mantic

Ah, that's right. Ever since Medical took in the Manticore girl, everyone's been looking after her.

I'm glad you've taken my advice to heart, but I'm afraid that just walking around isn't enough.

Oh, but let's talk about the Manticore girl first.

We medics all want to help her.

Even though her infection has already developed to an intermediate stage, with Rhodes Island's current technology, we can get it under control to prevent further deterioration.

The data collected from the infection monitoring device shows that the Originium crystals inside her are now quite active, and it doesn't help that she's weak from refusing to eat.

None of us want to see our patients consume themselves like this.

But if I was suddenly taken to a strange new environment, and found myself lying on an operating table first thing after waking up, I'd be plenty scared too.

So, uh, I brought one of Hibiscus's healthy meals with me and planned on saying hi to her first, just as a token of our good will.

Do you have any ideas, Doctor?

Tell her Rhodes Island can protect her.;That health food is the opposite of good will.;Tell her Rhodes Island needs her skills.

Protect? Doctor, do you mean to say... She's not just afraid because we're a strange new place?

Right, maybe she's also scared of her Oripathy. As a medic, I can guarantee that her life won't be in any danger.

Yeah, you have a point, Doctor. Healthy meals primarily incorporate cold foods, which may not sit well with someone who hasn't eaten in days, or be digestible enough to give her energy.

Eh? Doctor, are you saying she can become a reserve operator?

To be honest, if I encountered an invisible enemy during a training exercise, I'd be pretty nervous myself, haha...

Phew. With you here, I always feel like we have a better chance of persuading the other party.

Oh right, and try not to be too graphic when describing what we do.;You can share with her why you trust Rhodes Island.

Makes sense.

To be honest, as a reserve operator, I don't actually know what hellish battles you and the regulars have had to endure.

But so many patients have told me... that you saved them.

Me? I trust in Rhodes Island's determination to find a cure for Oripathy, and I deeply admire Dr. Kal'tsit's knowledge and ability.

And when I'm tending to the wounded in a dangerous operation, I have full faith that you'll be in firm control of the situation so I don't have to focus on anything but my responsibilities as a medic operator.

That's probably what I'd tell her.

Doctor, did you want to come along with me?

How long have you been hiding in here?

Eek!

You're too weak to kill a single beast to even feed yourself anymore?

I... I don't want to be like this either... I'm not hiding on purpose. It's just that, nobody can see me...

I... have no weapons. I've never touched a weapon...

You were born a weapon.

I've always been very careful... My tail has never hurt anyone!

Who are you trying to deceive by feigning weakness? You no longer have an audience.

Your Oripathy has progressed to this stage. Do you still think you can stay in the market as always, earning your next meal from somebody else's hands?

H-How do you know... Who are you?

You should know this well enough. There's no place for you in your old life.

You must learn to wield a weapon. This is the only worth you now have.

No... I won't...

Look, this is a painkiller for Oripathy.

You want to live, right?

My team happens to have a spot for monsters like you.

Join us. The leader will save you.

Ugh...

The familiar pangs of hunger, the sensation of her consciousness withering away due to dehydration.

These things will sometimes happen in this stalking crouch. She is capable of judging her own body's state, and if she's on the job, she won't lose control.

However, every job she's had in the past specified a rendezvous point. As long as she could reach it, she'd have a chance to rest.

There's nothing on the note this time...

Ah... Even though I'm obviously useless now, I still want to be saved...

Even though I already knew... that the leader was lying...

Hello...?

Hello, my name is Ansel.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what to call you. But here at Rhodes Island, there are a lot of people who don't want to disclose their real names, so they go by codenames. You can choose one for yourself.

(They keep talking about this 'Rhodes Island.' Where is Rhodes Island?)

(The same thing is written on these clothes...)

I completely understand... When you woke up, you found yourself in a strange new place. You must be very nervous. I just want to tell you we don't have any ill will towards you.

Um... I was one of the assistants standing to the side taking notes, so I hope you don't take this the wrong way.

We are a non-state affiliated pharmaceutical company that hopes to help all Infected people across Terra.

Even though you didn't come to Rhodes Island voluntarily, and were brought here by accident, you were in very poor physical condition at the time, and we examined you as part of our duties as medics.

(He referred to this place as a pharmaceutical company... Is it a Columbian company?)

We really do want to help you... But if you don't want our help, we won't force you either.

Oh, but, Rhodes Island is well outside Sargon's borders right now.

(Outside... Sargon?)

If you wanted to go back, we wouldn't be able to let you off the ship until the next time we docked at a nomadic city. After that, you'd have to find your own way back.

Of course, it'd be ideal if you chose to stay with us. Oh, and uh, our medical examination won't intrude on your privacy.

Also, someone should've already introduced you to the Doctor, right?

(The Doctor... I keep hearing this title...)

The Doctor says your skills will be useful to us.

Because the situations surrounding the Infected can be rather dire, when we try to extend a helping hand to them, we inevitably run into conflicts with other people.

So, we are in need of partners who are able and willing to fight to protect others.

(He said 'need'... Does that mean I can still be useful?)

Oh, but don't let that scare you. You'll probably just be a reserve operator like me.

And all the regular operators talk about the Doctor's reliable command.

Plenty of regulars come back from life-or-death situations to tell me the Doctor was the one who saved them.

(Really?)

(They won't send me to die?)

(*Softly clears throat*) ...H-Hello.

Doctor, she doesn't seem to be responding. Do you need to get back to work?

No, p-please wait...

I can't hear anything from inside. She might still be sleeping.

Don't go... I have to prove myself...

Commander, please don't leave me...

I am worried about her, but I suppose we also shouldn't bother her too much.

I'm right here... Please notice me...

I want to live...

The door seems to sway, ever so slightly.;I think she's listening.

If you don't know how to answer, you can give me a codename first.;What would you like me to call you?

(Pass your notepad and pencil through the door.)

You're right, Doctor. For the operators of Rhodes Island, a raid of this sort would not be impossible.

I also agree with putting some less-experienced operators into this drill. So they won't be completely caught off guard when encountering invisible enemies on the battlefield.

But there is one problem: we don't know anything about this assassin who goes by 'Manticore.'

You can't let her scribbles on a single piece of paper replace the formal application process, let alone serve as an application to participate in a combat exercise.

She still hasn't talked about her past, and the only information we have on her background is still vague.

That's exactly why we can trust her.

Are you saying that once we win her over, she'll never betray–– I see now.

But first, how will Rhodes Island win her over?

With this battle.

When our operators have the ability to defend against her attacks, or even counter them, this mock battle will instead have the effect of demonstrating Rhodes Island's sincerity to her.

Just like how an assassin places a knife by the monarch's pillow to let the opposition know she has the ability to strike at any time, but simply chooses not to.

She should be able to get our meaning.

Fine. I accept your proposal.