Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
The red winds blow through the ruins as gloomy raindrops pursue the frantic steps of the refugees.
The pervasive Red Tide seems to always anticipate their next move, closing in on them, urgently pushing them onto an unknown path.
Exhausted and groaning in pain, they continue forward. As time passes, their supplies have gradually dwindled, and the energy of their vehicles is also running out.
...Perfect! This should work for now. At least we can keep all our vehicles running.
After reallocating the remaining energy, Lucille claps her hands in satisfaction.
Just to double-check... You really don't need any energy right now, do you?
Still uncertain, she turns her head toward the Constructs.
Thanks, but we really don't.
Alright! If you need anything, be sure to let me know. We still have a tiny bit of backup energy for emergencies.
Hehe, thanks to Mika, who kept reminding me to be frugal and not waste energy recklessly...
Seemingly unfazed by the situation, Lucille hums a tune as she walks toward the vehicles behind.
Have we confirmed our current location yet?
It's impossible...
We were able to roughly determine our location from that map, but after those frantic chases, we can barely tell north from south.
The only thing we know is that we're likely still within the Hetero Zone—nothing else.
Lucia, we found more items over there marked with Norman Mining Corp's emblem...
But they feel a bit different from what we found before...
Rather than "relics", they are more like "remains".
Half a mechanical arm that was torn apart by some unknown creature, an unidentifiable component with its original location unknown, and even... a mechanical skull.
Hidden beneath the slimy Red Tide muck, a small purple flower grows from the hollow eye socket of the metallic skull.
This is the structure of the first-generation Constructs.
Is this... a notebook?
The mechanical arm was holding a battered paper notebook tightly under it.
Most of the notebook is weathered and incomplete, with only a few pages still legible.
Are they Norman Mining Corp's... "Heralds"?
We are the doves returning with olive branches.
We are the adventurers paving the way to gold and glory.
We are the "Heralds" sent by Norman Mining Corp.
We will carry everyone's dreams and bring back the sparks of hope.
I am... Edward Norman.
(The previous writing is illegible)... This is our fifth day into Reactor City 1.
The situation is worse than my father anticipated.
The last expert in the team, Arthur, has died from a severe Punishing Virus infection. I've never seen such terrible ulceration...
I had no means to ease his suffering except to put him to eternal sleep.
Liam was also infected, and while he still had his wits, he shot himself in the head.
He said he didn't want to turn into one of those mindless Corrupted.
Is this really the right plan? Can Dominik... really "exist" in such an environment?
...
Day 8.
Team expert, Arthur, died from Punishing Virus infection.
Norman Mining Corp Security Captain, Liam, died by his own gun.
Norman Mining Corp Security Officer, Ahern. He is still by my side, but has become a Corrupted, showing extreme aggression.
(Illegible writing)... Father, perhaps we were all wrong.
Dominik would never... (Illegible writing).
...
(Illegible writing) This is all wrong, everything is.
I shouldn't be here. I should be in my study, my bedroom.
Leon, Christine, Victoria...
It's speaking... who is it...
Leon?! Don't come over, don't...
The rest is completely unreadable.
...
They paid such a price just to search for Dominik...
This is the structure of the first-generation Constructs.
Those supplies with the Norman Mining Corp emblem we saw before were likely also sent for their "Heralds".
I've archived the materials that could be of significance. What shall we do with the rest...
...Let's lay them to rest nearby just like what we did with Lucille's team.
Hey, Crowe.
What?
If one day I perish, find some fuel to cremate me. After that, bury me in the nearby soil, just like this.
...?
Don't let me... die alone in the Red Tide.
...It won't happen.
The Constructs carefully protect themselves and gather the remaining mechanical parts and limbs from the ground. They silently wrap the evidence of the Heralds' existence in a waterproof tarp, clearing the muddy Red Tide from the ground before burying the remains deep within the soil of Earth.
Everyone who has died in this world deserves to have their own name.
Edward, Arthur, Liam, Ahern...
Names are carved into the tree trunks, as refugees quietly gather, humming a somber song.
Among the Heralds' documents not yet corrupted by the Red Tide, there is a tattered map.
Using the map, Liv has temporarily confirmed their current location.
Our location... is quite close to Reactor 1. It's only about 260 to 300 kilometers away.
I found some of Dominik's notes among the documents. According to the Heralds' records, they probably obtained the notes from slightly further ahead.
Aren't they just the first-generation Constructs?
I checked the data recorded in the monitoring station at Reactor 1 after the Punishing Virus outbreak. Although the Punishing Virus concentration spiked on the day of the outbreak, once the reactor was shut down, the virus began to spread to the surrounding areas over time.
According to the timeline in the Heralds' notes, when they entered Reactor 1, the Punishing Virus inside was at a level that the first-generation Constructs could barely withstand for a while.
So... they managed to retrieve this.
Part of Dominik's notes regarding Reactor 1.
Did Norman Mining Corp send them down here to die just for these things...?
...
I've temporarily sealed these materials. Once communications are restored, I'll upload them directly to Babylonia.
Let's proceed in the direction I previously scouted. The Red Tide over there hasn't fully gathered yet.
Once we break through that Red Tide mire, we just need to travel a bit further to leave this Hetero Zone.
Hmm...
Our defensive gears are running low quickly. Lucille and the others have given their suits to the elderly and children, but that's not enough.
We've also run out of Construct medical supplies. It's my turn to scout ahead.
She looks worriedly at the battered scars on Lucia's frame.
Miss Liv... I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but... are you out of medical supplies?
Ah, it's just...
I still have a few serums... and these bandages. Please take them...
And these too...
Expired serum, protective suits with signs of wear, and some dirty bandages have piled up around the Constructs.
Despite being simple, these are already the best they can offer.
We can't take them. You worked so hard for them...
Miss Liv, you might not remember me, but I've always remembered you.
I remember you taking us to safety, treating our wounds, and...
The white frame unfurls its wings as the girl declares war on the endless night.
If it weren't for you... we would have perished back then.
Take them as a token of our appreciation. If you ever need anything, we'll help as much as we can.
With an exhausted and croaky voice, he gives a smile, puts down the dirty bandages, rubs his hands, and goes back to join the other refugees.
Is everything sorted? I mean, all the supplies—
Through the protective mask, Lucille's voice sounds muffled but still spirited.
—All done!
With Gemira and Elean chiming in, only a few scattered responses come from the refugee group.
Lucille does not seem to mind at all, her voice still full of cheer.
I've just checked with Lucia! Once we get past this forest, we will be out of this freaky place!
The Clean Zone is not far ahead!
Have you all thought about what you'll do in there?
I want some wheat juice! I'm sure they will have that in the Clean Zone!
I-I want to marry Moore!
I also want to marry Elean! Elean! Will you marry me?!
—I do!
Even with the protective mask, you could somehow sense the girl's blush and shyness.
The stagnant air has gradually become to flow again.
Me? Of course I want to compile and upload this Red Tide data. It's all very valuable.
If I can find the patterns of the Red Tide's formation, when I write my paper, I'll list all their names on the front page.
I-I have a dream too. I want to start a small farm. I've gathered many seeds...
You've been growing vegetables in serum tubes. I think that will make a great business! Think about it, serum tubes are everywhere now, and you can just pick them up outside.
If we plant the seeds inside, they won't just be for decoration; once they grow, we can add them to our dinner table!
Hey, the more we talk about it, the more it sounds like a good business. Let's do it together, shall we?
It does sound like a pretty good business...
Ha, you guys take your time discussing, we still have a long way to go!
Once you've all figured it out, we'll reach the Clean Zone!
The vehicle starts and growls, the two shoots in the serum tubes before the window sprouting and growing.
▄▆... ▆▁▃...
Hmm... it seems... I should use more formal language.
Wearing a green cloak, the girl stands in the center of the library. Dark purple flowers bloom at her feet.
An eight-legged Hetero-Creature gradually takes shape from the Red Tide in front of her.
Is this your wish? To become a... an octopus-cat with eight legs?
Hmm... Okay, that's good.
She bends down, listening to the whispers of the Hetero-Creature.
I see... Hmm, that would be a good profession.
This is what our city will be like...
The Red Tide gently congeals into the shape of a city, appearing before Cradle.
Go, follow your ideas, go on.
The Hetero-Creature nudges her feet and slowly crawls in the direction she indicated.
Is this the "civilization" you have envisioned?
Are you still able to connect with me through "her" eyes?
The girl smiles, closing the book in her hand.
Hmph.
Aha... Here it is.
Cradle picks up a half-abandoned terminal from the ground and raises the hologram.
Is there something you need my help with?
Nothing. I'm just here to check on your progress.
Who is that?
A few purple petals are moving rapidly along the Red Tide city's edge.
Those... are the "stories" I want to read the most.
They carry the light of hope and the stars of despair.
They are all excellent seeds, and I hope... they can be recorded by me.
The Red Tide needs more voices from those civilizations.
Being chosen by you... should I say they're lucky or unfortunate?
Civilizations need to evolve, what's there to be surprised about?
During the brief reign of mankind, countless civilizations have risen and fallen.
This pattern will only continue.
That's why I consider this a friendly invitation—to join us in embracing the arrival of a new civilization.
If you wish, we can also...
Psst.
The hologram fades away.
Hmm... that was a pity.
She lets out a quiet sigh.
Let's continue then...
As the Red Tide surges, another Hetero-Creature gradually takes shape.
What wish... do you have?
Together, we shall design the most idyllic homeland the human civilization has ever described.
