I find myself sitting atop a building, our former main base, with Ilia standing by my side. Below us, the landscape is littered with the same drones as yesterday.
Amidst the chaos, there is an unexpected serenity to this underground hideout. I closed my eyes, allowing the occasional gust of wind to wash over me, offering a fleeting respite.
Ilia's voice cut through my thoughts. "What do you think we should do?"
I cast another long look at our devastated surroundings before letting out a sigh and rubbing the back of my head.
"I'm worried about what's happening back home, Ilia," I admit, slowly turned my head to look at her. "I've been checking the news, and it seems like other fronts are collapsing rapidly. If morale and faith in our cause keep plummeting..."
Her eyes widen as realization dawns upon her. "A civil war..."
I nod, choosing to remain silent for the moment.
"We need to contact the high leader!" My friend attempts to rush toward the building to retrieve her scroll. However, I swiftly grab her arm, halting her progress and pulling myself up from the floor.
She looks back at me, her expression a mixture of surprise and confusion.
"Don't," I caution, my deep seriousness. "The entire world is currently caught up in celebration, and Sienna wouldn't even believe you," I explained to her.
"But..." She starts to protest, but I shake my head and release her arm.
"Ilia, trust me. The best course of action is to speak with her in person. I don't want to risk any leaks," I explain, gesturing towards our surroundings once more. "Especially not here, where we're most vulnerable."
Vale is already aware that something unusual is happening in these ruins. I can only hope they are attributing the destruction of those drones to the Grimm, as no teams or attack drones have come to investigate.
At least not yet.
My friend lowers her gaze, anxiously chewing her lip. It's evident that she's wrestling with a decision, but after a while, she gives me a determined nod."I understand."
I manage a brief smile, as she quickly understood. However, that momentary relief quickly fades, replaced by a more solemn expression.
"I should assume our contacts in the city that could have helped us are either arrested or made a deal with Vale authorities to wash their hands or save their own skin."
"You... you're not wrong," she concedes, crossing her arms and looking away, her expression one of dejection. "We've lost everything, Adam."
"Figures… "I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.
I walk away, putting some distance between us as I take a moment to think.
With the latest piece of information, it's become painfully clear to me that Vale is beyond saving. If we ever want to attempt anything again, to rebuild and organize, it would entail starting from scratch. This would demand a significant amount of time and resources, neither of which we possess, and may never have, considering we've also lost contact with the main base in Menagerie due to the police raids.
Attempting communication, even with our encryption protocols in place, is a risky gamble. It's only a matter of time until the right people get their hands on it and crack the code.
So... What should we do now?
We can't afford to waste any more time here.
"Let's head back home," I declare, turning and returning to Ilia's side.
"What?" Her eyes go wide.
"Home ilia, this battle is lost. There is no point anymore, trying to hold out is a waste of time and what little resources we have left."
"Are…are we giving up?"
"No, never will. We can lose a battle, but we will win this war."
"But we were tasked with rebuilding and preparing for reinforcements. Those were the High Leader's final orders," she protests, her words leaving a subtle furrow on my brow.
So Sienna already gave new orders.
With slow, deliberate steps, I close the distance and gently grasp her shoulders, holding her in place. "Ilia, I don't know if you've heard yet, but Atlas' cell has already fallen, and we've lost everything we gained there as well. Mistral is likely to follow suit, and I give them less than a week." I pause for a moment. "And when things start to go south..."
She bites her lower lip, avoiding eye contact. "I know... I know we can't let our home destroy itself."
"Exactly," I agree, taking a step back. "Otherwise, we'll be easy prey for Atlas or Mistral forces."
A somber silence settles between us, just the two of us locked in contemplation.
"At the very least, we should find a way to help our people before we leave," she suggests, breaking the silence and capturing my attention with her proposal. "Leaving some sort of message, at the very least."
How can I help?
Any significant action would surely be investigated and traced back to us; me, making it not worth the risk. Yet, she's right; we should do something, even if it's small, to keep the embers of hope alive among our people.
Fuck, I should have invested in trace defense and information defense. It would have been a perfect addition to this alternate world.
But then, an idea emerges, one that fits the criteria.
"Which gang in Vale has private ships? Or bullheads? Any transport that can take us to Menagerie?" I ask her.
Dealing with these criminal groups isn't an ideal solution, but it would send a message, especially if they are specifically targeting our people. And as a bonus, we would get exactly what we need from them.
Ilia lowers her gaze, contemplating for a moment. "The Chromers," she responds. "They're an Atlas gang that recently settled in Vale. I know they own a couple of Bullheads, but they've modified them so extensively that we'd need one of their members to pilot it."
"The Chromers? I assume they have a strong distaste for 'meat bags,' as they put it," I remark, my frown deepening. A new group with so many augmentations is already a significant risk to the city itself; who knows when they might go full psycho. Yet the more pressing question is, why did Vale allow them to settle here in the first place?
My childhood friend simply nods, confirming my suspicions.
On the morbidly brighter side, these kinds of groups tend to hate everyone equally. They shouldn't pose much of a problem as long as you keep a low profile and avoid provoking them.
It's a twisted reality, but that's what everyone in the city already knows.
"Do we have any other options?" I ask, a bullhead not seeming like a good idea. It could draw attention, potentially be shot down if anyone recognizes who's piloting it, or attract a swarm of Nevermores. Having experienced their reckless suicidal attacks before, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine them hurling themselves at the engines to take us down.
Ilia furrows her brows for a moment, glancing to the right before returning her gaze to me. "Pax Electronica. They have a small fleet of cargo ships."
Her response immediately piques my interest. "I've never heard of that gang. How do they even have a fleet?"
Those kinds of people have shit logistics and wouldn't be able to maintain a single ship and keep it functional.
"Because they're not a gang," she clarifies, but then her expression sours. "They're a union of dockworkers."
"A workers' union?" I ask, bewildered by the notion of one existing in this world. It doesn't make sense, given how ruthless the Mega Corps are.
They don't even need to dirty their hands, just coax gangsters to do their bidding.
"It's mostly rumors, but it's said they're on the payroll of Sanus International Lines. We didn't havemany problems with them before, but a few years ago, a new leader rose to power and banned our people from seeking work in their territory, which happens to cover all the ports. Hundreds, if not thousands, lost their jobs," she explains with a frown.
Her words make me furrow my brow, and I stroke my chin thoughtfully.
Mega-corps are primarily profit-driven, so willingly sacrificing profits doesn't align with their interests, especially after they've just lost a highly exploitative and cheap labor force. Unless this change is ideologically driven by radicals, it's difficult to explain why such actions were taken.
If the changes were imposed solely by the union leader, the corporation, their real owner, would likely have pressured them to reverse the decision. This suggests that the changes must have come from higher up, from someone with enough influence to enforce them across the board.
Those are my own thoughts. Perhaps I'm missing more context.
What a mess.
All that thinking is unnecessary at the moment since I just found a good target, perfect for our efforts. A smirk curls across my lips. "We have somewhere to start."
This opportunity holds immense potential, especially for securing a cargo ship that can be loaded with much-needed supplies to take back home. If we execute our plan carefully, nobody will be the wiser, and we can mask our sudden departure as just another scheduled ship setting sail.
However, I can't afford to be overly optimistic. We'll have to see how things unfold when we reach that point.
I move toward the edge of the building and look down for a good place to land, preparing to leap off.
Ilia quickly catches up to me and stops me. "Wait. Are we leaving right now?"
"We have to," I reply firmly.
Ilia nods and swiftly turns back, sprinting straight for the staircase.
I raise an eyebrow, perplexed by her choice to take the staircases instead of jumping with me. Nevertheless, I don't let it deter me as I make the leap and land precisely where I intended. I glance upward instinctively. It wasn't much of a jump, just two floors; I've jumped higher.
Ilia might take a bit longer, so I stroll over to the nearby wall, lean against it, and cross my arms, waiting for her to finish whatever she needs to do inside.
I don't have to wait long, as she emerges from the building carrying two peculiar wheeled objects and she hands one of them to me.
My eyes focus on the object as I analyze it, attempting to discern anything special about it. Then it clicks in me, it's a modified roller used on the railway system, our primary means of transportation in Vale, and a way to catch up with moving trains.
But typically, we work with two of these rollers to move effectively on the railways, not just one. "Only one?"
"I know it's not ideal, but it's all I could recover," she admits with a tinge of sadness in her tone.
I sigh, understanding that more of these might have been lost in the midst of chaos. "Don't worry about it. We'll have to endure the trip, and if needed, we can always take breaks."
I'm confident in my ability to endure the journey with my robotic arm, but Ilia might require some rest along the way.
I'm aware that I have my solar surfer, which could easily carry one more person, but I decided not to reveal it to her, not yet, at least. I need time to create a believable explanation for how I acquired such advanced tech.
Ilia takes one last look around. "What about the base?"
"I've already destroyed everything crucial that we can't take with us. They know we were here, but when they come to investigate, they'll find nothing of significance," I explain with a half-truth. I gesture to a pair of backpacks I had left outside earlier.
Most of our remaining supplies have already been transported back to my home, though it was a bit annoying, popping in and out multiple times to move things using my pocket space.
"I see," she responds, her demeanor growing more somber.
I extend my normal hand and gently lift her chin, offering a reassuring smile to lift her spirits. "We'll be back, don't worry."
Ilia meets my gaze, but her eyes soon shift, a spark of anger glinting within them. "What about... Blake?"
Her words freeze me in place, my stomach boiling with intense emotion. I abruptly turn away, creating some distance, and my face contorts into an ugly expression.
"Forher sake, we won't cross paths again," I grit out between clenched teeth, feeling my nails digging into the palm of my hand.
"Are you forgiving her?! After what she did?!" Ilia yells indignantly, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and anger.
That becomes the final straw, and I lash out against the wall beside me. My right arm crashes into the surface, burying my entire fist within it. The unexpected strength catches me off guard, and I stare at my trapped arm for a moment, bewildered by the overwhelming display of strength. Slowly, I withdraw my hand from the wall, examining it in surprise.
Ilia is equally stunned, her eyes holding a hint of fear.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean..." she starts to say.
I raise a hand to stop her. "No, I shouldn't have lashed out," I admit, sighing as I let go of my pent-up frustration and anger. I look back at her, my tone softening. "As I've said before, we have far more important things to worry about than a traitor who scurried into the hands of humans."
Ilia nods, but even then I can see mixed emotions in her.
Approaching the backpacks, I hoist them up and throw one towards her. She snatches it out of the air, swiftly strapping it on.
With our backpacks now in place, we set off, our path leading us toward the railway. As we put more distance between us and the abandoned base, I can't resist the temptation to cast one last lingering glance over my shoulder. Memories of what the place used to be, even in these challenging times, flood my mind.
Especially when we first arrived.
I silently shake my head, forcibly pulling myself from the past, and recenter my thoughts on our new mission.
-Time Later-
"That was much faster than expected." I comment aloud, all while discreetly sending the modified roller to my pocket space. I know I'll have some use for the handy gadget in the future.
Yet, when it comes to speed, my solar surfer still holds the advantage. During our journey, as expected, we had to stop and rest three times. Ilia couldn't keep up the pace, and I don't hold it against her; it's entirely understandable. Although, I must admit the number of times was lower than I predicted.
"I'm just relieved that there's still power in the rail system after all this time, even if we haven't found the power source," Ilia replies. Her words make me contemplate for a moment, adding another task to my mental to-do list for the future.
I halt my steps and scan our surroundings. In contrast to the seemingly endless dark tunnel we've traversed, I spot a few metallic doors a bit further ahead. However, I can also see that the railway is broken up ahead, with a wall blocking any further progress.
But above, in the surface, should be the slums or a poor district as it is the perfect place to hide as barely any authority bother with the population of such a place. And it provides accessibility to our people.
As if on cue, the mini-map activates again, revealing a generalized map of Vale. I'm momentarily taken aback by its scale; the city is much bigger than I remember. And our location markers show that we're only halfway into the residential district.
But it becomes evident that we're in the poorer sections of the city, as a marker for the Faunus Mega Block stands out on the map not that far away.
We reach the metallic door, and I push it open, revealing a tower room with a staircase leading to the surface. Or rather, a mix of broken stairs, ladders, and ropes poorly patched together to create an ill-maintained path to reach the surface.
I'm aware that there have been accidents on these poorly constructed stairs, if they can still be called that, but it was a deliberate and necessary decision. If we were to properly rebuild the stairs, it would undoubtedly draw attention. However, a haphazard combination of ladders and ropes wouldn't raise suspicions, as people would simply dismiss it as the work of idiots with delusions of adventure or homeless, in search of shelter.
"Adam, wait," Ilia says, her hand quickly grabbing my arm and gently pulling me back. I turn to look at her, slightly taken aback by her request. "Please wait for me to get you a disguise."
Her words catch me off guard for a moment, as I haven't intended to go up just yet for precisely that reason. However, I don't voice any objections, instead offering a simple nod in response and taking a step back.
At home, I have plenty of clothing options to choose from, but I'm aware that I can't use them openly without arousing suspicion. It is the best option for now to leave this task to Ilia.
Ilia enters the room swiftly, her determination evident, and then turns back to face me.
"It won't take long, I promise," she assures me with a smirk. "At most, one hour."
Despite her confidence, my concern for her well-being lingers. "You're sure no one will question you or cause you any trouble?"
My childhood friend gives me a firm nod. "Don't worry, I've had plenty of experience blending in with human crowds."
I know that. I know she's skilled at this; I've sent her on similar missions before. Nevertheless, I can't help but worry, especially given the current circumstances.
Stepping closer, I envelop her in a hug, trying to silently convey something. As I release her, I plant a gentle kiss on her head. "Stay safe."
She looks up at me, surprise flickering briefly in her eyes. "Adam…" She shakes her head and responds with a warm smile. "I will. You take care too."
Ilia takes that first step, momentarily pausing before swiftly regaining her momentum. She dashes up the initial flight of stairs, using it to propel herself upwards, and she begins to climb with all the speed she can muster, showing off her agility.
As she continues her ascent, her figure becomes increasingly elusive, disappearing into the distance. Only the faint echoes of her steps remain, gradually weakening with each passing moment.
I find myself pondering the height of this tower; it's surprisingly tall. Just how deep underground are we?
Shaking my head, I cast aside these thoughts and continue to move away from the stairs.
Back in the tunnel, I focus my attention on the left wall and conjure a portal to my home. I have some precious time to spare for myself, a chance to get organized and tackle other important tasks.
Inside my dimensional home, I navigate the hallway and inspect the room plaques one by one. Eventually, I come across an office, which strikes me as rather strange since I'm not particularly fond of offices to begin with. It's unusual to find one constructed in my home.
Nevertheless, I enter the room and discover a spacious classic style office complete with bookshelves, comfortable looking couches, and a surprisingly extensive computer setup, including a wide, strange chair. Upon closer examination, I realize it's a full VR system, likely meant for educational purposes.
It's precisely what I need and had anticipated finding here.
Without wasting a single second, I rush over to the PC and place the two USBs I obtained from the trade-hub on the desk. I power up both the computer and the VR system, eager to begin.
I connect the USB given to me by Pathfinder and take a seat in the chair, donning the big VR headset and reclining for a more comfortable position. Discovering how comfy the pillow is.
With a long sigh, I hit the start lesson command, and my vision is soon flooded with an array of screens, nearly engulfing my senses.
I find myself back in the armory once more, this time to grab a specific weapon in mind; the anti-material rifle. It's a good choice in so many aspects, capable of taking out a tank with its powerful 7.92×107mm caliber bullets. Which means that a single shot from this rifle can penetrate Aura with ease, making it also the perfect choice for piercing the armor of any robot.
More importantly, it will serve as my primary weapon when I'm summoned into PvP fights, allowing me to eliminate targets from a distance swiftly and efficiently and printing that sweet money, just as I've planned.
Thanks to my purchased talents and augmentations, I'm perfectly capable of handling this weapon without dislocating my arm due to the recoil. I also make sure to grab plenty of ammunition before sending everything into my pocket space.
With that done, I leave behind the armory and head towards the workshop, since there is something important to do first inside. As I step into the workshop room, the first thing that hits me is the rich, earthy scent of wood and the faint tang of metal. The spacious area is a haven for craftsmen of all kinds, as walls are lined up with all sorts of tools, along with shelves that should also be full of tools or materials.
However, my primary focus lies on the work table right in front of me, adorned with interesting add-ons. I quickly recognize it as a support meant for my robotic arm. I approach the table and rest my arm on the support, toggling on one of my vision enhancements to obtain a more detailed view of my mechanical limb.
Thanks to the initial VR lessons, I can now perceive it from a different perspective. While I'm not a master's degree, it's an okay start, and I still need to study all those volumes when I get the chance. At the very least, I've gained a basic understanding of its inner workings.
Just as Pathfinder warned, it might take me months to fully comprehend everything.
Almost immediately, a warning message pops up, obstructing my vision.
[Loose screws detected]
It is complicated to explain at first, but the message notification becomes smaller and starts pointing to the precise locations where the loose screws are located.
Furrowing my brows for a moment, I reach for the first drawer to my left. Conveniently, it houses a collection of screwdrivers of various sizes and shapes. I locate the one I need with a star-shaped tip. Testing it on the screws in my arm, I realize it's too big. Swiftly, I exchange it for a smaller one that fits perfectly.
A couple of turns later, and all the screws are re-secured. However, I don't take it for granted. I run another scan, and this time, no warning pops up. Satisfied, I toggle off the notifications.
Just as I'm lost in thought, a call interrupts my thoughts. The caller's number flashes on the screen before swiftly changing to my friend's name. Her call initially catches me by surprise, but I quickly compose myself, straightening my back and setting the screwdriver down on the table.
With a simple thought, I answer her call. "Did something happen?"
"No, just calling to let you know I'm on my way back. Got everything,"
"Will be waiting. Stay safe."
"I will."
She is the one to end the call.
I let out a sigh and cast one more glance at my arm, then at the worktable. It will only be a matter of time before I can improve it, hopefully bringing it up to par with what Atlas produces. I know for a fact that this model is severely outdated and has very limited functions, but it is the best Ghira…
I shake my head, banishing those intrusive thoughts, and leave the room before heading out of my home.
Once outside, I quicken my pace and cross the portal, returning to the underground tunnel where I had left.
It's the same dark, crumbling tunnel as before.
Calmly, I move towards the stairs room, my footsteps echoing softly in the desolate passage. I find a spot along the uneven wall to lean against. A place where I can wait for my childhood friend.
Time seems to stretch in the eerie silence, but it's not long before the faint echoes of approaching footsteps reach my ears. Yet, I remain vigilant, as I cannot allow myself to be reckless.
With slow steps, I silently move inside the underground tower and check, just to be sure who is coming down, and thankfully those worries are nothing to worry about as I see my friend jumping down as fast as she can.
"Adam!" she calls out as she jumps off the final set of stairs, landing perfectly in front of me with a large backpack on her back.
"Glad you are back."
Ilia quickly removes her backpack and unzips it. "We'll have to pretend to be part of a gang, so we can pass through without any trouble. The police won't bother gangsters unless they actively attack them or start blowing things up." She pulls out a bulky neon green biker helmet from her bag and hands it to me.
As I examine the helmet, I notice that the red visor is adorned with menacing shark teeth painted on it. Then, my friend tosses me a long, neon yellow coat with red sleeves. It's a garish color combination that borders on ridiculous in terms of fashion sense, but I figure that's how these guys like to dress to stand out, or perhaps it's part of their distinctive gangster theme.
I merely glance back at her as she, too, retrieves a set of horrendously gaudy yet absurdly colorful clothing.
"We're going to pose as Snapper members since their territory is close to the docks," she explains, securing her hair into a bun before donning a large twin-tails purple wig. She then pulls out a pink neon jacket with bold words painted on the back, which I can read clearly: 'FUCK YOU.'
Their fashion sense is dumb.
With a sigh of exasperation, I begin to put on my disguise and the helmet, which, as expected, is a rather tight fit thanks to my horns. Regrettably, a helmet is the most practical choice for my situation; a hoodie is far too risky, easy to slip off with even the slightest gust of wind or swift movement.
So I had to accept and endure how uncomfortable my helmet is.
With our disguises in place, we begin our ascent toward the surface, and it's surprising just how deep underground we are. The closest comparison that comes to mind is the entrance to the now-abandoned base in Mountain Glenn.
The climb isn't particularly exhausting, only involving a series of jumps and the occasional use of a rope until we reach the final it's not as neglected as the levels below, but it still retains the appearance of a place abandoned for quite some time.
I dust off my coat and head towards the only door, but I pause and glance at Ilia, giving her a nudge to check it first. She swiftly complies, dashing towards the door and gently turning the knob just enough to peer through a thin crack.
Then, she opens the door sufficiently to slip out of the building before signaling with a quick hand gesture for me to follow suit.
I make my way through the door, closing it behind me, and finally take a moment to survey my surroundings. Well, as much as I can see because I find myself in a narrow alley, flanked by towering buildings that almost completely block out the light. The only source of light is at the far end of the alley to the right.
On instinct, I glance to my left and find nothing particularly noteworthy, just heaps of trash scattered about.
The choice is rather obvious, and we head towards the street.
Stepping into the light, my vision is immediately met by the towering panorama before me, a vast expanse of apartment complexes, monotonous buildings that vary in condition. Some appear well-kept, while others have clearly seen better days. From my position, I can catch glimpses of skyscrapers in the distance, likely Vale's downtown. I also can't help but notice the elevated railways above us, with a train roaring by and making quite a racket.
I cast my gaze at the street below, and it seems like any other normal city street, at least to my knowledge. There are people scattered about, some lounging, while others, half-dressed vagrants, lean against a nearby wall, surrounded by a multitude of jet inhalers. While another one is humping the wall while moaning, causing my face to scrunch up in disgust.
"Come on, quickly!" My friend grabs my hand and tugs me in a different direction than I initially assumed the docks would be. This prompts my mini-map to spring back to life, pinpointing our exact location along with the docks before tracing a route.
It's pretty handy, as always, and Ilia unknowingly follows the optimal path guided by my map.
After walking for a while, the streets appear to remain relatively unchanged, except now there are old cars parked along the roadside. The sun is close to disappearing from the sky, and if we continue on foot, it would take us a couple of hours to reach our destination. The plan is to move under the cover of night, but it's crucial for us to arrive as soon as possible for a quick reconnaissance run and to determine our point of attack.
I'm snapped out of my thoughts as I nearly stumble into a passerby who shoots me a disdainful look before continuing on their way. This gives me a moment to once again survey our surroundings on the street. While people bustle about, it becomes immediately apparent that there is no faunus in sight.
Which makes sense.
Most of our people reside in the Faunus Mega Block and its vicinity. There's little to no reason for them to venture outside of that area, unless they belong to the fortunate few who have a job, and 'fortunate' is a term we use sparingly, given that the world beyond that zone isn't exactly pleasant.
I release a long sigh, reminding myself that it's not as dire as the stories I've heard from Atlas, where they even segregated the streets and imposed a curfew. Which is beyond ridiculous in concept. Separated transportation was extremely ridiculous to my more modern views.
Suddenly, a loud crash of shattering glass followed by a blaring alarm grabs my attention. I turn to my left just in time to spot a human sprinting away with a briefcase clutched in his arms, leaving behind a red car with a broken window.
The guy continues to sprint until he reaches a corner and disappears from our sight after taking a sharp turn.
We aren't alone on the streets, mind you; there are others who briefly lift their gaze to inspect the commotion but then carry on with their own affairs seconds later.
People just don't seem to care
It's a regular occurrence, though it's unusual for crime to be so brazenly open. In both cases, I'm all too familiar with crime, as it has been a normalized part of my life. Not because I've committed crimes before joining the company, but because it became the norm, something I learned to live with.
It shouldn't be a surprise.
What does surprise me is a small flying drone descending from the sky until it hovers at the same height as the damaged car, snapping numerous pictures with its flashing camera.
"That car must have an insurance plan." Ilia comments.
I watch the drone as it flies away, thinking about her comment. "Do you think the police will care if we steal a car or a bike?"
A regular vehicle would undoubtedly save us a significant amount of time and offer more security than wandering about in the open.
She shakes her head. "As long as it belongs to a gangster, they won't do anything. If it's a civilian vehicle, it depends on their insurance plan."
I take another look at our surroundings in this impoverished neighborhood. "I doubt people around here can afford insurance plans that would make anyone care."
My eyes scan over the available cars as I contemplate our options. We're supposed to be posing as gangsters, and it would be rather out of character if we didn't 'acquire' something.
"Adam, look," my fellow gangster says, pointing ahead of us.
A small group of three half-naked humans, their bodies covered in tattoo patterns, have gathered. Each one is lounging on their bikes, which also bear the same tattoo designs. As we get closer, I can see that they're engaged in banter, laughing while a multitude of bottles lie scattered around them.
What catches my attention most are the keys dangling from the ignitions of their bikes. A sly smirk forms on my face; it seems we won't need to hijack a car after all. Our vehicles are right there; we just need to reclaim them.
I make my way toward the small group, gripping the hilt of my weapon with my finger caressing the trigger. With my other hand, I signal to my partner to wait right where she is.
They're too busy laughing loudly and downing their drinks to notice my approach, which allows me to close the distance without being detected, despite my less-than-stealthy attire.
Before long, they're well within my range.
"Oi, oi! Why's a pricking Snapper here?" The bald human suddenly takes notice of my presence and smashes his bottle against the ground, instantly grabbing the attention of everyone in the group.
But it's too late for any of them to act.
I take that man's shout as my signal to charge forward. The world seems to slow down around me as I watch everyone desperately reaching for their weapons and attempting to close the distance between each other. It's the perfect opportunity, and I finally pull the trigger on my weapon.
Hearing the ignition, my blade shoots forward with incredible speed and momentum. I seize this advantage, deftly catching my blade with my improved arm and executing a sweeping slice in front of me, cutting through anything and everything in its path.
The effects are instantaneous, with everyone collapsing as if their strings had been abruptly severed, like puppets in a flawless cut.
I draw in a deep breath and swing my blade downward to rid it of any excess blood before smoothly returning it to its sheath.
Ilia is quick to act, already inspecting our newly acquired bikes. I approach the nearest blue bike, slide onto the seat, and grip the key to ignite the engine. However, at that moment, I come to an abrupt halt, a shiver running down my spine.
Feeling a heavy weight falling upon my head, forcing me to look down.
For a brief moment, I glance beside me and behold a gruesome sight, a lifeless, headless man with his head not far from his corpse. An expression of shock is frozen on his face.
Wait… Did I just kill people?
My gaze immediately drops to my open right hand, and I clench it into a fist.
I just killed people, three fucking humans.
And I don't care.
I disturbingly don't give a flying fuck about what I just did to those humans.
Taking a life.
"Is something wrong?"
Ilia's voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts, drawing me back to the present, the reality. I tear my gaze away from the scene I just left behind, focusing on her.
I can see how she's more concerned about me, the person, than a totally unprecedented action I've just committed out in the open.
And that makes me feel…an unexpected warmth?
"No," I reply, my voice steadier than I expected. "I just spaced out."
My fingers grip the key, and I turn it, igniting the engine. The bike roars to life, its rumbling providing a strangely comforting backdrop.
"Let's go."
Fuck… ME.
AN: Before somebody decides to bring up the moral dilemma, no it won't be a permanent issue or dragged on for the entirety of the story to even pretend to have a moral high ground and all that bullshit with the protagonist not killing cause that makes me as bad as them shitty rhetoric.
It is more like any normal person would immediately react badly when it comes to taking a life unless you are a full psychopath or actually trained for such a possibility in your life.
Anyways, thanks for tunning in for the chapter. The next chapter might be shorter so it should come faster but to make up for it, there will be a small surprise in it for everyone, so start speculating and make your conspiracy theories or whatever.
Thank you for reading and enjoying the story, see you next time.
