0-7 Infection

...It's getting darker and darker.

It's as if the clouds are pressing into the skyline...

The air still feels clear, but the dark clouds aren't moving. It feels like all the stress is being compressed into a single point.

Even the wind has stopped...

No doubt about it. A Catastrophe is about to befall this city.

By the looks of things, Chernobog has been completely paralyzed by Reunion's attacks.

But when it comes to disabling a nomadic city, the preparations must have been made several weeks in advance.

Could Reunion have taken some other action since then...?

That's a bit unrealistic.

Based upon what we've seen, Reunion currently doesn't show the kind of discipline required to stage a covert takeover.

Most Reunion members are still wandering the streets, taking revenge on Chernobogians.

It's all just senseless fighting, killing, and arson.

When the Catastrophe falls, even the impregnable Chernobog will be shattered...

...and turn into Originium-filled ruins.

If fame or fortune is what they're after, Reunion is doomed to failure.

Even with Ursus's chain of command in shambles, I still doubt that Reunion is able to face their military...

Why hasn't the Ursus military staged a counterattack yet?

From my experience, when a riot breaks out, the military usually manages to quash it immediately.

But we did just witness the Ursus guards getting overpowered...

...

That masked Reunion leader might have been a cut above the rest... but there's no way she could single-handedly destroy the entire city.

Unless...

Unless what?

I've fought in many battles before...

I've seen many people who acted in the same way as that Reunion leader.

To them, soldiers are nothing more than pawns to be tossed away as soon as they've served their purpose.

Soldiers could be used efficiently when needed, and then left to their own devices when not needed.

Because the cost of training and maintenance is too high.

So, there's no standing army?

Right. Most of the time, they simply have to be fed with some hatred or fear...

All that's needed to whip them into a frenzy... is a little push.

If the way that Reunion leader acted was any indication for how the organization is run...

Ugh...

Any Infected could join Reunion simply by donning a uniform and putting on a badge?

Correct..

So... that explains their endless numbers.

There are too many oppressed Infected, desperately trying to cry out. No matter how tenuous the solutions that Reunion offers them might be...

As long as they see a light at the end of the tunnel, they will gladly lay their lives down to pursue it, even if it means jumping into a sea of hellfire.

Ugh...

Dr. Doctor.

They are not like us. Even if I don't fully trust you, I at least trust your abilities.

And completely unlike you...

That kind of leader is no commander.

Those who would trample enemies and comrades alive... or rather, 'minions.'

Perhaps not even minions. To Reunion, those thugs may have been nothing more than pawns.

This is not a leader, but a tyrant.

No matter who our enemies are, we will complete our mission.

Someone once taught me and my teammates--

'If facing a pawn, capture it; If facing a fortress, topple it; If facing the Crown, overthrow it.'

Ace, wait a minute.

Dr. Doctor, enemy light-armored troops are stationed in front of us.

Have we been found?

Not yet.

However...

We won't be able to avoid them. The route we're on is the shortest one; if we take a detour, we'll lose time we don't have.

No need for further discussion then. Thugs or pawns, all that matters is that we clear them out of our way!

Based on our planned route, we should be approaching the central town of South Chernobog.

We'll arrive at the rendezvous point after crossing this park. Assuming no contingencies, Nearl and Team E4 should be waiting for us there.

But...

If Nearl was attacked... What would we do then?

What if they wanted to alert us, but couldn't due to communications being jammed...

How should we deal with that?

...

We will go assess the situation.

...Oh...

Don't start speculating before seeing things with your own eyes.

There's no point of letting paranoia get the better of you.

I, I see...

Losing our communications has caused anxiety to spread through the ranks much faster than I imagined...

Especially with this looming Catastrophe.

We have to pick up our pace.

...

Ugh... What's with this haze...?

Could it be--

Watch out! !

Kill them.

Incoming enemy fire! !

It's a trap...!

--! !

This is bad! Reunion forces have showed up behind us...!

Where's our scout?!

They got separated from us!

Rhodes Island...

I've caught you.

...!

Kill them all! !

This time, I'll grind your bones to dust!

Dobermann!

Snipers, stop their advance!

Defenders, hold the line. Get ready to push forward!

Ace, prepare to--

Time out, time out--

? !

I only just finished purging the Southeast Fortress, but I rushed over here as soon as I heard the news.

These are my hunting grounds, Crownslayer.

...

What'd you come here for?

Isn't it about time you handed them over to me?