Story Reader / Alternative Interpretation / Awakening Tundra / Story
Boss, this is a trap!
In this tight corridor, huge rocks keep raining down, piling up debris and snow that block their path. At the same time, an endless stream of mechanoid guards emerges from deep within the fortress.
They are shut in from both sides; there's no way out.
**** it... I knew I should've made more time to prepare before setting out.
New Sophiasburgh is rapidly expanding. To connect its border defenses as quickly as possible, they've taken on the urgent task of reclaiming several old-era fortresses in record time.
Though this bold strategy quickly adds a lot of residential space—offering formal housing to those stuck in makeshift camps—taking such a big leap also comes with significant dangers.
Everyone, pull back and conserve your energy. I've already requested backup from the city.
Don't go head-to-head with those mechanoid guards. I'm pretty sure the designer of this place wants to grind us down in here.
We barely know anything about this fortress, so let's not move recklessly. We don't want to set off any more traps.
I'm afraid it's already too late.
The old man warns her, pointing at the ceiling that's on the verge of giving way. The battered structure continues twisting and cracking under the mechanoid guards' attacks.
There's a small bomb perched up top. Everyone hears its endless ticking, but no one can tell the exact moment it'll blow.
Scarlet lights flash alongside frantic electronic chirps, forming a grim prelude of disaster. Maybe it'll be ten minutes from now, or maybe just a single heartbeat—either way, this place is about to cave in.
They're aiming to take us out along with those mechanoids... It might be an old-fashioned approach, but it definitely works.
So, there's only one way around this: have someone lure all the guards, then trigger these traps and knock them out in one go.
This is the only way we stand a chance until backup arrives.
No, we can't do that—it's basically a death sentence for whoever goes...
The moment she realizes what Valeri is planning, she interrupts him with a sharp reprimand.
We can make our escape as the stone chamber collapses. The Forest Guards will have our backs—so long as we can keep the falling debris off us...
You really think we can run while everything's caving in? Come on, you know as well as I do the odds are pretty slim.
The silver-haired elder turns, his weathered fingers snapping a shell into the shotgun with practiced resolve.
Maybe a couple of people could get out safely, but can you promise everyone will make it?
...
If that's how it is, we might as well set off the bomb ourselves to keep the damage in a controlled range.
Deep down, Tatyana wants to object, but she realizes she has nothing solid to back her up.
She can feel her mind go blank, everything spinning as though the entire world is frozen in time, and she can't force out a single word.
...I don't like using this strategy either, Tatyana, but it looks like Valeri has a point.
Even if we dodge the collapse ourselves, I'm worried the others won't be so lucky.
Setting off this trap on purpose and getting out of harm's way first... seems like our only choice.
Diana rips her spear out of a mechanoid guard's chest, pivots, and stomps the memory shell underfoot before calling out through the chaos of battle.
There's no time to hesitate. If we keep going like this, the bomb could blow at any second.
Tatyana, we trust your judgment—make your choice now!
...▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ Tatyana ▓▓▓, make your choice.
▓▓▓ can't ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ everyone anymore, so ▓▓▓ is the only way.
The blade of her memories cuts deep, twisting her thoughts in excruciating torment.
Why is it that even now, after all this time, she's still backed into the same corner—forced to decide who must be left behind?
This is the one outcome she has always tried so hard to avoid!
Valeri... I'm sorry, I...
Tatyana looks up in anguish, desperate to find a last spark of hope in the chaos swirling through her mind. But Valeri steps in first to hold her back and then moves ahead to confront the mechanoid guards on his own.
Don't say anything else. My time's almost up, and I don't regret for a moment making this my resting place.
When I was young, so many seniors had my back the same way. I'm only following in their footsteps.
New Sophiasburgh still needs you, and that "ideal" is waiting for you to fulfill it. Your journey doesn't end here.
As if reliving those countless moments in his youth shooting at the Corrupted, he calmly lifts his rifle once more and trains his sights on the pulsing red glow above.
Take cover—!
Amid the cries and the ripping sounds, he squeezes the trigger.
As to what happens next, no one can truly grasp.
A massive explosion shatters the silence, and then boulders come crashing down like a violent storm, forcing everyone to duck and dodge on pure instinct.
Amid the chaos, a Forest Guard shields Tatyana with their own body, sparing her from the worst of the destruction.
She slips into a haze for a few minutes, and when she comes back to her senses, she finds herself pushed toward the nearest exit.
Her entire body is riddled with injuries, but in the darkness, she grits her teeth, fighting through the agony of broken bones as she crawls toward that faint beam of light.
Raw wounds and exposed bone grind against the floor, making a harsh, rattling noise.
Her untreated wounds continue to bleed, leaving a dark crimson trail in her wake.
Yet she won't stop, not even for a heartbeat.
A senior has placed his own life—and everyone's—squarely in her hands, so she must carry out his last wish.
Finally, as she closes in on that bright light, she picks up the sound of a crowd gathered shoulder to shoulder.
Hello...? Is anyone there?!
If you can hear me, please respond!
Her lungs and throat are flooding with blood. She tries to force out a cry for help, but her voice is no stronger than a popping bubble.
She then grabs a stone off the ground, clutches it tightly, then hurls it hard against the wall.
Smack, smack-smack, smack...
Smack...
Smack.
...
Hey! There's someone here!
Get over here, now!!
A few hours pass before the rescue team arrives, uncovering the missing vanguard team beneath piles of debris.
According to the rescue team, among those trapped, aside from one casualty, everyone else has made it out.
When they finally find the trapped person, the blonde woman is still clutching that stone—even though it's already shattered. Her palm is torn and bloody, but she won't release her grip, not even in unconsciousness.
This isn't where the journey ends, and it's certainly not the only possible outcome.
Surely this story doesn't have to close on such a note, right?
Projector, press on. Show everyone that your fiery spirit hasn't been chilled by the biting wind.
Here in this forsaken land, only an unbreakable will can stand firm, unbowed by any hardship.
