CHAPTER 3: TAG TEAM 101

“CBT-002 reporting: all Androids at 122’s coordinates eliminated. Target confirmed as a black-clad Homunculus, 98% match with Reaper profile. Requesting support—” An ice arrow whizzed past my shoulder at blinding speed, exposing the metal frame beneath my synthetic skin. “I have a question,” the Reaper spoke. “Was it you who destroyed that dragon earlier?”

“Kulshedra was a priority target per Command’s orders—” Another ice arrow grazed my shoulder, widening the tear. “I won’t miss again. Answer properly,” the Reaper said, her voice icy.

“Target locked… 100%... awaiting firing command.”

A W4RDOG fired from behind, aimed at the spot where the Reaper and I faced off. In a split second, I leapt aside, narrowly escaping disaster. Everything in the beam’s path was flattened, including a section of the forest, revealing a hidden cave entrance. I scanned the area and checked my radar—no trace of the Reaper remained within range.

“Farewell, Reaper,” 148 smirked, his twisted glee barely concealed behind that repulsive grin. He’d do anything to feed his bloodlust, even harm his own teammates.

“148, you’ve violated Android protocol—attacking a teammate and using them as bait without consent!” 129 rushed in, her face brimming with anger. “Your actions will be reported to Command. Prepare for punishment!”

“Relax, we’re in a warzone,” 148 replied smugly. “Sacrifices happen in war. For a rusty heap like 002, being bait beats decommissioning, right?” He erupted into savage laughter. But his amusement didn’t last long. The ground beneath him shifted, locking his feet in place. Panic flashed across 148’s face, mirrored by me and 129.

“Target locked… 100%... awaiting command.”

“Fire.”

A voice rang out from above. The Reaper—previously disguised as a crow—clapped her hands together, unleashing a massive pillar of fire that crashed down on 148, mimicking W4RDOG’s attack. In an instant, his entire body was reduced to ash. All that remained were his feet, still trapped in the earth.

“See you next time, scrap metal.”

By transforming into a crow, the Reaper had masked nearly all her mana, making it harder for my radar and scanning systems to track her. 129 and I quickly regrouped. My analysis systems raced, searching for a counter-strategy. “002, I have an idea…” 129 whispered, a spark flickering in her silver eyes. “I’ll buy as much time as I can. Whether this plan succeeds depends on you.” I nodded silently, relaxing my body and focusing my consciousness. Immediately, 129 charged recklessly at the Reaper, preparing to strike. The Reaper glided aside gracefully, hurling a barrage of lightning bolts at 129. Another Android might’ve had their consciousness sent back to the Server by now, but for 129, it was nothing.

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She might not be the strongest Android, nor the fastest.

But she had the most advanced defenses.

A third-generation guardian Android, designation DEF-129.

In a flash, THE SHIEL2 armor strapped to her back enveloped her completely in blood-red plating, the eyes on her mask glowing as her strength and defenses surged. “GLORY TO MIDGARD!!” 129 roared, landing a punch straight into the Reaper’s face, deforming half of it. The Reaper seemed caught off guard, unable to fathom how 129 withstood her attack. 129 pressed forward, hammering the Reaper with earth-shaking blows, tearing her body apart, blood splattering everywhere. For a moment, the Reaper could only curl up defensively, focusing on regenerating her lost flesh. No matter how powerful she was, the Homunculi’s shared weakness in close combat shone through.

“TAKE THIS!!” 129 channeled her strength into her right fist, driving all her power toward the Reaper’s core—the heart of a Homunculus. The blow was so forceful that 129’s arm pierced through the Reaper’s body, her head dropping instantly, mask falling away. It seemed the Reaper had been defeated.

“Maybe I worried too much. We didn’t need—” A faint sound cut her off. The Reaper, hands drenched in blood, gripped 129’s arm still lodged in her chest, radiating immense heat that slowly melted the armored gauntlet. As 129 tried to pull back, the ground had already locked her feet in place, just like 148’s. Her gauntlet melted completely, synthetic skin blistering from the intense heat. Without hesitation, 129 tore her trapped arm free, activating THE SHIEL2’s emergency escape mode. A thrust propelled her into the air, strong enough to crush her legs, and she crashed down behind, lying motionless.

“You’re not like the others. You’ve earned my respect. Good fight,” the Reaper said, pulling the remnants of 129’s arm from her chest, her torn body regenerating swiftly. She approached slowly, raising an ice blade high, ready to finish 129.

“Not so fast.”

A massive machine crashed down from the sky, landing right where the Reaper stood. She leapt back instinctively as dust billowed thickly.

“You’re late…” 129 managed a weak smile.

“My apologies. It’s my first time syncing with this device. It’s still experimental, but it’ll handle the Reaper,” my voice echoed from within the machine.

As the dust cleared, a towering robot emerged before the Reaper—red eyes blazing, muscular arms equipped with weapons, wings spread defiantly. Carved across its chest:

“DEATH RIDER5”.