Lost Gold Artem Investigation 03-05
Overview
- "This can be used as evidence against Joshua."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x100, 
Lumber x200, 
MRE x400, 
Drinking Water x300 - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's first clear reward was:
Hunter's Badge x50
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Temporary Camp
Artem: Look at this. Is it your father's?
Jack Barlow: How is my father's necklace here!?
Artem: When Zachary escaped, he left this and his gun in the cave.
Artem: According to our initial assessment, this was the weapon used to kill your father.
Jack Barlow: Why was it in Zachary's possession? Is he the murderer?
Artem: We also want to ask him that.
You: Jack, why does your hometown use black thread for knots?
You: And was this pendant originally part of the necklace?
Jack Barlow: Black thread? No, my mother used red thread when she made it.
Jack Barlow: Only red thread means blessings and protection.
You: So these black threads...
Artem: Jack, do you mind if we disassemble this necklace?
Jack Barlow: That... Lawyer, were you being serious when you said you'd help investigate?
Artem: Of course.
Jack Barlow: Then I'll do it.
Jack Barlow: I know how my mother weaves, so I can take it apart without breaking it. We can even tie it back up later.
Jack takes the knots apart, and the original appearance of the black material is revealed.
You: This pattern... It's the gang's crest!
The removed black cloth is actually a roll of square cloth.
The fabric is very thin, so it's as thin as woven knot thread when rolled up.
The gang's crest is a roaring lion.
You've seen it in the case files. This pattern is the gang's mascot; leaders would have its visage tattooed on themselves.
Jack Barlow: I heard that if you knit a totem into a talisman, you'll receive the totem's powers.
Jack clenches his hand while holding the necklace, his anger causing his shoulders to shake.
Jack Barlow: How dare he. How dare he kill my father and...
Jack Barlow: Knit their filthy pattern into my father's necklace!
You: Jack, calm down. Don't re-open your wound!
Artem: Don't be angry. Think: this can be used as evidence against Joshua.
Artem: Look at this wooden sign. Was it originally part of the necklace?
Jack Barlow: No, that's Joshua's. I've seen something similar before.
You: Where did you see this?
Jack Barlow: In the photos on Joshua's phone.
Jack Barlow: When I interviewed him, I came to know that Joshua has a hobby of collecting small items, so I asked him about it.
Jack Barlow: At first, he told me that since he grew up in a poor family, he always keeps any exquisite item he finds.
Jack Barlow: He numbers every piece in his collection in case he misplaces one of them.
Jack Barlow: Later on, when I got closer with him, he secretly told me that all those small items are actually...
Suddenly, you feel a shiver go down your spine. The tone of Jack's voice is hinting at something sinister...
Artem: Are those items his victims' belongings?
Jack Barlow: Heh, more than that. Those small items are also his murder weapons.
You: !!!
Jack Barlow: I once asked the prison guard to see Joshua's phone, on which I saw similar photos.
Jack Barlow: Small glass bottles, old razor blades... Every one of them had a similar wooden sign on it.
Jack Barlow: I thought of reporting this to the police, but the items in those photos are long gone, and...
Jack Barlow: Joshua can back out any time and just say that he made up a story about the weapons and numbers.
You: ...
Jack Barlow: I was at a dead end. That's why I wanted to take revenge myself.
Jack Barlow: Before coming here, I was fully aware that there would be no good ending for me if I killed Joshua.
Jack Barlow: That's why I decided to do it after my sister got married.
Jack Barlow: Even if I can't take care of her in the future, at least she'd have someone to rely on...
Artem: Joshua used you, but he also stopped you from doing something irreversible.
Artem: Don't worry. When we return, no one will be investigating you.
Artem: As for Joshua...
You: This knot, the gang crest, and the wooden sign — all of these can be used as evidence against him!
You: I believe that if we hand all of this over to Darius, he'll definitely get to the bottom of this case!
Jack Barlow: Thank you guys! Really, thank you two so much!
Artem: All right, we've talked enough. Time for rest.
Artem pats Jack's shoulder.
Artem: I'll ask the doctor to examine you. If your condition allows, we'll return to the base camp as soon as we can.
Artem: When we're back, we may be able to meet with Zachary and Joshua.
Artem: And... the suspicious Bryce...
