4 4 304 Not enough. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
5 5 304 Not enough at all. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
6 6 304 Not compared to the power of an agent. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
7 7 304 The Pterygota Queen... The Polyphage... Neither could even scratch the surface of this supreme radiance. This is the final form of real power. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
8 8 304 I realize that imitation is ultimately futile. What they really lack is the ability to "learn." ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
9 9 304 Fortunately, I met an agent with the same view as me. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
10 10 304 The gentleman repaired my body and gave me an invitation. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
11 11 304 He affirmed my knowledge and gave me more strength. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
12 12 304 Thinking of all the possibilities after that, I could feel my hands tremble. This feeling was unprecedented. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
13 13 304 Based on what I've read in books, this feeling is akin to "shaking with excitement." ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
14 14 304 This instant uncontrollable glitch made my cane fall into the Red Tide. ffffffff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory451.jpg 1
20 20 301 AniZhuanchangEnd How long will it take until mankind completely disappears from the face of the Earth, and nature reclaims the cities?
21 21 301 During the prosperous Golden Age, people who kept progressing forward were no longer satisfied with dazzling new things and cutting-edge technology. While many were fascinated by reaching the stars, some people imagined a world without humans.
22 22 301 This post-apocalyptic fantasy had always been a popular topic for readers.
23 23 301 Vines climb the walls, tree roots peck through the asphalt, and rusty steel towers collapse in the wind and rain... Nature only needs a little sunshine and rain, and it will recapture this land at an amazing speed.
24 24 301 Trees take root, their branches strong. Grass sprouts, spreading like a blanket. The air smells of moist soil, like a pure land that has never been tread on.
25 25 301 But this picture, which is too peaceful, seems rather uncanny for the time.
26 26 201 1 500384
27 27 301 1 Rolmo C-careful, it's hard to walk here. Watch your step. 1
28 28 201 1 500140
29 29 301 1 "Beardy" Is there... really a CPF? Don't you think it looks a little primitive? Aren't all filters built in cities? 1
32 32 301 Zack raises his hand and points forward. Between the heavy clouds and the luscious foliage, a massive dark steel building looms.
33 33 201 1 500140
34 34 301 1 "Beardy" Oh... It's hard to see with so many trees here. 1
35 35 301 "Beardy" Also... I think I'm going to sprain an ankle. These weird roots are getting on my nerves... 1
36 36 203 1 0.1 -50
37 37 301 RImgBg1Shake The group walks on the uneven forest floor, both feet never on the same plane. Right as they hear the sound of something being crushed, "Beardy" steps into a deep pit with his left foot.
38 38 301 "Beardy" What the hell was that?! 1
39 39 301 "Beardy" hurriedly pulls his feet out of the soil. Looking down, he discovers that he stepped on a cracked, rusty iron plate. The paint on it had peeled off from the rust. Only the words "Pulia" and "Guide" are legible as well as a map that looked very large.
40 40 301 The place trampled by "Beardy" is located in the center of the map.
41 41 301 "Beardy" Oh, it's a map. 1
42 42 203 1 0.25 -400
43 43 201 2 500139 400
44 44 301 1 Kordes The forest is too overgrown. This map is useless. 2
45 45 301 "Beardy" You're right. 1
46 46 301 "Beardy" At least the filter is right in front of us. We don't need it anyway. 1
47 47 202 1 2 1
48 48 201 1 500136
49 49 301 1 Zack Record the location of the buildings in the park. Even if there are no supplies in the filter, we can still look for other useful things here. 1
50 50 301 Zack looks carefully at the iron plate on the ground again, then points to the hole in the center of the map.
51 51 301 Zack ...Looks like the facilities are all built around the middle, which is most likely the location of the tower. 1
52 52 201 1 500140 -400
53 53 201 2 500139 400
54 54 301 1 Kordes You just smashed the most important part of the map with a single step. How very "you". 2
55 55 301 "Beardy" So what? That means we'll have no problem getting to the filter! 1
56 56 301 "Beardy" doesn't seem to pay any mind. Instead, he raises his arms and laughs.
57 57 301 Kordes We are looking for supplies, not to destroy things. 2
58 58 301 "Beardy" I think it would be great if we can occupy the filter. After all, starting it should be easy with Zack here. 1
59 59 202 1 2 1
60 60 201 1 500136
61 61 301 1 Zack Our final destination is the conservation area. We shouldn't linger anywhere other than where we have discussed. Not to mention... 1
62 62 301 Zack "Stay as far away as possible from all machines." Forget our rules again? 1
63 63 203 1 0.25 400
64 64 201 2 500140 -400
65 65 301 1 "Beardy" Because we'll be in deep **** if they get corrupted. Yeah, I remember. 2
66 66 301 Looking away from the iron plate, Zack notices a tear in "Beardy's" pants. He must have cut it accidentally when he pulled his leg out of the hole.
67 67 301 Zack Have a rest and check out supplies. We'll move out in 15 minutes. 1
68 68 301 Zack Bandage your wound. Don't want you slowing us down when the tough gets going. 1
69 69 301 "Beardy" Huh...? 2
70 70 301 "Beardy" looks at his lower leg and notices that he's bleeding, and curses out loud.
71 71 301 "Beardy" ****. I didn't even feel a thing. What'd I tell ya? Nothin' can stop me. 2
72 72 202 1 2 1
73 73 201 1 500139
74 74 301 1 Kordes ... 1
75 75 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Kordes I don't want your dumb*** dying from an infection. Get over here and let me take care it. We're strapped for medical supplies, but we're in luck. I just saw some plants around here that can be used to deal with wounds. 1
76 76 202 1 1
77 77 301 AniZhuanchangEnd After working for a short while, they finally set up a crude base camp. They clear a relatively flat patch of land and use a spare gas stove to light a simple bonfire.
78 78 401 2 1511
79 79 301 Zack loads shells into his shotgun and quietly inventories the ammunition on him.
80 80 301 After Kordes tends to "Beardy's" wound, he sits down beside him and fiddles with a plant by his foot as if lost in thought.
81 81 301 Rolmo appears to be nervous, but after seeing that no one is paying attention to him, he just sits quietly beside the campfire.
82 82 301 Zack just looks at him calmly, closes his eyes and takes a nap.
83 83 301 Perhaps it was because Rolmo had kept himself busy the entire time looking for supplies, leading the way, helping them avoid areas with hidden danger several times. Either way, the trio seems to have grown accustomed to him. They even appear to have let down their guard around him.
84 84 301 "Beardy" adjusts his bandage, then pulls out half a hardtack and throws it to Rolmo.
85 85 201 1 500384 -400
86 86 201 2 500140 400
87 87 301 1 Rolmo ...? 1
88 88 301 "Beardy" Ever since we left the city, I haven't seen you eat a single thing. You aren't made of metal, are ya? Don't starve yourself. You'll need to lead the way here in a bit. 2
89 89 301 Rolmo ...Thanks. 1
90 90 202 1 2 1
91 91 301 Accustomed to seeing decadent cities, the green forest reinvigorates the weary travelers. Their destination is near. For a moment, they lower their guard slightly and enjoy a short respite during their perilous journey.
92 92 201 1 500136
93 93 301 1 Zack (Whistles) 1
94 94 301 The dry whistle echoes in the forest. It seems to be an old tune. Rolmo looks up at Zack while he whistles. There's a peculiar twinkle in his eyes.
95 95 301 Zack This place reminds me of a movie I saw a long time ago. There's a scene really similar to this forest. 1
96 96 203 1 0.25 400
97 97 201 2 500140 -400
98 98 301 1 "Beardy" What movie? 2
99 99 301 Zack In a world of never-ending wars and disasters, a young man volunteers on a journey to the tower at the edge of the world in search of a secret treasure that can end the war, thus completing his trial to become a knight. 1
100 100 301 Zack In one scene, the main character arrives at a dark and gloomy forest where he is surrounded by monsters. He fights them for 7 days before finally breaking free, only to find out that the monsters were really... Uh, what was it again? Oh, it was the "loss and weakness" he felt in his heart. 1
101 101 301 The leader of the Scavengers, who was a man of few words along the way, opens up a little and shows a rare expression of enthusiasm as he talks about the movie.
102 102 301 "Beardy" Who'da thought you had an eye for the arts, Zack. I sure didn't. I'm surprised you even remember anything about it. 2
103 103 301 Zack The monsters in it were pretty cool. 1
104 104 301 "Beardy" Sounds like a B movie. How'd it end? 2
105 105 301 Zack After an agonizing struggle, the main character finally reaches the top of the tower, but there's no secret treasure. It was all in vain. 1
106 106 301 Zack I didn't have time to finish it, but it was toward the end. I just remember the main character falling on one knee in the tower after realizing there was nothing in there... 1
107 107 301 Zack stands up and imitates the protagonist kneeling down with his sword according to his memory.
108 108 301 Zack "...?Cómo puede ser nuestro final? (How is this our final destination?)" 1
109 109 202 1 2 1
110 110 201 1 500384
111 111 301 1 Rolmo Hah... 1
112 112 203 1 0.25 -400
113 113 201 2 500140 400
114 114 301 1 "Beardy" ? 2
115 115 301 "Rolmo" Cough... It's n-nothing... J-just about choked on hardtack is all. 1
116 116 301 "Beardy" That line sounds cringy. Seems like a garbage movie. 2
117 117 202 1 2 1
118 118 201 1 500136
119 119 301 1 Zack Garbage? I don't think so. The monsters were pretty bad***, and the main character's acting was on point. 1
120 120 301 Zack He looked pretty young, but he was already staring in a movie. 1
121 121 301 Zack Apparently, he won the award for best actor and was signed by a famous entertainment company from the Golden Age. What was it called again—Rocko? 1
122 122 203 1 0.25 400
123 123 201 2 500139 -400
124 124 301 1 Kordes I can't imagine you following what goes on with celebrities. 2
125 125 301 Zack ...There's a lot you can't imagine. 1
126 126 301 Zack ...The ending was pretty bland, but it's a pretty decent memory in hindsight. Now, this kind of entertainment is a luxury. 1
127 127 301 Kordes That's one of the privileges of living in a time of peace. Movies seem lame, but they're a symbol of a happy life and the freedom to have fun whenever you want. 2
128 128 202 1 2 1
129 129 201 1 500384
130 130 301 1 "Rolmo" ... 1
131 131 201 1 500140
132 132 301 1 "Beardy" A "happy" life... Ah... 1
133 133 301 "Beardy" A word like that seems so far away. 1
134 134 202 1 2 1
135 135 301 What is the standard of happiness for people in the Golden Age?
136 136 301 Was it having enough food, warm clothes, a job that can support you, and a home that awaits your return?
137 137 301 For Scavengers, these are unreachable hopes.
138 138 201 1 500136
139 139 301 1 Zack Well, it's no use thinking about it now. We can't even say for sure if we'll survive. 1
140 140 301 Zack stands up and puts out the fire in front of him.
141 141 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Zack Prepare to move out. 1
144 144 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Under the guidance of Rolmo, the Scavengers see the gray steel building get closer and closer.
145 145 301 As they proceed deeper into the forest, Kordes notices some subtle changes in the forest.
146 146 301 The strange sound from the depths, the crackling sound of dead branches breaking, and the increasingly obvious scarlet light emitting from the plants.
147 147 301 Originally, he thought it was red berries or leaves, until he accidentally broke a branch when he passed a narrow path.
148 148 301 Red viscous liquid flows out from the bark and drips on the grass.
149 149 201 1 500139 400
150 150 201 2 500140 -400
151 151 301 1 Kordes The Punishing Virus... 1
152 152 301 "Beardy" What was that? 2
153 153 301 Kordes Something's wrong with these plants. They seem to be infected with the Punishing Virus... Sap shouldn't be this color—even for the red leaves. 1
154 154 301 "Beardy" Enough with the botany lesson. You mean these trees are infected? But the Punishing concentration here is low. 2
155 155 301 With that, "Beardy" reaches out to break the nearest branch.
156 156 301 Kordes Don't! Destroying the plants might cause the concentration to rise! 1
157 157 301 "Beardy" Alright, alright. Keep it down! 2
158 158 301 Kordes Just looking at the plants, you can see that they're no ordinary plants. They seem to be extending in this direction. 1
159 159 301 With that, Kordes pushes aside the wild bushes and follows the red plants deep into the forest.
160 160 301 Kordes It's reasonable to assume that these plants aren't affected by the Punishing Virus. There must be a reason for this mutation... 1
161 161 301 "Beardy" Hey... Slow down! 2
162 162 202 1 2 1
163 163 201 1 500384
164 164 301 1 Rolmo Wait... Don't go that way! It's too dangerous— 1
165 165 202 1 2 1
166 166 301 AniZhuanchangBegin The scene in front of him causes Kordes to be momentarily at a loss for words.
169 169 301 AniZhuanchangEnd After passing through the lush overgrowth, he sees a completely different scene from the forest behind him.
170 170 301 Scarlet crevasses are covered with green plants. Interspersed among them, he sees dazzling red vegetation and deformed humanoid creatures crawling within it.
171 171 301 The humanoid creatures crawl on their four legs, which are constantly changing shape. The rattling from the menacing bone spurs on their limbs echoes through the forest.
172 172 301 For a moment, Kordes thinks that he has stumbled into Hell. The weird and twisted creatures in front of him are like souls burning in hellfire. But as "Beardy" grabs him tightly, he slowly comes to his senses.
173 173 201 1 500140
174 174 301 1 "Beardy" Holy ****... What are those things?! 1
175 175 202 1 2 1
176 176 301 "Beardy's" voice is distorted out of fear. His sudden outburst causes the unaware "creatures" to notice him.
177 177 301 One of the "creatures" tilts its head, then begins to slowly crawl toward the Scavenger. A peculiar red cord the thickness of a woman's forearm trails behind it, wriggling like entrails or an umbilical cord. Its "chest" is connected to one end in which a red sphere beats wildly.
178 178 301 The "creature's" head lacking any facial features slowly turns to the human in front of it, as if "observing" him.
179 179 301 It lifts up its forelegs and stands up, then waddles toward the Scavenger like an infant.
180 180 401 2 571
181 181 301 Inspired by the first "creature" to stand up, the other "creatures" crawling on the ground stand up in a twisted manner. Dozens of pale creatures in the forest stand up and turn to face the Scavengers. Their bloody umbilical cords drag on the ground with a sticky, oozy sound.
182 182 402 571
183 183 301 Finally processing what he is witnessing, the only emotion that occupies the forefront of the Scavenger's mind is "fear."
184 184 201 1 500139
185 185 301 1 Kordes Ah... AH! 1
186 186 202 1 2 1
187 187 301 As they get within close-range, the pale skin of the "creature's" face begins to peel back, followed by the dark red flesh underneath, revealing a cavity in its skull. Two rows of firm white spurs grow along both edges of the cavity, like a poor imitation of human teeth.
188 188 301 ??? Ah... AH...?
189 189 301 Almost exactly like Kordes, the "creature" wails from within its round cavity. While mechanically repeating the scream, it puts its two hands in front of his chest, one higher than the other.
190 190 301 It is the same posture as Kordes with his gun drawn.
191 191 401 2 1510
192 192 301 But the posture lasts less than a second only to be disrupted by a barrage of gunfire. The "creature" staggers back a step, then slowly tries to lift up its arm, which has been blown off.
193 193 201 1 500136
194 194 301 1 Zack What are you doing just standing there?! 1
195 195 401 100 2 10001004
196 196 401 2 10001004
197 197 202 1 1
198 198 301 RImgBg1Shake Zack's yell causes "Beardy" to suddenly wake up from the nightmare. Pushing Kordes away, the gun in his hand unleashes a fierce burst of flame. The gunfire blasts the creature right in its head and chest.
200 200 301 Even on the verge of collapse, the creature continues to mimic them like a mirror trying to replicate human behavior. The horrific sight causes "Beardy's" hair to stand on end.
201 201 201 1 500140
202 202 301 1 "Beardy" W-why won't it stop?! 1
203 203 401 2 10001004
204 204 301 RImgBg1Shake "Beardy" raises his gun to shoot the "creature" with an even larger barrage. The exposed red sphere breaks and splatters, sending scarlet blood mist into the air.
205 205 301 The Scavengers' bare skin begins to fester due to infection. White ribs begin to grow outside the broken red heart of the "creature."
206 206 201 1 500139
207 207 301 1 Kordes The Punishing Virus... Just like those monsters growing in the Red Tide... They're all viruses... 1
208 208 201 1 500384
209 209 301 1 Rolmo Run! There are too many of them! It's too dangerous here! Go to the CPF! Go, go, go! 1
210 210 301 Following Zack, Rolmo shouts at the top of his lungs and points to the huge tower hidden in the distant forest.
211 211 201 1 500136
212 212 301 1 Zack Get a move on! 1
213 213 201 1 500384
214 214 301 Rolmo Follow me! Straight through here! That's where the tower is! Run! 1
219 219 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Kordes stumbles, but "Beardy" yanks him up by the collar. The group dashes past the eerie, slow creatures and through the withered forest, sparing no time or attention to their surroundings—not even the fact that Rolmo, who initially told them to run this way, is no longer following them.
