Chapter 16 of 50 in the Under Deepspace arc
Characters across this arc
Main Character Xavier Zayne Tara Rafayel Caleb Jenna Josephine Radio Host Hunters Association President
Other chapters in this arc
Under Deepspace · The First Mission · 02-06
Next Target
The painting is brought back to HQ; at Data Analysis, Tara quickly traces its origin — sold from the Flux Arts gallery owned by art broker Thomas, and painted by Rafayel, a 24-year-old prodigy who returned to the country earlier this year, reclusive by nature, locking himself in his studio for half the year and traveling the world for inspiration the other half. His work just broke the record for the highest sale price at Lizio Auctions. Scrolling through his photo, the Main Character freezes in shock — this is the 'rambling weirdo with the fish' she met back in the Ripples chapter (01-07)! Only Tara appears alongside the Main Character in this chapter, but it serves as a crucial hinge — formally merging two seemingly separate story threads (the Raymond mansion case and the chance fish-pond encounter) into one, unlocking Spacepedia entries on Flux Arts and Lizio Auctions along with a note on Thomas, and leading directly into the Main Character's official meeting with Rafayel in 02-07.