Restricted Area Investigation
Last updated 2026-02-06
Restricted Area Investigation is the first episode of The Zero Zone in Phaethon's Story.
Parts
- Midnight Visit
- Hollow Zero
Steps
- Return to your bedroom and get some rest.
- Go downstairs and discuss Hollow Zero with (BelleBelle /
WiseWise) - Drive to Scott Outpost.
- Ask around for information
- Use the computer to connect to the HDD System and complete the commission
- Complete a Hollow Zero investigation
Dialogue
Midnight Visit
The following is recorded in the Video Archive
"Midnight Visit"Story Description: Shepherd brought some crucial information: the routine investigation of Hollow Zero is set to resume soon, and all you need to do is complete a test to obtain a legitimate investigative license for Hollow Zero.
- Having confirmed nobody is following him, the intelligence broker darts straight into the video store as though it's his second home.
- Shepherd: Sorry to barge in like this, but it's urgent — extremely urgent — and frankly explosive, so I'm going to keep this short.
- Shepherd: ...Hey, can I get a cup of tea?
Best I can do is tap water.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Best I can do is tap water. You can get it yourself.Best I can do is tap water. You can get it yourself. /
You're asking a lot. Best I can do is tap water.You're asking a lot. Best I can do is tap water.)
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Best I can do is tap water. You can get it yourself.Best I can do is tap water. You can get it yourself. /
- Aren't you keeping it short?
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (You want tea? What happened to keeping it short?You want tea? What happened to keeping it short? /
Tea? Aren't you keeping it short?Tea? Aren't you keeping it short?)
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (You want tea? What happened to keeping it short?You want tea? What happened to keeping it short? /
- Shepherd: Ahaha, don't I always bring you quality commissions? What's wrong with showing me a little comfort?
- Shepherd: Ahem, it's simple: Routine investigations are back on in Hollow Zero.
- (SiblingSibling): (Huh?Huh? /
What?!What?!) - Shepherd: Uh-huh — you heard right. And this time the Association seems to be waging a protracted war, dragging out multiple operations over an extended period of time.
- Shepherd: As soon as I heard the news, I immediately thought of my favorite client, the legendary Phaethon!
- Shepherd: I'm guessing you'll want to join in on the investigations, so I've used some resources to leave a "back door" open for your recruitment.
- Shepherd: Just finish a "test" commission inside Hollow Zero, and you'll receive credentials to be contracted Hollow Zero investigators!
- (SiblingSibling): (...That really is explosive. Do you still want that tea?...That really is explosive. Do you still want that tea? /
...Valuable news indeed. Worth at least a cup of tea....Valuable news indeed. Worth at least a cup of tea.) 
Got it. Let us think it over.- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Got it. Let us think it over.
- Shepherd: Right. You shouldn't make important decisions late at night. Think it over carefully. When you've made up your mind, just go to Scott Outpost to complete the commission!
- Shepherd: I'll be going then!
- Shepherd glances longingly at the teapot just beyond his reach as he leaves the video store.
- (SiblingSibling): (Will your quality of sleep be affected if you hear something like this before going to bed?Will your quality of sleep be affected if you hear something like this before going to bed? /
This guy sure knows how to pick his time by sharing this anxiety-inducing information just before it's time to sleep.This guy sure knows how to pick his time by sharing this anxiety-inducing information just before it's time to sleep.) - (SiblingSibling): Even if time is of the essence, night isn't the best time for making important decisions. (Words to live by.Words to live by. /
We probably shouldn't discuss important business matters right before bed.We probably shouldn't discuss important business matters right before bed.) - (SiblingSibling): So rest well tonight and let's discuss this tomorrow.
- (Talk to (SiblingSibling) again, optional)
- (SiblingSibling): You rest well tonight and let's discuss this tomorrow.
- (Interact with Warm Bed)
- It's getting late. Let's hope we don't run into any more trouble...
- Rest until morning
- That's all for today!
- Leave
- You rest, undisturbed. Both your body and mind feel much more relaxed.
- In the morning, you're woken up by a knocking on the bedroom door—
Looks like your (sistersister /brotherbrother) doesn't intend to let you sleep in today. - (SiblingSibling): (Wise, you're awake.Wise, you're awake. /
Are you awake, Belle?Are you awake, Belle?) - (SiblingSibling): (Shepherd talked to us about Hollow Zero investigations yesterday. You still remember, right?Shepherd talked to us about Hollow Zero investigations yesterday. You still remember, right? /
Shepherd gave us some intelligence about Hollow Zero investigations yesterday. You remember?Shepherd gave us some intelligence about Hollow Zero investigations yesterday. You remember?) - (SiblingSibling): (Let's discuss after you finish washing up? I'll be waiting for you downstairs.Let's discuss after you finish washing up? I'll be waiting for you downstairs. /
Shall we discuss the details after you finish washing up? I'll be waiting for you downstairs.Shall we discuss the details after you finish washing up? I'll be waiting for you downstairs.)
- (Talk to (SiblingSibling)
Hollow Zero
The following is recorded in the Video Archive
"Hollow Zero"Story Description: Hollow Zero is the origin of all Hollows, and the reason for the fall of the old capital. The ruins inside the Hollow were where you [sic] (SiblingSibling) used to live, and there are things there you want to investigate.
- (SiblingSibling): A Hollow Zero investigation... (WiseWise /
BelleBelle), what do you think? - Fairy: Question. What is a Hollow Zero investigation?
- (SiblingSibling): (Ah...Ah... /
Hm?Hm?) I forgot Fairy doesn't know about (thisthis / itit). - Fairy: Challenge accepted... Searching the Hollow Investigative Association database for Hollow Zero...
- (SiblingSibling): (There's that weird competitiveness again...There's that weird competitiveness again... /
Nobody is challenging you to find out...Nobody is challenging you to find out...) - Fairy: Query complete. Hollow Zero is a codename for the oldest, most impactful, and most hazardous Hollow in all of New Eridu.
- Fairy: Research shows all major Hollows discovered in New Eridu are derived from Hollow Zero's Companion Hollows. Hollow Zero is also responsible for much of the destruction of the old capital, Eridu.
- Fairy: New Eridu regularly schedules capable Agents to conduct research, investigate, track, and suppress Hollow Zero's development.
- Fairy: Speculation — Master intends to investigate Hollow Zero in order to save New Eridu.
- Haha, wrong.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Your reasoning is well thought out, but unfortunately it's wrong.Your reasoning is well thought out, but unfortunately it's wrong. /
Bzzzt! I'm sorry but that's the wrong answer, Fairy.Bzzzt! I'm sorry but that's the wrong answer, Fairy.)
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Your reasoning is well thought out, but unfortunately it's wrong.Your reasoning is well thought out, but unfortunately it's wrong. /
- ...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): ...
- (SiblingSibling): You're right about all the Hollow Zero stuff, as expected. As for our (intentionintention /
motivemotive)...
- Fairy: Requesting information, please tell me your motive for investigating so I may assist your participation.
- Okay. But you have to tell me about your "motive" and "agreement" first.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Okay. But you have to tell me about your "motive" and "agreement" first.
- Fairy: Question. Is this what is called "provoking someone"?
- (SiblingSibling): (What do you mean by provoking? Wise is being pretty reasonable. He just wants us to be honest with each other!What do you mean by provoking? Wise is being pretty reasonable. He just wants us to be honest with each other! /
How is it provoking? Belle just wants to make sure we're being honest with each other!How is it provoking? Belle just wants to make sure we're being honest with each other!) - Fairy: My apologies. I am not authorized to answer unnecessary questions about my "agreement" and "motive." Answers will be provided in due course.
- (SiblingSibling): I'm sorry. We can't tell you our exact motives for investigating Hollow Zero. But, you should realize, Fairy, the rewards in there are very valuable indeed, and...
- (SiblingSibling): ...The place where my (brotherbrother /
sistersister) and I grew up is in the old capital, it's been completely destroyed. So, we have things we want to investigate in Hollow Zero. That's all you need to know. - Didn't you just tell her?
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (BelleBelle /
WiseWise), didn't you just tell her?
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (BelleBelle /
- ...She just tricked you!
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Hah, well played, Fairy — you managed to trick us into spilling it.Hah, well played, Fairy — you managed to trick us into spilling it. /
Whoops! Looks like Fairy just tricked us!Whoops! Looks like Fairy just tricked us!)
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Hah, well played, Fairy — you managed to trick us into spilling it.Hah, well played, Fairy — you managed to trick us into spilling it. /
- (SiblingSibling): (Ah! Ahaha... Sorry, I've said too much!Ah! Ahaha... Sorry, I've said too much! /
Haha, don't worry, consider it a token of our sincerity.Haha, don't worry, consider it a token of our sincerity.) - (SiblingSibling): (Okay! We've made up our mindsOkay! We've made up our minds /
Since we've made up our mindsSince we've made up our minds), (soso) let's do as Shepherd said and go to the Scott Outpost in Hollow Zero.
- (Interact with the Business Car)
- (Scott Outpost unlocked)
- (A cutscene plays introducing Scott Outpost)
- (Talk to Ray)
- Ray: I noticed your fresh and youthful face the moment you walked into the tent.
- Ray: Or should I call you (Mr.Mr. /
MissMiss) Independent Investigator? - Ray: Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ray, a researcher from the White Star Institute. It's short for Ray, and all my colleagues call me Ray, so you should also do the same.
- Um, I don't think there's any difference...?
- Ray: Take it easy. I'm not like the clerks of the Association who make you queue up behind a service window.
- Ray: As long as you can bring my lovely Observation Data from the Hollow to my door, I'll treat you like my dearest partner.
- Ray: But right now, I got a important job for you.
- Ray: A data station at the edge of Hollow Zero has been attacked by a group of wandering Ethereals, and we need someone to recover the Observation Data from the station.
- Ray: The route is simple, the plan is clear, and the threat is obvious. This is very suitable as the first job for a rookie.
- Ray: During the mission, you'll be escorting an investigator from the Association, who will also be your examiner.
- Wow, what a wonderful job...
- That sure is a thoughtful arrangement...
- Ray: I can hear the dissatisfaction in your voice.
- Ray: That's right, all Hollow Zero operations are accompanied by risks.
- Ray: However, considering how you got the approval of the HIA to take this Qualification Assessment at such a young age, I believe in you and your team~
- Ray: That's all for the official explanation. You'll be able to start the mission after you register your team members in the operation terminal.
- Ray: I'll be waiting eagerly for you to return with a hard drive containing my data like I'm waiting for my online shopping to arrive.
- Ray: If you lose my parcel... then you don't need to show up again.
- Ray: I'm just joking. You better come back alive, you hear?
- I'm great at running errands like this.
- Remember to give me a five-star review.
- Ray: Hmmm, how reassuring~
- Ray: You can use the communications terminal and most of the equipment in the tent. Just stay clear of anything that has a warning sign saying "Don't Touch" on it.
- Ray: This support equipment is specially provided by the military for the use of independent investigators who are known for their technical abilities. You can use them if you need to debug Bangboo or for remote communication.
- Ray: Of course, don't do anything shady — the military is monitoring everything you do on the equipment.
- (Interact with the computer)
- (Once the remote module is installed in the communications terminal, you'll be able to use the HDD conveniently at the Scott Outpost.)
- (The monitoring software installed in the communication terminal by the military "has been neutralized by the disguise signals set up through the joint efforts of Fairy and Second Assistant — mainly Fairy's efforts.")
- (—That's what Fairy's memo notes say. I hope she is reliable.)
- ("Your digital privacy, including your illegal operations in the Hollow and off-the-record communications with Agents, is now under Fairy's comprehensive and reliable protection.")
- (—At least that's what Fairy's memo notes say. Wait a minute, what's "off-the-record communications with Agents" supposed to mean?)
- (Go to Lost Void)
- (Start Qualification Assessment)
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Restricted Area Investigation |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 禁区调查 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 禁區調查 |
| Japanese | 禁区調査 |
| Korean | 금지 구역 조사 Geumji Guyeok Josa |
| Spanish | Investigación de la zona restringida |
| French | Inspection en zone restreinte |
| Russian | Исследование запретной зоны Issledovaniye zapretnoy zony |
| Thai | สำรวจพื้นที่หวงห้าม Samruat Phuenthi Huangham |
| Vietnamese | Điều Tra Khu Cấm |
| German | Ermittlungen in der Sperrzone |
| Indonesian | Investigasi Area Terlarang |
| Portuguese | Investigação de Área Restrita |
Change History
Released in Version 1.0 - Welcome To New Eridu
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