(pov Ki-Moon)
The return journey is made in silence.
A strange silence. Not oppressive. Not awkward.
Simply… empty.
The trees gradually disappear behind us as drones escort us at a respectable distance.
I feel completely drained inside; the fatigue was there, but I couldn't close my eyes.
Carina sat down next to me. Her breathing was light.
I slowly lowered my eyes towards her small silhouette.
She didn't look like someone who had lived here.
And yet…
She moves forward without hesitation as if she knew this place by heart.
Then-
The light appears.
Brutal.
A huge metal platform suspended between several pylons suddenly appeared in our vision.
Dozens of drones were flying around; they were very concentrated here…
I pushed open the door of our cabin and rushed onto the platform.
Carina followed me without comment, gently placing her hand against the metal panel.
Bip.
The door closed immediately and the drones with our container.
…
My eyes slowly scanned the space around us.
Blue arrows glittered on the ground and Carina followed them without excitement.
– (there are no other players within sight)
And the arrows stop in front of a huge living room, black sofas, glass, dim lighting. Screens suspended all over the walls.
What kind of game is it?
I stopped for a few seconds and stared at my watch.
There were no instructions, no riddles.
– …since when have players had this kind of place?
Carina slowly takes off her jacket. She avoids my gaze.
– I don't really know either.
His response was quick.
I stare at her for a little longer.
Then I give up.
For now.
I collapsed, exhausted, onto one of the sofas.
A huge screen lights up in front of us.
A tower appears there.
But my attention was not so quickly drawn… It looks like nothing more than a simple tower.
CRACK !
A body explodes against the ground.
I didn't know how to react.
I'm just watching.
Again.
Again.
The bodies fell and broke.
The smell of blood seemed almost to come off the screen.
I covered my nose and then noticed the names displayed on the side.
I let out a small, joyless laugh.
– ….
He had no choice.
Bro.
I squint slightly.
His gaze is empty.
Completely emptied.
He's not even looking at the summit anymore. Only at his hands.
As if he were simply trying to survive the next second.
CRACK !
Another player falls behind them.
The sound of the body echoed throughout the room.
Carina looked away and curled up into a ball.
I just kept watching, slowly walking towards the screen.
AL-05 suddenly raises its head.
Even through images…
I have the feeling he's looking directly at me.
Then he smiled slowly.
I sensed it immediately. But before I could answer-
The image changed abruptly and Elizabeth appeared.
Her face filled the entire wall, as was her custom, she liked to dominate the whole space.
Her black dress swirls slowly around her while her distorted smile seems even bigger than before.
[I'M ALMOST HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN... WHAT AN EMOTION]
His voice echoed throughout the room.
Elisabeth gently tilts her head.
[YOU REALLY SAVED HIM-… OOPS!, SORRY~]
[HOW RARE THAT IS…. I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE PERFECT FOR THIS ROLE]
I slowly turn my head back, meeting Carina's gaze.
Her fingers discreetly tightened against his sleeve.
– …
Elisabeth's smile widened.
– [DON'T MAKE THAT FACE~, ONCE YOU'RE IN THE GAME YOU BECOME A PLAYER]
And the screen cuts out abruptly.
Silence.
I looked at Carina.
A long time.
A very long time.
She still refuses to look up.
– …who exactly are you?
His throat moves slightly.
But she just bit her lip