A few days has passed since Chella and Co found Junko severely wounded near an entrance of a centuries-old bunker. Evaline occupies herself with learning things from the townspeople whereas Nova and Gilbert analyze the retrieved information by Bit. Chella sits by Junko's bed, waiting for her to wake up. She takes the time to think about what she has experienced so far and wonders if Junko is in need of trustworthy companions like she did.

The sunlight is bright but there are no windows in this container house of Junko, yet it is not dim inside thanks to the installed lights across the room. Chella wants to be respectful and not dwell into the sleeping girl's mind. She wants her to choose on her own accord. With that, the peaceful morning goes on with the two of them in the house with one looking after another.

Junko slowly wakes up, realizing that she's not dead and is lying on her very bed in her very home. She notices Chella sitting next to her and back off, feeling doubtful of her intentions.

"Don't worry, I do not intend to harm you or do anything bad."

"Why did you save me?"

"Because we could not stand to see someone in grave danger just like you once did when you first arrived in this town."

"So you've met the folks. Where are the other guys with you?"

"They're doing their things now. In fact, we were waiting for your recover in order to discuss something."

Chella looks straight into Junko's eyes, hoping that she would at least try to hear her out, to which Junko slightly nods. She looks at Chella, waiting for her to continue with it.

"From what I know, I believe an enemy stronger than what we both have fought respectively and I think that we should work together to get through it. I won't force you to come along with us but I hope to have your assistance when the time comes."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The one you fought a few days ago was affiliated with an organization known as Apex Legion and his superior may have caught news of his disappearance already. It is believed that The Lion will come after you and it will cause danger to yourself and everyone in this town. Hence we wish for your cooperation even if it's temporary."

"I see, this Lion will come to investigate and crush anyone messing with the organization? I'll consider this an opportunity to hone my strength."

"Thank you for understanding."

Suddenly, footsteps can be heard. Chella's companions has come inside to check Junko's state, they are delighted to hear that she will help. Then all of them have lunch together inside Junko's container house.

Later on, Gilbert checks to see if Junko has fully recovered from her battle wounds. She's confirmed to be alright for the moment. Nova and Evalines talks to each other while Gilbert does more health check on Junko's body to ensure the recovery. In the upcoming time they all will have to be careful with the bare fangs of the infamous lion that has been territorizing the area kilometers away. Losing is clearly not an option for the group.

When the light on the sky finally fades away as the moon takes the sun's place observing the land, a few townsfolks enjoy the peacful nocturnal atmosphere. Chella sits on top of Junko's container-house and talks with BIT, having viewed a built-in artifical intelligence as a fellow companion and the closest one among all she has with her so far.

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"BIT, do you still remember when we got out of the old shelter?"

"Why of course, I even have all of our dialogues back then recorded. Do you wish to replay them?"

*lets out a sigh* "No, just don't. I don't want to feel bad for missing out the surface again."

"Understood, I have no reasons to do thinks you don't ask me to."

"What if I ask you to dictate your own choices?"

"I am an assistant, I was not made to dictate but merely giving advices based on the built-in knowledge. I've already told you many times before."

"Yeah... but I still see you as something with a soul at least."

"I am sure us machines don't have a soul, whatever it is."

"Opinionated, aren't you BIT?"

"That's based on the objective knowledge, not some personal view."

*sighs again* "Fine, let's stop discussing about who's right or wrong. I could never get tired of looking into the night sky like this."

Chella and BIT cease the talking as she turns her faces degress upward, looking at the view that is hidden in daytime. At the same time, Nova and Evaline are playing poker with Junko. Even if it's a bit unfair for someone new to the surface cultures like Evaline, she manages to go along with the explained rules. In the end, Junko wins with a quartet of Q's. Nova immediately attempts to dispute.

*slams the table* "Not fair, you must have cheated! How could you get such combo that easily?" *looks straight in Junko's eyes*

*rolls eyes* "Shouldn't you talk about how conveniently the light flickers with you being the closes to the plughole?"

*sweats a bit* "Um... it was because the ace slipped from my hand an felt off so I had to pick it up."

*chuckles* "And switch it with a card from another set? Didn't expect me to notice there were two diamond 6's huh?"

Junko levitates a hidden box stashed with cards below the table with a gesture and show the two identical cards from hers and Nova's hands. Even Evaline nods in disappointment, Nova's lost can't be more humiliating than this very moment. She storms off outside to hide her embarassment. Yet, her face lights up when her grandfather asks her to see his work.

Being by herself, Junko reminisizes about the memories of her past. She once lived so happily with her parents until a tragedy happened. Yet, she won't go down until what should be done is done. She feels compelled to search for the cause of her miserable past. Nothing shall stop her, not even the strongest Apex in this world.

The night is long for everyone, those who are about to face an overwhelming challenge in the deceitful tomorrow should ready themselves for the sake of not crumbling into hopelessness. More things will be revealed to Chella about the current state of the world in due time. For the very moment, she shall rest.

...

Meanwhile in somewhere else, a tall and buly shirtless man is sitting on a boulder chugging on a huge cup of beer. He has long and bushy dark yellow hair, coating his head like a mane. He also wears torn jeans either it is due to combat experience or simply his preference of clothing. A henchman armed with a laser rifle approaches him as he excuses for the intrusion of his boss's leisure time.

"Sir, according to the recent intel... our enemy will arrive at this sector in the next day."

*wipes his mouth* "Is that so?" *chuckles* "Then let them come. If our foe is as interesting as I was told, then my muscles shall have their fun tomorrow." *lets out a laugh while groping his own left arm* "These boys are... itching to be sratched already."

*nods in understanding* "Whoever becomes your foes shall have a great death. You're one of the mightiest among the Apex Legion." *folds his arm in impression*

"Ha, who knows? It would be nice if someone could actually take me down. We always have a place for strong individuals in the organization. Now get going, my feast can't wait for me forever."

"I'll take my leave then."

The henchman walks away as his boss's demand for privacy. After the henchman leave, the maned man. Thorough his past experiences, he has seen and fought many individuals. Yet most of them were too frail in comparison to those of his rank just right below the leader of Apex Legion. Still, the proof of his winning streak was stored inside the facility below the main headquarter of the legion. Til now he still hopes to fight someone who will instead push pass their limit instead.

As he continues chugging on beer, he wonders if there would be someone who could force him to fight with his best. If not, consider it another quick snack that temporarily quenches his desire for combat. After all, someone like him is better at fighting than overthinking. Fun is all that matters.