Chapter 191

  It couldn’t be just about the Walkers. Normal people were in numerous high positions—the military more than included—and they needed to stay and do their jobs. A couple of cases might be equally important as Walkers, or too bothersome to even consider.

  It wasn't a grand sacrifice; many people simply went with the flow and took part in a much greater engine because someone had to do it.

  The internal stability, finances, development, and many other subjects were up to the ordinary people, while the Walkers provided safety and support for them from further away. It was an inevitable cycle that worked for decades, even though the Assembly wasn't a simple island and fortress.

  Assembly was a place where agreement and connection were worth concessions of utmost value. It was also a place where words carried a very substantial weight, almost like promises, or missions involving the destruction or living of thousands of people.

  The Pillars were guards and ultimate sources of stability and power, and not just anyone could be one. Missions involving the great dangers, support, and protection of the Federation and Assembly were up to them. Mi-Yung was the youngest, yet carried the most tricky missions for her Rank or beyond constantly.

  William was mindful of it like an art on the wall. It was distant, not much there, yet one could respect it.

  Those Pillars were also in his head because of Ellie, who gave these figures clever attention because they touched upon policies of this land and Walkers. It was something William had to know for his own sake, so Ellie wasn’t one bit polite about her exposition.

  He could see that sort of person in Mi-Yung. He assumed those lofty Walkers as wise and boundless. Someone like Kaufman came to mind immediately. Not her. It was just… well, it wasn’t too difficult to see it, but believing wasn't seeing. He just had to get it to his head.

  When Mi-Yung heard his acceptance, she cheered. “I knew you wouldn't let go of me. And even if you would, I would clinch.”

  “Is it necessary? Why are you doing this so much? It is just a library. Quiet learning goes a long way.”

  “Simple. Since I never had a chance to repay your father, I will pay it back through you. Call it whatever you want: forceful, silly, or bothersome. You will change your mind, silly.” Mi-Yung kicked wood away, approached him, and looked at him closely in an innocent taunt.

  She was ready to move out, not only because of William but also someone else.

  William mumbled something under his nose and got up as well. “Whatever. I might as well use you, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Like this home of yours? Am I detained and truly kidnapped?”

  “Home? Oh, yeah. It is totally mine. Do you like it?”

  William had no adjustments to her in his head. Personality aside, she wasn’t sounding old. Still, a couple of her parts reminded him of miss Anderson, who had a very firm tone and face, and William long ago uncovered her kind heart.

  Mi-Yung was not like her; she was much worse, open, and as savage as her. That didn't mean he couldn't uncover whether her deal was off to a decent start or missing because she wasn't good at it. He would rather let this be if he could.

  Acting alone until the Examination wasn’t a peaceful choice. It was up to more choices, which in his mind stirred many prolonged facts.

  Perhaps nothing could prepare him for that phase, or dealings of organizations. It could have presented him a chance in the past, but those were nothing but touches on a kid and proposals for the military. So, it was a choice that would probably never leave his life ever again. Which was something he never wanted to do, and Dann made sure of it.

  Rank 1 was restless. He should set his knowledge like a sponge, think twice about these people, and start to think further. Like teammates, or this society. Of help too, perhaps? Of… friends. It was a weird desire and an even more difficult concept for an Outsider.

  But with force, and stubborn hope of adjustment, perhaps even he could do it. There was no hurry, for his talent and Rank 0 define affinity and his results.

  “Go pack up. We go right away,” Mi-Yung ordered.

  “Yes... yes...” he grumpily acknowledged and walked to his room. Shutting the door, he leaned on it and... reconsidered his life.

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  “Just what the hell am I doing and thinking? This is so odd. It was nothing like yesterday?! Mi-Yung... She is crazy! I swear...”

  Mumbling could do only so much. He took his bottle, washed his face, and put on his new shoes. William was ready to move on, whether it was literal or physical.

  Before the main door, Mi-Yung wore the same clothes. Her shoes were casual, and she even got a wide hat against the sun to hide her face a little. It did nothing to her otherwise charming figure and chin or neck, or that bit of her Emblem.

  It enchanted some of her features, and when she was focused yet casual, unremarkable acts of her authority remained or were already etched onto her being.

  She wasn’t doing it intentionally; she planned to stick to being casual, and her friendliness would make her approachable. One would not guess she was a high-ranking Walker at all if she dropped the bullet and used all the buttons.

  After review, she did reach that one last bit and closed her shirt. Not even a speck of Emblem was visible.

  “Just a bottle?” she asked when William approached her, and she looked at him from head to shoes.

  “Should I take something else?”

  “How is your immune system and calory sequences?”

  “Huh? Not… sure what you mean.”

  “Alright. What about snacks?”

  “I have some credits.”

  “Credits?” she frowned. “Oh, I forgot about them completely!” She slammed her face.

  “I know. Luke got me some. Out of pity, I think.” William quickly said and showed her a couple of papers from his pocket.

  “Yeah, I will give you more later because of all the workloads and stuff. You are here without permits, so it is my responsibility to take care of that. For now, the library is a priority, that card is yours, so let's go.”

  Moving out of the door, William followed her fast walking pace that was far too inhuman. He had trouble. And not by a little bit. Thanks to her long legs, which made her taller than him by quite a bit…well, William wasn't that tall for his age. He was fifteen years old after all, so Mi-Yung was more than a head taller.

  “Are we in a hurry?” William asked as if he never wanted to run again.

  “I am walking, and we actually talked far too long. You are also slow. I swear… You need to train, or are you a chicken?” she said as she walked, glancing at a little watch she had in her pocket. It was silvery gold, looking extravagant and like the finest gem.

  “Ch-chicken…” William mumbled in denial, didn't see her watch, and didn't like how confident and unreasonable she sounded. “I am a lot of things, but not a chicken! There is no need to hurry.” Gritting his teeth, he almost spits these words in an unyielding tone.

  Mi-Yung chuckled, cocked her head behind, and taunted him even more. “If you want to keep up, do it.”

  “You think I can't?” he frowned and immediately bumped into her as she stopped.

  “Oh, alright.” She moved and put her palms on his shoulders.

  All of a sudden, an enormous mountain of force pushed down on William’s body, shuddering and shocking his legs. He would feel like a chicken met with a hammer if it weren't for her grip. He gritted his teeth and flexed his arms, but the pressure was so much that he couldn't even lift his arms against hers.

  He still fell to his knees in less than a few moments because Mi-Yung elevated the force exponentially. She watched with surprise and took notes on his body and strands of strength. It wasn't as good as she hoped, frankly, but something very deep made her question it altogether.

  Mi-Yung watched him from the higher ground as if nothing bad had happened whatsoever.

  The hiding crimson hadn’t howled at all. A bit odd.

  “Was it dangerous?”

  “What was this for?” William demanded, feeling no pain as it stopped. It was shocking how it washed away.

  “You passed my first test,” Mi-Yung smirked with a hidden meaning. “Almost. Well, not really. I suppose a lot is missing. A lot of youths are like that when growing, let alone doing Walker stuff.”

  “I… I don’t want you to be my teacher, just in case you don't understand my words.” William mumbled in unwillingness.

  “What? Have I heard something?”

  “…”

  “Get up, will you? I teased you a bit, and it isn't bad. I just felt you a little. Just a couple of hundred pounds is nothing, right?”

  William got up, knees wavering, and arms tightening. “I am fine.”

  “Sure you are. Have you worked hard Outside to make a living?”

  “I bet you already know about it. Camp Roshwell and my job. Do you also know miss Anderson.”

  Mi-Yung responded with a smile. “Yes. Yes. No. I don’t work with orphanages that much. I guess training and living there did leave their mark on you, but I am not good with such meager ideas. Maybe someone else could be up for this task, eh?” She had a devilish idea.

  “No.” William refused her and simply walked away. He knew the way to the library by heart.

  Mi-Yung watched his back with unknown thoughts. She wondered what kind of feeling that Emblem left in her touch, or what sort of life he endured, and what else was hiding in that mind and memories. She didn't even know a shred of his story.

  The last two years gave enough change, leaving the remaining eight in a fog of war and absurdity. Or a very brutal, hellish reality.

  Recalling speculative stories, Mi-Yung wanted them to be real.

  She read throughout the report made by Anderson dozens of times and linked multiple things to hundreds of other reports. That’s how she encountered him for the first time.

  Dealing with his father and mother, Mi-Yung had conflicted feelings and even more attention to everything. She felt uneasy because of it and wished to have more than a healthy dose of skepticism. Mi-Yung thought she was close to the truth. She thought she deserved it, yet nothing consistent came from assumptions.

  Time lost its meaning and hid a lot of things.

  Like William, she accepted a lot of things and tried to move on.

  “Hey, don't leave me behind!” Mi-Yung lost her trance and moved her legs.

  “I don’t want to hear about it unless you will give me great detail about the rest of the Examination. Toss secrets here and there, and I might listen more than well to anything you wish to say and ask for.” William said, turned his head, and readied his face to see her denial or excuses.

  It was an interesting idea that came through Ellie's teachings. However, Mi-Yung had different plans. He forced her to accept it. “Alright. Sure.”

  “Really?” William eyed her as she passed him and returned to a much wilder pace. Then he grimaced and watched her cheeky smile.