Cyber Trap

Staff: The HIA sincerely thanks everyone for your help! We will definitely be putting Section 6's combat data to good use.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I'm just glad we could be of service. If it's alright, we'll be off now.

Staff: Please head to the parking lot. There's an official car waiting for you and we'll take you all back, just like how we brought you here.

Meanwhile—

Pensive Miyabi Fan: When are they coming out? I've been waiting here since this morning, and I really wanna see Lady Miyabi again...

Curious Harumasa Fan: Me too, I've got more questions for Harumasamasa!

Sad Soukaku Fan: Soukaku must be hungry by now... Should I order her some takeout?

Staff: Citizens, citizens, I understand how passionate you all are...

Staff: But the Section 6 executive officers have important official duties, and have to go back soon. Even if they didn't, they'd be resting in the club's VVIP lounge — so there's no point waiting here, you won't get any chance to meet them!

Belle: I didn't expect to see all these people still milling around even after we finished our restocking trip...

Anyone in particular you want to wait for?

Belle: Rather than a person, I'm more interested in learning what the inside of the VVIP lounge looks like!

In the Lumina Square parking lot...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: In the Lumina Square parking lot...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...It's not just the HIA car that's not here. There's no sign of any vehicles around.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I'm certain this is the direction the staff member pointed us towards. Has something happened...?

Just then, the rest of Section 6 arrive at the parking lot.

Hoshimi Miyabi: I don't see any cars. Should we walk back instead?

Soukaku: Yeah, let's do it! Let's take a walk and patrol at the same time!

Asaba Harumasa: Chief, Soukaku — aren't you two a little too unfazed? This situation seems fishy any way you look at it.

Asaba Harumasa: Deputy Chief, what do you think?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...There aren't many possibilities that could have led to our current predicament. Let's rule them out one by one, then.

Asaba Harumasa: Agreed. Let's go back and ask the staff what's going on.

 Go to the HIA Career Club

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Head to the HIA Career Club and ask the staff why they didn't make any preparations.

Hoshimi Miyabi: ...The staff who was hosting us before and the receptionist... They're all gone.

Hoshimi Miyabi: ...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Yanagi, don't you find the current situation strange?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: If even our chief realizes that things are weird, then it truly must be the weirdest of the weird...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I suggest splitting up to investigate as teams. What do you think, Chief?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Let's do it. Asaba, you and Soukaku take the stairs. Yanagi, come check the inside with me.

Asaba Harumasa: Got it. Soukaku, come with me.

 Investigate the VR machine

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Operate the VR machine and investigate the clues.

(Talk to Soukaku, optional)

Soukaku: Nagi, Harumasa and I just went upstairs and we saw...

Soukaku: ...Absolutely no one. Where's everyone gone?

(Talk to Hoshimi Miyabi, optional)

Hoshimi Miyabi: I checked and found no one.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Just to be on the safe side, you can go check again. I'll wait here.

(Interact with the VR machine)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I noticed this when we came in...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Nobody's using them, but all of these machines are still on.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...

Everyone gathers together...

Soukaku: As expected... It's kinda creepy. This place was bustling just before, but now all of a sudden, there's nobody around...

Soukaku: Is this place haunted?

Asaba Harumasa: What? By you?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Asaba.

Asaba Harumasa: I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. She set me up.

Hoshimi Miyabi: There's no point in continuing our investigation here. Let's check outside.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I agree with the Chief's assessment of the situation.

Hoshimi Miyabi: If things don't work out we can just walk back...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...Ha. I think we might've already come too far for us to just "walk back."

Soukaku: Am I dreaming, Nagi? How are there no people in Lumina Square?

Soukaku: At the Lumina Square I know, the hotpot joint is buzzing like crazy even at three in the morning...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Soukaku! Children should be in bed by three. Next time, you are not allowed to go out so late for snacks.

Soukaku: Okay, Nagi!

Asaba Harumasa: Why are you guys keeping up your stand-up comedy routine in a situation this weird? Are you two really that close?

Asaba Harumasa: ...Never mind. Though I'm not holding out any hope whatsoever, let's still investigate thoroughly.

Asaba Harumasa: I'll go check the shops down there. How about you, Chief?

Hoshimi Miyabi: Then I'll go back and double-check the parking lot. Yanagi, you and Soukaku can investigate inside the mall.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Alright. Let's meet up after our respective investigations to share any discoveries.

 Go out and investigate Lumina Square

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Go out and investigate Lumina Square to see if anything unusual is happening.

(Interact with Strange Place on Sān-Z STUDIO, optional)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Huh? Why are there road signs, fire hydrants, and slow mirrors mounted on the wall?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: This seems out of the ordinary... doesn't it?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: No, wait. This shop seems to specialize in creative design... it must be intentional.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Maybe they're trying to convey something... like thinking outside the box or taking the road less traveled.

(Interact with Red Bean Bun Billboard on 141 Convenience Store, optional)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Huh? I recently saw a commercial for these red bean buns on TV. They seem to be really popular right now, with people always here in line.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The store is closed in broad daylight... How strange.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Hope it resumes business soon. Once the mission is over, I can buy some for Soukaku.

(Talk to Asaba Harumasa)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Did you find anything unusual, Asaba?

Asaba Harumasa: Look, Deputy Chief, this tactile path or my conscience, one of them has to be wrong.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: What do you mean?

Asaba Harumasa: Huh?! You're kidding, right, Deputy Chief? This tactile path goes right across the road! There's no way this traffic light roulette game is right!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Oh, I see. Given how often you've been absent, your conscience has been wrong for a while, so I thought you were defending the tactile path.

Asaba Harumasa: ...Are you serious, Deputy Chief? That's so mean!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...Who do you think has been covering for all your absences? Who's been filling out your leave explanations? And who's been handling your vacation requests?

Asaba Harumasa: Eh...? Thanks, Deputy Chief. I'm sorry for the trouble...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Glad you realize you're causing trouble. Actually, I didn't handle any of that stuff for you. Make sure to get it all done after the mission, hm?

Asaba Harumasa: Seriously, Deputy Chief?! That's so not cool?!

(Talk to Hoshimi Miyabi)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Chief, did you notice anything unusual?

Hoshimi Miyabi: Yes, this one. It's way longer compared to the others, unusually long. I'll trim it down to the same length. Just one cut will do.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Don't destroy public property, Chief. This should be some masterpiece of artistic expression?

Hoshimi Miyabi: Then what is it trying to express?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Hm... The tallest trees catch the most wind.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Oh? And how can you be so sure?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Chief, didn't you just want to cut it short?

Hoshimi Miyabi: I see, that makes sense. A very well done artistic expression, I've learned something new.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: (I'm not that familiar with Lumina Square. Was this artwork always like this?)

(Talk to Soukaku)

Soukaku: Hmm... so weird.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Soukaku? Anything wrong with these trash cans?

Soukaku: Nagi! I've figured it out! The sandwiches at Lumina Square must taste awful!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: That's not quite the problem we're looking for... but go ahead, why do you think so?

Soukaku: Because a lot of people have thrown their sandwiches away! Look, there's a sandwich in the trash with just one bite taken!

Soukaku: Here's another one with just one bite in this trash can! Same with this one, and this one! And look at this one too!

Soukaku: They all took a bite from the same spot and tossed it the same way! It must taste really, really bad for everyone to throw it away like that! Hmm... could it really be that awful? I'm kinda curious about the taste now...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: No! You're not touching that, and don't go checking trash cans again! I'll make you a nice meal when we get home, okay?

Soukaku: Okay, Nagi!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: (Identical trash cans and even the things thrown in them are nearly the same... Would they really have so many trash cans?)

Poor Hospitality

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Poor Hospitality

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Video Summary: Something's definitely wrong!

Story Description: The official vehicle has vanished, and there's no one in sight outside. Yanagi speculates there was an issue with the virtual reality system and hurries everyone back to the Investigative Association's VR machine.

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Yanagi had never really thought of Lumina Square as a particularly large place before.
But with the crowds gone, all the sounds, smells, and warmth vanished—every trace of life and energy stripped away. What was left felt oddly eerie, it's just like...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...It's just like being inside a Hollow...

Asaba Harumasa: Please stop reading my mind, Deputy Chief! This is really starting to scare me!

Soukaku: You're scared of an empty square?

Asaba Harumasa: No. I'm scared of how many times your "mommy" has seen right through my leave requests...

Soukaku: My mommy? I've only got a sister!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Let's share our findings on the investigation. Chief, have you got anything?

Hoshimi Miyabi: Nothing. No matter how much I wave my sword around, nobody's coming to take a group photo or a selfie.

Soukaku: I couldn't find anyone, either. Feels like I'd be hiding until my tummy started growling if I played hide and seek here!

Soukaku: ....Huh? My tummy isn't growling?

Soukaku: Why!? I've been running around investigating all day. Why am I not hungry? Am I... sick?

Asaba Harumasa: Soukaku, do you really need to bug the Deputy Chief with stuff like this? Wanna hear my theory about what's going on?

Hoshimi Miyabi: Go on.

Asaba Harumasa: New Eridu... has been hit by a deadly plague.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...

Asaba Harumasa: Everyone must've been evacuated from Lumina Square while we were running those combat tests. As carriers of the virus, we've now been quarantined and cut off from everyone in this big empty square...!

"Smack!"
The crisp, loud sound rang out like something straight out of an 8 PM New Eridu soap opera. Her hand raised, trembling slightly, his face turned aside, a little red...

Asaba Harumasa: Miss Tsukishiro?! You hit me?! Not even the Chief has done that before! ...Chief, put your hands down, that wasn't an invitation for you to hit me too!

Asaba Harumasa: Just because I was talking about the plot from a movie I watched last night doesn't mean you had to hit me!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: My apologies. Did that hurt?

Asaba Harumasa: Huh? And you're asking me if it hurt? You sound like one of those mean homeroom teachers—wait...?

Asaba Harumasa: ...No, it did not hurt. That's weird... I didn't feel anything.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Just as I thought... This empty square we're in, the lack of fans hounding our Chief, Soukaku's tummy, Asaba's lack of pain...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Instead of assuming thousands of people could be teleported away, let's begin with the assumption that the problem here lies with us.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Are you saying... we're actually...?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Yes. We're still in the virtual environment. For some reason, we haven't been able to log out.

Hoshimi Miyabi: I see. That explains a lot.

Soukaku: Our brains... Are they in danger?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Don't worry. Just in case, I can activate safety mode for everyone. I still remember the method outlined in the technical manual.

Asaba Harumasa: I'm sorry for running my mouth earlier, Deputy Chief. From now on, I'll fully support you memorizing the manual. And I'll buy you the finest hair conditioner on the market.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Okay, get me the latest shampoo from Carlishe. Alright team, let's head back to the HIA Club and try to find another way of logging out.

 Investigate the VR machine

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Try to log into the VR machine and find a way to escape the predicament.

(Interact with VR machine)

Beyond One's Control

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Beyond One's Control

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Video Summary: Cyber Creature Unmasked

Story Description: Yanagi successfully activates her safe mode, but both Harumasa and Soukaku begin attacking their own squad members. Miyabi reveals that she has been restraining her own urge to attack. Left with no choice, Yanagi has to incapacitate her three companions. At this moment, a mysterious voice suddenly speaks out to taunt them.

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	System Safe mode activated. Tsukishiro Yanagi: Alright, you're up.
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: Soukaku, come here.
	Soukaku: Okay, Nagi!
	SHING!
	CLANG! WHOOSH!
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: Soukaku, Asaba?! What's wrong—? THUNK! Soukaku Wahhhh! No, nooooo! Nagi! Wh—Why isn't my body listening to me?!
	Asaba Harumasa: She's right! My body... it's like it's being controlled by something else!
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: What? Chief! Are you okay?
	Hoshimi Miyabi: I'm not.
	Hoshimi Miyabi: I had the urge to kill you about five minutes ago.
	Hoshimi Miyabi: Yanagi—
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: Leave it to me, Miyabi. SHING!
	THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: So this truly isn't the real world. Someone's tampered with things, preventing us from leaving...
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: ! BZZT.. ???: Hollow Special Operations Section 6, heroes of New Eridu — I'm afraid no one in this world needs your salvation.
	Tsukishiro Yanagi: That logo, it's...
	???: You're going to be trapped here... until your brains shut down.

Prepared Prison

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Prepared Prison

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Video Summary: Survival tactics in desperate situations

Story Description: Yanagi concludes things had been tampered with during her first exit from the virtual battle, which caused her to enter a false logout scenario, leaving her stuck in the virtual world.
After some analysis, she proposes "restarting the test level and defeating the remaining enemies," as this might successfully resolve the anomaly.

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Soukaku: Ugh... Uhh...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: You're finally awake, Soukaku! Feeling pain anywhere?

Soukaku: My head... still hurts a little...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Looks like the pain feedback in the test system has been fully engaged... I'm sorry for being a bit rough earlier; I had to make sure to stop everyone.

Soukaku: It's okay, Nagi. My headache isn't because of you, more like from earlier...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Seems like we're all in the same boat.

Asaba Harumasa: "A massive headache, then losing control and attacking teammates."

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Now we can be sure our failure to log out of the VR system was not an accident, but a deliberate act.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: While everyone was unconscious, the enemy sent a threat.

Yanagi briefly tells her teammates about her confrontation with the unknown voice.

Hoshimi Miyabi: ...That was brazen. Any idea who it could be?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: It's just speculation at this point, but the fact that the enemy was able to display information in front of us proves they've gained partial control over the VR system.

Asaba Harumasa: So, waiting for rescue isn't a good idea? But if we act recklessly, we might fall into the enemy's trap...

Soukaku: But can they really set a trap without even showing up?

Hoshimi Miyabi: This is a virtual world, and we're just data entities fully synced with our senses. Whoever controls the system is like a god here, they can do whatever they want.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ... ... ...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The enemy delivered a threat at the risk of exposing their identity... Or perhaps that's what they want us to believe.

Asaba Harumasa: What do you mean?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: As long as we can't figure out what they're capable of, the enemy will seem like a god. They flexed their power to scare us, leaving us wondering what they can do within the system. That's their plan.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: They want to restrict our movements and keep us in check.

Hoshimi Miyabi: How did you come to this conclusion, Yanagi?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Our enemy threatened to destroy our brains by eliminating our data entities. Their attempt to seize control of our bodies and attack our allies was one such effort.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: But if they had truly seized full control of this system, they could have resorted to far more efficient methods.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: They could have simply destroyed our data, implanted a virus, ordered us to end ourselves, or even eradicated us along with this realm... but they didn't. So, it's very possible they simply can't, because they don't have full control over this system.

Asaba Harumasa: ...That's possible, but maybe they're just not as devious as you and haven't considered doing it?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I'd say that's impossible because they're up against us, Section 6.

Hoshimi Miyabi: ...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: They can't beat us in the real world, so they've gone to great lengths to trap us in the virtual world. We have the most promising Void Hunter in New Eridu, so if I were the enemy, I'd want to take us out quickly.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The more they bluff, the more it proves there's still something we can do.

Asaba Harumasa: ...You're the most cautious person I know. I've never seen you take action based just on speculation.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I think I'm the most cautious person you've ever met too.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: What you've just heard are speculations from the most cautious of people. But I'm not taking risks because I'm reckless. Quite the contrary, the situation is dire, and we'll have to take the initiative to survive.

Asaba Harumasa: Mmm...

Hoshimi Miyabi: It's been a while since you spoke to Harumasa in such a serious tone, Yanagi. This reminds me of our first days in Section 6.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Everyone... do you trust me?

Asaba Harumasa: Well, you've laid it all out... and I don't have any other ideas.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Like Harumasa said, this is all just speculation, without any solid evidence. If we're wrong, things could get worse, and there's no turning back.

Soukaku: Whoa, Nagi's tail is drooping...! Oh, wait, Nagi doesn't have a tail...

Hoshimi Miyabi: But, I have faith in you. As the Chief, I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens. Just tell us what to do.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...Thank you, everyone.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: As for what we should do... I'm sure you all remember in the previous combat test there were still three monsters left to defeat.

Asaba Harumasa:Yeah, they said they'd already gotten the data they wanted before we could take them down, right?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Exactly, and do you remember the briefing before the operation? About the rules I saw in the user manual?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: "Once all test monsters are defeated, the test will automatically come to an end."

Hoshimi Miyabi: Got it. So we need to go back to the test stage and finish off the last three enemies.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: This is the best approach given the situation, but I'm sure our enemy won't just leave them there like sitting ducks.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: They have partial control over the system and will stop at nothing to eliminate us. We're just ordinary officers, while our enemy has far more resources and room for error...

Soukaku: Are you worried, Nagi?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: No, it's our enemy who should be worried.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...Are you hearing this, you shady coward? You're messing with the elites of New Eridu!