New Oakley
9:21PM
9:21 p.m., New Oakley
Cheers!
Compared to residents of other conservation areas, the people of New Oakley seem to be born with thicker skin.
Not long after repelling a wave of Hetero-Creature attacks, some have already started celebrating. In their words, "It's called celebrating living through another day."
Say, don't you think it's about time we get out of here too?
Get out? And go where? Those bat freaks are everywhere. It's all the same no matter where we go.
The Forsaken, Babylonia's conservation areas. Anywhere's fine. Just somewhere with more people around.
Doesn't matter to me, I'm on my own. But if we really are leaving, it'll probably happen in the next few days.
Looks like I'll need to pack my bags tonight...
Dante weaves through the bustling crowd, two drinks in hand, his gaze lighting up as he spots you tucked away in the corner.
Sliding into the seat across from you, he pushes one of the glasses your way.
Fancy a glass?
Not bad taking charge back there. Makes me think this team-up might actually work.
Heh, wait until you see my other tricks.
Don't worry about him. He's just not big on crowds.
Dante drinks from his cup, not pursuing the topic any further.
Have you talked to that girl?
So, when are we heading to the Babel Tower?
Looks like things will wrap up here soon.
Hetero-Creatures... The Punishing Virus... Everything here is scary even for a guy who deals with demons in his daily life like me.
What?
My world, huh...
Dante takes another sip of his drink and shifts into a more comfortable position.
Hard to explain, really. You've probably figured out I'm not exactly your average human.
My father came from the Demon World, so half of me is demon blood.
Demon World and Human World... Even I can't tell which one I belong to. Maybe my world is just that home I had...
He gazes at the campfire, lost in thought, seemingly reminiscing about his childhood.
But time never flows backward. Memories are like sparks in the air—brilliant one moment, gone the next.
At least he still has family. The thought surfaces in Dante's mind, unbidden.
His gaze drifts to a quiet corner beyond the campfire's glow. There, Vergil leans against the wall, arms crossed, exchanging sparse words with Alpha beside him.
As Dante looks at Vergil's white hair and that face so like his own, he can't help but think of a certain young man, a smile tugging at his lips.
Nero would never guess what Vergil and I are experiencing right now.
Vergil feels the weight of his stare and glances over. Dante answers with a grin—and a raised middle finger.
You fool.
Dante lowers his hand, then continues.
The Human World's nothing special, just demons causing trouble now and then. Kinda like how this place would be without that Punishing Virus.
While the Demon World...
He lets out a derisive snort.
That place is crawling with disgusting freaks. Nothing worth talking about.
Well...
He speaks with brutal honesty.
I think this world's doomed.
And yet, aren't you helping this world?
Dante jerks his chin toward the campfire.
People are still kicking, and they've got pizza here. Could be much worse.
The sound of an approaching convoy echoes from afar, adding to the town's growing clamor. Lee's message chimes timely from your terminal.
The Support Force has arrived.
Looks like it's time for you to get to work.
He raises his drink, bringing your conversation to a close.
Since we're hitting up the Babel Tower tomorrow, make sure to rest well tonight.
Well, here's to tomorrow.
You meet Bridget at the edge of the town.
Hey, [player name].
All the weapons and ammo are here, and your power armor.
Just doing my job.
Hm?
The little girl mentioned in the report...?
No problem, leave it to me. I'll take good care of her.
Lyca strolls through the town, taking in the bustling atmosphere.
After speaking with the commandant from Babylonia, she can finally wash away days of exhaustion from being on the run.
Though drowsiness lingers at the edges of her mind, curiosity wins out. She wants to explore the town first.
Born in Babylonia, she has never set foot on the surface before. Until now, it existed only in images and secondhand stories.
New Oakley is her first real glimpse of a human settlement on the surface.
Child...
A voice cuts through her thoughts. She turns to see an elderly woman with warm, crinkled eyes waving at her.
Care to join me here for a moment?
After a moment of hesitation, Lyca walks toward the elderly woman.
The woman cradles a bag in her arms. Seeing Lyca approach, she reaches inside and pulls out a tangerine.
Here, try this.
Lyca accepts the fruit, and the elderly woman pats the space beside her, inviting her to sit. Then, she asks—
You're a new face. I take it you just arrived in town recently?
Yes...
Are you here alone?
I have my dad... but he's not here right now. He told me to run ahead by myself.
Whatever scene plays out in the woman's mind, her face is etched with quiet sympathy.
Sure wasn't easy, though...
I used to have a granddaughter. If not for that incident, she would be about your height by now.
...Surviving is what matters.
Have you found a place to stay? If not, you're welcome to stay with me for now. Later on, you could learn a trade—mechanical repairs, gun-making, bullet crafting... things like that. You'll find a way to get by.
I do have a grandson, but he's not well-behaved like you. Always wearing those sunglasses and clothes with spikes all over them. And his hair, sticking straight up like some kind of rooster! Looks absolutely ridiculous, if you ask me.
His shirts have all these strange cartoon characters on them. He calls it "anime" or something... I don't understand a thing about it...
But deep down, he's a good kid. These days, sometimes you've got to act tough just to get by.
Perhaps Lyca's appearance stirs old memories, or maybe it has been a long time since she last saw a child. Whatever the reason, the old woman rambles on about her family.
And don't let our mayor Max fool you with that big, burly look of his. He's a good man at heart. Quite the romantic, actually.
Realizing she's been doing all the talking, she offers an apologetic smile.
Oh dear, listen to me rambling on. Once I start talking, I just can't seem to stop.
It's okay, ma'am. I enjoy listening to you.
Let's talk about you instead. Where did you live before?
Babylonia.
The elderly woman seems taken aback by the answer, her expression flickering with surprise, but she chooses not to pry further.
My dad is really good to me. He always says he just wants me to grow up safe and happy.
He used to be very busy, but he'd still bring me little gifts after work. And he taught me how to draw. He told me he wanted to be a manga artist when he was younger, but... life just got in the way.
Then Mom got sick... and after that, Dad never really smiled again.
The white hospital room flickers back into her memory, that most familiar place to her.
And after that...
Lyca's words trail off, her smile dissolving like a fading echo.
After that...
The elderly woman assumes the girl is merely reminiscing about something sad and moves to comfort her when Lyca suddenly bolts outside.
Panic flashes across Lyca's face—no, not just panic. Something deeper, darker.
A primal terror, rising from the depths of her mind like a creature clawing its way out of the abyss. It seizes her heart, threatening to pull her under.
Then, her foot catches on a stone, and she stumbles. But she barely registers the pain. Instead, she curls into herself on the ground, her expression hollow yet etched with dread.
What happened... after that?
She finds her memories like a faded canvas, blurred beyond recognition.
How did I... get to the Babel Tower?
The person in the hospital bed... was it Mom, or... me?
The unanswered question sends chills down her spine, and fear finally consumes her completely.
A short while earlier, before meeting with the human commandant, Dante found Vergil.
How did you get here?
I have no explanation. I simply appeared in mid-air without cause.
Just like me...
Dante strokes his chin, eyeing Yamato in Vergil's hand.
Can you use Yamato to open a portal back?
Portals aren't stable in this place.
Looks like we'll have to rely on those Babylonia folks for now.
Also, that little girl...
I've sensed it as well.
...
