36. Impatience

Soon after, Mori's forces restarted the cooling system, averting a Reactor meltdown.

Realizing Yulia's plan had completely failed, Gura decided to save herself and fled the power plant.

Unsurprisingly, Yulia was taken back into custody and the Relic Component retrieved.

Over time, order was restored to Stoker and the ravaged city was rebuilt.

Good morning, Eriri!

Good morning, Captain. What are you doing here? Is it something urgent?

No. I'm looking for Awakener. No luck yet though.

Oh? Has something happened?

Yulia's Relic Component is arriving today so the Lieutenant can take a closer look at it.

I'm a bit concerned Awakener will do something rash.

But the Relic Component doesn't have any effect on Echo Crystals, does it?

But knowing her, she'll definitely try something.

Fenriru? I heard Yulia's Great Relic is arriving today.

The Lieutenant is examining the Relic Component. The procedure is very sensitive, and she cannot be disturbed.

How long will it take?

I can't say.

Is Fenriru trying to avoid me?

I can't say.

Let me in. I must talk to Fenriru!

Fenriru!

... (Sighs)

I heard the commotion. I guessed it was you.

The Relic Component...

Cannot save your sister.

...

Its ability to control human emotion is called ''Chain Collapse''. It's a form of thought dissemination.

Extreme emotions can trigger it, such as the one you are feeling now.

It's very powerful and very fickle... but I'm afraid it is of no use to you.

I can try.

Did you hear me? Right now, you're a potential trigger for ''Chain Collapse''. There's no way I'm letting you near it.

I must try!

... Fine. If you want it, attack me.

Beat me and you can have it.

Ah, my head... I feel dizzy.

So, the ''Chain Reaction'' does not require contact... It's even worse than I thought.

I... won...

Yes, you did. I will let you use the Relic Component to try and save your sister, as we agreed.

But before then, there must be a reckoning for breaking into the lab and attacking the lab manager.

Whaaaat...?

Oh. Passed out?

Lieutenant! Awakener!

What happened here?

Oh nothing. The ''Chain Reaction'' amplified the kid's emotions and transmitted them to everyone in the lab.

It turned us into mindless zombies for a while. No big deal.

Huh?

It's over now. The ''Chain Reaction'' ended when he passed out.

Still, he did break into the lab and attack the lab manager. Take him to solitary confinement.

No one is to go and see him.