4 4 301 DialogEnable At 6 o'clock, No. 21 opens her eyes to see herself lying on a gray bed.
5 5 401 1 209
6 6 301 This room is completely different from the one at the Institute. It is not pure white in color. It is mostly black or gray.
7 7 301 Also, there is no music. But she hears the sound of birds chirping nearby through the window.
8 8 201 1 500328
9 9 301 1 At 7 o'clock, she no longer needs to wash up now that she is a Construct. She stands in front of the mirror, looking at her strange new frame. 1
10 10 301 She no longer needs the Medic Bot, even though it is still by her side. Looking at "him" quietly, she sees "him" waving a slender mechanoid arm at her in response. That is new. 1
11 11 301 At 8 o'clock, Kurono personnel begin work. No. 21's room is no longer at the end of the corridor. Sitting in front of the window, she sees humans wearing all sorts of different colors... She even sees Constructs walking around.
12 12 301 Most people wear black, while other people wear colorful clothes. The colors combine in a variety of interesting patterns. No. 21 watches them intently.
13 13 301 At 8:30, she hears a knock at her door.
14 14 201 1 500328
15 15 301 1 No. 21 ? 1
16 16 301 No. 21 stands up and walks to the door. She stands there, confused at the noise. The knocking becomes louder and more hurried.
17 17 301 ??? No. 21? Open the door!
18 18 301 No. 21 ...Open the door? 1
19 19 401 2 10001004
20 20 401 2 1503
21 21 301 RImgBg1Shake With a bang, the door blasts open. The human on the other side raises his hands in fright. Behind him, several heavily armed Constructs raise their weapons and aim them at No. 21.
22 22 301 No. 21 ...? 1
23 23 202 1 1
24 24 301 This awkward standoff proceeds for several seconds. Seeing the confused look on No. 21's face, the human rubs his forehead.
27 27 301 Kurono Researcher Yarha already informed me that... this Construct might lack some common knowledge. I think I accidentally scared her is all. 1
28 28 301 The Constructs lower their weapons.
29 29 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Kurono Researcher Why are they letting her out of the observation room if that's the case... 1
34 34 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Yarha We can't just let her stay in there. She needs to acclimate to how Kurono operates. She needs to go on missions and be of service. 1
35 35 301 Kurono Researcher She's too dangerous. She can kill us in the blink of an eye... 2
36 36 301 Yarha And keeping her in this observation room isn't going to stop her. You know that. 1
37 37 301 Kurono Researcher ... 2
38 38 301 Kurono Researcher Are you really going to hand her off to that woman? 2
39 39 301 Yarha At the behest of our leader. There's nothing I can do. 1
40 40 301 Yarha If I was calling the shots, I'd have her stay here for another year and a half. But this is Kurono, after all. 1
41 41 301 Kurono Researcher It's not that I don't understand decisions from the higher-ups. I know we're not really a place for scientific research. 2
42 42 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Kurono Researcher It's just that, the lady that's mentoring her... 2
57 57 301 Kurono Leader I'm not giving you a choice. 2
58 58 204 1 1
59 59 301 Vera You must be joking. Think you can twist my arm like that? 1
60 60 301 Vera sneers and slams her weapon on the table.
61 61 204 1
62 62 301 Vera I complete missions for you so you can do what you want. In return, you let me fight on the battlefield. 1
63 63 301 Vera Where does that say anything about babysitting? 1
64 64 301 Kurono Leader She's special. You're the only Construct in Kurono who can handle her. 2
65 65 301 Kurono Leader Also, with her new frame being as powerful as it is, don't you think it'll be the challenge you're looking for? 2
66 66 204 1 1
67 67 301 Vera Oh, you're goading me into doing it? 1
68 68 301 Kurono Leader You'll be surprised when you see her in battle. 2
69 69 204 1
70 70 301 Vera On the battlefield, all I see is myself and my prey. 1
71 71 301 Kurono Leader Did you forget all the damage you caused to Daedalus' research division? You failed to recover all of the data, drew unnecessary attention to us, and left us to pick up the pieces. 2
72 72 301 Vera If you really wanted to leave that dump in one piece, you wouldn't have assigned me to the mission. 1
73 73 301 Kurono Leader This is an order, not a negotiation. Don't forget, you still need Kurono. I won't allow you to refuse. 2
74 74 301 Kurono Leader ...She's here. Want to say hello to the Construct you saved? 2
75 75 301 Vera ... 1
76 76 301 Two figures walk by the window. A moment later, the office door opens.
77 77 201 1 500307 -400
78 78 301 1 Kurono Researcher I brought the Construct. 1
79 79 301 Kurono Leader Let's give them a few moments to get to know each other. 2
80 80 202 1 2 1
81 81 301 The man stands up from behind the desk and closes the door as he leaves.
82 82 301 The room becomes quiet as the two Constructs stare at each other.
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84 84 201 2 500168 400
85 85 301 1 No. 21 There's a mission? 1
86 86 301 Vera ...You've got to be joking. 2
87 87 301 Vera glares at No. 21.
88 88 301 Vera I should've just left you in that dump when I had the chance. 2
89 89 301 No. 21 ...You. You're the one that saved me. 1
90 90 301 No. 21 has not forgotten the red Construct standing before her. She hesitates for a moment, then asks—
91 91 301 No. 21 What happened... to the institute? 1
92 92 301 No. 21 Why am I here? Did a researcher send me here? 1
93 93 301 Vera ...Are you really that clueless? 2
94 94 301 No. 21 shakes her head slowly.
95 95 301 Vera ...Fine. If they're going to do this to me, I won't go easy on you. 2
96 96 301 Vera What's your name? 2
97 97 301 No. 21 Name? 1
98 98 301 Vera Do you really have to repeat such a simple question? 2
99 99 301 No. 21 What's a... name? 1
100 100 301 Vera ...You really are as clueless as it gets, aren't you? 2
101 101 301 Vera I'm asking what I should call you. 2
102 102 301 No. 21 21. 1
103 103 301 Vera Just a number? Whatever. Listen up, No. 21. Since they've assigned you to me, from now on, you have to obey my orders. 2
104 104 301 No. 21 Why? 1
105 105 301 Vera Because I saved you. If it wasn't for me, you'd be a pile of scrap by now. If you don't, you'll be discarded. Is that what you want? 2
110 110 301 Vera Of course not. You got that new frame out of the kindness of my heart. You should thank me, kiddo, seeing that you're still alive and kicking. Now, I'll be nice to you if you obey my orders, but I guarantee you'll regret it if you don't. 2
111 111 204 1 4
112 112 204 2
113 113 301 No. 21 Understood. 1
114 114 301 Vera strokes her chin, then grins connivingly.
115 115 204 2 1
116 116 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Vera Well, then. Let's begin our first mission, No. 21. 2
124 124 301 ??? Poor girl. Has she heard your nickname? 1
125 125 301 Vera If you're looking for a fight, I'm happy to oblige. 2
126 126 301 Vera casts a sideways glare and warns them coldly.
127 127 301 Vera has always been a lone wolf, and her arrogance always caused friction among her and the other Kurono Constructs. She's often ridiculed for her past experience and the fact that she has never been a member of a team.
128 128 301 ??? Laugh it up all you want. Not like we'll be the one with a dead team member on our hands. 1
129 129 301 Vera I can offer you a dead member right now if you like. What do you say? 2
130 130 301 Vera grins as she grabs the blade at her waist and unsheathes it.
131 131 204 2 13
132 132 301 Vera You've caught me in a good mood. I wouldn't mind spending some quality time with my colleagues. 2
133 133 301 Not anticipating Vera would be so bold as to draw her weapon in the hall, the Constructs tense up.
134 134 301 ??? I'm warning you, Vera, you'll get what's coming to you! You're just a coward who's scared that she can't protect her teammates. No point in taking it out on us... 1
135 135 204 2
136 136 301 Vera Say that again. I dare you. 2
137 137 202 1 2 1
138 138 201 1 500202
139 139 301 1 Kurono Leader ...Vera? What are you doing? 1
140 140 201 1 500019 -400
141 141 201 2 500168 400
142 142 204 2 1
143 143 301 1 Vera ...Trying to resolve a little misunderstanding. That's all. 2
144 144 301 ??? I didn't do anything, and she just pulled her weapon on me! 1
145 145 204 2
146 146 301 Vera Hmph, you're the real coward. 2
147 147 201 1 500202 -400
148 148 301 1 Kurono Leader Looks like you've had a lot of free time recently, Vera. How's the mission coming along? 1
149 149 204 2 1
150 150 301 Vera You mean No. 21? Relax, I've got her taken care of. 2
151 151 401 2 10007502
152 152 301 RImgBg1Shake Suddenly, an explosion rumbles in the distance. Security personnel in the hall instantly tense up.
153 153 301 Kurono Leader What's going on? 1
154 154 202 1 2 1
155 155 201 1 500303
156 156 301 1 Kurono Guard I think it... came from the break room. 1
157 157 201 1 500202
158 158 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Kurono Leader Go check it out! 1
187 187 301 Vera You're the one who dumped her on me. She doesn't even have any basic life skills. How's she going to survive on the battlefield like this? So, we've got to start with the basics. 2
188 188 301 In the office, Vera sits leisurely on the sofa. Subtle satisfaction can be heard in her sardonic tone.
189 189 301 The man in the suit rubs the bridge of his nose. He appears to have quite the headache.
190 190 301 Kurono Leader ...You're right. Maybe giving her to you for training was a bit too ambitious. 1
191 191 301 Vera It's not like I told you so. 2
192 192 204 2
193 193 401 1 36
194 194 301 Kurono Leader Well, then. I guess I'll have No. 21 operate alone. 1
195 195 401 1 201
196 196 301 Vera ...Are you kidding me? She doesn't understand a thing she hears. There's no way she can go on missions alone. Doesn't matter how strong she is. She'll die out there. 2
197 197 301 Kurono Leader You underestimate her. Not to mention, if she can't fend for herself out there, you're right that I can't assign a "caretaker" to watch over her 24/7. 1
198 198 301 Kurono Leader Survival of the fittest. If she can't even complete a simple field mission, Kurono has no need for such a useless weapon. 1
199 199 301 Kurono Leader That's enough. Get going. I'll have a new mission for you shortly. 1
200 200 301 Vera ... 2
201 201 301 Vera ...Screw it. I'll give it another shot. 2
202 202 301 Kurono Leader ...Oh, you've changed your mind? Getting soft, are we? 1
203 203 301 Vera I don't want a failed mission ruining my perfect record. That's all. 2
204 204 202 1 1
205 205 203 2 0.25
206 206 301 Vera scoffs coldly, then stands up and proceeds to leave.
207 207 301 Kurono Leader One week. 1
208 208 301 Kurono Leader You have one week. If you can't do it, then forget it. 1
209 209 301 Vera ... 2
210 210 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Vera refuses to respond. Instead, she just opens the door and leaves the office.
213 213 301 AniZhuanchangEnd No. 21 is waiting outside, her Co-Bot revolving around her.
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215 215 201 2 500328 400
216 216 301 1 Vera Let's go. 1
217 217 301 No. 21 Am I... going to be discarded? 2
218 218 301 Vera What makes you think that? 1
219 219 301 No. 21 You said if I can't complete a mission, I'll be discarded. 2
220 220 301 Vera Hmph... I did, didn't I? No, you're not getting discarded. 1
221 221 301 Vera hurries onward with No. 21 struggling to catch up.
222 222 301 No. 21 What should I do? 2
223 223 301 Vera Why do you always gotta ask everyone what to do? Can't you think for yourself? 1
224 224 301 No. 21 Think... for yourself? I don't understand. 2
225 225 301 Vera stops in her tracks, then turns and grabs No. 21 by her shoulders. No. 21's hair, which is still wet from earlier, sticks to her face, making her appear all the more pitiful and dejected. This only irritates Vera further.
226 226 301 Vera Ask yourself. Don't you have any desires? Don't you know what makes you feel satisfied when you do it? 1
227 227 204 2 3
228 228 301 No. 21 Desire... What's that? 2
229 229 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Vera ...Forget I said anything. 1
230 230 202 1 2 1
231 231 504 0.7
232 232 201 1 500019 -400
233 233 201 2 500168 400
234 234 301 AniZhuanchangEnd AniZhuanchangBegin 1 ??? You're just a coward who's scared that she can't protect her teammates. No point in taking it out on us... 1
235 235 202 1 2 1
236 236 504 0
237 237 201 1 500168 -400
238 238 201 2 500328 400
239 239 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Vera If you fight, you'll probably just get discarded. 1
240 240 301 No. 21 Fight? I'm good at fighting. 2
241 241 301 Vera Aren't you worried about getting discarded? Stick with me, and you just might. 1
242 242 301 No. 21 And if I don't, I won't get discarded? 2
243 243 301 Vera ...You still might. 1
244 244 301 No. 21 What's the difference? 2
245 245 301 Vera ...When you die, you die. Doesn't matter where. 1
246 246 301 Vera It may be the best—or worst decision to let you follow me. But here, things can only get worse. 1
247 247 301 No. 21 What do you mean? I don't get it. 2
248 248 301 No. 21 stares at Vera. She does not understand a word Vera is saying, but the weight from Vera's hand feels like... nothing she has ever felt before.
249 249 301 Vera Are you even listening to me? Or are you daydreaming? 1
250 250 301 No. 21 I heard you, but I don't understand. 2
251 251 301 Vera You're killing me... 1
252 252 301 Vera rolls her eyes, unsure of what she has done to deserve this.
253 253 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Vera Alright, I'll cut to the chase. Let's get down to business. 1
