As they walked toward the place, Arthur couldn't stop observing everything around him. His mind was calmer now, though still disturbed by the bizarre situation he found himself in. He glanced to the side and noticed, in the distance, a tall wall, fluorescent lights, and pristine high-rise buildings — a sight that twisted something deep inside his stomach.
"What happened here…? You didn't answer me. Like… I just saw an absurd difference in realities right in front of my eyes."
He tried to keep up with the girl's pace, though his still-unsteady feet occasionally stumbled.
"That area you just saw is Vallum. A big city, with its high-standard people and lifestyle. But don't worry about that for now, dude."
Alice answered with a small smile that formed as her eyes closed. But Arthur noticed that beneath it, her expression trembled slightly.
"And this city, where you are now, is called Lowden. An old zone that used to produce essential resources for Vallum."
She let out a short laugh.
"It's kinda funny, isn't it? Hard to believe that this city — this dump — was once so important to a world that's completely different on the other side… only to be tossed aside by something bigger."
She finished her sentence and turned away, but Arthur saw her expression fall before she hid her face. It hit her — a topic she didn't like touching, much less extending.
What could have happened for such an essential city to be discarded like that? Arthur wondered.
Alice quickened her steps.
"Let's go."
She said it dryly, leaving no room to continue the subject.
---
A few minutes passed.
---
Arthur was already tired of walking. He had lost count of how many streets they climbed, how many corners they turned, how many alleys they crossed.
Fear and uncertainty were giving way to exhaustion.
"How long is this gonna take? Damn … I can't drag my feet anymore. They're full of blisters…"
Impatience.
"Oh, stop complaining. I promise it'll be worth it. You'll get to rest and eat as much as you want. Think about satisfying your hunger."
More steps. Arthur nearly collapsed when finally—
"We're here! It saw? Wasn't that far."
Arthur brushed the hair from his forehead and looked at the property. The house was… intact. How? A place that well maintained — even simple — was practically a luxury in Lowden.
He was stunned as Alice forcefully pushed the door open and turned to him:
" You... aren't going in?"
Her tone was soft, inviting — so soft it brought relief… but also an instinctive warning deep in Arthur's chest. A muffled warning, buried like a lead box at the bottom of an ocean.
He walked in with dragging steps. Alice shut the door immediately.
"Do you live with someone?"
"No."
Short. Rigid.
"My parents died a few years ago. I live alone. Sorry if the house is a bit messy, I don't remember the last time I had a guest. And you… weren't scheduled."
Arthur looked around. The polished wooden floor, the dark brown walls with faded patches. Maybe lack of maintenance, maybe lack of time.
Alice walked back and forth until she stopped in front of him with a towel and folded clothes.
"Here. Go straight and turn left twice. The bathroom's that way."
"This house is in great shape. Must've cost a lot to keep it like this in a place like this…"
Alice narrowed her eyes, analyzing Arthur — who was distracted by the rustic décor as if trying to read the house's memories.
"Yes… all thanks to my work over the years. My work after—"
She cut herself off. Her eyes snapped back to reality before she let something slip that would hammer his mind later.
She shoved the clothes against his chest.
"Go."
And headed to the kitchen.
…
Arthur sighed deeply and walked to the bathroom.
Inside the house, the details were even more rustic. Old paintings, worn-out frames, and a faded portrait of a little girl and her parents surrounded by flowers — a silent tribute.
"So… those were Alice's parents. Damn… what a shitty feeling."
He muttered, heart tightening.
In the shower, Arthur slowly turned the knob… hot water trickling down his neck, washing away dried blood, sweat, and dust. Everything sliding off along with the suffocating weight he'd been carrying. A moment of peace… finally.
"Ah… this is so good. I wish I knew why I woke up in that room. Why all of this is happening…"
Wet hair covering his face, fists pressed against the wall, teeth clenched.
That suffocating sense of helplessness taking over again…
Time passed, and Arthur stepped out with clean clothes — simple, but in excellent condition. A fair trade, wasn't it?
The smell of food reached him.
"That smell… holy shit… my stomach's growling."
Alice cooked with a lighter, more relaxed posture, hair in a ponytail, wearing an apron and gloves.
"Figured. Sit down."
She placed two plates on the table. Thin herb omelet, seared fish with honey and lemon, perfectly cooked potatoes.
"Wait. A few things are missing."
She smiled at Arthur's anticipation. Returned to the stove. Pulled out a pot of steaming shrimp rice. Served it.
Then removed the apron and sat across from him.
…
"What? You're gonna stare at me like that?"
Arthur swallowed hard, uncomfortable with the hospitality… and Alice noticed.
"You're… helping me way too much. Gave me a roof, clothes, food… and I'm just a stranger. Just say it — what do you want in return?"
He asked bluntly, a direct line that struck her.
Distrust.
Her fork stopped mid-air. Alice sighed, irritated.
"I take you off the streets, bring you into my house, give you clothes and food… and all you care about is 'you're being too nice'? I didn't think you'd be this ungrateful, Arthur."
Her words pierced him. What little courage he had crumbled, like a freshly patched shield being impaled through its center.
"Your choice, kid. Stay or leave. But if you leave… don't come back. The doors won't be open again."
He stuttered:
"S-sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. My head's full with all this shit. Sorry, Alice…"
"Relax. Eat. Don't worry about the rest."
She said it calmly, trying to ease the tension, though her long exasperated sigh revealed her annoyance.
Dinner went on in silence — curtains swaying, moonlight seeping through the window. Lowden's decay visible under the pale glow. A calm atmosphere… but suffocating.
Arthur kept glancing at Alice with every bite, failing miserably at being discreet.
"Aaah…"
A sigh escaped her lips.
"What now? You're fidgeting, looking all over. You look like a freak."
A harsh comment — but carrying faint, buried pity.
"I know how to fix this. Let's talk. So? You don't remember anything… except your name. Don't you think that could be the trigger for everything else?"
Arthur looked at her, then down, then back again after a few seconds — his lips parting with deliberate effort.
"I… I don't know. Sorry. I know you're trying to help, but I just can't think. Every time I try to recall anything before waking up in that room… everything turns to fog… I'm useless even to myself."
Anguish.
"Please, don't play therapist with me… I don't want to dump my problems on someone I just met. And I can't even force myself to trust you yet, I'm sorry for that. But even so… thank you for letting me stay here. I won't be long. Soon I'll follow my path… let the wind take me."
…
Alice shook her head and sighed. She collected the dishes and took them to the sink.
"You don't need to feel all that weight, okay? Just relax, Arthur. I know you don't trust me — and I don't blame you. But, as you saw… I love the people here."
She paused. Her lips trembled before she resumed washing the dishes.
"I love the people here. I take care of them. I sympathize. And I see you the same way: someone who needs help. I'm not asking for your trust… just asking that you hold on for a bit. At least until you're physically recovered before you go."
Arthur remained quiet.
…relief.
His arms slid down the table until they rested at his sides. A slow smile formed as his eyes closed.
"Thank you, Alice. I think this is the first time I've felt real relief… even if I'm still confused with everything happening at once."
His tone was sincere — real. Not someone trying to smooth things over. It sent chills through Alice's body, from her feet to her scalp.
…
"Don't thank me, kid. Make yourself at home."
She smiled, ruffled his hair lightly, grabbed her phone, and walked out of the kitchen.
"Be right back. I won't take long."
– – –
One hour passed…
– – –
Alice returned, sat across from Arthur, sighed, elbows on the table, head in her hands.
"You're a good kid. I hope you get lucky from now on. Anyway… it was nice while it lasted."
Her voice was calm. A soft smile on her face.
"What…?"
Confusion.
Arthur murmured more to himself. His eyebrows arched, breath catching — but before he could ask again, a heavy, firm knock hit the door. A gurgled, broken voice called for Alice.
She stood up, casually pushed back her chair, and walked to the door with the same smile. When she opened it, a man entered without permission — as if he owned the place.
He was tall. Very tall. Lean to the point he had to hunch inside the house. Nearly two meters. Arms long like dry, thick branches of a dead tree.
He wore a crumpled, loose suit, chest buttons undone… and torn, patched pants resembling a deformed hakama, tight around the ankles.
"What took you so long? You people usually don't take this long. I had to keep him here waiting. It's annoying as hell."
Alice sighed, rolled her eyes, and pointed at Arthur.
"No beating around the bush. He's right there. Fits every requirement you gave me. And I believe he's the last experiment wandering Lowden."
"Great. You did a good job… as always."
Alice smiled and clapped lightly.
"Perfect! You can take him. He's already served his purpose here."
Satisfaction.
Arthur trembled. His body felt heavy. His thoughts boiled like water.
He stood up faster than his body could handle, assuming a defensive stance — pointless.
The man lunged and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him with inhuman strength.
The pressure was brief. But enough to cut his circulation, narrow his vision, fill his eyes with tears, and dry his lips.
"I knew… I-I knew I shouldn't have trusted you… shit…"
Arthur spoke while his voice was crushed by the lack of air.
"Sorry, kid. Business is business. It wasn't personal, and I hope you don't take it that way… if you stay alive."
The words cut into Arthur like a blade twisting inside him.
A single moment of relief, a single decision, a single slip — and everything became torment again.
"Don't… do… this…"
Desperation.
The man turned, carrying Arthur like a disposable rag doll. The pressure was overwhelming.
…
"Hey, hold on. What about my payment? Don't tell me you forgot I'm paid per head."
Alice said. Her smile still on her face… but a pulse bulged on her forehead. Teeth clenched. Growing impatience.
"Huh? Aaah, yes yes. How could I forget?"
He stopped.
"Here. Your tip."
VUP!
The envelope smacked her face. She barely maintained her composure.
She opened it. "Son of a bitch..." she thought.
Only half the amount.
"It's missing."
Agitation.
Her fingers tightened around the envelope. Her mask beginning to crack…
"You complain too much, woman. Accept it quietly! You're lucky Humans Upper accepted you at all — even though you're a spoiled brat!"
He said, eyes barely glancing at her. Gray pupils, red veins pulsing.
"Last chance. Give me the rest now. I won't repeat myself…"
Alice grabbed his forearm.
Mistake.
With a clumsy, brutal movement, he struck her face with his long arm… making her stagger. Her long hair covered the impact.
"Shut up, annoying bitch!"
Rage. Hatred. Bitterness. All boiling inside her as he turned the doorknob.
Click.
The door opened.
Time slowed before Alice's eyes. Each step he took echoed like an eternity dragging forward.
Then—
SLASH!
Silence. The arm holding Arthur hit the floor with a dull thud. Clean cut. Too fast.
The silence shattered into a shrill, animalistic scream.
Arthur fell, coughing, throat burning. His chest tightened.
He looked back.
Alice stood still. Katana in her right hand. Breathing uneven. Eyes cold.
"WHAT GOT INTO YOUR HEAD, YOU BITCH?! UURRGH, YOU FUCKING WHORE!!!"
The man twisted. Sweat. Pain. Fury. Clutching the stump of his arm.
Then…
Silence.
He smiled.
A low laugh… disturbing… discordant with his deformed voice. It grew. And grew. And grew.
Then stopped.
"Damn Valmek… You people were always a nuisance. Insects to be stepped on and disciplined! But you… you seem different…"
Crack. A bone.
Crack. Another.
Crack, crack, crack.
"…THAT'S WHY… TODAY I END YOUR FUCKING BLOODLINE!!!"
Arthur turned. And saw hell take shape:
The man's skin paled. His remaining arm stretched, joints loosening. Fingers extending like whip-blades. His jaw dislocated, leaking black, corrosive fluid that melted the floor. One eyeball popped out, leaving only a dark void.
He charged — Arthur in the way.
Alice grabbed him by the collar and threw him aside. But the man didn't stop. His elongated arm whipped forward, joints snapping. She blocked — almost. The strike hit the katana's edge but slid off, slamming her face again.
Alice staggered. Bled. Bruises forming. But her eyes… were pure contained fury. Rage bubbling inside her.
She sheathed the katana.
"WHAT'S WRONG? GIVING UP? COME ON, BEG LIKE A HAMSTER IN A CAGE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
She inhaled deeply. Leaned forward. Gripped the handle. Pulled the trigger.
"Die."
The blade shot out with brutal force; Alice dashed almost simultaneously — perfect synchronicity that—
SCLORP!
The man saw only a flash… then his remaining arm fell — ripped clean from the shoulder.
Another move. Another trigger. She spun 360°, slicing diagonally through his legs. The cut cleaved thigh and knee.
He fell. Twisted. Agonized.
Alice straightened, wiped the blade on his suit, then flipped him onto his back with a kick and pressed her boot onto his chest.
"YOU'RE DONE! YOUR LIFE IS OVER! YOU SHOULD'VE THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE DOING THIS!"
…
She raised the katana.
"And you… should've thought very carefully… before staining what my family represents. You disgusting creature."
The blade descended.
She opened the creature's throat from end to end. The death was slow. Painful. But inevitable.
Alice walked back to Arthur, sheathing her katana.
"I know this might sound weird after everything you saw… but… are you okay?"
Arthur froze, stared at her question… anger rising, fury consuming him. He stood to respond — but before he could, his body gave out. A heavy thud echoed through the room as he collapsed.
…
A sigh — that was all Alice could offer the scene before her.
She picked him up, carried him to the couch, and let him down, exhausted. She hoped he'd wake soon, maybe so they could talk? She didn't know… she doubted any explanation could make this mess understandable.
"What a mess… But you're used to this already, aren't you, Alice?"
She muttered to herself as she waited for Arthur to wake.