Arknights: Mobile City

She actually came after all…

As she watched W approaching ahead of her, this thought flashed through Kal'tsit's mind. Yet what puzzled her was that W hadn't immediately sought out Theresa—instead, she'd chosen to participate in Lobotomy Corporation's interview.

Did she fail to find Theresa? Thinking back now, Kal'tsit realized she'd accidentally hinted to W about the purpose of their journey. Perhaps W had deduced from that hint that they would attend this very interview…

Numerous possibilities filled Kal'tsit's mind, causing her to release a quiet sigh.

And that Abyssal Hunter…

Kal'tsit glanced again at Laurentina. She still couldn't quite figure out why the Abyssal Hunter had shown up here.

But one thing was certain—everyone had their own reasons for participating in this strange interview.

...

"All chosen participants, please prepare yourselves. We'll soon depart for The Outskirts."

"To those who weren't selected, please don't be discouraged. Lobotomy Corporation will hold a second round of interviews in the future, giving you another chance."

Standing at the center, X calmly announced this news. With disgruntled murmurs, those not selected slowly dispersed. Perhaps someday, they would come to appreciate their failure today…

But for those chosen, there was no turning back.

"Follow me."

X briefly glanced at the one hundred successful candidates, then turned and walked toward a convoy of vehicles alongside Heal. The participants obediently boarded the vehicles, and soon the convoy set off towards The City's outskirts.

Not long afterward, the vehicles stopped at the edge of The Outskirts, engines rumbling quietly before shutting down.

When people disembarked, they saw K Corp security guards forming a perimeter around them, armed with weapons laced with [Disintegration Ampoules]—clearly marking the boundaries of the test zone. Candidates exchanged uneasy glances, silently questioning what exactly Lobotomy Corp was planning.

"As you can see, this is your examination site for the second round."

Stepping forward, X's voice resonated clearly among them.

"The goal is simple. Survive here for three days by any means possible. Within this designated zone are numerous monsters and hidden traps. If you wish to withdraw at any point, you may leave immediately—but doing so will permanently forfeit your chance of joining Lobotomy Corporation."

"You may form groups, but no group may exceed three members. Exceeding this limit will result in the disqualification of your entire group. After three days, Lobotomy Corp will evaluate your performances. Ultimately, we'll recruit only 25 employees."

At this point, X's emotionless voice suddenly rose slightly, acquiring a faint note of irony:

"In short…do your best to struggle and survive in this forsaken corner."

"I hope you all find whatever it is you're seeking here."

With those final words, X turned back to the vehicles, boarding without another glance. Below, the participants stared uneasily at the sprawling unknown territory before them. Someone swallowed nervously.

Evaluating performance… what else could it mean?

Survival skills, combat prowess, adaptability—after all, wasn't the point of any interview to assess one's abilities?

If there truly were monsters here, wouldn't slaying them earn extra points?

Seeing the greed glittering in the eyes of their fellow adventurers, several candidates stepped forward without hesitation.

Then the crowd erupted into madness.

Observing the overwhelming greed among the majority of candidates, Theresa released a soft sigh. She and Kal'tsit quietly started forward, moving at a leisurely pace.

The convoy quietly departed behind them, unnoticed, while the participants rushed headlong into The Outskirts, seeking survival amidst danger.

Watching this scene unfold, Theresa glanced upwards thoughtfully, her mind suddenly filled with doubt.

Exactly what kind of 'performance' are they—The City, Lobotomy Corporation, and even its mysterious leader—truly seeking?

As Theresa pondered this question and moved away, X—now seated in the departing vehicle—lifted the corners of his mouth into a faint smile.

"Ah…such arrogant innocence."

"They'll soon discover The City's Abnormalities aren't easily handled…"

Smiling faintly, X murmured quietly to himself, gazing back at the land teeming with Abnormalities.

...

Unsurprisingly, Theresa and Kal'tsit teamed up together.

After forming their team, the two began wandering through The Outskirts. With their capabilities, they weren't exactly invincible here, but at least their safety wasn't much of an issue in the area Obsidian had selected.

"If we're staying three days, we should find shelter quickly. We have sufficient food and water for now."

Kal'tsit calmly analyzed their situation, but Theresa remained distracted, clearly preoccupied with questions about the test's rules.

Seeing Theresa's absentmindedness, Kal'tsit sighed quietly to herself, continuing forward without further comment.

Time slipped by slowly as they walked. Around midday, Kal'tsit suddenly heard a shrill, terrified scream from nearby.

Soon after, a figure stumbled out from the distance, running desperately towards the original entry point. Blood stained his clothes, and his face was twisted with terror and madness. Theresa snapped out of her thoughts, exchanging a look with Kal'tsit.

"This man's emotions…there's nothing but sheer terror," Theresa whispered softly.

Kal'tsit nodded, following the fleeing figure's direction with narrowed eyes. It was clear the candidate was frantically returning to the starting area.

"But beneath his terror, I sense a strong, desperate hope to survive?" Theresa added quietly after a moment's thought.

Kal'tsit exhaled slowly, collecting her thoughts.

"Given the circumstances, we can be certain something dangerous lies ahead. A monster, perhaps, and likely very deadly."

"Your Highness, should we investigate?"

Kal'tsit lifted her head, meeting Theresa's gaze. Theresa hesitated briefly. As the fleeing figure disappeared into the distance, she thought she saw several smiling K Corp personnel quietly welcoming him back, as if congratulating him…

Perhaps I imagined it.

Theresa shook off the thought and nodded firmly.

"Let's go! We'll check it out."

---

"…"

Meanwhile, at the location from which the candidate had fled, Laurentina grimly observed the scene before her.

Countless beautiful, softly glowing flowers surrounded her, delicate white petals shining gently in the daylight.

Yet Laurentina knew better than to trust their beauty.

These flowers were merely the monster's camouflage.

She was trapped amidst countless blooms, fully aware that hidden among them was one mimic-flower. Touching it would cause the creature lurking beneath the soil to violently burst upward, its jaws snapping shut with devastating power…

This monster was known as the [Meat Lantern].