Pests (before battle)

Bweh... Greg, you know those people?

Huh? Gimme a break... There's no way I'd know someone in this corner of the Backstreets―

Gregor's face stiffens the moment he looks out the window.

<... Bug heads?>

Unlike the other enemies we'd run into, they were part insectoid.

Gosh... Dante, thank goodness you got a clock for a head. I would've gagged every time I looked at you if you were a huge bug like them.

Isn't that... the same type of augmentation you have, Gregor?

They transplant those disgusting bug heads onto their necks on purpose?

You'd better stay away. Wouldn't want to get infected and turn into a bug, nah?

Eek, are you serious?

Just a joke... Do I just have a weird sense of humor or what?

Gregor scratched the back of his head awkwardly as the bus made a dragging rumble and came to a deflating halt.

Most former G Corp. employees were given biomimetic augmentation procedures like Gregor was.

You used to work for the old G Corp., Gregor? Heard back then, they were...

Ishmael frowned as if she'd remembered something unpleasant, but didn't elaborate further.

Gregor managed a smile, but his hardened features didn't relax in the slightest.

I wonder, where do people like them sleep at night?

For many, the sky is the roof over their head, and the stars are their firelight.

Aha, so they're the poetic sort!

<I don't think that's what he meant...>

And I see they're bent on standing in our way.

Aren't you going to get off, Gregor?

Mind telling me why you're singling me out?

Well, I'd rather not be the one to ramble about someone else's history.

Take the lead, Gregor. You know the reason full well.

... You're one nasty fellow.

A cluster of insect-headed soldiers were gathered close to the bus.

Bah... I'm not too fond of taking the lead.

What are you? Why does your arm look like ours?

Hold on... I've seen that face before.

... Mostly on flyers and magazine covers, I'd bet.

<Gregor? Do you know them from somewhere?>

... Not really important right now, Manager. Now's really not the time to be digging into the past.

That arm bothers me... But, whatever. Point is, I can't let you through.

<Is that so. I suppose we can't talk this out...>

Anyways, shouldn't they at least cover those insect parts before coming out where people can see them?

They'd make kids cry. Couldn't they have made their parts less conspicuous like yours, Greg?

I'm a special case. The procedure makes those "buggy" parts grow on the head most of the time.

Although... I'm not sure if I should consider myself lucky.

It feels like they're trying to stop us from getting to the branch facility for some reason.

Are they after the Golden Bough too?

Maybe.

They are many who seek the essence, after all.

... And I'm sure they all have their own wishes. Isn't that so?

Why are you looking at me? I'm just as lost as the others are.