In the dilapidated and desolate commercial ruins, giant tree roots grew wildly. Earth, having returned to nature, once again displayed its vitality.
In these desolate ruins, two white-haired Androids were conversing, or rather, investigating.
"This... seems to be the commercial facility ruins Pascal mentioned. According to the records, this place was originally called a 'Department Store'."
One of them, a male Android with a petite build, spoke to his companion. He had a boyish face and wore a tactical visor that looked like a blindfold.
The other Android, a female, did not reply to her companion's words. She was investigating seriously, and only after a moment did she speak.
"9S, there is no way through."
Hearing this, the male Android named 9S scanned the surroundings and suggested with a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Hmm, maybe there's some kind of mechanism here. Let's look for it, 2B."
The female Android named 2B thought for a moment and nodded. Although she could easily force the door open with violence, since there was an easier way, there was no harm in looking.
After reaching an agreement with his companion, 9S excitedly searched the commercial ruins known as the "Department Store." He was a YoRHa No. 9 Type S Android, a hacking-type scanner model.
As a scanner model, they were characterized by their abundant curiosity. Thus, 9S was very active and curious about the facilities left behind by humans in the past.
2B was naturally aware of 9S's thoughts. This was one of the reasons why she chose to look for a mechanism instead of hacking the door open with violence; after all, they were companions working together, so it was fine to indulge him occasionally.
After searching for a while, 9S suddenly said, "If we were humans, would we also come to places like this to shop happily?"
"Hypotheticals are meaningless," 2B replied coldly.
"Haha... 2B, you're really serious," 9S gave a sheepish laugh, but his search didn't stop.
Even though he was an Android, he expressed his true thoughts quite frankly. 2B was different; she was calm and composed, generally giving off a serious and aloof impression.
However, 9S knew that 2B was actually someone who wasn't good at hiding her feelings and was a bit clumsy. Of course, this was his private assessment; he wouldn't dare say it to her face.
Just as the two were preparing to search the higher floors, the pods floating beside them issued a warning.
"Warning: Multiple machine lifeform signals detected above!"
The pods of the YoRHa Androids possessed extremely powerful intelligence and their own logical thinking, allowing them to make optimal judgments in emergency situations.
Therefore, upon hearing the pod's warning, the two immediately drew the weapons floating behind their backs. In the next instant—
"Long live the Forest King!"
"Long live the Forest King...!"
A group of tall Machine Lifeforms suddenly lunged out from the hidden corners of the ruins, launching a suicide attack while shouting piercing slogans.
"Forest King... who is that?"
While dodging attacks, 9S couldn't help but complain. However, the Machine Lifeforms clearly had no intention of answering, as energy bullets instantly sealed off the surrounding space.
"Don't let your guard down, 9S."
With a few swift slashes, 2B destroyed the incoming energy bullets. Her figure flickered as several nearby Machine Lifeforms were sliced clean in half.
"Easy for you to say, but I'm a scanner model; I'm not very good at combat..."
9S complained helplessly while pulling back from the battlefield. Making a scanner model fight was a bit too much to ask of an Android. (A certain Superman Hikari: I'm just a scientist, I don't have powerful strength like them.)
On the other side, the Machine Lifeforms were still shouting 'Long live the Forest King,' but they were quickly turned into a pile of scrap metal under the blade of the combat model Android, 2B.
Among all the Machine Lifeforms, there was a special unit that had fled even before the battle began.
Whether it was due to a system error or something else, the special unit didn't get far before it got stuck in some tree roots, leaving it unable to move.
Facing this special unit, 2B didn't hesitate and swung her blade down.
"Watch out, 2B! It's going to explode!"
Just as the blade was about to hit, 9S's warning suddenly came. The moment she heard it, 2B flickered and vanished from the spot. In the next instant—
*Boom... Boom...*
Explosive sparks lit up all over the Machine Lifeform. As the explosion occurred, the Machine Lifeform's round head rolled off its body.
As if it had a target, the round head rolled right in front of 2B. With a click, the outer shell of the Machine Lifeform's round head suddenly split open, and a round skull appeared from within.
Rather than a skull, it was more like the round head had lost its shell and turned into another strange round head.
Seeing this strange scene, 2B and 9S both became wary, but the round head suddenly spoke.
"Ah! Where is this!?"
"What is... this? Who are you?"
Hearing these questions asked in a child-like voice, 9S, who had always been wary of Machine Lifeforms, said, "This looks super suspicious. Let's just destroy it, 2B!"
"Waah—!!! Wait a minute!"
Hearing this, the round head began to wobble in panic.
But 2B took an attacking stance: "I will destroy you."
"Waah—!!! No—!!"
In the next moment, the strange round head began to roll at an incredibly illogical speed. Before 2B and 9S could react, the round head had already smashed through the closed iron gate and jumped into the waterfall pool.
"..."
"What... was that, exactly?"
Although he asked, 9S clearly didn't expect an answer. But in the next moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the commercial ruins.
"That is one of the many Emils, a rather tragic figure. But he is also a human, though he may have long since lost his past memories."
"Who's there!"
"Human?!"
2B and 9S had completely different reactions. 2B was startled that there was another Android hiding nearby, while 9S heard the mention of a human in the words.
"Analysis: YoRHa specially designated units detected. Android special models, Popola and Devola. Unknown presence. Contact recommended," 2B's pod suddenly issued a notification.
"Agreed. Contact recommended," 9S's pod also agreed.
"Specially designated units?"
The moment she heard this, 2B gripped her weapon tightly. Although she hadn't seen the person yet, she had a feeling a battle would occur.
"Eh... wait a minute, 2B," 9S noticed 2B's combat-ready stance and hurriedly stopped her. "The pods just said contact is recommended, so don't take a combat stance!"
Although he didn't know who had just spoken, the fact that they mentioned humans was enough to pique his curiosity, so 9S was more inclined to make contact.
Hearing 9S's words and considering the pods' suggestion, 2B didn't put her weapon away, but she did relax her combat-ready posture.
In the next moment, the figure who had spoken walked in from outside the commercial ruins.