Chapter 290: Anamnesis [1]
The curtains closed.
In the moment they did, the audience area turned extremely quiet. The sound of heavy breathing echoed amidst the silence as all eyes remained fixed on the stage.
"How is... everyone doing?"
Taking deep and steady breaths, the Section Chief looked around.
His face turned grim when he saw that several of his members had passed out. Despite the barrier that they had managed to set up, the numerous equipment that they had used to dampen sound, the sound still managed to filter through and get to their minds.
"Menders, please handle the situation."
With everything being said, however, the situation was still not dire.
They had yet to suffer any casualties from their side. This was good. However, the fact that a lot of the members were currently struggling to maintain their consciousness was not good.
They had only just cleared the first part.
There was still a second part to come.
Thinking about the second part, the Section Chief’s expression turned grim.
’At the rate that we’re sustaining ourselves, it won’t be long until the entire squad falls apart.’
The Section Chief turned his attention towards Team Leader Sanders. It was obvious from her pale face and trembling body that she wouldn’t be able to sustain the barrier for much longer. Even with his help.
He had to quickly think of another way before the scenario started again.
"...Se... section Chief."
"Yes?"
Turning his head, the Section Chief looked at Kyle. His complexion was relatively pale, and his breathing was rough, but he was still hanging on as a Mender stood behind him, carefully helping him recover.
Taking a few deep breaths, Kyle mumbled a few words.
"That’s... ha...."
"What? I can’t hear you?"
"I..."
Pausing for a moment, Kyle looked at the Team Leader before pressing his lips and looking back at the Section Chief with a resolute expression.
"...Me."
"Hm?"
"You can amplify me. I can... take her role."
The Section Chief’s lips parted for a moment, but the words that were about to come out of his mouth stopped completely.
That’s...
He looked at Kyle again. He wanted to reject him directly, but then he thought about his Decree and realized that if the Team Leader couldn’t keep up any longer, the next best alternative was him.
The Section Chief’s expression turned complex at the realization.
While on one hand, he wanted to agree, on the other, he thought about Kyle’s current condition and had second thoughts about it. Kyle, while strong, was still only at the Fourth Order. He was close to reaching the Fifth Order, but he was still not there yet.
He was unsure if he’d be able to protect everyone present.
But before the Section Chief could fully think about the situation, something in his pocket vibrated.
"....?"
He raised his hand at Kyle, telling him to hold on for a moment before taking out a small walkie-talkie. The moment he looked at it, his expression changed as he turned his attention towards the other groups.
—All... the agents that we’ve sent to directly interfere with the performance have died. There’s no way to get in. The second part is about to begin, and I’m sure it’s going to be even more difficult.
A somber voice echoed from the walkie-talkie as the Section Chief’s grip over it tightened.
The walkie-talkie fell silent for the next few seconds.
Until—
—...It looks like we’ll have to cooperate.
***
"Haa... Haa..."
My chest rose and fell as the curtains drew to a close. My entire body was soaked in sweat, and my vision was shaky. I could hardly keep focused as I looked at the blood-stained keys in front of me.
"T-that’s..."
A lot of the keys were stained in my own blood. I hadn’t even realized the situation was so bad until the pain finally kicked in and I stifled out a groan.
’I don’t know if I have much left in me.’
The hypnosis was entirely gone, and I could only rely on myself. The conductor had pushed my body to the utmost limit.
"H-haa..."
Taking another deep breath, I tried my best to calm down.
I knew my part was set to come. I needed to be clear-headed for it.
’Just another... push. Anoth—’
"Not bad."
"....!?"
A hoarse, almost brittle voice whispered from behind me, causing the air on my body to rise as my back stiffened.
"You were somehow able to keep up. You have... exceeded my expectations."
Despite the praise, I didn’t feel great at all. In fact, I felt like my entire body had been soaked in a pool of cold water, plunging me deeper and deeper into it.
’No, calm down. Calm down.’
I didn’t look back, but I didn’t really need to. I could see right from the reflection of the piano.
In its reflection, I saw it standing there. Behind me.
Its face bent at an unnatural angle, lips curling wider than they should have, eyes gleaming with a certain glint that made my skin crawl. The conductor’s form wavered in the reflection, distorting slowly, as though the piano itself rejected the thing it was forced to show.
But eventually, a long and sickly hand pressed against my shoulder.
My entire body tensed.
"...Are you ready?"
The Conductor’s soft voice whispered into my ears.
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t reply. I swallowed nervously while training to maintain my composure.
"You’ve managed to pass the first part. The next part will be the most important part. I’m hoping to see something amazing from you. I... No."
The Conductor shook its head, its voice lowering.
"I am expecting perfection." It whispered, my spine tingling as its voice reached my ears. Sweat continued to pour down from the side of my face as I swallowed once again, trying my best to quell the rapid beat of my own heart.
What followed was a brief moment of silence.
One that seemed to last for an eternity.
But then—
"Time’s up. I am looking forward to seeing your performance."
Pulling its hand away from my shoulder, the floor groaned under the conductor’s movement as it moved back to the podium, facing the red curtains. As it did, it raised its hand, displaying the baton in all its glory.
Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!
My heart raced rapidly. So loud that it was all I could hear.
Eventually, the curtains drew open, and the weight of the stares returned to me once more.
My heart raced even more.
In that moment, it felt like the eyes of the entire world were on me.
No, that was most likely the case.
A tremendous pressure weighed down on me at the thought. However, I didn’t get much of a chance to think about it as I saw a subtle movement from the conductor.
My hands hovered over the keys.
And as the conductor’s hand was just about to move down, my node churned.
[Intermediate Node : Anamnesis]
My vision darkened.