Karry opened his locker and packed his belongings into a small bag.
As he closed the locker door, countless thoughts filled his mind.
"Why did they bring me here in the first place... just to threaten my life?"
"Why do they kill innocent people?"
"Are they really protecting humanity from the Entities..."
"Or is there another truth hidden behind all of this?"
He tightened his grip on his bag.
"I have to find the truth."
"But before that..."
"I have to make sure my head stays on my neck."
Karry walked out of his room.
Outside, Sasha was waiting for him.
She looked at him quietly before speaking.
Sasha: "When will you come back?"
Karry smiled bitterly.
Karry: "I don't know..."
"Maybe a year..."
"Or three..."
His voice trailed off.
Neither of them finished the sentence.
Both already knew what the next possibility was.
He might never return.
Sasha forced herself to smile.
Sasha: "Karry..."
"No matter what happens..."
"Promise me you'll survive."
Karry nodded.
Karry: "I'll try."
He turned and continued walking toward the exit.
Before he could leave the facility, Kernel called out to him.
Kernel: "Karry."
Karry stopped and turned around.
Kernel walked over and handed him three items.
A map.
A diary.
And a sealed letter.
Kernel: "Take these."
"They'll help you during your journey."
He pointed at the sealed letter.
Kernel: "Don't open this until you've completely left Ritna."
Karry accepted the items.
Karry: "Thank you."
Kernel simply nodded.
Without another word, Karry entered the elevator leading out of the underground facility.
The doors opened.
For the first time in a long while, he stepped back into the outside world.
He walked toward a taxi waiting nearby.
Karry: "Sir."
"I need a ride."
The driver glanced at him through the window.
Driver: "Where to?"
Karry: "Beyond Ritna."
The driver looked at him silently before opening the door.
Driver: "Get in."
Karry entered the taxi.
The driver extended his hand.
Driver: "Fare first."
Without saying a word, Karry tossed him a strange coin.
It wasn't an ordinary coin.
An X was engraved on its surface.
The driver caught it, examined it for a moment, and smiled.
Driver: "So..."
"You know the way."
He started the engine.
The taxi slowly pulled away.
Hours later...
Ritna disappeared into the distance.
Karry looked out the window at the unfamiliar world stretching endlessly before him.
He took a deep breath.
"This journey..."
"...is going to be far harder than I imagined."
[End of chapter]