Arknights: Mobile City

[Memory Incinerator]?

What's this supposed to be? Something like a [Concept Incinerator]? Doesn't quite seem like it…

Obsidian curiously opened up the introduction for the newly-drawn technology—a rare gesture for him. After carefully reading through it, he closed the interface with a thoughtful nod.

It was actually quite simple once renamed properly:

[Memory Erasure].

It was essentially a specialized version of the [Concept Incinerator]. The original [Concept Incinerator] was overly broad, incinerating entire concepts indiscriminately. In contrast, this technology was significantly more precise.

By providing enough energy, it could accurately erase specific memories from an individual's mind…

Compared to the [Concept Incinerator], each had its advantages and drawbacks, he supposed.

After a moment of contemplation, Obsidian reached this conclusion.

With memory erasure technology, many tasks would undoubtedly become simpler.

"It certainly has its uses…and significantly enhances our Singularity's confidentiality."

"But what I really need right now is something that can rapidly improve The City's combat power…"

Obsidian tapped his finger lightly on the table, muttering quietly to himself.

After all, a key purpose of this recruitment trial was to strengthen The City's overall capabilities. Some participants would ultimately be assigned to [EGO] extraction work.

Once equipment and technology improved, Obsidian would feel more confident dealing with the dangerous Outskirts and the even more terrifying Great Lake.

It would be ideal if he could directly draw such combat-focused upgrades from the [Well], but unfortunately, it wasn't always that easy.

Obsidian rubbed his temples, contemplating ways to further enhance The City's strength, before shifting his focus back to the ongoing examination.

Speaking of which…who exactly stole those glowing rods from the [Dreaming Current]?

Obsidian frowned slightly, puzzled by this mystery.

He clearly recalled that the [Dreaming Current] was a gentle Abnormality. Under normal circumstances, what kind of fool would steal something from it?

Unable to immediately think of anyone suitable, Obsidian considered the most logical conclusion:

"Could it be another Abnormality?"

He mulled it over, unable to guess which Abnormality might desire abandoned dreams. But one thing was certain—any creature capable of forcibly taking something from the [Dreaming Current] must be exceedingly powerful.

After a moment of hesitation, Obsidian swiftly decided to have Hai follow Theresa's group, just in case something unexpected happened.

It might be another WAW-class Abnormality… If so, things could become troublesome. I'd better be ready to call Don Quixote at any moment.

---

Meanwhile, Theresa's party was actively helping the [Dreaming Current] locate its lost dreams.

Guided by the glowing rod, they moved forward. But after only two or three hours, they encountered K Corp's security personnel marking the boundary of the testing area. The group paused, exchanging uncertain glances.

They understood exactly what this meant: the examination area ended here.

Yet the glowing rod still pointed forward, clearly indicating that whoever had stolen the dreams had already exited the area.

"Well, seems like that thief slipped away. What now?"

Laurentina stood with her hands on her hips, speaking with mild frustration. Theresa frowned slightly, deep in thought.

"That person—or whatever it is—will likely return. Let's wait around here a little longer. If it doesn't show up by tomorrow, we'll leave it at that."

Moved by a strange sense of empathy for the [Dreaming Current], Theresa made this decision. Kal'tsit naturally supported her.

Laurentina merely shrugged. She didn't have anything better to do anyway, so following along suited her just fine.

They quickly set up a simple camp at a location along the main path toward The Great Lake and began their vigil.

Time slipped slowly by. Night soon fell.

It was during this quiet night that something finally changed.

As the three discussed who should take watch and when, a faint sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent. They all froze, exchanging silent glances.

"I'll go investigate."

After a brief consideration, Kal'tsit volunteered first.

"I don't think it's one of the K Corp people from earlier…maybe it's the thief."

Theresa nodded quietly, extending her senses outward. Just beyond the tent flap, she detected faint traces of emotion…but when she focused on them more closely, Theresa's brow furrowed deeply.

Kal'tsit immediately noticed Theresa's tense expression, knowing it meant something wasn't right.

Approaching Theresa quietly, she listened carefully as Theresa whispered her concerns:

"Be careful. Whoever's out there feels…wrong."

"I barely sense any real emotion—only emptiness, along with some strange, inexplicable craving. I'm not sure what it is, but it's probably another one of those creatures."

Kal'tsit nodded solemnly, then stepped outside, narrowing her eyes cautiously at the figure before her.

It was a person—or rather, something resembling a person. Its movements were unnaturally stiff, mechanical, almost puppet-like. Kal'tsit briefly wondered if it was even human, but her suspicions were confirmed the moment she noticed what it carried.

In its arms were several glowing rods taken from the [Dreaming Current].

Just what kind of being could steal these directly from the [Dreaming Current] itself?

Kal'tsit couldn't immediately imagine the answer.

But before she could step forward, she felt a sudden gust of wind behind her.

Turning quickly, she found herself facing a familiar figure:

Hai.

"Mr. Hai, we meet again," Kal'tsit greeted coolly, quickly regaining her composure.

"…Don't move forward. Don't let that thing notice you."

Hai ignored her greeting completely, instead urgently whispering this warning. Kal'tsit felt puzzled by his behavior—but she didn't have time to question him further.

The stiff, puppet-like figure suddenly turned around, its head swiveling unnaturally as it emitted a mechanical female voice:

"Hello?"