"Under armor and equipment, the samurai are still human. Break enough artificial organs, smash enough mechanical internals, smash their brains, blow up their backups, and you'll find that they're still mortal. A little less than others, but they can still be killed.

This is something to keep in mind. ”

- Confessions of Timothy Hachette, the "Ronin Killer" on his deathbed. Accused of killing three first-class samurai. Arrested by the second-class samurai "Blood Magnet". 2048

***

Finally set off, and there was no formation. We just took off. The only people near the center were Elisa and a girl who helped her. She limped badly, her legs looked rough even with the bandages, but she was able to handle her weight and we didn't have time to wait to find a better way to carry her.

Some of the people who were with us had some things. A small bag or suitcase with important things inside.

I was even more impressed with the club-like things with table legs.

Jeff and Storm were on the left flank and I was on the right. There are two older guys in the back, holding guns that the security guards threw away. Apparently, they got stuck after one or two shots.

I...... Perhaps the distribution of suitable guns should begin. But I'm not sure if I need them, and I want to keep the remaining points.

I've never really paid attention to how much noise people make when they move, but now it's important, and I'm listening, it's almost an insult. Some of the people in the office are well-fed, and they are out of breath just walking down the hallway. They appear to walk in high heels, and some cough every few minutes.

"This way," I whispered, leading them into a small passage that led to the stairwell. The building has twelve floors and we live on the third floor. That is, if I don't count the basement. This means that to get to the parking lot on the ninth floor, we need to climb three stairwells.

Will some of them be able to go that far. Maybe they will be lucky and their hearts will break. It's better than being eaten.

Climbing stairs for the first time is an exercise to suppress frustration. The group moved slowly, sweating profusely after only one flight, and then climbed up the second ladder. The whole place began to smell of sweat.

I motioned for Jeff and Storm—who were in decent shape despite their chubbyness—to let them stay behind for a moment while I was advancing.

It's amazing to get a breath of fresh air.

"You're probably right," I said as I searched for the route we were taking. The fourth floor is more of a maintenance area, or it may simply be incomplete like the rest of the building. Anyway, there are no aliens there.

Statistically speaking, I've been right quite a bit of the time. What, am I right all right now?

I snorted. "Did they program you into a vicious program?"

In fact, I adopted it to better complement you. I can be boring and informative.

"It's okay," I said. "You're right about the way I like to do things. It's good to help others, it's just that I don't agree with people for too long. ”

You seem to get along well with your kitten and Lucy.

"It's my responsibility to take care of the kittens, and I know them. And Lucy ...... She was larger than life. ”

Oh?

"Don't pry," I warned.

As you wish. But I do live in your head, and I'm afraid privacy and intimacy can be difficult.

I frowned. "But you can't read my mind, can you?"

It's not that there aren't certain enhancements, it's not.

"Seriously?" I asked.

Each person's brain is completely unique, but they rely on the same system to function. It still takes hours of scanning and compiling data to build a proper simulation of the human mind in order to read it. If you're worried that someone else will be able to read your mind, don't worry. This technology is far beyond your capabilities.

"Are you deliberately creepy?" I asked.

Does it work?

"Bad boy," I said with a laugh.

By the time I returned, the whole group had already climbed the stairs. "Clear?" Storm asked.

"It's like glass," I said. "Let's go. We should reach the top of the hill and then prepare to leave this death trap. ”

We walked around the center of the building and then to the stairwell at the other end. The drones in the office have become comfortable.

I could also sit down - but their noise was irritating.

The next stairwell we arrived at was pitch black. None of the lights outside the door were on, and even if I put my face close to the door or window, I could only see shadows. "Damn, they didn't have lights installed at all?"

"The building is only six months old," said one of the drones.

I gave him a flat look. "I don't particularly care. Do any of you have lights? Phone? ”

"Aren't you a samurai, can't you summon a samurai?" Someone asked.

"I didn't ask you if you had an opinion, I asked if you had a light," I said.

Several people took out their smartphones and turned on the lights. A couple had keychain lights, which while illuminating anything, were of little use

However, one of them brazenly frowned at his phone before looking up at me. "The flashlight app requires ten credits. Will you give us a refund? ”

"Turn on the fucking lights, or you can explain to the alien that you're staying because ten credits is too much for you," I snapped. "I swear, guys."

I slammed the door open, and when nothing jumped out and ate anyone's face, I motioned for Jeff and Storm to enter the passage first. They have small lights on their tactical vests that illuminate two feet in front of them, but they look cool.

I stood at the very back of the line, and as everyone came up, I followed all the flashing lights.

My shoes creaked against the glass and I lowered my head.

There was a glass tube next to it, so bright that it was almost invisible. A neon light, broken in the middle. Looking around, I noticed that there were still some things being thrown around.

I looked up at the ceiling where there should have been a light and saw a hint of movement in the shadows.

"Oh,."

***