The entire mobile city trembled from the force of the explosion—at the same moment, the screen went completely dark, as if Amiya's fading consciousness could no longer endure the shock or the relief.
But soon after, the screen flickered back to life, revealing Amiya lying on Dobermann's back. The location was now beneath the hull of Rhodes Island.
A member of the medical team, who was the first to notice Amiya regaining consciousness, immediately shouted to Dobermann.
[Medic]: Chief Dobermann! Amiya is awake!
[Amiya]: Doctor... where's the Doctor...
Still not fully conscious, Amiya murmured, prompting a small smile from Dobermann.
[Dobermann]: Don't worry. He's talking with Operator Nearl and Operator Zhongli.
[Amiya]: The Doctor... and Operator Zhongli?
As if her memories had been awakened, Amiya's dazed expression faded—her eyes widening with clarity, as something important came back to her.
[Amiya]: What about ACE?! Is he safe?!
[ACE]: Haha! See, Scout? I told you our little bunny here worries about me a lot!
[SCOUT]: Yeah, yeah... brag all you want...
The voice drew Amiya's gaze. She saw ACE waving at her, seemingly in perfect condition—except for a cast on his right arm. Standing beside him, Scout appeared completely unharmed.
Relieved at the sight of the two, Amiya smiled brightly.
[Amiya]: I'm so glad you're both safe!
[ACE]: In full strength, as always!
[SCOUT]: Yeah... and we have him to thank for that.
Scout turned to the side—at the same time Amiya saw the Doctor walking up from the lift under the ship, accompanied by Nearl and a striking white-haired man—the same one who left a strong impression on her.
Amiya quickly told Dobermann that she was fine now and asked to be let down. Dobermann complied, smiling as she watched the young girl run toward the trio.
Of course, the first person Amiya rushed to was the one she worried about most—her Doctor.
[Amiya]: Doctor! Are you alright now?
Seeing Amiya running toward him with concern, the Doctor nodded slowly.
[Doctor]: I'm fine. Thanks to Operator Zhongli's treatment, my condition improved greatly.
[Nearl]: He also helped treat you, Amiya. Your condition was terrible at first, and we were all very worried. But once he used his spell, you calmed down immediately. Even my healing Arts couldn't compare.
[Amiya]: Healing spell? Operator Zhongli is... a medical officer?
Amiya looked at the white-haired man curiously, failing to notice the unusually close tone between Nearl and Zhongli.
[Zhongli]: I just know a little about healing, that's all.
Zhongli spoke humbly, only to get a firm pat on the back from Nearl.
[Nearl]: You're still as modest as ever, Ren. I told you before—you really need to be more confident in yourself.
The statement surprised both in-screen and real-life Amiya.
[Amiya]: You know each other?
[Nearl]: Ah, yes. Last year, my squad received help from Penguin Logistics. By the way, wasn't Texas supposed to come with you? I thought she always stuck close to you.
[Zhongli]: Everyone else is still in Lungmen. As I mentioned, this is my break. After receiving a message from my mentor, Hellagur, I came here immediately. Once I arrived, Boss asked me to help ensure the safety of everyone in Rhodes Island. Along the way, I helped some students and civilians. Sadly, I couldn't save everyone.
Zhongli smiled, but it was a bittersweet expression. His eyes turned to the crowd of surviving students and civilians—only a few hundred out of nearly a thousand. He deeply resented what Reunion had done, scarring these people with trauma and fear that would linger for the rest of their lives.
Some might overcome it and use that pain to live on—but it didn't change the fact that Reunion had permanently altered their lives, especially for the innocent children.
[Nearl]: It's not your fault—it's those damned Reunion bastards. Even if you had come earlier, things wouldn't have changed. We can't save everyone. All we can do is our best.
[Zhongli]: I understand... I just think—maybe I could have done more, if I had arrived sooner.
Noticing the worsening mood, Zhongli quickly changed his expression back to a gentle smile.
[Zhongli]: Sorry, Amiya. This is our first meeting, and I've already soured the mood. Let me introduce myself properly.
[Zhongli]: I am Zhongli, a support officer from Penguin Logistics. You can also call me Ren, like Nearl does—that's my real name.
[Amiya]: Uh... then I'll call you Zhongli. Our Doctor's real name is Ren too, so it'd be weird for me to use the same name.
[Zhongli]: Hm? Really? I didn't know the Doctor was also named Ren.
Zhongli looked at the Doctor curiously, who only glanced back and replied briefly.
[Doctor]: Guess it's just a common name.
Seeing how comfortable the Doctor seemed with Zhongli made Amiya happy—perhaps it was because Zhongli was friendly, or because he had saved them. Either way, it made the Doctor lower his guard a little.
Just then, a choice appeared before Amiya:
Choice
[Take the Doctor's hand and escort him to the medical ward for a proper check-up]
[Shake hands with Zhongli and sincerely thank him for saving Rhodes Island]
Amiya pondered both. The future version of her would've picked option one without hesitation. But now, as the leader of Rhodes Island, she felt the need to show gratitude and maturity—she couldn't always be seen as overly concerned about the Doctor, or she'd seem like a child clinging to a parent. (Which she kind of was.)
Amiya chose option two.
She stepped forward and spoke with a serious expression.
[Amiya]: Thank you very much, Zhongli. Without your help, I can't imagine how much worse the damage would've been. Rhodes Island will never forget your aid. I'll find a way to repay you soon. And although it's a bit late, let me officially introduce myself—Amiya, leader of Rhodes Island. Welcome aboard, Operator Zhongli.
She offered her small hand with a bright smile.
[Zhongli]: Likewise. I'm in your care, Amiya.
Zhongli reached out to grasp Amiya's small hand—
Suddenly, a flood of disjointed memories crashed into Amiya's mind.
Images of a black-haired boy being subjected to brutal experiments by masked men in deer-head robes.
The boy begging the masked figures to spare his sister and let them go.
The boy sacrificing himself so that his sister could escape.
And finally—the boy, bound hand and foot to a chair, lifeless eyes staring ahead. His black hair now pure white. Behind him stood a man in a noble's ancient garb and a deer mask more terrifying than all the others—gently placing his hand on the boy's head.
As if aware of Amiya's gaze, the masked man slowly turned to stare directly at her. Even though it should have been a still image...
"Demon King. Do you desire death?"
As if electrocuted, Amiya and Zhongli's hands flung apart. Both their faces were drenched in sweat.
[Nearl]: What happened, Amiya?! Zhongli?!
[Zhongli]: ...
[Amiya]: ...
They said nothing—but the look in their eyes, locked onto each other, shared the same emotion:
Pity
Chapter 0 - Evil Time (End)
Casualties: None
Success Rate: 92% (Excellent)
Rank Achieved: 1st
Top 10 Scores:
Amiya (No casualties) – 92%
Kal'tsit (1 casualty) – 86%
Scout (2 casualties) – 84%
ACE (4 casualties) – 62%
Folinic (8 casualties) – 51%
...
Dylan (9 casualties) – 22%
Closure (12 casualties) – 10%
"Huh???" Amiya, still shocked from the earlier CG scene, was instantly distracted by the score rankings displayed on-screen.
Then she heard loud voices from the entrance. When she went to check, she saw a crowd of staff chasing after ACE and Scout—faces drenched in tears.
"Boss ACE! I'm sorry I couldn't protect you!"
"Wah! Chief Scout! You sacrificed yourself so we could escape! I promise to protect you next time!"
"You idiots! I told you—it's just a game! I finished it and still couldn't protect myself!!"
"Ugh... this damn game ruined my peaceful life."
Amiya blinked in shock at the sight of the two being chased.
"I'm not the only one who played this game..."
At that moment, the terminal on her wrist buzzed. She answered and saw it was a message from Folinic, Kal'tsit's apprentice.
"Amiya! Dr. Kal'tsit needs to see you in her office right now! Something big is happening in Rhodes Island!"
"U-understood! I'm on my way!"