In a dimly lit corner, several holographic projections appear one after another.
The shadowy figures gather around a round table, silently exchanging glances to confirm each other's identities.
We're missing someone. Let's wait a moment.
...
After a minute passes, the Meeting Convener seems to sense something from everyone's silence.
...Where are they? Should we still wait?
That old man who used to sit in the corner? They died yesterday.
...
Don't look at me. I just found out myself. I don't even know how his funeral will be arranged yet.
Kurono leaders have been getting killed one after another lately. Who knows if they were involved in some weird project and got what was coming to them. I'm guessing no one dares to hold a big funeral for that old guy.
Silence.
The young voice obediently falls silent, along with its casual mockery.
Then let's get straight to the point. You're in charge of tracking these recent killings—you speak first.
I see that... Aurora Squadron has also assigned a team to assist with this. Those in charge should provide updates as well.
Understood. Resources don't come for free.
Silence! I didn't authorize you to speak.
Wait, aren't I the one in charge here?
There's a hint of impudence in his youthful voice. As he speaks, he activates his projection permissions.
In an instant, everyone at the meeting can see the young man's face... as well as his surroundings.
He's in what appears to be a prison-like environment, sitting amid a strange pile of netting, with a dried salted fish hanging from the rusted bars above his head.
...Where are you?
That's not important, I'll explain later. Let me introduce myself first—I assume some of you don't know who I am.
My name is Haniff. I currently work for Kurono Headquarters, and my job is to... supervise several small units of the Aurora Squadron—they were originally secret forces from that flying fortress, but they branched off quite some time ago.
...Let's get down to business.
Recently, I've been investigating this matter—there's someone with an extreme hatred for Kurono who's systematically assassinating our people.
Actually, "assassination" isn't quite right, since the killer is rather flamboyant about it—they even announce who they'll kill next. It's got everyone, flustered, judging by the looks of you lot, looking worried one after another, all concerned they might be next, right? Haha.
Haniff's projection waves his arm, boldly pointing toward everyone present.
But the killer is like a ghost hiding in the shadows. To be honest, I haven't been able to uncover any relevant information.
But you...
—But I've made a major discovery that's enough to identify the killer!
We detected strong Punishing reactions on the recent victims' bodies. Before this, we've only observed similar Punishing reactions near Ascendants.
Upon hearing Haniff's words, a subtle stir ripples through the meeting.
The projections begin whispering to each other. Some discuss countermeasures against the crisis, while others seem excited about the "potential Ascendant."
Hold on with the discussions. Whether it's an Ascendant we haven't discovered yet or some kind of controlled Punishing creation... their target is us. I'd say it's more appropriate for everyone to worry about their own safety first.
They're closing in, and they seem to know a lot about Kurono. Recently, it even discovered my Aurora Squadron base.
Just a few days ago, I "signed for" the bodies of several Aurora Squadron members who were out on a mission, along with a special message meant for everyone here.
Haniff clears his throat.
The enemy specifically requested a ship—a "small experimental vessel" left by Daedalus. Ladies and gentlemen, do you know which ship they're referring to?
Upon hearing the enemy's specific demand, everyone present falls unexpectedly silent.
Amid this heavy silence, Haniff continues to provide additional information.
Fine, I'll explain. That ship originally belonged to a small medical biotech company under Copperfield.
From what I understand, this company wasn't doing well financially. Even before the Punishing virus, during the late Golden Age, the entire company was acquired by Daedalus, which once belonged to Kurono.
The small vessel should have been an insignificant asset, yet its usage rights were also "painstakingly" transferred in the acquisition.
Furthermore, after the Punishing virus, that ship surprisingly logged quite a few more additional voyages. I suspect Daedalus used it to transport something important at the time, but what exactly that was, I can't even guess.
Everyone here is older than me, and judging by your expressions, you definitely know more about this, don't you?
...
Ah, I can guess what you're about to say—wait a moment, please let me finish first: I've investigated that ship and obtained some rather important information.
It was specially configured with a "key," and without that "key," it cannot be activated at all. When Daedalus separated from Kurono, they deliberately made an extra backup of this key and took it with them.
I've heard that Kurono headquarters spent many years attempting to recover this illegally backed-up "key," even dispatching a highly promising Construct special operations team from Kurono's Special Operations Division...
The result was almost total annihilation.
Several Kurono members find Haniff's "dramatic" storytelling giving them a headache, with some already pressing their hands against their foreheads.
...The matter concerning that ship is ancient history, and while it involves numerous complications, it shouldn't be connected to recent events.
After all, of all the living people... living Constructs connected to this, only one remains.
So you're saying that Kurono doesn't intend to provide the "key" either?
Sigh, I can't believe all the experience I've accumulated has been for nothing.
...
Don't you people understand? I need to investigate this matter, the enemy has specifically requested this ship by name. You can't possibly refuse to give me even the slightest piece of information, can you?
The shadowy figures respond with nothing but an even deeper silence.
What? So you won't disclose anything to me? Expecting me to "create a miracle"?
Fine then. I haven't finished yet. Let me add to that.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Haniff raises his eyebrows deliberately.
Another indication that the enemy thoroughly understands Kurono is that they've apparently synchronized this message with Babylonia as well.
Babylonia has moved quickly, they've already dispatched people to recover the "key"—they aren't counting on the original in our possession, but are directly searching for the duplicate copy that Daedalus backed up years ago. Looks like they're preparing to investigate that ship.
We failed to recover it back then, so who knows, maybe Babylonia will actually manage to find it.
...
The meeting falls silent for several seconds. This dialogue, delivered like a drawn-out storytelling, finally provokes the ire of the meeting's initiator.
...This critical information should have been disclosed at the beginning of the meeting! What else haven't you told us? Explain everything at once! This isn't a playground for your theatrics!
Fine, I promise to tell you everything in one go this time!
Haniff takes a deep breath—
I've investigated. The one Babylonia sent is none other than Construct <b><ud><color=#34aff8ff><link=21>[Vera]</link></color></ud></b>, who previously served in Kurono's Special Operations Division. Vera was part of the "Backup Key Recovery Project" years ago, and the only one who survived it.
—I must admit my admiration, this Ms. Vera is incredibly capable! She quickly made enormous progress, immediately tracking down the traitor who caused her Special Operations Division to fail back then.
—She extracted information from the traitor, so she's very likely already found the backup "key"—even before our meeting began.
—And not just that, she might have found the ship too! Just now, she set sail with that very ship!
What do you mean "might have"? This has already happened! Haniff!
—And there's more! Babylonia clearly considers this mission extremely important, as they've even sent the Gray Raven Commandant to secretly collaborate with her...
HANIFF!!!
In one go, I'm not done yet!
Slow down, why the rush? Oh, and please don't blame me for "incompetence in letting such an important matter slip by, standing by while those two do all the work"... I must emphasize that I actually completed this mission quite well.
I didn't miss such a good opportunity to get involved. I directly assisted Babylonia's operation throughout the whole thing, providing considerable support to Vera and that Commandant.
I can confidently say that finding the backup "key" and the ship was partly due to my—partly due to Kurono's contribution.
Now, Babylonia has proactively expressed their willingness to accept relevant information provided by Kurono... It sounds like we're about to embark on a pleasant journey of cooperation with Babylonia.
...
Phew! Alright, I've finished reporting all my updates in one go. That's a wrap! Now that everyone's willing to dig up those long-buried matters, right—or rather, you have no choice but to dig them up now, right?
Where exactly is that experimental ship heading? I investigated and discovered it's equipped with an automated navigation system, but the destination wasn't specified... Is this destination what everyone's trying to conceal?
The irritation brought on by Haniff's "antics" has yet to subside, with his declaration that "That's a wrap!" still echoing in everyone's ears. Meanwhile, Haniff himself continues like a non-stop chattering parrot, valiantly trying to "persuade" the group.
Let me give you a heads-up: Kurono's influence in Parliament isn't what it used to be. Parliament has improved management systems and ethical supervision for all laboratories, plus the Purifying Force, Ethics Committee, and various specialized inspection teams are all actively monitoring.
Everyone should distance themselves while you still can. Cooperating with Babylonia now is probably the best solu—
Beep—
The convener finally loses their cool and cuts off his microphone. Haniff's projection continues moving its mouth, but the meeting venue only hears the screech of feedback from the microphone.
Regarding this matter, we'll deliberate and vote as soon as possible. But for now, I must forbid you from taking the Aurora Squadron and acting without authorization again.
And...
The convener frowns and stops speaking when he notices Haniff's projection urgently trying to communicate something, even raising and waving both hands wildly.
Desperate, he looks extremely desperate.
...Didn't you finish already? What more could you possibly say?
The Meeting Convener reconnects Haniff's audio, and a familiar torrent of noise instantly floods the channel.
I absolutely did NOT act "without authorization"!
...?
I was forcibly taken onto this ship by that red-haired lunatic woman—yes, I'm on a ship right now.
We're auto-navigating toward an unknown location, and Babylonia is tracking our course. From what I can tell, they won't rest until they find the final destination of this vessel...
Beep—
Haniff? Haniff!
Haniff's image vanishes completely, but this time the convener isn't the one who cut the connection.
The red-haired woman stares dangerously at Haniff, then hurls his terminal into the corner, bringing the discussion to an abrupt end.
We've heard just about everything we need to know from Kurono. That's quite enough from you, stop trying to leak information about our situation.
...
I suggest you be a "good boy" for the rest trip... what do you think?
Vera looks to the side.
Then our top priority is to find and eliminate it. We can't allow another entity overflowing with Punishing to develop unchecked.
Yes, with additional intel from Kurono, Babylonia would be able to find information about this ship more quickly, where it's heading, what might be waiting at its destination...
Vera nods as well.
The cabin lights illuminate Vera and you, stretching your shadows into giants that firmly engulf Haniff, who sits on the floor.
Haniff's gaze shifts between the two figures before him. After a long moment, he finally forces out a question.
...I've been wondering for a while now, do you two always... talk like this?
A surging wave crashes against the hull with a muffled boom, as if answering in their place.
The ship drifts alone at sea, facing the wind and waves as it heads toward its hidden destination—but that last wave was something out of the ordinary.
Shh, something's here.
Vera frowns as she grows alert.
We've been syncing our navigation records to Babylonia for the whole trip, right?
You tap your terminal several times, but it gives no response.
Tsk!
...So the unexpected is to be expected? I've heard rumors that whenever Gray Raven's Commandant goes on a mission, things always—Ugh!
Brace yourselves!
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
The Punishing detector suddenly issues a warning as the surrounding waves surge and fall like the fluctuating Punishing concentration. The small boat violently pitches with the waves, throwing everyone to the floor.
Haniff appears to have stubbed his toe and can't get back on his feet due to the relentless rocking.
Ugh! Ssss—
Grab onto something solid! If you fall and hurt yourself, that's your problem!
Terrifying waves crash against the cabin door, thundering like a storm.
Vera suddenly frowns, steadying herself as she stares at the cabin entrance and draws her Banner Spear.
...My foot...
Knock, knock.
...So noisy.
Knock, knock.
Someone seems to be outside, knocking on the cabin door.
What do you mean loud? I've always been like—
—Shut up!
Vera thrusts her spear forward, piercing straight through the cabin door.
！
Hah... I heard it. Something corrupted is climbing up the hull.
Vera pulls back her Banner Spear, kicks open the cabin door, and sure enough, there's a vaguely humanoid figure standing crookedly in the passageway outside.
A massive hole gapes in "its" chest, the unmistakable mark left by the Banner Spear's thrust.
...
A fatal blow.
Alright, the threat has been neutralized.
No idea, but one thing's for sure—we're being targeted.
Vera lifts the Hetero-Creature's remains with the tip of her Banner Spear, swiftly flings them into the pile of discarded items at the stern, then immediately shuts the door.
If that Ascendant who's been busy hunting down Kurono's higher-ups is behind this, they'd certainly be capable of something like this.
Everyone stay alert. We can't contact Babylonia, and our exact location is unclear.
Knock, knock.
Before Vera can finish speaking, there's another knock at the cabin door—all three occupants instinctively glance toward the hole pierced earlier, beyond which lies nothing but uncertainty shrouded by fog.
You tightly grip the constantly beeping device while Vera raises her Banner Spear once more.
I thought the first one was a coincidence... If I'm not mistaken, is that thing outside actually "knocking" on our door?
Sounds rather polite, doesn't it? Why not invite it in for a drink?
Listening to the exchange between the two, a bizarre idea takes root in your mind.
？
Knock, knock.
As if responding to your suggestion, the unknown entity outside knocks on the door once more with a chilling "politeness."
Knock, knock.
But another polite knock interrupts your suggestion, as the unknown entity outside probes once more.
Heh, they're quite persistent.
If you want to play with fire, fine, but don't expect me to bail you out.
Vera frowns in protest, yet her hands move to open the door anyway.
At that moment, a wave crashes through, drenching the humanoid figure at the doorway.
...
Come on, let's negotiate. Care to come in and take a seat?
Vera smiles, but keeps her Banner Spear cautiously trained on the Hetero-Creature—which, surprisingly, begins to move slowly, as if responding to her words.
...Godot...
I... Godot.
Pretty sophisticated, huh? You even have a name? What are you doing here? Who dropped you off?
Godot stands quietly, as if "thinking" for a moment.
No... purpose.
Just... arrived.
Soon... leave.
Godot moves its "legs" and walks straight back toward the deep sea behind it, seemingly intent on leaving.
You monster... Did I say you could leave?
Vera hurls her Banner Spear once more, impaling the bizarre Hetero-Creature and flinging it toward the stern—adding one more to the pile of refuse already there.
There, friendly negotiations concluded. Any objections?
Vera closes the hatch for the second time, then turns to look at the humans.
They couldn't be... imitating humans, could they?
Knock, knock.
...
Which one wants to die this time—
Vera irritably yanks open the hatch, her Banner Spear raised high.
Don't kill—innocent!
I... sea... merchant! Trade...
A sea "merchant"? What the hell did it eat to suddenly think it's human?
Really, real! Have... goods.
The Hetero-Creature rummages around in its bizarre body, and with a clatter, a pile of Cogs falls to the ground.
Many Cogs, exchange...
Exchange... cargo from stern.
The three of them look toward the stern, where two defeated Hetero-Creatures lie.
I refuse.
！！
Any last words from them?
Refuse...? Refuse?
...?
Before Vera's slightly surprised expression, the sea merchant suddenly begins to sob.
They... companions... friends... went through... went through what? Happy things? Yes... friends!
Reckless, boarded ship, bothered you, mistake, but...
Unaccustomed to human language, the Hetero-Creature "sobs" as it pieces together a complete sentence.
—Deserved... death?!
What, did you expect me to let you Hetero-Creatures strut around freely on my ship? Even hesitating for a second would be disrespectful to the danger of Punishing.
No! Wrong!
Spare me your talk about right and wrong. This is my domain. I am "right," and anything against me is automatically "wrong." I'll deal with whoever I want, and if you keep whining, you'll be the next one to die.
...Wrong! Very wrong!
It gradually breaks into wailing sobs.
Take back... remains! Remains! REMAINS!
It bares its fangs and brandishes its claws, its emotional defenses completely shattered.
Fine then, if you've got the guts, come and try. Let's see if you can take them back.
You... horrible! Unreasonable! Bad! BAD WOMAN!!
Vera plants her Banner Spear in front of her, slightly leaning forward in a combat stance. She tilts her head and tauntingly beckons the Hetero-Creature with her hand.
Come.
WAAAAAHHH... HISSSSS!!
The emotionally shattered Hetero-Creature lets out a piercing screech. The sea mist churns like boiling water, and bubbles rise from the dark ocean surface, surrounding the boat.
The entire ocean seems to "boil in anger."
That explains it!
That's it! We've drawn them out!
When dealing with creatures hiding in the shadows, this is how you flush them out—by plucking the strings of spider's web. How do you like it now? You skittering Hetero-Creatures?
Vera flashes a cruel smile and hurls her Banner Spear with deadly precision.
Grrrrr—
The spear hurtles straight toward the Hetero-Creature, mere moments from tearing open a wound—
A hand reaches out from the misty sea, blocking Vera's attack.
Oh?
Vera narrows her eyes as both sides lock weapons in a tense standoff.
A new humanoid figure slowly emerges from the sea mist. Unlike the twisted, indistinct Hetero-Creatures, he appears to be nothing more than an ordinary Construct.
He shows no signs of Punishing reaction, yet somehow seems to have calmed the surging Punishing energy, preventing the chaos from spreading further.
We meet again, Vera.
You sense something is wrong and raise your gun toward the dissipating sea mist.
...
You sense something is wrong and raise your gun toward the dissipating sea mist.
...Totally get it.
Why have you suddenly dropped your honorifics? Your imitation is rather clumsy, "Lloyd."
The humanoid figure fully emerges from the sea mist, standing before everyone in place of the "reckless" Hetero-Creatures.
Please allow me to greet everyone while imitating this appearance... I believe it will help us communicate more peacefully.
Why don't you lower your weapon? After all, you received it from "my" hands.
Vera's tense body doesn't relax in the slightest.
I will never lower my weapon—if the dead are going to reappear before me like this, then I should have crushed you all to dust in the first place.
Reducing us to ashes would be pointless. As long as spirit and will exist, imitators of heroes will continue to emerge. There's no need to be angry about that.
Besides, it seems you've fallen into the same "hero's dilemma." That Banner Spear is the best proof. We should have been kindred spirits.
...I've heard some interesting news lately—Kurono's upper echelon is in panic. Was that your work?
It was me.
Ha, I'd clap if I could. Several of them were exactly who I wanted to die. But since you're right in front of us, you aren't just here to claim credit for that, are you?
A subtle rumbling issues from Vera's chest as she prepares for battle.
I don't want to fight you. Instead, I want to talk with you, Gray Raven Commandant.
"Lloyd" shifts his gaze toward the human behind Vera. She moves a step sideways, blocking his line of sight.
...I understand. Then let me show you my sincerity first—make two deals with me, and you'll be able to reach the shore safely. Beyond that, I'm willing to answer some of your questions as well.
Do all Ascendants dress things up with pretty words? We clearly don't have a choice.
Vera's gaze darts quickly between the two parties. The high-concentration Punishing alarm continues to blare relentlessly. Their small boat has long been surrounded by Hetero-Creatures.
Haniff was right—rashly engaging in battle with an Ascendant at sea would essentially be abandoning any chance of survival.
A deal... Was that Hetero-Creature calling itself a sea merchant earlier mimicking you?
Yes. But it's merely a small Punishing offspring, at most parroting what it's heard. It hasn't achieved true "evolution" yet.
I apologize for their recklessness, and I won't hold those two corpses at the stern against you.
A wave hits the boat to punctuate his words—even a smaller wave like this could easily overturn their small vessel.
Vera steadies herself, keeping her eyes fixed on Lloyd.
...Let's talk about the deal. Don't get too greedy, "Lloyd."
You'll agree to this—I want to exchange "interesting stories."
If the stories are valuable enough, I'm willing to be their chronicler, weaving them into new legends.
...Is there something wrong with our Commandant?
You think they're yours? This pathetic attempt to act like we're related in any way is disgusting.
They will be ours.
His gaze passes beyond the humans, fixed on the distant ocean.
I've been wandering this boundless world for far too long... If you're willing, I could go first—starting with a not-so-interesting story.
"Lloyd" pauses briefly to consider.
Hmm... In a certain corner of this world, there is a group of people who race almost every day.
They compete against each other, racing to see who will be the first to reach the end of a long road, to discover what actually lies at its end.
A dull beginning.
It gets even more tedious—no one has ever won this race. Even those who ran beyond everyone's sight never returned.
I've finished my story.
The rest of the story was even more boring.
Yes, like an open ending hastily written by an author who resented their work being cut short or heavily edited.
Can we make a deal based on this story now?
Sure, then I'll give you an equally terrible story in return.
Vera leans on her Banner Spear.
The protagonist of this story... is an exceptional assassin. Any mission entrusted to her never fails.
But during an unusual disaster, she was saved by a stranger who inexplicably showed her kindness. Instead, the stranger suffered severe injuries as a result of trying to save her.
I understand. She became indebted to him from that moment.
Perhaps. The stranger survived, but with a massive gash in his stomach and brain damage. To repay this unsolicited kindness, the assassin had no choice but to care for them, dragging along this piece of deadweight while continuing to complete her missions.
In short, everything became incredibly complicated, reaching a level of complication the assassin had never encountered before.
And then what happened?
"Lloyd" seems to have developed an interest in this story.
Later... the Punishing spread to the temporary medical station, forcing the assassin to drag the stranger away and flee, with no clear destination in mind.
And what happened after that?
Vera suddenly turns to look at you.
And what happened after that?
Yes, I'm asking you. Do you know what happened next?
You hear that? That's it. The story ends here.
...Equally incomplete.
Indeed, it's just like the stories you've randomly chopped in half. It's fair—or rather, no one's being sincere in this exchange, including you.
I'm guessing your next deal will be just as infuriatingly fake. Just spit it out already.
...
Lloyd raises his hand and points at you.
I need the Gray Raven Commandant. I promise that no harm will come to them. If anything, they will only become better than they are now.
...Hahaha.
Vera picks up her Banner Spear again, shaking her head with a laugh as if she's just heard an absurd joke that's not even worth taking seriously.
If I'd known we'd end up here anyway, I wouldn't have wasted my breath telling stories.
After wasting everyone's time like this, how do you plan to make it up to us—you pathetic Lloyd fake?!
Lloyd instantly dodges as Vera hurls her Banner Spear, the weapon grazing past his ear before plunging into the deck. The tremendous force of the near-miss dissipates as the spear's shaft vibrates violently.
The truth is the complete opposite of what you believe, the name once belonged to me.
Cut the crap! Get out of my sight!!
Another lightning bolt crashes down, illuminating Vera as she stands at the forefront. She seizes the moment to turn and shout to you.
Get to the cockpit and reconnect the signal! I'll cover you!
You wait for a moment of relative stability amid the ship's violent rocking, then bolt forward at full speed.
But the Ascendant merely casts a pitying glance their way.
I've seen too many struggles like this... If there were another way, I wouldn't have been forced to take such measures.
Cease your futility, human.
Lloyd emerges from the curtain of rain and lightning, his body marked with wounds from Vera's attacks. Yet these injuries don't hinder his movements in the slightest.
The curtain of rain falls around him as he tightly grips a scythe, raising it high above his head.
Sever.
Boom!!
The scythe's razor-sharp edge cleaves downward into the center of the ship's hull, causing seawater to violently gush through the newly formed breach.
In a split second, you take in your surroundings—Vera is leaping toward you with a tense face, while Haniff, realizing he's on his own in this chaos, has already firmly wrapped himself around a relatively sturdy pipe.
Unfortunately, you realize you're the one who's most in danger.
You reach out toward Vera.
Splash—
But it's too late. A violent rush of seawater engulfs you, dragging them down into the depths in one savage gulp.
You were prepared to hold their breath, but the Hetero-Creatures hiding beneath the ship have no intention of letting anyone escape.
As if following orders, they suppress their primal instincts and don't immediately tear you apart, but they still shatter the blade you manage to draw.
Another one latches onto your coat, frantically dragging you deeper into the depths.
Bubbles escape from your mouth, floating upward, but the surface is no longer visible.
Your struggling grows weaker, vision darkening under the waves. Unable to hold it in any longer, you involuntarily gasp for air, but only bitter saltwater floods into your lungs, your throat spasming as you reflexively try to cough.
You are seconds away from drowning.
You gradually stop struggling, suspended motionless in the water.
The final image flashing before their eyes is a chaotic cloud of bubbles descending from above—as if someone has plunged into the sea from the surface.
Someone fends off the surrounding Hetero-Creatures, then a cold hand firmly grasps your wrist.
