You desperately struggle at the edge of drowning, the bitter salt water filling your lungs bringing unbearable pain that even your normally calm mind cannot process.
Yes... Earlier, you boarded that ship with Vera and Haniff, the one that could lead you to the "treasure." Everything seemed normal at first. Babylonia was tracking the ship's movements, but after your group sailed into a sea fog created by an Ascendant, everything changed.
Strange Hetero-Creatures kept knocking at your doors, and eventually your group had no choice but to confront the Ascendant on the dangerous seas... Until the entire ship was sliced in half by the Ascendant's scythe. The waters surged violently, instantly sweeping everyone away and scattering all of you.
The most urgent matter now is no longer "how to defeat that Ascendant," but rather "how to stay alive."
The water pressure crushes against your ear canals, making it impossible to hear anything clearly. Everything before your eyes is gradually blurring. In a daze, you see death beckoning—a few more seconds underwater, and you could be officially pronounced dead.
Hetero-Creatures still ravage the water around you, with one seemingly latching onto your ankle. But the pain of your skin being corroded hardly matters anymore, it's all just a small appetizer before the feast of death.
The last cluster of bubbles escapes from your mouth...
But suddenly, a hand forcefully thrusts into the water, parting the sea like Moses, dividing the waters with tremendous force.
Immediately after, the Construct's hand clamps around your wrist, using tremendous strength to swiftly pull you up from beneath the water.
...Fol... low... my... breath...
Look at... me...
Someone is pulling at your eyelids, not allowing them to close.
A crimson figure blurs and sways before your eyes, water droplets from her hair tips continuously falling onto your cheeks. But the beads of water tapping on your face fail to provoke any response from your body.
...Breathe, get the water out of your mouth and nose...
Strong hands press down on your chest, again and again, forcibly establishing a normal heartbeat.
Thump-thump, thump-thump.
The next moment, a soft yet cold sensation approaches your cheek—and quickly covers your mouth and nose, delivering desperately needed air into your airways.
—Wake up, dammit!!
The fishy, salty seawater is finally expelled in large gulps. The burning sensation in your lungs subsides as they begin to contract, and with intense pain, your body's circulation starts to function again.
...Congratulations, you're back from the dead.
You're awake. Take a guess at where you're at. Heaven or hell, take your pick.
Quickly assess your physical condition. Say something when you're fully conscious.
Brief fragments of memory slip away as quickly as they appear, leaving only a void and a question that tumbles from your lips without any conscious thought.
What?
Your vision is still clouded with darkness, but you instinctively notice the fresh wounds on Vera's Garnet frame. They're impossible to miss.
...Can't tell. That Ascendant swept all of us onto this island. You can see for yourself what happened.
Vera turns sideways, revealing the scene of devastation behind her.
Hetero-Creature corpses litter the ground, mixed with scattered human bodies. Their tattered uniforms identify them as soldiers. Haniff crouches nearby, checking their identities.
Before you can fully process the situation, your eyes fall upon an even more terrifying sight:
More Hetero-Creatures are still alive, crouching in groups on the rocky beach not far away, locked in a tense standoff with the three of you on the other side of the shore.
Meanwhile, Vera's Banner Spear "Phoenix" is impaled through the chest of the Ascendant "Lloyd," pinning him to the ground.
Haniff stands up and gives you a sardonic smirk.
Good thing you woke up when you did, or I'd have been next on the chopping block for this woman to vent her rage. As if this scene wasn't gruesome enough already.
I got lucky. By hugging that pipe, I was quickly washed ashore. You got swept out to sea by a big wave and disappeared almost instantly. Looks like a hungry Hetero-Creature dragged you down to the depths for quite a while.
A sharp pain shoots through your ankle, the sensation of Punishing Virus Corruption now overshadowing the ache in your lungs and head.
That one has already fled in the chaos.
The Hetero-Creatures around this island are all abnormal... disgusting things.
You should consider yourself lucky it only left you with some flesh wounds. If I'd been a moment later, that thing would have torn your entire leg off.
Vera looks to be in a foul mood.
Let me tell you about this damn Ascendant—at first I thought he'd be a real pain, that I wouldn't be able to save you in time.
But we had barely clashed before he completely exposed himself.
Vera firmly grips the Banner Spear embedded in the Ascendant's body.
...
The Banner Spear shakes, and Lloyd makes no attempt to struggle. For a brief moment, the light around his body distorts—the disguise created by Punishing dissipates, revealing a completely different appearance.
Your offensive stance was certainly impressive, but in reality, you couldn't hold up for long... So this is what you truly look like.
Ascendant, I've also helped you shatter that stolen identity of yours.
Vera's grip tightens around the spear handle as the blade crushes deeper into the metallic chest cavity, producing a grating sound that sets one's teeth on edge.
...You cannot kill me. Even if you completely destroy my chest cavity, turn my body to dust, I will never truly die.
I can abandon this body at any moment. But if I die, those Hetero-Creatures will lose control and continue their assault on you.
Vera glances at the Hetero-Creatures crawling before her, her displeasure growing more evident—anyone would understand her hatred for feeling held back like this, especially with her frame already pushed to its limits during the earlier battle at sea.
So she can barely conceal her impatience.
Tch... I understand.
The Ascendant clearly sees Vera's condition and turns his gaze directly toward the humans behind her.
My intentions haven't changed. I need time, I need to speak with that human. I still wish to engage in peaceful negotiations.
If your ultimate goal is still to take that person away, you can forget about it.
I suggest you reconsider. The Hetero-Creature that just attached to that person is essentially the first "new human" to come ashore. This proves that even without an "anchor point," a completely new evolution can begin, just in a different direction.
...
I have no desire to deceive you. It's different, and you sensed it too, otherwise you wouldn't be so agitated.
Is it one of your creations?
...
Hearing this question, he actually falls silent for a moment, his face revealing subtle threads of confusion and contemplation.
No, it's not my child... To be precise, someone else gave it the choice before I did.
...Hey, I can't stand the way he talks. Can we pause for a sec? I want to say something.
I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?
...
...
A suffocating silence spreads after Haniff's interruption. Seeing that neither of the deadlocked parties bothers to acknowledge him, Haniff continues speaking on his own.
The good news is that I've discovered these soldiers are all Kurono's people. This island should be Kurono territory, so I could try to seek help.
—It was Kurono territory before, but not anymore.
Judging by the number of corpses, I'd guess all living people on the island have been completely wiped out by those Hetero-Creatures. Even if I am with Kurono, there's no one left to ask for help.
That won't be a problem. The sea fog has cleared and the signal's restored. The signal disruption at sea was probably caused by that impaled fellow.
While Vera was busy fishing you out of the sea, I contacted Babylonia on your behalf. This mission is way beyond what our squad can handle now.
Forget it. Babylonia's reinforcements won't arrive anytime soon, and our problems haven't gotten any smaller—the Ascendant threat is still hanging over our heads, isn't that right, our dear Ascendant?
Everyone's gaze returns to "Lloyd."
...I've given you too much time to think.
The faint moonlight illuminates the shocking wounds across Vera's body, along with the Hetero-Creatures nearby—shimmering like dangerous tides.
Vera glances over, and you give a slight nod in response.
Babylonia
Those who received the message from the Gray Raven Commandant immediately spring into action—people move quickly in and out of the hall, integrating, filtering, and exchanging the most useful information from the massive amount of data.
The Control Court staff quickly approach the woman standing at attention in the center of the hall.
Has the information been synchronized?
Yes. The Control Court has already demanded that Kurono submit all information regarding that island, and Command has dispatched transport aircraft to evacuate everyone directly...
Good. Give me the materials related to that resource center.
The staff immediately places some paper documents on the table, visibly aged from years in storage.
Hilda touches the name at the top of the page, a word that belongs to a long-buried history.
...Haynes.
Hilda quickly flips through the pages.
"Haynes"... "Researcher"... While everyone else was desperately trying to avoid Punishing, he arrogantly attempted to manipulate it, forcing it to further evolve and spread...
The abnormal Punishing samples he spread caused severe chaos, a wave of destruction so severe... it destroyed two major conservation areas on the surface.
Hilda flips directly to the last page of the dossier.
Is there an autopsy report?
Yes, although his body was heavily corrupted by Punishing, an autopsy was still performed at the Control Court's request—it's right here.
The staff member points to the end.
...This Haynes had the same over-the-top approach.
The staff member is momentarily stunned.
"This Haynes"?
Besides this "Haynes" in the dossier, I'm familiar with another researcher of the same name. That was the last case I handled before the Punishing outbreak.
"A frustrated scientist from the late Golden Age who, to prove his ambitions, released his self-created 'children' into the corporate headquarters"... Unfortunately, both the evidence and subsequent handling were lost in the disaster of the early stages of the outbreak.
Coincidentally, the "Haynes" from that incident was also reported dead long ago.
Hilda examines the autopsy report carefully, then points to the signature at the bottom.
Is anyone who was involved in Haynes' autopsy back then still around?
They're no longer with us, but we have records, right here.
Hilda scans through another dossier handed to her by the staff member, nodding with understanding.
Ah... Kurono.
It seems we need more than just information about that island.
Hilda returns the documents to the staff member and strides purposefully toward the airport.
The military will mobilize strong support teams—they'll deploy Gray Raven and Cerberus. As for the Control Court... I'll arrange an immediate interview with the relevant Kurono personnel.
Meanwhile, the very people she mentioned are still engaged in their earlier shadow conference.
The most irritating among them, Haniff, has been tied up, muted, and kicked from the meeting, yet despite their supposed return to peace, the scene remains in absolute uproar.
The documents requested by the Control Court have been prepared. They're about that island's... what was it... "Genomic Resource Center"? Gene bank?
Yes, a semi-underground gene bank. It contains numerous human genetic samples collected during the Golden Age. After the Punishing virus, all external access points were sealed off, with only occasional security personnel rotations.
But that ship Haniff asked about still had the target coordinates stored, and it not only transported Vera and the Gray Raven Commandant there, but apparently stirred up quite a mess.
How big is this "mess"? I heard Babylonia has elevated their mission priority to the highest level. Do we have any clear details on the situation?
...They haven't informed us.
Oh wonderful. Just moments ago we were keeping silent, and now we're supposed to package up the island's geographical data and the gene bank's interior blueprints and send it all to the Control Court immediately?
...
Meanwhile, another person with a tense expression activates their microphone to speak.
We've just got word! The person the Gray Raven Commandant encountered at sea calls himself "Lloyd," and is suspected to be a new Ascendant!
"Immortal Roy"? Wasn't he already eliminated by Vera? That mission came directly from Nikola himself.
But who knows which one it is? Babylonia has fabricated so many "Hero Lloyds" over time, and there are countless others that were scrapped out there and never recovered.
Furthermore, regarding "Lloyd," I have some remaining data collected by the Purifying Force from an "Eden Type III" discovered on the outskirts of Las Prados...
Combining this data with our materials confirms what we previously suspected—the original "Lloyd" most likely came from that place.
The Optimistic Kurono Member suddenly lets out a brief chuckle upon hearing this name.
...Haha, if this "original Lloyd" has become an Ascendant, then we're completely screwed... He's the ultimate survivor from that battle royale, the strongest creature that crawled out alive.
He mocks himself as he recalls the words of that presumptuous young man from earlier.
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.
—Haniff was right, they "got what was coming to them."
...I'll handle the Control Court and pin the source of the incident on the Las Prados project—we can't give them all the information about that gene bank.
I'm afraid that won't work.
...Is there even worse news?
You bet there is, brother. I've got even more bad news right here.
He pulls up another dossier, one that barely qualifies as classified, and projects it in the center of the meeting for everyone to see:
The "privileged connection" who's been giving them endless headaches stands brazenly in the holographic projection, staring ahead with that all-too-familiar look in his eyes. It's the one that never reveals what he's plotting, shining with a mocking glint that laughs at them all.
Why show his photo?
Don't tell me Haniff's involvement isn't just a coincidence.
I just found out where our "privileged connection" gets his privileges from—the technical director of that gene bank has been the same person since the end of the Golden Age, and they're still alive and well today.
His name is "Haynes."
Another photo, this one of a gaunt elderly man, is pulled up, and when enlarged next to Haniff's profile, everyone can see they share an identical eye color.
This "Haniff" fellow has already strutted right into the Control Court's field of vision. Do you really think they'd be foolish enough to just ignore him?
...
People from different projects quickly consolidate and share information, each with their own considerations and interpretations.
But at this point, they're forced to draw the same conclusion:
They cannot afford to lose anyone on that island.
...Let's cooperate for now. Has Babylonia's support team departed yet? How long until they reach the target island?
The Meticulous Kurono Member pinches the bridge of his nose with a pained expression.
We have a base closest to the target and have already granted Babylonia access permissions to utilize it. Although there are only small transport aircraft available, they should be sufficient.
Have we really reached the point where we need to bend over backwards to "make a good impression"?
It's not quite like that. We're not just going there to rescue people.
He finally pulls up a file on an old frame, the fiery red colors on the screen appearing exceptionally vibrant.
This is an early prototype frame stored in Kurono's repository. It was severely damaged and failed the testing for that batch of frames, so we had to recover it.
But now she's a perfect "improved version." Paired with a Construct who has experience fighting Ascendants, plus the Gray Raven Commandant, we'll definitely be able to test this frame's maximum potential.
But this frame has extreme side effects. If anything else goes wrong, forget dealing with the Control Court—everyone here will be dragged before Parliament, or even a criminal tribunal.
The Optimistic Kurono Member shrugs.
Then let's vote.
I abstain. I've already synced all the information I know to you. I'm leaving first, the Control Court is already breathing down my neck.
One projection darkens, setting a precedent. Immediately after, a second, a third... Most of the meeting participants seem to recall Haniff's recent warning, choosing self-preservation in the current "unstable" environment.
In the end, only a handful of figures remain in this "weekly meeting."
...Once again, it's only us left to shoulder the risk.
I actually like this situation. Since they aren't willing to mobilize for the gamble, our organization's resources will only concentrate more and more in our hands.
"Seizing the best opportunities in the narrowest spaces"—that's the operating principle of Kurono. And we've always managed to do just that, haven't we?
...
The Nervous Kurono Member anxiously stares at the projection across the table.
...Compared to Haniff, I definitely prefer working with you after all.
Though you're also a young person infected with every passing trend, at least you speak like a normal human being. You're a hundred times better than that kid who spends every day scheming up ways to make Kurono's life difficult.
Finally, he raises his hand.
I approve the deployment of the BPN-13 test frame. Deploy it immediately via the support transport aircraft dispatched by Kurono.
Hahahaha...
The Optimistic Kurono Member gets the result he wanted.
Come on, let's send "the Valkyrie that once belonged to us" back to the battlefield.
He arranges for personnel to transfer the recently unsealed frame into a Sleeping Pod so it can warm-up.
Well, that's settled—we've resolved the most pressing matters. Now let's just wait and see how it all plays out.
Meanwhile, the three people stranded on the island are "anxiously" contemplating what the Ascendant just said.
Vera exerts force once more, flicking off "Lloyd's" last remaining arm with the tip of her gun. At this moment, this Ascendant, whose appearance doesn't differ much from an ordinary Construct, has lost all four of his limbs.
...
Haniff's scalp crawls with horror. During the back-and-forth between the Ascendant and the Gray Raven Commandant, he witnessed Vera hacking off all four limbs, leaving him too terrified to utter a single word.
Hear that? Ascendant, say it again—you went to great lengths, wrapped that ship to come here, all for the purpose of bringing that person to this island's "Genomic Resource Center"?
The Ascendant, as if immune to pain, continues to answer her coldly.
Yes, there's a Kurono Genomic Resource Center on this island. Some also call it "Zambra's Hollow."
And I only need that person—the Gray Raven Commandant. In fact, you and that Haynes are both irrelevant.
It's Haniff! You've got the wrong person! I've never even met you before!
Haniff raises both hands toward Vera, earnestly responding to her questioning gaze, desperately trying to prove he has nothing to do with "Lloyd's" plan.
Don't let him lead you on! I don't know any Ascendants—if I had the skills to meet one, I wouldn't still be working for Kurono. Besides, earlier at sea, he even attacked me...
...It's not your turn yet. Shut up.
Haniff obediently closes his mouth.
Yes. There's no place more convenient or efficient than here.
...
He falls silent once more. After a moment, he glances at the human, as if deciding to stack another layer of trust on her.
...I utilized the technology of someone on this island, and that person needed the Punishing virus. We reached a certain agreement.
Our collaboration is nearing its end. All that's missing is a suitable human to serve as the guiding "template"—and that person is you.
But as you can see, the evolution on the island began ahead of schedule, before I could bring you here. That's why I said someone made their choice before I could.
Yes, but I don't know why he was in such a hurry.
His chosen "template" was subpar. Although it successfully produced individuals better at "mimicry," in my eyes, only one of them was truly successful.
A sharp pain shoots through your ankle, as if on cue.
The moment the Hetero-Creature wraps it's limb around your ankle, the reverse feedback from Punishing energy pierces into your brain, as if forcibly injecting a memory that doesn't belong to you.
When facing Vera, it avoided her and showed [terror], overriding the Punishing instinct to "attack humans." That one already possesses such advanced emotions.
It escaped.
Vera adds coldly.
The consequences of allowing such a Hetero-Creature to leave this island are obvious.
The fires of Pulia Forest Park seem to ignite in Vera's eyes.
Seems the list of vermin to kill keeps growing... You must die, and so must that little Hetero-Creature that played dead to escape.
The murderous intent in Vera's eyes grows even stronger.
You're too late. Once this new "evolution" begins, it will continuously accelerate. All newborn Hetero-Creatures on the island will imitate it, understand it, become it—you'll never find the source.
It will be the undisputed "Eve" of a new world.
Unless Babylonia immediately uses the Longinus Arsenal to sink this entire island, you'll never find "Eve" among all her "children."
Heh... I'll treat them all equally... by killing every last one of them!
Impossible, your frame won't last—I admit you're strong, but even you have your limits.
I should have already drained all the power from that body of yours during our fight at sea.
...
Reinforcements won't arrive that quickly... Even if your hoped-for "miracle savior" does show up, they certainly won't outpace the speed of evolution.
The Ascendant maintains a passive posture like a mutilated prisoner, speaking as if under Vera's control. But everyone present understands—the situation is the complete opposite.
If this were a relay race of speed, your team has already lost.
It's time to give up, Vera.
After speaking, "Lloyd" shifts his gaze back to you, surprisingly managing to lift his head despite his condition.
Do you understand, [player name]? Sooner or later, your fate will converge to the same conclusion. You will inevitably reach the "other shore."
You will surely become the "anchor," catalyzing evolution onto a more correct path—
...I've said everything I wanted to express. Have you made up your mind? [player name], the final choice is yours to make.
"If you want to save them, submit to fate."
Shut your mouth!
In a fit of rage, Vera raises her foot and slams the Ascendant's head back down onto the beach.
Are you really stupid enough to listen to an Ascendant's manipulation?!
As long as I draw breath, I won't let anyone walk the path to ruin—!
I believe I need to remind you again—if you refuse me here, the hunt will begin immediately.
As if tired of the negotiation, the Ascendant closes his eyes.
...No one else can influence my decision.
After quietly listening for a while, Haniff suddenly glances at something in his hand, then raises his arm.
I've got some good news and some bad news...
Hold it! Can't you see we're busy here?!
This is really important, trust me.
That Hetero-Creature you're discussing, "Eve"—if I heard correctly, it's the one that was clinging to the Gray Raven Commandant's ankle earlier?
Haniff holds up a dripping wet tracking device. A small red dot blinks in the center of the screen, quietly "breathing" like those dormant Hetero-Creatures.
The good news is, while you were busy giving [player name] CPR, I not only contacted Babylonia for you, but also...
I managed to plant a tracker on it.
—And the bad news?!
Vera looks like she's about to explode.
The bad news isn't that bad! The water damaged its precision a bit, but it still works!! That's all I've got to say, nothing more!
Vera and you both gasp sharply—
"Lloyd" opens his eyes again, disbelief flooding his gaze for the first time—he almost immediately begins to struggle.
Vera sharply detects the sudden surge of Punishing concentration around the Ascendant and without hesitation pins him back to the rocky beach with a single shot!
...It's useless!
Ascendant, I've heard all your explanations. Even if we could understand your reasons, one thing is absolutely certain... you are, without a doubt, a goddamn lunatic!
Haniff quickly tosses the tracking device into your arms and points to his earpiece, making a specific hand signal.
Reinforcements have arrived! Their long "talk therapy" strategy has finally paid off brilliantly!
You clutch the tracking device tightly, and then you raise your gun—towards the sky.
You fire into the sky, and a signal flare rises into the night sky, revealing your position to the support team.
"Lloyd" realizes the outcome of this standoff, his brow tightly furrowed.
How disappointing.
...No matter. We'll meet again soon... Next time, there won't be a benevolent "Lloyd."
I mourn the tragedies created by mankind, and I will bring such stories to an end by my hand. No one can influence this decision anymore.
They are the new humans, who will prove themselves more worthy of survival than the old humans. Today, you will witness—
Pst...
Vera grips her Banner Spear with both hands, raises her arms fiercely, and drives it down with crushing force. The Ascendant's final words die in his throat.
I've heard enough of your garbage!
With your silent approval, Vera's Banner Spear begins to completely demolish the Ascendant's physical shell.
The Crimson Death, as if venting her rage, rapidly pierces through "Lloyd's" throat, chest, abdomen, and limbs. She then whirls the spear through the pile of shattered porcelain-like shell fragments, grinding every broken piece into fine dust.
...Hah...! Should've done this ages ago!
Punishing Virus surges out from each fragment of the corpse, spreading through the cracks in the stone in all directions.
The crimson mist quickly coalesces into streams, flowing in dense patterns across the entire island.
The alarm warning of rising Punishing Virus concentration sounds again as Haniff raises his gun once more, aiming at the "wave of Hetero-Creatures" that had previously retreated.
Hissss...
The delicate balance is shattered as the Hetero-Creatures' instinct to devour humans is once again unleashed.
They approach the three "little insects" on the rocky shore with hissing cries. It takes only an instant for their tentative approach to transform into a frenzied charge.
Trouble incoming!
...You think you're more deserving of survival? Pathetic! Nothing but a swarm of puppeted vermin!
You two, get behind me if you don't want to die early!
Vera dashes in front of you and Haniff, swinging her Banner Spear to disperse the surging Punishing Virus as she assumes her combat stance.
You and Haniff also raise your weapons.
Hearing this, Vera suddenly turns and glances at you.
...
Such a familiar scene... Hahaha...
Alright... alright! The escape starts now, and no matter what, you better keep up with me! Even if it costs you your life!
