Apocalypse Awakening

Chapter 9: The Mysterious Origin

Sean lay on his bed, lost in thought, while Layla, just returned home, sat silently on the sofa with an unmistakable weight on her mind. After much hesitation, she made a phone call.

The signal raced at lightning speed to the heart of the city, where stood the tallest building of the entire metropolis, devoid of any advertisements or decorations. At the top floor, in a quiet room filled only with precise instruments and a dazzling array of wires, was a glass tank containing a human brain, unguarded and connected to many wires.

Layla's voice echoed in the room: “I met the newcomer today and showed him the true face of this world…”

A gentle electronic voice responded, “I'm unsure whether to be glad for another companion or to sympathize for another soul fallen into this nightmare.”

“He's peculiar,” Layla, massaging her temples, spoke softly, “Calm, decisive, with a strong analytical ability and courage to confront malice, yet not heartlessly cruel. In all my years in this strange land, I've never seen someone with such potential. But there's something about him I can't quite see through.”

After a pause, she added, “All his actions seem reasonable in hindsight, but they always come as a surprise.”

“I wish you could look into him,” Layla requested.

The electronic voice paused before replying, “I'll try.”

The brain in the glass tank seemed to react, its surface quivering slightly as tiny sparks of electricity danced around, triggering a frenetic response from the surrounding machinery. The city's foundations, unnoticed by ordinary people, vibrated, sending out strange signals through a chaotic network.

Layla felt the vibration as she waited patiently on the phone. After a while, the gentle electronic voice came back: “I've accessed all his information in the city. It appears unblocked and unaltered. He seems untouched by the mysterious influences or remote control, at least from what we can see.”

“Four years ago, he sought medical help for severe psychological distress,” the voice continued.

Layla frowned, “What symptoms?”

“Dizziness, headache, hallucinations, sensory disorder, severe depression, and oppression… but the final medical report showed nothing abnormal.”

Layla's expression turned serious, “That sounds like an influence from a mysterious source.”

“Yes,” the voice agreed, “Those mysterious entities peering into the city can sometimes seize the will of individuals. But no one can maintain their integrity and sanity under such influence.”

Layla's tension eased slightly, “If he really was under such influence for four years... his agony could have flooded the entire city.”

The electronic voice concluded, “That's impossible. His extent of seclusion and staying indoors is not uncommon among the city's youth. It’s often seen as a sign of decay, at most a bit sick.”

The conversation ended with Layla contemplating the enigmatic newcomer, Sean, and the complex world they inhabited.

Layla nodded, her expression tinged with sadness in the misty water vapor. After a long silence, she spoke softly, "No matter what, his potential is immense, and we don't have much choice... I just hope he won't blame me when he fully understands the truth."

The next day, Sean woke up surprisingly early, still puzzled why he had slept so soundly the night before. For the past four years, he had been tormented by constant headaches and a mind soaked in pain and fear. Yet, after learning the truth about the world and reaching the pinnacle of fear, he had somehow found the courage to face it calmly.

His mother was already up and busy in the kitchen. Not wanting to confront her, Sean waited in his room until she left for work. He ventured into the living room, only to find breakfast left for him, along with a note and some money pinned under a milk carton.

The note read, “kid, I’ve gone to work. When you’re dating such a beautiful girl, don’t be stingy with money.”

Sean was taken aback. His mother had misunderstood his relationship with Layla and, considering he was unemployed, had given him some spending money. This gesture stirred a strange feeling in him. Was this an act of kindness from the city and its inhabitants, or was it genuine affection from his mother? Despite feeling that nothing could surprise him anymore, the note and money evoked complex emotions within him.

After breakfast, Sean sat quietly at home, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, yet strangely, nothing urgent seemed to demand his attention. Layla had revealed the truth of the city to him, promising someone would guide him further. But who would that person be, and what was he supposed to do?

His thoughts were interrupted by a timely phone call from Layla. “How did you sleep last night?” her calm, slightly lazy voice asked.

“Very well, very solidly,” Sean replied honestly.

Layla seemed surprised by his response. Most newcomers who learned the truth about the world were anxious and troubled, some even resorting to suicide. Sean’s calmness was unexpected.

“Yes,” Sean affirmed, “Didn’t you tell me? In a city full of monsters, what else can one do but remain calm?”

Layla didn’t know how to respond immediately, but after a pause, she chuckled, “You really do take advice well.”

As Sean grappled with how to reply, Layla broke the silence, “Since you’re prepared to face everything, it’s time for the next step.”

Sean’s interest piqued, he asked, “What do you mean by the next step?”

“We are too vulnerable and need something to protect ourselves,” Layla explained with a hint of mystery in her voice. “It's a complex issue, but don’t worry, I’ve found an experienced designer to assist you. Be nice to her; she’s a quiet and gentle girl.”

Sean agreed, intrigued by Layla's mention of someone she was going to introduce. After a short wait, his phone chimed with a new contact from Layla, but Sean was momentarily taken aback. The profile picture was of a cute girl in a maid outfit, and the nickname was surprisingly bold: [Auntie Dusty Eighteen].

“This quiet girl’s nickname seems a bit wild, doesn’t it?”