Enveloped by the dusk, Satellite City No. 14 was shrouded in the shadow of war, akin to the cold night wind infiltrating every nook and cranny. In the modest quarters of the Sky family, Raimondo's snoring resounded like distant tanks on the battlefield, while Sky, restless and unable to sleep, lay on the sparse double bed, hands clasped behind his head, eyes staring at the ceiling, immersed in deep thought.
The events of this short day were so bizarre and overly stimulating, they completely overturned Sky's understanding of the world. Overwhelmed by a flood of fragmented memories, he now questioned his identity: was he still Sky, or had he morphed into the original Gabriel?
He tried to organize his tumultuous thoughts, revisiting the entire experience.
To Sky, the Aethercross World seemed like a flawless simulation of reality, a game where every sense and scene mirrored the actual world.
Identified as a "player" by the system's voice, it suggested his current conundrum: trapped in the surreal, virtual landscape of Aethercross, a game transcending reality.
His ongoing novice trial emerged as a rite of passage, a test determining entry into this game's domain. The penalty for failure? Death, as ominously forewarned by the system. Was it merely the end of his virtual journey in Aethercross, or a literal, spine-chilling cessation of life? The thought alone was terrifying.
Sky had no intention of risking his life to uncover the grim reality behind this daunting penalty. His sole focus was to channel every bit of his strength to overcome this trial.
The nature of this trial task was death-oriented, reminiscent of the fierce battle he had experienced today. He pondered whether failure in this trial instance world equated to actual death or, akin to traditional online RPGs, allowed for resurrection and a fresh start. In this world, where every sensation paralleled reality, even injuries were a stark reminder of the brutal reality of pain, as evidenced by the throbbing wound on his shoulder.
"Instance world" – this term was critical. If it held the same meaning as in online games in the real world, it indicated that this was merely a segment, a scene, or an instance map within a vaster game universe, potentially inhabited by other players.
"If we dissect it logically," Sky, deep in thought, furrowed his brow, "this task most likely necessitates completion within Satellite City 14.
In typical game design, players are not expected to traverse to another map for a side quest. It's merely a theory, yet there are significant clues bolstering this perspective, particularly in the quest's description.
Our mission starts with leaving the city to assist the city guards in escorting a group of refugees in, bringing in new residents, and ensuring their survival until the war concludes.
The first half is done; the remaining challenge is their survival until the war's end.
Undoubtedly, the crux of the quest hinges on Arachne's survival. She's far from ordinary, a notion underscored by the syringe Duncan, the gene researcher, left her as he lay dying.
There seems to be vital, yet undiscovered information about gene enhancement and pivotal characters.
One pressing query remains: when does this war actually end?
As we, along with Raimondo and Arachne, prepare to depart for the main city, we exit the gang warfare.
This, in gaming terms, equates to a map change. But our analysis suggests otherwise. Hence, something significant might unfold within the next three days.
Sky's gaze lingered on the ceiling, an undercurrent of unease within him. Just then, he heard Arachne turn in her bed, the third time in a short span.
Whispering, Sky inquired, "Struggling to sleep?"
After a pause, Arachne's soft voice responded, "Yes."
"How about a light conversation?" he suggested, glancing at his brother in the lower bunk. "No need to worry, Raimondo is a heavy sleeper. We'll keep it quiet so he stays undisturbed."
She whispered an agreement.
"What should we talk about? Hmm... Soon, we'll be heading to the main city. I wonder if Dr. Spencer has already laid out plans for our future there. Raimondo will likely need a school for his studies, and me? I guess I'll continue as her experimental subject, undergoing daily checks. She's never seen anything like my integration speed with the gene potion. But so far, no special abilities have emerged. I'm unsure if that's fortunate or not. One of her assistants even half-joked that I'm a kind of monster, perhaps."
"Monster?" Arachne pondered for a moment, "In this world, many might be monsters without even realizing it."
"In this desolate apocalypse, the air is saturated with perilous radiation and toxins. For those of us in the cities, our plight is somewhat alleviated. However, beyond the urban boundaries, many have been dreadfully transformed into monstrous mutants by the radiation, transforming it into a landscape of terror with these monstrous mutants," Sky articulated.
"Yet, they too are victims, aren't they? I firmly believe that none of these mutants chose their fate. Had they been fortunate enough to be born within the protective embrace of the cities, perhaps their tragic transformation could have been averted," Arachne interjected, her voice tinged with a surge of emotion, underscoring her deep sensitivity to the subject.
Sky narrowed his eyes, pondering, and continued, "That might be true. But the harsh reality remains unyielding and indifferent to our desires. The cities, constrained in their capacity, shelter only a select few, leaving the majority to brave the brutalities of the wasteland. In these lands, mutated beasts roam, and essentials like safe water and food are scarce fantasies. A single, dividing wall embodies the chasm between two stark realities. The resulting strife between these worlds is an unfortunate inevitability. Refugees, bandits, and mutants in the wasteland have now banded together, forming a formidable threat against us, the city inhabitants."
Arachne paused to reflect. "No matter which side of the wall we find ourselves on, we share the same human essence. Each one of us is a living, breathing entity. Why can't we devise a way to coexist harmoniously?" she queried.
"You make a valid point," Sky replied softly, "but the brutal truth of our world is inescapable. Within these walls, we have finite resources and a semblance of safety. Beyond, lies an expansive wasteland fraught with unknown perils. This disparity fuels a profound ideological and interest-based divide among the people. Yet, whether sheltered by the wall or exposed to the wasteland, our humanity remains unchanged – we all harbor fears, sorrows, and dreams. Isn't there a way for us to share resources and live together as equals? Since the great cataclysm ended, the world has begun its slow recovery, yet these conflicts have persisted for almost a century. Despite deep-rooted divisions and historical wounds, there are always those in search of a peaceful resolution. I firmly believe that no matter the hardships, whether another decade, two, or even a century is required, as long as there are individuals committed to the cause, peace is an attainable goal."
Meeting the girl's gaze, Sky saw a faint glimmer in her eyes in the dim light, revealing her extraordinary nature; her thoughts in this era stood apart from the ordinary. He responded earnestly, "You speak the truth. The tapestry of human history is not limited to the mere century following the cataclysm. Human history extends far beyond the mere century that has passed since the cataclysm, encompassing countless epochs and events. Time and again, history has shown us that, even under dire circumstances, people have found ways to coexist. In this world of survival, where life itself is a daunting challenge, scarcity and adversity have hardened hearts. Yet, as the old adage says, 'After the deepest darkness, comes the dawn.' So, we must never lose hope."
The girl fell into a contemplative silence, pondering Sky's profound words. After a while, her voice rang out again, "Sky, you truly are an extraordinary person."
Sky smiled warmly, "As are you."
Two individuals fell into silence. As time seemingly froze, the girl's voice drifted softly: "You know, my mother... she comes from beyond the wall."
"How could that be possible!" Sky, despite his premonitions about Arachne's uniqueness, was staggered by her revelation. His fragmented memories indicated that since the establishment of the city-state, an ever-widening gulf had formed between those within and outside the wall. Particularly in the last three decades, they lived as if in two parallel worlds, like two completely different species. A common belief in the city-state was that the genetics of most wasteland dwellers had undergone a total transformation into something else entirely. For the city-state's inhabitants, being exiled to the wasteland was a fate worse than death.
Now, Arachne disclosed a shocking truth: her mother, a woman from the wasteland, was the parent of a high-ranking genetic researcher's daughter in the city
-state.
Yet, there was more to her revelation. Her next words were laden with gravity: "Sky, you're different from the others. You carry an aura that doesn't belong to this world. I'm uncertain how you'll perceive me after this confession. Perhaps as a monster. But I don't care anymore, because I might not have much time left."
"Ah?" Sky was genuinely astounded, his mind whirling with thoughts: What did Arachne mean about her limited lifespan? Detecting an otherworldly aura on me? Is this the beginning of a new story arc in the game?
The realism of this world was overwhelming, making it difficult for Sky to believe that everyone around him was merely an NPC in a game. Each interaction, every expression of happiness, anger, sadness, and joy felt profoundly real, especially with this girl. Gazing into her eyes, Sky felt he could almost touch the emotions residing in her soul.
Arachne, with a slight smile, inquired, "Would you like to hear my story?"