Chapter 2: Choice

"I'll have to think about it,"

Jakob replies, offering a small smile to Yash before he takes his leave.

"Understandable. Making major decisions such as this one can be challenging and often requires time. However, it's important to note that this opportunity won't be available indefinitely. Should you reach a decision, you can find further information posted on the office board or on the company's official website. Make sure to make up your mind within the next few days."

Yash responds, as he watches the accountant's departure.

With his business concluded, Yashindo departs as well, a faint smile across his lips.

Totally drained by the night's events, Jakob decides that was time for him to go home and rest.

"Taxi!"

he calls out, waving his hand in the air as he stands on the sidewalk.

A yellow cab pulls up in front of him, and Jakob quickly enters, sinking into the backseat.

"Where to?" the driver asks.

"The apartment on Meza Avenue, the one in front of the clothes store,"

Jakob replies, his voice tired and devoid of energy.

"Aye,"

the driver responds, stepping on the gas as he hears the location.

Glancing into the rearview mirror, the driver couldn’t help but notice his passenger's weary eyes. It was a tell-tale sign that he had quite a rough day.

"Hey-"

he starts, but then hesitates, deciding it might be better to leave Jakob alone given his current state.

As the taxi driver pulled over at the designated location, the tires released a soft squeal against the asphalt as the driver stepped on the brakes.

"We're here,"

the driver announced, glancing once more at the rearview mirror to catch his passenger's attention.

Jakob peered out the window on his left, recognizing the familiar facade of his home. He leaned forward, handing over a small card-like device to the driver. The device's screen displayed a QR code, accompanied by the text "Biometrics verified, Ready for transaction." The driver accepted it, retrieving a scanning device from his console. He carefully places it over Jakob’s QR code, scanning its surface with a bright green light.

A sharp click resonated in the cabin as the scanner completed its task, the screen now showing "Transaction completed."

"Here ya go,"

the driver said, returning the device to Jakob.

"Thanks,"

Jakob replied, his voice tinged with fatigue. He stepped out of the vehicle, the cool evening air wrapping around him as he stood beside the cab.

"Don't overwork yourself kid,"

the cab driver advised, offering a warm smile through the window before merging back into traffic and disappearing down the road.

He watched the yellow cab until it disappeared from sight, then turned and walked toward his apartment. Retrieving his keys from his pocket, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. With a flick of the light switch, the room was lit up, revealing his own modest living space.

His apartment was small, consisting only of a single bedroom, a compact living room, a kitchenette, and a small bathroom. Despite its size, everything was neatly organized, each item finding its place within its own respective container. He empties his pockets, placing his belongings on a small table before draping his coat over a nearby hanger. Exhausted, he trudges toward the shower, eager to wash away the lingering scent from his earlier encounter.

"Triple, huh?"

he asks himself,as the water droplets trickle down his face.

Minutes later, he found himself lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling with his eyes wide open, seemingly unable to find rest. The question Yash had posed earlier echoed in his mind, playing on repeat like a broken record.

"What do you say?"

the voice whispered, the memory of Yash extending his hand with the offer still lingering in his thoughts.

"Is it really worth taking?"

he asks himself, his mind unable to create a solid decision

Longing for the rest he desperately needed, he sank into his bed, closing his eyes in an attempt to force sleep upon himself. As darkness enveloped his vision, memories from his past began to resurface. He remembered the days when he was still a field operator for a low-ranked PMC, a time when dreams of glory and recognition filled his youthful mind.

But reality had a way of crushing dreams, and he soon realized that the gap between him and the top operators was insurmountable. Faced with this stark truth and the financial struggles of his failing PMC, he made the difficult decision to change professions, opting for safety and stability over the uncertain path of a corps member.

Now, presented with the opportunity to return to his previous job with triple his current pay, he found himself torn between two conflicting desires. Should he take the leap and embrace the chance to change the trajectory of his life? Or should he remain in the safety and comfort of his current job? locked in the same repetitive cycle until the end of his days

"I'll just leave tomorrow's thoughts for tomorrow's me"

He thinks to himself, his thoughts slowly phasing out from his mind, falling into a deep state of cessation.

He wakes up the next day, his routine unchanged from what it had always been. He prepared himself for work early in the morning, suiting himself up before taking the same walk he always took on his way to his workplace. As he arrives at the building's entrance, he would be met with a swarm of staring eyes from his coworkers. The atmosphere was filled with an awakward tension, an unusual level of attention focused on him. Never had he garnered this much attention throughout the entirety of his career.

He paid no mind towards his coworkers glances, striding calmly made as he made his way to his cubicle, his actions pretending to be oblivious to the peering eyes surrounding him.

Once settled at his desk, he immersed himself in his work, determined to maintain his focus despite the hanging sense of discomfort in the air. His fingers moved deftly across the keyboard, the familiar rhythm of his tasks providing a temporary escape from the unease that had developed within the office.

Suddenly, a familiar face appeared at the edge of his cubicle, breaking his concentration.

"Hey, you good man?" the voice asked, concern mixed in his tone.

Startled by the intrusion, Jakob looked up to find his colleague, the one who had invited him to Ray's bar the night before.

"I'm fine, why'd you ask?" Jakob replied, his tone carrying some confusion

"Eh? Weren't you caught up in an accident last night?" his coworker asked, puzzled by Jakob's response.

Realization dawned on Jakob as he processed the question. "You knew?" he asked, surprised that news of the previous night's events had already reached his office.

"There's been videos of you clocking this person with a fryin' pan around the net, pretty impressive if you ask me. Honestly, I couldn't believe it at first, thought it was just some sort of prank, but the paper says otherwise," his coworker remarks, handing Jakob a rolled-up newspaper.

Jakob receives it, unrolling it to find the article detailing the events of the previous night.

"It's this one," his coworker points, tapping on the article featuring a picture of Jakob standing triumphantly over the unconscious thief.

"Local office worker takes out armed robber with a frying pan," Jakob reads aloud, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his tone.

"These journalists sure work fast," he adds, still feeling a bit uneasy about the attention.

"The crazier part is that you're up and back to work right away. Attacks like that take days to recover from, hell, some even take weeks," his coworker remarks, concern evident in his voice.

"Guess I have nothing to worry about though, after all, you're the one who smashed a man's head in using a pan," he adds with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, I can't do anything about it now," Jakob replies, handing the newspaper back to his coworker.

With a sense of finality, he resumes typing, the click-clacking sound of the keys filling the air once more. His coworker, sensing that Jakob is preoccupied, decides to leave, knowing he has his own tasks to attend to.

"If you ever need me, you can find me in my cubicle," he offers before heading off.

The rest of the day unfolds as Jakob had planned, with him finishing his work around the same time as the day before. He tidies his desk, ensuring everything is in its place, before standing up and preparing to leave. His uneased movements implied that he was in a hurry, indicating that he still had his own business to attend to after work.

Exiting the building, Jakob wastes no time in setting off in a certain direction, his steps quickening as he moves forward, propelled by the cold city winds of the night

He walks towards the heart of the city, delving deeper into the urban landscape. With each step, the crowds grow denser, contributing to the atmosphere of the city life surrounding him.

After a few more minutes of brisk walking, he finally arrives at his destination.

"This must be it,"

he mutters to himself, looking at the sight of the imposing hospital building before him.

Eager to find his friend, Jakob enters through the front doors and approaches the reception desk to inquire about him.

"Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you today?" the medical receptionist greets him, her voice warm and welcoming.

"I'm looking for someone named Fernando. I don't know his last name, but he was brought here last night," Jakob explains, his voice hinting some concern.

"Just a moment, let me check for you," the receptionist responds, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she searches through the hospital records.

Jakob taps his fingers nervously on the desk, waiting anxiously for the receptionist's response.

"Daddy!" a young voice calls out from behind him.

Startled, Jakob turns to see a little girl running towards a man who appears to have just been discharged from the hospital. He smiles softly, heart warmed by the touching scene unfolding before him.

"Oh my... It's the one who got involved in the robbery incident last night,"

the receptionist mutters to herself, her voice tinged with concern.

"You can find him at room 214, on the second floor, located in the right wing of the building,"

she adds, offering specific instructions to guide him.

"Thank you,"

Jakob replies gratefully, before swiftly making his way towards the room where Fernando is said to be hospitalized.

Knock...Knock

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A soft knock sounded on the door before it swung open, revealing Jakob standing behind it.

"Amigo! Come in!"

Fernando's voice was filled with genuine warmth, his expression brightening at the sight of his friend.

Jakob entered slowly, his expression reflecting concern as he approached Fernando's bedside. His friend was still bedridden, several patches, layered on to one another, covered one of his shoulders, a reminder of the grim events on that very night.

"How are you holding up, Fern?"

Jakob inquired softly, taking a seat beside his friend.

"I'm doing fine, my arm still hurts, but it's nothing compared to the bullet," Fernando replied with a smile, though the pain was still evident in his eyes.

Jakob sat on the chair, leaning closer to Fernando to engage in conversation.

"The doctor mentioned it'll take some time for my arm to fully heal. They said the bullet pierced through one of my shoulder joints. Honestly i dont know how to feel about all that."

Fernando explained, his expression slightly grim but mostly blank as he explained the severity of his current situation

Both of them paused for a few seconds, Jakob's heart and soul feeling down after listening to Fernando's explanation.

Noticing his friend being so downhearted, his melancholy look suddenly shifted to his typical cheery one not long after, his laughter filling the room as if to dispel the heaviness in the air.

"Alright, That's enough bad news. Why don't we just talk like we always did in my food stall, eh?"

Fernando suggested, his optimism shining through despite his circumstances.

"That's also fine by me," Jakob replied, grateful for Fernando's attempt to lighten the mood.

"Speaking of the food stall, how's things on your end? You still on that little dilemma of yours?"

Fernando asked, remembering their conversation during the night of the incident.

Jakob recalls his conversation with Yash, The words of his offer whispering in his ear once more.

"What do you say?"

The voice echoed, stirring Jakob's thoughts once more, reminding him of the decision he still needed to make.

"Hey Jake-!"

Fernando called out, noticing his friend staring into the distance.

"You there, buddy?"

Fernando's asks, attempting to get his friend's attention back.

Jakob shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips as he refocused on their conversation.

"Oh, yeah, right... Sorry about that," Jakob apologized, realizing he had drifted off.

"Nah, it's fine. Something bothering you?"

Fernando asked, his voice showing concern as he waited for Jakob to open up.

"Remember the question I asked you back then?"

Jakob's voice had the same downhearted feel from their conversation, reflecting his current thoughts.

Fernando nodded, a furrow forming between his brows.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Well, after the incident yesterday," Jakob began, retaining the same tone, "it just so happened that our field operator's captain was there. I don't know why he was there, but he witnessed everything. You getting shot, me knocking the thief out... everything."

Fernando's eyes widened in surprise, a bit shocked on the revelation

"The Yashindo guy? Damn, I had no idea..."

"I only found out when he called me over to talk," Jakob continued, his voice showcasing some uncertainty.

"At first, I thought I was in trouble, but turns out his intentions were different. All he did was give me this offer..."

"An offer? What kind of offer?" Fernando leaned forward, his curiosity piqued.

"He told me to leave my current job as an accountant and join his him as a member of his platoon," Jakob confessed, his tone growing firmer with each word.

"He said I'd be getting triple the amount of my current salary."

Fernando's expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he became even more curious with the matter.

"Did you take it?"

Jakob's shoulders slumped, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

"I told him I'll think about it,"

he admitted, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Fernando slightly laughs, somehow finding the entire situation funny in contrast to his friend's gloomy demeanor.

"It's kinda funny Jake. I've always had answers to your questions, even the smallest ones,"

Fernando chuckles, remembering the times when he first met Jakob, the curious young man who'd never run out of questions to ask

"but now? I really just don't know what to say. Guess old Fernando ain't so wise after all huh? "

He replies, his cheery expression slowly fading away.

"Not even you huh?"

Jakob replies, sighing after his friend's response. Realizing that even Fernando struggled to find an answer to his predicament.

Fernando scratched his head, attempting to lighten the mood with a joke. "Don't get too down, kid. I may give free advice, but I'm only half as qualified to be your therapist."

With that Fernando pauses for a few seconds, trying to see if he was able to fish a reaction out from Jacob.

Jakob gave him a small smile, however his eyes told an entirely different story, reflecting the state of him battling his inner turmoil.

"Listen, Jake," Fernando continued, shifting to a more serious tone. "The decision is yours alone to make, but I guess I can offer you some advice that might help you make up your mind."

"Remember when I told you yesterday that being a painter would've been fun for me?"

Fernando asks, trying to see if Jakob recalls the details of their previous conversation

"Yeah, Why?"

Jakob replies

"Honestly, I've always wanted to be a painter growing up, then I realized that doing painting alone won't bring me too far in this world.

After knowing that, I moved on with my life and went along with helping in the family business.

Now, as fun as it was making Tacos and Churros, there was something missing. That sweet sensation of my hand stroking the canvas with my brush, it just felt right, It was as if I understood the world and the world just understood me."

He suddenly pauses in the middle of his speech, sipping some fresh air as the sense of nostalgia slowly took over the atmosphere.

"It has been so long.... The way the brush strokes bring my creations to life, the way my heart sang as I expressed my own world with colors of any type. It was the only thing in the world that truly gave me peace, the only thing in the world which made me feel like alive."

He explains, his voice brightening as he describes his true passions.

"I don't know about you kid, but when I saw you fight to protect me, blocking the shots so easily, I could see it. I could see it in the way you moved, you were like the strokes on my canvas, so smooth, so graceful. Slap me if I'm wrong but you like it, I can tell, not the fighting specifically, but the fact that someone like me is grateful for you saving em'.

You like seeing the faces of the people who've been able to live their life to the fullest because of your actions"

Fernando added, a smile encompassing his face.

Jakob was left speechless by Fernando's words, listening to him intently as the thick fog that has been enshrouding his mind slowly disperse.

"Staying cooled up in that little office of yours, pressing that keyboard over and over again, wont let you live a fulfilling life. Knowing the person you are, you'll probably shrivel up and die alone, especially after i leave for my hermano's store.

You're still young Jake, you still have places to go, people to meet and things to do, I don't think you'll find any of those things in your current job."

Fernando advised, his tone being a bit more confident.

"However, the offer still has It's risks. The possibility of you putting your life in danger will be higher than ever.

Me personally? I think you'll be able to hold yourself just fine. You're a strong kid, and a smart one on top of that. I believe in you kid"

With a final nod, Fernando concluded his heartfelt advice, a small smile gracing his lips as he looked at his friend, silently conveying his support.

"Thanks Fern, that definitely helped."

Jakob's eyes were brighter now, implying that the struggles of him making his decision were no more.

"Anything for you buddy, Now, Where were we?"

Fernando replied.

As they conversed into the night, exchanging small talk and heartfelt advice, Jakob eventually had to bid farewell. Stepping out of the hospital, he found himself on the roadside, using the same gesture he did last night. With a wave of his hand, the vehicle came to a halt before him

"The apartment on Evergreen Avenue-"

Jakob began, but the driver finished his sentence

"The one in front of the clothes store," the driver interjected, his eyes meeting Jakob's in the rearview mirror.

Their shared recognition of the previous night's encounter brought a smile to both their faces as the trip went on. As they drove, the driver couldn't help but notice the transformation in Jakob's demeanor-yesterday's weariness replaced by a newfound liveliness.

Arriving at Jakob's destination, they repeated the routine payment process with the card-like devices. Before Jakob exited the cab, the driver couldn't resist but ask a question.

"Things getting better now?" he asked, some concern etched in his voice.

Jakob chuckled softly, a genuine lightness in his response.

"They really are."

With a one last smile towards one another, the driver bid Jakob farewell, driving off into the night.

Continuing with his nightly routine, Jakob settled onto his bed with his laptop, the soft glow illuminating his face as he attended into his tasks. The quick tapping of his fingers on the keyboard echoed in the room, reminiscent of his days in the office. With determined focus, he created an email for his Captain, Yashindo, informing him of his decision.

"Alright... and... sent,"

he muttered to himself, exhaling the air he's been holding as he clicked the send button.

With the first task completed, Jakob moved on to the next item on his agenda-researching the additional information provided on the PMC's official website.

"Let's see... Job Applications... Field Operator... Requirements,"

Jakob read out loud, thoroughly navigating through the website.

Navigating to the requirements page, Jakob skimmed through the list of instructions, most of which failed to capture his attention. However, one section piqued his interest-the practical exam scheduled for about a week from now.

A practical examination will be held within one of the PMC's specialized facilities. To those participating please refer to the date below. Only applicants of whom passed the wrriten exam will be given a chance to participate. If preferred, one can bring personal equipment to be used in the physical tests, however only D-Grade equipment will be accepted, anything higher will be confiscated by one of our proctors for the duration of the exam.

The section of the website wrote. Just as he finished reading, Yash's would've already replied to his email. It contained information explaining that his request would've been approved and that there would be no need for him to take the written exam, considering that he is a former employee of the PMC. Yash's prompt reply to his email brought a sense of relief. The confirmation of his request approval and exemption from the written exam lifted a weight off his shoulders. With a satisfied nod, Jakob closed his laptop and set it aside, sinking back onto his bed with a contented sigh.

"What a day"

he thinks to himself, reflecting on all the recent events which had transpired earlier. Now feeling accomplished, he closes his eyes, finally allowing himself to drift off into a well-deserved slumber.

In an undisclosed location, Yashindo stood alongside the director and executives of the PMC, observing a live demonstration through thick bulletproof glass. They watched intently as new equipment was showcased before them.

"Laura, did you send the email?" Yash whispered discreetly, ensuring his words weren't overheard.

"I did, Sir. It's done," the virtual assistant responded promptly.

"Captain, you're up," a voice called out, prompting Yashindo to leave his position beside the executives and move forward.

"And now, for the next demonstration, the main event of the day, Sherly..." the secretary announced, drawing everyone's attention.

As the steel gates of the demonstration room parted, a woman with a slight frame stepped forward, drawing the attention of the onlookers.

"I didn't expect her to be so small," one executive remarked, voicing his surprise at Sherly's stature.

"Never underestimate her capabilities, sir. Remember, she's the reason behind Rock's hospitalization," the secretary cautioned, underscoring Sherly's importance as a valuable asset.

Suddenly, two humanoid robots materialized before Sherly, their human-sized frames making them appear equal in size. As they powered on, they charged towards her, initiating the demonstration.

Her body suddenly felt a bit lighter, the pull effect of the device on her neck has weakened, although not completely.

"Let's see how she handles half the gravity," Yash thought to himself as he adjusted the settings.

As the bots lunged at her, Sherly remained composed, adopting a defensive stance. Their blade-like appendages sliced through the air as they aimed for her.

"They're fast, but I can keep up," Sherly analyzed, deftly dodging each attack with precise movements.

"Im Impressed by how she's holding herself, considering she's unarmed,"

remarked an executive, acknowledging Sherly's skill.

Sherly knew she couldn't rely solely on defense. Seizing an opening, she landed a powerful blow on one bot's chest, momentarily disabling it. With quick thinking, she utilized the disabled bot as a shield against the other's attacks, exploiting an error on the other's AI. It was meant to attack Sherly, however would be forced to stand down on the sight of it's fellow machine.

With the other battle bot's AI momentarily thrown into disarray, Sherly seized the opportunity, swiftly grasping the disabled bot's arm and swinging it with all her might. The metallic impact reverberated through the room as she slammed it into the oncoming bot's head, causing significant dents to form in its sturdy armor plating. Sparks flew as the bot staggered back, its systems struggling to recalibrate.

Quickly discarding her makeshift weapon, Sherly launched herself into a relentless assault, her movements a blur of speed and accuracy. Each punch landed with devastating force, the sound of metal meeting metal echoing throughout the demonstration room. With each strike, the battle bot's outer shell began to fracture, revealing it's innards of network of circuits and wiring beneath.

Sherly's onslaught continued unabated, her determination unwavering as she targeted critical points on the bot's immer chamber. With each blow, she slowly shattered its exterior, exposing its vulnerable core. The battle bot's systems faltered under the relentless assault, its internal circuitry sparking and sputtering as it struggled to maintain functionality.

Finally, with a final, decisive blow, Sherly delivered a crushing strike directly to the bot's core, causing it to convulse before collapsing to the ground. Silence descended upon the room as the bot's systems shut down, what remained nothing more than a motionless husk.

The demonstration room echoed with the applause of impressed executives, captivated by Sherly's performance.

"Well, that was quite the show, but any competent PMC member with the right equipment would be able to perform the same trick," remarked an executive, dampening the mood.

"Why hold onto her when we could recruit someone more capable?" questioned another, unimpressed by Sherly's display.

The secretary's chuckle cut through the tension, a mischievous grin on her face as she turned to Yash with a nod.

"The real demonstration is just beginning. Sherly's warm-up was merely a taste,"

she replied, hinting at Sherly's true potential yet to be revealed.

The atmosphere was filled with tension as the demonstration room's floor trembled. With a deafening roar, the steel gates flung open, revealing two colossal battle mechs entering from both the left and right gates.

Standing at a towering fifteen meters in height when it stood on it's hind legs, each mech resembled a quadrupedal beast. Their limbs were adorned with razor-sharp claw-like accessories, deadly weapons against steel plated mechs . Their lion-like heads boasted serrated metal teeth within gaping maws, emitting an aura of primal ferocity. Sentry turrets perched upon their shoulders, automated heavy machine guns ready to release a wave of destruction.

"The Mark Three Sabertooth Mech. Widely utilized by Private Military Companies for hunting down other large mechs. It's hailed as one of the fastest and most formidable mechs in existence, known for its unparalleled agility and devastating firepower. Now, let the demonstration commence," announced the secretary.

Sherly felt a surge of exhilaration as her body returned to its natural state, a sense of power coursing through her veins.

"I'm...My body, It feels...amazing," she thought to herself, reveling in the newfound strength.

"She's going all out,"

murmured Yashindo, disabling the collar device on Sherly's neck to unleash her full potential.

After Stretching her muscles and popping a few joints. Sherly approached the imposing mechs with a confident smirk,

"What is she doing--?" questioned an executive, incredulous at Sherly's bravery.

The mechs, unfazed by her bold advance, attempted to repel her by unleashing a barrage of bullets from their shoulder-mounted guns.

Undettered by the onslaught of bullets from the mechs' shoulder guns, Sherly deftly evaded each projectile using her extraordinary agility, weaving through the storm of metal with effortless finesse.

Closing in on one of the mechs, Sherly forced it into melee mode, confronting it head-on as it unleashed a vicious onslaught with its jaws. But Sherly met the challenge head-on, her unyielding strength overpowering the mechanical beast.

"What the--"

The executives were left astonished by such power, a mere woman being able to go toe-to-toe against such a powerful mechanical beast

With a display of sheer force, Sherly seized the mech by its jaws, lifting it effortlessly off the ground before slamming it with bone-shattering impact. The resounding crash echoed through the room as sparks flew, the mech's limbs were rendered useless by the devastating blow.

Despite its imminent defeat, the mech unleashed a final barrage of heavy machine gun fire in a desperate bid to eliminate Sherly. The other mech, witnessing its companion's imminent defeat, surged forward to lend assistance. But she remained steadfast, forcibly redirecting the gunfire towards its charging ally.

"There you go,"

Sherly muttered under her breath, speaking as if she was gifting her adversary with a swarm of bullets.

The charging sabretooth mech, its thin armor already battered by the gunfire, endured a relentless onslaught of bullets, sustaining significant damage. Undeterred, it pressed on, lunging at Sherly with ferocious aggression as soon as it closed the distance.

Reacting with lightning speed, Sherly sprang into action, vaulting off the shoulder of the nearly defeated mech. In a split-second maneuver, she redirected her momentum, causing both mechs to collide with tremendous force, triggering a powerful explosion that reverberated through the room.

The ensuing explosion engulfed the room in chaos, smoke and flames obscuring the battlefield as the executives looked on in awe and disbelief.

"Is she- did she survive?" one executive dared to ask, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Go see for yourself," the secretary replied with a smug grin, relishing the tension thickening in the air.

Emerging unscathed from the fiery aftermath, Sherly stood triumphant, unaffected by the chaos that surrounded her.

"Amazing-!" exclaimed the director, his astonishment evident as he witnessed Sherly's incredible feat of strength and resilience.

But the battle was far from over as another adversary emerged from the smoke, lunging at Sherly with ruthless intent. Yet, Sherly's reflexes were as sharp as ever, her movements fluid and slick as she deftly evaded the attack.

The heavily damaged mech, though battered and barely functional, remained steadfast in its resolve to fulfill its directives. With determination gleaming in its mechanical eyes, it locked gazes with Sherly, the tension thickening with each passing moment.

In a silent yet intense standoff, Sherly and the mech exchanged unwavering stares, each daring the other to make a move. But it was the mech that broke the deadlock, lunging forward with a swipe of its massive claw.

Reacting with lightning reflexes, Sherly intercepted the attack with effortless grace, seizing the mech by its clawed hand and holding it firmly in place.

"You're getting annoying," Sherly muttered through gritted teeth, her frustration evident as she addressed the relentless mech. With a swift and decisive motion, she hurled the mechanical contraption towards the reinforced glass barrier where the Director and executives stood.

The impact echoed through the room, causing the mech to explode upon contact with the sturdy glass. Though the barrier held firm against the explosive force, it bore the brunt of the impact, exhibiting only a few cracks on it's surface.

"Do you see it?"

the secretary declared, her fingers tracing the cracks on the glass.

The earlier praise gave way to an eerie silence, leaving the audience uncertain whether the quiet stemmed from shock or fear. The executives who had previously made disparaging remarks now stood silent, their words swallowed by the sight in front of them.

"Quite the spectacle, isn't she?"

the director commented, breaking the silence with a measured tone.

"She's dangerous! We cannot control something like that!"

an executive exclaimed, voicing the collective concern over Sherly's potential threat.

"Oh? The Captain will be in charge of watching over her for now. After all, he's the one who subdued her. I highly doubt he won't be able to do it again," the secretary replied, her confidence unwavering as she reassured the anxious executives. Yashindo nodded in agreement, lending further assurance to her words.

"Anyone else?"

the secretary inquired, scanning the audience for additional comments.

The room remained silent, with no further responses forthcoming.

"Very well, if that is the case, then this concludes the demonstration," the secretary announced, bringing the tense proceedings to an end.

Yash peered through the cracked glass, locking eyes with Sherly. Their gaze held for a fleeting moment, an unspoken exchange of understanding passing between them.

"Do you think you'd be able to use her?" the virtual assistant queried.

"With the right environmental conditions, it might just be possible," Yashindo replied thoughtfully.

"Based on the time I spent taking care of her back at home, I'd say she's a lost soul lacking proper human interaction," Laura offered her insights.

"A lost soul, huh? Even I don't know about that,"

Yashindo replies his gaze fixed onto Sherly

Sherly stood amidst the fiery aftermath, her gaze intense as if she could see into everyone's souls. Despite the chaos, she remained calm and powerful, a striking figure amidst the destruction. With flames dancing around her, she exuded an aura of quiet strength, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed her presence.

"I'd say she's the devil herself,"

the secretary commented, suddenly appearing beside Yashindo.

"But even the devil fears the messiah," she added, casting a meaningful glance at Yashindo, suggesting that he embodied the latter role.

The day's events left a lasting impact on everyone involved. Sherly's strength amazed the executives but also raised concerns about her power.

For Yashindo and his team, it was not only a demonstration of their newly found unit but was also a reminder of the risks their new asset posed.

CHAPTER 2

END