13 13 301 Her friend's complaint has caught Bianca's attention. She looks at the female in front of her. As chilling raindrops fall on her arm, her vision and other senses are slowly restored. She realizes Chiko is pulling her as they both are running in the rain.
14 14 202 1 1
15 15 201 1 500128 -400
16 16 201 2 500498 400
17 17 301 1 Bianca Yes. 1
18 18 204 2 4
19 19 301 Chiko Also, the ending of that movie was so terrible. 2
20 20 301 Bianca Really? I kinda like it. "If laws are no longer in force, I shall punish the evil in the name of God. But will such killing violate God's heavenly laws...?" 1
23 23 301 Chiko It was just a movie. Why did it have to make the audience question the meaning of morals and ethics in the end? If the director couldn't find an answer himself, he shouldn't throw the question to us. 2
24 24 204 1 1
25 25 301 Bianca True... According to that ending, we are probably the first to be punished by the heavenly laws. 1
26 26 204 2 1
27 27 301 Chiko Hah, you are still talking like this... 2
35 35 301 The two have stopped in front of the train station. The rail splits into two ways.
36 36 201 1 500498 1
37 37 301 1 Chiko This era is so absurd that it forces us to kill our most important ones with our own hands. The world needs us, so the rest of humans won't have to suffer what we go through. 1
38 38 301 Chiko lets out a familiar, carefree smile.
39 39 301 When did Bianca hear these words...? Was it also raining on that day?
58 58 301 The train has arrived with a sharp squeal, but a war has broken out deep in Bianca's eyes.
59 59 301 The peaceful scene is no more. Bianca finds herself holding her bow, standing on the battlefield full of smoke and corpses. A foul, rotten smell has occupied her nasal sensor.
60 60 401 2 2624
61 61 301 The grey sky continues to drizzle. Human blood and Construct vital fluid have formed a small puddle at her feet. The sound of raindrops hitting the water resonates like her heartbeat.
62 62 201 1 500267
63 63 301 1 In front of her is a deformed Construct with a face similar to Chiko's. She is almost consumed in flames that represent the infection of the Punishing Virus.
64 64 301 The infected Construct twists in agony like a tormented soul walking out of the flames of sin. She has completely turned into a monster, still stumbling toward Bianca.
87 87 301 1 Construct Who Looks Like Chiko No... S-sis... 1
88 88 301 Construct Who Looks Like Chiko Help... me... 1
89 89 502 PanelActor1Shake
90 90 301 Construct Who Looks Like Chiko Ughhhhh! 1
91 91 402 2624
92 92 202 1 1
93 93 201 1 500395 -800
94 94 201 2 500019 -400
95 95 201 3 500006 -50
96 96 201 4 500406 400
97 97 201 5 500028 800
98 98 301 1 More Corrupted and deserters have walked out of the crimson rain, mumbling words of begging or insult. The voice of these executed lives has ultimately merged and turned into a grievous scream that is repeated over and over again.
109 109 301 1 Crowd Live... We want to live...!! 1 2 3 4 5
110 110 202 1 2 3 4 5 1
111 111 201 1 500548
112 112 301 1 Chiko Sorry... My sister. 1
113 113 301 Bianca hears Chiko's whisper. Her friend wraps her arms around her from behind and takes her hand, putting a blood-stained gun in her palm. Chiko's arm rests next to hers. She points the gun at the deceased.
123 123 301 1 Chiko ...My frailty and hesitation caused irreparable sacrifice and tragedy. To amend my mistake, I had to kill more people who were important. 1
158 158 301 The blade slices through the air, splashing some liquid on Bianca's cheek. It is not blood, but a murky fluid with a strong, pungent odor of machine oil.
171 171 301 1 A member of the Purifying Force lies before Bianca. She feels like she has returned to that snowfield many years ago, when she killed the Father. White mist has blurred her vision, chilling wind blows her breath away.
172 172 301 She puts down the gun, taking heavy, deep breaths. Through the snow storm she can see many corpses nearby. Some of them belong to Corrupted, some belong to her comrades who were killed before they were completely infected by the Punishing Virus.
173 173 301 Chiko My family, friends and comrades... I have been walking over their dead bodies.
174 174 301 Bianca <//CHIKO> gazes down at the bodies on the snow.
175 175 301 Chiko When I first heard about Bianca's story, I was actually thinking... If only I could be as cruel as you when I faced a similar situation.
176 176 201 1 500006 -100
177 177 203 1 0.25
178 178 301 1 The "body" on the snow staggers to its feet and raises its head, with its face constantly changing. Some faces come from Bianca's memory, some from Chiko's.
196 196 301 Chiko Before I realized, I had already stepped on a journey of no return. No matter which side I chose, I would fail the other; I could only continue forward carefully with a guilty feeling.
197 197 301 Chiko But this guilt was too heavy for me to carry, for emotions could rule over rational judgment. Ever since that, I chose the easiest way to live: I treated everything with zero emotion to maximize the result. Without humanity, life no longer felt "painful."
198 198 301 Warm liquid continues to roll down her face. Bianca <//CHIKO> touches it and realizes it is not blood, but a transparent fluid. It has been too long since she had a human body. She has almost forgotten the feeling of tears.
202 202 301 Another Purifying Force member is questioning.
203 203 201 1 500019
204 204 301 1 Purifying Force Member Do you think such a thing exists in such a world? If you still hold such a naive thought as the captain of the Purifying Force, you are only going to make others believe that the battles are worth fighting. Having such unnecessary morals will only make them die in vain. 1
205 205 301 Bianca It's true that many have died on the battlefield. But wars are still fought by humans, and there are always some values we must uphold. Without bottom lines, the cruelty of wars will only continue to increase.
206 206 301 Purifying Force Member You are trying to find goodness in hell. It will never change the nature of war! 1
207 207 301 Bianca The world is composed of multiple distinct dimensions of values. Different dimensions cannot simply replace one another.
208 208 301 Bianca When human society is in chaos, the importance of many values becomes even more significant.
209 209 301 Purifying Force Member If only your theories can stop the war. 1
210 210 202 1
211 211 401 2 971
212 212 502 RImgBg1Shake
213 213 301 The tone of the soldier is no longer filled with anger, but rather exhaustion. He casts one last glance at Bianca. Instead of continuing the argument, he just slams the door and leaves.
214 214 201 1 500498
215 215 301 1 Chiko What about you, Bianca? Do you also think I'll make a better leader of the Purifying Force? 1
216 216 301 Chiko shows up on a bench in the Purifying Force's lounge. She quietly looks at Bianca.
217 217 301 Bianca Everyone acknowledges your strength and your decisive style.
218 218 301 Chiko They just admire the strong. But my strength came from the fact that I was willing to sacrifice everything. 1
219 219 301 Chiko Killing is evil. Each time I made a decision to kill, darkness haunted me. 1
220 220 301 Chiko But you'll never see yourself as innocent. You won't conveniently blame the Punishing Virus or the wrongdoings in this world. 1
221 221 301 Chiko You understand your sins very well. Knowing that you are on a way to hell, you still can't help to respond to the voices asking for help. 1
222 222 301 Chiko After you respond to them, you can still execute them when you know they are beyond redemption, and carry on with this guilt. 1
225 225 301 Chiko Is this what they said in the movie? "We are all alerted about the evil ones. But there is another evil that we must beware. It is the indifference of the kind-hearted." 1
226 226 204 1 1
227 227 301 Chiko Bianca, your rare, precious mind will never be corrupted by the outside world... That's what I envy most about, for I myself am always indifferent. 1
228 228 301 The train has arrived at the station. Chiko gently tides up the hair near Bianca's ears.
229 229 301 Chiko Sorry for saying so much. I couldn't help it. 1
230 230 301 Bianca Chiko...
231 231 204 1 1
232 232 301 Chiko Still, it's nice to talk to you like this in the end. 1
233 233 301 Bianca looks back into Chiko's eyes and sees her own silhouette. The original look of this frame is actually the "Witch" side of her.
234 234 301 There are more emotions in Chiko's eyes that Bianca finds somewhat familiar. She saw them on that snowfield many years ago.
265 265 301 Chiko didn't say anything else. She stepped on the unnamed train and waved goodbye to Bianca... Just like a friend saying "See you tomorrow."
266 266 301 It is just another ordinary day. After missions, the always-serious Chiko would return to the Purifying Force's lounge and smile to Bianca.
267 267 301 AniZhuanchangBegin ...They will then have a simple chat in the lounge. Occasionally, they would watch a movie in the Golden Age together during their vacation.
273 273 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Bianca wakes up from the dream of farewell. The deviation of her M.I.N.D. has temporarily stabilized.
274 274 301 She opens her eyes and realizes the restart process of her frame has completed. She finds herself in an undamaged corner of the aquarium, with some Red Tide remaining around.
275 275 301 There is still some warmth left on her cheek. Next to her is a pair of earrings that once belonged to Chiko, telling her that "she" has been here.
276 276 301 Bianca ...
277 277 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Bianca has no time for anything else. She quickly holds the Phantom Tracer up, trying to look for traces of the past.
280 280 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The petite girl silently gazes at the Hetero-Humanoid curled up amidst the Red Tide. This terrifying creature was significantly wounded during the tragic battle it fought with Liv.
281 281 301 Now only the female Hetero-Creature is barely surviving. It is immersed in the Red Tide like a fetus floating in the amniotic fluid.
282 282 201 1 500308
283 283 301 1 Cinderelik Only the remains of the Hetero-Humanoid were retrieved. Even after the Red Tide had repaired them, there is only an empty shell left. 1
284 284 201 1 500513
285 285 301 1 Lithos But that's okay... It's enough as an experiment subject. 1
286 286 301 Lithos If this project can work... Many who are unable to become Constructs can still embrace a more complete rebirth. 1
287 287 301 Lithos So will your mother, Cinderelik. 1
288 288 201 1 500308
289 289 301 1 Cinderelik ...Thank you, Lithos. 1
290 290 201 1 500513 2
291 291 301 1 Lithos Come now, Grace. 1
292 292 202 1 1
293 293 201 1 500541 -600
294 294 201 2 500513 1 400
295 295 301 1 Grace ...Is this it...? 1
296 296 301 Lithos Correct. If you want to get rid of that body incompatible with Constructs to live a new life... You should merge yourself with her. 2
297 297 301 Grace But will I still be myself? 1
298 298 301 Lithos Of course. I promise. 2
299 299 301 Grace ...You promise? 1
300 300 301 Grace No. You're lying! 1
301 301 204 2 2
302 302 301 Lithos ...Do you think you have another option? 2
303 303 301 Lithos You're exhausted, Grace. 2
304 304 301 Lithos The never-ending escape. The Red Tide and Corrupted... You fear death, yet you don't know when it will arrive. 2
305 305 301 Lithos You are willing to believe in anything just to survive... Be it God, or the weapon in your hand. Isn't that right? 2
306 306 301 Lithos You lied to many people and made them come here. You knew it well long ago. 2
307 307 301 Grace I...! 1
308 308 301 Lithos If you can revive in her body, your words, divination and identity will all be verified. You no longer need to fear the Punishing Virus either. Isn't that good? 2
309 309 204 1 8
310 310 301 Grace ... 1
311 311 301 Lithos Come, Grace. This is an obstacle you must overcome to bid farewell to your long-lasting fear. 2
318 318 301 RImgBg1Shake Just when Grace takes a step toward her ending, the closed door is slammed open.
319 319 401 1 156
320 320 201 1 500028
321 321 301 1 Delapoer An Ascendant...! And a human?! 1
322 322 202 1 1
323 323 401 2 1504
324 324 301 More Purifying Force soldiers swarm in and surround the two. Holding their weapons, they are all alerted and dare not go any closer.
325 325 201 1 500541 5
326 326 301 1 Grace ...What are you doing?? 1
327 327 201 1 500028
328 328 301 1 Delapoer Out of the way! Do you want to get killed by this Ascendant?! 1
329 329 201 1 500541 5
330 330 301 1 Grace But she said... 1
331 331 201 1 500498 4
332 332 301 1 Chiko That's Lithos the Swindler... Are you really going to trust his words?! 1
333 333 301 Chiko Run, while you are still alive! 1
334 334 201 1 500513
335 335 301 1 Lithos ... 1
336 336 301 Lithos remains calm. He turns to the fully armed Purifying Force soldiers.
337 337 201 1 500498 4
338 338 301 1 Chiko This is the Hetero-Humanoid... So you brought it here. Are you trying to run another dirty experiment with it? 1
339 339 301 Chiko sneers with a furrowed brow. She exchanges a look with Norris, the latter immediately understands her instruction.
340 340 301 —Kill Lithos and eliminate all possible means for the Hetero-Humanoid to revive.
341 341 201 1 500513 2
342 342 301 1 Lithos Dirty... experiment? 1
343 343 202 1
344 344 201 1 500514 2
345 345 301 1 Chiko's words seem to have touched on a forbidden topic. Lithos rises to his feet from the execution chair, and everyone can feel his invisible rage. The ground underneath begins to tremble, as if some sort of waves are surging toward them.
346 346 301 Lithos Compared with what those people did... I'm far from being dirty, or a "Swindler". 1
347 347 301 Lithos Yet, you are taking their side and fighting to protect them. 1
348 348 201 1 500498 4
349 349 301 1 Chiko What are you talking about? 1
350 350 201 1 500514 2
351 351 301 1 Lithos Kugawa Kurono... 1
352 352 201 1 500308
353 353 301 1 Cinderelik ... 1
354 354 201 1 500514 2
355 355 301 1 Lithos Daedalus...? 1
356 356 201 1 500498 4
357 357 301 1 Chiko ...! 1
358 358 201 1 500514 1
359 359 301 1 Lithos Don't worry. I have no interest in fighting for revenge. 1
360 360 204 1 2
361 361 301 Lithos However... Since you described this project as "dirty," I shall make you experience this dirty in person, although it's not even half as horrible as what they did. 1
362 362 201 1 500498 4
363 363 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Chiko Prepare for battle! 1
367 367 301 AniZhuanchangEnd —The battle has ended. Most Purifying Force soldiers have been devoured by the Hetero-Creatures that came from the deep sea, leaving no remains.
368 368 301 Chiko Enough... Kill me now if you want to.
369 369 301 Chiko was seriously wounded in the battle. Strangled by a fish-like Hetero-Creature, she ceases struggling but gives Lithos a cold stare without any fear.
370 370 301 Chiko You aren't waiting for me to beg for mercy, are you? I know Ascendants all have their weird hobbies.
371 371 201 1 500513 2
372 372 301 1 Lithos ...I don't have any of the weird hobbies you mentioned. 1
373 373 301 Lithos I hate to see you suffer, even if you are my enemy. 1
374 374 301 Lithos Come, I'll give you a new life right now. 1
375 375 301 Chiko What are you doing...?!
376 376 301 Lithos Don't be scared... It will be a happy dream. 1
377 377 301 Despite finally revealing a glimpse of emotional vulnerability, Chiko fails to elicit even a hint of sympathy from the Ascendant. Perhaps Lithos believes what he is doing is already an action of sympathy.
378 378 203 1 0.25 -80
379 379 301 Lithos That human has fled. You shall help me complete this experiment. 1
380 380 301 He manipulates Chiko, pressing her against the fetus-like humanoid.
381 381 203 1 0.25 -120
382 382 301 Lithos Now, pray. If this project succeeds, your life will be carried by a higher life form. 1
394 394 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The flashback comes to an abrupt stop, freezing at the moment that Chiko melts into a Hetero-Humanoid.
395 395 301 What was the look on her face? Was she in fear, or determined as always? Or... perhaps she was a little unwilling to go?
396 396 201 1 500498 1
397 397 205 1 0.5 0.5 0
398 398 301 1 Chiko? ... 1
399 399 301 Bianca does not know. The illusion of Chiko has been rewound to the moment Bianca first stepped in, staring at her in silence. 1
400 400 301 Finally figured out everything, Bianca knows this place is where Chiko was lost, also where the Hetero-Humanoid—now with Chiko's mind inside—saved her. 1
401 401 205 1 0.5 0 3
402 402 301 She hugs Chiko's illusion. It disappears in her arms, as if it has been waiting for this very moment all along. 1
403 403 202 3000 1 1
404 404 301 Behind the illusion is a large glass wall of the aquarium. Bianca sees her own reflection in it. The Punishing Virus has eroded and peeled off the coating of Stigmata, revealing another look of her: a witch holding a Swordstaff.
409 409 301 1 Bianca But considering that a familiar appearance can help stabilize the M.I.N.D., we made this coating in response to the short production time of the frame... 1
414 414 301 Bianca rubs the hair around her ears. The first time she met Chiko, she also helped her to do the same. "Now you finally look like the captain of the Purifying Force," she said.
415 415 301 Bianca ties up her long hair and puts on the earrings Chiko left her. She wipes out the blood stain around her mouth, cleans her coating, then waves goodbye to where Chiko's illusion was standing.
416 416 401 1 36
417 417 201 1 500532 14
418 418 301 1 Bianca My existence has never changed. That's why I still cannot laugh at you... Sorry, Chiko. 1
449 449 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Bianca But I will accept the changes within myself... 1 1
450 450 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin When Bianca opens her eyes again, there is only resolution in them. She has accepted everything of herself, and revived in the darkness as a "Witch". She picks up the weapon born in the darkness and leaves the aquarium that is about to collapse, heading toward the light on the ocean's surface.
