Sacrifice Core (HDD)

Battle of Reality and Deception

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Battle of Reality and Deception"

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Video Summary: Villains always have ulterior motives, which is quite normal, right?

Story Description: Camille, representing the Exaltist, negotiates with Hartman over the Sacrifice Core. While both sides are feeling each other out, we've decided to take a shortcut and intercept the Core first.

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Camille: Where's the Sacrifice Core?

Hartman: Camille, you really think I'd stroll around with something this important?

Hartman: Plus, even though the Ravenlocks and the Exaltists have been working together for ages, I've hardly even met Lady Dina.

Hartman: I'm the one offering the Sacrifice Core here. I'm curious what Lady Dina's got lined up for me in return.

Camille: I'm just here to verify that the Core you mentioned is real. Once that's sorted, Lady Dina will give you a proper response.

Camille: Our partnership isn't just talk. We need to be sure you have what we need before moving forward.

Hartman: Sure thing. I'll take you to where I keep the Core.

Hartman: Once you verify it's legit, have Lady Dina come over. We'll lay everything on the table face to face.

Camille: Alright, lead the way.

Vivian: It seems Hartman is trying to bargain for more. What a greedy and insatiable man!

Vivian: It's just that... why would they only send Camille for something as important as the Sacrifice core?

Vivian: And I can't shake the feeling that Camille doesn't want Hartman and Dina to meet. Why is that?

Who's Dina?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍So, this Dina they were talking about... is she the leader of the Exaltists?So, this Dina they were talking about... is she the leader of the Exaltists?Text for Wise / Who's this Dina he just mentioned? Is she the leader of the Exaltists?Who's this Dina he just mentioned? Is she the leader of the Exaltists?Text for Belle‍)

Vivian: Um... kind of...

Vivian: Lord Phaethon, I really think we should hurry. We must get to where Hartman keeps the Core before anyone else does.

I've planned the route already.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I've mapped out a shorter route, but there will be Ethereals along the way. I'll leave the fighting to you, Vivian.I've mapped out a shorter route, but there will be Ethereals along the way. I'll leave the fighting to you, Vivian.Text for Wise / I've got a shortcut planned, but there are gonna be Ethereals along the way. I'll let you handle them, Vivian!I've got a shortcut planned, but there are gonna be Ethereals along the way. I'll let you handle them, Vivian!Text for Belle‍)

Vivian: Don't worry, Lord Phaethon. You're in capable hands. I'll ensure your safety.

(Enter Combat)

Vivian: Ethereals! Stay away from Lord Phaethon!

(After defeating all enemies)

Vivian: Looks like Hartman's trying to negotiate for more leverage...

Vivian: Let's get out of here before we're spotted.

(After defeating all enemies)

Vivian: Let's keep moving, Lord Phaethon.

(Enter Combat)

Vivian: Leave the enemies to me, Lord Phaethon!

(After defeating all enemies)

Vivian: They're still over there, looks like they're arguing...

Vivian: This is our chance, let's hurry.

Vivian: No matter who has the Sacrifice Core, Hartman or the Exaltists, it would be really dangerous.

Vivian: Our best move is to seize it before they do and destroy it.

(Reach the top floor)

Vivian: Hand over what's in the box.

Vivian: Or we do this the hard way.

Hartman's Subordinate: You sure talk big, little girl.

Hartman's Subordinate: Let's see if you can get past me first!

(After defeating all enemies)

Vivian: Let's hurry and secure the Sacrifice Core!

The Missing Core

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Missing Core"

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Video Summary: Empty... It's empty!

Story Description: After reaching the target location, you discover there's no Sacrifice Core in the box.

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Vivian: Lord Phaethon, the box is empty!

Vivian: So Hartman never kept the Core here to begin with?

Hartman: How did you even find your way here?

Hartman: Where's the Core in the box? What did you do with it?

Camille: You call this keeping the Sacrifice Core safe?

Just as everyone stands confronting each other, a voice comes from behind...

The Exaltists and Dina

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Exaltists and Dina"

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Video Summary: "Vivian, it's been ages."

Story Description: Dina makes her appearance, revealing a part of Vivian's past and pointing out that the Sacrifice Core in Hartman's possession is fake, and that the real core's whereabouts is unknown.

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Dina: Vivian, it's been ages.

Vivian: Dina!

Dina: Oh my, you actually remember me? Aw... so sweet.

Dina: Look at you, thriving! I thought you'd totally forgotten about our past.

Dina: So, tell me. Do you ever dream about the people you've killed? Are they crying in your head all night?

Vivian: Back then, I had no idea...!

Dina: You had no idea? While you were soaking up all that love from daddy and everyone else, you had no idea what was going on?

Vivian: I—I wasn't...

Camille: Lady Dina, Miss Vivian didn't actually...

Dina: Camille, when did I say you could meet up with Hartman today?

Camille: I... I just wanted to make sure the Sacrifice Core is legit. I was worried Hartman might try to pull a fast one on us...

Dina: Really? So loyal! I thought you'd be more like the old days...

Dina: Just a few words from Vivian, and you'd be plotting my demise, just like what you did with Father.

Camille: I won't, Lady Dina.

Dina: Don't even think about betraying me, Camille. You owe me for what went down back then.

Dina: However, I do understand your worries. This core...

Dina: It's fake.

Hartman: No way! I got this straight from Hugo! It can't be fake!

Hartman: How can you just claim it's fake without any proof?

Dina: Ugh, seriously?

Dina approaches Hartman and coldly inserts the Core into an open wound on one of his subordinates.
The guy collapses to the ground, screaming. Dina wipes her hands and casts a look of disdain.

Dina: The Sacrifice Core can max out the Ether particles within human bodies in no time at all.

Dina: But look at your little subordinate. How uncouth. He's making noises like some animal. Can you shut him up? So annoying!

Dina: The masterpiece Father made for the Creator isn't this worthless piece of junk you're holding.

Hartman: So, the real Core...

Dina: Vivian, where do you think the Sacrifice Core is really at?

Vivian: I don't know. If I knew where the real Core was, I'd destroy it without a second thought.

Vivian: Dina, you understand what the Sacrifices are, and you know those who were "blessed" should not have to endure such horrors!

Dina: Oh? They shouldn't have suffered those horrors?

Dina: Weren't you the one who decided if they'd be "blessed" or not?

Dina: If it weren't for your tears, how would they have encountered such misfortune?

Dina: How self-righteous, Vivian. Their fates were in your hands.

Dina: It was you who brought disaster on them.

Vivian: Landon just needed an excuse! He needed someone to blame!

Vivian: Whether I shed tears or not, he'd treat living beings as mere subjects for his Sacrifice experiments!

Vivian: Dina, you know all of this! Landon even went so far as to sacrifice you—

Dina: Shut up, shut up, shut up! Father did it for his great cause!

Dina: Vivian, why do you always mess everything up for me? Everything!

Dina: You did it before, and now again!

Dina: You just had to ruin my plan! I was so, so close, to fulfilling Father's last wish!

Dina: If you don't give me the Sacrifice Core, be prepared to become food for the Ethereals.

Vivian: I told you, I don't have the Sacrifice Core. Otherwise I would have destroyed it already.

Vivian: Lord Phaethon, find the right moment to retreat. She can be quite unpredictable when her temper flares.

Dina: Oh, really? You don't have it?

Dina: Then I suppose there isn't a reason to keep you alive.

As Dina finishes her words, several explosions erupt, followed by tremors in the ground, signaling the rapid approach of numerous Ethereals.
In a panic, Hartman rushes to the car he summoned, taking Camille and Dina with him.

(Enter Combat)

Vivian: More Ethereals are coming.

Vivian: There are too many... there's no chance to get out of this...

Vivian: Stay... away... from Lord Phaethon!

A Benefactor Appears

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 A Benefactor Appears

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Video Summary: "Xun Palace, good fortune. Closed gate, safety."

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(A cinematic plays)

Vivian: There are so many!

Vivian: Hm...? It's ink?

???: Xun Palace, good fortune. Closed gate, safety

Vivian: ...What?

???: An evil miasma gathers here

???: Another place of conflict

???: If you wish to avoid disaster

???: Then head Southeast

???: Now

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Thank you...

???: Finally, peace and quiet

(Cinematic ends)

Yunkui Summit Yixuan

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Yunkui Summit Yixuan"

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Video Summary: Extra "guidance"? Interesting.

Story Description: Master Yixuan, the 13th-generation master of Yunkui Summit, has been appointed by the mayor to guide us. Meanwhile, Vivian seems to be distracted...

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???: You must be (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍), right?

???: Mayflower mentioned a special "partner" might need my help.

You are...?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍MayMayText for Wise / CanCanText for Belle‍) I ask... who are you?

Yixuan: I'm the thirteenth-generation master of Yunkui Summit. You can call me Yixuan.

Yixuan: Mayflower passed along your info, and I was curious what kind of person you are, so I came to see.

Yixuan: At first, I thought it might be a hassle, but your energy feels really calming... Quite nice, actually.

Are you the investigator?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍...So you're the investigator the mayor mentioned?...So you're the investigator the mayor mentioned?Text for Wise / ...Oh! So you're the investigator the mayor talked about!...Oh! So you're the investigator the mayor talked about!Text for Belle‍)

Yixuan: Yes, he also asked me to be your temporary teacher and offer you a bit of "guidance."

...Guidance?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): "Guidance"? (‍What does that mean, exactly?What does that mean, exactly?Text for Wise / What exactly does that mean?What exactly does that mean?Text for Belle‍)

Yixuan: Hmm... Unfortunately, this isn't the right time or place to talk.

Yixuan: I have some investigation work to catch up on, and it seems you've got quite a lot on your hands, so let's part ways for now.

Yixuan: I'll find a good time to visit you soon.

Yixuan leaves after saying this, while Vivian appears lost in thought, looking distracted...

Vivian: I'm so sorry, Lord Phaethon, I'm just not feeling very well...

Vivian: I think I'll head back for now. I'll investigate the Sacrifice Core and reach out once I find something.

Let's leave the Hollow first.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍You don't look so great. Let's get out of here and figure things out later.You don't look so great. Let's get out of here and figure things out later.Text for Wise / You definitely need some rest. Let's get out of the Hollow!You definitely need some rest. Let's get out of the Hollow!Text for Belle‍)