I Am the Black Curtain
It's strange. Really strange. Black hair, sturdy build, deep dark amber eyes. No matter how I look at it, this is the character I created. You? Me? How do I even put this? Anyway, why the hell are you here?
In the game, the protagonist never starts as the 1st Squad captain. Sure, they begin as a rookie just like me right now, but they power up insanely fast as the story progresses.
“Don't like welcome greetings?”
Oh, right, he was holding out his hand. I was so flustered I didn't even notice.
I'm not particularly against it. I'm just shocked you're here.
But hold on—around this point, I should be total garbage. Why is this guy here?
Hmm. No way the world's average is tuned to the protagonist's weak-ass starting stats, right? That would be a disaster. It'd basically mean the sector has lost all defense capability!
What do I do? Should I test it somehow? But how? I can't just swing a fist out of nowhere.
“What? A girl?”
What kind of rude remark is that? Male or female, who cares.
Whoa, why's she coming closer?
“Hah, this one's a doll too, huh?”
Rira grabbed my head and yanked it up.
“Pretty face on it. Probably slapped some human skin on there.”
She says something so brutal so casually.
“I'm a pure-blooded human, you know.”
Well... if we're being technical, calling me fully human is a bit iffy?
Anyway! I don't know if I'm human, but this skin is the real deal!
Still, +10 points for recognizing the care I put into this custom character. I like her already.
“I'm pretty cute, right?”
Rira shuddered violently and backed away from me. Then she said:
“What... it talked...”
What kind of rude reaction is that? She looks like she's seen a ghost.
“Not brainwashed?”
Even Carlos chimed in from the side.
No, you're surprised too? This is weird. Did I have it wrong?
Brainwashing doesn't make you so dumb you can't even speak. Sure, you could order that, but would they do it to outsiders?
...So, Doc, say something already. I have no clue what's going on here.
“What's so strange about it?”
“Can't you tell just by looking? Brainwashed dolls only react to orders, no matter what we say. But you clearly recognized us as people and asked a 'question' on your own.”
Ah! So it's not the Doc's fault this time—I have too much autonomy?
Yeah, the dolls back at the lab were like that. They never really responded to me, so I was lonely.
It's been ages since I talked to real people, so I slipped up.
...No helping it. Time for an improv plan. This is the thrill of independence.
Operation: Act Bold.
If they wanted me dead, they'd have done it already!
“Is that so? I didn't realize. I'm different from those other dolls, after all.”
This body is the Doc's 'masterpiece,' no less.
“So you're confessing to being a spy? Pretty bold.”
Uh... wait, does it come off like that...?
Something's getting misunderstood here?
I'm not planning to scheme behind your backs or anything.
If anything, I'm like a scrap collector!
“...Well, at least you can talk. That's a relief. Means you won't sabotage our ops, at least. Sorry about my squadmate earlier.”
As expected of our righteous captain—he gets me.
“But... if you intentionally interfere with squad operations, we'll deal with you immediately.”
Carlos slammed his hand against the wall, his deep amber eyes looking down at me.
Ah, is this what they call a wall slam?
What do I do? My heart's pounding so hard it might explode.
...Looks like I've been thoroughly misunderstood. What do they think I am?
Did I say something that could be taken wrong?!
Hmm... thinking back, yeah, it does sound pretty suspicious. Like I'm pissed at being lumped in with the weak experiments!
“...At least your body's not some monster spawn. Still don't like you, though.”
“3rd Squad doll. Annoying. Very uncomfortable.”
There was someone behind the sofa.
“Yeah... like the captain said. Having a doll like that tag along is a problem. But if you're one of the Doc's... we can beat you senseless, no issue.”
Whoa, her eyes went from cockroach disgust to straight-up murder vibes. Dripping with killing intent.
First time getting this much hot attention—kinda overwhelming.
...Gotta watch my back at night.
Oh, and the one lounging behind the sofa playing games must be Nova. How tiny is she? Completely hidden.
“By the way, I haven't said it yet. As of today, 1st Squad is done with sector patrol duty. Starting tomorrow, we're shifting to outer perimeter mobile ops.”
Carlos dropped the bombshell.
Sector patrol is basically enforcers' downtime. Outer perimeter mobile ops? Straight-up dating cadavers.
So I'm screwed.
Transfer day one, and I'm ordered into a warzone.
Even I want a break, Nera. I've worked hard till now.
Nera's never even swung a sword. Raised like a flower in a greenhouse.
If I go outside the sector tomorrow, I won't last a day.
...My life's ruined for real.
Got assigned a private room. Yay, exciting. Use it tonight, then tomorrow it's rough sleeping in the barren wasteland with no connections.
The old folks were right about everything. Shouldn't have left the lab—now I'm suffering.
The more this goes, the more reality hits.
I planned to chill by the Doc, tweaking Emma combos, and sneak after him if he acted suspicious.
What if I leave and he goes nuts, teams up with that freak blob, and seizes the sector throne...?!
What the hell do I do then?!
Hoo, calm down. This world looks real, but it follows the game's flow, right?
The squad captain I just saw was identical to my creation.
So... the Doc won't suddenly go off-script...
...He better not.
Wait. The Doc being the black curtain was already exposed from the start.
I wasn't supposed to leave till 20, but I did once at 15. Now I'm 19?
Emergency...! The story's already way off the rails!
I was meant to be a one-off calamity, but now the squad thinks I'm the Doc's heartless lackey!
Ah... maybe I shouldn't go? Should I just desert?
Hmm... even if I escape, both sides will hunt me down. Doc'll be shocked and search, squad has plenty reason too.
Can't predict what happens next then?!
I don't even want to wreck this sector.
Ugh, just leave me alone. Nera's a good girl—don't poke me, and I'll stay quiet.
...Sigh. No perfect answer, but I'm not fully cut off from the Doc yet, right?
Stick to the plan. Fleeing just adds variables; staying here at least lets me predict somewhat.
Pretend to haul cadaver corpses while monitoring the Doc. He won't move without a plan—something'll tip it off.
Alright, motivation's back. One drink for me and the Doc's future.
-Gulp.
Society's taste—sweet.
This is life.
As I savored my first adult pleasure, the door suddenly opened.
“Lucky you. Boozing right away? Come on out. It's dinner time.”
Private room, my ass—no respect for privacy.
Fine, Rira, I get your level now. Won't waste a second heading to the mess.
...No point in a staring contest. Nineteen years with the Doc is enough practice.
What is this? Can I really pile up all this delicious food? Feels like a buffet.
Meat after forever. Chicken, beef, pork belly too.
This is my last supper—gotta enjoy it.
Ah... lab served wilted veggies every day. Doc had luxury feasts alone.
The only meat I ate was cadaver corpses.
Nutritionally (cadaver full of virus wins), but I craved this tongue-assaulting flavor.
“You eat well.”
Got a problem? I eyed approaching Carlos coolly.
Said he had business with me again.
“I see you're annoyed. No long talk. Just verifying something minor.”
I nodded calmly.
“Name: Nera. Age: 19. Enrolled in officer academy at 15, graduated at 18. Activation index 2.5 stage... all confirmed?”
Hah, lived like a sucker, huh?
Sharp eyes.
Yeah, everything but one is true.
“Only one thing matters. Hate to say it, but ordered to get your cooperation on cadaver recovery. Upper command—can't refuse. Just confirming that 2.5 stage number's legit. So you don't get in our way.”
Oof, tasting the military bitterness, eh?
Of course—chain of command.
“How should I prove it?”
“Show your power. That'll do.”
Uh... power? How?
Sure, secretly made blood tests, spears, raced around the lab on the sly. But just 'draw power'?
“Can't do it?”
Looks that way.
Carlos raised his hand, fingers tensed.
Finger flick incoming?
-Whoosh!
Whoa, that flick vibrates!
Not human.
A frail beauty like me would've been obliterated.
“Dodged it.”
What's with that disappointed look?
“Heh... came in for real this time. 2.5 stage? Lie better next time.”
Rira, mouth full of food, grinned like it was fun. More like a beast about to snap.
Someone explain. I don't get this.
Glancing around, eyes met Nova's. Still holding her game.
Didn't notice earlier—messy blue hair everywhere. But those chubby cheeks munching with a tiny mouth... cute. Healing.
But... definitely bigger than me. What am I...?
Our eyes locked.
“Almost no one dodges that.”
Yeah yeah.
“Around 4.5.”
Eh?
“Nerfed it a lot.”
...Got it!
But wait.
“It came so slow, who couldn't dod—”
...Oops!
“Fun. Reaching 4.5 stage so young—cocky makes sense. One tip: the outside world's not as easy as you think.”
Carlos turned and left. Good, not dwelling on it.
Maybe hardliners have less power than I thought?!
...Phew, finally eat in peace.
Bit relieved, but I'm freezing up more than expected.
I'm no actor from a past life—can't perform perfectly. But this is too much, right?
Ugh, all the Doc's fault. Wasn't social to start, but 19 years mute killed what little I had.
That slip was just a solo muttering habit bursting out!
Live 19 years with rocks—see if you don't babble alone. I'll watch with big eyes.
Argh!
Days this short? Woke up, barely dawn, already at sector outskirts.
Huge wall ahead. Cross it, and ARK's neon nights fade from my arms.
“Stop sleeping. Wake up.”
Hey, let go. You'll rip my clothes.
This is yesterday's inspector uniform!
Damn, this girl's rough.
Yesterday she shoulder-checked me for no reason.
...I get it, sorta. To them, I'm heartless trash.
Probably think I experimented on lambs with the Doc.
But no? Understanding ≠ accepting.
Showing off strength? I'm no slouch there.
Just spread fingers between hers, smack away...
Tada—freed.
“Tch.”
Thorny attitude. Girl that unladylike won't snag a husband.
“Let's go.”
Oh, Carlos watching. Reached out—gonna stop her?
Huh, eyes full of hate, but so upright.
But... doing that in my body... kinda pisses me off. Nauseating.
Even embarrassing sometimes.
My character was just looks—supposed to be lame and dim!
Why you? Why so competent?
He's not just strong—top enforcer in the sector. No mission fails.
Seeing him weirds me out. I'm here, but feels like my body's stolen.
Give it back.
“Commencing op briefing.”
Sit.
“Routine sweep, as always. Our zone: entire new bloom site east of Central Sector. Kill every semi-mutant sighted.”
Carlos eyed each squadmate, including me.
“Questions?”
Staring at me. None really.
Think I've done this boring op a ton?
Skip sweeps, 4.0 stage+ cadavers explode—gotta expedition regular.
“Captain! Question! Whole bloom site—how many popped up?”
Acting cute. Yeah, Rira's tall, puppy-dog looks. Turns pitbull often.
Not just at me—goes berserk at cadavers.
“Five confirmed sites.”
“Whoa~ lots.”
“Simple. No issue.”
I nodded along. Mhm, simple.
But 'short expedition' for five sites?
Someone answer my question. Please... .