Chapter 3

Doubting if I should've referred to myself as "ex-agent", I drift from one structure to another, climbing up to the third floor to analyze my surroundings.

Opposed to the underground base the criminal organization built, I don't see any end in sight.

The cave goes on and over, blending with the darkness that lurks everywhere.

The ceiling, carpeted with sharp stalactites, twinkles softly as if I were stargazing, looking for constellations.

Also, I notice that gloombirds have built their own rendition of a city here since their nests are glued to nearly every rooftop I can spot.

Better these harmless things than the bird that almost tore apart RAID when I first landed on the island.

Provided that it was a bird, that is...

Shrugging at the first thing that attacked me during my operation, I return to ground level, wondering about the utility of these constructions.

Clearly, they served some purpose in the past. Still, no matter how hard I try, I can't determine what.

Was this an actual city? A secluded village of some kind, perhaps?

The lack of furniture doesn't give me any useful information on the topic.

Moreover, there aren't any characteristic buildings that could help me decipher the enigma.

In the end, it doesn't matter much since I'm not planning to return.

Once I leave, I won't be dropping by unless it's strictly necessary.

Hayato: The ruins are becoming more sparse. With a little luck, that means I'm reaching the other side of the cave, and hopefully, an exit.

Wishing for that to be the case, I enter a collapsed edifice, the culprit turning out to be an exotic tree with an iridescent bark and a radiating bloom.

How could a tree like that have caused that much damage? It's not that big, and still, half of the building is scattered all over the ground.

Hayato: I'm anticipating your answer, but what can you tell me about this parody of a tree, SARA?

SARA: It's not a tree but a rare organic formation.

SARA: Its hues are probably the result of hundreds of years of mineral absorption.

SARA: It feeds on them and water rather than on sunlight.

SARA: As a rule of thumb, approaching the flora is not advised.

SARA: Finally, it's important to point out there are no specimens like that on Earth.

Hayato: Yup, that pretty much confirmed my supposition...

Hayato: Thanks for the rundown, by the way. The more I learn about these creatures, the better.

SARA: Agreed. A database has been created to catalog these encounters.

Amused by SARA's remark, I let out a silent chuckle, almost tempted to peek at the encyclopedia the machine is filling out.

I can do that once I take my leave. The caves are not the place to lecture yourself on exotic flora and fauna.

Focusing on the task at hand, I move out of the fallen building, coming back to the streets of this forsaken location.

Eclipses of gloombirds fly casually above me without a concern in the world, gliding left and right without following a predictable route.

Hayato: This is peaceful... A bit too peaceful.

Hayato: In nature, the lack of sounds and movements signifies the presence of a predator.

Am I being stalked? The sensors of my armor are unresponsive, so I can only check that for myself.

Preemptively, I sweep every structure in sight with the flashlight, not recognizing any kind of menace.

I'm either alone or facing a superior beast of prey.

Hoping for it to be the former rather than the latter, I continue with my blind advance, tapping Light Lancet to remind myself I have the perfect protection available.

No kind of creature, no matter how eerie it is, would survive a laser blast.

Soothed by that fact, I carry on my mission to leave the ruins, chancing upon bizarre architecture dilapidated by the passing of time.

One distant building captures my attention, however.

There's a flickering light inside, almost resembling fire.

Could it be an actual fire or another otherworldly plant with no name?

I'm not too sure what would be more relieving.

Silently, to not compromise my presence, I inch toward the structure, spotting a torchlight resting on the wall.

Below, on the ground, is a girl on her knees inspecting a hole.

Is she... Is she human?

???: Yes, I can sense your filthy stench...

???: It's faint, but I'd recognize it anywhere.

???: I'm on the right track.

???: Mark my words, you foul creature... I'll lay my hands on you before long!

The woman talks to herself, clarifying she's, indeed, a human and not some bizarre abomination of the caves.

Still, I decide not to approach her since she's carrying archaic weapons.

She might be unfriendly. Consequently, I must deal with her tactfully.

Standing in my position, I prepare my rifle in case she attempts to charge at me, knocking on the wall to announce myself.

???: C-Crap!

Alarmed by my audible warning, the girl rolls forward, producing a wrist crossbow that she promptly aims at me.

Upon catching sight of her target, she frowns with confusion, perhaps expecting a monster with more limbs than mine.

???: Goodness gracious... For a second there I thought I was toast!

???: But hey, who the hell are you? And more importantly, what are you doing down here?

???: These ruins aren't especially touristic.

Hayato: I could ask you the same things. You don't look like a tourist to me.

???: Nuh-uh! You can't reply to a question with yet another question.

???: Answer me, and I'll satisfy your curiosity!

Hayato: You're making things unnecessarily difficult, you know?

Tension lingers in the air, thickening the atmosphere as the standoff unfolds.

Any subtle movement, and we could shoot at each other.

I'll have to break the ice before the situation escalates...

Hayato: My name is Hayato. What's yours?

Shiori: Shiori, but don't say it too much or it'll lose its charm.

The woman winks at me mischievously, lowering her weapon to prove she's no longer hostile.

Hayato: And who are you exactly?

Shiori: You see, I asked that question first, but since I'm such a nice girl, I'll answer it before you do.

Shiori: I'm a bounty hunter, and the trail I was following led me to these godawful caves.

Shiori: I have a hot lead, so it was worth the effort.

Shiori: Alas, it's long gone, so I must continue with my pursuit elsewhere.

Shiori: How about you, huh? You don't look like the usual adventurer to me!

Hayato: I'm an operator working for the Global Security Contractors. I was on an important mission.

Hayato: While I was dealing with it, some... events took place, and I suddenly arrived at these ruins.

Hayato: I have no reason to stay, so my current goal is to make my way to the surface.

Baffled to hear about me, Shiori tilts her head, not quite managing to piece the information I relayed together.

Shiori: Global Security... What now? Is that some kind of foreign clan?

Shiori: Also, what the heck is an "operator"? It must be a weird-ass title because I've never heard it before!

Shiori: And what about your gear? It's as outlandish as it can get!

Shiori: No-no, wait, don't tell me... You're a mercenary from the Twilight Frontier!

Shiori: Aha! That must be it. I'm such a genius.

Shiori grins with contentment at her assumption, none of what she claimed making any sense to me.

Hayato: Sorry, but I'm out of the loop.

Shiori: Pfft, you don't have to pretend, dude. I got you!

Shiori: You're one of those exotic soldiers that practice strange martial arts and whatnot.

Shiori: Come on, your appearance is screaming that! Even bounty hunters like myself wear more discreet clothes.

Shiori: And your weapons... Wow, they're so freaky! I can't begin to guess what they do by looking at them.

Hayato: Well, if you want to believe that, so be it.

Hayato: It's not like I'd be able to convince you, anyway.

Aware that Shiori won't be changing her mind no matter what I say, I don't go against her version that explains who I am.

In the end, it's easier than sharing the thorny details related to the Cosmic Engine.

Shiori: So... you want to get out of here, don't you? That makes the two of us, actually!

Shiori: What do you say we become partners? We'll have more chances of survival if we stick together and work as a team.

Hayato: I'm not against the idea. If you managed to make it to the ruins, you'll surely know how to come back.

Shiori: Hi-hi, you bet I do! This bounty hunter is always prepared.

Shiori: Let's make our partnership official, Hayato.

Shiori extends her arm with a smile on her face, gesturing for me to shake it to seal our verbal contract.

Taking into account that she's a native and that her knowledge about these caverns surpasses mine, it'll be beneficial for me to become allies even if temporarily.

Hayato: Very well, Shiori. We're partners now.

Shiori: You won't regret it!

While giggling, we shake hands, becoming associates who'll help each other out in case trouble comes our way.

Considering the hazardous location that we're in, it's only a matter of time before we're forced to face our first setback.

Shiori: Alright, Hayato! I believe we overstayed our welcome.

Shiori: Tag along and don't distance yourself from me.

Shiori: And don't you dare leer at my butt because I'll notice it!

Hayato: ...

I remain silent as the girl picks up her torch and marches out of the building, chuckling at her tease.

I tread behind her steps, questioning her professionalism.

I have an inkling this is going to be one exceptionally long trek back to the outside world...