Story Reader / Main Story / 13 Fake Ascension / Story
They witness the Red Tide and its projections first hand, then figure out the strength of the mobsters around the ruins. After carefully selecting a weaker group, they beat them up and take their place.
The next day at dusk, the cocky mobsters somehow show up on the street with more scars and bruises than the night before.
Forced by a group of scavengers, they kneel on the desolate street and disappear along the Red Tide.
Despair is spreading like a plague.
If we ever lose hope one day, will you jump into the Red Tide?
I'll never lose hope. I will spread my hope to everyone else.
There won't be any fewer desperate people even if you write those chicken soup words all over the planet.
Shrek points at the barrier wall downstairs. Bella already wrote her favorite mottos on it with some homemade paint.
Let me rephrase the question. If the Red Tide really is heaven, will you jump in?
Nope. Even if that gross mud flow is heaven, those who jump in are no more than biscuits covered in mud.
She sneezes a few times then wraps the blanket more tightly around herself.
Even though I know there are biscuits in that mud, I'll never drink it.
Yeah, there's enough chicken soup for you anyway.
Bella makes a contemptuous grunt.
Have you heard of Population Effect?
Yep, but you might be thinking about Bandwagon Effect.
Oh, you're right.
Sitting on the rooftop, the two silently watch the Red Tide slithering a few blocks away.
When should we go down? It's getting cold.
Only the rooftop matches my swag as a Cardman Rider.
That's enough.
Bella picks up her blanket and stands up. Shrek quickly follows her.
Say, do you think they all jump on this Red Tide bandwagon so quickly because of... Bandwagon Effect?
I'm not a psychologist. Don't ask me.
But...
Shrek glances at the book in Bella's hand.
It's just a placebo.
So you knew!
But these words are really helpful for me. At least better than that manga stuff that you read.
Shrek is about to fight back when Bella covers his mouth with her palm.
Alright, alright. Although supplies around here are scarce and hard to find, we've still gathered enough over the last few days.
It's getting very late now. Let's wait until the morning to move out.
Shrek sighs at that statement.
What is it?
...I was hoping to pick up more books here. You know what, the book you tore is Cardman Rider: Legend of Time. Have you any idea how rare it is?!
You had to use those creepy names on me!
Bella pulls up the musty blanket and turns her back toward Shrek.
Get some sleep. We're leaving early tomorrow.
