Business is Tough
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Brief
Erikssohn Trading House has news again. Read their message for more information.
Unlock
Rewards
Operational EXP ×300 Operational EXP ★★★★★ Raises the Endministrator's Authority Level. 
Oroberyl ×75 Oroberyl ★★★★★★ An artificial material often used for recruiting operators. 
Intermediate Combat Record ×16 Intermediate Combat Record ★★ A material that provides decent EXP for leveling up Lv.1-60 operators. Overview › 
Arms INSP Kit ×12 Arms INSP Kit ★★★ A material that gives decent weapon EXP. Overview › 
Protoprism ×9 Protoprism ★★★ A material that upgrades operator skills. Overview › 
T-Creds ×5,150 T-Creds ★★★★ TC for short. This currency is recognized and used in many places. Steps
1 Meet with the new agent View on map
Dialogue
F
Flamboyantly Dressed Man (Aleksandr)
Greetings. You must be the Esteemed Endministrator of Endfield Industries. Pleased to meet you.
F
Flamboyantly Dressed Man (Aleksandr)
Someone else? No, Esteemed Endmin. I've been managing this contract since the very beginning.
F
Flamboyantly Dressed Man (Aleksandr)
My name is Aleksandr and I work at the business and sales department of Erikssohn Trading House. This is my business card.
A
Aleksandr
Esteemed Endmin, seeing your regal bearing and aura of leadership, I'm sure our deal will be successfully concluded today!
F
Flamboyantly Dressed Man (Aleksandr)
You don't look very enthusiastic. Please understand that this is a major contract — Is there anything you're concerned with?
A
Aleksandr
Hartmann? I ... don't think I've heard about him before.
A
Aleksandr
Wha? That actually happened?!
A
Aleksandr
My Esteemed Endmin, fortunately you have observant eyes. That man is a scammer. Signing his bogus contract would be a mistake that cannot be salvaged!
A
Aleksandr
You must have been too busy to keep yourself updated with the latest news. A notorious scammer recently made his way into Valley IV. He's now disguised as a corporate agent and has swindled plenty of honest businesses.
A
Aleksandr
Think about it, Esteemed Endmin. The Endfield zipline suite has not been formally revealed to the market. Only agents most experienced in the transport business would sniff it out, right?
A
Aleksandr
I'm not painting your product in a bad light... But zipline systems are marked with high initial costs. Everyone is cautious. Initial bids would tend to be more conservative.
A
Aleksandr
Unless, of course, we're talking about ... a corporate spy who knows everyone else's bottom line. His bid would be too good to be true. His only aim is to get your signature on the bogus contract.
A
Aleksandr
Anything like a verification key is a total fake. He might even create a shell company just to win your trust. And once you deliver the goods, he disappears with all your money and leaves you with nothing. You're lucky this hasn't happened to you.
P
Poorly Dressed Man (Hans)
Wait. Did you run into the scammer as well?
P
Poorly Dressed Man (Hans)
Ugh! I've heard plenty of stories about that scammer! People got scammed out of their goods and orders...
P
Poorly Dressed Man (Hans)
What's happening to our world? Business is tough enough already ... and now a fraud has decided to join the show! People are gonna hold onto their money. It'd be damn near impossible to make a proper deal...
A
Aleksandr
Well met, good sir. I take it that you're in business and sales as well?
P
Poorly Dressed Man (Hans)
Heh. Just passing by, you know, just passing by... Heard you talking about the fraud so I had to give my two cents. Don't take my word for it, though.
P
Poorly Dressed Man (Hans)
So, my friend and ... my fellow negotiator. I'm Hans, and I'm trying to get some deals going as well. Seems fate has brought us all together. Here's my card. And here's one for you, too.
H
Hans
I represent a small business, and I really hope we don't have to deal with these scammers.
A
Aleksandr
You see, Esteemed Endmin. I'm not the only one worried about scammers.
A
Aleksandr
Now that we have a contract, I suppose we can have it formally signed at your office.
F
Flamboyantly Dressed Man (Aleksandr)
My name is Aleksandr and I work at the business and sales department of Erikssohn Trading House. This is my business card.
Radio
Perlica
Come here, Endmin. We should discuss.
3 Create files for Agent Aleksandr and Agent Hans View on map
Story update
The new agent Aleksandr called Hartmann a fraud. You must find out the truth behind this incident to prevent frauds from getting into this deal.
Dialogue
H
Hartmann
Endmin!!
H
Hartmann
I made it in time. DON'T SIGN THAT CONTRACT, ENDMIN!
H
Hartmann
Don't trust this guy, Endmin! He's no employee of Erikssohn!
H
Hartmann
Well, well, Aleksandr. Top sales executive of a big company. Never expected you to steal my identity! How despicable!
H
Hartmann
Wait, what...?! He called me a scammer?!
A
Aleksandr
Are you making fun of our Esteemed Endmin? I don't know you at all. You must be the scammer who crawled out from nowhere.
H
Hartmann
WHAT?! How dare you call me a scammer!
H
Hartmann
I'll show you... Look, Endmin! My leg still carries the wound from yesterday! A criminal cheat wouldn't let his leg get cut up like this, right?
A
Aleksandr
Maybe you and your cronies did it for sympathy points.
H
Hartmann
Why you ... I ... I'm gonna...
H
Hartmann
Endmin! I have my company's handyterm right here. I'll show you our list of employees. Nobody in Erikssohn is called Aleksandr.
A
Aleksandr
Do you have any proof that I'm an identity thief?
A
Aleksandr
We are civilized people, after all.
4 Accuse Aleksandr View on map
Dialogue
A
Aleksandr
Ugh. Fine. If things have come to this, playing this game no longer serves any purpose.
A
Aleksandr
I'll just be honest with you, Endministrator. I did use a few business tricks to secure a meeting with you...
A
Aleksandr
But this is part and parcel for anyone who wants to make the killer deal. Business can be cruel and merciless. Don't let this get to your head, Hartmann.
A
Aleksandr
I'm treating you like family now, Endmin! Calling you our Esteemed Endministrator creates distance between us! Of course, I will maintain formalities if that is your wish!
A
Aleksandr
I didn't plan to keep you in the dark, Esteemed Endmin. If things went my way, we would already be seated in your office going over the details of the deal — But Hartmann's sudden appearance interrupted my efforts.
H
Hartmann
My sudden appearance?! You're the criminal here, Aleksandr!
A
Aleksandr
I might look like the bad guy now, Endministrator, but this isn't as simple as it looks. Perhaps you haven't heard about the situation at Erikssohn Trading House?
A
Aleksandr
Endmin, I'm actually an agent representing Clavis TGCC Trading.
A
Aleksandr
Very observant, Endmin!
H
Hartmann
But that's no reason for you to dress up as an Erikssohn agent! Endmin, don't trust this Aleksandr! Tons of folk in the TGCC call him the Viper... And Clavis isn't as good as he describes.
A
Aleksandr
Well, I must confess that I was desperate. I know the bid from Clavis won't get us into the final round, but I refuse to give up... Rest assured this is my personal doing and has nothing to do with my company.
A
Aleksandr
Consider it my mistake for failing to secure more resources for this deal... But I see true potential in this product! That said, you should realize that it's quite revolutionary, and our market may not be ready to embrace it.
A
Aleksandr
I've assured my higher-ups that this product will sell. But you know how slowly large companies move — they took too long to decide and missed the window to offer a better bid...
A
Aleksandr
This is why I decided to approach you under a separate identity. The aim is to get me a chance to approach you about this new opportunity. I'm definitely not a scammer.
H
Hartmann
Well... Endmin...! Don't let this man mislead you! Erikssohn is small, but your product will be the star of our next season's catalog! Our finances are healthy enough to achieve the expected sales!
A
Aleksandr
Really? I heard Erikssohn shut down several offices just last week.
A
Aleksandr
And for your information, Endmin, Clavis has taken over the offices they closed.
H
Hartmann
Endmin, buying out the competition is Clavis's strategy! They even included it in their annual general meetings! I'm guessing Clavis is buying your zipline sales plan just to pave the way for their lousy counterfeit!
H
Hartmann
My company is completely committed to your zipline suite... It is Erikssohn's golden opportunity to open up a new market!
A
Aleksandr
Every large company does that. Media coverage is designed to generate sensation and influence stock prices. These are just standard fluctuations. It's nothing to worry about.
H
Hartmann
Standard fluctuations? What about your recent massive layoffs? Are those standard too?
A
Aleksandr
Well... Change brings about life. No one survives by sticking to the same old ways. This only proves that Clavis is a dynamic company!
A
Aleksandr
Clavis is a name you can trust. In any case, we're far better than some financially distressed small-timer trying to cut off loose ends everywhere!
H
Hartmann
Why you... We're not financially distressed! We're just changing our corporate focus! A directional adjustment! That's all!
A
Aleksandr
Well said. On behalf of Clavis TGCC Trading, I shall provide you with a new contract.
A
Aleksandr
Clavis is far superior in terms of size, professionalism, and market share. We are way better than Erikssohn, a small-timer known for defaulting on their final payments. A contract with Clavis is definitely something you can trust!
6 Talk to the agents to learn more about the situation View on map 1 View on map 2 View on map 3
Dialogue
H
Hartmann
Damn my luck... This isn't a major deal. Why is Aleksandr the Viper so interested in it...?
H
Hartmann
My wife just told me yesterday to read the horoscopes. The signs said today would be a day of "incredible success". I really thought everything would work out...
H
Hartmann
It's true, Endministrator... We do have some ... operational issues. This is why we're looking for new opportunities.
H
Hartmann
I never intended to hide it from you, I swear! I just don't want anything to ... significantly affect your judgment...
7 Discuss a solution with Perlica View on map
Dialogue
A
Aleksandr
I've said everything I needed to say. I'm sure someone of your legendary acumen has carefully weighed every choice, and identified the option that benefits both parties. I have faith in your decision!
A
Aleksandr
Clavis is one of the most reputable leaders in the transport and logistics sector of Talos-II. We have proven ourselves with thirty years of success and integrity!
8 Update the agents' files View on map
Story update
Multiple companies are competing for a small Endfield contract. You lack the intel to make up your mind. Update the agents' files and see how the negotiations unfold.
Dialogue
H
Hans
Got my own two cents, Endmin. Erikssohn is a rickety shack, but Clavis isn't any better!
A
Aleksandr
Wait. Why are you cutting in like that?
H
Hans
Think about it, Endministrator. A deal with a small company is like making a bet. But a deal with a giant is a swim in deep waters. Maybe Clavis is just baiting you into a bigger scheme.
H
Hans
Ahem. That's just my personal take on this. But should you restart the bidding process, do give me a call! I represent Mendez Manufacturing. We also took part in the last bidding, remember? It's always better to have more options, right?
9 Search for more clues No map marker available
Dialogue
A
Aleksandr
What's this...? Oh. Thank you. This is the document holder for the contract. I didn't expect it to show up here...
A
Aleksandr
I was rushing to sign a contract with your company and ran into a ... minor hiccup along the way. So, I dealt with the less essential items on my own.
10 Question Aleksandr about the document holder View on map
Dialogue
Perlica
What do you think, Endmin?
Perlica
Alright... We'll update the files today and discuss this tomorrow. I'll tell the agents of our potential partners to come back then.