| Event | Story |
Introduction[]
| *Panting* Wait for me— | |
| Oh! I'm sorry! Whenever I sense the air of excitement and freedom in the venue, I can't help but start running along myself. I have almost forgotten my mission— The live interview means a lot to your career. If there's sufficient attention to the Athletic Games, you will become an official employee of our newspaper. On the contrary... Hmm, I will keep it in mind. For the time being, I'll be a journalist and help with your interviews. I will make use of my knowledge to collect reporting materials for you. | |
| Anyway, as I don't know much about sports, I'm counting on you! Where should we begin? To be honest, I'm a bit curious about the number plates the referee gave us. Don't think about that now You're here for the interviews! The first interviewee... | |
| Hey, there are a lot of newsworthy people at the shallows over there. There must be a brilliant... Oh, I mean, something newsworthy! Let's start over there! | |
| (Whistles—) | |
| Hello, are you the referee for this match? | |
| What match? I'm sorry, but you're blocking my view. Hey kid! Put on your life jacket before getting into the water! | |
| Isn't the water polo match held here? | |
| That's enough. Let's end the drill now. Children, come over here. It's time for class. | |
| This man with a tan doesn't seem to be paying any attention to the volunteer's question. He squeezes into the crowd of children and starts explaining intently. | |
 Water polo, as we know it now, actually originated from a competition in which athletes chased after ducks. After years of evolution, it has finally developed into what it is now. Kid over there. Put the duck down! This is the end of today's explanation and drill. Don't forget to join the drill every day. You'll get an Athletic Games souvenir! | |
| The children scattered immediately. Most of the souvenir ducks on the table have been snatched. The lively water polo area quiets down in an instant. | |
| The matches in the water polo area are quite different from what I imagined. Perhaps this is some kind of children's entertainment area. | |
| Hey, Miss Editor, get your camera ready and let's have a look over there! There are a few rowing boats on the riverbank. Given how fast the boats are moving, there must be an exciting race going on! | |
| The two of them walk over to the rowing area. The audience's never-ending cheers are pushing the atmosphere to its peak. | |
| This atmosphere is exactly what I was looking for. The field, the audience, the players, and the cheers! The match is coming to an end. One of the rowing athletes is coming to shore. Let's interview him! | |
| Just as the rowing boat gets to the shore, a large crowd of the audience and reporters rush over and surround the rowing boat. | |
| Hey! Don't push me! Let me conduct an interview. | |
| A well-built athlete is dripping wet as he walks up to the shore. He seems at ease as he faces the flashing lights and the trainee editor. | |
| Please take a look at my paddle. It's made with a brand-new macromolecule material— Even after a long period of rowing, not only does it not get hot, its shape remains completely intact! That's right, all guests in possession of an Athletic Games ticket will have a chance to purchase this paddle, the same model used by athletes, with the highest discount! | |
Tourist (Male) |
I want one! |
Tourist (Female) |
I want one, too! |
| I've been looking forward to the Athletic Games for quite some time. How did it come to this? It's more like a giant retail outlet with ridiculous performances operating as the Athletic Games. | |
| Maybe there is an exciting match going on inside? | |
Pre-game "Transaction"[]
| Go straight, turn left, then go straight again. Hmm, according to the map, I should... Ahh— (bump) | |
| *Panting* Excuse me! Are you okay? Hold on. Are you the editor? | |
| I'm sorry, have we met before? | |
| It's me! I'm a student at Iker Institute of Technology and a member of the "Rogue Running Club." I remember when you came to conduct interviews at our college's athletic games a few months ago as a correspondent. Hmm, the transcript of the interview was published in the school paper! | |
| Oh, I remember now! You're that student from the club! | |
| You don't look like you actually remember me... While it's great to see you again, forgive me, but I'm in a hurry to get to the Athletic Games' venue. I was invited to volunteer for the Athletic Games. It just means I'll be cheering for the athletes. I'll get to enjoy the exciting matches as well! See you! | |
| Hold on... Are you talking about the Oletus Athletic Games? | |
| That's right. You heard about the games, too? | |
| Perhaps we're meant to meet again. I've been sent by my newspaper to report on the Oletus Athletic Games. If all goes well, I'll turn this internship into an actual job. And as my probation is almost over... If something goes wrong with this job, I may not be able to continue working at the newspaper. But the truth is, I don't know much about sports. | |
| Looks like the Athletic Games are really important to you. Since you helped me out during the previous athletic games, let me help you with your quest this time! Perhaps I can be your assistant for the interviews and help you gather more useful materials. And you can focus on taking notes, and compose a perfect article about the Athletic Games with elegant words and flowing phrases. | |
| I'll be grateful if you could do that for me! If I do end up becoming an official employee, I'll treat you... | |
| Hehe, a cup of ice-cold soda will do. The Athletic Games are about to begin. Let's chat as we walk! | |
| Hello... | |
| Hello, I'm a volunteer to cheer for the athletes. Here's an editor to report on the Athletic Games. | |
| Hello, this is my press pass. | |
| The venue is divided into two parts, with the indoor arena mainly hosting track and field events, while the part near the canal is for water sports competitions. Food and souvenir stands are scattered all over the venue. Feel free to shop, if you are interested. | |
| He casually points at the counter next to him and gazes at the girl in front of him with an air of indifference, tinged with a hint of doubt. | |
| If you run into any trouble, you can ask the volunteers or the emergency care doctor for help. Lastly, please put on this Athletic Games' label with a number on it and enter from here. Welcome to the Oletus Athletic Games! 
| |
| Number... label? Both of us got the number 40. | |
| Put it on! Let's head inside. The events are about to begin. | |
 The volunteer drags the editor into the venue, and the atmosphere inside hits them instantly. These are balloons and ribbons everywhere, not to mention the clamorous cheers and shouts. It's difficult not to get pulled into such a lively atmosphere. | |
| I'm ready to spectate the matches. Oh, I mean, conduct interviews. I'm sorry. I haven't gotten used to my new identity yet, hehe. According to the Athletic Games schedule, water polo and rowing matches will be today. Why don't we head over to the river first? | |
| Sure. I will be taking notes during your interviews and refraining from interrupting the athletes to ensure that the interviews proceed smoothly. Please utilize your knowledge of sports so that I can take more notes of the brilliant moments in the Athletic Games! | |
| No problem! | |
Amateur Athletes[]
| Stop recording! Watch out for the motorcycle! Ahh— | |
| A beach motorcycle is coming from afar all wobbly. Its driver seems to be having trouble with control. Seeing that the motorcycle is about to run into the editor, the driver turns the handle abruptly and the motorcycle topples over in the opposite direction. The driver appears to be really agile. The moment he touches the ground, his waist seems to have gone through elastic deformation like a soft steel wire before quickly returning to its original state. | |
| Are you okay?! Why would you drive a motorcycle on such a crowded street? It's too dangerous! | |
| Phew. I'm the most well-known motorcyclist in the world. Do you want to check out my motorcycle? | |
| Are you here for the motorcycle race? | |
| The racer looks around. Seeing that there is no audience and no one even stops to check out this deliberate "accident," he lets out a deep breath. | |
| I'm sorry, miss. It wasn't my intention to drive my motorcycle at such a high speed. I'm a motorcyclist. I couldn't afford to pay the application fee, so I can't compete in the match. But then I saw a booth selling motorcycle inside the venue, and they were looking for a salesperson. Having the opportunity on motorcycles. That alone is extremely precious. However, all of the tourists went to see the rowing performance. No one is interested in my booth. | |
| And so you wanted to attract the tourists' attention with the motorcycle performance... or should I say, by creating a minor incident? | |
| I apologize if I scared you. | |
| We're okay. However, the Athletic Games here don't seem to be the same as the flyer advertised. | |
| I'm just a staff member at the venue. If you're curious about the details of the Athletic Games, you should look for the organizer, our chairlady. She doesn't get out much. I heard she's preparing for the "fire worship," which will take place in a few days. She sounds more like a certain spokesperson of a literary society, doesn't she? Anyway, if you have questions, you should look for her. You'll very likely get some satisfying official responses. | |
| The Volunteer and the Trainee Editor arrived at the hot air balloon and met the chairlady mentioned by the racer. | |
| Hello! | |
| Hello, I'm a student at the Ikers Institute of Technology. I'm volunteering here this summer. | |
| Hello, I'm an editor of the newspaper. I'm here to report the Athletic Games. | |
| My apologies. There are so many urgent matters to deal with for the Athletic Games that prevented my from meeting with you earlier. When I see you guys, I can't help but reminisce about the past. When I was at Ikers, I was a member of the literary society and an enthusiast of ancient Greek civilization. As you know, sports hold many mysterious charms, such as the cup engraved with Phidias's name and some pottery mold shards from the clothing of the statue of Zeus. The civilization and spirit of sports are carried from generation to generation by artifacts and symbols. Just like the eternal torch, which lives on pursuant to the mission of the family. My experience with the literary society at school led me to more books, among which the mysterious symbols mentioned in them enticed my to explore sports that were lost in ancient times. | |
| What a surprise to meet a fellow alumni here! | |
| After graduating from Ikers Institute of Technology, I also interned at a newspaper to gain experience. I learned a lot about writing techniques there. And now, for the sake of my family's mission, I must hold the, hmm, Oletus Athletic Games. Obviously I'm not good at sports. Due to certain experiences that I'd rather not think about, I don't want to participate in sports anyway. That's why the venue is a bit of a mess. I apologize for that. However, in seven days, that is the Athletic Games' closing ceremony, and in three days, I will engage in "fire worship" to listen to my ancestor's guidance. Before that, I must ensure that the Athletic Games are in order. That's why I have asked the referee and resident doctor to handle everything. I must prepare the "fire worship" now. I hope you'll have fun! | |
| This... | |
| The organizer's focus is really off. The athletes are amateurs. The venue is a mess. A trainee editor may fit right in. Perhaps the smarter choice here is to look for a new job. My plan to become an official employee is completely ruined. | |
| Hey, don't give up just yet. Your career may be related to the success of the Athletic Games, but it's not completely dependent on it. All you'll have to do for your part is help the Athletic Games gain more attention by writing articles so that the Athletic Games will have a perfect ending. Whether or not the Athletic Games are a success may not have anything to do with you. | |
| Are you suggesting that I should report fake news? No! As a journalist, that's definitely not allowed. While I'm just a trainee, this is something I will never do. | |
| No, I mean, you can pick and choose the details. The rowing race is newsworthy, so focus on that and leave out the promotional stuff. Perhaps this is the only way to save your plan of becoming an official employee. | |
| Fine... But then, we will also need some materials for the text and pictures. | |
| Don't worry. I'll talk to the athletes for you. You just have to take notes. | |
| You've been such a great help. When it's done, I'll definitely... | |
| As we agreed, buy me an iced soda! Haha! | |
| Don't worry. There will be plenty of soda! The buzzwords we've collected today are "fire worship," "today's match," and "lifesaving drill." For a newspaper article, there aren't interesting enough. Let's head back to the venue again. | |
Intrinsic Impression[]
| Hello there! | |
| Are you journalist? I'm sorry but I can't tell you anything about this match. | |
| Just a moment. I'm a student at the Ikers Institute of Technology. I've seen you compete before. | |
| You're not a journalist? So you're just a fan? | |
| Yes! I remember when I was young, you led your rowing team to victory numerous times as the helmsman. But I'm not sure when you disappeared, and I never saw you compete again. I wonder if something upsetting happened? | |
| I don't want to talk about the past. Hold on, why do you have a camera? You really are just like those journalists, misusing your student status to dig for sensationalized stories and fabricate details to attract attention. Just like a leaking racing boat, it's too late to mend it when the water rises. I'm sorry. | |
| With that, he stops looking at the camera and the notebook and looks away into the distance. | |
| This former champion helmsman doesn't seem to be cooperating. However, from what we've learned, we can summarize this in a buzz phrase, "refused to be interviewed." I'm not sure if that's suitable for reporting. Let's filter the buzzwords after we've finished collecting them. | |
Swim Coach[]
| Hey, that kid over there, be careful! Okay, listen to my commands. Hold your breath and get in the water! Kick hard with your legs. Good. Let's take a break. | |
| This swim coach is finally unoccupied. Let's try to interview him. Hello, are you teaching children how to swim? | |
| I used to be a salesman for water toys, you know, like swimming rings, rubber ducks, and beach shovels. Children love those toys, and so there are often tourists who leave their children here so they can go watch the competition. But they had no idea the poolside was the most dangerous area. Countless children drowned each year due to their parents' negligence. Anyway, I don't want such a tragedy to happen again. | |
| Such a tragedy? No offense, but have you experienced a similar tragedy before? | |
| I used to be a water polo athlete and worked hard my entire life to become a water polo champion. Until that one time... Hey kid! Stay away from the deep end of the pool! I'm sorry, ahem, I'm busy. Let's talk more if we get another chance. | |
| The water polo athlete's interview is interrupted by a child in danger of drowning. Perhaps we can come back later to ask more questions. |
Motorcycle Dealership[]
| Don't miss out! This beach motorcycle is made with a new alloy! Not only does it go fast, it also breaks fast! It will certainly bring you the extreme pleasure of drifting on the beach! Don't miss out! Hey miss, do you want one? Oh... we've met? | |
| Yes, you're still selling motorcycles? | |
| Yes, but sales are bad... I've been here half a day but no one is interested. Finally, a customer. Hold on, please don't tell me you're here to seek compensation? | |
| No, I'm here with the editor to interview random athletes in the venue and collect materials for news reporting. | |
| Interview? You've picked just the right person. Perhaps this interview will bring more attention to this motorcycle dealership! | |
| You're right. Looks like this is a win-win collaboration. Well then, what can you offer us to garner attention? | |
| Before she finishes her sentence, the motorcyclist suddenly begins to perform tricks on the motorcycle. But then his base seems unstable, and the tower becomes precarious in an instant and collapses. | |
| Watch out! I don't think you should use your life to exchange for sales. | |
| The motorcycle has been my dream since I was young. I've worked hard for this dream for so long. I used to perform tricks in a circus. I even played tricks on the streets for money. At this moment, I finally get the chance to perform in front of an audience, and I can finally drive my beloved motorcycle. I must give it my all. If someone is trying to steal our audience. I won't allow it! | |
| Okay, I understand your determination. I'll also talk about you in the news. However, please remember, safety first! | |
| The volunteer and the editor leave the motorcycle dealership. | |
| The racer's determination is inspiring, but when compared with the popular racers in the competition, reporting on him may not garner much attention. We've collected "motorcycle dealership" as the buzzword for now. Let's see if we want to use it when we summarize the news. | |
Dustless Victory[]
| Yesterday's report brought some attention to the Athletic Games, but we must keep it up in order to reach our goal. | |
| No time to waste! Let's look for more material in the venue! It looks like the organizer is having a conversation with the referee we saw earlier. Let's see if they will offer any information worth reporting! | |
| These are the athlete violations I summarized yesterday. Please have a look. Some athletes' height and weight don't conform with requirements. Some athletes can't speak. Some female applicants are restricted by some sports events. Some athletes took banned substances. Some... | |
| I'm rehearsing the rundown for the "fire worship." Just handle these matters as you see fit. | |
| Okay, then, according to the rules, all of these athletes can't enter the venue. Any completed results will also be invalidated. | |
| Speak with the head referee | |
| Excuse me. I wonder whether you considered "special cases" in your approach? | |
| Are you doubting my expertise? I've been professionally trained since I was young. Just like the Olympia games in ancient Greece. Registering participants and supervising training to ensure they know the rules and compete fairly. I followed the rules to the letter every step of the way. In the venue, the referee is a symbol of authority, dressed in purple and carrying a double-forked scepter. And as the referees, we must be fair and impartial. Athletes who are late, break the rules, or do not meet the competition criteria will be banned and disqualified. This is the origin of the "Dustless Victory." | |
| However, for athletes, their golden age for competition is very short. When dealing with special cases, shouldn't we be "flexible?" Or perhaps for those athletes who can't compete in the official events, we can make arrangements for exhibition matches? | |
| Attempting to justify established justice inevitable leads to injustice. While there may be exceptions to every rule, we cannot alter established norms for the sake of individual cases. Since the chairlady has already asked me to handle these matters as I see fit. Excuse me, I must go and make determinations for the issues at hand. | |
| Speak with the chairlady | |
| Chairlady, we've come to discuss the "fairness of the rules" that you brought up when you spoke with the referee. What are your thoughts on that? | |
| I trust the referee's judgment. From unearthed ceramic plate artifacts, we learn that ancient referees categorized athletes according to their physical condition, age, and other indicators. There have also been historical precedents where, when Elysians acted as referees, no Elysian was allowed to participate in the tournament. In any case, in order to ensure absolute fairness, there will always be a minority group of people who will be subject to certain so-called "injustice." | |
| Using age and physical condition as grading criteria is certainly justified to some extent. But the referee seems to have mentioned some individual cases earlier. | |
| Excuse me, as the "fire worship" will take place soon, I have no time for trivial matters of the Athletic Games. Perhaps we can wait until the "fire worship" is over? If you have an objection to the rules, please head into the venue to gather evidence or ask the participants for their views. That may be more convincing. | |
| It seems that the chairlady doesn't want to get involved in trivial matters of the Athletic Games. Since she wants evidence, let's look for some in the venue. The referee mentioned height, gender, and registration threshold. Maybe we can give it a shot from these three directions. | |
| That makes sense. Now that we've spoken with the chairlady, let's collaborate the buzzwords we obtained to attract attention! "Fairness of the rules" and "archaeology." We need more buzzwords. Let's collect more in the venue. | |
Silent Arc[]
| That's the "impartial" referee all the way over there. He seems to be arguing with someone. Let's check it out. | |
| Ma'am, as I've told you repeatedly, you can't enter the race if you can't provide valid entry information. | |
| ... | |
| She raises the javelin in her hand as if to express her profession and passion. | |
| You're a javelin thrower? But this information alone isn't enough. You can't write, and you can't speak. Even if you go in there, you won't be able to get vaild results. | |
| ... | |
| The javelin thrower waves her hand and mumbles something. | |
| Ma'am, you look really confident with the javelin. Have you been training? | |
| ... | |
| The javelin thrower nods. She makes a strong throwing motion and throws the javelin in her hand as hard as she can. The long and slender javelin draws a perfect arc in the air before landing precisely in the middle of the faraway sand pit. | |
| Such a great distance... While I may not know much about javelin, being able to throw such a distance makes her better than most of the contestants! | |
| ... | |
| When she hears the recognition, she seems emotional but can't express her feelings. She hugs the volunteer lightly and leaves. She walks steadily toward the direction of the javelin to pick it up. Perhaps the encouragement allows her to rekindle the determination and dream that she has nearly given up. | |
| You are an—extraordinary—javelin thrower! | |
| In the distance, the javelin thrower stops in her tracks. She hesitates but doesn't turn around and merely rubs a few times with her sleeve before walking away. | |
| It's a shame that rules limit such an extraordinary talented athlete. Perhaps this is the "evidence" the chairlady wanted. This can also be my buzzword for today. With the buzzword "entry requirements," I hope I'll get the chance to be published. | |
Lethal Magic[]
| Next up is what you've all been waiting for—the beach motorcycle race! One of the seed players in this race is none other than the salesperson at the motorcycle booth, the racer! Even though their wonderful drifting skills didn't bring them a lot of sales, hopefully they'll do well in the competition! | |
| Cheer for me! | |
| Pattering applause and cheers come from all around. | |
| You can do it! | |
| The racer turns toward the voice, takes a good look, and smiles. As the gun goes off, the racer speeds off on his motorcycle. With his agile and climactic drifting and driving skills, he rushes ahead of all the contestants. | |
 However, the racer's brakes fail at a sharp turn, and he flies out. Even though he tries to stay on balance, in just an instant, the racer is split from the middle into three parts. | |
Tourist (Female) |
A fatality! A fatality! |
Tourist (Male) |
Hold on... It seems like they are three people! |
Tourist (Female) |
The rarer are three people. The three of them pretended to be one person to compete! |
| The racer forged his identity and height. Their results are now invalid, and they are banned from any other competition. | |
| Hehe. It's okay. At least I've demonstrated my skills. More importantly, what happened just now wasn't due to a faulty brake. We wanted to give you a brilliant performance! Please come and purchase your own beach motorcycle! | |
| Racer, you need medical attention. Is the doctor here? | |
| It's fine, it's fine! | |
| The triplets pick up their cape and limp off the venue. | |
| Even though what the racer did was against the rules, their passion is real. It actually seems more difficult to have three people controlling a single motorcycle. They could have made arrangements for an exhibition match. Perhaps this is the evidence the chairlady wanted. This can also be a new buzzword for today. The buzzword "lethal magic" will garner more attention to the Athletic Games. We can decide whether it will be used in the article after the investigation is over for the day. | |
Invalid Results[]
| There seems to be a hot air balloon race in the distance. | |
| A hot air balloon race. I've never heard of that. You really learn something new every day! | |
| The hot air balloon race is a special event in this year's Athletic Games. Contestants have to control their balloons and then drop a marker onto the target. | |
| It sounds more like shooting... | |
| Anyway, you don't see a race like this every day. Let's go! | |
| As the starting pistol is fired, the hot air balloons rise slowly, and the pilots throw their markers as hard as they can at the target, with the referee recording the scores. After a few rounds, the competition is over. Everyone in the audience cheers for the blue hot air balloon for making ten consecutive perfect throws. | |
| In this hot air balloon competition, the only female player scores the highest. However, according to the rules, female athletes' scores are for exhibition purposes only and won't be counted toward the final result. As such, the winner of this race is... | |
| Sighs are heard from the audience, as if in silent protest. | |
| The scores are in. Why can't they be counted merely because of gender? All women should be respected, and each female athlete's scores should be recorded! | |
| I'm sure you haven't forgotten the tragedy where three young ladies with no professional training sailed out in a hot air balloon, and in the end, only one of them survived. To protect them, we must learn our lesson and not repeat the same mistake. | |
| The hot air balloon pilot doesn't seem like she wants to prove anything. She quietly collects the hot air balloon equipment and prepares to leave. | |
| She won, but she wasn't given the applause and glory she earned. What a shame... | |
| Perhaps the buzzword "invalid results" will get the chairlady's attention. | |
Recuperation[]
| We've collected sufficient information. Perhaps we can speak to the chairlady and let her know our views. | |
| It seems that the chairlady is looking after injured athletes over there. Let's go over and chat with her. | |
| The volunteer and the editor walk up to the chairlady and wait for a chance to talk to her. | |
| A player was injured during an event. | |
| Get me a gurney. They will receive treatment right away. Number 3, number 6, number 25... We have everything we need. To ensure athletes' physical and mental health after an injury, we will provide an all-round and systematic physical assessment and psychotherapy. During this time, they can't compete in the events. | |
| Since the earliest marathon, athletes have consumed all their energy to pass on the message; whenever athletic games are held, there are always athletes who are willing to harm their own bodies to win. Some may even suffer from serious long-term effects after an injury. What would make them do that? | |
| There is one more thing I need to update you about. During the athletes' health checks, we found cases of doping... Also, I'm actually more concerned about your latest condition, I always see you... | |
| Anything that will affect the fairness of the events must be banned. Please compile a list of the offending athletes and send it to me. That's all. | |
| The Athletic Games' chairlady is about to leave. The volunteer quickly walks up to her. | |
| Chairlady. May I have a minute? | |
| You are the volunteer and the editor I met earlier? | |
| Yes, we have collected information from the athletes in the venue in the last two days. Please have a look. A javelin thrower was banned from playing because they weren't good at expressing themselves. The triplets were banned from participating in the motorcycle race due to their height. There were also certain retired in the venue who had severe psychological trauma. They took on the roles of models and salespersons in the venue. | |
| Oh? These all sound really reasonable. As I said earlier, the willingness of athletes to risk physical and mental injury to compete is contrary to the nature of sports. Isn't it reassuring that those who were injured have given up the sport they should have given up? As for the two points you mentioned earlier, this is a competition, so the rules must be followed. If they don't meet the participation criteria, I'm sorry but we'll have to ask them to come back next time. | |
| Chairlady, you've been under too much stress lately. You need to rest. | |
| There's nothing more for you to do here, doctor. Please leave me for now. | |
| Chairlady. I must say we have opposing views about sports. Sports are passionate and a liberation of one's nature. Although there are accompanying risks, the positive aspects of the very existence of sports cannot be denied. My older brother loved outdoor sports and became the champion in various water sports events. Even though he was seriously injured afterward and couldn't compete again. Neither of us will forget the times when he competed to win. While it is unfortunate that athletes are injured as a result of competition, isn't helping them overcome their injuries and return to the competition the right thing to do? | |
| I'm sorry, I don't agree. This is like forcing a wounded soldier to return to the field. Perhaps you've never experienced similar suffering. Anyway, I still need to prepare for the "fire worship," so I must go now. I wish you luck. | |
| Please wait! | |
| It seems that this interview is still not going well. | |
| Don't worry. We'll think of something tomorrow. | |
| The buzzword we collected today is "trauma recovery." This alone is not enough. Let's look around the venue. | |
Beacon[]
| The champion helmsman is looking into the distance in a trance. Perhaps this time, he will be willing to share his experience with us. Hello? | |
| You again. Why are you here? | |
| Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. But I'm not one of those unscrupulous editors who exposes people's privacy like it's nothing. | |
| I've seen the latest reports. I'm sorry buy I may have made assumptions due to my past. | |
| You are extremely talented at rowing, but you seem to have given up by choice. Can you tell me why? | |
| I was born in a small fishing village. Since I was little, my father has taken me fishing at sea. I seem to have a natural sense of the flow of the water. When we were at sea this one time, my talent was discovered by a rowing coach. He got me out of the fishing village and asked me to be the helmsman for his rowing team. My arrival brought to honor the team, and we won numerous gold medals. And I became the youngest rowing champion. | |
| A successful life. | |
| Back then, I was arrogant and thought I was the most talented athlete ever. In order to improve our teamwork, we often rowed and practiced in the depths of the sea. There were waves that were more difficult to conquer and weather that was more unpredictable. I got lost in the honor and praise. I don't know when it started but I stopped being able to sense the flow of the water. And during training that one time, I led the entire team to their deaths. We lost our bearings at sea. Four, three, two, one... In the end, I was the only one left. I survived on fish. At last, an orca and a beacon guided me to shore. | |
| I'm really sorry to make you relive your past. These really are painful memories that must have been difficult to recall. | |
| Having experienced all that, I plunged into a never-ending darkness. But those journalists exploited my trauma and made a big deal out these stories. So yes, I won't return to the venue for rowing again. This is the only way for me to mourn my partners. | |
| I feel sorry for you and your teammates. But I think that you survived for a reason, maybe... They were hoping you would keep on going their behalf. Because you are their hope. | |
| This interview was a bit too much for me today. Excuse me, I think I need to take a break. | |
| The buzzword "beacon" involves the helmsman's past. Perhaps we need to tread carefully. |
Golden Guard[]
| All prizes have been given out today. You can come tomorrow if... Oh, it's you. | |
| Our last interview was interrupted by your lesson. It looks like there aren't many visitors today. Can we continue with our interview? | |
| What were we talking about? | |
| An event in the past made you give up water polo. | |
| That was at the national finals. We were competing against another national team in the river for the championship. The scores were close until the last moment. So long as I could block the last ball, victory is ours. Ten seconds, nine seconds... I was counting down in my head as my eyes followed the ball. But right at the moment, I saw one of my teammates struggling. His cries for help were drowned out by the waves and my teammates' calls. If I swam over to save him, no one would be guarding our goal. I clenched my teeth to focus on the game and blocked the last ball. | |
| What happened to your teammate? | |
| I swam over immediately when the game was over, hoping to save him. The teammate's feet were caught in some seaweed. By the time I brought him over to the shore, he was long gone. The doctor said... the doctor said... we missed the best time to save him. If only I had gotten there a few seconds earlier... | |
| And so afterward, you became a lifeguard and took care of children playing in the water to prevent the same tragedy from happening again? | |
| The lifeguard didn't respond and simply nods. | |
| Back then, between a life and victory, you chose the latter. Perhaps this really does make you feel guilty, but rescuing a person and competing are not in conflict with each other. I suppose if, unfortunately, a similar situation arises, you will definitely choose the former? The children all like you. Look, they are playing with your water polo ball and laughing. | |
| The lifeguard looks into the distance and seems to have a lot on his mind. | |
| The buzzword "golden guard" involves the lifeguard's past. Perhaps we need to tread carefully. | |
Best Supporting Act[]
| The three motorcyclists who were asked to leave are in the distance. They are playing aimlessly with their broken helmets and chit-chatting. They seemed enthusiastic and talkative before. Let's have a chat with them. | |
| (Youngest brother) Oh, it's the experienced editor who doesn't look where she's going. (Youngest brother) Hello! I'm sorry, but this spiritless motorcyclist can't give you an hot gossip from the venue! (Middle brother) Perhaps you're just passing by? You know, what we are now is pretty worthless. (Elder brother) Useless! Useless! | |
| You three are extremely skillful. I think it's much harder to maneuver a motorcycle with three people than one. You must have gone through a lot during training. Have you thought about putting together a motorcycle performance? | |
| (Younger brother) We used to perform on a motorcycle! (Younger brother) Before we came here to sell motorcycles, we were in a circus doing a three-man motorcycle performance. (Younger brother) But we were always the supporting act, the warm-up before the main act. (Younger brother) And the audience only looked forward to the finale. They would throw tomatoes and rotten eggs at us to get us off stage. (Younger brother) We also hope that one day, we will stand on the stage as the main act. (Younger brother) But then... Never mind. Now that our disguise as a racer is exposed, we can only return to the dark corner where we belong. | |
| In my opinion, you are the best racer. Although that isn't of much help to you. However... I believe that one day, you three will shine. | |
| (Younger brother) Thank you. | |
| We have "best supporting act" as the buzzword for today. However, this may involve the racer's privacy, so we should tread carefully. |
Balloon Tour[]
| Our chat with the chairlady yesterday ended poorly because of our opposing views on sports. | |
| The Athletic Games are gaining more attention every day, but without the support of the chairlady, we may not be able to gather more useful information. | |
| Sorry! Excuse me! | |
| Chairlady, what brings you here? | |
| Our argument yesterday must have been a negative experience for you. I sincerely apologize. As you can see, it's not easy for me to organize the Athletic Games. I've been so focused on the "fire worship" in the past few days that I messed up a lot of things. I can't deny that it has brought me overwhelming stress. However, there isn't anyone that I can talk to. I had a few good friends back in school, but none of them are with me right now. What I said yesterday may have been too subjective. I hope you won't hold that against me so that you can enjoy the few remaining days here. | |
| Chairlady, my views yesterday were too extreme as well. It's just that we have vastly different views on sports. In my opinion, sports is a really broad term. It means running, jumping, legacy, and continuation. It's a vehicle for many terms, but it definitely appears to be intricate. "Movement" is its true nature. I believe that you have already rehearsed the "fire worship" in your heart thousands of times. Sometimes, when a test is coming up, studying too much may not be helpful. What's more important is one's state of mind! | |
| But... | |
| A hot air balloon race will take place later. Let's go and watch it together! | |
| The chairlady and the volunteer arrive at the venue just as the hot air balloon race athletes prepare to get on the hot air balloons. The chairlady is lost in thought at the distance and catches the attention of a hot air balloon pilot. | |
| Would you... like to try? | |
| I don't think I can. | |
| Don't think! Just go! | |
| With a gentle push from the volunteer, the chairlady jumps up. She grabs the ladder of the hot air balloon and climbs into it clumsily. | |
| Are you ready? Then, let's go! | |
 The hot air balloon ascends steadily, mirroring the gradual calming of her heart. She looks at the people on the ground, getting smaller and smaller. The volunteer and the editor are waving at her. | |
| The tranquil sky, the fresh air... I never know overlooking the city on a hot air balloon ride could be so peaceful, joyful, and mesmerizing. This is a feeling of joy and freedom that I have never experienced from books or rituals. | |
| Hold on tight! We are going higher! | |
| According to the rules, aren't you supposed to hit the bullseye? | |
| Originally, I was hoping to place in the race and win a trophy. Unfortunately, although women are allowed to participate in the hot air balloon race in the Athletic Games, the results will not be recorded. In this case, I don't care about placing and the race anymore! I'd rather soar in the blue sky and immerse in the joy of the sport itself. Getting a trophy and enjoying the honor—that's the joy of victory. Riding the wind and flying high into the sky—that's the joy of sports. | |
| The joy of sports? You are an admirable athlete. Although your results won't be counted, please believe that I will bring you the honor that is rightfully yours. | |
| I fell in love with sports because of the athletes' outstanding performance. As I participate in the hot air balloon competition, I aim to inspire others through my performance and pursue my dreams with freedom. Do you want to give it a go at controlling the hot air balloon? Come and grab onto this robe.[sic] | |
| The hot air balloon is running out of fuel. The hot air balloon pilot maneuvers the hot air balloon to land slowly and steadily. | |
| Chairlady, this is the happiest I've seen you since we met. | |
| Thank you for the recommendation. This trip has offloaded quite a bit of my stress. More importantly, even though it may be a bit shallow, but I am beginning to understand the significance of sports. Those I neglected... those which should have been carefully discussed and carefully formulated. All this time, I've been hoping not to mess up the "fire worship" and practicing hard in order to shoulder my responsibilities. Perhaps I've ruined the entire Athletic Games. I may have missed the only chance, the only one, to showcase exciting competitions to everyone. | |
| Don't think that, chairlady. Look for the athletes all the way over there, then look at yourself. Everyone is enjoying this celebration of sports. If you are truly feeling guilty about this, it's not too late to make amends. It's not over until the finish line is crossed or the ball hits the ground. That's also the spirit of competitions. | |
| I get it now. Thank you for being with me today! I had a great time. | |
| Tomorrow's "fire worship." You can do it! | |
| After the chairlady left, the volunteer and the editor discussed the buzzwords they collected today. | |
| The buzzwords we collected today are "hot air balloon race" and "fire worship preview." Let's head to the venue. | |
Island Tourist[]
| Yo! It's you again. I have to say our discussion last time was of great help to me. It helped me get out of the shadow, and I'm looking at sports differently now. | |||
| I'm honored. Then perhaps you may be willing to share some interesting "sailing stories" with me? | |||
| Sure. Whether it was in the fishing village when I first started, or out at sea with the team later on, we encountered quite a few interesting things during our trips. I still remember when my teammates and I were sailing out into the deep sea and saving someone who had fallen into the water. He had a lasso in his hands and seemed to be a tourist returning for a visit to one of the islands out at sea. "A scam! A scam! The entire is a dangerous scam!" Once he regained consciousness, he began to make a fuss about going to the police. I took him to the closest city, but he was still yammering about "Hyla Resort Island," "Sea Salt Mocktail" and something like that. | |||
| An interesting man who fell into the water? I wonder what happened to him. | |||
| He seemed stressed and delirious. Do you think the things he said really were his experiences, or were they delusions derived from his fear of the deep sea? | |||
| [Experience] | [Delusion] | ||
| I suppose this tourist had a legendary experience worth telling! Hyla Resort Island, huh? If I get the chance, I'd want to row my racing boat out there as a challenge. |
It's true that those who sail regularly are more likely to fall into the darkness of the deep sea. When we get lost at sea, we can develop fears and delusions. Even memories can be altered by the experience. That's because you no longer wish to recall the pain of what actually happened. | ||
| What an interesting story! Thank you for sharing. | |||
| We've collected "island tourist" as the buzzword for today. This seems more of the helmsman's sailing story. Is it suitable for publication? | |||
Secret of the Misty Mountain[]
| Now that we've interviewed so many athletes inside the venue, I wonder if you may have your own interesting stories to share. | |||
| I can share some of my encounters at the newspaper with you. My coworkers at the newspaper had different hobbies, among which an intern was really into paranormal research. | |||
| Paranormal research? | |||
| Yes. In the beginning, he traveled gar to the east to look for the truth about paranormal activities. Misty mountains, mirrors, mysterious scrolls, altar lamps. You know, mysterious things from the East. | |||
| Did he find out the truth about paranormal activities? | |||
| No one knows. A few months later, he returned. But he seemed frightened as if his soul had left him. He left the newspaper, claiming that he was no longer fit to work. You see, before his trip, he had always loved this job and really wanted to become an official employee! What do you think changed him during his trip? | |||
| [What he learned during the trip] | [The truth about the Misty Mountain] | ||
| Perhaps what he learned during the trip gave him a new perspective and he had long been fed up with how things were at the newspaper, so he chose to resign. I suppose that's how traveling gives us a new perspective. |
You think there really are spirits in the Misty Mountain? But I firmly believe that, as an editor, it's more important to reveal the truth to everyone. | ||
| We've collected the buzzword "secret of the Misty Mountains" for today. However, this is just some rumor from the newspaper. We need to think about whether it's suitable for publishing. | |||
Pressure Test[]
 An examination report issued by the resident doctor? I suppose shouldn't snoop on something like this, but since it's placed on the table just like that, I think it's okay to take a look. | |||
| [Take a look] | [Put it down and leave] | ||
| I just can't suppress my curiosity... This report is about the chairlady. It's written on the report that, "Upon examination, Miss Fiona is diagnosed with a serious mental illness." "The illness stems from her past experience and trauma and is expressed through hallucinations, mania, and the recreation of people and events from her past." "The patient is advised to have sufficient rest to prevent relapse due to excessive stress." |
All physical examinations reports of the athletes were collected during the registration. Whose can this one be? | ||
| Due to professional conduct, I'm not going to snoop around. But this is indeed a bit odd. | |||
| I can't believe the chairlady is suffering from a mental illness. I recall the resident doctor being worried about her stress. These long hours are tiring me out. If we're done with today's news, let's head back early. "Examination report" is the buzzword we collected today, but this seems to involve the chairlady's privacy, so perhaps we'll need to think about it. |
|||
"Fire Worship"[]
| The "fire worship" is about to begin. Let's go over there and be the first to report it. | |
| I believe things will go smoothly today. | |
| |
| I just listen to the guidance of our ancestors from the sacred fire, and I watch the fire's returning journey as well as its next stop— The sacred fire will bless us with good weather for generations, and peace will not end until the holy fire is extinguished. I can see... the future... hope. The sacred fire must be sent to the highest holy temple of all before the closing ceremony. And the holy temple is located in the faraway Arey Mountains. | |
Tourist (Female) |
The Arey Mountains? It seems to be some distance away, going through riverbanks, canals, and steep hills. |
Tourist (Male) |
Before the closing ceremony. That is... the day after tomorrow? |
| The tourists begin to whisper, saying how this is a really difficult task. They look at the fragile fire worshipper, who is already having trouble lifting the torch. Transporting it to the top of a distant mountain seemed to have declared the ending— She walks off the stage with her head bowed. Her face has declared the answer—she has decided to give up. | |
| Chairlady... | |
| Just don't. There is simply no way I can do this. However, I also understand my ancestors' wishes. Only someone who truly understand the spirit of sports can pass on the sacred fire. And I got it wrong all along. I put the wrong focus on the Athletic Games. And this is my punishment. | |
| Chairlady, cheer up! Don't forget what I said. If you are truly feeling guilty about this, it's not too late to make amends. It's not over until the finish line is crossed or the ball hits the ground. | |
| But... what can I do right now? | |
| Once can never be too stubborn when playing sports; it is better to work as a team. You have companions and friends. Clearly, the sacred fire must be delivered to the summit. However, the sacred fire never said you must do it alone. | |
| Are you saying... | |
| That's right! There are numerous athletes here. If we can gather their strength, the torch will surely be delivered on time! | |
| But I have been an incompetent organizer of the Athletic Games, imposing unfair rules and a confusing system of play. I ruined their career. Will they be willing to help me? | |
| Chairlady, I will work with you to improve the Athletic Games. So long as you don't give up, I'm willing to try and convince the others. | |
| I thought I understood the spirit of sports. However, when faced with difficulties, I still give up so easily. Maybe this time, I'll try to change myself. Even if I end up failing, I won't have any regrets. I have decided to give it a try. I'll make a plan and start preparing! However, I'll have to count on you to convince the athletes! | |
| Motivation, mobilization, legacy... It seems that the Athletic Games have only just begun! Let's look at the buzzwords we collected today. The terms "fire worship ceremony" and "sacred fire relay" will likely draw a lot of attention. Let's take a look inside the venue. | |
Rowing[]
| We meet again. We've come here today to ask for a favor. Before the closing ceremony, there will be a sacred fire relay whereby the chairlady will take the sacred fire from the city to a summit far away. Given the long journey, she may need your help. | |
| Is she going to cross the river to get to the summit? It seems... boats are necessary. The previous exhibition matches and advertisements all took place at the shallows. Perhaps this time, I'll have a proper rowing trip after all these years. Please let me think about it. This is a lot to me. | |
| I trust that you'll be there. I'll wait for you at the venue. |
Hot Air Balloon[]
| Hello. | |
| What's up? I'm having so much fun competing this time. I'm about to go to the next location. | |
| Hold on. Perhaps you've heard about it. At the closing ceremony, the chairlady is going to take the torch to the summit. | |
| The chairlady... Isn't she? I suppose she gained some new understanding after her hot air balloon trip. | |
| So... Are you willing to help? | |
| I'm sorry but I can't promise you right now. My friends from the hot air balloon club are waiting for me, and I can't guarantee that I'll still be around for the closing ceremony. You know, athletes always long for freedom. Anyway, let me think about it. | |
| I look forward to your answer. The Athletic Games are far from perfect, and perhaps not worth a mention in your lengthy career. However, if you are willing, please give the Athletic Game another chance. Please give the chairlady another chance as well. | |
| Please give me some time. |
Javelin[]
| A sketch lies quietly by the water. A clean pebble is placed on top of it, and the content of the paper has a faint glow from the splashing water. | |
| What's on the paper? | |
| Seems to be a set of sequential drawings. Three girls are riding in a hot air balloon and having fun at sea. A sudden windstorm blows the hot air balloon away, and the girls lose control. And then... the hot air balloon is toppling over and the three girls are falling into the sea. A girl with a backpack and fish-like features emerges from the water. She rescues one of the drowning victims and brings her to shore. | |
| The girl with the fish-like features... Can it be the javelin thrower? | |
| It should be her... When she sees the people rushing over, she quickly dives into the water again. And the girl she saved? She's sent to the hospital and saved in time. In the next few months, she comes to the shore every day and stares blankly into the sea. | |
| And her two friends? | |
| It looks like they have drowned. | |
| Even though the javelin thrower can't speak, it seems like she wants to express something. | |
| This painting is probably an expression of her vivid imagination, but it doesn't seem to be much help in garnering attention for the Athletic Games. | |
| Perhaps we'll collect "silent sketch" as a buzzword for now and interview someone else. |
The Same Dream[]
| The torch relay is tomorrow. May I ask how your preparations are going? Perhaps you have looked into the route for the sacred fire relay? | |
 Yes. The course is approximately 26 miles from the sacred fire altar in the city center. The torch relay route will first pass through the venue and the city streets, about 3 miles long. And this section, out of the entire route, is also the relatively easier section. | |
| This looks like a warmup for a marathon. What comes next? | |
| After the city streets section, the route will reach the shallows. The roads here are muddy and quite difficult to get through. We have no choice but to slow down here. And in order to reach the top of the mountains on the other side of the river, we must tackle the problem of crossing the canal. | |
| It looks like we will need the help of other companions here. I suppose the water sports athletes may help us solve this problem. | |
| The canal and the shallows are approximately 15 miles long. Our overall speed may increase if we can get out hands on boats or other vehicles. Once we cross the river, we'll get to the toughest mountain trails. The trails on the Arey Mountains are not well maintained. One must be cautious when climbing from the base to the top, but this means a lot of time will be spent. However, I won't give up easily. Even if we have less than 24 hours, I'll try my best. Just like the athletes on the field. | |
| Chairlady, I have faith in you. Let me accompany you during the first leg of the relay tomorrow! As for the remaining sections, I will cheer for you and pray for the sacred fire. I trust that the Athletic Games' closing ceremony will have a perfect ending. | |
| Thanks for your encouragement. I must work hard for the relay tomorrow! Whether it's warming up and getting ready, or calling on others, time is precious. | |
| Before that, there's something I'd like you to see. When we were collecting materials, we took a photo of each athlete and asked them to leave a message, or perhaps I should say, their vision or wish for the future. May some of these be of help to you. It will also reinforce your belief that your choices and actions now are correct and meaningful. | |
| Thank you for your efforts for the Athletic Games, and for me. | |
| Sports are meant to be enjoyed, to keep fighting and sweating, to being with. I believe that you have also become one of us in the past few days, haven't you? | |
| You're right. Please let me see the athletes' messages. | |
| The volunteer and the editor take out the notes and photos they prepared. The messages read: | |
| Write down my wish? Hehe, what else will we wish for? To become famous and rich, of course. If there is a chance to get my hands on a motorcycle again, I wish we were no longer salespersons and wouldn't have to pretend to be tall enough to ride one. With a clear conscience, we stand on the racetrack, our motorcycles roaring as we speed and drift. Raising the trophy and basking in the thunderous applause of the crowd. Just think of us a daydreamers. At least for us, we won't live to see such a day. | |
| If it's possible, I hope everyone's sports will get more comprehensive and attentive care. There should be extra guidance and protection for children's sports. Everyone, no matter their hair color or accent, can experience the joy of sports together. As for professional athletes, if they are injured in an accident, they will get help from doctors to overcome their physical and psychological trauma. | |
| I really want to become a rowing champion again. With them. They are the best teammates. It's so precious to have sports friends who will fight with you, isn't it? I hope they will forgive my mistakes. I hope I can forgive myself as well. | |
| My dream? This word itself is so far away from me. When you're rising into the air in a hot air balloon and looking down at the people on the ground, they will gradually become smaller until they are the size of ants. It's only then that you'll realize how small and insignificant each and every one of us is. Time marches on, no matter what. Dreams are like ants trying to shake a tree. They're just to small to make a difference. Having equality and respect are already unreachable dreams for most people in this world. Perhaps having the chance to talk about their dream is sufficient. Finally, if this message reaches someone else, I hope it provides them with encouragement and the strength to persevere. | |
| The javelin thrower didn't say anything. She drew an arc on a piece of paper. The arc reaches the edge of the paper and it seems like it hasn't stopped. It connected the other pages in the report as they rise into the sky along with the hot air balloon. They pick up the javelin as it soars into the air and pierces the sky. Everything around us has become quiet. All we can hear are the sounds of colliding worlds, photos and dreams, strong and forceful. After a while, the chairlady returns to her senses. | |
| Thank you, everyone. I think I know what to do. | |
| It appears that the closing ceremony tomorrow, which marks the end of our efforts, will be the moment to see the results of our hard work. | |
| That's right! Our sweat may not turn into a trophy, but we will definitely be rewarded. In any event, we've tried our best. Let's look at the buzzwords collected today! | |
| "Torch relay route" and "messages from the athletes." Like yesterday, based on my journalistic instinct, these will catch people's attention. Then again, this is the last day to collect materials. Let's walk around the venue once more. | |
| Sure! | |
Water Polo[]
| The water polo athlete is packing things up. Toward the end of the Athletic Games, there are fewer children playing by the water. It looks like he's getting ready to leave. Perhaps we should try to make him stay. | |
| Ah, it's the passionate volunteer. Thanks to you, all the souvenirs have been handed out. The lifesaving equipment sold pretty well as well. And more importantly, no child fell into the water. All in all, this trip is quite perfect. | |
| Is it really perfect? I know that you want to compete again. Back to the moment when you saved the day, caught the ball, and passed it on. | |
| Let's leave the past in the past. In any event, the Athletic Games are ending, so I missed my chance. I can only say I'll give it a go next time. | |
| No, there's one more chance. Before the closing ceremony, the chairlady will carry out a sacred fire relay. And I believe she can really use your help along the way. | |
| What does the sacred fire relay have to do with water polo? | |
| The relay will go through the shallows and the river. With the help of one more person, there's another layer of guarantee. | |
| Hmm... Let me think about it. |
Motorcycle[]
| Are you here for me? | |
| The closing ceremony is about to begin, at which time the chairlady will carry out a sacred fire relay. | |
| I have no interest in that. Have you forgotten that I've been banned from the competition? | |
| Even if that's the case, there is bound to be a lot of news coverage for this sacred fire ceremony. This is perhaps a good chance to get your name out there. Are you willing to help? | |
| Thanks for reminding me, but... The thing is, honor and wealth are nothing but things I say for fun. What we wish to have the most is actually respect. I'm sorry but that chairlady doesn't treat all athletes equally. Since we aren't fit to compete, naturally, we aren't fit to help her. | |
| I understand how you feel. Even if you end up not offering your help, at least... At least come to the closing ceremony. I believe that the chairlady has changed. She will give you a different closing ceremony. | |
| Hehe, maybe we'll be there! If we're in the mood, that is. |
Unknown Report[]
| The resident doctor is busy taking care of the injured. And there's an experiment report on her desk. | |
| Should we take a look? | |
| It looks like the doctor is hiding something. We're doing this for justice! Yes! | |
| Hold on... The resident doctor is back. Put it down! | |
| The volunteer and the editor walk away as if nothing is going on. It doesn't seem the doctor notices their action. And a blank piece of paper falls out from the experiment report. "Strict control of athletes entering the venue was required to ensure that each number label was unique and not duplicated. Athletes who were able to enter the venue refused to return to the venue out of fear. This kind of fear stemmed from a crime they once committed, a hypocritical lie they dared not reveal. In fact, their so-called mistake was a deliberate lie. And their number plate is their punishment. Injured athletes had to be transferred to a specialized medical facility for recovery, while their unique mental state had to be documented. Hypnotherapy was used to send them to the confined island of Hyla for observation. An interesting phenomena emerged: The majority of the subjects chose to immerse themselves in the island's fantasy, which they couldn't get out of. A minority of the subjects tried to escape upon discovering the truth but were drowned in memories. Those who escaped were failed subjects. They would be kept in the venue for repeated experiments." | |
Closing Ceremony[]
| The closing ceremony will be held today, but all eyes are on the "torch relay" taking place before the closing ceremony. | |
| This is the chairlady's mission. But whether or not she succeeds, I have witnessed the change in her. And such change has "lit up" the people around her, even the entire venue. Anyway, the chairlady has raised the torch. Her pace is steady, and her gaze is firm. Chairlady, how are you feeling right now? | |
| Nervous but excited. I know the sacred fire relay means a lot for my family, as well as the future and peace. However, I've pushed all these thoughts to the back of my head. I'm more worried about whether I can complete the whole distance, live up to your expectations, or live up to my own expectations. It's getting a little cloudy. Let's talk later. Time is running out! | |
| |
| The chairlady sets off with the torch raised after a simple warmup. The volunteer runs behind her and cheers her on. This remind her of the time she spent at the sports club—sports really make people happy. | |
| Remember to adjust your breathing, chairlady. Don't rush. | |
| *Panting* | |
| With the volunteer's encouragement, the chairlady runs through the track field at a steady pace. | |
| Ahh—my leg— | |
| You're hurt! It seems like you've sprained your ankle. Perhaps you shouldn't continue to run. | |
| Chairlady, it's best to end the torch relay. | |
| No. This is my last chance... I can still run. It's not over until the finish line is crossed or the ball hits the ground! | |
Ending 1: Coronation[]
Condition: Reach "HIGH" Popularity and complete 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 5-1, 5-2, 6-1, and 6-2.
| The two of them go through the venue where races are ongoing and streets with crowds of people. Everyone's focus is on the two of them. | |
Tourist (Female) |
Chairlady, you can do it! Pass on the sacred fire! |
Tourist (Male) |
The chairlady is panting, but this is just the beginning. The rest of the route isn't easy! |
| Chairlady, let me know if you need my help! | |
| In the face of the crowd's skepticism and encouragement, the chairlady and the volunteer don't seem to falter. They continue to the beat of a drum and a determined gaze. The flames in her hands dance rhythmically. The fire's light reflects on the chairlady's face, such that even the beads of sweat on her temples appear crystal clear. The two of them continue to run and reach the shallows. At this time, a drizzling rain begins to fall from the sky. | |
| Chairlady, you made it. | |
| You... I mean, you guys are the athletes who were banned from competition? I'm really sorry for not fulfilling your dream. Chairlady, please say no more. We've been waiting for quite a while here to get you through the shallows. These muddy roads are quite touch to navigate. It will take a lot of effort to walk through them. The city streets are too crowded and not ideal for traveling on motorcycles. However, the shallows are a different story. Everyone can always find a place to shine. Do you agree? | |
| The chairlady is in a daze as the rain drizzles, not knowing how to respond. | |
| What are you waiting for? Don't worry, you don't have to feel guilty. The three of us never owe anyone anything, and we never offer to help anyone for no reason. Look, we're hoping to make a name for ourselves with the help of this sacred fire relay! We also hope that our appearance will be recorded in the photos forever. | |
| Thank you. | |
| Sit tight? Here we go! | |
| |
| Before the last word is said, the triplets' motorcycle has already flown out of sight, leaving splashes of water. Accompanied by the falling rain, the splashes form ripples in the puddles. | |
| There's a sharp turn ahead. Hold on tight, chairlady! | |
| What did you just say? Ahh— | |
| The motorcycle dashes through a succession of sharp bends at lightning speed. They have passed through the muddy roads in just a matter of minutes. | |
| That was so refreshing!!! Haha, chairlady, are you okay? You see, the fire in your hand didn't go out, hehe. | |
| I'm feeling great! This has to be the most exciting and the most thrilling few minutes I have ever experienced. Perhaps in the last minutes of my life, as I go through the memories in my mind and write my epitaph, this experience will be one of the many "candidates!" | |
| Haha, I knew it. We are the most brilliant motorcyclists in the world! | |
| Eh, but this river up ahead. | |
| Don't worry. Look over there. Someone's waiting for you. He'll always show up when there's a chance to show off. Look at this weather. Heavy rain is coming. Please be extra careful in the next section. It's our cue to leave. After all, we're liars who have been banned from the competition, hehe! Go on— | |
| The triplets continue to ridicule themselves as they get on their motorcycle. Humming a tune, they ride off without turning back. | |
| The rain is getting heavier. I must get the torch back to the summit quickly. | |
| Ahem. What a coincidence. Are you trying to cross the river? | |
| I must deliver the sacred fire to the other side of the river. But... in this horrible weather, there doesn't seem to be any boat available. | |
| Can you row a boat? I can lend my race boat to you. | |
| I'm really sorry but I have no natural talent in sports. I also don't know much about rowing. If it's okay, can you take me to the other side of the river? I've heard about your past, and I'm really sorry. However... | |
| You need transport for the sacred fire? Perhaps you need a reliable helmsman. It's not easy to row a boat properly on such a rainy day. Let me help you with that. Miss, please get on now. Before I change my mind. | |
| The chairlady jumps onto the racing boat, causing it to sway. Before she settles down, the helmsman begins to swing his paddle. It is as if, with divine help, under the command of the paddle, the previously disobedient racing boat is swimming straight ahead. Even the initial bumps are gradually reducing. | |
| You really are a genius helmsman and a wonderful athlete. About your past... | |
| The weather was the same on that day. Heavy rain was falling, and the water surface was pitch black. In the end, I was the only one left in the dark. I couldn't get over the trauma for a long time. It's time to move one. Chairlady, protect the sacred fire in your hands. We can't let the light go out this time. | |
| With the helmsman's help, the racing boat moves on alone in the darkness but remains steadfast in its course. There are occasional bumps along the way, and the chairlady shields the torch with her sleeve. Although the flame is occasionally caught in the rain and nearly extinguished, the remaining flames seems to be extraordinarily tenacious. It puffs up its chest and fights the rainstorm as if it were fighting some invisible, immense pressure. The racing boat steadily sails to the shore, by this time, even the rain has stopped. The sun shines on the gradually calming surface, creating a shimmering river. | |
| |
| Chairlady, I've taken you to the other side of the river. You'll have to figure a way out for the rest of the route. Just like you, the sun has traveled a similar journey today. It only gets more difficult from here, but please complete the sacred fire relay. Go on— | |
| I'll try my best for you all, and for myself. | |
| Also... thank you. | |
| The sunlight stays in the moment, framing the shadows of the two right there. After a few seconds, the shadows go in opposite directions. Then again, their goals are, in essence, the same. | |
| We meet again. | |
| I learned a lot last time. I experienced freedom, joy, and change. | |
| The sun has just come out after the rain. It looks like the sun won't be setting for a while. Do you want to take control of the hot air balloon this time? | |
| I've never done something like this before, but I'm willing to try. If it's okay with you, please offer me some guidance. | |
| The hot air balloon pilot gently places her hands on the chairlady's hands, guiding her to light the fire and pull the ropes. The hot air balloon sways stubbornly and gradually rises before coming down all of a sudden. | |
| You can do it! For our dream, our future! | |
| Their four hands pull down the ropes forcefully. Their strength is transferred between the ropes, forming a strong bond, and the hot air balloon finally rises. It breaks through the resistance and obstacles, and bravely soars high into the air. It traveled a small distance from the river, and now it still needs to conquer the city and the mountains. Suddenly, there is a strong gust of wind from the water. Perhaps due to her sprain, the chairlady lost her balance, and the torch fell from her hand! | |
| Ahh! No— | |
| The torch has fallen into the water, and the sacred fire has gone out. But at least I've worked hard, and so I have no regrets. | |
| No, look below! | |
| The torch is raised up high from the water. The retired water polo athlete caught on to the fallen hope with precision. | |
| The water is really deep over here. I'll throw it up to you. Go on— | |
Narrator |
The javelin thrower floats out of the water. She aims and lets go. |
| The torch forms a perfect arc. Along with the throw are the focus from everyone, and the last bit of hope. The torch steadily flies toward the hot air balloon. The chairlady reaches out and catches the torch; this time, she will never let go. The hot air balloon rises once again, without hesitation, without pause. It soars toward the summit. | |
| |
| As the sun sets, the sunlight shines on the two of them as if they are going toward the light, toward the sun. | |
 Do you know why I like the hot air balloon? When I was young, I found a sparkling hot air balloon wind chime among the things my mother left behind after she died. When the wind blew on the wind chime, the hot air balloon's singing described the free wind and clear sky to me. This is the only place where I can forget about everything. The hot air balloon experience reminds me of certain memories. Free but despondent, clear but chaotic. We've arrived at the summit. The rest of the route is up to you. Go on— | |
| |
| The chairlady takes the torch. In just a day, the torch passed through the hands of each athlete. This passing of the torch has been the culmination of everyone's efforts. She looks toward the foot of the hill, toward hope, and raises the torch toward the center of the altar. The flame crackles as it gradually expands and spreads, igniting the entire altar. | |
| The sacred fire relay is over. I seem even more at peace at this moment. After a day of exercise, I don't feel tired; I am actually rather relaxed. Going forward, however, there are more important things waiting for me. | |
| |
| In the past, I had some misconceptions about sports and the Athletic Games. I apologize for no offering you all a brilliant and fair sports event. However, I must thank you for your tolerance, encouragement, and support. Even though there won't be trophies, each athlete deserves a coronation! | |
| |
| As numerous hot air balloons rise into the air, hundreds of garlands fall from the sky. The athletes catch the garlands as they enjoy their moment of glory. Garlands are given to the motorcyclist, the rower, the water polo athlete, the hot air balloon pilot, and the javelin thrower. And everything is captured on camera to go down in history forever. This is perhaps the most successful Athletic Games in history. | |
| However, the people I wish to thank the most are my two friends who stayed by my side throughout all of this—my dear editor and volunteer. They accompanied me and witnessed my transformation and growth. They even completed the first section of the torch relay with me. | |
| Chairlady, what are you talking about? You did it all by yourself from start to finish. | |
| |
| What did you just say? | |
| You were under too much stress in the last few days and kept mumbling to yourself. I reminded you to take sufficient rest. | |
| "What is the best, and so is gold. Shining brightly in the night, it's better than all the treasures of the world. However, my dear soul, If you want to sing the praises of a real competition, Looking up at the lonely sky all day long, Trying to find a star more brilliant than the sun. Nothing trumps time, The brilliance and splendor on the Olympic field." | |
Ending 2: Parallel Universe[]
Condition: Reach "HIGH" Popularity.
| The two of them go through the venue where races are ongoing and streets with crowds of people. Everyone's focus is on the two of them. | |
Tourist (Female) |
Chairlady, you can do it! Pass on the sacred fire! |
Tourist (Male) |
The chairlady is panting, but this is just the beginning. The rest of the route isn't easy! |
| Chairlady, let me know if you need my help! | |
| In the face of the crowd's skepticism and encouragement, the chairlady and the volunteer don't seem to falter. They continue to the beat of a drum and a determined gaze. The flames in her hands dance rhythmically. The fire's light reflects on the chairlady's face, such that even the beads of sweat on her temples appear crystal clear. The two of them continue to run and reach the shallows. At this time, a drizzling rain begins to fall from the sky. | |
| This is as far as we can accompany her! | |
| Yes, all we can do is wait. I'm looking forward to seeing the moment when the sacred fire is ignited at the summit. | |
| Time passes on. The summit is still in darkness when the daylight is weakened and the moonlight fills the city. A slightly limping figure in the distance still holds on to a lit torch. She seems a little disappointed. | |
Tourist (Female) |
It turns out such a long journey really is too tough for the chairlady. |
Tourist (Male) |
Let's get out of here... |
| The crowds disperse in disappointment, leaving the editor and the volunteer behind. | |
| The shallows, the river, the high mountains... I really couldn't do it all by myself. It's a shame that I didn't manage to get their help. However, at least I tried, and I suppose I don't have any regrets. | |
| The chairlady leaves dejectedly. | |
| Anyway, I still have to thank you. Whatever the outcome, I'll send the materials back to the newspaper. I'll make sure to get you the soda I promised. | |
| Even though the sacred fire relay failed, our reporting brought sufficient attention to the Athletic Games. I trust that you will get what you want. | |
| The volunteer says and waves goodbye. In just a few seconds, she disappeared in the rain. The editor returns to the newspaper office and finds that her seat has already been taken over— The paranormal researcher has returned. As for the reason given? Naturally, it's because the other person's reporting was more brilliant. And there is only one official employee vacancy. Well, at least I worked hard. The editor picks up the newspaper as the headline catches her attention. | |
| The newspapers seem to have post-Athletic Games news. Some of the retired athletes have been diagnosed with varying degrees of mental illnesses? The rower... the motorcyclist triplets... the water polo athlete... The referee seems to have been moved by the torch relay and publicly apologized for his past actions. | |
| The editor returns to the venue once again. The races are over, and the venue is turned into a stadium that houses exhibitions for tourists. She runs into a tourist she met the other day. | |
| You haven't left? | |
| I was going to spend a few days here, but look, I won a big prize—a ticket to spend seven days at the Hyla Resort Island! | |
Ending 3: Inherent Bias[]
Condition: Reach "MID" or "LOW" Popularity.
| The two of them go through the venue where the final race is ongoing and the empty streets. Yes, even though this is the last day, the Athletic Games haven't garnered much attention. The sacred fire ceremony and the closing ceremony seem to be laughing matters which no one is interested in, or perhaps a few people playing pretend— As for the outcome of the sacred fire ceremony? There is no way to find out. That's because the editor has turned off her camera and put away her notebook— | |
| There is no need to keep taking notes for the Athletic Games when it's so deserted. Whatever the outcome, I'll send the materials back to the newspaper. I'll make sure to get you the soda I promised. | |
| That's okay. The Athletic Games failed once again. Perhaps we won't get the chance to meet again. | |
| The volunteer says and waves goodbye. In just a few seconds, she disappeared in the rain. The editor returns to the newspaper. As expected, she hasn't received the notice to become an official employee. However, the reason given isn't that the reporting wasn't well received, but that she is suffering from severe mental illnesses: Paranoia, schizophrenia, talking to herself for long periods of time— It's also because of her gender and the well-established inherent bias. | |
| I don't believe in my mental illness, just as I don't believe in the diagnosis. That's because the diagnosis came from the resident doctor at the venue. I know full well that the athletes who were injured that day were all taken to a secret treatment room. Because ever since they got injured, those numbers they once wore have disappeared from the venue for good. | |
| The editor picks up the newspapers as the headline attracts her attention. | |
| The newspapers seem to have post-Athletics Games news. Some of the retired athletes have been diagnosed with varying degrees of mental illnesses? The rower... the motorcyclist triplets... the water polo athlete... And some of the injured athletes who participated in the competitions also seem to have gone missing one after another... | |
Water Polo[]
| Kid over there. Put the duck down! This is the end of today's explanation and drill. Don't forget to join the drill every day. You'll get an Athletic Games souvenir! | |
| The children scattered immediately. Most of the souvenir ducks on the table have been snatched. The lively water polo area quiets down in an instant. | |
| The matches in the water polo area are quite different from what I imagined. Perhaps this is some kind of children's entertainment area. | |
| Children, be quiet, class is about to begin! Lat's talk about the origin and evolution of water polo today. In the beginning, water polo was a sport where athletes sat in the water inside apple barrels with a wooden horse head and hit a ball with long paddles. As time went on, the event became one where a ball was thrown around in water. Hey! That kid over there, don't get into the water just yet! | |
| Ahem... We'll talk about the first formal water polo match today. It was a competition founded by a rowing club. According to the rules back then... team members were allowed to walk along the bottom of the pool. Just like that... Splash— | |
| Children, let's talk about the goal in water polo today. The first water polo match with goals took place in 1879. As for now, there is a goal on each side during a competition. The goals are 90cm tall and 3m wide. Don't think that the goal is wide enough. It's not easy to get the ball through! That's because of the goalkeeper! | |
| I trust that you all have some basic understanding of water polo now. Let's talk about the composition of a water polo team today. During a water polo match, each team has seven players in the game, including a goalkeeper, and can have up to six substitutes on the sideline. Therefore, if you don't feel well or are injured during a match, please ask for a timeout and a substitute. Don't force yourself to keep on playing! | |
| Today, let's talk about the rules of water polo. Apart from the goalkeeper, no one else can touch the ball with both hands! A point will be granted during a match when the entire ball goes through the goal line. Once a point is given, team members from both sides will return to their side. A member of the team who has lost the point will throw the ball. Lastly, remember that the advancing team can only possess the ball for 30 seconds. Also, flagrant fouls may lead to disqualification! | |
| What? You want to hear about my water polo experiences? I'm the goalkeeper of my water polo team, of course! Back then, I was known as the "golden guard," as no ball could get into the goal with me on guard! There really was no one. | |