act4d0

第一关（前）

W, we're in trouble here.

Ooh... Must be something fun for you to contact me on this channel. What's up?

Not that much fun, W. While you were sorting out that Sarkaz mercenary, one of our teams deserted.

They looked like some kind of battlefield mop up logistics team, so we got after them right away.

They scattered as soon as we made contact, making for the city limits.

Sounds like somebody earned a cookie.

There's more... The squad we sent after them fell off the grid too. We haven't been able to make contact.

I thought maybe you'd know what happened, since you're leading the mercenaries now.

How does a squad suddenly vanish?

01:13 P.M. \ Clear

Chernobog - Outskirts - Wilderness

Am I supposed to understand this?

It is what it is. Other teams report no sign of any enemy ambush or trap. We only know they were facing a Sarkaz.

Of course they're Sarkaz. It's not like I've got any other mercs. But anyway, this is a good story. Keep going.

At first contact, we managed to suppress the target. Playing it safe, we held back our squads. The enemy did not appear particularly strong.

Then, suddenly, all communications ceased.

...Yeah, you guys tip your hand pretty easily. A real predator knows not to bare his fangs too soon.

What should we do?

Well what's so special about those Sarkaz?

...I'm not sure. We lost contact with the eyewitnesses. But from a distance, all we know is they have a close quarters fighter who really likes to get up in there.

Then I need you to avoid direct contact with them. Stall that one, I'll be there in a bit.

Something the matter?

Nothing. Just a little baby squad that made good bait.

Should we move to support them?

C'mon, everyone's got a job to do. Why can't we just let everybody handle their own thing?

Yeah... Let's not think too hard about this one. I do care so much about the Sarkaz weirdos my poor predecessor brought along.

Understood.

Inform all squads: prepare for battle, move to the outskirts of the city.

Agh, damn it! This bastard's moving even faster! Is he still hiding his true power?!

...Pathetic. Is this the best your Reunion Movement has to offer?

This cocky...! He's making fun of us——

Heh...

I knew I'd run into some old friends here, but I never thought I'd see you.

W, we——

Go home, before you get killed. Don't give me that look like you wanna get even. He's not even using a fraction of his full power. But hey, if you wanna die that bad, I guess I won't get in your way?

...fall back.

It's been a while, wandering swordmaster.

You——

They call me W now.

How about you?

Flamebringer. Surely you know what it means to exchange names with me.

Oooh, spooky. So you traded business cards with all those dudes you sliced up before?

Commissions and combat are not the same.

A Sarkaz like you, having been through a battle like that, suddenly up and vanishing, it makes a girl worry.

And a mercenary running off just because he's got a new leader? That's a little wobbly, isn't it?

That is utterly insignificant.

Though I never imagined your subordinates would be so unworthy, unfit to even hear my name.

Then I guess I should be honored... Oh, but those men weren't under me very long. Ah, are you inviting me to kill you?

No, I have no interest in your petty fighting style. It relies so much on outside forces.

But I have to admit, tactics are a kind of skill. Then if your tactics are more elegant than they used to be, I am willing to taste them.

...That's weird. Weren't you one of those 'as long as the target dies, anything goes' types?

W, the squad has fallen back to the target location and successfully cut off the enemy retreat. They have nowhere to go.

And I never expected you would be leading this band of mooks. We've all changed a lot.

Mooks? Oh... you mean Reunion?

Or do you mean... the Sarkaz?

Gah——!

Hmph.

I won't underestimate you, Sarkaz, I've been watching you.

Too bad. You're out of options.

Is that how it is? I guess you are too.

Isn't this much more fun? Now you're my whetstone. And my blade is a bit dull.

Really? You're still talking big?

Right. Come on.

Agh! Shit! How are you——

Gaaaah——!

You're still talking?

...He's even stronger. Not that I'm surprised.

W! Why are we just standing here watching?! Just give the order and we'll turn him to dust!

So now I get to boss you around again?

Now's not the time for this!

But I'm really not your commander.

Here's an idea. Back up, don't provoke him, and pick another time to get yourself killed.

...Damn it.

Right? You really thought you were gonna step up and pick a fight with him? Is this open mic night?

Tsk...

Who's next?

Where's the fire? You got somewhere to be?

This isn't the first time I've been surrounded.

Right right. Let's see, are you talking about that civil war? Sounds like a good story. Tell it for us?

What's to tell? They ambushed me. They're all dead. I'm still alive. That's the story.

What do you think? Should I keep going?

That fight just now was nothing for me. I need so much more.

No... I'm just thinking like, why don't you join us?

W?! He's a traitor. Look how many of us he's killed——

It was my mercenaries who decided to use him. He'd be good for Reunion. Got a problem?

Yes!

I mean, think about it. We have so much more fun over here! War, bloodshed, and all those Sarkaz buddies...

Everything you're looking for, we got here on a silver platter.

I'm speaking to you from the heart here. We have so much in common, you and I.

I don't think so.

You're Infected, right? You'd fit right in with Reunion! What's the problem?

Wanton destruction, organized savagery, I fail to see what I could get from a group like this.

You call this war? This is just the strike of a match flaming out. You should know what a real war looks like.

Don't talk like that. We've got serious, hardworking folks here too. Lots of diversity in Reunion.

Like, my old boss was kind of a purist, but I'm the type who finds joy in everything.

If I could make a request... Then I would like to taste Talulah's swordsmanship.

The dragon lady? I mean, I don't wanna talk her up too much, but you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of beating her.

And like, could we even call her thing swordsmanship? You'd be a pile of dust before you even got close to her.

I know.