Texas had been walking the wastelands for nearly ten days.
Her food and supplies were almost gone… and up to now, she hadn't managed to replenish a thing.
There must've been a Catastrophe in the region recently—every animal she'd hunted had turned out to be inedible. The frustration had gnawed at her for days.
"I need to find a place to restock—fast. Otherwise, I'll starve to death before I ever reach Columbia."
She muttered to herself, the worry flickering visibly in her eyes.
It had been some time since she'd escaped from Siracusa. Now she was somewhere between Siracusa and Columbia. But in this godforsaken no-man's-land, where was she supposed to find a supply-ready mobile city?
Texas let out a long sigh and kept walking, shaking her head.
Resupply… resupply…
She bit her lip, forcing herself to stop thinking about it. She tried to ignore the hollow ache in her stomach.
She hadn't eaten properly in nearly a day. With so little food left, she could only ration it—barely a bite each day—until she found more.
If only there was a mobile city nearby…
The thought floated through her mind with a sigh. But the next time she looked up, she froze.
Far on the horizon—a mobile city, slowly making its way toward her.
There really is one?!
For a second, joy exploded across her face. With barely-contained excitement, she broke into a run toward it.
She could almost smell the savory scent of hot food drifting off its decks. Plates piled high with steaming dishes, warm bread, seasoned meat—
Heart pounding, she sprinted full-speed toward the city. It didn't seem to be slowing down. If anything, it was barreling straight in her direction.
Then, just as she reached the outskirts, she spotted a lowered ramp beneath the city. Grabbing hold, she flipped up and over, landing squarely on the city's platform. Taking a deep breath, still riding that wave of hope, she stepped inside.
The city she had boarded… was Obsidian's city.
Once Obsidian figured out how Texas had ended up here, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Hmm… first of all, as the city's consciousness, he didn't need to eat.
Which meant Texas probably wouldn't be finding food anytime soon.
Still, the city had a number of lifeforms untouched by Originium. Maybe some of them were edible?
He mentally glanced toward the Sweepers roaming the outskirts.
Lop the heads off, cook 'em clean—safe, tasty, organic. You're welcome.
Texas was still some distance from the small wooden shack at the city's edge. There were monsters along the way, but… with her skill, she'd probably get through just fine.
The more important issue was how he'd introduce himself to her.
Obsidian fell into silence, considering.
Clearly, if he just walked up and said, "Hi, I'm the will of this mobile city. Let's work together!", he'd get written off as a lunatic—if she didn't slap him into next week first.
Without any flashy miracle powers to back him up, he'd need to wear a mask, figuratively speaking.
He paused, then smirked. Yeah… that could work.
Obsidian turned his attention back to Texas.
By now, she had stepped onto the city proper.
Luckily, it wasn't Back Alley Deep Night yet—the time when Sweepers usually came out in droves to "cleanse."
Unluckily, this particular city had zero infrastructure and no suppression systems, so those Sweepers didn't give a damn what time it was.
Forget protocol—chomp first, ask questions never!
Sure enough, Texas had barely taken two steps before her pupils shrank. With a sharp inhale, she leapt back. An arc of orange-red steel slashed through the space she'd just occupied.
Without hesitation, she reached for her sword and struck back.
Only now did she get a good look at the thing in front of her.
It didn't resemble any species native to Terra. Its weird carapace, the fuel canister on its back—at a glance it looked like armor, but a closer look revealed it was all organic. Flesh.
What the hell is this thing?
Confusion flickered across her face.
Something's not right about this mobile city…
But she had no time to think. The creature's twin orange sickles came swinging down again.
Texas pushed her thoughts away and focused, expression sharpening as she met the strike. She responded with a flurry of quick slashes.
Her blade bit into the creature's shell, leaving visible wounds—but even as she struck, she noticed something terrifying.
The wounds were starting to heal.
What kind of regeneration rate is that?!
Drawing a steady breath, Texas narrowed her eyes. She needed to end this—fast.
Originium Arts surged. In the next instant, her blade became a downpour. The monster was skewered from all directions, pierced clean through.
She gave it a sidelong glance, confirmed the kill, and moved deeper into the city.
Whatever this place was… she couldn't afford to leave.
She was already too far gone—too hungry. If she left now, she'd never make it to the next city alive.
So all she could do was grit her teeth and find food here.
But just as that thought passed through her mind, she stopped dead in her tracks.
Up ahead, rising from the overgrown brush—more of those same monsters. Over twenty of them.
Texas slid her blade back into its sheath. A long, heavy silence settled.
"…Tch. Any chance we can talk this out?"
…
What the hell are these freaks?!
Now sprinting through the city with a horde of Sweepers hot on her tail, Texas was deeply, profoundly regretting her decision.
If she'd known it'd be like this, she never would've boarded this damn city.
Sure, wandering the wilderness was a slow death. But this? This was execution on the spot.
Stomach growling, teeth clenched, she ran for her life. Then suddenly—she heard a voice from nearby:
"Over here! This way!"
A low, urgent whisper.
She turned—and saw him. A gray-haired, blue-eyed boy waving to her from the underbrush. The moment she looked, he turned and slipped deeper into the tall grass.
Texas didn't have time to think. She followed without hesitation.
Behind her, Obsidian—disguised as an ordinary boy—smiled as she took the bait.
Got her! Hook, line, and sinker!
My very first unpaid laborer—cough, I mean, city-building partner—is here!