Глава 4

There are no signs of activity from the Reunion forces hiding in Lungmen.

At this stage, it'd be best not to poke the hornet's nest.

By the way, according to the intel I've received from the other recon teams, there may a fairly substantial Reunion presence in the desert.

In other words, we're the ones who hit the jackpot?

That does put a bit of pressure on us. We're also only a recon team after all.

If that's the case, we've already eliminated two Reunion squads so far...

Are you absolutely sure about the affiliation of the enemies we first exchanged fire with, Jessica?

Yeah, there shouldn't be any mistake. I double checked before asking you to shoot.

...My bad. I was busy calculating the ballistic trajectory.

What about the enemy's numbers?

We don't know the exact number.

Frostleaf, how's it going over there?

What's the matter...?

Go take care of it. Let me know right away if there's an issue.

Will do.

Let's... head over to her to see what's going on.

What happened?

...You two didn't feel it?

Huh? What...

The temperature.

Now that you mentioned it... it does seem colder...

The temperature.

...Indeed. There's at least a five-degree difference compared to the temperature outside.

How could such fair weather... change so suddenly...

Look above you. The weather hasn't changed.

...Huh?

It's not the weather.

It's coming from here. Come, feel this.

...The walls of the ruins?

That's right. These walls are heat-absorbing.

...No way?!

Before we came, the heat absorption had probably already worn off.

It's returning to the previous temperature.

But, why?

Who would leave behind something like this?

...Reunion are the only ones who've been active in these parts.

Reunion? Could they... do something like this?

The Infected...

I once heard of a certain legend.

...about a creature called the 'yeti.'

...I have a feeling... that this is going to get real troublesome...

第三十二关（前）

Ahh...! Look out!

Ouch!

S-sorry, I didn't mean to run into you...

Don't worry about it. You're very polite.

Ehehe...

Um, ma'am, what are you doing here?

It's still raining. You're not going to go inside?

Ah, um... I'm just... taking a walk.

Are you looking for help?

Oh! How'd you know?!

I can't tell you~ It's a secret.

Aw... it's fine though!

Ma'am, do you think...

Hmm... that probably won't work. You're a bit too short...

Hey, you shouldn't say stuff like that! You're shorter than me!

Whoa!

W-well, we could try... Um, could you help me move that board? Let's do it together!

There's a record player under that metal rack. I want to take it back home.

Sure.

1... 2... 3! Together!

We did it!

Woah, you're really strong, ma'am! Thank you!

But... this record player is broken.

It's okay! It's always been broken.

But one day, I'll be able to fix it. I collected a lot of records, but I've never listened to them before...

...But one day, I'll play them for everyone!

...Such a difficult thing, said so casually...

...What am I doing this for... What can I even do...

Ma'am, you're not scared of me?

...Scared of what?

I'm an Infected!

Haha... I am too.

What?! That's such a pity. You're so pretty, too...!

There's nothing wrong with being an Infected. Whether you are healthy or infected...

If you're a good person, that will never change.

Huh...? I don't get it...

(Grrrrrr...)

...Are you hungry?

...Mmhm...

...Here, take this. It's all I have.

Wow! Thank you, ma'am!

But... why did you come here?

I...

It's because...

It's because I made a promise to someone.

Bye bye, ma'am!!

Sure, bye bye!

Even a child like that... In the end, will just...

Those who were robbed of their identity. The Infected. You've long lost the right to call yourselves people.

What can I accomplish? What more... can I do...?

Why... can I not protect those around me...

You cannot.

No... I...

Famine... Persecution... Death...

These are the only things awaiting the Infected.

No, that's not true...

As long as Rhodes Island is fighting for the Infected...

You are but one of the few lucky ones.