Let's a go

Neat, I'm actually awake.

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>>26088022

The Sterling Tower. A 225m, 55-story postmodern skyscraper - A glittering tower of chrome and glass, curved and rethwart to catch the afternoon sun. As the fourth tallest building in the city, it's a symbol, a statement; Though the sheen is dulled by the grey clouds swarming overhead, the flakes of snow sifting down from above.

Your footfalls echo on the terrazzo floor of the lobby, the ten-foot-wide company logo set into the marble surface: The abstract silver fox-head, the smooth *hiss* of escaping air, the faint gleam of glass doors - All muffled by the cavernous interior; Offices and catwalks and elevators, criss-crossing in the hollow space above you, rising upwards into infinity.

With your bag slung over your shoulder - Your laptop secured, visitor's pass on a lanyard - you look like an intern, or a courier...Which, you suppose, was the intention. You can almost hear the low hum of electricity in the air: Not surprising, given the three layers of security you've passed on your way in. Even the elevators require a quick ID scan, to be accessed - A minor inconvenience, but an innocous one.

Knowing what you know, however, gives you a different perspective.

You note the gleam of silent cameras - The domed blisters of sensor modules - the thick, heavy lines of sliding steel blast doors - the guards in grey and blue, patrolling with quiet intensity - and you can't help but think...

-Isn't this a little excessive? Inside, it's almost a fortress.

You've arrived about a half-hour early; Your appointment is on the 49th floor, bullet-shaped elevators rising and falling with silent precision.

You-

[ ] Head to the office.
[ ] Go to the company cafe.
[ ] Wait in the lobby.
[ ] Explore.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>26088379

(Quick note: The Equipment FAQ has been updated with entries for the ARGUS SYSTEM, CRISIS ARM, HELIX GAUNTLET, and the Hollow Sun weaponry.

Also, apologies for the late start: they were repairing the air-conditioning, and I had to keep an eye on the work.)

>>26088379
[X] Go to the company cafe.

Get a cup of coffee, maybe a donut, see if we can listen in on any company chatter.

>>26088414
Yeah, let's get a snack and some deadly coffein.

>>26088379
Company café.

>>26088379
So many Anons voting sensibly right now, I guess it falls to me to be the voice of chaos.

Let's explore. This is the only chance we're going to get to have a look around around the place unless it gets bombed by Smilers or we take a job under Argent. Why not see what the place is like, look for familiar faces? Let luck be our guide; not that we have much excess right now.

Just tossing it out there; the cafe is utterly sensible.

Also, hello OP, good to see you again.

>>26088506
I'm actually curious who we might run into at the cafe. 'sides all the really interesting exploring is in the Red version, but the Red Joker openly walking around might get a bit more attention hten we want.

>>26088506
We gotta get us a cup of high society joe

Also, you meet all kinds of interesting people in a café.

>>26088414
>>26088447
>>26088454

Your stomach thanks you.

You're not sure you can pronounce the name of the cafe - Something Italian and/or French (You can never tell them apart) - but it's a classy-looking place, with injection-molded furnishings and all the trimmings.

You take a seat, looking around. The first thing you notice: The people around you - Must be an early break - are rather young. You'd say that most of them are probably right out of university - It reminds you, oddly enough, of one of those early IT start-ups, with bright-eyed and bushy-tailed 'young entrepreneurs' smiling stiffly as they look right into the camera.

It's surprisingly quiet, too; The ever-present hum of conversation reduced to a indecipharable murmur. The terms are highly technical, too: You make out snatches of - "Sustaining containment on the fifth interval" - "Harvesting potentials remain within projected ranges" and "...requires intervention at this point..."

...Which makes you wonder, of course. Exactly what do they do here?

It's not long before you're nursing an espresso, and a plate of Mediterranean Foccacia - There's something strangely ordered about the ebb and flow of the scattered conversations around you...

-Wait.

And then you realize: That's exactly it. Orderly. Controlled. There's a rhythm to things - Like clockwork, like a metronome, like gears in a machine. Everyone else sits in knots of two and three, and all conversation is strictly work-related; Once you've noticed it, like an optical illusion, you can't *un-notice* it.

It's almost eerie.

(Continued)

>>26088661
I smell mind control. A result of AP's experiments.

>>26088678
Or everyone is in the Red World and these are their bodies on auto mode.

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>>26088661
>Orderly. Controlled. There's a rhythm to things - Like clockwork, like a metronome, like gears in a machine.
In a nutshell.

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>>26088661

No-one gives you a second look: It feels...Not artificial, but carefully devised. It's like you're in a commercial, with people smiling and speaking and quietly passionate about their wor-

"Yo, Anon!"

You stiffen, as a hand claps your shoulder from behind - It's an oddly discordant note, enough to make you wince...As you turn, and look into Kazuya's smiling face. He has his helmet tucked under his left arm, bag slung across his shoulder - Looking pleased but thoroughly surprised.

"-I *thought* it was you; What are the odds, eh? You're looking *way* better..."

He's loud enough that some people glance - Very briefly - in your direction; Enough that he lowers his voice, as he draws up the chair opposite yours.

"...But what are you doing *here*, man?" Kazuya goes on, his brow furrowing in good-natured confusion - A manilla package crinkling, as he sets it down with a weighty *thump*.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

I was wondering when this quest was going up!

I kept watching the twitter and welp.

Thank you based catalog. Welcome back op!

>>26088787
"Job interview. With you and Natsumi becoming productive members of society I couldn't live with myself if I fell behind. But man, they got you working weekends? As a part-timer?"

God damn it I should have seen that coming. Okay, how do we explain our meeting with his boss without raising a ton of questions?

>>26088821
That sounds best.
Maybe talk to AP about this cover story.
Let us be freelancers or something.

>>26088821
Hope he doesn't find out we're meeting with AP. A CEO doesn't usually conduct personal interviews with highschool students.

>>26088847
And he wouldn't like if we instantly got higher recognition than him.

>>26088870
And that would be completely impossible for us to explain.

>>26088787
Oh damn

Uuh

Interview excuse wouldn't work - You don't meet the CEO for an interview.

I really have no idea.

>>26088886
It's not like he has to see us interacting with AP.

>>26088821

"Ha, so that's how it is." Kazuya shrugs, seemingly taking it for granted.

> "But man, they got you working weekends? As a part-timer?"

"Hey, there's always stuff that needs delivering." He raps his knuckles against the side of the package, with a rather alarming CLONK...But then goes quiet, for a moment. "Actually...I volunteered. Natsumi's birthday is coming up, and, well..."

Kazuya looks a little sheepish, rubbing the back of his head - "...Well, you know how it is," he says, at last - "The pay's good, anyway - About twice as much anywhere else - and I don't have to stay in the office. All-in-all: I could do a *lot* worse, you know?"

He glances down at his watch, and sucks in a slow breath. "Hey - I'd love to chat, but I have to get moving. Good luck with your interview, eh? Hope it works out."

[ ] "You too, Kazuya - See you soon."
[ ] "Any idea what's in those?"
[ ] "Who's that for?"
[ ] "I'll follow you up. It's almost time, anyway."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>26088678
>I smell mind control. A result of AP's experiments.
>>26088686
Or everyone is in the Red World and these are their bodies on auto mode.

Eeaasy way to check this one, just saying.

We don't necessarily have to kill anyone when we pop in btw.

>>26088929
Do we do this? Just a few seconds to look around?

>>26088929
>>26088941
We'd probably cause a panic

>>26088941

'Look around' in the middle of a nest full of Players? When we're clearly the ODD MAN OUT? That's a great way of keeping our secret identity, don't you think?

>>26088953
>>26088958
>"Oh god the Joker is here to kill us because he found out about the plan that our boss made us work on!"

>>26088971

Even if they don't panic, it's pretty obvious who we are. By simple process of elimination, we're the dude who doesn't belong here. I say we should just wait for Kazuma to go before heading up.

>>26088912
"We'll see if I can do better than delivery boy. What're they having you ferry, anyway? Don't hear too many things make that noise through packaging."

>>26088929
Oh god no. Argent's people are just as dangerous to us as the Smilers, and even the fact that the Joker has cooperated with them in the past isn't going to save us from the knee-jerk reactions that every Player has when the Red World's grim fucking reaper pops in to say hi.

>>26089012
>isn't going to save us from the knee-jerk reactions that every Player has when the Red World's grim fucking reaper pops in to say hi.
Being special is a curse.

>>26088912

> [X] "You too, Kazuya - See you soon."

Let him go on his merry way. It would be stunningly awkward if we went to the same place.

>>26089012

"I have *no* idea," Kazuya admits. He raps the package again - It makes a very...*solid* sound, but a surprisingly hollow one; One that's audible even through the thick layers of brown wrapping paper.

"I'd crack one open, but...That's probably above my pay grade. Besides - It's probably something boring. Like - A box of, of..." His imagination apparently fails him. "Office stuff, I guess."

>>26089065

"Yeah, you too."

He stands, brushing invisible dust from his pants - He tucks the package under his other arm, his helmet secured, as he makes his way towards the capsule-shaped elevators.

It doesn't take you long to finish your espresso, and your sandwich: You still have ten minutes, ample time to make the commute. The elevator's scanners read your ID card, with a faint chirrup - The light flickering, as the doors close behind you...

The world blurs at the edges, and the Red rises to the forefront.

For a moment - Just a moment - you're not sure if you've made the transition; You *still* stand in an ascending elevator of steel and glass, rising in fluid silence. But then you look down-

STAGE: THE BASTION

There's a low, machine hum - Optical scanners casting flickering traceries of light, green planes that play over every inch of your crimson form as you rise. The ground is further away than before: Just looking down sends a dizzying sensation of vertigo through you...Until something clicks, and you realize - In the Red World, this tower stretches *down* as well as up, layered fields of gleaming silver extending onwards into what seems like infinity.

The shape is the same, but the milling chrome figures - Are those Players? You can see silver forms laboring, scuttling this way and that; Vague silhouettes behind shutters of semi-opaque glass, bent to unknowable tasks.

(Continued)

>>26089155

Briefly, you wonder if Natsumi is somewhere amongst them; As to either side, free-floating capsules rise like reverse rain, shunted off in different directions, following invisible pathways that defy gravity. Above, you hear a ratcheting *grind* as segmented plates of armour part, the ride slowing as you're granted access; Until the roots of the grand structure have dwindled to nothing, your capsule rotating slowly as it locks it place...

-Before a blast-door of what looks like black iron, the fox-head crest emblazoned on the surface. A thin line runs down the middle, right where they meet: There's a charged feel to the air, smelling of ozone - A vague subliminal hum, as an orange light filters across the ebony floor...Reminding you, vaguely, of the furnace-heat of a forge.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>26089157
Knock politely. We may be the red world grim reaper but that hasn't stopped us from being courteous in the past.

>>26089155
>The shape is the same, but the milling chrome figures - Are those Players? You can see silver forms laboring, scuttling this way and that; Vague silhouettes behind shutters of semi-opaque glass, bent to unknowable tasks.
Seems like they really are in zombie mode.

>>26089157
So the ability to build artifacts seems to extend into Minecraft mode.

>>26089290
>[ ] "So this is your office?"

He's got a kickass imaginary fortress.

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>>26089172

You reach out, raising a crimson-plated fist to knock-

The door slides open a heartbeat before you do.

The chamber beyond is a massive one - Huge windows dominating the south wall, ten meters high and separated by sturdy columns of black stone. The floor descends in tiers, forming a shallow bowl ringed by concentric circles, concluding in a smoky dome of light.

Codestreams freckle and dance across the liminal space - Cogiation consoles spearing beams of gold and green up into the ruddy gloom, roping divergent data elements into a shifting, ever-changing tapestry of light: A fluid half-sphere of data, dragged and gusted as if by the ebb and swell of secret tides.

There's power in the air - You can feel it, pulsing in the conduits under your feet, surging through the circuit-patterns that line that black walls. Hexagonal cells form indiviual recesses; Each one containing an azoic spark, a whirling cluster of light, as winged constructs float under the high vaults, clusters of them flitting back and forth like exotic birds-

You're reminded, forcefully, of a concept you've heard before: Panopticon.

And in the center, Argent Prominence. He stands before a raised plinth of stone, twisting filaments of silver braiding and knotting themselves into new configurations: Through the ripples and folds, you make out a brilliant blue illumination, like the heart of a star, being captured and sealed and somehow *compressed* -

"Please do not move. This is, you might imagine, difficult."

He hasn't even glanced towards the doors. There is no way he could have seen you standing there: Not with his eyes, anyway. His voice, however, remains as genial as ever - As the construct completes itself, before his regard, taking on an oddly familiar shape...

-It's a shield.

"It's finished now, Joker. Please, come in."

[ ] "What is *that*?"
[ ] "What's this place?"
[ ] "You're looking well, Ebara-san."
[ ] "So this is your office?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>26089360
I really hope you meant recursion.

>>26089360

I don't get it.

>>26089336
"Every time I think I've seen everything this world has to offer it proves me wrong. I *should* know better by now. Somehow I thought that Relic creation would have more to do with making an item like you would in the real, or maybe arranging lines of code, not compressing star material. Where did you even start learning how to do this?"


Okay, heads up: This following topics are forbidden for this info session: The Hollow Sun, Akira/Totenaz, the mystical powers of half of Anon's love interests, anything about his love life, the Nihl Sphere and the weirdness in Asuna's paintings.

We might seriously ask about: Morpheus, the previous Red Joker, Kraken/his army, Vitruvian Devices, and maps with useful legends.

>>26089336

>Through the ripples and folds, you make out a brilliant blue illumination, like the heart of a star, being captured and sealed and somehow *compressed* -
>observe more.

Step inside, with a bit of awe - less so because of our experiences with the hollow sun - [x]I'm glad you're feeling well enough to create, ebara-san - but what WAS that?

>>26089416
>Okay, heads up: This following topics are forbidden for this info session: The Hollow Sun, Akira/Totenaz, the mystical powers of half of Anon's love interests, anything about his love life, the Nihl Sphere and the weirdness in Asuna's paintings.
>We might seriously ask about: Morpheus, the previous Red Joker, Kraken/his army, Vitruvian Devices, and maps with useful legends.
Agreed.

Maybe ask for good Corrector hunting spots.

>>26089336
[X] Free
"Impressive. Sorry I couldn't make it sooner. There have been... distractions, that needed my attention.

>>26089416

I would ask him, in vague general terms, about 'a corrector called a Hellion' and see if he reveals anything, but for the most part i agree.

We should also ask him if he knows any way to upgrade our System Rating.

>>26089432
We already know the locations of two hives. Granted one of those is the central mega-hive.

>>26089506
>System Rating.
Isn't that an aspect specific to Hollow Sun access?

>>26089416
Seems reasonable. Vitruvian devices might lead to the Hollow Sun though, so let's try to edge around that one. Kraken is a key topic, though, and perhaps some of the things from inside the Hollow Sun as long as we don't mention any specifics. We don't really understand it, and AP might.

>>26089525

I thought it was more of a general Codeburst thing - as in, they usually only work on things with lower system access.
You're right though, i misused my terminology.

>>26089534
>Seems reasonable. Vitruvian devices might lead to the Hollow Sun though, so let's try to edge around that one. Kraken is a key topic, though, and perhaps some of the things from inside the Hollow Sun as long as we don't mention any specifics. We don't really understand it, and AP might.

Kraken's the one that keeps coming back to life, isn't he?

>>26089506
During our fight against Kraken one of the responses was us openly taunting Kraken about stealing the HS from him in front of a massive crowd of players. Chances are the entire playerbase knows we control the Sun now. Also, we told Natsumi we were raiding the Sun before we did, even invited her.

>>26089547
No, that's Rust Kaiser

>>26089432
>>We might seriously ask about: Morpheus, the previous Red Joker, Kraken/his army, Vitruvian Devices, and maps with useful legends.

As a heads up/reminder, we may want to mention The Thief, due to possible connections to being the only other guy who can Make artifacts - or so I guessed. Still. He's looking for his successor, isn't he?

>>26089541
Ah, yeah, I'm sure he'll be very interested in the codebursts.

>>26089548
Let's not mention it, anyway.
Only react if he says something about it.

We fuck up everything.

>>26089506
>>26089548
Let's not forget we have Hellion weaponry strapped to us right now.

>>26089541
>Ah, yeah, I'm sure he'll be very interested in the codebursts.
>>26089554

Ah ha. ACCESS AUTHORITY, i think is the right term.

>>26089558
>Let's not forget we have Hellion weaponry strapped to us right now.
Should have thought of that BEFORE we took it out of the hollow sun :)

>>26089548
You make a point, but let's not bring it up before he does. I'm willing to bet that the playerbase knows that we control something called 'The Hollow Sun'. What they probably don't know is that we control a *superweapon*.

Sonofabitch I just realized the Nihl is openly on display now thanks to that new Helix Gauntlet

>>26089558
...I burst out laughing.
This is getting more and more hilarious.

>"Did you steal the Hollow Sun?"
>Packed full of Hellion tech
>Just used a codeburst
>Upgrades that are Hollow Sun specific
>Taunted Kraken a while ago
>Told one of his people that he would raid it
>"Nope, never heard of it."

We need a drawfag.

>>26089552
Yeah, the manufacturing thing is a good point.
Maybe ask him if he knows anything about forging players into upgrades?
How about giving him the chain mines for inspection?

>>26089569
It isn't.
Look at the pastebin. There's a protective lid on it.

>>26089569
>>26089558
>>26089548
When it rains, it pours.

>>26089336

Also, I've been meaning to ask - how fast does the Cobalt Booster recharge to full?

We tend to use it constantly during combat, so a charge rate is really hard to determine.

I'm kind of guessing a few % every combat round or so, but that's just spitballing.

>>26089576
Relevant passage:

>At present, the Nihl Sphere is set in the back of the Gauntlet, with metal shutters that iris shut over the Sphere when the Gauntlet is not in use. (The Nihl Sphere can be freely removed, but the Gauntlet ceases function in that instance.)

>>26089506
Rather than asking him directly about Hellions, ask about non-Corrector interloper factions.

>>26089507
...Now there's an idea. We could raid the hive at Akira's old place. Probably not much of value there, but it'd be good source of experience, combat practice, and perhaps energy for the Sphere. Bardiel mentioned that the crystals came from under the Red World, too.

>>26089548
Aww fuck, so much for that ace in the hole.

>>26089569
Helix Gauntlet closes over the sphere when it's not active. Enfer still saw it, and the Tri-Stars know we have it (but they don't know exactly how h4x it is), but if they don't talk then it's likely that Argent doesn't know.

>>26089584
>Rather than asking him directly about Hellions, ask about non-Corrector interloper factions.

I love your way with words

>>26089323

He nods. His sculpted silver face is as impassive as ever, but his voice is genial: "Indeed. My office, and my workbench." Argent Prominence doesn't quite chuckle, but there's a fond air to him, as he turns to take in the sight. "The view, I've found, is infinitely superior here."

>>26089435

"-But of course." Argent Prominence replies, inclining his head in a grave nod. "I've heard much of your exploits, Joker. You seem to be doing well for yourself-" And the red gems of his eyes take in the weapons maglocked to your armour, the gauntlet at your right hand-

"...Though you may be a little overdressed for the occasion."

He spreads his arms, hovering a full inch above the floor - You can't help but notice that his equilibrium has been restored, in stark contrast to the way he sheltered his wounded leg the last time you saw him.

"I look forward to hearing your account, Joker - It's clear you have much to tell."

>>26089416
>>26089419

> "Somehow I thought that Relic creation would have more to do with making an item like you would in the real, or maybe arranging lines of code, not compressing star material. Where did you even start learning how to do this?"

"Hrrrm." Argent Prominence makes a low sound - Almost a grunt, deep in his throat, that sounds oddly pleased as he waves you forward. "Trial and error, of course - But the process is a fundamentally simple one."

He waves you forward, indicating the hexagonal containment cells and their silent, luminous prisoners.

"As you may well know: Every entity in the Red World has a unique identifier - Their essence signature, if you will. Through careful manipulation, this signature can be manipulated - Repurposed, into a more useful form."

That flat gaze lingers, for a moment, before a slow shake of his head dispels his reverie.

"Controlling the process, however...Now, that takes effort. Effort, and extraordinary amounts of focus...But I do ramble on."

(Continued)

>>26089584
>...Now there's an idea. We could raid the hive at Akira's old place. Probably not much of value there, but it'd be good source of experience, combat practice, and perhaps energy for the Sphere. Bardiel mentioned that the crystals came from under the Red World, too.
Let's put in the queue for stuff after the hospital visit.
I want some more upgrades. And we can try out all of our new gadgets.

>>26089599
>"I look forward to hearing your account, Joker - It's clear you have much to tell."
Fuck.

>>26089572
Oh yeah, that's a thing we do now. We take the souls of players we kill and we turn them into relics. Probably less ethical than how AP does it, but you can't fault the results!

And now, if you die to the Red Joker, you don't just die, you get turned into a nice hat! A hat which he will then use to kill all of your comrades, whom he will also turn into articles of fancy clothing and weaponry!

Ahaha

>>26089599
>"I look forward to hearing your account, Joker - It's clear you have much to tell."

"Just an upgrade and a few disposable weapons."
>"As you may well know: Every entity in the Red World has a unique identifier - Their essence signature, if you will. Through careful manipulation, this signature can be manipulated - Repurposed, into a more useful form."

>That flat gaze lingers, for a moment, before a slow shake of his head dispels his reverie.

>"Controlling the process, however...Now, that takes effort. Effort, and extraordinary amounts of focus...But I do ramble on."

Yepp, the thief is definitely his successor.

>>26089623
Man, we're beyond fucked up.

>>26089623
Our cognitive dissonance is getting more and more hilarious.
We need to craft Kraken into an ash tray. He might become a good heatsink.

>>26089639
Weren't we going to make some calamari out of him?

>>26089578
5% or so during the fight with Kraken.

>>26089572
The Grinder is a completely separate thing than what Nevermore is talking about. Nevermore wants to make Akira stop collecting sword fragments and inherit Argent's place. Which, given their history, disposition, goals and positions on the Law/Chaos scale... is unlikely.

>>26089639
>He might become a good heatsink
Fuck, you got me.

>>26089637
Like I keep saying - RJ is just bubbling insanity hiding beneath a thin façade of normalcy and sanity. He's compartmentalised the gleeful murderer away from the friendly college-goer.

>>26089655
He IS the Calamari. We grill him and then we make his soul into a heatsink.
So that he will be grilled for all of eternity.

We also need to make sure to prepare our soul-forged stuff to be given to our successors.

>>26089599
>"As you may well know: Every entity in the Red World has a unique identifier - Their essence signature, if you will. Through careful manipulation, this signature can be manipulated - Repurposed, into a more useful form."

"That explains why you're so interested in hunting Correctors. You're like the worlds best recycling service. You take out the trash and misfortune of the world, and turn it into useful things."
"Come to think of it, I've only seen one other person manipulate essence in that fashion... in the middle of a fight, no less."

>>26089628
Thief is the successor to whatsisface, isn't he? Fatal Abyss guy?

He stole the guys arm. So he's either the real deal or trying very hard to fake it.

>>26089672
He can soul-forge upgrades.
Just like AP.

>>26089660
>The Grinder is a completely separate thing than what Nevermore is talking about. Nevermore wants to make Akira stop collecting sword fragments and inherit Argent's place. Which, given their history, disposition, goals and positions on the Law/Chaos scale... is unlikely.

I've put it up as a possibility, since some other anons are so hellbent on giving stuff to spaghetti san, we should go the whole nine yards and arrange for fatal abyss to fall into his lap.

>>26089669
We've actually seen it another time - When we turned Helix Gygas into a glove.

>>26089683
I don't think we should tell him about the capabilities of the Hollow Sun. Even if he knows that we own it.

>>26089664
You forget, our successor has to kill us. Our predecessor had been eaten in half or something equally horrible before he let us kill him. If he could have gotten us out and lived, he probably would have.

>>26089694
We have limited lifespan.
At some point, our avatar will be removed from the setting.
When that happens, I want to know that someone else will be able to use the KRAKEN HEATSINK relic.

>>26089692
Either way, we should ask about whether or not it's possible to forge player signatures into relics.

>>26089706
I fully expect him to answer to this by pointing at our gauntlet.
Which is an artifact that consists of two people. The soul of one and the eye of another dude.

>>26089717
True, but it's an interesting way of checking if he knows, and whether or not he's going to lie to us about it.

>>26089676
The Thief being AP's successor fits in another way too, AP actually told us that the previous Red Joker was the only person who treated him better than he had to. And thanks mostly to Wata, we treat Totenaz way better than we need to.

>>26089672
>Thief is the successor to whatsisface, isn't he? Fatal Abyss guy?
>He stole the guys arm. So he's either the real deal or trying very hard to fake it.


Basically, I suspect The Thief is AP's successor, given some circumstantial evidence detailed here
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/26021821/#p26024380

I also suspect neither of them know each other because, well, Ebara is a giant mega business man who would naturally have a rather low opinon of someone called a Thief.

>>26089705
Implying a Relic made from Kraken wouldn't be a set of Doc. Oc arms.

>>26089669

"Exactly. You're a fast study, young man." He clears his throat, with a little cough: "Hence why Correctors remain a primary target: They provide a moral alternative to the established system, and are of infinite utility."

"There is, I'm afraid, very little to build *with* in the Red World - Harnessing what resources that *do* exist, to my mind, has always been an essential goal. It's fascinating how the nature loves recursion...Millions of years of evolution, a whole new world to explore..."

"-And the pioneers are, once more, hunter-gatherers."

> "Come to think of it, I've only seen one other person manipulate essence in that fashion... in the middle of a fight, no less."

"Is that so?" There's clear interest in his tone, now. "I'm sure you'll be telling me more about it."

>>26089599

He nods, towards the silver targe on the black plinth; "The specifications you asked for were difficult, but not impossible. After all...I enjoy a challenge."

Silently, a slab of stone rises from the ground - Like a waist-high barricade, interposed between the two of you. When a second, smaller square emerges, something clicks - As Argent Prominence settles himself on it.

It's a desk and a chair.

"The Sinistral is yours to wield, Joker." There's a dry note to his voice, as he inclines his head towards the Relic. "You'd find, I believe, that this one is significantly more resilient."

He breathes out - An odd gesture, given how his mouth doesn't open. "Now..." Argent Prominence says; There's something of the schoolteacher in his manner, his casual pose at odds with his surreal surroundings.

"-The floor is yours."

The ruby-red lens of his helm lock on you. He's giving you his *full attention*, in a flat but not unkind stare - The effect is, somehow, chilling.

(Continued)

>>26089748
That would be pretty rad. We could stick some phase blades on them and become a flying ball of slashy

>>26089770

Tell him about:

[ ] The Sheol Star Arcade.
[ ] Club Naraka.
[ ] The Thief.
[ ] Mio.
[ ] The Black Joker.
[ ] Kraken.
[ ] Nara Dreamland.
[ ] The Black Tri-Stars.
[ ] The Hollow Sun.
[ ] The Rift.
[ ] The Fatal Abyss.
[ ] The Spire.

Show him:
[ ] The Cross.
[ ] The Journal.
[ ] The Laptop/The Flash Drive
[ ] The Nihl Sphere/The Helix Gauntlet.
[ ] The Misericorde.
[ ] Hellion Weaponry.

[ ] "The 'Sinistral'?"
[ ] "How's your leg?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>26089774

(Feel free to specify how much you want to tell him, or other things not covered by the list.)

>>26089774
>[X] The Sheol Star Arcade.
>[X] Club Naraka.
>[X] Kraken.
>[X] Nara Dreamland.
>[X] The Fatal Abyss.

>[X] The Laptop/The Flash Drive
>[X] Hellion Weaponry - Tell him we found a cache near a rift

>[X] "The 'Sinistral'?"
>[X] "How's your leg?"

>>26089770
>"There is, I'm afraid, very little to build *with* in the Red World - Harnessing what resources that *do* exist, to my mind, has always been an essential goal. It's fascinating how the nature loves recursion...Millions of years of evolution, a whole new world to explore..."
So THAT is how we fuel the Hollow Sun!

>>26089774
I guess the Thief and the flash drive would be good topics.
Dunno how much we should tell him, though.

Also, definitely as about his leg and the Sinistral.

>>26089774

I'm gonna need some reminding on what The Cross and The Journal are since its rather early.

"Its been a while, so this may take a while. On the way on here, though, I noticed something odd - all your employees looked like they were on Autopilot. You hire Players to gather essence for you."

Hand him the Phase Blade to look at while we're talking in this place - it may satisfy his curiosity and keep him from being too perceptive. Ask him "What have you heard, so I know where to start?" as we do so.

"I was hoping you could have a look at this laptop, actually. If only as I was as good with technology as I was in the red world...."

[x]Start off by telling him of our Date(in vague terms) and how we got ambushed and pushed into a hasty defense. Good segue into The Laptop and Akira, ask if he knows anyone else who can forge relics - then drop the bomb he did so in the middle of a fight.

>>26089816
>as
*ask
Fuck my sunny hands.

>>26089772
I'm all for CALAMARI HEATSINK with a description that refers to a Kraken.

>>26089816
Wait, are you implying what I think you're implying?

We go out and murder a veritable swarm of collectors (Or a couple really big ones), and use the energy to kick the Hollow Sun into high gear?

>>26089774

Other connections to mention - the Nara Dreamland, those wierd-powerspikes we saw on MapDar, and how some places seem to be drawing power from the REAL WORLD - and then mention(correct me if i'm wrong) how the smilers seem to be doing it.

>>26089818
>I'm gonna need some reminding on what The Cross and The Journal are since its rather early.
We got the cross from Black Joker and the Journal was part of Hecate's secret stash in the room full of killerbots.

>>26089829
Yes, absolutely.
Murder enough for one or two level ups and get another level worth of EXP for the Hollow Sun.

>>26089774
>[ ] Free
>>26089818
>You hire Players to gather essence for you."
as an addendum to that: "I still haven't figured out what you have my friend Kazuya doing, though. He's not a Player, as far as I can tell."

>>26089848
I love it. Guess we have our next agenda point. Let's give the Hollow Sun enough energy to make something really big. Maybe that tank, or maybe we could access the design software?

Here's what I'm thinking: Power Armour. Power Armour that goes over the armour we already have.

>>26089774
[X] The Journal.
[X] The Laptop/The Flash Drive
[X] Free
"Did you discover the cause of that energy buildup in DIS?"

>>26089874
And then a suit of power armour to go over that.

>>26089874
Or we could go the insanity route and build power armor for Hecate.

But yeah, upgrades should be awesome.
Maybe restore all of our broken Boxer gear.

>>26089888
The insanity route would be devoting it all to Hellion Variant production and then commanding that they wipe out every trace of the Smilers.

>>26089888
>kill pazuzu
>somehow separate out the xp he got for killing hecate
>ferment it in the power armour
>go completely insane

>>26089816
>So THAT is how we fuel the Hollow Sun!
So it's powered by murder, gotcha.

>>26089894
No, that would be partially sane.

>>26089900
And then we get Mio end. She ends up with a baby and a emotionally distand husband.

>>26089818
The Cross is a necklace Kotone/the Back Joker's host gave us. The Journal is something we found in the Armory after our first fight with Bardiel. It's full of weird code.

>>26089706
That's really borderline. Saying that the Player yielded a Relic with the same properties as himself will suffice, if it comes up at all. You generally don't come out and say where you got your gear;

>>26089748
That'd be a waste, I want the goddamn horse.

>>26089774
Hmm...

Sheol Star and Naraka, with an aside that at least one of them was owned by Mikogami, and that Smilers having bases in places named after mythological hells probably isn't coincidental.

Kraken, yes, everything except that we saw him for the first time after stealing the Hollow Sun.

By Nara Dreamland, do you mean the second excursion? Because that's worth talking about, particularly the memory of Kraken preparing the assault on Nara Dreamland. Ask if he knows a "Morpheus" as well.

Tbe Journal... just the part about the coordinates. It's how we found Natsumi.

I'm really, really torn about the Thief, but he DOES want to know about the Essence thing. Mention that, while following up a lead on the Smilers we encountered him being attacked, and saw him use the power there.

Better ask him to handle the laptop. We'll hold on to the flashdrive, after he flashes the memory we can grab the saved password list.

>>26089866
Kazuya is normal, but being drawn in. Veto this, irrelevant.

>>26089848
>>26089874
Won't work. When you get enough experience to level, it happens automatically. Besides, the Hollow Sun is drawing power STRAIGHT FROM THE PLANET'S CORE. The amount provided by a few dozen to a few hundred Correctors is going to be a drop in the bucket. Note that it didn't take the experience we got from Helix for itself, it all went to the relic.

>>26089905
Not quite; it's more like the Star Forge from KotOR. So it COULD be powered by the Dark Side...

>>26089918
Emotionally distant husband who indulges himself in gleefully murdering dozens of people on the weekends.

>>26089922
>Won't work. When you get enough experience to level, it happens automatically. Besides, the Hollow Sun is drawing power STRAIGHT FROM THE PLANET'S CORE. The amount provided by a few dozen to a few hundred Correctors is going to be a drop in the bucket. Note that it didn't take the experience we got from Helix for itself, it all went to the relic.
Well, then let's get a few Corrector-based relics.

>>26089934
To be fair, he does so in a parallel world and with awesomely flashy skills.
It also causes an accumulation of luck that protects his wife and child, because he feels that it's his duty to protect them even if he can't be fully there.

>>26089922
It's worth testing, if nothing else. Signatures seem to have an awful lot of power, and we do have methods of filtering the xp back out again, I'm betting if we hooked up to the Hollow Sun and meddled, we could maybe dump it into the core.

>>26089922
Eh, then we get some relics or a couple levels. Either way, corrector hunting can't hurt, right?

>>26089953
Yeah, and I bet Correctors are something like the collective luck of non-players trying to stop the spread of luck by players or something.
C does have a huge influence here, after all.

>>26089922
>>26089774
Oh, forgot to add, the Rift, all of it, because Natsumi.

While I'm at it, ask about Enfer.

>>26089941
Pure Corrector Relics are likely to be the one-off consumable types, like the Tether. Which isn't a bad thing, hell, it's all the more reason to try.

>>26089953
Note: This is speculative, I'm not in contact with OP and if I'm wrong and we can know please say so.

Signatures are basically fingerprints: Everything's got one, they're all different sizes, they're all unique. The essence is what matters; the signature is the identifier and tells you what kind of essence it is and what you can do with it. The Grinder does a very basic reassignment of form from Player essence to Relic essence, the basic function doesn't change.

What Argent does is strip the identifiers out, turning Correctors into an all-purpose material. 3D printer goop, basically.

>>26089960
Can't hurt at all. It will be interesting to see what it takes to completely clear a hive.

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>>26089966

> [X] The Sheol Star Arcade.

You recount the events in the Sheol Star Arcade: The strange pod you discovered, the Amaglam that emerged, and the desperate, point-blank battle that followed - Leaving out the freezing cold that radiated from the Nihl Sphere.

Argent Prominence is silent, for a long moment - You detect a frown, in his posture, as his silver fingers stroke his chin in thought.

"Joker," he says, an odd note to his voice; "...Are you aware that the Metropolitan General Hospital has a dedicated coma wing?" It's a seeming non-sequiter, but then he goes on:

"The 'pod' you described - It's strikingly similar to the 'Cradles' used to sustain long-term victims. While the field of cryogenics is hardly my forte, the resemblance is...troubling, to say the least."

He pauses, as if wondering whether to go on: But then, at last, he exhales.

"Bardiel - Or rather, Shindo - was attempting to access that floor on the night you..." Another pause, longer this time. "-On the night he died." Argent Prominence continues, smoothly. "He had acquired several illegally cloned security cards, and was had bypassed the silent alarm."

"As for the rest - I've heard of such incidents before, but the accounts have been unreliable. How something like that could happen..." Mr. Ebara's voice trails off. "...I cannot begin to imagine."

> [X] Club Naraka.
> Laptop
> Flash Drive.

"Now, *that* - That, I'm aware of. I can't fault your results, but sometimes..." He sighs, deeply. "-Sometimes, discretion *is* the better part of valor, Joker."

Argent Prominence seems to consider this, for long moments. "Word travels fast, even in the Red World. Still, I'm sure you had no choice in the matter. If you'd care to leave the evidence you recovered with me - I'll take utmost care in deciphering it. The results should be enlightening."

(Continued)

>>26090033
>Can't hurt at all. It will be interesting to see what it takes to completely clear a hive.

If people still want to try to get on spaghetti-san's good side, we should invite them along for this.

>>26090060
>"Hey guys, I plan on doing something less hardcore for once!
Are you interested in mad loot, EXP and training?"
>"What do you intend to do?"
>"Nothing serious. Just wiping out a Corrector hive."

>>26090060
They cut us off because we're too hardcore for them.

>>26090082

I was thinking more along the lines of putting in a good word with Ebara's and his corrector-hunting parties for them.

"Look, I understand why you guys don't want to tag along on my adventures any more. You don't feel you're up for it. I talked to argent prominence, and they always need a hand hunting correctors down. "
"Get a few levels, make some friends, have a good evening cleaning up trouble waiting to happen. It was the least I could do for you. While i'm here, could I take a look at your map again? That thing was awesome."

>>26090107
...And then they mention the Hollow Sun.

>>26090121

see>>26089572

>>26090060
After what happened during the last raid we initiated? Probably not happening. When he said "I'm cutting off contact in the Red World" he meant it.

If we want to get on his good side, invite him to hang out at school and get him that Apex Blade. Nothing further. Besides, what he really wants is Mio, and her feelings are completely out of Red Joker's hands.

>>26090107
That wouldn't work either. Argent hasn't sponsored any non-Joker outsiders that we've seen and Anon doesn't have much pull. Beyond having a base in a field that grew out of Phantom Edge's corpse, there's nothing remarkable about the Tri-Stars to someone like Argent. They probably be tolerated on any raid that did happen but they wouldn't be welcomed.

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>>26090057

"Unarmoured Players? Most irregular. I'm afraid there's little help I can offer on that front: As far as I know, Player armour is a natural defensive mechanism - One that prevents your essence from dissipating into the Red World."

"In any case, there *have* been rumours of such figures - But they're hearsay at best. Certainly worth investigating: But be careful, Joker. A pleasing appearance does not preclude a lethal nature."

"Perhaps...But no, my mind wanders. There's no proof to support my theories, at any rate."

> [X] Kraken.

"The little I've heard of him is highly troubling. A Player with the ability to control and direct Correctors, you say? Perhaps that's the reason for their irregular activity, of late."

"He has a certain notoriety: In hindsight, it seems extremely likely that he was responsible - In whole or in part - for the Nara Dreamland tragedy. I suspect an unwholesome mind, to suit his unwholesome form."

"In any event - I believe him to be highly dangerous. His unusual anatomy might mean that conventional weaponry might be significantly less effective.

"Personally, I recommend fire."

>[X] The Fatal Abyss.
>[X] The Thief.

Argent Prominence seems to stiffen, at the mention of that.

"-I wish that you'd contacted me earlier. Phantom Edge - To be blunt - was a monster. A monster with a very special brand of corruption, but a monster with a monster's appetities."

"To have someone attempt to *emulate* him; The entire idea sounds insane. Make no mistake - Phantom Edge was a ravener, a beast. There was no rhythm - No *reason* - to his actions: He would simply slaughter anyone who opposed him."

(Continued)

>>26090159
>Phantom Edge was a ravener, a beast. There was no rhythm - No *reason* - to his actions: He would simply slaughter anyone who opposed him."

Sounds more like Rust Kaiser.

>>26090158
>If we want to get on his good side, invite him to hang out at school and get him that Apex Blade. Nothing further

I was actually going to suggest later, hanging around his kendo class - if we're serious about the Phase Blade, we should start taking some sword lessons. it needs SKILL to use properly.

>>26090159
>"To have someone attempt to *emulate* him; The entire idea sounds insane. Make no mistake - Phantom Edge was a ravener, a beast. There was no rhythm - No *reason* - to his actions: He would simply slaughter anyone who opposed him."
Note: Do NOT let Rust Kaiser get his hands on anything that belongs to Phantom Edge. We do not need the Red World's ultimate Juggernaut to wield the corrupted blade of a raging berserker. It just fits too well.

>>26090188
Well, yes...
But it's a fucking lightsaber, not a bokken.
It handles in a manner that is so alien as to have the skill untransferable.
It's better to get skilled by murdering a Corrector hive.
We can do challenges like "murder twenty with only the blades and get at least a triple kill on our mines".

>>26090208
>Red Joker invents the achievement system

>>26090208
The challenge with wielding a lightsabre is not cutting other people, it's not cutting yourself.

>>26090222
Achievements were based on the idea of having proof for your self-imposed challenges. Like reaching weird places in the game.
But then they turned into mundane stuff like "do one hundred kills"...

>>26090227
It's both.
We need to move it quickly and fluidly while not cutting ourselves. Protecting yourself is easy if you move the blade slowly, but then it would be useless against enemies.

>>26090188
But not sword skills. With a sword, you learn to direct the weight of the blade in a strike. The Phase Sword is a monoblade, which means that any sword stances or forms are completely useless since it has no weight, cannot parry (because either it or the opposing weapon are guaranteed to be broken).

Really, if we use it for anything other than utility work we have bigger problems than not being good at using a sword.

>>26090242

I'm sensing a date themed around marathoning all the star wars movies in the red joker's future, now.

>>26090250
I don't think that would help even in the slightest.
The original Star Wars fights were slow as fuck and sometimes retarded (though not as bad as Highlander...) and the newer ones are dances with no regards to killing intent.
Not to mention that Jedi have precognition.

>>26090159

"In fact, I doubt he was even human. I'm aware of your...association...with the Thief, but I would recommend that you avoid aiding him any further. In fact - I would advise you to neutralize him, but I trust your judgment in that regard."

"But - And I mean this in the strongest possible terms - I believe that allowing him to accomplish his goal means disaster."

"If I were you, I would never trust him again. Joker's Memory or not - I've never heard of such a thing. It sounds prepostrous, to me. - I'd err on the side of caution."

>>26089835
>>26089876

> "Did you discover the cause of that energy buildup in DIS?"

"No."

It's uncharacteristically blunt. Perhaps that's why he clarifies:

"-A recon team made contact with the afflicted area, shortly after Chrome Cypher's report. At present, none of them have returned."

Argent Prominence looks away, for a moment. His voice is deceptively mild.

"...I would appreciate your assistance in that matter, in fact. I believe you have a greater chance of success - And at present, I cannot commit more Players."

"Every loss diminishes us, and we're already short-handed."

>>26089922

"You walk in strange places, Joker. Perhaps I shall investigate, for myself."

You're not sure if he believes you - But he's clearly not discounting it. In fact, there's an almost contemplative air to him.

>>26089818
>>26089808

> "You hire Players to gather essence for you."

"And for themselves. There is, after all, safety in numbers - More, there is security. To do well while doing good: That's the ideal outcome."

Argent Prominence weighs the Phase Blade in one silver hand.

"Intriguing. This is a...sophisticated work. Not *quite* a Relic, but..."

His voice trails off. "-I'd like to study this specimen, if you don't mind. It's really quite fascinating. If you could spare any further items - I'd certainly appreciate that."

(Continued)

>>26090262
Actually, wasn't the original trilogy utilizing Kendo style for the light sabers?

>>26090270
>His voice trails off. "-I'd like to study this specimen, if you don't mind. It's really quite fascinating. If you could spare any further items - I'd certainly appreciate that."
I guess we can spare our Hollow Sun equipment. We can just get replacements at our Jokercave.

>>26090291
Just to make sure:
What exactly did we tell him?
We don't want him to get suspicious whe we arrive with a new full set.

>>26090250
Except for the sci-fi magic it's more like the manga "Til Death Do Us Part".

>>26090302
Presumably that we found a cache of pseudo-relics.

>>26090333
>Presumably that we found a cache of pseudo-relics.
Looks like there'd be no issue with having replacements.
We just may have trouble explaining how the fuck the things didn't dematerialize.

>>26090302

(That you located, and presumably looted, a small cache of equipment from the Rift. No mention of the Hollow Sun, as specified earlier in the thread.)

> [X] "The 'Sinistral'?"

"A small indulgence, if you would. Please - There's no need to stand on ceremony."

And so you don't. Even to your untrained eye, it's a marvellously crafted piece: There's a moment of discomfort as the filaments link with the connectors of your left arm, but when you trigger it -

The low snap-*hiss* of the photonic shield engaging fills your ears, and casts flickering light across the chamber.

http://pastebin.com/cdHUfduN

> [X] "How's your leg?"

"Well."

Argent Prominence does not quite smile, but there's an amused air to him, all the same. "-I've been convalescencing quite nicely, as a matter of fact. Perhaps not quite as quickly as I used to, but...I do believe that the cane makes me rather distinguished."

You can't tell if he's joking, or not.

> [X] The Journal.

The small, commonplace book looks out of place in Argent Prominence's silver hands. He turns the pages delicately, consideringly: "Interesting," he says, at length. "This seems to be an original copy of the Black Cardinal's lunatic jottings. Very rare: Where did you get it?"

A pause.

"This is a dangerous book to own, Joker," he goes on. "Dangerous - And valuable. Perhaps worth more than all the rest put together."

He cants his silver head to the side.

"I may have to revise my appraisal of you."

[ ] "Can you read it?"
[ ] "What do you mean?"
[ ] "How do you *know* he wrote it?"
[ ] "I'd prefer not to say."
[ ] "That sounds ominous."
[ ] "It belonged to a friend."
[ ] "I found it."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>26090366

(Also, apologies for the post length. I hope I covered everything.)

>>26090366
>[ ] "It belonged to a friend."
I tend into this direction.
What does everyone else think?

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>>26090159

>"Personally, I recommend fire."

He gives the BEST advice.

>>26090366
>When disrupted, the Sinistral's limiters channel the resulting feedback away from the user - Resulting in a short-ranged but potent concussive pulse that can be directed at an opponent. The shield can be deliberately overloaded, for the same effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-WPeDuWHHc

Nifty thing.

>>26090372
Whew, that can't have been fun. Wanted to ask about Enfer and to go ahead with what he was going to say about the unarmored Players, on the basis that we don't even have rumors to speculate on.

>>26090366
"It belonged to someone who was taken by the Smilers. I'm afraid I don't know where they got it, but I think it could explain a lot about those who follow the Black Cardinal's path today.

"And I'm sorry, I thought you already knew that I was a loose cannon with the devil's own luck."

>>26090398
We already intend Maser power if we have time to prepare.

>>26090366
"I walk in strange places and meet strange people, sometimes they don't even try to kill me. Is it really surprising that I find things like this journal? Can you read it?

So, what was my previous appraisal and what is it now?

Did you ever meet the Chalice Queen? Could you tell me about her? I think she may be connected to the unarmored players, which by the way do exist.

By the by, do you know anything about purple stones that blur the line between the Red World and the normal one? Bardiel had one as did Enfer and others."

>>26090426
>>26090396
Funny thing, we don't actually know it belonged to Hecate. We're assuming so because of where we found it, butall those crude tools that were also with it don't really match her style.

>>26090553

It was probably hers, if you think about it. She did summon the guardians to her aid.

Apparently, OP has been banned.

>>26090643
That filter's moronic.

>>26090643
KILL EVERYTHING
ALL IS LOST
WE WILL NEVER FARM CORRUPTORS
BURN MOOT BURN MOOT BURN MOOT
I WANT TO BURN HIM AND SHIT ON THE FILTERS
AND THEN I FORCE HIM TO DRINK FROM HIS SEA OF PISS AND DIVE THROUGH /d/'s FUTA THREADS WHILE BEING RAMMED BY GAY COCKS FROM TALIBAN REDDITORS

Hm. I'd suggest running Joker Quest on a different board or site to avoid this banning nonsense.

>>26090682
What does he type that is ban-worthy?

>>26090682
Where? On anonkun?

>>26090697
probably nothing specific the word filter is just insane.

>>26090682

It's the filter, actually. It's happened a few times, like when describing how the Scrander functions.

Ok, which of you fuckers archived the quest as number 41?
What the hell was the faggot archiver smoking?

>>26090958

Isn't L the roman numeral for 50?

>>26091323
yep

>>26090479

We've given him all our stuff, right? Well, easy come, easy go.

Pls come back, OP

>>26091656

He can't, he's banned.

>>26091323
And XL means 50 - 10 = 40.
And I means 1.
It should be LI, not XLI.

>>26092076

Can't he ban-appeal on the IRC?