Lost Gold Story 01-01
Overview
- Okay, okay. King can ignore anyone else except you. This island trip will be our first team building exercise.
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's first clear reward was:
Hunter's Badge x50
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
You have been riding the ocean waters blindfolded and on a boat for a long time. The sound of the engine finally stops.
Staff: Contestant 131 — Miss [Player], we've arrived at your location.
Staff: I'm going to take off your blindfold.
You: Oh... Okay.
In an instant, blinding sunlight shines upon you.
You: ...!
You squint your eyes for a few seconds to adjust as the scene before you gradually clears up.
A salty sea breeze blows by, and palm trees sway against a cerulean sky. Seafoam and crystal waters splash against the shoreline that winds into the distance.
You: (Marius sure picked a beautiful island to host his event on.)
You carefully get out of the lifeboat and leave behind a few footprints in the wet sand.
The staff member who escorted you over smiles at you.
Staff: Off you go. Good luck on "Treasure Island"!
You: Thank you.
The staff member waves at you and then steers the motorboat towards the private cruise ship in the distance.
"Treasure Island" — Marius' event and the reason why you're on this island.
Half a month ago, you and the other NXX members were conducting business like usual, discussing and drawing inferences about suspected cases.
During a break, Vyn speaks to Marius.
Vyn: Give me an invitation for your event next week.
Marius: Event next week?
Marius: No way. Why do I have to invite you?
Vyn: ...
In a flash, the temperature in the meeting room begins to drop at a perceptible rate.
You look around. Artem and Luke ignore the quarrel, each attending to their own task.
You: (Here we go again. After business is over, something always happens...)
You: (At least Mr. Wing and Luke haven't joined this battle...)
People are supposedly more polite when the other sex is around... With this thought in mind, you try jumping into the conversation.
You: Is "Treasure Island" the event next week that Dr. Richter wants to participate in?
You: Marius, is it the same event that you invited me to yesterday?
Not long ago, every major media outlet was reporting that Marius had spent a fortune to transform an island into a lavish getaway.
For publicity, he specially organized this "Treasure Island" event and actually invited a multitude of treasure hunters.
After the event begins, participants will receive a treasure map prepared by the organizers.
The first person to solve the treasure map and find the hidden treasure will receive five million dollars in prize money.
Marius: Wait a—
Marius is about to say something, but he's interrupted by Vyn's words towards you.
Vyn: He invited you to the event?
You: Uh... Yes...
You: (Oh no, I think I said the wrong thing.)
Saying that Marius invited you to an event that Vyn was just rejected from would clearly offend Vyn even more...
You: It's...just a coincidence! I recently finished a big case and have a few days off, so I wanted to go out and do something.
You: This happened to come up during our phone call yesterday, which is why he invited me.
Vyn: I see.
Vyn's smile seems to become more insidious.
You: (Why does it feel like the more I say, the worse things get...)
Marius: Vyn, if you're looking for a holiday, go somewhere else.
Marius: There's too much physical exertion involved in outdoor exploration. It's not for you.
Vyn: I have business to attend to there.
Marius: Business? At least come up with a decent excuse.
Marius: All the treasure hunters joining the "Treasure Island" event are all experienced outdoorsmen...
Marius: Just look at you. How can "outdoors" or "exploration" even be applied to you?
Vyn: This is a futile venture. I had asked for an event invitation out of convenience, but...
Vyn: I will ask your father instead. That will also do.
Marius: ...
Marius has a dreadful look on his face. He fiendishly glares at Vyn for a moment, but then agrees to Vyn's request.
Marius: Fine.
After Marius speaks, you hear another voice by your side.
Luke: In that case, give me one, too. "Treasure Island" sounds interesting.
You don't know when Luke had stopped reviewing documents and went over to you.
Luke: Marius, with my skills, I'm more than qualified to participate.
Marius: Luke, you're a professional. Don't you have any shame competing against normal people?
Marius: You that short on cash?
Luke: Don't worry, I'm only going for fun.
Luke: I won't take the treasure even if I solve your map.
Luke: And I'm not taking your invitation for free. I can help upgrade your event's electronic security systems.
Luke: Let's avoid a repeat of the Big Data Lab and not have a kid hack in.
Marius: ...
Before Marius can reply, Artem also comes over.
Artem: I also want to go. I have business.
Marius: Not you too, Artem. For what it's worth, at least those two came up with excuses. You just copied Vyn's.
Artem: Is that a no?
Marius: Fine, you're in. At this point, it's not like we can leave you behind.
You: Looks like everybody's going?
If everyone's going, then it's a team building event!
Celestine always says that team building activities promote understanding and break down barriers between team members.
The five of us work cohesively, but... Team building events are always important!
You: Wonderful! This'll be our group's first team building event!
After you say that, the four of them turn to look at you. For a moment, no one says anything.
You: (Did I say something wrong again...)
You look at Luke for help.
You: (Luke, help me out!)
Luke is momentarily stunned but then quickly replies.
Luke: Team building... True, we haven't planned any group activities before.
Luke: Your suggestion's great!
You look at Artem for help.
You: (Mr. Wing, help...)
Having sensed your gaze, a faint smile appears on Artem's frigid face.
Artem: Ever since you joined, you've worked on investigations without pause.
Artem: It's a good time for team building.
You look at Vyn.
You: (Dr. Richter...)
He smiles as soon as he sees you looking at him.
Vyn: I have never organized a team building exercise before. After the event starts...
Vyn: Can you please lend me your assistance?
You look at Marius.
You: (Marius, this is all because of your event...)
Marius looks at you and grins.
Marius: Okay, okay. King can ignore anyone else except you.
Marius: This island trip will be our first team building exercise.
And so, the NXX's first team building exercise begins.
Summary
Location(s)
Beach
