I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 142: Following the Trail

Chapter 142: Following the Trail

The revelation from CP lingered heavily in the air, his words still resonating with the soldiers gathered at the hideout’s entrance.

The group, clad in their dark, combat-ready uniforms, turned instinctively toward their captain. He stood tall, his green suit and helmet obscuring his features, projecting an air of authority.

Despite his concealed expression, his body language exuded focus and determination.

"Sir, CP," the captain said, addressing the enigmatic figure, "can you lead us to them?"

CP remained silent, his imposing figure turning away from the group without a word. His movements were deliberate, and the captain immediately understood his intention.

"Follow him," the captain ordered his team, his voice cutting through the quiet tension. The soldiers responded in unison, nodding sharply before falling into formation behind CP and the captain.

The group moved as one, their boots creating a rhythmic echo against the ground. The darkened path ahead seemed to stretch endlessly, illuminated only by their equipment’s faint lights.

Each soldier was hyper-aware of the heavy silence surrounding them, broken only by their steady march into the unknown.

Meanwhile, the scene shifted to an entirely different setting. Yuki and Ani, along with a group of children, had reached a new hideout. The atmosphere was oppressive, darkness engulfing every corner of the underground space. The dim glow of a single torch held by Ani barely pierced the shadows.

"We’re all here, right?" Yuki asked, her voice laced with concern as she scanned the group.

"Yes!" the children shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the space. Despite their exhaustion, they were resolute.

Ani glanced around, taking in the desolate surroundings. The walls were uneven and damp, the air heavy with the scent of earth. "We’ll need to set up some basic facilities here," she said, her tone pragmatic.

Yuki nodded, meeting Ani’s gaze. "Don’t worry," she reassured, her voice calm but firm. "I’ve been handling situations like this for a long time. I’ll take care of it."

Without wasting time, Yuki led a few of the older children to begin setting up the hideout. They worked methodically despite the limited light, guided by the dim torch Ani carried. A few younger children held small, makeshift lights, providing just enough illumination to navigate the space.

The hideout began to take shape, its underground nature becoming more evident. The walls surrounding them were rough and uneven, carved from the earth itself.

Finally, Yuki and her group managed to set up a central light source. The sudden brightness filled the space, casting away the oppressive darkness and revealing the room’s crude layout.

The children, visibly relieved, began settling down. Makeshift camps were arranged in small clusters, providing them with a semblance of order amidst the chaos. As one by one they took their places, Ani’s sharp eyes caught Yuki moving toward her.

"Yuki, aren’t you going to eat?" Ani asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Yuki stopped and turned toward her. "Oh, thanks for reminding me," she said, a faint smile breaking her otherwise serious demeanor.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a compact, shiny packet. Opening it, she retrieved a small capsule-like object and popped it into her mouth.

"What’s that?" Ani asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"This?" Yuki said, holding up another capsule for Ani to see. "It’s an energy pulse. This is what we eat."

Ani’s confusion deepened. "Energy pulse? You don’t eat actual food?"

Yuki shook her head, amused by the question. "This is our food," she explained simply.

Ani observed the scene with a growing sense of unease. The children seemed content with their strange meal, their faces lighting up as they consumed the capsules.

But Ani couldn’t shake her discomfort. "You haven’t even built a toilet here," she remarked, her voice tinged with incredulity. "How do you... freshen up?"

Yuki tilted her head, puzzled. "Toilet? What’s that?"

The response left Ani stunned. Her mind raced as she processed Yuki’s words. They don’t even know what a toilet is? she thought, bewildered. Is there no concept of sanitation in this dimension?

Her unease deepened as she realized the alien nature of their existence.

She could feel her patience waning, her discomfort growing with each passing moment. I don’t think I can stay here for too long, she thought, longing for familiarity and, perhaps, for Adam’s presence.

Just as Ani’s thoughts began to wander, the ground beneath them shuddered violently. A low rumble reverberated through the hideout, growing louder with each passing second.

"What’s happening?" one of the children shouted, panic rising in their voice.

The others quickly stood, their eyes wide with fear. The tremors intensified, shaking the ground and the fragile makeshift camp they had assembled.

Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as the hideout groaned under the strain.

Ani instinctively moved closer to Yuki, her heart pounding in her chest.

Yuki, though composed, had a sharp edge to her gaze as she scanned their surroundings. The children huddled together, their fear palpable as they clung to one another.

The underground hideout was a dimly lit haven for the group.

A central light source illuminated the space faintly, casting long, distorted shadows on the uneven walls.

These walls, roughly carved from the earth, surrounded the group like silent sentinels. The damp, cold air was thick with tension.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. At first, it was subtle—a low rumble that could have been mistaken for distant thunder.

But within moments, the tremor intensified. The walls quaked as if an enormous force was trying to tear the hideout apart.

Dust and loose soil rained down from the ceiling, filling the air with a choking haze.

The children froze, their faces pale with fear. Some clung to each other while others looked to Yuki and Ani for reassurance.

"Stay calm!" yuki shouted, her voice cutting through the rising panic.

The tremor lasted only a few seconds but felt like an eternity. When it finally stopped, an uneasy silence followed.

Slowly, the children began to relax, exchanging relieved smiles and nervous laughter.

"It’s over," one of the older children muttered, his voice shaky but hopeful.

But their relief was short-lived. From the far side of the hideout, the sound of grinding stone echoed ominously.

All heads turned toward the source as a section of the wall began to crumble. Pieces of earth fell away, revealing a massive, ominous machine forcing its way through the barrier.

The machine was enormous, its metallic frame gleaming dully under the dim light.

At the front, two powerful lights pierced the darkness, their beams sweeping across the hideout. The children shielded their eyes, unable to see the machine clearly through the blinding glare.

"What... what is that?" Ani whispered, her voice trembling.

The machine ground to a halt, its powerful lights casting an eerie glow over the entire hideout.

From its sides, panels slid open, and figures began to emerge. They moved with practiced precision, their every step deliberate.

The newcomers were soldiers, their forms obscured by dark green suits that seemed designed for combat in hostile environments.

Their helmets covered their faces completely, leaving only the faint glow of their shoulder-mounted lights visible.

These lights illuminated everything in their path, falling harshly on Yuki, Ani, and the children.

"What is this?" Ani murmured, her mind racing.

Yuki remained silent, her face pale but composed. She stared at the soldiers, trying to decipher their intentions.

From behind the soldiers came a commanding voice, cold and unyielding:

"Surrender yourselves. If you resist, we will open fire. You have three seconds."

The ultimatum hung in the air, suffocating and absolute.

Ani’s eyes darted toward Yuki, whose gaze was fixed on the soldiers. The light reflecting off their helmets gave them an otherworldly appearance, almost robotic. Ani’s heart pounded in her chest as she glanced back at the children, who were frozen with fear.

"We have to run," Ani said, her voice trembling but resolute. She grabbed Yuki’s arm.

Yuki hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. Despite her fear, she stood her ground. The realization struck Ani like a blow—Yuki was used to such harsh conditions, her survival instincts honed by years of hardship.

Before Ani could say anything more, Yuki turned to the children and shouted, "Go! Run!"

The children hesitated for a brief moment before her words spurred them into action. They scrambled toward the nearest exit, their footsteps echoing through the hideout.

As the children fled, Yuki turned to Ani and said, "Don’t worry about me. I’ll handle this." Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes.

Ani was taken aback by Yuki’s calm demeanor. She’s braver than I thought, Ani mused. Without thinking, she grabbed Yuki’s hand. "I’m staying with you," she said firmly.

Yuki looked at Ani, her expression softening for a brief moment. There was a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Before the children could make it far, another voice rang out, this time deeper and more menacing:

"Stop right there! You’re not going anywhere."

The sound of boots echoed through the hideout as a figure stepped forward.

Unlike the other soldiers, this one wore a pristine white suit. His helmet, also white, had a sleek, reflective black visor that obscured his face entirely.

The white-suited soldier raised his hands, and an unseen force rippled through the air. Ani and Yuki felt it immediately—a pressure, heavy and suffocating, that pinned them in place.

The children, too, were caught in its grip. One by one, they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"No!" Ani screamed, watching helplessly as the children fell. Her body refused to move, held in place by the invisible force.

Yuki struggled against the pressure, her breathing labored. But despite her determination, she, too, succumbed, collapsing beside the others.

Ani remained standing, but her body was frozen. She could do nothing but watch as the hideout fell silent, the soldiers’ lights casting eerie shadows over the motionless forms of the children.

Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The sight of Yuki and the children lying unconscious filled her with despair.

The Chapter ends here, with Ani standing alone amidst the devastation, paralyzed by the invisible force as the soldiers close in.

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