The assault launched by Reunion was fierce, but that did not mean it could continue without end. Ordinary Infected simply could not sustain such an intense siege with their bodies alone. Even the likes of the Laughing Coffin and other thrill-seeking fighters needed to withdraw and rest. As night fell, although unrest within the city gradually escalated, Reunion's forces outside the city finally halted their offensive.
This granted the defenders a brief chance to catch their breath. They had also learned that Infected were slipping into the city through the sewers, inciting those abandoned in garbage heaps to take up arms and seek revenge. Despite their worries for the families they had left behind in the city, the defenders were ordered to hold their positions and forbidden to move.
The Infected of Reunion collapsed wherever they stood and fell asleep. Their lives were already like candles guttering in the wind; if they died in their sleep tonight and never woke again, it would almost seem like a fitting end. Their hearts were filled with nothing but thoughts of revenge, to the point where even their own lives could be cast aside at any moment.
Alina pressed her lips together as she reviewed the supply list. She glanced toward the rows of tents stretching endlessly ahead and let out a quiet sigh. Since being brought to the front line, she had been placed in the rear with other elderly people and children, as a non-combatant, waiting for news of victory from the front. Her sigh was not only because food supplies might soon run short, but because her thoughts kept returning to Talulah.
What had driven her to become so extreme, so unhinged? Alina knew the Talulah of the past, but the Talulah of today only felt unfamiliar.
It was as if some lingering shadow had taken over Talulah's body. Her smile carried ambition, her gaze a mocking glint. She was no longer the earnest, gentle girl who had once shared everything with her.
What, exactly, had changed her?
Lost in thought, the little deer gazed up at the twin moons and sighed in confusion.
"Can your body still hold up?"
A cool, distant female voice spoke from in front of her. Alina raised her head, brushing aside the bangs that had fallen into her eyes, and saw FrostNova standing there, someone she had not seen for quite some time. FrostNova's face was as calm and cold as ever, and behind her stood several members of the Yeti Squad.
"FrostNova… what brings you here?"
"We went out on patrol. We weren't assigned to the main battlefield. Talulah said it wasn't time for us yet."
FrostNova's tone was flat and emotionless. "The Yeti Squad can't just sit around doing nothing, so I accepted the task of night patrol."
"I see…"
Alina lowered her gaze again. Her lips moved slightly, unsure whether she should speak the thoughts in her heart to FrostNova.
"Would you like to take a walk together?"
"Eh?"
Hearing FrostNova invite her, Alina felt a surge of happiness. As a non-combatant, she had long been pushed to the fringes of Reunion's inner circle, something inseparable from the organization's growing obsession with raw combat strength.
The group set off toward the north, the rear of Reunion's encampment. Alina hesitated again and again, clearly wanting to say something. Only after they had left the camp did she finally gather her courage.
"Um… FrostNova."
FrostNova looked at her quietly. Alina pressed her lips together. "I feel that… Talulah doesn't seem like the Talulah she used to be anymore."
"So you feel it too. Then what I sensed probably wasn't just my imagination."
FrostNova turned her gaze aside, toward the barren land stretching before them. "Ever since that village incident, Talulah has been a little strange. She no longer tries to restrain the destructive urges of the Infected. Instead, she chooses to amplify their violent side."
"In the past, she fought alongside the Infected, guided them, tried to lead them forward. But now, she is simply using whatever value they have left."
FrostNova spoke calmly. "On this point, my father and I share the same view."
"Eh… Mr. Patriot, he…"
"However, my father's view differs from mine. He once believed that Talulah's ideas were nothing more than empty talk. They were unrealistic. Without economic strength to support them, Reunion could not continue on that path."
FrostNova thought of someone from the past and turned her eyes southward. She had always lived in the north, so Felix must be in the south.
"My father believes the current approach is more effective than before."
She sighed softly. "He still carries out Talulah's orders, but I can tell there is a growing distance between him and her."
"…Is that so."
For some reason, Alina felt a flicker of relief. Not only did FrostNova share her thoughts, but even Patriot had noticed the change. Yet when she thought of Talulah's current state, Alina let out another sigh, uncertain of what she should do next.
The group walked for about forty minutes. From here, they could already make out the mining site north of Chernobog in the distance. Earlier, Reunion had defeated the soldiers guarding the mine as well as the inspectors who rushed to reinforce them. Those Infected who were capable of fighting had donned Reunion uniforms, while those who were not served as logistical support.
"Big sis!"
Greg lowered his voice. FrostNova halted at once and reached out to pull Alina back, who had not yet reacted. Narrowing her eyes, FrostNova looked toward the mine.
The guard station at the edge of the mine, which should have been deserted, was lit up. Not just one light, but an entire row of rooms glowed brightly.
What was going on?
Before anyone could make sense of it, FrostNova felt the sharp, prickling sensation of being watched. She tightened her grip on her staff as pale blue ripples of frost slowly spread.
"Wait, don't attack, FrostNova. It's our own people!"
The one who called out in a familiar tone approached with a torch held high. To their surprise, it was Mr. Han, and behind him was Shroud, yawning lazily.
"It's you adventurers."
Alina broke into a bright smile. If there was anything enjoyable about living in the north, it was chatting with adventurers. They were eloquent, worldly, and always pleasant to talk to.
FrostNova silently lowered her weapon.
Shroud's drowsiness vanished at once. It was a little past two in the morning in North America. He had planned to patrol briefly before logging off to sleep, but running into familiar NPCs changed everything. He quickly patted his face and, together with Mr. Han, invited them to their camp.
Alina looked to FrostNova. After a moment of silence, FrostNova nodded.
So these adventurers had turned the abandoned mine into their base. No, more importantly, why were they all here? Had they followed Reunion all the way? FrostNova frowned slightly. She had questions, but more than that, she felt a deep uncertainty about the future.
Once inside, Shroud forced himself to stay alert and sat to the side. Mr. Han stepped forward and handed them tea. "Long time no see. This really isn't the time for pleasantries, but we're genuinely happy to meet you again."
Alina's chilled fingers softened as they wrapped around the warm cup. Her expression eased, though the worry on her face refused to fade.
FrostNova sighed softly. "Under circumstances like these, it would have been better if we hadn't met again."
Mr. Han sighed as well. "What are you saying, FrostNova? No matter our factions, aren't we still reliable companions?"
He glanced at FrostNova's favor rating. Twenty-four. Barely enough to count as someone they could travel with for a while. Calling her a friend was still a stretch. Alina was much easier. Her favor was already at thirty-five.
Shroud sensed something was off. From his perspective, Alina had said nothing, yet a large question mark might as well have appeared above her head.
It smelled like a quest.
Mr. Han, ever observant, also noticed that Alina seemed emotionally different from usual.
"Miss Alina, what exactly happened? Is there anything we can help you with?"
A classic opening for accepting a quest.
"…"
Alina looked at the two of them. They were leaders among the Brotherhood, and more importantly, they had always helped her and the children before. After some thought, she finally spoke.
"I want to ask you to help Talulah."
"Help… Talulah?"
"Yes… yes."
Alina's words came haltingly. "After something happened last year, Talulah changed. She once wanted to lead Reunion forward the same way as before, but she changed. She began exploiting the Infected. She began conquering cities. I don't think this is the Talulah I knew. Something must have happened to her."
"You… can you help me?"
By the time she said it aloud, the little deer's voice was already trembling with tears. She truly wanted to save her friend, Talulah.
[You have triggered B-rank Quest: "The Bewitching Remnant." Accept / Decline?]
[Quest Details: You have received a commission from Alina. She has told you about Talulah's current condition. Based on both her understanding and your own observations, Talulah's transformation feels far too unnatural, stirring your curiosity. What exactly changed Talulah? What is truly driving the current Reunion Movement?]
[Quest Objective: Investigate the secrets surrounding Talulah]
[Reward: 50,000 EXP]
[Special Reward: Unknown]
Not bad at all. The experience reward was fairly ordinary, but there was a special reward attached.
Anything marked as a special reward was usually something worthwhile. With that thought, Mr. Han and Shroud exchanged a glance and accepted the quest. Acting as intermediaries, they also helped Alina post the commission publicly, allowing every adventurer to take it if they wished.
After that, Mr. Han spoke frankly and revealed part of the Brotherhood's situation. They were here precisely because they could not trust Reunion not to turn its blade on them at any moment.
Upon hearing such sensitive information, FrostNova should have returned to the front lines and reported it to Talulah. Yet as she looked at the two adventurers, scenes of infected adventurers coexisting peacefully within the Northern Brotherhood surfaced in her mind. In the end, she felt that betraying this trust would be unforgivable.
"It's all right, Miss FrostNova."
Mr. Han looked at her and gave a gentle nod. "We understand your mindset as a soldier. Even if you tell Talulah about our presence here, that's fine. We're not afraid of Reunion. If it helps draw their attention away from Chernobog for even a moment, that's a good thing."
"…You…"
"Oh, right. We've also received news from other adventurers."
Mr. Han paused. "The King, the Pioneer, is very likely heading to Chernobog."
Felix… is coming to Chernobog?
FrostNova ignored Mr. Han's choice of title. A wave of shame washed over her. Back then, she had sworn to Felix that she would help the Infected. She trusted Reunion. She trusted Talulah. But now?
As she recalled Reunion's conduct on the battlefield today, her face burned and her head began to spin. Could the current Reunion Movement truly deserve that trust?
She stood up abruptly. "It's late. We should return."
"I understand."
Mr. Han nodded and bowed slightly to Alina. "Miss Alina, we adventurers accept your commission. We will 'save' Talulah."
"Th-thank you so much, adventurers."
Deeply moved, the little deer wiped away her tears. Accompanied by FrostNova and the rest of the Yeti Squad, their figures gradually disappeared into the distance.
Only then did Shroud finally stretch lazily. "Bro, you're not seriously planning to save Talulah, are you?"
"Don't you think her changes are strange?"
Shroud didn't hesitate. "Went dark? That's how it usually goes in anime."
"No. Don't you find her state extremely abnormal? From our player perspective, Talulah used to draw a clear line between public duty and personal matters. She never tolerated crimes committed by the Infected. She'd rather kill them herself than let Reunion be stained. But look at what she's done so far."
"I think we should observe Talulah in secret. We've interacted with her before. What kind of person do you think she is?"
Shroud thought for a moment. "Kind of honest and straightforward, I guess. Honestly, someone like that makes a decent leader, but growth would be slow."
"She has ambition, but her education and upbringing never taught her how to properly use her intelligence. Maybe she stayed in the North too long and her brain turned as crude as a barbarian's."
The sharp critique made Mr. Han's lips twitch. He clapped his hands lightly. "Exactly. How could the old Talulah do something like this? How could she come up with exploiting the Infected? She wouldn't even think of strategies like that."
"If you ask me, Talulah's probably possessed by something. Otherwise, how could she devise a plan to coordinate the Infected inside the city for an inside-outside pincer attack?"