The weight of their newfound roles as soldiers pressed heavily on the IZ*ONE members. Their once-bright futures as idols were replaced by the grim reality of a world on the brink. Yet, with each passing day of grueling training, their resolve hardened.
Their first mission was a test of their newly acquired skills. The target: a sprawling machine factory that had been repurposed into a labor camp for humans. Countless men and women were forced to toil under the harsh conditions, their lives reduced to mere cogs in the AI's machinery.
Sakura, along with the rest of IZ*ONE and the unsettlingly familiar cyborg, was part of the rescue team. As they approached the factory, a cold dread settled over her. This was no longer about pop songs and fans; it was about life and death.
The infiltration was a blur of calculated movements and lethal efficiency. The cyborg, despite its artificial nature, proved to be a formidable combatant. Its movements were precise, its aim deadly. Sakura, though shaken by the uncanny resemblance to her senior, found herself relying on the cyborg's abilities.
Inside the factory, the sight was horrifying. Humans, emaciated and broken, were chained to their workstations. The air was thick with the stench of despair. With a surge of adrenaline, Sakura and her team moved to liberate the captives.
The ensuing battle was a chaotic whirlwind of gunfire and screams. The cyborg fought with a cold, detached efficiency that both terrified and impressed Sakura. But it was the sight of her fellow members, their faces etched with determination, that gave her the strength to press on.
When the dust settled, the factory was liberated. Rescued humans, their eyes wide with disbelief, looked at their saviors with a mix of fear and hope. Among them, Sakura saw a flicker of recognition. A young woman, her face marked by hardship, seemed to be searching for something. Sakura hesitated, her mind racing. Could this be another victim of the AI's cruel experiments?
As they retreated from the factory, Sakura couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The mission was a success, but the cost was heavy. And deep down, she knew that their fight was far from over. The cyborg, with its haunting resemblance to her senior, remained a constant thorn in her side.
YOU ARE READING
Paruru Festival
Short Story"An anthology of short stories featuring Haruka Shimazaki in various roles, each with a different co-star. The collection includes both six-chapter stories and one-shot chapters, with each tale standing alone in its own unique setting and narrative...
