Story Reader / Event Story / Corrupted Battlefront: Pioneers of Peril / Story
The First Gunshot I
>Windswept sand pelts against your face, hurting you slightly.
The surroundings stretch out almost infinitely, with nothing but sand and stones as far as the eye can see.
From what you can recall, you were investigating an abandoned underground research facility with Gray Raven, so why are you...
You try your best to remember, and one image stands out clearer than the rest—
That metal gate you struggled to open just a crack...
City ruins. Entrance to the underground facility.
Some time earlier.
City ruins. Entrance to the underground facility. Some time earlier.
This is our mission objective...
The massive, heavy metal gate barely opens before emitting an ominous mechanical screech before falling silent. No matter what you try, it refuses to budge another inch.
Fortunately, the gap is just wide enough to pass through. Lucia turns sideways and squeezes through, reaching her hand back through the opening after confirming the other side is secure.
You grasp Lucia's hand and, with her help, squeeze through the narrow gap to the other side of the gate.
Our mission is to thoroughly explore this abandoned research facility from the past and determine its exact purpose.
The briefing mentioned that there's no Punishing Virus in the facility, but now that we're here... Liv?
Lucia calls out, her voice slightly raised, to the Construct on the other side of the gate.
I just completed a preliminary scan. There's no Red Tide here, nor any signs of Hetero-Creatures or Corrupted. It's exactly as the briefing stated—zero Punishing Virus concentration.
Lucia's question is quickly answered, accompanied by a quiet conversation, "Lee, please go ahead. I need some time to adjust the Levi-Gun's trailing mode." "Alright."
Even without the Punishing Virus present, we still can't let our guard down.
Lee squeezes through the gap, guarding you in Lucia's place. Meanwhile, Lucia grips the hilt of her Pyro Katana and cautiously explores ahead.
I tried to look up information about this underground research facility before we left.
Although I couldn't find details about any specific research, the available clues suggest it's likely related to early M.I.N.D. technology.
Equipment failures in facilities like this could produce unpredictable consequences.
We'll... what?
You do not remember. Your memory ends right there—everything afterward is a void...
Did Liv make it to this side...? What happened after you regrouped...? Where is everyone now...?
Questions pile up in your mind, but your memories provide no answers.
Taking a deep breath, you clear your jumbled thoughts and assess your current situation. Your next move should be—
Commandant!
A voice calls out from a distance, interrupting your train of thought—it is Lee!
Following the source of the sound, you spot a familiar figure rushing toward you through the billowing sand.
I finally found you. Are you alright, Commandant?
...
The "familiar" Construct's face is etched with worry, but you find yourself struggling to utter the words "I'm okay."
What's wrong? Are you injured?
He steps forward and quickly examines you, confirming you are unharmed. Although his expression barely changes, the relief washing over him is palpable.
But when Lee notices your scrutinizing gaze persist, his expression grows solemn.
Did you hurt your head?
But from what I can tell, you're still thinking clearly.
I didn't think so either. From what I can tell, you're still thinking clearly.
So what's actually going on, Commandant?
...Yeah, what actually is going on?
Palefire?
After you explain the situation to Lee, he glances down and inspects his frame carefully.
Both my visual modules and physical sensors confirm I'm using the "Hyperreal" frame on my end.
Lee nods silently, surveying the sandy terrain around you before looking down at his frame again. His expression changes as though struck by a realization, and he sinks into deep contemplation.
Do you remember what I mentioned earlier, Commandant? This facility's research might be related to early M.I.N.D. technology.
This is my theory...
Lee takes a thoughtful pause before continuing his analysis.
M.I.N.D. technology is very complex. I suspect the phenomena we're experiencing are likely caused by external interference disrupting our perception of reality.
That's a fair assessment.
Based on our observation, this interference creates both a shared illusory environment and individual hallucinations for each of us... Though the underlying mechanism remains unclear...
If we can locate and shut down the source of this interference, we should be able to break free from these illusions.
Unfortunately, like you, Commandant, I have no recollection of how we came under this interference...
You have been repeatedly trying to contact Lucia and Liv through your terminal since your conversation with Lee started, but there has been no response whatsoever.
Your attempts to pinpoint their location with the locator prove equally fruitless.
Perhaps the interference isn't just affecting our cognition—it's also blocking signal transmission.
Let's keep going for now. I'll collect data along the way to modify your terminal so it can break through the interference and receive signals.
While there's no Punishing Virus within the facility, we might see projections of Corrupted or Hetero-Creatures in our sensory-compromised state.
Since we can't predict the outcome, it's best to avoid any contact with them.
