Intermission 8 - William (2/3)

Weeks after returning to Earth, William, Ms. Kim, and Seo traverse a shattered city. Seo plays while William and Ms. Kim share an easy rapport, recalling a difficult talk two days prior about his reactions to children, empathy, and his penchant for power and cruelty. Ms. Kim probes his motives, contrasting his utilitarian approach to killing with his disgust for harming children, pushing William to articulate boundaries and respect for their partnership.

William reflects on their karmic contract, made with a token from Eversmile, and its risks. He reveals his Bloodline of the Bondless One, which grants resistance to forming passive karmic bonds and improves comprehension and manipulation of bonds. He notes this allows him to sever or avoid reciprocating connections, potentially bypassing contracts with weaker parties, while insisting he intends to honor his deal with Ms. Kim.

When Ms. Kim seeks family or friends, William offers help. He takes her hands and reads her karmic threads, seeing a powerful bond to Seo, a solid link to himself, and three threads stretching into the inner city—one stronger than the others. He concludes those are her likely contacts and proposes they head there immediately.

William enlarges a metal disc to fly them toward the location. Conscious of safety and perception, Ms. Kim uses a lullaby-like prompt to put Seo to sleep as they near a makeshift survivor camp in a park. Their aerial approach alarms the camp, so they land outside to avoid provoking a fight, and Ms. Kim handles introductions.

The sentries grudgingly allow Ms. Kim and Seo in but bar William, citing unease and hidden level. William steps forward, smiling, and challenges their stance, asserting he doesn’t need permission. The scene closes with rising tension at the camp entrance as he prepares to press the issue.