We followed Miyako who's sent to another realm, and jumped into the portal to a twisted space." |
After being smothered in white, dazzling sunlight, I slowly opened my eyes, and this time a countryside landscape opened up before me. At first glance it looked peaceful, but a closer look revealed destroyed houses. |
Mary |
"This is..." |
Mary stared dumbfoundedly at the landscape in front of her. Beside her was Yuuzen, who looked around and yelled. |
Yuuzen |
"Miyako!" |
Miyako |
"I've lost her, Yuuzen-san." |
Yuuzen |
"That's not important. Are ya okay?!" |
Miyako |
"I'm fine. I simply moved through space." |
Yuuzen |
"Good grief..." |
Miyako tilts her head curiously at Yuuzen's sighs. I'm sure she's thinking that it's not something to worry about. |
Miyako is never a person who would do something recklessly that she is incapable of doing. So, at that stage, we thought that she was sure she could catch the girl, and that she chased after her because she thought she can. The result, though, was something that worried us. |
Yuuzen |
"Anyways, we don't need to chase that girl now." |
Miyako |
"Why? I thought it's obvious that she is involved in this realm created by the Phantom Mist." |
Yuuzen |
"Certainly we want to get close to her in order to uncover what this place is. But ya have to be extremely careful when approaching illusions and apparitions that react in such a way as to lure you into places like this. It is quite possible that this is a trap set by the Phantom Mist." |
Yuuzen |
"Even if this is not a trap, it's still the same. Even if the girl really wants to tell you something, don't go too deep. Mist Monsters will attack regardless of the girl's movements. If you chase after them too hard, you'll end up in the same way as if you were trapped." |
Yuuzen |
"--Told ya, they're wandering around just as I said." |
Miyako |
"Mist Monster? No, is this a human...?" |
Yuuzen |
"Oh dear, looks like a troublesome one has appeared." |
Conductor |
I can see some human-shaped monsters wandering a short distance away. These monsters are called "Wandering Lives" and have the ability to possess other living creatures. |
Conductor |
The trouble is that it possesses the living as well as the dead. If a living person is possessed, they are conscious and their body is controlled. It would be nothing but Hell for a family member or loved one to attack you, while screaming "help me". |
Conductor |
The only way to save a person possessed by Wandering Lives is to mercy kill them. But not everyone is capable of putting their loved ones in their hands. And hesitation causes a domino effect - easily destroying a whole town." |
Mary |
"These people are..." |
Yuuzen |
"Mary, you don't mean to tell me that these Wandering Lives are your acquaintances?" |
Mary |
"No, I don't know them. But I do recognise the village festival costumes they are wearing." |
Yuuzen |
"So this is another place you used to visit, by any chance?" |
Mary |
"Yes. This village is also where I used to run to alongside Blue Rose. They are the ones who didn't get help in time..." |
Yuuzen |
"Well well. You're showing us a lot of nasty things here, Phantom Mist." |
Yuuzen |
"Anyway, we should get out before they find us and surround us. Miyako, I and I will support Mary. I'll leave the right side to ya." |
Miyako |
"Got it." |
Yuuzen |
"Jah Mary, I need you to get an idea of where we're going next." |
Mary |
"Yes, this was where I was pierced by those eyes..." |
Miyako |
"Mary-san?" |
Mary |
"I'm sure that boy is just like them..." |
Miyako |
"Not good, the Wandering Lives has spotted us." |
Wandering Lives only possess living people, and unlike other Mist Monsters, they show controlled movements. Even now, as soon as it finds us, it will call its friends and move to surround us. |
And more of the Wandering Lives came out of the houses all over the place. There are dozens of them, no more than a few dozen. |
Mary |
"..." |
Yuuzen |
"Mary." |
Mary |
"Sorry. That's the next target, isn't it?" |
Yuuzen |
"There won't be a second time. Be careful." |
Mary was unusually slow to respond, but she was indeed unfazed in the face of this number. |
Mary |
"Then we'll break through. Follow me." |
Miyako |
"Amazing, three of them in an instant..." |
Yuuzen |
"Miyako, don't be slow. If you don't keep up, you'll be surrounded all at once." |
Miyako |
"Uh, yes." |
The two of them take up positions behind Mary at equal intervals, knocking away enemies on both sides. |
Still, the number of Wandering Lives was unusual. They swarm around in straws and spring up from somewhere once more, whether we defeated them or not. |
In the labyrinth of the Phantom Mist, which increased in intensity the further they go, the three of them dive deeper in order to find Blue Rose." |