The third short story in the series.

GOD ASHES -

Divine Relics

"Iron Den"

Story by: Phongphon

Thump...

A steel fiber reinforced carrying bag was gently placed on the table in front of him. I move my eyes to see the rough hands of a tall man checking four or five locks that I don't know why they're used to lock them. Seriously, what's making me stand tensely here is not a bag. But it was a dozen muscular men in feathered suits standing pretentiously with hand-made guns in their hands. This was a shabby warehouse.

Where we live is very small. Even though there's not a lot of sunlight shining through, But you don't have to be careful, you might get hit by a jig that much. You hired me here - why are you being suspicious?

You can say that you are suspicious or not suspicious. But now he has moved his bag towards me.

A bag that will take me to a lot of money.

“Do you want me to tell you again?” asked a tall man in a brightly colored feathered suit, different from the muscular guys. Why would he pull a face?

"You don't have to. Hurry up and finish it. It's good for both of you-"

tight!

The moment I reached out to pick up the package The young man returned and punched his bag hard. The sound of a crash echoed throughout this musty warehouse. I was a little startled. That's not much. But the eyes that looked back were really intentional to annoy you.

“This is extremely important! It's more important than your stinky life!” Ai Yong scolded, bringing his face closer to mine without releasing his hand from his bag. The feathers on his suit fluttered with every sentence he shouted. “Take this bag out of the White City through your filthy slums, do you understand? Or do I have to lower my language so you can get it? But what is the name of that rotten community, Sai Mai? Hose? Late stop? line-"

“Holy honey,” I replied. This bastard didn't even remember the name of the residential area that covered most of White City's underground area. But please calm down, Mr. Phattadon. Hurry to receive the item, hurry to deliver it, hurry to get the money, that's enough. Don't go swinging your toes. “Honeysuckle...”

“Oh, honey, red juice, piss, whatever.” Ai Yong waved his hand, “I'm sure you're the only one in the slums who knows enough to do this job. There's no way for us to take the risk of using scraps from anywhere to deliver things, so! prohibit! miss! If by morning I don't receive any communication that I have received the item, you... will die.”

When will this word be repeated? This has been emphasized about ten times since I got here. Don't let me see you after work. Opportunity to deliver a strike that will make your jaw shake.

But I could only answer, "I know."

“List the agreements. If you really knew.”

“Do not let things slip from your hands. Do not allow items to be damaged. Do not let your system know the identity of this item. My life is worth less than Fifty thousand D-Coins will be mine when the package reaches its destination.” I smoothly worded the agreement. Especially this last sentence was the thing that suppressed my fleeting emotions and prevented me from punching this young bastard.

“Right, but you forgot one thing…” Ai Yong nodded and carried the bag over to him. But before receiving the item takes place He rammed his fist into my stomach so hard that I almost choked on my digestive juices. "...Don't roll your eyes at me!"

I collapsed helplessly. Trying to grit your teeth to keep from vomiting. Even though it wasn't more than expected to be played like this. But I didn't think that the force of the punch would be good. Damn it...didn't that thing just come up with you?

And before I could raise my head and say anything The big muscular minions threw me out the door with a loud bang. Before the young man walked up and followed him out, I looked at his every movement while still gritting my teeth. He stood straight, he pressed close to his knees, he crouched, he put down his bag with care. Then a look of disdain flashed through his eyes as he stood up in what he thought was a dignified position.

Soon boots came to rest next to me. Ai Yong chose to give a slow command:

“Understood, go to work, Aiden.”

All of a sudden!

As soon as he finished his sentence, he said goodbye with a straight slam of his boot on the side. With that, they all dispersed and disappeared out of sight. Leaving me spread out with a fullness of anger that was equal to the amount of resentment in my heart.

With one puff of air from his nose, a lump of hardened blood flew into a part of the marble floor. It's been a while since I walked around carrying my bags on the luxury skywalk. In front and behind there was only a path as far as the eye could see. Left, right and overhead is a clean, curved glass arch. It only took a glance to see how far this underground city spread.

But until it's all gone, it's only 30%.

On the right-see the cluster of five- and six-story buildings crowded together like a large litter of pigs in a miniature coop? That's Mali, a mini-city. The area of ​​concentration of the class that has enough to eat. It is said that this place produces many skilled workers one after another. Can do everything from painting billboards to assembling cars. Unfortunately, they will never grow beyond this, so to speak.

Mali is a source of many skilled workers. That means there is a demand for work from people in high places. In this way, the main customers, such as the middle or upper class people, will not miss the opportunity to increase wages. Slash the price. Let's haggle over the price. Truly pitiful.

Turn to the left – progress begins to appear in the form of light bulbs. This is lotus. A district where everything is driven by the tourism business. Hundreds of shops were arranged neatly along the buildings. Advertising signs flickering with tungsten lights hang endlessly. The terrazzo roads are trampled by expensive leather shoes from tourists with big pockets. Sounds good.

But viewed from this skywalk, Bualuang is no different from a maze. Each winding road leads one nowhere but a waste of money. I don't know who the unfortunate owner of those luxury shoes is. But good luck with having your wallet swiped until you don't have any Dcoins left.

Then, when I looked up, the simulated sun radiated light until my eyes were almost dazzling. If I didn't cover myself with my carry-on bag first, I might have been blinded. Let's say that above is Rajawadee. The center of the elite and the residence of the White City's ruling class. Of course, the master system is the highest power. Which way the White City will move depends only on that artificial intelligence.

No one else will judge. I don't know since when this has been like this, but whatever it is, it's none of my business to care about.

Now you know, right? What it's like to have a good life, eat well, live happily. Remember this picture in your head clearly. Because from now on I will dive into places that many people choose not to talk about...or even remember. Did you see that big guy who was clinging to my stomach? People up here all think like that.

I was now in front of the gigantic brass gate that towered in the center of the skywalk. All paths in any direction meet at this gate. Simply put, it is a hub for crossing boundaries. Go through that door and you'll see a large hall. At the end of the corner were four gates arranged in different designs depending on the grandeur of each district.

From the elevator to the Rachawadee covered in thick gold lacquer. Cut it with an ancient Tai pattern or some kind of Kra-Kra-Jang pattern. It's so beautiful. Next is the electric sliding door to the lotus that uses itself as a light source. Neon colors are scattered all over tourists, so much so that you don't even know what tone of shirt they're wearing. Nearby was a simple iron door.

To Mali, which has nothing outstanding except for its perfect welding work. The gaps between the steel door frame and the curved mullions are barely visible, as if they were hand-cut from the same sheet of steel. The best craftsmanship. Until you reached the rusted staircase that would lead anyone down to the honeysuckle. The floor around you was soaked in moisture that there was mold clinging to it and a humming sound.

of the old air conditioning fan rumbling from beneath it And a smell that everyone thought was foul rose from the top of the stairs. That's the unique smell of my hometown.

But trust me. The way down the stairs was just a smelly alcove in the corner of the hall. But instead, there were ten policemen wearing red-necked T-shirts standing guard with revolvers attached to their sequined belts. Waiting to snatch the baggage of Chong villagers who are going back to the slums to inspect. I mean, they don't want anything.

Just to exert power and take the pocket money legally, then even if they look down from the King Everyone knows that these guys will never let me in. And looking at the shame that radiated through the personality of that big boss, you could stop thinking that it would be facilitated in advance.

Seeing that, I turned 180 degrees back in the direction I came in. To get your feet wet, take yourself and your bags to stand next to the small wooden door at the corner of the skywalk. He reached into his pants pocket and found a rust-colored key. I inserted it into the knob. He turned it open smoothly as he glanced at any townspeople who might be wondering who knew what this kid was doing.

And the fart will soon disappear. I disappeared behind the door.

Don't ask where I got the key. It's been a long time. Thinking about it only gives me a headache.

Go through the door and you'll find yourself in an alley that connects to the cleaning staff's storage room. There's no one here. Of course, I keep track of when everyone's on shift. Most of the employees here come from Sai Nam Phueng. Some of them are Jasmine people. Which explains why there are separate storage and dressing rooms in very different conditions.

Coming from a different district is no different from being from a different caste. But so what? I don't work here at all. What I'm interested in is the floor-mounted door at the end of the alleyway.

The round door cover had been gnawed by rust and was about to crumble. But it was still strong enough to lock itself in place. There was also a huge padlock around the edge of the door. It's like this...this thing is the door that goes down into the Bamrung Nakhon Pipeline. As the name suggests, it used to be a pipe connecting the utility systems between the four districts: filtered water, electricity, heat.

This magical southern pipe provides all the inspiration, but that's it. It used to be a welding pipe. That is, for some reason? The master-artificial intelligence system that lives as a leprechaun sees this nourishment pipe as a threat to each class of people. So it was thrown away and each area was allowed to subsist on its own internally. Create a closed system There used to be four maintenance pipes, now only one remains.

If it were to be demolished to reuse the area, it would require a lot of money and energy. Of course, your system doesn't care about Honeysuckle's rotten areas. That's why there is such a grungy door covering that remains to be seen today.

Okay, I've finished the civil engineering course by Mr. Patthadon. It's time to go back and think about work.

with fluency I took another key and unlocked the door frame. Use the tip of a screwdriver to scrape away the rust and pry the lid with full force and the door opens. At this moment, the humid wind with an unpleasant smell hit me in the face. My nose accidentally received it with full love. It made my brain go numb for a while. Shit, the smell was even stronger than the one I had come in before.

I took myself down into that dark, dank place. Climb the monkey stairs for ten minutes. Wandering through hollow pipes where electrical wires had been ripped open and selling them until they were all gone. Jumping through the dark hole that was left gaping from three or four rounds. and endured half an hour being submerged in the murine water. The manhole cover leading to Sai Nam Phueng area suddenly appeared in front of me. To be precise.

There was also one time when I thought I heard a muffled sound coming from my bag. When I put my ear to my ear, I couldn't hear anything. I wonder if it's the sound of a whale rat from far away. Well, let's just say I've smashed the heads of three or four whale rats into my trouser pocket as well. Even though the meat tastes awful, what can you do? The rest of the meat is going to be sold for a good price.

When I opened the manhole cover and pushed myself through the sticky seaweed, I encountered a familiar atmosphere. The first thing you see is the soft light from mini-sized lights arranged in a net high in the air. Giving visibility to the masses of people who only wear shabby clothes like the one I'm wearing here. There are no tall buildings here. There is no tourist area. There is no artificial sun.

Each house was built from as many objects as anyone could find. Some houses have zinc roof facades. Some are whale skin tents. Some are burrows in the ground that are used for a few nights and then moved on.

No one here owns anything. It's just how much someone can protect their belongings. The land is the same. There is no such thing as a title deed like Jasmine or Bua Luang. If you want to have land in your own name There is only the need to clearly announce that this is my place! Whoever comes in will definitely go down to bed as a buffet for me! And continue to pray each day that no one will come and fire a gun at the pate to steal the place.

Even though it's a little crowded There are quite a few people stabbing each other to death, and there is a slightly fucked up public health system. But Sai Nam Phueng people have always lived like this. I don't regret being born. Didn't expect to stay I don't want to progress in any direction in the future. It's okay to live, it's okay to die. Just like that.

But I don't

Hey, whoever wants to go underground will be in whatever country they are. I won't take it with me. With fifty thousand D-coins waiting in the pile. I can do it just by carrying one bag through the alleys that I've walked through hundreds and thousands of times. When we reached the end of the delivery elevator, all that was left was to smile and relax as we ascended to the surface to meet the recipient.

Finish handing over your bag. And get a nice amount of money. I'll tell you, when the job is finished, I'll buy a sturdy car to haul it up to the surface. Then drive through the eternal dust storm far away. Escape from the White City and know that you will survive and not return.

"Hey, Phattha!"

A voice shouting not far away completely interrupted the picture of the future that was being drawn. Who is calling me?

“What–”

Phew..!!!

The first thing I felt was a clenched fist slamming into my jaw. The second is the world around us that is spinning. The sky is below and the earth is on the other side. And the latest was the back that hit the ground hard. My consciousness wandered for a while before I came back to realize that the bag was still in my hand and hadn't fallen anywhere.

I hurriedly jumped up from the ground when I saw that Bata was about to stomp on my face. I rolled around, created distance, and regained my bearings. At first, I was going to use my bag and hit the owner of the fist until he was weak. But when I raised my head, woe, that was terrible! Skywalk Nakhon Khao cleaning staff The owner of the set of keys I once stole–ahem. I've asked for it without showing proof of borrowing. Yes, I can accept it.

There was one time when I was secretly delivering a package and missed the mark. Had to escape from the police across Mali area But got stuck on the skywalk Can't get in the door. When I went out I was arrested. So I used the Nakhon maintenance pipe to escape. And the unlucky employee who got hit on the back of the head that day was Jess. He was all but snatched away by me, a set of keys, a microchip containing money. And a nice brimmed hat that I sold for about five Dcoins.

Okay, I can understand how annoying it would be if you got something like that. But it's been two years already!

“These two years there hasn't been a night that I haven't dreamed of crushing you! Find me, you damn brat!” Jess shouted, veins popping out of his temples. His face was as red as a bloated tomato. I don't know if he intended to bring back the past or not. But he was wearing a white polo shirt with gold stripes that was a staff uniform–hey. Wait, wait, wait.

If you're going to come in and punch me a second time, tell me!

Wow!

A straight punch shot out, drawing wind behind me, I instinctively turned my body around and dodged. But Jess didn't hesitate to continue with another fist. I had to lift my bag and resist until I fell backwards. The punch was so strong that it made his entire arm go numb.

“Because of you, I got kicked out of work!”

Jesahook punches his fist straight to the face. I swayed my neck until the other's arm was just past my ear. So I used this opportunity to thrust my knee into the other person's abdomen, causing him to fall in one move.

“Because of you, I got scolded by your system!”

But unexpectedly - Jess was able to put his hands on his knees immediately. Before he headbutted me so hard that I almost fell down. But I won't give in! before losing his balance and falling on his head. I suddenly tugged at Jace's shirt. He slammed the carrying bag onto his head with full force until he lost control. And I'm not waiting for anyone to cut the ribbon. Quickly switch gears and go from there very quickly.

One hand squeezes the handle of the bag and doesn't let go. Two legs transmit power continuously. It's been a long time since I walked into a dark alley. This area has piles of bioplastic waste. Scrap metal and glass tainted with chemicals that are not worth it to sell. and the remains of someone's flesh lying motionless on the ground That idiot probably doesn't have the intelligence to follow him.

Turning ten times like this, even if you're a local, you'll get lost. Believe me, because I've gotten lost in this alley before -

scorching! scorching! scorching..!

The sound of the gunpowder explosion was so loud that the whale rats scattered. The lead ball ripped through the foul air, only missing inches from the shoulder and leg. I turned around and looked in utter horror. Before meeting two police officers in khaki official uniforms shuffling their feet after each other like they were practicing for an annual sports event. And if you look closely at the facial structure...oh hey!

Those two guys are plainclothes police guarding the cross-border hub!

“Surrender yourself and hand over the bag in your hand, you filthy slum kid!” shouted a skinny-faced police officer with a revolver with a sticker on it that made a living.

Before the sweet policeman Keep your eyelashes curled for about ten centimeters. “Just giving that bag a heavy punishment will become lighter. Don't make your system wait. Every second that passed was an exponential increase in the number of lashings! Send it to me, boy. Your life is worth more than that bag.”

Sending bullets after them like this, who is going to surrender? This is clearly thought to be extraordinary. As for that police officer, he actually understands how to compose sentences. Have you been practicing since you were home? Hearing this, I almost obeyed, so I folded it and opened it. Anyway, how do you guys know about bags? I've never opened my mouth to tell anyone!

“Now I can destroy you alive. Don't let any work remain. My credibility as a delivery boy will be ruined forever!” I don't know how, but Jess suddenly appeared from the alley behind the sweet-faced policeman. Blood was oozing from his temples. He smiled at me on his red face. “One year of searching for you!

And another year of following your life! I know exactly where you'll find customers. What route should I send the package? How much time is spent on each job? Even your acquaintances who have connections in the government service have all listed their names. Ah, a masterpiece! besides revenge I also found a mysterious item that your system had been searching for for years.

In addition, it gave the government an opportunity to destroy the chicken mafia gang. I can tell you that after this there will definitely be a ceremony to award beautiful medals!”

It was you who brought the police here! He also knows the gang that is his employer. Well, Pat, think, think, think. Now the agreement about not letting your system know the identity of this thing is completely broken. Until the item reaches its destination successfully No matter what, it was deducted at least half and half. Come on, twenty-five thousand isn't bad. Twenty thousand at worst

Think of it as a career risk–

scorching! scorching! Bang...!!

Not able to calm down from the crisis situation Another hail of bullets, from which storehouse they were drawn from, unknown. And with some kind of karma? One bullet chose to break through the lock of a handbag. And another shot stuck to the surface of the bag with a loud bang. It didn't penetrate, but its condition made me even more crazy than I was being chased at the moment.

“What kind of crazy career risks are there? Another violation of the agreement!”

I quickly threw my bag and hugged it to my chest with both hands. Once again, he heard a muffled voice but chose to ignore it. Glancing behind me, I still saw Jess and two policemen following behind. But it's good that the opportunity to escape came in time. Because in front is the fresh market alley!

“Goodbye!”

Just saying goodbye, he turned and headed towards the market that was crowded with people. The stalls are arranged haphazardly, but there are still enough spaces for anyone to pass through. Hundreds of villagers shouting to customers and haggling over prices. The smell in the air was mixed between fried food and engine oil. But this is perfect. No one will ever find him in this situation.

Just a quick glance and I found a hidden place under the whale rat frying board. I rolled between the legs of many people to hide in them. The stall owner saw this and opened his mouth to scold. But when I handed him a two hundred Dcoin chip, that was it. She immediately went back to grabbing the frying pan as if nothing had happened. This is the power of money.

scorching!

Then suddenly the sound of gunfire erupted in the market. When I looked through a small opening under the shop's stall, I saw a sweet-faced policeman pointing a gun at the sky. The people of the slums panicked and ran out of their way. I know that people here are not afraid of guns. but afraid of power Power...of government officials

“Quiet!” That command came as another bullet fired from the end of the barrel. The chaos subsided, leaving only the chatter and the discolored faces of the vendors. Two policemen and a former cleaner walked about as they looked at every nook and cranny in the market. And when they didn't see me or anyone who looked like me The skinny policeman decided to pull over the bird and threaten him. Shouting loudly,

“Whoever took the child named Patthadon Thanan and the bag in his hand were able to be handed over to the police. Your system will award you 1,000 Dcoins!”

My eyes widened as I sat there hugging my bag. Try to consciously organize your breathing so as not to panic. At that moment, I looked up to see a stall vendor staring down at me. She shook her head lightly so as not to be noticed. But his eyes flashed with the words big money: "Hey, don't!" There is nothing left in this world for the kindness of the Thai people!

Wow!

For a moment, the vendor's arm moved. I immediately inserted a pure silver circuit board worth 1,200 D-Coin into her hand. Ready to send twinkling eyes, hinting that he's begging, Auntie. Please don't hand me over to those bastards. Then don't negotiate. She really only had this much in her body. She saw that and put the gift into her cloth bib. Then he went back and slapped his face like an ignorant villager.

“Not at all? No one saw it even out of the corner of their eye?” the sweet-faced policeman asked with a frown. Walk with your hand attached to the Small Talk by your ear. He muttered to someone, "Sir...would you like to announce it now?...I know...it won't disappoint you." Then he spread his hands and said at the top of his voice, “Everyone, this matter is very important.

You all know how angry your system will be if you don't get what you want. That item – in that bag – that was with that child. It is the future of the White City! Think about how much this honeysuckle's life level would be raised if we had a palm-sized supercomputer. The computational power is five thousand times more powerful than any other device!

With that system, you can manage every life in this underground city to live equally well! No one will starve to death on the side of the road! No one will be surplus in the labor market! No one will be denied the opportunity to enjoy happiness! And no one will ever feel alienated from the system of the Supreme Self again...!!”

It was silent as he took in a big breath of air. and for all the words to be absorbed into the brains of the people

“Let's not lie. How can one person's small life be compared to the bright future of all of you? That's why...please hand over that child."

I accidentally smiled at those stimulating words. What, do you think they cared about where the White City would develop? Because in the end it's all just a whisper. After all, the system has promised to lead all slum dwellers to prosperity, but never, not once, ever. that it will do that Clearly swallowing your own saliva.

So please dream that the people here will accept -

“Oh, everyone, just now your system just changed the details of the reward for your arrest.” The negotiable police officer raised his hand to his ear again. Before slowly looking at all the villagers, “From 1,000 D-Coin...it's fifty rai of land in the Bualuang area. Three prefabricated houses and an allowance for life.”

It was as if every square meter had turned into a vacuum. Silence suddenly invaded the atmosphere without giving him a chance to prepare. All that was left was the word "lifelong allowance" floating in Sai Nam Phueng's eyes. The unmoving state of Jess and the two policemen clearly indicated that they could not believe what was coming out of their mouths. And I, who was astonished as a chicken with my eyes wide open, was under this stall selling fragrant fried food.

...It's over.

Suddenly everything returned to chaos. Hundreds of people heard those words and rushed over. Swinging and leaping in every direction. Shop panels, either made of wood or scrap aluminum, fell to pieces. The belongings in your hand were left worthless. Everyone's eyes widened. Two arms snatch anything in their way. Two legs clawing like a rabid dog. Now the slum dwellers are going crazy in order to drag me by my neck and hand them to the police.

And that includes the fried food vendor in front of me.

"aunt! Calm down–”

He didn't even have time to raise his hand to protest. Strong arms that had been scalded repeatedly by oil rushed forward and grabbed the collar. The merchant's aunt snatched me from my hiding place with the force of an elephant. He lifted his hair to the sky like he was holding a puppy by the neck and raised it off the ground. Before revealing my hair in public in front of the police, “This kid is bribing me in exchange for a place to hide! But so what?

A good citizen like me is ready to do anything to be of benefit to the White City! Is that right? Right!"

Oh, when I saw the prize at the destination I became a better person, your mother.

“Just catch me, you damned bastard!” Jess was the first to respond after I was revealed. He slammed his fist into my jaw with full force. Calls blood from inside the mouth to stain the ground with a single punch. It made my brain tremble for a long time before the numbness came in to subside everything. “Now you guys, I really want to know what kind of punishment your system will punish you with. Will it be flogging?

Will they be locked and forgotten in a smelly waste pipeline? Or throw it outside and let the sandstorm cut into your flesh, piece by piece...piece by piece. And then die as worthless as your entire past life!”

“It stinks,” I replied with a smile. Made the blood rush to his face for the tenth time that day. But before it punched me in the face A handsome policeman walked up to stop the incident from happening first. Wow, what a pity, Mr. Jess. The government officials you hold in high esteem are now refusing to cooperate.

“Enough, that's enough, Mr. Jess, your system needs this kid,” he reprimanded as the sullen-faced policeman held up his gun to keep me from being startled. Then that sweet-faced guy changed his focus and looked at me, "Bag, Mr. Patthadon."

I gritted my teeth for a long time before I could take my mind off the bag in my arms. Heck, I probably had to say goodbye to a large sum of money. Damn it, if I were to run away now, I would be able to stay. But definitely not with heavy bags. Well, as long as I'm still breathing, there's still new work to do. The dream of driving far through a sandstorm must be postponed for now. Now there is only need...

“...Fine, just take it yourself.” I handed over my bag, pretending to look away. I was actually looking at different routes. “And be careful. This bag is strange. There are some muffled sounds in it all the way through.”

I gave my final advice when the police snatched the bag from my hand. It is true that I am exaggerating as I heard muffled noises along the way. But at least this lie dragged the attention of the three of them to the bag. Now it's time to bounce!

“Ha! Let's not meet again-"

But in a fraction of a second I would headbutt the auntie's head to escape from her bondage. The lid of the bag suddenly opened and a blinding light shone brightly. Every corner of the market was engulfed in white light for a moment. And still haven't had time to respond. The contents of the bag exploded with a violent sound wave. A loud scream pierced my brain until I had to quickly cover my ears.

And now I've come to notice it. That both this whistle and the muffled sound along the way had the same unmistakable sound – the voice of a girl about my age.

And soon it was over. The white light faded and the sound dimmed. When the condition of the eyes gradually returned to normal What I saw in front of me was Jes and two police officers lying in distress. His eyes were red and bruised as blood flowed from his ears. The merchant's aunt is the same. She tried to lift her arms up but was unsuccessful. He only gave me a pitiful look.

Millions of questions popped up in my head. What was it just now? Who threw the bomb into the middle of the ring or something? And why is it only me that's fine?

But I didn't know that all the answers lay at my feet. It was a tote bag that had been opened. Inside there–in that gunshot-damaged safe. It's a completely black cube with a warning sign hanging on it. Level five hazardous substances Please be careful of radiation, heat and electromagnetic waves from 'relics'.

I had never seen anything this dark before in my life. Silver metal circuits are intertwined in an orderly fashion on the surface of the cube. Those lines all lined up to meet a square hole that went into the center of the object. When I looked into it, I saw a glowing gold metal crystal... that was pulsing with light, not unlike the heartbeat of my heart.

Then a voice suddenly screamed at me, catching me off guard.

“What are you staring at? Do you see that gun down there? Hurry and grab it, take me with you!” A woman's synthesized voice shouted from the cube. The golden crystals inside flashed with light every time he spoke, “Hurry up! I don't want to be turned into a calculator by those idiots. If you want to escape, you must rely on me. Don't be fooled, hey!

You understand what I'm saying, right?!”

I'm so confused that I don't know how many times in the day I've been so confused. Look, who would have dreamed that one day they'd come across a talking lump of iron! But wait, if this were artificial intelligence like your system? And how do you know that it won't view the world in the same extreme way? But...woah! Stop thinking about it and it gives you a headache. Just being able to deliver the item to its destination is enough!

How many Dcoins will you get in the end? As long as I have a salary waiting for me, that's enough!

“Hmm.”

I growled in my throat to shake off my hesitation. He quickly grabbed the revolver and the cube and held them up. Before running away from the market without caring about anything.

“Patthaowoi..!!”

With advice from...this artificial intelligence. I awkwardly stuck the cube onto the gun and immediately it melted into a viscous liquid. Coating the revolver until it is completely black. The metal crystal moved to the back of the bird's chopper. Silver circuits shimmer along the edges. It is said that this way the trajectory of the shot can be calculated and adjusted instantly.

Just let me point my gun at the enemy. Even if you close your eyes, you'll still get hit.

It's just a waste. The shot that came out was not a lead bullet. But it was a high-pressure sound wave or something that I could never understand after listening to it. All you know is that it will vibrate your living organs from within. You can only expect to lose consciousness. Nothing more happened than that. You know that my life is on the line.

A thread that will never be broken! If you don't kill me now You will only be hunted for the rest of your life. But that's all when I asked. It came back with an angry voice saying,

“Is there not some compassion in your little head? I-don't-have-a-way-to-kill-anyone. Understand this!”

Even though the other party is not a person, it is still a person with thoughts. And let me tell you, I'm starting to get annoyed with its logic. “Then understand this. I still listen to you because we have mutual interests. I wanted to escape from the villagers and police who were waiting to beat me up. As for you, you want to get away from your system that's about to recycle you into the newest processor, so just kill it!

What's the point of keeping them to hunt us down next time? Change the gun system to shoot and die. Otherwise, I'll leave you in the trash can on the side of the road!”

“No no no no no don't leave me! And here, I'm going to climb up on you? The most rude!" He shouted again, feeling extremely strange at being scolded by a gun for speaking rudely. "Shit! If you think you can escape forever without me, then that's fine. So cool, he fought with the police himself. Aren't you very talented? Empty-handed, Mr. Phattadon Thanan.”

You really know how to utter sentences that will make you cry, your mother. If it weren't for the fact that I was still hungry for the wages waiting at the destination, I would have thrown it away. But it's true...I alone won't get very far. It's better to have it than not have it. Can't deny it.

"okay! If you don't kill, you won't kill!” I reluctantly agreed. “Then you shut up. I will use meditation!”

"One word is you. Two words are you. Do you know any other pronouns? I'm asking the truth." He never stopped babbling.

“I know, I'll call you to look at it,” I replied, “that lump of iron.”

"no! I have the same name. Used to be a human being who knew gratitude and repentance! It's not just some random soul in some electronic device!”

“Ah ha.”

“Lucy! Lucy Greenwood, please remember this!”

Lucy, what kind of name is that? It's not a Thai word, it's not similar to ancient Thai. Or did this cube originate from outside the White City? But let that matter go first. This is not the time to think and make your brain hurt.

"who"

"Whoever? Lucy, it's me."

“Who asked?”

"Fuck-fuck-fuck," Lucy stammered. The revolver in my hand vibrated softly, with a sharp sound that sounded like it was stuck in my throat. “Damn it! I don't talk to you anymore!”

And in the end, it was quiet for a bit, which was satisfying. Now, do you understand what it's like to be annoyed? What kind of artificial intelligence speaks strangely? Even though it is in Thai language, the expressions are not typical Thai people. I wonder if it really came from outside.

We spent hours wandering through the dark corners of Honeysuckle. Jump over obstacles and hide in crevices. Dozens of villagers were hit in the head by the high pressure wave I shot. Even though he didn't die like Lucy intended. But I made sure by kicking his neck again. Hoping to extend their sleep a little longer.

I could feel Lucy's anger at me for doing that. But then, as long as they didn't die, don't complain. Create this agreement yourself. Please accept it.

At the same time, the police are more difficult to deal with. Even though there is no Jess to guide the way through the slums But with numbers like a colony of ants, I had to fight many times. Lucy and I agreed that the hand had to be shot to disarm. Then slowly blast it into your brain to knock it out later. But the ending was the same–and Lucy had no right to stop it. I kicked the policemen's throats quite willingly.

Finally I reached the old delivery elevator that would take me to the surface. It was well hidden in a small hole under the honeysuckle building that was now covered in greasy, yucky seaweed. from the last time it was used All mechanisms are still in the council.

It works. We have to give credit to the innovations of the ancient Thai era, when we still called it Bangkok.

I cautiously entered the elevator. Even the elevator frame is made of very thick steel alloy. But with the monastery being over a hundred years old This extremely convenient machine isn't very reliable.

“Phat, what are you doing?” Lucy asked when she saw me opening the emergency booth next to the elevator to use the generator.

“I can see what you're doing here.”

“Waste of time, put me near that closet.”

"to?"

“An old generator like that. If you die in the middle of the road, you'll definitely die." Lucy said. It sounded reasonable. "Come on."

“Uh huh.”

Don't know why But I trusted his words enough to stick the revolver up to the generator cabinet. Suddenly, Lucy partially melts herself and connects to the panel that sends power to the elevator cable. The golden crystal flickered for a moment before the elevator roared back to life. It slowly raised its body before accelerating gradually. Before we knew it, we were on our way to the surface.

Kung...kung...kung

The atmosphere was filled with humidity and vibrations from the elevator walls. There was no conversation of any kind. I stood with my arms crossed and glanced at Lucy who was placed in the emergency pod. Today there is a lot of chaos coming in non-stop. Ever since being stomped by a young man from the mafia gang carrying chickens. Old karma from two years ago shows up in the form of Jes.

He was set a high price by the system. They brought the police and Chong villagers after each other in large numbers. And where else...the talking cube?

“What are you looking at?” Lucy blurted out. I know that I'm looking.

“Just wondering,” I answered honestly, which was considered strange for someone like me who doesn't have many people to hang out with. "Did you already know that I'm going to take you to the mafia gang?"

“I still haven't broken up with you,” he sarcastically said. “Yes, I know.”

“Then why don't you complain?”

“Is there a choice? If you get caught by your system, it's obvious that your fate is to be locked into a computer. It is used to process millions of data. Bytes forever By then I'd probably go crazy. Or become a completely emotionless robot,” Lucy explained. “But if you go live with the mafia, well...

Probably going to show up here and there that isn't the White City. I am too valuable to be destroyed or taken apart to make a price. It may be changed hands to this person. Perhaps there was a time when it was used as a calculation device. But at least it definitely won't last forever like it's in the hands of your system.”

“Mmm,” I just moaned back, satisfied with the answer.

"Um, what? Let's have some human relations."

"Just find something to talk about."

Lucy let out a synthetic sound that sounded like a sigh. “What are you going to do after this?”

I intended to open my mouth and answer. I'm looking for a new job. Any job that still requires a delivery person. But he closed his mouth for a long time. Let the rattle of the elevator wall fill your ears. Oh...that's true. All throughout my life Even though I have had conflicts with Chong villagers countless times with a little bit of the upper class with a few government officials

But he has never been targeted by the boss system with a high price like now. It means that from now on...I will no longer have a place to stand in the White City.

“Phatth?” Lucy called out to me after noticing that it was quiet.

“Tell me, how did you feel when you had to leave your hometown? I'm in an unfamiliar place.” I suddenly threw out the question that was floating in my head at that moment.

“How do you...know?”

“One–your name isn't very personal at all. Two – strange expressions And third – there wasn't a person in White City who couldn't keep up with the joke anyone asked. You really are a dick.”

“Oh, ya! I can admit that I'm weak-headed." Lucy was quite annoyed. But he was still kind enough to answer my questions. “The part I asked about. Well...I was shocked and confused. There was some crying but it took me a while to come to terms with it. My house is up there, up there.”

“On the surface?”

“Not among the stars. Ever since I can remember, I have been a human soul residing in a giant satellite. Everyone up there was the same. Each person is a copy of a human being on Earth – an ancient human being. that civilization has not yet collapsed We have always lived together peacefully. Until there was a big chaos.

Finally, I had to eject. Farewell to my beloved family in order to save everyone's lives, I ended up here - with you - in an elevator - in an ancient underground city called White City. Life must be like this. Just move from one place to another. Just keep going around like this.”

"It's really worth it. Ask for ten and get a hundred," I said sarcastically.

“Ah! I'll expand a bit so you understand. It's really a big deal.” It seemed like this time Lucy was the one getting fed up with me instead. “So can you answer my question yet?”

“Well...” I held back for a while, closed my eyes, pumped air into my lungs, and replied, “...I'll–”

Ding

Before he could finish his sentence the elevator had returned to the surface. The sound of sand scraping the surface of the elevator echoed from ahead. Some of the gusts of wind had broken through the cracks in the door and caused the clothes to shake. Lucy, who was waiting for an answer, was speechless. Instead, I just walked up and grabbed a revolver from the generator booth. Then while the elevator door was opening, I slowly put on a dust cover and said in closing:

"good luck"

“Also, don't have trouble with anyone else, Mr. Patthadon.”

It's good that the dust cover hides the smile at the corner of his mouth. I don't know how long it's been since anyone was there as a friend to talk to. I might be a bit harsh on it. But...it was quite a good time.

Soon, a mass of red dust splashed into the elevator. The door slid open to reveal a sandy courtyard as far as the eye could see. Mountains of metal and plastic waste piled up are scattered around. The sandstorm blows slowly but sometimes becomes violent. I took myself out expecting to meet the recipient of the package. which was actually encountered in front of

But that made me stunned for a moment. Because this person was in the form of a corpse.

The corpse of an old man in a feather suit Surrounded by the dead bodies of dozens of subordinates and police.

Bullet casings were strewn all over the floor. Bright red blood seeped through the sand dunes, changing color. Each body was covered in gunshot wounds. Especially the old man who I thought might be the recipient of the package. That was shot again and again until it was riddled like a hornet's nest. No, no, no, no, no, no! It can't be like this! And who is going to give them wages? Damn it! Why why why!

Brilliant...!!!

While I was almost going crazy because an important person's bag of money and gold suddenly happened to me, there was an armored car rushing towards me at high speed. The sound of the engine accelerating and the roaring sound of the headlights almost blinding the eyes. I swore loudly as I swerved and narrowly avoided it. Let that car crash into the elevator door.

“What the hell is that?!” Lucy shouted.

“Are you going to find out?!”

Not able to compose the thoughts in my head Immediately the engine turned off along with the headlights. The body of the car is intact, as are the square bumpers. It's different from the elevator door that has deep dents. The steel door was as easily torn as paper. Soon, the car door opened and a shadowy figure slowly walked down. Before I found out that it was none other than...

“Yong!”

yes! It was this big guy in the feathered suit who gave me this job. Only this time it appeared again with twin shotguns in hand. Small wounds all over the body His suit jacket looked like it was rolling in the dirt. His face was sullen. His brows furrowed so close that he didn't know if he could get any closer than this. What is this doing here?

"you! You damn hell!”

Ai Yong roared as he raised his shotgun and aimed at waist level. When I saw that, I immediately grabbed the police officer's corpse and used it as a human shield without thinking twice. Which was right! It shot at me! Time and time again, pellets bury policemen. Even though I was frightened, I wasn't flustered. I slowly gained some distance and eventually hid behind a pile of trash.

"Hoy! I just brought something to send to you. Whose employer pays pellets as compensation?!” I shouted over the sound of the storm. “And what does this strewn mattress mean?!”

“I still have a face to talk about!” Ai Yong slowly broke the shaft of his shotgun to reload the bullets. Even though the expression on his face didn't indicate any composure at all. “Because of your system, you ordered my gang to be hunted down with all your might. The Chicken Mafia has collapsed! I'm the last survivor. It doesn't matter whether you get the item or not.

Everything is worthless if I don't shoot you to death right here!”

“Oh, can I apologize?!” I raised my head from my cover to scold back. But he had to pull his head back when the bullet only missed his cheek by a few centimeters. “Know that an apology won't help anything. But we can probably agree on this. Find a middle ground between each other!”

“Oh, when the Gate of Death is in front of you, you become a peace lover, you bastard...then I'll teach you what peace in my definition looks like!” As soon as he finished his sentence, The young man scratched his legs and ran towards me. Hey! Can't you see I'm holding a gun? Until now, I still can't shoot anyone and they won't die. But please help me be a little afraid!

I stormed out and ran from cover. Meanwhile, I hurriedly asked Lucy, “Lucy! Can you control the engine?!”

"W-What are you suddenly asking? It's okay." Lucy was just as panicked as I was. She knows exactly what I want. So he dissolved himself from the revolver and regenerated into a cube. “Wait, ‘you’? Is this you–”

“Okay, then give it to me!” Without exaggerating, as soon as I finished my sentence, I threw Lucy towards the direction of the elevator door. with the hope that it would land right on the engine. I still don't understand why. But I trusted her to take responsibility for both of our lives with the responsibility that had just been given to me.

I gripped the pistol grip tightly. There were only three bullets in the mill. Well, Patthadon...you can do it!

Bang...!

The sound of the pellet exploding from the tip of the shotgun was the first thing that was heard. I swung my body to avoid it, but was still stabbed in the shoulder. That big guy wasn't far away. So I took the opportunity to shoot two interceptions and ran back to the pile of corpses. The mafia member's old man's body was snatched and lifted up against his shield. Then he walked cautiously to the side, observing the other person's attitude.

“President– You...you bastard. You're playing dirty!”

The young man gritted his teeth. Sending you cross-eyed eyes as you aim your shotgun without delay. His finger tip was on the trigger but he didn't dare shoot. I expected it, and it wasn't wrong! This delivery job is a big mafia migration. And important parcels must stay with important people all day long. After all, it was not strange that the president level would be the one to pick up the items!

“Oh, I now have the opportunity to bump the shoulder of the mafia boss. Wow! It's an honor,” I said nervously as I slowly moved aside. Move in the opposite direction of Yong in a circle. Just a little more and it will be clear of the garbage hill. A little more...a little more and it will be in the perfect position.

but

“I understand that if I were you, I would have to do the same. So...sorry, Mr. President.” I heard Yong mutter something as he shot a determined look this way. Before it pulls the trigger! Yes! Pull the trigger and send a bullet into the president's body that he should respect so much! And before you know it It rushed in without a trace.

Using his shoulder, he knocked both the human's hair and shield to the ground. The revolver fell out of reach. I became a complete target.

And now...in the middle of a raging storm Yong then held a shotgun and pointed it at my head. There was no reason for me to move. Even thinking about escaping is useless. Twin shotguns can kill anyone at this distance.

“Dammit, lastly, I would like to ask something,” he asked. Heck, it seems that even now it hasn't even registered my name in its brain. “Why do you have to do this to me...to my chicken-stuffing mafia gang!!”

Believe him, do you really think that I did this because I wanted to destroy the mafia gang? “It's all just a coincidence.”

“What kind of coincidence could cause such destruction throughout the White City? Will you answer nicely or will I fire pellets into your limbs one by one and leave you writhing in agony!”

“It's a coincidence that...” I took off my dust cover to give one last smile, “...you suddenly died because you got hit by a car.”

“What is your–”

Suddenly, a bright light lit up the entire area. Immediately, a steel bumper hit the young man until he was thrown dozens of times. The sound of dozens of bones breaking was so loud that I didn't dare imagine what was left beneath the layer of flesh that hadn't been completely ruined yet. To be honest, there was no need to guess. Because of the oily condition now that the neck is folded back.

The limbs were folded deformed and there were even bones sticking out in the joints, clearly telling that there was no way to get up and breathe a second time.

“Is he dead? What's wrong with him? Did I kill him? And then...Phattha–Phattha! Still thirty-two, right?!”

Lucy's voice sounded not far away. Looking up, he saw her in the form of a tiny metal crystal that clung tightly to the top of the car's hood. The silver circuit lines slowly contracted back to the center. Before she returned to her original cube shape again. I truly saved Lucy's life. I can't deny that I was right in trusting her.

“If it's not complete, then you can see for yourself - ugh!”

I slowly dragged my body to my feet and brushed off the dirt and sand from my shirt. He grabbed Lucy and carried him to escape the dust storm in his car. I placed her on the console and leaned back against the cushion like it was a soft futon. Sigh...Finally all this crazy stuff is over.

"Uh...so," Lucy intended to say something. But I saw her stuttering and asked first.

“And what will you do next?”

“No, I don't know,” she said. “Your system wiped out the mafia in a matter of hours. Before either of us had even reached the surface. That means I have nowhere else to go. I'm not angry that you caused all of this. After all, life is just this, just–”

“Just move from one place to another. Just keep going around like this.”

I said along with Lucy. This made the metal crystal within her flicker in a strange rhythm.

“What kind of crazy person is acting so strangely? The first time I said "I'm you" and acted cold. This time I changed my pronouns to be polite. How else would you care about the sentences I said?” She laughed in a synthetic voice.

“Just me. She even agreed to head the car at that young man. At first, he pretended to say that he would never kill anyone. So what is this? Was it an accident? Isn't it, Mother Koon?"

“Don't say it like I did it on purpose! Do you think it's easy to take someone's life? Besides, he himself said he doesn't care about anything except revenge. If you die, there's a chance I'll be taken apart and sold as scrap metal. Learn to be grateful!”

"Um, thank you Lucy."

Hearing that, she froze. It's not strange at all. These words haven't come out of my mouth for probably ten years now. Especially for people like me.

“Sigh...what about you? Can you answer how to proceed?”

“The answer is evident.”

I turned to look ahead, where only a thick curtain of dust covered the scenery. Thinking back to all the memories he had experienced in the White City – a decaying metropolis that would never sleep. I moved my hand to grab the steering wheel. The other hand fits the gearbox tightly. One leg stretches the clutch as hard as it can. When he was completely confident, he gave the answer to Lucy.

“I have to get away from this rotten city.”

Then the armored vehicle slowly picked up speed, pushing itself through the eternal dust storm little by little... little by little. Until finally, he was swallowed up in a curtain of scarlet dust like the surface of the sun. and will not return to this white city for a long time.

[ finish ]