utage

The daimyo himself has come, sword in hand.

A-Aruji-dono! You should not be here! It's dangerous!

Vile monster! You'll pay for the harm you have done to my people!

The brave daimyo has the upper hand at first, but he is mortal flesh and blood, and his strength alone is insufficient to overcome the mysterious creature.

Even as the daimyo's sword cuts the creature's flesh and draws its blood, its attacks do not cease.

The monster's black claw wounds the daimyo, and corrupt blood seeps into his body, draining the last bit of his strength.

As the daimyo falls to the ground, he sees a figure charging the fleeing monster.

It is the young Bugyou, who has mustered the courage to strike at the monster with no regard for his own safety, impaling its heart with his sword.

The monster's corpse hits the ground, and the night is silent once more. The smell of blood is the only reminder that remains of the terrible battle that just occurred.

The daimyo bestowed his own sword upon the young Bugyou, in recognition of the courage he displayed.

The young Bugyou became the daimyo's personal guard, and was granted the name of Nuegiri, an honor that would be passed down from generation to generation.

The daimyo himself contracted Oripathy that night.

The accursed illness invoked by the accursed beast did not crush the daimyo's virtuous heart. Knowing that his days were numbered, he devoted his last days to improving the lot of his city.

His son inherited his will and continued to develop the city, overcoming challenging times to enter an era of prosperity.

The mysterious monster, the Nue, became a local legend.

The Nue would appear periodically, announcing its arrival with its ominous call, whereupon the descendants of Nuegiri would pursue and kill it.

Defeating the Nue drives out bad luck and brings good fortune.

Rhodes Island Liaison Office

So that's the Higashinese Legend of Nuegiri?

Yeah. They say that the Nuegiri clan continues to protect a certain prominent Higashinese clan, driving misfortune away and bringing in good fortune.

But there's no record of this daimyo, or what city he ruled.

That's because it's legend.

The goods check out just fine. Same corridor as usual.

Take a left at that corner there and you'll see a red sign marking the cargo elevator. Closure's storage room is two floors up.

There are three security checkpoints along the way. Just follow the signs and listen to staff instructions.

You Rhodes Islanders always have so much red tape. Can't we do that 'package for you, just sign here' stuff? Alright, I'll go through the waybills. You go and deliver the goods.

Me?

Quit babbling and go. Be careful not to get lost. Heaven knows the corridors in this place still confuse me, even though I've been here a bunch of times.

I'll be going, then.

A new Messenger? He's got the look of a first-timer.

That's what this job's like. People come and go all the time. You know how hard logistics work is, with all the dangers out there.

What about your old partner, that Parker kid? Did he quit?

He tangled with some beasts on a solo delivery, so he's gone back home to Rim Billiton to recuperate. Not sure how serious it is.

Well, glad he's alive, at least.

Which is why I got a new partner.

Uh...

(All the corridors look the same... I'm lost, aren't I?)

There isn't a single soul in sight. How did I even end up here, anyway?

Are you delivering to Closure's storage room?

Do you need a guide?

Oh, a schoolgirl? Thank you. Are you a patient here?

An operator too. Wanna see my hall pass?

Sorry, I just made assumptions because you look so young. May I trouble you to show me the way, then?

No prob. Lemme just...

Hey, you can't take that box!

Why not? It's for me.

But this stuff still needs to go through Rhodes Island's security checks—

I take care of it myself. Lookie—'Utage,' 'Cosmetics Series.' Happy? Or you think it might be an Originium bomb? How about I open it in front of you?

Well, there's no need for that... it's just... procedure... uh...

Flip around and walk straight until you hit the third door. Take the corner a good twenty meters after that, turn right, then pop down the corridor on the left and walk thirty meters.

Off you go, now. I got training. Byeee.

Wait, don't—

Is that what Rhodes Island operators are like? I guess 'free spirit' is the word for it...

I should tell the people at security that this operator named Utage took one of the packages.

Alright, let's move...

The Messenger does not realize that Utage has not left. She is hiding behind a corner, just out of sight.

Utage holds the box like it is the most precious thing she has ever held.

She follows behind the Messenger, completely silent.

So, you're really into Higashinese myths and legends?

Of course. That's why I became a Messenger, to see and learn new things. I ask people for local stories wherever I go.

Sounds like a Messenger thing alright. Although, I've actually heard a different version of the Nuegiri legend.

Oh? Let's hear it.

Well—

The story takes place in the same city, but in this story, the daimyo was not a paragon of virtue and selflessness.

He was short-sighted and arrogant, little different from the bandits in the hills.

He was cruel and brutal, and carried a hatred of all ill omens.

He loathed the Infected, stopping at nothing to eliminate any he discovered.

The daimyo's reign over his territory was one of terror and misery.

Things came to a head when the daimyo was attacked by the Infected in a riot. Driven to desperation, the Infected had set a trap for the daimyo, who managed to escape, but not before contracting Oripathy himself.

The daimyo slew his assassins, then threw his sword, stained with Infected blood, to the ground in disgust.

He could not accept his end, to be brought down by a filthy peasant illness.

He ordered his servants, the Nuegiri clan, to protect everything he had—his city, his family, his status, and his reputation.

The Nuegiri were no longer just the guardians of the daimyo. They were also tasked with eliminating all the 'Nue' in the daimyo's eyes—

Be it people, armies, or Catastrophes.

To those on the outside, they were killing some kind of mysterious monster that threatened them.

The duty of the Nuegiri became a curse, a cycle.

A cycle they repeated generation after generation.

Countless innocent souls were branded 'Nue' simply because they learned the truth, and were eliminated in order to hide it.

Today, the city is gone, but it is said that the Nuegiri clan still exists, operating in the shadows.

Taken under the wing of a major Higashinese clan, they continue to perform their ancestral duties, eliminating all 'Nue' so dubbed by their master.

...That's the version I know.

Such a wildly different story. Fascinating.

Interesting topic of conversation.;...;Is that the end of the story?

Doctor! When did you come in?

The part about the daimyo being cruel and brutal.

Oh, er, don't take it too seriously. I heard it in passing and I can't vouch for its authenticity.

It's just a story. What's a good story without a bit of exaggeration?

Why hasn't the new guy come back yet, though?

Are you here because you're expecting something important, Doctor?

Yes.

There are a few reports scheduled to be delivered today.

I'm done with the waybills here. We need to go see Closure.

Did that slowpoke really get lost? I'm gonna have words for him.

Huh? What's that?

What's going on?!

An alarm from the storage room.

Let's check it out.

There are several operators standing by in the corridor leading to Closure's storage room.

What happened?

Someone tripped the thermal alarms. Possible use of combat Arts in the area.