[Trait: Dyslexia (Warning)] “Dyslexia…?” The negative trait that vanished as an Encounter reward.The surrounding scenery began to change.Even though he was still shrouded in darkness—he could tell.Something was different. It felt as if the world—previously blurred by mosaic—was returning to its original clarity.A strange, new experience.Normally, one would find this sort of thing unsettling, but instead of discomfort,he felt an odd sense of liberation. ‘…So I’ve already resolved two negative traits now.’ First poor eyesight, and now dyslexia.Negative traits could be overcome in various ways—but “various” didn’t mean easy.To have removed two of them already, at this stage, was an extraordinary pace. ‘I didn’t think I’d fix dyslexia this fast…’ At least he wouldn’t have to struggle with reading anymore.Time to check. Conveniently, there was a way to test it nearby. Kaa-aak? A crow had approached him while he was focused on the fallen Mountain.He reached out a hand. Flap-flap! As if waiting for that signal, it hopped onto his shoulder.He’d called it over for a reason—the small tag on its ankle.He wasn’t even sure why the thought had occurred to him,but he carefully examined the tiny tag attached to the bird’s foot. “Huh…” Tiny, intricate letters—and this time, he could read them clearly. [NickName: Xenon][ID: A3315542] That was when he realized—there was something he hadn’t yet known. “Hm…?” Wait. That name—A flicker of cognitive dissonance.Confusion. ‘So the old man wasn’t its real owner?’ Then what happened? Dozens of theories spun through his head in rapid succession,but understanding this situation wasn’t easy. ‘If its real name *is* Xenon…’ Then “Cookie” must’ve been the name the old man had given it.And that ID number—it revealed where the bird originally came from. [A331]—a familiar serial code. “Weizen Ecological Park…” A nature reserve not too far from here. Could the bird have escaped the chaos and met the old man by chance?Then, when the old man’s condition worsened…it might’ve gone out seeking help. That would make sense, to a degree.But only to a degree. It was a puzzle that didn’t quite fit, no matter how he tried to force it.A few days—barely over a week.Could a human and an animal, both unstable, form such a deep bond in so little time?Enough that the bird would risk its life for him? The answer was disappearing into ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) a labyrinth of uncertainty. Then— A clumsy human voice came from the crow’s beak. “New… hu-man… str-ong… go-od…” So it could really speak human words.A crow with that level of intelligence—then he could ask questions, couldn’t he? “The old man. You weren’t close enough for him to summon me?” “Fee-ding… man… ta-sty…” Kaa-aak! Kaa-aak! So it was only someone who’d fed it?Then that led to an even more absurd conclusion. “This is ridiculous…” A dry laugh escaped him.Even he found his own thoughts absurd. ‘The idea that this bird tested me to choose a new master—that’s too far-fetched.’ Well, it didn’t matter much either way.He could just let it go. Still—somehow, he couldn’t shake the thought that this crow itself might be the true reward from the encounter. He weighed the thought briefly. ‘A crow with the intelligence of at least a seven-year-old child…’ It could communicate, exchange information, even perform recon.And traveling alone would feel less lonely, too. The answer was obvious.If it had been the old man’s pet, he might’ve felt a twinge of guilt—but it wasn’t. “You coming with me?” Kaa-aak!!! It cried out enthusiastically, then hopped onto the back seat of the Black Wing aircraft as if it belonged there. That was answer enough. He reignited the engines.This time, reading the control panel was easy—he could understand every word. --- Flying at night was no longer difficult without dyslexia.He pressed a few buttons in sequence. “This one.” [Auto Hover Mode Activated] The Black Wing, which had always raced through the sky, now floated still, balancing itself midair. “Nice.” That explained how Mother had managed to snipe a target from 1.5 kilometers away while onboard—you couldn’t aim accurately in a shaking craft.A stabilizing hover mode was essential. And that wasn’t all. Beep! “Let’s see…” Beep! He activated the wind shield barrier, adjusted the seat— Whirrrrr— A soft hum, then silence.The barrier sealed out the noise, and the seat reclined slightly. “An aerial bed, huh.” Kaa-aak. Xenon let out a pleased sound, seemingly content. “Haa…” Above them, the sky was filled with glittering light.With the city’s blackout, the stars shone clearer and deeper than ever.Among them, one constellation drew his gaze—Taurus.Visible from late autumn through winter. Beautiful, but he had no room for wonder.The encroaching winter only brought a cold sense of urgency. ‘Too much happened in just one day.’ Not that much time had passed—still within expected limits.But the unease in his chest wouldn’t go away. ‘Should I keep moving?’ He knew it would be unwise to travel without rest.And yet… the thought persisted.A compulsive urge bordering on pathological. Then— “Shi… so.” Xenon muttered something. “…?” “Shi… so.” “Shiso?” It pecked him on the forehead—hard.He blocked with a hand, surprised by its strength. Kaa-aak!! It flapped angrily. Wait… could it be— “…Word chain?” The crow nodded. “Well then…” A crow wanting to play word chain was bizarre enough.Wanting to play it with a human was almost comical. “No regrets?” Kak? Its tone almost sounded mocking. “Alright then. ‘Sausage.’” “Gerconium.” “…What?” It pronounced it perfectly. Thwack! “……!” Kak! Kak! Kaa-aak! “Shi… so.” “This time, properly. ‘Shiso.’” “…Sauce.” “Strontium.” “……” Thwack! He went blank for a second.And realized—he’d never stood a chance. Maybe…the crow was a genius.Or maybe he was just the fool here. --- Dawn came.His forehead throbbed, but he ignored it.Just a small incident from the night before. The score: 1 win, 10 losses.After his single victory, a light flick to the bird’s head ended the match.Maybe he’d hit a bit too hard—but sometimes, hierarchy had to be established. Now Xenon was quietly pecking at a lump of grain. Kak! Kak! Leaving behind that strange little scene— ‘It’s starting to show up on the radar.’ [Willow Root]The eastern border zone, home to the Pommel Android Production District. Beyond it—the Wastelands.Or more accurately, the Barrens.The edge of the city. The desolate view stirred mixed feelings. He had to steady himself.He couldn’t be sure, but if the Liberation Union had a base anywhere,this was the place. If she was still alive, she’d already gathered considerable strength. ‘I should gain altitude and survey from a distance first.’ He spotted movements below—a large number of them.Far more than in South Boxwood, where the Egg housing complex was. This was the eastern edge—but also its center.Once heavily populated, now crawling with countless lifeforms. And then— “Hmm?” [Trait ‘Crisis Detection’ Activated] What? The sudden activation startled him.There could be unique mutants here, sure—but the density felt… too artificial. Red auras—multiple, spreading from several points. Even for a populous area like Willow Root, this concentration was unnatural. His nose twitched.Something foul lingered in the air.A nauseating mix of rot and burning. He grimaced instinctively. Kaa-aak—! Even Xenon seemed uneasy, flaring his wings in agitation. ‘I’d better take a closer look.’ There was still something he didn’t understand.Why Mother abandoned her stronghold—the Criminal Isolation Zone—to move here, to the treacherous East.Maybe this was related. --- As he descended, the landscape grew clearer.Ruins—like every other place.But the oppressive atmosphere of the wastelandwas enough to make breathing difficult. ‘Haa…’ Whrrr— And then—his eyes widened. ‘That’s…’ His mind froze.The surface-level ruins were just camouflage. Below—countless moving masses.Not tens of thousands.Hundreds of thousands. A wave of small creatures—rats. At that scale, the term changed. [Plague Wave]. A tide of pestilence. And that wasn’t all. Here and there, he saw unique or evolved mutants—preying on the rat swarms, feeding on them. An unnatural ecosystem.How could such a thing form? He barely had time to think—a sharp pain pulsed through his head. The red aura thickened—bloodlike.It screamed a warning. Leave this place. The word “warning” flashed in his mind. He turned—and froze. Something indistinct was watching him. “…?” For a moment it felt like his vision was smeared with blood.He wiped his glasses reflexively— And saw it. A grotesque silhouette, visible even from afar. Four tails.Wings—or slabs of flesh shaped like them.Black, hairless skin.A face that was neither human nor beast. A chill pierced his spine. “No way…” Could it be—that thing? It had to be.Only that would explain all this. Before he could think further, his body reacted.He yanked the throttle.The Black Wing shot upward vertically.Xenon almost fell, but he caught the bird midair, continuing the climb. And then— Clang—!! The craft shuddered violently. “Shit!!” The curse tore from his lips.His palms were drenched in sweat. “What the hell is that…?” He remembered the scripture: > “Behold the beast, whose loins are strong and whose belly swells with power.”> “Look upon its tail like a cedar, its sinews knotted with might.”> “Its bones like bronze, its ribs like bars of iron.” A monstrous lifeform born of humanity’s darkest curiosity—an abomination that should not exist. Neither reptile nor man—a hideous fusion.Six arms, two legs.Four tails that supported its body. A being that resembled nothing in existence.Its mere presence filled the soul with terror. The strongest of all mutants.The apex of aberration. [Behemoth]. The East—had become its nest.

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