It was morning. As everyone was waking up, the ground suddenly began to shake. Parts of the building burst into flames from sudden explosions, shocking Adam.
"What's happening!? Was this your order?"
The AI stood still.
"No... these automatons—there seems to be a bug in them. My commands to prevent them from attacking this facility are not working."
"Why would they even do that?"
"Their job was only to destroy enemy territory. But now, no one is controlling them—they're malfunctioning. Just as my task is to maintain this facility... Human, head west if you want to escape this level. It's mostly safe there."
Adam rushed to his group.
"Hey guys!"
He shook them awake, groggy and confused as the building began to collapse.
"We're going—now!"
Still half-asleep, they scrambled toward the Kettenkrad, hopping on while exhausted.
Damn it... where's my peace? Where can I find it...
They escaped through the backdoor just as the building collapsed behind them. Animals fled in all directions—some were crushed, others chased by robots.
I guess we were lucky...
Riding westward, trying to get away from the machines, the group curled up in silence. Adam sat there, looking tired and drained.
Am I really gonna be okay? Was this all stupid? I don't even know what's gonna happen in the future...
I wish there was hope. LORD... where are you...?
Silence.
He looked at his palm and began unwrapping the bandage.
Yuri noticed and leaned in, concerned.
"Adam, are you okay? Is everything alright?" She touched his shoulder gently. "It might still be healing..."
"I'm fine. I'm just... curious."
Looking at the palm of his hand, he saw the scarring. The center had tattered like a rag. He looked above, miserable, staring at the ceiling of the vehicle. Could he really survive this journey?
Why was I brought into this world...? I could've chosen differently in the Tower. I could've been living in a mansion in different life... yet here I am, staring at destroyed, boring old buildings...
A wave of bitterness rolled through him again.
I can't handle this...
He looked at everyone.
"This is so weird... Guys—Yuri, Yoku, Kineki, Mino... you'll always be with me, right? I can trust you, right?"
Yoku, driving, replied:
"Okay, Adam, you're being weird again..."
Adam laughed.
"Yeah..."
Everyone looked even more concerned now. Yoku finally gave a small smile.
"Well, yes..."
Everyone agreed.
Then Mino poked Adam in the stomach.
"Would you rather we just say it, or should we show it to you, mister?"
He looked at her.
"Yeah... that was dumb." He paused.
"Have you ever thought... that you could've lived a different life? In a world where none of this was happening?"
Yoku smirked.
"Why would I think about that, when I already have enough problems right now? Thinking about an imaginary life doesn't fix the present. Don't impersonate something that doesn't exist."
"Good point..." Adam mumbled, grabbing an empty can.
"There's no need to impersonate something that isn't you."
Yuri looks at the horizon with adam "You know this was truly different, than what i think it was.. but i dont regret it, otherwise i could have been slowly deteriorate on that island"
Looking to the side, he saw it—the sea, stretching kilometers into the distance. The clouds above and the golden sunshine reflecting off the water. It was stunning.
Curious, he threw the can.
Yoku lightly hit his head.
"What are you doing?"
"Oww... -_- I was just curious."
There wasn't a single sound—just the stillness of the wind and the peaceful horizon. Below the city's tall walls, streams of water gushed down the pipes silently.