Suspicious Victim

The following is recorded in the HDD

 "Suspicious Victim"

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Story Description: Roland finds Yixuan and informs her about Miasma Corruption victims appearing in the Lost Void of Hollow Zero, requesting her to "descend the mountain" and assist with the investigation.

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New Eridu Defense Force - Hollow Zero-Related Affairs
Archive No. SE81521-001

Roland: You must be Yixuan Shifu. I've heard a lot about you.

Yixuan: Captain Roland.

Yixuan: I remember you. You're the Defense Force liaison at Scott Outpost.

Yixuan: What brings you to Suibian Temple today?

Roland: It's about the outpost.

Roland: We recently rescued a number of independent investigators from Hollow Zero during a routine patrol.

Roland: They were all exhibiting signs of Miasma exposure.

Yixuan: Miasma?

Yixuan: How peculiar. The presence of Miasma has greatly diminished since the fall of the Old Capital. I've only seen it in Lemnian Hollow in the past few years.

Yixuan: But if it's manifesting in Hollow Zero... that certainly is unprecedented.

Roland: We had some researchers from Waifei Peninsula check the investigators' condition. It turns out that the symptoms were indeed caused by Miasma corruption — it was not some coincidence or shared delusion of any kind.

Yixuan: Well, the line between what's real and what's imagined is often far thinner than people would believe.

Roland: Hm?

Yixuan: Let's get back to the matter at hand.

Roland: The independent investigators had all the proper gear, compliant Carrots, clear routes... the works.

Roland: But they wouldn't give us any credentials, ID, or explain what they were doing in Hollow Zero... Since we didn't have proof of them breaking any rules, we couldn't force them to tell us the source of their Carrot.

Roland: So all we could do was plan out routes based on the locations where we rescued them and investigate from there.

Yixuan: I see. So what is it that you seek from me?

Roland: The route we're taking next is in close proximity to the Lost Void, and not many investigators are qualified to go that deep...

Roland: I heard that you have a way to effectively suppress Miasma. We were hoping you would join us in this investigation.

Yixuan weaves a quick set of hand seals. A faint furrow appears between her brows.

Yixuan: I've consulted the divination. The key to solving this matter lies not with me, but with one whom I will encounter on this trip.

Yixuan: The signs suggest that we may still find what we seek if we set off now.

Roland: Really? In that case, now's the perfect time to go!

Yixuan: Not quite.

Roland: Oh? How long should we wait, then?

Yixuan: The most opportune moment was yesterday.

Roland: ...Then I guess we'd better get moving. Ah, do you need to inform your disciples before we depart?

Yixuan: This is but a small errand. No need to trouble them.

Roland: What about the talisman you'll use to suppress the Miasma? Don't you need to prepare those?

Yixuan: Rather than preparing the talismans beforehand, I think we'd better play it by ear.

Following Roland's instructions, Yixuan arrives at the edge of the Lost Void.

First floor, Friendly Talk

(Idle)

White Star Institute Researcher: Ether crystals~ The rarest Ether crystals, the most valuable Ether crystals!

White Star Institute Researcher: Wait, where am I?

Roland: Here comes another one...

(Talk to Ophelia)

Ophelia: Are you the assistant investigator that Captain Roland sent for? I'm a support staff member for this investigation!

Ophelia: Captain Roland briefed me about this investigation and your situation. I was planning to collect your combat data first, like before, and then customize your Gear as support...

Yixuan: Yeah, I've heard about Gear.

Ophelia: However, since this matter involves Miasma and requires venturing deep into the Lost Void, relying solely on previous Gear design concepts might not be enough to adapt to such dynamic combat situations.

Ophelia: As it happens, the Defense Force has also been researching targeted support methods for rapidly changing combat environments.

Ophelia: So, I've prepared a brand new Tactical Prism Program for you—in this program, you can choose which combat abilities to enhance based on real-time battlefield conditions.

Ophelia: Feel free to try it out and see how it works. If you have any feedback, don't hesitate to reach me!

Yixuan: Thanks a lot.

Ophelia: Good luck with your investigation!

(Open Tactical Prism Program selection interface)

(Talk to Ray)

Ray: Hello, esteemed independent investigator! I'm a support staff member from the White Star Institute.

Ray: Although Ophelia has developed a more flexible "Tactical Prism Program"... we will still provide you with Gear as support.

Ray: After all, the beneficial effects of Gear have been pretty well proven by now.

Ray: But if you need any further explanation, feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Yixuan: Okay.

Ray: Oh right... if it's convenient, I'd like to discuss the specifics of this trip with you after you complete your investigation.

Ray: Unless there's a Hollow Support mission, I'll be on duty at the outpost—you can find me here anytime.

Yixuan: ...You seem to know something?

Ray: It's just a vague hunch for now.

Ray: I don't know if you're familiar with Nineveh and Geppetto, but I have a feeling... this incident might be connected to a certain big guy again.

Yixuan: Hmm... thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye out.

(Open Gear selection interface)

(Talk to Roland)

Roland: Yixuan Shifu!

Yixuan: Another one?

Roland: Yeah. When we found her, she was already delirious. From what she was saying, her symptoms seemed similar to the previous cases.

Roland: I noticed you were nearby, so I wanted to ask you to come check out the situation with me.

Yixuan glanced at the investigator and swiftly drew a talisman.

Yixuan: No doubt it's Miasma corruption. Take this talisman and get him out of the Hollow quickly - there might still be a chance to save him.

Roland: I'll head out right away.

Roland: His [sic] Carrot data seems to have lost its core components... but a remaining piece of guidance is still readable.

Roland: I'll leave this with you then.

Yixuan: Hmm. Maybe we can find his [sic] companions with this.

Roland: I'll leave it to you, then!

Roland: I'll head straight back after getting supplies, aiming to meet up with you as soon as possible.

First floor, second stage

(Enter combat)

Yixuan: Just like the ones in the Lemnian Hollow...

(Clear stage)

An 'Old Friend' in the Hollow

The following is recorded in the HDD

 "An 'Old Friend' in the Hollow"

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Story Description: After meeting up with two military personnel, Yixuan decides to continue the investigation following the coordinates of the corrupted. One of the military personnel seems to be acting strangely.

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After clearing out the Miasmic Ethereals, you run into the Defense Force's investigation team.

Orphie: Hi... You must be the help that Captain Roland mentioned?

Yixuan: Correct.

Yixuan: And since you've yet to insult me, I presume you're... Orphie?

Orphie: Y—Yes, that's me! Sorry, "she" doesn't feel like talking right now... I'm not the best at analysis, but let me give it a go...

Orphie: Uh... So... W—We've located a few coordinates. There was the one from earlier, and...

Trigger: I'll take it from here.

Trigger: I'm sure Captain Roland has already filled you in about the Miasma victims we found in Hollow Zero.

Yixuan: Yes, the Ethereal we faced just now was clearly spawned from Miasma.

Yixuan: There's no longer any doubt... Miasma has clearly taken root in Hollow Zero.

Orphie: Ah! I knew it!

Magus: I told them that ages ago.

Magus: I can't believe those higher-ups are bringing in outside help. What are they thinking?! We could've handled this ourselves!

Orphie: Hold on... The whole Miasma thing is already bad enough, and now "suspicious investigators" are showing up in the Hollow... We can't just—

Magus: Hmph, whatever. Just finish what you're saying and let's get moving.

Magus: All this time we've wasted talking to her could've been spent wiping out another wave of Ethereals.

Perhaps because Orphie falls silent for a moment, Yixuan and Trigger become a little puzzled.

Trigger: *cough*...

Orphie: Oh, I'm okay!

Yixuan: ...

Trigger: Anyway, we're trying to figure out a pattern to the victims' coordinates and see if those locations can be traced back to the source of the Miasma.

Trigger: But the coordinates we got don't exactly match the areas where the Miasma readings are the strongest.

Trigger: What do you think? Should we keep chasing this lead?

Yixuan: With just the four of us, it's unlikely that we'll be able to pinpoint the flow of Miasma.

Yixuan: I suggest we split up and follow the coordinates of those suspicious individuals.

First floor, fourth stage

(Talk to Trigger)

Trigger: We meet again, Yixuan Shifu.

Trigger: I got here first and already cleared out the Ethereals in the area.

Yixuan: How's it looking?

Trigger: Just some ordinary Ethereals. Can't see any connection between them and Miasma, or those Ether crystals the victims kept muttering about... Hope I'm not looking in the wrong direction.

Yixuan: Got any theories?

Trigger: None at the moment.

Trigger: But those delirious survivors, those fake investigators in their neat outfits... and those strange words they kept muttering - they all remind me of a movie.

Yixuan: ...Movie?

Trigger: Yeah. Have you heard of Beheboth?

Yixuan: I have.

Yixuan: So you're saying those people might be working for someone who can control and profit from the Ethereals?

Trigger: Yeah. But... is something like this even real?

Yixuan: The Hollow is vast, and anything is possible within.

Yixuan: If we can find a fake investigator with intact sanity, we might get some new intel.

Trigger: Alright, let's split up and keep investigating.

Trigger: Oh right, after cleaning up the Ethereal around here, I managed to get something good out of it. Here, this is for you.

First floor, fifth stage

Observaboo 1: En-nah-nah~ (Welcome, investigator~)

Observaboo 2: Ehn-nu-nah~ (We're not responsible for anything after the merchandise leaves the counter~)

Sentinel: Illegal trader... boo located, stay alert!

Yixuan: What kind of deal? Let me take a closer look...^{[Note 1]}

(Talk to Swindlerboo)

Swindlerboo: En-neh! (Boss, here to spend some Coin? I've got a sweet deal for you!)

Swindlerboo: En-ne, en-ne! (Invest all your Gear Coins into the recharge card, and you'll get bonus Gear Coins! As for the card's validity period...)

It seems that buying the recharge card grants bonus Gear Coins, but all Gear Coins will be lost upon leaving. Do you want to proceed?

(After talking to Swindlerboo)

Yixuan: The little one's proposal... sounds kinda interesting...^{[Note 2]}

(Talk to Aidie)

Aidie: En-neh! (Welcome, Investigator!)

Aidie: En-ne-nha~ (Whether or not you bought that super-short-term recharge card, Aidie is here to serve you~)

(Open Bangboo Store interface)

(After talking to Aldie)

Yixuan: Just the usual tricks and sloppy setups... easy to see through.

First floor, sixth stage

(Talk to Tuan)

Tuan: En! En-nah! (Please! Help Tuan's parent!)

Tuan: En, nah-en, en-nah-nah... (Ugh, if we make it out of here, let's never come back to this place...)

Yixuan: What's up with your parent?

Tuan: En-nah-en! Nah-nah! En-nah! (So many terrifying Ethereals just showed up! Never seen these kinds before! They kept chasing after us!)

Tuan: En-nah-nah, en-en. (Everyone made it to the bunker over there, and that's how we survived.)

Tuan: En-en-nah, en-nah... (But after the Ethereals dispersed, the bunker door won't open...)

Tuan: En-nah-en! Nah-nah-en! En-nah... nah! (I can get out! But my parent and friends can't get out! Kind investigator lady... please save them! I beg you!)

Yixuan: I'll give it a shot, but I need to check out their situation first.

Tuan: En-nah! Nah-en~ Nah-nah-en! (Thank you! They're all over there—please be careful, lady!)

(After defeating the Ethereals)

Tuan: En! En-nah! (Parent still alive!)

Tuan: En-nah-nah? Nah-en! (Is this the emergency switch for the security door? I'm gonna press it! I'm gonna save my parent!)

Yixuan: Wait.

Tuan: ...En-nah? (Why?)

Yixuan: The military bunkers in Hollow Zero are equipped with defense protocols; the doors won't open now - they might've been triggered already.

Yixuan: If you accidentally hit any more switches, you might not only fail to save your parent, but also attract more enemies.

Tuan: En... en-nah?! (Right! Right... but what do we do?!)

Yixuan: Let's look for the manual first.

After searching around for a long time, Yixuan and Tuan finally found the access control manual in a corner of the bunker.

Tuan: En-nah... nah-nah-en! (The Ethereals can't even read... why did they hide the manual so well anyway!)

Tuan: Alright, let's see what kind of classified info we've got here.

(Check access control instructions.)

Military Bunker Access Instructions - Fragment

This access panel is for Defense Force military bunker use only.
In special circumstances, when the gate is closed, it will enter an alert state; anyone who attempts to force the gate open during this phase will be attacked by defense machinery.
Special Circumstance I: Detection of Ethereal or other hostile units entering the bunker.
Special Circumstance II: Detection of multiple open/close commands issued to the same access panel within a short time period.
Special Circumstance III: Detection of other malicious attempts to damage the access panel.
Special Circumstance IV: ...

The rest of the text is blurry and illegible.

Tuan: En-nah! Nah-en-en? (So, can my parent come out?)

Yixuan: Maybe. But first I need to know what each of them did when they went through security.

(Idle)

Suspicious "Investigator": No, no, can't rush this! Gotta think about how to get out...

Impatient "Investigator": The Defense Force built these bunkers and just left them to rot... When was the last time they did maintenance?!

Panicked "Investigator": Is anyone there? help [sic] me! Help me!

(Talk to Suspicious "Investigator")

Yixuan: The security system's on high alert and we can't just open it for anyone. Tell me how you managed to slip into the bunker.

Suspicious "Investigator": We all got chased here by Ethereals!

Suspicious "Investigator": Not knowing what the security situation was like, we decided to split up and hide in different bunkers.

Suspicious "Investigator": I got lucky and made it in right after my first attempt.

Suspicious "Investigator": Have you found a way to unlock the security door? Please, help us!

Yixuan quickly scanned the interior of the bunker.
Various items were scattered across the floor - not the kind of stuff independent investigators usually carry.

(Talk to Impatient "Investigator")

Yixuan: The security system's on high alert and we can't just open it for anyone. Tell me how you managed to slip into the bunker.

Impatient "Investigator": Damn the Defense Force... How could they use such an outdated defense protocol for such a crucial bunker!

Impatient "Investigator": I can barely remember what happened... All I know is there were Ethereals chasing me! And this iron door was coming down so damn slow! I had to smack that switch like crazy before it finally closed!

Impatient "Investigator": Seriously... To think my cause of death would be "got myself trapped in an abandoned bunker while running away with my tail between my legs, couldn't open the security door to escape the Hollow, and gradually turned into an ethereal being"...

Impatient "Investigator": —When I see that guy in hell, he's definitely gonna laugh his ass off at me!

Yixuan quickly surveyed the interior of the bunker.
On the access control panel by the inner wall, there were several hasty and messy handprints.

(Talk to Panicked "Investigator")

Yixuan: The security system's on high alert and we can't just open it for anyone. Tell me how you managed to slip into the bunker.

Panicked "Investigator": What?! I-I don't remember!

Panicked "Investigator": I remember... after the security door closed, those Ethereals were locked out.

Panicked "Investigator": But there was a Blastcrawler! It jumped through the gap between the iron doors and exploded!

Panicked "Investigator": Good thing the bunker was spacious inside, or I would've been caught...

Yixuan quickly scanned the interior of the bunker.
On the wall behind the "investigator", there were clear traces of a Blastcrawler explosion.

(Talk to Tuan again)

Tuan is still waiting by the access control panel.

Tuan: En-nah! Nah-nah-en? (Do you know which security door we should unlock first?)

You can now select which access door to open.

Who should we open the security door for first?
Upon opening a security door on high alert, it will lure in more enemies.

Open the door for the suspicious "investigator".

Correct choice.
The door was unlocked without triggering an alert.

Open the door for the impatient "investigator".

Wrong choice!
Opening the secured door triggered the defense system—security bots activated!

Open the door for the panicked "investigator".

Wrong choice!
Opening the secured door triggered the defense system—security bots activated!

Go back and ask the "investigators".

(Exit dialogue)

(Check access control instructions.)

Military Bunker Access Instructions - Fragment

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This access panel is for Defense Force military bunker use only.
In special circumstances, when the gate is closed, it will enter an alert state; anyone who attempts to force the gate open during this phase will be attacked by defense machinery.
Special Circumstance I: Detection of Ethereal or other hostile units entering the bunker.
Special Circumstance II: Detection of multiple open/close commands issued to the same access panel within a short time period.
Special Circumstance III: Detection of other malicious attempts to damage the access panel.
Special Circumstance IV: ...

(Goes to previous dialogue after exiting)

Go back and ask the "investigators".

(Exit dialogue)

(If the wrong choice was selected)

(Enter combat with Lightfoot Rover and 2 Sweepers)

Tuan: We picked wrong! Gotta choose again...

Yixuan: Hmm, but first we gotta deal with these defense Mechs.^{[Note 3]}

(Talk to Tuan after selecting the wrong choice twice)

Tuan: En-nah! En~ Nah-nah-en? (Those defense Mechs are so mean! Are you hurt?)

Yixuan: Just some defense bots, nothing I can't handle.

Yixuan: Looking at it this way, the answer's crystal clear.

Tuan: En! En-nah-en-nah! (Yeah! I'll unlock the door for my parent right now!)

Tuan: En-nah! Nah-en-nah! (Thank you, lady! Finally, my parent can come out!)

(After selecting the correct choice)

A Mysterious Client's Request

(Idle)

Tuan: En-nah! En-en-nah! (My parent is out! Thanks, good lady!)

First floor, Crisis on the Road

Yixuan: The Miasma's influence here is way bigger than I thought.

Yixuan: Seems to exceed certain areas of the Lemnian Hollow...

Second floor, Friendly Talk

(Talk to Trigger)

Trigger: Yixuan Shifu, did you find anything?

Yixuan: I did...

Yixuan explained what just happened.

Trigger: So, those poor souls corrupted by the Miasma... they do have an employer who profits from Hollows after all...

Trigger: But is the energy from those Ether crystal stalagmites really worth them going all out like this?

Yixuan: That's what's got me puzzled too.

Trigger: However, I've heard that Ether crystal stalagmites hold different values depending on the way they are formed and their energy sources.

Trigger: Maybe they're mining... something even more precious?

Yixuan: Hmm... I haven't really looked into it. But I guess that's the only explanation that makes sense.

Yixuan: I wonder... what kind of growth process makes these stalagmites so valuable to justify the high risks?

Yixuan: Anyway, thanks for the heads up. I'll get in touch with Captain Roland and see if we can find a safe spot to talk things through.

Trigger: You're welcome.

Trigger seems to have received some kind of intel.

Trigger: My contact seems to have picked up some new leads. Looks like we'll have to keep investigating separately.

Trigger: If there's any news, I'll report it all to Captain Roland.

Receive: 1 of 3 random Resonium options

(Talk to Ophelia)

Ophelia: Hello, honored investigator.

Ophelia: How's the Tactical Prism Program working out? Need me to unlock more permissions for you?

(Open Tactical Prism Program enhancement interface)

(Talk to Roland)

The Ether Crystal of 'Journey'

Second floor, first stage

Sentinel: Suspicious illegal transaction detected, stay alert!

Yixuan: Oh? How bad is it?

(Talk to Top Salesperson)

Top Salesperson: Ehn-ne! Nhe! (Hello, welcome!)

Top Salesperson: Nhe-en! Nhe-ne nhu ne~ Ehn-ne na. (Please take a look around first! The goods I provide will help you traverse the Hollow without hindrance — and all I charge is common currency.)

Gear Coins?

Dennies?

Top Salesperson: Ehn-nah. (Neither of them.)

Top Salesperson: Ehn, nhe nhu na... Nah en. (However, you all have rosy complexions, normal body temperatures, and agile movement... you all look perfectly suitable to be my customers, hehe.)

(Open Bangboo Store interface)

(After exiting Bangboo Store interface)

Sentinel: Detected prolonged presence at a high-risk illegal trading spot. Stay alert!

Yixuan: Keep it down... it's nothing I can't handle.^{[Note 4]}

Second floor, second/third stage (Combat - Resonium)

(Idle)

Orphie & Magus: Ugh, here we go again...

(Talk to Orphie & Magus)

Orphie: H-Hello there!

Orphie: Um... all the Ethereals here have already been cleared out by her!

Orphie: You can move forward now. G-Good luck!

(Interact with Teleport)

Yixuan: (Something feels off... Usually, the Defense Force personnel would bring supplies with them.)

Yixuan: (Should I go back and ask Orphie?)

(Talk to Orphie & Magus)

Magus: Is there something else?

Yixuan: Did you forget something?

Yixuan patiently and silently watched the person across from her.

Magus: ...Tsk.

Magus: Here, take it!

Receive: 1 of 3 random Resonium options

Second floor, second/third stage (Encounter)

Sentinel: Armed hostiles spotted, stay alert!

Yixuan: Just some overly excited Resonium fans.^{[Note 5]} Nothing to get worked up about.

(Idle)

Rampant Brute: I warned you already! Can't you understand what I'm saying?!

Wanted Enforcer: And I told you before — absolutely not!

(Talk to the Hesitant Hollow Raider)

Hesitant Hollow Raider: Sigh... Why could anyone argue over which Resonium is more useful and end up fighting in the Hollow?

Hesitant Hollow Raider: The big bosses never mentioned where they worked before... Could it be the White Star Institute?
I hear these "scholars" are facing quite a bit of job pressure these days. Maybe they'll end up going into our line of work.

Hesitant Hollow Raider: No, no! If they keep arguing like this, it'll be too late!

Hesitant Hollow Raider: Hey, you seem quite experienced. Could you help me take a look at these two Resonia?

(Select)

Emergency Evasion/Obtain 1 random Anomaly - Stun Resonium and leave.

Emergency Evasion/Obtain 1 random Dexterity Resonium and leave.

Top Mediator/Enter combat and obtain 1 of each of 2 types of Resonia upon victory.

(If Emergency Evasion was selected)

Yixuan: Not bad taste at all. I'll take this, then.

(If Top Mediator was selected)

Rampant Brute: What's that noise — who let these little bugs in?

Wanted Enforcer: We haven't finished discussing what just happened. Let's get this over with!

Hesitant Hollow Raider: You... I've never seen anyone more greedy than the boss!

Sentinel: You have initiated an attack on illegal armed personnel! Be careful.

Yixuan: Hmm... they are getting a bit noisy.

Second floor, fourth stage

Sentinel: Armed gang located, stay alert!

Yixuan: Just a bunch of nobodies. Is that little punk their boss?^{[Note 6]}

(After defeating the enemies)

Sentinel: The rogue armed gang has been defeated.

Yixuan: Punishing evil and promoting good - that's what we're all about!^{[Note 7]}

(Idle)

Cryboo 1: Nah-ehn! (My savior! My savior saved us!)

Cryboo 2: Na-ehn? (Did I see that right... I—I can go now?)

(Talk to Strong'Un)

Strong'Un: Nhe... Nhe-en... (Is this... the final moment...?)

Strong'Un: Ehn-nhe, nah nhu-en... (If you happen to be a well-mannered individual, could you deliver a message to my parent for me...)

Strong'Un: Nhe-na en, nhe ne... Ehn. (I'm sorry I didn't bring back more Gear Coins, and I didn't become the excellent investigator he had always hoped for... but I love him.)

You can rummage through your pockets...

Buy a chance to escape from me

Strong'Un: Nhe-nhu?! Ehn-ne na-en! Nhe! (What?! Wait... I still have something useful here! And I'll never do such barbaric business again! I'll send those Bangboo back to reunite with their families right away!)

(Bangboo Store: All prices are reduced to 0; cannot refresh)

Second floor, last Friendly Talk

(Talk to Orphie & Magus)

Orphie: H-Hello there!

Orphie: Hmm... since I ran into you, I'll just hand over the Defense Force supplies directly to you.

Orphie: She... just cleared out a few groups of Ethereals and got exhausted. She's catching her breath!

Orphie: She didn't mean to ignore you...

Yixuan: It's okay, Orphie.

Yixuan: ...Thanks.

Receive: 1 of 3 random Resonium options

(Talk to Aidie)

Aidie: Ehn ahn-en-na-na! (It's you again! Need any help, Investigator?)

Ask about Ray

Aidie: Ehn-na en-neh, ehn-na! (So you're looking for a missing person? Erm...)

Aidie: Ehn-na, ehn-na-neh! (She did exchange some goods with us. Said something about conducting an investigation...)

Aidie: Ehn-na en-ehn-ahn-na! (We don't know much more than that... If you're looking for her, better bring supplies and be well-prepared!)

(Open Bangboo Store interface)

Final Battle

(Defeat Miasma Ravager - Avarus)

Shadow Resurgence