Arknights: The Life Inside-Chapter 62

"I was naive. I thought that if the Flame Demon project succeeded, Ifrit would no longer be just an experiment. She would have rights, a place, a future within Rhine Life."

Her voice grew quieter, filled with bitterness.

"But I was wrong. I should have realized it sooner. Rhine Life isn't sentimental. To the upper ranks, there's only success and failure. No matter how strong Ifrit becomes, if she can't fully control the power of the Flame Demon, she's worthless."

Yoren's brows furrowed. "What orders did the higher-ups give?"

"They're moving to the next phase of the Flame Demon Project, and I won't be leading it anymore. I've been sidelined."

Yoren's chest tightened. "Next phase? What does that mean?"

Hemer's expression darkened. "They want to modify Ifrit's DNA again, now that the Flame Demon stone has fully fused."

He wasn't an expert in Rhine Life's research, but even he could tell this sounded dangerous.

Hemer continued, "I know better than anyone how risky this is. With the stone already fused, any error in the DNA modification could cause the Flame Demon's power to violently reject Ifrit's body. If that happens, she'll be burned alive—just like the eighteen test subjects before her."

Yoren clenched his fists. "Are those bastards insane? Did you tell them the risks?"

Her eyes flashed with quiet frustration. "I did. It didn't change a thing. After what happened at Base No. 4, they saw firsthand how powerful the Flame Demon can be. And they realized it's also incredibly dangerous."

Yoren's voice dropped, turning cold. "If they can't control it, they'll destroy it."

Hemer nodded. "Exactly. They won't allow a test subject with uncontrollable power to exist. They need her to master it, and fast. The best way, in their eyes, is more DNA modification. And if something goes wrong? Well, they're willing to accept the loss. As far as they're concerned, if she dies, at least no one else will get their hands on the Flame Demon's power. The stone will disappear, only to regenerate somewhere else in the world years later."

A slow, burning rage rose inside Yoren.

He had risked everything to pull Ifrit from the flames. And now Rhine Life wanted to throw her back in?

His nails dug into his palm. "Where is that bastard Aibo? I'm going to rip his damn throat out."

Hemer grabbed his arm before he could move. "It won't help. This isn't just Aibo's doing. You don't understand how deep this runs. The real power in Rhine Life isn't just the directors you see. There are figures in the shadows, core members who shape everything. Killing one person won't change anything. And Rhine Life has strong ties to the Columbian military. You can't fight them with brute force."

Yoren took a breath, forcing himself to think. She was right. This wasn't something he could solve with violence alone. Rhine Life was too vast, too well-connected. Even if he fought and won today, another order would be given tomorrow.

Power alone wasn't enough. If he truly wanted to change anything, he needed more than strength. He needed influence. Strategy. Allies. That was something he was still learning—how to fight a war beyond fists and fire.

After a long silence, he asked, "Then why me? Why not take Ifrit yourself? You have more influence than I do, and you hate Rhine Life as much as I do."

Hemer sighed. "I can't leave."

"Why?"

"I'm in charge of monitoring Ifrit. I have to submit reports every day. If I suddenly disappear, the higher-ups will know something is wrong immediately. With their resources, we wouldn't even make it out of Columbia before being caught."

Yoren's expression darkened. "Then what's your plan?"

"I'll create the illusion that Ifrit is still here. I'll cover for you while you escape."

Yoren felt a prickle of unease. "And what about you? When they figure it out—"

"By the time they realize what's happened, you'll be gone. Three days. That's how long I can buy you. Within three days, you need to be out of Columbia. I'll stage an incident to make it look like Ifrit lost control and fled on her own."

Yoren's mind raced. "And when they find out the truth?"

Hemer's voice was unwavering. "This isn't a humane experiment. If they come after me, I'm prepared. I've backed up all my research. Rhine Life won't dare touch me."

There was no hesitation in her eyes. Only determination.

"This is my choice. I've thought it through. No matter what happens, I'll make sure Ifrit gets out of here. I won't let her die in a sterile lab as just another failed experiment. She deserves to live—truly live—in a world beyond Rhine Life's grasp."

For a moment, Yoren said nothing. He just stared at her.

Then, slowly, he nodded.

He would do it.

Because Ifrit was not an experiment.

She was a person.

And he would make sure she got the future she deserved.

Yoren had no doubt about Hemer's determination, nor did he think she would regret her choice. However, he saw the hidden reluctance in her eyes. No matter how much she tried, in the end, she couldn't protect Ifrit personally.

But she did not give up. She placed her hope in Yoren's hands.

After hearing Hemer's well-considered request, Yoren had no reason to refuse—or rather, he had no choice but to accept it.

Hemer's meaning was clear. She wasn't asking him to sacrifice his life to protect Ifrit. In truth, Ifrit had a strong instinct for self-preservation. What Hemer wanted was for her to experience the world as an ordinary person.

Whether sadness or happiness, anger or betrayal—she wanted Ifrit to feel it all, to learn from those experiences, to make her own choices.

Hemer hoped that Yoren would be the key to helping Ifrit integrate into the world.

At some point, the moon emerged from behind the clouds. Yoren stood in front of Hemer, bathed in its pale light. He pounded a fist against his chest and spoke with solemn resolve.

"Don't worry. I, Huoyu Yoren, will take care of it."

"Thank you."

Afterward, they spent the night discussing the details of the escape plan.

There was one thing Hemer needed to confirm first. She looked at Yoren and asked, "Have you decided where you're going next?"

"I'm going to Victoria."

Hemer was surprised. "Victoria? That far?"

"Yeah."

After considering it, Hemer realized it was actually the better option. A place that far would be beyond Rhine Life's direct influence. They wouldn't dare reach into a world power like Victoria so easily.

Based on their discussion, the escape was set for tomorrow night. Hemer had devised a foolproof plan for its execution.

The biggest problem now was how Yoren was going to take both Snowsant and Ifrit across such a vast distance to Victoria.

Once they left, Hemer could no longer help them. She was tied to Rhine Life; all her connections were within its sphere. She couldn't ask anyone she knew for help. Yoren had to figure things out on his own.

But when it came to Victoria, a thought struck her.

"I can't help you after you leave Rhine Life," she admitted. "But when you get to Victoria, there's someone you can trust."

"Oh?" Yoren perked up.

To be honest, having someone there to receive him would be a godsend. He had considered Victoria because of Vina, but the country was massive, with dozens of major cities. He had no idea where Vina was, nor any way to contact her.

If he had a guide from the start, he could avoid wandering aimlessly.

He immediately asked, "Hemer, does this person live in Victoria?"

"Yes. He's a native and has no connection to Rhine Life. He's completely trustworthy."

"That's great. Who is he?"

"My second uncle."

Yoren blinked, thrown off by the unexpected answer. He wondered if he had misheard.

"Hemer, who did you say?"

"My second uncle. You do know that means my mother's younger brother, right?"

Yoren waved a hand. "Yeah, I get that. It's just... I wasn't expecting that."

There was nothing wrong with a second uncle, but somehow, hearing it from Hemer felt... off. It was like being in a serious diplomatic meeting, surrounded by high-ranking officials in suits, only for one of them to suddenly say, "Hey, you've gotten more handsome lately."

But if he thought about it logically, it made perfect sense. This was the real world of Terra. Hemer hadn't just appeared out of nowhere—of course, she had family. She might even have a third aunt, a sixth sister-in-law, or a second cousin twice removed.

Yoren rubbed his chin. He had expected Hemer to mention a comrade from the battlefield or a hidden master in the city. Instead... second uncle.

He sighed. Fine. Second uncle it is.

Then another realization hit him. Since arriving in this world, he had never truly been on his own. He had no real-world knowledge or survival skills here.

From day one in Chernobog, Vina had thrown him into chaos. His journey since then had been one wild roller coaster ride after another. He had never experienced a normal, mundane life.

He brought this up to Hemer—without explaining why. He didn't need to.

Hemer assumed it was a side effect of his power, a form of memory loss. Without hesitation, she spent two hours teaching him basic survival skills: how to use public transportation, how to pass international checkpoints, where to buy food when hungry, where to sleep when tired.

For two whole hours, she was his life coach.

Once he had absorbed the basics, Yoren had one last question—one he needed answered before leaving Rhine Life.

He picked up the envelope Hemer had given him and pulled out a banknote.

The dark yellow bill was clearly not the Lungmen Coin he was familiar with in the game.

Holding it up, he asked, "Hemer, what currency is this?"

"This is Terra Coin, the global standard."

"Terra Coin? Not Lungmen Coin?"

Hemer paused before nodding. "I've seen Lungmen Coins before. They're blue and issued by the Lungmen Special Zone. They were widely used in the eastern regions of Terra, but they're limited in reach."

Yoren studied the banknote. Apart from its issue date and security patterns, there was a circular emblem in the center, likely symbolizing Originium.

The note's value was 1,000 Terra Coins. Hemer had given him 100,000.

He needed to understand exactly what that meant.

Hemer sighed and patiently explained. "Terra Coins are accepted worldwide. Even in remote areas, you can exchange them for local currency at a bank. They have the highest exchange rate. For example, Lungmen Coins—1 Terra Coin is worth nearly 20 of them."

"1:20?!"

Yoren swallowed hard. That meant the 100,000 Terra Coins Hemer had given him were worth 2 million Lungmen Coins.

Hemer continued. "In major Columbian cities, the average monthly salary ranges from 800 to 2,000 Terra Coins. A typical family's monthly expenses rarely exceed 500. That should give you an idea of the cost of living."

"Got it."

Since they were on the topic, he couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Hemer, how much is a Source Stone worth?"

"B-grade and higher Originium isn't regularly traded, so there's no fixed price. S-grade Originium is outright banned."

Yoren waved his hand. "Come on, you know there's smuggling. Just give me an estimate."

Hemer folded her arms. "Alright. I don't know the exact black market rates, but an S-grade Pure Originium can sell for at least hundreds of thousands of Terra Coins—sometimes even more. But only if it's properly processed before sale."

Yoren nearly dropped the banknote in shock.

He had guessed Originium was expensive, but this was absurd. No wonder Vina and her people had been so tense. Back in Chernobog, the Glasgow Gang had smuggled nearly 50 of them. That was tens of millions in profit.

No wonder people risked their lives for it.

By the time they finished talking, dawn was breaking.

Before leaving the room, Hemer gave him one final warning.

"Rest now. Tomorrow, just prepare your things and wait. I'll handle Ifrit. I'll come to your room in the evening. Whatever you do—don't expose yourself."

Yoren made an "OK" gesture. "Got it."

Hemer hesitated, then softly added, "Yoren... thank you."

After she left, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

How was he supposed to sleep after all that?