Second Round of the Family Hierarch Evaluation/Floor 1
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Story: Entry
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
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HONG LU |
O the garden's sorrow-bearer, lamenter at the flower-funeral
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HONG LU |
Flower-rake in hand, teardrops in eyes,
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HONG LU |
You carve bloodstained tears upon branches floral.
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HONG LU |
I heard yesternight from the garden a song of grief,
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HONG LU |
An elegy for a flower and a bird departing.
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HONG LU |
Availed naught to hold the parting spring,
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HONG LU |
Surrendered I become, heeding the endless woe sans relief.
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 | ||
 | ||
who have brought this destruction upon themselves through their grave transgressions. To violate the laws of Hongyuan is no tragedy—as such, it warrants no pity, only humiliation and scorn. This site of history stands as a monument to the inevitability of karma. | ||
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ISHMAEL |
So this… |
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|
ISHMAEL |
… is the annihilated Kong family's… building? |
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HONG LU |
Yes, it is. |
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HONG LU |
And it's no longer in use. |
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SINCLAIR |
So everyone inside this building must’ve been… |
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GREGOR |
……. |
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SINCLAIR |
What… kind of 'transgressions' could they possibly have committed to deserve to be destroyed like this…? |
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OUTIS |
If there was something to lay waste to a building of such magnitude, with such totality, it… cannot have been a mere strife between Syndicates or Fixers. Something must've happened here, nothing less of a war, to leave these ruins behind. |
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HONG LU |
You’re right. It was unusual, even for the City. |
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HONG LU |
And that’s because the Head was here. |
 |
FAUST |
……. |
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SINCLAIR |
The… Head. |
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ISHMAEL |
So the Kong family… broke a Taboo… |
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HONG LU |
… And the Sweepers came to clean up anything that was left behind, to erase any sign of whatever it was that violated the Taboo. |
 |
Host |
Welcome, welcome to round 2 of the Evaluation, brave contestants! |
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|
Host |
As there were numerous complaints regarding the possible partiality issues with our previous host, please understand that I will be taking over as the host with the start of the second round… |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, hold on a minute. Up there, are they… |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Hah… Don’t tell me we’ve got a live audience. |
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FAUST |
It would be reasonable to assume that they are indeed spectators, considering the way the seats are arranged. |
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Host |
There were some unfortunate troubles in the first round, yes, but hey. This is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the Family Hierarch Evaluation live and in person! Is it worth it or what? |
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Host |
We wanted to give as many people as possible the opportunity to witness this history in the making. |
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Host |
Alrighty then! Before we really get the game rolling, please give the contestants a round of applause and cheer! Let them meet this challenge as their best selves! |
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Audience |
YEAAAHHHH!! |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Holy mackerel, what a shitshow. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
They're sittin' on their arses, poppin' popcorn into their mouths while we're stuck shittin' bricks down here? |
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HONG LU |
I'm sure they've been placing bets all night. |
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HONG LU |
Though I doubt many of them bet on us~ |
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RYŌSHŪ |
They'll regret that. |
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ISHMAEL |
By the way… we're still indoors, right? Didn't we descend deep into a basement, even if we did ride a lift upward? How come there's a blue sky above us…? |
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FAUST |
Though this is a practice limited to the affluent class of Hongyuan, many have taken to installing artificial environments within their rooms. In fact, there are several buildings within Daguanyuan decorated in much the same manner. |
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HONG LU |
Yes, the road taken to visit the elders is similarly decorated. Always so sunny and green. |
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HONG LU |
And it feels more like the outside than the actual outside. |
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RODION |
So what's uh… that? |
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HONG LU |
Oh, that's a parasol. |
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RODION |
I-I know what a parasol is, alright…? I'm asking what that old thing is doing there all on its own? |
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HONG LU |
Mm… |
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HONG LU |
A real big shot who brought the Claws watched the whole thing from that seat. |
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HONG LU |
The four houses left the parasol there because… |
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HONG LU |
… they wanted it to be a lasting reminder. A warning for the remaining houses, too. |
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SINCLAIR |
Reminder? … Reminder for what? |
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HONG LU |
That we mustn't seek what is not permitted to us. |
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HONG LU |
That we should know our place, live the life we deserve, and part from this world the way we deserve. |
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HONG LU |
… Said the elders. |
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HONG LU |
Shall we enter, now? |
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DANTE |
<I know you said you heard it all from the family elders, but…> |
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DANTE |
<… you saw everything that happened here, didn't you? All of it.> |
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HONG LU |
……. |
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HONG LU |
Yes, I probably did. |
Artifact
Gained upon entering the Dungeon.
 |
The Memory of Kong Family Annihilation Hong Lu's Uptie and Threadspin Tiers rise to Tier 4 'Remember the day ruin came to the Kong family, who have brought this destruction upon themselves through their grave transgressions. To violate the laws of Hongyuan is no tragedy—as such, it warrants no pity, only humiliation and scorn. This site of history stands as a monument to the inevitability of karma.' |
Floor Map
Loading scripts
Story Episodes
Three Coins
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Host |
… Which means that the results of the second round of the Family Hierarch Evaluation, will become the final results of the event! In other words, the contestant who comes first place in this round… |
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|
Host |
… will become our next! Honored and venerable! Hierarch! |
 | ||
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Host |
Aha! As I speak, I have just been informed that the candidates have all arrived safely to their starting positions. |
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Host |
Now, are you ready to get round 2 rollin'?! |
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DON QUIXOTE |
AYE—!!!!! |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Ahem… Now, what must be done? |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Whack the first bastard we see, what else? This is s'posed to be a simple battle after battle, innit? |
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Host |
Oh my~ |
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Host |
Looks like we have some hotheaded contestants here, raring to go even before my introductions are complete! |
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Host |
But don't you think it would be helpful for you to hear the full set of rules and regulations before getting into the game? |
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ISHMAEL |
… You heard her. |
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Host |
Dear candidates, please inspect the area near your entrance points to locate a bundle of coins with a rope threaded through them. |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Oho… this must be what the voice speaketh of! |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Mm… pray, what might be the purpose of these round curiosities? |
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RODION |
Mon… money? Hey, there's that familiar jingle-jangle! Maybe it's some sorta local currency? |
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ISHMAEL |
Guys… the host just told us to let her finish, didn't she? |
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Host |
And now, those coins have just become the most important things in the world. Wanna know why, friends~? |
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Host |
… That's because, from this very moment, these coins represent how much life each of the candidates have left! Lifetokens, if you will! |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Heeugh…! Th-thou must make haste and take these tokens of life, young Hong Lu! T-thy life dependeth on thee! |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Lemme see that, lass. Hm… these look like coins, but aren't actual cash. So how are these 'lifetokens' again? |
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Host |
By now you must be wondering something like "So how are these 'lifetokens' again?", and you would be absolutely right to ask that question! |
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Host |
Allow me to now explain the rules of the second round of the Family Hierarch Evaluations. |
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Host |
Each candidate must keep their coins secured by the rope threaded through them and attach the bundle to their waists. |
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Host |
Hiding them, swallowing them, hanging only some of them on your waist and keeping the rest in your pockets… basically, any behavior that does not allow them to be on full display at all times is cause for disqualification! |
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OUTIS |
Disqualification… |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Oi! Take this rope, now! Quit faffin' about and tie it 'round your waist! |
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SINCLAIR |
Weren't you the one who snatched it away…? |
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Host |
Each of you have been given three coins at the start of the game. If you lose all of your coins, you will be immediately eliminated! |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Y-young Ishmael!!! Thou must tie the, uh, the Des-Desperate's Knot upon the bundle of coins! Never let this knot be undone! |
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ISHMAEL |
Yep, working on it already… |
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HONG LU |
Ahaha, I don't think there's any need to hurry~ |
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Host |
In the second round, you will have a total of two hours to collect as many coins as you can! Might wanna get on with it, because the candidates' rankings will be decided by the number of coins they each have! |
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HONG LU |
Aha~ So that's how I'm supposed to hang it. |
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OUTIS |
Ohoh! Be careful with that! |
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ISHMAEL |
Relax. Short of a sword cutting through, it's staying put. I've seen to that. |
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Host |
Let the second round of the Hierarch Evaluation commence! |
Temporary Alliance
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
ISHMAEL |
It's one thing to keep our coins as safe as possible from any candidates we might come across, but… |
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|
ISHMAEL |
… it also means that our only means of gaining more coins is by taking them from the other candidates. |
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OUTIS |
Good point. Unless we're informed of a new rule mid-game, we must also prioritize taking as many coins as we can from the other candidates. |
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ISHMAEL |
Yeah, the host said that our ranks are decided by how many coins we have. |
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FAUST |
The subject of the first round of the Hierarch Evaluation has been an open secret for a long time. |
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FAUST |
To find a clue toward freedom from aging and death. |
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FAUST |
However, the only information that has been made public regarding the second round of the evaluation is that it will be a martial contest. |
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FAUST |
Indeed, there may be secret rules or rules that the host has intentionally neglected to reveal to us. However, it is of high likelihood that, in terms of informational advantage, all participants in this game are equally underequipped. |
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FAUST |
This leads to the prediction that, should we engage in our usual form of confused brawls… |
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|
FAUST |
… we should at least place somewhere in the middle of the pack. |
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RODION |
Aw, don't be such a downer, Fau! We gotta make it to the top two at least to get what we came here for~! |
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SINCLAIR |
Well, at least we're not under attack… yet… |
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OUTIS |
No enemy movements detected… yet… |
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GREGOR |
Not sure if it's a good thing, but… at least the huge size of this building means that we won't be running into other candidates left and right. |
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RYŌSHŪ |
… Peeping machines. They're everywhere. |
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Host |
Mm~ I'm seeing some people making threatening gestures at the cameras up here, but… please be informed of this rule: you break a camera, you pay up with a coin of your own! |
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GREGOR |
… I'm pretty sure she just made up that rule. |
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HONG LU |
Ah, we should be able to keep moving by following this hallway. |
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ISHMAEL |
Hong Lu, you've been here before, haven't you…? |
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HONG LU |
I have. But I don't suppose any other candidates have. Oh, except big brother Qiu, maybe. |
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HONG LU |
Besides, anyone who's ever set foot in here's already… |
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HONG LU |
Mm, at least we won't have to worry about getting lost, so that's nice~ |
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GREGOR |
He was absolutely about to spill something before he decided to bite his tongue, right? |
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RODION |
So guys, I… have this weird sinking feeling that I just can't seem to shake. |
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RODION |
Daguanyuan… that place was huge, right? Like stupidly huge, right? |
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RODION |
Like, think about it. We chatted a while on that Palanquin before we got anywhere near Hong Lu's room. |
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ISHMAEL |
Yeah, apparently they have deer frolicking in the garden, a whole lake to themselves… |
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RODION |
Right! So why are they holding the Family Hierarch Evaluation at some creepy abandoned building like this when they've got more than enough space to spare there? |
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RYŌSHŪ |
Simple. Art deserves an exhibition of equal extravagance. |
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RODION |
Okay, but why? Why drag us all the way out here? It's almost like… they're trying to show us something. |
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GREGOR |
Show us what? |
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??? |
The pride and glory of Daguanyuan. And the cautionary tale of the house of the Kong family. |
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??? |
So that the prospective Hierarch and the other candidates would be reminded of their downfall. |
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OUTIS |
……. |
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OUTIS |
We weren't asking you, intruder. Here to ambush us? |
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??? |
Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not here to fight you guys. |
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??? |
Saw you guys earlier, back during the first round. |
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??? |
I also saw that interesting healing method of yours. I'm guessing that's what you used to get past the first round of the Hierarch war. |
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ISHMAEL |
… Do you know this guy, Hong Lu? |
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HONG LU |
Um… nope. But I think he's from the Wang family, though I haven't exchanged many words with him before. |
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Wang Zhao |
Wang Zhao. Not surprised that you don't know who I am. |
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Wang Zhao |
It's not like I gave you much chance to get to know me… I was always the type to prefer sitting in my room and passing the time reading books. |
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DANTE |
<If he's not here to fight… is he here to make an alliance?> |
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GREGOR |
Hah… Listen here, fella. We're not here to make any friends, alright? We've had enough bad experiences with it as is. |
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Wang Zhao |
Yeah, totally. I get you guys. I'm not here to make an alliance, either. I just thought that maybe we could at least travel together, given that our goals don't seem to clash. |
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Wang Zhao |
I'm not actually here looking to become the next Hierarch. My goal is, uh, how should I put this… |
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Wang Zhao |
… more like wanting to become a |
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Wang Zhao |
Let me give you a demonstration. Catch. |
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DANTE |
<…!> |
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RODION |
Dang! Nice catch, Meur! |
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MEURSAULT |
Mm. |
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DANTE |
<This is…?> |
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SINCLAIR |
Is this a r-real coin? One of those life tokens or whatever…? |
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Wang Zhao |
Feel free to bite into it if you don't believe me. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, bite into it! |
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FAUST |
… That method of material discernment is ineffective for coins not made from soft metals such as gold. |
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SINCLAIR |
Why would you just… |
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SINCLAIR |
Are you sure this is a good strategy? |
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Wang Zhao |
Hm, well… |
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Wang Zhao |
I'm sure our dear host has something to say about that. |
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Host |
Aha, a candidate has willingly handed over his coin to another! |
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Host |
Yes, of course! The candidates are permitted to trade coins and favors amongst each other without necessarily having to take them by force. You may use it to convince others to do your bidding, or use them to formulate various other strategies. |
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MEURSAULT |
Then the decision to use coins as representation of tokens is symbolically appropriate. |
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DANTE |
<The host doesn't immediately catch on to what's going on, huh? It took her a moment to react to what Ryōshū was doing in front of that camera, too.> |
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OUTIS |
A highly discerning observation, Executive Manager. It appears that she chimes in to add commentary based on the actions of each candidate. |
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FAUST |
… It is to keep the audience informed on the actions of the candidates. |
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Wang Zhao |
I knew it. |
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Wang Zhao |
We don't have to take the coins by force, after all. |
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SINCLAIR |
So… um… would you like to have this back, now? |
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Wang Zhao |
Don't worry about it. Consider it my token of appreciation for helping me figure out the game. |
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ISHMAEL |
Sure… thanks for the coin, I guess… But are you sure it's a good strategy to just give away your coin like that? |
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Wang Zhao |
Probably not, if my goal was to come in first place. … But like I said earlier, I'm more of a prey animal than a predator. |
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Wang Zhao |
Prey animals like myself have to remain highly aware of our surroundings and observe. And once you get good enough at that… you'll see which of the prospective candidates should hold the most coins. |
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Wang Zhao |
And that's my strategy. |
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RODION |
Ooh… and that's us, huh? Are ya saying that we're the team that deserves to hold the highest number of coins? |
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RODION |
Mhmm, hmm… hey, I'm starting to feel pretty optimistic! Gee, it's real refreshing to finally have someone recognize us like this, ya know? |
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OUTIS |
He's trying to butter us up. This man is just another boring old wheedling schemer. |
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GREGOR |
Still… we're already at four coins right from the get-go. I'd say it's a good start, huh? |
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SINCLAIR |
We might actually end up coming in first place at this rate. |
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Wang Zhao |
So… what do you say? Informational advantage can be a pretty significant variable this early in the game. |
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Wang Zhao |
I follow you, seek my chances and feel out the game, while you gain information. |
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Wang Zhao |
It's a win-win, right? We both get what we want, and we'll go our separate ways when the time is right. |
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SINCLAIR |
W-what should we do? I don't think he looks… agile enough to stab us in the back and steal our coins. |
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ISHMAEL |
I think he makes a decent case. It's not like he's offering us an alliance out of the blue… Like he said, I think it's a nice win-win strategy for both parties. |
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OUTIS |
The decision is yours, Executive Manager. It does not seem like he has any ulterior motives… Perhaps we could use our superior numbers to demand more coins from him in return for letting him accompany us. |
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MEURSAULT |
A net profit of one additional coin has already been secured. If alliance with this individual causes you concern, it would be a rational choice to simply cut ties while we are ahead. |
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DANTE |
<Hmm…> |
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DANTE |
<Any thoughts on this, Hong Lu?> |
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HONG LU |
I think they all sound pretty nice! |
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DANTE |
<… Let's accept his offer. Outis, please keep an eye out for any signs of betrayal.> |
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OUTIS |
You may place the utmost faith in me to carry out that task, Executive Manager! |
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HONG LU |
Let's do this, Wang Zhao. |
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Wang Zhao |
Okay, Jia Baoyu. Let's. |
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Wang Zhao |
… So, are you still the favorite child of Daguanyuan? |
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HONG LU |
……. |
 | ||
 |
Jia Baoyu |
Um… Umm… Jia… Jia Baoyu extends… his greetings to you… |
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Relative |
Ah… Welcome, little Baoyu. |
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Relative |
It has been a while, Baoyu. |
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Jia Mu |
Answer them, Baoyu. You're a good boy, hm? |
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Jia Baoyu |
… Ookay. |
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Relative |
Still as pretty and lustrous as always. |
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Relative |
He truly is the unchanging, precious jade of Daguanyuan. You must be so happy to have him, venerable Jia Mu. |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 1.] Aha… So he's that Jia Baoyu kid? |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 2.] Really? I thought he'd look… more special, I guess? He's actually pretty unimpressive in person. |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 3.] Oh yeah, mom told me about him. |
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Relative |
Shh, shush, child. You can't just talk to him. |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 4.] Ahh, I think he just looked at me. |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 2.] So why do they all love him so much? |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 3.] Dunno, maybe they painted his insides with gold or something. |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 3.] Must be nice to be loved and coddled by everyone the moment you're born. |
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Relative's Child |
[Voice 2.] But… why does he look so gloomy? |
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Relative |
That child will never suffer once to his dying days. |
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Relative |
Yeah, and I envy him for it, but… I don't know… |
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Relative |
… I don't know why he's such a smileless child… |
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Jia Baoyu |
……. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Uh… ain't these memories for Clockhead's eyes only? Why can we see it, too? |
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DANTE |
<Um… huh? You saw that, too?> |
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FAUST |
It appears that the gradual reconstruction of the Golden Bough is expanding Dante's ability to peer into the fathoms. |
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DANTE |
<Is… is it? I'm not so sure myself.> |
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FAUST |
That is enough for now, Dante. |
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FAUST |
… Perhaps these powers will become controllable in the future, to be used as one sees fit. |
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HONG LU |
Hehe, didn't think this is how I'd be sharing my childhood with everyone. |
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Wang Zhao |
What are you guys all standing around for? Don't tell me your strategy is to sit here and wait for the whole thing to blow over, is it? |
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DANTE |
<…….> |
A Certain Rumor
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
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Wang Zhao |
I've been meaning to ask—are the rumors true? |
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HONG LU |
What rumors? |
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Wang Zhao |
The rumors that Jia Xichun lost her Heishou Pack. |
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Wang Zhao |
Hey, who knows. Tell me something valuable, and I just might hand over another coin. |
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HONG LU |
Unfortunately, I lost touch with Xichun after we arrived at Hongyuan. |
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HONG LU |
So I don't know any details myself. |
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Wang Zhao |
Alright… Okay, I guess we'll see in due time. |
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Wang Zhao |
As you know, losing your Heishou Pack… is a bigger loss than losing a limb. |
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Wang Zhao |
If the rumors are true, then she must be having a pretty hard time out here. |
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SINCLAIR |
Jia Xichun… I wonder if she's doing okay… |
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HONG LU |
She'll be okay, like always. She's a plucky one, after all. |
 | ||
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ISHMAEL |
… Let's head inside. |
Walls, Closing In
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
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GREGOR |
This place… looks like a laboratory. |
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RYŌSHŪ |
There's nothing left. Not even a faint blood fragrance. |
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RYŌSHŪ |
Though I sense a scurrying rat. |
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??? |
A rat…? |
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??? |
Know who you're talking to before you insult them. Who are you? |
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SINCLAIR |
W-we're a different candidate's clan. |
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HONG LU |
Hi, I'm Baoyu of the Jia family. |
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??? |
I thought you had twelve companions, Jia Baoyu… so what's this Wang guy doing here? You've already made an alliance? A thing like you? |
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HONG LU |
Aha, but we're not allies. |
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Wang Zhao |
Doesn't seem like he's buying it. Doubt he ever will. |
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SINCLAIR |
So who is he, Hong Lu? |
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HONG LU |
He's uh… He's… I'm pretty sure he's from the Shi family… So he must be Shi… |
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HONG LU |
Shi… |
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??? |
Ahem… Hua… c'mon, man. Hua… |
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HONG LU |
Ah, thanks for the help~ So he's Shi… Hua… something… |
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??? |
Good, you're getting there. You're getting warmer. Now, let's— |
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ISHMAEL |
What the hell are you guys doing? |
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??? |
……. |
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??? |
Forget it, who gives a shit anyway. |
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|
??? |
If every candidate indeed has the same number of coins… I should prioritize finding weaker candidates like you to steal from. |
|
|
??? |
It's beyond me where you even got the guts to throw your hat in the ring for the Family Hierarch war outta nowhere. |
|
|
??? |
Last I heard, you were roaming the City like some unemployed lout after spending years holed up in Daguanyuan. So what brings you here, huh? Had enough of the City tour? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Luckily, I never had a moment of boredom. I found so many marvelous and interesting things out there. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Like, did you know that there are people out there who sleep in roofless rooms? |
|
|
??? |
Asshole, think you're funny…?! I swear, I'm gonna eliminate you here…! |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
You sure know how to make friends, young master Baoyu. |
Post-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
OUTIS |
Now… hand over your entire coin bundle. Cough it up, I know you don't have many. |
|
|
??? |
But… if you take all my coins, I'll be eliminated… |
|
|
OUTIS |
Yes, exactly. Are eliminated candidates subject to summary execution here? |
|
|
??? |
T-that wasn't a rule… |
|
|
Host |
Looks like some candidates have finally had some exciting run-ins with one another! |
|
|
Host |
As a reminder, the goal of this game is to collect as many coins as possible within the given time limit. |
|
|
Host |
Sure, cooperation and alliances are all well and good, but when negotiations go up in smoke, might becomes a pretty reliable fallback plan. |
|
|
Host |
Don't you worry, though! The shadows of Hongyuan hiding in the corners of the arena will safely guide any coinless candidate out of the building. |
|
|
Host |
Oh, by the way—resisting them is kind of a terrible idea. I heard they're faster to act than to talk. |
|
|
FAUST |
They must have placed the Heishou here. |
|
|
??? |
W-what the hell, that's bullshit! |
|
|
Host |
Of course, if you've lost more than your coins… your life, for example… I suppose the Heishou'll be escorting your corpse out of here instead. Ha ha ha! |
|
|
OUTIS |
… You heard her. Would you like to have your corpse escorted out, or would you rather leave on your own accord? |
|
|
??? |
Fine… my coins are yours. Take them all… |
|
|
Host |
Aha, a candidate from the Shi family has been eliminated from the game. What an overwhelmingly dominating display of charisma from the opposing candidate's clan member! |
|
|
Host |
If you've been eliminated, please come out to the hallways, forfeit your weapons, and wait for further instructions. Please note that any eliminated candidate loses all rights and privileges appertaining to candidates of Family Hierarch Evaluations, and… |
|
|
HONG LU |
Ohh, I remember now. His name's Shi Huazhen~ |
|
|
RODION |
We're already up to seven coins, huh? |
|
|
RODION |
Hey, that's not bad! Let's wrap this up asap and get the heck outta this creephouse~ |
 |
YI SANG |
We are beset in all directions by sorrow and tragedy. This appears to have been a laboratory for an unknown purpose… |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Kong family's laboratory, most likely. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Yeah… saw the plaque earlier. Apparently their entire family got completely annihilated after presumably breaking a Taboo or something. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Going by what Hong Lu said earlier… and gathering from everything we've heard about the Kong family so far… i-it sure sounds like they're all dead… |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
It was in the time before the Jia family wielded as much power as it does now… |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Boy, the Kong family really was something back then. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Outputting a constant stream of new, groundbreaking Boluses with all kinds of unique qualities can't have been easy. But they somehow managed it back then. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Because the Kong family had made such impressive contribution to the City as a whole, even past the boundaries of Hongyuan itself… |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
… the other families had no choice but to watch in awe as it stood like a mountain so far above them. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Yes, I heard that they delved into various research subjects here. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Well. Despite all that glory, what awaited them at the end was a tragedy. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
So there's no record or evidence of any kind left that could tell us what kind of experiments they carried out down here? |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Nope. It all got purged. Anything to do with their experiment has been practically atomized by the Claws that came here. |
|
|
YI SANG |
… Perhaps, in search of the novel, they failed to notice the avarice spiraling out of control; a recurring development among those whose passion is research. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
For a while, people from the high-and-mighty families of Hongyuan refused to even look in the general direction of this building. They thought it was heretical, that it would bring them misfortune. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Of course, I was pretty young then, so all this is just what the adults told me. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Do you recall aught from then… Hong Lu? |
|
|
HONG LU |
I was also very young, only ten years old, so my memories aren't very clear… |
|
|
HONG LU |
But I do. I recall. |
|
|
HONG LU |
… I recall the day when the weight of avarice broke both the heavens above and the earth beneath the Kong family and smote them. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
HONG LU |
But our existence is as fragile as paper, bound to fade away into nothingness just as they have. |
|
|
HONG LU |
So… I guess that's why we should always be mindful of excess, to empty ourselves that we will not overflow. |
|
|
Announcement |
……. |
|
|
Announcement |
Thank… you so… much again… everyone… who is here today… for the Kong family and Hongyuan's… eternal… prosperity. |
|
|
Announcement |
Let this… experiment… be another resounding success for us… so that everyone… in Hongyuan… will be a step closer… to achieving… immortal life… |
|
|
Announcement |
Do… know that our success… is… |
 | ||
|
|
Annoucement |
Do know that our success is a guarantee, so we would like to ask all research personnel to put their best into every project. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Do you see now? It was not a matter of formula but rather the process, the order of formulation that diminished the efficacy of your previous Bolus. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Let me demonstrate by example. Directly mixing two diametrically opposed ingredients—safflower (紅花), which carries an element of fire, with fleeceflower (何首烏), which carries an element of water—will cause a repelling reaction. What does the Kong family do in such a case? |
 |
Kong Youjin |
Mm. Use white peony (白芍藥) or gold in between the addition of either ingredient so that they may coexist. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Yes, a rudimentary application of the Bolus production methodology. However, one thing we must know is that the law followed by our ingredients is not defined solely by the five phases and eight trigrams. Though the five phases are correctly aligned, ingredients each imbued with elements of the sexagenary cycle—distinguished by both the heavenly stems and the earthly branches—all exhibit different effects. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Another aspect of this art to consider is that spacetime itself is a variable that modifies the laws by which yin and yang operate; thus, even if the same recipe were to be followed to the letter, the hour, the minute, and the second during which the Bolus is combined affects its quality and characteristics. |
 |
Kong Sihui |
So that's why following the same family recipes could yield Boluses of varying effects. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
You must also remain wary of where one stores the Boluses once they are completed, and when to remove them from shade. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Do keep in mind that a wise forger of Boluses always remains acutely aware of the harmony and discord that exists between ingredients. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
You certainly have an exceptionally high degree of expertise when it comes to Boluses. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
I cannot help but always depend on you so. You're the only person who would ever come up with such innovative ways to forge these boluses. |
|
|
Kong Sihui |
You've managed to untangle this side effect in a matter of moments, when we've struggled with it for months. We cannot help but feel a tinge of shame before your skill. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
… Consider this boon good karma for your vast and profound generosity. |
|
|
Kong Sihui |
It is all thanks to your wisdom and acumen, venerable Jia Mu. |
|
|
Kong Sihui |
You deserve every reverence and admiration for coming this far, armed with nothing but your skill and wit. |
|
|
Kong Sihui |
And as they admire your achievements, they'll find hope as well. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
… Of course. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
No one could have possibly foreseen that the declining Shi family would produce the next Hierarch, after all. Especially someone without a proper clan. |
|
|
Kong Sihui |
Oh…! That is not what I had intended to convey, venerable Jia Mu. If I had offended you, by any chance— |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Worry not, for you have spoken true. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
I understand that it was all thanks to the Kong family's generosity that I could rise. I know better than anyone that you could have easily eliminated me before I had the chance to ascend to the seat of the Family Hierarch. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
And you would have done so, had you wished to further solidify the Kong family's position here. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
In fact, our hearts were truly stirred by the most unexpected outcome of the Family Hierarch war. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
You have clutched victory with nothing but wisdom when all odds were against you. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
Not to mention that we are greatly appreciative of all the assistance you have so graciously provided us. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Save your compliments, please. I am only honored that you saw any use for my insignificant tricks. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
After all, our collective pursuit is to prolong the eternal prosperity of Hongyuan, is it not? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
… Grandma, are you making new Boluses again? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Indeed, little Baoyu. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
There is karma to be repaid. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
And do I have to… keep coming here with you, grandma? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Yes. This beautiful scenery will not be complete without you as its witness. |
| ||
|
|
YI SANG |
You have frequented this place… with regularity, Hong Lu? |
|
|
HONG LU |
… Yes. Grandmother often brought me here to play, hand-in-hand. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
……. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Oh, are you guys done collectively spacing out? I've been thinking while you were gone. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
And I've come up with something quite interesting. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
So, since the results of the second round are decided only when the time's up… |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
… I'm sure there are candidates out there coming up with strategies like… |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
"Collect a moderate amount of coins, find a nice, hidden corner to lie low, wait until everything blows over, and we just might walk away with a decent rank." Know what I mean? |
|
|
OUTIS |
There are many points of failure to that plan, but… it would indeed be an appropriate strategy for candidates who are not so confident about their odds in open combat. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Right? |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
But here's the thing. Wouldn't it make for such a boring show if most of the candidates are just hiding and doing nothing for the majority of the game? I mean, they even made the show of gathering an audience for this song and dance. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
There must be— |
| ||
|
|
GREGOR |
Hold on. Do you guys hear that? |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Well… looks like this is where our brief fellowship comes to an end. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
That was a short but sweet exchange, Jia Baoyu. |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
But… I don't think you're the one who should hold the most coins. |
|
|
DANTE |
<What…?> |
|
|
Wang Zhao |
Once the games end, I hope we'll all find what we came here for. |
|
|
OUTIS |
We weren't planning on sticking with him through the entire round, but… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Yeah, it's a bit sudden, huh? I guess it's better than a full-on betrayal. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
W-we're going our separate ways, just like that…? |
|
|
FAUST |
… There is no time to spare worrying about him. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…! |
|
|
OUTIS |
Atten-tion! Full-speed sprint toward the 3'O clock direction! Go, go, go! |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Huh? W-what?! Oi, at least tell us what's going on! |
 | ||
|
|
OUTIS |
Eyes forward! The walls are… rising from the floor! |
|
|
Host |
Let's keep things interesting with… a new rule! |
|
|
Host |
And this one's for you, dear viewers who must've been bored outta your minds with how safe the candidates were playing things! Starting now, walls are gonna start closing off rooms and corralling our candidates every set interval, shrinking the arena! |
|
|
Host |
If you somehow end up trapped in a room, if you fail to make it into the shrinking arena…? Well, that's an elimination, of course! |
|
|
OUTIS |
Of course… |
|
|
Host |
Aha~ Looks like it's real chaotic out there! Now, let's try not to push your luck and get yourselves stuck between walls, mmkay? It'll be one hell of a clean-up job to have to scrape and scrub your bits off the walls. Better get moving! |
|
|
Host |
Oof! Looks like some of you didn't make it! You were so close, too… And… ouch, I spy a candidate who's been separated from her clan in the chaos. Whoa, try not to lose your coins in the chaos! |
Second Temporary Alliance
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
I… huff… I swear, she's gonna get… a fist to her face before we… huff… leave this place… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Huff… man… I… really should've done some… cardio… with you… guys… Huff… huff…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<We've got no choice but to keep on running…> |
|
|
YI SANG |
Hong Lu… This place must not have offered much diversion for a child… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Was it not drab or tedious? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Grandmother really knew a lot about Boluses. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Every time I was here, I would always watch her take command of the room, fiercely bringing about a storm of directions and orders for the researchers. |
|
|
HONG LU |
So no, it wasn't drab or tedious. And… |
|
|
HONG LU |
……. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Hong Lu? |
|
|
HONG LU |
… Thinking back on it, whenever grandmother summoned me to visit this place together, I… |
|
|
HONG LU |
… I think I felt a bit of happiness. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Why? |
|
|
HONG LU |
That's… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Stop, stop. She saw something up ahead. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Figure up ahead. Solo. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hopefully, she's a candidate who's been separated from her clan. It should be easy coins for us if that's the case. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Don't worry, Outis. |
|
|
HONG LU |
I am acquainted with her. |
 |
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
|
|
OUTIS |
She's a… bodyguard of a Xue family candidate. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Why are you here all alone, Daiyu? |
|
|
HONG LU |
How funny, I was just thinking about you. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
You…? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Ah… I must have alarmed you all. Apologies. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
The walls came out of nowhere—excuse me. My inattentiveness has separated me from the rest of the clan. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
So… you have no idea where the rest of your clan or your candidate is? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… No. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But if a different candidate finds you here alone… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… they will attempt to eliminate me, though I am but a follower. Because it would be beneficial for them to do so. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Daiyu, then… have you been waiting here all along, waiting for the one you follow to return? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… Yes. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I suppose I did, in the belief that if I simply waited in the same place we became separated, they would… eventually come back for me. |
|
|
OUTIS |
A foolish belief. The arena is constantly shrinking; they wouldn't take the risk of coming back here just to pick up a straggler. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… Of course. They wouldn't. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I suppose… it could be said that you have a certain advantage over other candidates here. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
You're more familiar with this place than anyone else, are you not? |
|
|
HONG LU |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Silence again. Just like then… Just like when you refused to tell me anything to the end. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
In all those years I was in your service after the complete annihilation of the Kong family… |
| ||
 |
Lin Daiyu |
Baoyu, big bro Baoyu! Here, here! |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Ugh, what happened now? You're looking so glum again! We're still gonna play the game you like today, right? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Oh, don't tell me. Are those meanies back at it again? I'll kick their butts with this new move I learned yesterday— |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
No, it's okay. Don't worry, Daiyu. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I still don't understand why they say those things to me, but… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
… I still think I could be their friend one day. |
 |
Nervous Stranger |
Young master Baoyu… do you know the whereabouts of the venerable Jia Mu? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
She said she'll be at the lab for a little bit. |
|
|
Nervous Stranger |
Oh, oh no, that's not good. I… I have something to tell her… It's actually, umm, very urgent… |
|
|
Nervous Stranger |
I need more of those Boluses to maintain this body… but she just wouldn't return my attempts to reach her, so I thought I would pay her a visit myself and— |
| [Flash of red.] | ||
|
|
Nervous Stranger |
Kuh— |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
…! |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
A-are you okay? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Big bro… h-hide behind me…! |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
He's… he's not from Hongyuan…! |
 |
Claw |
……. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
I see… She must not have discarded her clone for over a week. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Foolish girl. I warned her time and again that either the clone with a cloned brain or the original must be discarded within the week of production. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
It seems that she could not bear to relinquish this new body of hers, unburdened by ailments of both body and mind. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
G-grandma, is… is there anything we can do for her? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
The Head… will not suffer those who have broken their Taboos to live. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
This is the omnipresent terror they cast over us; they are always watching, always primed to appear no matter where you are. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Even as you eat. Even as you slumber. Even as you are wed. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
The circumstance matters not; the context is meaningless. If a Taboo is broken, they will be there to carry out the sentence. Almost as if they are… the executors of the natural law. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Let us leave here, Baoyu. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Be careful! Don't touch her! |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I… I think she's gone. She's not breathing. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
B-but look, her eyes are still open. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I want to… help her close her eyes. It’s too cruel and sad for her to be all alone, even in her final moments… looking at this lonely place. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Baoyu… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… Then come here again tomorrow, then again the day after. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Grandma brings me here everyday anyway… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
It's going to happen whether I want to or not. Why would you say such a thing, Daiyu? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Because… whenever I see you, I see… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… I see the face of someone who's just about ready to leave this world forever. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Okay? Promise you won't leave me alone in here. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I'm just as scared of this place as you are, it feels too big, too vast… But… just by thinking about playing with you, flying kites with you, it makes… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… it all makes me feel a little better. |
 | ||
|
|
Jia Mu |
The Restructuring Day has begun, it seems. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I hate… I hate these Restructuring Days… I hate the sound of those bells… |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Rest easy, little Baoyu, for these Restructuring Days will not touch us. Daguanyuan only expands, and never shrinks as the homes of the poor do. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Um, grandma… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Do you think… Daguanyuan can change? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
… What has prompted this question? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Because I… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I want Daguanyuan to… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
…! Oh…! |
 | ||
|
|
Falling Villager |
Agh… Nngh… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
A-are you okay? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Stop the palanquin! |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Please… please, help me pull him up! He's gonna fall! |
 |
Palanquin Bearer |
Wha… I'm sorry? |
|
|
Palanquin Bearer |
Young master, it's too late for him. |
|
|
Palanquin Bearer |
Helping him now won't do any— |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
How can I just turn a blind eye and pass him by like nothing happened?! He's right there, in pain! |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Please help me pull him up, please. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Little Baoyu, you cannot save them, let alone everyone. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
And if you cannot save everyone, it is wiser to not try at all. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I know, I know I can't save everyone. But… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
At least this one person who's about to fall, please… |
|
|
Jia Mu |
You struggled to move past this during the last Restructuring Day as well. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
So, has your struggle managed to save even a single life? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
… No. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Still, grandma… still… |
|
|
Jia Mu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Try it, then. |
| ||
|
|
Jia Mu |
It would be much better for you to learn this lesson early. |
| [Observing from somewhere.] | ||
 |
Jia Qiu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
What is it, little Baoyu? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Uh… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I… I must've been mistaken. I thought I saw someone watching me… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
What… was that? Visions… of the memories I never wished to see again… |
|
|
DANTE |
<…?! Wait, she saw that, too…?> |
|
|
RODION |
Did you just… did you just see that, too? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
What… what kind of… |
|
|
FAUST |
… Dante. Perhaps this is another feature of the previously discussed expansion of your abilities. |
|
|
DANTE |
<… So does that mean I can show our Sinner's past… to non-Sinners, too?> |
|
|
DANTE |
<And it's totally out of my control…?> |
|
|
FAUST |
That possibility cannot be entirely dismissed, but it is unlikely that your abilities activate with no discernible pattern. There must be a condition that must first be met. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I wonder what that might be? Wang Zhao from earlier seemed unaffected by it… |
|
|
FAUST |
… A possible connection can be drawn to the rising level of one's emotions. The visions, even when they activated for the Sinners, were brought on by certain emotional triggers. |
|
|
FAUST |
In such a case… an individual who is a part of a powerful memory that causes the Sinner's emotional state to drastically spike could trigger a resonance effect. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Hong Lu…?> |
|
|
HONG LU |
Daiyu… |
|
|
HONG LU |
I ended up leaving you all alone in Daguanyuan, in spite of your pleading. |
|
|
HONG LU |
So, your resentment is justified. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
You know that's not what I wanted to hear. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Nothing. You refused to tell me anything about what happened here on that day, your only response a… smile. |
|
|
HONG LU |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… And I see that hasn't changed. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
After that day, you've wasted your days away, locking yourself within the bounds of Daguanyuan, never leaving its premises even once… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
And when I inquired, you'd only make a sorry smile, not giving me an answer all the same… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Until one day, completely out of the blue, you said you'd be leaving Daguanyuan. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
You… weren't the only one who lost those who were important to them in the annihilation of the Kong family. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… In fact—did you ever, truly care about anyone to begin with? |
|
|
HONG LU |
… You're right, Daiyu. You must've suffered so much worse than I have. So much so that I can't even begin to imagine it. |
|
|
HONG LU |
But even if you were to learn of everything that happened… what will that knowledge do to heal your pain? |
|
|
HONG LU |
All this suffering, all this joy, they're just… moments, bound to be lost in time. Trying to catch what is destined to slip away will only bring pain to your heart, nothing more. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I know. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
But what I really couldn't bear was… It's— Just… Just what happened to you that—! |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Apologies. I must have lost myself for a moment. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
It was… improper of me to show such emotion to a candidate who’s not my master or even a relative. Please excuse my impudence. |
|
|
GREGOR |
So… I'm really sorry about having to bring this up in the middle of a serious discussion, but… don't you think we should probably get moving? |
|
|
FAUST |
Enough time has passed. The walls… will begin invading this space soon. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Daiyu… |
|
|
HONG LU |
How about you come with us? Only if you'd like to, of course. |
|
|
HONG LU |
At least until we run into big sis Baochai again. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Tossing me a pinch of pity? |
|
|
HONG LU |
No. Because this place is too dangerous to be alone. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
If I travel with you, will I… see more of those bizarre visions? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Well, I don't know… That was the manager's power, not mine… |
|
|
HONG LU |
I'd like to recommend against going through more of these visions, but I won't stop you. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… Then, please excuse my intrusion. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I will try my utmost to not be a… burden to you. |
Chamber of the Condemned
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
… There's a suspicious looking door to the side. Should we check out what's inside? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Hmm… Yeah, what should we do?> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Your choice, self-appointed class president. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Well, alright… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Let's head right in, then. |
 | ||
 |
??? |
……. |
| ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
……. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
RODION |
Y-yeah, smooth moves, Ishy. Let's just pretend none of that happened, turn around, and keep walking. |
|
|
OUTIS |
What happened?! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
I-I don't—I just didn't expect that, you know…? |
|
|
DANTE |
<So… does that mean that we can move on like nothing happened? Or is it a case of no-backsies—> |
|
|
Host |
My, oh my… a certain candidate and his clan elected to bravely open a mysterious door… only to immediately slam it shut in fear! Right, so… I won't name names, on account of it being a rather embarrassing display of spinelessness, but hey. I'll give you guys a chance to rectify that! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Heeugh! M-Manager Esquire! We must open the door once again, posthaste! An agile craven we shall be made, should we not act swiftly! |
|
|
DANTE |
<We did see something pretty ugly-looking in there, but…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<It wasn't an Abnormality or a Distortion. I didn't feel anything like it around here, either.> |
|
|
RODION |
I dunno, that almost makes it worse… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
… It might seem like the host is there just to make some goofy commentary on us, but everything she's said so far has had at least one grain of truth to it. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Sigh… let's check out what's inside. We won't know what's waiting for us in there unless we actually face it. |
| ||
|
|
MEURSAULT |
The same type of coin we received at the beginning of the game is hanging from the entity's neck. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
H-huh, you're right! Why is it wearing a coin…? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Well, given the circumstances, we can probably gain that coin by kicking this monster to the curb, right? |
|
|
??? |
We… |
|
|
??? |
We… desire only to repent… An eternal repentance… We desire only to repent… An eternal repentance… |
|
|
HONG LU |
They're certainly not abnormal beings. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…? Yeah, that's what Dante just said. |
|
|
HONG LU |
They're… people. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Hongyuan's condemned. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
Post-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Host |
As many candidates must have realized by now… |
|
|
Host |
This game provides its contestants many, many ways to obtain those precious coins! |
|
|
Host |
You could gain them by completing battles in some special rooms, or— Aha! Another candidate has obtained some coins! |
|
|
YI SANG |
The condemned of Hongyuan…? What is the implication of that particular choice of denomination, Hong Lu? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Years ago, the elders have told me of many, many old fables and legends. |
|
|
HONG LU |
'Then… a rooster's crest is grafted over the visage, a goat's hooves move beneath the legs, and an eldtree's branches extend from the arms—thus closer Daguanyuan grows to boundless eternity.' |
|
|
YI SANG |
……. |
|
|
YI SANG |
… Experiments regarding expansion of the Bolus technology, is it? |
|
|
HONG LU |
I haven't seen it myself, but I once heard that there is a laboratory beneath even the basements of Daguanyuan… built to research secretive and valuable Boluses. |
|
|
OUTIS |
And they… experimented on these prisoners. |
|
|
OUTIS |
It's not exactly a unique practice among Wings. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I believe that the smallest speck of greed lies at the origin of all misfortune. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I do not believe that the definition of immortality that Hongyuan originally sought is the same as the one they seek now. |
|
|
HONG LU |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
What took you so long, big bro Baoyu? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Sorry… Jia Mu's experiments went on for longer than planned. |
 |
??? |
That's so cool. I wanna see what they do in there, too. |
|
|
??? |
No fair! Why are you the only who gets to go in there, bro? I’m a fast learner, too. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I'm not… going in there to learn anything. |
|
|
??? |
Then how come? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I dunno. I'm… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I'm just there to watch. |
|
|
??? |
That's weird. It's not like you have to work for anything like we do to live a nice life, bro. |
|
|
??? |
Maybe it's because you're the precious jade of our family? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Hey, Jia Huan! I told you to not say stuff like that, didn't I?! Wanna see what new moves I learned yesterday?! |
|
|
Jia Huan |
Wah, sorry… I won't do that again… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Anyways… Today, we're going to play a ball game! |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Here's how it works. We're gonna start by kicking this ball at each other, and the one who lasts the longest without dropping the ball wins! |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
What's the point of… playing a game like that…? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
…? Because it's fun, duh. |
|
|
Jia Huan |
I wanna play a Bolus making game! |
|
|
Jia Huan |
Gather a bunch of sand, and pebbles, and leaves, and seed to make a Bolus, and the best Bolus wins! |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
No can do~ |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Remember, I'm from the Lin family, and you guys are from the Jia family. Children of these noble families shouldn't play a nerdy game like that. |
|
|
Jia Huan |
Big bro! Bro, wanna come play with us? |
 |
??? |
Oh, little Huan. I'm sorry. As much as I would like to join you in that very serious game of yours, I don't think she'll let me play. |
|
|
??? |
Daiyu's going to give both you and me an earful about the rules if you drag me into the game. Isn't that right? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Jia Huan, you're trying to pull outta the game, aren't you? |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Fine, fine. Let's play that Bolus-making game once we're done with the ball game. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
And tomorrow, we'll play whatever big bro Baoyu's favorite game is. How's that for a plan, huh? |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I… |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
I'm good with anything, really… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
But what do you want? Here's some homework for you—when we meet tomorrow, you better have come up with something you like, okay? |
 | ||
|
|
Kong Youjin |
I understand that I may be letting the impatience get the better of me, but… |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
How… certain are you about the plan regarding the… thirteenth branch of the Heishou Pack? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Have I ever let you down? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Ultimately, a family's power comes from the Heishou they wield. Yet, ever since the olden days, there have been but twelve branches of them—which is what maintains this stalemate between the great families. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Yes, the Heishou are the shadow of Daguanyuan, its most dexterous and capable limbs, yet… they have their failings. An immense physical cost follows their explosive strength. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Even if you wield a Heishou Pack, it is difficult to expand their numbers, as their population is strictly controlled by the Heishou-Xianren of each branch. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Indeed… no one could even attempt to create a new branch, for the Heishou-Xianren have concealed their unique Bolus recipes. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Yet I am wise in the ways of Bolus-making, and armed with the Xianren's insight. With help from the Kong family, this is certainly a viable endeavor. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
The Kong family once led the forefront of the City's medical sciences with your bioengineering achievements, yet now… You must know that your family's place in the City is quite precarious. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
There have been developments for easier treatments, better modifications… superior Singularities are rising from all corners of the City; at first, they were only subjects of study and research, but through various applications, many of them are now entering the stages of mass commercialization. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
H Corp. will fall by the wayside if the current trend continues… and one day, it may even decline so far as to fall prey to a war of the Wings. |
 | ||
|
|
Jia Mu |
Hongyuan hides many valuable secrets, as they are often passed down from generation to generation; certain areas within the territory even lead into the Ruins as well. Many Wings even consider us a treasure chest to be cracked open. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
For the City to fear Hongyuan, to fear the Kong family, you must wield absolute power. A power that… perhaps, a new branch of Heishou with mass-production capabilities could provide. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
Would you… keep this a secret from my wife? |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
I would like for this experiment's success to be a happy surprise for her. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
In truth, we received news from the doctors that we have managed to conceive a child… |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
Thus, if we were to coincide that event with our discovery of this new, auspicious path toward what was once considered an impossibility… |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
… would it not be a happy cause for all of Daguanyuan—no, Hongyuan to rejoice? |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
If you require any assistance, materials or people, simply say the word, and us Kong family shall provide. |
|
|
Kong Youjin |
So, shall we let this be a secret between you and me? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Duly noted. I will prepare a special Bolus to celebrate the birth of a new life. |
| [Exit Kong Youjin.] | ||
|
|
Jia Mu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
This seems to be a good time to return home for the day, little Baoyu. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
Grandma… why do you look so happy today? |
|
|
Jia Mu |
The doltish fish has snagged the bait I have been preparing for a long time. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
My offer must have been far too tantalizing for them to simply let it pass. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
The Kong family's pretentious overconfidence remains a marker of their bloodline; they have done well hiding it underneath the veil of generosity. But one's nature cannot be overcome. |
|
|
Jia Baoyu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
Now, let us hurry. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
The revered Xianren await us. |
| ||
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
The ball game… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I remember. You… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
You won that game. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I remember it because it was the first time you ever beat me in a game of physicality. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I remember… being covered head to toe in sand… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
I remember Jia Huan… whining about that little scratch on his hand… |
|
|
HONG LU |
……. |
|
|
HONG LU |
So we did. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
The thirteenth Heishou branch… what is it? This has to do with a Taboo, doesn't it? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Daiyu. Much time has passed since then, but… |
|
|
HONG LU |
… no matter what question you ask me, no matter what reply I give… it will not be the answer you want. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
That… is not up for you to decide. |
|
|
HONG LU |
You will never find what you seek. So why even try to gain it, and for what? |
|
|
HONG LU |
That is why I always replied that your questions were such meaningless inquiries. That is why I do no more than observe. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Hong Lu… are you okay with seeing all these memories?> |
|
|
HONG LU |
Mm… I don't think it's a matter of whether I am okay with it or not. It just feels unfamiliar… it wasn't a memory I wanted to forget, nor was it a memory I wanted to recall, anyway. |
|
|
HONG LU |
… The emotions I felt then feel so, so distant from me now. |
|
|
HONG LU |
I feel like I'm looking down at them from somewhere so high up. |
|
|
HONG LU |
So I don't know what to say to a question like 'are you okay'. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Because I have nothing more to change. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
YI SANG |
It may be gathered that, from Hong Lu's memories… |
|
|
YI SANG |
… it was Jia Mu who first made the suggestion of researching the thirteenth Heishou branch. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
However, it also appeared that the desire was mutually shared by the Kong family as well. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
… Yeah, but it didn't seem like they were driven mad with greed like the plaque suggested. They certainly had ambition, I won't deny that, but still… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
R-right? I know I only have this vague feeling to go on, but… it seemed that they really wished the best for Hongyuan. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
What I have come to realize in my almost-thirty years of life in here is… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… that it is exceedingly rare to find a leader who is generous in both character and temper. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Most refuse to give anyone other than themselves a chance. Everyone's so blinded to everything but their immediate profit and interests. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
But the people of the Kong family, at least the ones I remember… sought to give others a chance, at the very least. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
It was only by their support that our Lin family, formerly so insignificant, could become a family of guards because they prioritized selection by merit, not by the nobility of their births. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
But once the Kong family was eradicated, every family other than the four pillars lost any means of upward mobility. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
So when I heard that they were… simply gone, all because they were blinded by greed, it felt as though… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… I was just a child then, but I vividly remember that crushing feeling. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
It was devastation. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Because I no longer had any place to return to. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Man… You've been dealt a heavy hand, huh. It must've been hard out here. |
Nothing Left
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
……. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
There's someone here. |
 |
??? |
Nngh… |
|
|
??? |
Dammit… had to run into a different candidate now, of all times… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… She's Qingshan of the Wang family. |
|
|
OUTIS |
You're hurt. Who did this? |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Jia Qiu… he… I barely escaped him… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Why'd he have to come back…? Disappearing from Hongyuan like that after investigating the annihilation of the Kong family, I thought he’d never return… So why now…? |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
He took almost all… of my coins. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Was he carrying… many? |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Yeah… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
To the point where he was running out of space to carry them… |
|
|
OUTIS |
That's not good… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Jia Baoyu… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
We've sacrificed so much of ourselves… just for this day… just for the Family Hierarch war… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Meanwhile, you could've continued to live large outside Hongyuan, so why? What are you even doing here—what more could you possibly want?! |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Please… please give me those coins, please. |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Come on, you don't even care about becoming the Hierarch… It's not like someone like you'd do anything with all that power… |
|
|
HONG LU |
You're not wrong. But I'm sorry, I don't think I can give you my coins. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
That's it. Listen up, rich boy. If some sod thinks they're smart, prattlin' on about shite like that, you don't apologize to 'em, ever. You let a club like this do the talking instead. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Using a club would only grow the resentment in her heart. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
… But it'll… at least it'll make you feel better. |
|
|
HONG LU |
I never needed to feel better. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
……. |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Then… I swear, I'll use what remains of my clan… to take what is yours, Jia Baoyu. And seize my opportunity once again. |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
Because I… I'm going to survive… no matter what. |
|
|
OUTIS |
If you insist on drinking that poisoned chalice, then we have no choice. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Okay~ If that's what you'd like to do. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
……. |
Post-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Well, that's not a lot of coins. But hey, it's still… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
If I fail here miserably… having accomplished nothing… they might kill me when I get home… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
I have to do something, anything… to be a proud sister to my little siblings… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Come on, let's leave her and keep moving. It's not like getting eliminated is an instant death sentence. |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
You… you don't understand, Jia Baoyu… |
|
|
Wang Qingshan |
You've done nothing but watch all your life… as this fight defined our entire lives… |
|
|
HONG LU |
No, I don't understand. |
|
|
HONG LU |
And I never will. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
… So all that passivity and talk about not getting angry wasn't because you're a nice guy, huh. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
You're more difficult than I thought, Hong Lu. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Mm, am I? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
It's getting more and more likely that we'll be running into the other candidates as the space around us shrinks. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Yeah. And another thing—it's getting clearer every second that the biggest threat to us now continues to be… |
|
|
YI SANG |
… Jia Qiu… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Let's hope we never run into that guy… |
|
|
Host |
Ohhhh~ So that's it, huh? We have our twelfth elimination! |
|
|
GREGOR |
Yeah… then all the mediocre candidates must've been eliminated by now. The remaining ones gotta be a tough bunch. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Anyways… there certainly are a lot of posters around the lab here. |
|
|
GREGOR |
They were gonna present the research to the public, huh? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Yes, they were. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Puff… Typical. I guess researchers just can't help showing off their achievements, huh. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Well, too bad the Sweepers 'n the Claws tore through everything. Even the posters— Hang on a minute. Why are these posters untouched? |
|
|
FAUST |
… They did not destroy the posters. |
|
|
FAUST |
Once they are put to task, they are extremely thorough with erasing any evidence of the Taboo ever having existed. But the fact that these posters remain… |
|
|
FAUST |
… would lead to the conclusion that the experiment advertised on these posters is an entirely different one from the experiment that broke the Taboo. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
What?! Then how…? |
|
|
FAUST |
Simple. |
|
|
FAUST |
This experiment is unrelated to the annihilation of the Kong family. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Then this Jia Mu must've prepared an entirely separate experiment using the Kong family's support. With an escape plan just for herself, too. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
… I remember those posters… |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
And how excited everyone was the closer we got to the presentation. |
|
|
Lin Daiyu |
Boluses made by the Kong family always performed beyond everyone's expectations, after all. |
 | ||
 |
H Corp. Researcher |
Venerable Jia Mu, may I ask why you continue to bring young master Baoyu to this place? |
|
|
H Corp. Researcher |
I don't think he's even old enough to understand what these experiments are for. Not to mention it must be quite troublesome for you. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
You ask a question with an obvious answer. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
This experiment will define the destiny of Hongyuan itself. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
It is only right that the jade of Daguanyuan is here to witness such a great undertaking. |
|
|
H Corp. Researcher |
… I see. |
|
|
H Corp. Researcher |
Huh, now that I'm looking at young master Baoyu… |
|
|
H Corp. Researcher |
He's not much of a smiler, is he? |
|
|
H Corp. Researcher |
He'd look much better with a smile on his face. He's the precious jade of the family, after all. |
 |
Jia Baoyu |
……. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
His existence itself is precious—this jade shall shine when the time is right. |
|
|
Jia Mu |
In the meantime, draw your focus entirely to the experiment. |
|
|
H Corp. Researcher |
Right, I see what you mean. Not this experiment, but the experiment. |
|
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H Corp. Researcher |
That reminds me that we really don't have much time. |
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H Corp. Researcher |
They say that every clan under the Kong family is quite excited about the announcement. |
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Jia Mu |
Yes, indeed… The time is nigh. |
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Jia Mu |
The time is nigh indeed. |
Story Dungeon Events
All of the following Dungeon Event names are translated from the raw Korean in the files.
Unblock the Road
Unblock the Road
A dilapidated wall blocks our path.
There's a device on it with a label that says "Pick up your entry cards here". Next to it is a dial of sorts.
'Looks like they won't let us through so easily.'
'Is anyone particularly good with these devices? I can't seem to figure it out…'
Interface with the device.
Who will interface with the dial?
 Check Passed[Sinner] fiddles with the dial for a bit, then with the loud noise of stone grinding against stone, the device activates. Worn Entry Card Artifact obtained! A new path opened up on the map!  Check Failed[Sinner] fiddles with the dial for a good while, but nothing happens. Nothing happened. |
Gluttony Advantage: Artifacts
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Worn Entry Card Maybe it opens a door somewhere. |
Talisman Removal
Talisman Removal
There are several talismans glued to the wall.
I can feel the wind blowing through the barely visible cracks on the wall.
'Seems like there's something on the other side.'
Maybe there's a hidden passageway here?
The Sinners take a moment to investigate the room, and find a wall with conspicuously arranged talismans of different colors.
'Ohh~ These must be colors that match each of the cardinal directions~'
'Looks like we'll have to peel these talismans in the correct order.'
Should we try peeling the talismans?
Let's try peeling a talisman. There's something written on the blue talisman to the West. Looks like they're indicating that this is the first talisman to be removed. When I remove the talisman, the walls begin to shake. Which one should I remove next? Center The walls stop shaking, but something feels off. And right on cue, the host's vibrant voice begins blasting from the speakers. 'Contestants who failed the puzzle should be punished, don't you think?' There was a sound of wooden things clattering… And some doors swing open as wooden dummies rush out. East The walls stop shaking, but something feels off. And right on cue, the host's vibrant voice begins blasting from the speakers. 'Contestants who failed the puzzle should be punished, don't you think?' There was a sound of wooden things clattering… And some doors swing open as wooden dummies rush out. South The walls stop shaking, but something feels off. And right on cue, the host's vibrant voice begins blasting from the speakers. 'Contestants who failed the puzzle should be punished, don't you think?' There was a sound of wooden things clattering… And some doors swing open as wooden dummies rush out. North I remove the red talisman in the North. The walls are now shaking with greater intensity. Which one should we peel next? Center I remove the yellow talisman in the center. The walls are now shaking with greater intensity. Which one should we peel next? East I remove the white talisman in the East. The walls are shaking like they're about to crumble any minute. There's just one more talisman to peel. South The wall crumbles, opening a new path forward. I find some twinkling coins strewn about the debris. Coin: 2 obtained! A new path opened up on the map! South The walls stop shaking, but something feels off. And right on cue, the host's vibrant voice begins blasting from the speakers. 'Contestants who failed the puzzle should be punished, don't you think?' There was a sound of wooden things clattering… And some doors swing open as wooden dummies rush out. East The walls stop shaking, but something feels off. And right on cue, the host's vibrant voice begins blasting from the speakers. 'Contestants who failed the puzzle should be punished, don't you think?' There was a sound of wooden things clattering… And some doors swing open as wooden dummies rush out. South The walls stop shaking, but something feels off. And right on cue, the host's vibrant voice begins blasting from the speakers. 'Contestants who failed the puzzle should be punished, don't you think?' There was a sound of wooden things clattering… And some doors swing open as wooden dummies rush out. |
Battle for the Red Pass
Battle for the Red Pass
'Ahem. You must be Jia Baoyu… and his clan, right?'
'I, uh… got separated from my faction when the walls suddenly burst from the ground.'
'Some are still with me, but I don't think I'll get very far like this…'
'Can you help me find where the rest of my faction is?'
'Hey, if you help me out today, I'll look out for you when I become the Family Hierarch.'
'C'mon, man. Help me out!'
Hand over the Entry Card. Choice unlocked with the 'Worn Entry Card' Gain an Artifact This guy is pretty annoying… But we don't have any reason to pick a fight with him when we don't know how many fights we've got ahead of us. It's not like he's being aggressive. Instead of starting a fight, I hand him the used entry card. 'We also picked up something like that, but… it turned out to be pretty useless.' 'Here's hoping this one'll be better. Well… I guess I'll exchange your card for mine. Toss it or keep it, up to you.' 'Oh, also… I picked up this weird Bolus from another candidate. Seemed a bit fishy to me, so… I guess I'll let you take care of it.' 'Well, that's all. Hey, I won't go so easy on you the next time we meet, so watch yourself.' Worn Entry Card Artifact lost! Heavenly King's Heartmending Pill Artifact obtained! Red Entry Card Artifact obtained! |
Eliminate him and take his coin(s). Begin a combat encounter. Win to gain coin(s). Just as I was about to explain to the Sinners that we don't necessarily have to fight… … I mean, do we necessarily have to help him? So, instead, I make a suggestion to the Sinners that we should probably just beat him up and take his coins. Most Sinners nod in agreement. 'W-what the hell? Seriously? You're gonna fight me? Do you have any idea who I am? I'm the eminent Shi family's—' The Sinners start beating him up before the conversation got any longer than it has to be. Combat Encounter! Win the next battle to gain Coin: 3! |
Artifacts
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Heavenly King's Heartmending Pill |
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Red Entry Card Maybe it opens a door somewhere. |
Prisoner Flower-Picking
Prisoner Flower-Picking
One speaks a hollow lamentation,
The other yearns in an empty desire.
One is a moon on the water's surface, a reflection,
And the other is a blossom's image in a mirror.
Flowers have bloomed over the bodies of the prisoners.
I don't see any movement… looks like they're all dead.
'These flowers possess… the augmentative qualities of H Corp.'
'They will most likely provide some advantage in the battles to come.'
Which flower should we pick?
Lotus Select to gain an Artifact We pick the lotus flower. The flower transforms into a small Bolus, and the other flowers blossom in the mirror. Let the prisoners rest in peace… We move on, after paying our respects to the dead. Tranquil Lotus Bolus Artifact obtained! Flower in the Mirror Artifact obtained! |
Red Spider Lily Select to gain an Artifact We pick the red spider lily. The flower transforms into a small Bolus, and the other flowers blossom in the mirror. Let the prisoners rest in peace… We move on, after paying our respects to the dead. Sanguine Blossom Bolus Artifact obtained! Flower in the Mirror Artifact obtained! |
Nameless Herb Select to gain an Artifact We pick the nameless herb. The herb transforms into a small Bolus, and the other flowers blossom in the mirror. Let the prisoners rest in peace… We move on, after paying our respects to the dead. Tenacity Bolus Artifact obtained! Flower in the Mirror Artifact obtained! |
Artifacts
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Flower in the Mirror  Rupture RuptureThe next Y time(s) the unit is hit, take X fixed damage. Potency and +1 Rupture RuptureThe next Y time(s) the unit is hit, take X fixed damage. Count to all enemies without Rupture RuptureThe next Y time(s) the unit is hit, take X fixed damage. (for Focused Encounters, all Parts)How heartless they are—the flowing stream and the wilting blossom both. |
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Tranquil Lotus Bolus |
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Sanguine Blossom Bolus |
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Tenacity Bolus  Defense Level Up Defense Level UpDefense Level +X for this turn. equal to the number of times that unit was hit by the enemies' Skill Attacks (max 6)
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Bolus Gambling
Bolus Gambling
We enter a new room and see a bound prisoner next to a Bolus on a table.
There, we see a candidate standing around as though they've been waiting for someone to arrive.
'Ah, now we have enough people for this special game to commence!'
'Please direct your attention to the Bolus on the table! Observe it well!'
'It is a Bolus currently in development here at H Corp; it is yet to be commercialized for mass-market use.'
'Apparently it can help restore your vitality once taken, but… let's see how true that is, shall we?'
'Do you think this is indeed a successful new product, or… is it a failure?'
'Now's the time to place your bets with your coins! Guess—is it a success, or a failure?'
'The candidate who gets this question right gains all the coins in the pool!'
It's a success. The other candidate bets on 'failure'. How many coins should we wager? 1 coin. Choice unlocked when carrying 1 or more coin(s) Win the bet to gain a few coins Lose the bet, and relinquish the coins you wagered
Success Chance: 60% Check PassedWe bet a coin, and the other candidate bets a coin as well. Coin: 1 obtained! Check FailedWe bet a coin, and the other candidate bets a coin as well. Coin: 1 lost! 2 coins. Choice unlocked when carrying 2 or more coin(s) Win the bet to gain a moderate amount of coins Lose the bet, and relinquish the coins you wagered
Success Chance: 50% Check PassedWe bet two coins, and the other candidate bets two coins as well. Coin: 2 obtained! Check FailedWe bet two coins, and the other candidate bets two coins as well. Coin: 2 lost! 3 coins. Choice unlocked when carrying 3 or more coin(s) Win the bet to gain a large bundle of coins Lose the bet, and relinquish the coins you wagered
Success Chance: 40% Check PassedWe bet three coins, and the other candidate bets three coins as well. Coin: 4 obtained! Check FailedWe bet three coins, and the other candidate bets three coins as well. Coin: 3 lost! Gambling isn't worth the risk. Let's back out. 'Oh no… Was this little gamble too scary for you?' 'It might be a bit tough to navigate this game going forward, with such a wimpy heart!' Gambling always carries a risk. We leave the room, leaving the prisoner and the other candidate behind. Nothing happened. |
It's a failure. The other candidate bets on 'success'. How many coins should we wager? 1 coin. Choice unlocked when carrying 1 or more coin(s) Win the bet to gain a few coins Lose the bet, and relinquish the coins you wagered
Success Chance: 60% Check PassedWe bet a coin, and the other candidate bets a coin as well. Coin: 1 obtained! Check FailedWe bet a coin, and the other candidate bets a coin as well. Coin: 1 lost! 2 coins. Choice unlocked when carrying 2 or more coin(s) Win the bet to gain a moderate amount of coins Lose the bet, and relinquish the coins you wagered
Success Chance: 50% Check PassedWe bet two coins, and the other candidate bets two coins as well. Coin: 2 obtained! Check FailedWe bet two coins, and the other candidate bets two coins as well. Coin: 2 lost! 3 coins. Choice unlocked when carrying 3 or more coin(s) Win the bet to gain a large bundle of coins Lose the bet, and relinquish the coins you wagered
Success Chance: 40% Check PassedWe bet three coins, and the other candidate bets three coins as well. Coin: 4 obtained! Check FailedWe bet three coins, and the other candidate bets three coins as well. Coin: 3 lost! Gambling isn't worth the risk. Let's back out. 'Oh no… Was this little gamble too scary for you?' 'It might be a bit tough to navigate this game going forward, with such a wimpy heart!' Gambling always carries a risk. We leave the room, leaving the prisoner and the other candidate behind. Nothing happened. |
Bosses
Shi Hua... something?
 Shi Hua... something?
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Wang Qingshan
 Wang Qingshan
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Artifact
Obtained after defeating Wang Qingshan.
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Faded Poster After Attack: if the target is defeated, gain 2  Poise PoiseBoost critical hit chance by X*5% for the next Y hit(s). Potency and +2 Poise PoiseBoost critical hit chance by X*5% for the next Y hit(s). Count.For this Encounter, each unit gains +1 Offense Level for every 1 enemy that is defeated at the 'After Attack' timing (max 3) |