Using Oneself as Bait

(Enter Combat)

Hugo: I'm sure you've heard about the missing workers from companies under the Ravenlock family, too.

Hugo: I know where they are.

Hugo: Those are Ravenlock's men. The workers with them are the victims who were tricked into going into the Hollow.

Lycaon: Come on, let's get them out of here.

(Interact with Scared Worker)

You untie the workers...

Scared Worker: Thank goodness, someone's here to save us!

Scared Worker: Thank you...

Hugo: You're welcome. So... could you tell us what those Ravenlocks did to you before they ran off?

Scared Worker: They're... They're a bunch of liars! They tricked us into this Hollow!

Scared Worker: They said they had a job with high pay for us, but they kept avoiding the topic after we got here. Something didn't seem right, so I wanted to leave...

Scared Worker: But then they showed their true colors! They tied us all up and told us they were gonna ship us off somewhere!

Hugo: ...They didn't make you take any weird medicine, did they?

Scared Worker: Medicine? No... but it wasn't just us they tricked. Another group went that way!

Lycaon: I see. Here, take this Carrot. There's an exit nearby. You should get out of here as soon as possible.

Scared Worker: I cant thank you enough...!

Lycaon: Let's go, Hugo. We must save the rest of them.

Hugo: You sure are eager.

(Enter Combat)

Arrogant Man: Bunch of nobodies, annoying as hell. Kill them!

Hugo: You're welcome to try.

(After approaching the workers)

Hugo: More workers here... and quite a lot of them.

(Interact with Exhausted Worker)

You untie the workers...

Exhausted Worker: Wh—Who are you...?

Hugo: Your saviors.

Exhausted Worker: Thank you... Thank you...

Exhausted Worker: *sigh* I had a bad feeling about that group from the start... I shouldn't have ignored my gut instinct...

Hugo: Did those Ravenlocks do anything to you?

Exhausted Worker: Do anything...? Well, we weren't doing as we were told so they tied us up...

Hugo: Nothing else? ...Good.

Exhausted Worker: Oh, right! There was another batch of workers ahead of us... They should be by the roof!

Hugo: Don't worry, I'll handle it. You should get out of here as soon as you can.

Lycaon: ...Let's continue.

(Enter Combat)

Lycaon: ...Is Hartman behind this, too?

Hugo: Of course. He threw them into the Hollow, like offerings for the Exaltists.

Hugo: To him, those workers are just another resource. No different from the Ether his company mines in the Hollow.

Belated Trust

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Belated Trust

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Video Summary: This time, will you choose to believe or not to believe?

Story Description: Hugo endures in silence to expose the Ravenlock family's scheme of tricking workers into taking the control drugs. Lycaon suppresses his urge to rush to the rescue, believing Hugo won't stray from his convictions this time.

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Lycaon: There's more over there, let's hurry.

Hugo: ...It's different this time. Don't rush in, let's listen in on what they're saying first.

Hugo: I still need more direct evidence to ensure the plan is absolutely foolproof.

Trembling Worker: Th—The compensation you promised, it's all real, right?

Trembling Worker: All we have to do is follow you into the Hollow for some simple tasks, and you'll give us a huge sum of Dennies... It sounds real suspicious!

Cocky Man: ...Shut your trap. You keep yapping and asking questions. If this is all so suspicious, why were you so eager to sign up for it?

Trembling Worker: Because I don't have a choice! My daughter was previously caught in the Hollow disaster and suffered severe Corruption. The treatment costs have completely drained our family's savings, so that's why...

Trembling Worker: It's the same for me! A serious illness at a senior age... I need the money.

Pale-Faced Worker: Who would risk taking a job like this unless they were desperate...?

Pale-Faced Worker: I'll do it, no matter how suspicious... as long as I can get paid! I'll do anything, even risk my life!

Fierce Man: ...

Trembling Worker: Wait, you people from the Ravenlock family... you're part of a big company in TOPS... you wouldn't go back on your word, right?

Fierce Man: Don't worry, you'll get every Denny you were promised.

Fierce Man: But, before we start... you all need to take this medicine first.

The fierce man pulls out a bunch of white pills and gives one to each worker.
Another Ravenlock family member seems a bit doubtful and leans in to whisper.

Cocky Man: ...Bro, should we really be doing this already...?

Fierce Man: These workers keep talking. We're wasting time like this.

Fierce Man: ...And, the sooner they take it, the sooner it'll be over. Consider it an early release for them.

Trembling Worker: What? You didn't say anything about having to take pills before!

Cocky Man: Look, this is good stuff, alright? It'll increase your Ether aptitude. There's tons of people who'd kill for something like this.

Fierce Man: Exactly. You'll be working in the Hollow for several hours. This is essential medication.

Fierce Man: You have to take it before we continue. If you refuse, then you can forget about the job.

Fierce Man: Of course, you won't receive the compensation either.

Lycaon: ...

Hugo: Lycaon, what are you doing?

Lycaon: Rescuing those workers, of course. There's clearly something off about those pills. We can't let them take them.

Hugo: Now is not the right time. As I said, we need more evidence to ensure the plan works.

Lycaon: And as I said many years ago, you can't exploit innocents to achieve your goal.

Hugo: ...So, that's how you see it.

Lycaon: If that's not what you want me to think, then explain everything to me.

Hugo: ...

Hugo: Alright, it's a little complicated. But, simply put, these workers will be fine.

Hugo: Of course, it's your choice to trust me or not.

Hugo: But if you try to rush in, I will stop you.

Lycaon: ...

Lycaon: I trust you.

Meanwhile, the workers have also made their decision. Except for the talkative worker, most of them already swallowed the pills.
That's when the arrogant Ravenlock family member finally reveals his true nature, saying "You think I'd let you run?" while forcibly shoving the pill into the worker's mouth...

After clearly capturing everything, Hugo lets out a sigh of relief.

Hugo: Alright, that's the evidence.

Hugo: Now we can go and beat them into the ground as much as you want.

Lycaon: ...Don't forget, you owe me an explanation.

Lycaon: Also, don't overdo it and kill them, even if they're the worst of the Ravenlock family.

Hugo: Alright, Your Holiness, Saint Lycaon.

Hugo: Can't remember the last time we worked this well as a team.

Lycaon: ...Mm.

(After finishing the first wave)

Hugo: Your legs... how are they feeling?

Lycaon: I'm fine.

Hugo: To be honest, I think I preferred the way you used to fight.

Hugo: You had a lot more aggression.

Lycaon: I've merely learned to control my strength.

Lycaon: When I need to be aggressive, I will be.

Crucial Evidence

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Crucial Evidence

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Video Summary: "sometimes I wonder if you know me at all."

Story Description: Hugo orchestrates a trap to lure the Ravenlock family in, swapping the control drug with vitamins. He endures the drug effects to gather data for an antidote and secure crucial evidence. Lycaon, witnessing it all, expresses his regret...

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The two defeat the Ravenlock family members...

Cocky Man: Damn it, who the hell are you? How dare you mess with the Ravenlock family?!

Hugo: Ravenlock... Savor the name while you can, for it will soon cease to exist.

Fierce Man: ...What's that supposed to mean?

Hugo: It means exactly what I said. I think this might be good for you.

Hugo: Sever your ties while you can. You still have a chance to walk your own path.

Fierce Man: ...The family's honor comes above all else.

Hugo: Is that really what you think? I saw the compassion on your face just now.

Hugo: You're not from the main family, right? That's why you were assigned to these trivial tasks... But, in reality, there's no need for you to keep playing this boring game for them.

Fierce Man: I don't have a choice. From the moment I was born into the Ravenlock family, I...

Hugo: You always have a choice, if you're willing to act.

Hugo: Alright, let's end the small talk here.

Hugo delivers a swift chop to the back of the necks of the Ravenlock family members...

Hugo: Don't worry, Lycaon, I didn't hit them too hard, just enough to keep them quiet.

Trembling Worker: How's that? My acting's pretty good, right?

Hugo: As always. A certain someone should take some lessons from you.

Hugo: I'll leave the rest to you, then.

Trembling Worker: Okie-dokie!

The workers carry the Ravenlock family members away...
Now only Lycaon and Hugo remain.

Lycaon: Okay, now can you tell me exactly what's going on here?

Hugo: As you can see, that worker just now was actually an informant of mine.

Hugo: The pills were swapped out with vitamin tablets.

Hugo: Outside of this batch, some workers have already taken the actual substance Hartman has.

Hugo: But rest assured, the antidote for it is already in development. I've found the best in the field to help, and with the data I collected before... we should have results soon.

Lycaon: I wanted to ask... The reason you decided to lock yourself in a room and endure the effects of the drug...

Lycaon: Besides getting evidence, it was also to collect data on this drug in order to create an antidote, correct?

Hugo: It seems you're not completely beyond hope.

Lycaon: ...I thought you were just being stubborn.

Hugo: Hah, sometimes I wonder if you know me at all.

Lycaon: Then... I have one last question — why did you never tell me any of this back then?

Hugo: ...

Hugo: The truth is, I heard everything — that entire conversation between you and Jack.

Jack's Request

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Jack's Request

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Video Summary: If you stray from the right path, I will...

Story Description: Hugo and Lycaon recall their final conversation with Jack before his passing, and it seems there are still some misunderstandings between them...

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Hugo: Before he passed away, in that small attic... When Jack called you aside and gave you those warnings.

Lycaon: When he told me you might go down the wrong path...?

Hugo: That's right.

Lycaon: ...You never said anything.

Hugo: Hmph, what would I even do? Scream and rage over your suspicions, or get on my knees and beg for you to trust me?

Hugo: You know there's no way I'd allow myself to do such a thing.

Hugo: Besides... back then, even I was confused about myself.

Lycaon: Jack, he—

Hugo: It's all in the past, you don't need to explain anything to me.

Hugo: Enough... We should get going.

Hugo: If we're going to reminisce over the past, we should find a more suitable location.

A Rival and a Close Friend

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 A Rival and a Close Friend

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Video Summary: "I'm doing well now. I hope you are too."

Story Description: Hugo reveals to Lycaon the truth behind Hartman's fratricide and usurpation, admitting that he once fell into darkness but refuses to become a monster. The two finally reconcile.

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After leaving the Hollow, the two arrive at a place with nice scenery...

Hugo: Lycaon, that incident back then... I didn't do it.

Hugo: It was a scheme Hartman devised to take over the family. It was Hartman who killed my father, too. I only discovered the truth long after the fact.

Hugo: I did indeed attack my father, and I thought he was dead... but he wasn't. I couldn't kill him.

Hugo: And even before that. If I hadn't hesitated... none of what followed would have happened.

Hugo: Even now, I still think they deserve death.

Hugo: But I no longer care to personally deliver that fate. They're beneath me, and I have more important things to do.

Lycaon: You...

Hugo: I know we may never agree on that point, Lycaon.

Hugo: I once wanted to fight against those ugly truths that defined me. But I discovered that the more I rejected them, the more painful it became.

Hugo: So, I could only accept that crazed, hateful, and malicious side of myself.

Hugo: As long as I know I will never become like my father, like Hartman, that is enough for me.

Lycaon: ...You've changed. But I think that might be a good thing.

Hugo: Don't patronize me.

Hugo: ...You've changed a lot too, compared to before.

Hugo: I still disagree with Jack's words, and I won't forgive your betrayal.

Hugo: I will walk the path I believe is right. Even if I must tread over thorns and through the mud.

Hugo: ...But I will also allow you to walk your own path, Lycaon.

Lycaon: Should I say thank you?

Hugo: You're welcome. Come to think of it, we haven't talked about... your legs and eye.

Lycaon: It was just an accident, not your fault.

Lycaon: I'm doing well now. I hope you are too.

Lycaon: On the contrary... perhaps I should be the one apologizing. I misjudged you.

Lycaon: I used to think you wanted power, that everything you did was for your own ambitions... I thought you wanted the power to pass judgment on all in this world, like a god.

Hugo: I am a god. I am my own god.

Hugo: Or, you could say that in this world, everyone is their own god.

Hugo: There are many things that we are powerless to change, but there are also many choices we can make.

Hugo: Just as I said before. I am the only one who can kill me or save me.

Lycaon: I'm glad you think that way.

Hugo: Let's go. I still have one last thing to do—

Hugo: To witness the end of Ravenlock.