This is a story about Peter from the video game *Metal Gear Solid 2*. Peter was a bomb disposal specialist who failed during a terrorist incident, getting caught in an explosion along with a group of child hostages. All the children died. Only Peter miraculously survived, but the injuries he sustained left him with a permanent disability in his leg, making him unable to walk.
Following this, Peter retired from active duty. He published a book on bomb disposal and began teaching the subject at schools. There, he met a genius boy and became consumed with training him to become an explosives specialist. The boy grew up to become so skilled that he could disarm a nuclear bomb at a young age, but as an adult, he adopted the name "Fatman" and transformed into a terrorist bomber.
An incident occurred where a terrorist organization associated with Fatman barricaded themselves in an offshore facility, planting a massive amount of explosives throughout the complex. Peter, who happened to be there at the time, was taken hostage. The protagonist, a government agent, infiltrated the facility and encountered Peter. As the protagonist moved around the facility to disarm the explosives, Peter provided advice via codec.
However, midway through, it was revealed that those explosives were merely a decoy. The real bomb had been planted in an entirely different location, and there was very little time left before detonation. The protagonist was too far away to make it in time—all hope seemed lost.
Just as it seemed that way, Peter spoke up: "I'm closer, I'll go." The protagonist pointed out, "Aren't you disabled? No matter how close you are, you won't make it in time." That was when Peter made his confession: "Actually, I can walk."
"In fact, I can even run." Peter's supposed aftereffects were actually a complete fabrication. Back during the terrorist incident where he failed to disarm the bomb, Peter had given up when he realized he wouldn't make it in time, abruptly taking evasive action. Thanks to that, he narrowly escaped being blown to pieces, but when he looked up, he saw the gruesome remains of the children scattered all around him.
The feeling that arose in Peter's heart at that moment was "relief." He had actually thought, "I'm glad it wasn't me." To escape that guilt and public criticism, Peter had lied, claiming that the explosion had left him unable to walk.
However, through the protagonist during this current terrorist incident, Peter had regained his former passion, resolving not to run away this time and to fight to the very end. Ignoring the protagonist's attempts to stop him, Peter charged toward the location of the real bomb.
And a few minutes later: Peter: "Damn, I can't disarm it after all." Protagonist: *Facepalm* Peter: "This is the first time I've ever seen a bomb this big and complex. Fatman has completely surpassed me." Protagonist: "Get out of there right now!" Peter: "No, I will stay here until the very end and do everything I can to minimize the blast's power." Protagonist: "I see, it's no good, huh." Peter: "I hate to say this at a time like this, but while it's a complicated feeling, I'm also glad to have been surpassed by my student." Peter: "Well then, see you later..." And with that, the bomb exploded, sending Peter and a corner of the facility to the bottom of the sea.
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