3 3 301 DialogEnable The journey over to the laundry room goes smoother than you expected.
4 4 301 Avoiding the patrolling mechanoids and passing through the dusty old cells and interrogation rooms, you find most mechanoids ignore you as they carry on with their preset routes, doomed to repeat for eternity until they eventually join the corpses littered on the floor.
5 5 301 Twenty minutes later, you find yourself inside the laundry room.
6 6 301 The laundry room is big, with four rows of washing machines on each side. There are carts scattered about with faded fabric decorating the floor. You edge toward the door on the other side of the room while keeping an eye on your blind spots.
7 7 301 If your speculations are correct, then the person who responded to your distress signal should be behind that door.
8 8 301 You try the door handle but it does not budge. None of the keys you got from the guard unlock it.
9 9 301 Just as you contemplate using force, you hear a rhythmic tapping from a pipe in the corner.
10 10 301 This time there is no melody to it. It only serves to nudge you in the right direction, to "pay attention to here."
11 11 301 Heading toward the sound, you follow the vibrating pipe to a washing machine in the corner, and you can hear the taps coming from the wall behind.
12 12 301 Carefully pushing away the washer, you find a small hole at the bottom of the wall that seems to connect to the other room.
13 13 301 Just as you are about to bend down and inspect, a small black cube rolls out of the hole and stops by your feet.
14 14 302 (Pick it up) 15 (Be alert) 16
15 15 17 301 Without much thought, you bend to pick up the cube.
16 16 301 You instinctively retreat, only picking up the cube after confirming that it is not an explosive.
17 17 301 It looks like a PDA used by the office workers of the prison, almost identical to the device you found in the warden's office.
18 18 301 But this one seems to be operating just fine. The screen wakes up as you wipe away the dust with your fingers.
19 19 301 The monitor displays an online diary of a guard, but most of the content has been turned into random codes due to data damage.
20 20 301 What catches your attention is the topmost message.
21 21 301 Device Monitor "Hello, stranger."
22 22 301 "Apologies that I can only communicate with you like this."
23 23 302 This is...! 24
24 24 301 After a few seconds of silence, the message refreshes again.
25 25 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Device Monitor "I believe you are stuck here like me. I'm sorry to spring this on you, but I need your help."
27 27 301 AniZhuanchangEnd And thus, things are unfolding in a way out of Roland's expectations once again.
28 28 301 That person really did traverse through half the prison to where he is.
29 29 201 1 500334 2
30 30 301 1 Roland ...Ha, to be wrong twice in a row, what a peculiar experience. 1
31 31 301 The unfamiliar and tingly feeling dissipates not long after. Roland forces himself to focus on the message he just sent on the device.
32 32 301 Roland Hm... Was this a tad too dramatic as an opening line? 1
33 33 301 Roland But it does look like an interesting start to a story. 1
34 34 301 Roland Oh Roland, looks like you still have what it takes to do improv. 1
35 35 301 Roland's lips pull into a wry smile. Sitting in the corner against the wall, he props his chin on one hand while he stares at the device in his other.
36 36 301 This was an unexpected find while he was wandering around the prison. The specially designed device can send and receive messages just like the fixed comms equipment in the prison.
37 37 301 While he had waited, he spent his time repairing it. Although tthe audio module was completely destroyed, the other functions are still operational.
38 38 301 Roland Will you play along with me? 1
39 39 301 After a while, the message refreshes.
40 40 302 Don't worry, I'll get you out. 41 I'm glad I'm not alone here. 42
41 41 43 301 Roland Oh, hook, line, and sinker. What a kind person. 1
45 45 301 AniZhuanchangEnd After understanding the usage of the device, you replied to the other person in the form of a new dairy post.
46 46 301 Confirming that the laundry room is not under the threat of the Corrupted, you sit down by the wall.
47 47 301 Only a wall separates you and the person who is in the same situation, but the two of you are only able to communicate through the small device in your hands.
48 48 301 They explained their situation. They were looking for supplies when the doors suddenly closed and thus trapped them here.
49 49 301 It seems that they also do not know why the emergency mode was activated, so you place your focus on how to escape.
50 50 301 First, you think about breaking down a wall or door with force, but you immediately realize why that would not be possible.
51 51 301 The weapons you currently carry are not strong enough to destroy a prison door or wall, and you can guess that applies to the other person as well.
52 52 301 Looks like you'll have to come up with another plan if you want to converge with the other person.
53 53 301 You recall the memory of the map you found in the office, and realize something.
54 54 301 The main control room that controls all exits is not far from where you currently are, while the warden's office is situated in the middle of Zone B.
55 55 301 If you can find hints regarding control commands in the warden's office, then there is a chance that you can crack the command in the main control room and open the main gates of the prison.
56 56 302 I have an idea. 57 I have a plan. 57
57 57 302 We need to cooperate.
58 58 301 Device Monitor "Understood. What do you require of me?"
59 59 301 AniZhuanchangBegin And so you tell the other person your plan.
63 63 301 Roland Working together, huh? All right, it has been a while. And it is more interesting than breaking out by force. 1
64 64 301 Getting to the warden's office is like a stroll in the park for Roland, but... for a weak and trapped person, getting past all the Corrupted on the way is impossible.
65 65 301 Roland Right, for authenticity, I need to increase the difficulty. 1
66 66 301 Roland Hm... "But there are lots of Corrupted blocking the way to the warden's office, I can't take care of them all on my own." 1
67 67 301 Roland That sounds about right. 1
68 68 301 After a while, he receives a reply.
69 69 301 Device Monitor "Okay. I'll distract them, wait for my signal."
70 70 301 Roland ...Distract them? 1
71 71 301 How? How can one distract Corrupted that they couldn't even reach?
72 72 301 Roland All right then, let's see what you've got. 1
73 73 301 Roland I'll wait for your good news in the warden's office, my dear stranger. 1
74 74 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Roland stands and heads toward the warden's office.
77 77 301 AniZhuanchangEnd He whisks through the dim corridors as if he is taking a stroll and window shopping.
78 78 301 Suddenly, a piercing static noise interrupts the peace from afar.
79 79 301 The volume of the static quickly lowers, replaced by piano music. Due to the lack of maintenance of the prison's audio systems, the song is mixed with static noise, turning the originally soothing piano music into something from a horror movie.
80 80 201 1 500334
81 81 301 1 Roland ? 1
82 82 301 The piano music barely lasted a second before it got turned into elegant cello music. It looks like someone is accessing the prison's audio system.
83 83 202 1 1
84 84 301 Has that person already reached the control room?
85 85 301 All over the prison, rackets of mechanoids crashing and noises of damaged audio modules can be heard. The Corrupted realize where the sound is coming from and start to make their way over from different directions.
86 86 301 So this is what they meant when they said they'll "distract them."
87 87 201 1 500334 1
88 88 301 1 Roland Not bad. 1
89 89 301 The music changes again, this time from the elegant cello music to death metal.
90 90 301 The wild voice of death reverberates within the prison walls, sounding even more spine-chilling than the wailing of the Corrupted.
91 91 301 Roland ...? 1
92 92 202 1 1
93 93 301 The Corrupted rush over, gathering under the speaker.
94 94 301 The death metal stops and a pop song starts to play, followed by jazz, rap, and even the prison's 15th set of radio calisthenics.
95 95 301 ...What are you, a DJ?
96 96 301 Not long after, the music changes again.
97 97 301 Flamenco music plays from the prison speakers, startling Roland a bit.
98 98 301 That is the same song that is used in the prison-themed movie. The protagonist deliberately starts a group fight to avert the attention of the guards, while the other character go and steal a metal piece for lockpicking when the guards are busy stopping the fight.
99 99 301 The director brilliantly chose to use flamenco as the background music to create a humorous yet exciting scene.
100 100 301 The message on the device finally refreshes.
101 101 301 Device Monitor "Sorry for the wait. That was my signal."
102 102 301 Device Monitor "You can head toward the warden's office now."
103 103 201 1 500334 1
104 104 301 1 Roland Pft... Ha... Hahahaha! 1
105 105 301 Roland This human is more interesting than I thought. 1
106 106 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Roland Looks like I won't be bored for the time being. 1
109 109 301 AniZhuanchangEnd With the path all cleared, Roland soon arrives at the warden's office.
110 110 301 It doesn't take him long to find the command and passcode. Old safes are easy to break, and no secret can hide from Roland.
111 111 301 What intrigues him more at the moment is his "partner."
112 112 301 Roland sends over the command and passcode through the device, and receives a swift reply.
113 113 301 Device Monitor "The door is open. Nice working with you."
114 114 301 Device Monitor "There are still Corrupted outside so we can meet in the cafeteria area first before breaking out together. I've already planned our routes."
115 115 301 The following message simply explains their intended way of escape and route. It also details possible situations and their solutions.
116 116 201 1 500334 1
117 117 301 1 Roland ...Tsk, I thought our cooperation would end here, not develop into a meeting. 1
118 118 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Roland Well, this sure is a first, someone who goes looking for trouble. 1
121 121 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The stunt you pulled just now would've earned you a bit fat zero from an angry instructor if you were in an F.O.S. tactical simulation class. After all, no one would use popular music as a signal on the battlefield.
122 122 302 Well, it doesn't hurt to have a bit of fun once in a while. 123 I'm just making the best of this situation. 124
123 123 301 While adding in a little "extra something" for the other person.
124 124 301 You had looked at the map in the control room to decide the best place for carrying out the distraction, and then made the loudest noise you could with the speakers, leading away the Corrupted on the route toward the warden's office.
125 125 301 The other person found the warden's office fairly quickly. You thought it might take some time for them to find the command and passcode, but it is sent to you soon after.
126 126 301 You immediately key in the code on the control panel to unlock the gates. The indicator lamp on the monitor labeled "Control Area Door" turns green.
127 127 301 The outermost lock is removed. You can finally leave.
128 128 301 You shake your legs as you take in a deep breath, and notify the other person that the gates are open. But that doesn't mean you're safe yet. The Corrupted who are lurking around are still a threat.
129 129 301 Which is why you suggested to the other person to meet up first.
130 130 301 Device Monitor "Why would you go through all the trouble?"
131 131 302 Because it's still dangerous outside. 132 It'll increase our chances of survival. 132
132 132 301 Device Monitor "I might hinder you though."
133 133 302 You won't. 134
134 134 302 Because we work well together. 135
135 135 302 If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to unlock the gates this quickly. 136
136 136 301 Device Monitor "The gates are open, I've lost all my value, you could've just abandoned me here and left."
137 137 301 Device Monitor "Why would you still want to take the long way and converge with me first?"
138 138 302 Because you asked for my help. 139
139 139 302 And... 140
140 140 302 Technically, you're the one who responded to my distress signal first. 141
141 141 301 Device Monitor "..."
142 142 301 There is a pause in the refreshing of messages.
143 143 301 Device Monitor "Even though I only sent over a melody from an unpopular movie?"
144 144 302 But I still understood. 145 It was a bit hard to notice, maybe we should try something more popular next time. 146
