Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
We're here? Is this the village you were talking about?
Ah... Yeah...
Alpha follows closely behind Fida. The two stop in front of a few buildings amidst a vast wilderness.
This place... Well, thought so.
The sky is tinged with a faint red glow, adding a layer of desolation and gloom to the scenery.
Looking at the desolate village, Fida speaks with a low voice.
Was it those white Mental Images that did this?
Most likely... There wasn't really anyone who knew how to fight in the village after we left.
Are you going to explain the whole situation now?
...
After that castle appeared not long ago, this village, which had a decent relationship with us, organized its most elite Mental Images to investigate it.
In the end, only one person returned... He said the master of the castle possessed incredible power and that we wouldn't stand a chance of winning if we tried to fight her the way we'd been fighting.
She demands that visitors play a game with her and that challengers must assemble a "faction."
A game...?
Alpha recalls the appearance of that castle. The black-and-white color scheme reminded her of "chess."
Ugh... Why do the pawns only move one square at a time, while the queen can go anywhere she wants?
That's because... that's what the rulebook says...
Eh? But why? And the rules are so hard to remember... Do we have to play exactly as it says?
But Luna, how do you want to play? Dad and Mom only left us this before they were gone...
Why don't we come up with a new way to play this game?
We'll decide the rules...
Alpha stops herself down memory lane.
Tch... And then? They failed, but why did you leave the village?
Well, because I was one of the "challengers" from the second batch... although honestly, it seemed pretty suicidal to me.
And that didn't hit any of you?
So what even if it did? Everyone said the conflict was unavoidable. I tried to persuade them, but not one of them listened... Bunch of idiots.
Then why did you follow them?
According to that person, they needed a certain number of people to be recognized as a "faction," but we were running short on people after the elites were wiped out...
And I couldn't just run away alone...
So you have to meet their minimum player requirement to play this game? Makes me wonder what stand to gain from this game... when they made it so complicated.
On the other hand, this Corridor itself barely has any "rules" to speak of. The iterative mechanism between Mental Images prevents the emergence of complex social structures like that in her world.
If it<//ASCENSION-NETWORK> wants to continue the "filtering" here...
What are you talking about?
It's not something you need to worry about.
So, have you figured out all the things you wanted to know?
A figure is approaching them from the distance.
Why are you here?
On a mission, of course.
As Corridor's medic and mechanic, I'm here to help the common folks, of course.
This place has just been attacked and I'm here to check on the survivors.
Could you please clarify who the survivors are?
Seeing the Craftsman, Fida instantly becomes respectful and reverent, showing the Craftsman's prestige in this world.
Fida...? You're back?
People start emerging from the buildings and gathering around Fida and Alpha.
Fida, where did the rest of them go? Did you succeed?
No... we failed...
Everyone else... is gone, except for me.
Who are you? I've never seen you before. Why are you with Fida?
These Mental Images seem to have little combat ability left, but their tone still carries a hint of aggression toward Alpha, a stranger.
I'm the one who saved her.
You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of me.
Alpha gives her warning in a low voice, her gaze compelling the Mental Images to move their hands away from their weapons.
Uh-hum... Consider her a friend of mine. She'll also help us deal with the incident at the castle.
Oh... I see...!
...
Alpha can't be bothered to argue. She doesn't want to complicate matters further.
Did you save these people?
No, I just got here. It looks like someone else has intervened.
Someone else...? Could it be someone from outside the village? Impossible, people out there have no reason to help...
They were these two people we'd never seen before. They helped us fend off the white Mental Images. It took a toll on us nonetheless, though...
After that, they left for the castle.
Hmm... Weird? You look a lot like one of the two...
Huh?
Following the Mental Image's gaze, Fida looks at Alpha, feeling confused.
Is that... so?
Must be someone you know? A friend of yours?
Are you trying to sound funny?
But I guess they were here, too...
Alpha falls deep in thought for a moment before shaking her head.
Not getting anywhere thinking about these things now. We'll see when we meet them.
So, are you going to lead these people to safety now?
No, I'm in no position to decide where they want to go for them.
The Craftsman shakes her head, silently watching Fida walk among the group of surviving Mental Images.
Fida, now that you're back, let's chop-chop and get a third expedition organized.
I'm not sure if we can find enough people...
With everyone here, we might just barely make it...
No... What's wrong with you all? Are you nuts? Still going to line up and march to your deaths after all this?
To our deaths? Are you saying our fight is pointless?
So what if I am?! Haven't you seen how strong those white Mental Images were? You don't really think we stand a chance at all, do you?
See, this is as good as killing yourself!
Death is only a process of returning to Corridor, Fida. We don't need to fear it.
"Conflict" is the reason Corridor exists. It's our calling.
If we flee now, Corridor is going to fade.
Don't you want to avenge our people that got slaughtered by those white Mental Images, Fida?
All of you... are out of your friggin' minds.
All this nonsense! Why do you still believe in them... Fleeing is clearly the only sensible choice if you are facing an enemy you don't stand a chance against...
Whether we are alive or not makes no difference to Corridor. What's so bad about living just a little longer? Why do we have to fight these stupid fights?!
Fida, we are deeply disappointed in you. Have you forgotten Melaka's teachings?
Shut up! Tch... Enough! You know what, suit yourselves! I'm not going!
Hey, where are you going?
Alpha reaches out and grabs Fida's hat as she is about to run off in frustration.
What do you want... If they want to go, they should just go with you. You don't have to make things difficult for me...
You're right.
Alpha lets go of Fida, leaving Fida to stumble forward and nearly fall.
You... never mind. It's none of my business anyway.
Fida puffs up her cheeks and is about to put her hood back on when she notices something that causes her to freeze.
She looks up at the sky. Under the pale red ribbon of light, a thin white tributary branches out.
The luminescent white stream slowly flows toward an open area in the village, where the specks of light gradually focus into a shape.
Finally, a slender human form emerges from the sphere of light and lands on the ground.
What in the world...
Fida murmurs as her legs move on their own toward the still-unawakened figure and kneels at her side.
This is...
Corridor is giving birth to a new life.
Once fallen, Mental Images return to Corridor and eventually turn into new forms of life.
All things in this world are born this way.
...
Fida holds the hand of the newly born Mental Image, her expression unreadable.
It's strange.
Uhm? Did you notice something?
So many have died...
Alpha doesn't finish her sentence, but Fida already knows the rest.
Hundreds of Mental Images have been slaughtered by the castle, but only one Image is reborn from Corridor.
That ribbon of light...
It's likely interference from the Ascension-Network. Craftsman, what in the world is that exactly?
I am the Craftsman and not a tool for explaining the workings of this world... But yes, you'd be correct.
Mental Images killed by the creations of that castle can't return to Corridor as usual. Instead, they are captured by the castle's master.
It's likely that those white Mental Images were produced in the same manner.
If this continues, the maintenance and operational mechanisms of Corridor will be completely altered. What it will evolve into, I can't say.
Is it that you don't know, or you're just not willing to tell us?
Ah, let's just say I'm maintaining a bit of mystery. In any case, it's going to turn into a pretty bad situation.
This Mental Image was able to be born through Corridor normally probably because you and those two unnamed kind souls defeated some white Mental Images, which helped gain some authority from the castle.
Dammit... Stupid... This is so friggin' stupid!
If that holds true, there is no point in them rushing to their deaths at all...
Fida mutters angrily. Her teeth are clenched and she pounds her fists on the ground, making a dull sound.
Eventually, she carries the Mental Image, still asleep, to her group of friends, handing the girl to one of the Mental Images.
All of you... just get the hell out of my face! Take her and leave, now!
You remember the village's rules, right? When a Mental Image is born, someone needs to train her and give her a name.
But the castle—
Fine! Fine! I'll go. Happy?
I'm just going to follow that lady who looks strong. Keeping y'all around is only going to slow me down!
Take good care of her, just as Melaka once took care of me.
Definitely don't want to raise her to be a coward like you, though...
Haha, that's funny. Are you done? Just hurry up and go!
Fida, frustrated, drags the group of Mental Images and urges them to leave.
By the way, if she wakes up before I get back...
Just name her "Fida". I'll probably be long-dead by then anyway.
But if you fail, Fida...
Alright! Stop talking!
After ensuring her friends head in the direction opposite the castle, Fida returns to Alpha's side.
Aren't they a handful...
You're not running away?
...Thought you rock, no? That castle should be a piece of cake for you, right?
Sticking with you seems safer. Plus, they wouldn't have left if I didn't do this.
I have no obligation to protect you.
Never asked for that! I can fight just fine!
So, we are setting off like this?
You're coming along, too? How nice of you.
It's a matter of Corridor's survival. I need to contribute.
And my motorcycle? You're just going to keep it?
Of course not. I've already arranged for a professional delivery.
Right then, the familiar roar of Alpha's engine can be heard from the distance.
A girl in black rides toward them on a crimson bike, drifting to a stop right in front of Alpha.
I never agreed to let anyone else ride my bike.
C'mon, sharin' is lovin'. I didn't even charge you for the repairs.
Took some time to get this bad boy up and running.
She takes off her hood and dismounts from the bike.
Y-you're...
Seeing her face, Fida instantly collapses onto the ground, looking lost in shock.
...
The girl with the black attire and blue eyes observes Fida in silence, Fida's frightened demeanor reflected in her eyes.
You... you're the...
The Demon of... Darkness...
