Common Sense Hijack System-Chapter 100 - Layla

Karl let out a long sigh, his sharp eyes fixed on Valencia. But before they could start the promised training, there was something he needed to settle first.

"Valencia, I need your help with something important before we begin," Karl said seriously.

Valencia raised an eyebrow, her expression slightly puzzled. "Something important? What is it?"

Karl clasped his hands together as if gathering the courage to voice his request. "I want you to pick someone up for me."

Valencia narrowed her eyes, her curiosity piqued. "Who?"

"Her name is Layla," Karl said softly, his voice heavy with emotion. "She... she’s someone very important to me."

Valencia crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head slightly. "Layla? Who is she to you? A lover? A sister? An old friend?"

Karl stared at the floor, his mind racing. How could he explain this? Time had been cruel to him, and now he stood before a Homo Noctis who had no emotional attachment to ordinary humans.

"Layla might not remember me now," Karl finally said, his voice trembling. "But I remember her. She... she used to mean so much to me. And now, she’s living as a homeless girl on the outskirts of Southrill, struggling to survive every day."

Valencia remained silent, her eyes scanning Karl’s face carefully. "And why should I care?"

Karl lifted his head, his gaze filled with determination. "Because I care. Because if this world is really going to collapse like I’ve seen in my Chrono Vision, I can’t let her die in misery. I want her to have a chance—a chance to live better, to survive this disaster."

Valencia stayed silent for what felt like an eternity, then finally sighed.

"You know, Karl," she said softly but sharply, "there are a lot of people in this world who will die. You can’t save them all."

"I know," Karl replied quickly. "But at least I can save one person. If I have to choose who to save first, it’s going to be Layla."

Valencia looked at Karl in silence. There was something in his eyes—something that made her pause and seriously consider his request.

"Do you have any idea where she is?" Valencia finally asked.

Karl nodded. "In the slums. She usually sits in a corner alley, under a flickering streetlight."

Valencia sighed and walked towards the window. "Alright, Karl. I’ll get her tonight. But don’t expect me to be gentle about it."

Karl nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Valencia. I owe you one."

With an elegant movement almost like a dance, Valencia leapt out the window. In an instant, she vanished into the night, leaving Karl alone in his apartment.

---

The Slums

The night air in the slums was bone-chilling. The stench of garbage, vehicle fumes, and dust mixed into an unwelcoming atmosphere. Streetlights flickered weakly, as if tired of their duty.

Valencia walked slowly through the narrow alleys, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Her body moved with the grace of a predator, each step nearly soundless.

In one corner, under the dim light of a dying streetlamp, she spotted a small girl curled up. The girl’s clothes were torn and filthy, her hair matted, and her tiny body shivering from the cold.

"Layla..." Valencia murmured softly.

The little girl lifted her head, her large hazel eyes filled with fear. She hugged her knees tighter.

"Who... who are you?" Layla asked in a small, trembling voice.

Valencia crouched down in front of her, trying to soften her intimidating aura. "I’m here to pick you up."

Layla shook her head vigorously. "No! I’m not going anywhere with a stranger! Go away!"

Valencia sighed and extended her hand. "Someone who cares about you asked me to find you. His name is Karl."

Layla’s eyes blinked as if trying to recognize the name. But it was clear she couldn’t remember.

"Karl..." Layla whispered softly.

"He wants you to be safe, Layla. He wants you to have a better life," Valencia continued.

Layla remained silent, but slowly, her grip on her knees loosened. Valencia took the opportunity and gently reached out to hold Layla’s tiny hand.

"Come on. You don’t have to stay here anymore."

With hesitant steps, Layla stood up. Valencia picked up the tattered blanket the girl had been using and wrapped it around her shoulders. Then, without another word, they walked out of the dark alley, leaving behind the foul smell and suffocating darkness.

---

Karl’s Apartment, After His Shift

Karl paced back and forth in his living room, anxiety gnawing at every corner of his mind. His head was filled with worst-case scenarios—what if Valencia couldn’t find Layla? What if something happened on the way?

But a knock on the door stopped all his thoughts.

He quickly opened the door. Standing there was Valencia, with a small figure beside her. Layla stood in Valencia’s shadow, her hazel eyes staring at Karl with fear and confusion.

"Karl...?" Layla whispered softly.

Karl knelt down in front of her, his smile warm despite the exhaustion in his eyes.

"Hey, Layla. You’re safe now. You don’t have to be afraid anymore."

Layla still looked hesitant, but slowly, she stepped forward and hugged Karl. Her small body trembled, but Karl held her tightly, trying to convey as much warmth as he could.

Valencia stood behind them, arms crossed over her chest, letting out a quiet sigh.

"You two are really making me sentimental," she muttered.

Karl smiled faintly, still holding Layla. "Thank you, Valencia. I’ll never forget this."

Valencia simply nodded, then walked to the window. "You two should rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, we start training—and Karl, don’t make me regret helping you."

Karl nodded firmly. "I won’t let you down."

As Valencia disappeared into the night, Karl hugged Layla tighter. He knew—this was just the beginning of a long and dangerous journey. But for tonight, at least Layla was safe.

And for Karl, that was more than enough.

---

Layla sat on the old couch, wrapped in a blanket, clutching a warm cup of tea Karl had prepared for her. Her hazel eyes stared blankly at the floor, her mind clearly clouded with confusion.

Karl sat across from her, looking at the little girl softly. He knew this conversation would be difficult.

"Karl..." Layla’s voice was faint. "What’s really happening? Who are you? Why... why did that woman bring me here? And why do you care about me?"

Karl gave a faint smile. "I know this is hard to understand, Layla. But I promise, I’ll explain everything."

Layla frowned, her expression filled with disbelief.

Karl took a deep breath before speaking. "I... I’m from the future, Layla."

Layla’s eyes widened. "The future? What do you mean?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out," Karl said quickly, trying to ease her fear. "Our world is going to face a huge catastrophe soon. A cosmic explosion will trigger an endless winter, freezing almost the entire planet. And in that world... everything will change. People will gain powers, but many will abuse them."

Layla clutched her cup tightly, her face uncertain. "You’re joking, right? This... this doesn’t make sense."

Karl shook his head softly. "I know it’s hard to believe. But I have something no one else has—I have a system that gives me access to this knowledge. I was given a second chance to fix things, including... fixing what happened to you."

Layla’s eyes filled with tears. "What happened... to me?"

Karl’s gaze was serious. "I know about Glowsphere. I know how they used you. I know about Angeline—the woman who framed you, twisted the truth, and took everything from you."

Layla’s body stiffened at the mention of that name.

"K-Karl... you... know about Angeline?" Her voice trembled.

Karl nodded solemnly. "Yes. And I promise, Layla—I won’t let that happen again."

Tears streamed down Layla’s face as she leaned into Karl’s embrace. For the first time in a long while, she felt something she had almost forgotten—safety.

And for Karl, that was all that mattered.

Layla had calmed down now. The traces of tears still lingered on her cheeks, but her eyes looked more focused.

"What... what are we going to do now?" she asked softly.

Karl gave Layla a soft smile, his voice calm and reassuring.

"For now, Layla... you can relax. You’re safe here, and you don’t need to worry about anything else tonight."

Layla’s hazel eyes shimmered with fresh tears, her lips trembling as she tried to speak. "Safe... I don’t even know what that feels like anymore, Karl."

She sniffled, clutching the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "Do you know what it’s like... to wake up every morning and not know if you’ll survive the day? To be so hungry that your stomach feels like it’s eating itself? To sleep in the cold, hoping you’ll wake up the next day, but also... wishing you wouldn’t?"

Karl’s heart ached as he listened to her words, each one cutting deeper than the last.

"No one ever stopped for me. No one cared. They all just walked past, like I was invisible. Like I didn’t matter..." Layla’s voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands as her body shook with quiet sobs.

Karl closed his eyes for a moment, letting the weight of her words settle in his chest. He remembered this—this exact moment. He had lived it before. Layla’s broken voice, her fragile frame, the tears staining her dirt-streaked cheeks.

Even though she couldn’t possibly remember him, Karl remembered her vividly. This scene had played out before.

Slowly, Karl moved to sit beside Layla on the couch. Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms around her trembling shoulders and pulled her close.

"You’re not invisible anymore, Layla," he said softly, his voice firm despite the lump forming in his throat. "You’re not alone. Not anymore."