Story: Chesed — Episode 5

LC::chesed5_intro Chesed — Episode 5 SYSTEM: Set BACKGROUND: 'chesedBK', effect: 'none' SYSTEM: Play BGM: 'When_It_Rains' SYSTEM: SHOW character: Chesed (id: 'chesed') at 'center' Chesed (Id: 'chesed') ………. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') It’s quiet, isn’t it? Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Take a good, long look at this silence. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Manager, have you ever gotten up early to walk the streets at the crack of dawn? Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I think this moment right now is equivalent to that dawn in the outside world. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') The Abnormalities are currently in torpor due to the heightening of Qliphoth Deterrence during off hours. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Meanwhile, the employees are steeling themselves for when fate decides whatever will happen to them. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') When the level of Deterrence is weakened, the powers of the suppressed origins will soon wake them. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') It’s always so hard to believe that a place as quiet as this will just as soon be engulfed by pandemonium. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Oh, how nice it would be to keep this tranquility… Chesed (Id: 'chesed') How many times do we have to fail? How much more must we be accustomed to the darkness, to finally encounter the light? Employee (Id: 'employee') Good morning, Chesed, sir. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Ah, yes~ Good morning, buddy~ Good luck with your duties as always~ Employee (Id: 'employee') Mister Chesed, sir, I’ve been thinking, and I feel that I truly am lucky to be assigned to the Welfare Team. Employee (Id: 'employee') Just getting into Lobotomy Corporation was really competitive, but being assigned to this team, it’s like a miracle. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') …..You know brown-nosing won’t gain you anything. Employee (Id: 'employee') Just think of it as flattery, sir. Employee (Id: 'employee') There really is no one who cares more about their employees like you do, Chesed, sir. I mean, just look at the department on the other side of our Layer. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') ….Nah, that’s not necessarily true. Employee (Id: 'employee') I just want to say I appreciate you and the many things you do, sir. Sorry for keeping you so long, I’ll be going now, Chesed, sir. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Aye, aye. Go get yourself ready for the day~ Chesed (Id: 'chesed') …….. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') For many days, I consoled myself by saying that I wasn’t doing that bad for a Sephirah. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I never put my employees on the verge of death like a certain red-clad miss someone did, and I managed to be flexible with various situations most of the time. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Getting mad at someone for breaking a rule or two, or agreeing with someone who claimed to make this place better… Chesed (Id: 'chesed') When I take a step back and look at it all, I just can’t help but think… Chesed (Id: 'chesed') What’s the point of it all? Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Of course, I hoped to send them off in peace as they were just meant to die anyways. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Meanwhile, I was hiding the biggest lie of all inside. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Yet I’ve been playing the role of the good leader, knowing that it was all a falsehood. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Lady Angela knew this too. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') She knew that I would never be the great man who’d expose every little secret of this place to the employees, and try to overthrow the system and plot. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Well, I mean… Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I just wanted to avoid pushing her buttons. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Working as the head of the Welfare Department, I actually never cared about the welfare of our employees at all. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I was so afraid. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Angela stopped any seedling of doubt or inquiry about the nature of this place by killing off employees indirectly. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Then I eventually decided to cover my eyes and ears... Chesed (Id: 'chesed') And help Lady Angela with her affairs without questioning them... SYSTEM: Play SOUND: 'alertBeep' SYSTEM: camera_filter ( filter: 'color_sepia' ) SYSTEM: wait ( time: '2' ) SYSTEM: camera_filter ( filter: 'none' ) SYSTEM: SHOW character: Gebura (id: 'gebura') at 'left-more' Gebura (Id: 'gebura') Hey, Chesed, we have an emergency. You heard the status report, right? The Abnormalities have gone out of control. Gebura (Id: 'gebura') I don’t know what happened, but we need to retake control of the situation right now. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') ….I thought you didn’t want to speak with me. What’s gotten into you Gebura? Gebura (Id: 'gebura') …..You’re able to control the Deterrence, aren’t you? Gebura (Id: 'gebura') We need to increase the level of Qliphoth Deterrence right now. Gebura (Id: 'gebura') Angela will call the Rabbits if the rest of the Abnormalities aren’t suppressed. Gebura (Id: 'gebura') I want to wrap things up on my side of the facility. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') ….But Gebura, no one is allowed to touch the controller of Qliphoth Deterrence without Lady Angela’s explicit approval. You know that. Gebura (Id: 'gebura') So you don’t want to do it. Gebura (Id: 'gebura') You little coward. Do you really think you can just get over every situation by going through the motions? Gebura (Id: 'gebura') I hope you continue to rot until the day you die, succumbing to your fears like the servile bastard you are. Gebura (Id: 'gebura') Choke on those sugar-coated words your employees feed you. SYSTEM: HIDE character: Gebura (id: 'gebura') Chesed (Id: 'chesed') ….It’s been quite a while since I’ve been grabbed by the collar. SYSTEM: SHOW character: Angela (id: 'angela') at 'right', direction: 'left' Angela (Id: 'angela') How is fear able to dominate the human mind? Chesed (Id: 'chesed') …......... Angela (Id: 'angela') How many people would stick to their beliefs and morals, if they were to come face to face with a true nightmare? Angela (Id: 'angela') The answers to those questions are why no one can blame Daniel’s behaviour. Angela (Id: 'angela') Truth be told, everything fell down the edge of the cliff the exact moment the Head found us. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') What do you have up your sleeve this time, ma’am? Angela (Id: 'angela') Our last conversation came to an end with a hopeless silence. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') …Gebura and the other employees are fighting right now. You know that, right? Angela (Id: 'angela') Daniel. He was intelligent and held a high social position, and showed more finesse than anyone else in our research lab. Angela (Id: 'angela') He had an excellent reputation from the people who surrounded him; he had his sly yet charming smile and humor. Angela (Id: 'angela') It would have been easy for him to get into any one of the Wings with his skills and personality. Angela (Id: 'angela') But he chose us, not the Wings. Angela (Id: 'angela') Though amazing he once was, there is no doubt he died in despair and regret, cursing his choice. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') She should know best how she stands. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Everyone has their own battle in this place… Chesed (Id: 'chesed') But I can’t seem to shake off this feeling that I’m the only one who just observes this situation from afar, not taking any action. Angela (Id: 'angela') Seeing the dead bodies of his coworkers strewn about in front of him… Angela (Id: 'angela') Not even having the single comfort of knowing that it wasn’t his fault. Angela (Id: 'angela') Unable to find any peace for his final rest… Angela (Id: 'angela') It seems our conversation has run on longer than I expected. Angela (Id: 'angela') Let me tell you one last time. Angela (Id: 'angela') Lower the Deterrence. SYSTEM: Display CG: 'BlackCG' SYSTEM: wait ( time: '2' ) SYSTEM: HIDE character: Chesed (id: 'chesed') SYSTEM: HIDE character: Angela (id: 'angela') SYSTEM: Hide CG SYSTEM: camera_filter ( filter: 'grayscale' ) SYSTEM: Play BGM: 'Smokey Lounge Jazz Combo' SYSTEM: Set BACKGROUND: 'officeBK', effect: 'none' SYSTEM: SHOW character: Daniel (id: 'chesedPastPast') at 'right' SYSTEM: wait ( time: '2' ) Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') Alright everyone, let’s make the best of today as alwa— SYSTEM: Play SOUND: 'knockTheDoor' ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Open the door. Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') Who are you, ma’am? ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Your taste in music is rather classy. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Quite different from mine, however. Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') What the………. SYSTEM: Play SOUND: '159197__justbrando__glass-breaking' SYSTEM: wait ( time: '1.5' ) SYSTEM: SHOW character: ??? (id: 'binahShadow') at 'left', direction: 'right' ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') I apologize. I didn’t think you would open the door for me, so I simply walked in. Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') How did you get inside? Do I know you? ... ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') I’ve arrived from the Head. I was so desperately looking for you all. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') The reason why I came all the way here is… ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Well, let’s just say I have showed up to play my favorite music. SYSTEM: Play BGM: 'Awake_In_Death_edit' ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Excuse me, you there. Can you tell me the name of this fine gentleman? Employee (Id: 'employee') D-Daniel… His name is Daniel… ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Daniel is it? That name carries much more with it than you merit. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') I would assume that you are the one in charge of this place. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') Open that section where those monsters of yours are locked up. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') As you saw just a moment ago, it’s nothing for me to open a locked door with my own power. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') I’m just being polite after all, asking you to open the doors. It’s only fair as you’re the one in charge here. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') I urge you not to resist. Just listen to me. ??? (Id: 'binahShadow') If you do so, a few of these people might be able to escape with their lives, no? SYSTEM: Display CG: 'BlackCG' SYSTEM: HIDE character: Daniel (id: 'chesedPastPast') SYSTEM: HIDE character: ??? (id: 'binahShadow') SYSTEM: camera_filter ( filter: 'none' ) Chesed (Id: 'chesed') It’s easy to point the finger of blame at the betrayer. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') However, one never really knows what it feels like to be the target of such a thing until they’ve been in the shoes of that situation. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Back then, a chill had come over my entire body. It was a fear I had never felt before. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I had faced numerous experiment-intended Abnormalities, yet I never had experienced my body being paralyzed and my blood curdling in such a way before. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') So this is the “Head”. SYSTEM: Hide CG SYSTEM: Set BACKGROUND: 'chesedBK', effect: 'none' SYSTEM: SHOW character: Chesed (id: 'chesed') at 'center' Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Boss, enough with your orders. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Don’t try and make me justify my cowardly acts. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I’m ashamed for consoling myself, saying that there was nothing to be done after passing straight through the tunnel of defeat. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I’m so struck with shame and grief, I can’t bear it anymore… Chesed (Id: 'chesed') This body of mine is like a punishment for me, reminding me of my past. I can’t even bleed from this body. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') I don’t want to undertake dirty work for Angela’s show, or be a puppet who gets praise and applause from everyone. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Nor do I want to be your “aide” who can’t do a single thing. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') All of this has been a series of shame for me. Chesed (Id: 'chesed') Manager, this shall be my rebellion against you and Angela. SYSTEM: Display CG: 'BlackCG' SYSTEM: HIDE character: Chesed (id: 'chesed') SYSTEM: wait ( time: '1' ) Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “I’m the only one who survived…” Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “Saying there was ‘nothing I could do.’ That I was ‘too scared’ to bear it by myself. That ‘I wanted to save’ at least a few of my coworkers…” Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “All those are meaningless excuses…” Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “I think I’m going to die soon too…” Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “The Head is on its way to get you…” Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “............” Daniel (Id: 'chesedPastPast') “I’ll see you again in hell… A, sir…” SYSTEM: Display CG: 'chesedCG1' A (Id: 'a') How is fear able to dominate the human mind? A (Id: 'a') How many people would stick to their beliefs and morals, if they were to come face to face with a true nightmare? A (Id: 'a') The answers to those questions are why no one can blame Daniel’s behaviour. A (Id: 'a') Truth be told, everything fell down the edge of the cliff the exact moment the Head found us. Hang up the intercom. Hang up the intercom. Hang up the intercom. A (Id: 'a') Our last conversation came to an end with a hopeless silence. A (Id: 'a') Daniel. He was intelligent and held a high social position, and showed more finesse than anyone else in our research lab. A (Id: 'a') He had an excellent reputation from the people who surrounded him; he had his sly yet charming smile and humor. A (Id: 'a') It would have been easy for him to get into any one of the Wings with his skills and personality. A (Id: 'a') But he chose us, not the Wings. A (Id: 'a') Though amazing he once was, there is no doubt he died in despair and regret, cursing his choice. A (Id: 'a') Seeing the dead bodies of his coworkers strewn about in front of him… A (Id: 'a') Not even having the single comfort of knowing that it wasn’t his fault. A (Id: 'a') Unable to find any peace for his final rest…