Episode 109: Strategy
Having assessed the mercenaries' capabilities, Dawson immediately finalized his approach to instruction.
He contacted General Kernel and purchased a portable strategy board for each mercenary. Then he and Oine altered the program for interpersonal combat.
The following day, Dawson distributed the modified strategy boards, one to each mercenary.
"Your first objective is to beat the program on the strategy board. Until that goal is achieved, your pay will be halved."
The mercenaries reacted with alarm to Dawson's declaration.
"What is this?!"
"Who gave you the right to cut our pay arbitrarily?!"
Dawson met their furious protests with a cold stare through his mask.
"Do not misunderstand. The reduction in pay is not my doing. It is your doing."
Before the mercenaries could respond, Dawson explained his reasoning.
The pay you receive is based on the assumption that you can perform fleet combat. If your ability does not even match the level of the strategy board’s program, then it is natural that the pay for the fleet combat you cannot perform will be deducted.
Dawson’s argument was sound. A few of the mercenaries appeared to accept it.
Most of the mercenaries, however, looked dissatisfied with the decision.
“So you just cut pay without consulting anyone?!”
“I’m not the one you should complain to. The decision was made by the company’s CEO, General Kernel. And if you solve the strategy board before the next payday, your pay will remain unchanged. There is no issue, as far as I can see.”
Dawson delivered a logical blow while also offering reassurance to the mercenaries.
“That wasn’t mentioned, but the one who clears the first and second strategy boards will take charge of the mercenaries. Since they’ll be in charge, their pay will naturally increase. While we’re complaining, I hope someone takes first or second place.”
Dawson’s explanation ended with a dramatic shift in the mercenaries’ demeanor.
That was to be expected. These were the same mercenaries who had complained about reduced pay. Now that a clear path to higher pay was presented, their focus on achieving it was immediate and obvious.
The mercenaries powered on the portable strategy boards handed to them and immediately rushed to begin clearing them.
Yet this was Dawson and Oine’s modified program, even if only for one night. Difficulty was fixed at maximum (Very Hard), and the fleet movements of the installed brain (CPU) had become notably unpredictable.
Of course, since a level unplayable by the creator would be pointless, Dawson could manage it with minor adjustments.
This meant that anyone lacking the skill to rank second at the Amato Imperial Japan Officer Academy had no chance of success.
The pirates could not possibly clear a strategy board of such difficulty.
“Gah—what is this!? It’s like someone’s actually controlling it!?”
“Ah, right there—!”
“Good, good, leading the way to victory—wait, ambush!?”
The pirates were engrossed in the strategy board, yet despairing cries rose from them.
Makoto’s interest sharpened as no one seemed capable of breaking through.
“Senior. Is there a margin of error on the strategy board?”
“There is. I expected you’d ask to try.”
“Got it. Thank you, senior.”
Makoto took the strategy board and began the attempt immediately.
He lost the first round without resistance.
…Senior. First attempt, instant elimination. Isn’t that harsh?”
“Based on what the incompetent instructors and noble instructors did to me. The difficulty is adjusted, though.”
“Ah. That’s why it felt familiar. I see.”
Makoto, a commoner, understood the board’s difficulty. He had faced similar treatment from nobles and sycophantic instructors before.
With that understanding, the strategy board’s CPU actions became predictable. Progress accelerated sharply, nearing completion.
"Considering how many first-time kills there are, we should be able to break through after about ten more attempts."
"One of the objectives is to improve the mercenaries' response capabilities. The scenario is designed so that after enduring every conceivable unjust situation, the solution becomes apparent."
"In other words, a so-called 'death game'."
"Unlike real combat, there is no death in the digital environment. Fail as many times as necessary and learn from each failure."
Dawson spoke, yet even Makoto, who had graduated from the Officer Academy, required ten failures—after recognizing the pattern—before achieving a successful strategy board completion.
Among the mercenaries, those lacking endurance gave up early.
"Are you kidding? I joined as a mercenary to make easy money, not to endure this!"
"Stop it! Stop! Continuing like this will drive me mad!"
Dawson spoke to the mercenary who had abandoned the strategy board.
It’s fine if you stop. If you don’t care that you’re being used like a tool by others, then go ahead.
What?!
I said it earlier. The first and second to solve the strategy board will lead the mercenaries. If someone you dislike ends up in charge, what kind of role will be forced upon you?
Dawson spoke as if threatening. The mercenaries glanced at several others among their ranks.
It seemed genuine hostility existed. The group in question was focused intensely on solving the strategy board.
…Damn it. Just do it. Do it already.
I won’t let myself be used like a tool.
They picked up the discarded strategy board and resumed the solution.
The mercenaries continued their solution in silence for a time. As time passed, those with ill intent began to appear.
Watching how others attempted the solution was a childish act.
Some attempted to disrupt those succeeding, forcing the method from them by coercion.
Dawson could have intervened. He chose to leave the matter to the mercenaries’ autonomy.
The one who solved the strategy board would become the leader of the mercenaries. Those who yielded to peer pressure and revealed their method were deemed unfit for leadership.
After a little more time passed, the mercenaries seemed to realize they could not solve the board through their own strength.
What then?
They were pirates. When something was not available, they thought in terms of taking it from somewhere else.
If it is a strategy board, one can learn the method from someone who knows it.
Who would that person be? Dawson or Oine.
Dawson is known to be skilled. The mercenaries' target is therefore Oine, who resembles a co-developer.
Oine appears as a girl in her mid-teens.
If captured in a full nelson, she could serve as a guidebook to the solution and as a shield against Dawson. There is no reason not to target her.
One mercenary stands up, feigning the need for a break, and walks toward Oine at a casual pace.
At close range, the mercenary extends both arms and lunges to embrace her.
Dawson and Makoto do not react.
No— they are aware of the mercenary’s movement and have judged it non-threatening. They choose not to react.
"Sexual harassment is a crime, you know?"
Oine spoke the warning as she extended both hands and drove a front kick into the mercenary's open jaw, leaping upward.
"Ogh—"
The mercenary's jaw was struck from below, his neck snapping backward so violently it felt like his vertebrae would break. He fell onto his back, unconscious. The mercenary's jaw swelled rapidly, deformed from the impact. The jawbone had fractured, causing internal bleeding.
The other mercenaries trembled, seeing how a slender figure could shatter an adult's jaw.
Dawson knew Oine's body was combat-grade, so such a feat was expected. Makoto knew Oine was an artificial intelligence, and therefore her body was mechanical—nothing about this surprised her.
"Surely not the first to drop out from a fever, but from a fracture."
Dawson spoke with a tone of disbelief, his gaze sweeping over the other mercenaries.
"This fool is, at least, an employee of Coaster. A fracture during duty time requires treatment. So, is there anyone who will take him to the medical bay?"
The mercenaries avoided eye contact, focusing instead on the tactical board.
Dawson gave a gesture suggesting resignation, then entrusted Makoto and Oine with surveillance before grabbing the unconscious mercenary’s leg and carrying him to the medical bay.
As he left the room, he turned back and issued a warning to the others.
A clear warning: it is not necessary to complete the challenge alone. Collaboration among multiple individuals is acceptable. However, if multiple individuals are involved, discuss and agree beforehand who will lead upon successful completion. Do not cause bloody disputes after the task is finished and overload the medical bay.
Dawson turned back, issued the warning, then dragged the unconscious mercenary toward the medical bay.