Story Reader / Floating Record / ER08 The Long Goodbye / Story
The M.I.N.D. completely collapses, erupting into a tempestuous storm. Wanshi doesn't resist, submitting quietly to its depths.
All memory data, deeply buried in the whirling void, breaks free at once.
>>>>>TYPE B & C BACKTRACK ERROR<<<<<
>>>>>TYPE D VISUAL DATA CONVERGENCE<<<<<
>>>>>WARNING: M.I.N.D. USAGE EXCEEDS BASELINE THRESHOLD<<<<<
>>>>>WARNING: MIND BEACON CONNECTION LOST<<<<<
>>>>>System reboot attempt 1<<<<<
>>>>>System reboot attempt 2<<<<<
>>>>>Transfer protocol terminated<<<<<
>>>>>REBOOT FAILED<<<<<
>>>>>REBOOT FAILED<<<<<
>>>>>REBOOT FAILED<<<<<
...
...
He hovers above the spiral of memory data, as shards of light illuminate one by one around him.
The truth buried deep within this place encircles him like a shattered kaleidoscope, revealing its final records.
Everything he had forgotten and all the memories that 056 had tried to convey to him finally become whole in this moment.
What I forgot...
These are 056's memories... experiences synced directly to me...
He reaches his hand out, attempting to touch the nearest shard.
The shard reflects a blinding light from years past—
Having shut down the power system, 056 stands still, a blood-dripping demolition hammer in hand, breathing heavily.
Just moments ago, she killed the staff in here.
...
...No time to mess around here. There's still backup power.
056 raises the demolition hammer, bringing it down again and again on the backup power console. Sparks fly until the final trace of light is smashed into darkness, and the screaming alarms fall silent.
Phew...
The children are waiting for me...
056's hands tremble as she conceals her weapon at her side, rushing toward the cultivation zone.
The terminal she used to contact the children has gone silent. She can't be sure of their safety anymore—after all, her plan to smuggle the test subjects out of the research facility has been exposed.
Why did the power suddenly go out? And what's with the alarm?
Quick, the backup power! That lab... that lab needs consistent power!
Several researchers rush past in panic, but 056 silently walks against their flow through the darkness.
Wait a second! Which lab are you from? What are you doing here?
...
The researcher approaches, sweeping a hand-held light across 056's face.
You're from Project 5, right? I think I remember you—the one who connects with those test subjects...?
...Yes, that's me. I was just heading to check on the cultivation area. If there's anything you need help with, I'd be glad to assist.
Who cares about those test subjects right now? This is absolutely not the time to be hung up on that!
Come with us! We need to activate the backup power in all experiment zones. There's still Punishing in that sealed lab... If anything happens to it, we're dead!
...
Having failed to slip away, 056 tightens her grip on the weapon. She lacks the strength to take down anyone else—the risk might be too great.
What are you standing around for?!
The cautious man glances at 056's side.
Hey! She's got something in her hand!
The man shouts and points at 056's hand, then lunges forward to seize her weapon.
Watch out! I knew something was wrong with her!! No wonder Dr. Pickman revoked her clearance!
!!
056 takes two steps back, muscles tensing in her arm as she raises her weapon with all her might—
Ah—!
Before the weapon plunges, the researchers in front all burst into screams of agony.
White figures emerge from the shadows without warning, pouncing on their victims with thin, raised arms, stabbing again and again.
Get away! Get away...!!
Human blood splatters, then slowly trickles down the Construct's smooth synthetic skin.
The test subjects, wielding sharp weapons from unknown sources, mercilessly eliminate the lives before them—as casually as they once disposed of other test subjects in the dump.
Aaaaahhh—!
Aviana!
That's enough! Aviana! Stop!
Eamon wraps his arms around the screaming Aviana, whose eyes are squeezed shut, and pulls her away from the fresh corpse.
I remember him! He took Joshua and the others away! And just now... just now he tried to take 07 too...
Aviana sheds no tears. She opens her eyes to the gruesome scene before her, then steals a timid glance at 056.
And he wanted to stop Mom. I couldn't let him.
...
It's okay, it's okay...
Eamon hugs Aviana while peeling away the wax coating from the crayon in their hand, revealing a sharp metal spike within.
056, we've sharpened the restraint buckles like you told us to.
Aviana hid it in the gaps between bed boards. I hid it inside the crayons, and so did they.
Eamon points to the group of test subjects behind him. They remain silent, gripping tightly their only weapon—056's ultimate command.
The alarm went off, but you didn't show up as promised... Instead, the Gate Keepers came to check on us.
They discovered our weapons and tried to lock us up.
So we... took care of them.
...
As 056 remains silent for what feels like an eternity, fear begins to grip Aviana.
Mommy... 056... are you mad?
No...
Did we do the right thing?
056 avoids answering directly and orders all test subjects to roll up their sleeves.
Feel your upper arm—there should be a small lump under the skin. Can you find it?
The test subjects nod.
Cut it open and extract what's inside.
No one complains about pain. The bionic skin parts silently as the tracking chips are extracted from their bodies.
Destroy it.
All tracking chips are violently smashed against the ground, then crushed under little feet.
