Quartz

[Code Name] Quartz

[Gender] Female

[Combat Experience] 2 Years

[Place of Birth] Columbia

[Date of Birth] Aug 13

[Race] Lupo

[Height] 173cm

[Infection Status]

Medical tests have confirmed that no infection is present.

[Physical Strength] Standard

[Mobility] Normal

[Physical Resilience] Standard

[Tactical Acumen] Excellent

[Combat Skill] Standard

[Originium Arts Assimilation] Standard

An unremarkable mercenary from Columbia.

Although her combat skills are nothing to write home about, she is nonetheless a dependable operator and an asset to her squad thanks to her excellent adaptability and ability to adjust operational plans on the fly in even the most complicated battlefield environments.

Imaging tests reveal clear, normal outlines of internal organs, and no abnormal shadows have been detected. Originium granules have not been detected in the circulatory system and there is no sign of infection. At this time, this operator is believed to be uninfected.

[Cell-Originium Assimilation] 0%

No visible surface crystallization.

[Blood Originium-Crystal Density] 0.21u/L

As a former Pioneer and someone who frequently ventured into dangerous, unexplored areas, it is a miracle that Quartz has thus far avoided infection.

Quartz is a self-disciplined Lupo mercenary.

During her Rhodes Island operator's tests, she demonstrated that she is not especially proficient in wielding greatswords; she even almost hit her assessor, Instructor Dobermann. In spite of this, she did not take the suggestion to receive training in another kind of weapon and instead simply made a sincere apology to Instructor Dobermann for her earlier mistake.

'Perhaps life as a Columbian mercenary isn't as full of epic stories, conspiracies, and legends as people think. Most of the time, they're just normal folks who had no choice but to take up this line of work. In fact, if at all possible, many mercenary teams will try to avoid direct confrontation and bloodshed with other teams. After all, people just trying to earn a living have no desire to give up their lives for their work. Similarly, Quartz most likely chose her weapon for its intimidating appearance, in hopes of avoiding any unnecessary trouble. That said, the greatsword is definitely not just for show. The destructiveness she demonstrated in her tests would no doubt quickly sober up anyone getting any funny ideas.'

'Do you mean this pocket watch, Doctor?'

'Actually, I'm not sure when it stopped working... After my father left, it used to remind me when to wake up, when my mother should take her medicine, when to leave for work, when I was late, when I needed to hurry to make it home on time, so on. But it never told me if it was a holiday, or my birthday, or if I should be taking some time off...'

'One night, I came home from work to find my mother sound asleep. At that moment, I was suddenly hit by the thought that I didn't know if everything I'd been doing was because I loved my mother, because of the promise I'd made to my father, or if I'd just gotten used to that kind of regularity. Even after my mother died, life with the Pioneer Team was more of the same. About the only difference was how they'd change your schedule around on a dime. But just like the clockwork in this pocket watch, it just felt like someone had wound it up so it'd keep on ticking, endlessly.'

'I guess... it was probably the time I left the Pioneer Team? I was sitting by the campfire with my mercenary teammates, and I checked my watch because I was worried it was getting late. That was when I realized it had already stopped at some point.'

'Most mercenaries head back to the cities after their team is disbanded. They still have to make money somehow, to take care of their children, wives, aging parents...'

'I chose to head the other way, straight into the wilderness. Not like I'd had any of that to worry about for a long, long time. Even wandering the empty wastes all by myself, though, not once did I feel the time drag on. I visited many places that year, but with no special goals or objectives in mind. I just wanted to see things, even just to come across them by chance. Some call it a meaningless way to live, and that all I do is loaf about, not accomplishing anything in life.'

'But that really was the happiest time of my life.'

Rather than being punctual, you could say that Columbians are more like prisoners of time itself. More and more companies are starting to employ automation to replace their workforce, as a way of addressing the risks of infection that come with Originium dust. For normal folks like Quartz, it seems that not falling behind on their work is the one area where machines can never truly beat them.—From Jackie's daily reports

'Actually, Doctor, the way I see it, it's a lot simpler than that. If we fall behind on our work, our pay gets docked. Which also means any plans you have from there on out get disrupted. It means you might have to go hungry for a few days, or not buy that present for your mother you've been saving up for...'

'Oh... Look at the time... Sorry for bothering you this late at night, Doctor. After coming to Rhodes Island, I've started losing track of time every now and then.'

'Don't worry, though. I have your entire work schedule tomorrow already planned out, starting at 7 in the morning. Just relax, get a good night's sleep, and leave the rest to me.'

What's the matter, Doctor? Are you looking for Quartz?

Maybe you should check the cafeteria. She might be sharpening her culinary skills with Cutter there. If not... she might be catching up with the latest comic books with Heavyrain in a corner somewhere.

Otherwise, maybe check the girls' dorm? Utage is always wanting to introduce her to the latest trends. That reminds me, you haven't seen Quartz wearing makeup yet, right?

No luck? Let me think...

Come to think of it, the Quartz I knew never made any plans aside from work and training. You could say she was very strict about schedules. It wasn't until she came to Rhodes Island that she started doing all this other stuff.