Story Reader / Main Story / 34 Dream till the Timeless End / Story
City Center Department Store
Fast City
9:30
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A screen on a window of a department store by the street rolls through recent news.
National News Agency: According to the Fast International News report on the 12th, Fast City police stopped an earlier attack at the Montali International Airport.
The criminals were caught after the first wave of attacks on the airport's network system. They were apprehended at the scene, and airport operations were back to normal in just 2 hours.
For more details, we turn to our special guest today, Mr. Antu, Commissioner from the United Government.
This was an act of opposition against "The New Earth Codex", without a doubt, but it crossed the line! Just like the earlier attack at the Dionysus Theater...
Dandelion leaves the store carrying boxes of supplies. She rolls her eyes when she hears the news and almost stumbles when Jonathan bumps into her from behind.
Hey, be careful!
You're too close!
Dandelion puts down the boxes and crosses her arms in frustration as the news continues to loop in the background.
"Apprehended at the scene"... They didn't follow up at all. F.O.S. said the virus only ran for 10 minutes before self-destructing.
Keep your voice down, we're in public...
The news can give all the details to the public anyway. "We don't even know what happened, but whatever it was, it's over."
Jonathan looks around cautiously, making sure no one is paying attention to them before whispering.
Whatever, it's fine as long as F.O.S.'s plan worked. This morning, the United Government already started assessing security requirements for employees like us.
After I sent in all your names, they gave us permission to change routes and request escort personnel.
Ha.
Oh right... What happened to that guy who helped F.O.S. by creating a distraction at the airport?
He has proof for an acute stress disorder episode. The airport even had to compensate him. It won't affect his life.
I can't believe it actually worked... I'm impressed.
It's nothing. The one who really made it work... is someone else.
Jonathan stares straight ahead. Across the street, F.O.S. and Iris lean against an SUV, taking inventory of their supplies.
F.O.S. is indeed incredible... Are you feeling jealous?
Who doesn't want to be a hero?
That's true. F.O.S. was absolutely phenomenal during the airport operation. I didn't see it in person, but I bet it was just like something from a spy movie!
...That wasn't the only time...
He instinctively touches the collar at the back of his neck. He will never forget... the moment when F.O.S. removed the listening device from there.
Before the airport operation...
Suburb
Fast City
5:00
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Fast City Suburbs 5:00 Line Spacing: 2
With the operation approaching, Jonathan finds himself wide awake at night, thoughts racing rapidly in his mind. He keeps going through all the events, wondering if he really... must get involved.
From the eyes of someone involved, how can he protect his own interests? According to law... never mind, no legal code was written for this situation.
Knowing that he won't get any more sleep before dawn, he gets up to use the cold morning air to calm himself.
He sorts through his jumbled thoughts as he walks against the morning breeze and accidentally wanders beyond the safety perimeter set by Iris...
When a group of monsters just like the ones in the theater appears, Jonathan realizes that Lueya will never let him off so easily.
Help! Somebody help me!
He's strayed too far from the villa. At this distance, no one can hear his cries for help.
Am I going to... die here...
As the monsters close in on him slowly, Jonathan's face shows nothing but despair...
Sharp gunshots ring out from the far end, drawing the monsters' attention.
F-F.O.S.!
The weapons provided by Iris are more useful than expected. Although you can't kill the monsters, the shots are enough to keep them at bay.
You grab Jonathan by the shoulders and sprint frantically in the opposite direction.
Y-you, what are you doing here...
The guns can only scare the monsters, not kill them. You must stay alive until Iris notices that you and Jonathan are missing...
You go around the outskirts into the forest, finally shaking off the monsters and making it back into the safety of the villa's shielded magnetic field just before Jonathan collapses.
Jonathan's heart is pounding so violently that he feels it's going to burst from his chest.
Huff... huff... you... huff...
Why were you... huff... there... so early...
Was everything F.O.S. said during the meeting just empty promises? Was F.O.S., after knowing the full picture, also planning to "escape"?
Strange emotions brew in him as he guesses the intentions of this self-proclaimed mercenary with malice.
W-when did you put that there?!
Impossible! We only met once yesterday...
...Why would you do that?
In an unfamiliar situation, it's best to do whatever it takes to maintain control. This is one of F.O.S.'s core teachings.
Then... then why did you...
The only information you needed was whether your partners had ill intentions.
You casually crush the listening device and tuck it into your pouch.
...
You're not a mercenary.
Then why...
Why get involved in this at all? Why risk your life to save me? There's nothing in it for you...
...That wasn't just empty talk? Why would anyone get themselves into such a terrible mess over such vague, abstract reasons?
S-save the world?
The currents of history rush everything along. If we let Lueya do as she pleases, today it's Bane, tomorrow it'll be another city. Eventually, it'll affect us all.
...
As Jonathan watches F.O.S. walk away, he touches the phone in his pocket.
The screen was left on a chat window.
Jo, I heard about what happened at Montali Airport. They're getting more reckless.
It's unfair for you to stay on this mission. I'm working on it. Stay in Fast City for a few more days.
I'm doing my best to get you out of this assignment.
—Professor
Thank you for that, but... I want to go to Bane.
—Jonathan
The people of Bane need help...
What?
Nothing. It's green. Let's go.
Hey, hey! Stop pushing! I'm carrying a ton of stuff here! I'm going!
After Jonathan and Dandelion cross the street and finish loading supplies into the off-road vehicle, they overhear the other two discussing the operation.
It's a four-day journey from Fast to Jotunn, the border city of Bane, and a four-and-a-half-day journey to the capital if you take this route.
I can handle it.
After "she doesn't seem like someone who'd choose the fastest and most effective way," we have now added, "she probably doesn't know how to drive"?
Iris winks playfully. Ever since you had a meal together, she's been increasingly casual with you.
I'm a Construct. Operating continuously for days isn't a problem when it's just driving. Plus, we'll be taking breaks.
If we're just driving... why don't you stay on guard instead?
You slide into the passenger seat, cast one last glance at the city, and buckle your seatbelt.
The main stretch of the route to Bane cuts through highlands with lush vegetation. It's the rainy season and a gentle drizzle persists.
On the way, you meet a traveler going in the opposite direction, stranded with a flat tire.
You offer to help and the traveler tells you about the road ahead. He even marks a few notable points on your map and gives you a pack of energy candies.
Back in the car, you glance at the two sleeping in the back before turning to Iris and whispering.
Okay.
Okay.
Alright...
But I need to keep my hands on the wheel.
...
Iris keeps her eyes fixed on the road ahead without moving, as if nothing had happened.
Just as you're about to move to the next topic, Iris speaks again.
I'd like some candy, but I'm driving.
You hold the candy to Iris's lips.
Thank you.
Her lowered voice, muffled by the candy, sounds lazy like the rain outside.
Dandelion mumbles something from the back seat and shifts her body. Both you and Iris reach for the speaker volume control at the same time.
Your fingertips touch, eyes meet, and you laugh. The upbeat music stops, leaving only the sound of heavy rain.
...Hmm, they were full earlier.
Her serious tone carries hints of a chuckle she can't quite hide.
Do you want to take a nap?
Then let's chat for a while.
Like, your interests, the kind of music you like, or what you enjoy doing.
You don't have the answers? Do you not know yourself well?
Sure, I'll tell you.
<size=30>However many times you want.</size>
Nothing. I got candy stuck in my teeth.
Your casual conversation flows into the curtain of rain, falling among the highland trees as the vehicle rolls forward.
As night falls, the four of you arrive safely at the abandoned service area on Highland Route 04.
It was originally just a supply point, but after this route was built, it was expanded into a service area.
The service area had the potential to develop into a small settlement, but the United Government's Peace Operation changed everything.
When the Highland Route fell into disuse, many points along the way declined as well.
Iris parks the vehicle in a spot with clear visibility, where you can act quickly if anything happens. You help the others set up their tents.
I had no idea there's so much to pitching a tent.
I thought you could just hammer in a couple of stakes anywhere and call it a day.
Thanks for all the hard work. Jonathan and I will take care of dinner. We can't let you do everything.
By the way, where's Iris?
You sound a bit strange...
Jonathan! Time to make dinner!
...I should have bought two boxes of instant meals.
We're not in a rush now. Why don't we reward ourselves with some good food?
...
We'll treat this as a vacation.
Jonathan sighs, setting aside the contract he was drafting. He shrugs to himself before reluctantly trudging over to start the fire.
If this were a real vacation, I'd have brought a guide who doubles as a translator and a driver who can cook.
Then you must have learned quite a few skills, right?
...Do you think that was the point?
Their casual conversation fades as you walk to the edge of the camp, setting up makeshift security devices assembled from components you bought earlier.
After you're done, you take out a map and head toward the spot you pointed out to Iris earlier when you were parking.
You go around some abandoned buildings and past a few rows of trees before your view suddenly opens.
Before you is a massive, rusty platform surrounded by moss-covered items. An old, weathered piano stands silently to one side.
Iris stands by the piano, her fingertips gently tracing the keys. She gazes at the tilted steel frames behind the platform that were probably supports for stage backdrops.
You pause in front of the platform and speak from a distance.
That's why you chose this route...
Iris turns around and looks at you with pressed lips.
Can you give me a different reason?
...
F.O.S.
Iris interrupts you.
Would you be my audience?
You find an abandoned chair among the objects nearby. She carefully wipes it and sits down with proper posture.
The first performer is light itself. It appears from behind Iris and shines on the lush foliage, making it look like night has only just descended.
Next to take the stage is music. It rises from the aged yet powerful keys and the crisp notes echoing from the corners of the stage, elegant and graceful.
Then, with flowing garments and dancing fingers, she moves like an iris flower swaying in the evening breeze, exquisite and soft.
As her dress rises and falls, the tenderness you have yearned for fills your heart, and the thin barrier between you disappears.
Your troubled thoughts vanish, and Iris's silhouette seems to be moving in slow motion.
This might be more than just a mission. It may be a pleasant journey to be savored.
All the beautiful things have just come into blossom. All the romantic stories still have time to unfold gradually.
