Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Fist of the Taoist / Story
This area is bigger than I thought, now that we've got a map from Foreman...
It's also divided into clearly-defined zones. I wonder how many mechanoids have gathered here.
My initial estimation is over a thousand of them. After all, maintaining a hologram of this scale must involve an enormous amount of recon drones.
It could be Foreman, it could be others, but from my experience, a convention of this nature is usually run collectively by the fans.
Foreman did say they all enjoy Ghost Expert here.
Even with the results from our database, it's still difficult to determine what this Ghost Expert is...
Anyway, we should definitely look into a group this size. We might just get our hands on some useful intel.
Ugh, why is the first trial so damn difficult already? What the hell?
We can always give it another go later. Let's try the other trials first to liven things up.
I'm gonna give that East General a taste of my fist after the event's over. Just you wait!
Those mechanoids...
Looks like they're contestants who did the trial before us. Should we ask them how it went, Commandant?
Copy. Then let's keep going.
Understood.
Lucia walks up to the two mechanoids as you instructed and greets them.
Babylonia... Nah, never heard of it. What can I do for you?
We're also participants in this competition. We're just wondering if you can tell us a little bit about the content of the trial?
Won't hurt to tell you what it is, I suppose. Basically, it's a game of riddles.
Are they riddles that challenge our knowledge base?
It's a challenge on how well you know your companions. Speaking of which—how the hell did you not notice that guy's a fake?
Hey, stop hitting me!
Halfway through your conversation, one of the mechanoids starts smacking the other one, and you feel like this is as much information as you can get from them.
How well we know our companions, is it...?
——
So you're the Babylonian contestants Foreman mentioned, aren't you? I'm East General, the guardian of the Eastern trial!
Did Foreman mention us specifically?
This ghost-hunting event is for fun, after all. We wouldn't want bad eggs among us, would we?
Despite how silly this event is, this East General in front of you seems to be quite a knowledgeable individual.
Regardless, I should provide you with a little more information before you begin.
Apart from the Northern trial, all the other trials only permit one participant each time, and those who have taken part in a previous trial cannot join another one.
Considering that you're a group of Constructs with a commandant, I'll allow your commandant to assist you through your comms.
Sure.
Given that you Constructs only work well with a commandant and that you're all new to this... Consider this a newcomer gift.
Newcomers... So you've hosted this event here multiple times...
Now, onto the instruction of the trial itself. As contestants, you must know that ghosts are inclined to disguise themselves as others to trick innocent people.
But you certainly won't be fooled by such trickery as outstanding Taoists yourselves! Therefore, I, East General, shall test your perception!
So, send in the one who knows your group best!
The one who knows us best... Commandant, who should we send?
Better keep the human out of this, I reckon. Unexpected dangers lurk within!
Right. Any one of us would easily pass this trial.
In that case... can I do it?
As you wrestle with deciding who to send in, Liv raises her hand, her cheeks slightly blushing.
It's always been Lucia or Lee who leads the charge in the past, therefore... if I could...
And I've always been watching over everyone on the battlefield! That's why I won't fail when it comes to knowing my companions!
I don't see why not, Commandant. Let's send Liv in.
Very well... Let the trial begin! Scene change!
