Closing in on the Truth

Clear the Mist

 Defeat the Ethereals before you

(Enter combat)

Remielle: Be careful! The Singularity Leakage is causing Ethereals to appear too!

Norma: But this place shouldn't—

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Focus on the enemy first, Norma!Focus on the enemy first, Norma!Text for Wise / Norma, focus on the enemy first!Norma, focus on the enemy first!Text for Belle‍)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Let's talk once we're safe!

(After defeating the Lahmu and Mushussu)

Growing Suspicions

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Growing Suspicions

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Video Summary: The truth behind the answer begins to shine with the light of dawn.

Story Description: Norma discovers that "Singularity Leakage" phenomena have also begun appearing in the upper levels of the CCD. A strange Ethereal in particular catches (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)'s attention. After discussing the situation, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍) decides to first track the Ethereal's movements while continuing the search for the "Angel".

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Norma: This is so weird. How could there be a Singularity Leakage in the CCD's upper levels?!

Norma: This is right in the heart of the city, and the security's dead tight. It should be the least likely place for something like this to happen...

Could that Ethereal from earlier have caused it?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Could that Ethereal from earlier have caused the Singularity Leakage? What exactly was it?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): It looked extremely powerful, but its Ether presence was surprisingly weak... Fairy didn't even detect any Ether fluctuations nearby.

Remielle: Right, even I didn't notice it at first either. Could it be...?

Norma: What?!

Remielle: Could it be something really powerful?

Norma: That strange Ethereal appeared right after the Angel's signal vanished. Could there be some connection?

I don't really know...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): I don't know either... but even if we rush to the Control Tower now, it won't help.

Remielle: I agree, it's unlikely we'll find anything.

Let's track down that Ethereal first.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Let's catch that Ethereal first! This strange Singularity Leakage is so suspicious. If we follow it, we might be able to find the Angel's trail again!

 Catch the fleeing Ethereal

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Norma suspects the Angel might be connected to the Ethereal that just escaped. Chase it down before it gets too far.

(Restricted Area) CCD

(While crossing the bridge)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The Ethereal's signal is over there!

(Restore the elevator to the right and enter the hidden space on the second floor, optional)

Remielle: Where are we? Don't tell me you got us lost?

(After helping Kabka retrieve Torn Picture Book Page "5", optional)

Remielle: Shouldn't we keep heading toward the top floor?

(Enter combat)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍There areThere areText for Wise / There'sThere'sText for Belle‍) Ethereals here too!

Remielle: Looks like this is quite the intense Singularity Leakage...

Norma: Hope the anomalies here won't spread to the city...

(After defeating the enemies)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): We can get up using the track over there!

(After opening the Access Control)

(Girtablullu attacks a Databoo and escapes through a fissure)

(Before Norma and the rest can reach the Bangboo, an Avarus blocks the way)

 Defeat the Ethereals before you

(Enter combat)

Norma: That Bangboo's been attacked! He's Corrupted!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Norma, stay calm! We gotta deal with these enemies first!

Norma: The Ether concentration here is so high...

Norma: Could it be... that monster did all this?!

Norma: Why would it hurt the Bangboo? What does it want?!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Norma...

(After defeating the Avarus)

(Norma approaches the Databoo)

A Sudden Clue

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 A Sudden Clue

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Video Summary: Behind every chance coincidence, there exists some kind of inevitable connection.

Story Description: The unusual Ethereal flees, leaving behind corrupted Bangboo and cargo. Assisting Norma in calculating the location where the Singularity Leakage erupted leads only to a note covered in bizarre doodles... After convincing Velina through the communicator, the three set off together into the Hollow to pursue the Ethereal...

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After taking down the Ethereal, Norma quickly checks the Databoo lying on the ground...

Norma: ...

Norma: ...It's no use. The Logic Core is completely corrupted. He's dead...

Norma: ...Damn it! We were so close...

No way...

The Singularity Leakage only just happened...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): How (‍diddidText for Belle‍)...? The Singularity Leakage just happened. It got Corrupted so fast!

Remielle: Calm down, you two. Listen to me, I'm not saying this just to comfort you, but I fear we can't make judgments regarding that Ethereal with your normal understanding.

Norma: So that Ethereal really can create Singularity Leakages and instantly Corrupt Bangboo?

Remielle: I'm not sure, but instantaneous Corruption and destruction... they aren't unheard of.

Remielle: Let's set that aside for now. What's your next plan? That Ethereal slipped back into the Hollow through a nearby fissure. If you want to pursue it, there's still time.

Norma, pull yourself together.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Norma, pull yourself together. Let's keep chasing.

Norma: ...Mhm... Ah!

Remielle: Hey, careful! Norma, I don't think it's a good idea for you to head into the Hollow if you keep zoning out like this.

Remielle: Speaking of which, has the CCD always been this messy? Ah... Ether particles are everywhere. Ew...

The CCD is currently under renovation.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): That's because the CCD is under renovation right now. There's been a constant stream of things being moved in and out every day...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Hm? Wait, Norma, look! There's so much cargo here, and it's all covered in Ether!

Norma: Ether? So what...?

Norma: Ah!! This is the perfect opportunity to measure the Ether concentration!

Remielle: What's with the yelling all of a sudden?

Norma: Remie! These Ether-coated cargo crates are like wet sand in a bucket, preserving the shape from when the Singularity Leakage appeared...

Norma: So then, with this reliable record, we should be able to determine the origin point of the Singularity Leakage!

Norma: You mean there might be important clues left at the place where the Singularity Leakage appeared, maybe even what caused the Bangboo to be Corrupted so quickly?

Norma: Exactly!

Norma takes out the device, and a few minutes later...

Remielle: According to the readings, this is where the Singularity Leakage first erupted. Hmm... There's a charging station here... so this must be where that Bangboo was on duty. But there's nothing unusual about this place.

Norma: Yeah, it seems like there's nothing here... But why...?

There's something on the ground...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Wait, there's something on the ground... Let me take a look... Ah, it looks like an inventory list for this area.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Huh? But what's on this paper... Looks like random doodles?

(Garbled Log added to the Workbench)

Garbled Log

File:Intelligence Garbled Log.png

A journal left behind by Archy's friend, logging what they saw and heard during patrols. But it's riddled with garbled text and contradictions, a clear sign that the writer was in an extremely unstable mental state at the time.

Remielle: Probably someone letting off work stress.

Norma: How could there be no clues at all? Let me think... Give me a little more ti...

Suddenly, a piercing alarm blares—

Norma: Not good, the alarm went off! Wait, the communicator's ringing too! Ah! Veli...? At a time like this!?

Velina: Norma, are you with (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍) right now?

Norma: Ah, ahahaha... Yes, we, we're... Um...

Velina: No need for excuses. I know you're at the CCD.

Velina: I won't question you sneaking out at night... Just return to your place right now before Airspace Patrol catches you!

Hang on!

(Try to negotiate)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Wait, Velina, we might have found something that could lead us to the truth behind everything that's been happening!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): A Singularity Leakage appeared near the CCD, and a Bangboo was killed. When we arrived, a strange Ethereal had just slipped into a Hollow fissure and escaped. It could be the culprit!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): We're about to enter the Hollow to pursue that Ethereal, so we can't go back right now!

Norma: Veli, we're telling the truth! We're just about to catch the culprit! This could solve all the ESD's problems!

Velina: ...*sigh*

Velina: Alright, I'll reach out to Cissia and Billy right away and have them back you in the Hollow. But while it's important we catch that possible culprit, don't forget to remain cautious.

Velina: ...As for trespassing in the CCD at night, I'll take care of it.

Velina cuts off the communication.

We've been completely exposed...

There's only one choice left.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Ah, it was supposed to be a secret operation, but now we've been completely exposed. At this point, we can only move forward. We don't have any choice left but to keep tracking that monster—

Remielle: Heh, looks like this "we" includes me too.

Remielle: But our partnership doesn't seem very favorable for me right now. The help we agreed on didn't include going toe-to-toe with that kind of monster~

I know you'll help me.

The show has just begun.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): But I know you'll help me, right? From what I know about you, Miss "Love-a-Good-Show," you'd never miss the show that's about to begin.

Remielle: Oh my, you've turned the tables on me... Didn't see that coming...

Remielle: —Then... let's hope it doesn't disappoint anyone here.

 Enter the spatial fissure and keep tracking the target

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Can't let this clue slip away after all the trouble it took to track it down. Jump into that spatial fissure quick and keep tailing that weird Ethereal.

(Restricted Area) CCD

(Ongoing)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): We need to get through that fissure (‍nownowText for Wise / ASAPASAPText for Belle‍), or our "clue" is gonna slip away.

(After entering the Fissure)

Remielle: Where are we...?

Norma: It's the Scamall Hollow!

 Find the target Ethereal

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Close in on the target with Fairy's coordinates and track down that escaped Ethereal!

(Hollow) Sunken Corridor

(Ongoing)

Norma: Where is it? Where'd it go?!

Fairy: High-risk Ethereal signal... located.

(While running on the tracks)

Fairy: You are approaching the target. Please continue forward.

(While going through the tunnel)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The space here is so chaotic.

Norma: The direction keeps changing so fast... We didn't lose them, did we?

Remielle: Don't worry. Just leave it to the Proxy.

(Approach the end of the tracks)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Follow me, this way!

 Push through the chaotic space

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The environment inside the Scamall Hollow is particularly complex. Push through this chaotic space as fast as you can and keep tracking that Ethereal.

(Hollow) Sunken Corridor

(Enter combat)

Norma: Ethereals!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The target has a weak Ether signature, and these enemies might interfere with our tracking.

Remielle: Let's make this quick.

(Reach the beacon)

Norma: How's it looking?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Still got a lock on (‍them!them!Text for Wise / 'em!'em!Text for Belle‍)

(Reach the vantage point)

Norma: Oh! So this is where we ended up! Haven't seen this big guy in ages.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): You mean the building that looks like a giant Bangboo?

Norma: Yup, my old Giant Bangboo project! Shame it sank down here before I could finish it... But that's a story for another time. Let's hustle and catch up to our target!

Remielle: Shh, don't go just yet — Bangboo incoming. Let's hide!

Archy: Ehn-na, ehn-nha! (...still... on active duty... the two of you...)

Norma: It's Archy from Airspace Patrol! But they're too far away — can't make out what they're saying.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Let's have Fairy piggyback on a nearby device and relay it. You good with that, Fairy?

Fairy: "You're still on active duty. The two of you are making the whole department look bad."

Fairy: "If you didn't mess with Toby, why'd he scribble all over you?"

Remielle: Pfft... okay, I feel a little bad for them, but they do look kind of funny.

Fairy: "Where did Toby run off to? You can't just go wandering around a Hollow! It's seriously dangerous!"

Fairy: "Captain Archy, we'll go bring him back right now..."

Fairy: "Move! And whatever happens, Lady Sigrid cannot hear about this!"

Disaster's Origin

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Disaster's Origin

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Video Summary: Bangboo... were the source of the disaster?!

Story Description: After witnessing a heated argument within Archy's squad at the Airspace Patrol, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍) realizes that every mysterious doodle encountered so far seems directly connected to the outbreak of the Singularity Leakages. After piecing together all the suspicious clues, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍) arrives at a shocking conclusion: the true source behind the Singularity Leakage disasters is actually the Bangboo themselves.

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Archy and the others hurry off...

Norma: Archy and the others rushed off to find Toby. They won't be coming back. We can keep going after the monster.

Remielle: Let's go, (‍Mr.Mr.Text for Wise / MissMissText for Belle‍) Proxy. What are you waiting for?

Don't you guys think... that drawing...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Did you notice the drawing on that Bangboo earlier? It looks very similar to this.

(Garbled Log is shown again)

Garbled Log

File:Intelligence Garbled Log.png

A journal left behind by Archy's friend, logging what they saw and heard during patrols. But it's riddled with garbled text and contradictions, a clear sign that the writer was in an extremely unstable mental state at the time.

Remielle: This is from back then, at the CCD... Hm... Yeah, it does look a bit similar.

Norma: Huh? Now that I think about it, we've seen this symbol more than once tonight! There was one at the Bangboo theater!

Norma: But what does it actually mean?

(Share your analysis)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The one who left the drawing in the theater was a Bangboo victim, and the doodle at the CCD was likely left by the Databoo that died earlier.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Also, the spot where the Singularity Leakage erupted at the CCD is both where we found the paper and where the Databoo was stationed.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Until now, we assumed the Singularity Leakages and the overlapping dimensions were the source of the disaster, and that the Bangboo were just victims caught up in it.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): But maybe... (‍we got it all wrongwe got it all wrongText for Wise / the truth is the exact oppositethe truth is the exact oppositeText for Belle‍) — it's not that the Singularity Leakages killed the Bangboo, it's that the Bangboo triggered the Singularity Leakages.

Norma: The Bangboo triggered the Singularity Leakage... The Bangboo...

Norma: But how is that even possible? A Bangboo's body doesn't hold nearly enough energy to trigger a Singularity Leakage!

Remielle: What if... their bodies had already been tampered with beforehand?

Remielle: Maybe that monster was lured to the CCD by the Singularity Leakage.

Norma: Wait, let me think... What you're saying does make sense...

Norma: But if that's the case, then the one who left the drawing earlier, Toby, would also—

That's right.

Toby is very likely "infected" as well.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍That'sThat'sText for Wise / You'reYou'reText for Belle‍) right, Toby is very likely "infected" as well.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): If that Ethereal is attracted to Singularity Leakages triggered by Bangboo, then it would likely be drawn to Toby (‍as wellas wellText for Belle‍)!

Norma: Toby only just disappeared, so there's still a chance we can save him!

Right! If everything goes smoothly...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Right! If things go smoothly, we might not only save Toby, but also catch the real culprit behind the attacks on Bangboo!

Remielle: Hmm... Should I clarify that we're not exactly together?

Remielle: But... let's go. Let's keep chasing that strange Ethereal.