Part 85: Corruption

[BGM: Hear No Evil]


With that, Dragon and I were left in an empty classroom.

What a shit situation for him.

Yeah. I don't see this ending well.

True. Well, better him than me, I suppose. Let's get back to looking for the Minor Trinkets.

Is that the right move?

What are you talking about?

I mean, we want to make sure the most people live through this, right? It seems to me like this poisoner is a big deal, don't you think? Shouldn't we try and find out who it is ourselves?

Eh, Ox said he had it.



He can say that, but who knows if he actually does? Sure, if he had enough time he'd probably be able to figure it out, but he's on a real time crunch. Our help might be able to provide some insight he won't be able to find in time!

This seems like a pain.

But I guess it beats searching through empty classrooms, huh?

Alright, why the hell not? Let's play detective. I was always good at sniffing out rats in my crew. This shouldn't be too different.

Sniffing out rats?

You know, snitches, cowards, the like. Can't have them around, you know? Makes us look weak. Maintaining control's all about having every link of the chain be strong.

If I might ask, how did you figure out who the rats were?

Oh, I didn't do anything special. Bit of intimidation. Bit of violence. Really, whatever worked.



Yeah, I think we might need a different strategy here.

Really?

We might get pushback from the group if we get that, er, extreme.

Fine. Whatever. You can lead our investigation. You're a lawyer or whatever.

Law student.

Same diff. You're smart, so you can be the lead. I'll just be your backup.

You know? I like the sound of that. Mouse and Dragon – the Dynamic Duo! Partners in seeking justice!

And that's enough of that.

...Okay.

So, how do we start this 'investigation'?

Umm...



So the setup for this route (and how you get your different endings) is a lot more overt this time around, so I'll just lay the cards out on the table – it's connected exclusively to how well Mouse and Dragon's investigation goes.

I'll get into the proper breakdown in this route's bonus update, but to summarize you basically have to hit different flag points across different sections of the investigation in order to get the best outcome/ending. Similar to Tiger's route, I'll be making all the right choices in this initial go through, and then in the bonus update I'll show the other outcomes you could get based on what flag points you do or don't hit. Since we're this far into the game, you should probably already have a pretty solid idea of who to investigate (and who to not bother with), but we'll be starting with...

How about we try and talk to Tiger? She might have something useful to say.

Might being the word to focus on. But sure, I don't got a better idea, so why not?

We're in agreement then.

With a target in mind, we left to talk to Tiger. After a bit, we ran into her on the second floor. She was searching a classroom all by herself.

[BGM: Queen of the Jungle]


Mouse! Dragon! Great to see you two! How's the Trinket search going?

It, uh, it could be going better.

I'm sure it will be. By the way, not that I mind the visit, but is there a reason you two are here?

Hold on a second. Tiger, where's Snake and Rooster?

Those two? They're searching the classroom next door.

You're not all staying as a group?

We're mostly staying as a group. But everyone needs a bit of space, you know? I don't think we need three people to all be searching the same room.

But there's a reason that–

...You know what, never mind.



Uh, getting back to what I came here to say, I have to ask you something Tiger. Do you know anything about 'Kavka's Toxin'?

Kavka's Toxin?

Tiger's face was blank with confusion. A single phrase, and I could tell she didn't know what we were talking about. Figures. Well, even if that was a dead end, there were actually two avenues to try and explore.

You know what? Bad question, forget I asked it.

Okie dokie, forgotten.

What I really wantred to ask you is if you know anything about corruption.

Corruption?



We have reason to believe there was some, er, foul play involved somewhere in the case with Brian's dad. Do you know anything about that?

Foul play? Uh, no, I don't know much about that. Are you talking about in the events before Brian's dad became a murderer? Or about how the trial was handled?

Either? Both? We're not really sure.

That's pretty vague, Mouse.

I know, I'm sorry.

I was pretty uninvolved in all of that stuff.



If I had to say anything, I guess I'd tell you to look at the Chief Prosecutor.

I actually had, er, a bit of legal trouble in the past. I met with the Chief Prosecutor, and let me tell you, that lady was ferocious.

The Chief Prosecutor pretty much has complete authority over all criminal trial matters, prosecution side. I would think if there was foul play, it would have something to do with that.

Oh, but you're a law student, aren't you Mouse? So I guess this is pretty much all old news to you.

It's still nice to hear.

You were in trouble with the law? Seriously?

I know! Crazy story. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.



Good thing one of my friends was good friends with the Chief of Police. That really smoothed things out.

Chief of Police? What does that have to do with anything?

You don't know? The Chief Prosecutor and Chief of Police are incredibly close. It's beyond a working relationship, I think they're close friends or something.

Anything the Chief of Police wants, the Chief Prosecutor can handle, and vice-versa.

That... sounds like corruption.

Of course it's corruption. Fuckin' pigs.

I think it's nice to be loyal to your friends.



Anyways, I know this was all probably useless, but that's the best I can say.

I actually think that was pretty helpful, Tiger. Thanks for talking.

No problem! If you don't mind me asking,why are you trying to figure this out?

Let's just say there's... a pretty immediate need to sort this stuff out. Until we can clear some stuff up, our Minor Trinket hunt has gotta be put on ice.

On ice? Th-there's ice involved?

It's an expression, moron.

Oh, right.

God, you are all muscles-for-brains, huh? Whatever. Come on Mouse, we're done here.

Thanks for the info, Tiger. Good luck on your search for Minor Trinkets.

Good luck with searching for whatever you're searching for!

[BGM: Silence]


And like that, Dragon and I returned to the classroom we came from to debrief.

What a waste of time.

I don't think so.

What, did Tiger's talk 'bout the Chief Prosecutor really open your eyes?

It might have. At any rate, I didn't know about the connection between her and the Chief of Police. That could be relevant.

Maybe. Man, who would've thought Tiger had legal troubles in the past?

It is surprising. Wonder what that's about?

Who knows? Crazy.

Dragon rolled her neck. She took out a lighter with a Red Dragon emblem on it and began spinning it around in her fingers.

God. If ever there was a time for a smoke, it'd be now.

[BGM: Mourning Crow]


Wish I had some cigarettes on me.

You know those are horrible for your health, right?

Oh really? I think you're the first person to tell me that.

...Sorry.

There are already enough occupational hazards to my health. I don't think the risks of smoking really tip the scale too much.

She lit the lighter and stared at the flame for a bit.

That's a nice lighter.



It was my boyfriend's.

You have a boyfriend?

I had one.

Oh. Did you break up with him?

Dragon shut the lighter and put it in her pocket.

He's, uh, he's not with us anymore.

Oh. Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to–

It's fine. I'm over it. But you know, I still get these thoughts.



If I hadn't let those damn Scorpions get so uppity...

Scorpions?

You know, Mouse, all of life is a struggle over control. Who has what amount of it.

If you're not controlling other people, you're being controlled. And if you don't actively try and gain control, it's your fault when you're powerless later in life.

Life's a fight that never stops. Let up in a fight for a second, and your opponent can gain ground.

In that spirit, the more time we stand here talking about jack all, the more time the poisoner gets to make their next move. Come on, let's get back to investigating.

Oh, uh, sure thing. As for who to investigate next....

[BGM: Silence]


While you'd probably assume Bunny is the next option considering, well, he's a cop, there's actually someone we know who's good friends with the Chief of Police- and Mouse knows it too, since she searched with him earlier and heard him talk about it...



Let's go try and talk to Dog.

That dude? Are you sure that's a good idea? I don't know if that guy's even paying attention half the time, and his life's on the line just like ours.

You really think he'd be a good resource for info?

I think a big clue is going to come from the Jade Emperor's seemingly mocking speech. We need to investigate who this 'tool of corruption' is. Dog's an ex-cop, and he's friends with the Chief of Police. That makes him a good lead.

Really?

I knew there was a reason I didn't like him.

Look, let's just find him.

We began to look for where Dog was searching. Eventually, we stumbled across him on the third floor.