7 7 301 Caught off guard, the white Strike Hawk is lifted by the ominous black monster.
8 8 401 2 1510
9 9 301 But right then, his last bullet hits the monster's chest that is emitting faint blue light.
10 10 301 Only the crisp cracking can be heard as the Hetero-Creature's chest splinters.
11 11 301 Pieces of black hetero-polymers slide down like shards of glass.
12 12 301 Buried within the Hetero-Creature, a broken figure emerges from within.
13 13 302 That's...?! 14
14 14 301 It was a strange yet familiar figure. Where had you... seen her before?
15 15 301 At this time, Wanshi's previously languid eyes open wide as he stares at the Hetero-Creature in the middle of the lake.
16 16 201 1 500273 4
17 17 301 1 Wanshi ... 1
18 18 301 Wanshi It was her... all along... 1
19 19 301 Wanshi The Construct that went missing from the space station... This is what the Ascendants did to her... 1
20 20 301 Wanshi What a disgrace... 1
21 21 302 She's the Construct that went missing?! 22
22 22 301 Wanshi I came across her file while looking through the scout team's database, so I took note of it. I didn't expect that the next time I would see her would be here of all places... 1
23 23 301 Wanshi My mission as a scout is to gather, integrate, and report intel. 1
24 24 301 Wanshi Prior to the last battle against the Ascendants, each member of the scout team knew all of the intel on them by heart. 1
25 25 301 Wanshi We all know that an Ascendant by the name of Gabriel took a Construct from Babylonia. 1
26 26 301 Wanshi But as for what purpose or necessity this served, that has always remained a mystery. 1
27 27 301 Wanshi Now, the mystery is solved... 1
28 28 301 Wanshi There's a Hetero-Core fragment here. 1
29 29 301 Suffering a heavy blow, the Hetero-Creature remains kneeling by the shore of the Red Tide as Punishing Virus gathers in the air, about to repair its body.
30 30 204 1 8
31 31 301 Wanshi Is it all over? 1
32 32 301 Wanshi A monster like this won't go down without a fight. I'll buy you some time. Get outta here! 1
33 33 301 Wanshi ... 1
34 34 302 (Pick up node) 35
35 35 204 1 7
36 36 301 1 Wanshi ...Wait. What are you doing? 1
37 37 301 Wanshi What are you planning on doing with the domain node? 1
38 38 202 1 1
39 39 401 2 1515
40 40 301 Authorization complete.
41 41 301 Node activated.
42 42 301 Looking around, you barely make it to high ground and avoid being corrupted by the Punishing Virus.
43 43 301 Aside from where you stand, the Red Tide inundates the surrounding area and ravenous Hetero-Creatures occupy the area up ahead. You cannot find any secure place to deploy the node up until Babylonia receives the signal.
44 44 201 1 500273 4
45 45 301 1 Wanshi Give it to me. 1
46 46 301 Wanshi Hurry back. I dragged you into this mess... If you can't even make it back... 1
47 47 302 Not like I can get very far without you. 48
48 48 204 1
49 49 301 Wanshi ...My bad. 1
50 50 301 Not to mention all of the Hetero-Creatures... You are as good as dead without the protection of a Construct.
51 51 301 Wanshi God dammit... Why'd I have to go kick the hornet's nest after arriving on the surface... 1
52 52 301 Wanshi You aren't much better though... Always throwing your life away for complete strangers... 1
53 53 202 1 1
54 54 301 The Hetero-Creature in the middle of the lake seems to realize the crisis at hand.
55 55 301 As it roars and struggles, the monster drags its body toward you in preparation for another attack.
56 56 301 There's no time to avoid it...
57 57 301 Faced with potential death, your body rushes with adrenaline.
58 58 301 The faces of the people you have met along the way flash before your eyes.
59 59 301 All the questions that could not be answered at first were answered at this moment.
64 64 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Ayla For example... 1
65 65 301 Ayla What do you think of that blue planet? 1
66 66 202 1 1
67 67 301 —The equatorial radius is 6378.137 kilometers. It rotates from west to east and revolves around the sun. It is the third innermost planet of the solar system.
70 70 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Old Man We have nothing left. Our only driving force left is our attachment to this land. It's the only thing that supports our menial existence. 1
71 71 301 Old Man Our last wish is to forever rest within its embrace. 1
72 72 301 Old Man Standing here, we can look back on the glory of the past and see the tombstones of our old friends. 1
73 73 301 Old Man We were born here. We will die here. 1
74 74 202 1 1
75 75 301 —Humanity is bound to its homeland by the gravitational force known as love.
83 83 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Refugee Enough with the hypocrisy. Is this really in our best interest? Or do you just not want to see us die before your very eyes? 1
84 84 301 Refugee Look at you. Your conscience is just as repulsive as your actions. 1
85 85 301 Refugee Removing us from our homeland will make you sleep better at night, but it won't make our lives any better. 1
105 105 301 AniZhuanchangEnd ??? One day, we will reunite with our comrades on the surface. When that time comes, we will share in the marvelous things we have seen and rejoice in song.
106 106 301 AniZhuanchangBegin ??? Nothing is more romantic. Is it not?
129 129 301 Wanshi If you're injured, your team and my Captain will hold me accountable. 1
130 130 301 Wanshi But enough of that for now... 1
131 131 202 1 1
132 132 301 The strong sense of fear and helplessness causes your legs to go weak.
133 133 301 As if in a daze, you catch a glimpse of a broken heart like that of the broken figure buried within the monster's chest.
134 134 301 Her eyes are as empty as when you first saw her. Her exposed chest shines with uncharacteristic brightness as faint blue light shimmers beneath it.
135 135 301 The Hetero-Creature's chest is within reach.
136 136 301 The girl's remains, which you could only catch a glimpse of before, are now in full view.
137 137 301 The moment you see her face, your mind becomes clouded with confusion.
138 138 301 Could she still be alive like this? Is she dreaming?
139 139 301 Why else would she show such a look of pain?
140 140 301 Wanshi is still struggling in front of you. Now is not the time with such nonsense, but your train of thought begins to spiral out of control.
177 177 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 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
178 178 301 Ayla If you've been in direct contact with the Ascendants, have you seen the Ascendant who attacked me on the space station? 1
179 179 301 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
180 180 302 Who do you mean by "her"? 181
181 181 204 1 4
182 182 301 Ayla You've met her before on the space station. 1
183 183 301 Ayla She's my best friend. 1
184 184 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Ayla Her name is... 1
189 189 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The Hetero-Creature's blade is still stuck in Wanshi's shoulder. Wanshi holds it down firmly, giving the monster no chance to retract it.
190 190 301 Right at that moment, you react before you have time to process it.
191 191 302 (Rush forward holding the domain node) 192
192 192 401 2 1513
193 193 301 You manage to finally collect your scattered fragments of your memory.
209 209 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The voice of Ayla in your memory suddenly synchronizes with yours.
210 210 301 Blurting out the name causes the Hetero-Creature to stop in its tracks.
211 211 301 RImgBg1Shake It unleashes a sad and forlorn cry.
212 212 301 The girl in the center of its chest moves faintly.
213 213 301 Her lifeless eyes return focus.
214 214 301 At the same time, the Punishing Virus seems to repair the Hetero-Creature at a diminishing rate.
215 215 301 It is at that moment you understand that the solemn whale song and steel thorns that bind her were the last struggles of the girl within the Hetero-Creature.
216 216 301 Her voice module was already completely destroyed. Whenever she moves her lips, she is unable to produce any sound. So, she struggles to stretch out her disfigured hand from within the Hetero-Creature.
217 217 301 However, there are no need for words. The moment your eyes meet, you sense each other's true intention.
218 218 301 AniZhuanchangBegin All that is left for each of you to complete the final mission.
225 225 301 1 Lee Sounds like Mr. Strike Hawk has finally stopped acting all indolent. 2
226 226 301 Lee What's all the panic? 2
227 227 301 Wanshi Your commandant— 1
228 228 301 Lee Commandant? 2
229 229 301 Lee What's wrong with the commandant?! 2
230 230 301 Wanshi Relax, your commandant is fine. The protective device is critical, though. Still, we have enough serum. 1
231 231 301 Lee ...Sorry, I got a little out of hand. We don't have time to get into this right now. Commander Hans just activated the last bit domain node and Babylonia is approaching in orbit to begin the attack. Tell me you are evacuating with our commandant. 2
232 232 301 Wanshi Don't worry, we just escaped from the lion's den. 1
233 233 301 Lee Lion's den? Did you run into trouble? 2
234 234 301 Wanshi ... 1
235 235 301 Wanshi remains silent for a moment then continues.
236 236 301 Wanshi I'm not sure, but I think it was the source of the Red Tide. 1
237 237 301 Lee What makes you think that? 2
238 238 301 Wanshi The abnormally high Punishing concentration it had, the strong desire for self-preservation, and the behavior of the surrounding Hetero-Creature... 1
239 239 301 Wanshi It was like a "hive" similar to that on Earth. 1
240 240 301 Wanshi It's difficult to describe with words. I'll transmit my readings and statics to you now. 1
241 241 301 Lee Data received... Is this a Hetero-Creature? 2
242 242 301 Lee looks at the Hetero-Creature in the image and frowns.
243 243 301 Lee It's exactly what you said. Are you still collecting combat data? 2
244 244 301 Wanshi I'm a sniper. A sniper is the person responsible for observing the battlefield and collecting data. 1
245 245 301 Lee So what did you do? Don't tell me you found the source and just ran away... 2
246 246 301 Wanshi It wasn't me. It was your commandant. 1
247 247 301 Wanshi Your commandant stabbed the bit domain node into it right at the last second. 1
248 248 301 Lee The commandant did that?! 2
249 249 301 Wanshi Babylonia has established the coordinate system and is heading over us to prepare for the orbital strike. But now that the fourth bit domain node has been activated, there's still hope for redemption. 1
250 250 301 Wanshi If you catch my drift. 1
251 251 301 Lee nods solemnly.
252 252 301 Lee Understood. What's the situation with you and the commandant? 2
253 253 301 Wanshi Well, for me... There are problems everywhere, but my M.I.N.D. is still stable and corruption is below the threshold. I just need to take a load off. 1
254 254 301 Lee Now's not that time for that. Keep that in mind. 2
255 255 301 Wanshi Sheesh... I was just joking. 1
256 256 301 Lee I'm not laughing. Once you bring the commandant back safely, then you can crack jokes. 2
257 257 301 Wanshi Got it. 1
258 258 301 Lee ...Are you still able to escort the commandant? 2
259 259 301 Wanshi Pff... I'm more than capable of protecting a human. 1
260 260 301 Lee Understood. I'll prepare the camp. Repair your frame when you get back. 2
261 261 301 Lee Also... Thank you for protecting our commandant. 2
262 262 301 Wanshi You should thank your commandant for the data you're looking at right now. 1
263 263 301 Wanshi Your commandant risked death in order to acquire data that's satisfactory for both sides. 1
264 264 301 Wanshi If the Chief Commander can be persuaded to inform Babylonia to launch a precision strike, all of our problems will be solved. 1
265 265 301 Wanshi This is your mission. Don't let your commandant's efforts go to waste. 1
266 266 301 Lee Understood. 2
267 267 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Lee Liv, it's urgent. I need you to run calculations and generate a model. 2
272 272 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Lee Chief Commander Hans. 1
273 273 203 1 0.25 -450
274 274 201 2 500286 450
275 275 301 1 Hans What is it this time, Gray Ravens. 2
276 276 301 Hans Babylonia is about to reach us in orbit. We'll receive orders to retreat in less than half an hour. 2
277 277 301 Lee We just received news that our commandant is returning to camp. 1
278 278 301 Hans I don't care about any news regarding that fugitive. Tell your commandant not to do anything stupid. 【kuroname】 still has time to make it back through the flank and evacuate in time. 2
279 279 301 Lee Our commandant knows what to do, which is why we are here again. 1
280 280 301 Lee The commandant encountered a massive Hetero-Creature during the operation. The Strike Hawk Construct collected a large amount of relevant data during the battle. 1
281 281 301 Lee Based on the data, Liv from our team modeled the evolution of the Red Tide. 1
282 282 301 Hans ...Go on. 2
283 283 401 2 1515
284 284 301 Lee activates the terminal and projects the hologram for Hans to see.
285 285 301 Lee This is a gradient map of the Punishing Virus compiled by the Strike Hawk while exploring the source of the Red Tide. 1
286 286 301 Lee As you can see, the Punishing concentration of the Red Tide increases along with the depth... This area is at its peak. 1
287 287 301 Lee points to the last picture sent by Wanshi. It is a lake composed of sanguine Red Tide located in the center of the hologram.
288 288 301 And to the image of the ominous black Hetero-Creature.
289 289 301 After just a glance, Hans nods.
290 290 301 Hans I see. Turn it off. 2
291 291 301 Lee nods and replaces the hologram with the original data model.
292 292 301 Lee Also, this is a flow map of the Red Tide. 1
293 293 301 Lee The core cluster is situated in the center of the flow map. Here, the Red Tide increases flow outward and spreads just like... a heart pumping blood throughout the entire body. 1
294 294 301 Lee Finally, this is a statistical model on the behavior pattern of Hetero-Creature in the core region. We've established that the Red Tide spreads when the Hetero-Creature makes that noise. 1
295 295 301 Hans Get to the point. 2
296 296 301 Lee The Red Tide has a source, and this Hetero-Creature is the culprit for spreading the Red Tide. 1
297 297 301 Lee By eliminating it, we can finally put an end to the Red Tide and solve all of our problems. 1
298 298 301 Lee The commandant took the most logical course of action by jamming the last bit domain node into the Hetero-Creature... 1
299 299 301 Lee Babylonia will be overhead soon. I'll apply for a revision to the attack plan, thereby focusing the Longinus Arsenal on the bit domain node deployed by the commandant. 1
300 300 301 Hans What makes you think this will put a stop to the Red Tide? 2
301 301 301 Lee suddenly lowers his voice.
302 302 301 Lee I'm not sure. But Chief Commander, you have higher authority. You should be aware of the CTO's speculations regarding the Red Tide's origin. 1
303 303 301 Lee —It's a vestige of the Hetero-Core. According to the records of our operations against the Hetero-Core on the space station, it's impossible to destroy such an entity with wide-scale strike. 1
304 304 301 Lee What I present to you is only objective facts and data. A wide-scale strike was never an insurance plan to start with. 1
305 305 301 Lee Combining various factors, such as atmospheric thickness, scattering rate, Babylonia's firepower, and Punishing Virus activity... 1
306 306 301 Lee The Longinus Arsenal may look impressive, but we can't ensure that it will be a success. The blast will be dispersed over too great of an area, thereby reducing the strength of the laser's power. 1
307 307 301 Lee But if we launch a precision strike, it's like stabbing a needle directly into the enemy's heart to stop it from beating. After that, all we have to do is deal with the body. 1
308 308 204 2 3
309 309 301 Hans ... 2
310 310 301 Hans ... 2
311 311 301 Lee As you said before, Chief Commander Hans, now is not the time to hesitate. 1
312 312 301 Lee Time is of the essence. Please make a decision, Chief Commander Hans. 1
313 313 204 2
314 314 301 Hans turns his head.
315 315 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Hans Connect me to Babylonia. 2
320 320 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Hans Contact HQ and transfer me to President Hassen. 1
321 323 301 Celica Transfer complete, Commander Hans.
322 321 203 1 0.25 450
323 324 201 2 500011 -450
324 325 301 1 Hassen How's it going on the ground, Hans? 2
325 326 301 Hans Change in plans. The Gray Raven Commandant broke protocol and discovered a large Hetero-Creature similar to the one we encountered in the ruins of 075. 1
326 327 301 Hans The data we received from the commandant indicates that the nature of the creature is similar to that of a Polyphage. 1
327 328 301 Hans Judging from the flowing Punishing energy, this Hetero-Creature is likely to be the source of the Red Tide. 1
328 329 301 Hans The Gray Raven Commandant planted the last bit domain node into the Hetero-Creature. I've applied to change from a wide-scale attack to a precision strike to focus all our attack power on the Hetero-Creature, thereby ensuring the elimination of the Red Tide. 1
335 332 301 1 Nikola ...Hans, you have overstepped authority as Chief Commander. 2
336 333 301 Nikola Babylonia is in charge of formulating a battle plan, not you. 2
337 334 301 Nikola Once a plan has been finalized, you are only responsible for executing it. 2
338 335 301 Hans Understood, Commander. 1
339 336 201 3 500011
340 502 203 1 0.25 600
341 503 203 2 0.25 -600
342 337 301 1 Hassen The Science Council has concluded that a wide-scale attack is our best option. We can't guarantee that it will completely eliminate the Red Tide, but that's the safest strategy. 3
343 338 301 Hans Mr. President, the Science Council didn't have our current data when formulating this plan. 1
344 339 301 Hans I think it's time to make a reasonable contingency plan based on the new data. 1
345 340 301 Hans The battlefield is unpredictable. I am just making the best judgment based on our current situation. 1
346 342 301 Nikola You don't have any ulterior motives? 2
347 343 301 Hans ... 1
348 345 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Hassen Transmit the data. I'll have Asimov analyze it now. 3
358 356 301 1 Hassen Asimov, this is data sent by troops on the front line. What do you think? 1
359 357 301 Asimov appears on the comm link half-asleep. After squinting at the data for some time, he suddenly perks up.
360 358 301 Asimov Interesting. Very interesting... Looks like the fourth bit domain node is key to all of this. 2
361 359 301 Hassen You think so? The troops on the front line have requested to switch from a wide-scale attack to a precision strike on the fourth bit domain node. 1
362 360 301 Asimov On a case by case basis, their judgment is reasonable based on the model they transmitted back. 2
363 361 301 Asimov I first speculated that the Hetero-Core fragment in the Polyphage was the origin of the Red Tide. 2
364 362 301 Asimov I just couldn't understand why the Red Tide continued to spread after the Polyphage disappeared. 2
365 363 301 Asimov Turns out it found a new source of power. 2
366 364 301 Asimov This data sure is interesting... 2
367 365 301 Hassen Asimov, this is not the time to indulge in research. 1
368 366 301 Asimov Pardon me, Mr. President. 2
369 367 301 Hassen Is it feasible to change the plan on such short notice? 1
370 368 301 Asimov Objectively speaking, little is known about the Red Tide. Whether we launch a wide-scale area attack or a precision strike, it's a gamble either way. 2
371 369 301 Asimov We just came to the conclusion that a wide-scale attack was our safest course of action. 2
372 370 301 Hassen ...A gamble, you say? Understood. 1
387 383 301 Hassen Request granted. When Babylonia passes over head, we will launch a precision strike with the Longinus Arsenal on the bit domain node deployed by the Gray Ravens once we have finished calibrating the coordinates. 1
388 384 301 Hans I'll relay the orders to all of the Constructs under my command immediately. 2
389 385 301 Hassen I'm not finished, Hans. 1
390 386 301 Hassen After the first attack, we will wait for 20 minutes to observe the effect. If it is ineffective in stemming the Red Tide, we will launch a second attack. However, this time it will wipe out the area indiscriminately with a wide-scale attack. 1
391 387 301 Hassen Two consecutive attacks will consume 90% of Babylonia's energy supply, compromising Babylonia's anti-air defenses. 1
392 388 301 Hassen You know what this means, but I think it's worth it. As you said before, the people on the surface are our comrades. 1
393 389 301 Hassen You not only need to relay the updated battle plan, but also issue a retreat. Lead your calibration team to safety. 1
394 390 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Hans Understood. 2
