Free Will

What just happened...?

That's her trump card?! Trapping herself with Ardashir?! Does she think playing the hero is cool?!

We have to help her!

But we can't use the Feranmut's power. How could we...

Do we have confirmed elimination of the target?

Endmin, I know it is cruel to make you leave Arcane on her own for now...

Good... Given our urgency, Tianshi Xi Mo shall offer you support for now.

But Li got herself trapped with him inside the scroll...

...The Proxy?

Endmin, is the operation a success? Depth readings at the Marker Stone are reverting to nominal levels.

...So she chose that option anyway.

I know Arcane's powers. Chen, I believe she'll last till the Sui Regulator interferes. Wuling City will do anything it can to help.

I know... She paid a heavy price for this. We can't waste the time she bought for all of us!

Tianshi Zhuang, we can't just leave the Marker Stone in its damaged state. Is there anything we can do?

Energy dissipation is far higher than expected. The damaged Feranmut's Heart can no longer keep the Marker Stone working properly.

Endmin, did the Proxy tell you something?

...But we can't just wait around!

You're back! I heard from Tianshi Zhuang about what happened in there and to Arcane...

Don't worry. She actually has the power to back up her tough talk. She'll be alright.

...Let's hope so.

Now, Endmin, we actually have several proposals for improving the Feranmut's Heart. But we need Heavy Xiranite to make them happen.

The formula has been synced with you.

We have a site nearby that's perfect for AIC Factory deployment. I'll wait for you there.

Tianshi Xi Mo, have you met the two brothers from Qingbo Stockade...?

Hmph. They claim to have descended from Tianshi. I only saw a pair of idiots.

Oh, I also found their secret tunnel. Can't believe they dug it right under our noses!

Feel free to talk to them when you have time. Now, let's focus on actual work.

But I found a place for them... They're not guilty of major crimes, so nothing's gonna happen to them.

Here it is.

All yours, Endmin.

The AIC Factory will now let us begin work on repairing the Feranmut's Heart.

Our Research Center has synced the blueprint to Dijiang. Check your terminal. It should be ready.

I'll look after this place for you. Everything must give way to your mission of repairing the Feranmut's Heart.

Much appreciated, Tianshi Xi Mo.

You have full command over the Marker Stone area. Your command takes top priority.

I've contacted Ge Yipu. He'll be working with you afterwards.

Chen keeps trying to access Sui Regulator-only files at the Security Section... I should stop her, but...

It's about Arcane, right?

Hoo. HAS will figure out a way to save her.

...In the end, Arcane went ahead with her own plan and sealed Ardashir.

It was her plan from the very beginning of this operation. We...

I hope so too.

Back in the Marker Stone, we temporarily lost contact with each other... Did Ardashir do anything?

I thought...

Sorry for being late, people.

Yeah, just on time!

Terrific news. I have the Research Center's repair plan, but I require a site survey to complete the details.

Endmin, Supervisor Perlica, you just fought a hard battle. Please, rest a while.

We can take care of this place.

Whatever Nefarith is planning, Arcane has shifted the odds in our favor.

But Chen...

...Ugh. This is friggin' useless. Not a single word on getting inside scrolls.

I guess only the Sui Regulator can. No one else knows how this works...

We're not on the best of terms. Things were a little bad back then.

But I'm not a YSTF reservist trying to one-up her anymore... I'm an Endfielder now.

Endmin, I wanna save her.

And that Ardashir is also inside the scroll... I'm really worried about her safety...

...Heheh. Things sound super convincing when you're the one saying it.

Yeah ... she'll be alright.

And I never thought I'd see her again after leaving YSTF. I didn't expect our reunion to end up like this...

You mean why I failed the YSTF trials, right?

Li and I both completed those trials, but the instructor disqualified me ... due to "immaturity of mind".

Naturally, I felt pissed and launched a formal complaint. But it didn't work.

Endmin, when I left Wuling that day, I felt so terrible...

Wait... Tangtang said she saw me crying when I left Wuling... How did she find out?

Heheh. Ours is a friendship built by fighting...

Speaking of which, back in the YSTF, I actually fought with Li quite a few times too.

......

Baws, his plan has failed.

Then let us begin.