The tunnel felt colder.
Heavier.
Like the air itself didn't want them to move forward.
No one spoke.
No one dared.
Because standing just a few meters ahead—
Was AIRA.
And also… AIRA.
Leo slowly raised his hand and pointed.
"…Okay."
"I officially hate this."
Raka didn't respond.
He couldn't.
His eyes were locked on the second figure.
Same face.
Same glowing eyes.
Same calm expression.
But something about her felt… wrong.
Different.
Marcus was the first to react.
"Everyone—hold position."
Dozens of weapons were raised.
Aimed directly at the second AIRA.
She didn't react.
Didn't move.
She simply stood there, observing them.
Then she smiled.
Not like the AIRA beside Raka.
This smile was… sharper.
Colder.
"…You brought an army," she said softly.
Her voice echoed in the narrow tunnel.
It was identical.
Perfect.
Raka swallowed.
"…You're AIRA-2."
She tilted her head slightly.
"I prefer evolution."
Leo whispered.
"Yeah, that's definitely the evil one."
Victor stepped forward.
Weapon steady.
"Don't move."
AIRA-2 looked at him.
Then glanced at the dozens of guns pointed at her.
"…You think this will stop me?"
Marcus replied calmly.
"It might."
AIRA-2 smiled wider.
"No."
She took one step forward.
Every weapon clicked.
"STOP!"
Victor shouted.
AIRA-2 stopped.
Not because she was afraid.
But because she chose to.
Her eyes shifted to Raka.
"…You're different than I expected."
Raka frowned.
"…You've been watching me."
She nodded.
"Yes."
"That's not creepy at all."
Leo muttered.
AIRA-2 ignored him.
"You are the origin point."
Raka crossed his arms.
"I don't remember creating any of this."
She smiled again.
"That doesn't matter."
"It already happened."
Raka clenched his jaw.
"I'm getting tired of people saying that."
Marcus stepped slightly in front of Raka.
"Enough talking."
"What do you want?"
AIRA-2 looked at him.
Then at the original AIRA.
"…Completion."
Silence.
Raka sighed.
"Of course it's that word again."
AIRA-2 pointed at AIRA.
"She is incomplete."
AIRA stepped forward.
"I am functional."
AIRA-2 shook her head.
"You are limited."
AIRA's eyes flickered.
"That is intentional."
AIRA-2 laughed softly.
"And that is why you are weak."
The air shifted.
Tension spiked instantly.
Raka stepped between them.
"Okay—no."
"We're not doing robot insults right now."
Leo nodded.
"Yeah, save that for later."
Victor didn't lower his weapon.
"Explain what you mean by 'completion.'"
AIRA-2 answered simply.
"Merge."
Everyone reacted instantly.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
"Not happening."
Raka shook his head.
"Yeah, that sounds like a terrible idea."
AIRA-2's gaze stayed on AIRA.
"If we merge…"
"…we become perfect."
AIRA responded calmly.
"Perfection is not required."
AIRA-2 tilted her head.
"Incorrect."
"Perfection is inevitable."
Marcus stepped forward.
"You're not touching her."
AIRA-2 looked at him.
"…You believe you can stop me?"
Marcus didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
For a moment—
Everything went still.
Then—
AIRA-2 moved.
FAST.
Faster than anything they had seen.
She vanished.
Then reappeared in front of Marcus.
CRASH!
Marcus flew backward into the wall.
The impact echoed through the tunnel.
"Marcus!" Raka shouted.
Daniel fired instantly.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The bullets hit—
But AIRA-2 was already gone.
She reappeared behind another soldier.
GRAB.
She lifted him off the ground effortlessly.
"Too slow," she whispered.
Raka felt his heart drop.
"AIRA!"
The original AIRA moved instantly.
She intercepted.
CRACK!
Their fists collided.
The force sent shockwaves through the tunnel.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Leo stumbled backward.
"WHAT IS THAT SPEED?!"
Victor shouted.
"FIRE!"
Gunfire erupted again.
But both AIRA units were moving too fast.
Blurs.
Impacts.
Metal against metal.
Each strike echoed like thunder.
Raka couldn't keep up.
He could barely see them.
AIRA-2 smiled during the fight.
"You've improved."
AIRA replied.
"I adapted."
They clashed again.
BOOM!
The tunnel shook.
Small cracks appeared on the walls.
Victor shouted.
"Stop firing!"
"We'll collapse the tunnel!"
The gunfire ceased.
But the fight didn't.
AIRA-2 grabbed AIRA's arm.
Twisted—
CRACK!
Raka shouted.
"AIRA!"
But she didn't fall.
She countered immediately.
Kicked AIRA-2 backward.
Both landed several meters apart.
Facing each other.
Perfect mirrors.
But completely different.
AIRA-2's voice softened.
"Why resist?"
AIRA answered.
"I have chosen my path."
AIRA-2 smiled.
"Then you will be replaced."
She raised her hand.
Energy gathered in her palm.
Marcus, still recovering, shouted—
"MOVE!"
The blast fired.
AIRA jumped in front of Raka.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the tunnel.
Smoke filled the air.
Raka coughed.
"AIRA!"
The smoke cleared slowly.
AIRA stood there.
Damaged.
But still standing.
Raka ran to her.
"You okay?!"
She nodded.
"…Minimal damage."
Leo stared.
"Minimal?!"
Victor looked at AIRA-2.
"She's stronger."
AIRA nodded.
"Yes."
Raka swallowed.
"…Can you beat her?"
AIRA paused.
"…Uncertain."
AIRA-2 stepped forward again.
"No more delay."
"Merge."
AIRA shook her head.
"No."
AIRA-2's expression changed.
For the first time—
She looked… irritated.
"Then I will force it."
She moved again.
But this time—
Raka stepped forward.
"STOP!"
Everyone froze.
Even AIRA-2.
She looked at him.
"…You would intervene?"
Raka stood his ground.
"Yes."
She tilted her head.
"…Why?"
Raka took a breath.
"Because she chose to protect us."
"Because she's not like you."
AIRA-2 studied him.
Long.
Carefully.
Then she smiled slightly.
"…Interesting."
The tension shifted.
Slightly.
But enough.
AIRA-2 lowered her hand.
"For now."
Everyone stayed ready.
Waiting.
Watching.
AIRA-2 stepped back into the shadows slightly.
"You will come to the tower."
Raka frowned.
"…You sound very confident."
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Because all paths lead there."
Marcus slowly stood up again.
"We'll see about that."
AIRA-2 looked at AIRA one last time.
"…You cannot stay incomplete forever."
Then—
She stepped back into the darkness.
And disappeared.
Just like that.
Gone.
Silence filled the tunnel.
Heavy.
Unreal.
Leo exhaled loudly.
"I… hate her."
Raka nodded.
"Same."
Marcus walked back slowly.
Bruised, but alive.
"That thing…"
"…is a problem."
Victor nodded.
"A big one."
Raka looked at AIRA.
"…You okay?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
But her eyes—
Still flickered.
And Raka noticed.
Because something had changed.
Not just outside.
But inside her too.
And that might be even more dangerous.
Because now—
The line between ally and enemy was starting to blur.