Canto IV: The Unchanging/Story Episodes/Part II
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4-28: Hole
4-29: Raid
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Samjo |
Oh dear… |
|
|
Samjo |
It seems a radio communication device was installed in this branch. |
|
|
Samjo |
Yes, I understand. I’ll return right away. |
|
|
Samjo |
It seems the laboratory has been raided again. |
|
|
Samjo |
There are apparently more terrorists this time, on a fiercer offense than before. |
|
|
OUTIS |
So the commotion earlier was a distraction to keep us here. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Kgh… This could have easily been prevented if it weren’t for your collusion. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
It does feel rather strange… I think this is the first time we’re going through a Lobotomy Corp. branch without facing a single Abnormality. |
|
|
HONG LU |
That’s true indeed. Those we did see were resting still in their eggs. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
The bounders from tech liberation whatever must have got some way to put Abnormalities in their eggs without lifting a hand, eh? |
|
|
FAUST |
Though we will have to see the details with our own eyes… If they really do have the technology to revert Abnormalities into their inactive forms… |
|
|
FAUST |
It’s certain that they possess the technologies to achieve more. |
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|
GREGOR |
Well well, sounds like you’ve gotta look out, Dongrang, bud… Ms. Faust isn’t one to say ominous stuff for nothing, you know. |
|
|
Dongrang |
It’ll work out somehow. In our group is K Corp’s most successful researcher… and better yet, two of the greatest geniuses in the City. |
4-30: Constellations
4-33: Bright Villains
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
I take back what I said about you being spineless wimps. I’m surprised you didn’t run away while we were scrapping. |
|
|
Alliance Member |
…… |
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|
HEATHCLIFF |
You’re so dead now. Bunch of book-smart sods who think using things others made is a talent… |
|
|
Alliance Member |
Fair point. |
|
|
Alliance Member |
Which is why we brought something new from the Lobotomy Corp. branch. |
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
GREGOR |
Hey, isn’t something off about this? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Was E.G.O something you could keep on all the time and use whenever like that? ‘Cause I didn’t know you could do that. |
|
|
GREGOR |
We all know E.G.O isn’t some kind of magic tool. It’s a lot of work… just keeping my sanity from tumbling over. |
|
|
RODION |
Besides, didn’t someone say that those people all… used to be lab workers…! How is it possible for them to use E.G.O better than we do? |
|
|
OUTIS |
This is not a matter of proficiency in battle. |
|
|
OUTIS |
They must have employed some other trick. |
|
|
FAUST |
There is one possibility in mind. |
|
|
FAUST |
If they reduced Abnormalities to an ovate form and figured out a way to materialize their E.G.O the way Lobotomy Corporation did… |
|
|
FAUST |
In other words, repeatedly researched the conditions of corrosion and trained themselves to repress it utilizing the Qliphoth Deterrence emitted by the Golden Bough… |
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FAUST |
It could be possible to use E.G.O well without being affected by corrosion even after a short period. |
|
|
FAUST |
What they’re using are tools, compressed and repressed into general utility. |
|
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GREGOR |
Does that mean… Lobotomy Corporation did the same… |
|
|
FAUST |
Yes, rather than Fixers, regular employees were given the E.G.O to work with. |
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|
FAUST |
Of course, what we have right now isn’t as refined as what the Wing used to have. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Wait, hold on. If you’re saying they can do that with the help of the Golden Bough’s deterrence power, that means it’s nearby… |
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GREGOR |
…Must be. Along with Dongbaek, who has it in her hands… |
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OUTIS |
I cannot help but question the security of this facility. The leader of the terrorists is freely roaming in your building, and not once has her presence been reported. |
|
|
Samjo |
As much as I’d like to object… I don’t have much I can say. I didn’t expect them to break in so easily… |
|
|
Dongrang |
The technology liberation alliance is formed by former researchers of renowned firms, after all. |
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DON QUIXOTE |
I see… So they were villains of bright minds. But I must wonder, can individuals of bright minds turn to villainy? Hmm… What a bewildering conundrum… |
|
|
Samjo |
Don’t let them fascinate you. If they were so wise, they wouldn’t have quit their enviable jobs at large firms for a terrorist organization in the first place. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Maybe it wasn’t the life they wanted. |
4-35: Urgent Call
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Dongrang |
This is troubling. I don’t mind other locations, but if that place were to be attacked, it’ll cause a major setback… |
|
|
Samjo |
Mr. Dongrang, you have an urgent call from Director Alfonso. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Oh boy… She’s about to give me a talking-to. Can’t you take the call for me, Samjo? |
|
|
Samjo |
I already have been, but her patience is nearing its limit. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Oh well… I’m not getting away from this. Pardon me for a second. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Watch closely, Executive Manager. If you see a lackey snooping around like that in the middle of danger… |
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|
OUTIS |
It most likely means you’ve found someone with useful information. It would be wise to make good use of them. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hey, we’re agents from a subcontracting firm here to deal with this commotion. What’s going on? |
|
|
Nervous Employee |
I-I’ve been looking for Ms. Shrenne, but I can’t find her anywhere. I need to tell her to evacuate… |
|
|
Nervous Employee |
She’s left her computer on… Where could she be… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Ah… Actually, she- |
|
|
OUTIS |
Alright, we’ll find her. You evacuate first. |
|
|
Nervous Employee |
Thank you. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Now, while the terrorists’ informant has been removed, the staff is still in a muddle, and her computer is left on. |
|
|
OUTIS |
We’re in a complete tactical advantage. It didn’t even cost us any strength. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
The computer Shrenne used… Its password was "missyouran", right… |
|
|
DANTE |
<We were told she was in close relations with Ran, exchanging lots of messages…> |
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|
DANTE |
<If we’re lucky, we might find a pending email or some other clue on her computer.> |
|
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DANTE |
<It should hopefully give us some insight into the technology liberation alliance, too.> |
|
|
OUTIS |
You’re quick to understand. That was unexpe- I mean… very much expected of my executive manager. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Alright, good. The problem is how we’re gonna sneak into the office… Who on our team is gonna walk in there bold-faced and get it done without rousing suspicion… |
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DANTE |
<If I had to choose a Sinner who can keep a still face and avoid suspicion…> |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Give this humble knight one more chance, and I shall succeed…! |
|
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DANTE |
<Meursault! Think you can handle it?> |
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MEURSAULT |
…As long as you command. |
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|
DANTE |
<Yeah, I’m counting on you.> |
4-38: Glorious Past
Pre-Battle
4-41: Class 1
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
GREGOR |
Ah, you must be K Corp. staff. Hey! I saw some researchers that haven’t evacuated over there… |
|
|
Class 3 Excision Staff |
…… |
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|
Dongrang |
They aren’t here to rescue anyone. Their role is eliminating intruders and keeping classified technologies secure. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Rescuing is left to Class 1 staff. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Gasp! Is Class 1 not the highest level an employee can reach, precisely like Grade 1 is for Fixers?! Verily, ‘tis no wonder that they are the noblest…! |
|
|
Samjo |
Sorry? In this Nest, Class 1 is the lowest level, and higher numbers indicate better ranks… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Wha, wuh, wah, wha, wai… Whaat?!!! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…Even still, none can be too lordly or lowly to save lives, so how can the roles be divided? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Haha, bigger is better for numbers and riches alike, isn’t that right? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, the conversation dragged on for a bit… But there’s nothing to worry about, I’ve acquired the permission. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…?> |
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HEATHCLIFF |
What? Permission? For what? |
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|
Dongrang |
Normally, it seems to require a bunch of paperwork as well, but since we’re in an emergency, let’s skip the procedures that we can. Should be fine, right, Samjo? |
|
|
Samjo |
Well… I believe it could be managed with three days and a half of working on the report overtime. |
|
|
Samjo |
And strictly speaking, the problem already began when you brought them to your lab without any report. |
|
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HEATHCLIFF |
Just tell us what that permission is about first! |
|
|
Dongrang |
It would seem that Dongbaek has headed that way. |
|
|
Dongrang |
The screening room. |
|
|
Dongrang |
The security procedures for entering that place can be… extremely convoluted. |
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RODION |
Screening room? The name doesn’t give a very clear idea of what it’s about~ |
|
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HONG LU |
Wonder why the security is so tight about it~ |
|
|
Dongrang |
It’s at the very top of the building. |
|
|
Dongrang |
There are two ways to make something inaccessible: put it underground, or at the highest point. |
4-43: An Age Without Technology
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Samjo |
As you might have seen earlier… that’s Marile. In fact, I met him once at a job interview for B Corp. once. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Really? Samjo… You applied for B Corp, too? |
|
|
Samjo |
…Of course, K Corp. was my primary choice… A man of mediocrity like me has to send an application to every Wing in hopes that one will accept it. |
|
|
Samjo |
…… |
|
|
Samjo |
Oh dear, pardon me, I need to use the restroom… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Our researchers… couldn't have been able to fight back at all. |
|
|
Marile |
K Corp’s employees didn’t seem to have a problem with bludgeoning my colleagues who didn’t so much as swing a fist, either. |
|
|
OUTIS |
We’re looking for your boss. Where is she? |
|
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Marile |
What I want to know is how you’re still alive. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oh, you mean those galling murder machines? They weren’t anything we couldn’t deal with. The bomb… did hurt a bit, though. |
|
|
Marile |
No. That bomb wasn’t meant for annihilation. It was a means. |
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|
Marile |
There’s been an unexpected variable to Ran and Shrenne’s plan. What are you? |
|
|
FAUST |
Even if you were to return to an age without technology, you won’t find the peace you seek. |
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|
FAUST |
Once accustomed to the luxury brought by technology, people won’t be able to withstand life in the past. Think of the time when trips to the Backstreets were trending among the rich. |
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|
FAUST |
They only use the experience to take another look at their own lives and be thankful for everything they have. Hardly any would live in a less opulent era given the opportunity. |
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|
Marile |
…And? I don’t like talkative people. Not fond of explaining things to you, either. |
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|
FAUST |
I’m not the talkative sort. And I don’t require explanations in any field. I was simply curious to know the difference in perspectives. |
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Marile |
…None of us take WARP trains. |
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|
Marile |
We don’t eat the meat the City has to offer, either. |
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|
Marile |
When you know the truth, you wouldn’t even consider something as shallow as Backstreets trips. |
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HONG LU |
Hm… The elders in my family, who must know even greater things than I do, didn’t have any problem using them though? |
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Marile |
The masses are ignorant. They won’t believe it even if you show it before their eyes. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
And this is your conclusion? |
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|
HEATHCLIFF |
Get rid of everything and make ‘em live in that empty world? |
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|
Marile |
You wouldn’t get— |
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HEATHCLIFF |
No, I think I get it just fine. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
There are plenty of blighters out there who just don’t get it if you talk nicely. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
They’d only start empathizing with the likes of me after they get a couple bruises and scars on their faces. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
It gives me the urge to just wreck it all. |
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Marile |
…… |
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|
Marile |
If we ever recruit new members… |
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|
Marile |
I’ll try excluding the educational background from the requisites. |
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|
ISHMAEL |
Although Heathcliff has never told us about what schools he went to… I can see where it’s coming from. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Still, you're going way over the line. |
4-45: Offer to Join
Pre-Battle
4-47: Screening Room
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
SINCLAIR |
It’s too dark to see… What is that? |
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|
Dongrang |
It’s been stopped for a moment because of the commotion, right? |
|
|
Samjo |
Yes, as intruders might come up… so Director Alfonso has ordered to halt the operation for the moment… |
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|
Dongrang |
No, no, that just won’t do. The losses caused in that brief moment will be tremendous, Samjo. |
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RODION |
Scratch that… What IS that thing?! |
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Dongrang |
Ah, you see… This thing cries in our stead. |
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|
Dongrang |
So I always look at it with gratitude and pity. |
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|
??? |
I see now… That’s what Ran told me about. |
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Dongrang |
Ahh~ I’ve been wondering how, and now I know the answer. |
|
|
Dongrang |
How our security was so easily breached, how we kept losing track of you, and how you kept vanishing… |
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|
Dongrang |
You had the 'veil'. Ah, it was so simple, why couldn’t I think of it sooner? |
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HEATHCLIFF |
'Veil'? What’s that supposed to be… Gah, you buggers started talking about things only you know again, eh? |
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ISHMAEL |
You might be able to live in the City alright, but you clearly aren’t cut out to be a Fixer. |
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FAUST |
Most people will struggle to figure out or understand the source of each technology in their lives, so they give up the endeavor and simply nod along. |
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|
FAUST |
Pretending to know. It’s an essential skill for making your life in the City bearable. |
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ISHMAEL |
…Ahem. |
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Dongbaek |
…… |
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Dongrang |
It’s an expensive Singularity-based item only famous Fixers, Wing executives, or the richest classes could afford… Even if I asked how you got it, you won’t answer me, will you? |
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Dongbaek |
Is what I’m seeing the truth behind regeneration ampules? |
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|
Dongrang |
…Yes, that’s right. The source of the ampules you’re hellbent on destroying. |
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|
Samjo |
What do you… Destroy? |
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|
Samjo |
Let me ask you a question: Don’t you know how many lives these ampules can save? |
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Dongbaek |
These regeneration ampules don’t simply regenerate the body. |
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Dongbaek |
These tears can kill as easily as they can save. |
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|
Samjo |
Hah… Are you trying to suggest that these tears kill people? |
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Dongbaek |
I have nothing more to say to you if you won’t believe me even after seeing it happen several times already. |
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|
Samjo |
Fine then, will you concede if I prove their safety by walking into this pool? |
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Dongbaek |
What? |
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|
Samjo |
Don’t slander Mr. Dongrang with your baseless claims. Countless people have recovered from life-threatening conditions thanks to this technology. |
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|
Samjo |
I’ve been injected with it once myself. |
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|
Samjo |
My neck broke while diving, but the regeneration ampule helped me recover from the brink of death. It was one of the reasons I applied for K Corp. as soon as I became an adult, but that’s not the point here. |
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RODION |
W-What are you doing, Mr. Samjo? |
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|
Samjo |
My childhood dream was to be a competitive swimmer in the Nest. I can dive from this height no problem. |
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RODION |
I thought it was being a baseball star… |
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Dongrang |
Haha, you’re overdoing it again, Samjo. You don’t have to go through the trouble. It’s okay, so just stay here. |
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|
Samjo |
It’s no trouble at all. You worked on the ampule yourself. |
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|
Samjo |
Mr. Dongrang, Director Alfonso… and countless other researchers worked for years to perfect K Corp’s regeneration ampules. |
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|
Samjo |
I could only be here because I trust this technology. I’m proud of it. |
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|
Samjo |
I’ll be back in a minute. |
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Dongrang |
…Wait, Samjo? |
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|
Dongrang |
Ah… |
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Dongrang |
Oh dear, what a bother. Samjo never knew about the unrefined tears. |
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|
Dongrang |
We won’t be able to salvage his body. Still… It’s fortunate that he remained proud of us until the end. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…What did you just say? |
|
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Dongrang |
Mr. Samjo’s was a case of success from a humble upbringing. I like that sort of person. |
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|
Dongrang |
Fellows who are hired by Wings even though their qualifications are far below the Wings’ requirements tend to be loyal to their employers. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
What? Wasn’t he a Nest-born… |
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Dongrang |
Right, you do know that being from the Nest doesn’t grant you a free pass to the Wings, right? |
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|
YI SANG |
…… |
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SINCLAIR |
What’s happening? Why isn’t Mr. Samjo coming back? |
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|
YI SANG |
What does the unprocessed liquid do, Dongrang? |
|
|
Dongrang |
The tears’ function is to revert things to how they were originally. |
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|
Dongrang |
The regeneration ampules available now are a product of numerous refining processes. |
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|
Dongrang |
When a person who has lost an arm takes the ampule, they’ll remember having the arm as its original state. |
|
|
Dongrang |
When someone with a dent in the head takes the ampule, their head will be restored to the shape they remember to be how it originally was. |
|
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GREGOR |
What about those people in the Lobotomy branch… who died like bugs… |
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YI SANG |
They were all under a trance, so to speak. |
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|
YI SANG |
By repeatedly playing the voice that says 'you are a bug' in a sealed, otherwise silent room… the image of bugs will be instilled in the subconscious. |
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|
Dongrang |
Indeed. It becomes more effective with the step of refining and diluting it with ideas of human concepts. |
|
|
Dongrang |
But, when a drop of tear that lacks any kind of interpretation touches someone… |
|
|
Dongrang |
They’d be reverted all the way back… to the original form of humanity. |
|
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GREGOR |
The… original form? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Or should I say it helps you go back to that state? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Although it tries… it doesn’t seem to be capable of making a person fully reach that state. |
|
|
Dongrang |
It consequently removes pain, but, well… |
|
|
Dongrang |
So, are you satisfied, Dongbaek? You were right, and Samjo probably turned into the original form of humanity or something like that in the vat of tears. Congratulations. Now, what do you really want? |
|
|
Dongbaek |
…… |
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Dongbaek |
The Singularity. Permanently destroying it and everything related by using the concept incinerator. |
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Dongrang |
Concept incinerator, huh. You’ll use it again? |
|
|
Dongrang |
So, Dongbaek… Let’s say that you do successfully return to an age of nothingness… What comes next? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Chop trees, build huts, make clothes out of leather… Is that the kind of life you want? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Mourning the lost lives of trees and animals you’ve killed? |
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|
Dongrang |
Look, Dongbaek… With an attitude like that… you’ll be nothing more than a primitive amateur. Are you really sure that’s what you want? |
|
|
Dongbaek |
You… always ask stupid questions, then and now. |
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|
Dongbaek |
We decided to use vile technology as tools to get rid of their vile creators. |
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|
Dongbaek |
Thus, no one can remain in the future we envision. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
That’s why we could be free. From the obsession with survival. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Haha, what are you talking about? So you weren’t envisioning a future; you just can’t let go of the past. |
|
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YI SANG |
Both of you… Stop this. |
|
|
YI SANG |
I don’t want old feuds repeating before my eyes. |
|
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Dongbaek |
Yi Sang, you look fine. |
|
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GREGOR |
You say it like you're relieved. Didn’t you want him… |
|
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Dongbaek |
You’re right. I wanted him to die. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
But I’m sure he wished for the same. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
He wouldn’t resist while it dug into his heart. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
It was unpleasant. It felt like I was granting your wish. |
|
|
YI SANG |
…… |
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GREGOR |
Seems to me both of you got a few screws loose. You think pushing someone off a cliff can be justified because that person was hesitating? |
|
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Dongbaek |
Hesi— Haah, why don’t we hear it from the person himself, then? |
|
|
YI SANG |
…I have no words to say. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
This conversation is over, then. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
I’m frankly glad it is. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
I’ll take this opportunity to kill two of my old companions with my own hands. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
Then I‘ll seize and burn the Singularity. |
4-48: Bud
Pre-Battle
Post-Battle
Story Chapters
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Story | |||
| Detour Tales | Intervallos | ||
| Mini Episodes | |||