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Wanshi: Lucid Dreamer I
>Early summer always brings this kind of downpour—light yet relentless.
In the humid, stifling air, the temperature continues to rise as those sheltering beneath the eaves find their patience ebbing away with each falling raindrop.
—Someone suggested replacing simulation training with field exercises, so special authorization for surface deployment allowed this batch of recruits to train in actual ground-level combat conditions.
But everyone seems to have overlooked one crucial detail—that early summer here is the season of endless rain.
The rain severely hampers all training activities, with some training equipment even at risk of rusting. With nothing else to do, everyone can only huddle under the eaves and pray for the weather to clear up.
Just as another large bead of sweat hits the ground, a calm voice cuts through the air, perfectly timed before the complaints can erupt.
The weather isn't looking great. Let's call the training off.
Having been enduring the heat, the students burst into cheers as if pardoned from some sort of torture.
As for tomorrow... ah right, vacation starts tomorrow. We'll continue the remaining lessons when we're back.
That's it. Dismissed.
Hooray!!
Clearly, Wanshi is not what you'd call a strict instructor.
The trainees scatter in every direction the moment they're dismissed. Without the energetic youngsters to fill up the space, the training ground cooled down right away.
All that remains is the gentle echo of raindrops against the roof.
As Wanshi turns to pack up the equipment under the eaves, he naturally strikes up a conversation with you.
Heading back to the base, too? Need me to take you there?
Of course. Someone taught me how.
Yawn... Don't mention it.
Watching the white Construct let out one yawn after another, you can't help but feel worried.
Wanshi lets out another soft yawn.
No problem. Pretty sure I'm not just gonna fall asleep with you sitting next to me...
Wanshi lifts his heavy eyelids to look at you and does a lazy stretch.
...Hmm, sure.
...Mm, never mind, let's not get into that.
Hmm... I think I'll find a quiet spot to curl up in, but I'm sure they'll have more missions for me soon enough.
What about you?
Wanshi gives a slight nod, as though in agreement with what you just said.
It would have been possible without the Punishing, no?
Wanshi gazes over with drowsy eyes, making it impossible to tell whether he's being serious or just blabbering.
Say, life here doesn't ever really change...
Don't you find it a little boring?
Yeah? I look forward to a life like that, too.
Really? I'm actually looking forward to that kind of life.
It's so peaceful that... I can see right through the end of my life, and I quite like how stable it is.
...
That casual chat with Wanshi passes like the rain that day—nothing more than a brief interlude.
After returning to Babylonia, you quickly dive back into your busy schedule.
In the blink of an eye, the joint training session on the ground draws to a close, marking the end of the mission.
Just as you arrive at the meeting room with training reports, the door flies open before you can even knock. Behind a startled-looking Kamui stand two other Strike Hawk members.
Whooooah! Commandant?!
Commandant...? Do you have a report to submit, too?
Looks like this guy's been having it rough lately, too.
You scan the three Constructs but don't see the usual, listless white Construct among them.
Looking for Wanshi? He's out on a mission and hasn't come back yet.
Yeah... It's been so long, yet we've only received a few video feeds lately. I wonder what's keeping him so busy.
This response brings to mind a recent conversation you've had with Wanshi.
Oh right! I have the video he sent back yesterday. Here, let me show you.
Before you can even react, Kamui has already turned on his terminal's holographic playback interface.
The footage is crystal clear, showing the faded outlines of old Kowloong architecture.
Wanshi has his back to the screen, surrounded by a group of playful children. Even through the screen, their enthusiasm for him is palpable.
A moment later, Wanshi glances sideways at the camera, lets out a half-hearted yawn, and reaches out his hand.
Alright... That should be enough time for the report...
Click—
Video playback ends.
This is all we got... It's just a quick check-in to let us know he's alive! He wouldn't even show us his face properly.
Tch, what's with all this secrecy, even with us?
Commandant, are you looking for Wanshi?
Chrome puts up a tired smile.
Come to think of it, I don't think he's actually ever relaxed since that time I rejected his request for a "hibernation leave".
So, when he's back from this mission, I think I'm gonna...
There, found it.
The crisp sound of footsteps echoes as Celica walks in, carrying a stack of battle reports.
There you are, [player name].
Seeing Celica make a beeline for her target, you let out a sigh.
Don't worry! Yes, I'm here with another mission for you, but this one's gonna be a breeze—think of it as a recuperating vacation!
You don't trust me...? Does it seem like I'm lying to you?
Don't ever put "mission" and "vacation" in the same sentence. That's how sacred a vacation is!
Might as well just work if we've got to work anyway while we're on vacation.
Ahem, just take a look at the mission brief! You'll see what I mean—it's the real deal this time. Satisfaction guaranteed!
With all the eyes looking at you curiously, you've got no choice but to reluctantly browse through the mission brief Celica handed over.
Mission Objective: Support Science Council members in their advance to Earth to collect plant samples from a pristine forest.
Mission Difficulty: Very Easy.
Mission Duration: One week to several months.
The mission brief makes the mission itself seem easy enough.
In the bottom right corner of the mission brief where you are pointing, there is, written in tiny text, the name of an area no one has ever mentioned before.
—Mission Location: Conservation area near the outskirts of Kowloong, within the bounds of Nanyun Old Town.
