So, you’re wandering around the Chemical Plant in the heart of the Zone, probably just trying to keep your radiation levels from melting your insides, when some Ward guy named Lt. Mateus waves you over. This is how "All That Is Left" starts. It’s one of those Stalker 2 side missions that feels like a quick errand but ends up making you feel like a total jerk regardless of what you choose. Honestly, that’s the beauty of GSC Game World’s design—they don't do "hero" moments; they do "least-worst-option" moments.
Most players stumble into this after wrapping up "In Search of Past Glory." It's a localized story, tucked away in the toxic smog of the Chemical Tanks, but the implications are heavy. It's about a Soul artifact, a dead comrade, and a scientist who might be more of a ghoul than the mutants roaming the marshes.
Where Everyone Messes Up the Soul Artifact Hunt
You’ve got your orders from Mateus. He wants an artifact. He says it's a matter of life and death, hinting that it might actually be the soul of his buddy, Budnik, who died protecting him from a pack of Snorks. Kind of poetic for a guy in a military uniform, right?
But before you just sprint to the waypoint, you need to be ready. The Chemical Tanks are a nightmare. I’m talking yellow mist that’ll eat your lungs and a pack of Psi-dogs that will drive you crazy with illusions.
Pro tip: Don’t waste ammo on the clones. Look for the real dog—the one that isn't shimmering—and put a shotgun shell in it. If you don't, you'll be spinning in circles until you're out of bandages.
Once the dogs are handled, you have to find a way inside the concrete silos. Look for a missing floor grate. Dropping down into that hole is the only way to find the body of the fallen soldier and the PDA. This is the part people miss. If you just grab the artifact and leave, you’re missing the "good" (or at least the most interesting) ending.
The Scientist vs. The Soldier
As soon as you climb back up with the Soul artifact in your pocket, a scientist named Professor Zaretskyi chimes in on your radio. He’s nearby in a redbrick building, and he’s got a very different take on the situation. He thinks Mateus is full of it. According to the Professor, the idea of "human-soul artifacts" is just Stalker superstition, and he wants that Soul for research.
Here is the breakdown of your basic choices:
- Sell out to Zaretskyi: Hand over the artifact for about 4,319 Coupons. You then have to go back to Mateus and lie to his face, saying you failed. He’ll dismiss you, clearly heartbroken.
- Loyalty to Mateus: Bring it straight back to the Lieutenant. He’ll pay you around 3,500 Coupons and use the artifact for a proper burial/memorial for his friend.
- The Greedy Path: Keep the Soul for yourself. It gives you a Medium Endurance boost, though the Medium Radiation debuff means you’ll need a decent suit or some vodka to balance it out.
But there’s a secret fourth option that most people don't even realize exists.
The Secret "What the Freak" Ending
If you want the best payout and the most "human" ending, you have to be a bit of a weirdo. It involves a lot of walking.
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First, get the artifact and the PDA from the body under the grates. Talk to Zaretskyi but don’t give him the Soul. Tell him about the body. He’ll get all clinical and ask you to toss the corpse into a Whirlygig anomaly to see what happens. Agree to it just to progress the quest, but then—and this is the crazy part—pick up the body and carry it all the way back to the Chemical Plant.
Yes, you have to lug a dead guy through mutant territory.
When you drop Budnik’s body at Mateus’s feet, he doesn’t get mad. He’s actually stunned. He says something like, "What the f***?" but in a way that shows he’s genuinely impressed a Stalker would go that far. You get your coupons, you get his respect, and usually, you get to keep the Soul artifact too because he’s too busy being grateful to care about the rock.
Don't Leave Without the 60,000 Coupon Bonus
While you're in the Chemical Tanks for "All That Is Left," there is a massive loot opportunity you’d be insane to skip. Everyone focuses on the Soul, but there’s a much rarer prize nearby: the Liquid Rock artifact.
Take out your scanner and check the acidic puddles near the tall tanks. This thing jumps around like crazy, so you’ll have to chase it. It’s worth a staggering 60,000 coupons and provides maximum chemical and radio protection. Finding this basically funds your weapon upgrades for the next five hours of gameplay.
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How to Handle the Fallout
The Zone doesn't forget. While this is a side quest, your choice with the Ward or the Scientists can subtly nudge your reputation. If you’re playing a Skif who cares about the "truth," the PDA is your biggest asset. It proves what actually happened to the squad, stripping away the myths and showing the grim reality of military life in the Exclusion Zone.
What you should do next:
- Check your inventory: Ensure you have at least 150 spare rounds of 5.45mm or 12ga before entering the tank area.
- Loot the PDA: Don't just grab the glowing rock; search the tunnel under the grate for the soldier's belongings.
- Find the Liquid Rock: Use your detector in the acid puddles before you talk to the Professor to ensure you don't get distracted and leave money on the table.
- Decide on your carry weight: If you’re going for the "body carry" ending, dump any heavy junk (like broken pistols or excess food) before picking up the corpse, or you won't be able to run from the inevitable Bloodsucker ambush on the way back.