Old Acquaintance II

First a butterfly, then a pantail... Is it trying to create a duplicate ecology here?

I now know why the Marker Stone data are still all over the place, even with temporary stabilization of the Feranmut Hearts...

We must contain this spill of Feranmut Heart energy - and send this "pantail" back to the scroll.

Energy leak from the scroll must be contained quickly, or our repair work will never be done.

Alright, little guy... Come over here...

Why isn't it reacting?

Hmm...

Pretending to be a pillar-top statue? I can still see it.

That Ardashir has been rampaging unchecked in this Marker Stone. Acts of physical vandalism are easy to find —

But what about damages hidden away from sight? A special crew with detectors must go through each area.

I've spent years on the Marker Stone... That fool and his shenanigans set me back for years. Curses.

What?! Are you comparing me to them?

I took on a fair share myself. I have to spend twenty-four hours, non-stop, studying data from the North Wuling Exclusion Zone.

And I gotta find time to get through a pile of error-ridden papers and reports.

I got no other option. I made a promise.

We live by our words. If we have to suffer to keep a promise, so be it.

Also, I may be suffering, but that doesn't mean I hate my job.

"Also"?

Whatever. You don't have to tell me...

Since Ink Spirits are still around, there'll be several energy spills to cover. This job won't be easy.

Ten years ago, I was also part of the search-and-rescue operations and met an Yinglung reservist.

That poor soul ran out of luck and didn't survive the secondary disasters.

I promised them I'd rebuild the city into a place teeming with life. I tried to keep my word and brought that vision to life.

Just a coincidence. The Yinglung reservist I knew ... was a young woman.

Ugh... If she were around, she would have become a full-fledged trooper and earned her codename.

She really liked cute little critters. So many died in that disaster. She made a little headstone for them.

Don't be. It's all behind us.

Time to find the last energy spill.

Finally! Caught them all and sent them back.

Endmin ... you said "also made a promise"...

A promise? Made to someone?

Can't believe he went through the same thing.

It's just spilled Feranmut Heart energy ... yet it's so life-like.

Alright, little buddies. Come closer. Wanna play?

The Endmin and I have been running around to send them back to the scroll. Yet here you are cuddling these critters!

Apologies... I ended up right here after going through the portal.

I can't get up or down. I forgot my handyterm. Then these little buddies showed up...

Hmph. Just send them back where they belong! Stat!

No more Ink Spirits. I guess all the energy leaks are back in the scroll.

You don't sound very happy about this.

I really like my little friends. I think I might miss them.

Huh. Little friends...?

All entities are back in place. I need another check for hidden damages.

Once it's fixed, there'll be no more chasing of runaway energy blobs around the Marker Stone.

In any case, ahem... Really appreciate your help.

I said, "I really appreciate your help!"

Once this is all over, I'm treating you all to a feast.

Don't sweat it. Mr. Yinglung Trooper is just doing his job.

Come on... I actually need your help with something else.

Of course, Tianshi Xi Mo. This trooper is in your service.

I want to know if you knew Shen Jiao'e, a girl who took part in a SAR operation ten years ago...

I know... but I'm afraid that person wasn't a girl.

WHAT?!

Shen Jiao'e ... is my actual name. "Proud Summit". That's what the words mean.

But... She was weak, frail ... even shorter than me.

Maybe someone used ten years to bulk. But you ... changed a lot, too. Temper got worse ... and what's up with the new name?

The name on the PPE suit ID tag was...

We were low on supplies, so I was wearing a suit from a fallen superior.

The one I remember wasn't called Xi Mo.

How do you know?

The ID tag on his PPE suit said so.

Well ... I was wearing a suit from a fallen superior.

...Fate works in unpredictable ways.

Unpredictable indeed ... this feels quite unexpected.

I am happy, but I am sentimental as well.

Got the Yin and Yang mixed up for ten years. I would have probably carried this mistake to my grave if not for this.

Yeah. For all this time, Tianshi Xi Mo stayed at Wuling while I was just up north...

Yet we never ran into each other for ten whole years... Hah!

...I guess so. That's something we can drink to.

I guess ... over-working is a bad habit...

We probably worked together at the same place a few times.

I came because I was concerned. I hope Tianshi Xi Mo didn't do anything upsetting.

Hmm. I saw you smiling rather positively when you came out. So I guess, at the very least, you didn't get into a fight.

What exactly happened in there? Why are you so happy?

I have complete faith in you and Tianshi Xi Mo.

Now, just let me in on the interesting details.

Old friends meeting again? That is a good thing.

I thought you were happy about it. Why are you sighing?

Of course. You are never alone in this journey of yours.