Lost Gold Luke Investigation 02-05
Overview
- "Even if he was the sole survivor of the mutiny 10 years ago, he's still an amateur."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x210, 
Lumber x280, 
MRE x140, 
Drinking Water x70, 
Insect Repellent - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's first clear reward was:
Hunter's Badge x50 - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's unlock condition was: Emergency Medicine x240, Lumber x320, MRE x160, Drinking Water x80, Insect Repellent
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Mountain Forest
The fact that Joshua left you a message means he's aware that you're tracking him.
He noticed that you were alone, so he tried to bait you out.
To avoid being seen by a potentially hidden Joshua, you and Luke sneakily make your way over.
You: Luke, what did the staff say about the respirator tube?
On his way to the camp, Luke had found a damaged tube by the river. It had belonged to a diving respirator.
Luke: 10 years ago, after Joshua called for help, Nation A's police searched the entirety of Nosta.
Luke: Over the past decade, Nation A has conducted several searches to look for the loot, but they found nothing.
Luke: If the loot's still on the island, it's most likely hidden underwater or in a subterranean river.
Luke: Joshua changed his identity and tampered with surveillance to come here. He must be looking for it...
Luke: His trajectory is likely to be along rivers, waterways, or caves.
Luke has long speculated that Joshua might go underwater, so you two suspect that the tube is his.
Before leaving the camp, Luke asks the staff about the materials they supply.
Luke: They said that there was indeed someone who had asked for a diving respirator and parts.
Luke: However, this event doesn't have any underwater clues, so they didn't have anything like that.
Luke: You show Joshua's photo to the staff member. He confirms that it was the same person who asked about the respirator.
You: It was him, but it seems...
You feel something is off in Luke's tone of voice, but you can't tell what the problem is.
Luke: Looks like you also noticed that something's wrong.
You: Underwater! Right, why didn't the organizers didn't put any clues underwater?
Nosta has a lot of watery environments like shoals, rivers, and offshore reefs.
Besides, this is a treasure hunt. Even shows would prepare underwater clues.
Luke: This once again makes Bryce even more suspicious.
Luke: As the event organizer and someone who decided clue locations, why did he avoid the water?
Luke: Because he was afraid that someone might find the lost treasure by accident.
Luke: From this perspective, even if he's not an accomplice of Joshua's, Bryce must know something about the loot.
You: What's your plan? When we get there, should we keep following him, or should we confront him and ask about the loot?
Luke goes silent for a moment, thinking carefully about the next step.
Luke: Joshua's already planning to bait and attack you, and according to the GPS, Jack isn't far off.
Luke: I think Joshua is very likely to attack now. Although this won't help with finding the loot...
Luke: I'll capture him when I see him.
You: Hopefully he'll tell us about the gold when we have him, otherwise your mission...
Luke: Don't worry. I've never failed a mission before.
Luke: Shh, quiet. Up ahead.
In the woods not far ahead, you can vaguely see a fire.
You and Luke stop at a distance from which you can spy on Joshua with binoculars without exposing yourselves.
Through the binoculars, you can see that Joshua is sitting next to a fire, with his back to you.
You: It's Joshua. He's wearing the same clothes from his prior disguise, but...
Joshua came as Zachary's assistant, so he was dressed in a business casual outfit.
But now in the wilderness, why would he wear the same thing...?
Luke: That's not Joshua. It's a dummy he made.
You: Dummy?
No wonder. Not only is he wearing the wrong clothes, he hasn't moved at all in a long time.
Luke: His backpack is still here, which means he's hiding somewhere nearby.
Luke: The purpose of this dummy is to lure you in so he can attack you.
Luke: The female hunters here are very athletic, so it's hard for him to gauge your ability. An ambush is the safest option.
You: (Thanks for thinking so highly of me, Joshua.)
You: If he's hiding, he must be within viewing distance of the bonfire. Have we already exposed ourselves?
Luke: If he could spot me, I wouldn't deserve to be called a special agent anymore, would I?
Luke adjusts his binoculars, then carefully observes the woods on another side of the fire.
Luke: Let me see where you're hiding...
Luke's military binoculars have a lot more functions than ordinary ones.
You: (However, in the hands of an amateur like me, those functions are wasted...)
Luke: Even if he was the sole survivor of the mutiny 10 years ago, he's still an amateur.
Luke: Your hiding skills leave a lot to be desired.
Luke: Found you!
You: ...!
Hearing Luke say this, you don't dare make a sound.
You hold your breath and watch as Luke quietly pulls out a tranquilizer gun and takes aim with its scope.
With a light pop, Luke puts away his gun, stands up, and reaches out to you.
Luke: Let's go. He's been taken care of.
