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Ooh no. I think here is where I say 'I won't soil my own hands here. You're not worth my time.'

Thanks for the reminder. That's how this was supposed to go!

Officer Ch'en, we're surrounded!

There's a lot of them, but they go down easy.

How——

Ah, right, forgot to mention.

The past three days, with nothing else to do, I've been polishing up these 'Reunion' things.

You know, the real ones weren't so different. They were expendable to you, same as my Tinmen.

I'm not sure what the whole deal is with this Oripathy thingy, but I guess it explains why forging these things feels so weird.

It makes a difference.

Officer Ch'en! Look out!

Pfft!

No way.... Did those illusions just use Arts?

If I felt like it, I could melt down that whole district and turn it into a giant Tinman. But do I feel like it? Hmm...

Nah, that sounds like a pain in the ass.

But it's not that hard to make a few Infected puppets. It's just one more process.

You..... That's not something you can joke about....

Treating the Infected like that... is too cruel!

Like what? Look, I really don't care who's Infected or whatever. Do you guys think that much about Originium slugs?

Fire!

Hm. That was kind of a wimpy bolt.

Here's what I'm going to do: I'm gonna walk forward, one step at a time, right up to your base, and destroy it.

And you can try to stop me.

Snowsant.

Aaaahhh! Sorry! I didn't mean to...

Wait, what did I do....?

Y- you're from Rhodes Island, aren't you?

Operator Lava.

I need a blueprint of the infrastructure district. The underground part.

Uh, that's classified by the engineering department, and the procedures are complicated.... What do you need it for?

I'm making one hell of a firecracker.

F- firecracker?

I'm putting every second of progress we've made since the dawn of time up against the Nian.

N-N-N-N-Nian——? Is it really a g-giant? You need explosives? Orrrr... the city's defensive cannons?

No. Before we start talking about the firing angle on those bulky things.... You can't fire a huge cannon at your own city....

...No, wait.... The cannons....

The defensive cannons....

Lava?

Those cannons... they're pretty much like a two-step firecracker, aren't they?

No! They literally couldn't be more different!

They're both based on an industrial Originium process.... they both explode.... in mid-air....

It's a two-step firecracker!

Why does it have to be a two-step?

So maybe.... But it would cause some damage to the main city....?

L- Lava? What you're muttering there is kind of the understatement of the century, but you're not really thinking that, are you?

——It's fine. I'll take care of it. Trust me.

Th- then I'll go submit the application...

That will take too long. I will add a supplementary report later.

We can't let these regulations slow us down when we're fighting for our lives.

Thanks.

B- but it takes time to sort out the documents from each department and print them out...

Ah, I know!

I can draw a simple diagram for you.

What?

Hold on, I need to find something to draw with...

...Chief Wei, is Lungmen's superstructure really that simple?

It's very complicated, of course. The power supply to the surface plane alone, not to mention the Originium engine is a tremendous undertaking.

But if Snowsant thinks she can draw it, perhaps she can.

I wanted to study up for my new job, so I went ahead and memorized every blueprint I could find!

D- don't worry! It's just about memorizing something and drawing it out. Even I can handle that!

...That's all, huh?

So many Reunion.... There's no end to them....

You go on ahead and take up a position at the next intersection.

At least pin down those Terracottas.

On it!

What about me, huh? Isn't anyone going to pin me down?

All I had to do was ask? Now that's what I call service.

(There's something not quite right about her shield——)

I'm coming, Officer Ch'en——!

Hey now, you've got a fine looking weapon at your side there. But instead you're using that hunk of junk? I'm kind of offended.

And you, little one, you seem to have some power you can't quite control. Why don't you put on a show for me?

Don't let her get to you!

I won't!

What gives? Why is everyone acting all cool these days? Don't tell me modern human society is all about repressing your feelings?

It's no fun fighting people who can't use their full power. You keep looking at my sword and shield? Go on. Take your best shot.

——Don't mind if I do!

——! You broke her shield!

So you did! Congrats.

Oh, would you look at that. Got a new one.

Pfft. I knew it...

Ch'en Sir, the enemy is hitting our defensive line, we can't hold on much longer!

...Withdraw the L.G.D., close the gate, and activate the defenses.

Stall for as long as possible.

I hope Lava has a plan.

What the hell, you're running away already?

Looks like we're almost to the end of the line here... is it that building?

It's big.

Who needs a building that tall anyway?

I'm back. Is the evacuation complete?

Other departments already left L.G.D. HQ and our teams have surrounded the area as planned.

Don't let anything through our net. I want minimal casualties.

Understood.

I'm sorry, where's Lava?

Operator Lava left after obtaining a structural diagram from Snowsant...

We have to trust her.

You mean we have no choice but to trust her.

The Nian broke through the perimeter! The gate has been breached!

Is the surveillance system still working? Track her movements!

Don't get into a firefight. It'll only end poorly for us.

Lava was right. We can't fight the Nian until we know her true form, and her true power——