Exploration, route b
<.......>
<It just appeared out of nowhere and killed Meursault. It even blocked off the way out so we couldn't escape...>
<Why would something like that even be wandering around a department store...?>
... Sorry, what are we talking about?
<You know, that entity we just encountered, it was...>
... was neither a Distortion nor an Abnormality.
And yet... I couldn't say with any confidence whether I should really call it...
Oh, come on. You can't get us all curious and then just trail off like that, Manager Bud.
<... human.>
<I'm talking about that monster with all those nails driven into its back.>
Such a being... had never once entered my sight prior to our arrival at the restroom.
<Huh...?>
...Dante, why don'tcha rest a little longer if you're outta juice? We found Meur already, so...
<.......>
The Sinners kept casting worried glances at the hands of my clock. Once they finally moved away, I went straight to Meursault and asked him what was going on.
<What the hell happened just now, Meursault? Do you - >
... I do remember, Manager.
To answer your question, the reason the other Sinners have no memory of what occurred is because we were "returned."
<"Returned"...?>
It means that the Grand Magasin was reset to a point before a particular choice was made.
This appears to be a phenomenon that most are incapable of perceiving. You and I, however, appear to be exceptions.
<Okay, fine, putting that aside... what caused the reset in the first place...?>
It likely wanted you to make a different choice.
... Because the choice you made before was not bound in chains.
<.......>
I should probably take a moment to collect my thoughts before we head out.
Why did that entity appear...
... and why were we sent back...?
Not... now...
When fate... has fallen into alignment...
The eyes are fixed upon the shoes.
The sound of sorrowful weeping is heard no more.
Torn too badly to be stitched back together.
The corpse of a Noir. Even the fabric they took such pride in couldn't save them from this fate.
The corpse of a Noir. Blood seeps into the black suit, turning it dark crimson.
<Phew, looks like Pwie's able to come in here with the rest of us.>
<... Is it just me, or do they seem somewhat less... hyper?>
Pwie's childlike curiosity seems to have been dampened and replaced with mild anxiety ever since entering the Fount.
Hmm... Must be because it's too crowded in here.