Story Reader / Affection / Watanabe: Epitaph / Story
In the long history of battling the Punishing Virus, humans often forget that the virus is not their only enemy.
Natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, avalanches, and volcanic eruptions can easily claim countless lives.
Humans always believe they've conquered nature, only to scatter and flee in the face of its power.
The camp is in chaos due to the approaching desert storm, and everyone is anxious about the impending disaster.
I-I want to go back. The storm won't reach us for another hour. We can still make it...
Go back where? The only conservation area nearby is 148 and we've just raided it. I'd rather stay and take my chances than be strung up and beaten.
Take your chances? Don't you see we have nothing but tents in this camp? We will die if we stay here!
Then go back alone! We won't stop you. Just don't take our car!
Why are you yelling? Is the car yours? Everything here is stolen!
So what if it's stolen? You're a thief too!
Terrified civilians start arguing fiercely. Amid the uproar, there's a shout.
What's the point of arguing? Whoever grabs the car keys first owns it. I'm going for the car. Who's with me?
Me! Me!
The shout stirs up a frenzy. The fragile balance shatters at the mention of fighting for the car.
People begin pushing and shoving violently. Those for and against taking the car by force start fighting, filling the air with curses.
Seeing a brawl is about to start, you and Watanabe exchange a glance.
[player name], this is our chance.
You nod, knowing Watanabe is referring to the opportunity you'd discussed earlier—to persuade them to surrender without a fight.
Just as you are about to stop the chaos, a sharp gunshot sounds, causing everyone to scream in fright and crouch down.
Shut up, you idiots. Did you really think I'd let you take my stuff and just walk away?
If you weren't so stupid, I might have considered taking a few of you with me. But now I realize that none of you are worth saving.
It's a pity to lose people here, but there are plenty of useful idiots like you in other conservation areas. I'm leaving. You can stay here and die in this damned desert!
With those words, Schneider, holding his pistol high, turns to flee toward the garage, guarded by his soldiers.
I'll stop him!
Watanabe tears off the cloak that is restricting his movements and dashes after Schneider like a black whirlwind.
Schneider's soldiers try to block him, but Watanabe dodges them in a breeze and knocks them out before they can react.
In the blink of an eye, only three or four of Schneider's soldiers are left standing.
The civilians, now aware of Schneider's betrayal, rush to block the path to the garage.
You... you're the Forsaken traitor, Watanabe!
You have no right to call me a traitor.
Seeing his escape route blocked, Schneider points his gun at you in desperation.
Don't move! I saw you talking with that person. Come any closer and I'll shoot!
I dare you.
Watanabe takes a step forward with an expressionless face.
I'm faster than you. I will break your wrist before you can pull that trigger.
Say... you don't think you're faster than a Construct, do you?
D-damn it... Ahhh—!
Schneider tries to pull the trigger in desperation. Right then, both you and Watanabe lunge forward.
—BANG!
Another deafening gunshot echoes through the small mess hall.
People open their eyes cautiously, expecting to see a bloodbath, but all they see is a bullet hitting the ceiling. Watanabe has taken down Schneider before he could fire.
Watanabe quickly turns to check on you. You wave at him to show that you're fine.
The two of you walk over to Schneider and find him unconscious on the ground.
Good. Saved us some trouble. Let's take him to the conservation area for trial.
Watanabe ties up the unconscious Schneider. Only then do the civilians realize what has happened.
W-wait, is he...
That's right! He's Watanabe, leader of the Forsaken. How did we not recognize him earlier?
Oh my... Watanabe!!
The civilians gasp, their admiration for Watanabe quickly turning to fear.
This is understandable. Even though Schneider has just betrayed them, it doesn't erase their long-standing hostility toward the Forsaken. To them, Watanabe is still an enemy.
You raise your hand, signaling for everyone's attention.
Your speech seems to ease some apprehension, but the crowd remains skeptical.
You're the Gray Raven Commandant. I recognize you...
But words are just words. What if you go back on your promise?
The woman voices the crowd's concern, and they all agree.
Right! We've done many terrible things. People in the conservation area might not want to take us in.
Just because you've done bad things in the past, does that mean you have to continue living like this?
Watanabe's thought-provoking question interrupts the murmur.
It's like saying you have to keep making mistakes simply because you've made one to begin with.
If you keep running away from the consequences of your past actions, you'll never get back on the right path.
Do you really want to spend the rest of your lives hiding, barely filling your stomach through theft and robbery?
The crowd falls silent, unable to answer Watanabe's questions.
Of course, they all long for the day they can return to a peaceful life. Many of them have already seen through Schneider's trap and lost hope in the "Resisters".
But still, none of them ever found the courage to face the mistakes they have made, all while knowing full well that they couldn't realistically hide forever.
...Hey, I've got something to say.
One of the soldiers who hasn't been knocked out by Watanabe raises his hand. You recognize him as the man who gave you cookies.
I was the one who let them in. I knew from day one that they didn't agree with the idea of "Resisters", but I chose not to bust them.
Because when we met, I remembered that I didn't come here to do this kind of dirty work. I came just for the food but somehow ended up as one of Schneider's henchmen.
The soldier casts a glance at Watanabe and puts down his weapon.
Watanabe, Gray Raven Commandant, I'm going with the two of you. I want to try a new path.
The soldier goes to stand beside Watanabe. Seeing this, the other civilians start to murmur among themselves.
Anyone else want to come with us?
This Forsaken rescue mission will not leave anyone behind, as long as you believe in us.
This time, the silence doesn't last long.
The soldier's actions acted as a catalyst, pushing the crowd toward the right path.
I-I'll go with you. I don't want to die here!
I'd rather be in jail than become a mummy here!
Me too! I've had enough of this life. Let's go back!
The voices grow louder and more determined, eventually merging into a clear chant.
Watanabe, Gray Raven Commandant, we want to go with you.
...Okay.
Watanabe raises his right arm, making sure everyone can see his signal.
Everyone, follow me. We're leaving!
By the time the Forsaken receives the emergency call and arrives, the sandstorm is already dangerously close to the camp's center. Moving through the swirling sand is incredibly difficult.
Commander, all twenty armored vehicles are in position. Please give further instructions!
Good. Help the civilians evacuate the camp, prioritizing the elderly, women, and children. Once a vehicle is full, send it off immediately.
No matter what happens, don't look back. Drive straight toward the conservation area. If you stop, the sandstorm will catch up.
Yes, Commander!
[player name], please help maintain order. Someone might try to cut in line. We can't afford any delays.
Wait, take this.
Watanabe pulls out a pistol from his coat, unlocks the safety, and hands it to you.
I know you don't want to hurt anyone, but now they know who you are. Some people might be hostile toward you.
[player name], take care of yourself.
I'll stay here and leave with the last vehicle, but the sandstorm might not give us that much time. If you have the chance, go ahead without me.
You hold firmly onto Watanabe's wrist.
...Alright. I'll be waiting for you.
Come back as soon as possible.
You nod and rush into the swirling sandstorm.
Every step in the storm is incredibly difficult. Your legs feel as though they were filled with lead, sinking into the quicksand.
It feels like the entire desert has a will of its own, dragging its prey into the abyss.
One armored vehicle after another rushes away, accelerating to escape the vortex of death.
The sunlight grows dimmer, making it almost impossible to see where they are.
The last armored vehicle finally leaves, and you start heading to the rendezvous point with Watanabe.
But the last bit of sunlight is already completely obscured by the sandstorm, leaving you lost in the desert.
You struggle to take the transmitter out from your coat.
The dim screen is flickering faintly with the words: "No Signal".
You drop the empty canteen and the useless transmitter, but your steps are still heavy.
You then throw away the useless combat knife.
You look through your belongings again, but there is nothing else to discard.
You pull on the cloak tighter to keep the sand out.
But your steps grow heavier, each one sinking deeper into the quicksand despite your effort to take larger strides.
Just as your body is about to sink into the quicksand, a force pulls you up.
I've got you, [player name]! The vehicle is almost here. Hang in there!
Watanabe stands in the sinking quicksand, using all his strength to pull you out of the deadly whirlpool.
See that white vehicle by the camp gate? Don't give up now. We're almost there!
With stamina depleting, every step grows tougher, but Watanabe holds onto you firmly, preventing the quicksand from devouring your body.
Supported by this unwavering strength, you finally arrive at the vehicle.
We're here!
Watanabe pushes you into the vehicle, slamming the door shut, separating you from the raging storm.
Good job. All civilians have been evacuated. Let's go.
The armored vehicle smoothly drives out of the storm's center, leaving the small camp far behind.
Moments after the vehicle departs, the camp is swallowed by the rolling sands.
The expressions of the civilians in the back seats show lingering fear.
This is the desert, nature in its most primal and terrifying form.
