"Gray Raven" Detective Agency
—BAM!!!
—Hey! [player name]! You've got a missing "Tail", so let's go track it down together!
The agency's already tottering door gives up entirely as the uninvited guest barges in, its final creak the only protest it can mutter against the culprit.
Well... looks like our "door repair budget" just got upgraded to a "door replacement budget."
Since the agency is still seized, I suppose there's no rush to settle that bill. But—
Hey there, sprightly First Hunter, I'm going to need a new mailing address from you, you know?
After all, the Hunter Legion did kick you out rather publicly. I doubt they'll be keeping your bills anymore.
Just a friendly reminder: buying a door costs a lot more than repairing one. So don't even think about skipping out on me.
Eh... Huh? O-of course! I told ya already, I'll cover all the damages!
The so-called gentleman recalls the tea set he shattered and gulps nervously. It was clearly worth a fortune.
...I'm not gonna bail on you! And besides! I've told you guys like a million times already—
Just call me Kamui, [player name]! This title stuff feels super weird, y'know?
We're gonna track down this Gecko Tail thing as a team, so there's no need for formalities, you know?
Hold it right there. Our agency never agreed to take on your case.
So, enough with your spiel, Mr. Weirdo. Unless you're planning to settle that bill right now...
I'll have to ask you to leave the Gray Raven Detective Agency at once, right this instant!
But I wasn't asking you to take on a commission! I just want us to work together on the investigation. Besides—
I'm not "Mr. Weirdo"!
"Gray Raven" Detective Agency
Three Days Ago
—I already told you! I'm not some weirdo!
Look! This is the commission I received. It will explain everything!
Esteemed Revenant Hunter, I hereby commission you to investigate an unsolved case from five years past: the Gecko Tail incident.
Many fell victim back then, and justice regrettably remains unserved to this day. I beseech you to bring the truth to light and see justice done.
Naturally, the mastermind remains at large, making it far too dangerous to act alone. Should you require assistance, I recommend seeking aid from the Gray Raven Detective Agency.
Furthermore, the detective Gray Raven was among the victims of that incident, so please help the good detective recover the lost Gecko Tail as well.
That is all. Payment for this commission is enclosed with this letter. My apologies for the imposition, but I eagerly await your good news. Thank you in advance.
Eileena steps forward and snatches the letter from Kamui's hands, inspecting it over and over again, but her eyes remain fixed on the hunter with unmistakable suspicion.
Where's the client's signature? Why would anyone send an anonymous commission?
Can't tell you that. The client asked me to keep their identity secret, so I'm obligated to do so.
Fine, fair enough. The letter itself seems legitimate... but that still doesn't give us any reason to trust you.
We'll set aside your reputation as the First Hunter... which is notoriously eccentric, mind you. This commission letter...
Not a single file here at the Gray Raven Detective Agency mentions this Gecko Tail you're talking about.
So whether you're some fool who got duped, or a con man who was in on the scam from the start...
Please leave our agency right now.
Despite Eileena's attempts to throw him out, Kamui refuses to budge. Instead, he holds his ground stubbornly and continues to argue his case.
I'm not a con man! I'm the famous "Revenant Hunter"!
Besides! All the info about the Gecko Tail is in [player name]'s notebook. Of course you couldn't find it in your files.
Hmph, if anything, it sounds like you're a lousy assistant!
...What are you going on about? Notebook? I've never heard of anything like that.
At Kamui's words, the steady sound of writing from the back of the room comes to an abrupt halt. You look up from your chair, observing the unwelcome intruder with newfound interest.
Faced with your question, Kamui's bravado deflates in an instant. The smugness vanishes from his face as he shuffles forward a few steps, trying to come closer.
...It's a lead from my client. But I did plenty of digging on my own too!
He knows a lot about the Gecko Tail incident, so he knew you were the one who stopped that conspiracy seven years ago. Naturally, he also knew about the notebook.
If the information checks out, [player name], you can trust me now, right?
The tense atmosphere lingers for a moment, both of you weighing your options and calculating your next move. Eventually, Eileena breaks the silence.
...A detective isn't the only one who'd know this information. So would the culprit.
If you, or this so-called client of yours, are actually the mastermind behind all this...
Of course not! He's a victim too! He just has his reasons for not being able to investigate this himself.
And what about you? Why are you so set on investigating this? Don't tell me it's out of some sense of justice of a Hunter.
The Hunter Legion... Sure, their reputation's gotten a bit better these past two years since you showed up, but they've never been the type to fight injustice for the people.
Sitting in your chair, you gently cut off Eileena's questioning. The blonde Revenant Hunter turns toward you, his eyes searching for some sign of approval.
I...
—Check this out! They really are working together! Arrest them!
Kamui's stammering is cut short as legionnaires burst into the agency. Within moments, all three of you find yourselves surrounded.
Hey! What's going on here, weirdo?! You better start explaining!
Kamui raises his weapon, taking a defensive stance against the unfriendly soldiers. Without thinking, he moves to shield you and Eileena.
Who are you people?! How dare you impersonate the Hunter Legion?! Do you have any idea what the consequences are?!!
Even with those fake uniforms, I can tell... you've never been part of the Legion!
You must know the name "Revenant Hunter". I'm the commander of the Hunter Legion, so if you don't want to get hurt—
I'm warning you... Do the smart thing and surrender right now, before I make you!
Many of the legionnaires visibly waver at his words. They know full well what the "Revenant Hunter" is capable of—a warrior who can defeat monsters in the Mist would have no trouble dealing with mere humans like them.
For a moment, it seems like things might turn in your favor, but the legionnaire who led the charge suddenly steps forward. Fear flickers across his face, yet he steels himself and confronts Kamui defiantly.
D-don't think we're scared of you, you Aberration!
Grand Duchess Marlis already told us your power isn't what it used to be, and that you're prone to losing control...
This agency is right in the middle of a residential area. You wouldn't dare fight here, would you? Or do you want to hurt innocent civilians again?!
You're not the commander of the Hunter Legion anymore! The Grand Duchess has given us the authority to round up every last one of you damn Aberrations!
Everyone, with me! Grand Duchess Marlis said everyone who fights will be rewarded! Charge!!!
As for what happened next...
Eileena picks up the conversation, recounting what happened after that memory.
We were branded as Aberrations and sentenced to death. You were even publicly stripped of your rank in the Hunter Legion.
[player name] may have been reinstated as a detective, but you, Mr. Weirdo, no longer hold any official title.
You and that bizarre request of yours are no longer our concern. So please, leave us alone.
You are completely exposed to the Archdevil now, [player name]. I need to make sure you stay safe.
We can take care of ourselves. We don't need you meddling in our affairs.
...I wouldn't be so sure about that. If you're the only one watching over [player name], then I have my doubts.
What are you trying to say?
Seeing the two at each other's throats, you step in before things spiral any further.
...[player name], if the Gecko Tail incident isn't dealt with properly, it'll put you in danger.
Please... just trust me.
He looks at you almost pleadingly, hoping to get through to you.
Kamui bites his lip, his furrowed brow betraying his hesitation. After a brief struggle, he decides to give ground for what matters most to him.
...This case will help your investigation into the Mist too. From what I know, the person behind the Gecko Tail incident is connected to the Archdevil.
Moreover... this whole thing might be set up by the Archdevil to hunt you down, [player name]. Every target in the experiment leads back to you.
What experiment?
The Gecko Tail.
As he speaks, he pulls out a weathered newspaper from a few years ago, the creased pages deliberately arranged to display only one article on the front page. Its owner clearly hasn't stopped thinking about its story.
You've probably heard about the shocking missing persons case from eight years back. Hundreds of people, mostly civilians, vanished without a trace, and a few nobles got caught up in it too...
Even the royal guard came up empty. The whole thing went on for a year, and everyone was on edge the entire time.
Then a year later, some remote cabin in the woods burned down, and the disappearances stopped right afterward.
The guard found many everyday items in the wreckage, so people figured that was where the missing victims had been held, believing someone must've put a stop to the culprit before they both died in the flames.
...You're saying the missing persons case has something to do with the Gecko Tail?
That's right. The Gecko Tail was essentially an experiment in modifying humans. All those people who disappeared were abducted to be used as potential test subjects.
And the mysterious hero who stopped the whole thing back then... that was you, [player name].
Though I'm not sure if you remember any of this.
Kamui adds that last part carefully. Thinking back to what he learned during his investigation, and judging by how you are reacting right now... he deduces that you probably don't remember any of it.
[player name] never mentioned it to me, so probably not... but I agree we should focus on the facts first. What was this experiment trying to create?
They're trying to create weapons by modifying humans. I can't say for sure what the methods were... Could be some kind of secret technology, or maybe even dark magic from the legends...
Anyway, they selected a group of people, hoping to create custom-made humanoid weapons for each of them. The project was called Gecko Tail.
You were the primary candidate on that list, [player name]. That's why you managed to track down the lab where they were running the tests and put a stop to the whole thing.
The mastermind behind it all was never defeated back then. She was serving the Archdevil, and she got away with almost every Gecko Tail with her. She's definitely waiting for the right moment to strike back.
If she makes a move again... you'll be her top priority, [player name].
Plus, there's this weird connection between each Gecko Tail and its original owner. It's called the Forbidden Chain.
The Forbidden Chain doesn't just let the owner control the Gecko Tail. It can also be used against the host via backlash through that same connection, so...
We need to track down your missing "Tail" as fast as we can and deal with it properly. That's the only way to eliminate the leverage the Archdevil has over you.
...Is all of this true, [player name]?
Having finished questioning Kamui, the girl turns to you for confirmation.
You head to the bookshelf and pull out a notebook from a secret compartment. Flipping to the part on Gecko Tail, you cross-reference the details, and the familiar handwriting is proof of the events you don't remember.
Do you remember all this, [player name]?
Kamui's face lights up as he takes an eager step closer to you.
...I see. So you really did forget.
My client is someone on the list, just like you. Back then, the two of you worked together to investigate this conspiracy.
So out of concern for an old friend and a sense of responsibility for this conspiracy, he hired me to help you close this case for good.
But I guess he must be in those memories you lost. That's why you can't remember him.
"Some things have to stay secret for now, but when the truth finally comes out, we'll both know each other to be true." That's what he wanted me to tell you.
And that's everything I can tell you, [player name].
His words trail off, and the office falls silent. Gone is the eager, insistent Kamui from before. Now he just watches you with uncertain eyes, waiting for your answer.
Alright!!! I'll keep you safe, I promise!
The young Hunter's spirit lifts immediately, but Eileena remains unconvinced.
...Are you sure about this, [player name]? His story still has plenty of holes in it.
Understood. I'll trust your judgment, then.
But since I still don't fully trust Mr. Weirdo, let's split up and cover more ground.
You two follow up on those leads, and I'll stay behind and see what else I can dig up. Consider it backup support.
Besides...
Eileena pulls out several letters she has opened earlier today, and slams them on the table above the ledger that has already been sitting there.
The "Gray Raven" Detective Agency has a backlog of commissions that need handling. Otherwise, we won't have any income to cover the repairs.
I'd love to take your concern to heart, but these commissions are all from our regular clients. You know how demanding they can be.
She opens the top few letters as she speaks, and her brow furrows after a quick scan.
See? Every single request from these people is a headache—
Esteemed [player name], I am writing to commission an investigation at several slum districts under my patronage.
Unknown individuals have recently been disrupting charitable activities within these districts, severely impacting the residents' livelihoods.
Please investigate whether these individuals are mere common thugs or if they are affiliated with the old aristocracy. I will take appropriate action accordingly.
Your efforts are most appreciated. Respectfully, Duke Langston.
[player name], I'd like to commission your agency for a new case.
Recently, medicine bottles have gone missing from my private garden, but since the palace requires all royal apothecaries to remain on duty, I've had no time to investigate the matter myself.
Some of these medicines have serious side effects and could cause harm if ingested by mistake. Please look into this as soon as possible.
If it turns out to be local children mistaking them for candy, please don't reprimand them.
That will be all. Thank you.
[player name]! I've got an urgent case that needs your help like last time!
We've been chasing down this rotten fugitive, but the guy's more slippery than we thought. Scurries around like a rat in the sewers...
He knows what we look like, so he's on high alert, making it near impossible for us to track him down on our own.
So I need you to investigate this case as a private eye! Once you've got a lead, come find me at the station. We'll work together and take him down.
I'll be waiting for your good news then! Thanks a ton!!
Seriously... These guys never change, always asking for favors without showing any courtesy.
I know, I know! I never said I wouldn't take them. Who's gonna turn down a fat paycheck?
Hold on!! What do you think you're doing, sneaking over here trying to peek at our letters, Mr. Weirdo?!
Eileena shoots Kamui a glare as he sidles closer. She takes a few steps back, snapping the letter shut to make sure he can't glimpse what's written inside.
I... I was just looking around! I mean, we're on the same team now, right? Makes sense we'd wanna get to know each other better!
Hmph! Same team? Don't flatter yourself. Just focus on investigating, and don't try anything funny.
I'm going to handle these other cases! [player name], contact me if anything comes up. Stay safe out there.
