I then began walking toward the upper zone, where my shop was located, accompanied by Chloe and Avery. The streets of Helix City that morning felt slightly calmer than usual, although the shadow of conflict between the two major organizations still pressed heavily in the air. Our steps were brisk, each of us wrapped in thoughts and curiosity about what would happen next.
Moments later, we arrived in front of my shop, a small but cozy place I had built with great effort since I first arrived in the metropolitan city of Helix. I pulled out the key and opened the door to the store that had long served as my refuge from the chaos of the outside world. As soon as the door opened, the familiar aroma of a room full of collectibles—a mix of old wood, new plastic, and a bit of nostalgic dust—welcomed us.
I told Chloe and Avery to sit on the chairs near the cashier's desk while I headed to the back room, where I stored my personal belongings. I searched for the beach clothes I used to wear before all this madness began. It felt like stepping back in time, when life was still simple.
Since my apartment was destroyed in the fierce battle between Avery and the Helix soldiers—a battle that also left me stabbed and nearly dead—my life had never truly returned to normal. And now, I had been pulled even deeper into the massive conflict between the two organizations that had long governed this continent from the shadows. I took a deep breath and packed some clothes into my backpack. Maybe this trip to the beach could help clear my mind a bit.
Meanwhile, in the front room of the shop, the point of view shifted to Avery. She seemed interested in the neatly arranged game rack on the right wall. Her hand traced the row of new games until it stopped at one with a stunning cover, a fantasy isekai title called The Last Fantasy XVI.
The cover showed a black-robed knight with a massive sword, standing alone on the edge of a crumbling world. Avery stood still for a moment, her eyes deeply focused on the image as if seeing something familiar—perhaps an old memory or a buried desire to escape to another world.
Not far from her, Chloe also found something that caught her attention. She was browsing the shelf of old videotapes, one of the classic collections only available in my store. Her hand stopped at a tape with a fading label. After staring at it for a few seconds, she smiled slightly.
The title was Ashes of Love: Apocalypse Edition, a heartbreaking drama about a husband and wife trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Chloe had always liked stories that touched the heart—and perhaps because that story reflected something from her own scarred life.
Not long after, I returned to the front room with my backpack now filled with beach clothes. But as soon as I opened the door, I was startled by Chloe and Avery, who were suddenly standing very close in front of me.
"Hi, Ethan!" they said almost in unison, their mischievous smiles nearly making me drop my bag.
"Geez, you two!" I exclaimed, startled, but I couldn't hide the laughter that followed.
Seeing how excited they looked, I could only sigh, then smile. "Just take whatever you like. As long as you're happy, I'm happy too," I said sincerely.
Chloe and Avery didn't hesitate. They immediately split up and picked the items they wanted. Chloe hugged her chosen videotape tightly like a treasure, while Avery proudly held her new game as if it were a sacred weapon. Seeing them so happy, my heart felt a little lighter. In the middle of all this chaos, at least I could still make someone smile.
After a few minutes, the three of us gathered again in front of the store. I made sure everything was securely locked, then pulled down the steel shutter and locked the final door. It felt like saying a temporary goodbye to our second home.
Without much more conversation, the three of us began walking along the sidewalks of several Helix City districts, chatting casually about the beach up in the northern part of Continent MU. The wind began to blow stronger, bringing with it a refreshing breeze and the occasional noise of a slightly busy urban area. Though we still didn't know what awaited us ahead, one thing was certain—for now, we just wanted to feel a bit of peace, even if only for a moment.
During the walk out of the store and through the district, Chloe finally explained something quite important.
"If we want to go to the north of Continent MU, we'll need a car," said Chloe while adjusting her hair blown by the afternoon wind. "It's a long way. We also have to take the highway and pass through the Amatsu Mountains, the highest range on this continent. Walking or public transport isn't an option, especially now that things are still unstable."
Avery and I just exchanged glances. We hadn't imagined it would be that far. Apparently, this trip to the beach wasn't just a quick getaway for refreshing—it was a real journey beyond the city, even through the mountains. But Chloe looked calm. "Don't worry, I've got a car at my apartment. We can use that."
We continued our walk to Chloe's apartment. Along the way, she explained the route we would take. First, we'd leave the Helix city area toward the countryside below it, a peaceful region surrounded by hydroponic tech fields and classic-modern styled houses.
After that, we'd enter the highway via Shinmachi City, a small town with a strong Japanese ambiance. Its architecture was inspired by old Kyoto and Tokyo, complete with kanji signboards, little red bridges over artificial rivers, and neon lanterns starting to glow as dusk approached.
"We'll have to pay E-Toll when we enter Neo-Ironridge," added Chloe. "Or in the official name: Qingshui City. That city was built by refugees from mainland China after the destruction caused by Honkai. Now it's become a hub of Chinese cultural trade on Continent MU. A blend of tradition and technology."
I listened closely, slowly starting to realize how vast and complex the world beyond Helix really was—the city that had been the center of my life. This trip was shaping up to be more than just a beach vacation.
Once we arrived at Chloe's apartment, we went straight down to the underground parking area. The place was spacious, with neon lighting and a clean security system. But the biggest surprise came when Chloe unlocked her car from a distance.
Avery and I both stopped in our tracks. A midnight blue sports car lit up—THE BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN M AUTOMOBILES. Its body was sleek, elegant, yet eye-catching with the aerodynamic design typical of luxury European cars.
"This is your car?" I asked, almost in disbelief.
Avery just shrugged. "It's just a car."
But to me, this wasn't just a car. It was a vehicle owned only by a select few. Even the sound of the engine was smooth yet powerful, like the growl of a sleeping beast.
Chloe walked closer with a smile, noticing the awe on my face. "Relax, Ethan. This car has been with me since I first came to Helix. A lot of memories, a lot of escapes too."
After Chloe finished preparing everything, the three of us got into the car. Avery sat in the back, while I took the front passenger seat. The interior was comfortable and high-tech, with a touch screen, digital dashboard, and warm synthetic leather seats. Chloe started the engine, then slowly drove out of the garage, passing through city streets now lit by the evening lights.
The car sped through the heart of Helix, entering the main route that led beyond the city limits. A few minutes later, we began entering the highway. The highways in Continent MU were designed futuristically: solar-layered asphalt, lampposts that changed color depending on the weather, and lanes wide enough for cars and motorcycles. But it was clear that highways were more "friendly" to cars. Not only were they faster, but the cost was cheaper thanks to government-subsidized digital E-Tolls.
I stared out the car window. From the elevated highway wrapping around the city's edge, the full view of Helix could be seen. The skyscrapers stood like rows of future obelisks, most glowing blue or purple from neon panels and holographic ads. The traffic was orderly, and in the distance, transport aircraft could be seen taking off from the air station.
I remained silent. For some reason, seeing the city from this angle made me feel like a stranger in my own home. Everything I'd been through lately—the battle with the Helix soldiers, the stab wound, the inter-organizational conflict, the destruction of my apartment—seemed to fade for a moment, left behind within the glowing walls of this city.
The sunlight began to fade, replaced by an orange sky slowly turning deep blue. The wind from outside felt cool, and for the first time in a while… I felt at peace.
But for some reason, there was something in the air that gave me goosebumps. Not from the cold. But a premonition that something was going to happen. Yet for now, I could only watch Helix through the car window, quietly holding on to my awe… and my questions.