Investigation Report on the Enigmatic 'Dahlia' in VRChat [Part 1: The Gate of Beginnings] 【Cat Tail】
On that day, I was investigating the beverage gimmicks within VRChat.
In search of a satisfying ale, I repeated my investigations at cafes, bars, izakayas, and wherever I could. Eventually, I stumbled upon a charming bar.
It was an exquisitely stylish establishment named 'Cat Tail.'
Upon closer examination, I discovered it had a unique setup, combining both a bar and a sleeping space. Such living arrangements were not uncommon in VRC, so it didn't strike me as particularly peculiar.
However, amidst all that, my gaze fixated on another door.
It bore the sign, "Restricted Access: Authorized Personnel Only." Such signage was not unheard of. It usually marked private spaces reserved for the author and their close associates, secured with numeric locks or requiring specific steps for entry. I had encountered a few similar setups in worlds I'd explored before.
Though touching the door was inherently impolite, my explorer's instincts got the better of me, and almost effortlessly, my fingers brushed against it. By the time I realized, it was too late.
The door had opened.
Despite feeling surprised and uneasy, my vision swiftly gathered information within the space.
Cold, bare walls and a large door resembling a service entrance. Items were somewhat haphazardly placed, including what seemed to be small trinkets used by staff during their breaks, alongside guns and cleavers on a table.
...
Of course, within the world of VRC, there were plenty of worlds centered around violence and what one might call crime suspense.
However, in those worlds, the atmosphere enveloped you from the very entrance, making it rare to unexpectedly encounter traces of violence like I did this time.
Slowly, I approached the table, observing the unsettling arrangement. At the edge of my vision, a simple recording device caught my eye.
Before I could even wonder what might be recorded or why it was left there, my fingers were already in motion.
Regret immediately washed over me. As the bright and sociable BGM shifted to somber monotonous tones, my vision rapidly lost its color.
It was a setup, cunningly anticipating the touch of an impudent intruder.
Like a pitiful prey lured into a lock of irreparable curiosity.
The world's temperature dropped, heavy air thickened, and a vibrant red and black emblem appeared on a large delivery door.
Taking a few hesitant steps back, I caught a glimpse of something stirring at the corner of my sight.
A body bag filled with something was struggling mid-air.
What on earth was this? I had intended to find a stylish drinking spot, but had I inadvertently stepped into the realm of the underworld? If that were the case, it would make sense for it to be off-limits, and I slowly began to retreat. That's when I noticed that the door I came through wouldn't open.
This was bad. I swiftly attempted to initiate the respawn process, but something caught my attention beside the patterned door.
"Enter Passcode..."
Curiosity kills the cat. The insatiable instinct to devour mysteries compelled me to reach out. There were no numbers or letters; only nine beautiful symbols resembling floral motifs, each labeled with the word "Error," negating anyone who dared touch them.
Denial was the beginning of something more profound, seeping into my being. Therefore, I recklessly pounded on the keys, but the door remained resolute, refusing to budge. Could it be a door meant not to be opened at all? Just as doubts began to creep in, the sound of the entrance's welcome bell echoed in my ears. This was not the time to encounter anyone, whether they were insiders or outsiders.
Retreat was the only option.
As the world faded away, only the faded pattern seemed to be mocking me.
- The investigation will continue. -
◇The Silent Wanderer's Scribbles
I couldn't help but consider it as mere ramblings. As I delved into the origins of "cat tail," I came across the phrase "cat tail command" in the predictive text. Following that trail, I discovered the following elements: "cat: output the entire content" and "tail: output the last line." Those who manipulate hexadecimal codes like a contortionist, aren't they naturally acquainted with such knowledge?
■Returning to the Investigation's Chronicle