Arknights: The Life Inside-Chapter 72

While waiting for ACE to return, time passed minute by minute.

Yoren and Ogur chatted casually, like ordinary friends. Through their conversation, Yoren gained a deeper understanding of Black Steel International's structure.

It was different from what was described in the game. Black Steel's true strength wasn't just the famed duo of cross-talkers, nor was the tearful cat, Mao Tou, the richest among them. On the contrary, Black Steel was a large-scale, well-organized, and disciplined iron-blooded mercenary force. In addition to its headquarters in Columbia, the company had branches in multiple countries, with elite members spread across the world.

Black Steel had not achieved its current status by luck. Its members had built its reputation with their blood and their lives.

Through his conversation with Ogur, Yoren found himself even more puzzled by ACE's refusal to join. It was a mercenary organization, just like any other. Even if ACE had his own principles, there was no apparent conflict between them.

"Lao Gu, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

"Has something happened to Brother ACE recently?"

Yoren couldn't help but ask. He had noticed a change in ACE. Though still calm and reliable, there was now a hint of weariness and uncertainty in his eyes.

Ogur stroked his chin. "So, you noticed."

"Yes. It's been more than two months since I last saw him. What happened?"

"Actually, ACE didn't just refuse to join Black Steel—he said he didn't want to be a mercenary anymore. You might not believe it, but ACE is now just an ordinary supermarket delivery boy."

"...What?"

Yoren was genuinely shocked. Was ACE really just giving up?

Ogur's expression was complicated. "To be honest, I was surprised by ACE's actions today. The things I tried so hard to convince him of, he changed in an instant because of you. Maybe he hasn't forgotten who he truly is. He's still a man of loyalty and conviction. A warrior who gives up shouldn't be abandoned."

Yoren lowered his head. "Why would Brother ACE make this choice? Why would he abandon the name 'Reaper'?"

"Because the Death God mercenary team no longer exists."

"...What?"

Ogur sighed. "Two months ago, ACE and his squad were hired by the Glasgow Gang in Victoria to fight for a Source Stone deposit on the border of Ursus. As far as I know, an extremist infected organization set off a devastating fire in an abandoned city. The blaze spread thick pathogenic substances and unearthed countless infected corpses. When retreating, ACE and his squad were ambushed by unknown enemies. To protect their employers, the team stayed behind to cover their escape. In the fierce battle that followed, their protective equipment failed, and nearly the entire squad was infected."

Ogur clearly didn't know that Yoren had also been part of that operation.

Yoren's mind went blank. No one knew the horrors of the Mandel City incident better than he did. He hadn't concerned himself with the fates of the Ursus or Columbia armies. He had saved Weina and the people he knew—but he hadn't realized there had been more consequences to that event.

Though they weren't particularly close, the Death God mercenaries had fought alongside him. They were comrades.

Ogur continued, "Black Steel is different. It has professional protocols for handling natural disasters and follow-up support. The Death God mercenaries had none of that. For them, infection meant the end of their careers. Not everyone can adapt to being infected. Beyond physical deterioration, the psychological trauma can turn even the strongest warriors into hollow shells."

Yoren's eyes widened. "Does that mean Brother ACE is also...?"

"No. ACE wasn't infected. But losing his team shattered the belief he had always held. The Death God squad wasn't just a group—it was something he built from the ground up. I knew many of them. They were brothers who had gone through life and death together. Their loss was devastating."

Yoren understood. To outsiders, it might seem contradictory—mercenaries should always be prepared for sacrifice. That was the nature of their work. He had thought the same way. But after surviving the Mandel City incident, he understood.

Kate had once told him: Weina wasn't afraid of seeing her comrades die. What she feared was seeing them fall into despair because of the infection. That sense of helplessness was more agonizing than death itself.

ACE felt the same.

Watching comrades wither away, consumed by illness and despair—that was what broke him.

So, he walked away from everything he had built. He chose to be an ordinary person.

Now knowing the truth, Yoren felt a heavy melancholy settle over him.

He had assumed Brother ACE was simply on a mission or taking a break in Bra City. Maybe drinking with old friends. He never expected to find him as a supermarket delivery worker.

Yet even as an ordinary deliveryman, ACE had acted without hesitation. When he saw Yoren in danger, surrounded by military police, he stepped in. He could have lowered his cap, walked away, and pretended to be a stranger. But he didn't.

At that moment, footsteps echoed outside the room.

"Boom!"

The door burst open. ACE walked in, panting. On his shoulder, he carried a thin figure—Ifrit.

Ifrit had regained consciousness, though she still looked weak. Despite this, sharp complaints spilled from her lips.

"Put me down, you big-bearded oaf! I can walk on my own! Your shoulder is so uncomfortable!"

ACE chuckled. "Miss, we've arrived."

He gently placed Ifrit down and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His face was smeared with dust, and a few obvious boot prints marked his clothing.

Then, he turned to Yoren and gave him a thumbs-up. "Yoren, I think I saved the right person."

Snowsant immediately tossed away the apple she had been holding and ran over to hug Ifrit. She didn't say much, but the worry in her eyes was obvious.

She buried her face in Ifrit's chest. "You're finally back."

Ifrit, though stubborn, softened just a little. "Tch, I just forgot to use my Origin Stone and passed out. If that bearded guy hadn't come to get me, I would've burned all those bugs to ash when I got my strength back."

Seeing Ifrit brought back safely, Yoren finally let go of his worries. However, hearing what Brother ACE had gone through left him conflicted. Should he comfort him or just share a drink?

Not knowing what to say, Yoren could only smile gratefully at ACE.

"Brother ACE, thank you."

ACE waved his hand dismissively.

"No need to thank me. Didn't you also risk your life for your companions in Mandel City? Since you call me big brother, this is simply what I should do."

Ogur stood up from the sofa.

"Alright, now that the person is rescued, everyone can finally sleep peacefully tonight. I don't know what you've been through, but you all must be exhausted. I'll have someone arrange a room for you and send over some good food. We can talk about everything else tomorrow."

ACE patted Ogur's thick arm.

"Thanks, brother."

"Come on, you're still saying that? You saved my life back then. Your friends are my friends—there's no need for gratitude between us."

"Didn't you also save mine?"

"Exactly. So your life is my life, and my life is yours."

Ifrit, still in Snowsant's arms, suddenly raised her head and disrupted the serious mood.

"Hey, who are you? Why are you so big? You're blocking the light. Move, move, go away."

Yoren immediately scolded her.

"Ifrit, don't be rude! Brother Ogur is the boss here. Show some respect."

"Tch."

Later that night, Ogur arranged a room for Yoren and the others. It was late, and exhaustion from the day's events quickly took its toll. Snowsant and Ifrit fell asleep right after eating.

Yoren quietly shut the door and stepped outside.

ACE, standing nearby, glanced at him.

"Not sleepy?"

"Not really."

"Then, want to go have a drink?"

"Of course."

In a quiet corner of the bar, Yoren and ACE clinked their glasses together. It felt like a moment in history, a flash of memory coming back to life.

Once, on the way to Mandel City, Yoren had asked ACE offhandedly:

[Brother ACE, do you like drinking?]

[Yeah. I enjoy having a drink with my companions when I'm off duty. But I can't drink now—it'd affect my next mission.]

[Haha, not that you could anyway. All the alcohol I brought was finished by Aina yesterday. Next time, I'll get you a bottle of Wuliangye.]

[Yoren, thanks for the thought, but once this mission's over, we'll be going our separate ways.]

[Just leave me an address. I can mail it to you.]

[Oh, fine. If we ever meet again, I'll buy you a drink at my friend's bar.]

[Deal.]

Now, their glasses clinking together replaced the fists they had once bumped in camaraderie. But they were no longer the same people they had been. The team they had fought beside had changed—some were infected, some had died, and some had lost the will to keep moving forward.

Yoren downed his drink in one gulp. He had never been a drinker before, but now, he understood the bitterness hidden in the alcohol.

Some things happen before you're ready for them. Some people disappear before you even get to say goodbye. That's life—bitter, unfair, and indifferent.

Setting down his glass, Yoren hesitated before speaking. He could only say one thing.

"Brother ACE, I was really saddened by what happened to the [Death] squad."

"Oh, so you heard what Ogur said." ACE exhaled. "It wasn't anyone's fault. We were just doing what mercenaries do."

"And you?"

"It's over now. I've come to terms with it. My abilities are limited—I can risk my life to save my brothers, but fate won't always give me that chance. Now, I just want to be an ordinary person."

"Really? You're sure about this?"

"Yeah."

Logically, Yoren had no right to interfere with ACE's decision. Whether he wanted to be a normal person or a warrior—that was his choice. But Yoren couldn't ignore one thing.

Fate wouldn't let ACE become ordinary so easily.

The ideals buried in his heart hadn't disappeared. He had only hidden them away, pretending they were out of reach. Maybe, deep down, he still dreamed of a world where infected and ordinary people could coexist peacefully. Maybe, someday, someone who shared his vision would rise to carry out his will.

So no matter what choice ACE made now, he would join Rhodes Island in three years.

Then, starting with Chernobog, the Dark Ages would come.

ACE would die.

Yoren clenched his glass tightly.

"Brother ACE... are you really okay with this?"

"There's nothing to be 'okay' with. I'm tired."

ACE refilled their glasses and clinked his with Yoren's again.

"Maybe my life seems like a failure, but I haven't lost everything. Compared to my comrades, I'm still alive. Healthy, even."

"Yeah."

Yoren could see the forced smile on ACE's face, but he didn't call him out on it. Not tonight.

They drank.

Setting down his glass, ACE's voice was calm.

"Enough about me. Let's talk about you. The Glasgow gang told me you stayed in Mandel City alone to save Aina. Then a catastrophe hit. Honestly, we all thought you and Snowsant had died. Even me."

Yoren smiled bitterly.

"A lot happened. It's hard to put into words."

There was no way to explain to ACE that he had jumped between worlds, between reality and Terra. So he kept it simple—he told ACE about becoming infected, the strange changes in his body, and how Rhine Lab had taken him in.

ACE thought for a moment.

"So... that little Sakaz girl is the experimental subject who escaped from Rhine?"

"Yeah. I promised someone I'd get her out of Columbia."

"Where are you taking her?"

"Victoria."

ACE could tell—Yoren had matured, but in the grand scheme of things, he was still just a fool navigating a cruel world.

"Got it. I'll find a way to get you to Victoria."

Yoren froze.

"Wait, seriously?"

ACE grinned.

"Of course. Even if I'm not useful for much anymore, I can still do something like helping an old friend escape the country. No... I think I'd be too worried about you and Snowsant to just send you off alone. So, I'll go with you to Victoria."