1.4

With air boosters hidden in her boots, Doraemon could hop from roof to roof with ease. The cold wind of night manages to cool her head somewhat. It was unlike her to flare up right up, or is it? Asides, from that thing, no other man has touched the girl without her consent or knowledge. The last guy who try to do that got his fingers sliced off.

But even with her eyes implant, she couldn't stop that cheek pinch. But she reacted not out of fear but unfamiliarity, its intention was… simple without a much motive.

She lands at a roof, stopping and decloaking herself before turning back.

"How are you even following me, baldie"

Behind her is Eikichi, who is struggling to keep up. In fact, the man is hanging onto the edge of the roof right now. He says with some difficulty.

"Well, you are kicking up an awful lot amount of dirt"

That's not what she meant, of course Doraemon knew that. For someone to be able to keep up with her running, now that's surprising, especially someone this size.

It reminds her of that faceless thing.

"Just stop following me already, I can do this on my own"

"Welp, too bad because I have no intention of doing that"

Yes, even his tenacity serves as a grim reminder. And yet, Doraemon doesn't find herself hating the man. Perhaps unlike the thing, he actually communicates with her.

"Why are you doing this even, why do you have to keep on following me"

"You really want to know, then I will tell you" Eikichi finally managed to climb on the roof proper "You are from the future, having all those gadgets. Pattern changing hoodie, some kind of jumping boots and even camouflage. We are all stranded here and you are no doubt a valuable asset. It would be a shame for you to perish under some unknown threat…"

That's… surprisingly reasonable.

"… Well, that's what you would probably want to hear. But that's not why I am doing this"

Wait what. Eikichi looks at the girl and removes his sunglasses.

"I don't want to see someone I know getting hurt, that's all"

"Hah, what kind of ridiculous reason is that!" Despite her effort, Doraemon flared up again "Look at me, I am more than capable of handling anything! I don't need help from some washed up baldie like you"

"That may be true, but all it takes is one, just one mistake is enough. I'm sure someone like you would know that well"

Those words hit the girl directly. How many times she could have gotten away from that thing. Only for one small mistake to cost it all, one mistake for a trip to the chains once again. But then what could she do, who could Doraemon even rely on. Countless brave souls and even special forces are torn apart by that thing. That's the fate of all those who dare to help the girl for one reason or another, all reduced to nothingness.

But… that thing isn't here… Doraemon could feel something burning but she snuffs it out.

"We just met earlier today, that can't even be called casual acquaintance"

"Hm, looks around you, do you think I know anyone here"

"Eh"

"We are all strangers here, all so far from home. But at least you we have fought, you have yelled at me, multiple times even. That's more than I get from the people I knew. So yes, you are the person I know the most here"

"That's just… absurd"

"Well, it's not like I want to see anyone get hurt. After all, a life is so easy to snuff." Those words were cold and callous, it sent a chill down the girl's spine "It would be a waste for all those memories, all those experiences, all those connections, all those emotions to just be gone like that"

"… Oh well, you can follow if you want. But don't compromise my position and I won't wait for your pudgy arse"

"Of course" Eikichi puts his sunglasses back on, it's time to move again.

What an ominous place, the girl concluded as she lands on another building. While there is still some time left till sunrise, the streets are completely empty, and that doesn't apply to only people. The town is completely devoid of any trash or sign of life or that matter.

Of course, if you take look inside, it is still possible to see Saragarhi's citizens sleeping soundly. But for Doraemon, this quiet empty night is somewhat unbearable.

From Russia to America to England, there are always people on the streets no matter how late. From the trucks drivers to naughtier youths like Doraemon dolling out pain and suffering. The town is always alive.

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But here, it seems like a ghost town, even though the place was so bursting with people.

Behind her, Eikichi is climbing up "So, did you find anything, Doraemon"

The girl never has a fixed name, so she has gotten used to this one.

"Well, a competition is ongoing, that much is clear. But that brat von Brandt seems to be very against this. I can't really see any harm"

It's just a contest like many others, to choose people who are the most athletic, most capable to fight for this 'Eden'. What a name, Doraemon thought, straight out of some dystopia stories. At least the people here seem genuinely happy.

What kind of damage can some marathons or lift weighting can do. Eikichi seems to be searching for something in his suit. It's a written poster.

"I found this in everyone home. It seems like tomorrow will be the start of some 'final event'. There is no mention of what is it here though, but there is a location"

"Let's go there then"

It's a place Doraemon has been to before, an enclosed field probably used for competition. There is probably nothing here but something feel off. Her instinct is tingling and after many hardships, the girl has learnt to trust it.

And so, she looks around some more with Eikichi.

"Ah" "Ah" They both exclaimed at the same time, having found something.

"You go first" Said Eikichi.

"Ok, it's about the…"

"Wait" The man cut in "And here I thought you were going to go 'no, you go first' then we will back and forth like that for a bit before settling down"

"Where did you even get that from… Anyway, the earth around this area is dug out recently. This enclosure was built very recently"

"Yeah, that's what I am thinking as well" Eikichi nodded up and down in agreement.

"Really?"

"What, are you doubting me now"

"Maybe a bit"

"Well, I work construction part-time so I can tell my dirt"

"That's true"

The reinforced wall is around four-meter-high and the spectator seats are pretty far back around the field. Something is wrong here.

Doraemon goes the big entrance and notices that the road out is recently dug as well, straight into a nearby building. The duo goes inside to investigate and to their surprise, the door is the only one in the whole town to be lock.

Fortunately, Doraemon always has her lockpicking tools on hand. The mechanism is outdated for her time but still the girl cracks it in no time. The two sneak in but not before relocking the door.

It's a storage room with a huge slope directly in front of the door. It is also built recently, along with the massive basement underneath.

What they encounter down there is certainly a sight.

There are countless mighty cages lining all over the place. They are all inhabited by horrible monstrosity, mashups of different animals. All these Chimeras are sleeping but they are no doubt deadly.

"So that's why they need such a strong wall" Eikichi mumbled.

Doraemon also realises it, the final event is these creatures. The participants will probably have to face them. But how are these beast even captured in the first place and what is keeping them all sedated.

"We need to report this to Johann-san"

The girl nods in agreement but before the two could leave, they could hear the lock clicking. Is this a coincident or has they been compromised? Whatever the reason, they need to hide now. Doraemon reluctantly peels open the outer layer of her hoodie and put it over her and Eikichi. With great difficulty the thing manages to wrap around them both. The camouflage kicks in as footsteps going down the slope.

Darn it, they are stuck here and their vision is obstructed by a cage. But Doraemon could still make out the people to be one male and one female, quite young.

"See, I told you, there is nothing down here" The male said.

"I swore I could see something moving, the air was definitely distorting near the arena"

That female must have seen a cloaked Doraemon. But still, it is quite dark and yet she could spot such slight distortion, such fearsome eyesight. But as long as they aren't moving, the two should be completely invisible.

That female couldn't see Eikichi though, the man made sure to always move in shades and hiding spots. Doraemon is sure that he is trained for espionage and maybe more, that could explain his unusual prowess and reflex.

The male continues.

"Maybe it's just your eyes, anyway, let's go, I want to have a nap"

"You lazy bastard"

With that, the two leave just as sudden as their arrival. Doraemon waits for a bit before throwing open the cover. Or at least that's her intention, the girl is stopped by Eikichi.

"Shhhh" The man told her to be quiet.

But for what, those two are already gone. She continues to lie there for nothing. Being pressed against a back of a man like this is highly comfortable for her. Before Doraemon forces her way out of annoyance something enters her view.

A pair of boots jump straight to the bottom of the slope. It's the male, he did that so no one could see him coming down, the landing was also completely silent. What are these people. He seems to look around some more before deciding to leave, all without making a single sound.

Doraemon and Eikichi continue to remain under the cover for an unbearable amount of time. Finally, the man deems it's safe to come out.

"It seems like they are finally gone"

"I sure hope so" Commented Doraemon, she is all sweaty, Eikichi is completely dry though. He definitely has military training the girl concluded.

"That guy, I recognise his voice"

"Where did you hear it?"

"When we first arrived, I could hear a voice coming out of all the masked guys toward Johann-san. That was distorted but I am sure it is this guy"

Hm, Doraemon heard that as well but she was too occupied with gaining a bearing on her new environment to care. But if she heard the distorted voice again, the girl could still recognise it "I have recorded their exchanges, when we return I could try to remix it"

"Sound good, now the problem is getting back, they are definitely still out there"

True, those two were more cautious than Doraemon had expected, especially the guy. Their conversation was probably just a way to make any intruders let their guard down.

Now to get out, luckily, Eikichi has a plan that might just work.

He pulls out a mirror then wrap himself with the camouflage cover. The man then sneaks the mirror, which is now invisible, out under the door gap to look out. After some great difficulty, Eikichi concluded that while there may be hostiles outside, they are situated in a way that they can't see directly at the door. Probably so as not to be seen by snake cam like this.

Now for the big gamble. The door is opened just enough for Doraemon and Eikichi to squeeze out while both wrapped in the camo cover. It is absolutely suffocating but they somehow manage it.

After looking around, Eikichi retreats out to a hiding spot while Doraemon, now can finally breath normally, goes to lock the door again. The way back is treacherous and has more open space than they thought, which includes a long stretch back. For that, the two have to share the camo cover again.

There is a knock on the door, Alva opens it to find no one but she could feel an invisible person stumbling in. Well, more like people. As the door is closed, Eikichi and Doraemon burst out all sweaty and out of breath.

"Water please, Alva-san!"

"Water, now!"