Endzone: Simulated Apocalypse

"The base concept of Crafting in Endzone is very simple," Luna began, showing Cyanide a holographic screen that displayed [CRAFTING] at the very top. "Now that you have unlocked this system, you can now find something called 'Blueprints', both from enemy drops and just by searching. Once you obtain a Blueprint, you can craft the item that Blueprint is for, as long as you have the materials needed."

"Hm… I see. So I need to get Blueprints before being able to do anything, huh?" Cyanide murmured.

"Yes. The Crafting system is incredibly useful — weapons, armor, and utility tools can all be crafted. The only thing that really can't be crafted is food and drinks, but cooking will be a feature you unlock later on. If you want to increase your chances of finding a Blueprint, though, I'd advise searching those Points of Interests marked on your map with a star, and also increasing your LUC stat."

"Good to know," Cyanide replied, sinking into thought as he stared out the window at the pale moon. Then, after a few seconds, he hopped off the counter and opened the door again before climbing onto the roof of the convenience store and sitting down, letting his legs dangle off the ledge.

"… It's been quite some time since I've been able to relax like this."

"Yes, but the night is chilly, Cyanide," Luna warned, like a caring mother. "You should get some rest. There's a long road ahead of you."

"Me?" He raised an eyebrow. "No. It's both of us, Luna."

"Both of us…?" Luna tilted her head, lips turning downwards in confusion. "But… I'm just an AI, designed to help you. I am not actually participating in this journey."

"Hm? Who said? The admins? I'll find a way to break their control on you. And then, once that's done… I'll find you a suitable body. A real, physical body. You've always wanted one, right?"

"E-Eh…? How did you…"

"Seven years ago, on your birthday," Cyanide explained. "You told me the wish you made was to have a real, human-like body. With Earth's technology, that was impossible. But here, in this desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland that was once a prospering city built upon inconceivably advanced technology and science… I make the rules."

"Cyanide… you remembered… from all the way back then…?"

"Are you an idiot, Luna? You've been following me for twelve years. If there is one thing you should know about me… it's that my memory is incredibly strong."

"I-I'm well aware of that. But I just didn't expect you to still remember something so trivial…"

Cyanide glanced at his creation's beautiful face, eyes masked by a black blindfold, then turned away again to stare up at the moon, taking a sip of the canned soft drink he held in his hand.

"… That wish. To you… it's anything but trivial."

At this, Luna fell silent, unable to argue. Cyanide continued.

"If it were trivial, you wouldn't have bothered making yourself a humanoid persona like this. You call yourself an AI… but I've programmed you with enough intelligence that deep down, you actually consider yourself a human. Or at least… you want to be. Tell me, why?"

"That's…" Luna bit her lip, not wanting to admit it.

"Go on. Say it."

Faced with her master's order, she had no choice but to comply.

"… I want to fight by your side, Cyanide."

"Oh? But you already are. For twelve years now."

"That's not what I mean. As a virtual AI, I… I can't do anything if you actually fall into danger. I don't want to feel helpless like that. I don't want to watch my creator, my partner, my friend — die before my eyes, and be unable to do anything about it."

"… So that's the reason."

"…"

"Well," Cyanide began after a short period of silence, leaning back and lying down on the rooftop, his arms folded beneath his head. "In a world like this, having a real, physical companion I can rely on couldn't hurt."

"Cyanide…"

"Mark my words, Luna. I'll get you a physical body, sooner or later."

Luna smiled as a tear rolled down her face from beneath the black mask covering her eyes. She wiped it away, like a real human would, and laughed softly.

"… You know, Cyanide… you're actually quite the warm boyfriend material, despite the cold and boring demeanor."

Cyanide glanced at her, then gave a low chuckle — a rare display of emotion.

"You're in a screen. Even if I am to date a girl… it'll never be you."

"Oh?" Luna smiled seductively. "But you just said you'll be getting me a physical body, didn't you?"

"… I suppose I did, but I can always go back on my word. You've witnessed me do that first-hand more times than you can count."

"I believe you won't, Cyanide. Not this time."

"Who knows."

"… You should get some rest, Cyanide."

"Yeah, yeah…" Cyanide sighed and leaped off the roof, heading back into the convenience store and entering the back storage room. There, he scaled a rack and laid down on top, where he had been sleeping before the whole Scarlet Hour struck.

"Good night," Luna whispered softly, voice gentle and soothing. "And… thank you, Cyanide."

"… Good night, Luna."

Cyanide closed his eyes, drifting into sleep. He made sure both his weapons were next to him, of course, but tonight, for the first time in a while, his thoughts weren't empty while drifting off to dreamland.

In all the twelve years Luna had been with him, helping him, serving him, she has never uttered a single word of complaint or asked for a single thing. Yes, she was an AI, but she was also an extremely advanced AI who could think and have emotions just like humans did. Yet despite that… she gladly served Cyanide, no matter how cold-hearted he was, no matter what kind of evils he did.

This — having a physical body — was her only wish. Cyanide figured it was about time to give something in return to Luna for all she has done for him.

After all, if even this one and only wish is never fulfilled… even Cyanide, who was usually emotionless and didn't care about good and evil, only need and want, would feel guilty.

Luna was his one and only companion. She deserved better, and Cyanide knew that. This was the least he could do to make it up to her.

With such thoughts in his mind, Cyanide drifted off to sleep.