Sometime earlier...
Four men in space-suit-like military outfits sat in a jeep.
"Supervisor, are you sure this is a good idea?" - Jastin asked from the backseat.
"We already prepared this ridiculous makeshift white flag from white t-shirts and anti-rust paint, so I would hate to back off now. And I told you, call me Kaydn now." - The supervisor, Kaydn, said.
"... This is insane, you know." - Augun voiced.
"Perhaps. But do we have a choice?" - Kaydn replied.
"Maybe we can try to befriend the Survivors?" - Bantlae suggested.
"Don't even bother. They might have been good folk in the past, but after a dozen years of inhuman conditions and eating monster flesh, they have grown cruel, distrustful, and bandit-like. Half of them would welcome us with open arms before slitting our throats in our sleep. And the other half would just shoot us." - Jastin said.
"Jastin is right. I prefer taking my chances with the Kin rather than the survivors. This is the fucked-up world we live in." - Augun nodded.
"Yes, and that is why we can only hope to bet on the rational minds of the Ascended and hope that they have a hint of compassion for human antiques like us." - Kaydn said with melancholy.
"If they even trust us at this point." - Augun added.
"And don't forget that they have an incentive to kill us. Our corpses can serve in evolving their Kin troops. All our dead comrades are probably... Hah..." - Bantlae sighed.
"... It is a risk worth taking. Worse comes to worst, I die, and the three of you leave." - Kaydn said, determined.
"..."
The car fell silent.
A few minutes later, they arrived in front of the Kin field, around a kilometer away. In front of them was the aftermath of the massacre they escaped by chance.
The men exited the car, and Augun took out the makeshift flag.
"Good luck, sir." - Augun handed the flag with a heavy heart.
"Augun, if I die there, you shall be in charge. Do as you see fit." - Kaydn said, taking the flag.
Kaydn was unarmed, and only his powered exoskeleton gave him some semblance of protection. But the men knew the Kin would rip it to shreds with ease.
"I will, sir." - Augun replied.
And so, the supervisor, Kaydn, marched toward death, hoping to latch on to a last glimmer of hope.
900m...
700m...
400m...
100m...
Soon, he stopped 30m away from the field. As luck would have it, the Kin didn't launch an attack. Yet. But at least there was some hope of communication.
Taking a deep breath, Kaydn stabbed the flag into the creep-covered ground and spoke what might be his final words.
"Ascended, please listen to my selfish request. My people need your help!" - Kaydn spoke in earnest.
But there was no reply. He didn't expect an immediate response either. Just the fact they didn't send a volley of arrows and spears his way was a good sign. The Ascended was likely listening.
Taking the chance that might slip away at any moment, he continued.
"Ascended, I am Supervisor Kaydn of Apex Technologies recon bunker 127. I apologize for our conduct and know we are guilty. I know you might not forgive us for our actions, but please, hear me out! We got betrayed by Apex Technologies. They abandoned us. They want us to die like stray dogs. But we refuse to die like this. That is why we come to you, our last hope. Now, we only seek to become Ascended and survive. If you have a way for us, please, help us! If you are still angry at what we did, you are welcome to take my life, but please, help my men." - Kaydn pleaded.
He was already prepared to die. But it was not purely out of selflessness.
The last twelve years put too much of a mental burden on him. The information and suspicions he held but never shared ate at his sanity. And the death of his men weighed heavily on his already tattered mind.
At this point, death was a form of release. If he was to die, so be it.
Yet, contrary to his suicidal expectations, his martyrdom never came.
Instead, only silence greeted him.
Either they were ignoring him, or they were considering his request.
"Let's hope for the latter..." - He thought.
A few minutes later, an armored Kin walked out of the field, looking like a mixture of a Medieval knight and Hellenistic hoplite.
He recognized it as a Soldier-type Kin Leader.
The Kin Leader walked closer and closer until it was barely 5m away.
At this distance, if it wanted to, it could impale him in the blink of an eye.
And yet, it didn't. Instead...
Stab*
The Kin Leader stabbed his spear into the ground, symbolizing that peace talks can be established.
"Hah..." - Kaydn breathed out a sigh.
Whether it was out of relief or disappointment, only he knew.
The Kin Leader took two more steps forward and took the white flag, accepting the parley.
And then, it turned back while motioning with its arm for him to follow.
He knew he was about to meet the Ascended that massacred his men.
Taking another deep breath, Kaydn followed it into the Kin Field, the death zone that would kill him within minutes without his life support.
And then he started the long trek through the Kin Field, a term coined for all the possible forms a Kin Field can take. In this case, it became a lush forest, almost a dense jungle.
No light penetrated inside this forest, but there were faintly glowing plants here and there, giving it a mystical vibe. However, it was half-lost on him due to using night vision. Without the night vision, he would be as blind as a bat.
However, that didn't stop Kaydn from noticing the shape of the plants. Some of them he vaguely remembered, and others not. But, the sight of the many fruits hanging from the trees, the berries on the bushes, the mushrooms on the trees and ground, the herbs, vegetables, and roots... They all entered his vision. There were even cacao fruits and coffee berries.
A glint of envy flashed in his eyes.
"How long has it been since I enjoyed a hot cup of chocolate or coffee? How I miss the taste of sweet fruit. To eat stir-fried vegetables. To enjoy these simple dishes that I took for granted. Hah... how desperate am I to envy these simple things?" - The man thought in melancholy.
Shaking his head, he continued following the Kin Leader.
The trek was uneven, and it was several miles long. And yet, Kaydn felt no fatigue. It wasn't because he was trained well but because his suit did most of the work. The powered outfit has several functions, including life support and increased strength. But its most important function is its endurance enhancement, enabling regular people to run half a day carrying dozens of pounds without breaking a sweat.
This walk barely felt like his body was moving, like a marionette, moving with the motions.
After close to an hour, they exited the forest and arrived at a lake.
It was Cle Elum Lake, a place he swam and fished a few times. A beautiful place. Ironically, it became even more so after becoming part of the Kin Field, having a mystical vibe.
However, looking more closely, he saw some ripples here and there, with large shadows moving underneath the water's surface. The augmented imaging detected the shapes of enormous alligators.
The lake became a beautiful death zone.
"Yeah... I guess I won't bathe in that lake again." - Kaydn thought.
Shaking his head, he continued following the Kin Leader until they were around a hundred meters from the place with the densest spore fog. Kaydn vaguely recognized the shape of a dome.
"The Spore Spreader's protective dome." - Kaydn thought.
The protective dome might seem like a simple formation of trees and vines, but it was deceptive. Besides the thick spore fog that neutralized most lasers and explosives, the dome was made from superhardened wood soaked with anti-Newtonian sap that could withstand powerful kinetic impacts. Even rail guns would have a hard time penetrating it. It was at the level of a nuclear shelter.
It was little wonder why the survivors launched tactical rockets at new Spore Spreaders before they took root and developed a strong Kin field. At this point, only the veteran Spore Spreaders are alive, the ones from twelve years ago. Tawheque would be covered in Spore Spreaders by now if not for the survivors destroying them all.
After staring at it for several moments, Kaydn followed the Kin Leader to a small clearing.
Over two dozen armored Kin Leader guards were stationed around it. And in the center were two cut logs shaped like stools, and in the middle was a tree log that served as a table.
It reminded Kaydn of the picnic furniture in campsites.
The Kin Leader holding the flag walked to the table and planted it near it. And then, it turned to him and silently pointed at the chair, gesturing him to sit.
The Kin Leader had no human vocals, but his message was clear.
"Thank you for leading me." - Kaydn nodded to the Kin Leader.
Although it was a monster, it was an intelligent monster, and it deserved respect.
Especially since he was on the begging side.
The Kin Leader seemed surprised at his gesture but nodded back and joined the other Leaders.
And then, Kaydn quietly took his seat and waited, his heart pounding nervously at the idea of meeting the psychic monster that wiped his men.
For all he knew, the Ascended might decide to turn him into a vegetable, enact inhuman torture, or brainwash him. However, there was no backing off now. Too much was at stake.
He just hoped for a swift death if it came to that.
After waiting for a few minutes of waiting, Kaydn understood what the Ascended was doing.
"He is showing me that we are at his mercy and that he is displeased." - He thought.
It was a common tactic used by politicians of stronger countries over weaker countries, especially when displeased.
And the Ascended chased like a dog and sieged had every right to be angry.
While waiting, a voice sounded from the inbuilt intercom of his outfit.
[Supervisor Kaydn, this is Augun. Everything alright?]
"I am fine. I am now waiting for my meeting with the Ascended." - Kaydn replied.
[Alright. Be careful.]
"I will. Thank you, Augun." - Kaydn said with a small smile.
And then, he continued waiting.
Two minutes later, finally, a figure came over.
It was a Caucasian man that barely looked 18 and had darker green-platinum hair, deep golden eyes, and a black crystal on his forehead. 1And that is how our boy looks now. The evolution turned him younger, too.
He wore a simple pair of pants but was barechested and barefooted. But it was no surprise, as some of the miscellaneous data they gathered showed that the Ascended liked exposing their skin and dressed like hunter-gatherers, caring little about showing their private parts, despite being far more intelligent than humans. Or perhaps it was because they were so intellectual and endowed with superior physiques that they didn't care. Or maybe it was the spores.
In any case, compared to them, the young man in front of him was wholly modest.
However, Kaydn noticed something peculiar.
"He looks... normal. Too normal."
It was the face. Although fairly handsome and lacking apparent flaws, it was far from being at the level of the genetically enhanced humans the Ascended were greatly based on.
One of the most common genetic enhancements was for beautification, both for men and women, and less than 1% resisted the urge not to enhance their handsomeness or beauty to an extent. And that trait was carried over to the Ascended.
If that was all, it was fine. At most, it is a rarity, like having natural gray eyes for humans.
But what caught his eye was not that.
"Why are his hair, eyes, and crystal not of a different color? Didn't he evolve once? Did he deliberately hide it?" - Kaydn asked himself, bewildered.
The Ascended that evolved has different hair, eyes, and crystal colors. The information was brought to him by Apex Technologies, giving him intel on higher-priority targets. According to the report, those of different colors had higher status, which led to the belief that they evolved once or more.
Kaydn expected the one who massacred his men to be such an Ascended, as it would make no sense that a regular Ascended killed them all. This world would have been conquered years ago if even a tenth could do that.
That left two options.
"Either he is hiding his evolved state through shapeshifting, or it was the newborn he carried..." - Kaydn thought, remembering the newborn they first spotted.
However, remembering that the newborn also had platinum-green hair and that the man in front of him was likely disguised as a Stalker at the time and carried the child all the way, he believed the man evolved once or more.
As for the newborn being evolved? Unless it ate a Lord or a dozen Leaders, which is almost impossible, it should be a regular newborn without any remarkable qualities.
Not caring about Kaydn's thoughts, the young man leisurely sat across from him.
The young man spoke with a cynical smile.
"Hello, Supervisor Kaydn. I am Iver, the man you man-hunted for dozens of miles, besieged with an army, and then rightfully massacred the said army. I heard your plight, and I understand your want of survival. I mean, everyone wants to live. Everyone."
The young man's smile turned into a snarl, and his eyes turned cold. He was angry.
"I... Mr. Iver, I apologize for—" - Kaydn tried to apologize.
BAM*
"I. Am. Not. Done. Talking. Yet." - Iver slammed his fist angrily on the wooden log, hissing each word through gritted teeth.
Kaydn stopped himself, waiting for the angry Ascended to continue his monologue.
Letting out an angry sigh and retracting his fist, Iver continued.
"If all you did was target me, I could still forgive it. I could have escaped from you with a thought. But you probably didn't know I existed in the first place, did you? You probably noticed an easier prey, like a newborn."
Then, a look of disgust flashed in his eyes.
"You hounded a child like some child-trafficking monsters, not caring about morals, seeking to hand her to the sick perverts known as Apex Technology, who would have made her go through hell, all for your survival."
"..."
Kaydn didn't know what to say. Although the Ascended were born with the mental age and knowledge of adults, they were still physically children as newborns. Well, rapidly growing children, but still children.
He felt ashamed about it but regretted nothing. Both his men and their families depended on it. The world was never black and white, and sometimes you had to get your hands dirty to survive.
As if reading his thoughts, Iver suddenly sneered.
"Let me guess. You probably think your actions were justified because too much was at stake, right?" - Iver asked, undisguised mockery on his face.
"I-I..."
Being seen through, Kaydn couldn't help but avert his eyes.
Seeing this, Iver's sneer deepened.
"Heh. Ever the unquestioning lapdog, hah? That is why you were selected as part of the recon team and not others. When they tell you to roll, you roll. When they say bark, you bark. When they want you to fetch, you fetch." - Iver mocked.
Kaydn, getting roasted for so long, finally snapped.
BAM*
"Mr. Iver, enough!" - Kaydn shouted, slamming his hand on the log and standing up.
Rustle* Rustle* Clack* Clack*
However, when he did that, all the surrounding Kin Leaders raised their spears and crossbows.
Any sudden move and a rain of spears and bolts will skewer him.
But that didn't faze him. He was already prepared for death.
"Stand down." - Iver raised his hand.
The Kin Leaders relaxed and lowered their weapons.
Iver then narrowed his eyes at the still-standing Kaydn, his sneer vanishing. His deep golden eyes stared piercingly into Kaydn's eyes.
"You are probably feeling wronged, indignant, perhaps even confused. You said Apex Technologies abandoned you, right? I guess they told you your mission isn't complete until you hunt an Ascended? That probably sprouted the seed of doubt, or perhaps it existed before and is now germinated. You comprehended that they are sending you to your deaths and that, maybe, they never planned on keeping you alive in the first place. Maybe your family members were taken in as experimental material, and they used AI simulations to keep the suspicion at bay. Or maybe even not that." - Iver said with pursed lips.
"..." - Kaydn didn't reply, but his silence was an unsaid affirmation.
"So, after all this unpleasant talk, I have a few questions for you." - Iver said.
"Ask." - Kaydn said, an uneasy feeling emerging.
"Have you ever thought about asking for help from the Ascended before your army got butchered?" - Iver asked with a neutral expression.
"... No." - Kaydn replied, his hand shaking.
"Have you ever questioned that a group capable of human experimentation would care about the lives of you or your family?" - Iver continued asking.
"..." - Kaydn didn't answer, but his silence told the answer.
"Did you ever ponder the morality of your actions? That you are doing the wrong thing, and there were other, more peaceful ways to solve it?" - Iver continued.
"I did, many times." - Kaydn admitted.
"And yet, you still went through with it. Despite your suspicions and moral pangs, you continued your actions. It wasn't just because of survival, nor because you lack intelligence. No. It was because of your mentality, still thinking like a small-time lapdog. You took the easy way out, perhaps subconsciously blaming your actions on your master, that your superiors were to blame. You chose to reduce your ability to think and single-mindedly accomplish a goal like a henchman. Even now, after being abandoned, you fail to realize that what you are doing is not seeking survival but seeking a new master. A lapdog and henchman, through and through." - Iver said with unhidden contempt.
Plop*
Kaydn fell back on his seat, his head buzzing.
Iver's words hit the nail. He realized the truth in his words.
"I... We were all just lapdogs..."
"Seems like you finally realize it." - Iver scowled.
Shaking his head, he continued.
"Now, Mr. Lapdog, let us play pretend. Let's pretend I don't hate your guts and know a way to turn you into Ascended. What can you offer?" - Iver asked.
"I... I can let you use our facilities and work hard to pull our weight..." - Kaydn stammered and said.
"Are you trying to tell me the Ascended can't pull their weight? That they can't outperform your men in EVERY department?" - Iver narrowed his eyes.
"..."
Kaydn wanted to argue, but realized it was pointless. The Ascended are indeed superior. They are designed to be.
"And so, let's talk about your little facilities. Sure, they are good bunkers and have some advanced equipment, but a large part is geared toward vehicles, armor, and weaponry, as your entire base is specialized to capture an Ascended. And right now, I have almost all your cars, and most of your combat-ready soldiers are DEAD. In other words, your base holds little value other than being cannibalized for parts." - Iver said.
"..."
Kaydn didn't even want to argue over this. He already knew this part.
"You know, in actuality, the only thing of value you can offer is your dead bodies. Each body can produce a new Kin Leader, and a hundred can create another Kin Lord. And, with all of you being so defenseless right now, what is stopping me from waltzing into your base and slaughtering you all?" - Iver menacingly said.
"... Nothing." - Kaydn yielded.
There was nothing to stop the man from doing it.
"Correct, nothing. Nothing stops me from killing you all and taking all your possessions. I only stand to profit and have no guilt." - Iver explained.
"..."
Iver then sighed, a somewhat sad look on his face.
"Do you know why I didn't kill you when you brought this pathetic excuse of a flag to my doorstep? I pitied how sad you were, your desperation. And I also admired your courage to risk your life for your men. However, looking at you more closely, I realize it wasn't courage but suicidal thoughts. You were seeking death, perhaps to redeem yourself." - Iver pursed his lips and got up.
Turning around and walking a few steps, Iver turned his head to the side.
"I have a way to turn your men into Ascended, but I need time to think whether I feel sorry enough for you or not to go through with it, as I stand nothing to gain and only lose. One month from now, on July 23rd, come at midnight, and I will give my verdict." - Iver said lukewarmly.
"... Thank you." - Kaydn squeezed.
But he felt no happiness or joy at the possible new leash, only loss and numbness.
Iver ignored the man and hollered.
"Guard! Escort this man out. His mere presence makes me feel dirty. And take his shitty flag with him." - Iver said.
And with that, one of the guards picked up the flag and led the defeated man out of the Kin field.
When Kaydn finally reached outside and returned to his men, he could only say one thing in a defeated tone.
"Let's go..."
I silently watched the men drive away through the eyes of the Kin, feeling nothing in particular.
There was no absolute good or evil in this world, no black and white.
We choose who we are and what we do.
Some choose to be samaritans and help others for no gain, for self-satisfaction and peace of mind.
Some hurt others, feeling gratification and false superiority.
Some sell drugs on the streets, ruining the lives of dozens and hundreds, only to save money for a hospitalized loved one... or the next dose.
Some like sexual gratification and leeching off others because it is pleasurable and easy.
Some feel lonely after working for months overseas, only for their wife to nag at them, so they seek solace in another's embrace.
Some sacrifice others and sell their dignity and souls to survive.
And then there is me, standing here, pondering what will benefit me the most, physically or emotionally.
For I know there is only one absolute in all the shades of grey.
And that is...
Profit.
Sometime earlier...
Four men in space-suit-like military outfits sat in a jeep.
"Supervisor, are you sure this is a good idea?" - Jastin asked from the backseat.
"We already prepared this ridiculous makeshift white flag from white t-shirts and anti-rust paint, so I would hate to back off now. And I told you, call me Kaydn now." - The supervisor, Kaydn, said.
"... This is insane, you know." - Augun voiced.
"Perhaps. But do we have a choice?" - Kaydn replied.
"Maybe we can try to befriend the Survivors?" - Bantlae suggested.
"Don't even bother. They might have been good folk in the past, but after a dozen years of inhuman conditions and eating monster flesh, they have grown cruel, distrustful, and bandit-like. Half of them would welcome us with open arms before slitting our throats in our sleep. And the other half would just shoot us." - Jastin said.
"Jastin is right. I prefer taking my chances with the Kin rather than the survivors. This is the fucked-up world we live in." - Augun nodded.
"Yes, and that is why we can only hope to bet on the rational minds of the Ascended and hope that they have a hint of compassion for human antiques like us." - Kaydn said with melancholy.
"If they even trust us at this point." - Augun added.
"And don't forget that they have an incentive to kill us. Our corpses can serve in evolving their Kin troops. All our dead comrades are probably... Hah..." - Bantlae sighed.
"... It is a risk worth taking. Worse comes to worst, I die, and the three of you leave." - Kaydn said, determined.
"..."
The car fell silent.
A few minutes later, they arrived in front of the Kin field, around a kilometer away. In front of them was the aftermath of the massacre they escaped by chance.
The men exited the car, and Augun took out the makeshift flag.
"Good luck, sir." - Augun handed the flag with a heavy heart.
"Augun, if I die there, you shall be in charge. Do as you see fit." - Kaydn said, taking the flag.
Kaydn was unarmed, and only his powered exoskeleton gave him some semblance of protection. But the men knew the Kin would rip it to shreds with ease.
"I will, sir." - Augun replied.
And so, the supervisor, Kaydn, marched toward death, hoping to latch on to a last glimmer of hope.
900m...
700m...
400m...
100m...
Soon, he stopped 30m away from the field. As luck would have it, the Kin didn't launch an attack. Yet. But at least there was some hope of communication.
Taking a deep breath, Kaydn stabbed the flag into the creep-covered ground and spoke what might be his final words.
"Ascended, please listen to my selfish request. My people need your help!" - Kaydn spoke in earnest.
But there was no reply. He didn't expect an immediate response either. Just the fact they didn't send a volley of arrows and spears his way was a good sign. The Ascended was likely listening.
Taking the chance that might slip away at any moment, he continued.
"Ascended, I am Supervisor Kaydn of Apex Technologies recon bunker 127. I apologize for our conduct and know we are guilty. I know you might not forgive us for our actions, but please, hear me out! We got betrayed by Apex Technologies. They abandoned us. They want us to die like stray dogs. But we refuse to die like this. That is why we come to you, our last hope. Now, we only seek to become Ascended and survive. If you have a way for us, please, help us! If you are still angry at what we did, you are welcome to take my life, but please, help my men." - Kaydn pleaded.
He was already prepared to die. But it was not purely out of selflessness.
The last twelve years put too much of a mental burden on him. The information and suspicions he held but never shared ate at his sanity. And the death of his men weighed heavily on his already tattered mind.
At this point, death was a form of release. If he was to die, so be it.
Yet, contrary to his suicidal expectations, his martyrdom never came.
Instead, only silence greeted him.
Either they were ignoring him, or they were considering his request.
"Let's hope for the latter..." - He thought.
A few minutes later, an armored Kin walked out of the field, looking like a mixture of a Medieval knight and Hellenistic hoplite.
He recognized it as a Soldier-type Kin Leader.
The Kin Leader walked closer and closer until it was barely 5m away.
At this distance, if it wanted to, it could impale him in the blink of an eye.
And yet, it didn't. Instead...
Stab*
The Kin Leader stabbed his spear into the ground, symbolizing that peace talks can be established.
"Hah..." - Kaydn breathed out a sigh.
Whether it was out of relief or disappointment, only he knew.
The Kin Leader took two more steps forward and took the white flag, accepting the parley.
And then, it turned back while motioning with its arm for him to follow.
He knew he was about to meet the Ascended that massacred his men.
Taking another deep breath, Kaydn followed it into the Kin Field, the death zone that would kill him within minutes without his life support.
And then he started the long trek through the Kin Field, a term coined for all the possible forms a Kin Field can take. In this case, it became a lush forest, almost a dense jungle.
No light penetrated inside this forest, but there were faintly glowing plants here and there, giving it a mystical vibe. However, it was half-lost on him due to using night vision. Without the night vision, he would be as blind as a bat.
However, that didn't stop Kaydn from noticing the shape of the plants. Some of them he vaguely remembered, and others not. But, the sight of the many fruits hanging from the trees, the berries on the bushes, the mushrooms on the trees and ground, the herbs, vegetables, and roots... They all entered his vision. There were even cacao fruits and coffee berries.
A glint of envy flashed in his eyes.
"How long has it been since I enjoyed a hot cup of chocolate or coffee? How I miss the taste of sweet fruit. To eat stir-fried vegetables. To enjoy these simple dishes that I took for granted. Hah... how desperate am I to envy these simple things?" - The man thought in melancholy.
Shaking his head, he continued following the Kin Leader.
The trek was uneven, and it was several miles long. And yet, Kaydn felt no fatigue. It wasn't because he was trained well but because his suit did most of the work. The powered outfit has several functions, including life support and increased strength. But its most important function is its endurance enhancement, enabling regular people to run half a day carrying dozens of pounds without breaking a sweat.
This walk barely felt like his body was moving, like a marionette, moving with the motions.
After close to an hour, they exited the forest and arrived at a lake.
It was Cle Elum Lake, a place he swam and fished a few times. A beautiful place. Ironically, it became even more so after becoming part of the Kin Field, having a mystical vibe.
However, looking more closely, he saw some ripples here and there, with large shadows moving underneath the water's surface. The augmented imaging detected the shapes of enormous alligators.
The lake became a beautiful death zone.
"Yeah... I guess I won't bathe in that lake again." - Kaydn thought.
Shaking his head, he continued following the Kin Leader until they were around a hundred meters from the place with the densest spore fog. Kaydn vaguely recognized the shape of a dome.
"The Spore Spreader's protective dome." - Kaydn thought.
The protective dome might seem like a simple formation of trees and vines, but it was deceptive. Besides the thick spore fog that neutralized most lasers and explosives, the dome was made from superhardened wood soaked with anti-Newtonian sap that could withstand powerful kinetic impacts. Even rail guns would have a hard time penetrating it. It was at the level of a nuclear shelter.
It was little wonder why the survivors launched tactical rockets at new Spore Spreaders before they took root and developed a strong Kin field. At this point, only the veteran Spore Spreaders are alive, the ones from twelve years ago. Tawheque would be covered in Spore Spreaders by now if not for the survivors destroying them all.
After staring at it for several moments, Kaydn followed the Kin Leader to a small clearing.
Over two dozen armored Kin Leader guards were stationed around it. And in the center were two cut logs shaped like stools, and in the middle was a tree log that served as a table.
It reminded Kaydn of the picnic furniture in campsites.
The Kin Leader holding the flag walked to the table and planted it near it. And then, it turned to him and silently pointed at the chair, gesturing him to sit.
The Kin Leader had no human vocals, but his message was clear.
"Thank you for leading me." - Kaydn nodded to the Kin Leader.
Although it was a monster, it was an intelligent monster, and it deserved respect.
Especially since he was on the begging side.
The Kin Leader seemed surprised at his gesture but nodded back and joined the other Leaders.
And then, Kaydn quietly took his seat and waited, his heart pounding nervously at the idea of meeting the psychic monster that wiped his men.
For all he knew, the Ascended might decide to turn him into a vegetable, enact inhuman torture, or brainwash him. However, there was no backing off now. Too much was at stake.
He just hoped for a swift death if it came to that.
After waiting for a few minutes of waiting, Kaydn understood what the Ascended was doing.
"He is showing me that we are at his mercy and that he is displeased." - He thought.
It was a common tactic used by politicians of stronger countries over weaker countries, especially when displeased.
And the Ascended chased like a dog and sieged had every right to be angry.
While waiting, a voice sounded from the inbuilt intercom of his outfit.
[Supervisor Kaydn, this is Augun. Everything alright?]
"I am fine. I am now waiting for my meeting with the Ascended." - Kaydn replied.
[Alright. Be careful.]
"I will. Thank you, Augun." - Kaydn said with a small smile.
And then, he continued waiting.
Two minutes later, finally, a figure came over.
It was a Caucasian man that barely looked 18 and had darker green-platinum hair, deep golden eyes, and a black crystal on his forehead. 1And that is how our boy looks now. The evolution turned him younger, too.
He wore a simple pair of pants but was barechested and barefooted. But it was no surprise, as some of the miscellaneous data they gathered showed that the Ascended liked exposing their skin and dressed like hunter-gatherers, caring little about showing their private parts, despite being far more intelligent than humans. Or perhaps it was because they were so intellectual and endowed with superior physiques that they didn't care. Or maybe it was the spores.
In any case, compared to them, the young man in front of him was wholly modest.
However, Kaydn noticed something peculiar.
"He looks... normal. Too normal."
It was the face. Although fairly handsome and lacking apparent flaws, it was far from being at the level of the genetically enhanced humans the Ascended were greatly based on.
One of the most common genetic enhancements was for beautification, both for men and women, and less than 1% resisted the urge not to enhance their handsomeness or beauty to an extent. And that trait was carried over to the Ascended.
If that was all, it was fine. At most, it is a rarity, like having natural gray eyes for humans.
But what caught his eye was not that.
"Why are his hair, eyes, and crystal not of a different color? Didn't he evolve once? Did he deliberately hide it?" - Kaydn asked himself, bewildered.
The Ascended that evolved has different hair, eyes, and crystal colors. The information was brought to him by Apex Technologies, giving him intel on higher-priority targets. According to the report, those of different colors had higher status, which led to the belief that they evolved once or more.
Kaydn expected the one who massacred his men to be such an Ascended, as it would make no sense that a regular Ascended killed them all. This world would have been conquered years ago if even a tenth could do that.
That left two options.
"Either he is hiding his evolved state through shapeshifting, or it was the newborn he carried..." - Kaydn thought, remembering the newborn they first spotted.
However, remembering that the newborn also had platinum-green hair and that the man in front of him was likely disguised as a Stalker at the time and carried the child all the way, he believed the man evolved once or more.
As for the newborn being evolved? Unless it ate a Lord or a dozen Leaders, which is almost impossible, it should be a regular newborn without any remarkable qualities.
Not caring about Kaydn's thoughts, the young man leisurely sat across from him.
The young man spoke with a cynical smile.
"Hello, Supervisor Kaydn. I am Iver, the man you man-hunted for dozens of miles, besieged with an army, and then rightfully massacred the said army. I heard your plight, and I understand your want of survival. I mean, everyone wants to live. Everyone."
The young man's smile turned into a snarl, and his eyes turned cold. He was angry.
"I... Mr. Iver, I apologize for—" - Kaydn tried to apologize.
BAM*
"I. Am. Not. Done. Talking. Yet." - Iver slammed his fist angrily on the wooden log, hissing each word through gritted teeth.
Kaydn stopped himself, waiting for the angry Ascended to continue his monologue.
Letting out an angry sigh and retracting his fist, Iver continued.
"If all you did was target me, I could still forgive it. I could have escaped from you with a thought. But you probably didn't know I existed in the first place, did you? You probably noticed an easier prey, like a newborn."
Then, a look of disgust flashed in his eyes.
"You hounded a child like some child-trafficking monsters, not caring about morals, seeking to hand her to the sick perverts known as Apex Technology, who would have made her go through hell, all for your survival."
"..."
Kaydn didn't know what to say. Although the Ascended were born with the mental age and knowledge of adults, they were still physically children as newborns. Well, rapidly growing children, but still children.
He felt ashamed about it but regretted nothing. Both his men and their families depended on it. The world was never black and white, and sometimes you had to get your hands dirty to survive.
As if reading his thoughts, Iver suddenly sneered.
"Let me guess. You probably think your actions were justified because too much was at stake, right?" - Iver asked, undisguised mockery on his face.
"I-I..."
Being seen through, Kaydn couldn't help but avert his eyes.
Seeing this, Iver's sneer deepened.
"Heh. Ever the unquestioning lapdog, hah? That is why you were selected as part of the recon team and not others. When they tell you to roll, you roll. When they say bark, you bark. When they want you to fetch, you fetch." - Iver mocked.
Kaydn, getting roasted for so long, finally snapped.
BAM*
"Mr. Iver, enough!" - Kaydn shouted, slamming his hand on the log and standing up.
Rustle* Rustle* Clack* Clack*
However, when he did that, all the surrounding Kin Leaders raised their spears and crossbows.
Any sudden move and a rain of spears and bolts will skewer him.
But that didn't faze him. He was already prepared for death.
"Stand down." - Iver raised his hand.
The Kin Leaders relaxed and lowered their weapons.
Iver then narrowed his eyes at the still-standing Kaydn, his sneer vanishing. His deep golden eyes stared piercingly into Kaydn's eyes.
"You are probably feeling wronged, indignant, perhaps even confused. You said Apex Technologies abandoned you, right? I guess they told you your mission isn't complete until you hunt an Ascended? That probably sprouted the seed of doubt, or perhaps it existed before and is now germinated. You comprehended that they are sending you to your deaths and that, maybe, they never planned on keeping you alive in the first place. Maybe your family members were taken in as experimental material, and they used AI simulations to keep the suspicion at bay. Or maybe even not that." - Iver said with pursed lips.
"..." - Kaydn didn't reply, but his silence was an unsaid affirmation.
"So, after all this unpleasant talk, I have a few questions for you." - Iver said.
"Ask." - Kaydn said, an uneasy feeling emerging.
"Have you ever thought about asking for help from the Ascended before your army got butchered?" - Iver asked with a neutral expression.
"... No." - Kaydn replied, his hand shaking.
"Have you ever questioned that a group capable of human experimentation would care about the lives of you or your family?" - Iver continued asking.
"..." - Kaydn didn't answer, but his silence told the answer.
"Did you ever ponder the morality of your actions? That you are doing the wrong thing, and there were other, more peaceful ways to solve it?" - Iver continued.
"I did, many times." - Kaydn admitted.
"And yet, you still went through with it. Despite your suspicions and moral pangs, you continued your actions. It wasn't just because of survival, nor because you lack intelligence. No. It was because of your mentality, still thinking like a small-time lapdog. You took the easy way out, perhaps subconsciously blaming your actions on your master, that your superiors were to blame. You chose to reduce your ability to think and single-mindedly accomplish a goal like a henchman. Even now, after being abandoned, you fail to realize that what you are doing is not seeking survival but seeking a new master. A lapdog and henchman, through and through." - Iver said with unhidden contempt.
Plop*
Kaydn fell back on his seat, his head buzzing.
Iver's words hit the nail. He realized the truth in his words.
"I... We were all just lapdogs..."
"Seems like you finally realize it." - Iver scowled.
Shaking his head, he continued.
"Now, Mr. Lapdog, let us play pretend. Let's pretend I don't hate your guts and know a way to turn you into Ascended. What can you offer?" - Iver asked.
"I... I can let you use our facilities and work hard to pull our weight..." - Kaydn stammered and said.
"Are you trying to tell me the Ascended can't pull their weight? That they can't outperform your men in EVERY department?" - Iver narrowed his eyes.
"..."
Kaydn wanted to argue, but realized it was pointless. The Ascended are indeed superior. They are designed to be.
"And so, let's talk about your little facilities. Sure, they are good bunkers and have some advanced equipment, but a large part is geared toward vehicles, armor, and weaponry, as your entire base is specialized to capture an Ascended. And right now, I have almost all your cars, and most of your combat-ready soldiers are DEAD. In other words, your base holds little value other than being cannibalized for parts." - Iver said.
"..."
Kaydn didn't even want to argue over this. He already knew this part.
"You know, in actuality, the only thing of value you can offer is your dead bodies. Each body can produce a new Kin Leader, and a hundred can create another Kin Lord. And, with all of you being so defenseless right now, what is stopping me from waltzing into your base and slaughtering you all?" - Iver menacingly said.
"... Nothing." - Kaydn yielded.
There was nothing to stop the man from doing it.
"Correct, nothing. Nothing stops me from killing you all and taking all your possessions. I only stand to profit and have no guilt." - Iver explained.
"..."
Iver then sighed, a somewhat sad look on his face.
"Do you know why I didn't kill you when you brought this pathetic excuse of a flag to my doorstep? I pitied how sad you were, your desperation. And I also admired your courage to risk your life for your men. However, looking at you more closely, I realize it wasn't courage but suicidal thoughts. You were seeking death, perhaps to redeem yourself." - Iver pursed his lips and got up.
Turning around and walking a few steps, Iver turned his head to the side.
"I have a way to turn your men into Ascended, but I need time to think whether I feel sorry enough for you or not to go through with it, as I stand nothing to gain and only lose. One month from now, on July 23rd, come at midnight, and I will give my verdict." - Iver said lukewarmly.
"... Thank you." - Kaydn squeezed.
But he felt no happiness or joy at the possible new leash, only loss and numbness.
Iver ignored the man and hollered.
"Guard! Escort this man out. His mere presence makes me feel dirty. And take his shitty flag with him." - Iver said.
And with that, one of the guards picked up the flag and led the defeated man out of the Kin field.
When Kaydn finally reached outside and returned to his men, he could only say one thing in a defeated tone.
"Let's go..."
I silently watched the men drive away through the eyes of the Kin, feeling nothing in particular.
There was no absolute good or evil in this world, no black and white.
We choose who we are and what we do.
Some choose to be samaritans and help others for no gain, for self-satisfaction and peace of mind.
Some hurt others, feeling gratification and false superiority.
Some sell drugs on the streets, ruining the lives of dozens and hundreds, only to save money for a hospitalized loved one... or the next dose.
Some like sexual gratification and leeching off others because it is pleasurable and easy.
Some feel lonely after working for months overseas, only for their wife to nag at them, so they seek solace in another's embrace.
Some sacrifice others and sell their dignity and souls to survive.
And then there is me, standing here, pondering what will benefit me the most, physically or emotionally.
For I know there is only one absolute in all the shades of grey.
And that is...
Profit.
