Chapter 190: Decisions

Henry’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean, turn back?”

The martial artist didn’t even blink.

“The shelter is full,” he said flatly. “The automated system won’t allow the gates to close if more people enter.”

For a second, there was silence.

Then it exploded.

“What kind of nonsense is that?!”

“You’re joking, right?!”

“Are you going to let us die out here?!”

Voices rose and panic spread like wildfire. People surged forward again, desperation twisting their faces.

Henry felt the pressure from behind instantly.

Bodies slammed into him.

The same chaos as before, only worse.

The martial artist’s aura flared.

A heavy, suffocating pressure crashed down on the crowd.

“Enough.”

One word.

But it hit like a hammer and the noise died.

Not completely but enough.

“That is why I’m giving you a chance,” the man continued coldly. “Leave. Now. Find somewhere to hide before the monsters arrive.

The crowd froze at the verdict.

Faces that were once filled with anger… slowly drained into despair.

Because they understood.

They couldn’t win.

Not against him.

Not against any of the martial artists inside.

These were the same people who were supposed to be outside fighting, protecting and saving them.

Yet now… they stood behind steel gates.

Safe.

While everyone else was thrown away.

Henry’s fists clenched.

His jaw tightened.

So this is how it is…

Around him, people began to move.

Some cursed under their breath.

Some cried.

Some didn’t say anything at all.

They just turned and left.

Desperate to find any place that might keep them alive.

Others lingered, hoping they would be let in.

But with a heavy mechanical sound, they shut completely.

Sealing off the last chance.

Hope… cut off in an instant.

That was the final answer.

One by one, even the stubborn ones left.

Until the once-crowded entrance became empty.

Except Henry and his family.

Henry didn’t move.

He stood in front of the sealed gate with Cynthia and Remedy behind him.

The sounds of monsters were getting closer, louder and heavier.

Then a voice crackled through the shelter’s speakers.

“You should find somewhere safe to hide before the monsters arrive.”

Henry looked up sharply.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

“You and I both know there’s nowhere safe apart from here!”

Silence answered him.

Henry’s expression darkened.

Then his eyes hardened.

“…Fine.”

He stepped closer to the gate.

“How about we make a deal?”

Time passed.

Too fast.

And yet not fast enough.

The sounds of monsters grew louder with every second and after a brief but tense exchange, Henry and the martial artist reached an agreement.

The gate opened.

Just a little.

Enough for one person.

Henry crouched down and gently patted Remedy’s head.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly.

“Your mom and I will be right behind you.”

He smiled.

“We just have something to take care of.”

“…So go inside and wait for us.”

Cynthia said nothing.

But her hand lingered on Remedy’s shoulder for a moment longer than necessary.

Remedy looked at them.

Her face was calm and expressionless.

Then she stepped forward and entered.

The gate closed behind her, separating them.

This was how her parents died.

She had lived through this moment countless times.

Again.

And again.

And again.

But the reason she showed no emotion…

Wasn’t because she didn’t feel anything.

It was because she couldn’t change it.

This was a memory.

And she was bound to it.

Like an actor trapped inside a script.

She couldn’t speak out of turn.

Couldn’t warn them.

Couldn’t say goodbye.

No matter how many times she relived the memory.

No matter how much she wanted to.

Everything would play out exactly the same since it was a fixed memory.

And after this, the people inside the shelter were supposed to survive.

That was how it always went.

But that…

Was the problem.

Because if the memory reached that point, if everything played out to the end, then the window would close.

The chance to save her would disappear.

And the real her, would remain trapped in a comatose state.

The only way to save her now was an external force.

Remedy stood silently behind the gate

…Please hurry, Adam.

****

Adam stood within his soul, staring at the entity.

Then at the two lights.

His gaze lingered on the second one, the one connected to Remedy.

“…Explain.”

The entity tilted its head slightly.

“Well,” it said casually, “that window exists because of her.”

Adam frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“When that cotton-candy girl was supercharging Judgement, the backlash would’ve wrecked you.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed.

The memory clicked, the overwhelming surge of power and the instability.

“You wouldn’t have survived it,” the entity continued. “So she stepped in.”

“Used herself as a buffer to block the damage.”

Adam went silent.

Then slowly he raised a hand and pointed at the glowing window.

“So this…”

“…is permanent?”

The entity shook its head.

“No.”

“As long as she wakes up, the connection disappears.”

Adam nodded slightly.

That made sense.

But something still felt off.

Remedy hadn’t woken up.

Not yet.

And because Adam knew her ability he knew her soul wouldn’t be simple.

Not like mine.

He had fought through his own.

Faced the phantoms to clear a path.

But Remedy?

With the nature of her regression and with everything she carried…

Adam’s gaze darkened.

She’ll be fine…

It’s Rem.

But the thought didn’t sit right.

Something felt wrong.

He stared at the window leading to her soul.

If I go in…

I might make things worse.

Adam hesitated.

For once he didn’t want to act.

Didn’t want to gamble.

Because if he was wrong…

The consequences wouldn’t fall on him alone.

Behind him, the entity said nothing.

It simply watched.

Adam exhaled slowly.

Then he took a step forward.

Toward the first light that led to the exit.

But be stopped.

Then he turned.

And walked toward the second light instead.

The one leading to Remedy.

Adam stopped in front of it.

His reflection shimmered faintly within the glow.

He clenched his fist.

“…Please don’t let this be a mistake.”

And then he stepped forward.

And dove into the light.

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