Two mysterious events happened in Hongzhen. Xinyi presumes there are ulterior motives behind them...
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| 1 |
It's been some time, Rover.
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| 1 |
It feels like forever. How are things going in Hongzhen?
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| 2 |
There is still much to be done, but things are finally looking up for Hongzhen. We've weathered the storm, and the darkest times are behind us.
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| 3 |
The Sentinel's barrier is gone, and Mt. Firmament can be seen once more. Now, Hongzhen and other parts of Huanglong are reconnected.
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| 4 |
At such a pivotal moment, it is even more essential to document our recent events in detail for future generations.
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To that end, the Magistrate and I have gathered a team of scholars from Jinzhou to revise the Hongzhen Chronicle.
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| 5 |
That sounds good.
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| 5 |
Have you encountered any difficulties?
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| 6 |
A scholar named Qianyue is cataloging recent tales around Hongzhen.
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| 7 |
However, she mentioned certain... strange phenomena in her reports.
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| 7 |
This world is stranger than any supersition.
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| 7 |
I bet there's more to the story.
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| 8 |
Indeed. I agree with you.
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| 9 |
There's surely someone or something with wicked intentions at play here.
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| 10 |
I fear some exploit this chaos to spread discord. A thorough investigation will expose these troublemakers.
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| 11 |
Rover, I ask for your help. Assist Qianyue in uncovering the truth so peace may be restored to our town!
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| 1 |
It's… it's the Fractsidus!
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| 2 |
Didn't you hear me? Drop it! Leave now and maybe I'll spare you. Otherwise…
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| 3 |
Have you lost your mind? It's that Rover! Even Mr. Scar is no match for her!
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| 4 |
Rover…? So what?
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| 5 |
We endured so much, paid such a high price… No, with this new power nothing will stand in our way!
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| 6 |
Our mission isn't to cause a scene! We're here to assess the camp's condition. We should try talking, not wrecking everything in sight—
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| 7 |
This opportunity is being handed to us! With our numbers, we can easily deal with them.
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| 8 |
Don't you want to prove your worth? Then join me against the Fractsidus's enemies!
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| 9 |
I-I don't want to do crazy stuff like this!
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| 10 |
Hey, get back here, you idiot!
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| 11 |
Coward! I'll definitely report him to the boss.
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| 12 |
No biggie, we still have the upper hand. Let's go. Take them down!
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| 12 |
Find a place to hide, Qianyue.
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| 13 |
O-okay. Take care, Rover!
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| 1 |
Alright, I think I've probably got things figured out.
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| 1 |
I agree.
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| 2 |
The Fractsidus calls this place "Site 2" and ran experiments with the "Photonvault" created by the Court of Savantae.
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| 3 |
Those frozen animals? They must be the device's test subjects caught in time.
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And the monsters at Loong's Crest must've been captured with it, too.
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But what's their plan? The memo from Site 1 mentioned a frequency suppressor… What’s that for?
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| 5 |
To suppress the Tacet Discords' innate frequencies?
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Yes… So they can control them, like in the diary.
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| 7 |
This is absurd...
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| 7 |
Typical Fractsidus.
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It is their style, after all.
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| 8 |
Are they all mad? Why would they do this?
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| 8 |
For more power.
(Jump:9)
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| 8 |
For a dream.
(Jump:10)
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| 8 |
For their survival.
(Jump:11)
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| 9 |
For power? Is it really worth all this?
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| 9 |
(Jump:12)
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| 10 |
For dreams? I doubt these killers know anything about dreams.
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(Jump:12)
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| 11 |
But cities like Jinzhou or Hongzhen offer protection. Folks can go about their daily lives, so why go looking for this kind of trouble?
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| 11 |
(Jump:12)
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| 12 |
I just... can't wrap my head around it. There's no excuse for this.
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| 12 |
We have more important matters to attend to.
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| 13 |
You're right. We have to stop the Fractsidus. We can't let them get away with this.
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| 1 |
Boss, all systems are go. We’re ready to roll with the next experiment whenever you give the word.
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| 2 |
Hey, Ogo, it’s showtime!
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| 3 |
Me… showtime?
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| 4 |
Who else? You want to live, right? You want power, don’t you? That’s exactly what the Fractsidus is all about.
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We turn the weak into the mighty, the nobodies into somebodies, and mere mortals into… gods.
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…
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| 7 |
Relax, it’s just another tweak. Like the upgrade you had before—only this makes you stronger and less constrained.
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Look at this beast—gorgeous, isn’t it? Strong, too. Those sharp claws, that glossy fur, those bulging muscles…
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Listen, Tacet Discords are not curses, they’re miracles. And now, you get the honor of harnessing that miracle. Don’t let me down.
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| 10 |
Can I… really make it?
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| 11 |
Of course, Ogo. The Fractsidus isn’t pouring money into this just for kicks.
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| 12 |
Just fire up that machine over there, and you’ll be... transformed. No one will be able to touch you, much less take you down.
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I'll take it upstairs. Once you get stronger, you'll move up the ladder too. Say goodbye to grunt work.
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I… Fine, I'll do it.
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Ogo trembles as he approaches the machine. With no other option, he entrusts his fate to this experiment he neither understands nor cares about.
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| 16 |
Initiating frequency suppressor injection… triple unit. Ogo's frequency detected, causing effective interference with the Tacet Discord's frequency. Synchronization rate: 95.27%.
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| 17 |
HAHAHA! We did it! Such a genius move, using human frequencies to take down Tacet Discord’s!
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| 18 |
As long as Tacet Discords understand our language, we can boss them around however we want!
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| 19 |
Shut down the Photonvault and release our new friend… I mean, old friend! Even that Rover won't stand a chance!
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The Artificers turn off the Photonvault.
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…
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Ogo? Can you hear me? How’s your new body feeling? I get it, four legs might be a challenge at first. Take your time.
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| 23 |
Hold on, boss. Ogo's frequencies… they're gone.
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What? Don’t be stupid. We combined his with the Tacet Discord’s frequencies. Of course you can’t see his, moron!
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No… the Tacet Discord’s frequencies are unchanged. His were completely devoured.
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| 26 |
This isn’t funny! Ogo, wake up! Now isn’t the time for a nap… No, no… Stay back! STAY BACK!
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In those final moments, Ogo's response was neither what he hoped for nor expected.
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| 1 |
...And then that monster popped up right in front of my friend! Its eyes were as big as lanterns, and its teeth as long as rolling pins!
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Oh, interesting... Please, continue.
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My friend knew enough not to turn his back on the monster—he'd be an easy meal!
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So he backed away slowly and stepped on a rock. He bent down and used everything he had to pick it up and... guess what?
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He drove the monster away with the rock?
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No, the monster just vanished into thin air! Not even a footprint in the snow!
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| 7 |
…
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| 8 |
I'm telling you, it's no ordinary monster! It's a ghost, the vengeful spirit of a slain beast...
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| 8 |
Don't you have a better story?
(Jump:9)
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| 8 |
That's it…?
(Jump:10)
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| 9 |
You don't believe me, do you? I'm not making this up! My friend told me himself!
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| 9 |
(Jump:11)
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| 10 |
Yeah? If not, where could this story have come from? My friend who got eaten?
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(Jump:11)
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| 11 |
Fine, believe what you want. My throat's parched from all this yapping. I'm off to grab a cup of tea.
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| 12 |
Oh, by the way, he lives just around the corner. Go ask him yourself if you think I'm pulling your leg.
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With that, the resident shrugs and strolls off.
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| 14 |
Well, it's good to have a witness at least.
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| 14 |
Are you Qianyue?
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| 15 |
Yes, that's me. And you must be the Rover, the hero Madam Xinyi spoke of from Jinzhou and Hongzhen?
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| 15 |
You flatter me.
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Right place, right time.
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Don't be modest. Your heroic deeds are already recorded in the Hongzhen Chronicle.
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I'm just a newbie intern, so I don't get to write those epic tales... yet.
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But that's fine, I have my own mission. I'm investigating the two Mt. Firmament incidents. Once I piece it all together, it'll go into the Hongzhen Chronicle.
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| 18 |
Two incidents, you say?
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Yes, one is the sighting of a huge monster, as the gentleman mentioned.
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| 20 |
The other comes from a hunter who found animals and Tacet Discords frozen solid in a valley.
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Sounds like someone is up to something.
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| 21 |
Indeed. I've read through the Hongzhen Chronicle, and it says the Sentinel's barrier keeps out Tacet Discords, even Elite Class ones.
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| 22 |
The rare Elite Class Tacet Discords are only spotted in far-off places. In the Chronicle, they're dubbed "beasts," "scourges," or even "blessings."
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"Blessings"? For Tacet Discords?
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Yeah, probably because Elite Class Tacet Discords are super rare, they're almost mythical, seen as omens of good or bad luck.
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| 24 |
Anyway, based on these witness accounts, I think there's a link between this monster and the "beast" in the Chronicle.
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| 25 |
Rumors have been flying around, getting all exaggerated, but I’m still unclear on where these incidents actually happened.
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But here's the kicker—I've tracked down the rumor spreaders.
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You found the witnesses?
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| 27 |
Yep, one's a herb collector from Hongzhen, and the other's a hunter. Makes sense, given their line of work.
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| 28 |
But…
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| 28 |
What's the matter?
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| 29 |
Well, I do think Tacet Discords are behind all this, but still I can't help but wonder... do ghosts really exist?
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| 29 |
They don't exist.
(Jump:30)
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| 29 |
They do exist.
(Jump:31)
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| 29 |
They're just Reverberations.
(Jump:32)
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| 30 |
I-I suspected as much. I've studied Remnant Ecoacoustics, so I know it's just a natural phenomenon caused by Reverberations!
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| 30 |
(Jump:33)
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| 31 |
For real? Have you seen a ghost before, Rover?
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| 31 |
(Jump:33)
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| 32 |
Y-yeah, just a natural phenomenon. Nothing to be scared of!
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| 32 |
Your legs are trembling.
(Jump:33)
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| 33 |
This is excitement, not fear! Exploring the unknown is my jam!
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| 34 |
Let's go, Rover! It's time to uncover the truth!
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