Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Fist of the Taoist / Story
The End
So powerful... so impressive!
Those are the outsiders, aren't they? This is my first time seeing one!
After passing all the trials, you arrive at an open space with barely any decorations, and in the center is a familiar-looking crate.
Surrounding it is a crowd of audiences sitting in a circle, waiting.
...What is this?
Taoist!
Taoist! Fist of the Taoist!
The chatter among the mechanoids in the audience gradually grows into cheers.
I can't believe someone's passed all the trials and arrived at this place! The way you tackle them and hunt those ghosts... Ain't never seen anything like that!
Ought to have a human as the Taoist, oughtn't we?
Right, of course. Take it back! We haven't touched a single thing inside.
I've been monitoring the whole place through those recon drones above you.
With that, Foreman turns around and gestures dramatically like a Master of Ceremonies.
As you can see, this group called Gray Raven has passed all of our trials, and is the first to set foot in this place!
Therefore, it is my honor to announce that Gray Raven is the winner of this year's Fist of the Taoist, and their commandant, [player name], shall be crowned the Taoist Supreme!
What is a Taoist Supreme?
Just somebody really cool is what it is! Sounds terrific when we add "Supreme" to the title, ain't it?
Is that... Kamui's logic?
But there's something that still concerns me... Mr. Foreman.
I'll answer what I can... and Foreman is fine.
In that case, Foreman... We found out during our trial that this place was originally a factory, and you... Are you all mechanoids that weren't evacuated?
Probably. I remember the chief foreman, who, y'know, was the foreman in charge, telling all the humans to evacuate immediately, so those folks all followed him and left.
And... you all stayed behind because the evacuation order didn't include you...
That's right, and we've been wandering in this place ever since.
I thought you only gather here on specific dates... but you've been staying here since then, haven't you?
There must be Corrupted around, however few there are... Were you ever in danger?
Of course we did! And we learned a painful lesson for sure.
Will you consider relocating after this? Babylonia has set up several bases on the surface...
No, I don't think so. I think we will stay.
Even when it's dangerous?
Because this place is filled with our memories of the ol' days. We've been commemorating the chief foreman and the humans even when it isn't the Ghost Festival.
——
One more thing. The "Generals" and the other mechanoids aren't how mechanoids in a factory should look like. What exactly...
What's happening to the recon drones... What's that noise?
It's time.
It's time?
As Lucia speaks, a ray of blinding light shines from above, showering all of you like rain, completely swallowing you in its radiance.
What's with the light?
It's the drones! Liv, protect Commandant!
Copy!
Lucia and Lee believe the light to be a sign of danger, and they immediately draw their weapons while Liv watches the surroundings.
And you cannot help but close your eyes.
——
What... happened?
As the light fades, all that is left next to you is the supply crate. Every one of the mechanoids has vanished into thin air.
In your shock, you slowly recall the voice you heard when you were showered in light.
Ain't it been a while since we've found a human who'd play with us? Thank you, [player name].
