Upon arriving at the scene, Adam saw Alice and a T-Doll standing beside a survivor. The man appeared to be in his early thirties, looking disheveled and dirty—just like most survivors in the apocalypse, where bathing had become a luxury. However, one thing stood out about him: unlike the usual emaciated survivors struggling to find food, this man looked remarkably healthy.
That alone was enough to trigger Alice's caution.
There was also his behavior. While most survivors begged for help with pitiful expressions, this man's eyes were scanning the surroundings, as if assessing the area rather than seeking aid. Adam immediately knew he had ulterior motives.
As Adam approached, the man's demeanor subtly shifted. Before, he hadn't been particularly guarded around Alice, likely because of her childlike and unassuming appearance. But now, standing before Adam, his posture tensed—an instinctive reaction to an actual threat. Of course, underestimating Alice just because of her looks was a mistake that could put someone in a world of pain if she decided to get serious.
Suddenly, the man dropped to his knees.
"Kind sir, please allow me to join your group. I am willing to do anything to stay rather than roam outside with those monsters." His plea was immediate and dramatic, but Adam wasn't convinced.
Alice's thoughts echoed in his mind through their communication link—she found this man highly suspicious. Adam agreed. However, outright rejecting him might provoke an unwanted reaction. If his suspicions were correct, this man was connected to the rumored Honkai-worshipping cult, the last major faction still lurking in Nagazora after Adam had wiped out the gangs and driven out the terrorist group. It would be better to let him in under controlled conditions and observe him closely.
"Alright," Adam responded after a pause. "You came at the right time. This shelter needs able-bodied men to form a militia."
Outwardly, he appeared to accept the man's request, but inwardly, his suspicions remained.
"For now, follow her for a quick health inspection and collect your allocated rations," Adam instructed, gesturing toward Alice. "Tomorrow, you'll begin military training along with the others."
Then, with a sharp gaze, he asked, "Do you have any objections?" His eyes tried to see through the man before him and find fault in his mask but saw no solid evidence.
"None, sir!" Akira immediately straightened his back, putting on an eager expression of gratitude. His act was well-practiced, but Adam wasn't fooled.
Nodding, Adam turned to Alice. "Show him around."
With that, Adam left, already issuing silent orders to the T-Doll duo in charge of training—keep a close watch on him.
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Here's the refined version of your paragraphs based on the suggested improvements:
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After Adam Left
Alice took the lead, guiding the so-called survivor through the shelter. Takesugi Akira had introduced himself as a former salaryman from a small real estate company in Tokyo before Nagazora fell to ruin under the Honkai's devastation.
"Over here, Mr. Akira," Alice said, leading him toward the multipurpose hall, which had since been converted into the shelter's medical center.
Inside, a lone T-Doll remained from the original four—one whom Angeline had specifically upgraded with advanced medical knowledge to serve as the shelter's designated medic. Adam had assigned her to manage this facility, ensuring the health of the shelter's inhabitants.
The checkup was brief. The T-Doll scanned Akira and reported, "No abnormalities. He is in perfect health."
That, in itself, was the most suspicious thing of all.
Every survivor they had examined so far had suffered from some degree of Honkai Sickness at worst and malnutrition at best, a natural consequence of surviving on preserved foods for too long. Fresh supplies had long since decayed or been consumed. Yet, Akira showed no such signs—his body was in excellent condition, albeit a little thin, completely unfitting for a man who had supposedly been struggling to survive.
Akira, oblivious to the scrutiny, believed his cover was intact. He even smiled, thinking he had successfully integrated himself into the shelter. In his mind, Adam and his people weren't thorough enough to see through him.
Alice thought otherwise.
A pest. A threat. One that wouldn't be allowed to linger around her Master.
But not yet. She is sure her Master already has arrangements for Akira.
She flashed an innocent smile—one that concealed her true nature beneath a mask of sweetness. "Ah, it seems you're in excellent shape, Mr. Akira. That's good news. We could really use strong and healthy men to help out around here."
Her words were kind. Her intentions were not.
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Later, in the Apartment
With over a hundred apartment units in this medium-sized complex, space was limited. Each room typically housed three to four people, sometimes more if residents were willing to take in extra roommates. Akira would be joining a unit that already had two occupants—a middle-aged man and a young college student.
Upon arriving, Alice introduced Akira to his new roommates and briefly explained the arrangement. "This will be your assigned room. Takeshi and Haruto are already living here, so they'll help you get settled." She then turned to the two men. "Please show him around and explain how things work." With that, she left, her usual cheerful demeanor masking her ever-present vigilance.
Once Alice was gone, Akira seized the opportunity to introduce himself, hoping to gain useful information from his new roommates.
"Takeshi and Haruto, was it?" He stepped inside, glancing around the modest yet well-maintained living space.
The older man, Takeshi, gave a firm nod and gestured for him to enter. "Yeah, that's right. Akira, was it? Come in. I'll walk you through how things work around here." His tone was steady and welcoming, reflecting his easygoing personality.
Meanwhile, Haruto, the younger of the two, remained seated, his demeanor more withdrawn. He silently observed, letting the older man handle the conversation.
As Takeshi explained the shelter's daily routines, a few key details caught Akira's attention—nutritional fluid and military equipment.
Unusual. Very unusual.
He carefully steered the conversation, making subtle inquiries without raising suspicion.
From what he knew, both as a survivor and as a member of a secret organization, nutritional fluid as a standard ration was highly abnormal. Producing such a thing at scale was not only technically challenging but also expensive even when the world wasn't in shambles. Even Fire Moth, the most advanced military organization, had never moved beyond traditional MREs.
Then there were the weapons.
Takeshi had mentioned drills—something expected in a militia—but the way he described their firearms struck Akira as strange. Their gear was unlike anything Japan's former military had ever used. Augmented reality targeting systems, experimental weaponry… these weren't relics of the old world. This was cutting-edge technology!
Akira kept his expression neutral, careful not to betray his thoughts. But inside, the pieces were coming together.
The moment he had seen Adam and his group, he had suspected something. The leader's streamlined armor, the high-tech components on Alice and the T-Dolls—none of it aligned with what should exist in this small island nation of Japan.
Now, his suspicions were all but confirmed.
This wasn't just another group of survivors.
This was something else entirely.
A deeper game was being played here, one far beyond what he had initially anticipated.
His role as an infiltrator was clear: gather intel, report back. And if possible, exploit any weaknesses through sabotage.
He had thought his act flawless. His disheveled appearance, his well-practiced expressions—it was a routine he had mastered long ago. The only flaw was his physique. A detail he hadn't been able to correct in time.
It wasn't negligence. It was a simple lack of time.
Less than a day had passed since he had been given the order to infiltrate this shelter. Altering his body to match the typical malnourished survivor had been impossible on such short notice.
He just had to hope they hadn't noticed.
But they had.
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