Outer Rim [2]

"What do you mean you don't know?! Can't you fucking see that I'm in the middle of a fucking post-apocalyptic city?!" I exclaimed in frustration.

Ah, yes, post-apocalyptic, one of the most favorite genres for all human beings, including me.

With its aesthetic scenario of survival in a world full of danger, one couldn't help but imagine how thrilling and fun it would be.

However, the me right isn't happy or thrilled about it.

Because the me right now was in the place where I found myself surrounded by enormous, towering skyscrapers, some of which had cracks running along their structures, while others were already crumbling apart!

Damn it, if those skyscrapers were to suddenly collapse...

"I'm really fuck up," I mumbled as I continued to observe my surroundings.

Not only that but the roots and weeds have grown larger and taller, turning this city into a giant-sized garden covered in greenery.

"Ah, shit! Where the fuck am I?!" I exclaimed again, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar and unsettling environment.

{KAI: It looks like we're in the old ruins.}

"Huh? Old ruins? Wait, how did we suddenly end up in the ruin?!" I asked.

{KAI: Teleportation? Magic?}

"Huh? Magic ass, there's no way that would happen," I muttered to Kai.

However, I couldn't deny the fact that he might not be entirely wrong about the teleportation thing.

Because with the advanced technology in this world, creating a mini teleporter is not impossible, considering they have already invented it in the past.

So, if that's the case, then it's not far-fetched to think that I was teleported here. But that's not the problem right now. The problem lies in...

"Where the fuck am I?!" I retorted as I crouched down beside the coffin.

Wait, isn't this the second time I've said that phrase? Well, never mind.

"Ha..." I let out a long sigh of frustration

"?!!"

Hmm?! Wait, Just lying on the bed and gazing at this mesmerizing vegetation scenery feels quite relaxing.

"Shit, I really want to fall asleep now," I murmured, but suddenly I remembered something.

Damn, I can't afford to be reckless again! So, I put aside the idea of sleeping and focused on figuring out where I am.

-Slap!

"Dammit! Forget about sleeping!" I decided, as I slapped my resolve after slapping my face.

"Hey, Kai," I called out.

{KAI: If you're going to ask me about our current problem, then you choose the right answer.}

What the heck is this shit talking about?! Of course, who the fuck else am I going to ask for help in this situation? Myself?!

"Ha..." I let out a frustrated sigh again before speaking.

"Do you know where we are right now?" I directly asked as I tried to contain my irritation.

{KAI: Of course, I don't know. Idiot.}

"..."

{KAI: ....}

"Arghh, that damn idiotic response again," I mumbled, growing increasingly annoyed.

However, strangely enough, I don't feel irritated upon seeing those words from Kai.

Maybe it's because I've grown accustomed to it? I don't know, but what I do know is that those words don't bother me anymore.

"Hey, Kai," I called again.

{KAI: What?}

"Thank you," I replied affectionately, looking at him with a smile.

Well, yes, my gratitude is genuine and sincere, without any hidden malice. Got it?

Why? Because without him, I'm sure that I would be already dead a long time ago.

{KAI: ...v}

{KAI: ... Fuck, that's so creepy. Please don't do it anymore.}

Ah, screw it! I already said thank you, and all I receive in return are cursed words?!

Grii... Your damn attitude remains the same as ever. But still, thank you.

"Anyway, enough with the cliché moment for now," I muttered.

{KAI: What are you talking about?}

"Nothing. Anyway, can you help me to determine our exact location?" I asked once again.

{KAI: Sure, I can do that. Just give me a few minutes.}

"..." I remained silent after hearing that.

Holly fucking shit! See, I knew it. This shit is playing with me again.!

"Wait, I thought you didn't know it," I mocked.

{KAI: you know, I am just playing with you, so shut up for a moment. I am scanning the area.}

"Tsk, "I click my tongue.

"Fine," I mumbled.

◇

Ten minutes later...

Damn it, it has already been ten fucking minutes since I asked, and yet still no damn response?!

"Fuck..." I muttered as my patience finally snapped.

-Snap!

"Kai," I said first as I took a breath before continuing.

"What the heck is happening, you fucking ga-" However, my words were abruptly cut off as a notification popped up right in front of my face.

{KAI: Please don't say that.}

"What? You mean, 'Please don't say that'? Are you nuts? It has been ten minutes already!" I yelled as my frustration consumed me once again.

Fuck it; I really hate this impatient side of mine for some fucking reason.

{KAI: Bruh... fine. Anyway, I finally know where we are right now.}

"So?" I replied, still doubtful because of what had just recently happened.

{KAI: Do you see the vandalism in front of us?}

Upon receiving that message, I immediately stood up and took a peek at the front.

But all I saw was a wall. Yes, just a fucking wall. Because right now, I'm in a place where crimes usually happen. And It's called an alley.

What's an alley, you ask? Well, imagine two buildings facing each other. And right in the middle is where I currently find myself.

{KAI: Turn left and look up.}

As I followed Kai's instructions, all I initially saw was a thick layer of moss covering the wall and...

And there was something beneath it.

"Argh... I can't see... Oh, wait! I found it," I exclaimed as I finally noticed what Kai was talking about.

{KAI: Now, read it.}

Read what? So it's not about the moss, but the color of the paint that the moss is covering.

"Ahh, sure, go fuc-" I started to say but paused in the middle.

Wait, that drawing on the wall... isn't that a fucking graffiti?!

"What the hell?! Kai, you bastard," I cursed out loud, looking at Kai with a furious gaze in my eyes.

{KAI: Yo, chill.}

"What the fuck, Kai! How can this vandalism help us know where we are right now?!" I retorted.

{KAI: Calm down, idiot. You can see the vandalism on the wall. However, vandalism doesn't exist in the inner rim, which means...}

"We're in the outer rim," I Blurted, finally realizing our exact location.

{KAI: Correct, you idiot.}

Ah, shit! How did that just slip my mind?! How could I forget about the infamous Outer Rim!

'Outer Rim,' for those who don't know, is a place notorious for its lawless jungle and place of pure chaos.

It's a place where thieves, murderers, and outcasts gather, making it a living hell for most and a paradise for demons.

Now, you may ask, what exactly is this place? Well, it's a ruined district that houses more than 77 percent of the entire ark's population. Yes, you heard that right—77 percent.

The task of getting rid of it proved to be a monumental pain in the ass, so the authorities of the Central Union made the decision to abandon it and turn it into a dump.

But that's not all. Even though the Outer Rim has fallen into such a state, it doesn't mean it's useless. In fact, it serves as the first line of defense for the inner rim.

Now let me take you back in time to understand the history of the Outer Rim. Initially, it wasn't built to be a place for outcasts. It was meant to be a housing city for the lower and middle classes.

However, trouble started brewing just ten years after the ark was established when the Outer Rim fell victim to a devastating invasion.

The result? The once-thriving city turned into a forsaken wasteland where innocent civilians could no longer live.

The lower and middle class, left to fend for themselves, endured immense suffering.

Yet, despite the option to abandon this damn place, groups, organizations, clans, and families emerged, determined to survive in the midst of chaos.

As a result, the Outer Rim became a breeding ground for rebel families and warring clans caught in an ongoing civil war.

And now, here I am, finding myself in the heart of this tumultuous land.

Ha... shit. However, this isn't our only problem. The problem arises regarding which sector we're in.

"Shit, another problem has been solved yet? There's still another one?!" I yelled out of frustration.

{KAI: Well, even though one problem has been solved, we still have another one, huh?}

Fuck you, you're just copying what I said.

"Ha... goddamn it!" I said in a frustrated tone as I slumped my body against the coffin.

While gazing at the scenery in the sky, I yawned, "Huaa..." to calm myself down.

However, as I did that, suddenly, my mind went black. It wasn't because something bad had happened to me but due to the mental exhaustion that I had accumulated from the past events.

That makes me suddenly fall asleep.

Anyway, after it all happened, my mind swiftly drifted away into emptiness, finding solace at last.

But, as my mind went to find its peace.

-Stummp!

-Stummp!

-Stummp!

Then, from the distance, I heard footsteps coming closer and closer to where I was right now.

And because of that, I was forced to let go of my damn sweet sleep.

"Damnit, I just want to fall asleep.." I mumbled in frustration.

However, just before I could get up and take a look, I heard a faint voice coming from it.

"Mama... I'm sorry..."

-Thud!

Following the voice, a loud thud resounded as if someone had fallen to the ground.