Ruins 1: Home Sweet Home

Nothing beat home. Well, it felt more like a long-term dorm than a real house, but the sense of security it gave was no different from a proper one.

The research lab had been comfortable once I got older and Dr. Licht stopped paying attention to me. But that didn't provide any mental peace. The constant noise of people shuffling around outside was mentally draining. And since those people were brainwashed puppets, even without any harm, it just felt unsettling. Yeah, I felt a bit sorry for the brainwashed researchers, but I couldn't shake that creepy feeling every time I heard sounds. And who knows, maybe I really was being watched! Of course, seeing Dr. Licht now, he was probably just busy! Anyway, three days back and nothing's happened. It's nice. Weren't things super hectic lately? Living like this, being an inspector might not be so bad after all. Sure, I'm just a newbie hitting the one-month mark, but I've gotten everything I need. This is a really good setup, right? As long as no sudden emergency missions pop up!

-Whirrr. Huh, weird. No one should be contacting me. Let me see. So, the inspector company that went out recently got stranded in a ruined city during their mission? And today, an emergency rescue signal suddenly reached the sector?

Yeah, yeah. Scratch that declaration from a second ago. This place is the worst environment ever. Freedom is the most important thing to a person, and missions keep coming out of nowhere. Why not just give me an RV instead! That'd be way more comfy out there. I sat there blankly for a few minutes, venting inwardly. But what could I do? I had to go. I'm 'Everyone's All-Purpose Idol Secretary Nera MK.3', after all. I changed into the uniform haphazardly hanging on the rack. Strangely, slipping it on made all the world's fatigue crash over me. The uniform should weigh like a feather to me...! No way...! Did some workaholic like Carlos slip a 20kg ballistic plate into my uniform?! I rummaged through the inside. Naturally, nothing. Hmm, weird. It really felt heavy... I stepped out, disappointed, heading to the squad barracks where everyone was probably prepping hard.

As I strode confidently toward the barracks door to open it—

"Captain...!"

This time, I was genuinely a little startled. Why the sudden pit bull terrier mode? Isn't that the persona she only shows to people she hates? Hmm, barging in might be awkward. As 'Everyone's Quick-Witted All-Purpose Idol Secretary Nera MK.3', I should open it carefully.

"What do you mean, stay here...! Because... because you don't need me...?"

That's straight out of a desperate ex-girlfriend begging her ex-boyfriend. But why say something like that? What? Were you two secretly dating behind my back?

"No, we need you."

Hear that, our big scary pit bull terrier? Carlos needs you. Congrats!

"Then why...!"

"It's for your sake, Rira. You know this better than anyone. Trauma doesn't get overcome by brute-forcing it. What you need now is rest, and handling it slowly enough not to break."

The pit bull terrier didn't drop her fierce glare even after Carlos's logical words. At least she's not growling— that's a relief. From watching her a while, I know when she's like that, she at least won't bite!

"...Fine, got it."

Her energy deflated in an instant. She accepted faster than I thought? I figured she'd never back down, but she's more obedient than expected. More than that, I never imagined excluding Rira. With a mission right now, that leaves two ranged DPS and one support? In a game, the party would explode. But... they're all way stronger than the combat power I remember... Manageable?

Rira turned her head. Spotting me in the back, her movement froze for a second. Then she started stomping away. Yeah, yeah, bye! I'll work hard on the mission!

-Slam.

Uh... wait... why'd she stop in front of me?

-Crunch!

Is it because she's still immature? Gritting that hard will shatter her teeth! Too bad I can't say it out loud!

Rira locked eyes with me briefly before leaving. I looked at Carlos.

"Let's go."

And so began the inspector company rescue operation.

Vroooom! The engine roar hit my ears. Nice. Way better than letting hyper Carlos drive the buggy—I told him that.

"Inspector Nera, head that way."

"Yes, sir."

Leave it to me. We left from the East, skirting the sector wall. Then we just turned. The path ahead was different. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Instead of drab wasteland, there was asphalt road. Of course, long untended, it was cracked everywhere, even buckled up in spots, so I had to drive extra carefully. Good thing the buggy's performance was top-notch. Not just fast—it had raw power to hop small bumps easily without much shake. Military vehicle for ya? Sturdy and strong. Still, the rough road made it shake more than usual.

Man, it's quiet. The usual hyper puppy livened things up, but now it's like no one's even aboard. Nova's always silent staring at her detector, but Carlos seems more troubled than I thought? Normally he'd eagle-eye the front, but he's propping his chin, gazing sideways. He cares more than expected. Probably about leaving Rira. But wasn't it the right call? From my experience getting wrecked by her, it was scary. If Rira snapped, I'd be the target over Nova! Sure, I wouldn't go down easy, but the situation itself would suck. Surviving a near-death beating is weird, and blocking attacks from near-squad-leader-level Rira would be suspicious too. Of course, without Rira, the party's stability is questionable now, but if shit hits the fan, I'll help! My heart's starting to race. With everyone, I'm the all-purpose secretary. Alone, I'm the dark knight slicing through shadows! The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dual life of the shadowy beauty's secretary. This'll be a hit for sure.

We arrived at the ruined city. Skyscrapers loomed. Half-collapsed, sure. Other buildings too. Scarred with bomb craters or bite marks, crumbled pathetically. Kinda like cities ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠inside the sector. People lived here once? Now vines everywhere—total apocalypse vibe. I reached curiously for a vine. And got grabbed. I turned. Amber eyes.

"Don't touch. Cadaver bait."

I know. Nothing normal survives outside.

"Problem?"

"...You're not thinking it's safe just 'cause you won't get infected, right?"

What? Wanna fight? Did she just call me dumb?! Grr, brooding in the car like a parasite and judging me!

"No. I've got no issues with this stuff from the start."

I thrust my arm out dramatically... not letting go? Fine! Grabbed it with the other hand. Squelch. Carlos glared, face twisted. My hand turned purple fast. But just as quick—back to milky idol skin!

This is my power: Immunity to All Poisons.

"...That's your ability."

"Something like that."

Carlos let go with a huge sigh. What? Why sigh? Ridiculous!

Carlos regretted it.

Should I have brought Rira after all?

Giving Rira rest was partly because she'd seemed unstable lately. But not just that. Her attitude had changed—from always going rogue on missions and ignoring orders. Yet now? Far from reliable squadmate, it felt like dragging a curious kid. Sure, she didn't stray out of control. At minimum... But what was so fascinating? She couldn't keep her eyes still, pretending not to care. One step, two, and suddenly ten away. Did Dr. Licht assign ecological survey? Never imagined that blank face getting excited over something—must be it. Carlos was going nuts. She stayed in sight if straying a bit. Touched visible stuff freely, dodged deadly creatures uncannily. Sniffed cadaver presence like a ghost, stuck to Nova. And.

"Ah, spore mushroom over there."

She warned of traps they missed. In that direction—a tiny hole needing close look. Faint spore dust leaked. Sharp eyes? Good ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠senses? Whatever—by Carlos's common sense, Nera should've died ten times over. Yet brazen in the wilds, dodging every threat flawlessly. Mind-blowing.

"Newbie, top-tier."

Even silent Nova praised. She'd smoothed headaches effortlessly multiple times. Thanks to that.

"We close to the target?"

Arrived way faster than thought. Inner city full of blind spots, fixed cadavers as traps—despite caution, quick. No scolding possible. Inspector Nera focused on the op. Minus combat, she helped most now. Her only crime? Stealing Carlos's attention.

I roamed the ruins carefree. Fresh grass scent and silent city soothed the mind. But scouting's done. Finally at the signal spot! One issue: it's a massive building. No one's visible outside, obviously. Not idiots—night outside means cadaver snack.

...Annoying. Gotta be inside somewhere? Hate pointless searches. How many rooms on floor one? Ten per floor means 6,000 minimum? Building looks shaky too. No maintenance, expected. Impressive it holds shape amid the wreckage.

"Inside."

Oh. We're going? Yeah... Got cadaver detectors but no people ones? Damn the heavens. Followed Carlos confidently. He didn't stop at floor one. Brief glance around, straight to stairs. Floor 1, 2, 10, 30—stopped at 37.

"Here."

Eh? What'd he see? Was I the only one clueless? Human detector real?! Argh, Nera can't stand curiosity.

"How'd you know?"

Carlos eyed me like I was nuts.

"Didn't you go to officer academy? Learned about markers?"

Heh... heh... There's that? Game just dotted lines! I'd follow if real life dotted!

"Spot traps fine, but miss obvious markers?"

Pointed out, yeah, visible. Traps I catch 'cause they screw players viciously! And officer academy—didn't buy it, but my competence fooled him! I'm the best! But why stare?

Oh, wants answer?

"My eyes are a bit weak."

"Don't wanna say? Fine."

Carlos turned without regret. Saw my usual antics, let this slide once. Nice!