Story Reader / Main Story / 23 Wintry Shackles / Story
In a lab located at the bottom level of Fort Winter.
Seeing the data on the glaring screen, Godwin is finally unable to control his rage. He punches his desk.
(Professor's mood seems to be getting worse recently...)
Seeing Godwin's outburst, the frightened researchers cannot help but waver.
You need to rest, Professor.
Rest? How can I rest at this point in time?
Godwin gets emotional again. He waves his hands, as if he wants to grab something vague and distant.
The data obtained from Empyrea and Stigmata is a precious key.
The opportunity to take control of the Ascension-Network is right in front of me. How can I pause it now?
But the M.I.N.D. stability of the "vessel" is near its limit. On top of that, we just received an earthquake warning from the logistics department. We need to halt the experiment until the earthquake is over.
An earthquake? When did that happen?
Professor... You really need a break.
Use the next set of model parameters. Continue the experiment.
The assistant still wanted to say something, but he only let out a sigh.
Understood.
As the participants receive their orders, Godwin continues to stare at the screen in front.
He is fully concentrated. Over time, he has ignored the trembling ground beneath his feet...
Another earthquake? Protect the experiment terminal!
Completely ignorant of the noises nearby...
Are you out of your mind? Guards! Guards... Gargh!
He ignored the splash of blood on his face...
He forgot the senses of pain, smell, or touch...
He only sees a slow-flowing green data stream. The data that could not be understood without in-depth analysis is now simple and clear like a children's picture book.
The access terminal is already powered off. Godwin suddenly grabs it and lets out a frenzied laugh.
Haha, I did it! I finally did it! Ahem...
Blood comes out of his eyes and nose. It flows into his mouth along the wrinkles, causing a violent cough.
Cough... Hurry! Record the data now!
Godwin finally stops coughing and shouts out loud, but the dead bodies in the lab apparently cannot respond to his request. However, he does not seem to be bothered.
Instead, he just points at a black figure that broke into the lab before he could notice, furiously reprimanding it.
What are you doing? Stop wasting time!
...
A thick, pungent smell comes out when the last gate is opened.
Dried blood, toppled desks and chairs, smashed terminals...
The devastating scene is well preserved as cleaning robots are not allowed into such a top-secret lab.
Ugh...
Lucia had made every effort to avoid direct contact during the earlier battle, but she was inevitably exposed to the virus from the vast number of Corrupted.
Under normal circumstances, such a level of exposure would not even require a connection from the commandant's Mind Beacon.
But right now, this slightest amount of Punishing Virus has become a spark that detonates the bomb, raising her infection to an incredible level.
The once insignificant ripples have turned into an overwhelming tsunami, threatening to devour Lucia's consciousness.
(I must not...)
Alpha is still able to move freely, but the burning pain in her left hand and the ear-splitting screech she keeps hearing are reminding her that time is running out.
You turn on the device.
Alpha takes Lucia to the switch, and then quickly walks to the room behind the observation window.
What's this?
The inside of the room leaves Alpha in a daze. Connected to the device is not a Construct, but a skeleton highly corrupted by the Punishing Virus.
The skeleton is chained to a chair, with multiple visible fractures on the wrists and chest. They must have gone through a lot of struggle before death.
This must be the connection device Luna mentioned. Will it take me to the Ascension-Network...?
A human skeleton... They had lost all patience...
Alpha tries to move the skeleton aside, but the moment she touches it, the bones disintegrate and collapse to the ground.
...
With no time to hesitate, Alpha puts the device on herself and nods at Lucia.
When the button is pressed, Alpha's consciousness is pulled into a vortex.
