Story Reader / Main Story / 13 Fake Ascension / Story
Alright. Sample collected.
Without the protective gear, I'm sure we'd be infected if we got any closer... What a creepy thing.
Though sealed in the airtight container, the sample is still attempting to flow toward the Red Tide as if it is alive. It also continues to produce small Hetero-Creatures.
As if it's trying to get back to its mother. Is it alive...?
Asimov indeed believes that the Red Tide is a form of biologically evolved Punishing Virus.
Looks like the Hetero-Creatures are by-products of the Red Tide, but further studies will need to be conducted in order to understand their source and how they are formed.
Wanshi isn't falling asleep for once. That's rare.
...Old habits die hard. But that's irrelevant now.
Wanshi looks back at the Red Tide. It has slowed down and formed a decent-sized lake in the lower grounds of the city.
The sunlight shimmers on the quiet crimson liquid that swallows life and death wherever it goes...
Then Wanshi hears the whispers in the Red Tide.
...!
What's wrong, Wanshi? You look terrible.
Don't you hear that?
Hear what...?
The creatures are talking in the Red Tide... No, they sound more like... data fragments?
It's meaningless. Don't let it distract you.
I know.
Even so, an eerie silence still envelops them. The whispers in the Red Tide flood into their ears and wraps around them like a perpetual shadow.
It is not until the vibration and rumbling in the distance break the silence that the three wake up from the trance and look for the source of the commotion.
The hissing of the Hetero-Creatures and the sound of the greatsword slashing echo above the empty city.
Mixed with familiar angry roars.
Could this be...
Let's find out.
They arrive just in time to see Camu fling a sticky Hetero-Creature off his greatsword with disgust. The creature splats on the wall behind Chrome then slowly slides down. Its mucus splashes onto the hem of Chrome's pants.
...
Camu! It really is you! Are you okay?
...Stay back.
...Hah?
I'm immune to it, but you might not be. Don't come closer if you don't have to.
Camu lifts a finger to point at the Hetero-Creature remnants and "blood" all over his body.
Nah. A part of our mission is to collect Red Tide samples, so we all put on full protective gear before we landed. Don't worry about us!
I didn't say I was worried.
His fighting style is as insane as Kamui's...
I don't fight like that...
Camu puts the greatsword on his back and kicks the pile of Hetero-Creature limbs away, then walks toward the Strike Hawks. Kamui finally gets a good look at all the filth on Camu.
...do I?
So what's the situation? What are you all doing here?
We received a direct order from President Hassen to look for the Gray Ravens. They...
Lost all contact, right? The guy with a disgusting smile told me the same thing and gave me a few possible coordinates. I've sifted through them, however...
Camu takes out the screen and pulls up the map.
The closest coordinates are underground. I circled around this area but I didn't find an entrance.
There's an underground shelter below the city. I'm sure there are more than one entrances. If only we can find the blueprint of the underground facilities...
Pointless.
All the possible entrances have been blocked off.
What's...
Camu points at the Red Tide puddles on the ground.
Unless you want to dive underwater to open the door?
...That might be a little challenging.
It feels like someone is intentionally trying to stop us. Where does the Red Tide come from? Is it sentient or is someone manipulating it?
Hmph. Every time I tried to get closer to those coordinates, these disgusting things would swarm at me.
Other squads are also looking for Huaxu. Their protective gear isn't as strong as ours, so they might not be able to get past the Red Tide.
If we can't find a way to go underground, we should at least ensure the safety of our ground support.
Kamui, you work with Camu. Continue to look for the Gray Ravens.
Wanshi and I will connect with the other squads. We need to sync our information and make sure that there is enough support to handle any situation.
Understood.
Got it.
(We'll leave Huaxu to you, Gray Raven. I have faith in you.)
Whatever we do... we need to hurry.
