Chapter 14: The Unexpected Encounter changed the plot
The tension of survival lingered in the air as Aeon regrouped with Aria, Luna, Ali, Nadia, and Layla outside the survivor building. Their professor and his assistant had chosen to remain behind, trusting Aeon's lead and awaiting their return.
"We need to go somewhere," Aeon said simply.
The group glanced between one another. Was it his family he wanted to see? Perhaps some secret past?
"The blacksmith," Aeon added.
The moment hung still. Aria blinked. "A blacksmith…?"
"For weapons," Aeon clarified, dismissing their speculation with one sharp word.
Aeon nodded.
"It's essential. Weapons are low. We need equipment that doesn't jam, doesn't run on batteries, and won't betray us in a fight, but because all weapons are going to get worn out, then it is better to just go to a blacksmith."
Aria frowned slightly, unsure if she felt impressed or annoyed. "I thought you'd say something emotional," she muttered.
Layla chuckled, brushing past her. "Even now, your brain follows the rails of logic like a train," she said, eyeing Aeon. "But yours is faster than the rest. That's what's curious."
"Curious?" Aria's voice sharpened.
Aria, seated next to him, furrowed her brows. Her eyes drifted toward Layla, who walked just ahead of them. A bitter knot tugged at Aria's chest—something about the regressor's calm indifference sparked an uncomfortable jealousy. Layla, meanwhile, watched her sidelong with faint amusement.
Cute docile rabbit, baring her fangs, Layla mused. She thinks she can challenge me for him?
But for Layla, Aeon was not a romantic interest. He was an anomaly—his insights and foresight even outpaced hers. That alone piqued her curiosity.
They found a useable car with its side door open and key inside abandoned not far from the safe zone. A six-seater. Luna, as the oldest and the only licensed driver, naturally took the wheel.
"You have a license?" Aeon raised a brow.
"I'm the oldest. Of course I do."
"You're seriously driving?" Ali laughed, disbelief mixing with a grin. "The world's falling apart and you're still following traffic rules?"
"Habit," Luna shrugged with a smirk.
"In a world run by zombies," Aria muttered, "we still follow traffic laws."
Layla claimed the front passenger seat. Aria marched up, arms crossed. "Why do you get the front?"
Layla tilted her head. "Want to sit on my lap, cute rabbit? Or should I sit beside Aeon instead?"
Aria blushed crimson and stomped to the back without a word.
Layla gave her a glance, amused. "Don't worry, little rabbit. I'm not interested in your boy. I'm just intrigued by how he thinks."
Aria's cheeks flushed red. "W-Why call me a rabbit?!"
Nadia smirked. "Because you're cute when you're mad."
Aeon, Aria, Nadia, and Ali crammed in together. Between bumps and curves during their driving journey, their bodies pressed into one another.
The car rolled forward, Luna expertly weaving through debris and weaving past slow-moving corpses.
Occasionally, during sharp turns, the passengers in the back were forced against one another. Once, Aria found herself briefly pressed against Aeon's chest.
She looked up at him, wide-eyed. "I—Sorry—!"
"You okay?" Aeon asked, casual and composed.
Aria nodded quickly, face buried in his shirt. "Y-Yeah... just the road…"
"Get a private room, you two," Ali said with a smirk.
Nadia snickered. "Seriously. Save us the secondhand embarrassment."
From the front, Luna stole glances in the rearview mirror. Her eyes lingered on Aeon and Aria longer than she intended—until Layla suddenly leaned forward and pointed.
"Eyes on the road," she said. "Obstacle ahead."
A second later, Luna hit the brakes—hard.
The car screeched. A sharp break jolted them. Aria, flung forward, nearly kissed Aeon—but his palm caught her mouth a split-second before impact.
"Damn reflexes," Aria thought to herself.
"What happened?" Nadia asked.
But it was Layla who answered coolly. "A girl suddenly..."
Indeed, a wounded girl, their age, stood trembling on the road, zombies rapidly closing in behind her.
Layla unsheathed her blade without hesitation and cut through the infected. But when the girl staggered, pleading, Layla turned her back coldly.
Aeon frowned, He went past Layla and checked on the girl then he said, "we will help you just to a safe spot"
Layla gave him a disgusted look. "Why? Because she's a girl? Trying to build your own harem now?"
The accusation hit hard. Aria's fists clenched.
"He's not like that," she shouted. "Aeon's not a monster like you!"
Layla's eyes narrowed. "Monster, huh? To fight monsters… you must become one."
Ali and Luna tried to cool the mood.
"Wait," Luna said. "Let us calm down first and think clearly"
"She's a burden," Layla said flatly. "Slow, useless. Unless you want to collect girls to build your own harem, Aeon."
Her tone was cutting, eyes cold. "I am disappointed... I thought you realised that we cannot save everyone"
Aria's face twisted in anger.
Ali, Luna and Nadia tried to break the tension. "What if it's a trap?" Nadia whispered. "Maybe she has backup—criminals or a gang?"
"No," Aeon said, eyes steady. "If that were true, Layla would've finished her off instead of just leaving her be. Right?"
Layla clicked her tongue but said nothing, walking back to the car as she already scanned their surroundings the moment she exited the car.
"Sharp as always," Luna muttered under her breath.
They crammed tighter now—five in the back. Aeon tried to take the back trunk, but the others insisted they just squeeze in. Amid laughter and awkward shifting, the car rolled on.
Aeon turned to the girl. "We'll drop you somewhere safe. But first we have a goal to reach."
Coincidentally, the girl said she was headed the same way.
The ride resumed. Eventually, they arrived at what looked like a large library.
"Thank you," the girl said and started walking off—only to freeze when she saw the group continuing behind her.
"Wait… are you following me? Look, I'm grateful and all, but we're not rich or anything. You won't get anything from us—"
Aeon passed by her without a word.
"We're not," Aria said. "This is where Aeon wanted to go."
The girl blinked. "This place… is my home."
Aeon's eyes narrowed. What are the odds? Unless… could she be another player with knowledge of the game? But that's impossible. I made this VR game. No one else should know.
As they entered, the girl moved like she knew every corner. She even fetched them water from a kitchen tucked inside.
She's not lying, Aeon thought. But… could she be the blacksmith?
His gaze slid toward her slender frame. The girl noticed and flushed red. Aria frowned. Nadia smirked.
"Three-part timer, Aeon?" she teased.
But inside, his mind was racing.
This place... it's the same as in the VR game. Hidden beneath this library was the blacksmith's workshop. But I was the one who made that unreleased VR game. No one else should know. Unless... she's a hacker.
He glanced at her again. She looked nervous, but not hostile. Just confused and blushing shyly.
Could she be another player? Or... a variable I didn't account for?
As they entered, the girl walked beside him.
Could he be my secret admirer? she thought. Someone who never had the courage to tell me… now chasing me to my home before the end of the world?
Her cheeks flushed. Nadia noticed.
"Someone's blushing," she whispered to Aria.
Aria looked at the girl with narrowed eyes.
"She's annoying," Aria muttered.
Aeon ignored the side drama. The library was laid out exactly like in his game. "I'm looking for a blacksmith." Aeon asked
The girl's smile faded. "There's no blacksmith living here."
Liar—or something more? Aeon asked, "Mind if I look around?"
"Go ahead…"
Aeon headed straight for a shelf number 23 in the library—his eyes on one specific book that feels clearly distinct & unique than other books. As his fingers reached out, the girl's voice screamed:
"STOOOP!"
Everyone froze.
"You… how do you know about that book?" she shouted, trembling now. "Then you must know about the underground too…?"
She raised a handgun toward Aeon. Her voice shook. "Please... Leave. Now."
The group tensed. Aria reached for her dagger. Nadia moved subtly behind the girl. They were ready to act to protect Aeon at all costs.
But Aeon raised his hands. "I know about your father," he said calmly. "And the gangs that used him to build weapons. I'm not one of them."
The girl's eyes widened. Panic. Horror. Suspicion.
Layla yawned.
She stepped past everyone and, with zero hesitation, touched the book. A mechanical click echoed as the hidden door opened.
"Wait—!" the girl lunged at Layla, but Layla caught her arm mid-swing, disarmed her, and held her in place with bored ease.
The girl's rage melted into disbelief.
He knew about the underground… he even knew about the book… Who is this Aeon?
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chapter 14 original ideas 1) Aeon re-group with Aria, Luna, Ali, Nadia etc... 2) Aeon says that there is a place he need to visit, the group members are doubtful what place could it be? maybe his family? but Aeon break their logic of reason and say he will go to a blacksmith for weapons, throughout the journey Aria feel jealousy towards Layla, Layla finds Aria like a cute docile rabbit showing her fangs, she does not have romantic feelings for Aeon but only curious about his mysterious knowledge and plans that are faster than others, Luna care about Aeon, Ali and Nadia find this amusing, Aeon is only focused on reaching the blacksmith for weapons, they find a car, Luna drive it as the oldest and has driver license, the others find this funny and absurd because the earth system is collapsing because of zombies. anyway they all crowd together in a car there are about 6 seats so Luna and Layla at the front, Aria argue at first why Layla sit comfortably alone at the front passenger seats but Layla reply back oh then do you want to sit my lab cute rabbit or do you want me to sit besides Aeon. Aria blush red embarrassed, Anyway Aeon , Aria, Nadia and Ali at the back of the car. the professor and the other girl (female student that is the assistant of the professor) will stay at the survivor building awaiting their safe trip and return. during the car trip Luna drive with remarkable skills avoiding zombies and destroyed buildings. but sometimes because of turns and curves the back seat passengers touch each other, Aria blush when she sees herself on Aeon chest, Aeon just ask are you ok? you know this kind of situation. Nadia and Ali tease them say get private room and Luna driving while steal glances at Aeon and Aria to observe from the mirror but Layla quickly get Luna attention to avoid colliding with an obstacle, suddenly Luna breaks which causes Aria to kiss Aeon on the lips but Aeon super reflexes manages to put his palm on Aria mouth before they kiss his lips. Anyway, because of the sudden stop, they question Luna but Layla answer instead a girl suddenly appeared in front of their driving way, they get out to see a girl their age who was the one who suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of them, she asked for help from the zombies who are approaching them seemingly was chasing after this injured girl. which seems to be the sudden obstacles before they reach their destination. Layla said coldly I do not care, but Aeon did not like that approach so he intervened after Layla cut the zombies, he said we will help drive you to a safe spot but after that you are on your own, Layla questioned Aeon about efficiency, she said dead people are just burdens that will slow them down or is it because she is a girl you as a male want to save her thinking of building groups of women around you? Layla looked at Aeon as if he was pathetic, she said I am disappointed. Aeon thought fast and answered I will still save this girl. she is human life and also could be a valuable resource, Aria and the other group members already terrified at Layla cold and cruel words. Aria said Aeon is not a monster like you. he is kind and human. Layla shot a sharp look to Aria a monster huh? well... to fight a monster you need to be a monster to be the one who save humanity. then Nadia and Ali said trying to calm the intense situation what if the girl has gang and criminals with her hiding somewhere waiting to ambush us. But Aeon answered confidently NO, because if that was the case Layla would have cut down this girl rather than simply abandoning her. isn't that right Layla? Aeon answered as he glanced back to Layla. Layla clicked her tongue tuskkk, but said nothing then walked back to the passenger seat beside the driver seat. Luna complemented Aeon sharp as always Aeon.... the group also went back to the car and Luna started driving the back seat from 4 people now to five so someone needed to sit on someone lab. Aeon was going to sit in the back box of the car but then the decided that all will try to sit between each other, anyway it was both funny and thrilling situation. Aeon said to the new girl we need to go somewhere and after achieving our objective we will return to the survivor building. the girl said it is ok since they are going on the way that she was going towards anyway so no needs. Anyway, the group reach their destination, the girl said thank you and then walked but the group and Aeon kept moving in the same direction and way to her. at first she thought it is coincidence but then they almost reached the place she was going to. she turned back and suspicousely questioned, I know that I am greatful to you for saving me and for driving me to my home but why are you following me? just so you know we arre not rich people, so.... but Aeon cut her off as he just calmly passed by her. the group members said in understanding that this is just the destination that Aeon told us about and wanted to go so it is coincidence. Aeon mind was racing could she be another player with same knowledge of the VR game as me? but I was the one who created that zombie VR game and I did not let anyone have access to it.... so maybe a hacker? if an enemy I must eliminate her.... he continued on his way as he thought, and the girl walked alongside the group thinking it is too much of a coincidence suspicious that Aeon is going exactly where her home is. she started to fantasise could he be my secret admirer or unrequited love who did not have the courage to confess to me before the zombie appear and he did not want to miss his last chance before death? she blushes at every imagination she thought of... the group found her funny, but Nadia started teasing Aria who found that girl annoying for some reason looking at her embarrassed blush face imagining something while looking at Aeon back. anyway Aeon found the place as in his VR game it is a library but underneath it hidden is the blacksmith workshop. the girl at first said this is my house. Aeon and the group found it absurd at such a coincidence, Aeon was preparing to strike if she knows about the game as a hacker. but the girl seemed very familiar with library layout and she event went quickly to a kitchen in the library. Aeon retracted his thought. she really must be this place owner, but could she be the blacksmith he thought as he looked at her slender body in which made the girl blush and Aria made an annoyed face and Ndia was smirking and said teasingly Aeon, I did not know that you are three-part timer. Aeon said what nonsense... anyway he asked the girl that he came here looking for a blacksmith. the girl smiling expression turned grim, and said hesitatingly hmm there is no blacksmith living here. Aeon thought it though maybe the layout in the game is wrong so maybe in a different place or maybe this girl is lying or hiding something.... so then he asked can I take a look around this house before we leave. she answered yes sure no problem, Aeon quickly moved as if he is the owner of this place. he went to a specific library books shelfs. when he reached a specific book and was about to touch it, the girl shouted stooooop, which surprised everyone!!!, she was terrified and suspicious but now it is all clear this guy named Aeon is from the beginning was targeting this place. the girl mind was racing..... HOW did he find about the underground? and how did he know that this book is a key function to open it? where did he obtain this information? he said he is looking for a blacksmith.... NO WAY.... He knows about my father too... is he also from those gangs who used to threaten us and force my father to make weapons for them for crimes etc....?!! she quickly held a handgun and directed it towards Aeon.... LEAVE NOW, I won't ask how and why did you know about this place and that book and underground? which means you also know about the underground too I presume but leave or I will shoot you, she said as her hands trembled as he held the gun. Aeon was also taken aback since at first he thought she is also a hacker who know about his VR game but from her behivours it seems she is a family member.... ooh now I remember in the storyline of the VR game plot I did as the AI to add a sad past to the blacksmith....I see.... he concluded his thoughts and then Aeon said listen I know about your father.... I also know about your past struggles and the crimes by the gangs who used your father and forced him to create weapons to use for their crimes. he said that and took a step closer to her but while raising both of his hands in surrender. he noticed Aria holding a dagger seemingly going to strike at any moment and noticed the others are thinking of subduing this innocent girl in which in their eyes she is a villain who will harm their friend, Aeon trying to find the best peaceful approach but then suddenly Layla looked disinterested and only curious about the book I was going to touch as she touched it and opened the hidden underground mechanism. the intense atmosphere disappeared at her absurd actions not caring about the situation. the girl quickly went to attack Layla but Layla swiftly parried her attack and subdued her.