8. Underground

Shortly after it started, Ruka clearly felt the weightlessness from the accelerated descent. But the machine likely had special equipment to reduce the effects on passengers.

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During the descent, Ruka still held the resolve to die together with Them. In her mind she continually imagined various strategies to kill Them, and pictured what the underground world would look like. She guessed there would be military stationed near the exit. Perhaps she could join the military and fight the enemy together.

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Casey’s question cut through the space filled only with the monotonous sound of machinery. It confirmed with Ruka again. “Is it worth it?” Even the military had not been able to completely eliminate Them for years. Ruka alone was undoubtedly trying to stop a chariot with a mantis’s arm.

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“Don’t underestimate human resolve.” While descending, Ruka answered simply and firmly.

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She did not know how long had passed when her sense of weightlessness suddenly began to decrease. She gradually felt gravity again. The elevator seemed to be slowing, and after a while it stopped completely. That meant they had reached their destination.

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Although Ruka appeared resolute, Casey detected abnormal physical readings. “Hey, hey, Ruka. Your heartbeat is so rapid. That won’t do against Them.” This was normal. After all, after such a long descent, she had to face humanity’s enemy, and she had come prepared to die.

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But when Ruka opened the hidden door, before her was an operating table. The room was also filled with various medical tools, different from the savage, backward place she had imagined. But thinking again, if this was a frontline base connected to the military, a medical room here was not surprising.

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Then Casey reminded Ruka. “Although we are on the same side as the military, we still need to be careful. The military may not welcome civilians on the battlefield. If we meet them, they may send us back at any time.”

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“I can’t imagine the military would resist civilian assistance in battle, even if I’m just going to die.” That said, Ruka agreed with Casey’s guess. She gently opened the door and quietly peeked out. After confirming no one was outside, she tiptoed out.

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At the end of the corridor was a security door, with about ten medical rooms on both sides combined. Ruka looked up and observed that there were no surveillance cameras along the way. It seemed they had not been discovered so far. The surroundings were so quiet it felt sealed, without even a whisper of wind.

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Since she did not know what was behind the security door, Ruka could only hope Casey could help. “Casey, can you read the map or nearby environment here?”

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“Although I have disconnected from the network, I cannot find any information in the backup database either. We can only rely on ourselves.”

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Even the last hope was extinguished. There was no other way. Ruka had to muster her courage and walk toward the security door. On the way, she tried opening other medical rooms, but all were locked. It seemed the two ends of the corridor were the only exits.

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Just as Ruka approached the end and was about to push open the security door, keys and footsteps suddenly came from outside. Like a death knell. Making her extremely tense. They could not be discovered. But the entire corridor had nowhere to hide.

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Suddenly, a door opened behind Ruka. She was forcefully pulled backward. Then she was in a narrow space. The door closed immediately. Before her eyes was darkness, with only a faint light coming through the crack.

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Before she could react, she heard a “Shh,” signaling her not to make a sound. Then she felt a warm breath on her face. In the faint light, she vaguely saw the other person was a man. Only then did Ruka realize in surprise that she was squeezed together with him. Their bodies pressed close.

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But since there was body warmth, Ruka was relieved the other person was also human. Moreover, he had saved her. At least he was not an enemy. But the situation was extremely awkward and embarrassing for Ruka. Her chest was pressed tight by his body. In the darkness the two were close enough to feel each other’s breath. Ruka had never been this close to any other man in her life.

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After the patrolling figure outside passed and completely left from the other end, the man lightly patted Ruka’s shoulder to signal safety. Then slowly pushed the door open and stepped out. They both breathed a sigh of relief. Looking back, they had been hiding in a tool cabinet. No wonder it was so narrow.

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Only then did Ruka focus on the man who had saved her life. He had blond hair, blue eyes, a dignified appearance, and clearly defined features. But his build was slightly thin. He did not look like a soldier, nor was he dressed like a doctor.

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The man spoke first. He smiled apologetically and said, “I’m sorry. The situation was urgent just now. Forgive the offense. Fortunately, they didn’t discover us.”

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Unexpectedly, the other party was quite gentlemanly. Since it was to save her life and forced by circumstances, Ruka was not angry. Rather than feeling offended, she was more embarrassed by her first close physical contact with a man other than David.

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“Thank you for saving me just now, but…” Although Ruka was grateful for the man’s action, the priority was to understand his identity and stance. So she asked, “Why did you save me? And you were afraid of being discovered—are you also a civilian? Who exactly are you?”

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Seeing Ruka’s reaction, the man seemed to wake from a dream and hurried to explain. “Ah, sorry. I forgot you have amnesia after the surgery. And it’s normal you don’t know me. After all, I have only been secretly in love with you unilaterally. I don’t even know your name. But you have done me a favor. So of course I came to save you.”

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Amnesia after surgery? Secretly in love? Ruka listened in bewilderment. Had he mistaken her for someone else? And she was certain she had no impression of this man at all. Why could he accurately predict that she would come underground and save her?

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As Ruka raced through her thoughts, Casey remained quite calm. “Ruka. We don’t know anything about the situation now. Since this man says you have amnesia and actively helped you, keep following his lead and see how he reacts.”

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Seeing Ruka still staring blankly without responding, the man revealed a friendly smile and tried to soothe her. “Let me introduce myself formally. My name is Nikolai. May I know your name?”

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“Ruka.”

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Although Ruka responded coldly, Nikolai seemed very excited after learning her name. But he soon noticed Ruka remained unmoved, curious yet fearful of the world behind the door. So he continued, “Miss Ruka. I believe you just completed the surgery and have forgotten everything outside. Let’s leave here first. I’ll explain as we walk.”

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“Leave? Just go out like this?”

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Outside there were not only soldiers but also Them. Even if Ruka wanted to die together with them, she would not drag this innocent man she had just met down with her.

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Nikolai then took the initiative to hold Ruka’s hand and walked toward the security door. “Of course. Let me reintroduce you to our home. Humanity’s last surviving city: Heaven.”

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