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Chapter 15: The Hidden Truth
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The air in the abandoned industrial complex seemed to thicken with tension. Kaito's eyes were fixed on the small, strange device Hana had retrieved. It was an old piece of technology, weathered and scratched, but there was no mistaking its importance. Hana had come across something that could change everything.
"Are you sure about this?" Kaito asked, his voice low as he eyed the device in her hand.
Hana nodded slowly, her fingers gripping the tech like it was the only thing tethering her to this crumbling world. "I don't know exactly what it is, but I know it's connected to the Architects. I've seen this kind of tech before, back when I was researching the outbreak. They're using something similar to track and control the infected."
Ryo, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward. "So what's the plan? We just plug it in and hope it tells us everything we need to know?"
Hana shook her head, her brow furrowing with concern. "It's not that simple. This device is encrypted, and it seems like it's only one piece of a much larger puzzle. We need to find the rest of it, or at least figure out who's controlling it."
Kaito's mind whirled as he processed her words. The Architects—those shadowy figures who were orchestrating the chaos—had been the source of his deepest suspicions ever since the outbreak began. But now, Hana's discovery only deepened the mystery. If this device was connected to them, then it was far more dangerous than any infected creature they'd encountered. Whoever controlled this tech was playing a game far beyond the survivors' understanding.
"We need answers," Kaito said firmly. "And the only way to get them is to keep moving forward."
Akari, who had been silent up until this point, spoke up. "But where do we start? We don't have any leads."
Hana looked down at the device, her expression grim. "I might have an idea. There's an old research facility on the outskirts of the city. It's where I found some of the data that led me to this device. If we're lucky, the rest of the tech—or more information on it—might be there."
Kaito considered this, his mind calculating the risks. "The research facility could be crawling with infected. We'd have to be cautious."
"Then it's settled," Ayumi said, her voice steady as she adjusted her weapon. "We move out at first light."
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The Journey to the Facility
The group spent the rest of the evening preparing for the journey ahead. They gathered supplies, double-checked their weapons, and ensured they had everything they might need. There was an unease in the air, a feeling that something was coming. Kaito couldn't shake the thought that they were being watched, and the idea that the Architects could have eyes on them was enough to make his skin crawl.
When dawn broke, they set out.
The city had fallen into a eerie silence in recent weeks. The roads they traveled were deserted, the streets cracked and overgrown with weeds. Once-thriving neighborhoods now stood as husks of their former selves, abandoned and broken. The group moved quickly, sticking to the back alleys and avoiding the main roads. Infected roamed the streets, their hollow eyes searching for prey, but they were far enough out of sight to avoid notice.
As they moved further from the center of the city, the signs of life grew even fewer. There were no other survivors in sight, no makeshift shelters or signs of human habitation. It felt like they were on the brink of discovery, about to cross into the unknown.
The research facility, located on the outskirts of the city, had once been a cutting-edge medical complex, home to experiments that had promised to revolutionize medicine. But now, it was little more than a dark, decaying building at the edge of civilization—a relic of a time before the world fell apart.
"Stay sharp," Kaito whispered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure everyone was still in formation. "We don't know what we're going to find in there."
The research facility loomed in the distance, its silhouette dark and foreboding against the early morning sky. As they approached, Kaito's instincts went on high alert. Something wasn't right. The building seemed too quiet. Too still.
They reached the outer fence, which had long since been torn down, leaving the entrance wide open. The door to the facility itself was ajar, as if someone—or something—had been here recently. Kaito felt his heart rate quicken as he pushed the door open and motioned for the others to follow.
Inside, the facility was a maze of dark corridors and shattered glass. The air smelled of mildew and decay, and the floor was littered with debris. Old medical equipment lay scattered around, abandoned in haste. Kaito could feel the weight of the silence pressing down on him as they ventured deeper into the building.
"We need to find the server room," Hana said, leading the way. "That's where they kept the data. If we're lucky, we can access the files and find more information on the device."
The further they went into the facility, the more unsettled Kaito felt. The building was far too quiet, and it felt like they were being drawn into a trap. His gut told him they weren't alone.
"Hold up," Kaito ordered, his voice low. He held a hand up to stop the group, signaling for them to stay close.
Ayumi whispered, "What's wrong?"
"I think we're being watched," Kaito replied, his eyes scanning the dark corners of the facility.
Just as he said it, a loud crash echoed through the halls, followed by the unmistakable sound of shuffling footsteps. The group froze.
"Infected," Ryo muttered. "Stay quiet."
The sound grew louder as the creatures drew closer. Kaito motioned for the group to take cover. They ducked behind a row of overturned medical equipment, weapons at the ready. The infected were close now, moving in a slow, jerky rhythm. Kaito held his breath, waiting for the creatures to pass. They couldn't afford to engage unless it was absolutely necessary.
The shuffling grew faint, and Kaito slowly exhaled. They were still in the clear—at least for now.
"We need to hurry," Kaito said urgently. "Let's go."
The group moved quickly, navigating through the facility with a renewed sense of urgency. They found the server room on the far side of the building, its door ajar just like the entrance. Hana stepped forward, her fingers moving over the old terminal inside.
"This should work," she muttered, tapping at the screen. "I can access the system and pull up the files."
As she worked, Kaito scanned the room, his eyes darting around the dark corners. He still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Suddenly, there was a soft noise, like a distant whisper, followed by a faint mechanical hum.
"Everyone, get ready," Kaito hissed.
Before anyone could react, the hum grew louder. The lights in the facility flickered, and a loud mechanical sound reverberated through the walls. Then, the server room doors slammed shut with a deafening thud.
"We've been locked in," Ayumi said, her voice tense.
Ryo's eyes widened. "What the hell is happening?"
Hana stepped back from the terminal, her face pale. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Someone's activated the lockdown."
Kaito's heart pounded as the facility's emergency lights flickered on. He knew the answers they sought were within their reach, but now they were trapped. The clock was ticking, and with every passing moment, the danger grew.
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Mission Update: Objective: Investigate the research facility for information on the Architects and the device Hana discovered.
Progress: 75% complete
New Objective: Escape the facility after the lockdown is activated.
Reward: 10,000 Experience Points, New Skill: Hacking Resistance
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As the facility's alarms blared in the distance, Kaito braced himself for what was coming next. He couldn't help but feel like they had just walked into the Architects' trap—and they were far from alone.