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Masked Scholar

Last updated 2025-09-07

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The Masked Scholar is a NPC found within Hollow Zero. He is a researcher who appears in the Old Capital Metro and Withered Garden Zone, focusing on the effects of Ether Corruption. He provides various support services for the player, though he provides more help the more Corruptions the player suffers.

General

Old Capital Metro

The Masked Scholar will appear on Old Capital Metro from Frontline difficulty or higher.

On starting the mission, the Masked Scholar will greet players and give players the option to suffer 2 - 3 Corruptions (depending on difficulty level), in exchange for an equivalent number of Resonia.

On the first Frontline Outpost, the Masked Scholar will greet players at the entrance, and will then provide a number of supply opportunities based on the number of Corruptions the squad is suffering from.

The Masked Scholar can provide the following types of assistance options:

  • Grab some Corrupted supplies - Randomly obtain 1 - 3 S-Rank Resonia. Sustain the same number of Corruptions.
  • Help me catalyze my Resonium - Catalyze 3 Random Resonia.
  • Restore health - Recover 30% HP.
  • Slowdown Corruption - Lose 10% HP. Remove 1 Corruption.
  • Medical Funds - Obtain 200 Gear Coins for each Corruption.
  • Bangboo plug-ins - Obtain 1 bomb.
  • Call for help - Obtain 1 Bangboo
  • Combat supplies - Obtain 1 B-Rank Resonium
  • Catalyst - Randomly catalyze 2 Resonia
  • I want to go shopping - Obtain 1,000 Gear Coins. Generate 1 Store.

If the player has sustained 5 Corruptions on encountering the Masked Scholar, he will provide more generous supply options to the player, which can include:

  • Take a big basket of bombs - Obtain 9 Bombs
  • Replace - Encounter 2 "Call Agent" events
  • Body Treatment - Recover 50% HP
  • Claim Insurance - Obtain 2,500 Gear Coins
  • Obtain Combat Supplies - Obtain 3 Resonia

When meeting the Masked Scholar at the second Frontline Outpost, he will again provide help based on the severity of the squad's corruptions. If the squad has no Corruptions, or has 5 Corruptions active, the Masked Scholar will immediately catalyze the (Research) Overload Distribution Resonium, before providing more supply opportunities for the squad.

Withering Garden

The Masked Scholar will be present at the Withering Garden alongside The Opportunist and the Secret Doctor to greet the player at the start of the mission, and at the Frontline Outposts. He represents the side that deals with Corruption-related benefits and penalties.

Encounters

(First Encounter)
(ProtagonistProtagonist): This guy is obviously a Hollow Raider, but his demeanor is almost like that of a seasoned scholar.
It's only when he pulls out his "Personal Research" materials that things start to look a little dodgy...
Masked Scholar: "This area is very dangerous, and just setting foot inside will cause corruption symptoms. I can't help you remove corruption, but I have some supplies here with me that can help you move forward."
Masked Scholar: "Few know that a moderate amount of Ether energy can enhance your body's functions. Those stuck-up jerks in the Institute... They're researching it themselves but kicked me out... No worries, though. Let me show you the power of your new Resonium!"
Masked Scholar: "It shames me to say so, but this is my personal research and I can't guarantee there won't be any side effects."
Corruption Increase
Accept the offer
Sustain 2 Corruptions. Select 2 A-Rank Resonia to obtain.
Masked Scholar: "Thanks for accepting my offer! This will really help with my research! With your help, I'll definitely make a breakthrough!"
Masked Scholar: "I'll be keeping a close eye on you... Until next time!" The researcher-looking Hollow Raider says and leaves...
Exit
Refuse the offer
Masked Scholar: "Looks like you are very cautious indeed. That's a must inside Hollow Zero. I wish you all the best with your explorations."
Masked Scholar: "I'll be keeping a close eye on you..."
(Second Encounter)
Masked Scholar: "We meet again. You don't look so good..."
Masked Scholar: "Now that we're acquainted, why don't you let me help you out! I've got all these unfinished po... Uh, no, I meant inventions!"
In this area, help is provided based on the number of Corruptions sustained.
(If the player has no Corruptions)
Masked Scholar: "Astonishing, you have no Corruption at all! But you never know, accidents can happen anywhere in a Hollow. I've got some preventive supplies and medicine... plus some other stuff. Take'em if you need!"
Masked Scholar: "Here're all assistance options available to you!"
Catalyze Resonium
Help me catalyze my Resonium.
Catalyze 3 random Resonia.
Gain Coin
I want to go shopping.
Obtain 1,000 Gear Coins. Generate 1 Store.
Corruption Increase
Grab some corrupted supplies
Randomly obtain 1—3 S-Rank Resonia. Sustain the same number of Corruptions.
Masked Scholar: "That's all the help I can offer you. Wishing you the best of luck!"
(If the player has between 1 and 4 Corruptions)
Masked Scholar: "You are currently suffering from X Corruption curses. I can help you with X of those."
Masked Scholar: "Here're all assistance options available to you!"
Gain Bangboo
Call for help
Obtain 1 Bangboo
Gain Coin
Medical funds
Obtain 200 Gear Coins for each Corruption.
Corruption Decrease
Slowdown Corruption
Lose 10% HP. Remove 1 Corruption.
Masked Scholar: "That's all the help I can offer you. Wishing you the best of luck!"
(If the player has 5 Corruptions)
Masked Scholar: "That's unbelievable. You've already sustained 5 Corruptions! This is a very rare sample... You guys are elites! I can provide you with the highest level of help!"
Masked Scholar: "Here're some speciaized supplies and medicines for treating severe Corruptions!"
Gain Plug-In
Take a big basket of bombs
Obtain 9 Bombs
HP Recovery
Body Treatment
Recover 50% HP.
Gain Coin
Claim Insurance
Obtain 2,500 Gear Coins
Masked Scholar: Let's see what other kinds of medical experiments... I mean, aid!-that we can help you with."
Masked Scholar: "Here're some specialized supplies and medicines for treating severe Corruptions!"
HP Loss
Radical Treatment
Reduce HP to 20%. Remove all Corruptions.
Corruption Decrease
Normal Treatment
Remove 2 Corruptions
Masked Scholar: "Corruptions all cleared up. Let's move on!"
Exit
Cancel Treatment
Remove no Corruptions
Masked Scholar: "You don't want to remove your Corruptions? Fine, suit yourself. It's not like I haven't been misunderstood before..."
(Third Encounter)
Masked Scholar: "We meet again. You don't look so good..."
Masked Scholar: "Now that we're acquainted, why don't you let me help you out! I've got all these unfinished po... Uh, no, I meant inventions!"
In this area, help is provided based on the number of Corruptions sustained.
(If the player has no Corruptions)
Masked Scholar: "Astonishing, you have no Corruption at all! But you never know, accidents can happen anywhere in a Hollow. I've got some preventive supplies and medicine... plus some other stuff. Take'em if you need!"
Masked Scholar: "Hmm... you don't have any Corruption... I'll catalyze (Research) Overload Distribution for you.
Masked Scholar: "Here're all assistance options available to you!"
Catalyze Resonium
Help me catalyze my Resonium.
Catalyze 3 random Resonia.
Gain Coin
I want to go shopping.
Obtain 1,000 Gear Coins. Generate 1 Store.
Corruption Increase
Grab some corrupted supplies
Randomly obtain 1—3 S-Rank Resonia. Sustain the same number of Corruptions.
Masked Scholar: "That's all the help I can offer you. Wishing you the best of luck!"
(If the player has between 1 and 4 Corruptions)
Masked Scholar: "You are currently suffering from X Corruption curses. I can help you with X of those."
Masked Scholar: "Here're all assistance options available to you!"
Gain Coin
Medical funds
Obtain 200 Gear Coins for each Corruption.
Gain Plug-In
Bangboo Plug-Ins
Obtain 1 bomb
HP Recovery
Restore health
A random character recovers 30% of Max HP.
Masked Scholar: "That's all the help I can offer you. Wishing you the best of luck!"

Other Languages

LanguageOfficial Name
EnglishMasked Scholar
Chinese
(Simplified)		「假面研究者」
"Jiǎmiàn Yánjiūzhě"
Chinese
(Traditional)		「假面研究者」
"Jiǎmiàn Yánjiūzhě"
Japanese「覆面の研究者」
"Fukumen no Kenkyūsha"
Korean「가면가면 연구원연구원」
"Gamyeon Yeon'guwon"
SpanishInvestigador enmascarado
FrenchChercheur déguisé
RussianИсследователь в маске
Issledovatel' v maske
Thai"นักวิจัยสวมหน้ากาก"
Vietnamese"NhàNhà Nghiên CứuNghiên Cứu Mặt Nạ"
German„Maskierter Forscher“
IndonesianPeneliti Bertopeng
PortuguesePesquisador Black RX

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