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Chapter 25: The Tides of War
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The streets were silent again, save for the faint echoes of the battle that had just taken place. Kaito stood over the fallen Watcher, his breath coming in heavy gasps. His body ached, bruised from the battle, but there was no time to rest. He glanced at Ayumi, who was kneeling beside him, her weapon still in hand, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of more threats.
"That was too close," she muttered, her voice a mix of exhaustion and relief. "We need a better strategy for these things. They're not like the others."
Kaito wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling the adrenaline start to ebb away. The battle had been brutal, a stark reminder of how much more dangerous these infected were becoming. Watchers were no longer mindless creatures—they were intelligent, capable of coordination and strategy. The longer they fought, the more he realized just how much he needed to learn about these enemies.
"I agree," Kaito said, his voice firm. "We can't just go in blindly. We need to gather more intel on their patterns, their weaknesses. This fight wasn't just about killing—it was about survival, and learning."
Ayumi nodded, looking down at the Watcher's lifeless body. The thing had been fast, powerful, and incredibly resilient. Their initial plan had been to catch it off-guard, but it had adapted quickly, forcing them into a corner. If they hadn't been quick on their feet, it could've ended much differently.
"We've killed one," Kaito continued, wiping his blade clean. "But we need to see if there are more in the area. If this one was alone, we can focus on studying it more. But if it had a group…"
His words trailed off as he considered the potential dangers. A group of Watchers would be far more difficult to handle, especially if they worked together. They needed information, but that meant more risk. Kaito turned to Ayumi.
"Stay alert," he said. "We'll need to move fast, but we can't afford to be reckless."
"Understood," Ayumi replied, standing and moving into a defensive stance. Her eyes were sharp, constantly scanning the area around them.
Kaito reached into his bag and pulled out a small device he had salvaged from the city's tech district—a scanner of sorts. It wasn't the most advanced piece of equipment, but it was better than nothing. He activated it, watching as the small screen flickered to life. The device scanned the surrounding area for heat signatures, and the readings were concerning. The Watcher had been the first, but it certainly wouldn't be the last.
"We're not alone," Kaito muttered, eyes narrowing at the screen.
Ayumi peered over his shoulder. "More?"
"Not exactly," Kaito replied. "But I'm detecting heat signatures. They're moving, but they're not infected. People. Survivors."
Ayumi's expression shifted. "How many?"
"Three," Kaito said, tapping the screen to zoom in. "They're near the old train station, not too far from here. We could investigate, but it's risky. They might not be friendly."
"We don't have much of a choice," Ayumi said, her voice low but resolute. "We need more information. If these people know anything about the Watchers, we can't afford to ignore them."
Kaito hesitated. He wasn't sure what they would find at the train station, but he knew they couldn't afford to remain isolated forever. Every moment they spent holed up in the safe zone was a moment they grew weaker, less prepared for the battles ahead. It was time to make a choice.
"Alright," Kaito said, finally deciding. "We'll head to the train station. But we go in cautiously. No one makes a move until we know for sure who they are."
Ayumi gave him a sharp nod, her stance tightening in readiness. They had no idea what they were walking into, but that was nothing new. Every day in this world was a gamble, and they were all forced to take risks.
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The Train Station
The journey to the train station was tense, every corner and alley feeling like a potential ambush. Kaito's senses were on high alert, every instinct telling him to be cautious. As they neared the station, he signaled for Ayumi to stop, the two of them ducking behind the remnants of a collapsed building.
Peering around the corner, Kaito saw three figures standing by the wrecked train tracks. They weren't the typical survivors he was used to—disheveled, desperate, and broken. These people were organized, moving with purpose. They had weapons slung across their backs, and they seemed to be scanning the area, clearly aware of their surroundings.
Kaito took a deep breath, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. This could go either way.
"Stay close," he whispered to Ayumi. "We approach carefully."
They moved forward slowly, keeping their distance from the strangers. As they got closer, Kaito could make out more details. There was a man, tall and imposing, with a rifle slung across his chest. A woman stood beside him, her hair tied back in a tight ponytail, her eyes sharp as she surveyed the area. The third person was a younger man, possibly in his early twenties, his face shadowed by a hood, his posture stiff.
It wasn't until they were within earshot that Kaito finally spoke.
"Hey," he called out, his voice steady but cautious. "You three need help?"
The trio tensed, but didn't immediately reach for their weapons. The man with the rifle turned to face them first, his eyes cold and calculating.
"And who are you?" the man asked, his voice low. "More survivors looking for trouble?"
Kaito held up his hands, signaling peace. "Just trying to survive, same as you. We heard there were others in the area. We're looking for information. About the Watchers."
The mention of the Watchers seemed to catch the man's attention. His eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and suspicion.
"The Watchers," the woman repeated, her voice soft but intense. "You've seen them too?"
Kaito nodded. "We've fought one. It wasn't like anything we've encountered before. We need to know more."
The man eyed them both for a long moment, clearly weighing his options. Finally, he lowered his rifle slightly, though he didn't put it down. "We've seen them. And they're only getting worse. We know a few things, but it's not safe to talk here. You're welcome to come with us, but you'll need to prove you're not a threat first."
Ayumi stepped forward, her posture defensive but respectful. "We're not here to fight. We just want to know what's going on. We're not looking for trouble."
The man studied them for a moment longer before nodding slowly. "Alright. We'll talk. But follow us. The last thing we need is an ambush."
With that, the three strangers turned and began walking toward the old station, the tracks now overgrown with weeds and littered with debris. Kaito and Ayumi exchanged a glance before following them, staying vigilant.
As they walked, the man with the rifle spoke again, his voice softer this time.
"You're right about the Watchers. They're smarter than the rest. We've been tracking them for days. But they're not the only thing we need to worry about. There's something else out there, something worse. Something that controls them."
Kaito's heart skipped a beat. "Something worse?"
The woman turned to face them, her expression grim. "The Watchers are just the beginning. There's a reason they're evolving. Someone, or something, is manipulating them. And if we don't stop it, this world is as good as dead."
Kaito's thoughts spun as he processed her words. There was more to the infection than they had imagined—something far darker, far more insidious.
They reached the train station, the building now a half-ruined shell of what it once was. But inside, there was a sense of order. Survivors were gathered, sitting around fires, working on makeshift weapons, and keeping watch. It was a safe zone, one that had lasted longer than most.
Kaito felt a flicker of hope. They might have found allies, but the truth about the Watchers was still out there, waiting to be uncovered.
And this time, the fight wasn't just for survival. It was for the future of humanity itself.
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Mission Progress:
Mission Name: Eliminate 10 Watchers
Objective: Kill 10 Watchers to gain critical intel on their origin and behavior.
Current Count: 1/10
Reward: 15,000 Experience Points, Pathfinder title upgrade.
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Title : Pathfinder
Effect: Shared Growth
Allies within the Pathfinder's party gain experience at a matching rate, allowing them to level up alongside Kaito. For each level Kaito achieves, his comrades receive a percentage boost in experience points, skill acquisition speed, and minor stat growth.
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The mission had only just begun, but the weight of its importance settled heavily on Kaito's shoulders. He was no longer just fighting to survive. Each step forward was part of a larger plan, one that could mean the difference between hope and despair for the world.