Shady's Observation Logs

LACKING DATA

This thing…is kind of scary.
It's a curtain with a ring...and a creature, I think, comes out of it.
Sort of like a snake, but not really. Where its face should be is a mask...
Ah, it's scary...
When we tried to approach the abnormality, three arms came out from behind the mask, trying to claw at us. Or at least…I think it was clawing at us?
... It's scary ...

→ Really? I don't think it's that bad.
→ Nah, I get why the kid's so scared. Just look at it.
→ I think it is a beautiful form of expression, one of distress and suffering. Such is the case for most existences.
→ Guys...

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

So, um… the abnormality doesn’t…really attack, as I’ve noticed. As long as we don’t hit it immediately.
We realized pretty quickly that it tries to communicate. Tries to talk, the voice being really uncanny.
Something about papers…?
Yes, papers. One red, one blue. The abnormality would hand them out and make us choose.
What should we choose?
It must be a trap, I’m sure it is. But it won’t stop moaning about the choices, and it’s getting difficult not to discuss our options…

→ Red.
→ No, not red. Red is bad, blue is good. That’s usually how it goes.
→ Ho, then we shall pick blue, then!

OBSERVATION LEVEL 2

Both choices ended in a horrible death.
I saw the serpent just…swallowing the others through the curtain! Seeing it was so awful, I nearly threw up…!
All of them, shredded. Strangled. With its multiple hands.
When it came closer to me and asked again to pick a paper, I got so scared. Could you blame me, though?!
I shouted, “None! Don’t make me pick!” and it stopped all of a sudden as if processing what I said…
Then it disappeared…floated away into the mist. I just can’t stop thinking about it now.
What exactly was this thing’s goal anyway, if it was just gonna kill us? Refusing became difficult when we were asked…
… I guess I shouldn’t question it at this point. Maybe abnormalities really do just have that will to persist…

→ Hm. Come to think of it, we used to hear stories about something similar, back when I served.
→ Huh? When I look back, I think my school also had rumors relating to spirits…
→ Wait, you don’t think—
→ Whoa, do you think the abnormality manifested from legends spoken by the youth? I must say, that’s actually a little cool…!
→ How can you say that after it decimated your body like nothing?!

LACKING DATA

Okay, so…to put it simply, we were tryin’ to get the bough that other department left behind—
When we saw this guy roaming around the hallways.
Yeah…It was kinda fucked up.
Oh, appearance? Well, let’s see…it looked like a knight riding a horse, but not really.
The horse part was made of…wires? I think? A robot horse with lots of wires, and a knight connected to the horse. Knight was…what you’d normally picture when you think ‘knight’, but bud was slumped over. Had a sword but he really wasn’t making a good use out of it.
Whatever it’s doing…we’re eventually gonna need to deal with him, cause I’m 80% sure it’s why there are bodies here.
→ There are bodies literally everywhere we go to, mate. This place ain’t special.
→ Yeah, but I’m saying the robot-horse-knight-thing is what’s causing it.
→ N.S.
→ Hey, be nice! I’m sure he’s special in his own little way.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

We managed to fight the guy. Close call, but I couldn’t say “tango down” quite yet.
So here’s the thing: A bunch of us tried and tested to figure out which was the weakness, the knight or the horse. We thought if we just kept hittin’ the person it’d eventually fall over and give us time to snatch the Bough, but uh–
That didn’t turn out so well. Sure pissed off the horse real bad. The poor sod connected was barely swinging his sword around, like he was at the horse’s complete mercy…
→ Y’gotta admit, it was pretty funny seeing blondie try and tame the thing like it was gonna stop its rodeo.
→ Funny? It literally trampled her to death!
→ ....Okay, maybe it was a little funny. Don’t tell her I said that though.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 2

Alright, so, upon checking the destroyed branch’s history….
Our wandering knight was actually the department manager. Some of us actually got identifications for a few bodies. Which now brings the question on why he distorted in the first place.
Hmmm….
Come to think of it, the horse and the knight both had these “masks”. Not sure what they were actually but you’ll see it if you squint, yeah?
On the weak knight, it was something like a happy face, but the actual horse ... .If you could make it out between the chaos—Had a sad look to it. You could go as far as to call it “melancholy”.
I never really knew this particular bud, but from what I did gather…he was always happy and cheerful with his subordinates.
So…
What do you think was the last straw for him? It looks like he held that sadness back for so long that something caused a little snap! and led to this little shitfest. You think he was overworked? Mistreated? Whatever the case…
Makes you wonder how many people in this company are hiding their real selves to save face, and how long it’ll take for more employees to unleash that.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Making a general observation report on Limbus Company Afterburn Department Leader, Yuzuki Yoshihide.
General appearance: Human, about six feet tall in height, has black hair with orange tips. Tied Distinctly, it has burns on the left side of its face going down to the rest of the body.
Incident of burning affected her left eye and this can be seen through the grey color. Right eye remains a distinct crimson red.
Muscular build; Has possible signs of augmentations. Carries a sword specialized to her style of fighting. Often since with an expression of anger. Should not be approached without preparation.
As of writing, has executed multiple sinners of her branch and is on the run.
If spotted, report to the Human Resources Department immediately.
→ Kid, you don’t have to keep up your act. We both know you’re going to try and help her.
→ I have no comment in regards to the history between me and the lost asset.
→ It’s a race, then.
→ Good luck.

???

[The following document is an unsent letter addressed to rogue sinner, Yuzuki Yoshihide.]

Beloved,

I dreamt of it again. That terrible day when I thought I lost you to those flames. How could I ever forget it–The chains that bound you, the shriek of your voice as the smoke engulfed us both? Your face, a look of fear....genuine fear, that I hadn’t ever seen from you in the time we had known each other. My ears still recall it, the very second you opened your mouth and screamed for my name…and those cold, tight hands grabbing my body, dragging it away, away from you, away from the fire, away, away from you. My mind, it plays tricks by forcing me to relive what have I seen, over and over until I melt once more.
Until I lose my voice.
Until I shut down for a temporary moment and until I wake up pretending it’s all going to be okay.
Most of all…I still recall it. As they took me away, the first time I ever saw her…with such a unique look, of wonder in her eyes. Falling into her knees, as that was all she could ever do at that moment.
How it made me sick to my stomach, a mother outliving her child.
Now I live knowing that I may lose you again, to a wolf’s claw or branches of trees staring down into our very souls. What can I do, but shut down again? What can I do, but hold you in my arms and protect you as you have with me? I care not, if my body is starting to give into the mirror–I have to bring you back home.
Yes…
I have to bring you back home.
So you can make amends, with your only family. Run where I can no longer walk. Make the new world, and maybe one day, you can bury me alongside those who have fallen with us. Wouldn’t that be nice? If the world were not so cruel I would joke now, that perhaps this is my way of wanting to proclaim my marriage to you. There isn’t a need for marriage now. Our ties are eternal regardless of how the world wants to sever them.
No longer will I sit here and do nothing. I won’t turn my back anymore. Take all that you have gathered, and run. Run far if you have to. I’ll hold them all off. Hop away into the burrows, as all rabbits do.
Find your happiness. And I will reach mine.

Holding my glass heart always,
Ha-Yeong

LACKING DATA

You want me to take a look at this thing, yeah?
So it’s one of those arcade cabinets…got a little smiley on its screen. Always on, too. Heh. Ain’t that cute.
Wasn’t really there for the inspections but nobody pointed out anythin’ real weird' so it's probably normal-looking on the outside.
Didn’t look like much ‘til one of our muppets pulled somethin’ real daft and tried to play with it. That’s when the compartment on its front opened up and partially crushed our beloved sinner.
Then it grew legs and started attacking the rest of us. Real nice. Took a lot more hits than it should’ve if you asked me. Looks like we gotta stare at it some more.

→ ”One of our muppets”...You can say Sinclair, you know. It’s okay. We all saw him.
→ Oi, I’m tryin’ to be considerate here. It ain’t nice being the reason why we can write these things down in the first place.
→ I just wanted to s#$%#^%^ $&^!!!!!!!!!! [The rest of the text has been redacted for safety.]
→ Yeesh, kid’s only proving my point.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Right, so we tried to mess with its parts. Got around four buttons, a joystick, and two coin slots. There was a logo on top, but it seemed too banged up to make it out.
Tried opening the back, but the hatch shut on its own! Like it was hiding something. I tried prying it, but the thing wouldn’t budge, and Manager told me to leave it be, so…
Old hag had a quarter that we used to insert into one of the slots, but all that happened was a simple game of pong.
Was pretty annoying and I kept losing for some bloody reason. Worst, every time I tried passing a turn to the others, the thing would beep as if wanting me to keep playing.
I lost the third time, so of course, I did my usual thing and started beating it with my bat. Couldn’t help myself. Heheh.
Bad move. Do not do this by the way.

→ Um…what…exactly happened after you hit it, Heathcliff?
→ >Faust can provide an answer: After the abnormality’s ‘face’ created something similar to a computer bluescreen, it began to [REDACTED], causing his eventual demise.
→ That doesn’t explain anything.
→ It is an answer to your question.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Found some guy in the ruins, all haggard and fingers pointy. Kinda tall and had so much hair we couldn’t see its face.
Had a guitar and was strummin’ when we got ‘ere. When they saw us, we got a little wary, obviously.
They started yappin’ about how they’re some kinda rockstar, I think.
Showed us their weird little fingers and talked about how their “producer” gave them a new life. Then they asked if we wanted to hear a sample of their music?
Dunno, we probably shouldn’t say yes. But I sure am craving a little dance, if you catch my drift.
→ Would it not be splendid if a party were to occur?! My vote goes to yes, indeed!
→ Hmm…I fear we may be acting too reckless for comfort…

OBSERVATION LEVEL 2

So! Let’s start with the bad news, shall we?
Course, as it turns out, those sweet tunes that rockstar’s been playin’ have been damaging our noggins. What a bummer, really. I thought they were pretty classy.
Between the music some of us fainted—Er, died, really—And the bodies rose back up to form some kind of…what was it?
That Rockstar started cheerin’ I remember, said they were happy to see another one of those “groupies” coming in support.
What do you know! Said “groupie” a.k.a. our own muppets were trying to swing at those who were still jamming about. Lucky we were still alert enough to beat ‘em down.
After that?... Guy seemed pretty disappointed. Not much to do when there’s no one left to cheer for ya, so they slumped off without another word.
A shame it is. Wonder if any of that was intentional or if it’s some kind of curse. Too bad we probably aren’t finding out now.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Distortion occurred in the Lobotomy Corporation Branch of Nest P.

-It is a forest-like distortion that contains a mountain in the central part of the body.
-Large in nature, difficult to traverse.
-Trees are seemingly normal in nature but have rotten branches attached. Growth is similar to burls to some extent.
-Branches attempt to stop our path by grappling and trapping sinners.
-In addition, a black substance with a consistency similar to dew secretes from the branches. Too much contact with this substance causes symptoms from poison, alongside other psychological effects.
-Will continue my report once we have reached the top of the mountain.

→ It’s all falling into ruin…Why can’t we just leave her alone…?
→ Ugh. Manager, Sinclair's still babbling about failures.
→ Faust will handle it.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 2

Observing phases indicated by the center of the distortion.

-Center of the distortion is the main body. It is bright and colorful in contrast to the surrounding branches.
-Sufficient hits cause the core to shed and will lead to subsequent attacks.
-Manners of defending include slashes through thorns, as well as dropping of rotten fruits directly into mouths. Said fruit causes similar effects to the substance from last period.
-Violence notably increases throughout the period, but there is significant weakness included.
-No further observations. As of writing, there is no way to solve the distortion without significant damage to our sinners.

→ How the FUCK do you kill this thing?!

OBSERVATION LEVEL 3

[The following is an unfinished observation log. It has been archived for the sake of the company.]

As I recall it, Juan was always nervous when it came to our situation. There was not any reason to blame her for the circumstances.
The Manager sent me to accompany him when he first joined the bus. I don't know or understand why they did. We did not talk most of the time. She always looked down on her lap. I often had my eyes closed.
One day she asked me, though...I believe it was something about establishing relationships. How to do such. If it was worth committing to. Because he wanted to try. I said the truth: I didn't know, but that relationships were important, especially for our job.
Strangely enough, that day, something changed. We talked more. He told me about himself. His words were indirect and filled with so much uncertainty. I listened every time. I rarely made comments; It felt unnecessary to. But I listened every time.
Looking back, I think I should have said something.
To deny the comfort of presence was one instance, but the sin of agreeing to commit to a relationship, and then not fulfilling my end...
I suppose I am partially to blame for Juan's fall to distortion. That would be my truth. She had someone to tie himself to, and even then, those feelings of the past would refuse to come forth. Juan still hid - He was not completely truthful about himself, as I understand.
I should have said something.
There was nothing I could say at that time. Again it felt unneeded. I only held his hand when he cried, but never did I look at Juan and say anything that calmed that relentless soul. I provided comfort...insufficiently.
If there is a solution to this problem, I am aware of its existence. There is no reason to tell the others. They will understand that it is solely between Juan and me.
All I can do now...is give my condolences.

→ So…So that’s why Meursault didn’t listen when Manager told him not to come closer…
→ The man died hugging the distortion. I thought that was cheesy, but I guess he really did know more than we did.
→ Ugh, I can’t do this. Remind me to talk to Juan more often once we’re done here.
→ S.H.
→ Agreed.
→ We should all talk to her more! Though I think it's best not to overwhelm him...

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Hmmm…What do you guys call this kind of fashion again?
Right, right~ Cowboy style. I know that’s a trend in some districts, but I wasn’t real sure.
Anyway, this guy’s got everything–A poncho, some handkerchief covering his face. Or, was it a face? His head was all crackly and flame-like, but you can kind of make out his eyes…?
Something to note real quick–this abnormality talks, speaks, and even hollers the way we do.
Pretty strange, but he was nice enough that a bunch of us actually sat and listened to his tales. Called himself a hero from the Outskirts, which definitely impressed Don Quixote by a mile. I myself, though? Not that impressed. But I’m not gonna rain on the fun when this Spirit of the West guy somehow found us some beer.

→ Hmm… a bringer of justice, as those in comics aimed at children often are…
→ Thought you were more of a novel kind of guy.
→ I read whatever I feel can entertain me. In the past, we would find plenty of old works eroded with time, as this abnormality is.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 2

Oh boy.
You know that saying about how all good things must come to an end, or whatever? Yeah, we sure found that out the hard way.
I wasn’t the only guy who was a little annoyed by the abnormality’s want for justice–Turns out Ishmael dreaded the whole convo. Stood up and said his words were ‘bullshit’ and all.
Well…you could tell the Spirit was pretty annoyed, but he was oddly calm about it. Gave her a chance to backtrack her statement about justice, or face a duel.
I’m sure you know that our ex-fixer is quite stubborn, so she took her mace, threw a swing, and—
He shot her right in the chest.
Just like that! She fell pretty quick. Died so fast that the Spirit of the West actually started laughing at his sudden victory. We were all too shocked by how badly it went that when we definitely should’ve started moving to suppress him, the abnormality just…disappeared. One laugh, a load of gloats, and that was it. That was the last time we met him.

→ W.A.F.
→ Not gonna agree with you, but I ain’t defending Ish either. We were having so much fun…

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Really didn’t wanna face her like this so soon.
I mean, I knew it was gonna happen at some point! Anyone else thought the same? Come on, ‘least one of you had to think she wasn’t gonna keep that facade for that long!
Ugh. Useless. You lot are useless. Everyone’s copped off, so I’ll do it myself, yeah? That what you want?
There’s a void on her face. Endless, whatever of a void. Body’s all joint-like, not unlike those dolls you see at a corner store. Looks human, moves like a human, and—
Know what?
No.
Why do I gotta be all professional about this load of bollocks, anyway? I ain’t someone who should just be out ‘ere pointing fingers and cryin’ out “fool!” but you all…
Never understood that lass the way I did.
She came into this sad little shack of a company tryin’ to get on everyone’s good side. I wasn’t so much of a fool that I’d fall for it. Got to the point where I would end up yelling at ‘em for being so plastic. You would too if you kept up the act all bloody day!
Ever looked at yourself and wondered if you’re worth anything at all? Turns out, Eve knew she wasn’t all that either. Not once did they clock me for it. Why? ‘Cause she knew nothing. And who woulda thought she wasn’t born the same way many of us were.
If I had known that sooner, I woulda softened up much earlier.
Eve, you poor sod. I’m really fucking sorry I couldn’t do more for ya. All that self-doubt, that want to be like everyone else…’ts no different from myself, don’t you think.
That’s gonna change. Right here, right now. You and I, our passions are the same. And if they’re the same, then there’s no problem facing it together.
Listen up! All of you, stand the fuck back. I may not have started the mess this time, but I’ll end it.
Don’t you worry now, Eve. You’ll be alright. I promise.
If you let me back into your heart…I’ll teach the humanity you’ve been lookin’ for all this time.

LACKING DATA

I will describe the little encounters experienced with this abnormality.
Much akin to that of a rose, it is a plant that pricks—Where someone would normally wish to cover the pain left, they instead feel an intense ecstasy that fills the emptiness of the mind.
Then, as all things do, it comes to an end. One cannot help but wish to relive those memories again, and again.
Alas, sinking back into permanent nostalgia is an impossible dream. No piece of technology can ever satiate that want.
Documents relating to this creature, in particular, originated from an employee suffering from the aftermath of the storm.
Given the nature of the company they were under, could you really point fingers and cry that we are all the same?
Such is all I have to say.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

To gather better information, we were ordered to wear an extraction from the abnormality.
Tree, quite shy in nature, chose to volunteer. Initial impressions upon donning the suit were described as “painful, but not painful.”
His mind and body corroded at an alarmingly quick rate. There, I recalled again the faded papers.
What leads to one’s demise, whether it is happiness or circumstance, ultimately comes down to the self. I hadn’t a problem further pushing the border of what we could not see.
Yes…just as what was said, the thorns—Which in this case were behind Tree’s ears—began with pain and later washed into what felt like the happiest moment of my life.
He laughed by my side as I nuzzled against his face. Suddenly, I understood everything.
The desire to feel love, to be loved—That is a human need. Just as I thought, you will chase for pleasure until the very end.
I have no problem resigning to such a fate if it means I can remain with someone I love. Already I can feel my body trembling harshly.
As such, it is time for my head to burst. Please continue where I have failed.

→ You know, I’m still not used to my head…but it sure wasn’t fun feeling it explode! Multiple times!
→ Manager…Yi Sang is still trying to run towards Tree right now!

OBSERVATION LEVEL 2

Er…Manager asked me to write the rest of the log in Yi Sang’s steed. I don’t have a problem with that, but…
Well, Yi Sang couldn’t help but continue petting Tree. We ended up having to pull him back so he wouldn’t try and “save” them from the corrosion anymore!
The very last time, his withdrawals were so bad that he became…how do I say it? He started scratching and screaming for us to let go.
Tree himself was kind of calm the whole time under the corrosion until Heathcliff grabbed the suit and somehow managed to tear it off him. For similar reasons, he panicked, too.
…I don’t know what else I can put here other than that maybe we shouldn’t test extractions like this anymore. Seeing them both cry over each other was painful.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Have you lost your mind, Faris?
When I first found you in the depths of the Backstreets, I knew it would be better if you came with me. You would have perished to monsters quicker than the night. So I took you in.
We even married because that aided me in taking you under my wing. I had no problem with pulling the strings, and I established that early on.
At the beginning of it all, I wanted to shape you into someone who could help me with my plans. You agreed with me, did you not? Acting as an assistant who did nothing but listen to every word.
To tell you the truth, there was no intention to maintain our relationship in a deeper manner.
…But that was only initially. Over time, I wanted you to understand me, and I wanted to understand you. Yet you would never tell me how you felt because, to you, I had more important matters to attend to.
Perhaps that would be why I’m standing here now, only to see that you changed.
Bears only attack if they feel threatened or isolated. Surely, it must have been one of those emotions. Even if I reached out and told you now how I felt, it would not change the truth: That you’re here because I planned to use you.
What a shame. I must be ashamed. And indeed, I am ashamed! Why, if I had only encouraged and admitted early on that I loved you after all, we would not be facing each other like this.
Yes, there is a fault within me that I must resolve on my own, and with you.
Don’t leave me just yet. I’ll prepare a real ceremony, just for us.

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Abnormality was discovered within a fallen Lobotomy Corporation Branch.

- Initially confused for an employee until a simple glance told otherwise.
- Trying to converse with it resulted in failure, as its shoddy disguise proved to be far too mentally damaging.
- The abnormality constantly tried to copy our movements, resulting in arguments.
- Vocalizations were generally unpleasant and caused more damage.
- Distractions due to instictive movements ended in death. - There is not much to report, but I will continue to update with new information.

→ So, by “mentally damaging,” you mean that the abnormality was really bad at its job, right?
→ Yes.
→ That would explain why my head started to hurt when it said hello!
→ Hong Lu, you're going to go insane at this rate...!

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

... You ever just look at someone, and I mean really look at them, then think that you're not that different after all?
Kiya didn't look like much to him, y'know. Always shy, always stutterin' and doesn't know what he's doing half the time.
Now we're seeing...something, alright. Something that tries to be human, tries to be a fish, tries to be a dragon. He ended up being this chockful of shit that isn't any of those!
What exactly can you do when you watch things unfold and your friend can't take it anymore? Just as you all did with me, you're supposed to beat 'im senseless.
I don't want to.
Maybe one of y'all can do it instead. I have my reasons so I'll tell you exactly why this is.
Kiya wants revenge, and he wants change. But change doesn't come easy, nor does it happen in the way you want it to.
Even when I thought he wasn't all that at first, I could at least see he wanted to be braver.
When you think about it, none of what we're doing is natural. We're all stuck because we're being weighed down.
He was just a normal person who got put into an awry situation.
Just like me.
So it'll be difficult to beam it straight into his noggin that no one in this shithole is going to be complete, and that's perfectly fine. It ain't about becoming whole, it's accepting being pieces.
Do you want me to do it? I fucking will.
I ain't leaving Kiya behind.

→ There was a legend once, I heard back in the ship. Something about how a pearl can turn a fish into a dragon. This one is...
→ An imitation? Noticed that too.
→ Hate to say it. Kiya's doomed.
→ But he's not doomed alone, and he hasn't been for a while.
→ You gonna come closer and tell him that?
→ Only if you're with me.
→ Fine, we'll both do it. That'll say something, won't it?

LACKING DATA

So, we gotta write about our newest sinner? Why’s that?
Don’t we got better things to do than to treat this guy like they’re subhuman?
Unless….
Huhu, very funny. You think it’s funny to get me of all buds to record stuff. Fine, but only ‘cause I have to, okay?
We don’t know anything about their deal so far, but his set of teeth and those claws are sharp enough to slice whatever’s in their way.
And by “whatever’s in their way” I mean us, for sure, because they aren’t telling us anything and bite real hard at whoever asks stuff.
…Don’t wanna test that strength myself.
→ But you make us do it. Hmph.
→ Oh, I can confirm how strong those jaws are! They broke my weapon like it was bread!
→ ...You guys know he’ll read this eventually, right?

OBSERVATION LEVEL 1

Looking for more logs? Commissions are usually open! Sinners vary, just ask!
→ You're far too busy sleeping next to us, darling.
→ L.M.A.O.