5 5 301 Roland stands by the hole which has been tightly blocked by a collapsed cement block and pats his hands as if he has just completed a warm-up exercise.
6 6 203 1 0.25 -450
7 7 201 2 500308 450
8 8 301 1 Cinderelik Why'd you let them go? 2
9 9 204 1 1
10 10 301 Roland They were the only variables to have any direct effect on "Mother". As you can see, "Mother" has had an emotional fluctuation similar to fear for the first time. 1
11 11 301 Roland Only when it knows what fear is, can we know it's evolving in the right direction. 1
12 12 301 Cinderelik ... 2
13 13 301 Roland They still haven't left the sensory range of "Mother". Don't you want to know what kind of stimulation can be generated by the only surviving variables so far? 1
14 14 301 Roland It'd be a shame to let such precious samples die so soon. 1
15 15 301 Roland ...Think of it as an encore. I'm also curious to see how far they can make it. It's much more interesting than those dramas in the tower, isn't it? 1
16 16 301 Cinderelik furrows her eyebrows faintly.
17 17 301 Cinderelik This isn't a part of the plan. 2
18 18 301 Cinderelik Report this to der Meister. Let him make the final decision. 2
19 19 301 Roland shrugs, neither agreeing or disagreeing.
20 20 301 Roland As you wish. 1
21 21 202 1 2 1
22 22 401 2 1515
23 23 301 Roland connects his comms link, and Vonnegut's image appears on his terminal.
28 28 301 Roland leans to one side, arms folded, and looks at Cinderelik leisurely as he awaits her to brief Vonnegut on the current situation.
29 29 301 Cinderelik ...My negligence resulted in the centrifuge arrays that provided "Mother" with nutrition being destroyed. 2
30 30 301 Cinderelik Without a constant supply of Punishing Virus, "Mother" has grown considerably weaker than before. 2
31 31 301 Cinderelik Without human interference, "Mother" would've completed the task by now. 2
32 32 301 Vonnegut Is that so? 1
33 33 301 Vonnegut doesn't show any sign of anger upon hearing the sudden change of events. He only raises his eyebrows out of interest.
34 34 301 Cinderelik I tried to repair the centrifuge arrays to ensure that the CPF can complete the final Punishing supply despite the low power. 2
35 35 301 Cinderelik Incubation has been postponed. Also... 2
36 36 301 Cinderelik Under incomplete conditions, the "things" in the "Mother's" body may have unpredictable defects. 2
37 37 301 Vonnegut No matter. You've done well. 1
38 38 301 Vonnegut You and "Mother" have completed your mission with flying colors. 1
39 39 301 Vonnegut And Roland, thank you for your efforts. I'll hold up my end of the bargain. 1
40 40 201 2 500367 1 450
41 41 301 1 Roland Thank you. 2
42 42 301 Vonnegut Babylonia has found the location of "Mother", and they've sent their Construct forces to investigate. Take all the research materials and evacuate as soon as possible. 1
43 43 201 2 500308 450
44 44 301 1 Cinderelik But... 2
45 45 301 Vonnegut I'm afraid that Gray Raven will be joining them. Are you confident you can win without any consumption? 1
46 46 301 Vonnegut We have more important matters to tend to. 1
47 47 301 Cinderelik I... 2
48 48 301 Cinderelik Understood. 2
49 49 301 Vonnegut Good girl. 1
50 50 301 Vonnegut As for your "Mother", don't worry. Her time will come. 1
51 51 301 Vonnegut Since the incubation of "Mother" will be delayed, it's better to have Babylonia's troops be "its" last guests. 1
52 52 301 Vonnegut Set the stage for the final act. Return to my side and witness it with me. 1
70 70 301 The Scavenger's consciousness ebbs and flows in the chaos. The pale and dangerous strange girl, the mysterious liar, the wailing from near to far, the pulsating bright red numbers, and the black and red light flickering in front of them...
71 71 301 Oh, right. He shut down the CPF's power to prevent the monsters from taking it over.
72 72 301 Even with the power shut down as much as he could, the monster could not be stopped from growing.
73 73 301 After losing most of the Punishing supply, "Mother" seems to have fallen into temporary chaos while hanging from the top of the tower. The scarlet umbilical cords swing wildly in the air. Some have even withered. After struggling for a moment, they become paralyzed and unable to move.
74 74 301 However, not only are the Hetero-Plants unable to move, having withered from the loss of nutrients, Zack was unable to move either.
75 75 301 Zack's body has decayed too far for him to even stand up.
76 76 301 He raises his hand. The festering has spread from his cuffs. Pus and blood soak the cloth wrapped around his hands.
77 77 301 Looking through the gap in his fingers, the Scavenger sees the shell off in the distance.
78 78 301 In the gap of the black shell, the clear outline of a shadow gradually emerges from the red interior.
79 79 301 A strange feeling rises in the Scavenger's mind. This kind of vision, which is as if there is nothing, sticks to his whole body. He feels something staring at him through the chaos.
84 84 301 Suddenly, it turns dark before him as if the bloody world is covered with a dense shadow.
85 85 301 Roland There you are.
86 86 301 Someone stands in front of the Scavenger. He opens his bloodshot eyes. The optic nerves suppressed by the virus make him unable to discern the figure in front of him.
87 87 301 Roland How pitiful...
88 88 301 His voice carries the sound of frivolous laughter as if the misery in front of him is something he was used to.
89 89 301 Roland Poor human. If only you were a Construct...
90 90 301 Roland I would've been able to save you.
91 91 301 Zack You... Rolmo...
92 92 301 Roland I'm surprised. I didn't think you would be able to tell who I am.
93 93 301 Roland Your friends have already left you.
94 94 301 Zack Really...?
95 95 301 The Scavenger puts his hand deep into the backpack and fumbles for quite some time. Finally, he pulls out a vial of serum.
96 96 301 Zack If you see them... give them this... Please...
97 97 301 Zack Cough... They're... running low on supplies...
98 98 301 Roland If I remember correctly, Kordes is in charge of carrying your group's medical supplies.
99 99 301 Zack Heh... This one I kept for myself... We all did... Just in case.
100 100 301 Zack So... If we're separated during an accident, we at least know the others will survive.
101 101 301 Zack I'm hopeless. They should've taken this while they had the chance.
102 102 301 Roland But I'm the villain who deceived you. What makes you think you can believe me?
103 103 301 Zack I saw you save them... I don't know why you did it... But you did...
104 104 301 Zack There's no hope for me... It's better for you to carry it than for it to rot with me.
105 105 301 Zack And I don't have a chance... to know what kind of person you really are.
106 106 301 Roland looks at Zack with a blank expression.
107 107 301 While searching for "new recruits," many Constructs had reached their hand out much in the same way in desperation to survive before being devoured by the virus.
108 108 301 Roland, the actor, had seen countless tragic plays, and Roland, the Ascendant, has experienced countless tragic realities.
109 109 301 This time, the human also reaches out with a strong desire to live, but he is asking him to save others instead.
110 110 301 Is this a trick to win pity? Or does the truth come out in one's dying breath?
111 111 301 Zack ...I just want everyone to live.
112 112 301 Zack I just wanted to get as much supplies as possible until we find a place where we can live—a place where Kordus can plant his blue hydrangea and watch them sprout into beautiful flowers.
113 113 301 Zack Maybe we could've found out the whereabouts of his daughter in that conservation area...
114 114 301 Zack We wouldn't have to wander around because of the virus and get into ridiculous disputes anymore...
115 115 301 Zack "Beardy" wouldn't have to... try and cheer us up anymore...
116 116 301 Tears spill out of his eyes as he trembles with pain.
117 117 301 Roland ...
118 118 301 The Scavenger's voice is so weak, it almost disappears among the roar of the tower.
119 119 301 Roland You mentioned that movie.
120 120 301 Roland Want to know how it ends?
121 121 301 Roland The brave knight reaches the top of the tower. He finds out that the place where the secret treasure should have been is empty, and the knight dies of despair. At least, that's how it should've ended. But the lead actor of the film didn't agree with the script.
122 122 301 Roland At that time, he was so naive that people laughed at him. He believed that people could achieve happiness on their own accord.
123 123 301 Roland He said that reality is bitter enough. Why film a tragedy that will only break the audience's heart?
124 124 301 Roland So he convinced the director to change the ending.
125 125 301 Roland Right as the knight is about to be engulfed by despair, the god sleeping in the tower finally wakes up. He witnesses the hope, struggle and despair of the knight, and realizes that there is such a powerful force in the hearts of humanity—whom he once viewed as weak.
126 126 301 Roland's voice is quiet and calm, like he is intimately familiar with this story.
127 127 301 Roland So the god gives humanity the kindling of hope and tells humanity that the disaster would one day pass.
128 128 301 Zack That's... a better ending...
129 129 301 Roland Isn't it ridiculous? He can't even control his own destiny, but he wants to change the fate of a fake character. What's the meaning of this?
130 130 301 Zack Meaning...
131 131 301 Zack Of course, I know it's fake... But I really liked... that he never gave up.
132 132 301 Zack Isn't that... the point of a movie?
133 133 301 Zack As long as someone performs a role and people watch it, the role... will live on in the hearts of the audience.
134 134 301 Zack As long as the feelings at that moment are real, what difference does it make if it's all an act?
135 135 301 Roland ...
136 136 301 Zack's entire body is gradually rotting due to the virus, but there's a faint smile in the corners of his mouth.
137 137 301 Right as his life is drawing to an end, he recalls the distant memories of what he had seen and heard during his journeys, casually chatting in front of weathered and broken posters, a movie hiding quietly in his backpack, and the afternoons he would watch them with his family.
149 149 301 Roland You're welcome. It's rare for someone to believe me for a change. What an interesting feeling. Usually, everyone believes my lies, but nobody wants to believe my truths. 1
150 150 301 Blood slowly overflows out of Zack's ears, and his organs are rapidly failing. He can no longer hear what the person in front of him is saying.
151 151 301 Roland ... 1
152 152 301 Roland Not to mention, consider this as the final gift for the "audience" who still remembers "me." 1
153 153 301 When Roland utters the last sentence, which is almost a murmur, the Scavenger hears nothing. With his hand still held out, he stops breathing.
154 154 301 A twisted and strange cry comes from all parts of the tower, like a nightmare that can never be woken up from. Roland looks up at the shell hanging from the top of the tower.
155 155 301 Roland ...You're still watching? 1
156 156 202 1 1
157 157 301 No one answers.
158 158 401 2 1543
159 159 301 Roland quietly drapes the Scavenger in his cloak, covering his body and his face full of regret.
165 165 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Keep moving... No matter what.
166 166 301 Kordes and "Beardy" support each other as they walk through the seemingly endless forest.
167 167 301 The CPF behind them has been completely occupied by the glowing red plants, becoming a giant tree pointing directly into the sky. The white signs that once guided them have been completely covered, and they can no longer distinguish the location of the CPF.
168 168 301 Something is quietly incubating in the CPF, waiting patiently to be delivered.
169 169 301 This CPF, which was once the hope of Scavengers for survival, has become an eternal nightmare in their hearts.
170 170 301 This CPF, which was once the hope of humanity for survival, has become a hotbed of human suffering.
171 171 301 The strange cries of humanoid monsters come from the jungle. They can even pick out Zack's voice from the rising and falling calls.
172 172 301 But now, Zack has become a permanent resident of the CPF. Those weird and deformed figures, with the voice of their sacrificed partner, squeezes indescribable screams from their throats and attack them.
173 173 301 They don't want Zack's expectations to go to waste.
174 174 301 But no matter how hard they try, this is as far as they can make it.
175 175 301 "Beardy" looks at Kordes, then takes out their last remaining grenade.
178 178 301 Something flies across the night sky and lands right in "Beardy's" hands.
179 179 301 It's a clear vial of serum.
180 180 301 ??? I didn't expect to see you two still alive. Looks like you've really opened my eyes.
181 181 401 2 1510
182 182 401 500 2 10006001
183 183 301 An approaching monster is obliterated by a shotgun blast, lassoed by Roland's chain blade and thrown deep into the forest.
184 184 201 1 500334 1
185 185 301 1 Roland But on the plus side, at least I get to fulfill a promise. If that didn't work out, I might have been a little disappointed in myself. 1
186 186 202 1 1
187 187 201 2 500140 -300
188 188 201 3 500139 300
189 189 301 1 "Beardy" It's you... 2
190 190 202 2 3 1
191 191 201 1 500334 1
192 192 301 1 Roland I don't think now's the best time to fight, amigo. 1
193 193 301 Roland I'm your savior, after all. 1
194 194 301 Roland Where are you off to? 1
195 195 202 1 1
196 196 201 2 500140 -300
197 197 201 3 500139 300
198 198 301 1 Kordes ...There's nowhere else for us to go. 3
199 199 301 Kordes covers his bleeding left hand. His backpack had been lost in the escape.
200 200 202 2 3 1
201 201 201 1 500334 1
202 202 301 1 Roland Of course, there is. You just need to put your mind to it. 1
203 203 202 1 1
204 204 301 Roland smiles and points to the sky.
205 205 301 As a thunderous roar approaches from afar, a few stars twinkle in the night sky.
206 206 301 No... Those aren't ordinary stars. They're transport crafts approaching the forest.
207 207 301 As if sensing the arrival of the uninvited guests, the giant trees behind them unleash a strange roar. The rustling and cries of the Hetero-Creatures can be heard all throughout the forest, just like a warning given by a giant animal when it exposes its fangs.
208 208 301 But those stars remain unfazed and continue firmly en route to the forest.
209 209 301 Like shooting stars.
210 210 201 2 500140 -300
211 211 201 3 500139 300
212 212 301 1 Kordes Those are... 3
213 213 301 "Beardy" Transport crafts from Babylonia? 2
214 214 202 2 3 1
215 215 201 1 500334 1
216 216 301 1 Roland You're right. 1
217 217 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Roland Now's the time to call for help. 1
222 222 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The wanderer walks on the desolate battlefield.
223 223 301 In front of him is a scorched land, filled with disfigured remains and broken weapons. The roar of gunfire or the cries of agony are long gone. Nothing but deranged silence lies here.
224 224 301 The source of the disaster was already gone. Burning trees toppled to the ground, and craters are filled with bubbling red liquid in its wake.
225 225 301 It is impossible to tell whether the liquid soaked in the scorched earth is bodily fluid from Hetero-Creatures or vital fluid from Constructs—or even blood from humans.
226 226 301 The wanderer stops in front of unidentified remains. Nearby, he picks up a vial of dirty serum.
227 227 301 Smoke looms in the night sky, refusing to disperse... Even the moon is obscured by the thick blanket, leaving only a faint silver glow.
228 228 301 Staring at the scene which can only be described as an illusion, Roland hears a mysterious voice in his M.I.N.D.
229 229 301 It's a distant and cold voice, but with a trace of imperceptible confusion.
230 230 301 What kind of world do you want to see?
231 231 301 DialogDisable Roland looks back again at the scorched earth he has long journeyed through.
