Story Reader / Main Story / 30 Stars Ensnared / Story
At long last, Luna slowly opens her eyes.
Moonlight cascades over her form, painting silver edges around the crimson stains.
People rush to gather around the two, bombarding them with questions about the situation.
Yet she continues to gaze up at the silent sky, only stirring from her deep reverie when all sounds fade to nothing.
Now... I stand beside no one's will. My convictions and emotions belong to me alone.
I simply yearn for a tangible future, using this desire to call forth those who would follow me.
My answer to this question has never changed—I envision a future where all those dear to me are safe and sound.
If shaping such a future means making adjustments to this world, if it requires me to bear more... then, as you said, I'll take it as the "price of fortune" and carry it through to the end.
The Ascension-Network is not set in stone. One day, it will advance and initiate a new round of Filtering... My wish has long since become something far beyond what I can achieve on my own.
Now that I've reclaimed my power, I shall use it to declare war against the rules themselves.
As long as they don't come after me.
With a smile, Luna lowers her gaze from the moonlit sky.
Well, looks like everything's wrapped up nice and peaceful.
...Are we heading to the Inver-Hetero Tower in the Clean Zone next?
Correct. I must find Selene who fell into the tower to recover all my agent privileges.
Of course.
Vonnegut's information has confirmed my theory.
The tower itself was built on the premise that "the Punishing Virus can be controlled," so it won't stand in the way of the agents.
Agent Zero and Selene were able to enter the tower... I believe this is the reason why.
I have no objections.
Miss Luna, it's wonderful to see you've successfully found yourself again.
I got those papers delivered for Mister. I'm heading to the Clean Zone next, so this is goodbye.
Should everything proceed smoothly, I shall arrange another visit to continue our previous discussion.
Fine.
Let's go.
The group treks through the rugged, corrupted forest for about half an hour.
Alpha, leading the group, comes to an abrupt stop. The team instantly falls into silence, everyone's hands tightening around their weapons as they cautiously survey the surroundings.
A gentle breeze stirs the purple leaves... but nothing happens.
Alpha remains silent, hand gripping the katana at her back. Her stern gaze sweeps slowly across their surroundings—she's sensed something, but can't quite place what it is.
...It's too quiet.
Standing at the front with Alpha, Lucia silently draws her blade.
...It is too quiet. On your way here, the path had been riddled with disruptions from Hetero-Creatures. Yet now, on the way back, there hasn't been a single obstacle—not even a glimpse of a Hetero-Creature.
Lee readies his high-power sniper rifle, chambers a round, and signals you with a cautionary glance.
No signs of Hetero-Creature activity detected...
It's so quiet, almost unnatural.
The purple soil writhes.
Thunder and ice crack in unison as crossing blades cleave through the ground. Viscous liquid splatters everywhere, followed by agonized howls.
They're down below!
The false calm is torn apart, ripping away its mask of deception. The earth trembles, dirt flies, and the once-quiet forest erupts like boiling water in an instant.
Mounds of earth rise up ahead as Hetero-Creatures burst forth one after another.
Monsters of all shapes and sizes are piled together in a chaotic mass, their numbers impossible to count—perhaps dozens, maybe even hundreds. They roar at the sky, their crimson eyes glinting with savage fury, and then, one after another, they charge relentlessly in your direction.
Tsk...
It's obvious to everyone that this is a premeditated trap. Had the group noticed it any later and taken just a few more steps forward, you would have walked straight into the ambush of Hetero-Creatures lying in wait underground.
Clearly, this strategy is beyond what Hetero-Creatures could devise on their own.
Controlling Hetero-Creatures... Is this Cradle's contingency plan? Or Vonnegut's doing?
How troublesome.
Luna steps to the front of the group, taking her place beside Alpha and Lucia.
She reaches behind for her chakram. The ring-shaped weapon spins as its razor-sharp edges gleam with an icy radiance.
Alpha sheathes her kodachi and grips the handle of her odachi. One by one, indicator lights flicker to life along the scabbard as electricity coils around the blade, accompanied by low rumbles of thunder as she slowly draws the sword.
Lucia attaches the ice thruster to her left arm, and a burst of frost rapidly chills the air. Moisture condenses into shimmering ice crystals, glittering in the sunlight.
As the wave of creatures crashes into them, the Hetero-Creatures at the front instantly freeze, shatter, or burn to cinders—
While chaos reigns at the front, smaller Hetero-Creatures slip through the gaps and charge toward the rear formation.
The lead Hetero-Wolf snarls, its jaw dripping with blood—only for a gun barrel to thrust into its maw. A flash of fire erupts, shattering its skull.
Hm, hm...
Humming a playful tune, Roland pulls back his left hand and swings his chain blade upward with his right, slicing cleanly through the second Hetero-Wolf's neck in one swift motion.
Bang—Bang—
On the other flank, Lee drops to one knee and raises his high-powered rifle. In rapid succession, he fires multiple rounds that merge into a single thunderous report. The smaller Hetero-Creatures fall before they can even react, each shot finding its mark with lethal precision.
Boom—
Rargh—!
The ground trembles as more Hetero-Creatures emerge from all directions.
We can't keep getting bogged down like this!
Their exposed position in the open leaves them vulnerable to attacks from all sides.
Yet rushing through recklessly isn't an option—one wrong step into a trap could spell disaster.
We need to secure a defensible position first, establish contact with Babylonia for backup, and identify an escape route.
Scanning the area, Lee spots a narrow mountain pass to the front right. Its confined entrance would funnel the Hetero-Creatures, negating their numerical advantage.
Mm-hmm.
Lee notices Roland also eyeing the mountain pass. Roland spins around with his usual flair, giving an exaggerated nod—his theatrical gesture speaking volumes: clearly they're thinking the same thing about their escape route.
Lee pays no attention to Roland's antics.
Commandant!
Lee's gaze and the direction he points make it clear.
After repelling the approaching Hetero-Creatures with her Levi-Gun, Liv gives you a nod.
Understood!
Lamia follows suit, her Halberd Blade at the ready.
W-wait for me!
As the group rushes toward the mountain pass, you contact Lucia through your terminal.
Despite Lucia, Luna, and Alpha having dealt with more than half of the Hetero-Creatures, their overall numbers show little sign of decreasing. It's clear the enemy has an endless stream of reinforcements.
Don't get bogged down.
Lucia uses her thruster to create a massive wall of ice, temporarily blocking the advancing Hetero-Creatures as she and the others fall back to the group's position.
The advantageous terrain helps contain the Hetero-Creatures' assault, giving everyone a moment to catch their breath.
Liv, Roland, and Lamia hold off the incoming Hetero-Creatures while Lee sets up long-range communications. Meanwhile, Alpha and Lucia take the chance to recover.
Luna soars into the sky, working to suppress the Punishing's interference with communications while keeping a close watch on the overall movements of the Hetero-Creatures.
...
The rush of wind announces an arrival beside her.
Using her thruster, Lucia rises to Luna's altitude.
This is...
After seeing the full scope of the Hetero-Creatures, Lucia understands why Luna's expression has grown so grave.
At the edge of their visual range, a living tide surges forth.
A colossal horde of countless Hetero-Creatures surges forward. The entire Hetero Forest, disregarding the cost to its own ecosystem, relentlessly siphons its stored Punishing power to spawn grotesque, misshapen beasts. This unstoppable tide of monstrosities creeps closer, threatening to engulf everything in its wake.
...
As Luna surveys the surging horde, she senses something more: every Hetero-Creature, even as they charge forward, has its head raised skyward. Countless eyes, all fixed upon a single target—her.
I see what it is.
Lucia turns to Luna, their eyes meet, and Luna gives a slight nod.
They descend to ground level to brief the others about the advancing Hetero-Creature horde.
Hetero-Creatures aren't particularly dangerous. They lack true intelligence and have no concept of teamwork. No matter how many there are, with the right tactics, they can always be eliminated.
...Unless someone's commanding them.
Commanded or not, fighting here is pointless anyway.
Exactly. Our next objective isn't here, so there's no need to waste too much time on these Hetero-Creatures.
Luna turns to her allies, her gaze a silent question.
Split up and regroup near the Clean Zone.
If we stay together, the Hetero-Creatures will mass as one and block our retreat path.
What's wrong? Worried about what we might do once we're out of your sight?
Luna shakes her head in agreement.
Copy that!
As Gray Raven departs, Luna remains motionless, her downcast gaze betraying deep thoughts.
Um... Miss Luna, what should we do now?
We'll circle around and lose them.
These Hetero-Creatures are after me.
...
Are you sure this will be alright?
First of all, we don't need to confront them directly. We just need to shake them off.
Second...
The single wing on Luna's back slowly unfolds as the Punishing concentration in the surroundings rapidly rises.
With Gray Raven gone, we no longer need to hold back.
Roland.
The route is all planned out. I guarantee these little pups chasing us will be running in circles.
Though later on, I might need Miss Luna to provide some vital fluid, or should I say, a little "scent."
Okay.
All Hetero-Creatures outside have been eliminated.
Let's get going.
Following the route displayed on the terminal, you skirt around the dangerous horde Lucia had spotted. The rest of the journey goes smoothly, with only a few small Hetero-Creatures posing minor interruptions.
...
I can't detect any of the Hetero-Creatures that are lying in ambush...
There's too many of them, and the concentration here is already high.
Hetero-Creatures lying in ambush... This is the first time we've encountered such tactics...
Who could be commanding these Hetero-Creatures? Cradle's been eliminated, which only leaves...
No matter what happens, don't trust them.
I'm receiving a signal from up ahead...
It's the Scarab squad.
Stepping forward while giving instructions, the ground suddenly collapses before the words are even finished—
Boom—
Clouds of dust billow into the air.
Commandant!
The moment the ground feels wrong beneath your feet, you've already fired a grappling hook toward a nearby tree, evading the Hetero-Creatures erupting from the earth as their jaws snap shut on empty air.
While in mid-air, your powered armor's monitoring system swiftly detects ten Hetero-Creatures below—two large ones and eight smaller variants.
Copy that!
It's not just Hetero-Creatures bursting from the ground—thick roots of the Hetero-Trees have emerged as well, causing the earth to heave and warp. The shifting terrain temporarily separates you from Gray Raven.
Several wolf-like Hetero-Creatures lunge toward your position.
You hit the ground with a combat roll, swiftly creating distance before rising into a half-crouch, weapon aimed and ready—
The wolf-like Hetero-Creatures slam into an invisible wall, unable to advance even an inch further.
Whether real or imagined, it feels as though layers of defensive fields are unfurling behind you.
This feeling...
Your heart skips a beat. As you rise to your feet, your wrist twists, shifting the gun's muzzle from front to back.
A tall, masked young man looms before you, standing motionless.
You pull the trigger, the muzzle flashing, but just inches from Vonnegut, the bullet feels as if it's swallowed by an endless void, losing all momentum before falling harmlessly to the ground.
Vonnegut hasn't blinked once the entire time.
You resist the urge to pull the trigger, fully aware that an agent of this caliber won't be brought down by mere bullets.
...
The frenzied Hetero-Creatures outside slam endlessly against the invisible barrier, while the two of you stand in an artificial pocket of tranquility within the force field.
Yes.
The dark figure observes you silently, neither denying nor pursuing the topic further. He seems lost in thought—an unusual sight. Could he have acted before finishing his deliberations?
Watching the relentless onslaught of Hetero-Creatures, a conclusion becomes clear—Vonnegut isn't the one controlling them.
She would have gotten that intelligence sooner or later. Handing it over now gives us leverage.
I would never collaborate with Cradle.
Have you received anything related to Dominik lately?
He offers no explanation, simply proceeding with his own line of questioning.
If the "relevant parties" want to leave a mark on this era, you'd be their top pick.
Keep an eye on it. The clues are closer than you think.
Vonnegut lifts his gaze forward... toward the Clean Zone.
With those final words, he steps back and activates his force field. The invisible energy ripples outward, even causing you in the powered armor to falter. Behind you, the roars of the Hetero-Creatures and the sound of shattering debris abruptly fall into silence.
When you look up again, Vonnegut is already gone.
Commandant!
It seems Lucia has finished dealing with the Hetero-Creatures. After gauging the distance, you fire the grappling hook at a tree trunk, swing through the air, and land back with Gray Raven.
Vonnegut's sudden and unexpected appearance leaves everyone exchanging bewildered glances, at a loss for words.
Vonnegut's information highlights two key points: Dominik's invitation and the Inver-Hetero Tower.
The Inver-Hetero Tower... He shares our objective. We should prepare for another encounter.
Looks like you're all in quite a mess here.
A woman's voice comes from ahead—it's two Constructs you've met before.
Hello.
Several hands wave in greeting at once.
Scarab Squad. I'm Discord, and this is Yata. We've met before, so we shouldn't be strangers.
We used to be with the Purifying Force, but now we're Scarab.
It's just us here. Commandant Valeria and our other member Shiva are elsewhere. Don't worry though—we've secured the path ahead and eliminated all the lurking Hetero-Creatures.
You notice the distinctive shape of Discord's mask.
How rude of you—we simply overwhelmed them with sheer strength.
That explains the battle scars on both of them.
Having left the Hetero Forest behind and returned to the Clean Zone, everyone feels the edge coming off their nerves—even if the incident isn't over yet.
After removing the battle-worn armor, you glance around uncertainly, wondering who to hand it to—until your eyes settle on Discord.
She was the one who handled your first armor deployment, after all.
Leave it to me.
You're welcome.
After speaking, she gives you an appraising look.
Nice outfit.
I'm a tailor... or rather, I was one. That's why I take interest in these things. Please forgive my abruptness.
After her brief explanation, Discord leaves with the armor in her arms. Yata follows behind, giving a light pat on your shoulder as a goodbye.
If that's all, we'll be on our way.
Though... to be honest, it's a bit disappointing. I was hoping to meet the legendary agent, but you ended up going separate ways.
Something in Yata's words strikes a chord.
Who can say?
Of course, I'm not doubting you—I'm worried that some people need you to be questioned. Whether you did it or not doesn't matter to them, just like they don't care whether the future gets better.
The side that keeps you from being convicted on baseless rumors.
With a shrug and a smile, Yata jogs to catch up with Discord ahead.
Meanwhile, Gray Raven has finished regrouping, and Lucia has already reported all the key details of the operation.
Commandant, we've received word that Luna has arrived at the designated location.
