Lost Gold Story 01-03
Overview
- "Ten years ago, a gang robbed a gold escort vehicle and tried to escape abroad by sea."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x50, 
Lumber x50, 
MRE x50, 
Drinking Water x50 - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's first clear reward was:
Hunter's Badge x50
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Cruise Ship Banquet Hall
You have never heard of the "Great Gold Heist" that Artem mentioned.
But judging by Vyn's and Luke's reactions, could it be...
You: Do... all of you know about this "Great Gold Heist"?
The four of them look at each other. Artem is the one who finally answers your question.
Artem: Ten years ago, a gang robbed a gold escort vehicle and tried to escape abroad by sea.
Artem: Halfway through their voyage, they stopped at Nosta to resupply, but they ultimately never left the island.
You: Never left? Did they all...
Vyn: Perhaps it was mutiny? Wealth corrupts.
Artem: Yes. Some gang members used the stop as a chance to stash gold on the island for themselves.
Artem: When Nation A's police arrived, what was once a gang of dozens was reduced to one terrified bandit and their dying leader.
Artem: Even their only female member wasn't spared.
Artem: The bandit said that he sent a distress signal to call the police.
Artem: He'd rather go to prison than be killed on a deserted island by an accomplice.
Luke: That leader died while being extradited by ship. He didn't disclose the location of the gold before his death.
Luke: And the bandit only knew where part of the gold was buried.
Luke: Probably only about two-thirds of the total loot?
Marius: According to what you said, the National Security Bureau also knows about this case.
Marius: So, you're going to the island to look for the gold?
Luke: It'd be strange if the NSB didn't know about such a big case.
Luke: But this has nothing to do with why I'm here.
Vyn: Oh?
Vyn stares at Luke for a while, saying nothing.
You: Dr. Richter, you...
Vyn: It is nothing. I was merely musing that Marius struck gold with this purchase. An island and a gratuity of gold.
You: But according to international law, the gold is stolen property and must be returned to its respective nation when found.
Artem: In theory, yes. In reality, such valuables often become diplomatic bargaining chips.
Artem: It would be difficult to return it to its country.
Marius: Forget about the gold. This so-called "gold reserve" is probably just an urban legend.
Marius: If there really was gold on the island, then Nation A's government wouldn't have sold me its development rights.
Marius: FYI, Nation A's been suffering from an economic crisis in recent years. The government's short on funds.
Marius: They would've had professionals thoroughly search the island a long time ago.
Luke: If someone really finds the legendary gold during this event, who would own it?
Marius: Finders keepers, of course.
Marius: A clause in the development rights transfer contract states that I have the right to handle any items on the island as I see fit.
Marius: Treasure hunters can choose to keep their treasures or sell them to the organizers for a fair price.
Marius: We have a professional appraisal agency on standby.
Marius: That's why I publicized that whoever finds treasure gets to keep it.
You: No wonder so many treasure hunters are participating.
Vyn: If this is so, then the NSB's intelligence network must be lagging to believe in such an urban legend.
Luke: I only heard about this case because it's famous.
Luke: The NSB doesn't deal with ordinary criminal cases, so I have no need to dig for details.
Luke: Isn't that so, Vyn?
You: ...?
After that, the cruise ship sailed on the seas for four days. It finally arrived near its destination last evening.
The event organizers asked everyone to rest well in preparation for the event's official start in the morning.
However, you all were suddenly gathered together by Marius last night.
Cruise Ship Parlor
When you arrived at Marius's room, all four men were already present.
Marius: Sorry for calling everyone over this late. I have something to discuss with you all.
Luke: Is this related to the terminals?
You follow Luke's gaze to a coffee table in front of you. A smartwatch terminal is on it.
Marius: It is.
Marius speaks as he picks up the terminal.
Marius: In anticipation of the various conditions that the treasure hunters will face during the event, these terminals were made out of the most advanced materials...
Marius: The terminals are shock- and water-resistant, and your average impact won't damage them. But...
Marius flips over the terminal. The open panel shows obvious signs of corrosion.
Marius: The terminal's still damaged.
