"A long time ago... There was peace and quiet in the 5th universe. Ask why? Yes, because no one lived there. There was no water, no grass, no earth. It was empty. The only thing that created a sense of life was the boiling lava. After many millions of years, everything that is suitable for life appeared. The first intelligent creatures that lived on land were dinosaurs. These are huge creatures that roamed the expanses of waters, lands, air and dungeons. At the same time, the progenitor's son, the 'Half-Dead Shield', was sent there. But in order to worsen his stay on this planet, he lowered him from space. The half-dead shield disrupted the entire ecosystem with its fall. Almost all the dinosaurs have gone into oblivion, because of the planet's shutdown. Some are frozen in the ice. Someone died from a fall, but still someone survived. These were the four largest and most massive dinosaurs. The half-dead shield decided to tame them. After a huge number of years, a new legend appeared - the 'Legend of Steel Monsters'. All the inhabitants of the planet talked a lot about them. That the gods sent them. That these are sacred robots. Someone said they were monsters, but in reality it was different. The half-dead shield gradually changed the structure of these dinosaurs, replacing their body parts and insides with machinery. Many years of work has paid off and now these are huge steel robots that rotate the planet in orbit with their steps."

???: And what are you doing here?

???: Is it not visible? I'm replacing the mount for the rotation of the planet. You see, the spring has relaxed a little here. So, I'm tweaking it.

???: I see...

???: Kumiko, what are you doing here?

Kumiko: I'm watching you.

???: Yes, I understand that you are not interested in the mechanism of rotation of the earth, but me. But still, at least find out something. You just stand there and disturb me with your presence when I'm busy.

Kumiko: Shield, you're such a buka...

"Kumiko pouted because of a small grudge."

Half-dead shield: Eh. Yes, I'm not very good at choosing less rude expressions, but still - I'm kind.

Kumiko: I know...

Half-dead shield: Kumiko, let me finish and we'll go to some restaurant?

Kumiko: Okay, I agree.

"Kumiko went to the forest to walk."

Half-dead Shield: * Actually, it would be good to do a system update for these huge robots.*

"The half-dead shield tightened the spring and, collecting all the tools, went into the forest to Kumiko."

Half-dead shield: Kumiko! Koo-Mi-Ko! Where are you!?

"There was silence in response."

Half-dead shield: * I hope nothing happened to her.*

"The half-dead shield was going in the same direction as Kumiko. But at some point, the tracks disappeared."

Half-dead shield: * So, she couldn't fall, so she was taken from above. The only organization that can fly with impunity is LSD, namely the Flying Delivery Service. It sounds like a regular delivery, but it's actually the mafia that's trying to hire me. If my memory serves me correctly, their office is located under the radio tower.*

"The half-dead shield took a titanium bat out of the toolbox and ran towards the barn. Running up to him, he threw the box and quickly began to run to the center of the metropolis."

--- At this time---

???: Don't worry. We won't hurt you. All we need is your friend, Mamoru.

Kumiko: I know, but at least give me some food. I want to eat.

???: Antonio, give her sandwiches and juice.

ANTONIO: Okay, now.

???: Do you know any information that will help us find him?

Kumiko: He'll come to you anyway, personally.

???: Wow. So he'll want to cooperate with us, since we have his girlfriend.

Kumiko: I'm not his girlfriend, at least not yet. And secondly, I don't think you'll be alive.

???: You think an ordinary engineer can stop us. Especially since we have firearms and he doesn't? I doubt. But what about the fact that there are a hundred of us, does that mean to you that he will die in an assassination attempt?

Kumiko: Ha. It's funny to listen to your baby talk.

???: And who's talking about baby talk here? You're only 15 years old!

Kumiko: So what? Your words don't carry the real point! You're jumping to conclusions and dreaming about what didn't happen! You are an ordinary person who does not understand everything! You don't live in the present where you know about the future! You live in the present, where you draw conclusions from the past! Not knowing everything about a person! You create in your head only your image of the omniscient, but in fact you are a fool that does not see everything in the full picture! You're only looking at the painting itself, not what's behind it! Is that what you know about Antonio, about Denis? What can you at least say about your wife Clara? You don't know anything about them! You think you know everything about them! But no, they're hiding things from you that they don't want to tell you! This is what is behind the painting! You are mired in your dreams and stuck behind the frame of a single painting called A Lie! Isn't that right, Sean de Cooper, nicknamed the 'Scarlet Flyer'?!

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

Scarlet Flyer: Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! ... Shut up! ... For-mol-chi! You're lying! No, I'm lying! No! No! No! Shut up! Why are you still talking! Stop! Why is your mouth closed! Why are you smiling!? Where are you!? I can hear you! Where!?

"The scarlet flier took a pistol from his inner pocket, held it to his head and fired."

Scarlet Flyer: Why are you silent...

Kumiko: * Oh, and there was such an interesting specimen. Sorry. It's time to look for a new one...*

--- At this time---

"The half-dead shield was already in the center of the metropolis, right under the radio tower."

???: Unfortunately, you can't get through. At least introduce yourself.

Half-dead shield: I'm not going to.

"The Half-dead Shield's face was grim. The two people standing in front of him were shocked. They saw in front of them as if a living corpse. There was not a single scratch on his body, but the huge hole that was instead of a heart told them that he was dead. Yes, he's dead, people thought, but why is he talking to us? His hole in his body reminded them of the mark of a huge armor-piercing shell. But most of all, they were afraid of the look that looked at them. There were no emotions on him, but his eyes expressed utter utter horror of what he could do to them."

Half-dead shield: Let me through or you'll be dead.

"The people who stood in front of him were afraid of him and wanted to let him through by opening the gate, but the duty that held them back prevented them from doing so."

Half-dead Shield: I'm sorry for your families, but most of all, I'm sorry for the people that you killed.

"The half-dead shield raised the bat at the left guard. The second guard took out a pistol and aimed, fired. The half-dead shield abruptly changed the position of the bat to the right, repelled the bullet, as a result of which the huge hole that was on his body was slightly tightened."

Half-dead shield: 20. Yes, 20.

"The half-dead shield continued the trajectory of the bat, pointing it at the left guard. The guard's head flew off to the side."

Half-dead shield: 21-n.

"The hole on the body of the Half-dead Shield has slightly increased back. The remaining guard, frightened, threw away his gun and ran into the city, into an alley. The half-dead shield threw a bat that hit the guard's head, piercing through it."

Half-dead shield: Shopping center. I got it dirty, you freak.

"The half-dead shield walked up to the corpse and pulled out a bat."

Half-dead shield: Well, what kind of organization are you? I've got my hands full already, and you're also in the way. TC, she won't get out on her own, that's a hassle.

"The half-dead shield opened the gate and entered the control center of the radio tower. There was no one inside. The only thing that made it clear that someone was here was an open door in the wall. He went up to it and opened it and entered. Ahead, he saw a crowd of people shouting. But they weren't yelling at each other, not at anyone, but at themselves."

Half-dead shield: * Having fun again, well, as much as possible.* Hey! Kumiko! Enough! They don't do the slaughter here as usual!

Kumiko: The shield! Hooray, you've come! Untie me quickly and we'll go to the restaurant!

"The half-dead shield, approaching the cell where Kumiko was tied up, pushed one person after another."

Half-dead shield: No, as punishment for your behavior, we will not go to a restaurant, but to another robot N.

Kumiko: Heading north again!?

Half-dead shield: Don't be indignant! We were there almost 4 years ago. He's not in the best condition anyway.

Kumiko: Well, at least take some food with you. I don't want to be in the hospital again with loss of consciousness due to lack of food and water.

Half-dead shield: Okay, let's do this. I'll untie you, and you go to the kitchen and get as much food as you think is necessary while I'm busy.

Kumiko: Okay, that's settled.

"The half-dead shield began to untie Kumiko, while behind him all the people who were at the camera shot themselves in the head. One by one they fell down uttering one phrase 'Why did you shut up?!When Kumiko was untied, she ran to the kitchen, and the Half-dead Shield began to remove the corpses, piling them in the room with the electric board. Gathering everyone in one room, he tore out two wires from the electrical panel and inserted them into the person who was closest. Going to the workshop, he found gasoline and doused everyone, returning back. All the people caught fire with a scarlet flame."

Half-dead shield: The Scarlet Flyer. Since you were called that, then this time you will burn with a scarlet flame without taking off. Dumbass. I told you last time. You shouldn't mess with us. That it's not worth it, but no! You came back to us 4 years later and tried to take over my knowledge. Did you think I wouldn't find out about your nickname? The scarlet flyer, so called the man who set fire to all the poor people and flying in his small helicopter scattered scarlet rose petals. I did it beautifully, but not correctly!

Kumiko: Can I interrupt you?

Half-dead shield: Yes, I'm listening, what did you want?

Kumiko: This is not a real Scarlet Flyer, but his brother, who bought petals and set fire to houses. The real Scarlet Flier just looked at it, throwing petals.

Half-dead shield: That is? Are you saying that it wasn't him and that we committed the crime as usual? And as usual because you don't say anything?

Kumiko: Yeah.

Half-dead shield: Well, as usual! Can you speak to the end for once?

Kumiko: Well, to find out everything, I had to get into his head and check, so I wouldn't find out.

"The Half-dead Shield's face became displeased, he raised his hand to his nose."

Half-dead shield: Yes, I know about your ability. With the help of psychological trauma or pressure on the weak points of the psyche, you get the opportunity to telekinesis into a person's consciousness and ask questions to his subconscious immediately. After he dies, you can't talk to him. Did you miss anything?

Kumiko: Well, again...

Half-dead shield: Shut up! It's time for us to go! The workers will arrive soon, and then the police. We will be arrested immediately. Or do you want to massacre the whole city and then the country? Do you remember how it ended last time? That's right, the whole of Atlantis has sunk! All the people killed each other and themselves. And in addition to this, the country nearby decided that there was an epidemic and launched a rocket to the continent. Damn it, the continent that barely kept afloat! That's it! Since I promised to go to a restaurant, then we'll go. Just to start, let's go get some new clothes. And then, immediately to any restaurant that you wish.

Kumiko: Okay, then let's go to the Red Scarf. They serve excellent bloody steak there.

"The half-dead shield and Kumiko came out from under the radio tower and headed towards the barn. There they left and changed into ordinary, casual clothes for them. The half-dead shield was wearing wide-cut black trousers with a high fit ending above the waist. There was nothing on top. He didn't wear anything on his feet either. There were only trousers. Kumiko put on a snow-white dress. And she had a black crown on her head. The shoes were also snow-white. Each took a weapon in his hands. The half-dead shield took a bat, and Kumiko took a knife, yes, an ordinary kitchen knife."