Null turned to Selene, his curiosity piqued. "Where are we going right now?" he asked, his voice cutting through the heavy silence between them.
Selene glanced at him briefly before answering, her tone steady but laced with a hint of something darker. "To get your approval for living in this world."
Null frowned, puzzled. "Approval? From whom? Wouldn't it be enough if you said so?"
A shadow passed over Selene's face as she shook her head, her sadness more evident now. "No..." she replied softly, her gaze distant, as though she was remembering something painful.
Null's confusion deepened. "Then who are you going to ask for permission?" he pressed, trying to understand.
Selene's expression remained unreadable as she gave him a brief glance. "Just wait," she replied, her tone leaving no room for further questions.
They continued walking for some time, the silence between them filled only by the soft echo of their footsteps. Null couldn't help but be amazed by his surroundings. Everything seemed far more advanced than the world above that he had known. The buildings, tall and intricately designed, were reinforced with strange crystals and minerals, their glowing surfaces radiating a subtle energy. It was a level of defense and technology that surpassed anything he had ever seen on the surface.
"What is this place...?" he muttered to himself, eyes wide as he absorbed every detail.
Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. "Where does the food and water come from here?" he asked, glancing over at Selene.
Selene glanced at him before replying calmly. "For an underground world, resources like light, water, food, and air are crucial," she began. "We harness geothermal vents and magma chambers for heat and energy. As for water, we rely on subterranean rivers that flow deep beneath the earth. Everything is carefully balanced to keep this civilization running."
Null was amazed by everything Selene had told him. As they walked, he noticed how many people there were around them. Everywhere they went, people stared at him—not just glances, but looks of curiosity and something else he couldn't quite place. Some of the people wore the same uniforms as the fighters he had seen earlier, but others were dressed in different clothing, ranging from functional suits to flowing robes, each style reflecting something unique about their role in this hidden society.
Eventually, they arrived at a towering building. Its walls gleamed with the same crystals he had seen before, and it was heavily guarded. Security was tight, with guards posted at every entrance. People moved with precision, and it was clear this place was of immense importance.
Selene stopped at the entrance and turned to Null. "Stay here," she instructed.
"Why can't I go with you?" Null asked, frowning.
She looked at him seriously. "If you want to die, then you can come," she replied bluntly.
Null fell silent, understanding that this was not a place he could follow her into. He stayed where he was, watching the security personnel and the few others moving around. As he studied them, something felt off. Though they weren't quite like Selene, they gave off a similar aura—one of power and strength. He could sense they were incredibly dangerous, like Selene, and that whatever was happening here was no ordinary matter.
After some time, Selene returned, her face marked with exhaustion. She stopped in front of him, her tired eyes locking onto his. "Do you want to be an awakener?" she asked.
Null blinked in confusion. "Didn't you bring me here to be awakened? Now you're asking me this?"
"Yes, I want you to be awakened," Selene admitted. "But He is giving you the choice."
Null's expression shifted. "Who is 'He'?"
"I can't tell you that," Selene replied firmly, her expression giving nothing away. She quickly shifted the conversation, her eyes locking onto his with a sense of urgency. "So, I'll ask again—do you want to be an awakener, Null?"
Null frowned, frustration rising in him as he stared back at her. Before he could respond, Selene continued, her voice soft but serious. "Look, Null, I don't know what kind of life you lived in the upper world, but becoming an awakener isn't just about gaining power. It comes with responsibility—responsibility to protect those people."
At her words, Null's face twisted with anger, his fists clenching. "Why should I protect them?" he snapped, his voice full of bitterness. "Why do I have to protect those people who despised me? They never even looked at me like a human. They treated me like I was nothing."
Selene remained calm despite Null's outburst, her gaze steady as she spoke. "Listen, Null, think about it carefully," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. "Even if you reject it right now, you don't have much of a choice. After learning this much about the secrets of the world, you can't simply leave. This place is your reality now."
She paused, then added with a slight edge, "I don't know, and frankly, I don't care how the people of the upper world treated you. But I do know one thing—if you want to prove your worth, if you want to show them you're more than what they thought, then you need power. Without it, you'll always be that person they overlooked."