Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 31 31: Escape

Three hours remained until Liliweiss's departure.

Andrew knocked on Charon's door, and what he saw inside was complete chaos.

"I'm telling you, Commander, what kind of packing is this? I'm going on a combat mission, not a vacation!"

"I know! But you won't have the strength to fight if you don't eat properly. Be good, now, just stuff this beef can into that damn suitcase!"

"I really don't need a suitcase! If we factor in killing Gluttony and reaching the Relay Station, it'll only take two hours at most! I seriously don't need any of this!"

What Andrew saw was exactly that scene: Liliweiss helplessly trying to stop Charon from stuffing food into her luggage, afraid to use force, while Charon acted like a parent sending their child off on a long journey, persistent and overly concerned.

"Until your family drama is over, I'll just stand here and watch," Andrew said, leaning against the doorfra, squinting at Charon. "So can you at least give a finishing ti? I need to calculate how long my job will take."

Charon paused, slowly turned around, and t Andrew's gaze. Then he looked past him at the fully ard soldiers standing outside the room.

"What, you planning to cash in for a bounty now?" Charon said with a faint smile.

At the sa ti, he glanced at Liliweiss. She imdiately avoided his gaze, clearly, she knew about this as well.

"Cut the crap. I just need you to stay put in the base for a while so you don't ss things up for Liliweiss. That's all. It's just… a bit rough."

Andrew sighed. He understood Charon too well. If he didn't do sothing, Charon would definitely vanish from the forward base the mont Liliweiss departed—no need for proof, he just knew.

After Liliweiss returned from her VTC checkup, there wasn't a trace of worry on Charon's face.

It wasn't simple trust, it was the calm of soone who had everything under control.

"You really think I don't know what you're planning?" Andrew muttered.

"Alright, fine," Charon shrugged and walked past him casually. "But you better lock up properly. Otherwise, escaping will only take a few minutes."

"Don't worry. Even Liliweiss couldn't get out of there without using her super strength," Andrew said, patting Charon's shoulder. "I just need you to stay quiet. The signal's good there, and you can still command Liliweiss remotely. I'll even send you food, just don't move around."

"Commander." Liliweiss finally spoke. "I'm sorry… truly, I am."

"It's fine. Not your fault," Charon replied, giving her a reassuring wink. "After this is over, I'll recomnd you beco the examiner for new Nikkes. Just the two of us isn't enough, you need a team."

Liliweiss froze, then nodded hesitantly.

So… new won will join our group?

Sowhere deep down, she felt resistance, but she also understood her lifespan might not reach Charon's.

"I understand, Commander," she said, clenching her fist. "I'll choose carefully… capable ones!"

Andrew turned away, adjusting his cap. "Liliweiss… don't disappoint – or him."

He left quickly.

anwhile, at VTC:

"Professor Abe, we should be leaving too~" Karen said, holding a simple suitcase, smiling as always.

"I've had a bad feeling… but staying here won't change anything," Abe replied. "We should go. The Nikke project can't wait anymore."

Karen tilted her head. "Are you planning to get involved in the creation of the Fairy-Type models?"

Abe glanced at her. "VTC won't be involved in the first batch. At most, later versions. Politics… I never liked it in science."

"Hehe, but politics will co to you eventually," Karen said softly.

"Please stop. That topic gives a headache."

Thirty minutes before departure:

"How's your little prison? Comfortable?" Andrew's voice ca through Charon's ear.

"Are you treating like so monster?" Charon cursed.

It wasn't exactly a prison,more like a deep underground nuclear bunker isolation cell.

A multi-ton nuclear blast door sealed him inside. Twelve steel rods locked it into the walls. The only connection to the outside world was a thin fiber line through a ventilation shaft barely large enough for a rat.

"Haha, just rest a bit. After Liliweiss finishes the mission, I'll treat you to a proper al."

Charon closed the communication.

Then he opened his system inventory.

His gaze landed on a beginners dagger.

The only reason he chose it: infinite durability.

Even in a nuclear explosion, it would not break.

It wasn't powerful, but it could chip away anything, endlessly.

He examined the massive door.

Everything has durability. Everything has weak points.

Even this bunker door.

tal fatigue. Micro-cracks. Old repairs.

Damage from past Rapture incursions.

All of it was visible, to him.

Charon raised the dagger.

"I don't fully trust anyone," he muttered.

"And everything… must remain under my control."