Nanson
Last updated 2026-09-06
Nanson is an NPC located in HAND Headquarters and the Omond Research Station. He is the head of intelligence for Hollow Special Operations Section 2.
Profile
Nanson is the head of intelligence for H.S.O.S 2, a high ranking position within HAND, and often coordinates efforts alongside Section 6. Nanson is a fairly serious person who is keenly intelligent and able to coordinate efforts of multiple organisations effectively.
Talking to him grants the achievement No Returns if the player took part in the Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze Event.[verification needed]
History
Nanson's history before he obtained his current position in HAND is unknown. He first appeared after Penny Krueger stole data about The Creator following Ye Shunguang being granted the title of Void Hunter, working with Phaethon after Yanagi had brought them in to help.[1] Nanson primarily provided support via intelligence during the investigation, relaying information about Papago Hollow and Penny's research and helping to coordinate efforts within the Divine Maze. After Penny was apprehended, he decrypted a message from Joyous, allowing Phaethon to see a message he left behind.[2]
Some time later, Nanson collaborated with Ray Yersin of the White Star Institute, as they followed up on rumors pertaining to the Labyrinth Carrot - Joyous's key to navigating Papago Hollow without Rosetta Data, which had long been thought lost.[3] The two went in to Papago to find it, eventually coming face to face with Phaethon who also was looking for the carrot. After a standoff, the group was chased by an Ulidim through a Fissure, which dropped them in to the derelict Omond Research Station. After learning of the station's state and purpose from D. Ata, Nanson helped coordinate efforts to retrieve the carrot and help Phaethon recover Eous (who had been carrying a fragment of the carrot before being abducted by Ulidim), and worked to bring in outside help from HAND and the HIA to get the research station back up and running.[4]
Commission and Event Appearances
Trust Commissions
- Remielle Dan's Trust Rank Close: Urban Excursion
Events
Dialogue
- (Talk to Nanson, Omond Research Station)
- HAND Agent: Commander Nanson, I'm a little confused... I read the investigation report on that person — why do we have to bring (himhim /
herher) on as a special investigator? - HAND Agent: Video store manager, Ultimate Angler tournament champion, and even threw their hat in the ring for Ridu's Got Boo. Seems like your typical jack-of-all-trades townie with a bunch of hobbies and a few party tricks — except they can't even keep up with their own shop's electric bill...
- Nanson: Ever wonder why (hishis /
herher) electric bill's always overdue? Remember our previous investigation records? Sophisticated Proxies burn through a ridiculous amount of juice because they run a ton of equipment. - HAND Agent: Wait... So (hehe /
sheshe) is... - Nanson: Well, based on our investigation so far, (hehe /
sheshe) is the Legendary Proxy known as "Phaethon"... 
(Oh no, oh no.)- (Busted.)
- Nanson: ...Phaethon's assistant, one of many. Just like how Null_Face has all kinds of alter egos. According to what we have, Phaethon's got no shortage of white gloves either.
- (Huh?)
- HAND Agent: So your plan is to stall, sir? Hire (himhim /
herher) to keep things cool, loop in Public Security, then follow the trail straight to Phaethon? - Nanson: What are you talking about? Someone who can find the Labyrinth Carrot we've been seeking all this time in Papago? That kind of talent needs to be protected at all costs — no way we're letting Section One snatch them away.
- (Dialogue during the "Joint Investigation - Divine Maze" event)
- Nanson: Are you here about the results of the external investigation? Which part would you like to know more about?
- Old Papago Record
- Nanson: Here's what we've got on Papago, the "Divine Maze" — we're still putting all the intel together.
- Papago Hollow Record (I)
- The Hollow Special Operations (HSO) investigation found "the scene characteristics of the Papago Hollow" difficult to define, as everyone had vastly different impressions of the hollow.
- At least some reports indicate that highly dangerous Ethereals can be found throughout Papago Hollow, and the area consists primarily of cliffs and elevated platforms.
- Reports also indicate that the interior of Papago consists largely of rainforest terrain, with its swamplands harboring numerous unknown Ethereals ready to ambush any investigators who venture into its depths.
- There are even reports claiming that Papago Hollow is filled with clouds and cotton candy, with adorable unicorn Bangboo soaring through its skies.
- Papago Hollow Record (II)
- According to past investigation records, the interior of Papago Hollow appears to be influenced by the consciousness of those who enter it.
- Soldiers with previous traumatic experiences often report seeing visions of terrifying battlefield environments upon entering.
- However, if you're a carefree, happy-go-lucky investigator, you might even spot your own sofa bed and gaming console inside Papago.
- Papago Hollow Record (III)
- Documentation from early explorations of Papago Hollow reveals that the Hollow's interior environment alters in response to the investigators who enter it.
- This is why the multi-party investigative strategy that was adopted back then ultimately made the environment inside the Hollow even more complex, instead of yielding clear results.
- The chaos level in the Papago Hollow did drop significantly for a time following Joyous's successful solo traversal, and this allowed even ordinary investigators to enter the Hollow to learn more. It was only recently that the Papago investigation had to be suspended due to a spike in the Hollow's activity levels.
- Penny Investigation Results
- Nanson: The Executive Officer is still actively pursuing the Penny investigation. Here's what we have on her so far.
- Penny Investigation Log (I)
- According to the society's records, Penny had repeatedly warned its members about the impending apocalypse.
- However, the higher-ups at the society did not take her seriously, as they believed her conclusions to be insufficiently supported by reasoning.
- The apocalypse?
- Hmm. After the Hollow Zero disaster, there were indeed quite a few doomsayers among the public, but it's rare to hear of a researcher so strident about the matter...
- Penny Investigation Log (II)
- According to information from the society's internal investigations, Penny was chiefly responsible for research concerning the Creator after she became a member.
- She didn't have many friends, and was somewhat of a loner. During breaks, she often remained alone in the lab.
- She was also reported by fellow researchers at the society to have spoken to the Miasma crystals when alone in the lab. Although the content of these exchanges remained unknown, witnesses noted that Penny's demeanor seemed profoundly respectful — even reverent.
- Penny Investigation Log (III)
- The Executive Officer also found that Penny had made several anonymous posts online about the apocalypse.
- Apart from promoting the so-called doomsday theory, she also mentioned the need to "offer sacrifices" to achieve "spiritual immortality" post-apocalypse.
- In her final post before she entered Papago Hollow with the Creator's data, she even wrote of the need to "enter the maze" to "offer up [her] power."
- (Talk to Nanson after the event has ended)
- Nanson: Long time no see, Special Guide!
- Nanson: Gotta thank you again for the help on that Joint Investigation op. So what brings you by today?
- Did you find a videotape?
- Collector's edition of Return to Giallo City.
- Nanson: You mean the tape suspect Penny borrowed from you earlier...? Sorry, all we found on her was a rental receipt stub and...
- Before Nanson could finish his sentence, a familiar voice cuts in from behind.
- (SiblingSibling): (Aha! I knew it... So that's why you were sneaking out! You totally rented out that videotape yourself, didn't you!Aha! I knew it... So that's why you were sneaking out! You totally rented out that videotape yourself, didn't you! /
Belle...? Didn't expect you to come here... Wait — I get it now... so you were the one who rented out that copy of Return to Giallo City!Belle...? Didn't expect you to come here... Wait — I get it now... so you were the one who rented out that copy of Return to Giallo City!) - (SiblingSibling): (Shifu said you picked up some huge commission, and I didn't buy it at first...Shifu said you picked up some huge commission, and I didn't buy it at first... Tooltip for Shifu said you picked up some huge commission, and I didn't buy it at first...ⓘ /
So you really did what Shifu and Senior said... taking them to investigate Papago Hollow?So you really did what Shifu and Senior said... taking them to investigate Papago Hollow? Tooltip for So you really did what Shifu and Senior said... taking them to investigate Papago Hollow?ⓘ) - Wait... Let me explain...
- (SiblingSibling): Then explain this — why didn't you even tell your own (sistersister /
brotherbrother)? You didn't even ask (Fai — the Wishing SpriteFai — the Wishing Sprite Tooltip for Fai — the Wishing Spriteⓘ / our Wishing Spriteour Wishing Sprite) for help... - After all, it's a commission from HAND.
- Can't blow the Wishing Sprite's cover.
- (SiblingSibling): (Fine, fine, fine! I'll settle this with you when we get home... but first we gotta make up for that missing videotape~Fine, fine, fine! I'll settle this with you when we get home... but first we gotta make up for that missing videotape~ /
Alright, alright... You can explain everything to me when you get home... but the loss on that videotape is coming out of your pocket...Alright, alright... You can explain everything to me when you get home... but the loss on that videotape is coming out of your pocket...) - (BelleBelle /
WiseWise) heads back home, clearly ready to kick off round two of the "interrogation." For the first time ever, I'm actually scared to go home... 
No Returns Achievement Complete
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Nanson |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 南升 Nánshēng |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 南升 Nánshēng |
| Japanese | ナンソン Nanson |
| Korean | 낸슨 Naenseun |
| Spanish | Nanson |
| French | Nanson |
| Russian | Нэнсон Nenson |
| Thai | Nanson |
| Vietnamese | Nanson |
| German | Nanson |
| Indonesian | Nanson |
| Portuguese | Nanson |
Change History
Released in Version 2.5 - To Be Fuel for the Night
- ↑ Event Commission: Joint Investigation: Breaking Thunder
- ↑ Event Commission: Joint Investigation: Final Battle
- ↑
- ↑ Commission: (Operation Bagel) Bangboo Lost