Apocalypse Survival Guide Chapter 39 New Beginning (11)

Chapter 39: New Beginning (11)

Celestia requested communication. Although I hesitated for a mont because I was just about to start moving, I decided to answer. It seed like this was the only ti I would have a mont to spare if I were to communicate. Plus, I wanted to receive help if it was available.

- Oh, you picked up. Where are you now?

Celestia skipped any pleasantries and jumped straight into the question. With no ti for leisurely greetings, this suited just fine as well.

"I'm in the cargo sector. More precisely, in the lounge attached to the cargo sector."

- The cargo sector... Since it's not good to have long communications, I'll keep it brief. I can help. Seems like there was a collision, considering the isolation was lifted just recently. You're probably stuck near there right now.

It wasn't as if our movent was completely blocked, but we definitely needed help. It was obvious that progressing to the next area in this state would take a significant amount of ti.

Her understanding of our situation widened my eyes slightly.

"... How did you know?"

- From the map system, I can see that the area is marked in red. Although I can't see details, I could deduce that almost everything isn't looking good.

Even if she couldn't see specifics, being able to confirm whether an area was in isolation was possible. I took a small breath at Celestia's words.

"So that ans...."

It's not just a general map data but a system map as seen through detection sensors. Does this an she was able to access the Heaven's system from the town?

Considering our downloaded map only allowed us to view the structure, the data Celestia was seeing was indispensable. We needed it to proceed more safely.

- That's right. I've successfully connected to the system.

"... I wish you had told a bit earlier."

The words escaped unconsciously as I recalled how I moved frantically, imrsed in tension until now. It wasn't ant as bla, but rather a lant.

The communication transitioned from voice to video, and Celestia's figure ca into view. She was casting a worried gaze as she checked our expressions, mine and Nadia's. Despite the deterioration of the holographic image quality, it was clear enough to gauge faces.

- I'm sorry. I tried to do it as quickly as I could. ... Was I too late?

"What? Oh, don't get wrong. I was just lanting because quite a few things happened, just like you guessed. It made a bit on edge."

I quickly waved my hands, trying to explain. There was no doubt in my mind that Celestia had done her best. She had other reasons besides our common goal of acquiring a data board for store activation, reasons that connected us.

Finding and rescuing her brother. Until that goal was achieved, she would undoubtedly be a reliable ally. I needed her help, and she needed ours.

"So, how did you access the system? Wasn't there no equipnt in the town?"

- I kept my promise by getting a bit of help from soone. From the person who roams around with a security robot. They're saying sothing beside now—hey, don't push ...! Later, I'll tell you later...!

As far as I knew, there was only one person who road around with a security robot. The broker, indeed. She seed ready to say sothing to , opening and closing her mouth repeatedly.

No, now that I looked, it seed like she was speaking, but her voice wasn't being transmitted.

- It's an encrypted communication, so even if you speak, your voice won't be transmitted. Yes, really. I know your skills are great, but breaking through Myosotis's firewall—ah, I got it, I misspoke. Don't get angry....

In the brief tussle with her, Celestia shoved the broker away and reappeared with a worn-out look.

- I reached out because this person seed to have a special connection to you and the necessary technology for exploration. I thought the criteria for an ally were t, but maybe I should've found soone else instead. ... Cancelling that last part, don't an to dismiss you. I revoked it quickly, so put the robot away. Are you trying to kill ?

"......"

- Oh, not particularly close? Just acquaintances? Not exactly, but there's sothing? ... What even does that an?

Listening quietly, I heard Nadia mutter softly, "So immature...."

Was it directed at the broker? As the bickering resud, I rested my hand on my forehead and opened my mouth.

"Let's save the quarrel for later; could you please help us for now? We need to start moving to not get chased by ghouls. Making noise like this isn't ideal."

- Oh, sorry! Eric, take this person away! They're interfering too much. ... Anyway, Mr. Hyun-woo, as I was saying earlier, the system is a ss, so there's not much I can do imdiately. At best, I can provide navigation. Even that might not be an option if the connection suddenly drops.

Though I had intended to ask if she could open the containers packed in the cargo sector, the answer ca before I could inquire. I clicked my tongue in slight frustration.

"I understand. So, what should we do next?"

- Move to the ventilation duct. I'll send data to you.

Both Nadia and I faltered at the ntion of the ventilation duct. Celestia sent over the data of the pipe network laid out in the base as though confirming she was aware of our reactions. The maze-like structure appeared in midair, becoming three-dinsional almost simultaneously.

- It's not the general ventilation duct. There's one for the server cooling.

The dium-sized mining base, Heaven, where various systems were concentrated—what we usually used was rely the tip of the iceberg compared to the overall system reserved for the high-ranking class.

The server rooms for managing this system were located in each area, and the heat generated from these rooms was circulated internally for temperature regulation or cooled with external cold.

The sheer size of the server rooms caused so curiosity, but since the base and the server rooms were both old, everyone rationalized that the scale was unavoidable.

- There's a direct route to the communication area's server room. Using it, you can minimize or avoid encounters with the creatures until you reach the communication area.

According to Celestia, unlike general ventilation ducts open to everyone, server cooling ducts remain closed until a specific code is entered. Hence, there would be no monsters present.

- And even if a creature is there, I can identify it in real-ti from my side. Those ducts are fitted with countless pressure sensors to detect any intrusion. Want to trust ?

"......"

"......"

Honestly, it was hard to move readily. It wasn't a matter of trusting Celestia or not; it was the fact that we had witnessed ghouls moving through the ventilation ducts with our own eyes that made us hesitate. Even though we understood that the ducts we were to use were different from what they used.

Nevertheless, the hesitation was brief. Having learned of a direct route to the communication sector, especially to the server room, it would be foolish to let it go.

Moreover, encountering ghouls was statistically less likely than going the direct route. There was no reason to refuse.

Upon nodding to indicate our agreent, Celestia imdiately started supporting us.

- I'll guide you to the closest path. First, exit outside through the shuttle station. There lies the path.

Nadia, Carry, and I began retracing our steps out of the lounge where we had taken a brief respite. Our movent no longer exhibited any hesitance.

Thanks to Celestia locating and utilizing relatively intact caras through the system, she inford us there were no ghouls in the vicinity.

Though our number increased by just one, movent beca significantly smoother.

'No.'

I couldn't call it just one. Even if another person were added to our group, it wouldn't equate to the leverage Celestia brought. Having the system access privilege was crucial.

We quickly arrived at a site filled with shuttle wreckage and set foot onto a deck that had lost its horizontal stability, leaning precariously. Cold winds, blocked by the wreckage, scattered and regrouped mid-route before brushing past our bodies.

- ... Grueso.

Celestia, witnessing the base's situation through us in real-ti, was left speechless at the sight of scattered bloodstains. Maybe she hadn't expected this level.

"This is relatively clean. Other places are worse."

Climbing atop the deck resembling a shipwreck's grave, Nadia and I proceeded cautiously to avoid tripping over the wreckage. Though the tallic surface resounded with each step, no ghouls erged instantaneously with surprise.

It seed like the ghouls hiding near here were drawn away by the commotion Darren caused and relocated. Not visible on the system either.

Despite being a golden opportunity to fetch survival kits from shuttle wreckage, we opted to pass it by. Celestia ntioned the potential sudden loss of system connection wasn't improbable.

If we succeeded in acquiring a data board for the store, there'd be less need to cling to survival kits. Hence, movent took precedence.

- ... Any survivors...

"There were, but not anymore. They were killed by ghouls just monts ago."

I filled Celestia in on the encounters we had, thinking she'd probably be curious about the progress on finding her brother.

We encountered two people on our way here. One had taken his own life before turning wholly into a ghoul, and the other, gripped entirely by fear, attempted to kill us, only to et his demise instead.

Though both were male, every other condition matched what Celestia had described. With the bleak update, she remained mute. Even in the hazy image, her mood was palpably sunken.

During the silence, Carry popped an exclamation mark and tapped Nadia urgently. As she tuned her ears questioningly, it pointed sowhere with its auxiliary arm.

There lay the shuttle cockpit, conspicuously strewn with a survival kit marked with a cross. Although it showed signs of scorching from explosive heat and seed tattered, the contents appeared intact to so extent due to secure sealing.

Seeing that, Nadia looked to instead of offering any words. Picking up on the signal, Carry approached as if seeking permission. It was a creature that took commands to avoid rash action to heart.

Nodding to signify permission, Carry flew at a swift pace, grabbed the survival kit, and returned. Praising Carry for the good work, I cleared the soot from the kit before tearing it open with ease.

Inside were two interdiate-level dical supplies and a stick-shaped ergency ration. Though the kit wasn't large, and hence not abundant, this unexpected fortune was undeniable. I had thought we might get nothing.

An unforeseen blessing, serendipity. Recalling this word vaguely, I mused to myself.

"Don't lose hope. You never know when unexpected blessings might co."

- ....

"Even if it's sheer coincidence, such fortune only finds those who are prepared. Stay idle, and nothing will co to you. But if you're persistently trying, who knows? The cherished person you're seeking might just appear out of nowhere."

That was why I kept moving. I knew standing still ant gaining nothing while continuing to lose more.

- ... It's been so long since I've heard soone speak like that.

Celestia remarked with a slightly surprised look at .

"Well, it's not an original saying from , so you might have heard it elsewhere. I feel like I heard it from soone too."

As I replied casually, she let out a soft laugh. Though reserved, the relief in her expression lted sothing from her usual stern presence.

- I won't give up. I've barely caught hold of a lead. My brother is imnsely strong, so I believe he's alive. No, he is alive. I'm sure.

Celestia's pursuit of her brother's lead drove her from Earth to this icy moon, Titan, trusting a piece of information provided by the pureblood supremacists. Her blue eyes, reminiscent of Earth's sky, glimred brightly.

Quite the strong individual. Seeing those eyes, I felt she was.

Upon first eting her at the mining base, I thought she was just a sheltered young lady. Holding the pureblood supremacist symbol so blatantly, I viewed her negatively. That strong guardedness was partly due to the bombings conducted by the pureblood supremacists that followed suit.

However, Carrot happened to share Myosotis's account. I also directly heard Celestia deny being a pureblood supremacist.

I might not know the hardship she endured to reach her current state. The revival of a fallen corporation—so might admire it while others could condemn it as ruthlessness.

While so thoughts ca to mind, I duly shrugged them off, realizing pondering on it was, in itself, a bit rude. It's not for others to judge.

Whether she could be entirely trusted was another matter. Her denial about being a pureblood supremacist was only words in the end, and the connections she had with the supremacists were indeed facts.

Yet, if asked to choose between trust and distrust, I'd lean towards the forr. Trust could be placed in her. That was the conclusion I ca to while observing Celestia.

Belief often begins with small steps. I hoped our relationship evolved similarly. Collaborating based on trust would be essential to escaping Titan.

- And also...

"...?"

- Nothing, never mind.

"...."

The ergence of a speech pattern that was just irritating enough to spur annoyance had furrowing my brow, asking why Celestia was peering at , seemingly contemplative, yet offering no further word. Since there appeared to be no inclination to disclose, Nadia and I exchanged a glance, shrugging off the mystery.

After putting the interdiate dical supplies into a belt pouch, Nadia, Carry, and I left the deck and stood against the base's outer wall. Crossing the boundary, the cold wind brushed past us with greater intensity, and the gray sky turned to tell us night had fallen.

It's dark. So dark that I couldn't see the ground below. However, the eerie cries of ghouls echoed clearly from here and there.

- Look out on the wall, there should be an inspection bridge for the facility. Cross over it, then a sealed gate will appear, which I can open.

We took a swift step forward, and the tallic bridge groaned upon contact, its degeneration the result of minimal use and poor maintenance.

"I'll lead upfront, so follow carefully. Or actually, ride on Carry. That'll be safer."

"Okay...!"

With care, Nadia and I proceeded over the bridge turned rickety rope bridge, while she comfortably rode atop Carry. As Celestia ntioned, we soon found the sealed gate.

- The structure aligns with that gate. Hold on montarily; I'll switch it to an open state.

Shortly thereafter, the red holographic sign prohibiting access altered to blue, and the gate opened slowly with a clunk. Described as a scaled-down version of the entrance, the thickness of the gate leading to the server room was substantial. Using a plasma cutter to penetrate it would undoubtedly take considerable ti.

It's no surprise the opening noise of such a thick gate wasn't exactly subtle. Ghouls lurking outside seed to have heard it as crooning sounds lded with the wind. Luckily, darkness was concealing.

"Once inside, the sound will reverberate, making it hard to talk. You'll need to judge accordingly."

- Worry not. I may be a Myosotis, but I'm still here.

We subrged ourselves into the shadowy corridor, amidst where intricate wiring stretched out like blood vessels.