Arknights: Endfield provides more context to the story with an official comic

In Arknights: Endfield, you take the role of the Endmin, short for Endministrator. You're the figure who established the Endfield Industries and the guardian of civilization.

However, your power comes with great cost, as the Endmin must fall into a long slumber periodically. The story of Arknights: Endfield begins with your awakening after 10 years of hibernation. The long sleep not only leaves you dazed, but also with a temporary memory loss.

Of course, as the protagonist, everyone knows the Endmin, but your "memory loss" means you don't know anyone. However, as you progress through the story and read bits of lore around Talos-II, you'll slowly build up the story piece by piece, constructing a clearer picture of the state of the world.

Return to 12 years ago, long before the Endmin's recent awakening

Arknights: Endfield's developer released an official comic called "The Promise," which provides more backstory into what happened with the Endmin. Of course, as the face of the game, the first comic is centered around Perlica, who, in the current timeline, acts as the supervisor of Endfield Industries.

12 years ago, Perlica was not the grown lady we know now, but rather a child who was saved by the Endmin. Due to her talent with machinery, the Endmin takes her to Dijiang to learn more about the Endfield Industries.

Back then, the organization was still developing the Automated Industry Complex, also known as the AIC. Even as a child, Perlica manages to show her intelligence, helping the development of the system.

2 years later, the Endmin falls into slumber after attempting to stabilize the northern region. This leaves Perlica feeling lost for a while, before she becomes determined to complete the AIC development.

Finally, after 10 years passed, the Endmin returned, with Perlica completing the AIC project, just as the Endmin wished.

You can read the full comic on the official Endfield website.