Mysterious Myth of Medusa Metamorphosis

**Mysterious Myth of Medusa Metamorphosis** is a Mystery added in Version 1.0, *"Welcome to Shiokawa"*.

## Introduction

"Everyone is talking about this wierd giant jellyfish ambushing swimmers.

Even the local biology teacher can't identify the species as more and more people end up hurt badly.

You remember, from reading an article, that a famous marine biologist is spending his vacation in the city.

Maybe you should seek help from him."

## Side Quest: Cnidaria Study

To finish the Side Quest, the School must be investigated 2 times. The school will not be investigated at any point during the main mystery, so the player must go out of their way to investigate the SCHOOL twice. **The Side Quest is not required to get Ending A, as there is only one Ending.**

On completing the Side Quest, the following text will be displayed on-screen:

*"Some scientists say certain medusas don't age, constantly growing in size."*

## Mystery Progression

In total, there are 7 investigations the player must do:

* 1x Downtown
* 3x Seaside
* 1x Forest
* 2x Mansion

### Investigation 1: Downtown

"The famous biologist is spending his vacation at the seaside mansion.

You need to take a bus there."

### Investigation 2: Seaside

"Taking the bus, you can't help but notice the large number of trees that have suddenly died.

What could be the cause?"

### Investigation 3: Seaside

"You finally arrive at the seaside. The water here is unnaturally cold and unwelco--
Wait a minute...

T-that's weird...

You shouldn't be able to see the LIGHTHOUSE from this side of the bay..."

### Investigation 4: Forest

"Some of the mansions are abandoned and the paths leading to them are overgrown.

You have to, somehow, find BIOLOGIST's vacation home."

### Investigation 5: Mansion

"You finally enter the right place. Inside, there are many jars with various jellyfish species - but where is the BIOLOGIST himself?.."

### Investigation 6: Mansion

"Inside a dusty study, you find a map of the cliffside with one point clearly marked...

Is this where the BIOLOGIST is performing his studies?"

### Investigation 7: Seaside

"Standing on the beach, you realize something...

The map's coastline doesn't match the actual thing... why's that?"

### Last Investigation: Investigate the Partly Flooded Cave

"The tides! The rise and fall of sea level changes the coastline.
You should wait...

The low tide reveals a semi-sunken cave which corresponds with the point marked on the map.

Reluctantly, you enter into the unknown..."

## Final Investigation: Cliffside Cave

#### Cliffside Cave

"The low tide reveals a semi-sunken cave. Is this where the biologist is running their experiment?

Whatever you decide to do, you should hurry. When the high tide comes, the whole cave will be submerged underwater, potentially trapping you there!"

There is only one option on this screen, 'ENTER THE CAVE'.

#### The Meat Beast

"You explore the cave, trying not to slip and fall into the cold water. Hearing some wierd noise from behind a corner, you brace yourself...

A humanoid creature seems to have no skin! It's black blood courses through yellow veins, and its pale sinew and powerful muscles are visible!

It screams and lunges at your direction!"

There is only one option on this screen, 'ATTACK!', which triggers a fight against Meat Horror. After the player defeats the Meat Horror, **Ending A** will be shown.

## Ending

**Ending A** is the only ending available.

*"It is only after the MEAT HORROR falls to the ground dead that you notice a bag further down the cave. Inside, you find a bunch of neatly folded clothes and a journal. It belongs to the famous marine biologist you were looking for!*

*The last entry dates back to when the jellyfish attacks started. 'The ancient tablet I've found when exploring the caves near SHIOKAWA has... for the lack of a better word, cursed me.'*

*'I can't explain this, but every other night, my skin slips off my body as if it has a mind of its own... It always returns to me in the morning... I just have to wait in the cave were the tablet was. What is happening to me?!'*

*What will happen to the giant skin jellyfish without its host's body? You have no idea, and hopefully, you will never learn the answer yourself."*

## Trivia

* This mystery seems related to legends of humans "sharing a skin" with marine animals: the myth of selkies. Selkies are celtic mythological creatures that can shapeshift between seal and human forms by removing or putting on their seal skin.
* There is no scientific evidence that "*certain medusas don't age, constantly growing in size*" as claimed in the side quest. An unusual species, Turritopsis dohrnii, might be effectively immortal because of its ability under certain circumstances to transform from medusa (adult, last life stage) back to polyp (second life stage). So far this reversal, called transdifferentiation, has been observed only in the laboratory. Turritopsis dohrnii are about 4.5mm (0.18in) wide.
* The biggest jellyfish species in the world is the Lion's Mane Jellyfish, with the largest known specimen stretching across 36,5 meters (120 feet) from its top to the bottom of its tentacles.