Who Touched My Budget

Who Touched My Budget is an Adventure Mission on Penacony from the Antigraft Brickbuster Event.

Steps

Meet with Aventurine
Hack the Human Resources Department
Hack the Intangible Assets Department
Hack the Information Security Department
Hack "Golden Eagle"

Dialogue

Meet with Aventurine

Mission Description

During a brief respite after defeating SparxiCon, you receive a message from Aventurine. That doesn't happen every day. What could possibly make him reach out to you?

The Radiant Feldspar

(Talk to Aventurine)

During a brief respite after defeating SparxiCon, you receive a message from Aventurine...

Aventurine: It's been a while, friend. I caught all your outstanding exploits in Planarcadia on the livestream.

Aventurine: Of course, that also includes the comical monodrama of that Fool. The sight of her groveling on the ground and begging for mercy is truly a rare spectacle.

So you're here to make fun of Sparkle?

Aventurine: Make fun of her? No, no, you misunderstand me. As an opening act, that performance was absolutely brilliant. If I had not been in a meeting at that time, I would have sent even more gifts and cheered for all of you.

It's a real shame you weren't there.

"Aventurine: Hahaha. It's a shame I couldn't witness it for myself. But Duomension City is the Fools' turf, and I'd rather not get too involved with those pleasure-seeking maniacs.

Aventurine: Alright, let's get down to business. Seeing as I went through all the trouble of inviting you here, naturally, I have an important favor to ask.

Aventurine: And I guarantee, even though it involves the Interastral Peace CorporationPreservation, when it comes to enjoymentElation, you'll find just as much as you did with Aha.

Aventurine: Do me a favor and catch the parasite in the Strategic Investment Department for me. How about it, interested?

...Say more?

Doesn't seem all that fun.

Aventurine: Don't be so quick to judge. Hear me out, and you'll see how ridiculous this whole thing is.

Aventurine: Astropolis, headquarters of Interastral Peace Entertainment, has recently been preparing for a major project. However, a puzzling deficit has turned up in their accounts. This is a common enough occurrence in any organization, and is normally ignored.

Aventurine: But the deficit this time, a full 1 billion credits, is too outrageous. For some border planets, that's enough to spark a world war. Or to buy a lifetime keycard at The Reverie Hotel.

Doesn't sound too bad?

That's nothing compared to my wealth.

Aventurine: Remember, the budget I approved was 1.2 billion.

That's a bit too much...

That's almost the entire budget!?

Aventurine: Exactly. That's why I have to handle this myself. I need a friend outside the IPC system to quietly slip into its database and gather evidence of the embezzlement. As for me...

Aventurine: Sorry. I need to take this call.

Aventurine: No problem. I'll quickly draft a report and retrieve the missing funds. If that person asks, I'm still in Astropolis shooting an advertisement, and whatever it is, I'll deal with it when I return.

Aventurine: Hah. Does he think I can't handle the responsibility? That I'm planning to run? If someone places a bet, there's no reason not to follow. Just wait it out and see.

Aventurine: Look at that, typical IPC. Barely anyone is available to help, but the conference rooms are packed with opportunistic people.

Aventurine: What do you say, friend? Are you available to help me out of this moment of crisis? Trust me, the reward will be worth it.

If I refuse?

Aventurine: Then you'll be catching my name on the next Interastral Peace Broadcast: A certain IPC executive losing an office power struggle, losing absolutely everything, and ending up on the streets...

Aventurine: You wouldn't want the Astral Express to lose an important partner, would you?

Will the IPC find out about this... slipping in?

Aventurine: Don't worry, I'll handle the cleanup. With enough chips, it will be a breeze to cover our tracks or get people to turn a blind eye. What matters is the deterrence.

Aventurine: Besides, knowing the PR Department, they'll be the most eager to shelve the issue if you actually did uncover something.

Wait, so how do I access the database?

Aventurine: Given my identity, there are things I can't be too open about. But one thing's certain... you have a lot of friends, including some who can easily breach the IPC's information security. Am I remembering correctly?

Aventurine: Great! I'll leave the rest to your discretion. Thanks in advance, friend. The deposit will hit your account shortly. Good luck.

(Trailblazer): (Someone who can easily breach the IPC's information security... Aventurine stopped just short of reading out Silver Wolf's ID number.)

(Trailblazer): (I should try contacting Silver Wolf.)

You sent a message to Silver Wolf...

Silver Wolf: Oh. The IPC raid. I cleared that ages ago. No fun replaying it, or do you wanna try?

Huh? I have to be a hacker too?

Silver Wolf: It's really easy. I can teach you if you want.

When did you clear it?

Silver Wolf: You forgot? I even grabbed you a gift back then. It was the time I ran into the arrogant little dweeb sucking on a pacifier.

Silver Wolf: I'm not interested in a new game plus. But it's really easy. I can teach you if you want.

Silver Wolf: OK. Let's find a practice target first. Know any low-risk targets in case the hack fails? Preferably an Intellitron.

(Trailblazer): (Do I have a target that can be hacked whenever that is also a robot. Come to think of it, I actually might.)

(Trailblazer): I got it. The perfect target for hacking practice is—

CEO Pearl!

Silver Wolf: If you've got a death wish, I can recommend a more comfortable way to go. Serious.

Genius Society #76, Screwllum!

Silver Wolf: I bet you'll be spotted the second you hack in. Then they'll freeze your account permanently. Don't ask me how I know.

The greatest drinksmith, Shush!

(Trailblazer): (Is this the only situation we can mention Shush in the same breath as the other two?)

Silver Wolf: Not bad, we'll go with Shush. Call it over.

To achieve your grand dream of becoming a hacker, you invited Shush from the Express.

"Shush": It's a pleasure to see you again, my Nameless friend. The world of the Elation is probably filled with laughter. To prevent any withdrawal symptoms, please allow me to present you with a freshly baked joke.

"Shush": Question: In terms of life challenges, why can the poor bear a lot more than the wealthy?

"Shush": Answer: It's because the poor barely have anything in the first place! "Bear" and "bare" are homophones...the poor barely have anything to bear! That's it, that's the joke.

Silver Wolf: ...

Silver Wolf: Instead of breaking the ice, it has single-handedly brought a new ice age. Alright, let's hurry up and get started.

Sorry, Shush.

For our shared dream...

(Trailblazer): I have to really hack you this time... as part of hacking practice. Really.

"Shush": ?

Initiating hack!

(Open Antigraft Brickbuster menu)

(After tutorial ends): Hello?; You're a cute creation.; Quick, tell a terrible joke.; Get me a mixed drink.; "Shush": ...; Shush stays completely unresponsive no matter what keywords you input. Its bright eyes reveal a pure innocence, and a faint obedience you have never sensed in it before.; Well, you have to admit, a quiet Shush... is actually pretty adorable.; Silver Wolf: Not bad. That counts as a successful hack. Tutorial cleared. You're a fast learner.; Should probably fix Shush.; I'm not used to it not cracking terrible jokes.; Silver Wolf: Okay. Just a sec.; "Shush": ...; "Shush": Question: Why can a robot only have up to seven system cores?; "Shush": Answer: It originally had up to nine, but then seven ate them! "Ate," similar to the number eight. That's it, that's the joke.; Silver Wolf: I'm starting to regret fixing it.; Silver Wolf: Now you have the basics of hacking, it's time to go hack the IPC. Bye.; You're just leaving like that?; Isn't that a pretty steep jump in difficulty?; Don't! I'm still just a kid!; Silver Wolf: Fine. I'll leave a Legendary Weapon for you and help you get it set up.; Silver Wolf: The recently improved Smart AI Agent Lite, a rookie hacker's trusty helper. Just use it whenever you want to hack the IPC.; Silver Wolf: All done. I'll check back in once you've made some progress. I'm really logging off now. Bye.
(Obtain Credit ×88,888)

Hack the Human Resources Department

Step Description

Aventurine narrowed down the target to the Human Resources Department. It's time to put your hacking skills to the test.

The Radiant Feldspar

(Interact with Prometheus)

Prometheus: Hello, renowned hacker (Trailblazer)! I'm your Smart AI agent Prometheus. How can I help you?

Hack into the IPC database!

Prometheus: Noted. Hacking in progress... Compiling shaders... Preparation complete, initiating connection!
(Open Antigraft Brickbuster menu)

Introduce yourself.

Prometheus: I am Prometheus (Youth Edition), a rookie hacker's trusty helper, and also the Lifetime Honorary Dean of the Hacker Academy, Guardian of Punklorde, Firewall Breaker, Robot Fortress, specialized anti-IPC AI...

Prometheus: Of course, for simplicity's sake, you could also call me: Prometheus.

That's all the questions I have.

Prometheus: Noted. I will enter autonomous mode. Wake me at any time as needed.

(After hacking Human Resources Department)

(Trailblazer): (This time I've hacked the Human Resources database. Let's see what we have here...)

Silver Wolf: How was it? Any fun?

(Trailblazer): "Hustler" and "Vacationer"... these two seem to be the embezzlers. I'd better look up their contact information.

Silver Wolf: No need. I'll just pull them into the room.

Silver Wolf waggled her finger in a beckoning motion, and two figures appeared before them.

"Hustler": Huh? Who are you people? How am I here? I was just in the shower?

"Vacationer": Why hasn't my takeout arrived yet? I'm going to cry. Wait... you guys!? I know you! You're interastral kidnappers!

"Vacationer": Belfengor, you too? Let me tell you something. Even if I'm killed, you'll never get to sit in this chair!

(Trailblazer): Ahem. Listen to me—

(Reassure them)

(Trailblazer): Relax, I'm your colleague. For now at least. Ever heard of the IPC Anti-Corruption Department?

(Trailblazer): Makes sense you haven't heard of it. You are here as my guests for one special purpose. Tell me, exactly where did those Astropolis funds go?

Silver Wolf: Mm. Taking the data slices is pretty straightforward, but the hacking algorithm still needs optimization.

"Hustler": Aah! O—O—Optimization...

Prometheus: *sigh* Silver Wolf is talking about tech stuff, nothing about optimizing you.

(Intimidate them)

(Trailblazer): Never mind who I am. I brought you here for one thing: to find out where those Astropolis funds went.

(Trailblazer): Where did the money go? Talk. If you don't, I'll lose my patience and hand you over to the Stellaron Hunters.

Silver Wolf: Tch. Your acting is pretty convincing, I'll give you that. You guys must've seen my picture, right?

"Hustler": Ahhh! An a—a—actual Stellaron Hunter! I—I—I—I—I...

Prometheus: You're stuttering? Can you afford to lose time stuttering?

"Hustler": By the Amber Lord above! I always clock in on the dot, keep my paid bathroom breaks under half an hour per month, and stay online after hours. Just one call and I'll go run right back to the IPC.

"Hustler": I... I—I really don't know anything about the Astropolis funds...

You really didn't pocket any?

"Hustler": I really didn't. If anything... I took hundreds of thousands of credits and bought the Cosmic Big Lotto.

"Hustler": It was that salesperson who kept telling me I'd get mega rich overnight, even richer than Oswaldo! But I never won anything, so those hundreds of thousands got recycled right back into the IPC's Lottery Department. Which basically means I didn't embezzle anything!

"Vacationer": Workplace relativity, huh? Keep fooling your colleagues with those words, but don't try to fool yourself.

Silver Wolf: Oh. You seem to know a lot?

"Vacationer": Enough. I can pretty much guess your backstory. Probably someone wants to give me a hard time, and coughed up a lot of money to hire investigators.

"Vacationer": Who in the IPC can honestly say their hands are clean? You're always bound to find dirt if you dig deep enough, so I'm done pretending too.

"Vacationer": That's right, I embezzled those funds. Director Aventurine approved 100 million, and I pocketed 70 million.

Wait, you're saying Aventurine approved how much?

100 million credits?

"Vacationer": That's right. The 100-million budget was approved by Director Aventurine. I used to cook books, I wouldn't forget.

"Vacationer": Also, that amount of money wouldn't be enough to hire a professional designer. Might as well pocket the larger sum, use the rest to outsource the job to some Paperfold University students as a grad project or something.

(Trailblazer): ...

(Trailblazer): What if I told you the budget Aventurine approved was 1.2 billion credits?

"Hustler" & "Vacationer": ...Huh?

Silver Wolf: How interesting. Looks like your mission is still far from being over.

After saving the evidence, Silver Wolf sent them back to where they came from.

(Trailblazer): (Silver Wolf went back to her game. Since we've made some progress, I'd better get in touch with Aventurine first.)

Aventurine: A budget of 1.2 billion credits, but only 100 million reaches the "Human Resources Department." Hah.

Aventurine: I originally thought I'd just cover the shortfall myself if things got annoying. But now, I have no plans to do any of that.

Keep investigating?

Director Aventurine is angry.

Aventurine: I'm counting on you. The good news is, my luck's pretty good. The photoshoot's been delayed, gives us a bit more time.

Aventurine: The department above those two is "Intangible Assets." Follow this lead and you'll definitely snag a big one.

Aventurine: Well then, good luck.

(Trailblazer): Intangible Assets, huh... Let's go take another look with Prometheus.

Hack into the IPC database!

Prometheus: Noted. Hacking in progress... Compiling shaders... Preparation complete, initiating connection!

(Open Antigraft Brickbuster menu)

Hack the Intangible Assets Department

Step Description

The clues suggest the culprit is in the Intangible Assets Department. Try to dig up some dirt on them.

The Radiant Feldspar

(Interact with Prometheus)

Prometheus: Hello, renowned hacker (Trailblazer)! I'm your Smart AI agent Prometheus. How can I help you?

Hack into the IPC database!

Prometheus: Noted. Hacking in progress... Compiling shaders... Preparation complete, initiating connection!
(Open Antigraft Brickbuster menu)

Introduce yourself.

Prometheus: I am Prometheus (Youth Edition), a rookie hacker's trusty helper, and also the Lifetime Honorary Dean of the Hacker Academy, Guardian of Punklorde, Firewall Breaker, Robot Fortress, specialized anti-IPC AI...

Prometheus: Of course, for simplicity's sake, you could also call me: Prometheus.

That's all the questions I have.

Prometheus: Noted. I will enter autonomous mode. Wake me at any time as needed.

(After hacking Intangible Assets Department): (Trailblazer): (This time I've breached the Intangible Assets Department database. Let's see what we have here...); "Spike": Yeah. I embezzled those funds. You got a problem with that?; "Spike": I practiced Roboball-fetch like crazy, did aerobics every morning, and chanted "The IPC is my foundation, the IPC is my home" just to claw my way up to P30! I'm so not letting this major historic opportunity pass me by!; Out with it. How much did you pocket?; "Spike": 300 million and not a penny more. I'll be straight with you: I've got friends in high places. At the Interastral Peace Corporation, connections are the most important intangible asset!; "Spike": My connection is willing to give me 300 million out of a 500 million credit budget. People can talk big online, but truthfully, who wouldn't want to work for a great boss like that?; Prometheus: So your boss tells you it's a 500 million credit budget when it's actually 1.2 billion. What a nice guy.; Silver Wolf: Sigh. Another sucker getting played and thanking them for it. Dealing with noobs is such a drag. I'm over it.; Silver Wolf: You can handle the rest on your own. I'll let you borrow Prometheus for a bit. Later.; (Trailblazer): (Records show that boss he's talking about works for the Information Security Department. Better go check it out with Prometheus.)

(Trailblazer): Wait... where on earth is Prometheus?

??: Bzzt... Bzzt...

Where did you disappear to?

Silver Wolf left, so you're leaving too?

Prometheus: Did you know? In Punklorde, some robots are always disappearing for no reason, therefore, they are called...

Prometheus: ..."Search-party engines"!

...

Nothing but a cheap imitation.

About one-tenth of a "Shush."

Prometheus: Is that so? It seems my parsing and deep learning of you remain critically insufficient. It's alright. I just need to consume some more tokens.

Prometheus: The IPC database is the perfect place for me to grow. Let's go.

Hack into the IPC database!

Hack the Information Security Department

Step Description

The real mastermind is in the Information Security Department... There's no mistake, I'm certain this time!

The Radiant Feldspar

(Interact with Prometheus)

Prometheus: Hello, renowned hacker (Trailblazer)! I'm your Smart AI agent Prometheus. How can I help you?

Hack into the IPC database!

Prometheus: Noted. Hacking in progress... Compiling shaders... Preparation complete, initiating connection!
(Open Antigraft Brickbuster menu)

Introduce yourself.

Prometheus: I am Prometheus (Youth Edition), a rookie hacker's trusty helper, and also the Lifetime Honorary Dean of the Hacker Academy, Guardian of Punklorde, Firewall Breaker, Robot Fortress, specialized anti-IPC AI...

Prometheus: Of course, for simplicity's sake, you could also call me: Prometheus.

That's all the questions I have.

Prometheus: Noted. I will enter autonomous mode. Wake me at any time as needed.

(After hacking Information Security Department)

(Trailblazer): (We've breached the database of the Information Security Department. Let me see what we've got here.)

(Trailblazer): (Huh. Why does my palm feel so furry all of a sudden? Something's not right...)

(Trailblazer): ...Furb, fur-furbo? Furbobo-furb!

Prometheus?: Hiss... Hiss... The implant is finally complete! Behold my brand-new "Become-a-Furbo" virus!

...Bo?

Fur! Bo-bo!

(Rude much?)

(Trailblazer): ...Furbo?

Prometheus?: I know, you are absolutely in awe of my masterful sleight of hand. It's okay, even I'm scared of my own genius sometimes. Please allow me to reintroduce myself...

"Golden Eagle": Yours truly goes by the name "Golden Eagle." I am the former chief of the Information Security Department, a legendary hacker hailing from Punklorde, the 404th candidate in line for the "Ten Stonehearts," and... Silver Wolf's fated nemesis.

"Golden Eagle": Come out, Silver Wolf. I know you're still watching.

The room is dead quiet. Silver Wolf doesn't show. The ensuing silence is dripping with awkwardness.

"Golden Eagle": Is this... are you doing this just to humiliate me!? I've sent you so many challenges, and you never answer! You owe me an explanation!

"Golden Eagle": I moved heaven and earth for this! I got hired by the IPC, signed my life away on an employment contract lasting a thousand Amber Eras, and hacked my way to the very top of the Information Security Department... all for our ultimate showdown!

"Golden Eagle": If you don't come out right now, I'll... I'll poison the dataset of that AI you've been training! I'll turn it into a brainless dimwit that can only babble like "furbo furbo"!

(Please show furbos some respect.)

(You might be taking things a little too far.)

(Trailblazer): Furb, furrrr-b. Furbo!

Silver Wolf: *sigh* I step away for one second to grab a package, and my base gets raided. Honestly, though, I really have no idea who you are.

"Golden Eagle": We are destined rivals! I am the nemesis you are fated to defeat, and indeed have defeated seven times already! But I will never surrender!

Silver Wolf: Doesn't ring a bell. Anyway, how are your hacking skills holding up? Wanna use this guy for target practice?

Silver Wolf: Hold up, let me toss you a revive coin.

Can I just use my baseball bat?

Silver Wolf: I wouldn't care if it was a standard terminal, but that's a limited-edition skin. You won't hurt him, you'll only be destroying my collection.

It looks like you could wipe the floor with him pretty easily.

Silver Wolf: Yeah. But I just did a quick background check, and it turns out he's a hardcore subscriber to your weekly magazine. It would probably be better if you deal with him yourself.

Silver Wolf: Go get 'em. I'll play support for you this round.

Let the hacker showdown begin!

Hack "Golden Eagle"

Step Description

An Aether Hacker from Punklorde has claimed responsibility for everything. He also calls himself Silver Wolf's fated nemesis, but that's one-sided.
Either way, defeat him and this will all be over.

The Radiant Feldspar

(Interact with Prometheus): Silver Wolf: Go get 'em. I'll play support for you this round.; Let the hacker showdown begin!

(After hacking "Golden Eagle"): "Golden Eagle": Ha... haha... The same familiar ending. But I willingly joined the IPC... specifically for this very moment!; "Golden Eagle": Backed by bottomless funding, I have evolved into a true legend of the hacking world: a digitized lifeform existing entirely within the network! To stand against you, I discarded my mortal flesh and became a ghost in a metal shell!; Silver Wolf: *sigh* When they say "Punklorde has no living legends," they don't mean you should go out of your way to kill yourself.; "Golden Eagle": You may defeat me, but you can never truly destroy me! You can wipe my local drives, but you can't kill big data!; "Golden Eagle": I will live inside your AI for all eternity! I will corrupt it, pollute its dataset, and feed it garbage information until your life is a living nightmare!; Who so thoroughly pre-plans their own defeat?; Isn't this playing dirty?; Silver Wolf: Oh. Well, that explains it. This actually makes things easier.; "Golden Eagle": ?; Silver Wolf: Just now, someone sent me an email with a bitmap formatted like a poker chip. I decrypted it and found an encryption key inside. I was wondering what it was for, but you just handed me the answer.; Silver Wolf: You're right. Scrubbing corrupted big data in these days is a massive headache. But you forgot one thing: Employees can be fired.; Silver Wolf: Congrats. You're fired.; "Golden Eagle": You don't have that clearance! I report to the Strategic Investment Department! Without authorization from the "Ten Stonehearts," you couldn't possibly...!; Silver Wolf: This right here is why I hate the IPC. You need someone else's permission just to play the game. Game over.; "Golden Eagle": Wait, no! I haven't even finished spending my payout... My sponsor is gonna come looking...; Prometheus: Hiss... Hiss... Unable to access the Interastral Peace Corporation intranet. Please acquire the necessary permissions and try again...; So it was Aventurine who helped us out just now?; A poker chip, you say?; Silver Wolf: Who knows. Not interested in IPC drama. He dropped some insane loot, though.; Silver Wolf: The money you're looking for is all in his account. Go turn in your quest. I'm grabbing some souvenirs for my gamer group chat.

Aventurine: Thank you for the help, my friend. Whatever funds that group didn't manage to squander, combined with the assets they've hoarded over the years, will be more than enough to plug this billion-credit deficit. You two certainly work fast.; Were you the one who fired that hacker?; Aventurine: Haha, to use a piece of corporate jargon they're so fond of, let's call it "optimization." A fitting end for a digital lifeform, too.; Aventurine: I took a close look at the records you sent over, and found quite a few suspicious details. So, after you breached the Information Security Department, I decided to follow what you dud [sic] and poke around the system myself. Good thing I have the authority to make personnel decisions of this caliber.; Aventurine: Anyway, you have my gratitude. You'll receive the promised reward in full. If you can, please send my regards to your friend as well.; Aventurine: Don't you find the whole thing strange? The head of the Information Security Department turns out to be a Punklorde hacker who started from nothing, yet is somehow sitting on massive accounts filled with untraceable funds.; Aventurine: Terminating his employment requires the approval of the "Ten Stonehearts," hiring him naturally required it too.; Aventurine: ...; Aventurine: When someone slides their chips across the table, it would be rude of me not to call their bet. It seems I'll have to attend that commercial shoot in Astropolis.
(Mission complete)

Messages
Silver Wolf

Silver Wolf

Here, the gifts I promised you

Picked out some things you could actually use from that guy's dropped loot

Already scrubbed it clean. Totally secure. No way the IPC's tracking their data.

All hail the great αWolf!

(Trailblazer)

So generous! Love ya, αWolf!

Silver Wolf

No sweat. Stick with αWolf, and you'll be eating good

I'm included, too?

(Trailblazer)

I'm included in this feast, too?

Silver Wolf

Naturally, you're basically my gaming buddy too, aren't you?

Consider it a bonus

Silver Wolf

If it were not for you, the IPC would never have been able to recruit me

Oh, and I turned the whole IPC-hacking process into an Aether Cartridge. Since it was insanely difficult, it's totally blown up across the hacker network

You could give it a shot, too. Maybe you'll run into some other hackers

Other Languages

Language	Official Name
English	Who Touched My Budget
Chinese (Simplified)	谁动了我的经费
Chinese (Traditional)	誰動了我的經費
Japanese	予算はどこへ消えた？
Korean	누가 내 경비를 옮겼을까
Spanish	¿Quién movió mi presupuesto?
French	Qui a touché à mon budget
Russian	Кто трогал мои деньги
Thai	ใครมาแตะงบของฉัน
Vietnamese	Ai Đã Động Vào Kinh Phí Của Tôi
German	Wer hat mein Budget angerührt?
Indonesian	Siapa yang Menggunakan Anggaranku?
Portuguese	Quem Mexeu no Meu Orçamento

Change History

Released in Version 4.4

[Create New History]