Apocalypse Survival Guide

Chapter 4. Destruction of Daily Life (4)

Nadia and I returned to the residential area via shuttle, unable to hide our disappointment. The restaurant we always relied on for dinner had closed its doors.

"The street is quiet, Hyun-woo,"

Nadia whispered softly as she looked at the firmly closed door, even though there was no need for us to be quiet.

Since she spoke softly, I felt compelled to respond in the same manner.

"Indeed. By now, it should be complete chaos."

The workers had come home with energy to spare after early dismissal. The fact that the area was this quiet upon their return could only mean something else was going on.

The neon signs illuminating the street showed no change. Evening was the time when the residential area would come alive. Yet today, a place usually noisy from people soliciting just yesterday seemed to be holding its breath.

"It's not like there's no one around."

The street wasn't completely empty. There were fewer people than usual, but some were still walking around.

As I was considering whether we should just head back and eat emergency store rations, the door of Robert's restaurant slid open.

"What are you doing outside? Aren't you coming in?"

"Oh, what's this? Are you open?"

I was distracted, and the door had opened so naturally I hadn't even realized it until Robert spoke. The hint of expectation made Nadia's tail begin to wag slightly.

"We're not open for business."

Her tail drooped again.

"But you seem hungry, so come in for now. It's about time for my dinner as well, so I'll whip something up for you."

Her tail perked up once more, and with that definitive answer, Nadia's tail started wagging in earnest.

Robert, exerting control over her emotions with just a few words, led us inside while keeping an eye on the surroundings. The restaurant bore traces of recent patrons, suggesting we weren't the first to stop by.

"Where did everyone go? It's unusually quiet today,"

I asked.

"Haven't you heard the news?"

"What news?"

"Those pureblood supremacists have arrived."

"I saw them heading toward the mining zone a while ago—a woman with blue eyes and some guys in military suits. Just like that."

I attempted to console Nadia, who flinched at the mention of pureblood supremacists, and continued my conversation with Robert, the restaurant owner.

"But why are they here? No matter how crazy they are, they can't cause trouble here."

This place, both a blue crystal mining outpost and refinery, was under direct government control. Although remote from Earth, its status as a crucial site because of the blue crystal made it significant.

A military base surrounds the mining zone, and numerous soldiers reside in the residential area, accompanied by security robots. Crime is nearly impossible in such a setting. The same goes for terrorism.

"We thought so, too."

"... Did something happen?"

"Fury is dead."

"Pardon?"

Startled by the abrupt statement, I accidentally questioned back. Nadia also dropped the cup she was holding. We were too shocked to even retrieve the rolling cup that made a 'clang' sound.

Fury, like Nadia, was a beastman but appeared closer to a beast than a human. Despite his ferocious appearance, he was quite kind-hearted.

But now, he's dead. We occasionally teamed up with him for mining operations. My mind struggled to comprehend something so incongruous—it made no sense.

"What? How? What about the security robots?"

"They did come, but they arrived late, and the situation wasn't resolved well when they got there."

Robert explained the sequence of events.

Today, Fury, apparently unwell, was on his way to the medical area when passing pureblood supremacists started harassing him.

Usually, he would have ignored them and walked away. However, upon hearing that he was a beast spreading dirty germs, he couldn't hold back.

Beastmen are generally physically superior to pure humans. Consequently, the fight was one-sided.

"Regardless of who was at fault, we called the security robots first because that's the rule."

Robert continued, recalling his memories of the incident.

"However, Fury seemed rather off. I'm not saying it was his fault—the pureblood supremacists were to blame. What I'm talking about is Fury's state."

"What was different?"

"The atmosphere. Something was unusual about the air around him. It felt like he had become someone else... That kind of feeling."

"..."

"The security arrived, but Fury put up intense resistance. During the ensuing struggle, he died—like a beast hunted by a hunter."

"..."

I was left in a daze for a moment, eventually bending down to pick up the fallen cup.

I initially assumed that Fury had fought the pureblood supremacists and been killed by them, but Robert's account revealed a different story.

It turned out I was right only about Fury fighting the pureblood supremacists; the subsequent events defied my expectations. Fury was killed by the security robots.

Lost for words, I merely fiddled with the cup. Robert placed a steaming stew in front of us as he spoke.

"That's the result. Whether he had some sort of space madness or if there was another reason, seeing all that blood turned everyone's stomachs, and they all returned to their rooms instead of drinking. Naturally, the streets quieted down."

"What happened to those pureblood supremacists?"

"I don't know. They were taken by the security robots, so I'm guessing their punishment is up for discussion, assuming everything goes according to protocol."

"... The world is becoming a dangerous place."

I murmured, realizing leaving quickly was the best decision.

In the increasingly outrageous actions of the pureblood supremacists, there were calls for the government to take direct action, but their response had been minimal. Understandably so.

Pureblood ideology had infiltrated even the highest ranks of officials. Previously, the notion that they were omnipresent was a conspiracy theory once considered a joke.

That was no longer the case. The pureblood extremist I encountered today was a member of a powerful family.

"Finish eating and avoid going out at night. I have a bad feeling about this,"

Robert advised.

"Will do."

We quietly ate the stew. It wasn't the new menu item we were initially hoping for, or even a jumbo set, but the warmth settled our minds a bit.

Nadia's demeanor seemed to lighten, her expression a tad more relaxed.

Before long, we finished our meal without incident.

"Thanks for the meal, uncle."

"You looked like you lost your appetite, but you cleared your plates."

"It ended up being delicious as we ate... It's a little sad thinking about not being able to eat your cooking once we leave."

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes. We've been here long enough."

I bowed my head slightly, conveying my gratitude for everything. Robert was a kind soul who took me in when I was lost and without memory.

The warmth of the meal he offered will remain unforgettable even as time passes.

"Three years, is it? Yes, you've been here longer than most. Live well on Earth. The same goes for you, Nadia."

"Huh? How did you know I'm leaving too?"

Nadia asked, eyes wide in surprise. Robert chuckled at her expression.

"It was obvious. You're always together. As they say, where the thread goes, so goes the needle."

"Isn't it the other way around?"

"In your case, this fits. You're like a trophy husband; without your brute strength, Nadia excels in every other aspect. Just what are you aiming for?"

"Hitting me with facts, huh?"

His words were all too true, leaving me with little to retort. But it didn't bother me. The smiles on mine and Robert's faces were evidence of that.

"Aah..."

Nadia hung her head, blushing, but was still all smiles. Her tail wagged, showing none of the earlier gloom.

"When are you leaving?"

Robert inquired.

"Not right away. I'm short on credits, so we'll be here for another week. We also need to contact that woman."

"Then there's plenty of time."

"It's not our last visit, after all. We'll be here tomorrow morning, too. Breakfast is a must."

Robert knew whom I meant by 'that woman'.

She was the broker who secured my identity. To live without issue on Earth, I had to go through her.

"Drop by the day before you leave. I'll put some effort into making something special."

I was about to tell him he didn't have to, but I changed my words, opting for gratitude instead.

"Thank you, uncle."

"Enough of that. Just go and get some rest."

"Okay. Nadia, let's go."

"Yup!"

We laughed softly, waving back at Robert, who was gesturing us off, before stepping out of the restaurant.

The neon signs on the street were even brighter now. The fewer the people, the fewer the shadows cast, it seemed.

Nadia and I walked side by side toward our quarters. The notion that it felt like we had the street to ourselves made today not seem so bad after all. If not for hearing about Fury, that is.

I asked Nadia for a moment before taking out my communicator to contact the broker.

- I've almost gathered enough credits. Just about seven days more.

- Oh, already? You managed that quicker than I thought. I expected you to be here for another three years.

The broker replied quickly, coincidentally holding her communicator as well.

'Three years.'

If Nadia hadn't offered to lend me the missing credits today, I probably would have languished here much longer, as the broker predicted.

People don't usually stay long in these mining outposts. The pay isn't great, and the labor isn't easy. It makes more sense to take out a loan, buy a freight shuttle, and earn more from transporting goods.

Thus, those who work here often have tales they can't freely share. Even I am no exception.

I shuddered at the ghastly thought and tapped on my communicator.

- Don't scare me like that. Anyway, since I've nearly collected the credits, please prepare my identity and ticket for Earth. It's 50 million credits. Right?

- Yes, that's right. 50 million credits.

- ... Isn't there room for negotiation? We've gotten along pretty well so far.

I knew it sounded desperate, but a discount of even a few hundred thousand credits would mean leaving a day earlier. Hence, I tried my luck. Predictably, her response was instantaneous.

- Are you insane?

"..."

She was firm, as expected of someone who valued credits highly. Although not surprised, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment.

- Just kidding. Prepare to receive exactly 50 million credits. It's happening in 7 days.

- Okay, I'll contact you on the 6th day before then.

Ending my contact with the broker, my heart started to race. The thought of soon returning to Earth, a memory that floated hazily in my mind, was exhilarating.

After I put away my communicator, Nadia, who'd been observing, asked, "Why do you want to go to Earth, Hyun-woo?"

"I haven't told you, have I?"

"Nope!"

"Hmm... let's talk once we get home."

Upon hearing that, Nadia happily sprinted ahead. She was so fast, it almost looked like the wheels on her carrier were catching fire in the process.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I'm guessing somethings going to happen? A little hiccup? Maybe not able to go to Earth?