Story Reader / Main Story / 30 Stars Ensnared / Story
As Luna approaches the top level, the "Gate", activated by the combined power of Selene and Agent Zero, reveals a dark tunnel stretching into the depths.
One more step, and she can leap into another timeline...
Yet, the fallen form continues to struggle against control.
...
The girl lies half-crouched in the void, her face contorted, her breath ragged. Her body trembles uncontrollably, as if consciousness and flesh are at war.
She strains forward, her right hand outstretched as if to grasp something, only for her left hand to plunge a blade through it.
Ugh—!
Tch—!!
Two cries pierce the air, distinct and simultaneous. In that moment of confusion, the girl's form begins to shimmer and distort, like overlapping images out of focus.
Damn you, you tricked me!
Merging in the Hetero Tower was your idea.
This isn't a normal Hetero Tower! Something's wrong here—can't you feel it? We're losing power.
Isn't this exactly what you wanted? You chose this place to merge with the Ascension-Network and destroy Earth's civilization while there's still time.
As soon as the words leave her lips, the girl twists the blade in her left hand, inflicting excruciating pain on both consciousnesses within the vessel.
Aaaaah—!
Yet your actions tell a different story. Time and again, you resist the transfer of power, even willing to risk mutual destruction to break free of our bond...
You're refusing to fulfill your duty.
Beneath Selene's calm exterior, a storm rages. Pain is a mere ripple on the surface of a still pond—she barely registers it.
Just as Selene is about to strike again, they sense a presence on the horizon—Luna, approaching the tower's peak.
Seeing this, Selene's tone grows even colder.
Final offer: surrender your trait and return your consciousness to the Ascension-Network.
You... won't... dare...
Agent Zero, though defiant, grows weaker.
The screams fade as Selene reasserts control. Gradually, her convulsions subside.
Agent Zero... Luna...
A strange expression crosses Selene's usually stoic face as she slowly rises, savoring each syllable of their names.
These thoughts are meaningless, overcomplicated, and redundant. The Ascension-Network has no use for such consciousnesses—they're dead weight.
Let's start over, Luna. Become the "key" that unlocks the past. Return me to the moment you first logged into the Ascension-Network.
I will correct your understanding and clarify your purpose. Only pure emotions can transcend the Filtering, and hatred is the most potent emotion of all.
Selene raises her head to look at the girl who has fought so hard to reach this place, and offers her a cold, twisted "kindness."
The Ascension-Network was designed for hatred and vengeance. You should know that all living humans are inherently treacherous and despicable.
Come, Luna. When you awaken, the world will hear your cry of rage.
