Arknights: Mobile City

Upon hearing Obsidian's words, Laurentina instinctively narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Obsidian merely shrugged.

"Believe it or not. Either way, I've laid my cards on the table. If you're not satisfied, I can just take this offer back."

That was as far as he was willing to go. Laurentina hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

Seeing her agree, Obsidian stood up without delay and led her to his own small cabin. As she stepped inside and saw the humble furnishings, Laurentina couldn't help but click her tongue in amusement.

"Hard to imagine the master of a City living in something so modest."

"What, were you expecting a palace?"

Obsidian chuckled, then turned and revealed the Well behind him, bowing slightly.

"Go ahead. Toss in the Identity Extraction Voucher. You'll get what I promised."

Laurentina exhaled softly, stepped forward, and casually dropped the voucher into the Well.

Chains clinked and interlocked in the depths once more.

A moment later, a warm orange-red glow rose up before her eyes. When the light faded, a new Identity Card hovered in front of her.

She looked down at the card's artwork.

It was herself—only with a different outfit and entirely unfamiliar tools. On the card, she was smeared with pigments of every color, a brush in hand, lost in the act of painting a wooden sculpture. Her white clothes were stained all over, and she wore a grin—half crazed, half entranced…

Even the sculpture she was painting… just a glance told her it was a good piece.

And along with that image, a strange resonance stirred within her. She felt the pull of this Identity.

After a moment of silence, Laurentina raised the card and pressed it against herself.

Her eyes slid shut—and in the next breath, her clothes had already transformed. When she opened her eyes again, a shark-toothed smile curved her lips. The way her gaze sharpened, tinged with madness, was unmistakable.

Obsidian remained silent.

Touched by the madness of the identity already? Not surprising.

He glanced briefly at her Identity Card.

[Ringfinger Apprentice — Laurentina]

"Apprentice," huh? She's probably already close to earning the title of Lecturer…

Obsidian clicked his tongue inwardly.

"Hey, Overseer. Got any wood? Gimme a block."

Laurentina turned toward him, voice light and cheerful—oddly so.

"Here you go. How are you feeling?"

Obsidian reached into the void and summoned a block of wood, tossing it to her with a smile.

"Ahhh… I've never felt better. It's like something in my brain just… unlocked. My entire spirit's unchained now. Inspiration's flooding in nonstop—it's so much more complete than before…"

She caught the block with one hand, the mad curl of her lips never fading. After a quick glance around, she reached behind her and pulled out a chainsaw with slight distaste—then began carving the wood.

"Even my technique feels sharper…"

Her hands worked rapidly, and a statue's rough form quickly emerged. Then, she exhaled, releasing the identity's binding.

"You've done me a great favor, Overseer."

"As long as you're satisfied. That identity came from Ringfinger—it's another version of you, one who became an apprentice within the group."

"…How far am I from the master?"

"Worlds apart."

Laurentina went quiet for a moment. In her heart, a quiet longing took root.

"If I ever get the chance to meet that Ringfinger master…"

"One day, you might become one."

Obsidian said it with a meaningful tone.

And Laurentina, sharp as ever, caught the implication with little effort.

"…Got it. I understand. I'll do what I can to help. But—can I get more wood delivered to my place?"

A sly smile played on her lips as she leaned in, one arm slipping around Obsidian's shoulder. Her breath tickled his ear as she asked in a teasing whisper.

Obsidian didn't answer immediately. He merely turned and met her eyes, then gave a single nod.

Satisfied, Laurentina stepped back and gave him a parting wave.

"Then I'll be off for now. Once my radio's fixed, I'll talk to Aegir and coordinate with you."

With that, she exited the cabin.

Obsidian let out a soft breath. As he summoned more wood and had it sent to Laurentina through the City's system, he sank back into thought.

That woman… she's already pretty unhinged. And with the Ringfinger identity added in, she's even more unstable.

If he ever had to send her into battle… Obsidian wasn't entirely sure things wouldn't go off the rails.

"Hah… well, at least this part's done. Now I need to get a real fighter on my side."

Obsidian closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, he reached into the void, drawing forth every Thread he currently owned.

Then he turned his gaze toward Texas's cabin.

Next step… is talking to Texas.

Time to begin preparing her for her third Identity Awakening—specifically, her Thumb Identity.

---

That night, Texas sat in her cabin, spacing out.

She wasn't sure what she should be doing. Obsidian hadn't come to find her these past few days, and frankly, it was getting boring.

There was a certain emptiness to it. Like her hands had nothing left to do.

"Hah… wonder when he'll finally remember me."

She flopped onto the bed, muttering aloud in quiet complaint—then, against her will, cracked a wry smile.

If Obsidian did remember her, it probably meant he had another task for her to take care of.

Still, that wouldn't be so bad.

Right then, someone knocked on her door.

Texas blinked in surprise, quickly sat up, and went to answer it. When she opened the door, Obsidian stood there—dusty and clearly having rushed over.

"Obsidian? It's late. What are you doing here?"

She looked at him in surprise, eyes wide.

"No, seriously—why are you suddenly here? Finally remembered me?"

She broke into a grin, teasing him lightly. Obsidian just gave his usual shrug and smiled.

"Nothing special. Just been dealing with the Pioneer's upgrades. And a new face arrived in the City, so I've been tied up helping her get settled."

As he spoke, for some reason, Texas felt a pang in her chest.

A strange little sting—like she'd been left out.

The feeling was weird. Almost like… a daughter waiting at home while her dad worked late into the night, only to come home and crash, leaving her alone in silence.

Texas quickly shook the thought away, then looked back at him.

"So, what wind blew you over this time?"

She smiled and asked.

"…Let's get straight to it."

Obsidian's tone shifted. He looked her in the eye, serious now.

"Texas—do you want to unlock the third breakthrough of your Identity?"