"AAARRGHH!!"
My scream echoed through the ruins. The pain from my hand being stomped on shot up to my head, like wild electricity relentlessly jolting me.
They laughed.
Those two laughed loudly. Like kids kicking a toy that couldn't fight back.
"Look at him! Hahaha! Stubborn rookie! This is your first lesson in the real world, kid!"
Their voices pierced through my ego like bullets.
My hands trembled. My body still lay weakly on the ground. My breathing was erratic. Dust clung to my face and wounds.
And what I felt wasn't just pain.
But—
Anger.
Anger that I was so weak.
Anger that I couldn't even protect my own loot.
Anger that I could only crawl and scream, like a wounded animal.
"Why…" I muttered in my heart.
"Why am I this weak…?"
Reina didn't say anything. But I knew she was still linked. She felt everything. Saw everything. And maybe… was just as furious as I was.
I clenched my teeth, holding back another scream.
I hated this.
I hated this world.
I hated how cruel everything was.
And most of all…
I hated myself.
"Alright, playtime's over."
One of them stepped closer, heavy footsteps thudding against the rubble.
"We've already taken his scrap. Just one thing left."
He raised his weapon, aiming it at my back. The distance was close. Too close.
"Just kill him. We don't need him crawling back to the city and causing problems," said the other, casually.
"Don't worry. This'll be a clean shot."
I heard the weapon cocking.
Reina panicked instantly.
"AR—ARCHE! ARCHE! You have to get up! Now! Move your body! Get up! Come on!!"
But I didn't respond.
I just turned my head slowly. My eyes locked onto the two of them—full of rage. Full of hatred.
It felt like embers were burning in my chest, setting my bones on fire from within.
The one pointing the weapon smiled in satisfaction at my glare.
"Finally showing a decent expression, huh, kid?"
And—
BANG!
The shot rang out.
I heard Reina's scream—panicked—cutting through the sound of the gunfire.
"ARCHEEEEE!!"
My body jolted.
And then everything…
…disappeared.
Heat.
Pain.
Then… darkness.
Everything seemed to drift into a thick fog. No sound, no sensation. Just a dull pressure in my chest and a slow, sinking feeling.
But in the midst of the darkness, something echoed.
"…che…"
"Arche…!"
A faint voice, like it came from the end of a long corridor. But I recognized it.
"Wake up… wake up right now!"
Reina.
My eyes slowly opened.
The sky above had darkened. The deep blue faded, leaving only traces of starlight peeking through the ruins.
My body lay on the ground, and Reina hovered above me. Her expression—I'd never seen her this tense.
"Reina…?"
The voice that escaped my lips was hoarse and weak.
"Why… am I still alive…?" I whispered. "Didn't he… shoot me…?"
Reina took a deep breath.
"Before the bullet went off, I took over your body... just for half a second."
I stared at her, stunned.
"I… shifted your heart's position. The shot didn't hit directly. But it still pierced your shoulder and left lung. There's bleeding. But it's not fatal."
I turned slowly, looking at my side. My cloak was torn. Tied roughly to cover the wound.
"Your cloak… I used it to compress the wound. Emergency. But you can still survive."
I stayed silent. My breathing was heavy.
But… I was still alive.
"So… you saved me again," I whispered. "Thank you… Reina."
Reina's eyes widened a little in surprise. Then her brows furrowed.
"Idiot! How can you say thank you in a situation like this, huh?!"
I gave her a weak grin.
"You need to value your life more, you know?! Don't just give up like that!" her voice rose, almost like she was scolding me.
"If you died… I… I wouldn't even know what to tell your sister!"
I went quiet.
Just stared at her, and for the first time—felt something strange in my chest.
Not pain.
But warmth.
Slowly, I checked the small pockets under my cloak.
My hand trembled, but it could still move. Under the torn fabric, I felt some hard objects—leftover scraps I had hidden earlier.
"…Still here," I muttered softly.
Not much. But still something.
I pulled out a short cable that was almost broken, then a small metal piece the size of a coin. Probably not worth much. But in this world, even trash could be sold if you knew how.
Reina watched from above. She said nothing.
I closed the pocket slowly. My plan to stash scrap in multiple pockets—wasn't entirely a waste.
But still… they managed to take almost everything.
They could kick me.
Crush my hand until it broke.
Make me collapse like a carcass.
The loot I hunted with blood and wounds… stolen just like that.
I clenched my teeth.
"…How long will I stay like this?" I whispered. "How long will I stay this weak and get trampled so easily…?"
Reina finally spoke, softly. Her voice was still worried, but firm.
"Your journey's not over yet, Arche. You haven't even returned to Evernoir."
I stayed silent.
The night sky over the ruins remained dim. No star bright enough to give me an answer.
I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.
This body hurt.
But I could still stand.
I rose slowly. My knees trembled, but didn't collapse. Reina hovered above, silently watching.
My first step felt heavy.
But my legs could still move.
I faced toward Firmament—the city's lights still faintly visible in the distance.
"…You're right," I muttered.
And I started walking.
My steps were unsteady. The night deepened, and the cold wind stung the wounds on my back.
I looked down slowly at my right hand, dangling limp. Broken. Its shape now a little off.
"Agh…"
Every throb made me nauseous.
"…With a hand like this, how am I supposed to make money again?" I thought quietly.
As if hearing me, Reina floated down beside me.
"So… what's the next plan? You going back to scrap hunting and monster fighting in that condition?"
I said nothing. Didn't answer immediately.
"Reina. How much money do I have left in A.R.M?"
Reina opened a small digital screen in the air.
"100 Nexbit. No change since earlier."
I nodded slowly.
"Tomorrow, I'll try talking to Ryvolin again," I said finally.
"Tonight… I just need to rest."
Reina let out a long sigh.
"I figured you'd go back to that black-market doctor…"
"He's the only one willing to work cheap."
"Let's hope he's in a cooperative mood."
I gave a faint smile.
The night wind blew through the ruins. Dust swirled in the air, but the sky looked a bit clearer tonight.
"Reina," I said, looking ahead.
"Hm?"
"Find out. Who those two were that almost killed me."
Reina frowned.
"What for?"
My smile widened. Slowly. Tired. But certain.
"…I'm going to borrow some money with no interest."