chil[D]hood's end can be either the third or fourth obtainable main ending in NieR:Automata.
To obtain this ending, play through the game and beat the main story for the third time, continuing from an Ending B save file. During the final fight, select 9S. If Ending C is done first, this ending can be obtained without playing through the game again by opening Chapter Select and choosing Ch. 17-09.
Story[]
9S fights A2 with severe malice, and is almost overpowered by her. A2 hesitates as she recalls 2B's request and is impaled by 9S's sword. A2 falls to the ground in a pool of her own blood while 9S falls beside her, also impaling himself on 2B's sword. He dies while attempting to get 2B's sword out of his torso.
In his final moments, 9S recounts his past and prior objectives. Feeling a sense of loss over his functions, he is beckoned by Adam to join him and Eve on their Ark. Realizing that the girls in red have decided otherwise in ending humanity, 9S is given the choice to go with the machine lifeforms in the Ark.
If he doesn't, before finally shutting down, 9S will look up to the sky and say his last words:
"Ahh... So that's where you were...
2B."
Gallery[]
