A young woman with short silver hair stood there, observing the scene with keen interest. A vibrant lock of red hair hung gracefully over her forehead.
However, if one looked closer, they'd notice that perhaps the silver was the highlight—underneath, her hair was predominantly red.
Her refined, delicate features radiated an air of maturity beyond her years.
She wore a sleek one-piece uniform, primarily black with sharp red detailing along the collar, accentuating her slender figure and stopping just above her thighs.
Around one of her shapely thighs sat a striking red thigh band, snugly pressed into her soft skin, accentuating its supple curve.
Her pale, flawless skin flushed faintly red, reminiscent of an exquisitely ripe peach, tender and inviting, enough to stir hunger in anyone who looked.
As the ground beneath her trembled continually from the mines, her thighs quivered subtly, creating tantalizing ripples like the surface of a delicately set jelly—a mesmerizing sight.
This young woman was none other than Topaz, director of the IPC and the one in charge of the current operation.
Under her watchful gaze, a massive, grotesque Giant Swarm bug slowly emerged from the depths of the mine, its terrifyingly sharp mandibles glistening ominously.
Unperturbed, Topaz continued calmly manipulating a gold coin, deftly flipping it between her slender fingers.
Nearby, IPC employees unleashed a torrent of firepower upon the gigantic bug, yet it showed little effect.
Unlike the typical True Stings that exploded suicidally, this one seemed heavily armored, acting like a fortress that shielded smaller bugs beneath its bulk.
Given such disciplined coordination, it suggested a "leader" bug nearby.
Unfortunately, the leader was usually extremely small, making it difficult to pinpoint among the swarming horde.
To quickly eliminate this group of True Stings, they either had to destroy the giant one through brute force or locate and neutralize the leader.
Given her rank as one of the IPC's elite Ten Stonehearts, either task would normally be straightforward—but right now, Topaz had little interest in intervening directly.
Notably, no bugs had appeared in the Upper District at all, yet the Underworld was suddenly swarmed with them.
Although that woman named Cocolia likely couldn't control creatures of Propagation directly, something suspicious was undeniably going on.
Furthermore, an infestation of the Swarm dramatically reduced the planet's immediate commercial appeal—even with the presence of the valuable military factory below.
If the IPC board learned the full extent of the invasion, they'd probably leave Jarilo-VI to fend for itself. Profit always came first.
If the planet fell to ruin, so be it. If it survived against all odds, its value would only rise, and the IPC could acquire it later.
Correction: Given the enormous existing debt, Jarilo-VI was effectively IPC property already.
Thinking this, Topaz crossed her arms lightly beneath her chest, gently lifting the fullness of her figure, and softly shook her head.
"Honestly, compared to that manipulative woman, I find her daughter, Bronya, more suitable. If only she were the Supreme Guardian, negotiations would be much simpler."
This unfortunate planet's plight strongly reminded Topaz of her own homeworld. Knowing Jarilo-VI's struggles firsthand, she genuinely wished to help.
In her view, rather than struggling endlessly or facing inevitable death, it was better for the planet's inhabitants to sell their future to the IPC, allowing it to aid reconstruction. That would be much simpler.
Of course, it also meant the planet would become fully IPC property.
At that moment, an IPC employee hurriedly approached Topaz, urgently reporting:
"Director Topaz, our manpower is limited, and we're about to be overwhelmed."
To fully unleash her Stoneheart powers would require a formal request. But if that happened, it would escalate this conflict far beyond her preference.
She pressed her lips together thoughtfully, then responded quietly:
"I understand. In that case, begin a fighting retreat. Inform the people of Belobog exactly what's happening here. Let their precious Supreme Guardian handle it—we won't fight their battles for free."
Relaying this warning was already Topaz's greatest mercy, giving the Underworld's residents precious time to escape.
She had no intention of punishing ordinary citizens; the one responsible was clearly Cocolia.
The IPC soldiers swiftly carried out her orders. Unlike Wildfire, the IPC forces were highly trained, well-equipped, and disciplined, retreating carefully under suppressive fire without casualties.
Topaz watched them withdraw, murmuring softly:
"I just hope that woman has some semblance of a Supreme Guardian's duty left. Her arrogant indifference suggests she has something powerful backing her."
Turning away as the enormous Swarm bug advanced methodically toward Boulder Town—acting as a mobile fortress for smaller bugs—Topaz prepared to leave.
Suddenly, something flew right over her head—a familiar piggy bank, rushing straight at the giant bug, ridden by a…blue-gray cat wearing a cowboy hat?
Topaz's eyes widened in shock.
"Numby?"
"Numby, come back! It's dangerous over there!"
Seeing this strange sight, Topaz immediately stepped forward. Even without invoking her Stoneheart powers, she possessed formidable Path abilities. Losing Numby to a bug explosion was unacceptable.
But before she could act, she froze in place, stunned by the utterly bizarre scene unfolding before her.
Midair, the cat pulled a rope from behind its back, flinging it expertly toward the Giant True Sting. The ordinary rope twisted impossibly through the swarm of smaller bugs, dodging expertly until it neatly tied itself around one of the giant bug's antennae.
Satisfied, Tom gave a confident nod.
Then, with a gentle tug, he brought Numby to a midair halt. Apparently, Tom had decided Numby was now a flying pig.
Gracefully dismounting in midair, Tom tied the rope's other end securely around Numby's body, forming a makeshift "bridge."
From behind his back, Tom produced a long balancing stick and a unicycle.
Riding the unicycle effortlessly across the rope, Tom approached the giant bug with incredible speed.
As several smaller True Stings approached, the rope under Tom impossibly bent into a neat U-shape, casually dodging their attacks.
Within moments, Tom had reached the massive creature.
Facing such a colossal insect, Tom scratched his head in brief confusion, unsure how best to proceed.
Well… it's still just a bug, right?
Though momentarily stunned by this utterly surreal spectacle, Topaz quickly regained her composure.
While Tom's methods were inexplicable—even to someone of her strength—simply reaching the giant bug was hardly impossible. With her own Path powers, she could've managed something similar.
The real issue remained: How could he possibly defeat something with such immense defensive capabilities?
Without significant firepower, the bug's shell couldn't possibly—
Smack!
Tom casually slapped a flyswatter down onto the giant bug's thick armor.
A crisp sound echoed through the massive mine, drowned amidst the explosions and gunfire from the ongoing battle.
However, the next instant—
That colossal True Sting, following Tom's utterly casual tap, immediately flattened into a thin smear of insect pulp on the ground.
Topaz stared, mouth agape, utterly dumbfounded.
"Huh?!"