Story Reader / Affection / No. 21: Feral / Story
You walk alongside No. 21 in the deserted forest over piles of dried leaves. It is a different kind of softness compared to carpets.
The overgrown vegetation wraps this forest in a tranquil cloak.
The air is so humid that you feel like you can probably squeeze water out of it with a pinch of your fingers.
Unlike Pulia Forest Park, where danger lurks around every corner, the air here is so fresh it makes you want to breathe more.
If it hadn't been for the appearance of the Clean Zone, you probably would never have seen a sight like this.
Maybe Celica is right. You can use this mission as a chance to relax.
The manager gave you sufficiently detailed information, but to you—someone who only has basic knowledge of forests—finding specific plants in this vast forest is posing a challenge.
The goal right now is to find a river and collect plants that thrive in that kind of habitat.
Hopefully, you'll come across other species you need on the way.
Target. Here.
No. 21, on the other hand, seems to be making much better headway.
She carefully digs out the plant with its root attached and puts it into the container.
She jogs carefully with the container toward you.
One point for me.
How many did you find?
Not even a quarter of what you have there.
You suck...
No. 21 says without any reserve.
I have to take care of you, as expected.
Just sit and watch.
Remembering what happened back at the office, you can't help but feel like she's out to get you for ignoring her.
I am good with forests, and I'm going to prove you all wrong.
You should all listen to what I say.
There's a trace of pride from a successful revenge in her tone.
Just leave it all to me. You can be the mascot.
You come into a clearing after making your way through one last shrub.
With a few decades' worth of ceaseless growth, the map of this area is no longer accurate.
Fortunately, no geologic hazard has occurred recently, so the landscape remains more or less the same.
Sunlight filters through the canopy onto the wavy "mirror" in front of you, giving colors to the colorless water...
Looking as though emerald crystals were flowing into the distance in liquid form.
When sparkling gems hit bulging boulders, they turn pure and colorless once again as they fall back into the flow and continue their journey.
With the stifling, humid feeling and the irritation you had pent up inside you gone, you're now left with nothing but serene tranquility.
It's different from what I remember.
Dangerous. It's something that devours you if you touch it.
No. 21's words didn't hit you as a surprise, given her experience working on the frontlines as part of the Task Force, cleaning water sources polluted by the Red Tide.
Hearing what you said, No. 21 moves closer to the river's edge.
She sniffs it with her nose, taking in the unfamiliar smell.
The smell is different.
While she is sniffing, you've already removed your boots, rolled up your pants, and stepped into the water.
No!
Before you can feel the water, something soft grabs your wrist and pulls you forcibly back onto the riverbank.
No. 21 lets go of your wrist from her tail and gets out a serum ready to inject it for you.
You point at your intact feet, wet with drops of clear water.
Are you really okay?
Not entirely convinced, No. 21 puts her hand on your feet.
She suddenly puts a lot of pressure.
You're hurt!
No. 21 raises the serum in her hand, getting ready to inject you with it.
Not me.
You turn to look at No. 21's metal feet and stop mid-sentence.
No. 21 seems to have understood your silence and lets go of your leg.
It's because you're different.
It hurts when you get your sole pressed. I'll keep that in mind.
No. 21 begins typing something into her terminal. You look at the screen—and see a list of items well in the double digits that read "Gray Raven Commandant's weakness".
Yes, in addition to a lot of things.
Before you could ask another question, she puts away her terminal.
So is that different, too?
No. 21 points at the river in front of you.
So if we fall in, would we die?
Hearing your words, No. 21 looks into the clear water. You squat down and dip your hand into the water as she watches on.
No. 21 carefully extends her fingers until it comes in touch with the ebbing water surface. She retracts her hand at lightning speed as the cool sensation travels up her hand.
The water ripples out from where she touched it, as if sending out a reply.
No. 21 stares at the river in front. Unlike the one in her memory, the river doesn't reek of metal rust, nor does it sting her skin.
She hesitates at the unfamiliarity.
You remove your boots, roll up your pants, and go knee-deep into the river.
The cold pebbles on the riverbed have been smoothed out by water. The uneven ground presses against your feet, putting you through itch with a slight hint of pain, making you shiver.
(Teeth chattering...)
Is that teeth chattering you hear?
You turn to find No. 21 already in the water, tail sticking straight up and its fur standing on end.
She has her eyes closed, her body shivering, and a menacing expression looking as if she is fighting some invisible enemy.
Y-yeah... Why wouldn't I?
Asimov mentioned that her new frame has an enhanced sensory system that perceives its environment, which is probably why she is feeling the cold.
It took No. 21 a good while to relax her tensed-up muscles.
Adaptation complete...
Her body stops shivering, and her eyes open slowly. When the fur on her tail smooths out, it starts swaying from side to side. She looks happy.
Looking at the relaxed No. 21, you get some mischievous ideas.
You scoop up a handful of pure water and splash it at No. 21, but the water doesn't hit her as you thought it would because she shifts her body to the side and avoids it.
Why did you do that?
No. 21 gives you a confused look while you stand awkwardly with your hands together.
An awkward silence follows as you ask yourself if you were being too childish.
Is it a custom that I don't know about?
Thankfully, No. 21 gives you a way out without knowing it.
You hold onto the thought for a moment before waving it off. That would be much too childish.
I can feel that you were up to something just now.
Like radar disks, No. 21's ears turn in different directions—before they turn to face you.
So what were you up to?
Splash water?
Fun... festival... okay.
You watch as No. 21 takes out her giant claws ready to dip into the water.
I will do my best.
I am good at dodging.
Custom says I am not allowed to dodge?
Oh...
Nature is always cruel, [player name].
Shined upon by sunlight passed between the trees, a human and a wolf are splashing and dodging droplets of water.
In that moment, they left all their burdens and identities behind and are simply enjoying life in its purest form.
As the agile girl dodges all of your "attacks," water droplets shimmering in rainbow colors fly all around her as if dancing to her every step.
Against the black backdrop of the forest are two silhouettes, tainted with the colors of the two figures, creating a perfect picture as ethereal as a painting.
