Story Reader / Floating Record / ER08 The Long Goodbye / Story
A tremendous roar echoes through the room, and dust billows up where Wanshi stands at the far end. The piercing screech coming through the comms channel forces you to cover your ears in pain.
The sudden bombardment disrupts Wanshi's visual modules, causing his vision to blur as he staggers backward and crashes heavily to the ground.
What's happening?!
>>>>>ABNORMAL M.I.N.D. DISPLACEMENT VALUES<<<<<
>>>>>SAFETY PARAMETERS EXCEEDED CRITICAL THRESHOLD<<<<<
>>>>>INITIATING FORCED SHUTDOWN<<<<<
...Wait...
Wanshi struggles to keep his eyes open, but his vision is engulfed by chaotic memory data surging through his M.I.N.D.
Several anxious children appear before him, their wide eyes fixed upon "him" with trepidation.
...?
Is this... 056's perspective...?
The girl hiding behind the boy appears younger. Only after his encouragement does she step forward, timidly taking "his" hand.
That's Aviana... It would be easier if you just use her number.
Through No. 056's eyes from years past, Wanshi sees the number printed on Aviana's restraining suit.
Back then, No. 056 still chose to call her by name.
It's break time already. Aviana, Eamon, what do you need?
It's been two weeks since her modifications were completed. They've scheduled her connection with you for tomorrow.
I know.
Will she make it?
I can't make that call. If her M.I.N.D. is stable enough, there shouldn't be any problems.
It isn't until Wanshi hears "himself" helplessly mention the word "M.I.N.D." that he realizes what's wrong with the child before him.
Upon closer inspection, they're all Constructs.
—Not a single real child remains in the "Cultivation Area"—only children who have been completely converted into Constructs.
I don't want to go to the scrapyard...
While Wanshi stands shocked at the children's true identity, "he" raises his hand.
Wanshi watches as a female's hand gently strokes Aviana's hair.
Don't worry. Just be good and listen to me like Eamon and the others, and everything will be fine.
You promise?
...
The ground begins to shake as the scene before them warps once again.
...Uhm...
Suddenly, Wanshi recalls a story Melvie once told him.
I've seen the footage Chiron brought back. Those children were forced to transform into Constructs, only to die in the connection experiments.
All for better experimental results, they forcibly turned children into Constructs... When all our research was meant to ensure humanity's survival...
...
What about you? You didn't call me here just to check up on me, did you?
I'm planning to leave Babylonia. Someone wants me to continue my research at a facility on the ground.
Here, too... there are children like that... Constructs like that.
Wanshi...?
Who's calling me...
Wanshi.
...
...!
As consciousness returns to Wanshi, the world spins violently. A tremendous rumble erupts from below as the entire building begins to fall apart, with the ceiling threatening to crash down at any moment.
The moment consciousness returns, Wanshi quickly dodges the falling debris.
THUD—!
Hff...
A human voice comes through the comms channel.
I'm fine... It's just another memory data surge... Everything's stable for now.
Wanshi stares at the new passage exposed by the collapse before him.
There's a path behind us that might serve as our escape route, but the way you came in is blocked.
Wait.
Wanshi vigilantly looks toward the dark passage as the Corrupted that dragged him down to the basement slowly crawls out, crouching down into an attack stance.
That strange Corrupted is here again.
The Corrupted's crimson eyes fix on Wanshi. Despite getting ready for a while, it doesn't attack. It is as if it's waiting for something.
...Commandant, do you think...
It's... trying to lead me somewhere?
Wanshi rises to his feet, raises his revolver, and cautiously moves forward.
Uh...
The Corrupted lets out a screech before turning and vanishing into the dark corridor.
It's on the move again. I'll follow it.
Understood.
