1-1 Isolated Island

Is it just me, or is the sky getting darker?

...If only it was just you.

We never had much time anyway.

The shape of the Catastrophe cloud is more clearly defined than the black haze it was before.

Tsk. I don't like the feeling I get from watching it form over our heads. What a bad omen.

To make things worse, Reunion goons might be lurking in every nook and cranny.

Actually, that's probably too conservative.

What you should've said is that they're probably partying on the streets.

Almost every street is filled with destruction, violence and looting. Vehicles and buildings are being set on fire...

But these thugs decide that it's the perfect weather for a picnic!

If they're going out on a picnic now, it's the Catastrophe that will feast upon their bones.

This proves that most Reunion members are just fools who've been whipped into a frenzy.

...

...Pfft.

Look, they're not really having a picnic...

I, I just wanted something to moan about. You didn't have to take me so seriously...

...

Oh, you weren't being serious？Wait, were you trying to crack a joke?

Hmm...

Sorry, I'm not good with this stuff...

Umm... It's fine...

It's just that... trying not to laugh is hard...

Um, sorry... for trying to make a joke at such a serious time...

It's okay.

Rhodes Island wasn't founded for the sake of having everyone keep a serious face.

We've always wanted everyone to be able to smile.

A-Amiya...

Don't worry about it!

In any case, let's help out with the scouting.

I'll quietly dispatch the enemy at our four o'clock.

Hopefully their diseased organs won't explode or be rigged to serve as some kind of alarm.

We'll wrap around and take care of the large group on the other side of the fortification.

With this much chaos around us, nobody will notice a little more noise.

All right, let's move out!

Ah!

This clinic...

Amiya, haven't we been here before?

You're right...

But why has it... become like this?

It's been totally abandoned... It looks it was attacked by Reunion.

...

Wasn't this Azazel, the clinic for the Infected?

Yes...

Even though they had access to Chernobog's entire underground intelligence network, they still refused to work with us...

Back then, it wasn't clear what kind of dealings that had with Reunion...

If only they had given us some information, or even just a hint...

We could've been out of here by now.

They brought this outcome upon themselves!

That's not the entire story...

Amiya, you were there for the negotiations, weren't you?

That cold and arrogant attitude of theirs really ticked me off...

We can't blame them.

Boss...

It's hard for the Infected to trust anyone.

After enduring so many hardships, who can blame them for becoming jaded and stubborn?

I can understand why they did what they did... and I can forgive them. Those who don't protect themselves are easily hurt by others.

Moreover, the Infected often can't even trust each other. Not everyone is able to stomach the kinds of risks that we take either...

Azazel... They were a black-market clinic that only provided services to the Infected.

Given the social status of the Infected, they couldn't openly reveal themselves in public.

Some of the Infected, not wanting to be thrown into quarantine, are hiding throughout the city, just trying to survive.

Azazel was aimed at providing services to these people.

...They must have rejected Reunion's proposals.

Doctor, I previously mentioned that we're all sick, right?

This disease will claim our lives, but it also grants us with extraordinary powers.

For example, I can use Originium Arts without the aid of a staff.

However, this disease does not only destroy our bodies...

It also destroys any chance we have at living a normal life. Or rather, 'civilized society' strips everything away from us.

Chernobog has been the shining beacon of this 'civility.'

Fearing, hating, exiling, and purging the Infected...

...

And, this is how it ends.

The only thing is, how many Infected were even given the option to choose between us, Reunion, or some other organization?

Most of them simply lost everything.

Perhaps, this clinic was a warm place that some of them could call home...

There is no cure for Oripathy. At least right now, the Infected can only die in despair.

And their bodies... become new sources of infection.

With their abnormal powers and fatally infectious disease...

The Infected... are the most hated people on this planet.

...

Doctor, you probably won't be able to understand everything just based upon my brief explanation.

But when you see the consequences of these problems with your own eyes... you will understand.

You'll see the harsh reality surrounding the Infected.

Rhodes Island emphasizes equality for all, whereas Reunion is fanatically Infected-centric. However, organizations like ours are a rare sight.

I can understand why you're angry, but it's hard not to sympathize with this little clinic.

...I see.

Perhaps they really ended up facing a bigger crisis than they could handle...

In any case, we should leave our anger behind, along with this clinic.

Rhodes Island is filled with good people. Though fear and hostility might create rifts between people...

I believe that all misunderstandings will be resolved, as long as we're a part of the same family.

Perhaps... Rhodes Island is but another Azazel?

Amiya...

Let's go, Doctor.