Story Reader / Main Story / 24 Chaos Unsnarled / Story

She shakes her head, trying to make the swirling world stop.

...Despite the vital fluid seeping from wounds of various sizes scattering on her face, arms, and body.

Countless bodies of Hetero-Wolves surround Vera and No. 21—some battered, some with indiscernible parts, and others already wizened...

The only intact spot is where No. 21 collapsed.

With her blade, Vera fends off the purple-red sea of wolves, her vital fluid splattering around its coastline during the fierce engagement. Some drops even land onto No. 21's body.

Fighting restlessly till now, the Construct known as Redheaded Death shows No. 21 a smile with ferocity lingering from the battle, yet her hand is surprisingly trembling while holding her blade.

She has disregarded the once-raging impulses triggered by imagining the loss of Vera or Noctis.

The reality before her feels unreal, so unreal that she has entirely dismissed the sensations she recently regained.

Are you going to cry?

No. 21, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you recently.

I busted my ass to get you this new frame. Although the development rights are all transferred out by Nikola, the problem is probably you yourself.

I don't know what kind of human scent you want to have, but seriously, do you really need that in Cerberus?!

They and I are not the same kind... That's why they want to discard me.

Being discarded, I don't want... No.

Who are they? You mean you are going to die if someone asks you so?

In the next moment, she tightens her grip on the thin, pale neck chained by the restraint collar, her hand stained with vital fluid applying pressure on those pulsating veins.

It's time to step up and take responsibility for yourself, No. 21! Quit living in this fantasy of wanting to be "everyone else" and passing the buck onto others.

Humans stay together because this is their way to utilize each other.

Whether it's you or that dumbass Noctis standing in my way one day, I won't let either of you just walk all over me.

It's just a coincidence that our squad is named Cerberus. Don't tell me... that you're actually taking it seriously and planning to become a good little puppy.

Now I see, your brain is still buried among all that junk.

Remember, I make you obey because I can. Don't take it for granted and be obedient to everyone else.

I told you that I hate idiots who get themselves trapped the most. You forgot that already?

Compelled by the intense aggression in Vera's eyes, No. 21 senses the powerful force emanating from the restraint on her neck, yet she remains unable to divert her gaze.

Whether it's with your claws, teeth, or the craziness defined by others... start making your own damn decisions already instead of living up to other people's expectations like some kind of pet.

If you're going to keep acting like a coward, you might as well get your ass back to Kurono. The members of Cerberus are all defiant lone dogs. We're biters, not followers.

Because each of those souls never contemplates blending into their surroundings, the boundaries of their individualities always remain clear.

They harbor no fear of being different from others, nor do their companions concern themselves with such differences.

Despite being criticized as a collective of freaks and monsters, their sole task is to tear apart any enemies daring to challenge them.

This is the monsters' way of self-defense. Like moths drawn to a flame, they prefer to fight to the death with their heads held high, rather than relinquish their individuality.

No. 21 once thought about various methods of defending her squad.

But as an experimental subject from birth, she refused to perceive this world from her own perspective from the very beginning.

She was always the one being calibrated, being allowed, being deployed, and being approved.

Emotions beyond her control were forbidden as they clashed with practicality.

Unacceptable behaviors were to be concealed, as any criticism directed at No. 21 would affect everyone in Cerberus.

Due to her strong desire to cherish this "den" that had brought forth many new and unfamiliar feelings, No. 21 found herself compelled to abandon those pieces of herself that could potentially harm it.

Initially, No. 21 believed she was different from others because she lacked common sense and knowledge about the world.

After countless days and nights living in the real world outside the research institute, No. 21 has been slowly losing the boundaries of her identity.

As she continues to sever pieces of herself from the already fragmented boundaries, what remains can only form something that she finds perplexing.

And this confusion has become the collar of hysteria.

It serves as a deceptive lifeline clutched by No. 21 herself, yet it is truly a chain wrapped around her neck.

—However, no defiant lone dog would permit themselves to be chained. A defiant lone dog has the ability to resist being chained.

Whether it's her or somebody else who holds the leash, the fangs are always ready to be bared as long as her body is functional.

In No. 21's mind, numerous shimmering shards akin to snowflakes suddenly flash, reflecting what she has previously dismissed, rejected, and buried deep within.

While No. 21 was being shaped by the world, these shards of her true self were scattered all over. However, during that time, she found herself unable to determine whether she should reclaim them or not.

Fortunately, she has now found what she believes to be the correct answer.

She realizes that she must defend her own boundaries first and then protect everything she holds dear with her complete self.

Suddenly, she feels the weight of this framework, which didn't quite align with her initial expectations, becoming lighter.

At that moment, No. 21 decides that her vision of the "human" form can include bionic ears and a tail-like balancing device. She will no longer view these traits as indicators of being "not like a human."

Prior to this, the highly perceptive sensors and explosive power possessed by this frame had more or less intimidated her.

She was afraid of losing control over her power and herself, so she made the choice to reject that power.

But now, she begins to feel a surge of excitement for the power she can possess.

Unbeknownst to herself, No. 21 is undergoing a rebirth as a new and whole entity within her metallic body and data consciousness.

Without a fixed form of either human or animal, this one is more liberated, one that bears her unique name: No. 21.

Your leash is in your own hand now, No. 21.

Keep an eye out for the "buds" once those nasty creatures start melting away and seeping into the soil.

A new group of Hetero-Creatures will be born from those buds soon after that.

We can't last long against that number of enemies. We must push forward as fast as we can. Cough, get me up.

That direction.

Subconsciously, No. 21 increases the computing speed of her frame, allowing her processing capabilities to accelerate.

She has this faint sensation that she and Vera are standing on the tongue of some colossal creature.

And it won't be long before the forest reveals its fangs, unleashing its ferocious might to tear them apart and consume them for its own growth.

They have to run now, as fast as they can.

No. 21 lifts Vera's arm clumsily, attempting to share some of her weight, but her movement inadvertently causes Vera to gasp in pain and grip No. 21's shoulder tightly.

[player name] disconnected. Said the signal would be unstable.

...The smell has changed. They might be coming.

I'll be in charge of the rear.

After all, I did the work of two while you were lying on the ground.

Vera glances at the swaying, agile fragmented shadow on the grass, belonging to No. 21, who stands with her back to Vera, vigilantly observing the surroundings behind them.

A smile graces Vera's face as she leads the two of them, walking toward the sun that is slowly descending.