Shadows of Dread

This way.

Officer Fischer, you seem pretty familiar with this place.

In recent years, the Empire has heavily invested in underground infrastructure across its cities, with the escorts assisting in its maintenance.

When I first joined the Escort, I was assigned to clean this place every single day.

Cleaning sewers every day... Does being a Charon mean you get pushed around no matter where you are, even in the Legion?

Prejudice runs deep. But in the Legion, we at least have a chance to prove ourselves through merits and exploits.

It's also one way for us, as "demon's children," to atone for our sins.

Wait... Do you hear that?

H, Help me... Please... I don't want to die...

...That's a cry for help! I'll be right over!

Whoa...! Slow down, what if it's a trap? Ugh, fine. Let's keep up with her before she does something reckless.

This way.

Officer Fischer, you seem pretty familiar with this place.

In recent years, the Empire has heavily invested in underground infrastructure across its cities, with the escorts assisting in its maintenance.

When I first joined the Escort, I was assigned to clean this place every single day.

Cleaning sewers every day... Does being a Charon mean you get pushed around no matter where you are, even in the Legion?

Prejudice runs deep. But in the Legion, we at least have a chance to prove ourselves through merits and exploits.

It's also one way for us, as "demon's children," to atone for our sins.

Wait... Do you hear that?

H, Help me... Please... I don't want to die...

...That's a cry for help! I'll be right over!

Whoa...! Slow down, what if it's a trap? Ugh, fine. Let's keep up with her before she does something reckless.

What's going on here?

He and his friend were driven into the sewers by a monster. He thought they were done for, but the monster suddenly left them alone.

Though they escaped death, this area is a labyrinth of dead ends teeming with Filthoids, leaving them trapped here.

A monster... Could it be the one behind the "Charon Hunt"?

Highly likely. I've treated his wounds and called for reinforcements. Until my team arrives, we need to ensure their safety.

Thank you, Officers. M, My friend is just beyond that locked door up ahead.

Huh? So we're babysitting now? Well, if no one else will, Snow shall take on this noble duty! Just don't fall behind!

The door lock control panel isn't working...

It's probably jammed because of clogged drainage pipes nearby. Let's turn on the emergency water valve and see if that clears the blockage.

Ahhh! Those things are coming at us! Ouch... my leg... I can't move...

Just how much stuff has crammed in this tiny pipe!?

Let's quickly finish them and restart the control panel.

The defense system has stopped. Looks like the control panel is back in function.

Did you get hurt?

It's nothing, just a scratch. Let's stay focused on finding the other victim.

That monster chased us all the way here before disappearing. My friend should be just ahead...

He's over there, behind the device! Hey! Someone came to save us!

Ugh... R...Run... Filthoids...all over...

Hang in there, we're coming for you!

Huh? This control panel is not working either...

Looks like this one is jammed too. Let's turn on the emergency water valves here. One of them should be...

Do you mean this one on my side...? L...Let me help you...

We need to deal with the Filthoids ahead first. It'll be too risky to move him while they're still around.

Thank you... Thank you so much, Officers...

Go now. Your friend is waiting for you.

, ROAR!!

That sound... It's... it's the monster! It's coming!!!

Hey, you two! Stick with us, what if you run into more Filthoids?

Officer Fischer, we've set up traps at several sewer exits as you instructed. What's your location?

Perfect timing. Prioritize getting the two civilians to safety. We've spotted traces of the suspect in the wastewater treatment area.

Copy that.

, ROAR!!

Where could that monster be hiding...?

The wastewater treatment area's connected to the rest of the sewers. Let's drain the water and search the entire section.

Ma'am, we're here to assist.

How are the two civilians?

They've been sent to the hospital. We also contacted HQ, they've finally agreed to send reinforcements.

Are these the helpers you mentioned?

Yes. They're the Noctoyagers, an excellent Phoxhunter team. Without their help, I wouldn't have made it this far.

Wow, look at all this backup! Hmm-hmm~ Time to show that monster what happens when you mess with Vita!

Stay alert. There's a big fight coming up ahead.

, ROAR!!

The target is not a Filthoid. Use containment tactics to subdue him!

We need him alive. The victims deserve answers.

Copy that!

CRRRRUSH...

Argh... It's too strong...

Watch out!

Darn it... I'm tied up!

DESTRRRROY...

I'll cover the retreat of the wounded. Stay focused, don't lose your nerve!

Be careful.

*coughs* ...Thank you.

Outsider, there's an opening on its left!

I'm on it.

We've got it pinned! Rhythm, now!

Re...Retreat...

There's... more than... one monster...!

Stop them...

We can't... they've broken through...

Evacuate the wounded! Hurry! Get them out first!

, ROAR!!

Where could that monster be hiding...?

The wastewater treatment area's connected to the rest of the sewers. Let's drain the water and search the entire section.

Ma'am, we're here to assist.

How are the two civilians?

They've been sent to the hospital. We also contacted HQ, they've finally agreed to send reinforcements.

Are these the helpers you mentioned?

Yes. They're the Noctoyagers, an excellent Phoxhunter team. Without their help, I wouldn't have made it this far.

Wow, look at all this backup! Hmm-hmm~ Time to show that monster what happens when you mess with Vita!

Stay alert. There's a big fight coming up ahead.

, ROAR!!

The target is not a Filthoid. Use containment tactics to subdue him!

We need him alive. The victims deserve answers.

Copy that!

CRRRRUSH...

Argh... It's too strong...

Watch out!

Darn it... I'm tied up!

DESTRRRROY...

I'll cover the retreat of the wounded. Stay focused, don't lose your nerve!

Be careful.

*coughs* ...Thank you.

Outsider, there's an opening on its left!

I'm on it.

We've got it pinned! Rhythm, now!

, ROAR!!

Where could that monster be hiding...?

The wastewater treatment area's connected to the rest of the sewers. Let's drain the water and search the entire section.

Ma'am, we're here to assist.

How are the two civilians?

They've been sent to the hospital. We also contacted HQ, they've finally agreed to send reinforcements.

Are these the helpers you mentioned?

Yes. They're the Noctoyagers, an excellent Phoxhunter team. Without their help, I wouldn't have made it this far.

Wow, look at all this backup! Hmm-hmm~ Time to show that monster what happens when you mess with Vita!

Stay alert. There's a big fight coming up ahead.

, ROAR!!

The target is not a Filthoid. Use containment tactics to subdue him!

We need him alive. The victims deserve answers.

Copy that!

CRRRRUSH...

Argh... It's too strong...

Watch out!

Darn it... I'm tied up!

DESTRRRROY...

I'll cover the retreat of the wounded. Stay focused, don't lose your nerve!

Be careful.

*coughs* ...Thank you.

Outsider, there's an opening on its left!

I'm on it.

We've got it pinned! Rhythm, now!

Vita!

I'm okay. But Officer Fischer is...

It's alright... Protecting civilians is my duty... as long as... you're all safe...

Officer Fischer...

Thank you so much for your help. Without you, the Escort would've suffered far more casualties.

Still, we truly appreciate it. I'll contact my squadmates and have them escort you out.

Ugh, the comms are acting up again. Never mind, you'll run into them on your way out. We'll have to seal off the tunnels you came through. Just head that way, and you'll see them soon.

Man, you've had it rough. Just woke up from a coma, and now this. If Rhythm hadn't stepped in, you'd probably be taking another long nap right now.

Yeah! You almost gave me a heart attack back there! I was so worried my Little Minion would end up with serious brain damage and not even recognise me anymore!

C'mon, no need to get all formal with your buddies.

Just don't stay quiet if something's wrong, okay? Some injuries don't show until you're old, then they hit you like a truck.

Wow, Outsider, you sound like a grandpa.

Alright, since our work here's done, how about we head home and rest up?

Mmm... but Officer Fischer looked really bad back there! Shouldn't we check on her first?

She's probably been taken to the Legion Hospital in the inner city. You know how that place is, there's no way they'll just let us waltz in.

Come on, let's at least try! We helped out a ton just now! Maybe the soldiers will help get us in.

Let's give it a try. After all...

Oh, right! We went to her in the first place, so she could dig up info about your family. Almost forget about that part!

It's alright... Protecting civilians is my duty... as long as... you're all safe...

Alright, alright. Whatever you say. So, should we go now?

Sure, whenever you're ready.

Huh? Are they the ones to pick us up? W-What happened to them?!

...They're not breathing.

Wait, don't touch them.

The wounds are small... and the blood's turned purple. It's poison.

Cover your mouths and noses, this stuff could still be in the air.

...Poison?

Ugh, those monsters are the worst!

No, this is clearly different from the Charon Hunt's pattern...

Could there be another party involved...?

Maybe. Either way, this is beyond what we signed up for. Button Mushroom, you go with Vita to check on Rhythm. I'll update the Escort on this and catch up with you later.

Got it! Let's go, Little Minion!

Could it be... them?

Hmm? Weren't there supposed to be soldiers meeting us here? Where are they?

Look, there's a cluster of bullet holes on the wall.

Ugh... Looks like the team sent to meet us ran into the perp. This isn't good.

Look at the pattern of the bullet holes... The perpetrator probably went this way. Let's go.

Are we sure it's this way? There's nothing here...

Do you feel that? The wind here is stronger than in the other areas.

Let me get up there and have a look.

Ha, you're pretty sharp. The pipe up here looks like it was damaged recently.

Judging by the direction it leads, the perp might be heading out the next exit.

Okay, let's keep moving and stay alert.

Hmm? Weren't there supposed to be soldiers meeting us here? Where are they?

Hold up... something feels off.

It's too quiet... except for the wind.

Hmm? Weren't there supposed to be soldiers meeting us here? Where are they?

Look, there's a cluster of bullet holes on the wall.

Ugh... Looks like the team sent to meet us ran into the perp. This isn't good.

Look at the pattern of the bullet holes... The perpetrator probably went this way. Let's go.

Are we sure it's this way? There's nothing here...

Do you feel that? The wind here is stronger than in the other areas.

Let me get up there and have a look.

Ha, you're pretty sharp. The pipe up here looks like it was damaged recently.

Judging by the direction it leads, the perp might be heading out the next exit.

Okay, let's keep moving and stay alert.

Hmm? Weren't there supposed to be soldiers meeting us here? Where are they?

Hold up... something feels off.

It's too quiet... except for the wind.

Hmm? Weren't there supposed to be soldiers meeting us here? Where are they?

Look, there's a cluster of bullet holes on the wall.

Ugh... Looks like the team sent to meet us ran into the perp. This isn't good.

Look at the pattern of the bullet holes... The perpetrator probably went this way. Let's go.

Are we sure it's this way? There's nothing here...

Do you feel that? The wind here is stronger than in the other areas.

Let me get up there and have a look.

Ha, you're pretty sharp. The pipe up here looks like it was damaged recently.

Judging by the direction it leads, the perp might be heading out the next exit.

Okay, let's keep moving and stay alert.

Hmm? Weren't there supposed to be soldiers meeting us here? Where are they?

Hold up... something feels off.

It's too quiet... except for the wind.