The Monologue Must End · Chapter 4
Retreat
Asherah
Phew...
It just keeps going. This place never ends.
Nothing but ashes as far as the eye can see.
Yoo Mina
Yeah. When we first got here, there were collapsed buildings here and there.
There were buildings?
Then people used to live here too?
Yoo Mina
...If this really is the [Counterside] I know, then yes.
I heard the Counterside consists of other worlds that perished long ago.
Well, either way, Rosaria's flames turned it into this mess...
But the undergroudn facilities the Replacers built are still intact.
That's where we are headed now.
Asherah
Replacers?
Yoo Mina
The Replacer Syndicate.
They're the terrorists we were up against.
Kidnapping, murder, human experimentation...
They pulled every kind of atrocity, claiming they were creating a new kind of humanity that could live in the Counterside.
Asherah
That's horrible...!
They're completely evil!
Yoo Mina
Exactly. That's why we chased them all the way here.
...Though in the end, both they and we were buried beneath these ashes.
Omega
Omega can't walk anymore... Omega's tummy is growling...
Are we there yet?
Hilde
We still have a long way to go.
Omega
Eh? We've been walking nonstop already!
Hilde
It's common to travel on foot for days out in the field. You'll get used to it.
Omega
Uuugh... Omega's gonna die at this rate...
We should rest for a bit.
Hilde
...Very well.
Once we pass that ridge, there should be a place to rest.
Follow me.
Omega
Ooh... The shade here makes it feel nice and cool...
Hilde
Don't let your guard down.
Those things you call [Voidborns] are spread throughout this area.
I didn't expect Voidborns here too.
Hilde
Indeed. It means your world is not the only one being affected.
Asherah
You are really calm, Hilde. Even in a situation like this.
You're just like one of those veteran mercenaries.
Yoo Mina
That's exactly what she is. A veteran mercenary.
Asherah
Huh? Then Mina, are you a mercenary too?
Yoo Mina
...I guess you could say that.
Our job is to hunt monsters called [Corrupted Objects]. That's how we get paid.
More importantly, how long are you guys planning to tag along?
Until Hilde's gear is repaired.
Yoo Mina
So you're still planning to fight that Demon Lord?
Well, that's why we came here.
Yoo Mina
You should give up and look for a way back to your own world.
I'm not interested in dying for nothing.
Asherah
Mina, come on...!
Living with your nerves on edge all the time is bad for your health.
Yoo Mina
Excuse me?
Getting angry at us won't solve anything.
Yoo Mina
Kgh...!
Hilde
They got you good, rookie.
Yoo Mina
Are you siding with them too, Commander?
Hilde
I have no intention of getting involved in childish squabbles.
But I also don't much care to watch my squad member vent her anger in the wrong direction either.
And one more thing.
Yoo Mina
Yeah?
Omega
Whoa...?! The ground is shaking really hard!
Asherah
No, Omega! This is...!
Yoo Mina
These things were hiding underground?!
Hilde
It seems they decided wandering around aimlessly was a waste.
Even so, it's nothing more than an ambush. All units, prepare for combat!
Asherah
*Huff...!* *Huff...!*
Omega
Asherah, Omega doesn't think there are any more Voidborns around.
Asherah
Really? That's good to hear...
This side's clear. What about you?
Yoo Mina
Same here.
But an ambush...? These things are smarter than I thought.
Asherah
It's probably because of that big one that appeared at the end.
I've heard higher-tier Voidborns are more cunning than normal ones.
Still, I didn't expect we'd take them down this easily.
It's our first time teaming up, but don't you think we make a pretty good team?
Yoo Mina
...Yeah. Sure.
Hilde
You're the Captain, was it?
You had a solid grasp of the battlefield. That helped.
I've still got a lot to learn.
You also helped me.
Hilde
There's no need to be so modest.
That ability to see the bigger picture is something our rookie ought to learn as well.
Yoo Mina
...Why are you dragging me into this?
Anyway... Something feels off.
What's bothering you?
Yoo Mina
I've scouted this place a few times before.
Back then, I never ran into any monsters.
Asherah
Then that means...
There are suddenly more of them?
Hilde
Both their numbers and how often they appear have increased.
That likely means this place is being affected that much more by your world.
So we're close to making contact?
Hilde
Mm. That doesn't sound like good news for you.
Asherah
It's not... Come to think of it, the scar we saw at the Astro Sanctum was enormous too.
Omega
Why would that Rosaria lady do something like this?
We could've just gotten along, but instead she burned everything down...
Yoo Mina
Who knows.
She rambled about rehearsals and whatever else she pleased, then left things like this.
Damn that woman...!
It goes without saying at this point, but she's extremely dangerous...
Hilde
Don't waste your energy on pointless worries.
I can think of a few reasons she might be acting on a whim, but...
For now, it's nothing more than speculation.
Yoo Mina
...I know.
I know, but...
Hilde
This area has already been exposed to the monsters.
We move. Can you manage, Captain?
Omega, can you hold on a little longer?
Omega
...Uh-huh! Omega will hang in there!
That's right! Omega can keep going if she imagines yummy food!
Strawberry sherbet... croissants... cheese waffles...
Yoo Mina
...Do you really have to project your imagination into a hologram like that? Now you're making me hungry too.
Asherah
You know... Come to think of it, we haven't had a single bite all day...
We need to hurry.
Without supplies, we can't fight.
Hilde
Agreed. I was thinking the same.
I'll take point and check for monsters. Follow at your own pace.
Story and illustrations © Studio B-Side. An unofficial reading archive — for questions or requests, see the About page.