Evil Reptilian/Lore

—Anniversary Tales Collection Booklet

**Luchino Diruse**, also known as the **Evil Reptilian**, is the Hunter identity of the Professor, and one of the **28** playable Hunters added to Identity V.

This page is a compilation of lore and story content for this character.

## Backstory

### Character Introduction

Luchino was an outstanding scholar who was fascinated with reptiles. Not soon after getting a rare poisonous snake from his colleague, Luchino has suddenly vanished. In his room, people only found bloody scales on the ground. The strange thing is those giant green scales are rough and hard and don’t seem to belong to any known reptile.

## Deduction Quests

*All completed Objectives reward the player with +335 Logic points for the Logic Path. After the character's deductions are completed, their Worn Clothes will be available.*

## Letters

This section contains the letters the player receives after completing Luchino's Character Day/Birthday Event on November 13th each year. Each is removed from the player's mailbox in a week, but can still be accessed from the deduction quest menu. These letters are shared with his Survivor Persona, Professor.

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

## Lore Connections

### Mentioned Playable Characters

* Priestess
* Professor

### Mentioned NPC's

* Arthur Russell
* Darren Berlgund
* Volcker Berlgund

### **The Letter (2020)**

Dear Ms. Gilman,

As you mentioned in the previous letter, we've launched an investigation into Volcker's foster family in the Lakeside Village and have continued to observe their movement.

During our investigation, we've discovered that Volcker's brother, Darren, is a janitor working for the university laboratory. A laboratory professor went missing recently, and the police department has found a large, cryptic scale from the lab. According to our sources, the scale recovered from the lab is similar to the scales our investigators have found in the local woodland in Lakeside Village.

What concerns us is that fact Darren also went missing, leaving his bedridden mother behind.

This series of disappearances are all linked to the Lakeside Village, and our investigators suspect these disappearances have something to with the crime syndicate. We regret to inform you that we will cease all investigation from this point forward, for we place great importance on our investigator's safety. All prior payments will be refunded within this week.

I wish you well.

Sincerely,

Arthur Russell

## Lore Connections

### Mentioned Playable Characters

* Coordinator
* Barmaid
* Seer
* Professor

### A Diary Entry (2021)

Once I've actually met them in person, I finally got a better sense of who they were. That person's name was Luchino Diruse—he was kinder and more friendly than I expected. When I first met him in the dining room, he was wearing a washed out white shirt and had a bandage on his head. He was reading the card with the room number and name on the table. He was courteous and didn't make a fuss about the owl on my shoulder as people usually did. He merely greeted me politely and led me to my room.

Another woman named Demi Bourbon arrived at the manor in the afternoon. Dinner was great as Ms. Bourbon was easy to talk to. Mr. Diruse didn't say much, but he would respond or concur at times. He said he was a researcher and came here to collect data.

I could vaguely see scale-like debris and odd scars beneath Mr. Diruse's collar. He realized I was staring and explained with a smile that those were "presents" from his research. He was dignified and cautious, just like a researcher. I couldn't imagine what he had been through for him to be under such peculiar influence. I thought about the ending I once saw, and oddly I couldn't really see Mr. Diruse at the end of the tragedy...

There was another person in the future I saw—that's the fourth one. Perhaps we can await her arrival tomorrow in bliss.

## Lore Connections

### Mentioned Playable Characters

* Priestess
* Professor

### Luchino Diruse's Experiment Report (2022)

Serial No. 6-1-4

Name: Luchino Diruse

[Test Indicators]

1. Vigilance

2. Moderate Thirst for Knowledge

[Inclination]

A wary seeker and the only test subject in this group.

[Test Results]

1. Overall Evaluation:

Subject 6-1-4 is capable of exercising self-control when pursuing knowledge. Perhaps it is this controllable curiosity of his that made him the only "existing" participant in this group.

2. Methodology:

Subject 6-1-4 remained fully vigilant throughout the experiment on Group 6. Even after Subject 6-0-5 made the sacrifice and threw the situation into absolute chaos, he was able to remain clearheaded and keep his distance from danger.

Something unexpected occurred while dealing with the aftermath of the experiment. On the first night after the experiment ended, Subject 6-1-1 vanished from the processing room, leaving only a puddle of water behind. Subject 6-1-3 vanished the next day and similarly left behind a dark puddle of water. Besides Subject 6-1-4, the other 5 test subjects in the group vanished successively in the next 3 days, including the remains of a test subject who had been confirmed as deceased.

The disappearance of the five test subjects has not been solved, but according to our analysis, the puddle of water left behind at the scene is almost identical in composition to the lake water at this group's test site.

3. Experiment Summary:

The five missing persons from Group 6 have ceased to exist both in terms of vital signs and physical existence. Instead of considering them to have "vanished or gone missing," I prefer to say that "the proof of their existence has been wiped." They have turned into pools of cold water while under multiple layers of surveillance.

Subject 6-1-4 is the only remaining test subject. Perhaps it is due to his moderate curiosity toward the unknown that made the unknown reciprocate with moderate "care." In contrast to his past experience of being bitten by a reptile, I think it taught him how to maintain adequate respect and vigilance.

In the information we previously gathered, the ignorant fishermen spoke confidently about the "mysterious existence" within the lake. I, too, have seen a similar monster, but perhaps I'll be lucky enough to observe and conduct experiments to form a more rigorous theory on it.
The disappearance of five test subjects made the experiment almost pointless, so the files for this group have been sealed (perhaps it's better to destroy them). The Group 6 experiment can be restarted by placing Luchino Diruse back at the Lakeside Village test site with other "unique but dangerous" test subjects from other groups.

Will the new Group 6 yield similar results? Can this interesting situation be reproduced? People always fear the unknown, yet they search for a pattern within its mystery, and that is the excitement of experimentation.

## Lore Connections

### The Last Page of a Record (2023)

After several months of observation, I'm finally able to make a detailed record of the species.

1. Physical Traits

The appearance of this species displays the main features of reptiles. There is a hollow fang in the upper jaw, which contains venom.

2. Venom

In the rat bite experiment, the rat did not display any obvious abnormal reactions. But when a human was replaced as the subject, the subject displayed enhanced physical strength and an increased sensitivity to smells after 3 to 4 days. After 7 days of being bitten, green scales started appearing on the subject's skin. At the same time, the subject displayed lizard-like behavior, such as an inclination toward sunbathing and heightened nocturnal activity.

3. Further Research

Research shows the venom produced by the species is very likely to have a selective effect on mammals or certain latent long-term effects. Considering the uniqueness of the species, I hope that in-depth research will be carried out on it, focusing on analyzing the long-term effects of its venom composition on humans. Unfortunately, in my personal experiment, the bitten's subject's body is still changing with each passing day. Yet, due to time constraints, I am forced to stop my recording here.

However, time may not be the sole factor. After some personal experiences, I've come to find it increasingly difficult to make certain and confident judgments.

I once believed science is the only way to understand the world, and a strong desire for knowledge can guide humanity to all answers. However, I encountered an unknown force during this trip, and it erased reality in a way beyond human understanding. I met a prophet and witnessed a future that the power of man could not undo. I discovered something akin to medicine that exceeded my understanding, and at this very moment, it is eating away at my sanity.

This trip is not long, but I've spent my nights suppressing the inhuman desire within me and battling against that ""instinct."" Now, the hostility of my ""travel companions"" is growing increasingly clear. According to my understanding of humans, my trip is approaching its end.

This may be my final record, but it does not sadden me. I've done my best to go further on the path to knowledge. And I finally understand that those researchers who regret failing to find the answer are laughable. After all, there was never a true ""answer"" in this world.

If you ask me, my only regret is probably being unable to name that creature myself.

### Rewards

Every letter comes with 30 Fragments, and depending on how many years the player has participated and completed the Character Day Event would determine which letter they receive and the extra reward.

* If this is the first time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait for the character and the 2020 letter.
* If this is the second time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait frame and the 2021 letter.
* If this is the third time the player has completed the event, they would get a dynamic graffiti and the 2022 letter.
* If this is the fourth time the player has completed the event, they would get an emote and the 2023 letter.

2020 Portrait2021 Portrait Frame2022 Dynamic Graffiti2023 Emote
## Character Resources

The additional in-game and external documents for this character include:

* Character Relations
* Quotes & Media
* Event Appearances
* Mentions

The Character Relations menu shows how certain characters are connected and how they feel about each other. It also contains other personal information on characters that cannot be found anywhere else. It can be found in the Notebook, under the "Clues" tab. However, Evil Reptilian's Character Relations menu has not yet been released.

### Character Day Questions

*Only the questions and answers relating to his backstory were included here. The other questions not listed relate to gameplay.*

* 2021 Character Day questions:
	+ Question 4: *"In the joint research conducted with Duquein Thompson, what kind of creature bit Evil Reptilian?"* Answer: *"A reptile of unknown species."*
	+ Question 5: *"Who brought Evil Reptilian a creature for research?"* Answer: *"Darren"*
* 2022 Character Day questions:
	+ Question 4: *"Which of the following isn't within Luchino's field of research?"* Answer: *"Psychology"*
	+ Question 5: *"Who mentioned "snakes that can grow four limbs are around two weeks" to Luchino?"* Answer: *"Darren"*

### Quotations

* Deduction Star 2020 quotes:
	+ *"Do you think biologists are afraid of monsters?"*
	+ *"The great scholar, Luchino, is gone forever."*
	+ *"Give me something interesting to do."*
* Deduction Star 2021 quotes:
	+ *"It's really cool, isn't it?"*
	+ *"Don't bother asking who I am. I'm a good person so long as I do you no harm."*
	+ *"I like this. You can tell right away it's beyond humans' reach."*
* Valentine's Day 2023 Cards:
	+ *"This isn't a holiday for me, but I wouldn't mind having fun chasing after you... Haha..."*
	+ *"Oh, a sweet you, a lovely card, and cute winged little guys on the card. You remembered to wish me even on an occasion like this? People don't think of me as someone cute."*
* 5th Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
	+ *"Well, well, happy 5th anniversary. Oh, there's one more thing that I'd like to told you. I saw a creature covered with scales and its size was about 42cm long. That interests me so much. I'm sorry for the sudden request, but I heard that there's a natural lake behind the garden. Wanna come with me?"*

### Japanese Twitter Replies

Please press "Expand" to see in-character replies from the official Japanese Twitter.

**Evil Reptilian** has been mentioned in the following documents for other characters:

### Letters

* Barmaid's Letter (2023)
* Coordinator's Letter (2022)

## Canon Manor Game

We can gather who was in a canon Manor Game together by information in Letters and Diaries, and very occasionally from character quotes during events.

It is confirmed that Evil Reptilian participated in two manor games.

## Compiled Overview

The following section contains an overview based on canon information.Please note that some information may be missing as it may not have been provided from official sources. See the given references for further information.
#### Backstory from Deductions

Professor Luchino was a researcher of venomous and poisonous reptiles and amphibians, while working alongside a Dr. Duquein Thompson. Luchino would experiment with the venom of the creatures he studied by first having the venom/poison affect a rat, and then test it on a human, perhaps even himself - albeit with treatment methods nearby.

When Dr. Thompson received an extraordinary reptile that began as a snake and then grow four limbs like a lizard, he invited Luchino to assist him in his studies. As Luchino had caused the failure of one of Dr. Thomson's businesses, Luchino suspected a hidden agenda, but accepted the offer. Although the new reptile's venom did not affect a rat, when Luchino was bitten he began to mutate. Seeing this as a breakthrough in his research, Luchino mutated into a lizard hybrid.

### Alternate Theories and Conclusions

The below article or section(s) contains speculation, analysis, or theories which may include unconfirmed information.When adding content, use references to link or explain **legitimate/official** supportive evidence for specific theories, otherwise it may be removed.
* The strange reptile submitted to the two professors that started as a snake but grew legs, and which bit Luchino, comes from the janitor mentioned in the Deduction Quests for Dream Witch. This likely connects the two characters.
* Luchino doesn't seem to be bothered by his new form, and instead may even see it as the next step in human "evolution."

## References

1. ↑ Official Japanese Reference Book
2. ↑ Professor's Birthday
3. ↑ Backstory from the official Identity V website - https://idv.163.com/character/index.html
4. ↑ The other options were: *Toxicology, Herpetology, and Biology*, meaning those are within his field of research.
5. ↑ Translation by @IdentityV\_\_Sub.
6. ↑ Translations by @fc\_idv.

### Translation Notes

1. ↑ When this letter was originally released to Global servers, Volcker was mistranslated as "Walker."
2. ↑ In English, the "observe their movement" appears to refer to the Haywards. However, in Chinese, it is clear that Arthur is observing the movement of Volcker's biological family, not the Haywards (as they are already dead but presumed missing by this point).

### Manor Game Table References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 See Evil Reptilian's 2022 Letter.
2. ↑ This person (and their death) is mentioned in Priestess's 2022 letter. It is possible they died some time before the main event of the Manor Game could start, and so had to be replaced by 6-1-6, similar to how the Servais Le Roy replaced the missing Murro Morton.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 According to Priestess's 2022 letter, Fiona was "sacrificed" by Arthur Byers at the Manor.
4. ↑ It is implied that Arthur Byers is the Survivor Identity Switch for The Feaster, but this is currently unconfirmed.
5. ↑ Previously referred to as the Anonymous Writer or Test Candidate: 05-L-01-000. See The Feaster's 2023 Character Day Questions.
6. ↑ See Evil Reptilian's 2022 Letter.
7. ↑ Seer's 2021 Letter states that his game has 4 participants, confirming that he was in the second Game 6.
8. ↑ See Seer's 2022 Letter.
9. ↑ Luchino's serial number was 6-1-4 in the first Group 6 game.
10. ↑ Barmaid's 2023 Letter states that her game has 4 participants, confirming that she was in the second Game 6.
11. ↑ Coordinator's 2022 Letter states that her game has 4 participants, confirming that she was in the second Game 6.