Story Reader / Affection / Luna: / Story
Luna: Oblivion
>Throughout mankind's history, there have always been scattered accounts of miracles. Though hard to verify, people still choose to believe in their existence, yearning for miracles to occur.
Because miracles give humanity more than just a future—they give mankind reasons to carry on... or at least some sort of comfort.
They seem to believe that miracles would just find their way to them if they just keep waiting.
And sometimes, miracles do indeed happen.
<color=#ff4e4eff>Take it back with you.</color>
And so the world falls silent, as the orchid blooms in solitude.
All equipment installed.
Copy that. Science Council members on each squad will begin parameter recording.
Copy that.
Copy that.
...
The communication channel buzzes with constant chatter among members of the recon team.
While the recent battle with the agent has ended, the damage it's done is still felt by many.
Both the Inver-Hetero Tower and Clean Zone were transformed during the battle. The once-reliable Clean Zone is no longer clean—which is a harsh reality check for many. Humanity seemed to have once found their Avalon, only for it to fade away like a mirage.
Fortunately, the residents have been evacuated in time, preventing any major casualties.
Babylonia has invested more resources into researching the Inver-Hetero Tower, hoping to establish a Clean Zone through humanity's own strength.
And so, a diverse recon team is formed.
Gray Raven has been deployed alongside them to assist with the recon mission and handle any contingencies.
One day ago...
Theoretically, we should give you a few days off before assigning you another mission. However...
I'll take over from here. Put simply, while we were forced to briefly cooperate with Ascendant Luna's team, certain individuals are trying to use this as an excuse to push their own agendas. Hassen and I believe it's best to keep you away from all this for now.
Yes, but these are minor concerns. This mission is relatively lighter than the ones you've done before—so think of it as a chance to unwind.
Just as you're about to leave the conference room, Nikola calls your name.
Hold on, [player name].
He leans forward from the backrest, sitting bolt upright, his expression blocked by the shades that now cover his face.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and that's why we had to work with Luna. You understand where your loyalties lie, don't you?
His tone is extremely casual—so much so that you thought he was just going to ask you for the time.
[player name], [player name]...
You come back to your senses hearing your name called.
Don't worry about it. We're almost done for the day, and we were just discussing where to grab dinner together later.
While the Clean Zone is no longer clean, some still choose to return here after the battle. Many have grown weary of their endless wandering.
Steamed buns, of course! There used to be a shop here that made amazing steamed buns. Not sure if the shop is still around, though...
Who eats steamed buns for dinner? Let's get noodles instead.
The sun slowly sets in the distance, its golden afterglow soon to paint the sky. As the recon team chats nearby, you savor this brief moment of everyday peace. This tranquility might be as good as transient, but you're perfectly content with it at this moment.
Suddenly, a flash of white catches your eye.
It takes root among the rubble, standing out from its surroundings like a drop of white paint on a finished oil painting. It looks like...
Hey [player name], what should we get to eat?
Wait, are orchids even edible?
You hurry toward the white speck—and sure enough, it's an orchid.
Life's tenacity never ceases to amaze you—even here, among the ruins and rubble, a flower has managed to bloom.
The flower is pure white through-and-through, with five petals, and gives off a subtle fragrance when you lean in closer.
That's really an orchid! Hmm... now this is a rare species. What was it called again?
Oh, it's a snow orchid!
...Pro... mise...
A memory flashes through your mind.
Yes, my child loves reading about these things, and I came across it just the other day.
It's a cultivated orchid that blooms from January to March, with its signature five petals. Some call it the Five-Leaf Snow. It's prized for its beauty but rarely ever comes by these days.
But this one looks like it's dying.
Yes, these orchids are quite difficult to maintain. Finding one growing here... it's nothing short of a miracle.
A miracle...
You can't seem to bear to let the orchid die here in silence, so you start asking around to see if there's a way to save it. Coming back with a plant transfer box, you store the orchid inside and head back to the camp.
Gazing at the orchid behind its glass case, you realize how absurd your earlier actions were.
You aren't quite sure if it's because you can't bear to watch this flower die, or if it's because it reminds you of...
You suddenly feel light-headed.
Your body grows heavier, your vision blurring from the corner of your eye. You had thought it was just fatigue from work, but now you realize it's something else entirely.
Thud.
As though at the bottom of a lake, you find your body compressed and distorted. The countless images that appear around you turn into streaks of light that dart past, while whispers fade in and out of earshot.
Screams, gunshots, running footsteps.
A girl's cries, distant explosions, scattered raindrops.
Then, someone's gentle whisper.
Goodbye.
With the sound of wind, your eyes snap open to a withered yellow sky. You look into the distance, your vision obscured by sand particles dancing in the air, making it impossible for you to see the horizon. Rocks nearby bear clear marks of wind erosion. Without a doubt, this is the middle of a wasteland.
Finally awake, I see.
You turn around when you hear a voice saying this from behind you—and see someone you never thought you'd see.
Your hands frantically check your gear—gun and dagger gone, terminal missing—you're completely defenseless.
You should be at the camp near the Inver-Hetero Tower, but you now find yourself waking up in the middle of nowhere, with an agent of unknown intentions nearby. Things can't possibly get worse than this.
I didn't kidnap you, nor do I know why you're here.
I was on my way to attend to my own business when I happened to find you lying unconscious in the wilderness.
Luna gestures with the small box in her hand. Does it have to do with the "business" she was talking about?
And... you don't even know if she's telling the truth. If she didn't kidnap you, it probably means that someone else did.
Mm.
The agent answers with a smile.
Her smile isn't playful or mocking, but genuine—with a hint of... tenderness?
Something feels off—a subtle sense of discord that refuses to fade.
Whatever the truth in Luna's words, this much you're certain: that this Luna here bears no ill will, or else you would have been long dead.
It's been a long... No, it's rare to hear you say thank you.
The agent remains silent, maintaining only an inscrutable smile.
You instinctively take two slow steps backward.
There's a storm coming.
Exactly what I said.
The weather in this wasteland has been very unstable lately.
A storm is coming soon. You'll be in deep trouble if you can't find your way out before then.
Come with me. I'll guide you to safety.
The howling wind seems to validate Luna's words.
If you part ways with her now... you'll have to face both the coming storm and the unknown kidnapper. But the real question is: could you even say no to Luna?
What do you think?
You figure it's a no... knowing that you don't stand a chance against her.
This isn't probably what you want to hear... but I don't think anyone who comes here trying to save you is going to have a chance against me.
Luna's lips curl into a knowing smirk as she speaks with mock amusement.
Great. You're screwed.
