After shaking off Talulah's pursuit, the Rhodes Island team finally regrouped with Scout's unit, who had been cut off earlier.
Behind them, the crumbling ruins of a building still smoldered the same building Talulah had casually obliterated moments ago.
The operators looked back at the wreckage, hearts still pounding. Even now, it felt unreal. They had escaped from the clutches of Talulah, that walking natural disaster, without suffering a single casualty.
To avoid the ever-present threat of Catastrophes raining down from above, the team chose to advance through an old underground railway tunnel, heading toward the outskirts of Chernobog.
"Looking back now, the Doctor must've risked himself to draw Talulah's attention and buy us time to escape..."
"Could that sudden love confession have been a deliberate distraction tactic?"
"Most likely. After all, Scout was hurrying to reinforce us. With his sharpshooting, even if he couldn't take Talulah down, he could've seriously shifted the tide."
"And Talulah might've realized that too... which is why she chose to retreat?"
"Truly, the Doctor is unfathomable. Even after losing his memory, he still thinks ten steps ahead."
Dobermann, Nearl, ACE, and the others discussed the incident quietly as they moved.
"Hold on... something's not right up ahead. Stay sharp!"
Just as the squad reached the end of the tunnel, Amiya and Jay, who were at the front, spotted something concerning near the exit.
A group of Reunion troops was waiting outside.
And standing at the center of it all was Scout, locked in a tense standoff with a familiar figure in mercenary gear: a Sarkaz girl W.
"Scout. I didn't think you and your team would make it out in one piece. As an old friend, I'm honestly glad."
W had once shared a close relationship with Scout. Now, their allegiances had driven them to opposite sides.
From her perspective, Rhodes Island wasn't worth Scout's loyalty or sacrifice.
Yet despite that, he had gone out of his way to eliminate the previous Sarkaz mercenary leader, clearing the path for W to take over. And he'd survived doing it.
That... gave her complicated feelings.
"W, why are you here? Don't tell me you're planning to go after the Doctor."
Scout's voice was cold.
He had upheld his end of the deal killed the target, cleared the path so by their agreement, W should've stopped interfering with Rhodes Island's escape.
But according to her, she'd already rigged this tunnel's support beams with explosives. At this point, trying to retreat safely would be too late.
To ensure Jay's safety, Scout had no choice but to step in and stall her.
"I'm keeping my promise."
W smiled and cut him off with a wave. Then her mischievous eyes drifted over to Jay.
"I just want to ask the Doctor a few questions. After that, I'll leave."
"The Doctor has amnesia. He won't be able to answer anything!"
Amiya stepped forward, voice firm.
"Amnesia?"
W raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Scout for confirmation.
He nodded.
Scout had learned from Amiya and the others that since emerging from the Sarcophagus, the Doctor had forgotten everything. He couldn't command anymore, didn't remember anyone, and had undergone a complete personality shift.
On top of that, he now wielded bizarre, unfamiliar Originium Arts...
Calling it amnesia was honestly an understatement. It was more like he'd been reborn into someone entirely new.
Still, one thing reassured the Rhodes Island team despite the strangeness, the Doctor clearly cared for them. And that was enough.
"Tch. So it's true... How boring."
W's expression fell the moment Scout confirmed it.
Three years ago, Theresa, the Sarkaz Queen, had been assassinated. W, one of her loyalists, hadn't been present at the scene.
And she had always suspected the Doctor of being involved either directly or indirectly.
That's why she had chased this reunion so desperately, hoping to confirm the truth.
But if he had truly lost all memory, then this meeting... was pointless.
"Fine. Doctor, I'll let you off this time. I'm leaving."
W waved playfully and turned away, strolling down the tunnel.
According to intel, Scout had already fulfilled his part by eliminating the old mercenary leader. Now all W had to do was take control, and she would officially become the new head of the Sarkaz mercenaries.
"W, what are you doing?"
A few confused Reunion members stepped forward, clearly baffled.
"What? You planning to die here? Or maybe you're into the idea of getting your pants kicked off by a lunatic Doctor? Your call."
"Uh... we're good, thanks..."
The Reunion troops weren't sure why W was suddenly sparing Rhodes Island, but without her one of the strongest Sarkaz mercs they weren't exactly eager to fight a pharmaceutical company full of weirdos.
"Doctor, W won't cause us any more trouble. We should leave now."
Scout turned to Jay, his tone serious.
They were so close to escaping Chernobog. If they could just get past this point, they'd be home free.
"Please select your response, Host."
A system prompt suddenly echoed in Jay's mind.
[Rational Option]: Use this opportunity to lead everyone back to Rhodes Island safely.
Reward: Intelligence +10, Sanity +20
[Chaotic Option]: Kidnap W and bring her back to Rhodes Island.
Reward: Unlock skill "Chains of Heaven"
Special Reward: Limited Operator "W"
Note 1: "Chains of Heaven" can summon unbreakable chains to bind enemies. Special effectiveness against divine targets. Against non-divine targets, functions as extremely durable restraints.
Note 2: Limited Operator "W" is a rare opportunity. If missed, the chance to recruit her may not return. It could be a year... or never again.
The Rational Option? Yeah, sure. Classic Arknights canon route. Safe, clean, no risk.
But that second option...
It was pure insanity and absolutely irresistible.
"Chains of Heaven"? That sounded amazing for catching enemies. Sure, divine beings were rare in Terra, but against normal foes? Still extremely useful.
And on top of that... a guaranteed Limited Operator "W"?
As someone who couldn't even pull W during her rate-up banner, seeing this chance just drop into his lap felt like destiny.
How could he let it go?