Upon their arrival at Krew's place, Roter accidentally bumps into a soldier who then tries to apprehend Roter.
Red steps in.
Red: Cease the fight immediately and retreat, that's an order.
Soldier: Yes, Commander.
Krew: The Baron sends his goons to harass me, huh? Assault! Tax evasion! Everyone wants a piece of me, oh my! Anyway, I have a new job for you.
Brutter, a colleague of mine, works with me in the Forced Labor Market.
Roter: You mean in slave trading?
Krew: I prefer the term "freedom-challenged." The lowest labor force in the city is the Lurkers. Brutter pays me well for my help in freeing Lurkers and safely escorting them out of the city. Ah, it warms my heart to help the needy... and I need his money! Here's a weapon bonus for you. The Krimzon Guard is currently transporting three Lurkers to one of the Baron's "projects" outside the city. Ambush the transports and bring the three Lurkers to Brutter's jewelry stand in the Bazaar.
Roter and Red head out.
Roter: Is that okay with you?
Red: What?
Roter: That we're ambushing your people? What we're about to do is illegal!
Red: Oh, it's fine. I'm only in the Guard because of my father. I don't care about the law and the people there. But I should change clothes so I won't be recognized.
Red briefly leaves to change, and the two set off. They ambush the transports one by one, using their skills to overpower the guards and free the Lurkers. The two work perfectly as a team, each knowing exactly what to do. After successfully ambushing the last transport, they have freed all the Lurkers and given them a chance to escape captivity. The Lurkers are relieved and grateful for their rescue. With the freed Lurkers in tow, Red and Roter return to Brutter. He welcomes them with open arms and is delighted by their success.
Brutter: Big red warrior! You've done great things for Brutter and the Lurker people!
Brutter kisses Roter. Red seems slightly jealous.
Roter: Ugh, yuck! Stay away from me, got it?!
Brutter: Oh, sorry... Brutter won't forget. Brutter will make it up to you. You'll see!
Roter and Red drive back to Krew, who is flying around in his hideout, inspecting his art collection. He has a nostalgic look in his eyes.
Krew: Many years ago, when I was still a "collector of art," I borrowed the famous statue of Mar, the founder of Haven City... um... from this museum. The statue held the city's Ruby Key, an artifact of unparalleled beauty... and of course, tremendous value, huh? As I smuggled the gigantic statue through the sewers, a murderous storm brought in a massive tidal wave. The statue and five of my best men were swept away!
Red: How terrible.
Krew: Yes, a terrible loss. I miss the statue terribly! Because of all the water and the Metal Skulls, I can't find anyone willing to go down and retrieve the artifact. But you, Roter, you're special! You can do it! Now go down there, drain the sewers, and find the statue. Bring me the Ruby Key, and it will unlock unimaginable, fantastic possibilities for us, huh?!
Red and Roter stand at the door, exchanging glances.
Roter: Why are you still here,
by the way?
Red: Well, your comrades are still out there, aren't they? I think I'll keep you company until they return. One should never embark on such missions alone.
Roter: Even though I could handle it alone, don't complain to me about the stench then.
Red and Roter made their way to the sewers. As they walked along the dark and dirty passages, they turned cranks to drain the water.
In the meantime, they took the opportunity to get to know each other better.
Roter: So, why did you join the Underground anyway? You're Praxis' daughter, right?
Red: Yes, I am. At first, I thought my father was doing the right thing. I trained and studied diligently every day to join the Krimzon Guard. And so it happened. But on my 18th birthday, I was invited to a meeting of the elite soldiers. What I heard there was terrible. It was about the city now known as the dead city. The Metal Heads were attracted to an energy source and overran the city. Instead of intervening and helping, my father gave up on that part and left all the residents to die. As I wandered aimlessly through the city, I met Torn. He showed me a way I could help the city. So, I dyed my hair red and joined the Underground.
Roter: So, that's how it was.
As they continued navigating through the sewers and overcoming obstacles, they finally reached the location where the statue of Mar was presumed to be. They had succeeded in draining the water and clearing the way.
They took the Ruby Key from the statue.
Red: This place just stinks. Can we please leave?
Roter: What did I tell you before we set out?
Red: Yeah, yeah...
Roter and Red eventually returned to Krew's hideout, but they didn't find him there. He seemed to be absent, and the mood in the room was somber.
Roter sighed in frustration and turned to Red. "Red, you can go home now. I'll rest and wait for my comrades."
Red hesitated for a moment, then replied, "My instinct tells me I should stay with you until they return. It could be dangerous to be alone."
Roter frowned and replied, "Oh man..." He couldn't ignore Red's determination and eventually gave in.
An hour passed, and finally, Sick and Zack returned. Roter and Red spoke with Tess and Sig about their experiences. Suddenly, Sick rushed to the bar, panting, "We're back! We destroyed the Baron's big drill. Many enemies stood in our way, but we defeated them all. However, the drill was the least of our problems. There was also an elite soldier on-site, probably number 3."
Roter asked, "And?! Did you defeat him?"
Sick slowly shook his head and replied, "No, he completely destroyed us... The only condition for us to leave was to come here and tell you about it. But we got a jetboard!"
Red interjected and explained, "Hmm, yes. That's how number 3 has always been. He thinks highly of himself and knows when he's stronger. He's probably after Roter, apparently he knows that you belong to him. He wanted Roter to find out about him."
Sick: What are you doing here, sweetheart?
Red: I had a date with Roter and stayed.
Zack: A DATE?!
Roter quickly reacted, "Hey, what are you saying?! It wasn't a date!"
Sick grinned mischievously, "Oh my dear Roter... was that your reason for sending us alone?"
Roter tried to justify himself, "Well, in a way, yes, but also not really!"
Sick: So, you left us for a girl?!
"What was that?!" Tess and Red exclaimed almost synchronously and agitatedly in the room.
Sick: It's all good
, I didn't mean it like that.
Red: I hope so, for your sake.
Sig intervened to calm the mood and said, "At least you were able to destroy the drill, that was the mission, right?"
Sick: Yeah... but now we have to keep digging without the machines. Only with tools.
Tess: You guys did well!
Sick: I know, thanks.
Sig said with an attentive look, "Interesting story, Goldilocks. Someone like you is just right for a dangerous task. Battle Metal Heads have been sighted here in the Haven Forest! These monsters are specially camouflaged and hard to spot, but with your 'drill' skills, you can handle it for sure. Go into the forest and take care of them!"
Roter and the group resolutely set off for the Haven Forest. Along the way, Roter noticed that Red was still there.
Roter: Red, weren't you supposed to leave?
Red looked at Roter seriously and replied, "Yes, but Battle Metal Heads are very dangerous. You guys could use all the help you can get."
Roter looked thoughtful. "After this mission, though, you'll be gone."
Red sighed slightly. "Man... okay, okay."
Sick grinned mischievously. "Let her be, Roter. It's always nice to have a hot companion."
"Can we send Sick forward? He could use a lesson in respecting women," Red countered with a furrowed brow.
Zack laughed in agreement. "I wouldn't mind that."
Suddenly, Red warned with a serious expression, "We're being followed."
Roter looked surprised at Red. "So, you noticed it too."
"You knew?" Red nodded and confirmed.
Roter nodded again and explained, "Yes, but we can't do anything about it right now. Let's pretend we don't notice. I bet he'll reveal himself when we've defeated the Metal Heads to attack us when we're weakened."
Red smiled triumphantly and said, "See? I told you that you could use all the help."
Zack: Thanks to you.
The group reached the Haven Forest, but there was nothing to be seen.
Sick: Shouldn't there be Metal Heads here?
"You idiot, Sig meant they are camouflaged, like invisible," Zack replied understandingly.
Sick couldn't believe it and stammered in desperation, "Then how are we supposed to take them down?!"
Roter stepped forward and calmly explained, "We need to search and sense them. I sense two in front."
Red: And one to the left behind.
"How can you do that?!" Sick couldn't believe it.
"Krimzon training," Roter and Red replied simultaneously after exchanging a brief glance.
Zack: Okay, it makes sense that Red underwent that training, but you, Roter?
Roter sighed slightly and answered, "I was forced into it."
"Torn said you were a prisoner," added Sick.
Roter: Sort of. But I can explain it to you later.
The group continued bravely fighting against the Metal Heads until it eventually became dark.
"Guys, I think we should set up camp and continue tomorrow," Zack suggested. "Fighting camouflaged enemies in the dark is not ideal, especially when we don't know how many are left."
"You're right, I thought about that too," agreed Red.
Red took a capsule out of her pocket.
Sick: What's that?
Red explained, "A Krimzon capsule. It contains a small camp."
Zack: Interesting.
Red continued, "It's for when we have missions outside the city walls and need to set up a camp."
The team set up a camp and sat around the campfire.
Zack: So, Roter, now would be the perfect moment to tell us about your Krimzon training.
Roter looked skeptically at the group and asked, "Do I have to?"
Sick energetically replied, "Yes!"
Red agreed and added, "Definitely!"
"Well... I was technically a prisoner, but also not really. The Baron used me as a test subject for the Dark Warrior Program," Roter explained.
Roter sat down and began to tell the story, "The Dark Warrior Program is designed to give the user god-like powers with the help of Dark Eco. However, it's very risky, as Dark Eco is extremely dangerous to the human body. Only a few chosen ones, including myself, were pumped full of Dark Eco. To prepare our bodies for it, we were trained and trained in the Krimzon Guard. But all the other subjects of the Dark Warrior Program died, only I survived."
Breathing heavily, Roter continued, "The Dark Warrior Program is also responsible for me sometimes losing control and transforming into this Dark form. I will never forgive Baron Praxis... I will get my revenge on him."
Red hugged Roter and spoke comfortingly, "But now everything is fine because you have friends and comrades who support you and are there for you. You will never have to go through something so terrible again."
"Pretty tough, Roter," Sick commented impressed.
"Yes! Let's kick the Baron's ass!" Zack exclaimed determinedly.
"Even though he's my father, I'll help you!" Red declared.
Roter tried to protest, but Red lightly tapped his arm.
"Ouch!" Roter exclaimed in surprise.
Zack: Alright, who's taking the night watch?
Red: Roter and I!
Roter: What?!
"Perfect! Have fun, you two!" Sick grinned.
Sick and Zack went into the tent, leaving Red and Roter alone.
Red sat down next to Roter and started a conversation, "Do you think the war will end soon?"
"I don't care about the
war," Roter replied emotionlessly.
Red: So, you're only fighting for revenge against my father?
Roter nodded determinedly, "Exactly. I have nothing left. This man took everything from me."
Red sympathized and offered, "I'm sorry. When the war is over... I can help you start a new life as a citizen."
Roter was unsure, but when he looked at Red with an insulted gaze, he finally gave in, "Alright..."
"Yay!" Red exclaimed with joy.
10 minutes later...
Roter asked, "By the way, why are you helping me like this... I don't under-"
Red had fallen asleep and leaned against Roter.
"H-hey...!" Roter stammered in surprise. "Oh man."
Two hours passed in the darkness of the night.
Sick broke the silence and asked, "Don't you want to get some sleep too? I can take over if you want."
Roter shook his head. "No thanks, I don't sleep anyway."
"Alright then," Sick replied.
During the journey, Red thought about the events of the previous night and blushed.
After a few hours, Roter and Red no longer sensed any threat.
"That must have been the last one," Roter concluded.
Red disagreed, "No... there's one more."
Sick shouted into the silence, "SHOW YOURSELF ALREADY, YOU SPY!"
Nr. 3 stepped out of the shadows and said, "So, you've discovered me."
Roter countered, "No, we knew from the beginning that you were following us."
Nr. 3: Not bad. I can understand why Praxis wants to get rid of you. But what I don't understand is why you're helping our enemy, Commander.
Red: I only owe him something and helped him on the mission.
Nr. 3 smiled. "Very interesting. I wonder what your father will say when he finds out that you're helping our enemy."
Red: You won't say anything to my father, understood?
Nr. 3: Apologies, but I have my orders, Commander.
Roter: So, we have to take you down here and now.
Nr. 3: I won't fight you here, of course. I wouldn't stand a chance against four of you. We'll meet again soon.
Nr. 3 vanished before the others' eyes.
Zack: How did he do that?!
Red: Teleportation.
Sick: Wait, what?!
As they left the Haven Forest, Red said her goodbyes and went home.
On the way back, Roter received a call from Brutter.
Brutter informed him that he had a rare artifact at his home in the swamp area and Roter could have it if he came to pick it up.
Roter flew there with Sick and Zack. However, when he picked up the artifact, he was surprised by Nr. 3.
Nr. 3 arrived with an army of soldiers to arrest all three of them.