Gun of Ashes

Therefore, in the subsequent investigation, it was as if the hand of God was manipulating everything, and the Purification Mechanism could find nothing, leaving the event sealed away.

”At that time, I wasn’t clear about what had happened; the disaster erupted so abruptly. Our external defense forces hadn’t encountered any enemies at all... It was as if those Demons appeared out of thin air inside the Perpetual Motion Pump. William knew what happened back then. If I could wake up, perhaps he could wake up too.”

Listening to Cole’s words, Arthur’s gaze swiftly swept across the scorched battlefield.

William, William, where are you?

Amidst this fierce battle, they had no energy left to protect the patients. Arthur couldn’t hold back and shouted anxiously.

”Has anyone seen William?”

The response was a sea of confused eyes. They didn’t know who William was, and even if they did, who would care about a madman biting everything he sees in such circumstances?

Arthur felt a bit disheartened momentarily. There were many reasons for the cancellation of the Ranger project. The severe damage to the Perpetual Motion Pump and the current Merlin turning insane were among them. However, because the mystery was complex, the Purification Mechanism kept this event hidden.

This feeling was terrible, utterly terrible. Arthur seemed about to touch that past truth but brushed past it...

”He’s in Safe House No. 2!”

Just as the disappointment set in, someone shouted.

Eve hid beneath the barrier made of Third Generation Armor, fighting the approaching Demons with the others. Hearing Arthur’s shout, she yelled towards the opposite end of the rain curtain.

”This guy knows nothing about playing ghost hunting! He just bites things. I locked him inside the safe house... Maybe... Maybe that’s how he survived?”

As Eve shouted, unlike the ruthlessly aware Bluebird, Eve still couldn’t fully accept the cruelty of it all. So she came back to save Arthur and organized the patients to play ghost hunting, hoping more people could survive.

Listening to Eve’s shouts, Arthur gave her a deep look, then charged into the research area without hesitation, shouting as he went.

”Red Falcon, the command is now yours!”

”Huh? Me?”

Red Falcon decapitated a Demon with one stroke. Amidst the mixed sounds of explosions and rain, Arthur’s words reached his ears clearly.

He never imagined a promotion would come on this cursed day, and he felt both happy and sad.

However, there was no chance to question Arthur. When they looked toward him, he had already vanished behind the rain curtain with those relieved patients.

...

The research area also had Demons, but due to the lockdown, they couldn’t spread. Initially, when Arthur realized the evac zone was unreachable, he planned to lead a return to the research area. But he gave up the idea, fearing they might be sandwiched by Demons. After all, staying in the evac zone gave them enough visibility to fight the Demons with the Armor of Original Sin.

In the darkness, the group sprinted wildly. In reality, not many patients regained their sanity from the erosion, but it was certain they were all once Rangers.

Demons were everywhere.

After emptying the Aluminothermic Rifle, Arthur had only the Folding Blade left in hand. Although so much time had passed, their coordination was still adept.

In these narrow passages, there was no space left to hide, nor any retreat possible. They charged forward like a spear of iron, trying to pierce everything in their way. Nothing could stop them, though when they stopped, it would be the moment the spear shattered.

”How’s the development of the Purification Mechanism?”

During the forward slaughter, Cole asked from time to time, his curiosity piqued by this ”future” world.

”Not bad, the Armor of Original Sin has been developed to the third generation, mostly supported by machinery instead of Demon flesh. Given time, we can create a tide of steel, and the Demons will be forced to retreat by our artillery. A wonderful era is about to dawn.”

Arthur said loudly.

”We Rangers are already relics of the old era, though we might shine again... But we’re not the protagonists anymore, which isn’t bad, right?”

This is the human legacy, the change of history; the old generation lies in rest, while the young steps forward.

The view was obscured by tainted blood. Arthur wiped his face hard, clearing away the mixture of blood and water. It was unclear if it was Demon blood or his own.

His blade swung much slower now; where previously he could decapitate a Demon with one strike, now it took several effortful chops.

Arthur was exhausted.

Not long ago, he felt like he was about to die, but was soon saved by Eve’s arrival. That feeling was quite miraculous in its own way — the child he had tried to protect had unknowingly grown up, capable not only of protecting herself but also of protecting Arthur.

”Indeed, it’s quite something. That must be her child,” Cole said. ”I never thought she’d grow up so much.”

”Yeah, I never imagined she would grow up safe and sound — not exactly unscathed, but at least she’s alive and brimming with vitality.”

Recalling that crimson silhouette, Arthur spoke with a helpless smile, and Cole laughed along with him.

Screams and roars echoed persistently. This impulsive action seemed like a march to death. The dim corridor trembled constantly, and no one knew how many Demons still lurked in the shadows of the research area.