Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
In this afternoon at Babylonia, unexpectedly, no sunlight filters through the clouds in the artificial sky.
These are the most recent coordinates reported by Strike Hawk at the edge of the Clean Zone. This is where they transmitted data from before, indicating the boundary of the Hetero Zone's expansion, and here...
This is where the last terminal data was sent from the missing Construct squad.
The projection device displays shades of crimson intertwining on the aerial map, resembling numerous dreadful scars that appear to continuously tear at the land.
The nearby conservation area has already accommodated multiple groups of refugees, and they all originally resided in this vicinity...
A fluorescent marker highlights a large area between the Hetero Zone and the Clean Zone.
After the temporary withering of the globular forest at the center of the Hetero Zone, the Task Force spent a long time monitoring and clearing the edges of the Hetero Zone.
The consistent supply of Omega Weapons gave the impression that the Hetero Zone was under control, and the prospect of completely clearing the Hetero Zone no longer seemed like mere speculation.
Everything seemed to be moving in a better direction—
However, disasters often strike without warning. Overnight, the Red Tide lived up to its name, sweeping through two refugee settlements on the edge of the Hetero Zone, claiming the lives of all refugees there.
Babylonia promptly dispatched two active Construct squads from nearby conservation areas, but after investigation, they found nothing but soil corrupted by the Red Tide.
At the time, everyone thought it was just an accident, but now it seems...
They... those grotesque Hetero-Creatures are retreating.
Simply put, we cannot guarantee that the existence of the Clean Zone hasn't caused unexpected mutations.
Mutations... If all Hetero-Creatures exhibit group behavior...
...They could develop their own species or even civilizations.
After numerous skirmishes with humanity, their interest in playing appeared to have finally waned. The Red Tide, alongside the Hetero-Creatures, initiated a collaborative counterattack, nearly breaching the edges of the Clean Zone.
The concentration of the Punishing Virus has escalated in tandem with the advancement of the Hetero Zone and the Red Tide, surpassing the capacity of the Central Purification Filter. Consequently, humanity has endured the loss of several conservation areas near the Hetero Zone.
The squirrels have successfully built their own civilization, while the Red Tide has bred a new form of life—
Does Earth really still belong to humanity?
...The last Construct squad we dispatched has also been devoured by the Red Tide, so we need to confirm the speed and range of the Hetero Zone's expansion as soon as possible.
There's no time left.
Humanity is already out of time.
If the Red Tide continues to spread unchecked across the surface, humanity's final escape route will be sealed off.
And once the Hetero Zone completely encircles the Clean Zone, how are humans any different from birds trapped in a cage?
Multiple elite squads, capable of probing the periphery of the Hetero Zone, have been deployed simultaneously, all with a singular objective:
Identify the root cause of the changes in the Hetero Zone.
Preliminary calculations of the Red Tide's expansion speed and range are completed, Commandant.
The numbers and graphs displayed on the terminal have reached a terrifying peak.
Yes, they're part of a registered refugee group from a nearby conservation area.
According to the mission briefing, we should prioritize escorting them to a nearby safe location.
I've already informed Babylonia, and a designated squad is heading our way. Once the handover is done, we'll resume our original course.
...Lucille and Lucia are currently evaluating the casualties. Most of the rescued individuals have received basic treatment and serum injections.
While retreating, one of their vehicles experienced a breakdown. I really wish Lee were here with us...
Due to Babylonia's pressing need for the development of Punishing Virus purification devices, Lee, being the only one entirely immune to the virus, has been requested to stay and aid in research, thus unable to participate in this mission.
As the Hetero Zone continues to expand, Babylonia is hastily preparing to manufacture a second frame with the same specifications as Hyperreal, with the goal of creating another miracle.
Given these circumstances, Lee, who played a crucial role in activating the Hyperreal frame, should indeed remain in Babylonia to help with the research.
...Indeed. At this point, Lee staying at Babylonia would be more beneficial for everyone.
After a brief emotional moment, Liv resumes organizing the rescue supplies brought by Gray Raven.
Even though Gray Raven arrived as quickly as possible, you only managed to rescue a portion of the refugees in this settlement.
But to your surprise, during the operation, you encountered another team of humans who had arrived for the rescue.
A team composed entirely of humans.
Hi! You're the commandant of Gray Raven, right?
Hello! Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Lucille, the deputy leader of the "For a Better Tomorrow - Sunlight Shines on All - Battlefield Trauma Emergency Rescue Team"!
Hahaha, I came up with this group name myself!
It's the one I'm most proud of this past year! Although our leader always complains it's a bit long...
Anyway, we seriously owe you big time! Otherwise, our "For a Better Tomorrow - Sunlight Shines on All - Battlefield Trauma Emergency Rescue Team" wouldn't have been able to save so many folks... Elean?
A refugee rushing over interrupts her speech.
...Lucille, we've put together the list of casualties for our team.
Gemira and Garry encountered the Red Tide while gathering, and Garry went missing. Also... we couldn't find Tony, so we're marking him as missing for now.
She sniffles sadly.
Hey, perhaps Garry and Tony just took off in a different direction. We might bump into them at the next settlement.
Lucille comforts Elean by hugging her and gently patting her back.
Then... Have you got any news on Moore?
In a sudden moment of recollection, Elean gazes up with an expectant expression brimming with hope.
I'll ask around for you... Look, the people from Babylonia are here with us.
Lucille winks at you.
Guys, any clue where those Constructs that were patrolling the nearby conservation area have gone?
Th-there was a Construct with black hair named Moore. He was a member of the patrol team for the nearby conservation area...
After checking her terminal, Liv looks up.
Hmm... I'm not entirely sure who you're talking about, but after checking, that name isn't on the current casualty list.
Then why did he...
He must have been evacuated along with the conservation area staff.
As the Hetero Zone is expanding, many regular Constructs can't handle the current concentration of the Punishing Virus. There's a risk they could get corrupted and turn hostile, so... Babylonia has called back a batch of patrol teams from this area.
I see...
Elean lowers her head in disappointment.
Come on, that's good news, right? At least everyone is moving in a direction!
As long as all of us keep moving forward, we'll definitely meet again!
Elean, let's give the list to the Construct lady over there... Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. What's the name of that Construct lady?
She gestures toward Lucia, who is occupied with her task.
Alright, just give it to Lucia.
Let's check the quantities of the remaining supplies, protective masks, and serums. We gotta relocate fast.
The human woman named Lucille shows you a grateful smile before turning to the group of refugees.
I just reviewed the data with Lucia. Some of the rescued people have minor corruption that can be treated, but...
She shakes her head, her eyes tinged with sadness.
There are some whose corruption is too severe...
Not far away, the refugees seem to be gathering for a small ceremony.
They put together a few old items, wrap them with brightly colored waterproof fabric, and securely fasten them to a tree.
The elder in the group carves names one by one into the tree trunk. After the carving is finished, they stand around the tree, softly singing a brief, deep tune.
Sorry, this might take a couple of minutes.
At a certain moment, Lucille steps back from the group and stands beside you, explaining in a soft voice.
This is a tradition of our group. Just think of it as a funeral.
When someone is confirmed missing, we wrap their belongings in this colored waterproof fabric, inscribe their name, and tie them to a nearby tree.
If they're still alive and find their way back here, they can use the information left on the tree to locate our next stop.
If they don't find this place, or if they're truly gone...
The remaining supplies in the belongings might help someone else passing by survive for an extra day or two.
Honestly, we don't, but these... are all inheritances.
Our group has come so far by supporting each other. None of us... wants to take the inheritances of our missing members.
Our old leader once told us that someone managed to find their way back to us using these supplies.
What if... such a miracle happens to us, too?
Lucille, with a faint smile, looks at the naive child standing under the tree.
These trees, imbued with a special meaning, stand as both tombstones and symbols of hope.
Whether those who are missing truly lost their way or were consumed by the Red Tide, traces of their existence linger here.
The world is barren and marked with scars.
But there's always something that gives humanity the strength to push forward.
Rustle...
As viscous as silt that has stayed at the bottom of a pond over many years, the Red Tide chases and spreads across the Hetero Forest.
It's time...
Surrounded by clusters of deep purple flowers, she tenderly bows her head as though attuned to the gentlest whispers in the world.
So, this... is what he meant.
As long as the information is sufficient, this place makes the entire Earth.
Conflict is also a pattern.
They are born of the Red Tide, awakened in the Red Tide, and through it, they acquire a fresh consciousness.
A nascent civilization blooms amid withering life, weaving a crimson narrative.
Then, as per the agreement with him...
Let's set out.
She tenderly caresses the creature that has just opened its innocent eyes, her own subject.
Go forth, expand, and seize. Just like what other civilizations did when they developed.
Go absorb everything that can enrich us.
Go seek out a homeland where our civilization can take root and grow.
