Chapter 3 - Intermission 4

Scene: A dream.

Ames
All right, good work.

Ames
Your troubles have been lasting late into the night, it seems. But luckily, it looks like you managed to escape your dilemma by a hair's breadth.

Ames
In times like these, it really is vexing to be able to do nothing but watch.

Ames
Anyway. This time, I see that you encountered some dreadful and strange phenomena.

Ames
For now, I should add... You were able to escape without a problem and reach the protection of Saren and the others, so don't worry.

Ames
After that, you could finally relax and rest your body. If only for a moment.

Ames
You see, as you were making your bed, you were approached by Saren, who had a "request" for you... Beacuse of that, you wound up on a mountain climbing trip all alone.

Ames
Well, that's about it. You'll be able to sleep well from now on, so look forward to that.

Ames
That aside, the strange phenomenon you encountered is a bigger problem.

Ames
Lately, in this world, various kinds of mysterious occurrences that defy common sense explanations have begun to occur. These are threatening the peaceful lives of ordinary people.

Ames
You've probably heard something about them. These mysterious phenomena have been given names like "shadows" and "lost".

Ames
"Shadows" refer to beings such as those you encountered today. Mysterious beings, seemingly similar to ghosts... Generally, they're thought to be a type of monster.

Ames
Recently, the number of reported sightings of "shadows" has been rapidly increasing. While some seem be eerie but mostly harmless, apparently there have also been instances of people being attacked.

Ames
Just like what happened to you this time.

Ames
Their true natures are still unclear, but they don't seem to be like living creatures. They don't bleed when cut with sharp edges, and they seem to just wander aimlessly forever without eating or sleeping.

Ames
They just give off a bad feeling... Especially because their appearances are just like those of people who already exist.

Ames
Considering the real people whose appearances have been copied by these "shadows", we can't just let them go.

Ames
The "shadows" you met this time were mimicking Ayane and Saren. Even their voices were exactly the same.

Ames
Things like those have been popping up in great numbers. Even though these things didn't exist in the world originally, they're now appearing endlessly.

Ames
At the same time, there have also been things disappearing from this world. This is the strange phenomenon called the "lost".

Ames
Normally, everyone has two parents. When a father and a mother love each other very much, a child is born. That's the natural way of things for humans... or rather, for all mammals, really.

Ames
But. Somehow, instances of children who exist, but for whom no record of their parents can be found, have been increasing.

Ames
This is the strange phenomenon known as the "lost". It's as if these people disappear without leaving any trace of their existence.

Ames
Whether it's relatives, guild members, or anyone else, memories of their existence vanish from everyone.

Ames
If it were only memories that were disappearing, then they should still have left behind some documentation or other items.

Ames
But just like the memories, these disappear, too. Even though children should definitely have parents, both memories and records of these parents are disappearing.

Ames
People who should exist, don't. That's why this unnatural phenomenon of the "lost" was identified.

Ames
Without parents, these children, lacking memories and records, go on living normal lives.

Ames
Ordinarily, this would be strange, but for some reason, nobody had any problems with it.

Ames
After the "lost" phenomenon was identified, investigations were launched, one after another...

Ames
It was confirmed that there were many people who were expected to exist, but who disappeared unnaturally.

Ames
If it were only one or two, then maybe it could be explained.

Ames
People who abandon their children and disappear somewhere, diligently erasing any records of themselves. Then, the children repress those painful memories.

Ames
But if such a thing were to happen hundreds of times, then that would already be a strange phenomenon. That is the "lost"...

Ames
Kurumi, your friend, is one of those strange cases whose parents seem to have disappeared.

Ames
Both the "shadows" and the "lost" are mysterious events that nobody can explain.

Ames
There are probably other mysterious occurrences that haven't yet been identified.

Ames
The cause of these strange events is something I understand. This world is becoming distorted, diseased, and peculiar. The "shadows" and the "lost" are bugs that exist for this purpose.

Ames
They are the aftershocks of when the world was distorted into its current shape by some negative influence. If the distortions in this world aren't resolved, then the "shadows" and "lost" basically can't be resolved, either.

Ames
Kurumi will never be able to meet her parents... No, she won't even be able to remember them.

Ames
Such a thing would be tragic, don't you think. She's such a gentle, sweet girl.

Ames
That's why you have to correct this world's distortions.

Ames
The keys to doing that are scattered all around you. You'll have to gather them one by one and piece them together.

Ames
Then, after unraveling the mystery of this world, you'll have to resolve the reason behind the distortions. Or rather, you'll have to save the world.

Ames
Most likely, that can be done by no one other than you. A lot is riding on you, so I'm cheering for you.

Ames
Do your best, protagonist... The hero who will save the world, Yuuki.