Pale daylight pierces through the clouds and morning mist.
No birdsong greets the morning in the mining area. The autumn wind wanders through the valley of towering, layered cliffs.
Knock, knock—
The door is shaken by an urgent rapping.
Hello. Who are you looking for...?
There's no one at the door—just a few half-ripened wild fruits scattered on the ground.
Who is it...?
As Liv gathers them, she glances around and catches a glimpse of blue hair peeking out from around the corner.
...Hello?
She tries to approach, but the moment she draws near, the child startles like a frightened animal, leaps up, and dashes away.
Wait! What's your name...
Before she can even finish her words, the child has already vanished into the deep shadows between the buildings.
Am I... really that scary?
Unable to make sense of the encounter, Liv returns to her room with the wild fruits and finds you awake.
Oh, it was that little girl from last night, the one you gave your food to.
She's already gone. Just left these fruits for us.
I think they're from that small grove near the mining area... the one we passed yesterday.
The wild fruits display unripe greens and muted reds. They don't look appetizing, but in this resource-starved conservation area, they must be a rare delicacy.
This conservation area is too small to be self-sufficient, with barely any credits in circulation. The only things people have to trade are their meager food rations and their own labor.
Those few fruits could have been traded for extra gruel.
Might be her way of saying thank you for last night.
I've been keeping an eye on her for a while now. She always seems to get picked on... Perhaps because she's the smallest?
You try to recall what the little girl looked like...
Yeah, she does look about that age.
Oh, do you think so? To me, she seems much younger...
Maybe only seven or eight.
Back on Babylonia, she'd be safe in the Youth Center.
Yesterday morning, when I was out investigating, I saw her surrounded by a few of the older children...
One day ago, as the hazy morning light filtered through the clouds, Liv left her temporary quarters early.
You had been up late again handling Babylonia's affairs, so she decided not to wake you and began the preliminary investigation on her own.
The investigation was taking shape. A conservation area resident named Kolm had heard relevant information in the "medical station," so she would start her search there...
Lost in thought about how to proceed, Liv hurried past the tent. Just ahead lay the central plaza—
Weirdo! Weirdo! The freak with no mommy!
I... I'm not...
You are! Everyone else has a mom! Only you don't!
In the open space, several early-rising children clapped their hands as they circled a disheveled little girl, singing a discordant chant.
You freak! Yesterday, your mom said it herself! She's not your real mom! That means you don't have a mom at all!
The children's innocent malice was like a potato sprouting in darkness, growing unchecked in the damp shadows of their imaginary world.
I-I do have one...
Then tell us who your mom is. Say it and we'll let you play with us.
An older child moved closer, then gave the girl's tangled hair a sudden, cruel tug.
I... I...
The girl in the center clenched her tiny fists, her face a mixture of helplessness and confusion.
Oh!! So you ARE the freak with no mom—
...What are you doing?
The bullying came to an abrupt halt with an outsider's intervention.
The older children scattered in all directions the moment they saw Liv approaching, darting away with practiced speed down separate escape routes.
...
Instead of giving chase, Liv approached the blue-haired girl. She knelt down and gently wiped the dirt from her face with a handkerchief.
Were they being mean to you? You know, if someone's being unkind, you should always tell your family about it...
What... is family?
Confusion filled the girl's brown eyes.
Family... well, it's the people who care for you. Like your mom or dad... or brothers or sisters...
Liv looked equally bewildered.
Concepts as basic as "mom" and "dad" should be among the first words a child learns to speak. And yet...
I... I don't know... what any of those are supposed to be...
The girl's hair was tangled and unkempt, her clothes stained with a grime that spoke of long-term neglect.
Mom... I do have... mom... Where...
The unfamiliar words tumbled awkwardly from her lips as she repeated them, her small brow furrowing with growing distress.
...She was simply too young to articulate her thoughts into coherent sentences.
As if seeing a reflection of her younger self, Liv's expression softened, and she gently drew the child into her arms.
...It's okay. You don't need to worry about it now.
She ran her fingers through the girl's long hair, patiently smoothing out the tangles.
You know, sometimes people get separated for a little while. And when you grow up, I'm sure you'll be able to find your mom.
Separated...
Is... is that really true?
Of course it is. That's why you have to make sure you grow up healthy and strong.
After carefully arranging the hair into a tidy style, Liv led her to the conservation area supervisor's place and knocked on the door.
...Oh my, you're up early, Officer. Is there something I can help you with?
I'm sorry to disturb you, but I found this little one all alone. Would you happen to know where she belongs?
A child...?
The long-haired girl peeked out timidly from behind Liv, only half her face showing.
Ah, her. Yes, I know her. Has she wandered off again? Don't you worry, Officer, just leave her with me. I know exactly where she lives.
...
Seeing the faint resistance in the child's eyes, Liv paused a moment before voicing her question.
If you don't mind me asking... could you tell me a bit about her family? I couldn't help but notice some of the other children were being rather unkind to her...
Oh... that. Not a special story around here, I'm afraid.
She was abandoned as a baby. Someone found her and sent her here.
A couple took her in. Their own child had gone missing, you see. I think they were hoping to fill that void. But she's not theirs by blood, and... well, some hearts don't have room for a second chance.
The conservation area supervisor gave a knowing look.
Alright now, come along. Let's get you back.
Then, the supervisor took the girl's hand and led her away toward the outskirts of the conservation area.
Liv shakes her head while organizing the combat supplies.
...Abandoned at birth, so she doesn't even know what "family" means, or who her "mom" really is.
Your lips part, but you find yourself at a loss for words.
In the shadows cast by sunlight, countless similar tragedies unfold unseen.
Find the person familiar with the mining area. Clear out the Hetero-Creatures there. If this conservation area grows more prosperous, then perhaps this child... could receive more food and care.
...Yeah.
Liv presses her lips together, then opens her terminal to organize the information gathered over the past few days.
The two patrol members were merely passing through the area. By analyzing their movement against the conservation area's entrance surveillance footage, you can calculate their walking speed and exact time of passage.
I've already spoken with Melinoe and personally checked on them.
One is an elderly patient with significant brain damage; I'm afraid he won't be waking up anytime soon. The other lost a lot of blood... Even if she regains consciousness, she'll be far too weak to even leave her bed.
Four names are now crossed off the list. The only remaining suspects are Melinoe and the two people who took a vehicle into the mining area to prospect for resources.
Melinoe...
Theoretically, Melinoe is highly suspicious. However, given her special identity and the conservation area supervisor's protective attitude, starting with her would likely tip your hand.
Then that leaves only the two who fled into the mining area... Ark and Niler, 23 and 25 years old, both adult males.
According to the registry, they were both born right here in the conservation area. Their parents were mine workers who stayed behind after the Punishing outbreak. They entered the mining area some time ago and haven't returned since.
I'll try to reach them...
After a brief dial tone, the line connects. Though still broken by static, the signal is stronger than before.
...Gray... Raven?
The dark-skinned captain appears absolutely thrilled.
Operation... plan? We...
The terminal stutters, seemingly about to lose connection again, when the screen violently shakes. Clearly, Flayo has once more resorted to his self-taught repair method.
...Ahem. That should do it.
He chuckles with self-satisfaction.
Like I was saying, we're planning to go deeper into the mine. Try and find where these Hetero-Creatures are coming from.
We may not excel at combat, but we're experts at digging! In these tunnels, we know how to stay alive.
Normally we'd play it safer, but something's off down here this time.
Flayo pulls out his notebook and carefully checks the recorded information.
See, according to my logs, this mine usually spawns Hetero-Creatures like clockwork. A new batch pops up every two weeks or so.
Our usual routine was to swing by and clear 'em out before they could multiply and threaten the conservation area.
Yeah. We've already blocked...
I'm not entirely sure. We've already blocked...
He flips a page in his notebook.
...blocked about five exit points and collapsed a dozen old tunnels. But they just keep coming.
So, Ymir's theory is the problem's the mine itself. Our sensors show...
He flips another page in his notebook.
...that the Punishing concentration levels are going crazy in there, fluctuating erratically. She thinks something might be "hatching" them, like the Red Tide.
That's a serious problem either way.
The numbers. There are far fewer of them than before.
He finally stops flipping his notebook and closes it.
This was supposed to be a routine cleanup, but the Hetero-Creature numbers are way down... almost two-thirds fewer than usual.
We're using this lull to push deeper, see if we can finally find their breeding ground.
A day from now... Wait... You mean you're coming to meet up with us? The legendary Gray Raven?!
Awesome! I need to see if the Gray Raven Commandant is really as—
Just forget about it! You already lost your credits to me... mmph—!
Flayo firmly pushes down the two heads desperately trying to wriggle into the frame, laughing heartily all the while.
Then we'll be waiting for you.
Oh, right, the mine's a maze. If you don't want to get lost, you should regularly...
...you should regularly contact us to keep your bearings.
Residents... from the conservation area?
Oh, those two.
The commotion around him suddenly seems to drain away.
We ran into them. We totally warned them the mine was swarming with Hetero-Creatures lately, but they charged in anyway.
What's the point of trading ore if you're not around to spend the credits? Reckless.
He shakes his head.
Don't worry, we've got them settled at our makeshift camp. They're safe for now.
O—kay.
The image glitches and warps, finally freezing on a bizarre frame.
Is the signal in the mine really this bad? Good thing I brought a signal booster transceiver...
Liv retrieves two button-sized signal amplifiers from her supply pack and attaches them to both of your terminals.
I've brought spare power units too... Commandant, we're ready to go.
Leaving the conservation area behind, the two of you return to the narrow path.
Massive, primordial rocks stand like sentinels on either side, while a grayish-white mist curls through the dark, looming mountains, saturating the air with a thick, cloying presence.
Why does this path feel so unfamiliar when you have walked it before?
A heavy fog slithers along the narrow passage.
...
...
You raise your voice slightly, causing Liv to flinch. Her pupils contract as the jolt finally snaps her back to reality.
Ah... I'm sorry, Commandant. I was just a little lost in thought.
Liv presses her lips together, her voice tinged with hesitation.
Commandant... is this the same path we took that day?
The terminal's map reveals that, besides your entry path, only one other trail crosses the conservation area—a route leading directly to the mining area.
I'm not quite sure... but something about this place feels off... Let's keep going a little further.
Mountain fog gradually swallows the path, blurring everything into a formless haze. For a moment, it's impossible to discern any way forward.
Wait, I see it! This is definitely right; that's our vehicle from last time.
Through the hazy mist, the vehicle stands like a silent signpost, marking the spot the two of you had reached on your previous visit.
The backup power supplies make the repairs simple. With barely any effort, the engine roars to life.
The vehicle's compact cabin provides a sense of security as you speed along, gradually dispelling the oppressive weight of the thick fog and looming rock formations outside.
The road is much clearer from here... At this speed, we should reach the mining area in about 30 minutes...
Screech—
Liv abruptly cuts herself off and slowly brings the vehicle to a halt.
The fog wraps the landscape in a thick veil, hiding any unusual details. Puzzled, you step out of the vehicle beside Liv.
What... is this?
The two of you stop before a patch of underbrush several meters away from the road.
A wide swath of vegetation lies flattened and bent, creating a trail that stretches far into the distance.
Why are there drag marks here...?
Would they transport supplies or minerals through here?
After a silent, shared understanding with Liv, you both return to the vehicle and adjust your course.
The vehicle races forward. Time becomes distorted, devoured by the thick fog until the duration of your travel is almost impossible to gauge...
Damp mist swirls between towering rock formations. Then, through the haze, a massive crater of jagged, uneven edges gradually materializes ahead.
Is this also... part of the mining area?
As you continue forward, a large artificial platform materializes ahead of your vehicle. Rust-covered mechanical parts lie scattered across its surface like forgotten bones.
Moss and vines have aggressively reclaimed this place, weaving into a thick carpet that emits a strange, sweet fragrance.
On the ground, several jarring furrows have torn through the dense moss, as if... the "cargo" being dragged had struggled violently.
The trail ends here. Looking up, you see the mine entrance—a yawning mouth of profound darkness that seems to beckon you inside.
You exchange a knowing glance, shut off the engine, and exit the vehicle. With deliberately lightened footsteps, you cautiously cross the threshold into the mine.
