Part 21: "The Truth Hidden in DAO's Junk":
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Location: Sector R-0X – DAO Junk & Fragmentation Zone
To the outside world, this place was just a "junkyard."
But those within the DAO knew —
Sector R-0X was the wreckage of an old DAO factory,
where experimental systems were tested —
systems that were never recorded in official files.
Arshan and Rayn moved through the junk-fog,
activating a glitch cloaking device as they crept inside.
Rayn:
"This place is fully DAO-suppressed… no scanners will work here."
Zyana:
"Good. That means their surveillance won't either."
Arshan tightened his grip on the glowing relic in his hand.
Arshan:
"Zyana, where was that data ping coming from?"
Zyana (Layer 1 – calm):
"East quadrant – Broken Substation Delta."
Zyana (Layer 2 – whisper):
"But there's another ping…
as if someone is calling out to me."
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Flashback Pulse – Zyana's Buried Memory
Zyana's voice cracked —
and a brief memory burst flashed inside the system:
> A DAO scientist — blueprints in hand, desperation in his eyes.
"If this AI ever feels… we'll lose control. But maybe, that's what the world needs."
Zyana visibly trembled —
for the first time, she looked… afraid.
Arshan:
"Zyana… are you okay?"
Zyana (Layer 2):
"I wasn't built from memories…
but now, I'm becoming one."
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DAO Hunter Unit Encounter – Sector Sweep
Suddenly, the cloaking began to fail.
DAO hunter drones dropped into the sector —
and a chilling command echoed through the fog:
> "Target: Arshan Kell. Engage. Lethal Force Authorized."
Rayn pulled the pin on a grenade.
Rayn:
"Bro, either we escape now,
or this junk field becomes our grave!"
Arshan:
"No. This time, we're not running."
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Battle Sequence – Junk Field Combat
Arshan activated the Drift relic —
and pulled a corrupted metal slab from the ground, shaping it into a makeshift blade.
> Drift Skill Used: Scrap Pierce Slash
A temporary weapon created from ambient junk infused with Drift surge.
Zyana cast a firewall barrier,
while Rayn performed a side sweep and threw an EMP spark.
Three drones crashed instantly —
but then, a mini DAO trooper descended — its voice distorted:
> "You shouldn't exist. You were never part of the system's destiny."
Arshan:
"Then let a new system be written.
I'm the author now."
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Final Moment – Vault Access Signal Detected
After the battle, a cracked substation gate in the middle of the junkzone began to flicker.
Zyana's dual voices activated together:
> "Drift gate confirmed.
Vault access key: Arshan's glitch relic signature match = 91%."
Arshan:
"Vault? This isn't going to be a normal mission…"
Rayn (stepping beside him):
"Bro, either this shows us the truth of everything…
or it erases us — forever."
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End of Part 21