Arknights: Mobile City

On one side, Pioneer wandered the wilderness, herding the ten Doubts before him like a shepherd tending his flock.

On the other side, back in the City, Obsidian was in conversation with Texas.

It was now the second day. That morning, Texas had come knocking on Obsidian's door. Instinctively, she felt that whatever Obsidian was hiding wasn't something minor.

It wasn't just something that could affect him—it might involve her as well.

She'd spent half the night tossing and turning in bed, thoughts swirling. In the end, she decided—no matter what it was, she'd lend Obsidian a hand.

A small gesture to repay all the times he'd helped her since arriving on the island.

So that morning, Texas came to visit. But what she hadn't expected was the expression on Obsidian's face—it was entirely different from the day before.

There was a trace of a smile there, replacing yesterday's heavy gloom and hopelessness.

For a moment, even Texas found herself curious—what could've happened in just one night to change him this much?

"Obsidian... did something happen last night?"

Texas eyed him curiously, her voice tinged with genuine interest.

"I got a taste of hope," Obsidian replied with a smile. Then he paused, reflecting for a beat.

He was preparing to "reveal" something to Texas—or rather, to fabricate something.

He would tell her about the A Company he'd invented from thin air, and the so-called 'Heads'. No matter what, this Pioneer identity couldn't be compromised—not to anyone.

It had to remain his secret alone.

"Hope, huh?"

Texas smiled faintly. Seeing him so relaxed lifted her spirits too.

Even though she'd spent all night steeling herself, it looked like that effort wouldn't be necessary after all. But hey—things turning around wasn't bad, right?

"Yeah. Something I hadn't mentioned before—unexpectedly, there was some news about it today."

Obsidian's lips curled into a half-smile. Half truth, half lie.

"When I first arrived in the City, I had a few traveling companions… Together, we founded a company—'A Company'—and began developing parts of the City."

"Later, in order to push forward that development, we went our separate ways. I was the only one who stayed behind."

Obsidian recounted the story, while Texas listened quietly.

Is this him lowering his guard at last?

Until now, Obsidian had never volunteered anything like this.

She couldn't help wondering. If she knew that he was spinning this tale only because he'd made it all up yesterday, who knows what her reaction would be?

"But last night, I received a signal from one of my old companions… His name's Pioneer. He's currently en route to Victoria. Should be back in a few days."

"I'll introduce you when he returns—he'll likely be bringing back a good haul."

Obsidian grinned as he spoke, and Texas nodded in return.

After that, the two chatted casually for a while. Eventually, Obsidian handed over the Threads he'd set aside, telling her it was a reward for helping clean up yesterday.

And as it happened, it was exactly the amount needed to upgrade a (00) Identity to Uptie Level 2.

Once Obsidian explained this, Texas didn't hesitate. She simply accepted the Threads, pulled out her Identity Card, and initiated the uptie process.

A flash of dazzling light swept through the room as the border of her Identity Card transformed into an intricate chain design. Texas closed her eyes, sensing the upgrades the uptie had brought.

Her Thumb identity had now unlocked specialty ammunition—incendiary rounds, armor-piercing shots, and more. Her offensive capability had received another boost.

The scent of power hung thick in the air.

Afterward, Texas headed off to adjust to her upgraded Identity Card. Meanwhile, Obsidian gave the Doubts fresh orders to continue multiplying, then shifted his full attention to Pioneer.

Steel feet met scorched sand, striding onward without pause. Through wind and dust, the squad of robots marched forward.

Obsidian pressed onward in silence, walking beneath the yellow-tinted sky.

At night, he navigated by the stars, moving without rest—robot bodies didn't need sleep. A handy trait.

As for Obsidian's consciousness, rest wasn't even a concept. He was the City's will now—so long as the City didn't sleep, neither would he.

In this way, Pioneer marched for three full days, day and night, without stopping.

Power reserves were running low—about one-sixth remained. Maybe enough to last half a day. And finally, just as the limit neared, Obsidian caught sight of a city's silhouette looming on the far horizon.

There was no mistaking it. That… was Victoria.

At the sight of the towering city, Obsidian felt a surge of elation.

Without hesitation, he quickened his pace and rushed toward it. Before long, he stepped onto one of Victoria's mobile cities.

There was no denying it—Victoria was prosperous.

By comparison, the current state of the City seemed downright primitive.

After showing his identification and merchant permits, Obsidian passed through customs smoothly under the name Pioneer. Just like that, he officially entered a minor city under Victoria's massive nation.

Where exactly he'd ended up didn't matter to him.

What mattered now was finding a buyer—someone who'd purchase his Doubts. Preferably one who could also provide large quantities of steel.

Wandering through the city streets, Obsidian kept his hat brim low, thoughts churning.

All around him, passersby were casting curious glances his way—and at the ten Doubts trailing behind him. Clearly, this wasn't something they saw every day.

Just as he was mulling over where to sell his goods, he suddenly felt a light tap against his steel frame.

The touch was flat, like... a wing?

Snapped from his thoughts, Obsidian looked up—his eyes glowing softly—only to see something that genuinely surprised him.

"Yo, bro. What are these things?"

Standing before him was a penguin.

Wearing sunglasses.

The penguin peered at him and the Doubts with undisguised curiosity. Then he looked up again at Obsidian and asked in a laid-back, friendly tone.

Obsidian couldn't help the smile that rose to his lips, warmth flickering in his thoughts.

The penguin before him was none other than the Beastmaster himself—the future boss of Penguin Logistics—

The Emperor.