Truth Beneath the Water

(Talk to Qingyi)

Qingyi: Hello, Manager! The Ultimate Angler Championship is about to commence! How are your preparations going?

It's so-so.

Qingyi: You may be humble, but your skills speak otherwise. You must have improved greatly. This competition is a good opportunity to showcase your talents.

Technology has advanced a lot.

Qingyi: In that case, victory must be within reach. Excellent, I'll be counting on you today.

Qingyi: If you're ready, let's check out today's competition info on the noticeboard.

No problem. I'm ready!

(Continue commission)

Give me a sec!

(Exit dialogue)

(Interact with the Competition Notice Board)

Qingyi: The competition is about to start. Let's head out!

Qingyi: I see a crowd gathering near the noticeboard. New competition info must've been released.

(Raise your head to get a look at the noticeboard.)

(Squint to get a look at the noticeboard.)

(Open Elpis Ultimate Angler Championship)

Elpis Ultimate Angler Championship

The Qualifiers of Elpis Ultimate Angler Championship start today! All participants are advised to review the rules carefully.

Qualifier Rounds: Two (Participants will be randomly assigned to two of the four fishing spots.)

Match Mode: Doubles

Qualification Rate: Top 50%

Fishing Spot List:

Coastal Fishing Spot / Deepwater Fishing Spot / Deepwater Fishing Spot / Roaring Waves Fishing Spot

Group Assignments:

...

[Qingyi/(‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)] Round 1: Bridge Fishing Spot Round 2: Deepwater Fishing Spot

Qingyi: Hmm... I see. The championship is being held in three stages: the qualifiers, the semifinals, and the finals. The qualifiers are already underway, and each team has to participate in two separate matches at two randomly assigned fishing spots. Teams are ranked by the number of fish they catch, and the top 50% will advance to the next round.

Qingyi: What's up, Manager? You look like you've got something on your mind.

Why are there two matches?

Why must we compete at different fishing spots?

Qingyi: Different locations have different fish, and the fishing techniques required also differ. Having two matches ensures that truly capable contestants are selected.

Qingyi: Moreover, we will be fishing in natural environments. The number of fish in each spot is unpredictable. This arrangement minimizes the factor of luck.

I see, I see.

(Teams who rank in the top half can advance, so we just have to be the top two in each match, right?)

Ben: (‍Mr.Mr.Text for Wise / MissMissText for Belle‍) Manager, Miss Qingyi, you're here too?

Ben: So, have you looked over the championship details yet?

We've seen it!

Where are you competing?

Qingyi: If I recall correctly, Mr. Ben and his teammates should be at the Deepwater Fishing Spot and Coastal Fishing Spot. Although everyone will be competing at the deep water spot, we weren't scheduled in the same slot.

Ben: Haha, Miss Qingyi, you're as sharp as ever.

It's a shame we won't get to have a showdown with Ben.

Qingyi Don't worry, Manager, as long as everyone advances to the next round, it'll be hard to avoid butting heads in the rest of the championship.

Ben: Haha, Miss Qingyi is right. I wish you both a triumphant start.

See you in the other matches!

Ben: Alright, I'll hold you to that. I wish both of you a great start.

Qingyi: Manager, it's time for the championship's first round. Let's head over to the fishing spot.

Okay, let's go!

(Continue to the next step)

Hang on, I still need to prepare.

(Exit dialogue)

(After selecting "Okay, let's go!")

Referee: Contestants, welcome to the Elpis Ultimate Angler Championship! The first round of the qualifiers will be held at the Long Bridge Fishing Spot!

Referee: Please fish within the designated area and use the fishing gear and bait provided by the organizers. We wish all participants the best of luck!

Referee: Let the match begin!

(During the match)

Qingyi: Great. That's one down.

Awesomeboo: Ehn-na nhu! (Hooked one!)

Tommy: Well done, Awesomeboo!

Awesomeboo: Nhu-ne na nu! (I'll do my best for the young master!)

Emma: Yes, got one! Keep it up!

Emma: Yay! I got a fish!

Klum: Don't rush, son. It's all about taking part.

Klum: Great, we've caught one too!

(When 30 seconds are left)

Referee: 30 seconds left, everyone! Hurry up!

(Win the first qualifier round)

Referee: Time's up! This round has ended! Please reel in your lines and leave the fishing spot in an orderly manner. While you wait for the next round, the number of fish caught by each team will be put up on the noticeboard. You can take a look at it.

Qingyi: The match is over, Manager. Let's go.

Qingyi, you're awesome!

Qingyi: You're too kind, Manager. You did very well yourself.

I wonder how the other teams are doing.

Qingyi: Based on my experience, we should rank in the top 20% for now. If we perform similarly well in the next match, we'll advance without a hitch.

Qingyi: Manager, the results are out. Let's take a look at the noticeboard.

(Talk to Ben and Peyton)

Peyton: Ben, we might've done worse than usual, but everyone's doing equally bad. It's too odd.

Ben?

Is something wrong?

Ben: Ugh, I've fished for years, so this is a little embarrassing... All the teams from our matches returned empty-handed.

Qingyi: All teams returned with nothing... Not a single person caught something?

Peyton: That's right! I don't know about other teams, but Ben is one of the best in Belobog Industries! It's strange that he didn't catch anything, unless there were no fish to begin with!

Ben: We'll just have to accept this for now and come up with a plan. But it'll be tough to rank in the top 50% with just one match left.

Ben: Wait a second... Manager, Qingyi, aren't you two headed to Deepwater Fishing Spot for your next match?

Haha, right...

Uh-oh, we're in trouble!

Qingyi: Don't worry, Manager. Port Elpis is crawling with sea creatures in this season and fish tend to gather. There must be a reason no fish could be caught.

Ben: Speaking of which, something already felt off during the match.

Qingyi: Oh? Please, do tell.

Ben: I might be mistaken, but I think I heard a faint shrill sound near the fishing spot just now...

Peyton: Ah, so you heard it too! I was wondering if my ears were playing tricks on me because I was too nervous...

Qingyi: Thirens have much keener hearing than ordinary people. If you heard it, then it must be true.

Referee: Contestants, listen carefully!! The second match is about to begin! Please head to your fishing spots!

Qingyi: Manager, we don't have much time. Before the match starts, let's investigate the fishing spot.

Qingyi: As an automaton, my hearing is much keener than Thirens. If that strange noise Mr. Ben mentioned exists, I should pick it up too.

(Interact with the Deepwater Fishing Spot sign)

Qingyi: Mhm...

Qingyi, how is it?

Do you hear anything?

Qingyi: I can hear a faint shrill sound coming from underwater. Hang on, I'll be right back.

Hey, what are you doing?

Be right back? Where are you going?

As soon as Qingyi finishes speaking, she takes a calm step forward and plunges into the water. After a few minutes, she resurfaces with a dark-colored box in her hand...

Referee: W—What happened to you? Did you fall into the water?

Qingyi: Referee, I found this on the bridge. It was submerged underwater.

Referee: Hmm? What's this?

Racket: Ah, isn't this the High-Frequency Fish Diversion Device? It can emit high-frequency sound waves that fish fear!

Orson: I see! No wonder the teams who were fishing here couldn't catch anything! So, this was the cause!

Referee: Are you saying that...

Racket: You're the referee! Don't you get it? Someone is using this to cheat! As long as some teams fail to catch fish, the culprits can easily advance to the next round!

Orson: Hmph, the Elpis Ultimate Angler Championship? It's got quite the lineup, but they can't even guarantee fairness. I'm not going to participate in a contest like that!

Racket: Well said! We're withdrawing from this! Fellow anglers, if you want a fair match, don't bother with this competition!

Referee: Contestants, please calm down. We are investigating the situation...

Orson: How can you ask us to calm down after something so vile has happened? Get the organizers here! We want to talk to them!

Racket: That's right, get them here! President Qi of the Fishing Association and old McDunn who planned this competition!

Shortly after, President Qi and McDunn arrive...

Referee: ...Anyway, we found this thing in the water. It's supposed to be a high-frequency fish diversion device. After hearing that someone might be using it to cheat, these two contestants have been expressing immense dissatisfaction.

McDunn: Old Qi, I took at look at it. It's a fish diversion device.

McDunn: But these championship fishing spots were closed to the public up until today. There aren't any cameras near the dock, so it'll be hard to find out who put this there and when they did it.

Racket: What do you mean? So, are we going to condone cheating just because investigations will be tough?

President Qi: Please calm down. This is our oversight, and we will be responsible for it.

President Qi: We will dispatch manpower to inspect all fishing spots, fishing gear, and bait to eliminate any attempts at cheating. The results from the match at this spot will not be taken into consideration. Once the waters settle here, a rematch will be held.

President Qi: We will hand the device to Public Security for further investigations. Once we identify the cheating team, they will be disqualified immediately.

Racket: Hmph, is that all?

President Qi: Uh... What do you mean?

Racket: I demand that the Ultimate Angler Championship be suspended until the culprits are caught!

President Qi: Uh... Well...

Qingyi: President Qi, I have some thoughts to share on this matter.

Qingyi: My friends, when I emerged from the water with this box, everyone was still confused about what it was. Why were you two so certain that it was a high-frequency fish diversion device?

Racket: Wh—What do you mean? I heard it making a strange noise just now.

McDunn: Wow, you must be quite an extraordinary human being to hear the high-frequency sound coming from that.

(These two seem a little suspicious...)

Racket: What, do you suspect me of cheating? This isn't an illegal item on a regular day, and I've seen something similar before!

Orson: Exactly! Why would we place that at our fishing spot? We're also competing here, and it'll only put us at a disadvantage!

Qingyi: Hmm, that does make sense.

Orson: Well... How about this? I'll take back what I said about suspending the competition. As long as President Qi and Mr. McDunn supervise the matches at Fishing Spot C and ensure fairness, we'll acknowledge the subsequent competition results.

McDunn: A compromise? Heh, sure. I won't let anyone pull any tricks under my nose. Old Qi, what do you think?

President Qi: ...Fine, I agree with this suggestion. Once the fishing spot is back to normal, Mr. McDunn and I will oversee the rematch.

After a short while—

Qingyi: Manager, Mr. Ben's rematch has ended too. It's time for our match.

Qingyi: If you're ready, let's go to the fishing spot.

Sure, let's go!

(Continue to the next step)

Hang on, let me get ready!

(Exit dialogue)

(After selecting "Sure, let's go!")

President Qi: Contestants, the second round of the qualifiers will begin soon at the Deepwater Fishing Spot!

President Qi: Please fish within the designated area and use the fishing gear and bait provided by the organizers. We wish everyone the best of luck!

President Qi: Now, let the match begin!

(During the match)

Battery Squad Member: Nhe-nhu na! (I caught a battery! Yay!)

Battery Squad Leader: Nu-nah en-ne! (What's the point of catching this? Throw it back right away!)

Battery Squad Member: Nhe-ehn-na! (I've got one this time!)

Qingyi: Fished up another one. With me around, you can just enjoy the process, Manager.

Andrew: First catch, a triumphant start!

Andrew: Great, I've caught... Ah! It's a can!

Grandpa John: Finally caught one...

Grandpa John: Hehe, looks like I'm in luck...

(When 30 seconds are left)

Referee: Attention! The competition ends in 30 seconds!

(Win the second qualifier round)

Peyton: Manager, Miss Qingyi, over here! The results are out. Congratulations on advancing to the next round! Thanks to you guys, Ben and I also made it!

Great!

Congratulations to you, too!

Peyton: I heard you were in a tough spot after finding that fish diversion device at the fishing spot. Some folks were heckling about unfairness and wanting to suspend the competition. Did that really happen?

Qingyi: Yes, but the protesting contestants were compelled to make a compromise. They've accepted the current arrangement.

I wonder how they're faring.

Qingyi: I saw their names. Neither of them made it to the next round.

Really?

Then why did they make such a fuss?

Qingyi: Who knows? Fortunately, the conflict has been resolved and the competition wasn't affected.

Qingyi: By the way, what are your plans now? If you're heading back to the store, can I hitch a ride back?

No problem!

Let me say goodbye to Ben before we leave!

Peyton: You're looking for Ben? After the match ended, President Qi came looking for him. They chatted about something behind the lighthouse just now, but he didn't pick up my calls.

Qingyi: Is there another problem with the lighthouse repairs? C'mon, Manager, let's go check it out.

(Idle)

Qi Yu: *sigh* I just wanted to host a fishing competition. Why is it so difficult?

McDunn: You've said that already. Stop repeating yourself!

Ben: Calm down, please. I'll get Qingyi and the manager over right away...

(Talk to Ben, President Qi, and McDunn)

President Qi: Oh, Qingyi, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍), you're here! We were about to call you over.

What's wrong?

I have a bad feeling about this...

McDunn: Heh, just look at how upset Qi is. You don't need a hunch to tell you that something bad has happened.

President Qi: The lighthouse restoration is also complete. If it weren't for the incident today, the motor for turning the light would've been installed by now.

President Qi: But someone knocked over a bucket behind the lighthouse and the motor got wet. We tried to start it up, but it wouldn't turn on!

Who did it?

President Qi: Perhaps some kids or tourists... *sigh* Whoever did it doesn't matter. Without the motor, we can't change the direction of the lighthouse's light. Boats can't leave the port at night!

Is the motor vital to the lighthouse?

McDunn: What kind of question is that? If it didn't matter, would Qi be so anxious? Without the motor, even if we can light up the lighthouse, we can't change the direction of the light. Boats won't be able to leave the port.

President Qi: *sigh* I just wanted to host a fishing competition. Why is it so difficult?

McDunn: Alright, quit your sighing. Didn't the big guy say he had a solution? Let's get these (‍two youngsterstwo youngstersText for Wise / two ladiestwo ladiesText for Belle‍) over and come up with something.

Looks like we can help.

You seem to have a solution, Ben?

Ben: Yeah, you're lucky that we're working with a motor. This model has been out of commission for a long time, but we were tasked to retrieve an old television that's using the same model from Port Elpis.

Ben: It'll take quite a while for the company to locate those specific cargo crates, but with (‍Mr.Mr.Text for Wise / MissMissText for Belle‍) Manager's help...

Sure, I'll go right away!

I see. Leave it to me!

Qingyi: Manager, I'll go with you.

President Qi: Qingyi, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍), looks like we have to bother you again.

Qingyi: We're all friends here — no need to apologize. Rest assured and leave it to us. Manager, let's get going.

(Talk to Qingyi)

Qingyi: Manager, Mr. Ben has given me the info on the materials to be retrieved and the basic Carrot data. We can set off when you're ready.

Let's go find the motor!

(Start Turning Waste into Treasure)

On it! I'll get ready and head over!

(Exit dialogue)

(After completing Turning Waste into Treasure)

President Qi: Phew, thank the heavens! The lighthouse is finally lit up!

McDunn: Old Qi, why are you thanking the heavens? My back is breaking from having to fix the lighthouse. You can forget about thanking me, but you shouldn't neglect these two kids.

I'm not that young.

And Qingyi is... definitely not a kid.

President Qi: Yeah, yeah, you're right. (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍), Qingyi, thank you. You helped us resolve another crisis.

President Qi: The semifinals and finals are all that's left. I'm sure... there won't be any other mishaps, right?

Qingyi: Pfft, why would you think that?

President Qi: How should I put it? All the competitions we hosted had their fair share of hiccups, but they have never been so worrying!

President Qi: Don't laugh at me, but... it's like someone has been trying to make things difficult for us lately.

McDunn: You think there's a mastermind behind all this? Fine, go on worrying about your speculations. Do you think your association is some big shot? Well, who have you offended? Please, tell me.

President Qi: What's wrong with you? Can't I share my thoughts?

Qingyi: President Qi, as the sayings go, "misfortunes don't occur thrice" and "things only get better when you've hit rock bottom." These minor accidents have been resolved, so don't get too paranoid.

(Wait, "accidents"...?)

(Does Qingyi really think that?)

President Qi: Very well, Qingyi. Your words are reassuring to hear. We've taken up quite a lot of your time today, and it's getting late. You should be heading back, aren't you?

I need to talk with Qingyi.

President Qi: Alright, I'll leave you two to chat.

Qingyi: President Qi, Mr. McDunn, we'll take our leave now.

Qingyi: Let's go, Manager. I bet you wanted to find a quiet spot to talk.

Get to the Bottom of It

(Talk to Qingyi)

Qingyi: The lighthouse is so bright, and the culprit must've noticed too. They should've realized that their farce with all that noise is no longer convincing.

The two protesting contestants...

They're accomplices, aren't they?

Qingyi: Indeed. Their protests caught the attention of President Qi, Mr. McDunn, and everyone else on the pier. No one was watching the lighthouse, allowing their accomplices to succeed.

Qingyi: Unfortunately, I didn't realize the truth sooner. I thought they were simply trying to disrupt the competition.

Don't be so harsh on yourself, Qingyi.

Time to strike back!

Qingyi: Yeah, you're right. We'll settle this score with them.

Mr. McDunn is also nicer now.

He isn't as snappy with you.

Qingyi: Speaking of which, I should thank those culprits for giving me a chance to impress. By the way, I wanted to talk to you about Mr. McDunn...

Qingyi: So many things have happened recently. Even someone as simple-minded as President Qi is starting to feel that something is afoot. Someone as sharp as McDunn should've noticed sooner.

Did he deliberately keep mum about this?

But why would he do that?

Qingyi: Hehe, this old man is a mystery, but we can trust him to keep a close eye on the lighthouse.

Qingyi: Manager, I'll get going. You should rest well and prepare for our final spurt.

(Idle, near the storage area)

Young Angler: Dang it! I was so close to making it to the semifinals!

Elderly Angler: The competition is really intense. Casual anglers like us just can't keep up...

(Idle, by the signboard)

Contestant: Daniel, we're in the semifinals! We got this!

Daniel: Yes! Let's do our best!