Lichen

Her weapon is the Pellucid Bell, which can set Mania "on fire," dispelling the target's disguise or any distortion caused by special power, thereby reaching the target's core to strike them or relieve them from agony. She can also summon physical, blood-red flames that effectively suppress Mania.

She appeared on the day of the full Illusory Moon, causing a dark, widespread anomaly in DisSea, as well as the unusual manifestation of the old Maria City. Subsequent investigation confirmed a strong correlation between the subject and the disturbances in that area. She was personally detained by the MBCC's Chief. Her body has been assessed to be exhibiting severe contamination, and her mental state is no different than that of a Corruptor.

Severely corrupted, with contaminants and crystals enveloping her entire body. She has lost all normal human cognition.

The subject used to be a scientist of the Eastian school in the Black Ring Expedition, researching the countereffects of the human psyche on Mania. The subject is known to hail from Eastia. She was inducted into the Tianyi Sect from a young age to study the Daoist arts. She later received standard education in mainstream schools, progressing into higher education and graduating successfully.

Currently detained by the MBCC. No significant abnormalities or harmful incidents have been observed to date. The subject remains within the control of the MBCC.

After being detained during the Illusory Moon operation in DisSea, the subject has been placed in solitary confinement for observation and treatment. Due to the special nature of the Sinner, the MBCC has received the order for Chief to personally conduct dream dives with the subject.

Born Li Xianling in Eastia, the subject displayed strong spiritual sensitivity from a young age and was taken in as a disciple of the Tianyi Sect alongside her uncle, who was close to her in age. During her early studies of the Daoist arts, she demonstrated exceptional comprehension and practical abilities, while her rebellious tendencies and desire for independent exploration were also apparent.

Following the outbreak of the disasters, her master disappeared at an observatory. The Tianyi Sect experienced a resurgence due to rumors of this "Banished Immortal" who had prophesied the disasters. She continued to search for her master's whereabouts by conducting divination and investigations. Upon reaching adulthood, she left the sect of her own accord, traveling throughout Eastia to verify sightings of the Banished Immortal and gather information about the Daoist arts and about the disasters.

Around N.F. 21, many people in Eastia began seeing the Banished Immortal in their dreams, including the subject and her uncle. She exhausted her family fortune and connections to investigate her master's whereabouts and the "gateway to the immortal realm," which turned out to be where the Perishing Star had landed. She then joined the Expedition alongside her uncle.

Lichen. Female. Approximately 170 cm in height in her infected state. Golden runes cover her entire body, with unusual burn marks found on her skin. The upper half of her face is obscured by an unknown substance or energy field, over which huge runic structures are also visible. Flame-like patterns coil around certain parts of her body, rendering her physical form inhuman.

After completing the psychic diving, the subject will remain in confinement for observation. According to the observation log, she often whispers to herself about her obsessions from when she was alive, and frequently converses with her own "shadow."

The runes and flames on her mutated body are not mere byproducts of contamination, but rather a sustaining structure formed by the soul's "suppressive burning" of the flesh. As her soul and body now exist on entirely different spiritual frequencies, any weakening of the soul's burning would cause the physical body to rapidly spiral out of control, posing a significant threat.

Her mental disarray and the contamination from DisSea have made the subject lose her previous social abilities, except for limited interactions with Chief. To prevent the intensification of Mania or contamination leakage, no one other than Chief is permitted contact with the subject. The flames on her body and her mental state must be regularly monitored while she stays in the confinement cell to ensure stable, long-term detention.

[Lichen reads a story about the phoenix's self-immolation and rebirth, and appears lost in thought.]

Lichen: If I burn this body to ashes, could I welcome a new beginning...? I wish to find out for myself...

• Prompt: That's just a legend. There's no scientific basis for it.
• Lichen: Wise words, young friend... The greatest virtue of heaven and earth is the gift of life...
• Lichen: 😐

• Prompt: Wait, you're actually trying it?! Y-You're on fire!
• Lichen: Ah... Nothing happened... The water remains above fire, and this matter remains incomplete...
• Lichen: 😥

[Lichen shakes her ritual bell and is seemingly preparing for divination.]

Lichen: It appears I have nothing arranged for today... Perhaps I shall give a free divination for the first Chief that wanders through...

• Prompt: O great master, may I know what my future holds?
• Lichen: Hmm... Young friend, you are no ordinary soul. I am not to disclose heaven's secrets... but if you simply do more good deeds...
• Lichen: 😦

• Prompt: I decide my own fate, not the heavens.
• Lichen: One who stands beyond the hexagrams... So be it... I shall offer you my blessings, young friend...
• Lichen: 😐

⚠ Snack Supply

Every time you run into Lichen, you end up with a few snacks.

System Notifications: Every time you run into Lichen, you end up with a few snacks. You usually get apples and oranges, but sometimes it'll be nuts and preserved fruits carefully wrapped in little red pouches.

• Prompt: These aren't... ritual offerings, are they...?

⚠ Divine Will

You notice something strange in the elevator lobby.

System Notifications: You notice that whenever Lichen appears in the elevator lobby, the other Sinners automatically line up behind her. The elevator she chooses is always the first to arrive.

• Prompt: This is divine will.

⚠⚠ Astrology Platform

Lichen requests permission to use the Bureau's Astrology Platform.

System Notifications: Lichen seeks you out and formally requests permission to use the Bureau's Astrology Platform.

Lichen: Young friend... from a recent divination, I saw that your fate is obscured... I fear you are to face a great calamity soon... Thus, I wish to borrow the Astrology Platform, so that I may unravel this mystery.

• Prompt: Ask for details

Chief: Astrology Platform? Does the Bureau even have one of those?

Lichen: Hm... Utilizing an Astrology Platform requires exceptional talent, the capacity to bear celestial secrets, to be exact... I have surveyed the northeast corner of the Bureau... and located several ideal locations for stargazing, perfectly suited to my needs...

Lichen: If you would be willing to accompany me, young friend, that would be most ideal...

• Prompt: Agree

System Notifications: You still have no idea what Lichen is talking about, but accompanying her is better than letting her wander around the Bureau unsupervised.

System Notifications: It isn't until Lichen stops in front of the lab's latest high-end research algorithm terminal and reaches out to touch its chassis that you finally understand what she was talking about.

Lichen: Just as I suspected... The spiritual energy here is pure and untainted... This is the Astrology Platform, where the forces of heaven and earth converge...

Chief: This is a data algorithm terminal. Uh... in other words... a computer.

Chief: Let me apply for access to a high-end computer for you.

Lichen: I am most grateful... The heaven and earth bear witness to your kindness, young friend...

⚠⚠ Eastian Mysticism Research

You accompany Lichen to participate in the research project titled ""The Scientific Basis of Eastian Mysticism.""

System Notifications: Once again, you head to the research department to assist Bureau researchers with the project ""The Scientific Basis of Eastian Mysticism.""

System Notifications: Upon entering, you find the researchers gathering around a replica of the Imperial Bell, visibly vexed.

• Prompt: Find out what's wrong

Lichen: Young friend... what might it be that troubles you so? Would you care to tell me what weighs on your mind...?

Chief: I'm not the one troubled. Rather, the researchers want to know why their replica of the Imperial Bell—faithfully recreated down to every detail of its physical composition—doesn't seem to work as well as yours.

Lichen: In the Daoist arts, the chime of a bell... serves as a conduit between heaven and earth... it is a power that dispels evil and impurity... Yet, in accordance with the natural order... different cultures have emerged... Perhaps... this would prove more worthwhile...

• Prompt: Relay her suggestion

System Notifications: You relay Lichen's words verbatim, then present the researchers with a decorative jingle bell typically used during the winter holidays. Their despair is palpable.

Chief: Maybe you could also try leaving some offerings for the Imperial Bell, just as they do in Eastian mysticism?

Researcher: But that would be completely unscientific... Is there really no other way?

Lichen: Perhaps science and mysticism... share the same origin after all... For which of the two is true and an illusion, only the heavens may know.

⚠⚠⚠ Five-in-a-row with Skills

Lichen has sent you a Five-in-a-row challenge.

System Notifications: A bizarre trend has swept through the Bureau lately.

System Notifications: Every Sinner with an interest in board games has become obsessed with Five-in-a-row—worryingly so. Initially, you thought it was just a harmless revival of a classic pastime, until you walked past the Recreation Area today...

Sinner A: Sandstorm! Now I get to move one of your pieces—you're finished!

Sinner B: What?! Then I'll use Mountain Mover to reset the game! I'm black, so I go first.

• Prompt: Approach and ask

Chief: What the... Is this how people play Five-in-a-row now?

Lichen: Young friend... The art of Five-in-a-row holds wonders of its own. How can one know its joys without indulging in the game? Come... let us play a round...

Chief: You mean that version of Five-in-a-row from just now?

Lichen: Worry not, young friend... I shall guide you through the basics... For this first game, I will not act until you play three pieces.

• Prompt: Agree to play
• System Notifications: Even with a lead of three pieces, you still struggle against a Five-in-a-row master like Lichen. Not to mention the absurd skills that keep getting in the way of your victory.
• System Notifications: But as you finally get the hang of the rules, the head start also begins tipping the scales in your favor.
• Chief: Four in a row. This round is mine.
• Lichen: I believe you have a saying that goes... ""it's not over until the fat lady sings...""
• System Notifications: Lichen has already used up all her skills. She couldn't possibly have any other tricks up her sleeve. But just as you're about to close out the game, a shout rings out from behind you, followed by a game board flying through the air—landing squarely on your pieces and scattering your perfect setup.
• Chief: Lichen... Was this part of your plan too?
• Lichen: No... but it seems the heavens willed it...

• Prompt: Keep pushing your luck
• Chief: How about letting me place four pieces at the start?
• System Notifications: You make the outrageous request as a joke, but to your surprise, Lichen nods in agreement. With four black stones to start, victory seems all but guaranteed—yet Lichen simply smiles and forms a hand seal.
• Lichen: Yin and yang, reversed... Young friend, you now play white...
• Chief: Huh? How's that fair?
• Lichen: The art of exchanging turns can only be used at the opening. Young friend, you shall find that this next game is not so easy...

⚠⚠⚠ Daily Divination

You notice that many Sinners have developed the habit of seeking out Lichen for a daily divination.

System Notifications: You notice that lately, Sinners have developed the habit of seeking out Lichen for a divination first thing after waking up.

System Notifications: Rumor has it that Lichen has her own rules for divination. She doesn't answer specific questions, but instead offers vague instructions—from advising Sinners on whether today is suitable for exercise, to what color of clothes to wear, and other such trivial matters.

System Notifications: Everyone who receives her guidance goes on to have a smooth and pleasant day. And so, you decide to test out this mystical Eastian divination for yourself.

Lichen: Young friend... I have expected your arrival...

• Prompt: Explain why you're here

Chief: I'd like a reading too, if you don't mind. Could you divine something for me?

Lichen: Hmm... I offer nothing beyond the little things of the day...

Lichen: However, young friend... You shall know there is no need to visit the cafeteria for your meals today.

• Prompt: Press for a reason
• Chief: Why? Is something going to happen at the cafeteria again?
• System Notifications: You keep pressing, your eyes brimming with the fervor of someone determined to nip trouble in the bud. Left with little choice, Lichen relents and offers you another hint.
• Lichen: This concerns none but you, young friend... You are favored by food on this day... Travel as you please, for fine delicacies shall find their way to you... that is all the heavens have revealed.
• Chief: I think I understand now... So, where would you like to eat?
• Lichen: ...The greenhouse offers a most wonderful view in the afternoon. Perhaps that will prove to be an ideal location, young friend.

• Prompt: Trust her advice
• System Notifications: Though you have no idea what Lichen is really up to, you decide to take her word for it this time.
• System Notifications: But mealtime comes and goes, yet the so-called destined meal does not find its way to you. You remain in your office, so hungry you're getting dizzy.
• Chief: Haha, who knew even Lichen could be wrong like this?
• Lichen: Apologies for the wait, young friend.
• Chief: So... hungry...
• Lichen: The heavens often reveal naught but the shape of things... Yet, the whims of the human heart leave no trace to follow. Young friend, do heed my advice and rely less on divine will... here, this Eastian cuisine should satisfy your hunger...