3 3 301 DialogEnable On the desert wasteland, jagged rock formations jut out of the ground through which the Red Tide flows.
4 4 301 Wanshi squats on a towering rock formation.
5 5 301 The Red Tide quietly trickles below.
6 6 301 Although the tide here occasionally swells, it's not an unstoppable force like previous accounts in the city ruins.
7 7 301 Occasionally, he sees strange debris, rusty metal, shredded rubber, and even pale animal bones floating in the red ichor.
8 8 301 There doesn't seem to be any fear in Wanshi. He just lets out a big yawn instead.
9 9 201 1 500273 8
10 10 301 1 Wanshi Ugh... 1
11 11 204 1
12 12 301 Wanshi How much longer do I gotta wait? 1
13 13 301 On the rugged surface of the rock, there is not a flat enough space to place the tripod for his sniper rifle.
14 14 301 Wanshi Well—the latest information should have been uploaded to Babylonia. What's taking them so long? 1
15 15 301 Wanshi I don't know what's going on with the Captain either. 1
16 16 301 Wanshi I'm always left to do all the recon work here. Now I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place... 1
17 17 301 Wanshi If they don't dispatch any reinforcements, this place is gonna... 1
18 18 202 1 1
19 19 301 The Red Tide tributary had only just reached this place twenty-four hours ago.
20 20 301 But now, aside from only the tallest of rocks, the entire area has been completely flooded.
21 21 301 Fortunately, the Red Tide is only quietly flowing and not surging out of control. The rock on which he stands still towers high above. The Inver-Device and protective equipment strengthened by the Support Force on such short notice enable him to make observations from a relatively safe distance without fear of corruption.
22 22 301 However, this cannot continue much longer. It was only a sparse Red Tide tributary not long ago. Now it has completely inundated the area. Even if he proceeds with caution, he is better off leaving this area sooner rather than later.
23 23 301 Not only is the Punishing Virus concentration rising, the Red Tide also brings "life"—life to the Punishing Virus.
24 24 301 The Red Tide surging below the rock is a breeding ground for Hetero-Creatures.
25 25 301 Large red crystal clusters, like reeds and shrubs, surround the trickling tide. Red creatures of various shapes and sizes pass between them.
26 26 301 These creatures are neither corrupted machines nor Constructs.
27 27 301 These Hetero-Creatures glowing with a red aura are merely vestiges of life on Earth that had been devoured by the Red Tide.
28 28 301 On the "riverbank," Wanshi catches a glimpse of a motionless stone suddenly crack as four limbs protrude from within.
29 29 301 Wanshi's bionic skin quickly calculates the current wind speed.
30 30 201 1 500273 4
31 31 301 1 Wanshi 1.6 meters per second. Wind blowing from 4 o'clock. 1
32 32 301 Wanshi My sniper scope should move a notch right to compensate for the wind. 1
33 33 202 1
34 34 301 Slightly leaning to the side, the crosshairs in the narrow scope moves one mil to the right.
35 35 301 Ready. Aim. Fire... Bullseye.
36 36 401 2 1510
37 37 301 The bullet releases from the chamber, landing a direct hit on the Hetero-Creature.
38 38 301 The Hetero-Creature collapses onto the ground, writhes in pain, then becomes limp and lifeless. Soon after, the overflowing Red Tide reclaims it into nutrients for the Hetero-Creatures to spawn from within.
39 39 201 1 500273
40 40 301 1 Wanshi Yawn... There's no end to them... 1
41 41 301 Setting down his sniper rifle, Wanshi takes out his rangefinder binoculars and looks in the direction of the extending tributary.
42 42 204 1 8
43 43 301 Wanshi This rock is about 20 meters in height. Without obstacles and regardless of meteorological conditions, the maximum distance that can be visually measured should be... 1
44 44 301 Wanshi closes his eyes for a brief second before arriving at a conclusion.
45 45 204 1
46 46 301 Wanshi 17 km. 1
47 47 301 However, the rangefinder can no longer see the end of the tributary.
48 48 301 In other words, the Red Tide tributary currently flowing below is extending at a speed of more than 17 kilometers a day.
49 49 301 Wanshi ...Looks like this is no laughing matter. 1
50 50 202 1 1
51 51 301 He puts away the rangefinder, then stands up.
52 54 301 Suddenly, the deafening roar of motors rumbles in the sky above.
53 55 204 1 7
54 56 301 Wanshi quickly looks up. His drowsy eyes suddenly open wide.
55 57 301 Wanshi Huh... I don't believe it. 1
56 58 202 1
57 59 301 Shooting stars aren't visible during the day.
58 60 301 AniZhuanchangBegin But in Wanshi's golden eyes, he sees the vivid reflection of a metallic "meteor" followed by a long trail of black smoke as it descends to Earth.
61 63 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Guide AI Attention passengers. The aircraft will begin to decelerate and reduce orbital altitude. Reverse thrusters will ignite in fifteen seconds. Rapid deceleration will generate 2 G's of force. Please fasten your seat belts.
62 64 301 ...
63 65 301 Guide AI Attention passengers. The aircraft is approaching the ionosphere. Entering communication blackout for 67 seconds. All departments have switched to onboard wired communication.
64 66 301 ...
65 67 301 Guide AI Attention passengers. The aircraft is approaching the mesosphere. Preparing to shut down the aerospace engine and switch to the aircraft engine. Please fasten your seat belts and brace for turbulence.
66 68 401 2 1503
67 69 301 RImgBg1Shake ...
68 70 301 Guide AI Attention passengers. The aircraft has entered the inner atmosphere. Initiating aviation procedure.
69 71 401 2 1503
70 72 301 RImgBg1Shake ...
71 73 301 Guide AI Attention passengers. The aircraft has entered the stratosphere.
72 74 401 2 1503
73 75 301 RImgBg1Shake ...
74 76 301 Guide AI Attention passengers. The aircraft has entered the troposphere.
75 77 401 2 1503
76 78 301 RImgBg1Shake ...
77 79 301 Guide AI Attention passengers. Due to impaired visibility from the current sandstorm, the system is unable to confirm the location of the Red Tide.
87 89 301 RImgBg1Shake The sudden tremor of the aircraft's hull made every passenger's heart skip a beat.
88 90 401 2 1503
89 91 301 RImgBg1Shake The violent shaking catches you off guard, causing your head to bang against the hull of the aircraft.
90 92 301 Normally, you would be able to stabilize yourself. However, your consciousness becomes shrouded in darkness before you are able to adjust your posture in time.
95 97 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Asimov During a "memory playback," you will be completely pulled into a memory spiral. This overload of information will make you unable to control your body and perceive what is happening around you. 1
96 98 301 Asimov Fortunately, the playbacks dissipate as fast as they manifest. You may recount a certain duration of time subjectively, but only a few seconds may pass in real-time. 1
97 99 301 Asimov By the way, during this period, your subconscious will become hyperactive. 1
98 100 301 Asimov You may be overcome with perplexing ideas and make bewildering decisions. 1
99 101 301 Asimov That's because your brain processes a lot of information internally, but your subjective thinking can't keep up with this processing speed. 1
100 102 301 Asimov I can't say for sure whether this will have a positive or negative impact. 1
101 103 301 Asimov However, it's worth noting that the situation on the battlefield can change at a moment's notice. Since your "memory playbacks" are unpredictable and beyond your control, they may prove fatal in battle. 1
102 104 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Asimov To be on the safe side, I advise against participating in battles that require direct confrontation with the enemy for the time being. 1
115 117 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Ayla It's been quite some time, Gray Raven Commandant. 1
116 118 301 Ayla Surprised to see me, I take it? 1
117 119 301 Ayla To be honest, it took quite some effort to reach you. If Chairman Allen hadn't lobbied for me, I don't think this would be possible. 1
118 120 302 Miss Ayla? 121
119 121 301 Ayla The task forces have all heard about the heroic deeds of the Gray Ravens at the Ascendants' base. I've even heard about them in Babylonia! 1
120 122 301 Ayla If you've been in direct contact with the Ascendants, have you seen the Ascendant who attacked me on the space station? 1
121 123 301 Ayla Never mind, he's not important. The only thing I care about is whether you found any sign of her in their base... 1
122 124 302 Who do you mean by "her"? 125
123 125 301 Just as the pink-haired girl is about to say a name...
124 126 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Your memory stops and then cuts to black as if it had been tampered with.
136 138 301 1 Liv But, Commandant... Your head... 1
137 139 202 1 1
138 140 301 Guide AI Attention passengers, the aircraft is experiencing turbulence. Attempting to stabilize altitude. Please stay seated so as not to change the aircraft's center of gravity.
139 141 401 2 1503
140 142 301 RImgBg1Shake Thunderstorms rumble outside of the transport craft. Electric arcs flash among the clouds, shaking everyone with an even more violent tremor.
141 143 301 Guide AI Experiencing excessive turbulence. Attempting to disengage by expediting the descent sequence. Please do not panic.
142 144 201 1 500026
143 145 301 1 Lee No, in a situation like this that won't— 1
144 146 202 1 1
145 147 401 2 1503
146 148 301 RImgBg1Shake The turbulence continues to escalate.
147 149 301 Guide AI Due to the emergency maneuver, the aircraft has deviated from the original target. The aircraft is still experiencing turbulence.
148 150 301 Guide AI Turbulence has deformed the portside wing due to excessive load-bearing. Aerodynamics compromised. Initiating emergency landing procedure.
149 151 401 2 1506
150 152 301 RImgBg1Shake The sharp crunch of the portside wing proves to be the final blow to the transport craft as half of the deformed wing plummets to the ground.
151 153 301 Guide AI The aircraft cannot return to a stable attitude for landing. Estimating ground impact of approximately 15 °. At this angle, the aircraft is at risk of crash landing.
152 154 301 Guide AI Initiating parachute evacuation procedure. Depressurizing cabin. Opening tailgate in fifteen seconds.
153 155 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Guide AI Tailgate open. All personnel, please parachute out immediately.
155 157 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The initial impact against the hull nearly knocks you unconscious, and you struggle to move.
156 158 301 Descending into a tailspin, the blood on your forehead blurs your vision.
157 159 301 The seat belt is now proving to be a death sentence. Perhaps due to the impact, repeated attempts to release the seat belt are all in vain.
158 160 301 Asimov was right. During a "memory playback," you are but a lamb to the slaughter.
159 161 301 In the dim haze of light, you catch a glimpse of Construct teams evacuating the aircraft one after another.
160 162 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Hurry up and prepare for evacuation...
202 204 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Lucia removes you from the transport craft.
203 205 301 Looking around, you find the three Constructs unfazed. Your wounded forehead is the only sign of damage.
204 206 201 1 1031001
205 207 301 1 Liv Lucia, set the commandant down. I'll apply emergency aid. 1
206 208 201 1 500166
207 209 301 1 Lucia Alright. 1
208 210 202 1 1
209 211 301 Having experience as a former medic, Liv quickly stems the bleeding and bandages your wounds.
210 212 201 1 1031001
211 213 301 1 Liv Fortunately, it's just a flesh wound. It just looks more serious than what it actually is. 1
212 214 202 1 1
213 215 301 Eyebrows furrowed, Lucia lets out a sigh of relief off to the side, then draws her weapon and looks around vigilantly.
214 216 201 1 500026
215 217 301 1 Lee Now is not the time to let our guard down. 1
216 218 301 Lee Watch your surroundings. 1
217 219 202 1 1
218 220 301 Surrounded by barren wasteland, the crash site must be far off the beaten path leading to the original destination.
219 221 301 If it is just an ordinary wasteland, it would not have mattered... More importantly, however, was where the crew had crash-landed...
220 222 201 1 1031001 7 -450
221 223 201 2 500166 5 450
222 224 301 1 Liv —! 1
223 225 301 Lucia What's that?! 2
224 226 202 1 2 1
225 227 301 To everyone's surprise, the crash site is not just some remote location. Rather, it is amidst the tributaries of the Red Tide.
226 228 301 More aptly put, they are at the bar to the tributaries. Though they are not inundated by the Red Tide, they are by no means out of harm's way.
227 229 301 Sand billowing in the wind impairs visibility, making movement in any direction nigh impossible.
228 600 401 2 855
229 230 301 ??? ……▁▅▃……▃……▆……
230 231 201 1 1031001 7
231 232 301 1 Liv ...! What's that sound? 1
232 233 202 1 1
233 234 301 The sound is rich and melodious, like the call of a large mammal.
234 235 401 2 1514
235 236 301 As the sound becomes louder and louder, a rustling approaches from the depths of the sandstorm.
