Story Reader / Main Story / 33 Wither to Shine / Story
The waves rise.
A strange underwater scene appears before you.
What a surprise, finding the Gray Raven Commandant here in this shithole.
Since we seem to be in this together, I've got a favor to ask.
Connect my M.I.N.D. I've been wandering around here for so long, my M.I.N.D. is turning into mush.
We've come this far... things have gone far beyond Lithos' expectations. What happens next is anyone's guess.
How did this happen?
If I can't make it back, bring a message to Valeria for me.
A wave of grief emerges.
Tell her to delete all my embarrassing videos—no, actually, just say hello to her and Wanshi for me.
As if he didn't hear you, the man keeps talking to himself.
But he doesn't stop, just keeps walking like he's in his own world.
"I've seen enough of your face, don't bother looking for me", that's what I'll say.
The scene changes, danger in the darkness closing in fast—
Commandant! Get behind me!
In an instant, body and soul are ripped apart.
"Did I save him this time?" Weird thought... The last time—which time was that?
There is no time to confirm the situation behind when the feeling of suffocation suddenly hits.
He doesn't even have time to cry out or utter final words before his sturdy body shatters into fragments.
Ocean waves, the damp, fishy smell—
...
...
The freezing air fills your lungs.
It's pointless.
Only one way to find out.
But at what cost? Risk our lives for samples?
Humanity can't hide forever.
To survive, we have to face the Red Tide.
Before that day comes, humans can't be completely clueless about their enemy—
...
The blizzard drowns out the maiden's voice.
No matter what, don't come here.
Hearing a faint noise, the two conversing people simultaneously turn toward the source.
...
You're alive. That's good.
The white-haired agent floats up, her lifeless eyes looking down at you.
She's angry.
What if I hadn't? Are you always this reckless, counting on someone to save you?
Ugh...
You shouldn't trust me so much.
Stay away from here.
You should've noticed—the Mutated Red Tide's gone completely haywire.
Chaos, who controlled the Red Tide, is losing power and being eaten by it.
Leave...
Leave...
You saw her.
Luna sounds certain, not surprised at your reaction at all.
So, get out of here.
A new Agent Zero's forming, and I can't stop it.
I doubt it.
Luna shakes her head, dismissing the naive idea.
After the Mutated Red Tide surged, I lost my connection to the Ascension-Network.
But as a former agent, I can still sense some changes.
The Ascension-Network's evolving as information updates, or... "Information" keeps growing and expanding.
The Punishing Virus keeps developing, but the amount of matter in this world stays the same.
A "new life" is perhaps being born.
A "new life" is being born, but... the cries of infants haven't been heard in human settlements for a very long time.
Did you find her, that girl Nanami?
Let Nanami set the parameters! Let me set you up as the new starting point for the simulation as you are...
Preset conditions confirmed, logical simulation established—
Let's go, Commandant!
And "hope"... is the other reward you're getting.
I'm sure there will come a turning point where you'll find a perfect solution to the problems you're facing right now.
This is what you... what your entire civilization has strived for.
...
Did she say that?
...I understand.
During the conversation, you start feeling dizzy again.
The Punishing Virus concentration is spiking.
After injecting another serum, Vanessa stares intently toward the base of the snowy mountain, her expression grim.
Following her gaze, a pale figure stands amidst the Mutated Red Tide, but Chaos's form has almost vanished.
...
...
...
Agent Zero is reforming within the churning tide.
Return to Aerospace City immediately.
Let's go.
Luna extends her hand, slightly calming the Red Tide, though it has little effect.
She's losing control of the Red Tide.
[player name].
Faint voices disappear in the wind. She seems to be searching for something in this dark world...
...You misheard.
Let's go.
I'll help you... one last time.
With her remaining power, she creates a gentle barrier, pushing Vanessa and you out of her "territory".
By the time you realize it, Vanessa and you are already banished from her territory.
The icy wind makes it impossible to move forward.
The girl uses the Ascension-Network's residual spatial isolation.
The biting wind carries the girl's last words.
Don't come here anymore.
The Punishing Virus concentration is still going up. If you don't leave, you'll waste more than a few serums.
Vanessa falls silent and leads the way back.
You quickly shoot down the Hetero-Creature behind Vanessa.
Luna gathered all her "power" that was protecting the forest, giving the Hetero-Creatures the chance to launch attacks.
A gunshot rings out, and Hetero-Creatures scream behind you.
The Hetero-Creatures are catching up.
Looking back, the girl's slender silhouette has almost vanished from sight.
This was probably... her final choice.
After dealing with the Hetero-Creatures, you trudge through the snow.
...
The blizzard batters her, trying to consume her.
Once, she was that agent wielding unlimited power.
She had a sister she could depend on, a knight loyal to her, and a timid yet resilient mermaid.
Having broken free from her broken past, the world was once hers for the taking.
Maybe in another life, she'd have a peaceful future.
At least she wouldn't be like this, watching people around her leave one by one...
Her thoughts stop as the tide roars—the Mutated Red Tide coming for them on this pure land.
Is it here already...
A new... Agent Zero.
She looks toward the mountain base, indifferent.
