Story Reader / Main Story / 33 Wither to Shine / Story
Damp moonlight seeps through the dark trees.
The enemies aren't following us.
What's the situation on your side?
...I didn't ask you that.
Vanessa walks over, checks your protective suit, and relaxes a bit when the Punishing Virus concentration is down.
Let's rest here for a bit.
Those things in the woods are relentless.
The forest where Luna is lies outside Aerospace City's "Clean Zone", so the enemies here are especially tough.
On the way back, you were chased by Hetero-Creatures and barely made it out of the forest.
Buzz—
Just as you start to speak, a loud buzzing fills your M.I.N.D. connection.
It's like a thousand bells ringing, stabbing pain in your ears. Your vision goes black as something disconnects from your mind.
It's "The Shackles".
...?
Consciousness is buried in freezing mud, bells echoing through mind.
...
She rushes over, checks the protective suit's readings, and frowns.
A needle goes in, the cold liquid mixing with hot blood. The sharp pain pulls back a small portion of consciousness.
You're heavily infected. It's probably just ringing in your ears.
No, it's not ringing in your ears.
...
It's just your imagination.
In the blurry vision, the falling snow makes weird shapes as Vanessa purses her lips.
Break's over. We need to move, now.
After checking the route on a portable terminal, Vanessa grabs your arm and heads back to the rendezvous point before you can speak.
After crossing a few snow hills, the lights of the rendezvous point come into view. A familiar figure runs toward you.
Vanessa, Commandant!
Did something happen back at the settlement?
According to the latest data, the Punishing Virus concentration at the rendezvous point has spiked. It's above the survival threshold.
Two human groups are still inside... they haven't been evacuated...
But the vehicles from Aerospace City haven't returned yet...
...Understood.
Patrol teams, help with the evacuation, now!
The command is clear, prompting the remaining humans to move out.
Leaving behind heavy gear, the residents grab essentials and rush out, confused.
With no time to explain, everyone heads toward Aerospace City with the patrol's help.
The lights around the Great Tombstone are going out one by one.
Standing at the edge of the camp, you stare at the forest where Luna was, a faint buzzing lingering in your M.I.N.D. connection.
Suddenly, the buzzing glitches. Emma pauses, looking toward the distant mountains and forest.
...?
What's going on...
Then, her device vibrates, pulling her attention back.
Hmm?
[player name], the Punishing Virus concentration's dropping, we...
Huh? I'm ready, but the Punishing Virus concentration...
Emma stops, interrupted again. Something clicks.
Avoiding Emma's eyes, you look back at the mountains. The forest is quiet, the snow and dead branches composing a mournful song.
Regardless, that faint light has gone out in the dark.
