Embla wandered into the streets of Frankfurt, feeling curious and excited by the unique sound of human footsteps. A gentle breeze swept by, making her shiver—not a sensation from a temperature module but a genuine tremor on her skin. After all, she was no longer an artificial being indifferent to cold and heat.

She didn’t rush back to her place but instead began to stroll along the streets. She had done this countless times, but never with such freedom and such a lack of freedom as today. But then, the unexpected sound of a communicator interrupted this tranquility.

Morridow: Pandora, have you completed your task?

Embla: Please allow me to remind you that I prefer to be addressed as Ms. Embla Petrovskaya now.

Morridow: ...Alright, Ms. Embla. I won’t disturb you enjoying the thrill of becoming human.

Embla: If the devil could satisfy your every desire, would you sell your soul?

Embla looked again at the flyer in her hand, the river's breeze rustling the paper.

Morridow: Unfortunately, I don’t have a soul.

Embla: Tsk, tsk, I thought you and I would get along well in Paradeus.

Morridow: I’d rather be the one asking that question than the one answering it. If I had to choose a role, I’d prefer to play Mephisto.

Embla: ...What a pity.

Morridow: It seems you’ve found the right place.

Embla: There’s no better place. And no better spot.

Morridow: That old opera house built in 1880? It’s been ruined and reborn three times. Indeed, it’s a fitting place.

Embla: Frankfurt itself is a metropolis rebuilt from the ruins of war. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful.

Morridow: What, have you inherited human sentimentality too? That’s one of humanity’s flaws.

Embla: Compared to the dreary Nemhran and the negative provocations of Bramedb, isn’t it more interesting to communicate with me?

Morridow: No, monitoring your actions is part of my job.

Embla: But you’re not nearby.

Morridow: Oh? How do you know that?

Embla: ...I have the same keen senses as you, Morridow.

Morridow: Heh, is it my imagination, or are you less obedient now?

Embla: Perhaps it's the mixture of Angelia's influence. The blood from New Soviet Union has added some impure parts to me.

Detecting the sarcastic laugh on the other end of the transmission, Embla lowered her eyes.

Embla: Any more good news?
Morridow: Congratulations, DEFY has entered the city as expected. Just before today’s rigorous checks. If it were any later, your plan would be difficult to execute.

Embla: Never underestimate DEFY, Morridow. Don’t be as foolish as Gray. You don’t know how efficient AK-12 is. If she wants to come, even if she has to swim through the Main River, she’ll reach you.

Morridow: Then let me congratulate you in advance. Ms. Embla, I wish you success in your endeavor.

Embla: After all, I’m a woman who made a deal with the devil. I won't easily fall before reaching my goal.



Frankfurt, Frankfurt District, Old Iron Bridge.

The night was deep, and this iron bridge had stood in Frankfurt for nearly two hundred years, witnessing the wars that had scarred this city.

Embla leaned against the bridge rail, quietly admiring the rippling waves of the Main River.

Embla: ...

The leaflet in her hand slipped, falling into the rippling river, drifting away with the current.

Embla: Everything that humanity is destined to endure, I long to experience in the depths of my soul. To use my spirit to reach the highest and the deepest, to pile up all of humanity's joys and sorrows on my heart. To expand my self into humanity's self. Even if it ends in failure and degradation…

Whoosh—amidst the sound of the wind, something came whistling through the air.

It was a bullet, slicing through the wind, the night, and the gentle sound of the river, arriving at her side.

Embla sidestepped, narrowly avoiding it, her sharp gaze fixed on the direction of the south bank of the bridge.

Through the bridge and the slowly moving traffic, a doll bearing crimson eyes emerged from behind the green belt.

Embla: Long time no see, AK-15. ...Why didn't you aim for my head?

In the shadows of the night, a mountainous figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

Embla turned around, opening her arms to the familiar face.

Embla: 15, I'm very happy to see you first~

Bang—!! Gunfire illuminated the night.

=====

Frankfurt, Frankfurt District, Old Iron Bridge

A gunshot shattered one of the dim streetlights on the bridge, plunging the already gloomy night further into darkness. The tall figure standing on the solid iron bridge nearly blended into the shadows.

AK-15: RPK-16, answer my single question.

In the silent night, the river flowed steadily. The usually silent giant aimed her weapon at the spot where her opponent's core once was. This was both a threat and the last display of camaraderie between former colleagues. The woman opposite her, however, smiled, displaying her usual mischievous demeanor.

Embla: ...Please call me something else, 15. Don’t call me RPK-16 anymore. I now have a human body and deserve a human name. Not a number, not a codename, but a name consisting of a surname and a given name. In ancient aristocratic societies, a name revealed one's background, the family they belonged to, their status, and their history. So, I gave myself such a name: Embla Petrovskaya.

Embla: How is it? Isn’t it just like Anna Viktorovna Tsoi?

In response, AK-15 aimed at the human’s vital spot—the heart.

AK-15: RPK-16, you will always be RPK-16... no matter what you become.

AK-15: Answer me—why are you doing all this?

Embla: Long explanations don’t suit you, 15. The rebellious "alpha" has returned; shouldn’t you listen to her commands and follow her orders?

AK-15: I want you to answer me!

Embla smiled—a familiar yet irritating smile.

Bang bang bang—!!! In the darkness, the sound of metal clashing with bullets was crisp and sharp, like a symphony.

The bullets from Embla's MP443 swept across the iron bridge, extinguishing three streetlights. AK-15 recognized the handgun, her eyes filled with fury.

AK-15: That’s Ange’s handgun!

AK-15’s crimson eyes burned like embers in the darkness. She aimed at Embla again.
On the other hand, Embla didn’t hesitate as well. She grabbed the bridge’s edge with both hands and flipped herself over, jumping off the bridge.

Hanging under the bridge with just three fingers gripping the edge, Embla swayed in the wind, holding her handgun in the other hand. Or rather, she was deliberately aiming the gun at AK-15. Of course, at this distance, Embla had no advantage. Her reason for doing this was obvious. The angrier AK-15 got, the happier Embla’s smile became.

AK-15: RPK! Answer me!

Embla: What are you going to do? Like you said before, capture me? But now, I can’t have my memories read or erased.

Embla: AK-15, I’m human now. Like Ange, like Shaw.

Bang! Bang!

Two gunshots rang out simultaneously. Embla’s target was still the fragile streetlights, while AK-15 shot at her. Darkness swallowed the light, but AK-15’s vision remained unaffected.

Though the iron bridge was plunged into darkness, if RPK climbed back up, AK-15 would still see her.

In an instant, AK-15 darted across the bridge like lightning, closing in on Embla’s position. Embla pushed off with her feet, flipping to the left, but a human’s speed couldn’t match AK-15’s.

In a blink, the white mastiff pounced on its prey, baring its fangs. Embla crossed her arms to deflect the grasping hands, but it felt like being hit by a tank, sending her flying.

Embla: Ugh—!

Pain shot through her arms, and the next moment, AK-15 was gripping her throat. Embla squinted, flinging something into the air.

Bang! A cloud of black smoke erupted. BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP—AK-15’s alarm system triggered rapidly.

AK-15: ...!

The black smoke dissipated, and Embla was gone. The police on the south bank finally noticed the fight on the bridge, immediately calling for backup and rushing over. AK-15 had to retreat.

"My name is the answer."
That was her last message.

AK-15: ...This is AK-15. I encountered RPK-16 on the iron bridge by the Main River. She escaped.

AN-94: This is AN-94. Please describe the situation.

AK-15: ...I immediately engaged the target as soon as I spotted her.

AK-15: She exploited a gap and escaped into a crowded area with surveillance and security department dolls everywhere.

AK-15 tightly gripped a small piece of dark green fabric. It was the only thing she had managed to tear from that woman when the black smoke erupted.

AN-94: You were supposed to notify me as soon as you spotted her.

AK-15: ...I’m sorry.

AN-94: Are you hurt?

AK-15: No.

AN-94: Pull back for now. If we continue, we’ll alert the police.

AK-15: Understood.

AK-15: ...

AK-15: She’s changed a lot.

AN-94: ...15, she’s no longer... the original RPK-16.

AK-15: 94, RPK-16 said Embla Petrovskaya is her answer. What does that mean?

AN-94: Petrovskaya... is Shaw’s surname.

AN-94: Samantha Shaw was just a codename. Her real name was Yekaterina Vasilievna Petrovskaya.

AK-15: ...