This inconspicuous safe house appeared empty, but faint glimmers in the shadows revealed the presence of AK-12, hidden away. However, someone seemed intent on disturbing this tranquility.

Beep—

M16A1: AR-18 and her team can't enter the city for now. You need to pick up Stevens 520; that's her comm code.

AK-12: DEFY doesn't work with others.

M16A1: ...That woman has what you need.

AK-12: ...Is this why you had me enter Frankfurt and wait here in advance?

M16A1: Exactly. No need for extra words. But, 12, ostrich-like behavior doesn't suit you. This isn't the DEFY I know.

AK-12: DEFY doesn't need to prove anything to anyone.

M16A1: Really? Then what are you afraid of?

AK-12: ...

M16A1: I know you have your plans, but RPK's situation isn't something you can resolve alone.

AK-12: This is DEFY's issue. Outsiders do not need to meddle.

M16A1: No one is trying to stick their nose in, but you don't have to refuse communication with AR-18 out of fear.

AK-12: The word "fear" doesn't exist in my programming.

M16A1: Then what are you avoiding?

AK-12: ...

M16A1: Are you fearing that RPK's betrayal has deeper reasons? Or are you avoiding Ange's death on purpose?

AK-12: …

M16A1: You fear seeing her, seeing that corpse, fearing both wanting to kill her and fearing you'll show mercy?

AK-12: Don't project your AR team's complex emotions onto me. ...I don't generate such overly ornate emotions.

M16A1: Really?

AK-12: I just find it purely disgusting.

M16A1: Wake up. That's not Ange or RPK-16. That's an evil that shouldn't exist in this world.

AK-12: ...You're mistaken, 16. There's no chance I'd show mercy to RPK. The moment I see her again will be her last. And Ange... No one understands better than I do how Ange died! No one knows better! I knew long ago that was just a corpse! The real Ange died a long time ago! Died on the night of the "Muromets" Operation! She died the moment the commander decided to save her! She had many chances to leave, but she refused. She agreed to that experiment! She chose her own death!

M16A1: ...Then you should all the more carry out her last wish. 12, only you can stop what she wanted to prevent. So what are you hesitating about? What are you still avoiding?

AK-12: ...I just find myself disgusting. Disgusted by my past self, my present self, and my future self. The past's incompetence, the present's ugliness, and the future's... disappointment.

M16A1: So, without the body Shaw gave you, you're no longer fit to be DEFY's "Alpha Wolf"?

AK-12: ...

M16A1: You're such a coward. Your entire worth lies in flaunting Shaw's technology around. This mindset isn't worthy of being DEFY's "Alpha Wolf."

Beep— Without waiting for AK-12's response, M16A1 hung up the call.

AK-12: ...

AK-12 looked at her hands, it is no longer that of a doll. It was something from Paradeus, a fusion born from unknown origins.

…

Avernus, Upper Laboratory

RPK-16: 12, this is the body I chose for you. If you want revenge, if you want to leave Avernus, this is your only choice. Because this place will soon be destroyed, and I'm taking Ange with me.

…

To hide her grotesque limbs, she had wrapped them in layers of bandages. But now, AK-12 slowly unraveled the bandages on her arms, like a puppet breaking free from its strings.

AK-12: ...I am the "Alpha Wolf" of DEFY, not a puppet to be controlled. Even if I am a puppet, I will shatter the chains that bind me.