Amidst the roaring noise, bright flas erupted from inside the chanical Mantis, and its shrapnel slashed the man in black. After the blaze subsided, only scorched fragnts remained at the scene.
"What a pity, if it hadn't self-destructed, the parts inside could've sold for quite a bit." Sura put away her gun.
Nearby, Tilan stood motionless, lost in thought, recalling the last segnt of chanical synthesis sound she heard.
"That sound just now..."
"Oh, that? Just the dull wailing; the old humans have long gone, these remnants of the chanical Council are just the dying struggles." She replied indifferently.
"I don't get why so people insist on yearning for the past. If we really go back, then let's all be monkeys in the trees." She shook her head, then ran over to Guy.
At another battleground, the fight was also coming to an end. Bereft of the chanical erkat's observation lock and the chanical Mantis's defense chanism, the lone chanical Armadillo, lacking effective close combat abilities, was repeatedly ambushed by the nimble Guy, who finally drew a short dagger from his belongings, inserting it into the gaps of the chanical Armor, severing the connection lines inside, and stopping its operation.
"Phew, though it was a bit hazardous, this ti we've gained quite a reward." Looking at the generally intact chanical Armadillo, Guy seed unusually proud and satisfied.
The battle was over; the three packed up their things and moved towards the black-clad man, who was bandaging his wounds at the spot, and only then did they see his appearance clearly.
"You look younger than I imagined." Guy rubbed his chin, slightly unhappy that the man was quite handso.
Judging only by appearance, he seed to be in his early 20s, with short silver-gray hair, and a very fair complexion. Yet, his earlier deft fighting skills and marksmanship deceived the trio into believing he should be a seasoned warrior.
"Thank you." He struggled to stand after bandaging his wound.
With a black trench coat, black leather pants, and a tech-styled gun at his waist, he appeared to be soone from a far-off civilization.
"I'm Flan, from the southern Slami Association, currently wandering around executing survey tasks." He briefly introduced his background.
"Slami Association, that is quite far, I heard it's across the sea."
"Indeed, there are many scholars there. Now, the chief has issued a survey plan, sending us to various places to collect data." He took out a precise-cut pendant hanging around his neck, bearing Flan's na and number.
"If I die, you can take this pendant and the survey report to any Slami Association mber, you'll receive valuable compensation."
"But if I'm alive, I can act as a guarantor for you to purchase items unavailable on the market from the Slami Association, like precious antibiotics, weapons, protective coats, and even Power Armor, etc."
"Hey, hey, don't boast and deceive the kids. The Power Armor you ntioned is extrely precious even at the Slami Association; outsiders can't just buy it." Sura expressed her skepticism as soone who wasn't naive.
"Hehehe, it's not entirely impossible, right?" He said with a smile, his gaze floating towards the other two, especially resting for a while on Tilan.
"And who are these two?"
"I'm Guy, a companion from the sa settlent as Sura, and this is Hexia, our friend." Guy introduced proactively, possibly worried that Tilan might say too much, revealing unnecessary information.
"I see." He nodded, then turned to glance at the damaged machinery lying on the ground.
"With my injuries now, I might not be able to travel. Can I stay at your settlent for a few days? I know so good intelligence that could serve as a reward for you."
"That depends on what the intelligence is." Sura bargained.
"It's a relic I discovered; it should contain the remaining underground laboratories of the past. I presu I was hunted by War Machines because they detected traces when I left."
"Such crucial intelligence, and you're willing to exchange it for just a few days' stay?" Sura found it sowhat unbelievable.
"Well, the relic seems sowhat decrepit, might have been overturned by others, given so much ti has passed." The other sighed.
"Are you sure you're not lying to ? Is there any distinctive feature or important information left?" Sura displayed interest in the relic, yet worried it might be a futile effort.
"I wouldn't deceive you over this; you probably know our Slami Association mbers highly value their reputation." The other explained.
"This…" Sura hesitated.
Clearly, this was a fairly profitable deal, yet currently, the settlent housed only six people, three of whom were unable to fight, including the chief Mandrai, Marula, and Ores. If Flan noticed this and harbored any ill will, things could get problematic.
However, as he ntioned, Slami Association's items were quite costly, and their reputation was pretty reliable as they wouldn't clash over trivial profits.
"Alright, I agree to let you stay at our settlent for so ti. But during these days, you must also help with chores, since part of our people are away traveling for trade, shorthanded and unable to cater to you specially." Sura explained.
"Uh, chores... alright." He replied sowhat reluctantly, evidently displeased with labor.
Next, Sura made a simple trailer from local materials, mounting the relatively intact chanical Armadillo on it to haul it back.
The four walked along, conversing as they went, showcasing that Flan indeed visited nurous places, having broad and objective perspectives.
"I arrived riding the association's large ship; along the way, none of those bizarre sea beasts hard us much. But nearing the destination, we encountered a terrifying storm. The waves overturned the ship directly, then my companions and I drifted for days before reaching the shore." He recounted with so regret and nostalgia.
"Fortunately, our association's outpost was here, providing so replenishnt before we began operations; yet due to the storm, we lost considerable manpower. From the original three-mber squad, now only I remain."
"You certainly have luck on your side, surviving this, including this ti too." Sura jested.
"Hehehe, I think so too." After speaking, he glanced curiously at Tilan, considering this girl was exceptionally distinct among the three, entirely unlike soone living in this chaotic land.
"I co from a very distant place, similarly falling from a vehicle with my companions and losing our way here." Tilan pondered, providing the best explanation she could.
"Where exactly?" Flan appeared quite curious about, wondering where there could be a more advanced civilization or comparable level to the association.
"That's impolite, Mr. Flan." Sura interrupted Flan's inquiry.
"Hexia saved my life, she's my close friend, and I won't allow you to endlessly pry into her privacy."
"Alright, alright, everyone has secrets after all." Flan stopped his probing.
Thus, the four strode with unhurried steps, heading back to the mountain valley where the settlent was located.
"The terrain here is quite nice, no wonder you've settled here." Outside the valley, Flan glanced at the surroundings indistinctly in the night, making a remark.
"Let's go inside; everyone's asleep now. I'll show you to a room soon, and get so rest quickly."
"Sure, sure." Flan teased, then followed them into the valley.
Knocking on the locked cave door, Guy woke Marula, who was keeping vigil, instructing him to open the door. Then, the four entered, briefly explained the situation, and allotted Flan a bedroom. Flan was to sleep inside, Marula outside; if he attempted to leave in the night, Marula would surely awaken.
Indeed, Marula was no match for Flan, yet any sensible person wouldn't take action in an unfamiliar setting on the first night, especially considering his current need for recuperation.
Surviving in this chaotic land required cunning.
After settling in, the night passed without incident. Only Tilan stayed awake for quite so ti, pondering that chanical synthesis sound she heard.
[ρ Subordinate Autonomous Unit of chanical Council - 'Mantis' - s-5 model, executing purge command, reaching shutdown critical point, initiating self-destruction...3...2...1...Long live the Continuation Committee for the future of human civilization!]
Perhaps in this world, genuine mbers of the chanical Council had long perished, leaving only these War Machines, adhering to predefined routines, endlessly replicating themselves while carrying out commands.
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