127 127 301 DialogEnable His eyes open in the infinite darkness. Gasping for air, Noan is hit by the excruciating pain in his chest, and he groans in agony.
128 128 201 1 500225 -50
129 129 301 1 ?? Hey! Doc! He's awake! 1
130 130 401 2 1513
131 131 203 1 0.25 -400 -50
132 132 201 2 500249 400
133 133 301 1 Base Doctor Lucky bastard. 2
134 134 202 2 1
135 135 201 2 500511 16 400
136 136 301 1 Noan Am I alive? 2
137 137 204 1 1
138 138 301 ?? You bet. I saved you. 1
139 139 301 ?? You wouldn't believe your fortune. The rope on you wrapped around a pillar after it snapped, cushioning your fall before you landed on a pile of snow. 1
140 140 301 ?? And your toy firefly somehow blocked the shot to your chest... 1
141 141 301 ?? You still broke a few ribs from the impact, though. Including your other injuries, you're probably spending the next three months in this hospital bed. 1
142 142 301 Noan ...Why did you save me? 2
143 143 204 1
144 144 301 ?? The royals were partially responsible for the risk you took. 1
145 145 301 ?? Leader wanted me to apologize to you on her behalf. She's not able to help you openly for now, and she couldn't bring any change to the lower level all these years despite her wish. 1
146 146 301 Noan ... 2
147 147 301 ?? The person who started a fire shouldn't die in the cold. This is the least she can do for you. 1
148 148 204 1 1
149 149 301 ?? I've paid for everything here. Rest up, get better, and wait for our good news. 1
150 150 301 Noan Good news? 2
151 151 301 ?? Leader said she wouldn't let everyone's sacrifice be in vain. 1
152 152 301 Noan What will that do...? They're all... 2
153 153 204 1
154 154 301 ?? There was this line from an old poem. Have you heard of it? "Earth, the travelers' tavern; lament, the travelers' song." 1
155 155 301 ?? This is how I understand it: everything in this world comes to an end eventually. It's pointless to expect something at the end of your journey. The journey is the point. 1
156 156 301 ?? It's up to you what you find in yours. 1
157 157 301 Noan ... 2
158 158 301 ?? Oh. One more thing. 1
159 159 301 The young Construct leans down and whispers in Noan's ears.
160 160 301 ?? I was in a hurry when I came down to save you. Ashlar might figure out that you're still alive. 1
161 161 301 ?? I told the people in this base that you're just some random, innocent stranger lying on the road, and I offered some hush money to make sure the news doesn't get out. Still, watch out for yourself. 1
162 162 301 ?? I've got to head back to Leader now. I'll see you when I see you. 1
163 163 301 Noan ...See you. 2
164 164 301 Noan waves goodbye feebly before falling asleep and dreaming again.
236 236 301 After he realizes that he is the only person who dies in this dream, he starts to feel blissful about his torture and death in his nightmare.
237 237 301 Even a dream of thorns is better than the real world. The line between dream and reality starts to blur in the twilight hours.
244 244 301 He has no idea how long this cycle of waking and dreaming has lasted.
245 245 301 Having lost everything, he seeks the slightest hint of warmth in his dreams while allowing his body to be trapped in an extended slumber.
246 246 301 Only when he hears a baby crying inside a distant ward and visitors filling the space with the scent of food and sweat does Noan feels a warmness in the air.
247 247 301 The doctor chuckles while placing a blossoming flower by Noan's bed. That is when Noan realizes he has wasted a lot of time waiting and withering.
248 248 301 How is the train?
249 249 301 How long until the "good news" the young Construct mentioned?
250 250 301 He manages to sit on the hospital bed despite his condition and calls faintly for the staff member from the base who is passing by.
251 251 201 1 500511 16
252 252 301 1 Noan Excuse me... Is there news about Asslam recently? 1
253 253 203 1 0.25 -400
254 254 201 2 500138 400
255 255 301 1 Base Staff 1 You mean news about the incident? 2
256 256 301 Noan Yes. 1
257 257 301 Base Staff 1 The official story was that it was a man-made disaster. 2
258 258 301 Noan ... 1
259 259 301 Base Staff 1 The Cargo Crew was discontent with the upper level's management and planned a riot. 2
260 260 301 Base Staff 1 A mole leaked the Cargo Crew's plan and forced their hand, so they had to blow up the train and caused the whole thing. 2
261 261 301 Noan ...That's the official story? 1
262 262 301 Base Staff 1 Yeah. 2
263 263 301 Base Staff 1 I heard the name of the mole was Assad. He stayed around their Chief Captain for over a decade to avenge his parents. 2
264 264 301 Base Staff 1 Guy picked quite the moment to leak their plan and took down the whole Cargo Crew with him. 2
265 265 202 1 1
266 266 201 1 500460 -400
267 267 301 1 Base Staff 2 You got it wrong—the mole's name was Noan. They didn't disclose it publicly, but I heard it from a guy on the Cargo Crew yesterday, so don't blame the wrong guy. 1
268 268 202 1 1
269 269 201 1 500511 16 -400
270 270 301 1 Noan ... 1
271 271 301 Base Staff 1 The Cargo Crew just started recruiting not too long ago. With that many new people in their ranks, I doubt everything you heard from them is accurate. 2
272 272 202 2 1
273 273 201 2 500138 400
274 274 301 1 Base Staff 3 Who cares what the mole is called? What happened to him? 2
275 275 202 2 1
276 276 201 2 500460 400
277 277 301 1 Base Staff 2 Some said he was dead, and some said he lived. If you've heard anything, you can even trade the information for supplies with the guards who're coming. 2
278 278 202 1 2 1
279 279 201 1 500511 16
280 280 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Giggling among themselves, the staff members walk away, leaving Noan alone. He wraps his light blanket around himself, mustering any warmth he can gather as he shivers.
336 336 301 DialogEnable 1 Noan ...This is just a dream. 1
337 337 203 1 0.25 400
338 338 201 2 500249 -400
339 339 301 1 Base Doctor Why are you still fiddling with the wound above your eye? 2
340 340 301 Noan ... 1
341 341 301 Base Doctor It's almost been a year, and your wound still hasn't fully healed. You have to stop picking that scab, or you'll blind yourself eventually. 2
342 342 301 Noan ...It's been a year already? 1
343 343 301 Base Doctor Yeah. 2
344 344 301 Base Doctor I think you should see a psychiatrist. You can't keep checking if you're awake this way every time. Something's gonna go wrong eventually. 2
345 345 301 Noan ...I'm sorry. 1
346 346 301 Noan Is there a reason... you came here today? 1
347 347 301 Base Doctor Oh. Recruitment asked me to talk to you since we know each other. 2
348 348 301 Base Doctor You've been here for almost a year. 2
349 349 301 She emphasizes again.
350 350 301 Base Doctor What's your plan? You can't keep doing odd jobs here and there. 2
351 351 301 Noan ... 1
352 352 301 The money from the young Construct allowed Noan to recover in the base for half a year.
353 353 301 After his wounds healed, Noan started performing random chores for the base like a Bumblebee.
354 354 301 He looked after the greenhouse, cleaned the streets, fixed the roofs, and even traveled beyond the base to scavenge for useful parts from broken machines.
355 355 301 As long as the job did not demand precision and skill, Noan would complete it on time, no matter how foul the work was.
362 362 301 1 Base Staff 1 Don't you think that kid is weird? When did he show up? 1
363 363 301 Base Staff 2 I don't remember either. He's one of the doctor's patients, I think. Started helping out after he recovered. 2
364 364 301 Base Staff 1 Helping out? "Sure." The kid does most of the chores for nothing but rations, so guess what happened to Old John? He got rejected again! He's going to die out there if he can't find a base with work he can do! 1
365 365 301 Base Staff 2 What can you do about it? The boss likes the kid and says he does four people's worth of work on his lonesome. Recruitment can't hire more people even if they want to. 2
366 366 202 1
367 367 201 1 500138 -400
368 368 301 1 Base Staff 3 What do you expect? I wouldn't hire some old man if I could have a hardworking young lad working for me! 1
369 369 202 1
370 370 201 1 500139 -400
371 371 301 1 Base Staff 1 Isn't the Cargo Crew recruiting as well? Kid could have tried to work on the train even if he didn't have any professional skills. 1
372 372 301 Base Staff 2 Maybe escorting cargo is too dangerous for his taste? 2
380 380 301 1 Base Doctor We have some positions available for full-time employment, but those are all senior roles. 1
381 381 301 Base Doctor You're too young to be working these odd jobs... like those desperate elderly folks. You've got choices. 1
382 382 301 Noan ... 2
383 383 301 Base Doctor Sigh. That Construct back then just said he ran into you on his way when the train didn't have a place for more wounded, but he never said anything about what would happen afterward. Is it possible for you to return? 1
384 384 301 Noan ... 2
385 385 301 Base Doctor I'm not trying to kick you out... I'm just wondering if you have better plans. Of course, you can stay here if you don't. 1
386 386 301 Noan I know... Thank you, Doc. 2
387 387 301 Base Doctor Have you thought about where to go? 1
388 388 301 Noan I have. I'll be leaving tomorrow. 2
389 389 301 Base Doctor ...That quickly? You're not pushing yourself too hard or doing it out of spite, are you? 1
390 390 301 Noan I'm not. Don't worry. 2
391 391 301 Base Doctor In that case, don't forget to get your pay for the last six months at recruitment tomorrow. At least get some food for the road. 1
392 392 301 Base Doctor And stop picking your scab no matter where you go, you hear me? 1
411 411 301 Then, one day, as the winter snow melts again and the weather gets warmer, Noan runs into a familiar figure in an empty alleyway unexpectedly.
412 412 203 1 0.25 -400
413 413 201 2 500003 400
414 414 301 1 Bella Bethe So you're still alive, huh? 2
415 415 301 Noan ...? 1
416 416 301 Bella Bethe Don't you remember? This is the second time we've met. 2
417 417 301 Noan ... 1
418 418 301 Bella Bethe It's been too long. I heard about what happened on the train. Foiled by a mole, huh? Didn't see that coming. 2
419 419 301 Bella Bethe I suppose losing was inevitable when you guys were forced to fight before you were prepared. 2
420 420 301 Bella Bethe I think Ashlar is still searching for the survivor core members. Judging from the way you look, I guess you aren't going back anytime soon, are you? 2
421 421 301 Noan ... 1
422 422 301 He cannot go back, indeed.
423 423 301 Noan What about you? Why aren't you at the base, Bethe— 1
424 424 301 Bella Bethe Don't call me that! 2
425 425 301 There is immediately a scowl on her face.
426 426 301 Bella Bethe That old bastard...! Bethe lied to me about being my grandfather all these years! 2
427 427 301 Noan Mr. Bethe isn't your grandfather...? But you two did look similar... 1
428 428 301 Bella Bethe Shut up! I have nothing to do with Bethe anymore—I never should have. Don't call me by that name again. 2
429 429 301 Noan ...Bella... what happened? 1
430 430 301 Bella I don't want to talk about it. Either way, I can't go back now, and that base doesn't concern me anymore. 2
431 431 301 Noan Where are you going, then? 1
432 432 301 Bella I'm going to find my mother... I just found out that she's still alive. She escaped the old bastard when I was very young, so I don't know where she is right now. 2
433 433 301 Bella What about you? Where are you heading? 2
434 434 301 Noan City 074. 1
435 435 301 Bella On foot? You're properly mad, aren't you? How long will that take? 2
436 436 301 Noan One or two years, I suppose. 1
437 437 301 Bella You... Forget it. Not that there's something better to do. 2
438 438 301 Bella Do you want to go together? I'm only searching for my mother on the way, after all. Safety in numbers and all that. 2
439 439 301 Noan ... 1
440 440 301 Bella Oh, right. I never asked your name. 2
441 441 301 Noan You were doing business with the Cargo Crew, and you don't know my name? 1
442 442 301 Bella They only ever called you "Captain", " Four-Eyes", "Googly", or "Rachel's boy." 2
443 443 301 Noan ...When did anyone call me "Googly"? 1
444 444 301 Bella How could I remember what you were called when there were so many people and nicknames in the Cargo Crew? 2
445 445 301 Bella The only thing I remember is the names of the "culprits" from the "official" report: Assad, Barbra, Noan, and Rachel herself. Is one of those names yours? 2
446 446 301 Noan ... 1
447 447 301 Noan I don't have a name. 1
448 448 301 Bella Even the cannon folders in games have a name like "Slime" or something. Why wouldn't you have a name? 2
449 449 301 Noan You can call me Slime, then. 1
450 450 301 Bella People only throw their names away when they want to forget their past. Are you one of these people? 2
451 451 301 Bella sighs, realizing that she is also talking about herself.
452 452 301 Bella You shouldn't forget it. Even if what happened on the train took away everything, you shouldn't let go of the memories of them. 2
460 460 301 1 Mom I know they've been calling you a monster, Noan, but a monster doesn't have to be horrifying or doomed. You might not be able to get rid of that label, but still... 1
461 461 301 Mom I hope you grow up to be just like "Shrek" and live happily ever after. 1
469 469 301 1 Shrek What about... Shrek? My mom used to call me Shrek. 1
470 470 301 Bella Sure. 2
471 471 301 Bella can tell he is hiding something, but she does not press any further. She also has her own secrets she wants to keep hidden.
472 472 301 Bella Right... I've got something I need your help with. 2
473 473 301 One of them has buried his past and future underneath one horrible winter, now an empty shell and a walking dead; the other has furiously hidden the shame of being lied to for 24 years, unwilling to let it be brought up.
474 474 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Two people and their secrets begin their journey to City 074.
482 482 301 Shrek Don't you think you've gone too far? 1
483 483 301 On the 25th day after they started traveling together, the apathetic soul realizes he may still be able to feel anger.
484 484 301 Bella What? 2
485 485 301 Shrek I'm trying to arrive at City 074, not spending the last 25 days drawing a portrait of your mom from your memories. 1
486 486 301 Bella I need to find her, but I don't have a photo of her. Getting you to draw a picture of her sounds like a solid plan to me. And you owed me one, remember? 2
487 487 301 Shrek I haven't practiced drawing since I joined the Cargo Crew. There's no way I can satisfy your unreasonable demands. 1
488 488 301 Bella I'm just asking you to raise her eyebrows. 2
489 489 301 Shrek You asked me to move them lower five minutes ago. 1
490 490 301 Bella Can't you make them a little bit higher while you make them a bit lower? Why is it so hard for you to understand what I'm describing? 2
491 491 301 Shrek ... 1
492 492 301 Noan takes a deep breath before adjusting the eyebrows with his pen once again.
493 493 301 Shrek How about now? 1
494 494 301 Bella It... still doesn't feel right. Forget the brows for now. Can you make her eyes look a little to the left and a little to the right? 2
495 495 301 Shrek ? 1
496 496 301 Bella I remember that her hair was gentle and bountiful like ripened grapevines. 2
497 497 301 Shrek ? 1
498 498 301 Bella And her gaze was shimmering like ripples on a lake. 2
499 499 301 Shrek ... 1
500 500 301 Noan takes another deep breath.
501 501 301 Shrek ...Who told you I could draw? 1
502 502 301 Bella Rachel. 2
503 503 301 Shrek Have you considered that she might be joking, and I have no idea how to even hold a pen? 1
504 504 301 Bella That's not possible. She had a drawing you made when you were young in her bag. 2
505 505 301 Shrek And... where did you learn to describe a face this way? 1
506 506 301 Bella waves the book in her hand. It is a collection of essays about the author's reflections on life, and the first chapter is filled with passages that depict the beauty of the female lead character.
507 507 301 "Her eyes were like apples kissed by gunpowder, reflecting the dusk that the abandoned swan missed..."
508 508 301 "The solitude captured inside Mona Lisa's frame painted the colors of her fingertips..."
509 509 301 Noan slams the book shut and politely returns it to Bella.
510 510 301 Shrek I think my mom was right about compromising on things you're powerless to do. 1
511 511 301 Shrek I've decided to give up on drawing starting today. I will not fantasize about making a living out of it anymore. 1
512 512 301 Bella Are you always this agonized when you create? Or is it just because you haven't practiced enough? 2
513 513 301 Shrek I am always like this. 1
514 514 301 Bella But you still owe me one, and Rachel said she wanted you to keep drawing after you left the Cargo Crew, didn't she? I'm giving you the tools to fulfill your dreams! 2
515 515 301 Shrek ... 1
516 516 301 Bella Keep practicing. Hard work beats talent any day! I'm sure you can do it. So— 2
522 522 301 DialogEnable 1 It takes Noan 50 days before he finally completes the first picture Bella is happy with.
523 523 301 Bella I told you you can do it. 2
524 524 301 Shrek We would've gotten here sooner if you had said "a wider gap between the eyes" and "naturally curly hair" instead of "make her eyes look to the left and right" and "her hair was like ripened grapevines." 1
525 525 301 Bella What's wrong with that? I find your inner life much richer than before, unlike the walking dead that you were when I first ran into you. 2
526 526 301 Shrek ...You did a good job reviving me by making me roll over in my grave. 1
527 527 301 He puts down his pen and stretches his sore fingers.
528 528 301 Bella Stop complaining. Keep an open mind! Let's go! 2
529 529 301 Bella waves her hand with great panache, making her way toward the place they agreed upon 50 days ago.
530 530 301 Shrek ... 1
531 531 401 1 119
532 532 301 Once a journey begins, time becomes a whirlwind passing by.
537 537 301 The two of them join the Scavengers, searching for supplies and information with their skills while helping each other on the way.
538 538 301 The painful memories from their past have been neatly tucked away within them, becoming secrets they never speak of. Not that they speak with each other often—they only talk when absolutely necessary.
542 542 301 They only start chatting again when the next winter comes, and they start talking about books they have read.
543 543 301 One of them loves manga, while the other loves self-help books, so their interests barely overlap. Still, they only start talking because of books.
547 547 301 Time passes, and the teenager Bella thought was awaiting his "growth spurt" has grown to the size of a young man. Only one thing has not changed—his nightmares still haunt him, and he will not stop picking his scab.
548 548 201 1 500262
549 549 301 1 To keep his wound from getting infected, Bella has found a pair of windproof goggles with corrective lenses to replace Noan's shattered glasses. She chuckles when she sees him trying to scratch through the goggles.
550 550 203 1 0.25 -400
551 551 201 2 500003 400
552 552 301 1 Bella Have you seen those cone-shaped collars people put on their pets to keep them from licking their injuries? 2
553 553 301 Shrek Do your self-help books teach you how not to sound like a jerk? 1
554 554 301 Bella means well, but Noan has since started to avoid sleeping after losing his way to separate dreams from reality. He is afraid of losing himself once again in his old dreams.
555 555 301 Worried, Noan often sits all night by himself until the sun rises. Lacking sleep, he starts struggling with their journey during the day after a while.
556 556 301 After seeing Noan pass out once during their travel, Bella has to start making sure he sleeps.
557 557 301 Bella I wasn't expecting to be a mother this young. Can't you take better care of yourself? 2
558 558 301 Shrek ...You're free to let me be. 1
559 559 301 Bella Look, I'm not as good as an ex-Cargo Cargo Captain when it comes to handling troubles on the road, alright? Do you know how much harder it is for me to survive if you drop dead now? 2
560 560 301 Noan does not want to worry her, but he still struggles to sleep normally, so he ends up learning to pretend to snore.
561 561 202 1 2 1
562 562 301 He can only confront the long night peacefully if Bella is calmly asleep.
563 563 301 The tiring journey continues for a long time. They come across many ruins during countless sunsets, searching for the signs of life in dark, empty alleyways.
567 567 301 When the fireflies take flight in the forest on a summer night, Noan remembers an old melody he has repressed deep inside.
568 568 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Only then does he learn to use his mechanical firefly to anchor himself to reality, and he finally finds respite from this prolonged torment.
