Chapter. 10 Lead and Silver Coins (14)
****
That night.
The professor and his group were sitting around a small heater, wrapped in blankets, talking about what they had heard during the day.
“What about the young lady?”
“I fell asleep early. The AI said that it would be too much for them to talk for this long because their stamina is weak. “I was mentally exhausted because of the events that happened around here recently.”
Slurp-
“Well. “I feel dizzy just from what I heard today, but if someone close to me is dying in real time and I am pouring out such information, I will probably go crazy.”
Ezel grumbles while drinking warm water brought by a drone.
Looking at the guy who was with us as an agent of the Inspection Department, I got the feeling that the series of incidents we had experienced so far did not occur individually, but were all related.
‘The most important exosuit operator among Dome’s troops. No matter how much the president said he would support exosuits, is it possible to recruit them directly from the inspection department garage? In general, [They said they would provide exosuits, but they never said they would provide people. Instead of a suit that can’t be used, I’ll give you more equipment equivalent to it.] It’s true that things are going in the same direction.’
The president clearly said, ‘Contact was lost at the entrance to Area 39.’ In other words, we have heard everything about the situation from the beginning of Area 39 to where we are now. An area that has been invaded by endless variants. If they really wanted to support us with only information about this variant, it would have been a much more reasonable choice to attach 10 to 20 regular troops armed with heavy weapons rather than exosuits, which limit continuous combat.
“…I couldn’t have done it because I didn’t know. “Because the president was a gentleman who was always one or two moves faster than me.”
I felt confident. The director had other information that he did not tell me, and based on that information, he supported an exosuit suited for wedge penetration rather than range annihilation.
Crackling. Again.
[I don’t know the details, but I heard it’s not that big. They say it weighs about 40kg, including the cushioning case to hold the parts.]
Click.
[I don’t know exactly what’s going on because all of my informants were also attacked… but at least I got this one thing.]
Crack clap clap clap clap clap clap. Crack!
‘Box. It’s a box…’
The atmosphere became quiet at some point.
“Hey professor. “Is there anything uncomfortable?”
“….a little.”
The box held by the fanatic in the video. The box weighing about 40 kg that the president mentioned.
“Ezel. “What do you think justice is?”
“….suddenly? why. “Have you almost died so many times that you want to throw yourself into a dome?”
“No, just. “I’m curious.”
The two boxes seemed strangely overlapping, and the president’s smiling face came to mind.
****
“In the end, the center of this saddal is those fanatics.”
“yes. Assuming that the mutation device… is in continuous operation, this would explain the increase in type 2 mutations to the point where they become a horde and run around like that.”
“What about muglers?”
“same here. Although the number appears to be large, it is actually a powder separated from a single type 3 variant. It has a wide area of activity, but with other mutants swarming in its area, it is natural for its aggression to increase. We saw it too. Fighting Muglers and Horde.”
“Nimi, what did those crazy people do to create something like that? Are they technophobes? You say we need to go back to primitive times, but if you look closely, it seems like you’re more advanced than average? Skin masks are also a very innovative technology, right? Isn’t this contradictory? “You also use a gun?”
What Ian took out along with an expletive was a copy of the message he had checked by entering the connector located here. The name ‘District 32 Happy Blind’ was proudly listed on one side of the huge list of orders that must have spread over the past few days.
“That’s…”
Kiririk-
“To be exact, they are ‘old generation’ technology haters. They say necessity is the mother of invention, right? As the conflict between ideology and convenience continued, our own way of survival developed. The skin mask is a masterpiece that came out of that process. “It has been confirmed that among the fanatics, guns are not used by ordinary people, but only by those who are called ‘shepherds’ and are permitted to engage in outside activities.”
When I heard a voice coming from behind, I slightly moved to the side and a wheelchair came between the four of us. Dana, whose hair was slightly disheveled as if she had just woken up, was pushing a wheelchair.
“Were we too loud?”
“It’s just difficult to sleep for long periods of time. My pulse periodically becomes irregular, and every time it happens, I think, ‘If I stay still like this, I might die.’ “I couldn’t keep lying down because I was thinking about it.”
As she complained in an annoyed tone, I realized once again that she was a person who had been living a terminally ill life for the past few years.
“…You’re having a hard time too, young lady.”
“Specifically? Before the war, I was very angry and resentful, but in fact, all the people I thought would live longer than me died before me, so I don’t feel resentful anymore. “He may have survived longer than the doctor said.”
Dana said she had been suffering from a rare heart disease for a long time. Cause unknown, treatment unknown. When he suddenly said that his heart was beating too fast or too slowly and held up an arm full of injection marks and a small amount of tonic medicine, I didn’t know what to say so I kept my mouth shut again.
In fact, she was smiling casually as she said those words. like now.
“Sheep Shepherd and Snow. Happy Blinds are divided into three classes: They are mainly homeless people and have children born after the war, commonly known as the ‘Generation of Destruction’. Most people gathered there because they were lured by Happy Blind’s propaganda that said, ‘Let’s not pass on our pain to the next generation.’ Although they are responsible for production and most work within the group, it is somewhat ambiguous to call them working class. Shepherds are people who are in charge of external affairs. There is one limiting condition. It will not be ‘the generation born after destruction’. Since it has only been 5 years since the war ended, I am guessing that it is a class created for the future rather than a relevant person. They are responsible for managing the sheep and using the ‘products of the terrible old generation’ to protect the group and spread the ideology of Happy Blind.”
“Laymen and priests… do they feel the same? As if laypeople do not have access to sacred relics?”
“It’s similar. The difference is that it is treated like a devil’s relic rather than a holy relic. There is only one ‘Nun’ in Happy Blind as the supreme leader. He is also known as the founder of religion, the person who created this blind faith, and the person who developed the skin mask. “Detailed personal information has not been confirmed.”
Ezel said with admiration as he watched Dana rattle off information about Happy Blind on the topic they had just joined in the conversation.
“…How on earth do you know that?”
“There are no perfect secrets, and the forest of anonymity is a perfect place to shout ‘The king’s ears are donkey ears~!’ isn’t it? “Don’t ignore someone whose entire life has been online.”
“That’s so… trustworthy.”
“It was nothing.”
In response to Ian’s compliment, Dana slightly lifts the blanket on her knees like it’s a dress. I was troubled as I looked at Ezel between her and the friendly group.
The fact that ‘the president is hiding something’ has not yet been reported to the group. If that person had really hidden something and sent our group here, even Ezel, who had returned from a mission at such an exquisite moment, could have been one of the people who joined the group according to his arrangement.
[This is the person you personally selected, right?]
‘Even that could have been predicted. The president knows very well that Ezel and I are close. Of course, this is just an assumption. The rector really wanted to find the missing person and the missing exosuit, and we may have stumbled upon some unlucky timing.’
[Given the circumstances, the possibility is high, right?]
‘The word possibility itself doesn’t mean it’s 100%. Whatever it is, you’ll find out when you go to the Area 38 dome. As long as we have a box containing city-level shield parts, which is our target, there will be no problem. There is no reason to spread uncertain doubts now.’
[….It’s complicated.]
I sighed along with Hyde’s sigh.
Yeah, it’s complicated. As always, people who move beyond good and bad intentions and are driven by group ideology have always been complex.
‘So many things have disappeared. Even though the world has become so simple, people are still complicated.’
Suddenly, the words of those fanatics came to mind.
[Technology and by-products of the older generation. In the end, only when all people with those memories disappear will humanity face a new beginning.]
I couldn’t agree, but I felt like I had a little understanding of where that crazy religion started.
****
The next morning.
The group standing at the entrance of the library was facing Dana. Because she was weak, it would have been difficult for her to join the group right away.
“You have to come get me in at least a month. As the level of radioactivity increased, even the deepest groundwater in this area began to become increasingly contaminated. “It is not only a drinking water issue, but in a place where water must be decomposed to create oxygen, contaminated groundwater means that the life of the shelter has come to an end.”
“okay. “If I’m still alive after work, I’ll come pick you up.”
“There is not enough information right now, but I will look for it on my own, so check the message when I arrive at the Area 38 dome.”
“okay.”
“I marked the area where raptor movement was confirmed nearby, so avoid it as much as possible. know? The battle here places priority on removing radiation protection rather than killing the opponent. Even if there is a significant difference in combat power, the one who ambushes and snipes first wins. Around here, there are people who use modified crossbows instead of firearms to throw rocks at them. Radiation leaks in more easily through a hole made with a large rock than a small hole made with a bullet. “Avoid fighting in unprepared places.”
“okay.”
“And again…”
Just as Dana was frowning as if trying to remember something, I snatched up the small package of supplies she had prepared and said,
“That’s enough. If I keep doing this, I’m going to lose my job. “I understand why you’re doing this, but it was helpful enough, so don’t feel burdened.”
“But… the calculation is not correct. In the end, I couldn’t find any proper information about the Artists’ Union you mentioned.”
Dana, who was trying to retort something to what I said, lowered her head and muttered.
“What I asked you to do and even provide relief to patients who have difficulty moving. That’s too much to ask for compared to the information I’ve given you. It’s an unfair trade. “And you are at a huge disadvantage.”
“Hey, at some point you’ll say, ‘I won’t be able to refuse you.’ “They said the same thing.”
“That’s-”
“You seem to be completely mistaken, but I’ve never made a losing deal. “It has been that way and it will continue to be that way.”
“But this time-”
“Same goes for this time too. Still not sure? “This is a continuation of a deal that has been going on for a long time, you idiot.”
As I saw the question in her eyes as she sat on the wheelchair, I bent down to look into her eyes and said,
“I have truly been indebted to you for a long time, Speed Wagon. He said that in return for the information he had provided free of charge, he would like to save his life, so please accept it. A professional information dealer has provided dedicated support for as many as 5 years. Wow, I don’t even want to imagine how much the fee will be. Please do me a favor and say this once. “Please take a look.”
“Uh ah um….”
“…. I’m going. “It’s cold outside, so go in quickly.”
Now that I had said it, I felt a little embarrassed, so I turned away without hearing her answer. As I was crossing the fire shutter while wearing a skin mask and inspecting the bubble shield, the person waiting for me grinned and tapped my shoulder in an unpleasant way.
“Hehehe. He’s such a quick learner. “Go down, I have nothing more to teach you.”
“what.”
When I responded bluntly to Ian, who was grinning with a happy expression on his face, Ezel, who was behind me, tapped me and said,
“The two of you were so in love that you almost had to wait and set up a lunch table here. “It looks like you have no intention of leaving.”
“It’s not like that, dude.”
“Kihihi. Happiness is good. Yes, it made me feel good to see that. Don’t worry about us. Since we have a lot of money, we can build another shelter near the shelter we live in now and live separately. “I have no intention of living in a newlywed house.”
“Oh really…!”
Smirking Ian and Ezel. Plus, Bex doesn’t make fun of him, but gives him a pure blessing. There was something embarrassing, but what was even more embarrassing was ‘Is that why you feel bad?’ I thought to myself, ‘Not really…?’ The same thought came to mind.
“I haven’t even thought about that yet, so just skip it!”
.
.
.
.
Weeeeeee- rattle. Dumb duck!
Perhaps because I was so confused, I unexpectedly made a fatal mistake.
“yet?”
“Ajiik?”
“Then how much did you know?”
These guys attack like wildcats at the slightest mistake.
[I know~ I know~. Hey shell. I saw something interesting in your dream last night…]
‘…It’s nothing. Forget it. Forget it!’
[You know I can’t do that. In a wooden house on a small hill~ Wildflowers are in full bloom in the garden~]
‘#&(*$_!*(&*(#*)_#*!!!’
Clap- thud!
Buaaaaang-!
“Khahaha! Hey Professor! Let’s go together!”
“The princess trapped in the concrete castle will be sad if she runs out on her own and gets caught by a mutant!” ”
Everyone, shut up! We’re back outside, so we need to keep the noise down!”
Crackling –
It wasn’t until the point where the rescue signal finally appeared. The group stopped teasing.
“Tok todok – tok tok todok – tok -”
It soon resumed, starting with Ezel sending a message like [Pretty Love] in Morse code through the communicator. It was
slow and sensational, just like when they came here. They were moving around with a lot of caution, but for some reason they were not as sensitive as before and were grinning and moving forward.
****
“They’re gone…”
Dana sighed quietly as she looked at the dust reflected on the external camera. It was just quiet. It felt like a storm had passed in her life.
Gigi-
“Master, the other friend you mentioned before hahaha, I received a call from the compensation department. Would you like to check?” “
….I can also be playing. There isn’t any. I’ll be there right away.”
Dana stared at the old notebook on her lap for a while, then carefully drew a triangle under the circle she had just drawn and smiled with satisfaction.
“Well, I learned that it shouldn’t be too easy.”
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Dana Elisha Hyacinth’s bucket list.
1. Living a more valuable life even for a day.
.
.
.
3. Playing around all night long with friends. ○
4. Mmmm. △
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.
.
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=
It’s been so long since she wrote it that she reads it and sweeps it down with her hands every time, so it’s worn out and almost hard to read.
As someone who learned everything on the Internet, she decided to strictly follow those teachings.
****
