Chapter 8: New Experiences 2
I closed the lid of my bottle and ran towards her. I never know how this works but the Zenite removed her worn down skirt.
I saw the baby going out her crotch I'm starting to get nervous, I'm also a child!
"u-uhh… push! Push!!"
As I saw on dramas and movies in my previous life I decided to copy whatever they were doing to assist a pregnant woman in labor.
I was planning on going back home to have someone help me with her labor but I was here anyway.
"nnnn—!"
The baby is halfway out, I can already see the umbilical cord. The female zenite is still hanging on and then
"uwwaah! Uwwahh!"
'OS, What do I do with the Umbilical cord?'
For all I remember I did everything the OS presented to me after a labor. Such as what to do with the umbilical cord.
[Mental Fatigue 2/20, you are now more mentally stable in the cost of your vigor]
"h-hey! You're a mother now!"
I excitedly proclaimed as I looked at the mother. I was holding a human infant. No signs of any zenite traits.
But before I could even celebrate with the mother of the infant my heart couldn't help but sink.
My heart felt heavy as I glanced at her eyes. She is supposed to be a mother right now, but… her eyes were lifeless, she has no more pulse and she isn't moving at all.
"What am I supposed to do now?"
I laid the baby girl with her mother. A child should cherish such warmth but of course this child is just like me. We both had a mother that wanted us to survive.
With some extra clothes I brought with me. I used it to cover the infant.
"she didn't even have the chance to hold nor name you…"
The child has that pale white skin with enough reddish tone to confirm she's alive. Her green eyes aren't that far from my eye color, she can at least live in a human society as my sister.
I used a set of my clothes to make a place for the baby, I'll name her later
For now, let's bury the body.
…
My bags are packed, I actually stayed in the same room for a while. I never expected her to die just after giving birth.
I never had the chance to ask the name of that zenite. I can't help it but to be sad.
I sighed, there's no need to be gloomy, Her child is still alive and I guess it's time for me to learn responsibilities.
I never had a sibling in my past life, so this feeling is going to be fresh for me.
"I didn't expect this… "
Now, I need to avoid falling down from terrains because I had an infant with me. Are there any ways to make this easier?
Then I remembered. I literally have a phone as a skill with me.
"OS, do you have GPS and maps?"
[Yes]
"give me a map screen and give me the shortest route–"
As I was talking, a big Mechanical tiger approached me from a distance.
What can a 6 year old do while holding an infant? I can't even hold my gun right now what are my chances?
"n-no… way…. "
Even though I am the author of a novel, I can't remember every monster in it. Why is there a mechanical tiger in here? Why is it here?
"I don't remember… "
'I don't remember creating you…'
As the mechanical tiger releases white smoke.
I was taught how to handle throwables, such as grenades, flash bangs and smoke.
But I'm handling an infant right now, with my small frame I cannot risk using one hand while handling the infant with the other.
From the looks of it the smoke is a sleeping gas, I felt my body starting to weaken as I fell backwards, I held the infant with my tight on my chest.
She was just born, I cannot allow it if she died, we both are survivors. I can't just abandon her..
Should…
Should I have gone there a few more days later? I can't help but feel a tinge of regret. I too fear death.
So why must this mechanical tiger just appear out of nowhere!
As the sleeping gas slowly got into my system I slowly closed my eyes, inevitably falling asleep.
***
"Blonde hair and Green eyes, he obviously has all her features."
The man looked at a youth in front of him, they're in a gym for exclusive use.
And the youth is using it to train with two guns in his hand.
–Bang! Bang!
The youth has his talent, he was good at it being labeled as a prodigy if you will. But the man wasn't satisfied.
The man who was watching the youth, was sure the youth in front of him was his child, Green eyes, blonde hair and porcelain skin.
Surely the child would inherit both of his and his lover's power, after all that was possible within bloodlines.
"Dimitri"
The youth named Dimitri, looked at the man.
"Yes, Dad?"
It's been 2 years since he was adopted,
Dimitri was adopted after being found in a police station near the Ceath's towns.
He needed an heir to inherit his guild and his guide, he needs someone who's the same or much more stronger than him.
"Stop for now, you're having the same problems everyday."
"I-i can overcome this, I just need more time"
"Enough. Jake"
Out of nowhere a man wearing a Butler's suit appeared, answering to Finnegan's calls.
"Yes Master Finnegan?"
"Tell them that I'm coming back in the guild"
Finnegan stood, it was time for him. To leave for he has seen enough. He would visit Dimitri every month to see any improvement.
But not once he complimented Dimitri, and Dimitri as a growing child he would need the affection all children do.
Dimitri did all what his father wanted, but to no avail he always got the looks of pity, he could not please his father at all.
But that didn't let him down as he continued to work more, he wanted the love of his father, at least once.
After all before he got adopted his previous father would shower him with praise once he did something good with his hands.
But now he was always left on a cold notice, he wasn't given any praises until he was done at his activities at all.
"Understood"
The Butler; Jake answered Finnegan, both left the room leaving Dimitri alone.
Dimitri looked at the door with a sense of longing. He missed his real Father, though he barely remembered his voice anymore.
Him being spoiled back then was something he would never forget.
It felt nice being loved, that's why he craved it. As he needed as a child.
Raising the gun customised to his size he began training once again, this time he will perfect the Unique skill he has.
Which is Ricochet.
===
[{U}Ricochet]
–Allows projectiles from any weapon to change direction without losing momentum, although every projectile has to be individually controlled.
►Permanent mark [Accumulated:0]–once Ricochet is mastered, it will memorize your Ricochet pattern and will work automatically without being commanded.
===
It's the Skill Dimitri had since he was able to access his status. Since he couldn't use it fully means he still has a lot to go.
–Bang! Bang!
He practiced more with his gun till he can't move, he was frustrated. What more does he lack? He has everything in his hands from top notch potions, food, training facilities and even natural resources.
And yet it wasn't enough.
Yet he still couldn't satisfy what his father wanted.
"I will be stronger.. I will… "
He raised his gun and started shooting more.
***
"ugh…"
Waking up in a room I held my head as I was having a headache, it got worse when I realised the infant was not with me.
My heart sank as guilt was prepared to rush on my conscience, I scoured the room to find that the baby girl was on a crib.
I sighed in relief.
Remembering that a mechanical tiger was the reason I passed out I tried to collect my thoughts.
Where am I? How much time has passed? And how long was I here?
Checking the room, it looked too modern yet futuristic. The design of the interior, the shapes of furniture.
If I have a way to describe the room it would be an hospital room, with speakers on either corners of the room. There are no windows to the outside though, only lights that illuminated the room.
"Hello. Damian Vogue"
I heard a voice from the speaker. It speaks quietly, as if it knows that there is a baby here. The volume it speaks with is low, the voice that comes out of the speaker seems like voices from different people stitched together.
"Who….who are you?"
"My name is A-9"
The door of the room opened. Then I saw the one who is speaking, a robot that looks exactly like a human with a full suit on. If not for the damage in its face I wouldn't recognize it was a robot aside from its voice.
"W-why am I here?"
"I apologise, I…"
At first I thought that I was thinking wrong, but it looked like it was trying to decide, even shaking its head.
"I have a child in here that needs saving."
"h-huh?"
"Just like the other one you've saved"
It looked directly to the Infant in the crib
"Does she have a name?"
It asked with a solemn face.
"Yeah… I was about to go back home and think about that."
"Why not name her here?"
"Why…?"
"Well, just a suggestion"
"Before that, what are you even?"
It looked at me, it looked like a man, no facial features, just a drawn back black hair. The left of its face was scratched, showing its robotic parts.
With crooked smile he introduced himself.
"I'm an A.I programmed to act like a human. My name is A-9"
I blinked a couple of times, today there are a lot of AI indeed but a fully functioning one with a body? A human body?
"are you.. Are you aware?"
"Unfortunately, yes"
"Unfortunately?"
"Yes, I wish I didn't have this self awareness. But I was made this way"
I cannot comprehend being aware as a robot ever in my life, why does it look so sad?
"Sorry, but I have a favour to ask. I saw you save this child.. But can I also ask you to save another child?"
"huh?"
"You heard correctly"
"What can I do? I'm only six!"
"I apologize, I need to take this chance… my body has already reached its limit"
I can't seem to find the words for it but, is this what it feels to be so desperate as to choose the most nearest solution?
"if it's about a prize, I have things ready to be given."
Well my curiosity can't help but help this guy, if I could go home with more than enough items in my pocket that'll be good I guess.
And I can't just seem to leave this guy alone, so it's a win-win if I saved the kid he so wishes for.
"What can you give me?"
"Weapons, weapon upgrades, research papers, medical research, medicine recipes, medical needs, medical upgrades, potion, potion recipes, a few martial guides, armour, armour upgrade, magic research and bloodline awakening"
"Y-you can awaken bloodlines?!"
"In theory yes, but in the end it all depends on the one being awakened."
This is a chance to know my bloodline ability, since me and Dimitri are the same blood I can also awaken the same bloodline.
If I could awaken my bloodline it would be a headstart, since Dimitri's bloodline ability was the [Right hand of light].
"I'm quite greedy though"
I looked at A-9 thinking to myself, I want to test this guy.
"Then you can take them all"
"h-huh?!"
"This place is rotting, that's why I need you to save my child in the first place"
But this place is in such a good condition, how come this place is run down?
"Leave the infant here, I can accommodate her here, I have in built knowledge about taking care of children."
I can't help but sigh, helping him would the least I could do.
A-9 urged me to follow him, I of course followed him from behind. What astonished me is the outside of the room.
The walls are cracked and were filled with moss and vines. The ceiling's light bulbs were covered with dust, the floor filled with the crusts of white paint as it fell on the floor due to time.
Some lights are active and some are flickering, it's almost swallowed by vegetation. This place is a relic in my opinion.
"Maintaining place is quite the labour, I had to fix my own arm a couple of times when it got cranky, so I hope you understand that I have to use the tiger to get you here as a last desperate measure."
"Yes… I understand"
The Hall isn't that long, at the end there was a door that looks like a sliding door, the actual door is actually stuck as it is placed midway open.
The moment we crossed the door I was met with a circular hall. At the left was the same mechanical tiger and the exit and also the entrance to this place.
The mechanical tiger isn't moving, if I have to assume I think it's already met it's end of usage.
"Thankfully you didn't fight the Tiger."
"hm?"
"Like me, it's also withered down. And right now it has finished its last mission."
Walking up to it, I saw its back open with a compartment inside, there was a seat and multiple shut down computers on all front sides.
I somehow knew how I made it here and the baby girl safely.
"Also thankfully, you didn't run because of fear"
"huh, why?"
"As I said, it has withered down, it's body wouldn't be able to survive a chase."
–beep beep beep.
In the opposite direction, I heard multiple beeps. In the far reaches of the circle there was a stationary robot.
It was so large it covered a majority in the half of the circle.
"That's also the part where I need help"
"How?"
"It's a bot surely for security, it seemed to be damaged. It was used to fend of trespassers back on the past. But now.. It would attack anything except bots that roam the facility"
"What is this place anyways?"
"It's once called the Future of humanity, the name was Naia Center"
"hmm… "
I stared at that security bot, there are turrets attached to it but it looked salvaged.
"Are those turrets active?"
"Not anymore, I took off their bullets"
Looking at it again it made me think, since it was already deactivated why is my help needed?
A-9 looking at me talked as he seemingly had read my mind.
"There is still the chest compartment of the bot. It's dangerous as there lies a hidden weapon. I can't carelessly deactivate it."
"I see.. Where is my bag? My tools are there"
"Wait here."
A-9 started walking past behind the bot, the security bot's massive singular lensed eye looked at A-9 but it didn't do anything.
A-9 walked back at me, with a bag on his hand, as he gave it to me I checked everything. From my gun to the pure mana dew, there is no item missing.
"Anyways, so why all of this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why not bring the child here?"
"... Because of that thing"
It pointed at the Security bot.
"The security bot identifies personnel and residents, but since it was cut off from its database it could no longer identify humans. What do you think will happen to a child who has yet to gain an identity suddenly appearing on its side?"
"I… I see"
I suddenly know more about A-9, he can't fight because he's made for liberal arts, he is worn down so much he can't even run. He literally can't save that single child.
"Fine, but does it have any weaknesses?"
"Well, try to destroy as much as possible. It was thrown at the edge of the circular plaza as the rails that was supporting it above the ceiling gave up"
When I looked up I saw a railing. I guess that's how it used to move back then. Staring back at the security bot with its dusty lens I can see why it hasn't attacked me yet.
Well I don't want to consume more time than needed, I predict that this will be finished in a few minutes.
"I enhanced the bullets with the facilities"
Suddenly A-9 spoke, I felt like he was insinuating something, he knew I'm a kid and used my curiosity against me.
I'm falling for it.
Nonetheless I'm thankful for that enhancement.
"It's eyes were not cleaned, so it won't be able to recognize you as a trespasser unless you get in sight"
I nodded, stepping forward a bit as I tried to make sense of the security bots circuitry ending this as soon as possible is my best course of action.
What lies in that compartment box is something I don't have to know. But the more I look at it it seemed to have been armored.
Why was it even armored in the first place?!
'What even powers this thing?'
I sighed and shook my head, this place still runs even though it's run down, its battery is probably some nuclear power cell or something.
"Be careful, every single bot in here is powered by a nuclear power cell. Damaging it will make it explode and release toxic gases."
"Ah… "
Sighing looks like the scope of my prediction could be wrong. But I can't go with that, I'm consistent.
Besides I don't want the child A-9 saying I have to save to go to the trouble of that. I have to act on the best course of action.
I should just destroy the exposed parts, like it's eye.
I aimed my gun at the eye of the bot, which is a camera that lit with a dim red glow.
–VWOOM.
"Damian Vogue be careful!"
The security bot then opened some compartments on its side of the body, I heard ringing afterwards.
"Argh…"
–NNNNNNGGGGGGGGG
If there's a good way to describe what I'm feeling right now it was like being in a shell shock, tinnitus and a headache.
All I could do was grit my teeth and clench my head, staggering a bit.
"that was its Warning" A-9 said
If that was a warning I couldn't help but imagine what the child would go through if it ever heard that.
Taking aim as I won't allow more time to waste I stood firmly till hand sized mechanical spiders started to block my way.
"It recognized you as a threat! Run! Don't put yourself at risk any longer!
I agree with A-9 but I'm not in the condition to run, my body is just that of a nine year old, I can't move my legs after the warning.
'my prediction could be wrong'
With my analysis I guess this would take longer than I thought.
Counting every spider there were 20 of them, all seemingly rusted. I can't predict what kind of weapon it would use as it was only flat and smooth, the rusted parts are its legs.
It got worse when it finally attacked, it launched itself towards me that all I could see was a blur.
All I could do was stare with my eyes wide open, as it dashed on me.
–swoosh
I was left with a gash, as it passed by me. Thankfully it was not that deep but enough to make me bleed.
I couldn't help but compare it to Serge's [Thousand paper cranes] it was fast, but it was doable.
'I trained for this.'
'I can do this.'
With my determined look and finally regaining my composure I started moving while aiming. I have 20 mags for my week-long hike. I used 6 back in the dungeon but there was still a lot of it left, I hope it's enough.
Right now I was emptying it like crazy.
–Bang! Bang! Bang!
The 14 mags just went down to 8.
–Bang! Bang! Bang!
The 8 Mags became 4.
–Bang! Bang! Bang!
My eyes are bloodshot and my breathing is unstable, my back is running with cold sweat. 'It was in my training!' I should've thrown that confidence in the trash.
There were still 15 of them. Out of all of my mags, 4 remained. For each bullet one of them could go down.
In the first place. Serge only let me handle 8 Paper cranes, not 20.
What was I thinking?
Just like the paper cranes they go down in one shot, considering the bullets were enhanced.
But I have to constantly dodge and also to constantly aim. I was running out of breath. My stamina is not that high.
I was being pressed in time, this security bot is really a piece of high level tech.
"huff… huff.. "
I used my tattered left arm to wipe off my sweat and blood off my forehead.
"Damian, please just consider backing off!"
"A-9 I'm running out of energy!"
I'm pressed for time, I would die if I don't finish this, I don't know how much time I have wasted but I cannot help but be annoyed.
This makes me think of my past life, where I was never in control of everything. I predicted I could've finished this early.
Knowing I can't even finish this with my own ability I grit my teeth. I'm scared and annoyed, if those mechanical spiders would only get on my sight, within my scope of prediction.
If I could successfully see how it will turn out, as I expected then maybe I would've finished this earlier.
I'm scared. I also want to run, but thinking a child would die here in this facility without seeing the sun, it doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth.
I looked at the blur in front of me which was the mechanical spider.
If only they're constantly in my sight. If only my head could process such speed. If only I could see them as a whole.
I was blaming my whole existence at this point, but I can't falter. I can do this. If only…
'if only… '
I grit my teeth, and aim at the mechanical spiders who keep dashing back and forth.
'if only you all… '
I felt my mana rush somewhere in my face. I felt heat, but that didn't matter to me as I was lost in my rage and despair.
'If only all of you are…'
"ON MY SIGHT!"
A flash of light occurred within my eyes. It blinded everything momentarily.
[Marksman Diary has been activated.]
[The user was enlightened about the gap in skill.]
[The perk, 'On Sight' has been acquired]
[Mental Fatigue 3/20, you are now more mentally stable in the cost of your vigor]
4 Screen panels washed over me before feeling the energy in my hands and eyes.
I can see them slowly now.
I can see the spiders in slow-mo, I can track their movement.
I aimed my gun at one of them, then…
–Bang!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone