Quest
These are the story/quests featured in Hidden City. There is a vast number of stories, and please note that the order and categories are unorganized, so it might be a bit difficult to navigate. Thank you for your understanding.
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THE STORIES MUST BE TOLD
Eleanor
We’ve recovered most of the missing fictional items. Now we must return them to their proper books before those stories change forever. Your artifacts would do the trick.
It worked! Your artifacts returned every item to its rightful story, allowing them to be told as the authors intended. Please accept this reading journal as a token of my gratitude.
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STRONGER THAN TIME
Eleanor
The masquerade masks have disappeared from a book where they play a central role in a timeless love story. Without them, the two strangers will never cross paths and fall for each other. Please, find those masks.
Once again, the masquerade masks will fill the grand ballroom of the story, where a single glance will prove stronger than time or circumstances. Some love stories even outlive their heroes.
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SET SAIL FOR TREASURE
Eleanor
One popular library book has changed so drastically that it may disappear altogether. The treasure map has vanished from its pages. Find that map before our heroes can no longer set sail.
This treasure map leads to an island filled with gold and danger. But the greatest treasures in the story are courage and the willingness to face the unknown.
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KNIGHT OF THE WOEFUL COUNTENANCE
Eleanor
An old helmet flew out of one of the portals during the chaos. Without it, its owner may lose the most precious thing he has: his dreams of adventure. Please, find that helmet.
So, the character’s helmet is really a shaving bowl? Hmm. Does it matter, though? Dreamers see the world differently than others. Better to mistake a windmill for a giant than to never pursue your dreams at all.
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THE ART OF NOT WORKING
Eleanor
The plot of one of the greatest children’s books ever written has begun to change. A half-painted fence from the book slipped through a portal into the library. Help me find it before readers lose one of the story’s most beloved scenes.
This is the most famous half-painted fence in literature! Even if its owner is a lazy rascal, he proves that a little imagination can turn the dullest chore into something fun.
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LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Eleanor
An elven woman’s phial has disappeared from one of the library books. She gave it to the main character of the story as a gift, and without it, he is alone against the darkness and evil of his world, unable to continue his journey. Find the phial before the story takes a tragic turn.
Thanks for finding this elven phial. It must be returned to the main character of the story, so the light of hope can guide him through the darkness. After all, shouldn’t the hero triumph even when the odds seem impossible?
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THE UNSEEN OBSERVER
Rayden Storke
I think I’m beginning to understand Eleanor’s methods. But how does she always know what’s happening in the City if she never leaves the library? She says your artifacts can help me understand. May I borrow some?
Thanks for helping me. Your artifacts’ light called over Eleanor’s owl! So, that’s "who" helps her keep an eye on current events. It appears the secret to a successful career in the Security Service is having a great deputy.
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A KEY TO SUCCESS
Eleanor
How did I end up in the City? Actually, it was because of a book. The moment I touched it, I was transported to this library. If you can find the lock I broke into, I’ll tell you how I became an agent.
A complex lock protected the entrance to the Security Service’s secret archives, but I managed to crack it without much effort. Black caught me reading the classified documents and had no choice but to recruit me.
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UNDERCOVER
Eleanor
If Rayden wants to earn the rank of Senior Agent, he should first learn how to blend in and adapt to any situation. Can you bring me my disguise kit?
I was using disguises long before I ever came to the City. As a private detective, I often had to pose as a man... otherwise, I’d lose clients to my clumsier, but more mustached colleagues.
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A FIT AGENT
Rayden Storke
Did you know Eleanor spent many years as a professional athlete? She believes agents of the Security Service should be able to defend themselves and stay reasonably fit. Can you bring me her fencing gear?
This gear represents Eleanor’s years of dedicated training in the sport of fencing. She offered to give me lessons. Maybe I should start by taking a morning jog.
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LIFELONG LEARNING
Eleanor
So, Rayden wants to know how I became a Senior Agent, huh? It’s simple: a good agent never stops learning. Can you find my graduation seals?
I received each of these graduation seals for the university degrees I completed: three in total. I’m certain I’ll never stop learning, though. The "student’s mindset" is one of the most valuable assets an agent can have.
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BETWEEN THE LINES
Eleanor
Yes, I’d be willing to share some tips for a successful career with Rayden. Of course! My parents were historians, so I grew up surrounded by books. Let’s start by finding a book press.
There was a reason I asked you to bring me this book press. If Rayden wants to become the best agent he can, he needs to work extensively with books. This press will teach him to notice even the smallest details.
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THE LAST ARGUMENT
Eleanor
Mr. Black seems convinced by our explanations, but he still hasn’t left the library. Why? Let’s erase any doubts by making a poster for our event. May I borrow some artifacts?
Thanks! I found an old poster, and your artifacts transformed it into the perfect advertisement for a night of mystical detective readings. Mr. Black will have no choice but to believe us.
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AN OTHERWORLDLY MELODY
Eleanor
Black is still moving forward with his investigation. He wants to find the source of the otherworldly sounds the townspeople heard. I have an idea. Can you bring me the mystical organ?
This organ flew out of a portal during the last round of poltergeist activity. But it might work in our favor. I told Black that the eerie, blaring organ music the townspeople heard was only the intro theme for our story night.
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BY THE LAWS OF THE GENRE
Mr. Black
Eleanor insists that the sounds the townspeople heard were caused by preparations for some "story night" event she’s hosting, but what about those flashes of light? Can you find out what made them?
Electrothread, huh? Agent Eleanor claims she’s using this to create a more immersive environment for her storytelling. I hope she’s following the safety protocol.
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A GRAIN OF TRUTH
Eleanor
Black is conducting a thorough investigation of the library. He just called me in for a chat. But don’t worry, I’ll think of something clever to say. While I’m talking to him, can you put the scattered books back on their shelves?
Thank you for tidying up that library table. I told Black the reason for the mess in the library is that I was preparing to host an upcoming Mystical Detective Story Night. I mean, what happened here was definitely worthy of a tale... so, it’s kind of true.
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A WHITE LIE
Eleanor
The electrical system still hasn’t been repaired since the recent mystical events, so some of the halls remain unlit. Black is going to ask questions. If you can find a candelabra, I’ll come up with an explanation.
You found the candelabra! And just in the nick of time. I lit the candles and explained to Black that harsh lighting can damage the ancient manuscripts, but I’m not sure if he believed me.
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A BROKEN ALIBI
Mr. Black
The reports mention strange noises and flashes of light coming from inside the Knowledge Archive. I need you to search for any signs of unusual activity.
Hmm. A section of this stained glass screen is broken. Probably wasn’t loud enough to alert the townsfolk on its own, but the screen is priceless. It was a gift from one of our patrons. What on earth has Agent Eleanor been up to in here...?
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THE WARMTH OF MEETING
Eleanor
I’d actually like to keep the lamp in its current state and preserve the split. Feels to me like it’s saying that Martha and Arina will see each other again. But no matter what I do, it won’t turn on. Maybe your artifacts could help?
Thank you! Your artifacts brought this bisected library lamp back to life. May it serve as a reminder that even the longest separations can end in a joyful reunion.
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CHAOS IN THE LIBRARY
Rayden Storke
Okay, I admit Martha’s vision was real. Good thing I brought her here. We saved the City from annihilation. Quite the story. Too bad I can’t tell anyone.
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A CHERISHED POSSESSION
Martha
That rumbling is getting louder. The shifting energies mean the danger is reaching its peak. We know Arina’s diary is connected to the Witch School, but where is it? Quick, let me borrow some artifacts!
We found the diary! Out of all the hundreds of books in the hidden basement, your artifacts lit our path to the one Witch School textbook that was covered in handwritten notes. I know that handwriting... it’s Arina’s!
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BREAKING THE SEAL
Eleanor
Martha says the ancient spell demands we sacrifice something precious before the archive will let us enter. What could be more precious than time? Let’s find an accurate watch and make that our offering.
It worked! The moment the accurate watch touched the door to the secret basement, it opened. Finding Arina’s diary among all these rare books won’t be easy.
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A SECRET MECHANISM
Rayden Storke
Anyone else feel that shake? We need to move. And, of course, the basement door is locked. The lock isn’t too sophisticated, though. Get me a hairpin, and I’ll take care of the rest.
The hairpin is a perfect fit. I can feel the mechanism starting to give, and... easy does it... huh? I was sure the door would open, but it hasn’t budged. Magic? Again?!
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A USEFUL RESPITE
Martha
I can no longer rely on my gift to find Arina’s diary. And it gets worse... my stubborn python has slithered off. Please, help me find Uroboros. The Archive isn’t safe now.
Thank you for finding Uroboros. He was curled up in an armchair decorated with dragons. When his tail brushed one of the carvings, the dragon’s eyes lit up, and a staircase appeared. It seems to lead to the basement.
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AN IMPORTANT REMARK
Rayden Storke
Spooky! I was searching the shelves for Arina’s diary when the emblem on the library signpost changed right before my eyes! Look. Is it a clue?
Are you saying Martha recognized the emblem of the Witch School on that altered sign? Maybe Arina is telling us the diary is connected to the years she spent there. But where should we search?
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OFF THE RECORD
Eleanor
So, we’re looking for Arina’s diary? I’ve worked here for years, and I know the collection well. There aren’t any personal diaries unless one is cataloged as a memoir. Let’s check the card catalog.
Arina’s diary isn’t listed in the card catalog. Neither are any memoirs under her name. Martha is certain her sister led her to the library for the diary. It may exist, but is just very well-hidden.
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THE FOG’S TOUCH
Martha
I can feel Arina calling to me, but my powers are almost gone. Is the fog concealing her? Lend me some artifacts so I can reach out to her.
As soon as the artifacts gleamed, I felt it: my sister can hear me at last. Arina? I sense a hand reaching out from the fog. I’m being compelled to take it. The fog... the fog is Arina!
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A CATALOG DIRECTION SIGN
Eleanor
Hear that? Something’s knocking loudly in the next room. Great. A poltergeist. The catalog drawers are opening by themselves, and the pattern is not random. Let’s take a look.
You’re right. The drawers are forming an arrow pointing at the stairs, which are shrouded in fog. Almost feels like the Archive is directing us toward Arina.
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A SLEUTH ACROSS TWO WORLDS
Martha
My gift is fading here. I don’t know what to believe. But if Arina is here in spirit form, my python Uroboros will be able to find her trail. Give him the right attributes, and he’ll guide your investigation.
These attributes always help Uroboros focus. But he can’t detect any spiritual traces. The fabric of the subtle world is too distorted. And yet, even here, I can sense Arina.
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A LIBRARY GHOST
Rayden Storke
I don’t understand this magic of yours, but I just watched a quill write a note by itself. Maybe an invisible force is helping us search for Arina. I’ll examine the note if you check the quill.
I wasn’t scared. The quill writing by itself just surprised me, that’s all. What does the note say? "I am the danger." Did Arina write this? Have we been searching for a ghost?
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IS ANYBODY THERE?
Eleanor
The anomaly’s power is growing. Portals inside the books have begun swallowing small objects. If this is because of Arina, the portable thermal scanner should be able to locate her exact coordinates in the Knowledge Archive. Let’s activate it.
The Security Service uses portable thermal scanners like this to locate people who get lost in the fog. But it’s not showing anyone here except us. Martha seems certain of her sister’s presence, though. How can both things be true?
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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Martha
We deactivated the source of the mystical power, but the process has already begun, and the City is still in danger. Arina is connected, but... huh? Did you hear that crash just now? Can you go find out what it was?
So, those book holders with the fairy motif fell off the shelf? Let’s see if... ow! My head! It hurts! Hold on. I’m remembering something. Mom used to call Arina and me... call us what? Oh. That’s right. She called us her little fairies.
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A BRILLIANT FIND
Rayden Storke
The source of the magic lies somewhere beyond that patch of fog. I’m willing to take the risk. The City is in danger, and I have a respirator. But I wouldn’t mind some extra protection from your artifacts.
Your artifacts gave me a protective shell, and the fog parted at my feet, leading me to... a glowing stone owl? Is this what we’ve been so worried about?
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SIGNAL FOUND
Eleanor
I have an idea about how we can find the power source: a radiation locator! It’s one of the Security Service’s classified devices. Mind grabbing it from the safe?
This radiation locator runs on crystal energy, but it isn’t calibrated. The indicators are reacting to something big in the lower levels of the Archive. Looks like we found our threat.
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A FAIRY-TALE SPIRIT
Martha
The magical traces are too unstable. We won’t be able to pinpoint the source on our own. I’ll call upon the ancient spirits; they can see what human eyes cannot. I need an ancient object to perform the ritual.
This lamp is just like the one from Arina’s favorite story. It should’ve been perfect for the ritual, but I couldn’t contact the spirits. This headache is making me feel woozy.
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ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY
Eleanor
The temperature just dropped in one of the halls adjacent to us for no reason I can tell. Might be a clue. We need a bibliostat to collect more data. But... oh, shoot! Where did I put it?
The bibliostat detected a dramatic drop in temperature, but as soon as I tried to record the readings, it shot back up to normal. What kind of anomaly does that?
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MAGICAL FOOTSTEPS
Rayden Storke
Martha can rely on her intuition all she wants. I’d prefer a more practical approach to track down the source of the supernatural energy. We need an ultraviolet camera.
I hope this ultraviolet camera can help us locate the mysterious power source. Whoever or whatever has been tossing all these books around must have left some kind of electromagnetic trace.
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A HANDY HELPER
Martha
To avoid a disaster and maybe find my long-lost sister, Arina, we need to uncover the source of that mystical power. I’d perform a ritual of detection, but I don’t have a pendulum. Can you find something else for me to use?
Thanks. This bookmark and velvet ribbon will serve perfectly as a makeshift pendulum. I can sense the source of the magic nearby... but, ugh! I can’t concentrate with this headache.
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A WITCH’S TOY
Martha
My intuition tells me the griffin table has a secret compartment, and our next clue is inside. But it’s protected by an ethereal seal that I don’t have the strength to break. May I borrow some artifacts?
Thanks to your artifacts, I broke the seal and we can now open the secret compartment in the table. Inside is... a bunny? Ow! My headache. Jeez! Wait. I remember now. This was Arina’s favorite toy. She never went anywhere without it.
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A KEY SYMBOL
Rayden Storke
Martha is convinced the symbols from her vision will reveal the City’s savior. She mentioned a swarm of flying keys crashing into a table with a griffin carving on it. Let’s see if we can find it.
Good job. Martha immediately recognized that table as the one from her vision. The more we learn, the harder it is for me to dismiss all this as happenstance. Maybe her vision was real. Does that mean the City is in danger of being destroyed?
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A KEY TO THE MYSTERY
Eleanor
Martha mentioned there were flying keys in her vision. She believes they’ll lead us to whoever sent that message. There really is a key like that in the Knowledge Archive. Can you look for it?
An inventor created this key so it could return to its owner if it ever got lost. Looks like the invention wasn’t so successful. I doubt that’s who Martha is searching for.
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STEP BY STEP
Rayden Storke
Martha’s headache is probably from the flight. It happens. We should let her rest, and continue the search for the other symbols on our own. Let’s find the library steps.
Martha said the silhouette in her vision was standing on steps just like these as burning pages fluttered all around. The moment you discovered them, a whirlwind of books swept through the halls of the Knowledge Archive. Coincidence?
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A MEMORY IMPRINT
Martha
We’re close. I can feel it. The symbols from my vision will reveal who sent that message asking me for help. I remember a circular symbol covered with unique markings. Let’s look for it.
That’s the symbol from my vision. But you say it was made by a book embosser? Odd. The moment I touched it, it felt like lightning was shooting through me, and my headache turned into a full-on migraine.
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UPSIDE DOWN
Martha
I’m convinced finding the symbols from my vision is the first step toward saving the City. One stood out more clearly to me than the others: a globe covered in sharp angles. Seen anything like that?
Yes, that’s the globe from my vision. It appeared to me as a warning that the natural order has been dangerously fractured. But there’s still time to prevent a disaster.
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BOOK DIVINATION
Martha
What’s that? Sounds like someone’s knocking books off the shelves. I can sense there’s a hidden message somewhere in one of those books. Maybe it can help us understand what’s going on. I need your artifacts to decipher it.
The subtle emanations didn’t deceive me. A magical force is definitely at work here. Your artifacts revealed the message, and I decrypted it. Here, look.
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A FOGGY EVENT
Eleanor
Fog encroachment from the City may be the cause of the recent disturbances. I tried dispersing it, but my anti-fog crystal had no effect. I need to finish examining the crystal. Can you bring it here?
Analysis of this crystal shows... no, that’s impossible. I assumed its power had been drained somehow, but the fog itself is resistant to the crystal’s influence. How?
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EERILY BEAUTIFUL PHENOMENON
Eleanor
I’ve been thinking. When the lights went out, I lit a candle, but then... well, maybe it’s easier if I just show you. Can you get it from my desk?
Have you ever seen melted candle wax flow upward? It defies the laws of physics. I’ve witnessed a ton of weird stuff in my years as an agent, but this one rattled me.
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PLEASE KEEP QUIET
Eleanor
Wait, did you hear that? It sounded like a woman’s voice, coming from down the hall. There it is again! My first thought was that it’s a lost visitor, but the library is currently empty. Can you find the source of that echo?
So, the voice was coming from this music box. One of many recent strange occurrences in the library. I’ve entertained the possibility my colleagues from the Security Service could be playing a prank, but they deny any involvement.
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BOOK WORLDS
Martha
There are powerful magical emanations here. I can feel the influence of the astral spheres, which can sometimes tear the fabric of the subtle worlds. To us, those tears resemble portals. Seen any portals around?
A portal in a book? And it’s moving...? That’s a first for me. This level of instability means the library’s energy shell has been damaged. The collision will occur much sooner than I thought.
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AS GOOD AS NEW
Eleanor
Something is wreaking havoc in the Knowledge Archive. Inexplicable gusts of wind are blowing indoors, knocking the books off the shelves and sending columns of loose pages whirling through the air like dust devils. Great. Now the lights are flickering! We need a bulb tester.
Hmm. According to the tests, the light bulbs are all in working order. But I swear I saw them flicker before they fully shut off.
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CAREFUL WITH PREDICTIONS
Rayden Storke
A self-proclaimed medium believes the two halves of the City are about to crash into each other. I don’t put much stock in that, but something here doesn’t add up... enough to warrant an investigation. I’ll record everything we learn in the Diary.
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New Level of Mastery
Detective
Do you remember the case of the Borgia’s treasures? I think we have missed some important details. I desperately need to find a new piece of evidence. The item I require is at the %s location, but it will be hard to find. Reach %s level to find the new evidence.
Great! Partner, you have become more and more important to my investigation. With a new rank, you will be able to find new items that were hidden from you previously.
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SEEING THE INVISIBLE
Martha
I knew you’d come. The City is on the brink of calamity! Rayden thinks I’m eccentric, but I don’t care. All that matters to me is preventing a disaster. Come. Let’s head inside.
This place seems peaceful to you? That’s an illusion. I sense traces of magical energy all around us. They’re faint, practically unnoticeable, except for the headache they’re giving me.
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A SOOTHSAYER OF PATHS
Rayden Storke
As soon as we stepped off the airship, Martha headed straight for the Knowledge Archive, like she’d been there before. I stopped her from going inside. If she really believes it’s dangerous, then we need to clear the area first.
Thought so. Everything’s normal here. No sign of danger at all. You say Martha has never been wrong? Well, there’s a first time for everything. Maybe she didn’t interpret her "vision" correctly this time.
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DILAPIDATED ARCHITECTURE
Kira Woodville
Black has ordered me to escort Emma into the old Van Eijkels’ mansion. No one’s been inside that house for over a century. Local legend says it’s filled with rare artifacts. Could be interesting. Ready to head out?
There’s Emma, standing over by the mansion. But how’d she get the door open? I’m sure we’ll find out soon. I just hope it was worth pulling me away from hunting criminals.
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A SUDDEN APPEARANCE
Detective
We studied fish behavior, disguised ourselves as fish, swam like fish, and even tried playing with the fish... and they’re still avoiding us. I have one more idea. Let’s try using your artifacts to lure them.
Your artifacts emitted a gentle glow that drew in the friendliest of sea creatures: fish, crabs, jellyfish, and a few species I can’t identify. They’re so fascinating to observe. I wonder if they’re observing us, too?
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CAPTURING THE MOMENT
Inspector
The fish on this reef sure are clever! The moment you start tailing one, it vanishes. I tried keeping my camera ready at all times without being too obvious about it. Can you check if it worked?
You’re right. This camera bracelet let me snap quick photos of the fastest-moving fish, but unfortunately, the pictures all turned out to be of tails, fins, and bubbles. Slippery little rascals!
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JUSTIFIED TRICKERY
Detective
The fish still aren’t letting us get close enough to really observe them. Let’s try one more thing: a special, extra-friendly lure. Shoot. Where did I put it...?
How great is this lure? It looks convincing enough to infiltrate a whole gang... I mean, school of fish.\n Ugh, but the real fish saw through our ruse immediately. Our cover is blown.
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BY THE FISH RULES
Detective
Seems like camouflage alone won’t fool all of the colorful fish on this reef. If we want a closer look, we’ll have to move like they do. What do you think of our new accessories?
Nice monofins, huh? Swimming undercover is harder than it looks. Now the fish will know the Inspector and I mean business.
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BLENDING IN
Inspector
The Detective is convinced the fish are just being shy. If we want to observe them up close, we need to blend into their surroundings. I made us some camouflage. Let’s see if it works. Think you can find it?
Thanks, colleague. The corals and seaweed on this helmet will let the wearer fully blend into the reef. One oblivious fish has already mistaken the Detective for a cozy nook.
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THE THEORY OF FISHWATCHING
Detective
Every detective knows that to catch a criminal, you have to think like one. The same applies to fish. I’ve compiled a catalog of their behaviors. Now, if only I could remember where I put it.
Thanks, buddy. This catalog contains the sizes, colors, and habitats of various fish, but the actual fish keep slipping away. The notes must still be missing some details.
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A REAL LESSON
Juliette
It’s time. Adeline and I have gathered enough information about the haenyeo. For the final experiment, I’ve prepared a salty mist to mimic the feeling of seawater. May I borrow some artifacts to ensure it sprays evenly?
Ah! Your artifacts let me feel the sea on my skin, like a true haenyeo. I see now that they’re part of a much larger, living system. Not everything about the sea can be measured with charts.
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SPECIAL TRICKS
Juliette
Haenyeo become experts at giving a special whistle when they exhale after surfacing. We’ll need to use a siren to replicate this sound in our experiment. Can you help me find it, mon ami?
Ah, thank you! If you press this siren just right, it perfectly imitates the famous haenyeo whistle. We just need to figure out how they’re able to make that sound naturally.
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THE PERFECT CATCH
Adeline Svensson
Hmm. What else? The haenyeo gather seafood directly from the seabed. I brought a mechanical crab to practice, but it escaped and ran off. Can you help me catch it?
Thanks! This mechanical crab turned out to be much faster than its biological counterparts. I’m sure oysters and scallops will be easier, considering they don’t have legs.
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SAFETY FIRST
Juliette
It isn’t easy to become a haenyeo. Like anything that involves the sea, their work is dangerous. Let’s establish a warning system before I head out to dive. Can you find the sign I made?
You found my warning sign. Merci. Now every surfer, boater, and curious dolphin will know there is a future haenyeo training in the area. Safety first!
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TIME FOR A DIVE
Adeline Svensson
How does one even become a haenyeo? The "sea women" can spend several minutes underwater when they dive to gather seafood. What if we could speed things up? We’d need a special transportation device. Can you look around?
Nice find. This diver’s scooter came from the lab. It’s used to swim underwater with minimal effort. Real haenyeo, of course, don’t need this kind of help. I still wonder how they do it.
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THE FIRST LESSON
Adeline Svensson
I’m going to become a haenyeo! Only until I finish my article, of course. But Ayeong’s lab is full of notes about the divers. My first step is to organize her research. My calculation board should be here somewhere. Can you help me find it?
Thanks for finding my board. I’ve charted out the most important haenyeo traits, although I’m still not sure how to quantify love of the sea. I’m sure I’ll figure it out... eventually.
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WAVE CATCHERS
Valerie
The Goddess accepted our gifts! The sun came out, the sea calmed, and the waves brought in a brand-new surfboard. Too bad we don’t have any surf wax. Can you lend me some artifacts?
The City’s magic worked like a charm. Thanks to your artifacts, the surfboard is ready to ride the waves. I’m sure Yeongdeung Halmang would love for us to join her on the water.
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LIGHT AMONG THE TREES
Valerie
Why is the Goddess sad? Does she not feel welcome here? We could light candles to show how eagerly we’ve awaited her arrival, illuminating her path back to the bay even at nighttime.
These mandarin-slice-shaped candles are cool, but the gesture is more important. The Goddess is probably tired of mandarins by now, but I still want to show her we care.
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AROMATIC TRADITIONS
Valerie
If we don’t help the Goddess get out of this slump, we’re looking at a summer of bad weather and an even worse harvest. Shall we pay her a visit? What if we brought her this teapot?
Yes, I like this teapot, too. I found it at a beachside market. I bet if we serve the Goddess citrus tea, she’ll have a renewed appreciation for living under the mandarin trees.
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A LIVELY GROVE
Valerie
The Goddess, Yeongdeung Halmang, gives the sea its abundance; or at least she did, before she was struck by this bad mood she’s in. We could try brightening up the mandarin grove and giving her something to look at other than trees.
These decorations would liven up even the dullest surroundings. They may be shaped like mandarins, but they’re actually crafted from seashells and leaves. The haenyeo probably made them. I hope they make the Goddess feel better.
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DELICIOUS BEAUTY
Valerie
The Goddess of Wind and Sea doesn’t want to leave the mandarin grove. If she gets too bored in there, she may summon a storm. We need to spark her imagination and break her out of the rut she’s in. I made some mandarin flowers earlier. Can you help me find them?
Thanks for finding these mandarin flowers. This creative citrus arrangement is sure to delight the Goddess. When I was a little kid, I hated the idea of carrots, but loved the carrot sticks my mom used to carve into fun shapes. Sometimes, a little creativity is all it takes.
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A TOUCH OF FRESHNESS
Valerie
The Goddess may have the summertime blues. She doesn’t want to leave the mandarin grove, but is hungry for new experiences. Since the weather depends on her, we need to cheer her up. How about we make her a nice sorbet?
This sorbet turned out perfectly, thanks to the sample freezing equipment in Ayeong’s lab. Maybe it will cast the mandarins in our Goddess’s grove in a new light and cheer her up a bit.
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A SEA SURPRISE
Isabelle
I suspect this instrument can be used to communicate with the sea. But for now, it’s only a seashell. Do you have any artifacts that could restore it?
Your artifacts worked! The voice of the sea echoed from deep within the shell, but it sounded... off. Oh, silly me. Of course! It needs to be played underwater. I’ll try that. I hope the jellyfish like my tunes.
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THE PRICE OF BREATHING
Martha
The townspeople can breathe freely again, the sea spirits are calm, the diver’s ghost found peace... and still, all this time by the sea has been the opposite of relaxing. I wonder if that’s a sign.
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UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Ayeong
The sea spirits accepted our offerings, and Moonbyul’s soul walked into the waves before vanishing. Huh? What’s that light down on the shore? It’s spreading. Wait. It’s her! Her spirit looks radiant and free. She’s young again. Lend me some artifacts to signal her.
Wow. Your artifacts sure are bright. Goodbye, Moonbyul. I hope she saw my signal, and knows I’ll always remember her. Despite spending my whole life studying the ocean, I knew so little before I met her.
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LIGHTING THE WAY
Martha
Spirits aren’t good at navigating on land. Perhaps they’ll allow Moonbyul’s ghost to go free if we light a path for them. We can use those lanterns made from old floats.
Thanks for finding these lanterns. We’ll hang them on the shoreline so the spirits can pass more easily between land and sea, and Moonbyul can find her way to her final resting place.
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AN OLD DEBT
Huntress
The spirits may release Moonbyul if we show them a sign of our respect. Let’s return a treasure she took from the sea: a string of pearls, passed down through the generations of her family. Can you bring it here?
You found them! These pearls are beautiful, but they don’t belong on land. A hunter should take only what is needed, not a drop more. Let’s return this treasure to the waves.
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A SOUVENIR FOR THE SPIRITS
Isabelle
Moonbyul has been bound to this bay for many years. It’s clear the mulgwisin want her to join them. But that isn’t fair. Can you find her embroidered tewak float? We can give that to them instead.
This is Moonbyul’s tewak, the float she used on her many ocean voyages. Though I can’t see her ghost, she must’ve spilled a lot of blood, sweat, and tears on her adventures at sea. May the spirits accept this offering.
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THE ORNAMENT OF ETERNITY
Ayeong
Poor Moonbyul. The sea spirits still believe she belongs beneath the waves, even in death. I’m the keeper of the treaty now. They need to let her go. May the spirits show her mercy. Let’s offer them some ribbons.
My, what beautiful ribbons! These are a traditional offering to the gods and spirits here. Their colors remind me of an ocean sunrise. Magnificent. I hope the mulgwisin appreciate them, too.
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IN HONOR OF MOONBYUL
Martha
Moonbyul forged the first treaty with the mulgwisin. Now they’re refusing to let her go. Her spirit deserves to rest. You know your way around the bay by now. Where can we find some rice?
Thanks. Rice is an ideal offering to the sea spirits, especially when paired with island flowers. This gift from the people of the land may soften the spirits and persuade them to release Moonbyul’s soul.
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A CRUCIAL MOMENT
Martha
All the elements of our new song are ready. It just needs a passionate performance and a recording. Your artifacts would let us preserve it on a better medium than that old seashell.
Your artifacts recorded the song within this nice, durable ring. With a worthy keeper to watch over it, the ring and the new treaty should be protected for the foreseeable future.
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A HEARTFELT TOUCH
Ayeong
To show my devotion to the sea and the land, I want to perform the vocals on our song. I’m not the most confident singer, but I still want to try. A karaoke microphone would help. Can you find one?
Thanks. This microphone will be perfect. I love to sing, even if I’m not the best singer. I just hope my singing doesn’t offend the spirits. Now please, cover your ears. This one is for the sea only.
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AN OTHERWORLDLY MELODY
Martha
Our new sea song should bring back fond memories of the mulgwisin’s lives on land. This seashell wind chime might work. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?
This wind chime is made from seashells that once belonged to living beings, much like the mulgwisin themselves. I hope it helps them rediscover their sympathy for land-dwellers... or at least, amuses them.
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A PERSUASIVE BEAT
Huntress
Next, our new sea song needs a good, memorable beat. I know just the thing. I brought a souvenir sogo drum here with me, but I left it near the ambush site. Mind looking for it?
You found my sogo drum! Thank you. I dropped this in the sand once, and a few tiny seashells got trapped inside. Now it clicks like dolphins using echolocation beneath the waves. It will surely draw the mulgwisin’s attention.
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GIFTS OF THE DEEP
Ayeong
This new sea song should feel modern but timeless. While diving near the shore, I picked up some interesting corals. Their holes produce sound. Can you locate them?
You found the whistling corals! Their sounds perfectly imitate the wind dancing across the waves, the cries of seagulls, even whale songs. The spirits won’t be able to resist. They’ll have no choice but to accept the new treaty.
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FAMILIAR NOTES
Isabelle
Ayeong needs help recreating a special song for the ritual that will renew the treaty. The haenyeo would sing this to soothe the mulgwisin; its notes are still etched in the sand nearby. Can you find them?
You found the old sea song written in the sand! The melody is sure to stir up the spirits’ nostalgia... but we also need to create something new. Let’s see which of its motifs we can reuse.
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AYEONG VS. THE SEA
Ayeong
The haenyeo begged me to dive deep and find the seashell that held the treaty so they could renew it. They even gave me a ritual vest to complete my task. We’ll need your artifacts to dig it up.
After I failed to fulfill the haenyeo’s request, I buried this vest out of shame. I found the seashell, true, but I dismissed the treaty as mere superstition, and in my carelessness, broke it... betraying both the haenyeo and the sea.
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BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT
Huntress
There must be a reason the conflict between the haenyeo and the sea spirits is only coming to a head now. See that glint down by the water, mein Freund? Can you go look? The sea may’ve given us another clue.
A toy lure like this isn’t for catching fish. It’s intended for humans. Maybe the mulgwisin are trying to tell us the reason they’re angry is because humankind has turned away from its devotion to the sea in favor of material things.
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A GUARDIAN OF THE SHORE
Martha
The mulgwisin’s grudge against the haenyeo began long ago. Even that stone statue overlooking the shore, which has stood there for centuries, looks more hostile now. Want to check it for clues?
You’re right. The sea spirits warped the statue’s appearance. It once stood as a guardian of the meeting place between land and sea, but has changed into a symbol of humanity’s relentless consumption.
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AGAINST TRADITION
Isabelle
The townspeople are now suffering the same as the haenyeo, who the spirits chose to punish for some reason in the recent past. Maybe that pile of leftover diving equipment I saw earlier can give us a clue.
There’s a snorkel here, but the haenyeo don’t use them; they’re freedivers, who rely solely on the breath in their lungs. As far as I know, this skill is central to their identity. Maybe the sea is angry that they’ve betrayed their traditions.
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A SEA PROTEST
Ayeong
The rift between humans and the sea spirits opened long ago. Even Moonbyul doesn’t know what originally caused the fracture, but I have a theory. Can you find a wet mattress nearby?
Thanks for finding my mattress. I slept on the high bank yesterday, and when I woke up, I was half underwater. Maybe the spirits are trying to submerge this whole area to drive away outsiders.
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DEPLETED ABUNDANCE
Huntress
It’s not hard to understand what caused the rift between the humans and the sea spirits. I spotted a net on the shoreline earlier that barely had anything in it. Can you bring it here?
Danke. That’s the net. See? There’s nothing in here but trash. Our greed has depleted the ocean’s bounty. That’s why the spirits are angry with us, and why they are punishing the haenyeo.
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AN INVISIBLE TREASURE
Ayeong
Moonbyul could tell us more about the treaty. She lives near here, but she went out on the bay to try to negotiate with the spirits. Here, let me borrow some of your artifacts. I can show you.
Wow. Your artifacts are remarkable. They allowed me to capture the last breath one of the haenyeo gave to the spirits, and not only the breath, but the life energy it contained.
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WEAKENED TIES
Ayeong
Here are my takeaways: the haenyeo live hard and dangerous lives. In exchange for the spirits’ protection, each bountiful year, they give up a certain number of their own breaths. That’s the treaty in a nutshell. See this talisman?
The talisman’s glow is fading. Industrial seafood harvesting has changed the haenyeo’s way of life and forced many to abandon their trade. Thus, there are fewer breaths being offered to the spirits each year, weakening the treaty.
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A FATEFUL OATH
Ayeong
The legend says the whispers I heard while I was underwater are the voices of people who drowned and became sea spirits known as the mulgwisin. There’s an old necklace I want to show you, but I seem to have misplaced it.
Yes, that’s the necklace I meant. It belonged to Moonbyul, the eldest diver. It’s one of my most prized possessions. When she gave it to me, I realized the haenyeo believe that the legend of the treaty is literally true.
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THE SEA’S TRICKS
Ayeong
I overheard the haenyeo whispering amongst themselves about the treaty, spirits, and revenge. That’s how I learned about the legend. I wrote everything down in my notes. But then... see that belt?
Yes, this weight belt is meant to keep divers at their desired depth until they’re ready to resurface. But I watched a hostile creature rip this belt off one of the haenyeo and throw it onto the shore.
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PRECIOUS BREATH
Ayeong
When the divers told me about the spirits, I thought they were just pulling my leg. But then I witnessed one of the haenyeo inexplicably suffocating in real-time. Can you find my lung trainer?
Thanks. I always keep this lung trainer in my lab. I gave it to one of the haenyeo to help her breathe. Her lungs were so weak, the little ball inside hardly budged.
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FIRST PROBLEMS
Ayeong
I learned about the legend of the treaty my second day on the island, when I found my buoy so overgrown with coral that its sensors were damaged. Then it mysteriously washed ashore. Take a look.
This buoy helped me study the ocean, but it was damaged by unusual marine activity. According to the haenyeo harvesting seafood nearby, it was the work of the spirits.
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A CRACK IN THE FAMILIAR WORLD
Ayeong
An hour ago, I was on Jeju Island. But I made a mistake. I broke a seashell, there was this blinding flash, then all of a sudden, you were standing here. My equipment didn’t tell me anything valuable about the seashell I broke. Can yours?
Your artifacts seem to glow when placed near the seashell. Maybe it helped create the magnetic force field that brought me here. Or maybe the answers we need extend beyond the realm of science.