After what seemed like an eternity, we had killed the three lurking infected androids. Unfortunately, Scott's stupidity is why his infection rate was spiking at an alarming rate after engaging against Florent.

His green eyes were intense as they peered at me. His speech was labored, and his left hand quivered as it extended for my left arm.

"Tsuyuki… Would you dare... to kill me… if, once, I became infected?"

I kneeled down carefully, placing my hands on his chest while I calmed him.

"Worry about that later on. Keep your composure from the infection."

Scott felt the heavy tiredness as he slowly closed his eyes. The profound silence of his last breaths stunned me. I verified my concerns by taking his pulse, which was mild but constant. On top of that, he seems to have passed out from sheer weariness.

As I fixed my gaze on the unconscious Scott, the others hurried in after successfully dealing with the surrounding Stonehedglers, drawn by the urgency of Scott's condition. All the while, I heard Axel call out my name.

"TSUYUKI!"

As I stood up and was about to speak, they looked down at Scott's unconscious body and expressed their concern about his condition.

"Wait, is that Scott?"

Bobbing my head, I provided them with a brief explanation.

"He's exhausted after the battle. Unfortunately, his infection is getting worse. So you better take care of it quickly."

It shocked all of them after I broke down the details. Axel, Christine, and Veronica hastily pounded their feet on the unconscious Scott.

While everyone else rushed to Scott, Joshua approached me with a question.

"Do you know where that guy went?"

There was something wrong with Joshua's vision, as if I accidentally angered him with my careless actions, which caused Scott to fall unconscious. With that, I expressed my guilt in a melancholic tone.

"He did bail out, of course. But... I have to apologize for that. It's just that I wanted to protect you from Florent since he is no pushover. Even though I tried to prevent him from disrupting my path, he won't stop being a dickhead."

"Hence, it fills me with remorse to see him fall, as if misfortune befalls anybody who fights at my side."

Joshua suddenly walked up to me as he put his hand on my left shoulder to ease my anxiety, and he slightly smiled in response.

"The only occurrence for which you should apologize is when you never get out alive. Kicking him out of this place is enough to carry out your task. And we let the medical teams take care of him instead."

As I nodded in agreement, a sense of relief washed over me, knowing that I was not the only one experiencing the misery of this outcome.

Regardless, we sought Axel, Christine, and Veronica's recommendations on Scott's present condition.

"How is it, guys?"

Christine responded with anxiety evident in the furrowing of her brows.

"Unfortunately, the virus damaged his virus filter after the battle against Florent."

"Can they fix it?"

After casting her gaze downward for a moment, she explained.

"Unfortunately, we have to replace it with the newer one. This is because the virus filter not only filters viruses but also converts them into your own elements. If this thing is destroyed, you will be infected quickly."

As I rose after nodding in agreement, Joshua came and stood by me with a question.

"It seemed like you recognized Florent. Would you like to talk about him?"

After I paused and filled my lungs with air, I elaborated with a hand gesture.

"7 years ago, I worked as a part-time stage crew member putting up the stage properties at Walrusia's biggest theater, Milestone Theater."

"During a practice day, I met Florent and his younger sister, Gina. Gina designed the costumes for the performer, and Florent was one of the actors in the drama Night Witch."

"I get around 500 credits for each show. Over the weekends, I worked on a variety of performances. I did this because I needed the funds to pay for my tuition."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I befriended Florent and Gina at recess. Of course, they're laid-back individuals. Florent then told me that seventy-one drama industries had repeatedly turned him down. The character he was portraying in his roleplay captivated him."

"During the next day's actual performance, I swiftly set up the stage in each scenario. Hence, I marveled at Florent's abilities as I saw the Night Witch perform during the interval. I was jealous of the spot where I wanted to be during the show, too."

"But as the drama reached its climax, terrorists struck the theater. They are locking the whole door, smoking the entire room, and brutally spilling the civilians' blood with their bullets and blades."

"I also saw Florent defending Gina from the terrorist on the stage. Tragically, the terrorists mercilessly pierced his body with bullets from all angles while defending her. As if no one shall harm his sister in a slight way, despite the serious injury he's sustained."

"I wanted to give him help, but the evacuating crew dragged me away from this place in no time."

"Only if I had fought, Florent would never have turned out this way, and that experience will haunt my faith forever. As if it were all my own fault for being an ignorant weakling."

As I had somberly recounted my story and everyone had nodded in comprehension, Joshua suddenly approached me with a gentle pat as he soothed my worry.

"Who said that? It's natural for life to have both good and evil aspects. Whether they choose to accept it or not, it is inevitable."

"So, the best thing you can do is to go with the flow. As what's lost never entirely loses its traces."

After I nodded with a hint of relief, the voice of Operator Vladimir suddenly broke over the communications link. I could feel the weight of expectation in the stillness as I answered the call.

"This is Tsuyuki, the leader of the Black Vulture squadron. What's wrong?"

Vladimir spoke up, his voice carrying through the silence.

"Hey, Tsuyuki! I've heard you have accomplished the mission that Commander Katoki and Darrell provided you. We're going to take you home, as the ride will arrive in 3 minutes."

Despite my relief, I know there's something urgent that I have to tell him.

"Then how about the medical teams? Scott is unconscious because his infection rate is getting worse."

He replied with a shrug, his voice unconcerned.

"No need to worry about that. The medical teams will arrive along with your ride home. Allow them to attend to Scott instead."

"Ok, I'll see you back at HQ."

"Copy that. Take care out there, Tsuyuki, and all of you!"

Shortly after the conversation ended with a beep, I heard Joshua's footsteps coming closer, and he inquired.

"What did Vladimir tell you?"

"He said the ride home and the medical teams would arrive in around 3 minutes. But it could be quicker if they insisted."

With a contented sigh, Axel laid his back on the rustic, steely wall.

"I'm just glad it's finally over."

While tending to the unconscious Scott, Veronica's words dripped with sarcasm.

"Yeah. Except for this idiot who's playing a stupid game, win a stupid prize."

As hunger gnawed at all of us, Christine suddenly pointed at the source of the sound after she stood up.

"I'm starving. What should we eat back in the HQ?"

I stepped forward with newfound strength and exuded confidence in everyone.

"I'm going to make tonkotsu ramen. Anyone want some?"

The room erupted in gasps when I told them I could cook, as Axel then questioned me in a tone of astonishment.

"Wait, you can cook?"

"Well, I'm often working in the cafeteria kitchen on making dinner every evening."

All Veronica could do was leave a joking comment about that.

"Ok, I can't wait to taste what his foods are like."

Suddenly, our communication channels began to beep frantically, signaling that the ride back home had notified us and we needed to respond.

"*Bzzzt* This is Pendulum-3 reporting to the Black Vulture and the Red Cheetah squadron!"

"This is Joshua, the Red Cheetah leader. We're loud and clear!"

"We have arrived at the front entrance of the abandoned sugar factory. Get out immediately before those lurking infected resurface!"

"Copy that, we're on it!"

The rapid arrival of the journey home surprised us, even though I had anticipated their arrival in three minutes. After finalizing our tasks, I called the group to assist me in carrying Scott.

"By the way, who will carry this deadweight with me?"

As I was struggling to carry Scott, Axel got to his feet and helped me out by grabbing his legs.

"Alright, let's get back to business!"

I, Joshua, and Axel were supporting Scott as we went, while Veronica and Christine bore the heavy load of his greatsword. Christine couldn't help but voice her stress as she and Veronica struggled to lift Scott's greatsword.

We clenched our jaws and continued to lug Scott's unconscious deadweight to the front door. On the way back, we'll meet up with the medical staff.

***

1730 hours, 25 June 0145...

As we fled the abandoned sugar factory, carrying Scott's unconscious body and enduring the chilly air, we made our escape. Among the distant mountains, I glimpsed a vibrant crimson sunset, the air heavy with the scent of fresh moisture.

As I stared in wonder, the sky was a kaleidoscope of oranges and pinks as the sun slipped below the horizon. But out of nowhere, a faraway voice broke the silence and summoned us.

"Hey, it's the Black Vulture and the Red Cheetah!"

As the medical crews drew near, I saw the Osprey pilots waiting for us, their suits flapping in the engine's wave. A female medical Authonoid suddenly rushed up to us, her arms laden with medical equipment.

"Good to see you guys are doing well!"

We hoisted Scott onto the medical crew's stretcher with great care, and they carried him into the Osprey cargo as we could feel the powerful vibrations inside the cabin.

As Scott slowly opened his eyes and regained consciousness in the Osprey cargo, I could hear his labored breathing. His voice was quivering as he glanced around before asking.

"Huh, what… just happened?"

We were all relieved when Scott finally woke up and opened his eyes. But Joshua scornfully jeered at him.

"Ah, this idiot awoke."

Trying to make sense of what happened while unconscious, his perplexity was plain to see. As the osprey took flight, Veronica shot him a scornful look and poked his chest to emphasize something.

"You have violated the rules by leaving your teammate behind."

But then Scott clarified, as his voice was slightly raspy.

"But Tsuyuki did the same thing."

In a vicious sneer, Veronica met his intense gaze with an equally intense response.

"Unlike him, you ended up like a shit."

"What?! Come on, cut me some slack!"

Everyone on board the Osprey laughed in response to Scott's little whimper.

As our voyage draws to a close, I can still hear the echoes of my past. But I have to courageously face the unforeseen obstacles that lie ahead to solve the cases of Onigashi, Crescent, and the latter that remain unresolved.