodily breakdown.

"Well done," Pioneer said lazily.

"There shouldn't be any more monsters. Let's see what this place holds."

With that, he strode deeper inside. The other two exchanged glances, then hurried after him.

After passing through a few rooms, Pioneer stepped into what was unmistakably a laboratory. He glanced around and murmured:

"Well… look at this haul."

Around him, tumors and fleshy growths floated in nutrient tanks—evidence enough that this was a biotech lab, and that monster had been born here.

His gaze fell on a stack of documents on a nearby table. He stepped over and began flipping through them. After a while, a grin spread across his face.

"Guess I owe the lab boss a thank-you for this."

He flicked the papers, murmuring under his breath. Before Texas and Laurentina could walk in, he swiftly stashed the documents, transmitting them to Obsidian's side.

All of it—the research, the data, every last note from this lab—

"Artificial Embryo Cultivation Technology."