A FEW DAYS LATER
After a long journey, through traffic jams, inter-regional highways, and artificial forests separating the major cities of the MU Continent, the three of us finally arrived at the border of Anchester City. As the car exited the main toll gate, the view that unfolded before us was truly breathtaking.
Avery and I simultaneously leaned forward toward the windshield, our eyes widening as we took in the cityscape that looked like a living painting. Chloe, driving calmly, just smiled slightly at our reactions.
"Welcome to Anchester, the city with the identity of the old world," she said, as if quoting a tourism brochure.
Anchester was no ordinary city. Built based on blueprints from 21st-century cities, it was designed with a blend of classic European architecture, American urbanism, and East Asian elements. Victorian-style houses stood beside minimalist Japanese skyscrapers.
The streets were lined with lantern-style streetlights, wide parks with digital fountains, and small cafes that looked like they were taken straight out of old Paris or Seoul. On every corner, it was clear this city wasn't just a place to live, but a living museum—a representation of Earth's once-prosperous past before the age of destruction began.
The city's population was also relatively dense, unlike most cities on the MU Continent that were strictly limited by territorial regulations. Anchester instead used a local legal system inspired by constitutions and laws from 21st-century nations. In fact, there was even a sort of internal passport for the city's residents, which could be used to move between districts or access certain zones.
"People used to call Anchester a 'miniature world.' Now I get what they meant," I murmured while watching the crowds of pedestrians, street food vendors speaking various languages and accents, and street performers playing old songs on classic electronic instruments.
Avery also looked amazed. "It's like... a city that never sleeps. And... there's something warm about it."
Chloe added, "Summer in Anchester is the golden season. But actually, winter gets even more crowded. A lot of people come to ski in the northern mountains. That's also one of the reasons why this city's economy is stable."
From the car window, I glanced toward the north—highlands with a range of mountains towering in the distance, faintly visible behind a thin mist. The snow hadn't fallen yet, but I could already imagine the place transforming into a paradise for tourists once winter arrived.
Yet behind its beauty, there was a bitter truth hidden beneath the bustle. Many of this city's residents were descendants of refugees. People who had once fled from the great cataclysm that devastated Earth. Major cities around the world had been lost, drowned, or filled with radiation and monsters mutated by the Honkai.
And one of the places that was once a top destination, the Hawaiian Islands, had now become a forbidden zone—dominated by radiation and terrifying creatures of the Beastborn and Pureborn types. From afar, Anchester's beach faced directly toward that island. Ironic, right? A place once symbolic of tropical vacations, now no more than a red zone. No one dared go near it, except Valkyrie military units or researchers in full protection.
Even so, despite such threats in the distance, Anchester's beach remained a magnet for local tourists. Its white sands were still clean, the seawater clear, and the atmosphere safe thanks to Security patrols and automated beach drones.
A short while later, we finally reached the parking area near the beach. Chloe turned off the engine, and the three of us stepped out of the vehicle. The sound of waves greeted us immediately, blending with seabird calls and the laughter of beachgoers.
Avery stared at the ocean with a blank expression. "I... never went to the beach with my father," she said quietly.
I glanced at Chloe, but she didn't react oddly. Of course—not yet. She still didn't know that Alexa's real name was Avery. Only I knew the truth, and for now, that secret remained safe.
Chloe then turned to Avery and said, "Alexa, let's go change clothes."
Avery nodded softly and followed Chloe toward the women's changing stalls. I stood for a few seconds, watching them disappear into the crowd.
"Come on, Ethan, you too. Get changed in the men's changing room. Don't make us wait too long," Chloe shouted before entering.
I chuckled lightly, then walked toward the men's changing room. But my steps slowed when I looked back toward the city.
From this beach... I could see most of Anchester City. The sunlight reflected off the windows of tall buildings, creating shimmering glints that danced in the air. People of various nationalities, descendants of refugees, living side by side, selling, playing, laughing.
Inside the men's changing room, I hadn't even opened my locker when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. A young man suddenly bumped into me hard enough to push me slightly backward.
"Watch it!" I exclaimed instinctively.
"Sorry! Really sorry!" he said quickly, breathless. "I... I'm being chased!"
I squinted at him. "Chased? By who?"
He stood up and fixed his half-unzipped hoodie. His eyes looked nervously toward the hallway, then back at me. "A strange woman. She's been following me. If she gets here... I'm done for."
Before I could respond, the sound of a woman's footsteps echoed closer from the hallway. The young man, who then introduced himself as Tetsuo, quickly stood behind me, half-hiding. Then the girl appeared.
Her steps were graceful, yet firm. Her long brown hair was tied back, shining under the sunlight streaming through the slatted windows. Her face was calm, but her gaze sharp and focused. She wore a light blue blouse and a white skirt, looking like a regular tourist... if not for the cold aura she carried with her.
And... yeah. Her breasts were big. Hard not to notice. But more striking was the way she stood. Firm. Like someone used to being in control. She stopped right in front of us.
"Excuse me," she said politely, her voice soft yet firm. "Have you seen a young man named Tetsuo come this way?"
I glanced behind me, seeing Tetsuo gripping my shoulder tightly.
"Who are you?" I asked.
The girl brought both hands together in front of her body, as if to show she meant no harm. "My name is Aiko Nakamura. I'm looking for Tetsuo because we have a personal matter to settle."
"He's not an ordinary person!" Tetsuo whispered behind me. "Please, don't hand me over to her. She's dangerous!"
I turned to him quickly. "I only met you five minutes ago."
Aiko took a step closer. Her gaze remained calm, but the pressure of her presence seemed to increase. "Tetsuo, I don't want to make a scene. Come with me. This is an internal matter, and you know it."
Tetsuo stayed hidden behind me. "I don't want to go back! She just wants to lock me up!"
I looked at them both. Felt like I was stuck in some stranger's personal drama.
Aiko looked at me again. "Are you his friend?"
"No," I replied briefly. "He just suddenly showed up and hid behind me."
"In that case, I ask for your cooperation in handing him over to me. I promise, this isn't about violence."
I looked into Tetsuo's eyes. Filled with fear, but also hiding something unsaid. I recognized that expression—someone hiding the truth. And I figured I didn't want to get too involved.
"Sorry," I said quietly to him.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and gently nudged him forward toward Aiko.
Tetsuo looked at me like I'd just stabbed him in the back. "I thought you were loyal…"
"I didn't even remember your name properly," I replied calmly.
Aiko took his arm gently, but with full control. She then bowed deeply to me.
"Thank you for your cooperation. My name is Aiko Nakamura… Valkyrie Rank B."
I was slightly surprised, but simply nodded in response. Aiko led him away without causing a scene. Their footsteps faded down the same hallway they came from. I stood there for a few seconds, trying to process everything.
Then I opened my locker and changed clothes. Just a simple beach shirt and shorts—comfortable enough to blend into the laid-back mood outside.
As soon as I stepped out of the changing room, the sea breeze greeted me. Warm, salty, and refreshing. The beach was getting crowded—people playing ball, children running around, others relaxing under straw umbrellas. The waves came and went in a soothing rhythm.
I walked toward the white sand, letting my feet feel its warm surface. A few steps later, I spotted two figures standing under the shade of a coconut tree.
Avery and Chloe.
Avery wore a navy-blue beach outfit with a sheer, transparent outer layer. Her sunglasses made her expression hard to read, but I knew she was watching me. Chloe beside her wore a straw hat and smiled brightly as she saw me.
"Ethan!" she called out, waving.
I waved back and walked toward them. Avery only nodded slightly.
"All set?" Chloe asked cheerfully.
I nodded, then gazed out at the ocean for a moment.
"Good," said Avery calmly. "Let's go to the water's edge."
Without discussing anything else, the three of us walked toward the gently rolling waves. The sound of water, wind, and children's laughter blended in a peaceful rhythm. For now... this was enough. I decided to enjoy this beach.