Глава 4

第三十二关（前）

Th-there are two enemies left!

They're running toward the building to our east--

I've already locked on to them.

Argh...!

Bullseye.

Aren't we making too much noise?

There are a ton of explosions all over the city. I don't think they'll notice.

Have you notified Dr. Kal'tsit yet?

I called her before the battle started.

There's evidence that Reunion is conducting their operations in this city.

I haven't hung up yet.

Shouldn't we be a bit stealthier with our movements?

That Reunion member just now seemed to be using Detection-type Arts.

We'll have to strike first so that we don't give away our location.

At least, we can't give these Reunion squads time to communicate with each other.

Phew... It's finally over...

Frostleaf, assess the situation.

Understood.

Here, hold on to the comms device.

Sure.

Jessica, don't let your guard down yet.

Of course... I'm aware of that!

All right, all right. I won't mention it again.

Dr. Kal'tsit, can you hear me?

Always could. Indeed, you can't afford to let your guard down yet.

Jessica, there might be an enemy behind you.

Uwaaah!

H-how did they... get behind me...

...Eeehh??

If I can attack you from behind, that means you were too slow.

We're fine for now, Dr. Kal'tsit. I've taken out the enemy.

You really are fast...

I couldn't even see how you managed to get over there and come back so quickly.

--Actually, I never even left.

Projekt Red contacted me.

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...