Branch K-02, part 9 (after battle)
It was Christmas Eve, and the whole town was filled with jingles and joy.
Under the blessing of the holy night, I was planning to confess my sin to my family.
I wanted to tell them that I made the foolish mistake of stealing the basement key and that I'd go back to being a good son.
That the short time I spent away from the right path was agonizing. That I learned how peaceful and fulfilling the world I'd been living in truly was.
My family might be surprised at first, but I was sure they'd welcome me back into their paradise.
That was how it should've been.
However…
Huh…?
I was supposed to hear a robot dog greet me when I stood at the gate, but my home was covered in silence and darkness.
When I walked inside, I was confronted with a fallen paradise.
Sinclair… Run…
Si… Sincl… S-S-Sisisi―
Someone smashes my father's head.
It's a disturbing individual wearing rusty silver armor.
How unsightly of these non-humans to still admire humanity and display false emotion.
Let those impure things be, Guido. It's their survival instincts kicking in.
Or should I say… they're scared of shutting down? Haha!
Pieces of metal, flesh, and blood fly into the air before hitting the floor.
Sinclair! You're here!!!
Ah… Ahh…
Kromer approaches, carrying a hammer stained with blood and flesh.
Oh, this thing?
Ever since I was little, I couldn't stand being involved with filthy affronts to humanity like these.
Because I'm a humanitarian who loves all things human!
Now imagine how it feels to face the son of a pack of those affronts to humanity…
Just what should I do with you, Sinclair? Hmm?
My legs have long given up.
My mouth couldn't move. It was as if my whole body refused to cooperate.
I saw Kromer standing right before me. I couldn't dare look up. Terror kicked in with the realization that she was so close to me, and my eyes shut themselves tight.
The thought that the same hammer that crushed my father, mother, and sister would now come for me was unbearable.
……
But nothing happened.
Confused, I carefully opened my eyes and lifted my head.
Kromer was watching me.
Making a perfect smile just like the one she'd made when she first came to my desk and told me her name.
Well, you are my hero, Sinclair.
She then reaches into the pocket on my school shirt and takes out a coin.
It's one of the two she handed me the other day.
From now on… You'll doubt everything, be anxious of everything… and live in ever-constant terror as your memories of me haunt you.
Nhh… Ungh…
And, when the time comes… I will call for you.
Hey! Someone take this kid to safety! Lay a finger on him and I'll make you regret it.
Amidst the piercing noise, storms of heavy footsteps, and disorientation…
I lost consciousness.