Lost Gold Story 04-05
Overview
- "At this moment, let us two idlers prepare to greet the sunrise."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x250, 
Lumber x250, 
MRE x250, 
Drinking Water x250 - 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 x300, Lumber x300, MRE x300, Drinking Water x300
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Beach
In the early hours of the morning, by the seashore of Nosta's northern karst cave.
The bioluminescent algae on the surface of the ocean emits a blue light, shimmering in time with the undulation of ocean waves...
You sit on the beach but are in no mood to appreciate the scenery.
You're waiting for Luke to return. He's been diving for 30 minutes already, and the sun is about to rise.
You: I hope we're right about the riddle and that Luke finds the mask without any problems.
Three days ago.
Base Camp Room
You: You mean, that scene is a mirage?
Luke: Yeah. "Departed spirits rise, sing of the sun. You rise, shine, make the heavens step aside"...
Luke: This resembles a mirage at sea — lights and gales will manifest above the water's surface.
Luke: "He walks in the day. I am yesterday, today and tomorrow" also hints towards a mirage.
Luke: Firstly, mirages mostly occur during the day. Secondly, they often make people feel like time and space are interweaving.
Marius: Now that you mention it, I suddenly remember the sentence "I light his golden scepter"...
Marius: Bryce said that "the scepter of the God of Death has long been lost." Is the mirage related to the scepter?
Luke: I previously suspected that Janet used "You are the king of gods, the master of the living" to describe a mirage...
Luke: Because the mirage she saw likely resembled a god...
Luke: To Nosta's west, the place where "you sleep upon the mountain's summit" happens to be the Temple of Death.
Luke: If this is so... Marius, didn't you memorize Nosta's geography? Are there any scepters around?
Marius: Of course. It happens to be that beach cave where you can see the luminous seascape.
Marius: There's an altar in the open-air karst cave that happens to have a scepter-like sculpture.
Marius: According to the archaeological team, Nosta's ancestors called it "the scepter of the God of Death."
Luke: Looks like I'll have to pay a visit to this karst cave beach.
Vyn: The sea breeze can be chilly at night. Take care not to develop a headache.
You: Dr. Richter, I'm fine. Why aren't you sleeping?
Vyn: You have stayed here, waiting. I also cannot fall asleep, so I came to look around.
You: ...
Vyn: Truthfully, you are the one who requires rest the most. Artem has been giving you overtime these past few days, so you have not adequately rested.
You: I'm fine. Mr. Wing's the one who needs the rest.
You: I didn't know he was so familiar with Nation A's laws...
You: If we do find the mask, it wouldn't be a good idea to take it through Nation A's customs...
You: Mr. Wing has been handling all of the legal documentation.
You: After all... This isn't something easy for Pax to tell Nation A's lawyers.
You: Mr. Wing's also managing Bryce's and Joshua's judicial transfers.
Vyn: You are always very considerate of others.
Vyn: Do you also feel that Marius has been working hard?
You: For sure. These past few days, he's been dispatching his resources and facilitating political and business relations with Nation A. That's all very tiring.
Because of what Joshua did that day, rumors of a golden mask have begun to spread among the treasure hunters.
To avoid further problems, Marius specially had Pax Shipping bring over their closest cruise ship to send the treasure hunters away.
Even unneeded staff members were sent off.
Not to mention that he's been busy liaising with Nation A's political dignitaries and business big shots to ensure the gold mask's safe passage...
Both him and Artem have hardly slept a wink in the past three days.
Vyn: Indeed. Mirage manifestations are unpredictable, so Luke has been diving underwater in search of the relic.
Vyn: Everyone is busy, save for me.
You: Dr. Richter, you've been helping the staff look for people who got lost because of their damaged terminals...
You: The others might not have noticed because they're so busy, but I see what you do.
Vyn: At this moment, let us two idlers prepare to greet the sunrise.
Vyn: It is rare to find time alone with y—
Marius: Miss, what are you here for?
Marius's voice interrupts Vyn. You turn around and see him and Artem walking towards you.
Vyn: ...
Artem: Are you waiting for the sunrise?
You: Mr. Wing, Marius, are you two done with work?
Artem: Yes, everything has been handled.
Marius: Of course it's all done. You should know that the share prices for Pax's branch office in Nation A affects their entire economic trajectory.
Marius: Who wouldn't dare give me some respect?
Artem: The legal documents are done. Once we return to our country, we can coordinate with Luke and his people.
You: Great. Let's wait for the sunrise together. If only Luke can come back in time with the mask...
You: Then our team building exercise will have been a huge success!
While you're talking, a golden beam of light quietly shines through the clouds.
As if to catch this beam of light, the sea breeze gently blows away the wispy clouds.
The welcoming symphony of ocean waves splashing against the shore has played for millennia. You stretch out both of your hands to greet the rising sun.
Marius: Look over there!
Inside the karst cave, a majestic figure quietly rises upon the immemorial altar.
He descends upon the fluorescing waves and unfolds his wings, as if his massive body connects both heaven and earth.
Night and day intersect here, blurring the boundary between the mortal and the immortal.
The legendary "God of Death's Scepter," a huge stone pillar, finally returns to its rightful owner.
Marius: This is... a mirage? It looks just like the statue in the temple...
Artem: The people here worshiped nature as their god.
Vyn: Only fortune of sky and earth can compose a miracle's worth.
You: S—So spectacular...
All creatures sing praises to the sun. Your light is the faith of the stars in the sky.
You walk in the day, you walk in yesterday, today, and tomorrow...
You open the gate of immortal ages, guiding us in the direction of your return.
When you lift your scepter, you are the king of all gods...
Luke: Hey, I found it!
You: Luke!
Under the statue and above the water's surface, Luke waves at you while holding a golden mask.
The beautiful scenery and the people who shared this view with you today will become your brightest and most colorful memory.
