Best Employee (before battle)
Ah, this corridor must be the last. Once we're past here, we'll reach the edge of the facility.
After I retrieve my precious items from there, I'll give you the ownership of the Golden Bough as promised.
Feels like this is gonna end on a rotten note, you gonna be okay with that? Those terrorists really must've run off, seeing how none of 'em showed up...
It was part of the contract to reclaim the laboratory.
That's why I kept telling you, Mr. Dongrang. When you draft a contract, you have to be meticulous and calculating, and write it in a way that favors us.
<...Let's get going.>
Fortunately, I didn't see any killing machines here.
However, a couple of unwelcome figures appeared in front of us.
Be on guard, Executive Manager! Someone is ahead of us.
<Yeah, but they aren't holding any weapons...>
They may be unarmed, but you are an incredibly weak and fragile civilian, Executive Manager!
<...Um, thanks? Outis?>
Can't you count? You clearly outnumber us by a huge margin. Don't be a baby...
Here at last, worms?
It's the same voice that played from the machines. And... it's the same face we saw earlier.
Where are your other members, Senior Researcher Ran?
...You managed to bring more help in that mess, I see.
And put away that "senior" crap, we haven't even known each other for long. Don't you see what's going on?
They've all evacuated. And here I am... buying time for them.
That's interesting... We thought we stormed in unexpectedly, yet you knew it in advance and escaped?
'Cause you're worms. Look at you, getting all cocky after receiving the best employee award...
Raiding here, dare trying to catch us.
You've got a big mouth. You think you're better than us?
You're outnumbered like you said. That noggin of yours probably knows you'd better surrender, eh?
...Let's say I do. It's clear what you'll do with me.
You'll neutralize me and keep me barely alive...
"Curing" me with your flaunted regeneration ampules...
Rinse and repeat, until you get the answers you want.
Sounds like a problem that can be prevented by giving us the answers right away. Am I asking too much?
'Course you are. Unlike you...
We aren't planning to live like roaches that feed on whatever is provided from above.
...This is really getting on my nerves.
Ah, whatever~ I've had enough of toying with you.
What are you trying to...
That's right, show your curiosity only to what's happening immediately before your eyes. That's how a researcher should be.
Ran...
With an ear-piercing noise, the building was engulfed in an explosion.
All that remains is a charred stain.
<Ngh... That hurt a lot.>
Are you alright, Mr. Dongrang?
I'm fine... Someone in Dante's party pushed me away as soon as the blast was heard. You know, the quiet fellow with intimidating eyes.
I was going to do the same, but I was standing too far away.
Whew, that was close.
After taking the impact for others, Don Quixote and Meursault had been flung all the way to columns supporting the building, their backbones fully exposed.
...Don Quixote in particular was impaled on a pillar.
It must be the faith that they will come back to life at any time that prompted them to jump into danger without hesitation.
Not out of any sort of friendship or affinity... Isn't that right?
Don Quixote couldn't give any answers, whether due to death or the pointed edge stabbing through her mouth.
...Cough.
<Meursault? You were alive...?>
...It was my directive to protect the manager and see that the company's mission is accomplished.
That... must be it, yes.
How convenient. You can recover your body without using regeneration ampules.
<…….>
<I dunno, the ampule looks handier...>
Right, is Ms. Shrenne alright? And the other Fixers?
We're perfectly sound.
Your group blocked the blast for us, so we turned out fine.
That's... why you haven't been taking the ampules. That clock had special powers.
Indeed. After all, I recruited them after thorough screening and testing.
I see... Well, darn... All the ampules I brought... are useless now.
For some reason, Shrenne lets out a defeated laugh and drops the ampules in her bag to the floor.
It's true... For them - looking at it from a perspective that excludes me - this is certainly a convenient power.
Fatal consequences can be reversed, and the only price is me having to bear the pain.
No, wait.
Is this really fine?
And where does all this time to rewind come from?
Clock...face... Stop...dawdling about... That yellow-haired lass is dying...
Thoroughly ravaged by the blast, Heathcliff pointed at Don Quixote.
Hurry up and turn it... This... hurts an awful lot...
<...On it.>