Distance of the Heart
‘Is it... over?’
I'd definitely caught the bastard. The moment the bullet pierced its head, Abyss went rigid all over, turning ghostly white before collapsing. No room for doubt.
But Carlos was feeling an odd unease right now. Was it because the enemy had been weaker than expected? Or because its movements had been far more aggressive than the stillness it showed before?
My misjudgment? Neither possibility could be ruled out. The thing had only shown 4.9-stage power, after all—Carlos's personal intuition and experience had led him to assume more. He didn't think he was always right, but a bitter aftertaste lingered.
"Reaction nullified."
With the crackle of the radio, Nova's report came in. Only then did Carlos release the tension from his body.
Yeah, pointless worrying.
There were no issues. Now confident it was weaker than thought, even if it somehow survived, he could just put another round through its skull.
More importantly, Carlos needed to grill the survivors about a cadaver that strong lurking near their outpost. A 4.9 activation index. The 1st Squad could handle it no problem, but if another squad had encountered it alone, the casualties would've been unimaginable.
Every enforcer was precious. The Star Adaptation Procedure was hard to find suitable candidates for. And even among those with high compatibility, few volunteered for enforcer duty.
There was an unspoken rule. Survivors weren't strictly obligated to report nearby cadavers, but there was a duty to uphold.
Of course, they might not have known. But could they really be unaware of a cadaver whose existence tied directly to their survival? Plus, the awkward behavior of the residents during the investigation was more than enough to raise suspicions.
Back at the outpost, Carlos gathered the residents.
"We discovered a 4.9-stage cadaver. Do you know anything about it?"
"First we've heard of any such thing."
"Is that... true?"
"Yes, of course. Why would we deceive enforcers like you?"
"The supplies delivered to outposts include detectors. The cadaver was found outside, but not beyond their range. Truly the first you've heard?"
"...Well, we have an idea what you're getting at, but honestly..."
Suddenly, a man cut in with a shout.
"This is fucking bullshit! It was a stupid idea from the start!"
"What do you mean?"
"Enforcer! Do you know what these people did? They didn't kill the border guard. A guy who'd passed 3.0-stage! Not only that—they fed it, dragged in cadaver corpses to make it grow stronger!"
Carlos swept his gaze over the residents. About half avoided his eyes.
The truth, then.
"But... you saw it too. It still had its reason, protected us to the end..."
"Protected? After it rampaged through the village?! We barely chased it out while it still had some sense! Keeping a border guard alive was the wrong call from the beginning. They were all half-mad!"
His face flushed, voice passionate. But no resident could counter his rage.
"Forgot the rule?! 'Kill all border guards.' Reason or not! That's why we've survived this long!"
"...Is it all true?"
No one answered. Silence was the answer.
"This is troubling. If you're this uncooperative, we'll have to reconsider future supply deliveries."
"...W-wait!"
"You'll be in a bind too. But we've told you repeatedly: anyone past 2.0-stage must be terminated. I know it's harsh here. A border guard's power is a tempting lifeline. We've overlooked it to a degree."
Carlos raised Finisher. The barrel swept over residents with obvious mutations.
"But past 3.0-stage, no exceptions. If it's too hard for you, I can help."
Those aimed at were all border guards who'd crossed the virus threshold.
"Is that what you want? A border guard can stop being human any moment. You, closest to them, know that best."
No rebuttals. They relied on that power yet kept their distance.
Gazes dropped; no one spoke.
"This is your warning. If it happens again, this outpost loses protection. It'll be designated extermination zone."
Swallows echoed from all around. Carlos left without lingering.
I watched Carlos's speech from afar.
Yeah, good job. A model soldier. Gotta keep these folks in line, or they get cheeky.
Managing outposts in the game was a pain too. Leave 'em be, they collapse and spawn unique specimens. Cut supplies, they revolt into rebel dens. The stress from these idiots...
But abandon them and let everything crumble? Nah, unique specimens would flood out uncontrollably.
Anyway, outposts and sectors are symbiotic, sorta. One side's hogging power, sure! But they need each other.
Good thing my worries were for nothing. Duh—firing blank rounds meant over 5.0-stage, and getting done in by something that weak? Absurd.
I grinned inwardly, watching Carlos approach.
"Arm. Give."
Suddenly, Nova spoke up. Oh right, I'm bleeding.
Too caught up in the cadaver takedown and speech—fun scenes everywhere.
Nova-chan... worried about me?
"Quickly."
I extended my arm fast. This was nothing, but regenerating suddenly would be weird! Plus, pain's still alien to me!
Though to others, it looks urgent. Hansel and Gretel trail everywhere. Blood puddle at my feet too.
As I checked myself, Nova grabbed my arm and patched it up swiftly. Wow, fast—meds on, bandage tight. Pro level, rivaling mine.
Was gonna fake it myself! Gotta thank her anyway.
"Thank you."
Nova glanced, then looked away. Still ignored...
"...Inefficient action."
She paused as if to leave.
"Don't."
Ooh, scolding my dumb move... but definitely concern! Yeah, this is where my story kicks off. Earn squad trust bit by bit, become full 1st Squad member. Drama episode done! (P.S. Not sticking around forever!)
Wonder where Sonia's at. She guarded me fine, so probably safe. Told everyone—squad included—it's top secret on the way here.
Next meet, gonna pinch and shake her cheeks silly.
"Arm okay?"
"Yes."
Yep.
"Good. Let's head back."
Yay, home time!
Not long in the military vehicle, drowsiness hit.
Hmm... yeah, lab assistant life meant bed by midnight. Incident pushed it to 2 a.m. Sleepy normal.
Virus could perk me up, but nah. Sleep's best natural.
I half-dozed. Bumpy ride made full sleep tough. Eyes closed, not asleep nor awake.
Then deep sleep.
*
Suddenly, I was in the cylinder, the doctor staring with a creepy grin. He reached for the button.
Whatever it was, bad news! I smashed at the glass... but it held? Reinforced?!
Button pressed?! Wait, this scene... familiar! Early bad end if you lose to the doc!
Aaagh, mistake—spare me! Weird tentacle—cadaver?—touched my cheek. Nooo!
"Hey, wake up."
Tentacle talking? Gross, stay back! Emergency dodge!
...Huh, weird. Just now, dream-weak, now perky. Eyes open—vision all red. Thick hand inches away. Up the arm: Carlos, looking flustered.
...Alert! Fully crashed, power leaked?! No detector beep, so index stable. Red vision means veins around eyes popped.
"Heavy."
Oops, shifting squished Nova-chan.
"Ah... sorry."
Why's everyone silent? Super awkward. Even the pitbull terrier staring shocked. First sleep-talk?
Fix: Mimic power hides veins. Thicken outer layer, pale face. Carlos blocking, so window out. Whee, small body perks! Didn't wanna know!
A week since returning to the sector outer wall. Bed lounging now.
Doc didn't order samples. Squad said no to missions—captain's orders, I followed.
Bed gets old quick. Bored. Humans need purpose? Scout other squads? Nah, antisocial me. Strangers? No topics.
Decided: Focus here! Squad acting weird lately.
Rira: Icy glares on sight.
Nova: Casual but distancing.
Carlos: Ignores like I'm air!
Squirm, peek whenever I appear. Annoying, so bed-bound—no visitors! Felt sidelined before, now abandoned! Lab kicked me out—can't here too.
Make food for hardworking 1st Squad! 19 years cadaver sashimi, but solo cooking experience. Amateur dishes? Easy.
Out: eggs, veggies, meat. Chop veggies, fry eggs in oiled pan. Meat: sugar, chili powder, mirin, soy, garlic, gochujang mix—marinate, grill till fragrant!
Seems too casual? Yep, no arguments.
Lifesaver pay? Everything here. Good stuff, yet they cup ramen always.
As sweet-nutty aroma spread, bloodied squad returned.
Carlos: startled glance. "This... what?"
Food, duh.
"Dinner."
"That's not what I...—"
"Thanks."
Nova sat mid-question. Didn't say for all, but portions scream group! Her long-range support, fine.
Hungry too, sat and ate. Carlos, Rira dirty—went wash.
Didn't expect easy acceptance. Face-to-face rare—week-ish!
Grateful they took it kindly!
Quick-washed duo arrived, sat silently, ate.
Clink, clink. Only utensils sounded.
Kids, talk! You chat fine ignoring me usually! Craving warmth—freezing here.
"Tasty."
Duh, cup ramen daily.
"Yes."
Praise sticker awarded.
"All done."
Nova light eater. Game console out. Game addict. Request one?
Rira... stuffs mouth, dissatisfied glare. Hate it? Don't eat!
Can't. Missions tomorrow. Games? Moving's my fun now.