Lost Gold Luke Investigation 02-04
Overview
- "I'd rather you be overly defensive than let down your guard and have something happen."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x195, 
Lumber x260, 
MRE x130, 
Drinking Water x65 - 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 x225, Lumber x300, MRE x150, Drinking Water x75
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
You: What a long pole.
Luke: We can pick fruits with it if we attach a hook to its end.
Luke: Do you remember how we went camping and poked persimmons from the trees when we were kids?
You: Stop! I don't want to remember that!
Luke: Fine, I won't mention it.
You: You're not helping! Look at you giggling over there. You must be thinking about how I got hit by the persimmons!
Luke: Am I not even allowed to think about it...?
You: No! Forget it right now!
Luke: I can't. They're precious memories of the two of us. I'll never forget them.
Temporary Camp
You've been exercising regularly, but in the outdoors, you can't compare to the treasure hunters.
By the time you arrive at the campsite, you're already exhausted.
You: Fortunately, the footprints lead to the camp. If they went into the woods, you probably wouldn't be able to catch up.
According to Luke's orders, if the footprints lead elsewhere, you'd have to give up the chase.
If you get into danger, you're only going to be a burden to Luke.
At the campsite, many treasure hunters are resting or replenishing their supplies.
You sit down and watch people come and go as you rest, trying to find out where Joshua is.
You: None of them look like him...
Half an hour ago, Luke sent you a message. Joshua isn't on his end.
But if you don't find Joshua here either, then you're probably chasing in the wrong direction...
You: (Is he resting in a tent? Should I ask the treasure hunters? They might have some clues.)
With this in mind, you stop a female hunter who's passing by.
You: Excuse me, have you seen a man of average build around 173 centimeters tall?
The female hunter shakes her head and walks away.
You: Excuse me, have you seen...
You ask several people about Joshua's photo but don't get any useful information.
You: ...
???: Little lady, you lookin' for someone?
Someone suddenly pats you on the back. You turn around and see a toned, athletic male treasure hunter.
Male Hunter: I heard you've been asking about a 173-centimeter guy. I saw him.
You: Yes, I am. That's great! Can you tell me where you saw him?
The hunter smirks and rubs his index finger and thumb together.
Male Hunter: You're playing in this event without knowing the rules of engagement?
You: Sorry, my mistake. Name a price. I'll pay for the information if it's reasonable.
Male Hunter: You want me to name a price myself? You gotta show some sincerity if you want information.
You: ...
Does he really think you're an idiot?
He's trying to force you to make a high offer for something worthless. Does he really think you'd fall for it?
You: There're so many people here who could've walked with my friend. I'm sure someone has seen him.
You: If you trying to rip me off, I'm afraid you've got the wrong person.
Male Hunter: Hey, hold on.
Seeing you're about to leave, he tries to grab you.
You: Take your hands off of me!
You shake off his grip. You're at the campsite with staff present, so you should be safe.
However, when he had suddenly approached you, you had noticed something on his shoulder...
You: (Is that a feather... from a Nosta gull?)
Male Hunter: I know where he is, that man you're looking for. At least give me something. Ten gold coins is pretty reasonable.
Gold coins are the event's currency. With enough saved up, you can redeem them for rewards, similarly to casinos and their chips.
Neither of you are here for the treasure hunt event, but for the sake of convenience, Luke had given each of you one bag.
You: Ten gold coins, deal. Tell me.
You place the gold coins at one side of the table. While waiting for him to talk, you carefully assess him.
You: (He's no more than 170 centimeters, average build, maybe around 60 kilograms?)
Male Hunter: The man you're looking for went into the forest to the west of the camp exit.
Male Hunter: I heard him say that there's a new clue for treasures over there. He was going to have a look.
You: So that's where he is...
You: (The forest to the west? That doesn't seem to be part of the event area...)
You open the map on your watch. The forest is a long way from the campsite, and it's close to a cave.
You: (Why would Joshua want to stay there? Isn't it more convenient and comfortable to rest in a camp?)
Male Hunter: Hey, you want me to show you the way?
Male Hunter: If so, give me another 10 gold coins.
You: (Show me the way?)
The location he told you about is very remote, and now he proposes to take you there...
You guess what he's trying to do. You lower your head and peek at his shoes.
You: (I can't really tell what size he's wearing...)
Male Hunter: Hey, I'm talking to you. Do you want me to take you there or not?
You: It's fine. I'll go by myself.
Male Hunter: Are you sure? It's not safe for a lady like you to move around Nosta by yourself.
Unlike before, he's suddenly acting gentlemanly, as if he's truly concerned about your safety.
You: (Do you really want to go with me that much...?)
You: No. It's really fine.
Male Hunter: All right. Better hurry, then. What if he's gone by the time you get there?
The hunter takes his gold coins while mumbling to himself.
The man's strange behaviors makes you suspicious. Is he actually Joshua in disguise?
You: (Did he try to lead me away because he realized I'm following him?)
You look at your surroundings. There are many staff and treasure hunters here. It's relatively safe.
Maybe you can try to restrain him?
You: Wait a minute. I found your information quite useful. I'll give you a few more gold coins.
You pretend to get gold coins from your bag, but quietly reach for the lipstick tranquilizer that Luke made.
Male Hunter: Yo, you were being so stingy before. What's with the change of heart?
You: It's a fair trade. I think it's worth it...
Male Hunter: Don't move! What are you trying to do!?
You underestimated the treasure hunter. He sensed that something was up before you even touched your tranquilizer gun.
Male Hunter: What's that in your hand? That metal thing?
You: It's just my lipstick...
Luckily it's disguised as lipstick, otherwise it'd be hard to explain.
You: What are you doing!?
He approaches you and tries to grab your hand. You subconsciously dodge and take several steps back while holding your backpack.
You: We're at a campsite. What are YOU trying to do!?
Male Hunter: You have guts for trying to pull a fast one on me, little girl!
You: (I won't be able to beat him physically. I might end up hurting myself if I'm not careful.)
You: (I'd better call for Luke.)
You reject his offer and put the lipstick tranquilizer back into your backpack.
Male Hunter: Hey, little lady, why do you have so many gold coins?
Male Hunter: The event hasn't gone on for that long, and you're on your own. How did you get all this?
Male Hunter: You didn't cheat, did you?
Seeing you put away your coin purse, his eyes become seedy and predatory.
You: It's none of your business how I got these gold coins.
You: We're at a campsite right now. I suggest you don't do anything reckless.
He approaches one step at a time, and you step back in turn.
You anxiously look for a staff member nearby; you want to call out for help.
Male Hunter: Heh, little lady...
He suddenly leaps forward and grabs your hands.
Male Hunter: Give me your coins or else— Ahh!
???: What are you doing!?
You: Luke!
You're just about to shout for help when Luke appears right behind the hunter.
He grabs the hunter's hand that's reaching towards you and twists it backwards above the hunter's head.
Obviously, the hunter isn't very flexible — he starts screaming in pain.
Male Hunter: Let me go, let go!
With a firm grip, Luke pushes the hunter down onto the ground. He then turns to look at you.
Luke: Are you injured?
You: No, I'm fine.
You: Luke, I think this man might be Joshua. Check if he disguised himself.
Luke: Disguise?
Male Hunter: Bah, what disguise? I'm an original! Let go of me!
Luke doesn't look like he agrees with you, but he carefully inspects the man regardless.
Luke: He isn't in disguise. He isn't Joshua.
You: Hey, you said you saw the man I'm looking for. Is that true?
Male Hunter: Yeah, of course. He was at the campsite not long ago.
Male Hunter: He gave me 10 gold coins and told me to say those exact words to you.
Male Hunter: He specifically said not to tell you that he's waiting for you, just where he went.
Male Hunter: I knew it! There's no such thing as easy money — he's using me as a scapegoat!
You: He already gave you gold coins, and you still wanted more from me? You're way too greedy.
Luke: If you want to play both sides, you need to make sure you can handle that game.
Luke: Hand over the coins.
Luke lets go of the hunter, who hands over the gold coins and runs off before you can say anything.
You: Sorry, Luke. If you didn't get here in time, I would've had to waste a lot of time on this.
There aren't any safety issue at the campsite, but it's still best to avoid creating new problems.
Luke: Don't say that. It's good that you're being vigilant.
Luke: I'd rather you be overly defensive than let down your guard and have something happen.
You: You're always able to find excuses for me. Now what do we do?
You: Are we going to the place the treasure hunter talked about to see Joshua?
Luke: Yes. We should hurry and leave at once.
