Pick Me Up!-Chapter 316: Mission Type, Transcendence (1)
One week later.
On the 7th floor of Niflheim, in the central hangar, an airship was preparing for departure.
A medium-class vessel constructed for special operations—Sleipnir.
Its obsidian-black, sleek body bore the crest of Niflheim carved into its hull.
It was the flagship chosen for the high-speed breakthrough phase of the Eden Assault Operation.
“Status of operation readiness?”
At the top level of the hangar, in the command room, Siris asked the adjutant beside her.
“External armor and anti-aircraft cannons installed. Contamination countermeasures complete. Combat supplies and fuel are at full capacity. We’re ready for deployment at any time.”
“Good work. Once the operation officially begins, have the fleet assemble in Dimension 1000. If we succeed, a dimensional gate to the Boundary will open.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then issue a standby order to all troops.”
“As you command! Glory to the Black Goat!”
The young officer snapped a sharp salute to Siris, then exited the control room.
At last...
Aaron clenched his trembling hand into a fist.
The day of the operation had finally arrived. In the control room, the 13th Floor members assigned to board the Sleipnir had gathered, along with senior Niflheim officers and aides who had come to see them off. All the assembled heroes stared solemnly through the reinforced glass at the airship beyond.
I did everything I could.
The tip of Ruin’s spear had been sharpened.
He had practiced the feeling of plunging the weapon into a target countless times.
The spear strapped to his back gleamed coldly.
Brother, I’m coming.
Aaron’s eyes sharpened.
“Have you all finished saying goodbye to your subordinates?”
Siris asked, sweeping her gaze across the room.
Ridigion, having just finished speaking with his secretary, chuckled.
“We’ll see them again soon enough. Told her to go sharpen my sword.”
“I’m all set too!”
“Nothing left for me either,” Yurnet said, closing her book.
To the right of the control room, a dimensional gate already connected to Sleipnir had been established.
The operational crew...
Aaron glanced around.
The Eden assault was meant to be carried out by the First Party alone, but there were more people boarding than originally planned.
Yurnet had initially been slated to manage Sleipnir’s systems solo, but once word of the mission spread, numerous heroes volunteered.
In the end, ten mechanics were selected to handle internal repairs, controls, and anti-aircraft weaponry, along with two operators responsible for relaying mission updates. Every one of them had accepted the possibility of death.
“I’ll say this again—your survival during this mission cannot be guaranteed. If you want to back out, do so now.”
“No, ma’am! Please allow us to contribute to the effort to save the Master!”
The man leading the mechanic group shouted.
Siris sighed softly, then nodded.
“I trust everyone has reviewed the mission briefing from last night.”
Everyone in the command room stood at once.
Siris cast a clear, piercing gaze over them all, then gripped the hilt of Levatein.
The red scabbard shimmered with radiant light.
“All units, board. Light the fire of the Fallen Star.”
“All units boarding. Mission commencement.”
Vrrrmm!
The dimensional gate in the corner of the room flashed faintly.
A sign that the passage had been activated. Siris took the lead and stepped inside.
The heroes followed in a solemn procession.
Hoo...
Aaron took several deep breaths.
Once he passed through that gate, there would be no turning back.
I’m sorry, Nina. But I’ll come see you. I promise.
Siris had promised him leave after the mission.
He would see his sister’s face again.
He could even bring his master back home.
“Let’s go! Glory to Niflheim!”
Next, the non-combat personnel entered.
The two operators and ten mechanics filed into the gate in orderly rows.
“We wish you all victory.”
High-ranking officers within Niflheim’s top 100 watched from behind.
Outside the control room, in the plaza, thousands of Niflheim’s heroes were likely cheering them on.
I’ll board last.
The total number of passengers aboard Sleipnir: seventeen.
Aaron moved toward the rear of the line.
“Hm?”
A senior officer scanning the line narrowed his eyes.
He leaned in to whisper to his superior.
“There seems to be a discrepancy in the selected personnel.”
“What discrepancy?”
“We were told there would be seventeen passengers. But look over there—eighteen. One extra. When was another mechanic added?”
“I’ll verify.”
A middle-aged man in uniform stepped forward.
“Everyone halt! Step away from the dimensional gate!”
The boarding line stopped.
After checking the line once, the man narrowed his eyes.
“Seems there’s a rat among us.”
His gaze landed on Aaron, who stood at the very end.
Aaron saluted with precision and opened his mouth.
“Sir Naidelk! This mission cannot tolerate even the smallest mistake. I ask that you take appropriate measures!”
“......”
“Our Niflheim has made many enemies. The enemy may have sent spies from the remaining unpurged waiting rooms!”
Aaron ran a hand through his hair.
Then spoke quietly.
“There’s no issue.”
“...What?”
“I received a new report yesterday. Eleven mechanics were selected for this mission.”
“I’ve never heard such a report...”
The officer paused in thought, then awkwardly saluted.
“My apologies! Such matters should indeed be reported to the highest authority. Forgive me for disrupting the flow. For Niflheim’s victory.”
The uniformed officer stepped back.
Boarding resumed.
Highest authority, huh.
Aaron was neither from Niflheim nor someone who had accomplished anything extraordinary.
He was merely a parachute case—placed in the 13th Floor by Müden, who had stepped aside for him.
And yet, no one protested.
There was only one reason.
Their absolute trust in Niflheim—and in Loki.
To think discipline like this could exist...
Aaron stepped back into line.
Then he approached the mischievous stowaway.
“Miss Jena.”
A nearby mechanic walking beside him pulled her cap down low.
“This sort of behavior won’t end well. If you’re found out, you’ll be kicked out immediately.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, sir.”
“You won’t be able to hide your identity once we’re aboard.”
“Jena? I don’t know anyone by that name~”
Sigh...
Aaron let out a deep breath.
“We’ll talk inside.”
“Oh, what business does a famed 13th Floor hero have with a humble mechanic like me?”
The girl winked her brown eyes playfully and stepped through the dimensional gate.
Aaron followed after her.
On the other side of the gate, a long corridor awaited.
The second deck of the Sleipnir. At the far end of the corridor was the ship’s main control room.
“This way.”
Aaron grabbed the girl’s arm and pulled her into a storage room off to the side.
He locked the door from the inside, then removed her cap.
Round brown eyes. Red hair. A playful sparkle in her gaze as she looked around.
“Niflheim’s airship sparkles even on the inside! They must’ve dumped a mountain of money into this.”
“Miss Jena.”
“Why’re you calling me that?”
“What are you doing here...?”
“Well, obviously, I came to help my brother.”
Jena shrugged her shoulders.
“Like that scary-looking lady would give me the time of day if I tried talking to her. Unlike you, Aaron-oppa, I don’t have connections. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve sweet-talked the Director last time I came.”
“So...”
“So I snuck in.”
Jena grinned playfully.
“You could go back home now, couldn’t you?”
“I was going to... but suddenly I felt really bitter about it. They praised me like I was the right hand of God, and then as soon as I’m not useful, they toss me away like garbage. Isn’t it the same for you, Aaron-oppa? You’re not about to say it’s fine for you to stay but not for me, right? That’d be really disappointing.”
“...That’s...”
Aaron trailed off.
Jena nudged him in the side with her elbow.
“If you help me out a little, I could be pretty useful in this operation, you know?”
She rummaged through her coat and pulled out a small glowing stone.
“Know what this is? It’s a dimensional stone. Bell-oppa and I went through hell to get it. If you shake it...”
Vwoom!
A pulse of vivid magic rippled out, and a dimensional gate began to form.
Jena waved her hand, dispelling the gate, then tucked the stone away.
“It can open a gate to Townia.”
Her tone was mischievous, but her eyes couldn’t have been more serious.
Aaron frowned, thinking hard. He could tell—Jena wasn’t joking. She had truly come here to help his brother.
Even so...
It wasn’t something to take lightly.
His voice came out low and firm.
“The place we’re going is severely contaminated. And the enemies there... they’re beyond anything you’d call a monster. You’ll have to be ready to die. There’s no need for you to go through that—”
“No.”
Jena seized Aaron’s right hand.
She squeezed so hard the back of her hand turned white.
“I’ll go home eventually, but I can’t end things like this. I want to see my brother again, in our hometown. The others feel the same way. Like you said, I—we—came here prepared to risk our lives. I’ve been hiding onboard and listening in on the mission briefings. Let us help. We’ll be useful. I promise.”
“How many of you are there?”
“Bell-oppa, Kishasha-unni, and Katio too. Ah—you probably don’t know them. There are more. They all made up their minds. For you, who fought for us.”
Jena and Aaron locked eyes.
Then Aaron exhaled deeply.
“...We’ll have to keep this from Siris.”
“Duh! Obviously!”
They’d definitely get an earful later.
But if it’s for my brother... I can endure that.
Aaron continued.
“Wait here. Stay in this storeroom.”
“Aye aye! Jena Corps standing by for deployment!”
She gave a bold salute. freёweɓnovel.com
Heroes of Townia...
Aaron recalled the man named Belkist.
That fierce, talented fighter had once brought about Aaron’s own demotion.
...Hah.
He had hoped to cross blades with that man again someday.
Aaron shook his head and left the storage room. Before long, he arrived at Sleipnir’s command bridge.
The bridge spanned over 100 pyeong.
At the front was a giant viewing window, with panels and control stations flanking both sides.
Nihaku, standing beside the captain’s seat in the center, turned around.
“What ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) took you so long, junior? Stomachache?”
“Yes, sorry about that.”
Aaron cleared his throat.
“You’re not a very good liar, kid.”
Ridigion, leaning against the wall near the door, smirked.
Aaron flinched.
“We just got a report—someone else boarded the ship.”
“...”
“I won’t ask questions.”
“...Thank you.”
Aaron glanced around the bridge.
Sleipnir had already left Niflheim and was heading toward Server 1 at high speed.
Siris stood at the front, reviewing the operation dossier, while Yurnet chanted a spell from atop a large magic circle on the right side.
Good thing they’re both busy.
Aaron sighed with relief.
If either of them found out, this wouldn’t pass quietly.
Yurnet’s voice rang out through the command bridge.
Soon, a hologram of a robed woman appeared on the main panel.
<I am Cizel of Möbius. Can you hear me, people of Niflheim?>
“We hear you. Looks like the link is stable.”
Siris responded.
Cizel raised her hand.
And at that moment—
[Pick Me Up!]
A massive hologram message flashed across the left side of the bridge.
[Welcome, Master Amkena, to Pick Me Up!]
[Patch Code 1103 – Account name changed to ‘Niflheim.’]
[Patch Code 5313 – Control menu and login method updated.]
[Patch Code 3365 – Data transmission method revised.]
[Patch Code 9754......]
The login message from Amkena, the Master of Townia.
[Loading complete.]
[T O U C H ! (Select)]
Amkena’s interface entered the main menu.
Her control panel now showed the image of Sleipnir exiting the current field.
