>>31661713

Joker OP, if the Helix Gauntlet advantages are gone, you should remove the appropriate sections on the discounts and remove the affected codebursts too.

File: jokerhellions.jpg (48 KB, 530x750)

48 KB JPG

>>31661713

HOLLOW SUN - UPDATED: 34.2%

http://pastebin.com/SPt2b30r

RESEARCH:

[X] SIEGEBREAKER CHASSIS
[X] PHOTON SHIELD GENERATOR
[X] TELEPORT HOMER
[X] SAMAEL CIRCUIT

VOID ANCHORS:

ORIGINAL HIVE
THE TRIBUNAL

RED COMET GUIDE:

http://pastebin.com/7vzY4Zp2

UPDATES:

- Added the MIDAS GAUNTLET to the Equipment FAQ.
- Changed REAPER CIRCUIT to SAMAEL CIRCUIT
- The HOLLOW SUN can now hold up to 150% maximum charge. (Further updates to come.)

>>31661749

(My apologies, I may have been unclear on this issue - You actually retain the advantages of the HELIX GAUNTLET; It's just that they're all part of the MIDAS GAUNTLET now.

You still retain the relevant discounts, as long as the NIHL SPHERE remains attached to the MIDAS GAUNTLET.)

>>31661767

Ah, thats cool.

From the conversation with wata, I thought the discounts were gone.

So we have four charging elements, but can only use up to two at a time on our right arm?

>628.Due to the nature of the integration, most of DAEGAL'S abilities remain dormant - To be unlocked when the Essence threshold is reached. In addition, the properties of orichalcum means that the MIDAS GAUNTLET has an extremely high resistance to most forms of energy attack, and is completely immune to corrosion.
Now THIS is very interesting. We should keep the corrosion immunity in mind.
The energy resistance reminds me of i,Robot, when Sonny could grab items through an energy shield because his arm was reinforced.

File: jokeralley.jpg (77 KB, 800x600)

77 KB JPG

Above, the moon; Cold, silver.

It's dark, where you are now. A long-forgotten street in the old city, the chill bite of the air making your breath smoke and seethe - Frost-rimed puddles turning the cobbles underfoot slick and treacherous. A wan, unhealthy illumination does nothing to illuminate the slanting shadows; A lattice that throws your form into sharper relief.

You're not sure how you got here. There's the faint ache of distant exhaustion, your coat stiff and crackling with frost - The beginnings of numbness in your fingers, made clumsy by the cold. You can't even remember why your knuckles are scraped...

But perhaps it doesn't matter. All roads lead through the old city - This is where you're safest.

In the Red World, this place doesn't exist. It's a void, an absence - A great chasm, vast and pitiless and black, where space folds in upon itself. It's a place few people, and no Players, would venture; These anonymous alleys, which criss-cross the city like veins.

And you realize, with the chill of memory:

You're not far from the Red Joker's resting place.

You should...

[ ] Call someone.
- [ ] Call Isao/Distortion Haze.
- [ ] Call Mio.
- [ ] Call Aoba/Armaros.
- [ ] Call Natsumi.

[ ] Go somewhere.
- [ ] Go to the Sterling Industries building.
- [ ] Visit the Salvation Children's Home.
- [ ] Visit the Metropolitan General Hospital.
- [ ] Visit the Red Joker's gravesite.
- [ ] Visit the address left in your wallet.
- [ ] Meet with Megumi.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>31661881
>Visit the Red Joker's gravesite.

>>31661767
Evening OP, hope you're not overworking yourself. Thanks for answering my questions.

>>31661789
Only if we take the sphere out of the gauntlet, same as when it was just Helix in there.

I'd like to move to start two pieces of research: Reactive Plating and the Solaris Generator. Last thread we opened up research into Chayot Hellions when the Audito finished. The Solaris system should unlock Hellions with built-in Helios arrays--the same kind we stuck on Players during the raid to let others use Hollow Sun weapons. How do you like the idea of weapon charging Hellions letting entire Player squads use Hollow Sun weapons?

Reactive Plating is for resource optimization: the longer they're alive the more they do for us.

>>31661881

How much time do we have left?

>- [ ] Visit the Red Joker's gravesite.


I hope we have time to visit Hecate later.

>>31661881
Visit RJ's gravesite.

Afterwards we go to the adress.

Can we send Bishamon a text to tell him that he doesn't have to kill us anymore?

>>31661897

I would like to suggest the gospel array first.

Being able to command them would be extremely useful instead of just letting them run wild.

>>31661897
I favor the Gospel Relay instead of reactive plating, but agree on Solaris Generator.

>>31661905

The game should still be running, I think.

Cybele didn't seem dead but appeared to have gone into hibernation.

His patron might have done the same too.

>>31661873

(Not exactly: You have one on your left arm, and three on your right. You can use them freely - Within reason, of course.)

>>31661897

(My apologies: It's been slightly busy here. I'll note that I intend to expand the options available to the Hollow Sun, now that Daegal has been released - However, I haven't had the opportunity to flesh them out adequately, due to game balance issues.

To clarify, options include being able to commission specific Hellions for summoning, boosting the speed of research, and single-use vehicles like motorcycles and air-dropped support weaponry.

Watch this space.)

Guys, idea:
What if the photon shield generator gave research for giving us a shield?
A regenerating shield? One that cancels our current lack of healing?

>>31661881
>[ ] Visit the Red Joker's gravesite.

It's been a while we did this.

>>31661873
Wasn't Joker already immune to the Black Joker's kind of corrosion? The energy resistance is super neat, I agree. Joker's been lacking in that regard.

Anyone else think it could be cool to hide the arm using the Assault Shroud until it's time for a dramatic reveal?

>>31661881
How much time has passed since Megumi's call? Joker did agree to meet her.

Gravesite if we have time, meeting if we don't.

>>31661918
>>31661922
We're going to need both Gospel and Solaris to really make use of this, but I'm curious what the plating's full benefit is.

>>31661942

Hellion Shields.

>>31661933
>To clarify, options include being able to commission specific Hellions for summoning, boosting the speed of research, and single-use vehicles like motorcycles and air-dropped support weaponry.
Woah.
That's awesome.

By the way, we should maybe think about getting those microscale suspensors. With our integrated Talon and waived priming costs, it might be worth getting a Hellion heavy weapon.

>>31661942
>Anyone else think it could be cool to hide the arm using the Assault Shroud until it's time for a dramatic reveal?
OP, can we do that? Just leave part of the nanomachine colony to hide the hand?

I want to make a dramatic reveal once we find someone that we really hate.

So, is it time for another pissed-off Joker?
This time there is no one responsible but us.
Time to use our rage on random players?

>>31661972
Why would RJ be pissed off? He just a cool new gauntlet.

>>31661972

I think not.

Smilers to kill.

Any non-smiler player is a player who will fight against smilers destroying the world.

We won't look for a fight but those who come against us, die.

>>31661933
>To clarify, options include being able to commission specific Hellions for summoning, boosting the speed of research, and single-use vehicles like motorcycles and air-dropped support weaponry.
>summoning Hellions
>motorcycles
I'm a teetotaler as a rule, but you've just made me reach for a celebratory drink. Now Joker is Kamen Rider and has a pocket army.

Oh, since the Sun is done producing Daegal, is there going to be any increase in generated energy? Since the main project and presumably major energy drain is now out in the wild.

>>31661960
We can get one already, we just like to quickdraw the chaingun. I'd rather hold off on the suspensor, I don't think we need any more heavy weapons for now.

>>31661972
Better idea: Take out frustration on the Hives. One man raiding party.

>>31661979
>He just a cool new gauntlet.
And he kinda lost a person that was fully content with just being used by him.
He might be a bit of an asshole, but it's not like he doesn't get attached to people.

It's also a bit of a repeat of the Hecate incident.

>>31661881
Whatever else we do, text Isao: "What did you decide?"

>>31661989
>Better idea: Take out frustration on the Hives. One man raiding party.
Well, the Leech module DOES make it possible...

Wait. Isn't that what Samus does? Use the life force of her fallen foes to regenerate?

>>31661942
Concur with Wata about visitation priorities. Grave if we have time before Megumi, otherwise go straight to her.

>>31661989
>We can get one already, we just like to quickdraw the chaingun. I'd rather hold off on the suspensor, I don't think we need any more heavy weapons for now.
That's the point.
If it wasn't for quickdraw, I'd fill all our slots with Hellion weaponry.
But quickdraw means that we need our relics there.

>>31661996

He never really cared for Cybele. I don't see why he'll change that much. Except maybe the promise to mourn her and setup a grave marker if she doesnt wake up.

>>31662005

Lets not.

Let him come to us.

Don't rush him

>>31662025
>He never really cared for Cybele.
I think her last words changed that.

It went from "manipulating a person who might have mind controlled you for personal gain" to "losing a person that loved you so much that she was willing to sacrifice herself for you".

>>31661902
>>31661942

>How much time do we have left?

(You have slightly more than a hour left. It isn't far.)

>>31661989

> Oh, since the Sun is done producing Daegal, is there going to be any increase in generated energy? Since the main project and presumably major energy drain is now out in the wild.

(I'm contemplating multiple alternatives, but balance is an issue.)

>>31661881
>>31661960

(By all means, if you specifically use the Assault Shroud to cover it. Utilizing the arm would likely blow your cover, however.)

>>31661894
>>31661902
>>31661905
>>31661939

It's strange, how easy the path comes to you; The tangled network of streets and twisted alleys would be an incomprehensible tangle to anyone else. But it feels as natural, as simple, as retracing your steps - Navigating not by landmarks, but by familiarity. An eerie quiet lingers; Even the wind is stilled, each moment hanging brittle and silent as it ticks by.

Your footfalls make no sound on the poorly-cut cobblestones as they give way to street; Then to pavement...Then to cobblestone again. Each slow step takes you further and further into the gloom.

This was where they found you.

After a hundred years down in the dark, the first dawn of true light in your universe brought pain. Without sensors to trickle meaning directly into your brain, with the need to breathe scraping nerves already raw, the distant pinpoint of light at the end of a long, long journey was as achingly brilliant as it was incomprehensible.

(Continued)

>>31662005
That reminds me, shouldn't we check out the Original Hive? See what happened to it and recover the LFC that dropped.

>>31662012
In Fusion, at least. Don't remember how it worked in Prime or Zero Mission.

>>31662022
Yeah, opportunity cost. I really wouldn't mind having a Graviton Cannon on hand, but we can summon one whenever we want using the Beacon.

So, what does everyone think "essence threshold" means?
I think we are now levelling up twice with every level - Once for the gauntlet and once for our armor.

>>31662072
>(By all means, if you specifically use the Assault Shroud to cover it. Utilizing the arm would likely blow your cover, however.)

Can we direct some nanite to cover the arm?

It won't need to move and can just mantain a red colour.

Otherwise we can get the assault shroud cloak to wrap around the arm and expose only the hand so that not using the abilities of the gauntlet won't reveal our (heh) hand.

>>31662077
>but we can summon one whenever we want using the Beacon.
Does the Beacon still cost something for activation? Or does the Midas Gauntlet cancel that as well?

>>31662110

Beacon isn't a hellion weapon and is more a relic.

We'll still need to spend booster.

>>31662072
>(I'm contemplating multiple alternatives, but balance is an issue.)
Understandable. Maybe the extra energy can go to supporting the new functions you're hinting at.

Sure, let's cover the arm. How do you define "using the arm"? Activating the Crisis Arm component, or the Talon component?

>>31662082
Essence threshold is loquacious "level up", so I think you're right. This is a good argument for the Limiter Attunement, more Daegal juice.

>>31662077
>Don't remember how it worked in Prime or Zero Mission.
All dead enemies leave health pickups, with the possible exception of Other M.
She was already created by the creators of the Metroids, after all.
My theory is that Fusion just allowed her to eat X, as well as maybe drain energy from still living enemies.

>>31662128
>This is a good argument for the Limiter Attunement, more Daegal juice.
Yeah, it's suddenly a lot more effective.

...We are levelling two endgame armors at the same time. Holy crap.

>>31662072

And now...Here you are.

It's not much to look at. A narrow passage, the entrance raw and jagged - As if the city aches to seal over it, to scab, the pitted wall at the far end marred by deep fissures and spiderwebbed with cracks.

The mark remains, with it's eternal death's-head grin. The glow is a numinous thing, like a trick of the mind; Enigmatic, wan, but somehow brighter than before.

[ ] "Hello again, old man."
[ ] "...I should clean this place up, someday."
[ ] "...'Keep your head down, and inch towards daylight' - Huh."
[ ] "This place never changes."
[ ] "-I don't even know why I'm here."

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>31662149
>[ ] "Hello again, old man."

Take out the memory, see if it reacts to the mark or anything around here really.

>>31662128

The assault shroud currently functions like a cape so moving it out of the way would expose the gold?

Perhaps we need to have the assault shroud assume the form of a costume. Detached sleeves to cover the gauntlets or some other style of outfit that won't interfere with our movement?

>>31662149


[ ] "Hello again, old man."
[ ] "...I should clean this place up, someday."
[ ] "...'Keep your head down, and inch towards daylight' - Huh."

>>31662149
>[ ] "...I should clean this place up, someday."
"...Once everything is over"

>>31662128

>Sure, let's cover the arm. How do you define "using the arm"? Activating the Crisis Arm component, or the Talon component?

(I would say; Utilizing the Crisis Arm, the Helix Gauntlet or the Talon.)

>>31662110

(You still need to pay the cost for activation - The Gauntlet applies to Hellion weaponry.)

>>31662149
[ ] "-I don't even know why I'm here."

>>31662167
>(I would say; Utilizing the Crisis Arm, the Helix Gauntlet or the Talon.)
I think we can live with that.
We will only need those tools for dangerous enemies. And that's exactly where we want to do that dramatic reveal.

>>31662167

>(I would say; Utilizing the Crisis Arm, the Helix Gauntlet or the Talon.)

I believe you mentioned that the emulator module can now take the form of the crisis arm at will right?

If we use that for our crisis arm weapon, we can still make use of it and hide the gauntlet.

>>31662157
>Take out the memory, see if it reacts to the mark or anything around here really.

Is this the first time we got here after we obtained the memory?

>>31661881
>You're not far from the Red Joker's resting place.

Visit the grave and shine the nihl sphere's light on our memory.
Red Joker memory, it is time

>>31662193
I think we've been here ever since first meeting Kotone, which was forever ago.
>[ ] "Hello again, old man."
>[ ] "...I should clean this place up, someday."
>[ ] "...'Keep your head down, and inch towards daylight' - Huh."

>>31662149
>[X] "Hello again, old man."
It's been a while.

>[X] "...'Keep your head down, and inch towards daylight' - Huh."
"It's looking more and more like I'm gonna have to look straight ahead and make a break for it these days. But maybe this time I won't be the only one who makes it out the other side.

Even if it's reckless, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed by me trying."

talking at graves is mostly about catharsis, after all. might as well get our money's worth.

Taking out the Memory is probably a good idea as well, though we should at least save it until after the pleasantries in case something unexpected happens.

>>31662202
>>31662198
Then it's defenitely worth a shot.

>>31662110
>>31662124
Still need to pay. It's cheaper than activating a cannon used to be, so the main drawback is summoning time.

>>31662148
Unbreakable spear and unbreakable shield. Put them against each other and who knows what'll happen. Use them at the same time...

Though, come to think of it, I don't think that Daegal is really the same as Red Joker. Overwriting your original player form is what happens when it goes wrong. It's supposed to integrate and empower. It's like, the Red Joker changes who you are, while Daegal is more like a real suit of armor.

>>31662149
"Was it like this for you? It was so much easier when I thought all of them were like me."

>>31662167
Does the Leech Module's effect count as using the Gauntlet?

> [X] "Hello again, old man."

The wind exhales, in a gentle surrusation that sends dead leaves and scraps of paper swirling around your feet.

>>31662161
>>31662165

> [X] "...I should clean this place up, someday."
> "...Once everything is over"

You always say that. The rebel impulse lingers, as you look around; You doubt that anything could ever make this place look better - A single, squalid alley amid the mouldering remnants of a condemned, so blighted that it was passed-over by reclamation efforts.

Graffiti, now faded into unintelligible smears, adorn the walls; Simple, elemental marks that remind you of primoridal cave paintings, showing hunters and bison.

Someday, you should add your own.

>>31662161
>>31662202
>>31662204

> [X] "...'Keep your head down, and inch towards daylight' - Huh."

The very last thing he told you; To spur you ever-onwards, to kindle a flame that would never go out. Words that you cradled close to you, like a promise-

As you passed through the cavern of rats.

Through the path of boiling steam.

Through the country of the blind.

Through the slough of despond.

Through the vale of tears.

Some inches are longer than others.

(Continued)

>>31662072
>(You have slightly more than a hour left. It isn't far.)

I'd vote we keep our promise to Mio, and Escort her to the Culture Festival.

but we want a little bit of extra time - to warn here that people may start dying today, and that she shouldn't blame herself for it.

>>31662226

We have slightly more than an hour to a meeting with megumi

>>31662226
Did you mix up Mio and Megumi? And the date, cultural festival is tomorrow.

And wow, that last part is doomed to cause misunderstandings.

On that "Mio is Hellebore's autopilot" idea, I just thought about why all the girls like us.
Cybele had legitimate reason to like us.
Hecate had real reason to like us.
But Mio stalked us from the get-go.
What if Hellebore and old RJ were a couple and Mio is following us because we register as RJ?

>>31662242

I was the one saying we should invite Mio to spend the night BEFORE the culture festival.

She wanted to spend the night over but didn't, which was why she was at the church, and doing so is our *last chance* to figure out what's going on with her hyades/dragon/seal before the Big Hyades Showdown shit.

However, since she's kind of locked out from the red world, I wanted to get our Tape Player back from megumi - if we absoutely need to (i know there's resistance to the idea of telling her anything about the red) we can use it to show her what's going on.

That being said, I don't think megeara is gonna stand up to high-tier players like Pazuzu and Rust Kaiser, and unless you want her to actually die at the festival..... there's gonna have to be some amount of 'do this to not die' going on, and the tape player lets us communicate while being busy fighting. Hence, we need Megumi.

But that may be problematic, if she catches us because mio spies on megumi.

And those are my feelings on the matter.

>>31662262
>But Mio stalked us from the get-go.
That's not true. She started showing minor signs of affection after we stood up for her during the tennis match and her feelings towards RJ were steadily growing for a while.
The one who never had a reason to like us is Yui.

>>31662267
>However, since she's kind of locked out from the red world, I wanted to get our Tape Player back from megumi - if we absoutely need to (i know there's resistance to the idea of telling her anything about the red) we can use it to show her what's going on.
We lost another girl to the Red.
I actually think that it would now be in character to not tell her anything.

>>31662262
She didn't know us until after the tennis match.

And, if Mio is a Hyade, isn't it possible that she imprinted on Anon instead of Red Joker?

>>31662267
We're not getting the tape player back if what she said last thread is any indication.

>>31662223

You wonder, distantly, how Vertigo Trisagion knew.

>>31662204
> "Was it like this for you? It was so much easier when I thought all of them were like me."

It's something you try not to think about, in the long dark hours of the night; Could you have saved anyone? You don't remember all of it, of couse; Just fragments. Impressions, from the claustrophobic fury, from the whirling blur of violence that became the simple rhythm of aim, fire, reload.

Your visor display, selecting and priortising targets. Flickering and switching, your voice crackling tinnily from your helmet speakers, in mimicry of breaths that you didn't need. Targets to be addressed, one and all.

Aim. Fire. Reload.

At some point, it became second nature.

You wonder if, this time, things will be different.

> [X] "-I don't even know why I'm here."

...That's right. It's not like he could come back, even for you; The red armour you wear is proof of that, if nothing else. One way or another - It all turns on you.

If you-

...It's growing brighter.

(Continued)

>>31662284

Yui spent alot of time watching us and was obviously intrigued at what she noticed.

Shes got cause too.

>>31662293
This. Joker doesn't really seem to like involving people who aren't aware of the Red, though he prods them here and there to see the result. The time with Asuna established that while he wants to tell those around him just what kind of hell he lives in, he considers it madness.
We also don't know if telling the truth will actually help or just cause her to become even more endangered. It's a gentle subject.

>>31662299
>...It's growing brighter.
Oh boy here we go. Anyone have the Joker gif? Can't find mine.

>>31662330

Maximum joker?

I wonder it joker memory is literally a memory of a previous joker.

So we fight the older joker to learn what the red joker can do and thus power up.

>>31662293
>We lost another girl to the Red.

No, we didn't lose her.

She's never been able to access it. She blames herself for people dying to megeara, ust like she thought the car that nearly killed us and ebara at the restaurant was HER FAULT because she knows she has wierd powers but she can't see the red, just their effects.

There as a good theory a while ago that she's the Autopilot of a Hyades that's trapped - more than normal trapped - in the red, and was theorized to be the old joker's hyades, which is why her mark took hold in our armor, and why she almost recognized us.

She also told us to "find her".

Well, this is literally our last chance.

We need ot get on that shit and not get sidetracked.

>>31662312
>Yui spent alot of time watching us and was obviously intrigued at what she noticed.
She herself implied that she doesn't understand why the hell does she like RJ in the first place. There also isn't much to look at, since he spends all his time at school either studying or thinking on the roof and until getting the Shark role, he hardly did anything worth looking at. Her feelings didn't solidify until after the "pre-smut" scene.
It's definitely something in the Red fucking with her mind.

The faint, almost imperceptible glimmer has been replaced by a firm, emerald glow - Like a distant star. Like the light of the first day, over the horizon.

(A sound, like the throb of a distant heart.)

>>31662157

The Joker's Memory - The pulse matches your memory, matches the slow beat of the scarred symbol as it comes to life in your hand. In the Red World, this place doesn't exist; In the Red, this tiny, unremarkable stretch of land has long since been lost to the void.

In a world: Impossible.

But the light remains. As it grows, the lines and seams of the Joker's Memory catch and snare the eye with their cunning artistry - And then something clicks, like an optical illusion, cresting the very edge of a revelation...

-It's a puzzle box.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>31662357
What kind of puzzle box is it?

>>31662357
>-It's a puzzle box.
>[ ] Free

nighl sphere! Its *made* to open shit, and its at full power.
It can at least highlight it

And...

pull out the Misericorde.

We theorized it is the means by which the RJ armor is passed along, making it a sort of excision/backup tool

So.... check the pommel and see if it fits the puzzle box key.

>>31662369
This is a good start to solving the puzzle I agree.

>>31662366
>>31662369

(It doesn't seem to have any openings, but it's the kind that you manipulate to open.)

>>31662382

Oh! rubix cube

Still. Nihl always gives hints

>>31662349
>No, we didn't lose her.
I meant Cybele.

>>31662357
>[ ] Free

Take a breath. A deep, deeeeep calming breath. Kneel.

Argus Scan the grave for a hint. He never told us about this.

But he would have left a hint to its origin/use/construction.

This is like an adventure game - look for the context clues.

And we start by examining two things
1) the surrounding area
and 2) our own knowledge and memories. Hence the calming breath - frost cestus does NOT like to think about his time in hell. its a repressed blur - but it may be the key to this.

>>31662335
The Dark Knight Joker doing his "Here we go" bit.

>>31662328
At the very least I've been playing the character as someone who prefers to keep those in the know well informed, and keep the uninformed out entirely. Knowing bits and pieces about this is more dangerous than knowing nothing or knowing it all, to my thinking.

>>31662349
Since there's only one Chalice Queen at a time, I think that a Hyade champion wins by killing the current one. You have to have the prize at hand. She's probably on the ship.

>>31662369
It was made from Frost Cestus, it's not passed down from Joker to Joker, it came from Anon himself. His soul was forged into a weapon to kill the Joker.

>>31662357
Let's start solving then. First push the box against the mark. If that doesn't get a reaction, look for hinges or a place to push down. God I hate puzzle boxes, I'm terrible at them.

>>31662382
So is there any recognizable pattern? Like a Rubix Cube?

Wait, the RJ symbol on the wall reacted. Try to touch it to it?

>>31662407
>Argus Scan the grave for a hint. He never told us about this.

Nihl Scan time maybe?

>>31661933
>(My apologies: It's been slightly busy here. I'll note that I intend to expand the options available to the Hollow Sun, now that Daegal has been released - However, I haven't had the opportunity to flesh them out adequately, due to game balance issues.

Regarding balance - you may want to make certain actions more efficient/cost less energy instead of giving out more, and/or let two things be researched at once.

Basically instead of the resources that were going to daegal being given back as % energy - which is nice - making the half-power-facilities we've BEEN using much more efficient/better now that things aren't being diverted to this all-important plan.

Also, system access changed?

>>31662411
>>31662409
Yeah, push the box to the emblem and if that doesn't work pull out nigil.

>>31662409
>It was made from Frost Cestus, it's not passed down from Joker to Joker, it came from Anon himself. His soul was forged into a weapon to kill the Joker.

Didn't we cover this earlier? I thought the misericorde was given to frost cestus BY the red joker, when he willingly let himself be killed.

I'm not sure I believe you this time, because I remember choosing the 'it wasn't our fault' option, not the 'we killed him on purpose' option.

So...... Citation Needed, watashiwa.

>>31662433
Actually, from what I remember, the Misericode was forged from the Frost Cestus armor.

>>31662409
>it came from Anon himself. His soul was forged into a weapon to kill the Joker.

yeah thats bullshit because we've don't know how to make artifacts, see white joker

>>31662409
>Let's start solving then. First push the box against the mark. If that doesn't get a reaction, look for hinges or a place to push down. God I hate puzzle boxes, I'm terrible at them.

Also, check the bottom. make sure to find the right orientation to start with

>>31662398
My grand plan for the finale is to try to win in co-op.

Nobody's tried. Nobody ever.

The nihl sphere is a massive power source with the side benefit of breaking rules.

What I want to aim for is: getting both our and bishamon's girls out safely - and then putting an end to this shit by kidpanning the hyades servers and giving them tweaked hellion bodies - not for war, but for living - until we can find something more permanent.

>>31662366
>>31662369
>>31662388
>>31662411
>>31662431

The Misericorde, first - The blade clicks lightly as you tap it against the Joker's Memory. Nothing happens, except for the muted, hollow sound; A sound that echoes in your ears, far more than it should. You note, uneasily, that in the green light that swells to envelope your world, the Misericorde is a flat and lightless black that sheds no shadow.

You breathe a little easier, when you return it to it's hiding place - Even though it rides, heavy and leaden like a threat, close to your chest.

The Nihl Sphere's anti-light seems to mute the emerald radiance; It casts odd, looping arcs, strange banded striations across the walls of the narrow passage - Ruler-straight, fanning out from no obvious point of origin. They fail to move as the source of light changes.

And then, it clicks.

The lines of the Joker's Memory...The arcs and grids formed by the Nihl Sphere's radiance...

-It's a perfect match.

It's as if, somehow, you're standing *inside* the Joker's Memory...Looking out from within.

>>31662409

The Joker's Memory presses against the twinned mark, grinning face to grinning face. Nothing happens - But a heartbeat later, your fingers find the first line of assembly...

-And twist.

The world shudders. The ground trembles beneath your feet, as the shadows braid and twist into new configurations. When you turn it again, tiny mechanisms move within; There is a satisfying resistance, it unfurls and *reconfigures* without changing, altering the simple, smirking glyph etched onto the surface...

Another twist, another turn, as you delve further. Something is happening, now: Something you can only dimly intuit, as a hush descends like the calm before the storm-

And before your eyes, the symbol on the fractured wall changes, too. The cracks seem to grow deeper, fracturing without fraying...The green light is changing, taking on a ruddy hue.

It's not too late to stop.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>31662433
The option was to the effect of "he was in pain" as I recall.

From episode 50:
> Most of it, you already know - After all, you were there when it was created: Caine carrying Abel over endless plains of salt. You remember - The battered red gauntlet grasping your own, gripping the rent edges of your armour; The warping shimmer that arose, hanging in the air like a phantom of times past-

Key words: "You were there when it was created", "gripping the rent edges of your armour".

>>31662453
>see white joker
Anon had nothing to do with making it, he was the raw materials.

>>31662472
>The nihl sphere is a massive power source with the side benefit of breaking rules.
Wait, isn't Pazuzu also an endgame character?

- Pazuzu
- Red Joker
- Daegal
- (Black Joker)
...We are starting to assemble all endgamers into one.
Also, I bet AP can kill our Scrander and Shroud if needed. He did upgrade them, after all.

>>31662449
>Actually, from what I remember, the Misericode was forged from the Frost Cestus armor.

Lets say you're right.

can we use our artifact making powers to ... make a key?

Like, we've done it with the misericorde.
and we've done it with ANDVARANUT.

So this is clearly a power that anon-kun has, but only when he's not thinking, or thinking reflexively.....

>>31662492
>>see white joker
But this was also the conversation where we admitted we didn't know HOW to make relics or our own weapons, after he taunted us at using fake copies

>>31662480
>It's not too late to stop.

Go all the way Anon!

>>31662480
>It's not too late to stop.
...Welp, I guess this means that we will miss our appointment if we do this.

Send a text to Megumi that we might not be able to make it?

>>31662480
ALL ABOARD THE HAPPENING TRAIN

>>31662480
Ah crap. Okay, hold off. Go see Megumi, then come back. This is going to take the rest of the night.

>>31662495
We checked that in the Hollow Sun, he did nothing to it but upgrade it.

And yes, Pazuzu is this game's Black Cardinal, the Cardinal owned both Nihl Spheres. The end game item was the Crux, we believe.

>>31662496
We don't have Relic making powers. Whatever manipulation Old Joker did, that was his thing.

>>31662502
We haven't met the White Joker.

>>31662480

Perhaps we should stop and come back tonight.

We can do this but we need the intel and hopefully get megs out alive.

>>31662519
>We checked that in the Hollow Sun, he did nothing to it but upgrade it.
Yes, but the silver threads are inside of our stuff.
It's likely that he has full control over them.

>>31662519
>We haven't met the White Joker.

Uh. Yeah, we did.


did you miss the episode where we gained a bunch of codebursts?

>>31662524
hey, why the hell do we actually give a shit about megumi btw?

WHY DO PEOPLE SUDDENLY CARE ABOUT THE SMILER BITCH-THIEF?

>>31662480
Go see Megumi. This will be here when we come back. Megumi will not be.

>>31662480

Hold off.

We need to meet megumi and we can do this tonight.

Play tomorrow be damned.

At least we found out the method yo do this.

>>31662532
>did you miss the episode where we gained a bunch of codebursts?
You mean the guy who may or may not have been the White Joker and claimed to be a minion of WJ?

>WHY DO PEOPLE SUDDENLY CARE ABOUT THE SMILER BITCH-THIEF?
You mean the girl that tried to save our life when she thought that we might be in danger?

>>31662532

Because she provides a needed source of intel into what they're doing by her little tics. Shes also not all that bad and anon knows her.

He cares for odd things afterall.

I guess seeing Megumi first is a good idea.
...I just hope that this doesn't cause someone to see what we are doing at the grave and destroy everything or some shit like that.
Hopefully we won't be fighting all night long.

>>31662552
I just hope that she won't try and steal more of our stuff.

>>31662559

Cant steal his first time.

>>31662532
That was Vertigo Trisagion. He is not the White Joker.

The White Joker will be called White Joker, the way Black Joker was Black Joker and not Death Calibre.

>>31662480
Keep going, but text Megumi first.

>>31662519
>>31662524
>>31662535
>>31662539
>>31662552

(Gentlemen, there seems to be a slight majority in favour of stopping. Writing now.)

By the way, have we started Hollow Sun research yet?

The Gospel Relay and Solaris Generator seemed to have the most votes.

>>31662480

I really don't think that this is a good idea. In fact, I think that this is an extremely BAD idea. I vote for stopping, mostly because I think this is irreversible.

>>31662480
Leave off. Time to go find out what makes a Smiler reach across the aisle.

>>31662577
What, are you expecting us to taker ANOTHER aspect from Samus?

>Cobalt Booster Malfunction
>Vulcan Upgrade Malfunction
>Nova Cannon Malfunction
>Daegal containment Malfunction
>Frost Cestus Malfunction

>>31662576

(By all means.)

HOLLOW SUN: 4.2%

> [X] GOSPEL RELAY
> [X] SOLARIS GENERATOR

>>31662567

(My apologies, I missed that one in the initial vote.)

You stop, abruptly.

The growing pressure to the air - Like looming thunderheads - lingers, for a moment longer...Before it begins to recede. As your grasp relaxes, the Joker's Memory clicks and mutters to itself, as it returns to it's original configuration; Each segment rotating back into it's original alignment, the doubled heartbeat fading to a mute whisper as the light dims...Then further still, motes of radiance dancing in the air for a heartbeat like flecks of gold leaf.

The Joker's Memory lies silent and inert in your grasp. The world, at last, releases the breath it'd been holding. For a long, long moment, perfect silence lingers...

-Until the growl of a engine splits the air. It's a throaty grumble, bringing with it the distant smell of exhaust and hot metal and engine oil - Just outside the alley, momentarily obscured from view.

Too small to be a car; A motorcycle, then. A powerful one, too.

[ ] Wait in the alley.
[ ] Take a closer look.
[ ] Leave quietly.
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>31662591
>>Frost Cestus Malfunction
That's canon though.

So, could this be Joker's arsenal? I thought it was a metaphor.

>>31662640
>[ ] Take a closer look.
But do it quietly.

>>31662640
>[ ] Take a closer look.

>>31662640
Naoya's come to pay his respects. Might as well say hello, even if we can guess who he is.

>>31662640
>[ ] Take a closer look.

A RIDE PRESENTS ITSELF>

>>31662640
>-Until the growl of a engine splits the air. It's a throaty grumble, bringing with it the distant smell of exhaust and hot metal and engine oil - Just outside the alley, momentarily obscured from view.

This is.....

Enfer. Its his style and we haven't seen him in a while.

Or that mechanic/biker dude from the church

>>31662690
Ren and Enfer are the same person.

This is Naoya, Megumi's boyfriend. Seems like Watashi was right about him being the White Joker.

>>31662706
>White Joker
Would explain why he could mask his identity.
Black Joker is caught in the Red. Red Joker constantly changes worlds. And White Joker is more strongly on the Real side.

File: jokernaoya2.jpg (35 KB, 357x700)

35 KB JPG

>>31662651
>>31662653
>>31662656
>>31662672

Your footfalls are muted by the moan of the wind, as you draw closer to the mouth of the alley. The growl of the engine fades to a purr, then to nothing; The great landbound torpedo of the motorcycle idling as it ticks over, the rider a stark black silhouette against a field of white, as the snow begins to fall.

Even in profile, he makes for an odd contrast - Anonymous, beneath his helmet; Moving with care, as he unclasps it, setting it aside.

Naoya.

He looks a little too formal to be riding, but the cold doesn't trouble him at all - His patent-leather shoes crunch on the snow, as he dismounts. There's the low hiss of a zipper, as he retrieves something from pillion seat, cradling it carefully to his chest; A distant splash of colour, in the gloom.

-Flowers.

He doesn't turn towards the alley; Instead - For a long moment - he just stares off into the looming night. Then, he sighs - Picking his careful way to the side of the street, where the skeletal remains of trees rear up beyond a line of twisted fencing (Now torn down) that must have been a park, once.

A park, or a garden.

(Continued)

>>31662772
I forget who this guy is. The dude who flirted with Mio?

File: cut015_.jpg (17 KB, 512x288)

17 KB JPG

>>31662772

The place has never looked more like a shell of itself; The branches rattle, in the cold wind, shedding clumps of snow. He kneels - Heedless of the snow - and bows his head, long enough for you to wonder what he may be seeing. A minute, maybe more: The seconds ticking by with monotonous slowness, until-

"-Is someone there?"

Naoya's voice is mild, a little curious - He doesn't look up, or turn his head. With exacting grace, he rises; Dusting flecks of snow from his pants, in a surprisingly fastidious gesture.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

Rolled 10

>>31662821

"Sorry. Didn't mean to pry."

>>31662821
"I guess I'm not the only one who visits graves on this side of town"

>>31662821
"Only someone doing the same you are. Though I suspect my guy wouldn't appreciate flowers."

>>31662829
No, bad anon, stop giving info.

>>31662819
The dude who found her a sanctuary.

>>31662821
"Just passing by."

>>31662837
You too, no volunteering.

Rolled 19

>>31662829

No.

Don't reveal information about our intentions.

Don't let anyone know theres something fucking valuable here.

>>31662837

You too.

>>31662848
That wasn't my intention.
I wanted to find out more about him, not reveal the RJ grave.

>>31662844
>>31662848
I will bow to peer pressure.

Rolled 3

>>31662856

>"I guess I'm not the only one who visits graves on this side of town"

>"Only someone doing the same you are

Either way it reveals the fact that theres a grave here and thats more information than I want to reveal.

>>31662848
>>31662844
This just say you were passing by.

>>31662821
"Good evening Naoya. Remind me, is it twice or three times that it's no longer coincidence?"

>>31662867
I hope you are aware that we are at the site of an apocalyptic event.
I can assure you that there's more than one grave there.

Alright. I need to bow out due to it being early,

however, I've consolidated my trains of thought regarding mio, and things we need to say without giving too much away - she trusts us, anyway

We're going to the culture fest with her, but we do need to warn her a bit(or she might die), but without telling her we're the RJ.

Anyway:

"Mio, I have a hunch that something bad is going to happen at the festival. Something serious, and... I'm worried. I was trying to think of how much to say, what you would understand..."

"I'll never forget the look on your face when I nearly got hit by that car. You tried to hide, it.... but you blamed yourself. it didn't make sense... unless you thought you were cursed."

"Its not like that at all. The things that happen, they aren't your fault. You have a guardian angel. Two actually You asked me to escort you today, and I will - but if things get wierd, like that time we were together at the pavilion, don't blame yourself." (the time we were hugging and enfer tried to bomb the place, we hinted we were going to the other side, not the time we were near eating dinner with argent/ebara)

Critique this. Did i forget anything? Anything else we want to bring up or dance around the issue for?

>>31662875
He's got us pegged for the Red Joker. Chances are good he can deduce whose grave we'd visit on this day.

>>31662874

THis...... i like this

>>31662149
>The glow is a numinous thing, like a trick of the mind; Enigmatic, wan, but somehow brighter than before.

I missed this before, but....
this means there's an essence income here. Small, but... enough to sustain an effect indefintely.
There's something here. an artifact or whatnot.


Why don't we plant a void anchor?

We DO have one, right?

Also, last thread, we agreed we were gonna plant one during the culture festival, and to restock the one we used.

We DID do that, right, jqop?

>>31662915

Does this mean that naoya is here to pillage the RJ's grave?

>>31662915
>Why don't we plant a void anchor?
>We DO have one, right?

>>31662640
>HOLLOW SUN: 4.2%
Fffffh cancel that solaris generator get a void anchor instead

>>31662883
You forgot "i before e except after c". A bit too much digging at old wounds for me to feel comfortable with going with it.

The inevitable conversation will go very differently if the question that starts it off is "Mio, can you tell me what the Red Joker means to you?"

>>31662915
>We DO have one, right?
Nope.

>We DID do that, right, jqop?
Nope.

Also, real world.

>>31662923
>Does this mean that naoya is here to pillage the RJ's grave?
He's here to visit someone else nitwit.

Isn't research locked in? I remember we couldn't undo the rifle bits for the same reason, even when the people who voted for it flipped.

>>31662923
>Fffffh cancel that solaris generator get a void anchor instead

Yeah, this.

Research completes one a thread anyway, so there's no use piling that at the bottom of the que where we won't see it for 5 threads.

We NEED that anchor for the brawl tomorrow. We've been planning on this shit forever, and its all thrown to the wind because one guy asks for shit >>31662576

I really hope we get the chance to go back to the grave before tomorrow

>>31662937
>rifle bits
What?

By the way, OP:
Do the bit upgrades count as part of our normal bits or are they additional types of bits?
Do they get upgraded with our ordinary bits on level up?

>>31662937
>Isn't research locked in?

Its not acutally locked in until we check in at the hollow sun and que it up.

Its just abstracted behind the scenes for writing effort

So yeah we should be able to change our minds.

>>31662943
>because one guy asks for shit
Dude, look further up.
Three guys discussed it. I just brought it up.

Not to mention that we WILL have enough charge for an Anchor tomorrow.

Chill out, for fuck's sake.

>>31662943
>Research completes one a thread anyway
We got the Virtues at the same time as the Essence Assimilators. Every research option has its own resolve time. Next thread we could get all four current researches simultaneously.

Just got here. Guys, I've updated the hollow sun review guide in light of the endgame approach. Its less verbose than last time, but still has some good info.

i was saving it for this thread, but it looks like we're late.

http://pastebin.com/1cRDSdar

>>31662979
>Lucifer Bits
Into the trash it goes.

Naoya blinks, just once, as you emerge; His expression going from wary to...embarrassed, somehow, as if he's been slightly taken aback by your appearance. Recognition flickers across his features, as he puts a name to your face - "Anon, is it?" he says, with the faintest smile at his own achievement:

"-Fancy meeting you here."

>>31662827
>>31662839

> "Just passing by."

His gaze shifts, subtly, to take in the hopeless desolation of the dilapidated district: The sunken pits of empty windows, the rusted signs, the cracked and pitted flagstones, as if to put the lie to your words.

"I'm sure," Naoya says, his expression faintly quizzical - "...I know I wouldn't chance this place on foot, though." His shoulders lift, in a fractional shrug - His voice light, as if he's already dismissed the issue.

> "Sorry. Didn't mean to pry."

He waves off your concern, with a gloved hand.

"-Don't worry about it. It's nothing important, after all; Just...Nostalgia, I suppose." There's a pensive note to his voice, now, as he glances over his shoulder - The chill breeze stirring the petals of his bouquet, the bright ribbons fluttering valiantly

>>31662874
>>31662898

"Well, I wonder. I'd say that three's the magic number...Though things are never quite that tidy."

A pause; He adjusts his gloves, flexing his fingers against the cold. Naoya seems slightly discomfited, somehow, as if there's something he can't quite bring himself to say...There's something hesitant in his posture, almost contemplative, as a momentary silence descends.

[ ] "-Something wrong?"
[ ] "How have you been?"
[ ] "So...Are you done here?"
[ ] "Why are you here, anyway?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>31662955

http://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/31154103/#31174975
has links to good info

basically, uh, we haven't gotten the ability/power to make custom drone loadouts yet.
But there is a limit of Simultaneous Control AS WELL as Size/capacity.
IIRC the red joker system at current is 10 capacity and 5 simultaneous drones.


Rifle Bits cost 1.5 point each.
Sword and Corsair Bits are 2 points each.
Lucifer Bits are 2.5.
Exitus Bits are 3.0.

so we should really be able to carry six rifle bits but deploy 5, if that makes sense.

>>31662992

you missed all the talk about them, anon. Lucifer bits are pretty seriously amazing things.

>>31663008
>[ ] "-Something wrong?"

>>31662955

(The bit upgrades replace your current bits, and they process their upgrades from there. You can 'swap them out', but they level up separately.)

Rolled 16

>>31662992

I dont get the irrational instant hate boner sometimes.

>>31663011
What I wondered about was if our level-up upgrade options would be moot by getting Hollow Sun upgrades.

>>31663008
>[ ] "-Something wrong?"
[ ] "Why are you here, anyway?"

Smile reassuringly

>>31663008
>"-Something wrong?"

>>31663036
>[ ] "Why are you here, anyway?"

I think its pretty obvious why he is here, so don't ask this, its dumb.

Rolled 2

>>31663035

We havnt spent lvl up upgrades into the bits themselves but more the bit system at this point since it increased our bit capacity when we leveled up then.

We won't lose very much on upgrading since our bit cap remains the same.

>>31663008
>[ ] "-Something wrong?"

>>31663032
That's unfortunate. This basically locks bit upgrade options if we get any Hollow Sun upgrades.

>>31663033

Its literally one butthurt anon who hates them. The rest of us have actually paid attention to upgrades and them kicking ass lately & realized they feel subpar because we use them wrong.

>>31663026
They're throwing good investments after bad. It's not worth it when there are options that give us MUCH better abilities.

Here's something you've missed: All upgrades have secondary effects. There's a codeburst research for Red Comet.

>>31663056
Then again, whoever decided to use them against Daegal was an idiot.
It would have almost killed us because we didn't get enough meter due to launching all the bits.

Rolled 12

>>31663065

They gain meter now when we us them due to our booster upgrades.

>>31663008
>[X] "How have you been?"

Can't really think of anything else to say.

>>31663056
I'm not fond of them either, if it matters.

>>31663083
Only when they do damage.
Daegal was resistant.

>>31663083
Do they? I don't believe that's been confirmed.

>>31663095
>Do they? I don't believe that's been confirmed.

see>>31663011
>http://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/31154103/#31174975

Its an ancient upgrade lost to the depths of time, but red joker's special/secondary weapons gain meter themselves.
This defrays their cost or even gains use meter. Our latest meter upgrade increases gains by 20% on top of that.

Cobalt boosted rifle bits actually gain us meter, because their ROF(more dps) and Armor Penetration(more DPS) both go up. The more damage they do, the more meter is gained.

This myth that bits 'cost us meter and slowdown other weapons' is bullshit because they gain meter for us too.
if a bit costs 2%
and it gains us 2% or more
then it really doesn't cost 2%

>>31663129

and this is why the lucifer bits are amazing. They do MORE damage, gaining us MORE meter, and they're Relics.
Relics are always tough as balls, which handily solves the problem with rifle bits getting shot down constantly.

More damage, more meter gain. Drones are self-sustaining, which means free damage.

Rolled 15

>>31663064

And we've really made good use of the red comet.

Point stands that its in dire need of some attention and love but we're so scared of using it or we cant use it when we might want to, it might as well not exist right now.

>>31663156
That's why we are getting the teleport homer.
Next on the agenda is AI, as well as possibly a Samuel-Circuit-like upgrade that might be unlocked.
We want it to fight alongside us, because giving up essence gain is a huge drawback otherwise.

>>31663008
>[ ] Free

gibe us dat void anchor already plox

File: jokernaoyapained.jpg (14 KB, 277x245)

14 KB JPG

>>31663053

(The issue is that they're a flat upgrade over your current type of Bits. Bits work as part of a two-tiered system; There's a maximum number of Bits you can control at once, and a point-limit which determines their relative power. You'll keep the point-limit and the number of Bits you can control across the board, no matter which ones you have equipped; Individual Bits, however, have individual properties.

Basically this: >>31663011 )

>>31663028
>>31663036
>>31663039
>>31663051

> [X] "How have you been?"

"-Well." A pause, choosing his words carefully; "It's been a busy week."

Naoya's smile is a little strained, his gaze going distant - And no wonder. Given all that's happened over the weekend, it's not hard to imagine the implications.

He shakes his head, as if to stir himself from his reverie - "I've been relieved, at least; Starting from tomorrow, I'll be part of the medical staff attached to Seisin High's cultural festival...It looks to be a change of pace, at least."

There's something strange, in the timbre of his words - As if there's something he's not quite ready to tell you, something he's working up to.

You get the feeling that you're not going to like it.

(Continued)

>>31663182
>"I've been relieved, at least; Starting from tomorrow, I'll be part of the medical staff attached to Seisin High's cultural festival...It looks to be a change of pace, at least."
Well, he'll be in for a surprise.

Rolled 17

>>31663152

Also based off the fact that JokerOP mentioned that Exitus Bits were 4x the basic firepower of a standard rifle bit, I estimate the firepower of a lucifer bit at about 2.5-3x the dmg of a rifle bit.

Even at 2.5x, 4 bits bring in the equiv firepower of 10 rifle bits compared to our current rifle bits, which are so weak they don't even use up our cap of 10 bit points.

>>31663167

Another reason why we don't use it is because it sucks all the delicious upgrade essence for repairs whereas if we kill our target ourselves, we can level up.

>>31663182
>bits

So, basically, uh.....
Leveling the Interceptor System increases the Size/Control limit
and leveling the individual bits changes their capabilities once loaded into it?

Like, theoretically, Sword Bits could have their own hollow sun modules, or corsair bits could be hotswapped with other hollow sun research weaponry.
and lucifer bits are Artifacts and can thus be leveled up like the immolator?

Does leveling up the Interceptor system also level-up whatever's equipped int it the time, or only if we choose to upgrade a bit instead of the base system?

>>31663064
>Here's something you've missed: All upgrades have secondary effects. There's a codeburst research for Red Comet.

I didn't actually. I did typo it though
>ndgoal is to use Galvanic Emitter-like tech to have essence gathered by the Red Comet feed into the Pilot Directly.
Should be Cascade Resonantor, whic his the codeburst upgrade.

The entire point of the theorized Essence Reaper/Miner upgrade to the garm was to get its essence accumulataors to charge the pilot instead of its munition stores

JQop seems to have taken this off on a wierd tangent involving drills instead of a bloody harvester of souls that doesn't waste xp.

>>31663156
You missed the point: It could unlock codeburst options via the Sun.

>>31663167
Do you even read the guide? It's already there. And we don't use the tank because we don't get essence to level up with.

>>31663225
>Galvanic Emitter-like tech to have essence gathered
>use emitters to gather

Are we being trolled? Do you know what "galvanism" is?

>>31663230
>Do you even read the guide? It's already there. And we don't use the tank because we don't get essence to level up with.
That upgrade heals the tank.
The Samuel Circuit allows the Hellions to upgrade themselves with essence, similar to how we do it.

>>31663182

> [X] "-Something wrong?"

He doesn't answer, right away. Instead, he turns his helmet over in his gloved hands; As if looking for answers, in his reflection. Naoya's blue-green eyes are troubled, as he stops, makes to speak again, stops again - then chuckles. The sound is soft, a little sheepish - Self-deprecating, but aware of the trouble to come.

"It's funny. I keep thinking about how to tell you, but...Even now, I find myself balking at saying it outright," Naoya says, resignation in his voice. He sighs, aloud - The sound merging with the low moan of the wind, as it plucks at the tails of his coat.

He turns back to you, and takes in a deep breath:

"-I'm in love with Mio."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

Rolled 15

>>31663250
>That upgrade heals the tank.

And thats why we've refrained from using the tank.

>>31663242
>Are we being trolled?

>I didn't actually. I did typo it though

Learn to reading comprehension. I mixed up two upgrades that are literally side by side in the sun. and then told you about it.

No anon you are the demons.

>>31663266

MOTHER
FUCKER

>>31663283

Are we really surprised?

>>31663266
>[ ] Free

"Then I'm very sorry for you."

Welp, do we break his heart by telling him she asked us to the culture festival?

Also, even MORE important we invite her to stay over the night before - because haha he might try something.

Rolled 18

>>31663266

"Now thats an odd thing to say to her boyfriend."

show slight frowny face. But not too harsh. This is an odd thing after all.

"Thats not really nice to Megs either, isn't it.

...But I might as hear you out. Why."

>>31663266
Well, shit.
We thought he was NTRing us. But we are NTRing him.

"I can't say that I can blame you. But this situation might be problematic."

>>31663266
Shrug.

>>31663300
>"Thats not really nice to Megs either, isn't it.

Point to jab him with this.

THen again, maybe we should let him have her?
after all, cybele is about to hotdrop the real world and all the mio fans haven't stopped to think of what will happen past that.

>>31663266
"Admittedly, that's the last thing I expected you to say."

>>31663309

Even if its a good idea, we cant just go: 'ok~'. It's not all in our court. It's in Mio's and just doing the above is very very assholish.

>>31663324
Seconding this.

>>31663266
I actually feel bad for him. "I certainly understand that feeling. Thank you for telling me, but I don't think that suit will succeed."

>>31663277
Wait, why would the codeburst upgrade feed essence to a pilot?

>>31663303
Heh. I like this response.

>>31663324
>>31663344
>>31663303
>>31663393

> "Admittedly, that's the last thing I expected you to say."
> "I can't say that I can blame you. But this situation might be problematic."

"-I'm aware." Naoya looks away - That pained, faintly appalled smile lingering, surprised at himself. "It's not something that I was expecting, either."

"And yet."

> "I certainly understand that feeling. Thank you for telling me, but I don't think that suit will succeed."

Silence; A silence that speaks volumes.

And then, very quietly-

"I...have reason to believe that it might." He seems embarrassed, all of a sudden - Clearing his throat, with a deliberate cough. Naoya looks up, at the dark skies - Thick grey cloud shedding flakes of pale snow.

"More than that - I'd rather not say."

(Continued)

>>31663428
>"More than that - I'd rather not say."
Either he's betting on our death or there's something about Mio that we don't know.
She's yandere for us, after all, so she wouldn't be likely to do anything behind our back.

>>31663428
"Did you already ask her?"

Wait a second. Megumi. Did he tell Mio to show up at the mall so she'd see Anon with Megumi?

>>31663464
>Wait a second. Megumi. Did he tell Mio to show up at the mall so she'd see Anon with Megumi?
This is starting to sound like harem comedy.

>>31663477
Tragedy, you mean.

>>31663464

Then thats a fucking dick move.

Using his going to be ex as a tool like this.

Then again as long as we don't act like asspies and actually speak with Mio ('hey mio, this is Naoya's girlfriend, Megumi. Have you met each other before?') and act like its just friends meeting (it is after all); I don't see too much trouble.

Hmmm...
- Mio has an aura of "wrongeness"
- This dude is in love with her
- We felt *something* when we tried to check for his Red World presence

This might be interesting...

>>31663491
>I don't see too much trouble
Mio's already upset at the thought that we might be dating Megumi. If we meet somewhere and she's been told there's going to be trouble and heartbreak.

I've been in favor of meeting with Megumi for a while but now I can't get over the idea that we're being honey trapped, or set up to look like it. Nice move OP.

Just saw the post JQOP posted on twitter.

All I can say is OH SNAP.

>>31663538
>I've been in favor of meeting with Megumi for a while but now I can't get over the idea that we're being honey trapped, or set up to look like it. Nice move OP.
And here I was thinking that Megumi was clearly being used for some kind of Smiler experiment.

...Do you suggest going back to the memory?

IT LIVES

Reposting next post as posted by JQOP:

>>31663300

The pause that follows is long and intensely awkward - Made more so by Naoya's level gaze, one black-gloved hand resting on seat of his motorcycle. There's a sense of an internal struggle, a careful and deliberate choosing of words-

"To be blunt; I don't think you love her."

His voice is mild, almost thoughtful in timbre.

"Please don't take this as an insult - It's not meant to be." His smile is gone; His expression carefully composed. "-I think, perhaps, that you consider yourself to be fond of her...But, to tell the truth-"

"...I don't think you care. Not *truly*, at least - Not in the way that matters."

Naoya draws a slow breath.

"In fact - I doubt that you even like her. From what she's told me..." He cants his head to the side, ever-so-slightly; White mist swirling in the freezing air.

"-She's a burden to you, isn't she?"

His words hang in the air, as Naoya pushes the hair out of his eyes.

"From the first time I saw you together, I was almost sure. You treat her like-" His lips press together into a thin line, as he searches for the right words; "-Like a pet. It's patronizing, demeaning - But I couldn't ever say so, not in front of her."

"Still - It's the truth, isn't it?"

He laughs - A light chuckle, without humour, as he shakes his head.

"Now that I've spoken my mind - I'm certain." His gaze returns - Focused, critical, gauging your response. "-You see? You're already thinking of it as a problem, something to be fixed...It gives you away."

Then, very quietly:

"-Don't you think that's cruel?"

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

So, OP is likely asleep and we don't know if this thread will continue.
However, we can brainstorm stuff.

Here was my idea for an answer:
>"Let's say what you said is true and I'm attached to Mio less like a girlfriend and more like a shining beacon of light that brightens my day.
>There are two issues with this:
First, I wouldn't just let any guy get close to her. I'd need confirmation that you are good for her. I would need some way to judge you. >No, you having a good job is far from enough.
>And second, it's Mio's choice. If she decides that she doesn't want me, then I can't do anything. But I also can't prevent her from loving me.

>And, let's say Mio does decide for you. Then you have to keep in mind that I will not allow her to come to harm.
>And believe me, I'm fully capable hurting you physically."

Yes, it's rough around the edges. A bit too direct.

Still, I'm of the opinion that we should let Mio go. Let her find someone who isn't involved with the Red and won't have to hide secrets from her.
However, we don't just set the two up. That would be retarded.
First we need to find out more about the guy.
And then Mio herself has to decide.

>>31663579
My sides are gone.
Good show, OP.

>>31663579
Naoya you cunt

I hate that you're right

So, dudes, there is exactly ONE shot at making things right.
Either we let her go or commit to her fully.
I'm for the former. I want a girl that is a full equal to us, which isn't possible with someone that we keep in the dark.

>>31663594
Mio is in love with Anon. It's not a matter of setting Naoya up with her or not, it's whether Anon reciprocates Mio's feelings.

Naoya is wrong. Are Anon's feelings for Mio equal to her feelings for him? No, because she's so in love that she brightens up the room she's in when she catches sight of him. But she fascinates him. Anon watches her, and is physically affectionate, which is where Naoya gets his pet thing. But what Naoya doesn't know is that Anon is in mourning, so he's less willing to bond emotionally.

So to hell with his analysis, he's completely wrong.

Question: Are we still thinking that Naoya is Pazuzu or the White Joker?

If yes, why in god's name are we entertaining the thought of letting Mio go? To him, no less?

>>31663579
So much suffering.

>>31663880
So what is your suggestion?

Anon DID cheat on her. And he DOES treat her like a pet.

>>31663913
Yeah, that's the dangerous part.
As I said: If we do let Mio go, we'll take a good look at the guy.

>>31663880
Anon hasn't been in mourning for a while now. Recent developments made it clear that he has a chance of bringing back Hecate and the time with Yui established Hecate is till the one girl that he actually loves.
Naoya isn't exactly correct, but he is not far off. Anon likes Mio, but not really in a romantic way, which is why he restrains himself from going too far physically.

>>31664023
Exactly. It's not like she couldn't be our friend even if we did make room for someone else.

Still, in the end it's Mio's choice. And how do you get a yandere to get less obsessive?

I've been all for dropping our Hecate fixation and going for Mio, to be honest. I like Mio much more in the context of the story.

>>31663538

all the more reason we shouldn't fall for this trap. Its another JQOP setup like Yui was.

Stick with the girls we know

>>31664073
Too late for that. Dropping now that we've established where RJs emotions truly lie, when he finally has the key to finding her would be out of character and anticlimactic.

>>31663579
>"You actually aren't the first person to point this out to me. Well, not this specifically, but... Love, as a whole. I've been told that I'm not capable of love. Not like a proper human being, anyway. I didn't really know how to respond to it then, either. Maybe I -should- be insulted. I don't know. Maybe the fact that I don't know is more telling than anything.

>I never wanted to be this way, though. Not really. If I had more time for introspection, I might be able to work it all out, eventually. But all the same... Yes. Were I in your shoes, I suppose I would probably say yes, it's cruel. But I don't -want- to be this way, and Mio... Well, she helps. More than she knows. She helps keep me anchored. I feel happier when she's around, like I'm actually here to stay, and not... Just visiting.

>Maybe you understand that? I don't really expect you to get the details, but... There's something about you. Right from day 1, I've felt that you're hiding something, just like me. Hey, might as well air it out while we're honest, right?

>So even if my ability to love and to care is not real, and not up to your standards, I'm still not going to just roll over. Not until I know that she is safe, and happy."

Too edgy, 0/10, etc. I need to stop trying to write at 2AM.

>>31663962
They weren't dating, it's not cheating. It's certainly unkind since he knew how she felt, but it isn't cheating.

Being physically affectionate does not imply that you think the other person is beneath you. It means you're comfortable with them and trust them. Keeping secrets from someone does not mean you do not trust someone or think they're lesser. It means you have a reason to think that the information can hurt them.

Let's look at Anon's history with telling people about the Red World. Revealing to Natsumi that he was the Red Joker nearly broke her because she was in a high stress situation and knew the Red Joker's reputation. Instructing Asuna to observe the Red Joker shattered her ability to interact with Anon, and just being reminded of it was enough to crack her composure.

Mio has recently been in a very high stress situation and she's going back to a place she hates, where people treat her badly. Anon's experiences with telling people about the Red Joker have ended poorly, so he's going to be very slow to try again, for fear of causing another incident. Coupled with what he knows about the school and what he knows about players, he'd be doubly careful for fear of destabilizing Mio enough for her to start appearing in the Red World and having to fight.

Anon really likes how Mio looks at him. She thinks he can do no wrong. Telling her he's fallible is one thing since she'll deny it, providing proof is another. He doesn't want to make her afraid of him.

You can say that last point is all the more reason since it gets it over with, but it's a very human reason to hesitate.

This is a long way of saying I suggest telling Naoya to mind his own business. He could have asked Mio out at any time. He still could. He's not, because he needs Anon to break her heart first so he can take Anon's place. And that's just cowardly.

>>31664054
You don't. Ever. When you try is when the billhooks come out.

>>31664210
Pretty good.

>>31664210
Not really edgy. Feels very Nisio-esque. Don't think it'll work, but it your post has some votal information that, if better sorted out and presented, can be formed into a proper answer.

>>31664023
In which case, Naoya's question is absolutely bang on.

He's treating Mio like an emotional toy. Girl is clearly head over heels in love with him, but he knows he will never feel the same way about her. And yet, he lets it happen.

>>31664210
I like it.
I'm the guy who wants to drop Mio.
Maybe we can combine those answers?

In the end it boils down to "If she chooses, she can go for him. But we'll make sure that he isn't an asshole first".

>>31664195
Makes me feel like I should've advocated harder for letting go of Hecate, but oh well. Hindsight is 20/20, pissing against the tide, and I never tried as hard as I could have.
>>31664210
Absolutely not edgy. It's a bit 'pour my heart out', but that's as much as I can criticize it.

This coming from the guy that treats his girlfriend like crap. My sides.

Joker might not be a good.person but Naoya is a hypocritical little bitch.

>>31664284
>And yet, he lets it happen.
Well, he does it due to being utterly fucked in the head, not because he likes it and is actually a cruel. He does it because he is lost, afraid and doesn't know what the fuck to do without it killing someone dear to him.
As Aoba said, he is broken and paranoid.

>>31664244
>They weren't dating, it's not cheating. It's certainly unkind since he knew how she felt, but it isn't cheating.
It is. I'm speaking out of experience.
No, I wasn't the one that was NTR'd. I'm just glad that she wasn't yandere/I didn't actually get anywhere with the other girl.
You could say that it's her fault for not telling me that we were in a relationship.
But that doesn't change that my behaviour was basically attempted cheating.

And here you are proposing that it isn't. Fuck you.

If it isn't cheating, how about telling Mio how awesome Cybele was in bed? Hell, let's brag to Bishamon about how he can't fuck his moon princess.

As for the power thing, I'm not talking about physical intimacy. I'm also not just talking about keeping secrets.
Rather, I'm talking about keeping secrets that she has REASON TO KNOW.
We KNOW the rough nature of her powers and why people get attacked in her viccinity. We can tell her that she has a supernatural guardian spirit.
Instead we talk empty bullshit about how she shouldn't feel weird for being different.
THAT is condescending.

There is reason to hide that we are a murderer. Then again, it would be nice to tell her that we might randomly drop dead in a freak accident at any time and that we can't remember half the interactions that we had with her because of our autopilot.

>>31664244
The reason I like Mio is probably the reason RJ likes her. It makes me feel like we haven't fucked up. We're on a crash-course towards disaster, every day we fuck up more and more, lose more and more people we actually kinda like, but she still sees us as an perfect figure. It's endearing.

>>31664358
>This coming from the guy that treats his girlfriend like crap. My sides.
Do we even have any proof of this? Did he ever even confirm that Megumi is his girlfriend?
I'm no longer sure if Naoya is actually Pazuzu or just a red herring.
I don't want to just throw Mio at him, since her being Hellebore might spell disaster for all of us if her power is misused.

>>31664358
So do we actually know that Megumi is his girlfriend or did someone randomly mis-interpret something?
Just wanting to make sure.

If they actually are a couple, then we absolutely do need to call him out.

Could we Exec Rend so Mio can see her guardian angel?

I'd like to take a shot at a response if no one minds. I have a thought in mind but I have to put it down on paper. Keep in mind that I'm fond of Mio, so it might not be to everyone's taste.

>>31664447
>>31664460
Megumi said they were going out. She was also stood up by him when she met Anon at the mall.

>>31664494
Hey, that does have actual merit.

>>31664503
>Megumi said they were going out. She was also stood up by him when she met Anon at the mall.
Yeah, but Megumi might have had ulterior motives in that.

No, I'm not the torture guy.

>>31664532
Torture guy here.
In light of the fact that she kinda wants to be saved by us, we shouldn't torture her. Much. We should instead try to rescue and then friend zone her. Hell, an ally in the Red that knows how to fight would be great.

>>31664567
Question for the dudes in the last thread.

Why the hell do you want to hide our giant golden pimp hand?

>>31664614
To make it more dramatic.

All right, here we go. My apologies to Hecate fans, but I'm following my heart on this.

>>31663579
Laugh. Laugh kind of laugh where you start choking because you can't breathe and have trouble standing.

While still laughing: "I can't even hate you because you're so serious about this. For once in my life I've been overestimated. Here is the truth as straight as I can say it: I have no idea how to act around her. I am in love with Tomomi Eri, real name Saeki Mio.

"How do you act when someone loves you without reservation? When just seeing your face makes that person shine brighter than the sun, and a touch washes away their sorrow and replaces it with joy?

"I have no idea how to treat her. I have no idea why she loves me so much. I have no idea how to respond to her love. I have no idea if I can answer her feelings as they deserve to be. But so help me god I want to try. I want to make her happy, and I can do it better than you."

>>31664494
Won't work, Rend's effects are mostly random, and according to its description mostly involve shunting attacks (force?) from one world to the other.

>>31664532
That's pretty weak.

>>31664567
>Much.
For god's sake torture doesn't work.

>>31664614
For dramatic reveals.

>>31664614
Dramatic reveals are fun.

Given that we apparently have the ultimate armour locked within us and can unlock it by levelling up, drama might be appropriate. Although given that we basically have three seperate final forms now, it might not be necessary.

Red Joker > Carnifex Joker > MAXIMUM BLUE JOKER > Gold Daegal Joker

If this were an RPG, we would be the most irritating bonus boss fight ever.

>"Holy fuck that was difficult, wasn't expecting a second form."
>"Why is everything on fire"
>"Why is my HP a single digit"

>>31665351
>If this were an RPG, we would be the most irritating bonus boss fight ever.
...At least he doesn't regenerate anymore. Aside from that one melee move. And healing whenever he kills random bystanders.

Also, don't forget that fucking stasis field.

>>31665295
So we have three paths - Officially become Mio's boyfriend, officially accept that we do think of her as more of a sunny place to be than a person, or fumble everything up and steer towards a bad end where the dude is the one to operate on us after we get injured.
Don't half-ass this or he will absolutely hate us.

Also, there's the idea of him maybe being more than he seems and this being psychological warfare.

...I have no idea how OP will resolve this. I have a feeling that everyone will be unhappy with either of those choices.
We can't exactly go for the harem.

So it all boils down to:
Do you Mio?

>[ ]Yes, I Mio.
>[ ]No, I Hecate

we've gone too deep down the waifu hole

>>31663579
> From what she's told me..."
>"-She's a burden to you, isn't she?"
"I'm afraid she thinks that about a lot of people. And I'm going to keep trying to convince her otherwise until it sticks, because if nothing else, someone as kind as she is deserves some of that kindness for herself in return."

"...You know, I've had this nagging feeling ever since we first met. I even spent a little while feeling bad about having it -- I was probably just too tense, or overreacting, or any number of things.

But I'm starting to think that maybe I really was right to dislike you."

>>31664447
>>31664460
>"-It's Naoya-kun," Megumi says, at last. "He's - He's my boyfriend."

>She nods - Her hands clasped together. "He's really nice, and cool, and, an-" Megumi sneaks you a look, and decides not to go on. Maybe it's something in your expression.

>Then, rather more tentatively; "What did you...Well, what did you think of him?"
>[X] He's kind of cool, I guess?.
>"-He is, isn't he?" Megumi says - She looks distinctly relieved, exhaling slowly. "...I didn't think he'd - be interested - in someone like, like..."

>So softly you almost miss it: "Like me."

If he tries to say "Oh, no, she just convinced herself of that and I never bothered telling her otherwise.", he's no better than he claims we are.

And if he's willing to give up "self-proclaimed moral high ground" as a leg to stand on, that just means all he has left is "general covetousness".

>>31664210
Bits of this are definitely workable. Maybe a little heavy on what Mio does for us, which kind of fits into his inane "ur just using her; mai love 4 mio is pure as driven snow, so I don't care what her feelings on the matter are because I deserve her more than you do since you're wrong at affection" argument.

But shit, so what if maybe our love spectrum only goes from "fond" to "intrigued". Fuck him for thinking that somehow means we're incapable of trying to help Mio make some happiness for herself in the world.

>>31665507
I'm in favour of having Anon accept that he's broken and allowing Naoya to pursue Mio.

I mean, shit, three separate people now have told him outright that he has no idea what real love is. He'd have to be delusional not to think it isn't a problem.

Basically a combo of >>31664210 and >>31663594

Give up Mio, but make sure Naoya is on the level first.

>>31665351
Daegal Joker is regular Joker now. Although a mode where the Armor of Midas manifests could be really cool. It'd be like your secret identity having a secret identity.

>"Holy fuck that was difficult, wasn't expecting a second form."

You always expect a second form, and even a third form can be predicted. It's the fourth form that comes out of left field.

>>31665507
>At least he doesn't regenerate anymore
Cybele's Emblem is still in the equipment guide.

>So we have three paths
Pretty much. Will certainly be interesting, and I hope no one holds a grudge should events not go in a direction they prefer. At the same time I really hope people are willing to accept Mio.

Had a brainwave earlier about some of the Hollow Sun stuff. Koleos has the hexagons that indicate nanomaterial and is bug shaped. I suspect it's related to Exec_Swarm. Maybe a dedicated reservoir instead of having it eat HP or the shroud.

The Tempest Hardshell seems to be a kind of flight specialist Hellion. Jet Scranders will likely unlock it, and I think they'd make a good counter against the Bardiel Correctors. For extra irony, get the Flechette Projectors and Arc Chargers and we basically have Bardiel in Hellion form

Speaking of the Scranders and Chargers getting that research done should unlock augments for our Tempest Scrander.

I think the Superheavy Chassis will unlock with the Endosteel Internal Structure, since it will be a lighter material.

>>31663579
Look, don't go to Megumi. We'll finish our job with the memory, tell this dude to fuck off and go see Mio.

Seriously OP. Can we stab this guy? It's just us with the Misercorde and no one else is here. Kill this shit right here, slit his fucking throat and leave him in a ditch.

We know he's involved with the Red World, we know he's involved with the Smilers and he's shit talking Mio and us now.
Implying we don't love her...For fucksakes, we've been friends to her from the start and were shitting ourselves when she went missing. Fuck, stab him.

>>31665722
Hecate, always.

It's about time we took steps to bring her back.

I think we should upgrade the Hellions more before researching new types. All those juicy upgrades that give massive stat and utility boosts to the Hellions...left untouched.

>>31665808
>and we basically have Bardiel in Hellion form
I'm absolutely in favor of moking him post-mortem.

No matter what we choose, we should call the dude out for his treatment of Megumi first and look at his reaction.
Only after we gain that tactical advantage we'll actually make our decision clear.

>>31665295
Whelp, Wata stopped caring about not breaking character.
>>31663579
"Cruel? Is it? I'm not really sure, to be honest. I can't really gauge the distance between people accurately. I have a hard time understanding other's feelings, as well as my own."
"In many ways, you are correct. I likely do not love her. I do not properly see her as a woman, as an equal."
"But I do care about her on a certain level. I definitely want her to be happy. The problem is that I do not care even if I'm not the one to make her so."
"I won't stop you from trying, but I will also make you pay dearly if you harm her in any way."

>>31665820
>Implying we don't love her...For fucksakes, we've been friends to her from the start and were shitting ourselves when she went missing. Fuck, stab him.
It doesn't have to be romantic love, for fuck's sake.
Mio is important because she's a shining beacon of happiness. That's something that all of us agree on.

If we actually love here is a separate issue.

>>31665823
Why? Honestly, why?

We knew her like, what? Once? So?

We've been with Mio far longer and we know so much more about her. It's time we bottle up and open up to her. At the very least, we should still try to free Hecate. We owe her that.

>>31665952
Hecate can relate to us on a fundamental level. She has experienced the cruelty of the Red.
She fought alongside us and was one of our most important allies.

And we only almost kissed her. The kind of regret that comes with that kind of thing is immense.

>>31665914
It doesn't imply its not romantic love either. Look, Anon's character is so loose beyond SURVIVAL INSTINCTS and he has plausible reasons to love either Hecate or Mio.

What happened with Cybele was necessary; we'd have died by now if we didn't do it.

>>31665857
New types bring new research. Dirge Casters, Audito Array, Choir Beacon all come from the Virtues. You're right that we should be adding functionality, and I think we're doing a pretty good job on that frnt. They'll have energy shields and weapon empowerment before long.

>>31665902
I beg your pardon?

>>31665987
I don't believe it was. I'm certain enough to bet on it.

>>31665986
Mio's involved with the Red World too. Also, that bridge is meaningless; we could tell Mio about it; she'd understand.

We haven't seen her for about 70+ threads now. We're done loving her, we're done mourning her. Now, we'll save her and that's that.

>>31666033
Forgot to say, isn't the problem almost certainly that he loves both? Hecate for reaching out to him in the Red, Mio for bringing joy and loving him unconditionally in the real.

>>31665757
>being into NTR
I hope you realize you have a horrible fetish.

>>31665952
Mio just doesn't work for RJ. She idolizes him, she loves him wholeheartedly but also fails to see beyond the wail of her own fantasies.
Unlike Hecate, she doesn't understand him or really accept him for what he is. Even if he told her the truth, she wouldn't be able to relate to him in any way.
Joker and Hecate had a strong chemistry. They understood each other and where equals that respected each other and felt connected through their cruel pasts.

>>31666033
Kraken would have one-shotted us without it. Daegal would have killed us without her. The Original Hive raid would have been near impossible if we couldn't heal.

Every time we healed? That's on Cybele. Every close call where we barely survived, like Ionix, is all thanks to her.

Face it, we've barely survived up to this point with her. Imagine if we didn't have her.

>>31666033
>I don't believe it was. I'm certain enough to bet on it.
It was something that we didn't know as players.

>>31666109
>NTR
It's not NTR, for fuck's sake.