Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 5 5: Even If I Die, I’ll Die Outside the Wall

"…When it cos to throwing your life away, he's got plenty to say. He's 'died' who knows how many tis in that damn place—but every single ti, he just returned to where he first woke up. Day after day, year after year."

"When he had nothing to do, he'd sit at the road that looked like it led out of town, staring at the exit in a daze. He hoped that one day, a vehicle would appear there. Even a broken bicycle would do. As long as it could break through that stupid invisible wall… even if it cost him his life, he wouldn't care."

Liliweiss' gaze settled on Charon's face.

"…Did your friend make it out?"

"Who knows? Maybe he did, maybe he didn't." Charon shrugged with a faint smile.

"But at least for now, he has a bit of peace. As for the future… only the future can answer that."

"Liliweiss, you still have a choice."

Their eyes t.

"I know you don't trust the NIKKE Project. That's understandable—I don't even fully know how it works either. But does that really matter to you right now?"

Without waiting for her reply, he continued:

"They can dress it up however they want call it cutting-edge technology, promise you imnse power… but that's all bullshit. None of that matters to you right now."

"What matters is this, becoming a NIKKE gives you the right to choose again."

"…The right… to choose…"

Charon stood up and walked toward the fake "window."

A flawless sunset was playing on the screen.

Liliweiss froze.

A bad feeling rose in her chest–

And just as she expected, Charon smashed the screen with a punch.

The display shattered and flickered into static, instantly dragging her out of that false illusion.

She was reminded again–

This wasn't a hospital room.

It was a cage.

"If you're going to waste your life lying on that bed, even if you die here like you want, is that really what you want?"

Charon stepped closer, his gaze locking onto her eye, now slightly unsettled.

"After you die, your ashes will probably be treated like trash, dumped into so drain by hospital staff, disappearing without a trace."

"Is that the ending you want?"

"Do you know what my friend thought after five years in that place?"

"He thought, even if it's just one finger… he wants to break through that wall."

"Even if it ans dying, he'd rather die outside the wall."

"You can choose to die. But don't die in the cage they built for you."

"Beco a NIKKE. At the very least, you'll get to choose a place where you can feel real wind, see a real sunset."

"Use their technology. Burn through their funding."

"And then… walk the path you choose for yourself."

He lowered his head, facing her bandage-wrapped face.

"Don't forget, this isn't about turning you into a monster."

"It's a chance to stand on the ground again… and choose your own path."

"And besides…"

"…Don't you want to take revenge on the Raptures with your own hands?"

Silence.

Her pupil trembled slightly–

Then slowly closed.

After that, neither of them spoke.

Charon simply stayed by her side, waiting.

Her eyelashes trembled, the last part of her body she could still control.

Tears flowed quietly, soaking into the bandages.

No sound. No movent.

Just silent crying.

When only five minutes of visitation ti remained, the speaker finally ca alive again:

"…If I use their technology… to run away…"

"…Would they lose a lot of money?"

Charon smiled faintly.

"Probably an astronomical amount. I can already imagine those arrogant bastards turning green."

At the door, he stopped, his back facing her.

"Rember this. The NIKKE procedure isn't just to save your life."

"It's so you can open that door yourself… and step into real sunlight."

"Even if it's just to curse at the sky–"

"…and yeah, that barbecue offer still stands."

He left.

Without looking back.

Liliweiss stared at the door.

Then slowly closed her eye.

No one could see her expression.

…

After the visit, Charon disabling the alarm and smashing the display nearly gave everyone a heart attack.

So even demanded he be put in confinent.

But the very next day–

A large sum of money appeared in his account.

As for why, he didn't care.

The number was pretty nice.

"So let get this straight, you went into a top-secret facility, wrecked stuff, didn't get punished…"

Andrew stared in disbelief.

"…and they paid you?!"

"Damn it, where do I sign up for that kind of benefit?!"

"Don't overthink it. It's not replicable."

Charon smiled.

Of course he knew why.

Liliweiss had finally agreed to undergo the procedure.

As the first NIKKE conversion, it would probably take months.

Charon had done his part.

He had brought the first NIKKE back onto her destined path.

And after seeing her in that state…

He couldn't just ignore it.

Like in his story–

She still had a choice.

She could break out of that cage.

Even at a cost.

And Charon knew very well what a NIKKE truly was.

For soone like Liliweiss, who was beyond saving–

There were only upsides.

Empathy?

Not really.

After all… it wasn't him trapped in that town.

That was his "friend."

What did it have to do with him?

"…So, how is Liliweiss now?"

Andrew asked, a bit concerned.

As one of the only two people who knew the legendary pilot was still barely alive, he couldn't help but be curious.

"Mm… you'll probably hear about it soon."

Charon answered lightly.

"Damn, impressive. I heard tons of people failed to convince her."

Andrew gave him a thumbs up.

"You went in once and got it done. Guess I've got nothing left to teach you."

"Get lost. When did you ever teach anything?"

…

Two days of peaceful life later–

Andrew knocked on Charon's door with a mischievous grin.

"My dear friend… have you thought about that thing I ntioned?"

Charon frowned.

"What thing?"

"The mixer with the Air Force Girls' Academy."

"?"

Yeah.

He forgot.

Andrew grinned wider.

"I already signed you up."

"???"

"YOU SON OF—!"

Charon grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder.

Andrew scread like a pig being slaughtered.

"WAIT WAIT HAVE RCY, YOU CAN'T DODGE THIS ONE, LET EXPLAIN, BRO!!"

"You'd better give a damn good reason not to kill you!"

Charon pinned him to the ground.

Good thing they had a private dorm,

Otherwise, that "philosophical" position would've drawn a crowd.

After so broken explanations, Charon got the gist.

Before Charon enrolled, Andrew was the only commander candidate.

Top status. Best perks.

aning–

There was no escaping these social events.

In tis of crisis, reproduction and maintaining population beca critical.

So from university onward, even military academies, these mixers were unavoidable.

The good news?

He didn't have to date anyone.

Just show up.

The bad news?

Andrew was already taken.

And had zero interest in going.

"So you've been planning this since the day I showed up?"

Charon's eyes turned cold.

"Fine. For the next year—you're covering my drinks."

"…Deal."