18:08

ROLE SELECTION: GUARDIAN

SIMULATION READY

[LUK3]-Alright! I'm back, little guy!

LUK3 seems to be entering the room again, with someone accompanying him.

[LUK3]-N04H, this is ELL1OT! One of the members from the defensive group!

[ELL1OT]-It's a pleasure to meet you, Recruit N04H!

[N04H]-Nice to meet you too. But...

[LUK3]-Buuut?

[N04H]-What's the "defensive group"? Is Mr. C0NNER included in it as he is a "Defender"?

[LUK3]-No, no. C0NNER is from the offensive group, as well as I am. It's a bit complicated.

[ELL1OT]-You see, N04H, my role in this base is "Guardian", one of the roles included in the defensive group. The other role is Healer, and the rest are from the offensive group, which are responsible for making the missions: the Defenders and Strikers. The defensive group has the duty to protect the people in the quest like giving them information about the enemies position outside and eventual emergencies, so that they are aware of anything about what's happening outside and don't complicate the things, or even try to make the enemies avoid the offensive group's locations. It is kind of like the shield of the whole action, while the offensive group is the weapon. The only role who is part in both of these groups is the Hacker, which includes Officer KYR4. She has the duty to gain us control to anything regarding the devices, doors, machines and other things. As well as she gains us information, she is also a part of the quest itself, so that's why the role is in both of the groups.

[N04H]-And why isn't the "Defender" role a part of the defensive group?

[ELL1OT]-Because technically they are a part of the quest as well, even if they only provide others of information. They are working on real time with the cameras so that the Strikers like Mr. LUK3 here can make their part of quests. In most of the cases, they are very close to the control station too, so they can avoid interferences, which we don't really want during the quests.

[LUK3]-Alright, alright! Enough with the chit-chat! N04H, Mr. ELL1OT will teach you about the role this time.

[ELL1OT]-Indeed! Let me explain what you have to do in this simulation. Here will be a lot of enemies with unexpected behaviour. Each of them will do something unique, so expect them to make different moves. Inside the walls of the building are the ones trying to do their part of mission. Your quest is to inform the offensive team of anything important that happens. Remember, even the smallest details can cause a lot of problems for us, and do not show yourself.

[N04H]-...It is pretty much the same thing as the "Defender" role. Can we try the next one?

[ELL1OT]-It's worth a try. Come on!

[N04H]-*sigh* Alright, alright...

N04H starts the simulation. He observes every enemy to see what they are doing, but for him there are too many to begin with. He sees a man entering the building and informs the team about this situation, but he misses a man who went to activate the alarm. He tries to tell the information quickly, and somehow succeeds. But then, out of nowhere, another man appears on the wall he was standing and sees him, making the simulation go off. It appears that he saw that man before who was doing some pushups and left on the opposite way of the building, getting up on the wall.

[N04H]-...You gotta be kidding me!

[ELL1OT]-It isn't a good idea to stay in the same spot for a very long time.

[N04H]-But I thought the man left the area!

[ELL1OT]-Don't worry! You did well! You can try again later if you want.

[N04H]-No, no. Thank you, but I think the role doesn't fit me.

[ELL1OT]-It's alright! Go wake LUK3 up to see what's waiting for you next. I will leave for now. Good luck on your choice!

N04H waves at the man and goes to see what LUK3 is doing in the corner. He seems to have gotten bored during the whole simulation and fell asleep, so N04H wakes him up.

[N04H]-Mr. LUK3?

[LUK3]-Mm....

[N04H]-Mr. LUK3! Wake up!

[LUK3]-Mm... What is it? I'm trying to sleep...

[N04H]-I've finished with the role, Mr. LUK3! What's next on the list?

[LUK3]-I will... bring MY4 for the next one... Just let me sleep... a little... more...

[N04H]-Are you tired?

[LUK3]-A bit... I barely slept last night... Heh, I did stay awake for quite a long time... Go take a break... *yawn* for now...

And so, he leaves him in peace. The boy leaves the room, letting LUK3 enjoy his sleep alone. In the hallway though, he meets the Great Leader, the lifeless eyes that scare him. He seems busy, as always, looking at some papers. Yet the boy still decides to stop Him and starts talking to Him.

[N04H]-Master CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-Hm?

[N04H]-What are you doing with these papers?

[CHE5TER]-They're just a few work papers. Nothing you should bother yourself about. I was planning the next mission.

[N04H]-Are we going to save other people?

[CHE5TER]-No. We will need to extract some documents from one area. That's all. It's not big of a deal, really.

[N04H]-Documents?

[CHE5TER]-Yes. So? How is the selection going? Did you manage to make an idea of a possible choice?

[N04H]-N-Not really... None of these seem to be to my liking... The closest one that I could think of would be LUK3's role.

[CHE5TER]-Did you try them all?

[N04H]-I think there is one left... Mr. LUK3 said that he will bring someone named MY4 for the next one.

[CHE5TER]-MY4 you say... *sigh* Yeah, I have an idea of what's next on your list. But I don't think it suits you that much.

[N04H]-Why do you say that?

[CHE5TER]-...Just a thought. Did LUK3 go after her already?

[N04H]-No... He said he wants to sleep a little 'cause he is tired. So he told me to take a break for now.

[CHE5TER]-Then let him have his rest. It isn't the first time he falls asleep during the day, yet I told him to stop sneaking off during the sleep schedule.

[N04H]-Why does he do that though?

[CHE5TER]-I don't know. But I let him be at this point. It's not my business to supervise him all the time. As long as he doesn't go in the City of Above without my approval like last time, I don't really care what he is doing in his free time.

[N04H]-Right...

[CHE5TER]-And that should include you as well, little N04H. Hope I do not find you in that city without telling anybody again.

[N04H]-E-Eheheh... I guess I got a bit carried away during our celebration and didn't think it straight...

[CHE5TER]-Yeah. I guessed that from LUK3's explanation.

[N04H]-Oh, by the way! I'm a bit curious of something!

[CHE5TER]-Hm?

[N04H]-How did you even manage to find out anyway? You weren't present with them when we all went to solve the problem.

[CHE5TER]-Little one, I'm the ruler of this city, the Great Leader Himself. You know that already, you signed that contract when you chose to stay in this base and promised on your life on not telling anybody about this information. You think I don't find out about everything that's happening in my city, no matter how insignificant the details are?

[N04H]-Yeah, but how did you--

[CHE5TER]- --That doesn't matter. I have my own ways. I'd say you go back to your break for now. We will discuss later if you wish, but right now I'm a bit busy. I wish you good luck on your choice, N04H.

The Great Leader leaves the boy alone, and he, too, starts wandering the hallway, not before he looks at the ruler vanish at the end of corridors.

[N04H]-I knew the ruler works in the shadows and all, but why are you so secretive?

19:12

LUK3 enters the room with a gentle girl, the one so-called MY4. He still seems a bit sleepy as he just woke up, yet they seem to be talking about something, but they stop as they approach N04H.

[N04H]-This is MY4, right?

[LUK3]-Yep! She is my best friend! Aaand also kind of the best person qualified for this role that I know about... This is why I chose to take her.

[MY4]-By the way, LUK3, is KYR4 back already?

[LUK3]-Nope. I tried to text her and her whole response was simply "Shut up". I guess they aren't done with that shit yet.

[MY4]-*sigh* CHE5TER isn't so happy about the whole event idea though.

[LUK3]-He discussed it with you when He came?

[MY4]-Yeah... and He cancelled His schedule once again.

[LUK3]-I swear, this man cancels this thing every day. What's up with Him? And He tells me not to mess around with the schedule...

[MY4]-I don't know... But I'm beginning to wor--

Little N04H was looking confused at them. Both were speaking in a different language for him.

[N04H]- --What's up with this event anyway?

[LUK3]-Oh, yeah! Let me explain. Every year, on day 17 of the second month, we celebrate the Great Leader's day. So, we all are taking a day off and go celebrate it. Just like how you did with your graduation.

[N04H]-It's Master CHE5TER's day?

[MY4]-No. The celebration is about the former Great Leader. It's hard to explain it. Anyway, let's change the subject. We are here for your role, right?

[N04H]-Right...

[MY4]-Alright then. Should I explain it before we begin or you already got an idea of what you are suppose to do?

[N04H]-I think you should explain first. Master CHE5TER didn't give me any hint about it earlier...

[MY4]-Wait, what do you mean by that?

[N04H]-I've met Him on the hallway during my break while LUK3 was sleeping. When I told Him your name, He already knew what role was about to come for me. And He said that the role doesn't fit me, but I didn't know what He was talking about.

[MY4]-I see... We should take his advice into consideration then.

[N04H]-Wait, WHAT?

[MY4]-Master CHE5TER can see easily what fits us and what doesn't. As for how He manages to, I'm not sure myself. He helped some newcomers back when LUK3 and I joined the base and He, too, helped me choose my role when I was your age by making me realise what fits me the best. To help people. This is how I became a Healer.

[LUK3]-Oh, yeah! I remember it! I thought at first that you got in trouble for the fact that we disturbed both Him and RY4N since we asked too many questions and He wanted to scold you for my behaviour, while I was out to get some fresh air and was talking to some other people about the roles! I had my worries when I saw you leave His office then, not gonna lie...

[MY4]-*giggles* Right. But if you still want to give it a try, N04H, then it's fine by me.

[N04H]-If you say He knows what He's saying, then I guess I will not try this one as well... But I don't think there is anything left for me to try, and none of those roles seem to be right for me.

[LUK3]-I guess we can try them all again. Boss said that you don't have to rush anyway, so you still have some time.

[N04H]-Can you give me that paper again?

[LUK3]-Oh, yeah, sorry. Here!

The boy starts to analyse the paper in which are written all the roles. He was right in the end, he tried everything on the list. But after a while, he notices some writing on the paper that was erased. He struggles to understand what was written there, but he manages to decipher "I- ve- t- ga- or".

[N04H]-Hey, what's up with the role "Investigator", LUK3?

Both MY4 and LUK3 stay silent for a bit, almost as if they were in shock. They seem to be thinking about something.

[N04H]-What? Why are you both so quiet?

[LUK3]-Y-You know, these papers are very old now, nothing you should overthink about it!

[N04H]-Why are you avoiding the question? I want to know the answer. I'm just curious, that's all.

The man stands and looks him in the eyes. He then sighs and tells the little recruit the truth in the end.

[LUK3]-*sigh* The role belongs to our boss, Master CHE5TER.

[N04H]-Why is it on these papers then?

[MY4]-...Because the role was able to be chose before.

[LUK3]-Come to think of it... when I asked Him for the papers, He was erasing something from them. I guess now I know my answer as well.

[N04H]-And you didn't tell me?

[LUK3]-Hey now! I'm only following orders! If He didn't want you to see it, He has a reason that I should respect then, right?

[N04H]-So what's up with it? Why is it on the selection paper?

[MY4]-...Before He chose to make our base a secret, the people who were joining this base were able to become Investigators. It was an open role for anybody who was interested, just like all the others.

[N04H]-But why is it erased then?

[MY4]-*sigh* I don't... know. We used to have a lot of them before. I'm not sure why He chose to erase it all of a sudden, knowing well He has this role too.

[N04H]-Wait, you mean the only Investigator left is...

[LUK3]-Him? Yes... something like that. After we lost some of the Investigators, He decided to take this role on His own, so He was a part of missions just like all the others. He wasn't the only one though, there were still Investigators that were working with us back then.

[N04H]-So they all... died?

[MY4]-Not all. But also the ones that remained left us after an incident over a year ago, leaving Him being the only one left. The rest of the story... won't be possible for me to tell you.

[LUK3]-And because of all the censorship regarding our base, we weren't able to get more recruits to join us, so no more new Investigators to come. It was... indeed a struggle with this role and it still is a bit.

The boy looks again to the erased role on the paper. He stands a bit to think about it, as he remembers the conversation with the Great Leader from earlier.

"They're just a few work papers. Nothing you should bother yourself about."

"We will need to extract some documents from one area. That's all. It's not big of a deal, really."

He now understands why He was so secretive about what He was doing. The whole next mission involves Him to be the main role in offensive. But the boy doesn't think He is so happy about all of this situation. A man who works as the ruler of an entire city, who also needs to play a role in His own team, should be more exhausted than anybody could imagine. N04H then looks at both of them and asks with confidence.

[N04H]-Can I give it a try?

[MY4]-I don't think it's a good idea...

[LUK3]-Yeah! Besides, I'm the one who gets his ass beaten if He finds out! You really want to do this to me, man??

[N04H]-I just want to try it once and if I fail, we won't speak about it anymore. Deal?

[LUK3]-But, but...

They both stare at each other, as N04H waits for his approval. In the end, what can LUK3 do? He accepts the deal.

[LUK3]-Alright... But don't tell Him, please!

[N04H]-I won't! It won't!

[LUK3]-*sigh* I know I'm gonna regret it later, but... come on. Let's start the simulation.