The power of statistics, knowledge, and graphs made everything much more horrifying than it actually was. Living wasn't gray if one looked at the examples of surviving and growing Walkers, and unless one was not too obsessed with it, then living was almost thriving. If Walkers continued until the Arcalyst awakened, the general survivability skyrocketed, and said Walkers became core elites of entire teams.

  However, calling it a tremendous work of hope was still a considerable understatement. Unless every potential Walker suddenly reached such sky-high places, humanity had to fight and look for chances in every possible form and corner. Hence, the Forced Awakening ensued, regardless of upkeep, the rough reality for children, and so on.

  Keeping up with numbers was also fine, since it kept people at bay, even though a lot of Walkers couldn't give a shit about them. It was the same with money, status, or what made humans... human.

  Out there, power was brutal and honest. If one couldn't even steady their footing to that point, they might as well go off themselves and let the intangible flow grasp their Emblems. Most high-rank Walkers knew that much, so they became a stable force for many decades if they have to keep their shit together. That was why their importance in endurance was larger than the young generations could imagine.

  It was both a good and an unfortunate truth for every youth, due to the increasing standards and higher expectations year by year. It wasn't terrible, but required, for great things waited for them, like the first dangerous steps into a weak yet powerful, unknown world.

  Walking step by step with hunters seeking fun and dread, it was no wonder that resilience, conviction, and willingness to survive and go beyond humanity had to come. William had yet to understand what that entailed, or what such great merits of Walkers led to as he grew up Outside. Sure, he was less ignorant of the true hellish Outside, but that could change, or wait for him in the near future. It wasn't running away anytime soon.

  Mi-Yung realized it with conviction, rather than clarity. Luke described every little detail he could, while she worked from there ever since.

  At the moment, William had circles of topics to learn, even if they were less convincing or dangerous than a single Dark. Increasing his common sense was something he ought to do, lest he appear like a complete amateur before much bigger and better youths, or those lofty Walkers behind the Examination. It was one of his little personal goals. It was nothing large, as having a short-term goal was one of Ellie's recommendations.

  What about the longer one, such as the post-Awakening or following his so-called Walker destiny? Could he even imagine what his Emblem showed, or what he personally had to choose, or do against his wishes? In fact, what the hell did he want to do anyway?

  The Academy ended up closing on that reflection, as it was a mysterious entity that showed up in his mind from time to time ever since Luke talked about it in that helicopter.

  The Federation was clear, with numerous Divisions that each felt different than the last. Then, there were personal subjects such as an apprenticeship or becoming relatively dependent on family clans, resources, and power.

  There were dozens of choices and no answers. A place like the Federation in another part of Earth felt like a different problem altogether. He couldn't even think about that right now. Even if someone forced him between two choices, he would shake his head and not decide on anything.

  William realized he shouldn't worry, and just stick to it like Outside. There, he didn't care much about people plotting for his recruitment, even if they didn't know who he was. They were a greedy lot with not much shame left.

  Power was one way to view rules from a position of disdain and achieve one's wishes with minimal or fewer repercussions.

  William accepted what Luke told him without complaints and decided there was no time to lose. “Thank you. I will go out and will be sporadic with my purchases in the future.”

  “Wait, you were worried about that?!” Mi-Yung asked in confusion.

  William glanced at her, half aiming to leave. “Yes? Why not? Outside, there's a struggle for resources, and I like to know what I work with, even if it's about creating a better tomorrow. I decided to keep at it. Celeste might have changed it as well. She was... well, she is strange. I don't, or can't see myself in her, but I feel I should.”

  Mi-Yung sighed, reached for her booklet, and flicked a few large paper notes to him. Each was a hundred credits.

  William looked at them on the table, unsure of what to do.

  “Don't watch it like a dumb kid. I will be your proxy.”

  “I didn't ask for them.”

  “Neither did you question my money,” Luke argued, which sounded about right. Then, he had a lot more words left over, as Mi-Yung was generous to what mattered to her, and William didn't sound like a bad kid.

  William accepted those notes with a heavy lifting of his consciousness and less conviction.

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  “I have things to do myself, William,” Mi-Yung said next. “The last of my anxiety is your well-being. I want to ensure that your meals are ready every morning, and the rest will follow. Don't feel overwhelmed, since a lot more is coming.”

  “I... thought you were busy.”

  “I was. Not with you in sight. Not anymore. ”Mi-Yung assured him and knew she could allow much more than this, but not yet. Luke wouldn't even try what she could. He would either have to reach Rank 7 or do some extraordinary things at Rank 6 to gain significant independence.

  That, or he would have to prove to be a capable leader, and make his juniors into highly capable Walkers. Both possibilities were hard, and for now, his Rank 5 wasn't too crazy.

  Mi-Yung had an issue with that, but no higher-ups would touch her, even though her Rank was relative to theirs and weaker. If any Assembly members found issues with anything, or if someone made a very serious proposition, Mi-Yung might reconsider her assumptions.

  She planned to do it anyway and waited through the night, as the tides were changing, and her mind recognized there was no running away from anything.

  She never ran away from problems, after all, and had no plans to change it.

  “Thanks... I will repay you. Some day... In some way.” William said and cleaned his dishes. It seemed there was a less strained day ahead since Mi-Yung wasn't coming with him.

  That meant less trouble, right? He hoped for it, so with a refilled bamboo bottle, sturdy shoes, and more credits in his pocket, William left the apartment.

  ***

  In the kitchen, the pair of lovers remained in silence for nothing. Luke was the first to break the silence. “Is what you told me yesterday true? I didn't think it would turn into such a squire.”

  “Sure. Kaufman is one nasty problem. He was... is insane. He even touched Anna. Fucker. I couldn't even mention it yesterday, but he sure as hell doesn't care about it anyway.”

  “Is he asking for trouble?”

  “Do you think he cares?” Mi-Yung said with disdain and an unhealthy amount of hopelessness.

  “Nah. He has nothing to lose.”

  “So why William?!”

  “Maybe he knows something we don't? Remember, ten years ago, he was already reluctant about this land and left the library for others. He was barely around with... doing what? He is one of the oldest, you know. He knows the stakes.”

  “I wish I knew what was going on. His stuff is locked like a cage, and you know how the First Generation is. They are old as fuck and too far in each other's ass.”

  “Can't stick your hands through the bars?”

  “Hardly.” Mi-Yung sighed, leaning on his shoulder. “Now, the Academy is chittering like crazy, and I thought stuff with Dreadus would make things better. Noooope. I was naive. Some folks will want to recruit him at all costs. One or two might even kill him just because they don't like him. Heads might be included as well.”

  “Maybe you should come to them first, just in case. They would listen. The Second one is reasonable.”

  “And someone who would stand up to the Academy? Don't kid yourself, Luke. I know people since I have to know them to survive.”

  Luke hesitated and nodded. “What else? First Head?”

  Mi-Yung coughed and didn't expect he would ever mention that cretin. “I want William to retain freedom, Luke. A perfect choice without forced, undesirable situations.”

  “You want to keep him locked or what?”

  “No. Just protected against a couple of people and choices. You know what crazy shits his parents had done, and what he has done too isn't something small. It's inconsequential, however. I know it.”

  “Yes. I know a little since, honestly, I don't wanna know more, even if it involves Viktor.”

  “Then say something better... I lack critical thinking. It's very annoying.”

  “Maybe ask your uncle?”

  “Fuck that!” Mi-Yung shouted and slapped his other shoulder, leaving Luke groaning in pain.

  “It is a good proposition.” He forced. “If we are fine with taking this to proper efforts, using appropriate connections to our benefits is next. I am well outside of this idea, I know, and if Kaufman is around, and will be closer, it is worth thinking about others thrice over! He became hesitant, right? Just because of the issue in California? That's his excuse. Why would he leave if he had already troubled us?”

  “As I've said. Annoying.”

  “I can't imagine this to be anything good. You better watch out for William, or you will regret letting it go like this.” Luke ended his message in a reassuring tone, patted her head, kissed her cheek, and calmed this conversation down.

  “That... That... doesn't help at all!” Mi-Yung quenched her hands on the table, wondering what Viktor would have done in her steps. He would... she didn't know what made sense anymore.

  There was no way she could be straightforward against the Assembly, Academy, and Kaufman at the same time. It needed something more special, or dangerous. The compromises sounded about right.

  “I think this is enough, Mi-Yung. Do your justice if it's annoying. You are capable, no?” Luke said, whispering to her ear, as he often did.

  Releasing her fists, instead of worrying, she grabbed his collar and forced him much closer. She kissed him on the lips and said her own goodbye.

  “Good luck, soldier boy. I will need every penny of luck today for myself, so don't take it all.” She got up like a shadow and stood beside the door. Luke should have moved out long ago, but delays like this were worth any scolding alone. His current duties could allow it, and his team was more than willing to swallow bothersome tasks like surveilling perimeters of the Federation or taking care of new recruits.

  Such was the place of Walkers, worries of karma, love, and freedom.

  ***

  In the Central District, William jogged and entered the library. Ellie's warm smile greeted him right away, which made this day a bit better, unlike the harsh words of his so-called caretakers. In this building, there were good things.

  “What are you up to today?” Ellie asked, waiting for Celeste.

  “Not much. You?”

  “I wish I could help you out somehow, but... it seems I fished out quite some catch with neat little connections. It's good, right? Perhaps you can help me out with Celeste as well? She definitely finds you interesting, or is it about that Hound alone? I wonder. Nah. I know it. You are also a Walker, so that is a natural interest.” She smiled, expecting a good answer.

  William chuckled at her pleading expression. Ellie would rather lecture and grasp this chance herself, and her position was no longer about greeting and helping visitors.

  Both Heidi and Burton acknowledged it for one single reason. Celeste. She was simply the worst version of William, so they considered her to be the perfect candidate for Ellie. The secondary reason was Dreadus, who made a brief visit last night while Celeste was sleeping, but no one was aware of it.

  William couldn't understand every single one of Ellie's worries, and couldn't guess what he could even do for her or Celeste. Perhaps he would hold them back instead, and Burton or Heidi might not approve. It wasn't his call, so he waved at her on his tactical retreat toward the upper floors and planned to have a complete peace today.

  “Hey! Are you leaving like that? I thought you were gracious!”

  “Tell it Outside.” William joked and waved at her.