Your head slams against the ground again, accompanied by a sharp pain so intense it causes numbness. Some memories rapidly withdraw from your mind.
A worried-looking F.O.S. classmate, a researcher unconscious in the corner, a box on the floor...
The shout from that classmate...
This sample... is... something we staked our lives on... very important...
The sample is crucial! You must take it to the temporary safe zone up ahead! Don't forget!
The classmate shouts something, but all you hear is the roaring of aircraft flying overhead.
In a daze, a fleeting thought passes through your head: "I don't think I ever asked his name."
He busies himself, hastily stuffing useful items into your arms... including a whistle and a small knife from who knows where, all entrusted to this classmate who had consistently ranked first in evaluations.
He trusts you.
You go ahead with the sample and that researcher, there's barely enough time... but I can unlock it quickly enough. Once you hand it over to the people at the forward safe zone, my mission will be complete.
Just don't call me "Student A"!
Alright, it's all up to you now!
He pushes with all his might.
Bzzz—
The head hematoma takes its toll once more, as memories surge like a tide before rapidly receding—a new cycle of "rebooting" seems about to begin.
Meanwhile, a new wave of bombardment is about to hit. You can only clutch the small box containing the "sample" tightly, secure the important researcher on your back, and brace for impact.
Vera's words crackle through the earpiece with static. They're barely discernible, but you hear her say that she's evacuated the mother and daughter from the bombing zone and is "heading this way now."
...If you manage to reunite with Vera, there's so much you need to tell her.
You need to tell her: that the mother and daughter weren't lying, the F.O.S. classmate's mission was real, and you even managed to crack the code for him, you retrieved the important sample—and carried out the last researcher on your back!
To accomplish so much under such extreme conditions, you must be able to...
But these memories are fading away.
...You... idiot!!
When you open your eyes again, Vera has already rushed into your field of vision.
...?
The impulsive words sound more like a petulant retort.
—What you're trying to express is that during your separate mission, you didn't make a single wrong move. Even if you were merely playing at being a hero, you succeeded at it.
Memories dissolve into mere scattered shards, while a mixture of emotions weighs on my chest with a heaviness that makes it hard to breathe.
Just as you said, this was your first time setting foot on real ground, your first time witnessing such a scene, your first time experiencing these emotions.
If this is destined to become the catalyst for your future choices, then you must remember it clearly.
But Vera doesn't waste a single word, nor does she have time to listen to any heroic sentiments. Instead, she nearly explodes with rage as she tackles you to the ground, pinning you beneath her.
Are you deaf?! Get down!!
Many words die on your lips, the words never making it past your mouth.
The final shell whistles down from the sky.
The Construct's warmth fiercely embraces both you and the female researcher you had rescued.
The moment you feel the Construct's body heat, a stubborn question forces its way through your thoughts:
Boom—
The bomb strikes, and your memories explode with it, sending you spiraling into darkness.
Enough now. Time to stop thinking about everything.
The shockwave sweeps over the few survivors, the heat penetrating through your clothes as sand and debris shower down on all of you. Thankfully, with the Construct's protection, you emerge unharmed.
As the dust settles, Vera brushes the ash from her hair and examines you with a furrowed brow.
Are you hurt—What the hell are you holding onto?!
Vera forcibly pries the female researcher's arm from your grip, like extracting a piece of stone.
You just realized—this person is already dead!
But you stubbornly cling to the researcher's grayish wrist, refusing to surrender the body to Vera.
Let go! What's the point of dragging around a corpse?! Aren't you afraid of infection?!
I leave you alone for one hour and you're picking up all sorts of things! What's that in your hand? A box? What the hell happened?
Vera pulls the researcher's body from your arms and reflexively tears the fabric name tag from the corpse's chest.
Meanwhile, you clutch an unfamiliar small box while furiously pounding the ground in frustration.
A sense of helplessness spreads from your mind throughout your entire body. Even as you pound the sandy ground until your hands bleed, you still can't remember anything.
Fragile humans ultimately cannot transcend the shackles of their flesh.
The wound in your side begins to seep fluid. The recent battle and escape must have reopened it.
Stop punching the ground! Your brain's malfunctioning, and panicking won't help!
The wound in your side intertwines with your throbbing headache, making you want to curl up in agony.
Slap!!
Vera's hands slam against your cheeks with a sharp slap, firmly gripping your head and restraining your movements.
[player name], look at me!
The world falls silent for a moment. All you can see is Vera's face—furious yet somehow tinged with helplessness.
Stop getting hung up on this!
I don't know exactly what just happened, but beating yourself up now is pointless and risks reopening your wounds—you clearly don't understand how precious those materials used on your injuries are! Even if ten of you died, it wouldn't cover the cost!
...Yes, that's more like it.
Vera's expression grows increasingly complex, becoming difficult to read. She seems to understand your confusion and inner struggle, her tone softens ever so slightly from it's usual harshness.
...Remember your mission. All you need to do is keep yourself safe and protect the materials.
Finally, she lets out a soft sigh.
I'm guessing your memory has reset again... Let me quickly fill you in on the situation.
You can call me "Hound." I'm a Construct from Babylonia assigned to you. For the rest of the details, wait until we reach a safe area, then check the notes on your terminal.
Since we've handled the situations on both fronts, let's evacuate immediately. The bombing didn't eliminate all the Corrupted, we can't stay here for long.
(I wonder if Kurono's nearby stronghold was caught in the blast.)
Can you walk?
Seeing your condition gradually stabilize, Vera finally releases her grip and prepares to pull you up from the ground.
I'll carry you on my back.
While speaking, you stubbornly drag up the small box that appears completely mysterious to Vera's eyes.
...
Is it really that important?
You don't know why—or rather, you've forgotten it. In the end, you only respond with a faint whisper.
The mother and daughter also miraculously survived the bombing, emerging alongside several other refugees who had fled here, all supporting one another as they walk out.
Please... take us with you.
Miss...
The refugees look pleadingly at the only Construct before them, ready to entrust their lives to this powerful warrior.
...Tsk.
Don't ask me. Ask this person over here.
Vera irritably turns you around, forcing you to face the pleading refugees.
Come on, our amnesiac Commandant, open your eyes and see the fine mess you've gotten us into.
I've told you before, don't carelessly take on other people's burdens—especially their lives. You can't handle it. That's what years of experience have taught me.
You stare at the crowd with an unfocused gaze, unable to respond.
Vera rolls her eyes at you.
...Judging by your expression, you can't process this right now. Heh, that's fine. Eventually you'll learn the bitter disappointment that comes from playing "savior" time and again...
But you're unable to respond—your legs give way again, and you suddenly collapse to the side.
！
Before you hit the ground, Vera catches you in one swift motion, along with the small box you refuse to let go of.
[player name]!
Vera's anxious calls sound close to your ear, but you can't open your eyes anymore... Compared to Constructs, your human body is too fragile, easily breaking from the slightest touch.
Woof!
Just before you slip away, you hear the muffled sound of brakes screeching, and... a dog barking?
