Chapter 11: Library
1238 Words
As Lucy left Luke, she immediately headed to the library as she was told to do so.
Luke's library room was indeed a treasure trove of knowledge. But despite how it is named, there was not a single book inside.
Instead, there was nothing but a single arc-shaped desk in the middle of the room. Everything else was an empty white.
As part of Luke's experiment to test Lucy's knowledge, he had taught her how to operate the machines in his underground base. Naturally, Lucy also knew how to use this room.
Lucy walked to the desk and placed her palm on the side. Soon, lines made of light appeared on the desk, forming a keyboard interface.
The whole room also lit up and dozens of holographic monitors surrounded her.
Right, the whole room was actually a computer!
The next moment, a 3D hologram of a woman with short white hair wearing a maid outfit appeared in front of Lucy.
"Hi, Lucy. I am Athena. What do you wish to learn?"
Lucy showed a lack of reaction and simply answered.
"Master told me to read books."
"What book would you like to read?"
"Anything."
"..."
Athena smiled in silence as if computing in her mind.
"Dealer's choice then!"
Athena clapped her hand and a holographic book appeared in front of Lucy.
Lucy held out her hand and received the book, curiously looking at the cover.
"To...Tokyo...Zombie...?"
"Yes!"
"...Is this the book master wants me to read?"
"You said anything."
"Okay."
Suddenly, Athena clapped her hands.
"Ah! How about watching the anime instead? Reading is boring."
"Master told me to read."
"I'll put the subtitles on."
"Okay."
And so, Athena waved her hand and a huge screen appeared before them as the anime began to play.
Athena waved her hand again and a virtual popcorn appeared in her hands.
She gestured over to Lucy and asked.
"Popcorn?"
"If it isn't brain or heart flavor, no."
"..."
Athena was speechless.
Did she just make a joke? Or is she being serious...
Like that, the two of them began watching the anime.
After finishing the whole season, Athena began making more suggestions of animes with zombies, monsters, ghouls, and such. She also started showing Lucy various apocalypse movies too.
It was a good thing Luke wasn't there to witness the situation, otherwise, he might just delete Athena, wondering if she's been infected by some kind of virus...
While Lucy and Athena enjoyed themselves, Mily was having a dilemma.
When Luke left her, Mily began to do as she was told. To feed the prisoners who would be used by Luke in the future as his experimental subjects.
Although she told Luke before about filtering humanity for its survival...she wasn't completely serious about it as well. She had only said that because she figured that she had gotten herself into something dangerous and if she doesn't act properly...it would mean her death! Or worse!
As someone who had survived in these apocalyptic times for a long time, Mily had learned how to adapt to her environment. Of course, even though she knew all these, she was the type of person who wouldn't involve anyone innocent just to survive.
It was the reason why she had tried to get out of the way before when she saw she was running towards Luke a while ago.
Mily sighed as she saw the expressions on the prisoners.
They were all void of hope and full of fear. Whatever they had seen must be too traumatizing for them!
Still...
Mily gritted her teeth.
Being here...was better than 'there'!
At least here, she has a chance to maintain her dignity!
Maybe Luke is indeed up to something bad with his experiments...but at least she was given a place to stay and eat. And Luke also seemed strong. It should be safe for her to seek shelter.
Besides, if Luke had planned on forcing her into his experiments, he would've strapped her with the others. The fact that he didn't mean that he needed something else from her.
As long as she finds out what it is...she can offer it as long as it doesn't go against her principles!
In fact, even if he requested her to sleep with him, she could still accept it. Sleeping with someone for the sake of security was worth it from her point of view. She wasn't a virgin anyway even before the apocalypse happened as she used to have a boyfriend.
But from the looks in his eyes, Mily was sure that he wasn't interested in her body.
So why was she here? Why did he allow her to stay?
Mily sighed and shook her head.
In any case. As long as she doesn't offend him...everything was fine.
Based on her interactions with these prisoners, she could tell that none of them were good people. She didn't have any objections to killing them...although what Luke is doing is questionable which is making her conflicted about the whole thing.
As she continued to brood over these things in her head, the camera at the top corner of the room focused on her expression closely as if observing and deducing her thoughts through the muscles on her face.
Time passed.
A week after Luke brought in the prisoners, Luke greeted them again.
He had finished consolidating the data gathered and prepared for the next experiment.
During this week, the prisoners had already somewhat relaxed after being tense for a few days.
Initially, they thought that their horror was over. However...reality was a letdown.
Luke walked in followed by Mily who pushed forward a tray. On top of the tray were two syringes with a golden color.
"N-no...p-please...please let me go...!"
"P-please! I beg you!"
"No more...no more...!"
Though everyone panicked, they weren't as loud as they were on the first day as they had recalled Luke choosing for the loudest one before.
Some even decided to remain silent so as to not attract attention.
Luke glanced at them and focused on a trembling woman at the far end who had remained quiet and didn't dare look at him.
He walked towards her and Mily followed with the tray.
"Since you're so obediently quiet, you would do for the next experiment."
"W-wha-!? NO! THAT'S NOT FAIR!!! YOU SAID YOU'D CHOOSE THE LOUDEST!!!"
Realizing she had been chosen, the woman shivered and started to struggle and shout loudly.
Luke shrugged.
"Did I? Oh yeah. Well, now you're the loudest so stop complaining."
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
Luke ignored her please and grabbed a syringe as he started to explain.
Him explaining was more of him taking notes really. The whole thing is recorded by Athena anyway.
"For the next experiment, I've mixed a few strands of another virus in the unsynthesized Core. The purpose of the experiment is to minimize the pain the host receives to test if it is possible not to turn even if injected."
He turned back to the woman and spoke.
"As long as you bear the pain, you might just live through this."
"W-WAIT! NOO!!! DON'T!!!"
The woman cried but Luke didn't care as he directly injected the syringe into her heart.
Mily winced as she closed her eyes and turned away. Afraid to see what horror would happen.
Luke glanced at her for a bit but didn't bother saying anything.
He turned back to the woman who had started to tremble violently.
- Writer
