Four days after rescuing the Doctor from Chernobog, Rhodes Island, fleeing Reunion, has been pushed all the way to the outskirts of 'Lungmen,' a nomadic city in the Lung region.

Once it becomes clear Reunion's next target is Lungmen, the city entrusts Rhodes Island with defending its outskirts in exchange for temporary shelter and supplies.

But since last night, survivors from Chernobog have been pouring across the wasteland toward Lungmen. They're Infected too — and they know exactly what awaits them if they come here.

At the early morning briefing, drill instructor Dobermann lays out the situation. It's been confirmed that Reunion's next target is Lungmen, and the survivors will arrive by afternoon.

With the situation changed, Dobermann tells them to master new tactics before setting out — and adds one more thing: don't be late this time. No one yet knows how soon that warning will come true.

1. Fourteen Minutes Late

That night, Rhodes Island is set to meet the Guard Department at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Lungmen's District 5. The appointment is for 10:00. They arrive at 10:14.

The one who comes to greet them checks his watch first thing, complaining that he's wasted fourteen minutes of his own time. It's Ch'en, captain of the Lungmen Guard Department's Special Investigations Team.

The checkpoint's broadcast repeats the rules: due to the Catastrophe's effects, all of Lungmen is entering lockdown, District 5's entrance will be sealed in two hours, and unregistered Infected will be detained under the 'Emergency Response Act.'

Before anyone can speak further, chaos breaks out. An unregistered Infected refuses inspection and struggles violently. "We're not monsters!!"

Ch'en gives orders without a moment's hesitation — detain them all, disperse the onlookers, widen the search area. From the very first scene, it's clear what Lungmen means to the Infected.

Amiya swallows her words. Captain Ch'en seems several times stricter than she'd imagined.

Ch'en takes only Amiya and the Doctor up to a high observation deck. At the dizzying height, Amiya sways, and Ch'en offhandedly remarks that he'd heard Rhodes had some skill.

Then he voices his suspicion. Knowing full well how the Infected are treated in Lungmen, why are Chernobog's survivors so desperate to flood into this city?

2. Before the Blade Touches

High in a tower, Rhodes Island's true leader Kal'tsit sits across from Lungmen's Governor Wei Yenwu. Negotiations are already in full swing.

Kal'tsit's argument is cold and clear: simple quarantine can't stop Reunion, and Rhodes Island is the only one who's ever dealt with an Infected mass uprising.

The only ones who can deal with the Infected most effectively are other Infected.

— Kal'tsit

Ch'en immediately objects. It's not appropriate for outside Infected to get involved in Lungmen's classified affairs. How can they trust Rhodes, an Infected organization no different from Reunion?

Kal'tsit doesn't back down. If Ch'en values excluding the Infected more than Lungmen's own safety, he's welcome to arrest her right now — and she'll watch Lungmen burn from her cell.

Wei Yenwu settles the tense standoff — they're his guests, after all — and offers an old saying.

There's only one thing I value... ability, and ability alone.

— Wei Yenwu

Before him, Amiya reveals the truth of Chernobog: Rhodes Island isn't just a survivor of a riot, but of a Catastrophe that struck at the same time — and they fought Reunion's leader Talulah directly.

Wei Yenwu's eyes change at the rare chance to meet someone who survived a Catastrophe. Ch'en quietly admits he too knows that name.

Wei Yenwu recognizes Rhodes Island, on two conditions: first, cooperate with the Guard Department to stop Reunion's assault. Second, he defers — to be discussed once the first mission is complete.

He drops one hint, though: if Reunion causes damage beyond expectations, he'd like Rhodes Island to handle the aftermath too. What exactly he means, he keeps hidden for now.

To this vague condition, Amiya adds a line to the contract — that how to interpret the clause will be decided by mutual agreement between both parties. Wei Yenwu, intrigued, accepts.

After the negotiation ends, Kal'tsit quietly pulls the Doctor aside. Hoping he'll make up for all the sacrifices so far, she offers just a few words.

Welcome back.

— Kal'tsit

3. A Charm from the Slums

In Lungmen's slums, a white-haired Ursus girl is hiding some children. It's Misha.

Misha hands the children dolls she made herself — charms meant to keep loved ones safe forever, made the way her mother taught her.

Then she hides the children and lures the rioters away alone, telling herself she probably can't go back to where they are now. Those rioters are relentlessly hunting Misha.

As it happens, Rhodes Island's mission is protecting the Infected in the slums. Amiya, out on patrol, spots a child caught by rioters.

Amiya drives the rioters off with Arts. The children thank her, calling her 'Big Sister Bunny.' But as the rioters flee, they scream that she's a monster.

Right after, an unexpected order comes down from the Guard Department: an Ursus girl, white hair, about 145cm, named Misha. Contact the Guard Department the instant she's found.

When asked if this order is really necessary, Ch'en answers flatly — there's no room for doubt, so start immediately. No one tells Rhodes Island why they must chase this girl.

4. Presumed Innocent

Amiya finds the fleeing Misha first. She explains that Rhodes Island is an organization for the Infected, but Misha doesn't believe her.

Of course not — the Lungmen Misha knows treats the Infected worse than criminals. What grounds could there possibly be for helping them, she snaps.

Instead of words, Amiya shows her own hand — the one seeping with Originium.

Yes. Just like you, Misha.

— Amiya

Amiya is honest — she doesn't know why the Infected are after Misha either. But she can't stand by while an innocent Infected is in danger.

Amiya persuades her that if Misha acts rashly, the slum children will be in danger too — Rhodes Island had just rescued them from the rioters, after all.

Misha eventually follows along, saying she has no other choice. Amiya thanks her anyway.

5. Penguin Logistics' Service

The mission comes down: escort Misha to the Guard Department. The slums are a maze, and Rhodes Island alone won't manage.

So Penguin Logistics, well-versed in Lungmen's geography, joins in — the bright, chatty guide Exusiai, and the curt courier Texas.

Exusiai finds the safest route, though she warns every path is dangerous. There's supposedly enough enemies out there to form a choir.

When Liskarm asks which way the enemy is moving, Exusiai answers calmly — they're heading straight here. Rhodes Island is already surrounded.

It becomes increasingly clear that Reunion snuck into Lungmen through the slums, and that their target is the same as Rhodes Island's — Misha. Otherwise, there'd be no reason for Reunion to attack Rhodes Island.

During the escort, Misha keeps misunderstanding, asking if they're just going to hand her over to the Guard Department after all — she'd thought they came to help.

Amiya doesn't make excuses. Safety comes before feelings right now, she says, only revealing that the Infected targeting Misha wore Reunion's mark.

Liskarm and Franka grumble behind them, feeling like they've become Ch'en's errand runners. The Guard Department only just now revealed that the Infected they'd secured was someone important.

Still, Amiya accepts that the Guard Department won't share all its information — right now, delivering Misha safely is Rhodes Island's job.

6. Falling Objects

Penguin Logistics' route defies common sense. The map keeps pointing 'up' — climbing stairs, up to rooftops, and finally telling them to jump off one.

Take any path necessary to reach the destination — one of Penguin Logistics' creeds.

— Texas

Mid-escape, Reunion brings in a leader-class fighter. A commander targeting Misha specifically appears.

Skullshatterer. His obsession with Misha is chillingly clear. What matters, he mutters, isn't that he found her — it's that he's appeared at all.

When a comrade demands why he simply let her go, Skullshatterer stays unbothered — she can't escape anyway. That certainty hints that this chase has already been planned out.

Even the rooftop escape isn't smooth. Reunion pursues on old jetpacks, flying between buildings. Franka welds an exit shut, and Texas simply kicks open a locked door.

Barely shaking them off, fleeing across the rooftops, Misha keeps asking why fellow Infected are doing this to each other.

7. Sanitation

Misha suddenly collapses mid-flight — the warning signs of an Oripathy seizure.

Strange, since Misha only arrived in Lungmen a week ago. She barely knows how long she's even been Infected, yet the symptoms are turning acute.

Even amid the crisis, Liskarm and Franka keep bickering — Franka jokes that if she dies, cremate her; Liskarm shoots back that when she explodes, she'll be sure to blow up right next to Franka. This duo's banter never stops.

Amiya administers first aid in a hurry, resolving that once this is over, she'll ask Lungmen to entrust Misha to Rhodes Island — it's their responsibility too, she thinks.

Reunion now abandons even stealth, charging in openly as a mob, trampling even the Lungmen-born Infected blocking their path. An organization that claims to save the Infected is attacking the Infected.

An Infected whose home was destroyed weakly asks Rhodes Island where he's even supposed to go now that he's lost everything. It's not your fault, he adds, even so.

Franka points out the contrast — Rhodes Island never claims the impossible is possible, but Reunion feeds the Infected false hope.

You think an Infected caught up in that fantasy would believe some honest bunny girl who can't lie or flatter?

— Franka

Just then, the collapsed Misha quietly speaks up.

...I believe her.

— Misha

8. A Promise That Can't Be Kept

At last, Rhodes Island hands Misha over to Ch'en, with a promise that if the Guard Department's examination finds nothing wrong, she'll be handed straight to Rhodes Island.

Just before parting, Misha leaves Amiya one request — to watch over the slum children while she's away.

And Amiya asks Misha for a promise in return.

Next time... please teach me how to make dolls too.

— Amiya

Misha smiles and agrees. The two let go of each other's hands, believing it's only a brief goodbye.

Even after handing Misha over, Reunion refuses to withdraw. Only then does Amiya suspect it — maybe something tied to Lungmen's safety rests with Misha. Information, perhaps. Or a secret.

Meanwhile, out in the wasteland, Reunion's leader Talulah gazes up at Lungmen. Beside her, Crownslayer can't help but ask why she clings so hard to a city that costs so much and demands so much.

Talulah's answer isn't strategy. It's not just about reclaiming what belongs in the Infected's hands, but making someone pay a price — it's more fun that way, she says.

Those buildings are Lungmen's symbol, Talulah murmurs quietly. Then, as if speaking to someone else, she calls her own name — that's right, Talulah.

9. Too Late

Even after Misha is handed to Lungmen, Reunion won't let Rhodes Island go. Amiya is almost relieved — as long as they don't notice Misha's been handed over, Rhodes Island can keep serving as bait.

In the final battle on the rooftop, Skullshatterer corners Rhodes Island, calling them traitors to the Infected and demanding their blood pay for his people's lives.

At that, Amiya raises her voice for the first time.

It was you — the ones in Chernobog — who first held the grudge, first hurt others, first turned to violence!!

— Amiya

Around then, Misha, being escorted, leaves Ch'en one last request — look after the Infected children of the slums. Ch'en draws the line that the Infected aren't Lungmen citizens, but answers he'll still fulfill his duty.

Then Ch'en tells Misha a fragment of the truth — that keeping her out of Reunion's hands was something he absolutely had to prevent.

At that very moment, a shadow falls beside Ch'en. An unidentified figure appears, whispering that an interesting scenario has been prepared — and that the Guard Department's participation is essential to make it more interesting.

After a fierce clash, Rhodes Island pushes Skullshatterer back. But right then, a transmission reaches him — word from W's side that the target's capture has succeeded.

Skullshatterer immediately signals Talulah and retreats. Reunion withdraws all at once, like a plan set from the very start.

Only then does a chill run down Amiya's spine. Reunion was here from the beginning just to tie down Rhodes Island. The real target was elsewhere.

An urgent report comes in from the Guard Department — reinforcements pinned down by Reunion, and the strike targeting Misha has already succeeded.

To the disbelieving Ch'en, an operative adds: that attack was carried out by just one person.

Don't tell me...

— Ch'en

Epilogue — Same, Yet Different

Only at the very end does it come out why Misha was hunted so relentlessly — her father was Chernobog's most famous scientist and an important political figure.

Both Lungmen and Reunion were after something perhaps left with Misha herself. Though there was no solid proof, Ch'en had wanted, at the very least, to keep her out of Reunion's hands.

But now Misha has fallen into the hands of the mysterious figure known as 'W.' The night Rhodes Island fought with everything it had ends up being the night they failed to protect her.

Among the Infected too, some offer truth and some offer lies. Rhodes Island reached out to a girl in the slums, and Reunion took her away. All that remains is the promise to teach how to make a doll — a promise now impossible to keep.