Became a Human Rights Advocate

68 – Episode 13.5 Lost Child

It’s not that hard to find a student without parents at the academy.

An attack by an irregular, an accident during a reconstruction project, an incurable disease resulting from contact between different species, or simple murder.

The causes of the loss of parents were various, but the reason that occupied the largest share was always the same.

Simple organic.

In a world that has changed drastically since the invasion of the Irregulars, childrearing has become a luxury for most humans.

It was impossible to raise a child in an environment where even one could survive right now.

However, if you entrust your child to Academia, there is a chance that he will somehow survive.

Through such thoughts, countless children were abandoned in Academia.

No matter how hard it is, you’ll be better off inside the academia than in the outside world.

However, it is not easy for a child to survive alone, even though Academia has various supports for students.

Children whose abilities manifested early were relatively lucky.

In addition to the living expenses given by the academy, I was able to live somehow with the reward money I received for participating in various researches.

And with the exception of those few select children, surviving from day to day was all it took.

The living expenses are barely enough to last for a month. If there was an unexpected expense, I had to go through the garbage cans in the back alley to avoid starving.

Of course, it would be fortunate if I could live like this.

The weak are exploited.

As in any place in any era, Academia was no exception.

Stealing each other’s money and controlling each other with violence also happened frequently.

Because he was a child, he was even more cruel and did not count the other person’s hands.

Even children who reached the top of the food chain were powerless prey in front of adults.

Not to mention the physical violence, and what was even worse was the emotional domination.

Children who are hungry for affection are so easily fooled by the words of adults

And the pinnacle was exploitation by the system.

Children without guardians entrusted their bodies to corporations as test subjects.

You can get a warm room and a meal just by signing an incomprehensible document.

There were very few children who could resist this sweet temptation.

There were, of course, voices of criticism for making children into guinea pigs.

However, the public opinion was stronger: ‘Then you are saying that the children should starve to death?’

There are limits to charity.

Especially in a situation where there is an enemy that threatens the existence of mankind.

Lost Child

The lost children somehow survived.

“Hey.”

Paulo came to his senses at the sound of a voice calling him.

In the bunker, which still smells of musty dust, under the flickering light bulb, Yan was smiling.

“What do you think?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s boring. Stop fooling around and move your hands quickly. It’s time to leave soon.”

Looking at the clock, it was 6 in the morning.

It is time for the sun to rise outside.

“Could you close your eyes if you are tired? This older sister will finish it.”

“Okay. Not sleepy.”

“Then why is your complexion so bad?”

“Are you a part-timer?”

Paulo replied nervously, but Yan just smiled as before.

“Baby. With the habit of talking.”

Unlike usual, he looks very excited.

Paul also roughly understood Jan’s feelings.

Now Ross was about to start working on something.

In other words, there are not many days left to get out of this dark bunker and roam freely.

Yan must have been quite happy with that fact, and now he even started whistling.

Paul, who was watching Yan like that, opened his mouth hesitantly.

“Hey, Yan.”

“Huh?”

“Do you really not remember anything?”

At Paulo’s question, Yan made a sad face.

“That floating question again? What do you want to ask?”

“… It’s okay.”

As Paulo kept his mouth shut, Jan frowned.

“Anyway. This is why adolescent children.”

“You must be two years apart.”

“You shouldn’t have been born first if you twisted.”

Jan giggled, and Paulo clicked his tongue and went back to packing the booster.

There are many things I want to tell you. But I also know very well that it means nothing to say.

Ross’ memories will soon be erased.

‘I’d rather be comfortable if I did.’

Paulo has an ability similar to Lee Si-hyeok’s ‘will’.

In Legend of Academia, Paulo does not use boosters unlike other Zetas executives.

What the game company set as the reason for this is the ability to be immune to mental abnormalities.

It’s not that he doesn’t use boosters, he’s actually a constitution that can’t use boosters.

Of course, Paul, who didn’t know the meta reason, was just thinking that his constitution was like this.

‘I’ve heard that there are cases like me, though it’s extremely rare.’

In short, unlike the other two, it means that his memory has not been manipulated.

Paulo remembered everything that had happened, and Ross knew this too.

“Hey, Yan.”

Paulo opened his mouth without stopping his hand.

“What are you going to do for a living later?”

“What are you doing? You have to do what the boss tells you to do.”

“You can’t just follow the boss for 1,000 years, 10,000 years. Really later, when it’s all over.”

“Is that nobleman freeing us?”

Yan muttered in a low voice.

But it must have been a very interesting subject, so Yan stopped his moving hand and began to think about it.

“… I’m thinking of opening a restaurant.”

“A Chinese restaurant?”

“I don’t care what kind, any store that sells food is fine.”

“I didn’t know you were interested in cooking.

“…Paulo, why are you doing this disgustingly today? Did you eat something wrong?”

Yan said curtly to hide his shyness.

You are in your early twenties at most, an age that would be a bit embarrassing to talk about your dreams confidently.

“I hope it goes well.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

Yan smiled.

“You and Leah are doing it too.”

“Why me.”

“Isn’t there anything else to do?”

It was a hit.

“If Lea is left alone, she is the kind of guy who would pick up and live in a guest house, so I have to live with her.”

“Except for the boss?”

At Paulo’s question, Jan made a disgusted expression.

“Why talk about a boss that makes the food tasteless? You know that both Leah and I hate that person. I don’t know why you wag your tail at the boss like that.”

In the midst of such trivial chatter, the ringing bell rang.

This is the reception sound of the old-fashioned handset installed in the bunker for communication purposes.

“Even a boss can’t be a man.”

Yan flicked his finger and the receiver floated in the air.

The receiver, which had been flying through the air, landed on Yan’s lap.

“This is Jan, Boss.”

-Are you ready?

“The packing is almost done.”

Yan said, looking at the pile of wrapped boosters piled up in a corner.

This is about half of the boosters owned by the Zetas family.

-There are guys following you, so move carefully so you don’t get caught.

“Yes, yes. How about that one anyway? Seeing earlier, the little boy was crying and not fussing.”

Yan remembered Ast crying sadly while touching the spot where his remaining horn had been cut off.

‘It wasn’t a very nice sight.’

It was fortunate that Leah moved with us. If he had moved alone with Ross, the kid would be out of his mind by now.

-Stop unnecessary attention.

A chilly answer came from the other side of the receiver.

“… I get it, I get it. Wow, embarrassing Siri.”

-This side ends at noon…. It’s going to be a long day, so take a break after work.

From noble mtl dot com

With that last word, the phone hangs up.

“… What did this man eat wrong?”

“What did you say?”

“They told me to finish quickly and rest a bit.”

Paulo made a puzzled expression.

“What about that?”

“It’s because I can’t listen to your tone. Oh, I think I’m going to get chicken skin.”

“Looks like you’re worried.”

“The boss? Us?”

Paulo nodded.

Yan looked at Paulo’s face for a while, then he clicked his tongue and opened his mouth again as if he was tired of it.

“Yes, yes. Bite and suck well with the boss and you. They’re a homo couple that fit well together.”

“… Are you going to try it again?”

“Okay, let’s have a blast. For now, finish what the boss told you to do.”

Yan giggles and returns to work.

The inside of the bunker, filled with the musty smell of dust, fell into silence again.

Paulo diligently moved his hand and remembered what Ross had told everyone a few days ago.

‘This is the last day.’

Lea and Jan listened and let it go in one ear, but Paulo was well aware of the weight of Ross’s words.

If Ross says it’s the last time, then this is really the end.

‘… Will it end well?’

I hate hard work.

It is more comfortable to move without thinking as the boss tells you to.

That’s why Paulo thinks of a wish that can’t come true today.

‘I wish I could erase my memories, like Leana Yan.’

If that was the case, then her head wouldn’t have been so complicated.