A Leisurely Stroll
Emma began sorting the documents. I recalled the doctor's appearance as he left, claiming he would study the samples. The doctor, now nearly gray-haired, showed signs of aging all over his body—liver spots, the wrinkled, sallow skin typical of the elderly.
But... no matter how I thought about it, he seemed like a mere shell. His exterior was drab, but inside, power overflowed. Until recently, he'd seemed barely able to bend over, yet today he moved as lightly as if he could fly. I didn't sense an activation index, but maybe he wasn't using the Linker? Heh heh, Doctor... looks like you're finally preparing your rebellion.
Modifying his body probably wasn't just for gaining strength—it was to control that freak more perfectly. So obvious! But what can I say? To gather evidence that the doctor was crazy, I'd pulled off all sorts of weird stunts. Staring at this full-of-holes doctor was secretly amusing. I felt like laughter might slip out if I let my guard down.
Yeah, the truth was, it wasn't me reporting to him—it was him reporting to me! A classic case of role reversal!
"You no longer need to stay here."
Whoa, you scared me. When did she get next to me? And when did she finish her work?
"Please leave quickly."
Emma's gotten cold... The old Emma, who used to praise me expressionlessly as the perfect subject, was gone.
"Yes."
But between being a lab rat or getting kicked out, I'd take the latter any day! I followed Emma's words and left.
I rode the elevator out of the dingy underground lab. Now I was free. Until I returned to the East Outer Wall, I could enjoy my leisure time however I wanted.
The only problem was... what should I do?
After leaving the lab, I headed straight out of ARK's capital. As long as I returned to the sector within two days per the rules, it didn't matter where I spent my time. But enjoying leisure was easier said than done—the capital was a damn maze, and finding my way was exhausting! Plus, I might run into someone from the doctor's side.
On the train, I pondered what to do. Movies, arcades, food stalls—plenty of options came to mind, but nothing appealed. Hmm, maybe rolling around back at the sector would be happiest after all.
I got off the crowded train. I'd arrived in Alba, the city closest to the East Outer Wall. From here, I could take it easy and still return quickly.
Passing the station and stepping outside opened up my lungs. The sun blazed, the breeze was cool—perfect weather. The scenery resembled a modern city: high-rises, well-kept streets, clusters of people. It felt utterly everyday.
What can I say? This scene looked so peaceful. I'd been staring at the wasteland lately, so it felt unfamiliar. Alright, decision made. I'll just take a stroll and head back. Everything fun here was available at the wall anyway. If I had friends, maybe it'd be different... but after 19 years living like Cinderella, no chance.
I walked the streets. People glanced at me. Hm, what? I hadn't done anything weird. Or was it the bishoujo effect?!
"Mommy... that sister's eyes are red."
Nope. I turned toward the voice. The kid's mom was covering his mouth. She noticed my gaze and startled like a ghost had appeared. She dragged the child away forcibly. Her face screamed supernatural terror.
Come to think of it, red eyes were a trait of P.V. Virus infectees. Not that red eyes meant infection, but infection turned them red? Beyond 3.0 stage, they'd mutate anyway and lose proper eyes! Anyway, I got the mom's reaction. Red eyes symbolized fear and avoidance in the sector.
No wonder paths cleared when I walked by. Everyone subtly avoided me! On the plus side, no traffic jams. A loner bishoujo's essential privilege—minus the heartbreak from how blatant it was!
I strolled leisurely under the warm sun, no destination in mind. Just wandering wherever, until sunset.
Before I knew it, the sun had set amid my mindless wandering. Call it homing instinct? I'd arrived at a small village near the wall. This place? Textbook slum. Black grime on building walls, crumbling fences, uneven sidewalks. Barely maintained.
Surprisingly good security, though. Enforcer barracks right next door. No sane criminal would try anything! One slip-up and your head's gone.
But lo and behold, a crime unfolded right before me.
"What're you staring at, you retard bitch?! Get lost!"
Oh, toy knife? Blade's chipped. Or poison damage maybe... Time-lag flurry attack? Pandemic apocalypse must come standard with bio-weapons.
I approached with glee. Sure, strolling the city felt good, but something was missing. Dopamine shortage. Who knew I liked being active? I'd always hated missions, but savoring the sector's leisure like this? Nothing beat a mission for fun. The thrill of breaking bounds? Even super strong, no outlet inside the sector. Body itched no matter the workout.
"Didn't you hear me? Get lost, retard bitch! Wanna die? Say so!"
Why so mad? No idea. Folks here were all discriminated against. Barely survived to enter the sector, only to face outsider scorn—no hope, just rejection. So this slum overflowed with red-eyes. Wasteland survivors finding hell here. But no crime allowed! Enforcers who escorted them lived next door!
Bottom line: dude snapped.
"Waaah!"
Before the man stood paired red-eyed kids, terrified by his kitchen knife swings. Mmm, in justice's name, I can't forgive villains. Tonight, I'm Dark Knight.
I lightly smacked the approaching man's hand.
"Ugh!"
The knife flew, shattered against the wall, and met its end. Next, I grabbed the pained man's collar, lifted... and slammed down!
Thud!
"Gahk...!"
Lungs crushed, he gasped futilely and passed out.
Hey, hey, wake up! Don't die! We gotta play more!!
Deflated, I turned. Kids sniffled at me. Before them stood a young woman. Brown eyes, oozing class—city girl for sure. So kind, probably orphanage volunteer. This late? Commendable.
"Who... are you...?"
She's trembling? Why? More bad guys?!
To reassure her, I approached silently. She shook harder with each step. Huh? She fears me? Why? Tiny, cute, lovable bishoujo just saved the day from bad uncle!
I reached her. She was tall; I had to look up. At least 20cm difference.
"Here."
I showed my ID. Not civilian card—inspector credentials! She'd relax now!
"Ins...pector?"
She stared in disbelief. Kinda hurtful. Even good girls like me get offended. Still, duty calls.
"I've reported it. Police will pick him up soon. Don't worry."
She gulped.
"Y-yes... um..."
Behind her, kids held breaths, faces tear-streaked. Hm, my bad? Dark Knights are lonely shadows. Should've vanished into darkness wordlessly. Argh, head-smack feels.
Carlos sat at the table, eyes closed. Not sleeping—just organizing tangled thoughts.
Outer mobile squad duties were busy, but lately intense. Cadaver herds breaching inner sectors or 4.0 stage+ appearances were rare. Yet a 5.0 stage cadaver punched a surveillance hole. Consecutive anomalies meant rapid wasteland changes. Bad omen. Threats could strike anywhere.
Peak condition essential. But Rira's state worsened. Cause: recruit's death a week ago. Human-to-cadaver horror was her ultimate trauma.
That alone might've been fine. But Nera grated her nerves.
Nera screamed suspicious, but not outright "evil." Surface: doctor's closest aide, tied to "evil." Issue: beyond that. If she'd crossed lines clearly, fine. She followed orders grudgingly. But not fully controllable. Foes act foe-like, allies ally-like. Nera fit neither. Couldn't hate freely, nor trust beside her. Greater stress for Rira.
Carlos needed a call. New mission imminent. Exclude one: Nera or Rira.
Decision swift: Exclude Rira.
Squad needed stability over performance now. Uncontrolled power's battlefield risk unknown.