I can't read the letters, but my experience is more than enough to overcome such an obstacle.After a very short, deep breath, I stand right in the center of the control panel.The central control panel that is clearly operational, but which no one can use.I press my palm against the control panel's touch pad."Excuse me. You shouldn't touch that carelessly.""Chief Administrator! As if things aren't busy enough…"Complaints bubble up from the surroundings, people unable to comprehend what I'm thinking.However, this sequence of events doesn't last long.It's because, contrary to their expectations, the control panel reacted.*Whiiiirrrr— Zzzt— T-ding!*"Huh?"`[Verifying Access Authority]``[Master Key Recognized]`The moment the screen lit up, the surroundings fell silent."…""Uh…?""Why is it…?"And the moment they confirmed the words, they were stunned."Master… Key?""What… no way.""Wait, something like that existed?"The Master Key.Almost no survivors know of its existence.Even the players only learned of the Master Key's existence when they opened Gale's study.So, their reaction is rather calm, considering.This level of reaction."Hmm."The problem is Eli Wayless, who knows about the Master Key. Her bewildered voice rings out."Uh… wh-wha… how… How do you have the Master Key? Why do you have it… How on earth? Why do *you* have it?"The way she's stammering, her hands trembling, is a measure of the confusion and shock she feels.But no suitable explanation comes to mind.It's not like I can say, *'I stole it from Gale's study.'*However, just before the confusion deepens.`[Welcome, Administrator.]`An androgynous AI's voice was heard.The AI's voice, which came at just the right time, was familiar.A voice I had only ever heard through headphones.The electronic sound that used to tickle my ears is now right in front of me.Perhaps that's why it feels alien despite its familiarity.Now, what should I do? I rely on hundreds, thousands of experiences."Connect to nuclear power plants."*'This should work.'*`[Connection to a total of 12 nuclear power plants is possible.]`Just like I'd seen on the screen.There's no choice but to awkwardly, but steadfastly, continue the set actions."Connect all."`[Connecting to a total of 12 nuclear power plants.]`*T-ding!*Eventually, a few options appeared.`[Manipulate Internal System]``[Manipulate Power Output]``[Switch State]`Up to this point, I have experience controlling numerous facilities.I begin to make my selections, predicting the faint letters.*Beep—*Since I'm shutting them down anyway, a small mistake won't matter, but… I exercise caution.This is the first time I'm shutting down a nuclear power plant. I can't help but be mindful of any unforeseen variables.Besides, the reactions of those around me were a secondary confirmation of what I was pressing."Ex-excuse me? What are you trying to do now…?""Why the power plant status switch tab…?"It will take some time.You can't just shut down a nuclear power plant by pressing a few buttons.To avoid making a mistake, I remove the urgency from my touch. My mind was already dredging up memories to its limit.And around that time, the voice of a composed Eli Wayless was heard."If the Chairman handed this over to you… then everything you said must be true."*'She recovers fast.'*At the same time, the troubled voice of Ken Sasaki, who had also realized something, was heard."What is the reason for trying to shut down the nuclear power plants?"Their questions, without an inch of compromise.My fingertips tremble slightly.This was not a situation to be having a conversation.An in-depth conversation while concentrating is almost impossible.The only conversation possible is a one-sided information dump. It's nothing more than listing the information I know.And the target of that information this time was Ken Sasaki.Eli's confusion couldn't be resolved with a few simple words.*'It's probably best to reveal it now.'*"Mr. Sasaki, do you know anything about things like zombies or ghouls?""…Why are you suddenly asking that?""There are probably a lot of people here right now showing strange symptoms.""What's the connection between the two…""The people showing symptoms will soon begin to mutate.""What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Please explain in more detail.""And when the mutation begins, the mutants will attack living creatures, and the attacked creatures will, with a high probability, become infected.""Are you saying a real zombie apocalypse is going to happen?""Continuing to operate the nuclear plants in such a situation will turn the entire city into a radioactive zone. It will become another hell."A conversation is not taking place.Ken asks questions.I don't answer them.I'm just conveying the most basic information necessary to survive in this world."That's why we're shutting down the nuclear plants first.""Damn it, you're just spouting things that I can't make sense of."An unidentified disaster situation. An unknown sense of foreboding within it.And a truth you don't want to believe.This combination of three things would inevitably make a person sensitive.I could see a faint trembling in Ken's appearance when I briefly looked back at him.However, that was something he had to endure.I don't offer irresponsible words like 'it's okay' or 'don't worry'."The mutants will appear soon. If you want to live, find a way for yourself starting now. Well, I'm sure you'll manage on your own…"*'This should be enough.'*I finish my last words and focus on the task again.Well, actually, it might be ridiculous to worry about the survival of a humanist.If nothing goes wrong, he's a survivor who lives longer than the player character.After that, there were no more questions.Were they shocked? I don't know.It's not a situation to be concerned about such things either.I'm busy recalling the unreadable options based on my experience.How much time had passed like that? Sweat was already trickling down my forehead.And the moment that sweat passed my forehead, ran down my nose, and formed a drop.*'This is…'*`[Cease Operation]``[Switch to Core Replacement Standby]`An unknown option, different from the existing facilities, had appeared.*'This is unexpected.'*Should I ask for help now? It might cause some misunderstanding, but they'd probably grant a request to read the letters.However, before that thought could even finish, her voice is heard."If you're going to shut down the nuclear plants, instead of a complete shutdown, how about switching to a core replacement standby state to temporarily halt nuclear fission? Then the core won't melt and leak radiation, and you'll leave room for a restart…" Eli's much calmer voice explained the meaning of the words. I unconsciously look back.Ken and the department's civil servants still wore troubled expressions, but Eli Wayless, on the other hand, had a cold expression.Did she get a grip on her emotions in that time?*'Good thing I brought her.'*"Hmm."Yes, if there's such a possibility, I need to reconsider my choice. Until now, I had only thought about shutting down the power plants.According to her, I could leave room for maneuver.Any such room is good to have.The power plants will eventually be usable again.No, they'll have to be.Regardless of such thoughts, everyone's gaze, except for Eli's and mine, is on the words floating on the screen.They all seem to be deep in thought.Are they lost in a daze at the out-of-common-sense authority of the Master Key?Or are they just vaguely admiring the unbelievable situation? I can't know for sure.Even I can't guess my own feelings right now, so trying to guess others' is a contradiction.Meanwhile, the only one looking at me is Eli.So, even if it's cliché, I had to ask."Do you believe me now?""It seems like a situation where I have to. If the Chairman himself… handed over that key.""I could have stolen it from Mr. Gale, couldn't I?""I had only heard about the Master Key in stories, and this is the first time I've known it really exists. None of the relatives probably even know what the Master Key looks like. But to have accurately identified and brought it… that's impossible."Then, Ken retorts as if it's absurd."Wait, just a minute. You, how can you really believe such a nonsensical story? Zombies, what are you, a child?""For someone who says that, you seem to have a lot on your mind."His expression, contrary to his words, couldn't lie."That's… because…"Ken, unable to answer for a moment.After a short silence, the answer he gave was close to an excuse. "...the situation is strange, isn't it."*'The situation is indeed strange.'*Thinking about it carefully, it's a situation where even an unbelievable story becomes believable.Because someone appeared out of nowhere and broke through all the access rights with a Master Key.For him, it must be so bewildering."Still… one thing's for sure.""…""Even the Mayor probably doesn't have the authority to shut down all the power plants at once."Now, as everyone watches with bated breath.My finger points.I could tell which one was the standby state switch just by looking at Eli's reaction.As I raise my finger to the first option."Are you really… going to cease operation?"Then, as I raise my finger to the second option, Eli's expression becomes much more relaxed.*Beep!*`[Switch 12 power plants to Core Replacement Standby?]``[Yes]``[No]`For some reason, the letters in front of me feel clear right now.`[Yes.]``[No.]`It didn't take much resolve to press it.Because it was something that had to be done.However, I couldn't help but pause for a moment.Because I myself feel it.That everything is about to change.*'If I press this… I don't know what kind of butterfly effect will occur.'*Should I call it an aftershock? In a way, I know the future.I know which clan is dangerous, who will make what choices, and so on.But the moment I make this choice, many things will be twisted. The future I knew will be overturned.I have no choice but to let go of the powerful weapon of information, at least a little.But. Even so. Nevertheless.I suppress my hesitation and press it.Because it's the right thing to do.A life where a miserable end is predetermined.A vicious cycle of abusing the body just to prolong that miserable life.That's the reason this world is a dystopia, the reason ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) it's an apocalypse.The current choice is the first step in breaking that vicious cycle.Rather than the comfort of knowing everything…*'I will reach a better ending.'**Beep.*`[Switching 12 power plants to Core Replacement Standby.]`Now is the time. This very moment is when I cross the turning point.…………………………`-R҉esi҉sta҉nce҉ v҉alu҉e i҉ncr҉easi҉ng.`

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.