"Get down! It's falling from above!""No—I don't want to die!""Help… someone help me…!"
The streets were in chaos—members of Reunion were crying, running, and screaming.With flames engulfing the sky and Originium boulders raining down like hail, explosions erupted everywhere.
Scattered limbs and the stench of charred flesh blanketed Chernobog in a hellish inferno.
"Don't panic! Find cover first! Guards, prioritize protecting the Medics!"
Still issuing calm commands amidst the chaos was Amiya.The young Cautus girl now exuded decisiveness and authority far beyond her age—her voice was not loud, but filled with strength.
"Doctor—this way!"
Ace deflected a chunk of falling Originium that nearly struck the girl's face.With one arm, he pulled the bleeding, dazed Doctor from the center of the street.
"A huge chunk just hit the road—get down!"Dobermann's usual calm was gone, replaced by a rare urgency."Protect the Casters—have them raise defensive barriers!"
As the Rhodes Island Casters began chanting, a semi-transparent dome began to rise around the squad, shielding them.
Amiya looked away, unwilling to watch the Reunion members still on the street, now trapped under the shadow of death.
Nearl walked up beside her and gently shook her head.
"We can't save them anymore… Right now, even protecting ourselves is getting hard..."
"So let it go… This is what it means—to choose life."
In the next instant, flames from all directions engulfed the entire Rhodes Island squad.
————— Scene Break —————
Who knows how much time passed?
The noise on the street had gradually quieted.
No more meteors fell from the sky.In this area, the Rhodes Island squad—having deployed a timely shield—were likely the only survivors.
The ground was littered with scorched corpses, shattered debris, and Originium stones still radiating intense heat.Stay here for an hour, and you'd get Oripathy without even doing anything.
"Did… we survive the first wave?"Amiya asked uncertainly."The falling rocks seem to have stopped, and…"
"No. Stay alert," Dobermann replied sharply."No one knows how long this Catastrophe will last."
"We're only at the outskirts of the zone. In the distance—you can still hear explosions at the center."
"How are the Operators holding up?"
"Still okay," Dobermann reported."Two are lightly injured, but otherwise they can still fight. The Casters, though—they're exhausted. They need time to recover... but at least, we're alive."
The young Cautus girl let out a breath of relief.
"As much as I'd like to let everyone rest a bit longer, now's the best time.""If we want to escape Chernobog, using this Catastrophe as cover is our best shot—at least we can avoid both the Ursus soldiers and Reunion."
Ace nodded.
"Amiya's right. Everyone—check your injuries, make quick adjustments, and get ready to move. Don't let your guard down—the falling rocks have damaged the roads, and Originium overgrowth will start soon."
"Wait… something's not right—Alert!!"
Nearl's warning rang out.At some point, shadows had crept in across the ruined streets around them.
"Impossible… Is that Reunion?!"
A shocked voice from one of the Guards."But the Catastrophe just calmed—how could they regroup so quickly?!"
"—Nothing's impossible. You just never noticed Faust was tailing you all along."
The same detestable voice returned.
"You thought you'd broken free of us. But really, you've just been wandering in circles—tracking you was child's play."
From down the street, the white-haired boy strolled out—madness gleaming in his eyes.
"As for the Catastrophe? Plenty of people here don't fear death. If you're so curious—go join them!"
(Mephisto…!)
The entire Rhodes Island squad instantly readied for combat.Everyone there had vivid memories of this cruel boy—and the elusive sniper that always followed in his shadow.
"Don't get me wrong… I didn't come here just to kill you.""Although I wouldn't mind.""But someone else really wants to test your strength personally."
"Isn't that right—big sister Talulah?"
Just then, a nervous Rhodes Island Operator called out:
"A Reunion member—approaching our line!"
Amiya locked eyes with the woman walking calmly toward them.
(That face… it matches the records—it must be her…)
"Rhodes Island—maximum alert!""She is the tyrant of Reunion—Talulah!"