Approaching Porcelume (II)

Approaching Porcelume (II) is a Hearsay Commission in Failume Heights.

Steps

1. Find Komano Manato in Failume Heights
2. Head to Carefree Apartments to find the miners' community
3. Talk to the miners
4. Venture into the Hollow and locate areas with rich ore veins
5. Talk to the Lead Miner
6. Go to a suitable location to place the bait
7. Collect Lumite ore nearby
8. Go to a suitable location to place the bait

Dialogue

 Find Komano Manato in Failume Heights

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Must be a commission from Komano Manato... Has he found some new leads? Go find him.

Failume Heights

(Idle 1)

Miner: Maybe we should listen to Porcelumex and sell it cheap...

(Idle 2)

Miner: Manato is such a reliable kid.

Miner: Ah... mine was... ten years ago...

(Idle 3)

Miner: Still got my kid's school fees to pay... Maybe we should back down this time.

(Talk to Manato)

Miner Uncle: Manato, I'm counting on you! You've gotta find it!

Komano Manato: I'll do my best, Uncle Li.

Miner Auntie: Hey Li, don't put so much pressure on the kid. Manato, we're all good here. Just don't slack off on your studies, alright? Your education comes first!

Komano Manato: Got it!

Komano Manato: Perfect timing! I was just about to look for you.

Though surrounded by miners, Komano Manato spots you and pulls you aside.

Komano Manato: Sorry. Please, this way.

What's going on?

Why're there so many miners?

Komano Manato: These are my uncles and aunties who work in the mines. The people who've always looked out for me.

Komano Manato: ...I need to find the Boocelume.

Hold on a sec.

Can you tell me just what's going on?

Komano Manato: Ah! I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. So, after some digging, I've got some new leads.

Komano Manato: It started something like this... After the incident in the Lemnian Hollow, the miners got spooked by the sudden surge of Miasma and Ethereals, and refused to work, so the Porcelumex mining operations took a big hit.

Komano Manato: Since Porcelumex controls all the local Lumite ore mining operations and the miners are all their employees, they should be providing basic support for everyone's needs until the industry recovers.

Komano Manato: However, Porcelumex refused. They're using every excuse in the book to evade their responsibility.

Half of this mess is on the Exaltists.

No matter what, the miners deserve to have a safety net.

Komano Manato: Yeah, everyone's trying their best to get by. The trauma from the disaster ten years ago cut deep enough. No need to rub salt in those wounds now.

Komano Manato: Later, a rumor spread that a Porcelume Bangboo was discovered in the Hollow, and whoever could catch it would be blessed with a miracle.

Sounds a bit far-fetched.

Now that sounds tempting.

Komano Manato: Yeah, though I didn't hear it firsthand, and I'm a bit skeptical... but some of our oldest neighbors say they've heard of people who actually saw it with their own eyes and even touched it. Shame they all vanished without a trace after that.

Komano Manato: Anyway, the rumor has everyone in a frenzy again lately, and the miners left idle by the shutdown of mining operations are tripping over themselves to get back into the Hollow, no matter the risk. They see it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a miracle.

Komano Manato: Since there's only one Porcelume Bangboo, it's a zero-sum game with only one winner and nobody wants to share what they know. As an outsider, I naturally had no way of knowing before.

Aren't they afraid of the danger?

And they were so reluctant to work before, too.

Komano Manato: Well, there's another reason for that. A guy named Johnson, who claims to be a Lumite ore smuggler, made a secret deal with the miners. They can bring him any Lumite ore they find while searching for Porcelume Bangboo.

Komano Manato: This way, even if the miners don't catch the Porcelume Bangboo, they can at least get some money as a consolation. Though the price isn't great, it's still something.

This Johnson guy doesn't seem completely heartless, at least.

You're also interested in Porcelume Bangboo?

Komano Manato: My uncles just told me the truth. I want to find Boocelume. If miracles really exist, I hope it can grant me a wish — that the miners of Sailume Bay can live freely, without worry, doing as they please.

I'll help you see this through.

I'll do my best too!

Komano Manato: Alright, let's get started!

Komano Manato: Step one: Head to the miners' community in the Hollow to gather more detailed intel.

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 Head to Carefree Apartments to find the miners' community

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Could it be the "Porcelume Bangboo" that helps improve miners' lives...? Head to the miners' community at Carefree Apartments to get more detailed intel.

Carefree Apartments

(Upon entering Carefree Apartments)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle) By the way, Komano Manato, you seem pretty close with the mining community. Any reason for that?

Komano Manato: They're all my "family"...

Komano Manato: They work so hard and they take care of people like me. That's why I want to protect them.

 Talk to the miners

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The miners keep talking about a "Porcelume Bangboo." Speak with them and gather some intel.

Carefree Apartments

(Approach the miners)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): I hear the miners! Let's hurry over there!

(Talk to Chatty Miner)

Chatty Miner: Well, none of you have any idea, now do you!

Chatty Miner: Ugh, y'all just don't get it... Ya don't get it at all! That Boocelume, I've got some absolutely legit intel about it!

Impatient Miner: Stop keeping us in suspense, Liu. Just spill it!

Komano Manato: Here we are... Well, I'm not really familiar with these miners.

Komano Manato: Let me try saying hello first.

Hold on. Someone's on a roll.

Let's not interrupt him.

Chatty Miner: None of you get it, right? Let me break it down for ya!

Chatty Miner: Now, listen up!

I'm begging you, please.

Spill it already!

Impatient Miner: Come on bro, I'm begging you. Spill it already!

Chatty Miner: Alright, alright, let me tell ya, this Boocelume is a pure treasure from head to toe! It's got perks for days!

Impatient Miner: What does that mean? Can it cure a cough, like herbs?

Chatty Miner: That's just the smallest of its many perks. Get close to it and you'll feel light as a feather, and that Ether Corruption? Gone in a flash!

Impatient Miner: Makes sense, since it's made of Porcelume.

Chatty Miner: And it has the ability to sniff out and identify Lumite ore.

Impatient Miner: And what good is that?

Chatty Miner: Get on its good side, and it'll help you track down the richest Lumite ore deposits.

Impatient Miner: Well, well, look who's the Proxy! You've got some serious skills.

Chatty Miner: This one can also help your kid with homework, clean the house, and it's pretty good at doing taxes too.

Impatient Miner: That's some serious skills right there.

Komano Manato: ...Do we even need to keep listening? This guy's just talking big, and that one next to him is just playing along.

Yeah, there's really no need...

But there's a spark of insight in all that nonsense.

Komano Manato: Oh? How so?

The Boocelume looks a lot like Porcelume...

And they say it can discover rich veins of Lumite ore...

Komano Manato: I think I can see... how the two are connected. Makes sense — you think it might usually be found in Lumite ore-rich areas?

That's right!

Maybe Porcelume is its camouflage.

Komano Manato: I know where the rich veins are around here... Let's move!

 Venture into the Hollow and locate areas with rich ore veins

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Could the "Porcelume Bangboo" be living in Porcelume-rich areas? Let's check out the nearby rich vein zones.

Carefree Apartments

(After the conversation)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): They may appear relaxed much as they can, the miners in Waifei Peninsula really have it rough.

Komano Manato: Yeah, many of them carry debts and heavy pasts... but they're trying their best to live on...

Komano Manato: Those who work hard shouldn't end up with nothing. If life won't lend them a hand, I will.

(Approach the miners)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): I hear mining tools nearby!

Komano Manato: Looks like someone beat us to it. Let's check it out.

 Talk to the Lead Miner

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Looks like you weren't the first ones to think of that... But no worries, brainstorm other options based on the intelligence you have.

Carefree Apartments

(Idle 1)

Miner: Phew... I'm beat. I need a break!

(Idle 2)

Miner: That Johnson guy in the suit, even though he looks like a total wimp...

Miner: ...He never budged on the price, not even once!

(Idle 3)

Miner: If we're not getting anywhere, we'll just have to sell all the Lumite ore we mined to Johnson...

Miner: No point keeping it...

(Talk to Lead Miner)

Lead Miner: Come on everyone. Let's search! I bet it's around here somewhere!

Just as I thought.

We can't be the first ones to think of this.

Lead Miner: Got the mining explosives ready too. They say that Boocelume can transform into a giant Porcelume robot in its second phase. We better be prepared!

Komano Manato: Is Boocelume really that hyped up?

...Making such a huge fuss about it.

Boocelume's gonna get spooked and run away.

Lead Miner: Chen, you pushed me out with all your might during that cave-in before, and that old injury of yours still hasn't healed, right? If Boocelume transforms, let me take the lead!

Acquiescent Miner: Don't say that. We escaped on foot from those Ethereals together. Of course we're in this together again!

Lead Miner: Haha, looks like we're on the hook for Zheng's medical bills. Let's hustle then!

Acquiescent Miner: We've been giving it our all! This is already the fifth rich vein spot. Let's hope we strike gold this time.

Lead Miner: Worry not. Even if we didn't find that Porcelume Bangboo, we can still trade these Huiling stones with that swindler for some pocket money. Worst case, we'll just call it a contribution to Eridu. After all, Porcelume is our secret weapon against the Hollow.

Acquiescent Miner: Yeah yeah, it's our ace in the hole! Look how the Miasma steers clear of these Lumite-rich veins. And hey, did you forget the "New" in front of "Eridu"? Haha.

Lead Miner: Hey, my slow brain just can't shake old habits. Come on, Chen, let's give it our all for New Eridu!

Komano Manato: ...Everyone's trying their best to get by.

Komano Manato: But we won't find any Boocelume like this... Got any ideas?

They've already scoped out all the rich veins around here.

Gotta rethink our direction.

Komano Manato: But if we don't search in the rich vein areas, it'll be like looking for a needle in a haystack...

What if we set a decoy?

What if we artificially create a rich vein?

Komano Manato: So you mean... I get it! Let's start collecting Lumite ore.

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 Collect Lumite ore nearby

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Maybe a rich deposit of Lumite ore could serve as bait... Collect some Lumite ore around here first!

Carefree Apartments

(Investigate first Porcelume Collection Point)

Lumite ore collected!

So many footprints around here... Huh? Dress shoe prints?

(Investigate second Porcelume Collection Point)

Lumite ore collected!

There's a set of tiny footprints... Don't tell me...

(Investigate third Porcelume Collection Point)

Lumite ore collected!

Hm? A used napkin... with a Porcelumex logo on it? Could it belong to one of the miners?

(After collecting all three Lumite Ore)

Komano Manato: I think that's about everything...

I agree.

Let's get going!

Komano Manato: Hmm, better find a more secluded spot so we don't disturb the miners.

 Go to a suitable location to place the bait

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Since the "Porcelume Bangboo" won't show up in crowded places, set up some bait in a secluded spot.

Carefree Apartments

(Approach the marked location)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Komano Manato! What do you think of this area?

Komano Manato: Perfect spot, secluded and great for an ambush! Hmm... I can hear the Ethereal!

(Interact with Porcelume Ore Placement Point)

You and Komano Manato deposit the Lumite ore at the designated spot.

Komano Manato: Phew... and that's it.

What's gonna happen next?

Will it just show up in the next second?

Komano Manato: No way it'll be that quick... I think we should cover our tracks and come back to stake out the place later.

Komano Manato: Sorry for dragging you into this mess.

Not at all. Exercise is good for health!

Not at all. Call it a warm-up!

Komano Manato: Trust me, I know from experience — pushing yourself too hard today means sore muscles tomorrow.

Komano Manato: ...Well, I admit I'm eager to catch Boocelume right away and wrap up all this, but you don't have to push yourself so hard alongside me.

Komano Manato: To be honest, I just wanted you to help me gather some intel at first. Never thought we'd end up dealing with such complicated and exhausting work.

Haha... you're totally underestimating me!

If you're not tired... neither am I!

Komano Manato: ...I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover. I shouldn't have doubted your strength. If you're not in a rush to head back, how about joining me for a meal at Yum Cha Sin? Their shrimp dumplings are absolutely legendary — totally mouthwatering!

Let's wait until everything's over.

No rush. We've got all the time in the world.

Komano Manato: As you wish, but next time you better let me return the favor.

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