
<clear>
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<background src="B_̂̐Q">
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<BOX TYPE=0>
//́AɒuɂꂽB<k>

//h𒤂蔲ՑȂA
//|ɂ͖nM̗YӂɖB
//肷dCł͂ȂA~ɉ΂𓔂꜓łB<k>

//璲xiɎ܂ŁA
//̐Q͌ÐFR{aœꂳĂB<k>
  This is a room forgotten by time.<K>

  An exquisitely carved rosewood tiger roars in soundless fury, and on the scrolls adorning the walls hand-painted dragons soar majestically through the sky. Even the faint light comes not from electric bulbs, but from Buddhist lanterns burning whale oil.<K>

  From the furniture to the decorations, everything about the anachronistic bedchamber harkens back to the ancient Imperial court.

<LAYER SRC="newsab_21" TRANSPARENT="100">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//AqEэނ̂́A͂邩Ig钷]nē͂B
//^э܂ꂽ̖ĆAƎK̓s݁A
//߂̍]<R ALT="">J</R>ȑuC͂ȂB<k>
  A night breeze from the far-off Yangtze River blows in through the lattice windows, but it carries only the smell of oil, smoke, and rust, with no trace of the refreshing wind that swept across wide Jiangnan in days long gone.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_̂̐Q">
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//VW̐Qł́AV鉤ɕmĂB<k>

//<R ALT="CEeBGG">V</R>B̖𕷂Ζ̔y͂ƂƂFB
//]ɒ̗j݁A
//ȂAWA̍Љɂ̖閧Ёw_x́A
//ނ͓ˎłB<k>

//Ȍ̈Аߓ̂́B
//aɑ<R ALT="킢"></R>́AɕmVl̂̂łȂB<k>

//̓튯̋@Bŉ}邱Ƃ͗eՂA
//ĂTCo[<R ALT=""></R>VlA܂ȂB
//<R ALT="C"></R>܂Â̋@BɒRŌ̐̈lB<k>

//킵[ZpœVSƂCTA
//ނ̏]ソɂ͒ʂȂ̂ł낤B
//Vl̖ӂ́Ae͂ȂeNmW[̐N󂯂ĂB<k>

//Q̂͂݁A䂭Rƌ鐶ێuB
//pt@̗}XA捂~ɂ͏[B
//Q̈ÑúȂ݊Ŏ̌ÉWĂB<k>
  On the canopied bed in the back of the room, the aged Emperor lies near death.<K>

  Li Tianyuan. No outlaw who hears his name can help but grow pale, for he is the <I>zhaizhu,</I> the overlord of the Qingyun Society, that secretive order whose name is carved into the history of Jiangnan, and that is known and feared throughout the Asian underworld.<K>

  Yet his power, too, is but a thing of the past. Shrunken and emaciated, he is now nothing more than an old man waiting to die.<K>

  Mechanical organ replacements have made it easy to extend one's lifespan, but even now it is not rare for the elderly to refuse augmentation. Li is of that kind, a member of the last generation that still resists the pressure to become cyborg.<K>

  The desire to end his natural life without depending on inhuman devices has, alas, been ignored by Li's doctors, as attested to by the veritable army of technology encroaching relentlessly upon his bedside.<K>

  His life-support system surrounds the bed, machines watching coldly as the life slowly fades from his body. Even the muted buzz of the cooling fans is enough to disturb the fragile peace of the room. By their existence alone, the medical devices ruin the chamber's ancient elegance.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//g߂čۂ̂킮炢A߂
//DɐZʂĂ̂cch<k>
(I would have at least liked to end my life while basking in the glow of a better time......)<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ɍۂ܂܂Ȃʉ䂪gAV鉤͒QB<k>

//Đ܂ꂽ̂ɌŎVl̊́A
//SȊ튯܂Ő؂̂Ăċ@BiƌĂ
//̎҂炷΁A΂̎ł܂B<k>

//l<R ALT="C"></R>܂A
//lƋ@B̋EĜ݂Ȃ荇ɂ́A
//ǂĂSȂB<k>

//l<R ALT="">D</R>݂̂Ȃ炸]ɂ܂Ŕz炵A
//̂lߍ񂾉B<k>

//ނ݂̓̂̂Ȃ炸AǂƂŜ̂ɁA
//<R ALT="C"></R>͈ւȂB
//A͐lȂ̂H@@BȂ̂H
//Ȃ̍̋菊ƐSĂ̂낤B<k>
  The old Emperor laments his inability to choose the manner of his own death.<K>

  The foolish stubbornness of this old man still clinging to his Heaven-granted body would no doubt be quite amusing to today's youth, who readily swap even perfectly healthy organs for cybernetic upgrades.<K>

  For his part, however, Li cannot bring himself to forgive those who think nothing of tearing down the boundary between man and machine.<K>

  Not satisfied with mechanizing their limbs and organs, these creatures fill even their brains with semiconductors and wires.<K>

  Their bodies are terrifying enough, but it is the mentality that makes such things acceptable that Li finds the most chilling.
  Are they men, or are they machines? Where do they believe their souls to reside?<K>

<bgm src="M03" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
//ɁA̒jcc<k>
  And <I>he</I> is the worst of them all......<K>

<se src="SE_01_01" mode="on" option="single">
//̐ÎRU炷悤ɁADuƑ^ԉ𓥂ݖ炷B
//̂jގ҂͉ȂB炻A҂ɂF߂Ĝ݂ȂAȘ݂肠ƉM鑫̎́A
//<R ALT="C"></R>ɂ͓݂̂̂B<k>
  The silence of the room is shattered by the sound of feet approaching down the hallway at a brisk pace. The arrogance in these footsteps is as plain as day, for they are an unabashed declaration of confidence that none may impede them, and a demand that all take heed and step aside.<K>

  Li knows their master well.<K>

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<se src="a_~܂鑫a" mode="on" option="single">
//jcc<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R><R ALT="C"></R>̖ӂ炷A
//U<R ALT="傤ق">i</R>B<k>
  The man - Liu Haojun - stops sharply at the head of Li's bed and makes the formal hand-in-palm bow with feigned reverence.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccx݂̏A炢܂v<k>
"......I apologize for disturbing your rest."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//₩<R ALT="񂿂イ"></R>̕znɗ̎hJ<R ALT="傤"></R>́A
//`̍ŐV[hB
//ȉؔȏoŗ̉ƘAȂ̂́A
//̕e̒[킳ƁA悤ȋCi䂦ł낤B<k>

//̒jAp`͎ɐ^ȐlԂƌāA
//̎A]ƐҐȊOɐ܂ꎝĝ͎cĂȂB
//g̓̂ƌʋ@B̐ǵB<R ALT="C"></R>炵Č΁A
//Ȃ܂@̖{Iɂ肨܂płB<k>

//āA̐SɎẮcc
//悻̂錌ĂƂ͎vȂB<k>
  The man is wearing the latest fashion from Hong Kong, a beautiful silk <I>changshan</I> embroidered with dragons. That such grandiose clothing does not seem at all pretentious is due perhaps to the fineness of his features, and to the class that he exudes from every pore.<K>

  Yet although he appears to be a perfectly normal human, there in fact remains none of his original body save brain and spinal column.<K>
  A cyborg that is indistinguishable from a flesh-and-blood man - to Li, this is far more loathsome than a body intended to display its mechanical nature.<K>

  And as for the man's heart...... Li cannot imagine that there could be warm blood pumping through his veins.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȖXɁA̗pˁH@<R ALT="E"></R>ˎv<k>
"What brings you here at this hour, Liu <I>fu-zhaizhu</I>?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//No.2̌wɂ́Aj̗ep͎Ⴗ̂́A
//̈Е͏[ė]肠B
//ˎ̑Oł|ɐU镑̂͗]̌A
//ȂἉnB<k>
  Although the man appears too young to be the Society's second-in-command - or <I>fu-zhaizhu</I> - his regal bearing is more than sufficient for the post. To stand before the <I>zhaizhu</I> with such fearlessness would take a truly great man, or an utter fool.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uˎɂ܂ẮA
//{@킵イccv<k>
"I am pleased to find you in good spirits today, <I>zhaizhu</I>."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂͜łA܂ɂ͈،hȂǌЂȂB
//ނ둉͂ꂽĺAQɖD~߂ꂽLl܂
//̂悤ȁccȗ΂߂̂M킹B<k>
  His words are the epitome of courtesy, but there is no respect or awe in his composed voice. In fact, one can even catch a glimpse of amusement, as though he is looking down with scorn at Li's withered, bed-ridden body.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u̗pAƐuĂv<k>
"Why have you come, I said."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="킪">m</R>ꂽɁA₦̂悤Ȍ܂B
//V΂炦ĂȂ<R ALT="C"></R>͞ˎBᑢ̕s𐥂Ƃ邱Ƃ͂ȂB<k>

//ʂƂ<R ALT="񂾂">ӒD</R>cc
//݂ɒKŋŕT荇֌W͂Ƃɉ߂ĂB
//߂ȁA킢<R ALT=""></R>͊ɌĂB
//ɐl̐ɓƋ`낤ƂAŌɐR𖱂߂̂́A
//߂鎞Ԃ̔Ȃ̂B<k>

//䂦A͑ƕBƂȂB
//͂ɕ|邱ƂȂGXƁB
//ꂪ̓l̉ḱAςʋCłB
//cc<k>
  Li's rasping voice is cold and sharp. Though at death's door, he is still the <I>zhaizhu</I>, and not one to brook the insolence of youth.<K>

  King and usurper, their battle is far past the stage of subterfuge hidden behind a veneer of mutual respect. Alas, the victor has long been decided. For all the virtue of righteous men, the final judgment shall always be rendered by the merciless flow of time.<K>

  Thus the one makes no attempt to mask his hatred and rage, while the other accepts them with disdain, knowing their impotence.<K>

  This meeting is no different, save only for......<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="^I["></R>Xɖ߂܂v<k>
"Taoluo has returned to the city."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ẐĂ<R ALT="E"></R>̌tɁAVl̉ATɊႪs𑝂B<k>
  At Liu's sudden statement, a keen light enters the old man's sunken eyes.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uقB<R ALT="^I["></R>ccȁv<k>
"Oh? Taoluo, you say?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uA
//̔z̈lz̎ɂ܂v<k>

//u܂ȂgdhB
//Ⴆ悤͂܂v<k>
"Last night, one of my men was slain by his hand."<K>

"The mark of the Lightning Palm was unmistakable."<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u1NOAz̓}JIŎ񂾂Ɓcc
//̂͋MlHv<k>
"Was it not you who told me that he died in Macao one year ago?"<K>

<background src="ev_ry07">
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<BOX TYPE=3>
//uʖڎ܂v<k>
"My error shames me."<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uޓz̖^͋MĺgShĂĂ
//Ȃ񂾂B<R ALT="񂴂">P</R>A<R ALT="񂴂">P</R>ccv<k>
"So even your 'Demon Eye' failed to foresee his fate. Very good, very good......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//тA爫ӂȏ΂oƂŁA
//<R ALT="C"></R>vX<R ALT="E"></R>B<k>
  Li cackles with undisguised malice, then spears Liu with a piercing glare.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u1NccBŏAڗȗ؂ō킪ꂽpC{ĂƂ΁A}A̒xł낤ȁv<k>
"One year in hiding...... Enough time, I suppose, to recover from the wounds your betrayal inflicted on his body and spirit."<K>

<background src="ev_ry06">
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<BOX TYPE=3>
//uz痂
//ł͂܂ʂHv<k>
"I fear that your imagination is getting away from you."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//X|<R ALT="E"></R>𖳎āA<R ALT="C"></R>͂܂܂CrB<k>
  Li ignores Liu's hollow admonition, his voice growing in strength as he continues.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//usm͋Ċ҂炸A
//]΂ɋ`̎uׂ͒cc
//ǓVӂ͕K⎦v<k>

//uMl̛@vɋA<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>
//߂ĂBz͐^̌vB
//ꂼV̍єzƌ킸ĉ邩v<k>
"The hero has vanished, never to return, and the righteousness of Jianghu is lost...... yet the will of Heaven will surely be made known."<K>

"Kong Taoluo has survived your plot and returned. His is the true kung fu. What can this be but divine Providence itself?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȌ悤łȁB
//܂ŎÔ悤v<k>
"Come now, you make me sound like a villain."<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uႤƂ͌킳񂼁Bw<R ALT="ꂢ">Sl</R>xv<k>

//uMl̐S_́A̐ĝƓB
//ccp`΂l𑕂āA
//甍<R ALT="傤"></R>̖{BĂv<k>
"For that is what you are, O 'Demon-Eyed Adonis.'"<K>

"That body of yours reflects your soul...... A thin human shell hiding the monster beneath."<K>

<background src="ev_ry01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ʂƌĔl|ꂽ<R ALT="E"></R>A悤₭\炵\B
//͓{CƂ͒A₩Ȝ΂B<k>
  This direct insult finally draws a clear expression from Liu - not anger, however, but a cold, pitying smile.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uMƋM̛̂߂
//ӐgĂyɁA
//ԂȌ䌾tłˁv<k>
"How can you say that to your pupil, after I have given everything to you and your Society."<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u킯ccv<k>
"Nonsense......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//a̗ƂȂ<R ALT="C"></R>AČ͕̕ւɕĂB
//_񂪍Dq̕𐁂̂Â͉̂ƁB<k>
  Even on his deathbed, news of Shanghai reaches Li's ears. He knows that the Society's reputation for heroism and virtue has become but a distant memory.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u̐_ɂ
//g`hȂ΁gmhȂB
//ɋQS҂̌Qł͂Ȃv<k>
"The Qingyun Society has lost all justice and humanity. Now it is but a pack of bloodthirsty wolves."<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uSOłȁB͍ƂɉāA
//gDVĂ̂Ɓv<k>

//uÂɐXɂ́A
//CɏȂ`悤łv<k>
"I am hurt, <I>zhaizhu</I>. I have only restructured the Society to meet the demands of the current age."<K>

"Well, I suppose that those who lived in the old days might take offense."<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uMl<R ALT="傤">`</R>̐_₵ɂB
//オє|ĂׂĂȂ߂v<k>

//uS<R ALT="킴"></R>ɐl͍RA
//ǕKVقv<k>

//u炪S̑ɂ
//cc悢󂯂鎞̂v<k>
"You have exterminated righteousness. You have destroyed all that our ancestors worked to uphold."<K>

"Yet though men be powerless to resist Evil, Heaven shall surely cast judgment."<K>

"You turned our Society into a lair of demons...... and at last the time for retribution has come."<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uSccłB̎v<k>
"Demons, you say...... Who, me?"<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_̂̐Q">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//QĒ<R ALT="E"></R>B
//̎͋𗬂cc
//₪ēV̕Ћ̊ĎJ𑨂Ď~܂B
//YɌƂȂڔzɁA珊<R ALT="C"></R>͋CtȂB<k>
  Liu sighs and looks up, his gaze wandering through the air until alighting upon the security camera tucked into a corner of the ceiling. Li, however, cannot see the fleeting glance that he shoots towards the lens.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uɂ͎ȂɁA
//߂̐Ŝłˁv<k>
"It might surprise you to learn that even I am merciful, in my own way."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>̐킸ɕςB
//܂ł኱ႭAق̂킸ɗ}gcc
//ꂾ̕ωłȂAvIȉB<k>
  Liu's voice is different now, a little lower, a little more subdued than before, but even that slight change is enough to mark the sudden absence in his tone of something absolutely essential.<K>

<clear>
<background src="ev_ry07">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uႦ΁ccBڂ̑OɁAȂ
//ƂĂVlƂv<k>

//uނ̎c菭Ȃ]ɂ́A
//Ԃ߂Ȃv<k>
"For example...... Say there were an old man rotting away before my eyes."<K>

"This man has no hope of comfort in what little life remains to him."<K>

<background src="ev_ry06">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uꐶUĒzEAĂlApȂ邵ȂBJ݂߂Ȃv<k>
"He can only watch helplessly as the world that he gave his life to build falls to pieces around him, cursing the ignominy of it all."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="C"></R>̊т炪{Cɐ܂̂\킸A
//<R ALT="E"></R>͗΂Ɍc߂B<k>
  Liu smiles a cold, twisted smile, paying no heed to the rage that reddens Li's wrinkled features.<K>

<background src="ev_ry01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uꂾˁB܂ccɎÂтȂv<k>

//unĂ̂߁AƁcc
//v́A͂舫SȂ̂H
//ˎv<k>
"How pitiful...... I could hardly bear the sight."<K>

"Would it not be merciful to grant him peace? Would I still be a demon, <I>zhaizhu</I>?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uMĺccv<k>
"You\\"<K>

<se src="kj" mode="on" option="single">
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<wait time="1">

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<BOX TYPE=0>
//ꐺ𔭂̒A<R ALT="CEeBGG">V</R>͂̐̐lłȂȂĂB
//tj񂾂̂Aꂷłʂ܂܁B<k>

//ɂɏPɂȂAvȎB
//E҂̐S͂ǂAɕƂĂ͎ߐ[B<k>
  But Li Tianyuan leaves this world before he can finish, never knowing what it was that cut off his final words.<K>

  A swift death, with no time to feel pain - whatever the killer's intent, the method used was merciful.<K>

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<se src="SE_01_02" mode="on" option="single">
<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st҂Q" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//j^[ǔx񉹂Ɉjꂽ]オAƂ蓁ŘVˎ̐QւƋ삯̂́ǍゾB<k>
  Li's doctor bursts into the bedchamber a few minutes later, ripped from his slumber by the alarms of his patient's monitoring devices.<K>

<se src="SE_02_A[g" mode="on" option="single">
//Qł́A炷ˎ͂ێǔQꂪA
//̂̏C܂܂ɃA[g̏dttłĂB<k>
  A vast array of alert noises is issuing from the life-support machines, forming a discordant orchestra around the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s bed.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//TŌĂ̂́AN낤<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>cc
//wSlx̟ӖŒm̃io[2ł͂ȂB
//ꂪȂAȖXɞˎ̐Qɂ̂H
//<k>
  And beside them stands none other than Liu Haojun, the Society's second-in-command whose martial name is Demon-Eyed Adonis.<K>
  What could he be doing in the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s room at this hour?<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ȏ]̋^ÓA
//<R ALT="E"></R>̗₩Ȉ˂𗁂тr[ɏ񂾁B<k>
  But one glance from Liu's frozen eyes casts all suspicion out of the doctor's mind.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st҂Q" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̎̑Oł́ÄꋓƂԈႢ͎͂Ȃcc
//ނɌꂽ҂͊FA
//ȓ̂̒mȂْɂƂB<k>
  None who fall under his gaze can help but feel this pressure, as though the slightest misstep could cost one's life.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAVt̗lԂ}ςccv<k>
"T-there's been a change in the Old Master's condition......"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂ̒ʂ肾v<k>
"Look for yourself."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//[Ȋʂ̂悤Ɉ߂āA
//<R ALT="E"></R>͐Q̞ˎւƎ߂B
  Liu turns back to the bed, his chiseled features set in an expressionless mask.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st҂Q" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̋ÎƂĈĝ̊ԁcc
//<R ALT="C"></R>Vl炩ɑ₦Ă̂ĎāA
//͍ĂыQ̈O܂Œǂ߂B<k>
  Relief at being freed from his stare lasts only a moment. When the doctor realizes that the Old Master is clearly dead, he finds himself once again on the brink of hysteria.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uQĂƂǂB
//Mlɏo邱Ƃ͉Ȃv<k>
"No need to panic. There is nothing you can do for him now."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//]̘TԂƂ͗ɁA<R ALT="E"></R>͂܂őבRB
//̔펞ɉĕfƕςʗWȋZ܂́A
//ˎ̊ƌׂA邢͗⍓ƌׂB<k>
  Liu, by contrast, is utterly unperturbed. Is his unshakable calm in the face of such a catastrophe a sign that he is indeed fit to be the next leader, or is it simple heartlessness?<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st҂Q" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAccv<k>
"What could have......"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂȁBƂ낾ccv<k>
"A good question. I just arrived myself, but......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
<se src="_00_R[g01" mode="on" option="single">
//<R ALT="E"></R>͖Ɋ[̏|A͂B
//ɂ܂قǂɘ]̕oVt̋ɂ́A
//XƟT`S炵cĂB<k>
  Liu unceremoniously pulls the sheets down, revealing the corpse's chest. Atop the Old Master's painfully visible ribs is a ghastly black bruise in the shape of a hand.<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//üꌂŌܑZDƂƂj􂵂ĂBcc̏A܂wkjxBՓV̓@ɈႢȂv<k>
"His internal organs have all been ruptured by a single blow...... and this handprint."

"It can only be the Black Hand of Destruction, the <I>neigong</I> palm strike of the Daitian School."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st҂Q" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȁAccHv<k>
"<I>N-neigong?</I>"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//|S<R ALT="E"></R>̌ĂɁA
//Ȍ]͎݂̋悤ȂB<k>
  Liu's diagnosis is based on his experience as a martial artist. The doctor, to whom such things are foreign, is unable to object.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u͈̎ؕĂBܞˎ̎IĂ͐_̑S낤v<k>
"Keep the truth of this a secret. If we announce the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s death now, it could threaten the Society's existence."<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ȕ̍єz͋MlɈCB
//񍐂ׂ͂ĎɒXɁv<k>
"I'll leave the scene to you. All reports are to come directly to me."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st҂Q" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//úA͂ccv<k>
"I-I understand......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//BRƉm<R ALT="E"></R>̌tɁA]͈ȂB<k>

//Ԃ̏d傳ɍނɂƂẮA
//ˎ̔f݂̍jB
//złlԂ̏ɋ킹ƂRA
//VɊӂ΂łB<k>
  The doctor nods repeatedly in acknowledgment of Liu's order, handed down as it is with such resolve.<K>

  The <I>fu-zhaizhu</I>'s rationality alone is keeping him from a complete nervous breakdown. He can only thank Heaven that a capable leader happened to be present at the site of this calamity.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//㏈u̎zn߂]ɔwOɁA
//<R ALT="E"></R>͉ڂłxAV̊ĎJB
//ቺɌJLꂽߎׂ̂Ă͂dq̊B
//Y̋PAB̏ؐlƂė₩<R ALT="E"></R>ɂݐB<k>
  Before leaving the doctor to his duties, Liu glances once more at the security camera on the ceiling, whose electronic eye has observed the secret deed that transpired here. Sole witness to his crime, the lens glitters as it affixes Liu with its emotionless stare.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"<K>

<clear>
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<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>Du鑫𗄂܂邱ƂȂA
//͎鉤̗_ƉQɂB<k>
  His stately stride unabated, Liu leaves the bedroom - now the Emperor's tomb - behind him.<K>

<bgm src="M08b" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
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//<R ALT="v[h">Y</R>AZfՋcc<k>

//_ėї門VOB
//ߏ苟̓d͂֎邩̂悤ɖʂPC~l[V́AAWAɂZA̒SnSヂfssƂĂAʖڂʂė]肠B<k>
  Pudong, Shanghai's Financial District.<K>

  Skyscrapers rise to pierce the clouds, and brilliant signs light up the night as though flaunting their excessive use of energy. Nothing less from this, the financial and cultural capital of Asia, and the metropolis that will serve as the model for the next generation of cities to come.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_SV04">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//HɂЂ߂L֎ԗ͂̂ƁAr̍ԂD悤ɂċ󒆂ɕ~݂ꂽUOAIXƔĂ<R ALT="XXgEB[O">͐iԗ</R>̉܂A܂œssƂȓ̂z錌̂悤ɁA킸ʗʂ炳ȂB<k>
  Like blood circulating through an enormous body, the flow of traffic never dwindles. Not only the cars rolling along Pudong's streets, but even the Thrust Vehicles that soar along the guided skyways between her buildings seem as numerous as stars in the sky.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_SV08">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//<R ALT="ru">XXgEB[O</R>ɂssւ̐NKȂX́A
//AWAɉĂ͖̏CȂB
//SV̖c񏈗łǐVXeƁA
//ɊXUOB
//z𓊂Ct̎łB<k>
  In all of Asia, Shanghai is the only city that allows Thrust Vehicles - commonly known as SVs - to freely enter the metropolitan area.

  This feat is made possible by the central computer that has remote control over each of the thousands of SVs, and by the skyways that spiral through the city - both products of vast amounts of infrastructure spending.<K>



<clear>
<background src="B_̏CVOВ">
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//Ȍ̍^n300[g݂̍猩낵ȂA<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>͂̉ʂẮAY]̑Ί݂ɍL[ł]B
//ࣂȌiςƂ͑ΏƓIɁAO𒆐SƂCsX́A
//̒قɕ܂ĂB<k>
  From his vantage point 300 meters above the sea of light, Liu Haojun looks far past the glow, to the deep darkness covering the far bank of the Huangpu River.<K>

  In sharp contrast to the splendor of Pudong, the old part of Shanghai centered on the Bund is shrouded in a deathly silence.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_̏CVO02">
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//21I̍AĊJv̔j]ɂďCsނ̈rH钆AłɑЊƂ̊_Ƃċ@\n߂ĂÝAƂƖsǂɂsȐɂĂ̕xƐ肵AsX̗뗎]ɉh؂̊Ki葱B<k>

//Ȃ΁AsX̎rÂ邱ƂŔ삦ĂZfՋB
//࣏nɉhׂȂ̂sŌ̂́A
//ÂC̉OA𗎂ƂĂ邹B<k>
  In the chaos at the beginning of the 21st Century, failed plans for redevelopment led to Old Shanghai being left to wither away.<K>

  Meanwhile Pudong, which was already becoming a center of activity for international businesses, benefitted from the greed of dirty city politicians beholden to those corporations. Able to monopolize wealth, Pudong grew exponentially while the rest fell into ruin.<K>

  In a sense, this Financial District has grown fat feeding on the corpse of the old city. Is it because Pudong sits in the shadow of hatred cast by Old Shanghai that one can catch a glimpse of something evil lurking amid the radiance?<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//łɒ񂾑Ί݂ɁA<R ALT="E"></R>͑zyB
//̈ł̂ǂɁA<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>͉Bł̂낤B
//<R ALT=""></R>ŎEӂ̐nȂcc<k>
  Liu's thoughts go out to the far shore.<K>
  Somewhere in that darkness, Kong Taoluo is hiding, sharpening the blade of his hate and malice.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="R">E</R>̂ƂlĂ̂Hv<k>
"Thinking 'bout Kong?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//zɒ^镛ˎ̔wɁA̎傪B
//300[gቺ̐i<R ALT="ւ"></R><R ALT="E"></R>̗ꏊ́A
//Cd]`irŏKB
//В<R ALT="EEBV">Đ</R>̎łB<k>

//В̎xh̃fXN𑫖ɂāA
//vCɓo<R ALT=""></R>ɂ́AƉƂ̕iȂǌЂȂB
//X[c̏oŗA`@ȌƂA
//ڂΊ炩ݏo鉡ƂA
//ӗȎŏł点Ă]lɂȂ镗̂łB<k>

//̈ۂ́AԈĂ͂ȂB
//̒j͌Cł͂Ȃ_̍B<R ALT="E"></R>̕S̈lB<k>
  From behind him, the voice of the room's owner breaks in to his thoughts.<K>

  It is no wonder that Liu is able to command such a vision of the city, for he stands at the top floor of the Shanghai Cybernetics Corporation, in the office of its President Ng Wing Shing.<K>

  With his polished leather shoes resting irreverently atop the ebony desk where past presidents have worked, Ng hardly looks like an entrepreneur. His suit may be of the highest quality, but his rough speech and crude, self-assured grin would be more appropriate for hitting on women in seedy bars.<K>

  And this man can indeed be judged by his appearance. For he is no respectable businessman, but an officer of the Qingyun Society and Liu's right-hand man.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_̏CVOВ">
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//Ő[TCo[EFÅJŐEIɒmꂽCs[J[A
//M&AɂĐ_̎蒆ɑ͔̂NOB
//ԂV傽ɂɂĎВ̈֎qɐꂽ<R ALT=""></R>́A
//ȂΘSłB<k>

//ˎ傽<R ALT="E"></R>AĎВ̑̓W]𜓂ɂĂLlɂA͉̕svcȂB<k>

//Cd]`i̔<R ALT="E"></R>񍁎ƂẴLȂdグɐ̋ƂłAɂĐ_͏C̔ê݂Ȃ炸AAWAЉ̗YƂĈЖ܂łɂȂB<k>
  It has been six months since the Society acquired a controlling interest in this up-and-coming company, already world-famous for being at the leading edge of cyberware development. Ng, who was elected President by the new shareholders, is quite simply a puppet.<K>

  It is therefore not at all strange that Liu, the Society's Number Two, would be enjoying the view from the President's office.<K>

  Acquisition of Shanghai Cybernetics was the glorious achievement for which Liu had spent his entire career as a Society officer. It made the Qingyun Society not only ruler of Shanghai, but undisputed leader of the Asian underworld entire.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_̏CVO04">
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//4YƊvƂ搂TColeBNXZp̎pA
//ɂ炵VȂЉIЁcc
//TCo[EF|d]hbOAKCmChɂ|mYƁcc
//AƍߌЂ̋ƂĎ|̂΂łB<k>

//Kɓݐ؂Bɑ΂A@̏oxꂽ
//ƃAWAł͗TColeBNXsꂪ<R ALT="傤"></R>ɂ߂B
//ăREf^̎YnƂėւ̂悤ɁA
//ܓAWA͔񍇖@TCo[EFÄ勒_ƂāA
//SËÍXɂvdĂB<k>

//̒SnCłA
//Ew̃p[c[J[PɎ߂_Ȃ̂B<k>

//ĉlƂzȂTColeBNXE}tBA
//acc̗҂ł<R ALT="E"></R>̌т͌vmȂB
//̎ႳɂS炸ˎ̍ɂ܂ŏ߂̂ɂ́A
//̗RB<k>
  The development of practical cybernetics, called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ironically brought with it new threats to society. Cyberweapons, digital drugs, gynoid porn - all new sources of income for organized crime.<K>

  While the European Union clamped down immediately, the illegal cybernetics industry was able to flourish in the countries of Eastern Europe and Asia that were slow to implement regulations.<K>

  Just as the Mekong Delta was once the capital of drug production, East Asia is now the main supplier of black market cyberware to the whole world.<K>

  And at its center is Shanghai Cybernetics, the world-class manufacturer that is now in the hands of the Qingyun Society.<K>

  The birth of the first cyber-mafia. The prestige that Liu gained for this once-unimaginable feat is beyond measure. It is little wonder that he was made the <I>fu-zhaizhu</I> despite his youth.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȂˁBz͂񂽎g
//Ă񂾂H@NOɁv<k>
"But I don't get it. Didn't you finish him yourself a year ago?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ûcĉȁv<k>
"Well...... I thought so."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//iɌȂԎԂ<R ALT="E"></R>́ASɂ炸ȂԂłB<k>
  Liu does not turn away from the view when he answers. It is obvious that his mind is elsewhere.<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂBƂĐl̎qB
//d邱Ƃv<k>
"It cannot be helped. Even I am but human, after all."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u悭v<k>
"Yeah, right."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ɎʌA<R ALT=""></R>͕@Śo΂B<k>
  Ng scoffs at Liu's uncharacteristic modesty.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɌ킹A񂽂͂Ƃ
//<R ALT="񂪂傤">lO</R>̈ɓݍł邺B
//wSlx̒U߁v<k>
"If y'ask me, you went from human to monster a long time ago. Eh, Demon-Eyed Adonis?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="傤"></R>ccBMl͂ǂȂ񂾁H
//w<R ALT="炭ǂ">ԗ</R>xv<k>
"A monster, am I? What, then, does that make you, All-Consuming Poison?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>܂₩ɔ΂ȂA
//Ăٖ̈<R ALT=""></R>Ă΂B<k>
  Smiling coldly, Liu addresses Ng by his old alias.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u]܂ő݂ĂTC{[OɁA
//Ă͐SOv<k>
"I won't be called a monster by a cyborg who has even augmented his brain."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u񂽂TCol@Ƃ̘A
//ׂ΁AȂĉ񂳁v<k>

//uɁAƂ킯񂽂͂ȁccv<k>

//u葫ււ@Bɂ炢Ay΂Ȃꏊ܂ōs܂Ă悤Ɍ񂾂ˁHv<k>
"Heh, I'm a baby compared to you cyber-warriors."<K>

"You especially."<K>

"I'd say you've gone way beyond anything you can reach just by swapping your limbs for cybernetic parts."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>͑̐قɔw܂܁ÅO̖iɗ₽΂ށB
//<R ALT=""></R>̂Ƃ킯A͈ؕ|̐FB߂̂̂Ɓcc
//ނ͌Ă̂낤H<k>
  Liu keeps his back to Ng's banter, smiling into the night. Has he descried that Ng's cockiness is in fact a mask to hide his fear and awe?<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="傤"></R>oĐтƂȂƁA
//<R ALT="R">E</R>܂
//l̈ɂ͂Ȃ̂v<k>
"Perhaps Kong, who escaped from this monster's fangs, has also become something other than human."<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uʂāȀCɕ߂Ăcc
//źA҂Ȃ̂ȁHv<k>
"I wonder...... In what form has he returned to Shanghai?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ulȂˁB̓zɐuĂv<k>
"I don't wanna even think about it. Ask the others."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccA͂܂Ȃ̂Hv<k>
"......They're not here yet?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɂł邳B
//Ȃ񂹎Ɂcc
//H@\ΉƂv<k>
"They'll be here soon. Shit's getting pretty hairy, after...... oh? Speak of the devil."<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Вʂ̃Gx[^[ɁA܂ɓl̋ql
//荞񂾂ƂA<R ALT=""></R>͋ȂɂĎ@mB
//ނ̔]̓ZLeB܂ނׂĂ̎ГLAN
//펞ڑĂB<k>

//قǂȂccKvȏɍLȎВ̑ΖʂŁA
//ȂJB
//鏑̎莟ȂΈēȂB
//̃rɉẮA]߂ΒXɍŏK܂ŐQł̂
//_̍傽łB<k>
  Thanks to the direct link between his brain and the building's LAN, Ng does not have to lift a finger to learn from the security system that two guests have entered the President's personal elevator.<K>

  Before long, the doors on the other side of the absurdly large office slide soundlessly open. No secretary or guide accompanies these visitors. In this building, only officers of the Qingyun Society can go directly to the top floor unannounced.<K>


<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//Óɍ̒ڂ܂ƂȒj́w<R ALT="ЂႭ">S</R>x<R ALT="rEC\">k̐M</R>B
//ł́g؁hƌĂ΂Qd𖱂߁A
//i<R ALT="E"></R>̕⍲ƂčєzUĂB<k>
  The irritable-looking bald man dressed in a long robe is the Hundred-Handed Weaver, Bin Weixin. He is the Society's Advisor, the man who assists Liu in the performance of his everyday duties.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ׂ̗ŁAĂɉs䊂̂́w<R ALT="点">@</R>x<R ALT="`EEVI">Λ`</R>B
//ޏ́ghccł̝ߎɑΏA
//΁gduh̍łB<k>
  The woman standing next to him, her gaze hard and keen, is the Demon Empress, Zhu Shaoyan. She is the Enforcer, responsible for meting out punishment and settling disputes within the Society's ranks.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̖ʎqɁȀꏊƂ́cc
//̑kH@ˎv<k>
"For all of us to be summoned here...... What is your business, <I>fu-zhaizhu</I>?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//umȂǂB
//Ɏė]Ă킯Ȃ̂
//mĂ̎낤ˁHv<k>
"Whatever it is, you know I don't exactly have a lot of free time on my hands, right?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="r">k</R>͂ƂA܂<R ALT="W"></R>E̒ɖzĂŒ<R ALT="`E"></R>͉̌₩łȂB<k>

//_̎̎҂߁A
//Ȃ͕̎\ɂ͂ȂĂȂB
//ɑ艺l{̂́ghcc
//ł̝ߎ<R ALT="`E"></R>̖B<k>
  Unlike Bin, Zhu has a legitimate reason for her impatience, as she is currently in the middle of a frenzied investigation into Zhang's murder.<K>

  Because the Society's men reached the scene first, the pimp's death has not yet become common knowledge. As the Enforcer, it is Zhu's job to find the culprit before the police catch wind of it.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ǔ́A<R ALT="W"></R>Ẻlȁccv<k>
"About Zhang's killer......"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT=""></R>̂A<R ALT="E"></R>ŎՂB<k>
  Liu cuts Ng off with a wave of his hand.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//úׂ̕Aǂ̒xi񂾁Hv<k>
"How is the investigation going?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//XɒQāAop̃\t@ɍ~낷<R ALT="`E"></R>B
//ˎ𑊎ɁA̍Ȃ̂́Aނ̕t̒邱ƂȂAē߂ƂtƂ͉li̎ł邪̂B<k>
  Zhu collapses into the room's guest sofa with an annoyed sigh.<K>
  The officers' lack of deference towards their <I>fu-zhaizhu</I> is due in part to the long history that they all share. Moreover, none of them is the sort to give any thought to such things as respect and virtue.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uƂ肠A<R ALT="W"></R>̘rccv<k>

//ugu[himC[łgȂAɂaȂ񂾂AƂjfʂɓcv<k>

//u̓
//ub^aƂȂ񂾂ˁB
//܁A[ȑo񂱂ƂȂv<k>

//ul͂ȂwBȋؗ́A_o
//ĂƌĂˁBccƁAEMPv<k>

//uԂ񍂏o͂̃}CNEF[uCv<k>

//u܂O<R ALT="W"></R>̌̕xVXeق炵āAꂩ牟đŁX~ccƁAŌ̌ߎɂgĂv<k>

//u<R ALT="W"></R>̃p[c̉H̓V[hzɏĂ؂ĂBقǂ̎ߋu`܂ꂽ񂾂ȁv<k>

//u킴킴ȕ@ŃghAĂ̂Ȃ񂾂ˁB킴Ƌꂵ܂肾̂B̂YB܂v<k>
"Well, take Zhang's arm......"<K>

"Normally only a high-frequency blade or nanowire could've cut through it that cleanly, but either would've left a distinct pattern."<K>

"It looks like it was chopped off with a regular sword. Well, I guess that'd work with enough speed."<K>

"I think it's safe to assume that the killer is packing pretty heavy muscle and nerve upgrades. And then there's the EMP."<K>

"It was probably a high-output microwave cannon or something.<K>

"First he took out Zhang's security from the outside, then busted in and started hacking...... Oh, and he also used the EMP to finish it."<K>

"Zhang's circuits were burned through the shielding. He must've gotten it at pretty close range."<K>

"I dunno why the killer'd go to all that trouble, though. Maybe he wanted Zhang to suffer. Heh, looks like we're dealing with one crazy bastard."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u퉮Ђ[瓖点ĂB
//̂EMPEF|
//Ȃccv<k>
"We've already checked every arms dealer around. No one's sold an EMP weapon in the last few days, but......"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uJv<k>
"Good work," Liu interjects before she can finish.<K>

//<BOX TYPE=0>
//F܂Ō킹荞<R ALT="E"></R>B<k>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucOȂAʍv<k>
"However, I'm afraid your efforts were useless."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uHv<k>
"What?" Zhu frowns in suspicion.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɂlA]҂oB
//cc<R ALT="C"></R>ˎ傪SȂꂽv<k>
"There's been another victim."<K>

"......Li <I>zhaizhu</I> has passed away."<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ӗɔ񂹂Ă<R ALT="`E"></R><R ALT="r">k</R>AɊ点B<k>
  Bin and Zhu go wide-eyed in shock.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uˎ傪cc!?@nȁÂHv<k>
"The <I>zhaizhu</I> has......!? Impossible! When!?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u3ԂقǑOɂȂB܂
//}ĂBɁAȁccv<k>
"About three hours ago. I thought it prudent to keep it under wraps for now, considering......" Liu glances at Ng.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uxJɘ^悪cĂBĂv<k>
"The security camera got it on film," Ng says, taking Liu's queue. "Check this out."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>̖ڔzāA
//<R ALT=""></R>t̃XN[ɉ摜\B<k>

<se src="SE_01_PDA01" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//<R ALT="CEeBGG">V</R>̐QɐꂽĎJ̉摜B
//킸ȉ摜̗́A
//Ïł̉fɊK␳ʂ낤B
//ו܂łNɋL^ĂB<k>
  He points to the room's screen, on which is displayed the security camera footage from Li Tianyuan's bedroom. The image stands out in vivid detail, with some slight distortion due perhaps to the tone correction used to make the dark room lighter.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......Here."<K>

<se src="SE_01_PDA03" mode="on" option="single">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//\߃}[LOς݂̎ڈʒuT[`āA
//<R ALT=""></R>͖̃V[ĐB<k>

//΂ߘՂ̉p̒AQɉ<R ALT="C"></R>ˎ̖ӂɁA
//̂̐le͂B
//Vl͖Ă͂炸AK҂ƌ_̍ŒȂ̂A
//ڂ𔍂ČVĂB
//pɖA΂VlɁA₨珶U艺낷̂̒jB<k>
  Ng skips to the scene in question, which he marked ahead of time.<K>

  The monitor presents a slanted bird's-eye view of a figure in a <I>changshan</I> standing at the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s bedside. The old man is not asleep. Rather, he appears to be engaged in a heated discussion with the visitor, practically foaming at the mouth with rage. Suddenly, the man brings his palm down on the furious old man's chest.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccˎƖʎ̂鑊AHv<k>
"......The <I>zhaizhu</I> knew his killer?"<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT=""></R>͈ÎE҂̊ӂg~OĈ΂A
//s̏uԂxĐB
//̕e<R ALT="C"></R>ˎ݂̂Ȃ炸A
//̏ɋ킷SmĂ̂B<k>
  Ng plays the perfidious moment once more, this time enlarging the image of the assassin's face.<K>
  His features are known not only to the <I>zhaizhu</I>, but to everyone watching the tape.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>cc!?v<k>
"Kong Taoluo!?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAzBԈႢȂv<k>
"Indeed. There's no mistaking him."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//1N̎uĂƂ͂A<R ALT="r">k</R><R ALT="`E"></R>̊邱Ƃ͂ȂB
//Ă<R ALT="E"></R>̋ŁAɓjłB<k>
  Though one year has passed since their last meeting, neither Bin nor Zhu has forgotten the face of the man with whom they once served under Liu.<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="W"></R>Êz낤v<k>

//u|f؂ՓV@A
//Ĕ`̓dcc
//gChƁgdhȁv<k>

//u퉮₢l߂Ă͂ȂB
//zĝ͓Ucc
//Ƃ͐gɔZv<k>
"No doubt it was he who killed Zhang."<K>

"Daitian Swordplay, which can cut through even steel, plus Thunderburst and Lightning Palm, the secret arts of Electromagnetic Discharge."

"Nothing will come of interrogating arms dealers. A single sword was his only weapon...... that, and the power of his own body."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȔnȁccv<k>

//uzɂ́A񂽂X
//n񂾂낤B<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>v<k>
"It can't be......"<K>

"You finished him yourself, Liu Haojun!"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ûƂ͎dccƁAƂv<k>
"......It would seem that I failed then," Liu admits unapologetically.<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//тꂽȂƔF߂<R ALT="E"></R>B
//đ̋ɌtȂēl̍́A
//H悤ɃXN[߂ĂB<k>
  The two officers are still staring dumbstruck at the screen, having received their second successive shock of the night.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂłcc
//ȂzˎHv<k>
"His survival is surprise enough, but...... why did he kill the <I>zhaizhu</I>?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAQԂ炾v<k>
"Easy," Ng replies grimly. "He's switched sides."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT=""></R>꒎݂Ԃ悤ȊŁA<R ALT="r">k</R>̖₢󂯂B<k>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="E"></R>́Azaɂ͂_̍傾񂾂Bz̂̂ɗ؂ꂽƎvĂĕsvc͂Ȃv<k>

//u<R ALT="R">E</R>A܂ˎɉ`ĂƎvH@̈NŒN̎ɐʂĂĂƂāAƂ͂Ȃv<k>
"Liu was already a lieutenant when he cut Kong down, remember? It's not hard to imagine him thinking that the Society itself betrayed him."<K>

"You think that he'd feel loyalty to the <I>zhaizhu</I> after that? It's been a year. I bet he's sold himself out to one of our rivals."<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ă̛hqɎdāAˎP킹鍕cc
//S͂łB<k>

//TCol}[Pbg̗v𑈂VAnVWP[gA
//sr炳EC[}tBȀ́B
//_芪͐}́AĉȂ̂ł͂ȂB<k>
  Who could have convinced him that he had been betrayed by his old master?<K>

  The possibilities are endless, from the Russian syndicates who covet the Society's share in the black market to the European mafias who want revenge for having their own markets usurped. The world of illegal cybernetics is hardly peaceful.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uA<R ALT="R">E</R>ˎj邽߂ɂ̏C֖߂̂ȂccŐ<R ALT="W"></R>ɂHv<k>
"But if Kong indeed returned to Shanghai in order to kill the <I>zhaizhu</I>...... then why did he go after Zhang first?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//usvcHv<k>
"Does it bother you?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uRBˎÎEȂǂƂ厖𐿂Ă̂ȂAȂ̒OɁAx悤Ȑ^Hv<k>
"Of course. If he was charged with assassinating the <I>zhaizhu</I>, why would he risk putting the Society on alert beforehand?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="R">E</R><R ALT="W"></R>𑞂ޗRA
//lΔ[ł悤v<k>

//u̒jCɖ߂A
//܂ƎvHv<k>
"Ask yourself what reason Kong might have for hating Zhang, and the answer should become obvious."<K>

"What would he have done upon returning to Shanghai, before anything else?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ɋԑSقB
//NA瓚𕉂Ƃ͎vȂB<k>
  Everyone falls silent, none wishing to be the one to answer.<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccRȀK˂邾낤ȁv<k>

//u<R ALT="C["></R>̎񂾓^ɂĒmv<k>
"......He would have looked for his sister, of course."<K>

"And then he would have discovered the circumstances behind Ruili's death."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucc܂v<k>
"......Nonsense."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂΂Ƃ<R ALT="r">k</R>ՂāA<R ALT="E"></R>t𑱂B<k>
  Liu continues, interrupting Bin's attempt to laugh off the possibility.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uwqx<R ALT="cFEC[^[">ӈB</R>ȁA
//Tsm񂻂v<k>
"The Profane Scalpel, Xie Yida, has been missing since last week."<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//üt<R ALT="R">E</R>̎ɂƂ΁cc
//􂢂炢炳ꂽƂĂ
//svc͂Ȃȁv<k>
"If Kong found the Doctor...... then it is likely that he got everything out of him."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uƂ̂ƂƂȂΌ̂ȂȂjBm΁AˎE̎Ȃ
//Ӓ玸ɈႢȂv<k>

//uuĂ̋wɁccv΁A܂NP₷̂<R ALT="W"></R>v<k>
"When it comes to his sister, he is not a man who can be reasoned with. If he learned the truth, assassinating the <I>zhaizhu</I> would have been the furthest thing from his mind."<K>

"He would have sought vengeance for his sister before all else. In which case, Zhang would have been the easiest target."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="}Q" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
  Zhu breaks her silence, her voice dangerously quiet.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uŁA̓A^VB̒N_A
//Ă킯Hv<k>
"So he'll be coming for us next. Is that it?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//܂ŒقĂ<R ALT="`E"></R>AႭ}řꂭB<k>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="R">E</R>nȂA
//̊댯͂܂ƂƎvĂv<k>
"It would be best to remain alert until Kong is dealt with."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="}Q" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u㓙Ȃ̂cc
//ȂTԂȂĂ񂾂v<k>
"Let him come. It'll save me the trouble of looking for him."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="`E"></R>̑oƂ́AłȂ{̑ɔRĂB
//<R ALT="R">E</R>̉OA<R ALT="R">E</R>ޏ̐gƂԂ̂̂
//VĂ炵B<k>
  It is no false bravado that burns in Zhu's eyes, but real hatred. It would seem that Kong's unspoken challenge has infuriated her more than his killing of Zhang and Li.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//ur߂₪ācc
//ƌ̒lߓȂ񂴁A
//̎ŔғɂĂIv<k>
"He thinks he can take me out? I'll turn that
<I>neijia</I> fool into sausage!"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uہAXo܂łȂB
//z͂łɕ挊@v<k>
"No, there's no need for us to act. He has already dug his own grave."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//u<R ALT=""></R><R ALT="`E"></R>]ɁA<R ALT="r">k</R>͂܂ŗÂłB<k>
  Bin is perfectly calm, unaffected by Zhu's lust for battle.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂقǉ͓zɂƂāA̋wB<R ALT="R">E</R><R ALT="C"></R>ˎɂȏAz͂_̋wGv<k>

//uzn邽߂ɛ𑍓ĂA
//w邱Ƃ͂Ȃv<k>
"We are indeed his sister's killers. However, by killing Li <I>zhaizhu</I> Kong has made himself an enemy of the Society."<K>

"Even if we use our full resources to destroy him, no one will suspect us now."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u𓮂Ă̂H
//nłȂv<k>

//uȋRĈ߂ɁH
//̖ʎq̓K^ȂIv<k>
"Don't be stupid. You want to use our whole army to take care of one little stray dog? Think about our reputation!"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//udA<R ALT="`E"></R>BOƂĂ̍傾v<k>
"Have care, Zhu. Remember that even you are an officer of the Society."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="}" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂ͕|CÂˁH@<R ALT="r">k</R>B
//wSxŖ炵Ê̘rA
//K܂̂Hv<k>
"You afraid, Bin? Have the assassin's skills that earned you the name Hundred-Handed Weaver gotten rusty?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//}̌Ă<R ALT="r">k</R>Aɂ͗΂ɊFȂB
//Ĵ<R ALT="E"></R>悾B<k>
  Even the cool and collected Bin cannot help but grow pale at this insult. However, it is Liu who speaks first.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="R">E</R><R ALT="">S</R>񂾂ȁB<R ALT="`E"></R>v<k>
"You seem rather obsessed with Kong, Zhu."<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
//úA@ƂƂĂ̈ӒnHv<k>
"Is it your pride as a warrior?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="}Q" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uƂAHv<k>
"So what if it is?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uwdx𕎂Ζ͂Ȃv<k>
"Underestimating the Lightning Palm will cost you your life."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="{" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="`E"></R>̊፷ÂɓBECs܂āB
//󂯎~߂<R ALT="E"></R>́Atłm̏ŁA
//Ȃ\ʂ̂悤Ȗ\ȂB<k>

//ȂՋ荇AیȂCdB<k>
  Zhu's eyes grow deathly cold, shining with a murderous light. Knowing that it will enrage her further, Liu meets her gaze while remaining as expressionless as ever.<K>

  The air seems to grow crushingly heavy as they stare at each other in silence.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uƂccv<k>

//uˎ̎́A܂NɂR炵ĂȂB
//@ė~̂ȁB<R ALT="r">k</R>v<k>
"As I said earlier......"<K>

"No one must know of the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s death yet. You should be able to understand this, Bin."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccǂӖHv<k>
"......What are you talking about?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u₩ɞˎ̑VsƂ낾Al̂܂܁AƂ͔̂@ɂ<R ALT="܂"></R>v<k>

//u<R ALT="C"></R>ˎ̐GɁA܂<R ALT="R">E</R>̎nɖړr˂΂Ȃv<k>
"Of course I would like to give the <I>zhaizhu</I> a proper burial as soon as possible, but it would not do to hold the funeral while his killer is still on the loose."<K>

"We must put an end to Kong before we can announce Li <I>zhaizhu</I>'s death."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ucc͓ȁAƁHv<k>
"......You're telling me not to raise the Society?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uāB<R ALT="R">E</R>̎ɏ܋B
//t[X̘Aɓz点v<k>
"Loose the hounds. Put a bounty on Kong's head and let the freelancers hunt him."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="{" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uƋl߂Âˁv<k>
"Pretty soft, if you ask me."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uO͌ołB<R ALT="`E"></R>Aꂮ
//摖Ğˎ̋wȂǍlȂv<k>
"I'm not asking you. Zhu, don't even think about taking revenge for the <I>zhaizhu</I> on your own."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="イ"></R>tĂ<R ALT="`E"></R>OɁA<R ALT="E"></R>͌tpB<k>
  Zhu's beautiful eyebrows twist into a scowl, but Liu continues before she can open her mouth.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uÓA
//<R ALT="W"></R>ẺlǂĂ΂B
//ˎ̌Ƃ͖֌Wv<k>
"You just concentrate on finding Zhang's killer, who has nothing to do with the
<I>zhaizhu</I>'s assassination."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="}" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccAv<k>
"......Ahh, so that's your game."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//o{CۂݍŁA
//S<R ALT="`E"></R>֖҂ȏ΂݂𖞖ʂɕׂB<k>
  Rather than release the angry retort she had planned, the satisfied Zhu grins with undisguised ferocity.<K>

<bustup name="st`ER[g" face="}Q" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="W"></R>̈ꌏŎduĂA
//Ă킯ˁv<k>
"In other words, I should only punish him for killing Zhang."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uBꂮȁv<k>
"Correct. Be sure that you don't get them confused."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
  Ng cuts in, as though trying to dispel the lingering tension with his carefree attitude.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccĂƁBꂶ႟XA
//b܂Ƃ܂ŉU႟ȂH
//܂Ăłˁv<k>
"......Well, now that that's settled, why don't we call it a night? I've got a lot of work piled up, y'know."<K>

//<BOX TYPE=0>
//̗ٔ]CcCԂ悤ɁA<R ALT=""></R>CyȐށB<k>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//utA蕨v<k>
"Heh, you're busy for a figurehead."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u͋ȂAēzB؁v<k>

//uj͌܂BB
//͒ZɂȂv<k>
"Time is money, Advisor."<K>

"We have our duties, so let's get to it. We've got a busy day ahead of us."<K>

<bgm src="m04melody" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<bgm src="M01" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<background src="B_S[Xg^E_01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">

<BOX TYPE=0>

//ȊK͂ȍĊJvƁA
//j]oϋQ͏C̉^ÂB<k>

//Z𗧂ނ̂́A
//̂ƂiɂȂČv悪ڍAuꂽp̌QB
//sX̂ɁA
//搮̓rŕꂽS[Xg^EUB<k>
  When financial panic brought an end to the large-scale redevelopment that had begun at the turn of the century, Shanghai's fate was sealed.<K>

  Scattered throughout the old city one can find abandoned ghost towns, the ruins of buildings whose occupants were evicted for reconstruction that never even made it to the demolition stage.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_S[Xg^E_02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//̓sA֐mA
//ȏC̈Õ𕨌iς̂ЂƂłB<k>

//<R ALT="^I["></R>͐𗣂A
//̎ꂫXɐg߂ĂB
//<R ALT="W"></R>ɂȏ͐_񂪓ɈႢȂB
//XɂĂ͐lɑB<k>
  The neighborhood of Dunren, here in the Nanshi district, offers just such a glimpse into the darkness of Shanghai.<K>

  Before dawn, Taoluo left the busy red light district and hid himself in this deserted area. Killing Zhang will have put the Qingyun Society on full alert. If he stays in the city, he will be risking a manhunt.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_֒__">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">


//͂<R ALT="Ƃ">K</R>lȂÂĂꂽ֒_A
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̍łB
//͎c炸A
//N₩Ȏɓh荞߂Ă͂̒A
//FĐ؂NĂB<k>

//ɂ͂ǂقǂ̐lwł̂肩łȂA
//NɓnĐ߂ꂽ̎c荁́A
//ނɐ݂čȂB<k>

//ꀂƁA<R ALT="">c</R>̕YC̒ɁA
//X~g̖F܂OB<k>

//AĂKCmCh̕EA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͔łfIhgy[p[ՂƎgāA
//ĝ̋X܂ŉ@ĂB<k>

//VpȂǐȂKCmCh̔Ał̊ԁA
//Ǝ_J̊XA񂵂ĂɁA
//̂ɔ̗ꂽՂB<k>

//ނ񍡓܂ł̐l`ɁAȐSÂ{Ƃ͂ȂB
//wqx̌tɔM^́A
//ɂĂƂ̉וɉ߂ȂB<k>

//́AႤB
//̐l`̗L@̓ɂ́cc
//<R ALT="C["></R>̌Ђl܂ĂB<k>
  Taoluo has made his base of operations in an old temple to Guan Yu, long since run dry of visitors. Everything of value has been stolen, right down to the ornamental gold leaf, and the bright red paint that once decorated the pillars and beams has faded away to reveal the wood underneath.<K>

  Yet this temple might have seen many worshippers in its heyday, for the scent of the incense that has been burned here over the years still lingers in the rotten timbers.<K>

  Amid the odor of mold and incense, one can also smell the minty fragrance of deodorant.<K>

  Having stripped his gynoid companion naked, Taoluo is now cleaning every inch of her body with deodorizing paper.<K>

  Although a gynoid's body produces no waste products, a few days in the smoke, dirt, and acid rain of the city is enough for white skin to become darkened with soot.<K>

  Of course, Taoluo has never shown such care for the doll before today. While the Profane Scalpel's words were but a fantasy, she was nothing more than unwanted baggage.<K>

  But now everything has changed.<K>
  In the doll's organic memory...... resides a fragment of his beloved Ruili.<K>

<clear>
<background src="ev_r03">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȕɕCɓĂȂāA
//NԂ肾낤ȁv<k>
"How many years has it been since I last washed your back like this?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//肩鐺ɂAm炸zB<k>
  Taoluo finds himself getting emotional even when speaking to the gynoid.<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uO͂܂̎qA
//ƌ悤ɂȂ́A
//񂾂ȁv<k>

//u܂Sɂ́AȂāAꂽ̂ĊႢāccȁB̎́v<k>
"You were always mature for your age, so you stopped wanting to bathe together before I did."<K>

"I was just a kid and had no idea what was going on. I thought you hated me back then......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ԓ߂邱Ƃ͂ȂB<R ALT="^I["></R>ƂďmĂB
//łAbɂ͂ȂB<k>

//xƂȂJԂĂƂB
//ȂɁAJ̋ɁA
//<R ALT="C["></R>̖ʉezẮA肩ĂB<k>

//ȓƌɔׂ΁A
//ĎŐG[OɌ̂́A΂͕B<k>

//ĝ@ÍA
//قꂽɃhCVv[̖A܂ԂAOOɉقB<k>

//iC̓̎ǴA
//<R ALT="C["></R>̂Ƃ͎ĂȂB
//łAwɊoĂ銴Gɏd˂
//Ǒz邱Ƃ͂łB<k>
  He knows that no answer will come. Even so, he cannot help but speak.<K>

  This is nothing new. Many have been the starless nights when he spoke to Ruili's shadow through the roar of the rain.<K>

  In comparison to those meaningless soliloquies, having a real body to talk to is considerably more rewarding.<K>

  After he finishes wiping her body clean, Taoluo works up a lather with dry shampoo and gives her hair a thorough washing.<K>

  The doll's nylon hair feels nothing like Ruili's, of course, but by imagining the sensation that still lingers in his fingertips he is able to recall old memories of her.<K>

<clear>
<LAYER SRC="#999966" TRANSPARENT="50">
<background src="ev_r04">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//cc
//𞀂ČiɂȂƁA
//<R ALT="C["></R>͌ZĂ΂Ď`킹B
//͔肾ƂAɔׂ<R ALT="^I["></R>̕
//܂pƂAȌ𗝗RɂāB<k>

//̔ZɐG点<R ALT="C["></R>́AłȂɂ̂B
//l`̔𞀂ȂA̒eނ悤ȏΊvoB<k>
  Whenever it came time to comb and tie her hair, Ruili would always call her brother to help. My maids don't do it right, she would say, or cite Taoluo's superior dexterity.<K>

  Why did Ruili always seem so happy to let her brother touch her precious locks, Taoluo wonders, thinking back on her radiant smile as he combs the doll's hair.<K>

<clear>
<background src="ev_r03">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uÔ߂ɁAZ炵ƂȂĉ
//ĂȂ̂Ɂccv<k>

//uȉȂ̂Ɂcc
//ǂĂÓAȂɂcc
//<R ALT="Ȃ"></R>Ăꂽ񂾁Hv<k>
"I was never able to be a good brother to you......"<K>

"But still you...... Why were you always so friendly with me?"<K>

//<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//̏ΊA͂ȂB
//Ȋ፷A
//ӖȖ₢JԂ<R ALT="^I["></R>ɒ΂B<k>
  Her smile is gone now, a blank stare the only answer to Taoluo's futile question.<K>

<se src="SE_01_01" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="ev_x06">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//Ȕޏ̑OɁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̓|Pbgo̘rւfČB<k>
  Taoluo takes the bell bracelet out of his pocket and shows it to the unresponsive gynoid.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uقABĂ邩H
//ȃ蕨Hv<k>
"Hey, remember this? I gave it to you for your birthday."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//l`̎Aׂ̍ɁArւʂĂB
//<R ALT="C["></R>ɂĂ̂Ɠ悤ɁB<k>
  He takes her hand, sliding the bracelet onto her tiny wrist just as he once did for Ruili.<K>

<se src="SE_01_02" mode="on" option="single">
//ƗhƁA̗邪JXƖ肳߂B
//l`́A˘f悤ɏXcc
//ȏ͎̋ȂB<k>
  With a gentle shake, the sound of the silver bell rings through the temple. The doll, however, merely inclines her head quizzically...... and shows no further interest thereafter.<K>

<clear>
<background src="ev_r26">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂH
//̎́AȂɊłꂽH
//CɓĂĂHv<k>
"You don't like it? Don't you remember how happy you were when I gave it to you?"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ꂽőiȂA<R ALT="^I["></R>͏mĂB
//ԓ邱Ƃ͂ȂB
//<R ALT="^I["></R>NȂ̂Aނ̌ẗӖ܂B<k>
  Even as he entreats her with grief-choked voice, Taoluo knows that no answer will come. The doll does not know who he is, nor even the meaning of his words.<K>

<clear>
<background src="ev_r25">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//̐l`ɋl܂Ă̂́A<R ALT="C["></R>鮂́A
//ق̒fЂłȂB
//l邱ƂAoƂA\邱ƂoA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>ׂ̈܂܁A
//rɕꂽ悤ɐgς˂Ă邱ƂłȂB<k>

//AB<k>
  Only a fragment of the soul that was once Ruili remains within the doll. Unable to think, speak, or even to change her oblivious expression, she can do naught but follow Taoluo's lead.<K>

  Everything is in vain.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u肢cc΂Ăcc
//xA𕷂Ăccv<k>
"Please...... Smile for me...... Let me hear your voice once more."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ÂoAȔɗB<k>

//<R ALT="^I["></R>͒mĂBޏ̐gɉB
//<R ALT="C["></R>Ȏpɂ̂B<k>

//ނ̑؂Ȗ́AlŔƂȂ玀łB
//ĝ݂̂Ȃ炸܂ŗJAlƂĎʂƂꂸcc
//ȂߎSȋɑƂꂽB
//ȈԂݕ̐l`ɁB<k>
  Tears flow from his eyes, dripping upon the doll's tiny white hands.<K>

  Taoluo knows what happened to her, what made her this way.<K>

  His precious sister died while being gang raped, defiled not only in body but in soul. She was even denied a human end, forced to become a sex toy, a fate worse than death.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uƂccƂA<R ALT="C["></R>ccv<k>
"Forgive me...... Forgive me, Ruili......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ׂ<R ALT="^I["></R>B
//ȕ炵ɔwāA
//̋ƂČɐ铹I񂾌ZB
//S邠܂A݂݂㩂ɂB
//ނ͖ȂBɂĂȂB<k>

//̂ƂA؂ɋCtĂ΁B
//C𗯎ɂȂ΁B
//<R ALT="^I["></R>́AĂꂽB<k>

//炱́A<R ALT="^I["></R>ɉۂꂽcc
//̕ςʂĂpOɂāA܂悤̂Ȃ߂vmB
//h邪悤̂ȂĔFB<k>
  Everything is his fault.<K>

  It was he who forsook their peaceful life to take up the sword as the Society's assassin.<K>

  It was his pride that let him walk into a trap for which even a fool would not have fallen.<K>

  He failed to protect his sister. He was not there for her.<K>

  If only he had foreseen the betrayal, if only he had not left Shanghai - he would have been able to protect her.<K>

  This is Taoluo's punishment. Every time he looks upon Ruili's wretched form, he is reminded of the undeniable truth that his sins can never be redeemed.<K>

<clear>
<LAYER SRC="#999966" TRANSPARENT="50">
<background src="ev_r04">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//x<R ALT="C["></R>͊҂ȂB
//ꂪl̎B_Ȃ炴l̎ŋȂ̂ł͂ȂB<k>

//wqxƐƁA͂Mɂ͒lȂB
//̈ň҂͂ɋH̓V˂ȂA
//ƂēVӂ𕢂铹͂ȂB<k>
  Ruili will never return.<K>
  Such is death, and man being mortal has no power to change it.<K>

  The Profane Scalpel's promises are worthless after all. He may be an unparalleled genius, but even he cannot refute the will of Heaven.<K>

<se src="Q˂" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="B_֒__">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//<R ALT=""></R>肷S߂邽߂ɁA
//ɒuĂ`肵߂<R ALT="^I["></R>B
//̏d݂m߁A̒Ők铁g̗₽𕷂ɁA
//ԚL͉lւƕςB<k>
  To calm his aching heart, Taoluo grasps the hilt of the <I>wo dao</I> sitting on the floor. With its weight in his hand and the sound of cold steel rattling against sheath in his ears, he slowly transforms his grief into hate.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccNɂA
//OG点͂ȂȁB
//<R ALT="C["></R>ccv<k>

//uOEźcc
//lc炸nɗƂv<k>

//uz炪DǑЁcc
//c炸A߂Ăv<k>
"......I'll never let anyone touch you again, Ruili."<K>

"I'll send every last one of your murderers to Hell."<K>

"And I'll take back the pieces of you that they stole."<K>

<bgm src="M01" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<bgm src="M09" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">

<se src="SE_01_01" mode="on" option="single">
<BOX TYPE=0>

//锼cc
//ł낮<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>̋A<R ALT="EEBV">Đ</R>ɖK₵B<k>
  Later that night......<K>

  Ng Wing Shing makes a personal visit to Liu Haojun's home.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u炢ȁB́v<k>
"Damn, what a day."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>͓ƂفXƋʔt̟XȂAgČ}B<k>
  Liu opens the door with a jade cup of <I>fenjiu</I> wine in his hand and welcomes Ng in with a wordless nod.<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȖXɎ炨o܂Ƃ́A
//]̑厖H@<R ALT=""></R>Вv<k>
"It must be quite important for one as busy as you to come out here in the middle of the night, President Ng."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u\̑厖ƁȂ厖ꌏȁB
//܂ccv<k>
"I have two pieces of business - one on the record, one not. But before we get down to it......"<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ɩlނ̂҂ĂA
//<R ALT=""></R><R ALT="E"></R>Ɉ{̃tbV𓊂nB<k>
  Ng waits for Liu's servants to leave the room, then tosses him a flash memory drive.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u{̏؋fB
//ςȂĂȂDɂȁv<k>
"That's the real footage. Dispose of it however you want."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//{ccˎ̐Q̊ĎJɘ^悳ꂽ܂܂́A
//ҏW̉fłB<k>
  The real footage...... In other words, the unedited recording taken from the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s security camera.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ubȁB<R ALT="EBV">Đ</R>v<k>
"I owe you one, Wing Shing."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂ́v<k>
"Don't mention it."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//S̒łlA
//ˎ̎̐^ɂĒm闧ɂ̂̒jB
//_AmƂ΂ł͂ȂBނ͗ƂƎ҂łB<k>
  Of Liu's officers, Ng is the only one who knows the truth behind the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s death. His involvement does not end there, of course. He is as culpable as Liu.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//ˎ̈ÎEƓisŕ񑀍B
//؋̉BŁAsccĐr̃nbJ[ƂĘr炵<R ALT=""></R>ɂƂẮAёO̍H삾B
//Ƃr߂ł͂ȂA܂ěɓopꂽjłB<k>

//<R ALT=""></R>́Ał͛̓ɐguɂ͂ȂB
//ɐ_̘SƂ͂A܂ŏC`i͕\ҋƂłB̍єzCꂽ<R ALT=""></R>͕KAƋ炴𓾂ȂB
//ďvɂȏ肾B<k>
  His manipulation of the data was carried out simultaneous with the assassination. Erasing evidence, fabricating records - such things are child's play for a hacker of Ng's expertise. Indeed it was for these skills, not his martial prowess, that he was recruited into the Society.<K>

  Moreover, Ng currently has no place within the Society. Although a front, it is necessary for Shanghai Cybernetics to maintain its guise as a legitimate business. As its president, Ng must necessarily keep distance between himself and the Society.<K>

  All of which makes him the perfect accomplice to insurrection.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//AU󂯂<R ALT=""></R>͓ԎŏBȂB
//<R ALT="E"></R>Ȃ΂邾낤ƎvĂcc
//ꂪ<R ALT=""></R>̐ȊzB<k>
  In fact, Ng agreed to Liu's plan without a second thought. He was not even surprised. After all, Ng had always believed that Liu would move on the <I>zhaizhu</I> sooner or later.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uŐ_񂽂̂񂩁v<k>
"So now the Qingyun Society is all yours."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ub́A
//ˎ̑Vo܂ł͋ނŗ~ȁv<k>
"I hope that you'll keep such thoughts to yourself until after the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s funeral."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uˎE<R ALT="R">E</R>ɔ킹邽A
//ς炸l邱ƂGOˁv<k>
"You're as ruthless as ever, pinning the
<I>zhaizhu</I>'s murder on Kong."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uƂ͉̔zBCɖ߂ė̂ȂA𗧂Ă炤̂R낤v<k>
"He used to be my man, after all. It's only natural to put him to use now that he has come all the way back to Shanghai."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="W"></R>̎ɗlāA
//ЂƖڂ<R ALT="R">E</R>ČĵHv<k>
"Was one look at Zhang's body enough to tell you it was him?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂ͉AzƓՓV剺
//guƂB
//d̎ۂ͒msĂ邩ȁv<k>
"He and I were once brother disciples of the Daitian School, after all. I know everything about the Lightning Palm."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAˁccv<k>
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//TCol@Ƃ͑̏ꍇAOƌ̏C̉ʂĂɓ̂̋@Bɓݐ؂P[X嗬łB<R ALT="E"></R>̂悤ɓƌ̏CƂɌ؂ăTC{[Oʂ҂͒B<k>
  The vast majority of cyber-warriors are <I>waijia</I> masters who decided to go for augmentation after reaching the limits of their training. It is extremely rare to find cases like Liu, students of <I>neijia</I> who forsook their training in order to become cyborgs.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAĂ<R ALT="r">k</R>̌悤ɛ𓮂<R ALT="R">E</R>肾ƎvĂ񂾂ȁv<k>

//ȕŖʎqǂ̂ƌoƂ́A
//񂽂炵Ȃv<k>
"Anyway, I totally thought that you'd take Bin's advice and send the whole Society after Kong."<K>

"It's not like you to care about reputation."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="r">k</R>^Ȃv<k>
"Which is why even Bin does not doubt me."<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u̓GA̟DccȂȂoˎ傾ƎvȂHv<k>
"I have prioritized the Society's face over my personal grudge...... I am quite the loyal
<I>fu-zhaizhu</I>, am I not?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uււBꂵ܂v<k>

//u̎菕Ȃ
//œzn悤Ă̂́A
//Ƃ˂bȁv<k>
"Yeah, yeah, sorry for selling you short."<K>

"I'm not too happy about having to take care of Kong all by ourselves, y'know."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uCゾȁB<R ALT="`E"></R>܂{苶v<k>
"If Zhu heard such faintheartedness from you, she'd no doubt fly into a rage again."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccA<R ALT="R">E</R>̂ƂɂȂ
//LɂȂ񂾁Hv<k>
"......Just why the hell does she get so pissed off over Kong?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uḧӒnAƂB
//@ƂłȂOɂ́A
//̂͂Ȃv<k>
"She has pride in her style. You're not a martial artist. I don't expect you to understand."<K>

<clear>
<background src="ev_x03">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//p̑n͑ʂēɕB
//ÓAu͂bグA
//^ƋZ@𖁂ƂɏInOƌ@B
//ŁAċz⌌𗥂邱ƂŌo߂ghbA
//gƌ@B<k>
  The schools of martial arts can be largely divided into two styles.<K>

  On one side there are the <I>waijia</I>, the external schools that concentrate solely on the development of speed, strength, and powerful forms and techniques.<K>

  Opposing them are the <I>neijia</I> schools, those that use control of breathing and blood flow to master the internal energy - <I>qi</I> - that flows through the body's meridians.

<clear>
<background src="ev_x01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//̕@_̍ႩA邲ƂɗD򂪎肴ĂhA×̐͌܂ĂB
//FAl̋؍͌ՂƂۂƂႤB
//ɒbBd˂Ă̂ɂ͂̂ƌEB<k>

//ɑ΂āA̐E͐[ӁBɂ߂͎̂łA
//̉ʂĂɂ͐lq𒴂ق̐E҂󂯂ĂB<k>

//ǁAOƂ̎g͑XǁA
//^ɓƂ̐[ɂ߂Blɂ͒NlƂċy΂ȂB
//ꂪт̒΂łB<k>
  Because of these methodological differences, the two styles have vied time and again for supremacy. Since ancient times, however, the balance of power between them remained unchanged.<K>

  Alas, a man is not a tiger or an elephant. Train as he may, he will never be able to surpass the limits of his flesh.<K>

  Internal power, however, is without limit. Only the most dedicated may master it, but a world of miracles beyond human understanding awaits those who can endure the training.<K>

  Although practitioners of <I>waijia</I> were far greater in number, in the end not one of them could stand up to a warrior who had truly mastered the secrets of <I>neijia</I>. For centuries, this was the unchallenged law of the martial arts world.<K>


<clear>
<LAYER SRC="ev_j03" TRANSPARENT="50">
<background src="ev_x03">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//ATColeBNXZp̕yׂĂςB
//̓IEƂg͏AOƂ̕pɂ܂V\񂯂̂łB<k>

//ɋC̒BlՂӂAfŐneČ悤ƁAŌJo``̑Oł́Aɂ^ȂB
//Hт̂悤ɒ𕑂y̏pĂĂAmo^TC{[Õ[_[bNIU؂邱Ƃ͊ȂB<k>

//ēƁAOƂ̗͊֌W͋t]AZ@ĕтɌNՂƌ͕ƂĂ̖𗧂ꂽB
//ĊOƂؕ|߂X̋CpA͈ꕔ̍s҂A×̏Cg@ƂčׁXƓ`΂łB<k>
  However, the advent of cybernetics changed everything. Freed from the yoke of their physical limitations, <I>waijia</I> schools discovered an entirely new world of possibility.<K>

  A master of <I>qigong</I> might be able to shatter boulders or deflect blades with her bare hands, but that mattered little when faced with mechanized arms and legs capable of near-supersonic attacks that afforded her no time to channel her <I>qi</I>.

  Even <I>qinggong</I>, which allowed one to dance on the air like a feather, was powerless to shake the automatic lock-on system of a sense-enhanced cyborg.<K>

  Thus the balance of power between internal and external kung fu was toppled. The <I>neijia</I> schools that had reigned over the martial world with their secret techniques suddenly found themselves obsolete, the <I>qigong</I> arts with which they had terrorized the <I>waijia</I> now reduced to a quaint form of medicine practiced sparingly by a few devotees.<K>


<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="`E"></R>̂悤ȃTCo[Oȟ@Ƃɂ́A䂪œh畐т̔eDƂv<k>

//uꂪɂȂĐg̓ƌvɒxȂǁAbł͂܂ȁv<k>
"Masters of cybernetic <I>waigong</I> are proud of having wrested martial primacy away from the <I>neigong</I>."<K>

"Despite that, one of them has fallen to unaugmented internal kung fu. To Zhu, this is unforgivable."<K>


<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u񂽂́AǂȂ񂾂Hv<k>
"And what about you?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="^I["></R>̘rmĂv<k>
"I know Taoluo's skill."<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uz̓d́ATCo[OƂɑ΍R邽߂ɕ҂ݏoꂽƂ̐ZBfĂƒɂڂ邼v<k>
"His Electromagnetic Discharge is the ultimate <I>neijia</I> technique, developed for the sole purpose of defeating cyber-warriors."<K>

"Those who underestimate it will regret it."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uقǂ̂񂩁H@dĂ̂́v<k>
"Is this Electromagnetic Discharge thing really that powerful?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uA悾ȁB
//ƂɈꌂKEƂȂ΁A
//̍Ⴆŏ͌܂v<k>
"It depends on how you treat it. When each fighter needs only a single attack to kill the other, raw skill alone decides the outcome."

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uƌƂ̗́A
//j悤Ȃ́v<k>

//uɏΐ邵A
//ɓۂ܂ΓMĉʂĂv<k>
"To battle with a <I>neijia</I> master is like trying to swim through a flood."<K>

"If you ride the flow, you can control it; but if you are drawn in, you will drown."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uӂv<k>
"Hmm."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccŁAЂƂ̑厖Ƃ́Hv<k>
"......So, what's your other piece of business?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uA͗ƂKƖB
//JX^}[T|[gēzv<k>
"Ahh, this one's a job that I can talk about at the next board meeting. Customer support and all that."<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//OɍTĂĂ΂Am<R ALT=""></R>B
//قǂȂ`i̋Zp҂^эł̂́A
//ōf̃KCmCh[߂鉻ϔB
//傫͏UȊقǂ邪A
//`͓`ɑă@CIP[X̂͂ĂB<k>
  Ng summons a subordinate from outside and gives him orders. Before long, a team of company technicians carries an ornate box into the room with extreme care. The box - of the kind used to store high-quality gynoids - is about the size of a small casket and carved to resemble a traditional violin case.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uڂĂ܂Аi
//CI܂̂ŁA
//{͂͂ɎQサv<k>
"Thank you for your continued patronage of our humble products. Repairs have been completed on this item, so I have come to personally deliver it to you."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uAccv<k>
"Ahh, of course......"<K>

<se src="SE_02_ؔu" mode="on" option="single">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//S<R ALT="E"></R>AtuėオB<k>
  Having discerned the contents of the box, Liu sets down his cup and rises to his feet.<K>

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȂɂOoقǂ̗pł
//܂Ɂv<k>
"You didn't need to go to the trouble of delivering it yourself."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ucc񂽂̐l`ɌČ΁A
//ɈԈႢႢ˂ȁv<k>
"No problem. When it comes to your doll, I don't wanna take any chances."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ʂə<R ALT=""></R>̌Błْ̐F͉BȂB
//K̋ƖƌȂAނ<R ALT=""></R>͞ˎdE̘bɂ
//荹Ă鎞łȂĂB<k>
  Although Ng's words are as informal as ever, he still cannot hide the tension in his voice. This may be a legitimate job, but he seems more nervous now than he did when speaking of the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s assassination.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//ȕi̒łcc
//Ԃ񐢊EǂTĂA
//ȏ̂ĂKCmCh͂Ȃv<k>

//uOłs̃f30̂͘dB񂽂́A5~ĂőƂ񂾁v<k>
"This is the company's greatest masterpiece. You could search the whole world and probably not find a more expensive gynoid."<K>

"The exterior alone is worth thirty regular models, but you had the whole thing replaced just because of a five millimeter scratch on its skin."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uS񂩁Hv<k>
"You think me excessive?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u₢AőȂv<k>

//uނƂ΂́cc
//񂽁AĖ{Cȁv<k>
"Nah, not one bit."<K>

"After all...... she's the only thing you're always serious about."<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R><R ALT=""></R>̍ov`ǐ󂯎A
//P[Xɐ݂ꂽÕȏOɍŁA񂷁B
//<k>

//P[X̊JɘAċNMA
//̃KCmChoB
//̒ňߎC̉A
//ׂrƃP[X̊WグB<k>

//ŐVfUCi[Yuh<R ALT="`CihX"></R>ɐg񂾏A
//CӂɐgNB
//LȍhX̔jqȂ₩߂āȀ̂悤ɗꗎB<k>

//̖TɕЕGāA<R ALT="E"></R>͐l`̖jɎwYA
//̂܂܋ÎB
//C̐ʂm߂Ă̂낤B
  Liu accepts the platinum key from Ng, inserts it into the case's old-fashioned lock, and turns.<K>

  The unsealing of the case triggers the startup signal, bringing the gynoid inside to life. Ng hears the sound of cloth rustling inside, and then a slender white arm slowly pushes back the lid.<K>

  Dressed in the latest designer <I>qipao</I>, the girl lethargically rises out of the box. Her thick black hair cascades over her shoulders like a waterfall, glittering brighter than the white satin of her dress.<K>

  Kneeling beside her, Liu touches her cheek and stares silently at her skin, probably inspecting the quality of the repairs.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//i͌y̐₦Ȃ<R ALT=""></R>A
//΂͌𚁂ŁA̗lqĂB<k>

//<R ALT=""></R>́A<R ALT="E"></R>Ƃj̗lXȑʂɂĒmĂB
//̂ǂ|C̂̂́A
//̐l`ƈꏏɂƂ̔ނB
//̐l`OɂƂA<R ALT="E"></R>̈Ӓ͐XۂӖB<k>

//̔ɁAƖl̕sӂ珝tƂA
//Ƃ̂낤B
//{ɋꂽ<R ALT="E"></R>eCh<R ALT="傤Ⴍ">ŝ</R>ƂA
//ނ͑̊炳ĂȂƂB
//Ch͕ʂlUđB<k>
  For once, Ng makes none of his usual ceaseless banter, instead electing to watch in silence.<K>

  Ng has seen many faces of the man called Liu Haojun, but none is more chilling than the one that he shows when with this doll.<K>
  When Liu looks upon her, the whole of Creation ceases to have any meaning for him.<K>

  No doubt he was in the same state when a maid accidentally damaged the doll's skin. Apparently, the enraged Liu did not even look at the clumsy maid when he struck her, quite literally blasting her into pieces.<K>


<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucc\Ȃdオ肾v<k>
"......She's perfect."<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//}ŕ]<R ALT="E"></R>B<R ALT=""></R>͉m炸g̓fR炷B<k>
  When Liu offers his quiet praise, Ng finds himself breathing a sigh of relief.<K>

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="R">E</R>̐l`A
//ǂȊ邩˂v<k>
"I wonder what Kong'd say if he could see this doll."<K>

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ĩy[X߂<R ALT=""></R>́A
//ꂽƌ΂ɓUB
  Back to his usual carefree self, Ng shakes his head in a show of exasperation.<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//<R ALT="E"></R>܂΂ŉB<k>
  Liu responds with a chilly smile.<K>

<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//ȓl̒jɁAグKCmChB
//₢Ȋ፷ɂ́A
//fĊ̊XNvgł͂ȂXĎB
//ޏ܂A鮓]ʂ{ꂽ񍇖@KCmChcc
//<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>̖ꂽ5̂̂̈B<k>
  The gynoid looks up at the two men, her gaze shifting between them. There is a certain rawness to the questioning look in her eyes that would be impossible for any emotional script to produce.<K>

  Indeed, she is another illegal gynoid containing transferred soul data, one of the five that were created from Kong Taoluo's sister.

<clear>
<background src="B_B">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uԂԂȂ̂͂񂽂A<R ALT="E"></R>B
//ȂɂEƓ
//ȂĂv<k>
"You're one scary bastard, Liu. Why the hell'd you have to make her look like the woman you killed?"<K>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[l`" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>zɎڂtA
//I[_[ChŐ݌v@Bd|̏B
//X邻̊́cc͖S<R ALT="REC[">E</R>̕eA
//킸Č̂B<k>
  Liu has spared no expense for this order-made doll. Her face, tilted in confusion......<K> is identical to that of Kong Ruili.<K>

<bgm src="M09" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<a href="r{2_2">
