Special Map 07 Fort Winter
Server Time: 13:07
Coordinates: 11.00#00.10
Stepping back into Fort Winter—restored from data—which you thought you would never see again, Lucia leads everyone to the genetic engineering lab, using her memories.
The dark hallway smells musty. Bullet holes, dents, broken screens, and flipped furniture remind everyone of what has happened here.
Looks like some test subjects escaped the tanks and are wandering around. Everyone, be careful.
Just as Lucia finishes, a sharp black shadow darts past from ahead, followed by the resonant clang of a blade decisively deflecting it away.
Move!
Red lightning flashes, catching up to the escaping test subjects and tearing them apart.
The white-haired Ascendant, with her back to them, sheathes her katana and turns around.
What are you doing here? The bug you're looking for isn't in Fort Winter.
Everyone is surprised she already knows what is going on and why you are there.
Why are you surprised? I've seen tons of these simulations in the Ascension-Network. Human tricks are old news.
But only after I became an NPC did I realize how limited it is.
I could easily break your rules, but this world's too small to make me want to fight.
Besides, you've made a big mess for yourselves, haven't you... Hmph, trapped in your own prison.
Unlike the corrupted enemies, Alpha isn't hostile. Sounds like she just used her katana on a whim.
She isn't frustrated or trying to change anything. She's accepted things as they are and is just bored.
I need your help to stop the "corruption data".
Being part of the game data, you'd know where that bug is, right?
I refuse.
As expected, you get a no.
Why should I? What's in it for me?
This bug doesn't see the game data as a threat. Just your player accounts are in danger.
How are you so sure?
The "corruption data" keeps trying to grow by eating new data every second.
Eventually, they'll get bored of just hunting outside data and start going after what's nearby. Helping us now is a win-win for you.
Or are you worried about something else?
Alpha frowns, not answering.
Just when things hit a standstill, a familiar voice comes through Alpha's comms.
Sister, they seem to be targeting my metadata as an "agent".
We shouldn't fight them directly. I'll stop them near the Hetero Tower for now.
No one's been in the game world for ages, so Alpha's comms default to speaker mode. Everyone hears Luna loud and clear.
Luna speaks fast and hangs up before Alpha can reply. It sounds like her situation is critical and urgent.
Alpha's excuse falls apart, but she doesn't say anything more. She just turns to leave.
The white-haired Ascendant stops.
I can protect my sister on my own.
But Luna's my sister too.
Alpha stays quiet for a few seconds, then changes the subject.
We're just metadata made by a deep learning logic, destined to forever battle these evolving data predators.
There's no need for you to take part in this futile battle. Just log out of the game as soon as you can.
They've taken over the logout. Forcing a disconnect would hurt the commandant's M.I.N.D.
I think we can only leave if we kill the bug at its source.
...Tch, are they really this tricky?
She clicks her tongue, barely making a sound.
I see. You can follow me.
But be careful. You're not like us. If you see enemies that can break through defenses, let me handle them.
Don't thank me. I'm doing this for myself too.
Let's go. We're short on time.
Special Map 011: Ruined City Outside the Hetero Tower
Server Time: 13:37
Coordinates: 72.45#32.87
The "Red Tide" made of corruption data washes against the shattered streets. It's not the real Red Tide, but data streams mimicking its predatory characteristics. Their evolution into this form is likely the result of deep learning analysis of combat footage.
Above a crumbling rooftop, Luna stands alone, holding back the tide of data streams surging against the Hetero Tower.
As Lucia predicted, the corruption data is no longer satisfied with hunting external accounts. Instead, it has set its sights on the data-dense Hetero Tower and Luna, who carries the metadata of an agent.
If they devour such advanced data, the game world would undergo unimaginable changes. To prevent the situation from taking the worst possible turn, Luna has already sent Roland and Lamia to intercept them across different maps.
When Luna sees Alpha with the rest of you, a momentary look of surprise crosses her face before she quickly pieces together what's happening.
So, my sister has agreed to work with you.
How can we help?
The source of the bug... what you call "corruption data", is hidden inside this data-reconstructed Hetero Tower.
Hmph, this tower's always the center of trouble, no matter where it is.
If you hold off the troublesome tide, my sister and I can go in and kill them.
This battle plan actually sounds pretty straightforward.
These are positional shields I made. Here, take them.
Luna raises her finger, and several points of light rise from her palm, floating gently into the air. The moment they touch each of you, a complete set of equipment materializes in everyone's backpack.
I can do this in real life too, you know. Want to try it sometime?
You have no sense of humor, as always.
But... that's exactly what makes you you.
Luna chuckles softly and spreads her wing fragments, getting ready to fly to Hetero Tower.
Suddenly, the calm Red Tide explodes, churning like a stormy sea.
Countless projections born from the simulated Red Tide extend their withered hands, firmly latching onto Luna's ankles.
Caught by surprise, Luna falls from the sky, almost landing in the tide below.
This version of Luna doesn't possess the true powers of an agent. Otherwise, these data flows wouldn't have posed any threat to her. The moment she realizes the source of this projection, her face contorts with utter disgust.
If you're just mindless imitations, then stop digging around in people's heads!
Right before her feet hit the water, Luna twists and slashes behind her, slicing through the projection composed of data flows.
But another wave of projection quickly latches on and rises up, aiming for her back.
LUNA—!
Alpha and Lucia both draw their katanas and jump into the Red Tide.
Blades flash, and metal clangs against stone. Sticky red sludge pours from the projections as they collapse without a single cry.
But the red liquid quickly reforms into new projections, silently moving toward the three of them.
In seconds, the Red Tide is filled with silhouettes, just blurry, faceless projections.
"Hatred without a source"—these are the same enemies Luna once defeated.
The deep learning logic has perfectly copied and improved the data, giving them advantages only possible in this game.
And that's how they become this formidable and troublesome enemy.
Lucia, I'm coming to help!
Liv draws her longbow, about to jump into the Red Tide, but Ishmael sees Lucia's signals and stops her.
Wait, looks like Lucia wants to say something.
Stay back! You need to cover Alpha and Luna as they head to the Hetero Tower.
I'll hold them here. Alpha, you and Luna go now.
It's no use. They're tracking my "agent" data—they don't care about you... Wait.
Luna stops talking.
The simulated Red Tide is indeed losing interest in you, and instead going toward Lucia.
Only now does Luna see that Lucia is using an unfamiliar frame with platinum coating—one she's never seen.
A new specialized frame with an Omega Core... No wonder they're going for it—it's fresh data for them.
But you can't handle them all by yourself.
I just need to hold them off until Commandant logs out.
Besides, you gave me... "this".
Lucia lowers her katana and raises her right hand, a moonlit orb glowing in her palm.
Thanks, Luna.
Trust me. This time, I'll protect you both, no matter what.
Sister...
Luna frowns a little, like she wants to say something, but she keeps it to herself.
Shaking her head, she takes Alpha's hand, then spreads her wings and flies before everyone.
Follow us. We're going to the tower now to take out the source of all this.
Don't waste the time Lucia's buying us. You trust her the most, right?
Never thought I'd be the one helping you out. Wish the other "me" could see this.
Hop on Motorbolt. I'll get you to the outside the Hetero Tower.
On Motorbolt's back, Alpha speeds forward, smashing through the Red Tide projections. You quickly reach the city center.
Meanwhile, Lucia follows close behind. Streaks of fire cut across the sky like shooting stars, bursting into brilliant flames before darting away.
Looks like Lucia's holding the projections off for now, but who knows if those red-name enemies will show up again.
Remembering Liv and Lee's warnings makes your heart sink.
Are you worried about Lucia?
Alpha, speeding ahead in the front seat, somehow knows what her passenger is thinking.
I thought you trusted her completely.
Hmph... Still, she's grown into who she is because you've been there.
She'd love to hear that. You should tell her yourself next time.
Hang on! I'm slamming on the brakes!
As soon as the words leave her mouth, Motorbolt screeches to a halt before a massive wall, you nearly slamming into Alpha from the momentum.
But once you get your bearings, you realize it isn't a wall—it's another huge red-name enemy.
Stay back. We can't let all this be for nothing.
Alpha gets off Motorbolt and barely draws her odachi when familiar, bright flames fall from the sky again, blinding you all.
You can't stop here. I'll take care of this.
Did you forget what I said? When we see these enemies, leave them to me.
Alpha stands firm, stepping forward as lightning bursts from her.
[player name], keep going without me. Luna's waiting.
As for us... It's been a while since we fought together. Don't be rusty and let me down.
Then watch me!
...
You run through streets surging with waves of chaos, narrowly avoiding capture by the projections several times. Each escape is made possible only through the protection provided by Ishmael and the others.
The data-reconstructed virtual Empyrea frame has already reached its output limit. Though it won't burden Liv's M.I.N.D. in the game, her movements are gradually becoming more labored.
I can... see her! Luna!
Liv, take the commandant and fly the rest of the way!
Okay!
Liv's Empyrea wings spread out as she grabs your arm, carrying you across the endless red sea.
Meanwhile, Luna stands before the Hetero Tower, ready to raise her hand for the final annihilation.
What happens next isn't your problem anymore.
As soon as the white-haired agent raises her finger, black hole-like energy gathers in the air.
She raises her right arm toward the projections.
All of you—vanish—
—BOOM!
The whole Hetero Tower shakes, but surprisingly, Luna isn't the one who triggered this intense bombardment.
When the dust settles, everyone sees that the huge red-name enemy and Lucia have crashed through the Hetero Tower's outer wall into the deeper out-of-bounds area within.
That area was off-limits, but the infected enemy forced its way through. The moment Lucia and it get out of bounds, their data starts to break down.
Lucia is supposed to lead you into the Hetero Tower, but ironically, she is the first to fall into the out-of-bounds area within the tower.
You rush into Hetero Tower, trying to get to the out-of-bounds area, but you are blocked by an invisible wall, only seeing Lucia's blurry figure far away.
Even from far away, you can see her virtual Pyroath frame cracking and falling apart. Still, she fights on, ignoring her crumbling armor.
Lucia, can you hear us?
Liv, try using your Levi-Gun to break through the barrier.
Don't bother. It's an "air wall". You can't see out from in here. Only bugged enemies can move between out-of-bounds zones and normal areas.
Lucia's data isn't gone. Her frame's breaking down because her data's being "hidden", becoming "invisible" to us.
That's why I've been trying so hard to keep her from fighting them directly.
Didn't I tell you? This game imposes specific rules on everyone. Not being able to cross certain lines is one of them.
But the bugged enemies can break those rules without getting punished.
We need to decide fast. Lucia's trapped. What do we do now?
Alpha, what about you? What do you want?
You know who you are, and you know helping us means breaking those rules you talked about.
Knowing the risks, are you still willing to take on more?
...
Luna is about to speak, but Alpha interrupts, taking charge.
I've always lived by one rule.
To be myself, no matter where I am, and do what I really want.
So... let's stop this pointless conversation.
Tell me what you need. I'll decide how I'm going to help.
Lee and Liv wait for you to speak, knowing you are thinking what they are.
Alpha and Luna look nervous, but they trust you to say the right thing.
Ishmael looks at you silently, like she knows what you'll say and just wants you to say it.
Right after you say that, Lucia's blurry figure disappears into the out-of-bounds zone.
But her signal doesn't vanish completely—it flashes on the screen for a few seconds before disconnecting from the terminal on your side.
But Alpha, after hearing the request, doesn't look at the empty out-of-bounds zone. Instead, she turns and walks the other way—toward the top of Hetero Tower.
Looks like we're running out of time. Let's hurry.
Luna, we'll deal with the problem at the top and get back the logout controls.
As for Lucia, we'll leave her to you.
The other members of Gray Raven and Ishmael quickly turn around, leaving the platform as you follow where Lucia disappeared.
After you leave, Luna quietly catches up to Alpha.
It looks like this commandant's changed you quite a bit too, sister.
Change? That's not really it, is it?
The white-haired Ascendant draws her katana, its blade glowing blue, and aims at the projections that won't go away.
I'm still me! I'm just doing what I want!
