Kindness Without Reason
"Huh."
Soo's outstretched hand never reaches Enoch. Before she can grab him, he passes out.
...Passed out, right? He's not dead, is he?
"Mm..."
Soo's tail curls inward. Her face is calm, but it's proof she's feeling anxious.
And who could blame her? Enoch's condition is terrible, to put it mildly.
She knows from the story that he doesn't die here. But this isn't a game—it's reality. In reality, losing this much blood kills people.
Psssh—just in case, Soo injects another blood pack. She stares at Enoch, blood still pouring from him, and frowns.
She should probably go meet her ally coming from that direction. But he's too big to carry on her back. Dragging him would probably kill him for real.
Magic it is.
She doesn't even consider it impossible. Dragons and magic, spells born from belief and whatnot...
Soo squats down and places her hand on Enoch's body. She recalls the wind magic circuit she learned recently. Like wrapping herself in a sandstorm back then, maybe she can do the same for him... but he's kinda heavy for that, isn't he?
Maybe tweak the circuit.
In Soo’s mind, billions of layered circuits disassemble one by one. She searches for the one controlling wind direction and intensity...
"Oh?"
She stops and looks up.
"Little one."
The first thing she sees isn't a face. It's the chest. Nothing but the chest.
Her face is hidden behind it. Even if Soo wanted to see it, the chest blocks the view.
But that's enough. She doesn't need to see the face to know who this chest monster is.
That merciless bosom, the black cooling suit clinging like a leotard. And the owner of that honey-melting voice? Impossible to mistake.
The person she's been waiting for—Enoch's second ally after Miko in the game. Angela Meyer.
"Are you okay?"
Angela squats in front of Soo. Her jade eyes sparkle behind pitiful lashes, so beautiful that Soo can't respond, just stares.
"It's okay now. Big sis will help."
Angela smiles brightly and brushes her hair aside. Gentle blonde waves cascade down, shimmering in the moonlight.
"What's your name, little one?"
"Soo."
"Soo, huh? Cute name, just like your face. So, Soo, what's big bro's name?"
"Enoch."
"Enoch, Enoch. Meaningful name in Eden. Want big sis to tell you hers?"
"Yeah."
Angela smoothly keeps the conversation going while prepping tools. No need to rummage pockets or bags—everything pops from her forearm. All emergency gear.
"Big sis is Angela Meyer. What do you think? Suits me, right?"
"Yeah, pretty like your face."
Angela's eyes widen at Soo's blunt reply, then she chuckles softly and continues working.
"Soo talks pretty too?"
Her words are soft and kind, but her hands are anything but. Precise, mechanical movements—she extracts six bullets in one go.
"Big sis is really good."
"Amazing."
Angela smiles in satisfaction, disinfects the wounds again, then stuffs them with white cotton-like wads. Looks like candy floss, but it's hemostatic agent. The brutal kind that swells on blood contact, sealing wounds mercilessly. Enoch's scream when he wakes is guaranteed.
"Do you know a nearby clinic?"
"Yeah."
"Soo's not just pretty—you're smart too. Still, big sis will take you. He's too big and heavy for you to carry."
Soo nods and points to Enoch's car, which she'd spotted earlier.
"Car's over there."
"You even have a car? We'll be there quick. But Soo, if anyone else offers a ride like this, say no first. Got it?"
"You telling me to say no now?"
"Big sis is nice, so it's fine."
"Yeah."
Angela ruffles Soo's hair wildly while injecting two more blood packs into Enoch. Then she effortlessly hoists him onto her back and wipes the blood splatter from Soo's cheek.
"Wanna hold big sis's hand?"
"Mm, I'm good."
No point refusing. Angela's already holding Soo's hand, fingers interlocked.
Soo doesn't pull away and starts walking. It's her favorite character's hand, and the feel isn't bad.
"No injuries, right?"
Angela smiles, eyes crinkling, looking down at Soo. Her mouth's hidden by that weapon-like chest.
"Nope."
"Good."
"Not asking anything else?"
"Want me to?"
Soo blinks and tilts her head.
"Lots of weird stuff. Not curious at all?"
"Neon-weary connectors taking risky jobs for moonlight? Happens all the time."
But... Angela trails off and stops.
"Is that Chalcis? Connector Chalcis Adler."
Soo rolls her eyes dramatically before answering.
"Yeah."
"Oh my oh my?"
Angela's eyes widen at the name but quickly return to her usual smile. She's a spy and hacker—masters emotions and expressions.
But no need for faking now. A dead Chalcis Adler isn't that shocking.
Using nameless mercs to inch toward the big three corps' secrets, or whatever. Angela's known Chalcis's plans for a while.
Espionage and hacking. Vast info from it—that's kept her alive.
"Want big sis to help clean up?"
"Clean?"
"Mm."
Angela smiles wryly and shakes her head.
"Nah, pretend you didn't hear that, Soo."
Killing and body disposal lumped as "cleanup." Angela assumes Soo doesn't get it. Merc slang.
She's right—Soo doesn't. She knows the term, but didn't think past it. In-game, dump bodies in trash. Done.
But here...
It's reality. And she even killed a connector who can't die in-game.
Shoving him in a dumpster would cause problems.
Needs proper cleanup.
"Cleanup..."
Soo nods, finally getting it.
"I can do it alone."
"...You know where to dump it?"
"Enoch's main gig is trash cleanup."
Then until Enoch wakes? Storage for bodies? Nameless merc skewered by Chalcis—probably no personal place.
Too personal to ask.
Angela nods. Kid talks so confidently—must have something.
"Then big sis'll just help load him. That okay?"
"Yeah. But, Angela."
"Yeah?"
"Not asking why you killed him? Chalcis is a famous connector."
Angela pauses, then answers softly.
"Big sis is smart—knew Chalcis was bad news early on."
"Then why help Enoch? What if he's bad too?"
Soo's eyes go wide and innocent.
She's wondered forever. Angela saves dying Enoch for free, takes him to clinic, vanishes. Later excuses "job in progress," but contradicts saving him first.
Community buzz: he's hot, hates Chalcis, tried scamming money but he's broke, etc. Truth? No one knows. Mid-story death, never explains.
"Big sis suspicious?"
"Nah, not suspicious."
"Then?"
"Just curious what you think."
Angela stops, ponders, smiles wryly.
"World where people kill without reason, right?"
"Yeah."
"In that world, saving without reason isn't so weird, is it?"
A cool breeze blows. Angela's blonde hair dances in the moonlight, weaving silver threads. She smiles shamelessly proud.
"Got it."
Soo smiles faintly, squeezes Angela's hand.
Not 'cause he's hot, hates Chalcis, or money. Angela hasn't lost her humanity in this world.
"Cool."
"Haha... tickles?"
Angela squirms bashfully and resumes walking—light steps.
"Thanks for helping."
"No biggie."
Stuff like loading a bullet-riddled guy into a car and trunking a head-smashed corpse. Not normal chat, but the vibe's warm.
"Morning."
"...You."
"Soo."
"...Right."
Enoch forces his throbbing body up. Everything hurts. Faster to find what doesn't.
Makes sense—seven bullets.
He scans around, squints.
"Where's this?"
"Melkis Clinic."
Never heard of it. Enoch instinctively pats his waist. Usual pistol and knife spot. Empty, of course.
He swallows a sigh, eyes on Soo.
"You... carried me?"
"Angela helped."
"Angela? Who's that?"
"Nice person. Recommended this place."
They're talking, but not connecting. Enoch rubs his pounding temple, sighs.
"Thanks first... Owe you my life."
"Yeah."
"Where's... Angela now?"
"Helped during a job, left in a hurry."
"Didn't pay her, and she just left?"
"Yeah, Angela's nice—doesn't take pay."
"...No such thing as free in this world. She wants some—"
"No."
Soo cuts him off, frowning.
"Angela's really nice."
"...Fine. If we meet again, I'll thank her."
"Yeah."
Soo beams. Enoch's lips twitch watching her.
Questions galore. Chalcis? Cleanup done? Who is she? What was that head-bursting weapon? What does she want from me?
"You..."
"Got money?"
Before he asks, Soo sparkles.
Money, huh. Cleaner that way.
"None."
He shakes his head. Clean, but broke now. Once healed, work hard and pay...
"Wait a bit, I'll pay ASAP—"
"I got money."
Can't finish. Soo beats him again. Content... weird.
"Tons."
Enoch blinks at her shining eyes, blurts.
"What... you want me to do?"
Soo hands a long paper instead. Treatment bill. Normal for clinic. But the amount...
Insane. Not simple treatment. Ten years grinding barely covers it.
Why?
"Needed neural accel implant, right?"
"What."
Chills down Enoch's spine. Or not chills.
"...No way."
Trembling hand traces spine. Something there. Cold, hard—not flesh.
Implant. On spine?
Only one kind exists.
"...Why neural accel... on me?"
"Told 'em to install it. Neonic's latest neural accel. Cool, huh?"
Soo grins bright.
"Sure."
Enoch nods flatly. Then thrashes to rip out his spine.
Of course, Soo's "magic" calms him. Magic knocks him out too, but he's settled—good for Soo.