Night fell. 13 did not depart. Leaning against a rust-mottled pipe, he sat alone. No one wished to further engage with this perilous individual; the children all slept on the opposite side. None of the combat-capable adults slept; they formed a human wall in a half-crouch, separating 13 from the crowd. In their eyes, 13 was no savior, but an entity more perilous than the aggressors. Because perhaps in an instant, the city painstakingly developed over a lifetime would transform into a colossal crater, millions of compatriots perishing eternally in their slumber...
The moment 13 released the girl, this human wall had formed. Solely to diligently protect what could be seen. Although if 13 wished to resist, perhaps everyone would lack even the opportunity to retaliate, resistance remained imperative.
Removing the pendant from his neck, stroking it tenderly, 13's gaze remained fixed upon the girl. Merely seeing her elicited a natural smile upon his face. Requiring neither utterance nor gesture. In recent years, today was genuinely 13's most elated day.
Nestled among the children, Zheng Xuan had already succumbed to sleep. In his life, this day had been the most exhausting; on this day, he had comprehended certain truths. Because 13 had made him understand...
The middle-aged man was part of the human wall, his grip on the weapon the firmest. Should 13 make any peculiar move, likely the first to pull the trigger would be himself...
And the girl, constantly under observation, found slumber impossible. 13's fervent gaze induced pervasive unease. In the girl's heart, Z-nation's 13 ought to be a figure of heroic stature—frigid, astute, composed, steadfast. Yet, what she witnessed today was merely a child refusing to accept reality due to excessive longing.
"What manner of girl could possibly cause this individual, feared by the entire world, to weep?" The girl perpetually found herself contemplating such questions.
After an arduous internal deliberation, the girl reached an audacious resolution.
Slowly rising from the ground, she walked towards 13's direction. A slight commotion stirred within the human wall. The girl placed a finger to her lips, signaling everyone to remain silent.
As the middle-aged man attempted to speak, the girl gently patted his shoulder, her gaze conveying "Trust me, it will be alright."
The girl possessed an ineffable authority; a single glance could reassure everyone.
In truth, everyone knew this was inadvisable, but the issue required resolution. Continued procrastination offered no solution; someone needed to communicate. Presently, the girl was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.
Standing before 13, he merely looked up, uttering no word.
"May we converse?" the girl summoned her courage.
"Are you not apprehensive that I might embrace you again?" 13 inquired placidly.
"You should be a mature warrior. I believe you can control yourself," the girl conjectured.
"Uncertain. Merely seeing you renders my emotions highly unstable..." 13 spoke truthfully.
Hesitating...
With a soft sigh, the girl nevertheless sat on the ground beside 13. A gap remained between them, yet 13 seemed markedly agitated, his body trembling. It was evident he was striving intensely to restrain himself...
"Why did you come here?" the girl initiated the questioning.
"It was the urchin named Zheng Xuan who brought me. I initially intended only to deliver him to his companions, but upon encountering you..." 13 held nothing back.
"That is not what I inquired about. Why did you come to H-nation?" 13 seemed to have misinterpreted.
"Merely to rescue someone..." 13 offered no pretense.
"Rescue us?" The girl grew somewhat agitated.
"No, to rescue my companions. The lives of strangers evoke no sentiment within me," 13 stated placidly, yet conveying exceptional frigidity. "Relying solely on them, I knew they would perish..."
"Are you implying that you would not?" the girl questioned doubtfully.
"No..." 13 hugged his knees. "Perhaps I too would perish. But ultimately, I could drag the R-nation down with me..."
"Dragging us down along with them as well?" The girl suppressed her indignation.
"Approximately so," 13 sighed.
"Do you hold no value for life? Every individual strives assiduously for survival, yet with a single sentence, you negate everyone's efforts." The girl could not comprehend the man's mindset before her.
"I merely enact the role of concluding everything. Killing no longer evokes any sensation within me..." 13 held himself tighter. "Merely an action that halts a heartbeat..."
"It seems we are unable to communicate," the girl conceded defeat.
"The narrative will unfold naturally. When we are powerless to alter it, we can attempt acceptance. Because some individuals will invariably strive to change certain things. For me, presently, my paramount concern is..." As he spoke, he turned his head, gazing at the girl, the familiar smile still upon his face. "Your affairs. I still do not know your name."
A brief pause lingered...
"My name is Song Zhenxian, nineteen years old," the girl stated naturally.
"Judging by their deference towards you, you should be the leader here," 13 began his analysis. "Although combat capabilities are limited, it must be acknowledged you are likely a guerrilla organization."
Zhenxian remained silent, listening intently to 13's analysis.
"Although H-nation is not under martial law, acquiring such a profusion of weaponry is not something just anyone can achieve. Therefore, your backing must be quite substantial."
"Your analysis is astute. I am indeed the backing here. Song Zhenxian, President of the Fantasy Group," Zhenxian revealed her identity.
Yet, 13 displayed no surprise, closing his eyes to search for relevant information...
"Fantasy Group, established in 1998, primarily engaged in network space development. Several online games launched propelled its rapid expansion. Presently, it has become one of H-nation's largest conglomerates, holding significant sway over the H-nation economy. I recall its president was an old man in his fifties..."
"That was my father. He succumbed to cancer one year ago. Consequently, I assumed control of the entire company." Mentioning this, Zhenxian's wound was touched.
"Are you aware of what you are doing?" 13 inquired strangely.
"I somewhat fail to understand," Zhenxian professed ignorance.
"Such a colossal entity supporting anti-R organizations. If exposed, the dynasty your father created might very well collapse. And your own life would scarcely be guaranteed," 13 looked gravely at Zhenxian.
"I am cognizant of the consequences, yet I cannot simply disregard..." Zhenxian averted 13's gaze. "While my father lived, he spoke of revitalizing the motherland. The initial purpose of establishing the company was also for H-nation's economy. Yet, we failed him; H-nation became the territory of another nation. People even coexist peacefully with the aggressors... I increasingly fail to comprehend contemporary society. I merely hope to resist the aggressors with my own strength..."
"If that is the case, children should not appear within combatant groups. They possess negligible combat effectiveness, even as human bombs..." 13 reminded calmly.
"Please refrain from insulting my dignity, if you would?" Zhenxian stood up agitatedly. Intense movement stirred within the human wall.
As the crimson glow once again enveloped 13's entire body, Zhenxian sighed again, resuming her previous seat. The crisis dissipated...
"I never intended to exploit them." Zhenxian's body trembled; 13 could sense it. "I merely wished to care for them properly. War rendered them orphans. Most of their families were soldiers who perished during the R-Army landing operations. Due to their special status, I fundamentally cannot bring them to live on the surface; I can only care for them here. Do you know who Zheng Xuan's father was?"
13 awaited the answer...
"He was H-nation's president who committed suicide. Therefore, he loves the motherland more ardently than anyone, and detests the aggressors more intensely than anyone." Zhenxian's eyes conveyed compassion. "I have continuously tried to guide him, yet his views remain extreme. This time, he actually stole a timed explosive. I truly never imagined he would attempt to attack R-nation personnel..." Tears quietly fell. "I genuinely, genuinely wish to protect them, to prevent them from suffering further harm."
"I know..." Everything seemed as natural as water droplets falling from a height. 13's arm gently rested on Zhenxian's slender shoulder, and Zhenxian leaned naturally into 13's embrace, weeping. To the human wall, they appeared like an ordinary couple; confusion reigned in everyone's hearts.
Perhaps realizing her impropriety, Zhenxian swiftly withdrew from 13's embrace.
"Apologies..." Even Zhenxian herself didn't know why she apologized.
13 merely smiled faintly. The awkwardness dissolved...
"You and she are dissimilar..." 13 stated inexplicably.
"What?" Zhenxian didn't understand.
"Nothing significant. Right." 13 gazed at Zhenxian again. "I originally had my own plan, but now I have decided to pause for a period. Because your assistance has brought me genuine felicity. Beyond expressing gratitude, I wish to offer you substantive recompense."
"Recompense?"
"Mm, recompense indeed. You may state one wish. I will strive diligently to help you realize it." 13 raised one finger.
"Any request whatsoever?" Zhenxian's body trembled again.
"Provided it is within my capability."
"In that case, please do not utilize the power you employed in Taiwan. I do not wish to witness Seoul vanish from the map of the Earth, as H-nation's sacrifices would then be considerably greater..."