K-404

K-404 is an environmental NPC: an old lost-and-found terminal trapped in the instruction “return lost property.”

Function

It must not be only a lore terminal. Its trust state gates the quiet return ending and static/silence code access.

First encounter

D-17 front desk terminal on first station entry.

Miss / recruit logic

The encounter is not missable if D-17 is visited. The trust route is missable.

K-404 is not a follower; it can become a facility ally or quiet archive holder.

Mechanical impact

  • Counters: k404_trust, lost_property_protocol, static_code_access
  • Unlocks: static/silence code, quiet return ending, D-17 silent archive cabinet state
  • Lens requirement: K-404 trust gates the quiet return ending.