章節 32: Chapter 32: Strictly No Nikkes Allowed Near the Commander!
As Mo Chen left the Ark, he couldn't help but glance at the Nikkes working as staff members. Something about it felt… off.
Taking down a Tyrant-class Rapture was a significant accomplishment, but it wasn't something that would typically make headlines to the extent of becoming widely recognized. Normally, people might know about the event itself, but not every detail, let alone the individuals involved.
Yet, Mo Chen couldn't go anywhere—even just shopping—without running into at least nine people who seemed to know him.
This felt unnatural.
It was almost as if someone were deliberately promoting his image.
Could it be that the Ark is using me as a symbol to boost morale among the residents?
As he mulled over the possibility, Mo Chen caught Rapi's gaze.
He raised an eyebrow at her, silently asking, What's up?
Rapi simply turned away, ignoring him.
What's her deal? Mo Chen thought, bewildered.
"Commander, feeling smug, aren't you?"
Anis, quick to recover her usual mood, nudged him playfully with her elbow, her expression full of mischief.
"With all those beauties practically throwing themselves at you."
"Yeah, sure," Mo Chen replied dryly. "I don't see you hugging me."
Anis puffed out her chest and lifted her chin.
"Who says I haven't? Hmph, didn't I hug you last time?"
Mo Chen put on a mock-shocked expression.
"Oh? When was that? Oh, right—I seem to recall it felt like getting mauled by a pig."
"You're the pig!"
Despite Anis's banter, Mo Chen's thoughts were elsewhere.
This level of exposure wasn't good. Not only would other Commanders begin resenting him, but it wouldn't take long for the anti-Ark terrorists hidden in the shadows to come after him.
It was as though the Ark was painting a giant target on his back.
He sighed heavily, lost in thought.
"Hey, was it really so awful for me to kiss you?"
Anis was practically pulling her hair out in frustration. Not only was Mo Chen unappreciative, but he even sighed!
"Commander," Rapi suddenly spoke, interrupting his musings.
"What is it?"
"Please maintain distance from unrelated strangers."
"Huh?"
"The Ark isn't entirely safe. There are terrorists from the Outland zones who have infiltrated. For your safety, please avoid random individuals. If necessary, allow me to handle them."
Mo Chen blinked, stunned.
When did the Ark's staff become "random individuals"?
Still, Rapi's concern touched him.
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind."
"From now on," Rapi continued with a firm nod, "I'll take charge of your daily affairs. Unrelated Nikkes will be strictly prohibited from approaching the Commander. If they do, they'll be warned or removed."
Mo Chen was speechless.
"That… seems a bit much."
Rapi, clutching her rifle, was unyielding.
"It's all for your safety, Commander."
"Rapi, I get that you're looking out for the Commander," Anis chimed in, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "and I even agree with you—his safety is important. But…"
Her voice grew shrill with frustration.
"WHY DOES THAT INCLUDE ME?!"
The massive gates of the Ark opened, revealing the ruined surface world once again.
The scene was desolate.
The ground was cracked and scarred, the soil scorched black. Scattered across the area were the decayed corpses of Raptures, buried beneath layers of dust. In every direction, ruins stretched endlessly, the remnants of a once-thriving world.
The only signs of life were patches of moss clinging to broken walls and wild grass sprouting chaotically through the rubble.
Yet, despite the devastation, Mo Chen inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air tinged with the scent of dirt and grass.
This is better.
The Ark, no matter how immersive its simulations, could never replicate the feeling of standing on real ground.
The artificiality of it all had always felt suffocating to Mo Chen—like living in a cage.
"…So this is the surface," Neon murmured in awe.
Her eyes widened as she stared in awe at her surroundings, her excitement palpable. She darted around like a curious child, inspecting everything as though she were experiencing it for the first time.
Even the dirt-covered ground seemed fascinating to her.
"Is this your first time up here?" Mo Chen couldn't help but ask.
"Yes!" Neon chirped, her tone brimming with enthusiasm. She picked up a small, glassy bead from the ground and stuffed it into her bag. "The surface is so vast! The sky is so clear, and there's no noise like underground. It's completely different!"
To her, everything here was new and exciting—even something as simple as a shiny bead she had never seen in the Ark.
"Yeah, it's obvious," Anis remarked with a knowing smirk.
"Obvious?" Neon tilted her head in confusion. "Is it that noticeable?"
Anis flashed a bright smile, as warm as the afternoon sun.
"If it weren't your first time, you wouldn't be picking up a Rapture's head as a keepsake."
"…?!"
Neon froze, staring blankly at her bag. Slowly, her hands moved to check its contents.
A beat passed.
Then—
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Her scream pierced the heavens.
Mo Chen sighed.
"Anis, do you really have to scare her like that? She may be new, but she's still our teammate."
Neon crouched on the ground, pale as a sheet, having flung the supposed "Rapture head" as far away as possible.
Anis planted her hands on her hips, her tone unapologetic.
"Who's scaring her? I'm just helping her get acquainted with the dangers of the surface and understand reality. I've seen plenty of people come up here with unrealistic expectations—"
She spread her arms dramatically.
"And then they die."
At the word die, Neon's face grew even paler.
Mo Chen pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated.
"Still, you didn't have to scare her with a Rapture head. Besides, that wasn't even a Rapture's head."
"It wasn't?"
"Nope."
From her spot in the distance, Neon visibly sighed in relief.
"Then… what was it?"
"Human tissue."
Neon froze mid-breath, her complexion turning even more ghostly white.
"Anis! Commander!"
Rapi's voice cut in, her expression stern as she shot them both a disapproving look.
Mo Chen coughed lightly, realizing they might have taken the joke too far.
He approached Neon.
"Don't be scared, Anis was just messing with you."
Even though Neon wasn't the sharpest, she could tell the two of them had teamed up to prank her. Her cheeks flushed red with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
"How could you two do this?!"
This was bullying, plain and simple!
Even rabbits bite when cornered, and Neon, despite her gentle demeanor, was no exception.
Fuming, Neon turned on her heel and stomped off.
"Where are you going?"
Mo Chen's voice called after her, but she ignored him.
She was livid—absolutely furious. She wouldn't forgive them!
With her chin held high, Neon decided she would complete the mission on her own.
"Wait, don't go yet," Mo Chen called out again.
Her pace quickened.
Unforgivable!
"There's a Rapture nest up ahead."
Neon's foot froze mid-step.
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