Kai stared at the glowing System interface as he felt strangely calm.
Finally, the wait was over…
The countdown had ended, and they had done everything they could during the past couple of days. Haven‑45 was fortified, the survivors were armed, and his group had also prepared multiple plans in case defending the shelter failed.
But then, he noticed some sort of changes in the system's panel. It was quite similar to what had happened when he had been forcefully sent to A.I. Rebellion!
'Shit…' Kai cursed as he didn't like where this was going…
[ Unexpected state detected… ]
[ Additional Notice: Due to the unique situation of this area, the attacking mechanical army will arrive at a higher tier. ]
[ Warning: Enemy strength increased. ]
[ Secondary Objective Added: Captured humans detected within mechanical forces. You may choose to save or ignore the lives of the captured humans. ]
[ Note: Decision will affect the final rewards. ]
Kai's eyes widened. "What…?"
The other four Earth survivors received the same message. Claire, Ralph, Wallace, and Victor exchanged confused glances. None of them had expected this.
"Captured humans?" Ralph muttered with disbelief. "What the hell does that mean?"
Victor frowned, his hands tightening around his tool belt. "Are they saying the machines are dragging people with them? Why?"
Claire's face paled as she imagined the scenario. "If they're alive… then the machines are using them."
The group fell silent, unsettled by the implications.
Five minutes passed.
Soon, the scouts stationed near the surface, armed with angled telescopes or periscopes, scanned the garbage field above. The wasteland that concealed their underground shelter felt different today.
Suddenly, one of them shouted, his voice trembling.
"Leader Kai! You need to see this!"
Kai rushed forward, climbing the observation ladder. He pressed the periscope to his eye, and what he saw made his blood run cold.
The Sentinels were advancing across the garbage field, their metallic bodies were still the familiar ones he had seen before.
But strapped to their bodies, tied crudely with wires and chains, were humans. Naked, bruised, and bound, their faces twisted in agony, showing that they were still alive.
Each Sentinel carried two or three captives, their bodies lashed to the machines like grotesque shields.
"What the…"
The humans struggled weakly with their cries muffled by the distance, but their suffering was undeniable.
Kai lowered the periscope as he didn't expect to make such a decision like this.
"They're using people… as shields."
The scouts looked horrified. "They're alive… but they're being dragged like animals!"
Claire's fists trembled.
"This… this is evil. These machines aren't just rebelling. They're torturing humans."
Wallace cursed under his breath.
"How do we fight them now? If we shoot, we'll hit the captives!"
Victor's voice trembled. "The System wasn't lying. We really have to choose… save them, or ignore them."
The survivors gathered in silence, the weight of the decision pressing down on them. The mechanical army was approaching, stronger than expected, and now the battlefield was tainted with human lives bound to steel.
Kai clenched his revolver… Then, his Keen Sense also allowed him to sense at least 15 humans tied to six Advancing Sentinels.
'So this is their cruelty… this is what we're up against.'
The Mech Siege had begun, and it was already far worse than anyone had imagined.
***
It didn't take long before everyone learned about this…
The hall was filled with murmurs as they realized that these Sentinels were different.
The residents of Haven‑45, already pale with dread, now looked at Kai with pleading eyes.
"Leader Kai…" one of the older men spoke, his voice shaking. "We can't save them. If we try, we'll all die. Isn't it better to ignore them? A necessary sacrifice…"
Others nodded reluctantly. "We barely have enough strength to defend ourselves. If we risk saving those people, the machines will tear through us."
"They're already as good as dead," another whispered bitterly. "Better them than all of us."
The words stung, but Kai understood their fear. He glanced at Claire, Ralph, Wallace, and Victor. None of them spoke, but the weight of the decision pressed heavily on their shoulders.
Kai exhaled and nodded. "Listen to me. We don't have the strength to save them now. Our priority is Haven‑45. If we manage to rescue anyone, that's good. But if not…" His eyes hardened. "We won't take the blame. Survival comes first."
The residents fell silent, some ashamed, others relieved. It was a cruel truth, but Kai's calm authority steadied them.
Above, the Sentinels continued their march, dragging their captives like some kind of medals hanging on their bodies. But the scouts' voices broke through again, this time with panic.
"Hounds!"
Kai rushed back to the periscope. Three mechanical beasts prowled the garbage field, their frames low to the ground, waiting. Their glowing eyes scanned the terrain and it wouldn't be long before they could discover the entrance…
As expected, it didn't take long before the alarm rang.
"The east entrance!" a guard shouted. "One of the Hounds found an opening!"
The ground trembled as the mechanical beast made its move. Its claws immediately tear into the reinforced door of the eastern tunnel.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Sparks flew as metal screeched against metal.
Kai raised his revolver and ordered everyone.
"Positions! Everyone, get ready! The siege has begun!"
The survivors scrambled, gripping their weapons as they moved to the eastern tunnel.
The Sentinels were advancing above, the captives swaying helplessly on their frames, while the Hounds had finally struck below.
The Mech Siege was no longer a distant threat... It was here.