(Starfall Combat) Cutting Through Wrong Paths

At Your Disposal

Story summary:

"At Your Disposal"

Melinoe continues to expand, with the corruption effect intensifying.
To halt the escalating situation, Miyabi leads a strike operation with your help.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The Irradiant Core is deepening its corruption across the entire Hollow. Ether energy levels are rising every second. More and more devices and equipment are breaking down.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: However, the worst part is more and more pesky Ethereals are emerging from areas with high Ether activity, and the size of this Companion Hollow seems to be growing...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: At this rate, this Hollow will connect with surrounding smaller ones, and potentially become a new large Hollow. That's something we cannot afford.

We should tackle the source of the problem.

It's time to use "that strategy."

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Sounds like we should go straight to the Hollow with the highest activity and let (‍Miss HoshimiMiss HoshimiText for Wise / MiyabiMiyabiText for Belle‍) eradicate the strongest Ethereals — that's usually the go-to strategy for effectively controlling Hollow expansion.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Exactly. The recon division has already identified the perfect target for assassination, but with the current progress on creating the Carrot, there's no way we can get through the complex spatial fluctuation zone or even find a fissure that leads to the target area...

Hoshimi Miyabi: I mean, I need your help, Proxy.

At your disposal.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): I'm at your disposal, (‍Miss Void HunterMiss Void HunterText for Wise / Void HunterVoid HunterText for Belle‍).

Listen to Izumi's new intel

(Talk to Institute Researcher, optional)

Institute Researcher: ...Thank goodness you arrived in time.

Institute Researcher: With your help, our research progress can finally catch up!

(Talk to HSO Member, optional)

HSO Member: Thanks to Chief Hoshimi, we were able to explore more areas.

HSO Member: It feels like we'll be able to collect the right data soon!

(Talk to Izumi)

Izumi: Chief Hoshimi, here's the progress report on the Melinoe exploration mission—

Izumi: In our next phase, we're going to push deeper into the Heartland of Melinoe. Of course, that also means we'll be stepping into more corrupted areas and facing far more dangerous enemies.

Izumi: I'm no expert when it comes to Hollow research, but the Irradiant Crystal Cores you recovered from the Edge have really excited the researchers. Please keep collecting Crystal Cores as we explore deeper into the region!

Izumi: Speaking of researchers... there's a woman from the Institute who expressed interest in joining you, Chief Hoshimi. She says she wants to secure survey data firsthand as soon as possible...

Anne: What an elegant choice of words from the gentleman at HSO. The "lady from the Institute" is, in fact, just lil old me.

Anne: There's no need to worry about my age, Chief. This "ol' lady" has explored plenty of Hollows in her time. I've always been a big believer in field expeditions, you see.

Anne: Go ahead and do what you need, Chief Hoshimi. I'll assist as best I can as a researcher.

Izumi: —So there you have it. Anne here has entrusted herself to your care, Officer.

Take the elevator to the Heartland of the Hollow

(After entering the elevator)

Anne: Hmm... I can already smell the dense Ether in the air... and that foul Irradiant stench mixed in with it.

Hoshimi Miyabi: The Ether concentration really has increased... How're you holding up, Anne?

Anne: I'm fine! A strong constitution is a researcher's greatest asset, and my Ether aptitude score is quite high. If I were ten years younger, I'd probably have joined the HSO myself! Haha!

Anne: But as you can see, the effects of Corruption in this Heartland are far more severe, and terrain distortions are becoming increasingly common.

Anne: Thankfully, the Institute and those HSO kids have already deployed a bunch of Ether disruptors here. Those are Ether Technology Division's new toys. You've used them in the Edge already, right?

Anne: I heard that "Technician Bangboo" next to you is quite skilled at operating these disruptors. With that in mind, I'll leave the upcoming exploration to you two here! Don't worry, I'll be right behind you!

Use the Ether disruptor to pave the way

(Idle)

Anne: Let me tweak the Beta-I Disruptor Probe a bit...

Anne: Don't you think the name "Beam Disruptor" is a lot clearer?

(Talk to Anne)

Anne: The "Ether Disruptor Probe Beta-I", also known as the "Ether Beam Disruptor", generates precise laser beams by stimulating Ether crystals. These laser beams then interfere with the Ether field between designated nodes...

Anne: Ah, I'll skip all the complex technical explanations. In short, just fine-tune the laser beams and connect the disruptors with light — that's the gist of it!

Fairy: Intelligence: Ether impulse disruptors can influence Ether activity using beams.

Fairy: Strategy: Adjust the angle of the Ether beam to connect the pathways.

Fairy: Hardware analysis complete, visual operation interface is ready.

(Enter Beam Disruptor Tutorial)

Fairy: Intelligence: Ether impulse disruptors can influence Ether activity using Ether beams.

(After connecting the beams)

Hoshimi Miyabi: The path is clear. Let's keep moving.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Well, this is one odd tech setup, huh?

Learn more from the squad

(Talk to Public Security Officer, optional)

Diligent Public Security Officer: Thanks to you, Chief Hoshimi, those Ethereals have all been cleared out. The Hollow's activity has dropped a lot as a result.

Diligent Public Security Officer: Now, we can allocate more personnel to scout the surrounding areas.

Diligent Public Security Officer: If we can gather more data on the Irradiant Core, we'll be able to develop more countermeasures.

(Talk to Public Security Officer, optional)

Careful Public Security Officer: Officer Hoshimi! The Corruption levels here seem to be stabilizing!

Careful Public Security Officer: Thanks to you, this investigation might be wrapped up sooner than we thought.

(Talk to HSO Member)

HSO Squad Member: How come those two aren't back yet...?

Institute Researcher: Hmm, it must be another rare sample that they just had to chase after.

HSO Squad Member: Chief Hoshimi! Our squad is currently helping the Institute with their exploration mission here!

Hoshimi Miyabi: Is the operation going smoothly?

HSO Squad Member: It's going... relatively smoothly, but one of our members went out with a researcher to collect samples and hasn't returned yet. If they don't get back soon, we won't be able to withdraw before the Hollow operation's critical time limit.

HSO Squad Member: I was just about to dispatch a squad to go look for them, but we're short on hands for this urgent mission. We still need some members to stay behind and guard the Institute's team...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Understood. I'll rescue any trapped or missing personnel as I go.

HSO Squad Member: That would be great!

Explore the surrounding areas

(After defeating the enemies)

Fairy: Suggestion: Adjust the beam angle.

Fairy: You can also type "Shut Up" to disable action suggestions.

(After using Beam Disruptor)

Fairy: Ether Disruptor activated.

Rescue the trapped people

(Approach the marked location)

Hoshimi Miyabi: Trapped personnel detected ahead. They're members of the Institute and HSO.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Proxy, find an alternate route and check on them.

(Talk to Institute Researcher)

Institute Researcher: Chief Hoshimi! I knew it! If I waited patiently, you'd make a heroic entrance!

Executive Branch Manager: I'm sorry, but this guy... this researcher insists on taking the samples down there. But with just the two of us, we can't possibly handle the Ethereals along the way.

Executive Branch Manager: So this guy... this researcher insisted on waiting here, saying we'd either wait for the Ethereals to die naturally or for your arrival... We're almost out of time for being in the Hollow.

Institute Researcher: Chief Hoshimi! There are crucial samples down there. Shards of the Irradiant Core are essential to our research...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Skip the details, I'm all too familiar with all sorts of reckless requests from the Institute...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Just make sure you don't turn into an Ethereal before I get back.

Complete the researcher's commission

(Approach the marked location)

Hoshimi Miyabi: Seems we can't pass through directly...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Try using the disruptor to open a path forward.

(After adjusting Ether Beam Disruptor)

Hoshimi Miyabi: This mechanism... Seems like it'll affect the route below.

(After collecting the Irradiant Crystal)

Hoshimi Miyabi: Ether fluctuations detected. Prepare for the enemy assault!

Hoshimi Miyabi: New Irradiant Crystal obtained. I'll report this to Yanagi and the Institute...

(After defeating the enemy)

Hoshimi Miyabi: The evil here has been completely eradicated.

Deliver the Irradiant Crystal to the researcher

(Talk to Institute Researcher)

Hoshimi Miyabi: Here you go, I've got what you need.

Institute Researcher: Praise be, Miss Miyabi! We're one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the Irradiant phenomenon!

Hoshimi Miyabi: Please make sure to bring this lively researcher back to the base safely. Thank you.

Executive Branch Manager: It's my duty!

Get a Carrot with the Bangboo Workbench

Anne: This disruptor isn't working properly. I suspect its Carrot data is outdated. It's inevitable considering these devices were pre-deployed though.

Anne: The Ether disruptor relies on Carrot data to function, which provides spatial topology data that serves as a Bangboo's navigation map and the disruptor's—

Anne: Ah, there I go again with all the complex technical jargon! I'll stop there!

Anne: But the Bangboo Workbench next to this disruptor should have the latest Carrot master data for this area. If you can find a way to retrieve it...

(Idle)

Anne: It won't activate... The Carrot data must be outdated...

Fairy: Discovery: Bangboo Workbench

Fairy: Assessment: Universal interface detected. Eous access permissions: Confirmed.

Fairy: Master, please connect to the Bangboo Workbench to retrieve Hollow data for this area.

Continue exploring the Heartland of Melinoe

(After defeating the enemies)

Fairy: Action Tip: Connect the Beam Disruptor and activate the elevator.

Eliminate the Ethereals and recover the Irradiant Crystal Core

(Approach the marked location)

Anne: Chief Hoshimi, you've noticed it too, right? There are strong Ether fluctuations on the platform above. There's probably a tough Ethereal up there.

Anne: We might even find an Irradiant Crystal Core there. That would be an unexpected bonus...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Leave it to me. Troublesome enemies are exactly the kind of evil that must be eradicated.

(Approach the marked location)

Hoshimi Miyabi: The Ethereals are getting stronger.

Hoshimi Miyabi: We must be getting close, Proxy.

(Interact with Unstable Spatial Fissure)

Hoshimi Miyabi: This opponent is somewhat challenging.

Hoshimi Miyabi: But it's still far from enough!

I Am the Blade

(After defeating Thracian)

Story summary:

"I Am the Blade"

With the target taken down, the Hollow's expansion slows down.
Yet, Miyabi remains relentlessly on the frontline, fighting and fulfilling her role as a Void Hunter, leaving you worried about her state.

Hoshimi Miyabi: ...A message from Yanagi: after eliminating the target, the hollow's expansion quickly slowed down.

Hoshimi Miyabi: If it weren't for you, Proxy, there'd be no other way to get this assassination done. Expectations can be a heavy burden... Though it may sound presumptuous, I have a feeling that you'll always be able to meet my expectations.

You have taken on too many expectations, Miss Miyabi.

And who's expectations are you meeting, Miyabi?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Without a "blade" like you, Miss (‍HoshimiHoshimiText for Wise / MiyabiMiyabiText for Belle‍), a Proxy like me would practically have no role to play. But being a relentless blade is just a projection of my own... and many others' expectations of what you should be, right?

You are more than just a "blade."

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): You've been wielding yourself as the "blade" of HSO and New Eridu. (‍You've been wielding yourself as the "blade" of HSO and New Eridu. While a warrior never worries about whether the next swing will shatter their blade, beyond being a "blade" and a "Void Hunter,"You've been wielding yourself as the "blade" of HSO and New Eridu. While a warrior never worries about whether the next swing will shatter their blade, beyond being a "blade" and a "Void Hunter," Tooltip for You've been wielding yourself as the "blade" of HSO and New Eridu. While a warrior never worries about whether the next swing will shatter their blade, beyond being a "blade" and a "Void Hunter,"ⓘText for Wise / Sure, a warrior doesn't worry about their next attack shattering their blade, but beyond being a blade and a Void Hunter,Sure, a warrior doesn't worry about their next attack shattering their blade, but beyond being a blade and a Void Hunter,Text for Belle‍) you're still flesh and blood.

Hoshimi Miyabi: It seems you have a soft side too... But don't worry about this "blade" snapping from overuse. After all, I have Yanagi and the others, my father... and you. You all are the sheath that supports me.

What happened that day...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): So, about the photos (‍Mr. SouichirouMr. Souichirou Tooltip for Mr. SouichirouⓘText for Wise / SouichirouSouichirouText for Belle‍) showed me at your place...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Alright, Proxy. If Yanagi were here, she would remind us that we're still on a mission.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Right now, the priority isn't to comfort me, but to put an end to the disaster that's still wreaking havoc, right?

Hoshimi Miyabi: The operation to sever its limbs is done. Now, it's time to go for its core.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Let's head back to the base first. We need to make sure we're fully prepared before advancing toward the "Core" of evil in the sky.

Review the operation results with Researcher Anne

(Interact with Irradiant Crystal Core)

Anne: These intense Ether fluctuations... There are definitely Irradiant Crystal Cores.

Anne: Yeah, in areas where powerful Ethereals are active, there's a high chance of finding these highly concentrated Ether deposits. Or rather, it's these ultra-dense Ether crystals that give rise to powerful Ethereals.

Hoshimi Miyabi: It's definitely... peculiar. I don't know if it's the result of the Irradiant Effect, combined with excessively intense Ether energy fluctuations, or...

Hoshimi Miyabi: My blade, Tailless, is resonating... it's just like when it lost control back in the Hollow.

Anne: Are you okay, Chief Hoshimi?

Hoshimi Miyabi: I'm fine. My mastery over Tailless is greater than before. Its restlessness no longer fills me with a sense of foreboding.

Anne: Still, it'd best not to stir up unnecessary trouble. Let's return to base as quickly as possible.

(Talk to Anne)

Anne: Chief Hoshimi, thanks to you, the Institute now has this valuable Irradiant Crystal Core for its research.

Anne: I noticed that special weapon of yours seems to resonate with the Irradiant Crystal Core... The crystal stimulates Ether activity and has a notably high energy density, which explains the reaction in the Ethereal-Slaying Katana. You needn't worry.

Anne: Oh, right. Captain Izumi asked me to tell you to rest up before the next operation.

Anne: As for the Captain himself, it seems he's leading a team to explore the core region in person. "We'll carve a path to the area closest to the 'Core' so Chief Hoshimi can enter the battlefield," he said. He was very serious. I guess you're really respected in HSO, Chief Miyabi.

Hoshimi Miyabi: As comrades-in-arms, we stand as equals — no rank, no distinction.

Anne: Then make sure to rest and prepare your gear before the next operation, Chief.

Okay. (Leave the Hollow for now)

Hoshimi Miyabi: The operation is wrapping up. Go rest for a while at the base.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): If you're in bad shape, you can temporarily withdraw from the Hollow to recuperate.