One hour passes, and Arthur finally wakes up. He looks around, trying to find Alice. When he looks down at the floor, he sees the slender man's body lying there.
"Shit... what did I get myself into?" he says, feeling the pain from the blow to his head begin to surface.
"Took you long enough... Did the princess have sweet dreams?" Alice says with a mocking smile.
Arthur frowns, glaring at Alice like an enemy — after all, she had tried to sell him to people he didn't even know.
"Come on, you're really gonna be like that? Look, I saved you from him and kept the money," she says, grabbing the envelope and tossing it in Arthur's direction.
Arthur notices that Alice has a backpack and decides to ask her why.
"Why are you carrying that backpack, Alice?"
"Well... since I killed a member of Humans Upper, they'll come after me... and probably after you too," she says, gesturing casually.
"Humans Upper?" Arthur asks.
"Yeah, that organization I mentioned. They take humans and try to 'enhance' them... turn them into superhumans, you know?" she says, pausing before continuing, "But sometimes... things go horribly wrong. Like that thing you just saw," she adds, pointing at the slender man's body.
Arthur remembers the scene of the man convulsing and becomes worried. He had been used as a test subject... and he doesn't know if the side effects will affect him the same way.
"And how do you know all this?" he asks, suspicious.
"They're a pretty well-known organization, but everyone pretends they don't exist — out of fear. And I kind of... work for them. They pay me to track down test subjects who escape or get left behind. Like you. But that idiot didn't pay in full, so I figured I'd return the favor... with the edge of my blade," she says as she walks to the door.
Arthur wonders if he's developed some kind of mutation, like the man. But he tries not to dwell on it and leaves the place with Alice.
"Where are we going now?" he asks as they walk.
"Huh? I don't have any more business with you! Just get lost and stop following me, alright?" she says, but when she sees Arthur's face, she realizes he has nowhere to go — so she decides to let him tag along... for now.
Alice says they'll leave this part of the city and head toward the more upscale area. According to her, it's a better place to hide from Humans Upper.
"And stay alert, okay? They'll probably send someone with a freakish ability to kill us. Or, in your case, capture you," she says as they approach the gate that divides the city.
"Totally unnecessary..." Arthur mutters.
Alice nods in agreement as two guards approach.
"What do you two want?" one of them asks.
"Isn't it obvious? We want in. Could you open the gates?" Alice says with an arrogant tone.
"You know the rules. A thousand per head, or turn back," the guard says, extending his hand with a sadistic smile.
Alice frowns, her hand slowly sliding toward her katana's handle.
"I don't have any money... could you make an exception?" she asks, wearing a fake sweet smile.
The other guard draws his sword while the first keeps his hand out, clearly stating they're not getting in for free. Seeing the situation escalating, Arthur decides to step in.
"S-sorry for my friend's rudeness. Here, take this," Arthur says, handing over the envelope Alice had given him.
The man counts the money and then lets them through. As they pass through the gate, Alice punches Arthur's arm.
"Are you nuts? Why'd you give those thugs the money?"
"To avoid a pointless fight. I saw what happened to that guy you tried to sell me to," Arthur replies, wincing.
"Hmph... idiot. And don't even think of asking me for cash! If you want something, earn it... or steal it! No one told you to hand over the money!" Alice snaps, walking ahead while gesturing angrily.
Arthur finds her temper amusing and shows a discreet smile — his first genuine one since waking up in that strange room.
Thirty minutes later. The two sit at a corner restaurant, simple but cozy. A TV in the corner plays the local news, muffled by the ambient noise. They order some food.
"Tell me more about those experiments... Why does Humans Upper do this?" Arthur asks.
"Well... they say it's to create a superior race. To them, normal humans are flawed, weak, disposable. They want a new kind of human — adapted, strong... obedient," Alice says with little emotion, stirring her drink with a straw.
Arthur stares at the table for a moment, taking it all in.
"These people... they have powers, right? You think I might have one too?" he asks hesitantly.
"Possibly. None of the test subjects I've met were completely normal. Sometimes the power shows up right away. Sometimes it takes time... or a strong emotional trigger," she explains, looking at Arthur for a moment.
"So I just need time... or a trigger..." he repeats, thoughtful.
"Don't get your hopes up, alright? It's not like in the movies. Some powers fry your brain before anything useful shows up," Alice says, taking a sip.
Arthur sighs.
"I just want to be able to do something. You can fight, handle yourself... I don't even know what I am now. If something happens again, I want to be ready. Even if it's just not to get in your way," he says honestly.
Alice gives a small smile and nods.
"Relax. We'll figure out if you've got something. And if you do... I'll help you deal with it."
The waiter arrives with the food. They eat in silence for a while, enjoying the meal. For a few minutes, the fear fades away. Just the sound of cutlery and the low murmur of voices around them. A brief breath, before the next step.