There was no one on the road.
Kate walked in front while Fang Zheng followed behind. Neither of them spoke. The sky was dark and overcast, looking as though a storm was about to break. The air felt somewhat stifling, carrying the occasional scent of wet earth and moisture. It was a sign that a downpour was imminent.
The only sounds along the road were their footsteps and the occasional wind blowing in from all around.
Kate was somewhat nervous. More than once, she had heard wasteland merchants and travelers talk about bandits. They hid behind dirt mounds, quietly waiting for foolish passersby, then ended their lives with a single bullet. Especially in a place with almost no trees for cover, Kate had no way of knowing whether someone was hiding somewhere along the ridge and watching them. It was even possible that a Sniper Rifle was already aimed at her head.
But Fang Zheng clearly did not care about any of that. He simply walked on in silence, neither speaking nor making a sound. Kate had even secretly glanced at him several times, wondering whether this man was one of those legendary robots. Back in the Vault, the adults had told them that the pre-war government had been researching humanoid robots to replace soldiers. This taciturn man really did resemble one.
Though honestly, Kate felt that the robot butlers in the Vault were friendlier than this man.
Just as Kate's thoughts began to wander, Fang Zheng suddenly spoke.
"Someone's there."
"Huh?"
Kate was immediately startled when she heard him speak.
"Behind the hill ahead. Fully armed, and it looks like they're coming for us. Don't make any rash moves, unless you want an extra bullet in your forehead right now."
"..."
Kate forced herself to stop the urge to