High-Reward Commission

All Familiar Faces

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 All Familiar Faces

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Video Summary: Invisible pulls of Inter-Knot...

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(A cinematic plays)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The client must be nearby

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Huh— (‍What's this?!What's this?!Text for Wise / What the?!What the?!Text for Belle‍)

(Astra, surrounded by Ethereals, repels them with her song)

Astra Yao: Thank you, everyone—

Astra Yao: That one was for you

Astra Yao: We have another spectator

Astra Yao: What's a Bangboo doing here all alone? It's dangerous...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Astra! It's me! (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I never would've guessed it was your Inter-Knot commission?!I never would've guessed it was your Inter-Knot commission?!Text for Wise / I had no idea it was your Inter-Knot commission!I had no idea it was your Inter-Knot commission!Text for Belle‍)

Astra Yao: (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)... in a Bangboo? You're so cute!

(Cinematic ends)

Why Do It Yourself?

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Why Do It Yourself?"

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Video Summary: Whatever Astra wants, we've got it covered!

Story Description: Astra Yao reveals that she witnessed the final performance of the previous superstar, Joran de Winter, in person, and confirms that the record on the market is a fake. Astra mentions that it was this performance that inspired her to become a musician, and she decides to look for the rumored unreleased record.

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Astra Yao: This could be a problem. What do I do...?

What's wrong?

No need to worry.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): What's wrong? (‍Don't worry too much.Don't worry too much.Text for Wise / Relax, no need to worry.Relax, no need to worry.Text for Belle‍) I'm a legendary Proxy, after all. I won't let anything happen to (‍you.you.Text for Wise / you!you!Text for Belle‍)

Astra Yao: It's not the Hollow I'm worried about. I'm just wondering... Should I punish you a little?

Astra Yao: We've known each other for so long, and I had no clue about your secret identity. It feels like I never truly knew you...

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍Yeah, that's typical of Wise!Yeah, that's typical of Wise!Text for Wise / Exactly, that's so typical of Belle.Exactly, that's so typical of Belle.Text for Belle‍) I'd never keep any secrets from you, Astra!

Astra Yao: Heh, you two~ But I must say, this is a pleasant surprise.

Astra Yao: Of all the Proxies on Inter-Knot, you're the one who's joining me on this.

Astra Yao: I knew it! Fate really does favor me~ I'm sure today's treasure hunt will go well!

What is it exactly? Why is it so important?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Oh yeah, I was about to ask. What's so important that you had to do this yourself?

Astra Yao: It's a highly sought-after treasure! Of course I have to handle it personally.

Astra Yao: It's the legendary record of Joran de Winter's final performance!

Astra Yao: I've mentioned it to you before. The version available on the market isn't genuine.

How do you know that?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): How do you know it's fake?

Astra Yao: Because I was there at the performance, and the recording is nothing like what I heard.

A best-selling record is fake...?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): That record sold like hotcakes. It's hard to believe it was a fake...

Astra Yao: Big corporations will do anything for profit. That record is actually just a ripped compilation of Joran's classic songs.

Astra Yao: It's totally different from what I heard live.

Astra Yao: Even as a starstruck kid, I knew it was different.

Astra Yao: That performance wasn't planned. It was originally just a small fan meetup at a music store.

Astra Yao: At that time, Joran had left his agency and, because of some legal issues, he was forced to stop performing.

Astra Yao: Both Odeum and Fugue claimed to own his "performance rights." Even though it was his own voice, he wasn't allowed to perform as he wished.

Astra Yao: After Joran's death, that unpublicized performance became his final work. Then, not long ago, rumors of a bootleg recording appeared on Inter-Knot.

Astra Yao: The essence of that day was... incredibly pure. Joran was in top form, too. As we talked, he just started improvising.

Astra Yao: He interacted with the fans so naturally. That feeling of everyone singing along and the sensation of collective harmony we shared can't be put into words...

Astra Yao: It was almost like we had summoned something truly extraordinary.

I guess that's the power of music.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Perhaps it was the power of music. Maybe that's why ancient mages chanted to use their magic.

Astra Yao: Exactly! Music is magic!

I wish I could experience something like that.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I'm kinda jealous.I'm kinda jealous.Text for Wise / Aw, I'm so jealous!Aw, I'm so jealous!Text for Belle‍) I've never experienced something like that before...

Astra Yao: It's better that you haven't. Hmph hmph, the first song to touch your heart should be one of mine!

Astra Yao: But after witnessing that performance, I came to a realization. Something clicked inside me, it felt like fate tapping me on the shoulder...

Astra Yao: I knew right then that I would become a musician myself.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): Seems like this record really means a lot to you, Astra.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍Wise, get out of Eous right now!Wise, get out of Eous right now!Text for Wise / Belle, log out of Eous now.Belle, log out of Eous now.Text for Belle‍) I have to be the Proxy who finds this record!

Stop... shaking... me!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Belle, let... go of me... Stop!Belle, let... go of me... Stop!Text for Wise / Wise, stop... shaking... me! Let go!Wise, stop... shaking... me! Let go!Text for Belle‍) Eous is getting dizzy!

Astra Yao: Hahaha! Oh, you two are just so adorable! Fighting inside a Bangboo! Haha~

(Open tutorial [Character Intro] Astra Yao)

Astra Yao: The first objective is! The Ballet Twins control room!

Astra Yao: Please lead the way, legendary Proxy~

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍The control room is just ahead, come with me.The control room is just ahead, come with me.Text for Wise / The control room is just ahead. Follow me!The control room is just ahead. Follow me!Text for Belle‍)

(Idle, while following Eous)

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: Keep pushing on this way.

(After defeating the enemies)

Astra Yao: That thing over there... Could it be?!

(Idle)

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: Astra, over here, over here!

(Interact with Strange Stuff)

(Paranormal Exploration Journal added to the Workbench)

Paranormal Exploration Journal

A time-worn document.
On the first page, the words "Paranormal Expedition" are scrawled. The journal details a paranormal exploration of Ballet Twins. Some pages are missing, and the handwriting is blurred, providing only a faint glimpse into the bizarre experiences of the explorers.

Astra Yao: Exploration team log... I was right. I knew today would go smoothly!

Astra Yao: Someone on Inter-Knot recently dug up an old comment from a paranormal site a few years back.

Astra Yao: Weren't there rumors back then that only truly great music could summon the Marionettes of the Ballet Twins?

Astra Yao: Someone with the ID named "SofaCushions&PotatoChips" who claimed to have a bootleg recording of Joran.

Astra Yao: She was very confident. That album is a true musical masterpiece, and it will definitely attract Marionette!

Astra Yao: Eager to try it out, she then signed up for a paranormal investigation at the Ballet Twins. After that, she disappeared without a trace.

Astra Yao: According to one of the explorers, "SofaCushions&PotatoChips" was playing Joran's song at the time, but they had never heard it before.

Astra Yao: I remember during that improv performance, Joran jokingly said, "Sometimes, you may find miracles when digging around between the sofa cushions!"

Astra Yao: If my guess is correct, "SofaCushions&PotatoChips" was there that day, just like me, and the album she played—

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: Is very likely to be that legendary album!

Astra Yao: That's right!

Astra Yao: This was the base of the paranormal exploration team. I knew we would find something here.

Astra Yao: The log notes that three people left the team... and the next exploration target is... the collapsed gallery!

The collapsed gallery... I remember it!

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: The collapsed gallery... I remember it!

Astra Yao: Yeah, I have a feeling that we'll definitely find something today.

(Approach the marked location)

Astra Yao: Thank you. I would've been so lost without your help.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): Well, if you really want to thank us... Then could you autograph...?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): P—Please stay close to me!

Astra Yao: Got it. I didn't expect you to be so chivalrous.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍Hmph... Wise won't even let me say a single word to Astra!Hmph... Wise won't even let me say a single word to Astra!Text for Wise / ...You won't even let me say a single word to Astra, huh?...You won't even let me say a single word to Astra, huh?Text for Belle‍)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Well, you're the one who's always (‍demanding things...demanding things...Text for Wise / asking for something!asking for something!Text for Belle‍)

(After defeating the enemies near the Mini Cargo Truck)^{[Note 1]}

Astra Yao: Someone left graffiti on the corner of the wall.

Astra Yao: "The lights are all out... so, so scary... I think I heard singing..."

Astra Yao: I wonder if it's something left by the paranormal exploration team...

Astra Yao: If I get the chance, I'd like to hear Marionette's singing.

Astra Yao: I wonder what an Ethereal's song would sound like...

(Interact with Strange Stuff)

(External Memory Unit added to the Workbench)

External Memory Unit

Bangboo's external memory unit.
It stores key records of the paranormal exploration team's past operations. When accessed, it reveals logs of the team's activities and analysis data. However, the records abruptly cut off at a critical moment, hinting at a grim and unfortunate outcome. This sudden interruption stirs a deep sense of curiosity and unease about the truth of what happened.

Astra Yao: This looks like an external memory unit for Bangboo.

Astra Yao: Could there be any clues? Should we try reading it?

Astra Yao: Come on, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍), open your mouth. Ah—

Open your mouth obediently

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: (‍Yum! That data was delicious.Yum! That data was delicious.Text for Wise / Yum yum! That data from Astra was delicious!Yum yum! That data from Astra was delicious!Text for Belle‍)

Wait a second, Bangboo don't have mouths!

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: Wait a moment, (‍Bangboo don't have mouths... Please insert the data unit here.Bangboo don't have mouths... Please insert the data unit here.Text for Wise / Bangboo don't have mouths! Please insert the data unit here!Bangboo don't have mouths! Please insert the data unit here!Text for Belle‍)

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: (‍Reading data... Hmm, itReading data... Hmm, itText for Wise / The data has been retrieved! ItThe data has been retrieved! ItText for Belle‍) really is the Bangboo from the paranormal exploration team.

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: After leaving the gallery, they went to the pantry and then came back... That's a bit strange. (‍Shall we go check it out?Shall we go check it out?Text for Wise / Let's go take a look.Let's go take a look.Text for Belle‍)

(After defeating the enemies)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The Bangboo's moving pretty fast, almost like (‍they'rethey'reText for Wise / it'sit'sText for Belle‍) running away...

Astra Yao: Running away...? Could it be that they actually encountered Marionette?

Astra Yao: The monsters are getting tougher and tougher. I hope the exploration team is okay...

(After defeating the Arlaune)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): The data... ends here...

Astra Yao: I suddenly feel really worried. Will the exploration team be okay?

(Interact with Strange Stuff)

Astra Yao: Inside this folder... I hope it's not bad news... I just want everyone in the exploration team to be okay!

Astra Yao: Hmm, there's a letter! It's from "SofaCushions&PotatoChips"...

If they had time to leave a message...

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: If they had time to leave a message... it should mean they're okay!

Astra Yao: "To the adventurers who found this album! Please rest assured, I have safely escaped."

Astra Yao: "The flickering lights here are truly terrifying, but following my instructions, you can get out of here too!"

Astra Yao: "It's a pity I have to leave Joran's recording behind, but there's no helping it if it's so everyone can escape."

Astra Yao: "Marionette looks really scary, but anyone who likes Joran's music can't be a bad person!"

Astra Yao: "As long as this album is played, even the Ethereals will calm down, as if they are really taking it in."

Astra Yao: "Take this opportunity to run to the gallery downstairs, I left a Hollow data storage unit there. Hope you get out successfully!"

Astra Yao: Phew... I can finally relax! It seems we safely escaped under the protection of Joran's music.

Astra Yao: Wait a minute! Does that mean—

(Joran's Legacy added to the Workbench)

Joran's Legacy

An unofficially recorded album.
It was secretly recorded by a fan known as "SofaCushions&PotatoChips" during Joran's fan meeting. By a twist of fate, this became the last semi-public recording of Joran. Never officially released or leaked, it has since become a legendary album among music enthusiasts, hailed as "Joran's legacy."

Astra Yao: I found it, this is it! It really exists! Ahhh! I'm so, so happy! Oh wow!

Could I make a small request while I have the chance?

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: (‍It's a good opportunity to raise the price. Actually, Belle has always wanted Astra's autograph. Would that be okay?It's a good opportunity to raise the price. Actually, Belle has always wanted Astra's autograph. Would that be okay?Text for Wise / Then I'm going to take the opportunity to raise the price! Can I ask you to sign an autograph for my brother?Then I'm going to take the opportunity to raise the price! Can I ask you to sign an autograph for my brother?Text for Belle‍)

Well, I have a request...

Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Bangboo (Wise / Belle)Protagonist in disguise: (‍It's a bit embarrassingIt's a bit embarrassingText for Wise / Mm, it's a bit embarrassingMm, it's a bit embarrassingText for Belle‍)... Actually, my (‍sistersisterText for Wise / brotherbrotherText for Belle‍) has always wanted to ask you for an autograph...

Astra Yao: Is that all? Of course, no problem!

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): It must be written to "My (‍beloved Bellebeloved BelleText for Wise / dearest Wisedearest WiseText for Belle‍)!" It has to be better than the one for (‍my brothermy brotherText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)!

Astra Yao: Oops, I suddenly realized I don't have a pen with me...

Astra Yao: Let's get outta here first. Then we buy a pen, and I can sign whatever you want!