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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSz-tcH2Erc

Earlier today, you and Celeste received a notification from AETHER, stating that Akikazu Osaragi had entered the game. Guy is imposing as a stone golem and swears like a stereotypical sailor, but you can’t just leave him to be crucified by these ‘Denizens’. Besides, he treated you to ramen and formed a bond with you, so he can’t be all that bad. After preparing yourselves with food, water, weapons and whatever you believed would help, you set off and boarded the Hollow Express.

Pyre Ruin Valley, Sector 2 of the Blackened Void. It is an endless expanse of auburn cliff faces, rock-stained grounds and dry weeds blanketed beneath an eternal sunset. Time does not appear to flow properly within the AETHER’s bounds. The damn sun in the sky hasn’t budged an inch, permanently suspended in the heavens as if strung along by the universe’s most stubborn puppeteer. The crimson light casts unwanted darkness against stone structures and hollow trees, perfect for a Shadow ambush/

You and Celeste have been trekking across the landscape for what seems to be nearly an hour, occasionally fighting off Shadows as you go. It’s burning hot and dry and therefore nothing like the summers within Akumachi City. You’ve taken off your jacket and Celeste has stripped out of her vest, leaving a white shirt behind. Dust has gathered on your pants and your knuckledusters are coated in sweat.

Joining the martial arts club and learning the proper ways to punch and kick had paid off. While nowhere near Takauji’s or Shizuka’s level, your fists are fast and sharp enough to deal decent damage to the Shadows. Ippon-Datara has also grown just a little bit faster and stronger, too. Your body is showing signs of improvement. At least, that's what you hope.

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Celeste must share the same sentiment, judging by the way she’s been swinging her sword around all day. She’s smiling at the moment, exhausted yet strangely satisfied. She must like the taste of adventure AETHER has given her. You, on the other hand, will take things more seriously. Although, you have to admit you felt a small squirt of excitement when you had Ippon-Datara knock over a Beetle Shadow, then set its underside alight with a well-timed burst of flame.

“We finally made it.”

You push open the door and stumble into a ruined cottage. The bonfire in the center roars to life at your presence. A flame, orange and deep, flickers beneath a patchwork wooden roof. A checkpoint is, in turn, reached and its existence is marked on your map. You let out a weary sigh and collapse straight on the ground in front of the fire. Celeste joins you. The two of you retrieve plastic water bottles out of your bags and take deep swigs.

“Here. Want some?” Celeste offers a handful of mint-flavored Skittles. You take them with a grunt, saying, “Don’t mind if I do,” as you pour the candy down your throat. You glance at the label on the plastic cover. It’s a product of Mars, a company that could charitably be classified as an international mega-corporation. The confectionary industry had boomed in the second half of the twenty-first century when it was discovered that consuming sugar was the most efficient method of restoring mana. There were even talks of the associated companies rivalling technology giants such as Nanjo or Google.

“How far do we have to go?” Celeste asks.

You check the map. “Quite a bit, it looks like.” You answer. “If I had to take a guess, the distance between us and Akikazu is roughly the length we’ve travelled today plus a little bit. I still hold my theory he’s past the second bonfire.”

“You sound pretty sure of yourself. Is this another thing you’ve picked up from years of playing video games?"

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“You make it sound so nerdy, geez.” You say, to which Celeste shrugs her shoulders. “Look, games are meant to challenge their players. There’s probably a boss lurking around Akikazu’s position. It’ll be a powerful monster and we’ll have to kill it before moving on.”

“There wasn’t anything like that when it was my turn.” Celeste replies.

“I got the impression your rescue was sort of a tutorial stage. You know, baby’s first AETHER death trap mission in otherworld hell.”

“I don’t why, Takashi-kun, but I feel like I should be offended.” Celeste frowns.

“Don’t be, then.” You mutter.

The two of you relax in the healing aura of the bonfire. Scratches and cuts gradually seal themselves up. Celeste draws her knees up to her chest and gazes into the flame, as if she is tempted to merge with the heat and become one with the fire. You take out a piece of bread from your backpack and chew on it. Now that you think about it, it’s a bit of a shame you didn’t bring any marshmallows with you. Then you could recreate a traditional campfire scene, from times when the forests and the plains of Earth weren’t infested with Shadows.

“You know what this reminds me of?” Celeste begins. “Australia.”

“Australia?” Her statement is so abrupt you can’t help but smile. “What are you on about?”

“In my first year of middle school I had a field trip to Alice Springs.” Celeste says. “The purpose was to study the history behind the Aboriginal people. Unfortunately my school had to save money so we flew out of America in the middle of winter.”

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“And that would mean Australia would be well into its summer.” You mutter. “But you were fine because of innate fire resistance, right?”

“Yeah. But some of the other kids weren’t so lucky. They got heatstroke and we had to leave early. After that, the school never organized any trips to Australia ever again.”

“Now that’s a knee-jerk reaction.” You comment. “Did you see…what-do-they-call-it…Ayers Rock?”

“Uluru? Nah. It was a shame. It would’ve been interesting to climb it and see the traditional rituals of the Aboriginal People. Did you know it has a degree of influence over Persona users? Particularly Temperance and the Sun Arcanas.”

“And how does that remind you of Pyre Ruin Valley…?”

“Just the desert. Lots and lots of sands and shrubbery.” She replies. “It wasn't as hot or bright as here, though.”

“I’d hate to think if it was…”

What will you do now?

>Attempt to further kindle the flame
>Try to pull out the sword
>Inspect inventory
>Discuss tactics with Celeste.
>Return for today (skip to night).
>Custom option.

>>41916830
>Inspect inventory
How much have we eaten into our supplies? I figure water is going to be the major limiting factor.

>>41916830
>>Discuss tactics with Celeste.

>>41916830
>Inspect inventory
>Discuss tactics with Celeste.

>>41916830
>>Try to pull out the sword
>>Inspect inventory

>>41916830
>Inspect inventory

>>41916830
>Discuss tactics with Celeste.

>>41916830
>Inspect inventory
>>Discuss tactics with Celeste.

>>41916830
>>Return for today (skip to night).

>>41916830
>Inspect inventory

>>41916830
>would’ve been interesting to climb it and see the traditional rituals of the Aboriginal People
Interesting side note the local Aboriginals actually hate when people climb it and by the time the story takes place Uluru will be theirs again as it is currently only leased to the government.

>>41916830
>Rest until healed and move on.

>>41916830
>Discuss tactics with Celeste.

Wow, that was a nice break week. Planned a lot of shit that I can't wait to introduce. Which I will have to hold off most on because dumping too much stuff onto the audience is a bad idea.

...that really sounds hypocritical, I now realize. I apologize for dumping that mountainload of text at the start. Perhaps I should stop doing that all the time.

On that note, writing.

>>41917226
Intros are a different matter, don't worry about it. You're allowed to put a lot at the beginning because there's no flow to break yet.

>>41917226
Welcome back, TT

>>41917226
How much soft humanity do we have available to spend? Where's the counter!

>>41917226
I've been waiting for this.

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>>Inspect inventory.

These are the items you and Celeste have on you. You have two Medical Kits and Celeste has one. They are filled with important healing utensils, like bandages and painkillers. The kits should be useful if either of you receive a nasty scrape and need to patch up…assuming there aren’t any enemies nearby.

You have food. Mountain bread, granola bars, a few strips of beef jerky and the rest of the Jack Frost candies. Celeste has similar consumables. The instant ramen was left back at the safehouse, along with the plastic cutlery. As for water, the two of you have two whole bottles left. It may be sensible to bring along more in the next mission here, or at the very least investigate the ways to generate water out of Bufu and Agi.

You take out a roll of duct tape and stare at it quizzically. Why is this here? Well, silence is golden and duct tape is silver. You’ll probably find a use for it sooner or later.

Then there’s this object. An elliptical, grenade-like item painted in clashing purple and greens. You recognize it as a Trafuri Canister. Shizuka and her squad always carried them on missions outside the city walls. Upon activation, the materials inside would emulate the skill Trafuri and instantly teleport the user and his team back to the nearest safe zone, hence the name. It was designed to differentiate itself from regular grenades, which had caused an unfortunate number of flesh-annihilating and bone-devouring incidents in the past.

Of course, since this is the Blackened Void, it would teleport you and Celeste back to the nearest activated bonfire. If used at a bonfire, you could warp to any bonfire within the current Sector. At least, that’s what the tutorial messages on the AETHER app say.

Then there’s Macca and your phone but you carry them on you all the time, so they’re hardly worth mentioning.

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>>Discuss tactics with Celeste.

“Same as usual?”

“Sure!”

Celeste in the lead, ready to soak up any Fire spells, with you following behind. It’s worked for the past stretch of Shadows and you see no reason why it should change now.

>Press forward.
>Search around the area for goods.
>Rest for a bit more.
>Return home (skips to night)
>Custom option.

>>41917880
>>Search around the area for goods.

>>41917880
>>Search around the area for goods.

>>41917880
>>Search around the area for goods.

>>41917880
>Press forward.

>>41917880
>>Press forward.

>>41917880
>Search around the area for goods.

>>41917880
>Press forward.

>>41917880
>Press forward.
We've got a punk to rescue.

>>41917880
>>Search around the area for goods.

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>>Search around the area for goods.

There’s a book in the corner of the room, covered in thick dust and pages half-torn. Most of the content seems to be missing.

“That’s rare.” Celeste comments. Paperback books were becoming less and less used these days, what with electronic copies being so much more convenient and the Earth’s rainforests now home to a variety of poisonous, murderous Shadows. For some reason, Akumachi-Kirijo Academy insisted on students studying the old-fashioned way. According to their official website, it would encourage students to develope increased educational and research skills for later in life.

Or something like that. Seriously, what’s their deal?

You open the book. This would undoubtedly be an article of fantastic mystery and miraculous wonder, if it weren’t for the fact that all of the text inside was written in pleasant standard Japanese. Not that it helps you—roughly 90% of the scribbles have been blanked out. This is what you can decipher from the remains…

>The prophets have spoken yet again. From their crooked, dusty mouths to our battle-scarred ears. A new land awaits on the horizon, past the caverns of steel and the forestlands of the prideful. It will be ripe with bounty to harvest, delicacies to taste, women to fill our desires and treasures to seek. In this brilliant world, our destinies shall be realized. I have been assigned as part of the expedition heading there. This is going to be so exciting. The thought of it is so tantalizing, I’ve hardly slept in the past three days…

The next entry was heavily edited...

>The ten shall arrive one by one…of the Weak…princess…opposites yet inseperable…and lastly and firstly, their leader, a child who is nothing yet everything…

>It’s so hot here…where did we all go so wrong? It is because of…

>On patrol again. Our new leader is a harsh one, indeed. Not that it bothers me anymore…

“What the hell was that about?” You mutter, slamming the book shut.

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“Is this what they call…lore text?” Celeste mutters, looking contemplative.

“It would be is it told us anything about this valley. Guess AETHER is playing up the ‘ooh look at me so cryptic and nonsensical game that provides little to no knowledge about the game to the starving players’. Christ…”

“You okay there, Takashi-kun?”

“I’m fine, Celeste. Thanks.”

>>Push forward.

>Give me a 1d20
>Best out of three.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>41918507

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41918507

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41918507

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>41918507

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>41918507

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>>41918531
>>41918532
>>41918534

>>41918531
>>41918532
>>41918534
>>41918538
>>41918545

Well that was pathetic

The comfort of death etc etc

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[Elsewhere…]

Akikazu Osaragi wakes up with a pounding head and a dizzy mind. His body aches. His tongue might as well be made of gravel and concrete mix right now, considering the sorry state it is in. A terrible, heavy weight is pinning him down, preventing his four limbs from budging an inch. He would swear, but all he can produce is an exhausted, pathetic moan from deep within his throat.

A field of darkness is covering his vision. He succeeds in doing so.

Nothing changes, because he is currently blindfolded.

>>41918481
"Caverns of steel" and "forestlands of the prideful" sound like the first two regions of the Void. Given that "fire-blasted desert" wasn't mentioned, that suggests that this region is the land they were traveling to. Sounds like their prophets dropped the ball. Then again, maybe they're the ones who made the ruins? It could be that it used to be a fertile land, before something happened to it, and it's just a really old book we've found. Well, whatever the case, it raises questions about the nature of the Void that I'm sure will be fun to have answered. Consider me intrigued.

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The next stretch of land does not go down well. The moment you and Celeste stepped outside the bonfire’s comfort zone was the moment every single bloody Shadow in the place said, ‘Oh look, rest time is over!’ and promptly assaulted the two of you. The first encounter consisted of nothing but hurling around bolts of lightning like an electrician’s 4th of July, with Celeste providing much needed backup with Dia and Rakukaja.

And you know what happened a minute later? Even more Shadows showed up and promptly proceeded to lob around fireballs and streams of flame. To make matters worse, they had no discernable weaknesses. Fire was drained, Ice did neutral and electricity did absolutely fuck all. End result: a game of happy-slap as you ordered Ippon-Datara to smack around the monsters and hope they would die as soon as possible.

So.

This is where you are. Slumped on the hard ground with a good portion of your mana drained and multiple small wounds covering your body. Your breathe goes in and out like the low tide, slow and ragged. Celeste is pretty much in the same shape as you.

Your phone rings. A new message from AETHER.

“WARNING. AN ENEMY OF GREAT POWER HAS BEEN DETECTED UP AHEAD. PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION.”

The voice is frigid and harshly mechanical and you can’t decide if it’s worse than the false cheeriness emitted by AETHER’s tutorial voice.

“What now, Takashi-kun?” Celeste asks, her good humor now overshadowed by weariness and apprehension. She’s looking at you for a solution. You better choose this carefully…

>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.
>Approach quietly and scope out the situation.
>Grind, then return home.
>Return to base for today, this is too much. (skips to night)
>Custom option.

>>41919052
>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.
>Approach quietly and scope out the situation.

>>41918481
>The ten shall arrive one by one…of the Weak…princess…opposites yet inseperable…and lastly and firstly, their leader, a child who is nothing yet everything…
Champions of the Weak?

>opposites yet inseperable
that's SC pres and Akikazu, isn't it?

>where did we all go so wrong?
looks like the arrogance of the Strong is going to be hammered pretty thickly here.

>>41919052
Is there a day/night cycle here? Maybe we can wait until just before night before starting this fight.

>>41919052
>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.
>Approach quietly and scope out the situation.

>>41919114
>Is there a day/night cycle here?
QM already said the valley is stuck in eternal sunset.

>>41919052
>Approach quietly and scope out the situation.

>>41919052
>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.
>Approach quietly and scope out the situation.

>>41919052
>>Grind, then return home.

>>41919052
how much time do we currently have left? It might be a good idea to get some grinding done.

>>41919052
>>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.

>>41919052
>Custom option.
Check the locator for Akikazu's location relative to ours. Is this the boss or a miniboss? Maybe we can skip it.

>>41919180
You have enough time. It will only switch to night if you decide to return home.

>>41919114
No day/night cycle in the Blackened Void, unless explicitly stated.

>>41919052
>>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.

>>41919114
>>41919231
Have a full sleep over at the bonfire

>>41919052

>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.
>Approach quietly and scope out the situation.

>>41919052
>>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.

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“There’s a boss ahead.” You mutter through gritted teeth. “A strong enemy. The ones that block your way and take effort to beat.”

“A powerful Shadow?” Celeste replies. “Do you think we can take it?”

“I dunno…” You say. “We’ve beaten all the Shadows up to now, but generally bosses are on a whole new level. Those last few Shadows nearly kicked our asses. Looking at the state we are now, it could be tough.”

Celeste digs out the last few pieces of her candy. “If we eat this together and use Dia to heal our wounds, we might be alright.” She says, seriously. “We have medkits, too. I don’t know this Akikazu guy that well, but I’m definitely not comfortable with leaving him here in the valley. Not if he’s imprisoned anything like I was…” She shudders.

“Good point…” You sigh, staring at the confectionary. You’ve definitely made progress at searching for Akikazu, but there’s still quite a way to go. “Akikazu won’t die until seven days have passed, if what AETHER says is true. We have time. Still, as much as putting this rescue off holds appeal, I want to get this over and done with. Celeste, do you think we can defeat whatever boss or miniboss lies ahead of us?”

Celeste shrugs. “I don’t know, Takashi-kun. I’m as clueless as you. The only way we’ll find out is if we take a shot at it.”

You groan. “Screw it. Let’s go ahead and get our asses pounded into the ground.”

“You need to be more positive, Takashi-kun…”

>>Restore mana and vitality as best as you can, then push forward.

You chomp down what candy is left. Mana is restored. The medical kits are broken out and bandages are wrapped across wounds. Celeste casts Dia and heals scrapes and bruises. You slowly climb to your feet, wincing at the stinging across your leg. A Maya Shadow had nicked it there with a nasty swipe, spilling blood and ripping your trousers. Nee-san is going to freak when she sees it.

You motion for Celeste to move. She picks up the bronze sword and the two of you step forwards.

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“Shit…”

Standing in the center of a plain is a Knight Shadow. A muscular humanoid covered in yellow armor, wielding a lance and riding a steed that was somehow levitating off the ground. Considered to be one of the more powerful types of Shadows in existence, the bastards moved like the wind and hit hard and fast. You recall Daisuke and some of Shizuka’s other colleagues complaining about how Knights would often get up in their faces and send them flying with a single headbutt to the torso.

No offensive magic, at least. Knights were melee-only combatants. They could detect the presence of magic well enough, though.

The Knight doesn’t seem to have noticed you and Celeste. You have a clear line of sight to its back. Your current Personas are Ippon-Datara, Pixie and Moh Shuuvu. How will you proceed?

>Have Celeste attack.
>Attack with Ippon-Datara.
>Have Celeste try and backstab it.
>Apply buffs (will catch Knight’s attention)
>Have Pixie cast Elec Break on it (severe mana drain).
>Custom option.

>>41919969
>>Have Pixie cast Elec Break on it (severe mana drain).
while
>Celeste tries to backstab

>>41919969
Maybe we should leave now and come back with Slime tomorrow

>>41919969
>Apply buffs (will catch Knight’s attention)

>>41919969
>Cast a single zio
>Run like fuck, we don't have to beat it now.
It could already be weak to Elec, knowing Knights. Or even fire, if AETHER is trying to be a dick.

>>41919969
>Back off. Grind a bit and call it a day. we have time.

>>41919969
>Apply buffs (will catch Knight’s attention)

>>41919969
>run

>>41919969
>Apply buffs (will catch Knight’s attention)

>>41919969
>Apply buffs (will catch Knight’s attention)

>>41919969
>Apply buffs (will catch Knight’s attention)
>Custom option.
Kite it around. Get some distance between our self and Celeste, that way we can keep it busy with alternating ranged attacks. Hopefully we'll be able to keep it from being able to build momentum for a charge, prevent it from dealing too much damage.

>>41919969
>Attack with Ippon-Datara.
>Have Celeste try and backstab it.

>>41919969
>Back off. Grind and call it a day.

>>41919969
>>Have Celeste try and backstab it.
>>Probing electric attack

>>41920102
it's on a HORSE

>>41920153
Yes, and? It'll still need room to build up speed.

>>41920201
If we get a lot of distance between us and Celeste, it's gonna have an abundance of room.

Alright, these are the options I'm seeing from you guys.

>Run for today.
>Grind, then leave.
>Apply buffs and attack.

For the record, Takashi and Celeste can up a decent fight against the Knight. They'll have to be careful, though. And the Trafuri Canister still exists for when things go south.

>>41920231
The idea is that we'd be interrupting it whenever it starts to build up momentum. It turns to go after one of us, the other hits it with a ranged spell and draws its attention away.

>>41920256
>Grind, then leave.
We can log out and re log in right at the same spot right?

>>41920256
>Apply buffs and attack.

>>41920256
>>Apply buffs and attack.

>>41920256
>>Apply buffs and attack.
That stone could save our lives, and I'm not gonna let one bad roll discourage me.

>>41920256
>>Apply buffs and attack.

>>41920201
On a long distance, he'll run us down.

On a medium/strafing distance, he has a fuckhuge reach weapon

Any shorter isn't kiting anymore, and we aren't evasion tanks by any stretch of the imagination

>>41920273
we should find out if it'll even feel Celeste's fireball, first.

>>41920256
>>41920256
>Grind, then leave.

>>41920256
>Apply buffs and attack.
I'd like to save the Trafuri Canister for going home. Would be nice to be able to warp back to the train station, save us a lot of trouble. Or right back to the safe house bonfire, even, if it can reach across zones.

>>41920256
>>Run for today.

>>41920256
>Apply buffs and attack.

>>41920256
>Apply buffs and attack.

>>41920256
>Grind, then leave
We have a week.

>>41920273
Knights are pretty fast. I don't think we'll be able to pull off constant interrupts, and I don't want to have to blow the Trafuri if things go bad.

>>41920318
Traesto allows the Players to teleport between any bonfire in the Blackened Void.

Looks like applying buffs and attacking it is. Writing now...hopefully it isn't boring anybody here.

>>41920454
Thorn there wouldn't be 20 people here if we thought it was boring, I like your writing!

>>41920256
What does grinding do exactly? Do Takashi and Celeste have levels and exp bars or is it merely for macca and loot?

>>41920454
>.hopefully it isn't boring anybody here.
I honestly consider this to be the best quest.

>>41920523
They don't, but their Personas do. Using them, especially in battle, causes them to become stronger (and in turn, strengthen the user). However, in Takashi's case all but Ippon-Datara have had their XP gain severely reduced, so it's the only one we can really grind for.

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>>Apply buffs and attack.

You nod at Celeste. The two of you draw tarot cards, of the Lovers and the Magician.

“Tarukaja!”

“Rakukaja!”

Orange strength flows through your muscles and blue resistance covers Celeste’s body. The Knight, sensing magic spins around, glaring at the two of you through its bulky helmet. The horse opens its mouth a roars, a guttural hellish sound that vibrates through the air and bounces off the rocky walls. The beast grunts and the rider readies the lance.

Celeste grips his sword. You bring your fists up.

In response, the Knight raises his lance in the air and casts. A powerful, golden area surrounds it.

“Rebellion?” You snarl. One of your nee-san’s favourite moves. It pumps raw adrenaline through the caster’s body, making them a heck more aggressive. Shizuka would have Kali apply it and then plough through groups of enemies, swinging her halberd around and shrieking bloodthirstily all the while. Rebellion would wear off after a while, but until then the Knight wouldn’t hesitate to hold back, at all.

The knight screams and draws his lance back….

>Zio (Pixie)
>Elec Break (Pixie)
>Bufu (Moh Shuuvu)
>Agi (Ippon-Datara)
>Skull Cracker (Ippon-Datara)
>Other (check Persona pastebin)

Also…
>How should Celeste act?

>>41920849
>>Elec Break (Pixie)

>>41920849
>Rebellion
AHHHHHHH

>>Skull Cracker (Ippon-Datara)
crit you fucker, crit!

>Celeste
We need to poke elements. Critting him is only good to interrupt his attacks from doing the same to us.

>>41920849
>>Skull Cracker

Celeste should cast Rakukaja us

>>41920849
>Bufu (Moh Shuuvu)

>>41920849
>Zio (Pixie)
>Celeste goes Melee

>>41920903
supporting

>>41920849
>>Skull Cracker (Ippon-Datara)

Captcha thinks soup is a pizza.

>>41920849
Use Skull Cracker to take as much advantage of Rebellion as possible. Celeste casts spells to keep the Knight distracted. Stay across from each other on opposite sides of the knight, don't get bunched up.

>>41920849
>Zio (Pixie)
Test the waters, first.

>>41920849
>Zio (Pixie)

Celeste should use Agi, just to look for weak elements

>>41920849
>Skull Cracker (Ippon-Datara)

Celeste
>Poke him with Elements

We need to find out its weakness.

>>41920849
>>Zio (Pixie)
Test

>>41921076
What are you testing?

>>41921130
Whether electricity will even be effective

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>Objective: Defeat the Rampaging Knight!

“Celeste!” You shout. “Hit him with Agi! I’m going to try and smash his head open!”

“On it!” She yells back. Sati, eyes ferocious, forms flames between her hands and hurls the orb of fire at the Rampaging Knight. It slices through the fire with its lance, but half of it strikes it in the torso. The Shadows reels backward slightly, a fact Celeste notes with satisfaction. The Rampaging Knight recovers up quickly, however. Fire isn’t its weaknesses.

Celeste isn’t one to hold back and attacks again.

You rush forward, Ippon-Datara gliding through the air several feet in front of you. Tarukaja has blessed you with a few minutes of power, and you intend to make the most of it. Ippon-Datara howls and slams his hammer down. It hits the steed on the head with a delightful crunch, sending it yowling and retreating backwards in pain. You attack again. This time, the hammer bashes against its leg.

The Knight, however, isn’t as amused and yanks on the reigns. It prepares its lance. A command is given. You retreat backwards, but it is too late.

The Rampaging Knight has rushed forward, sharp lance outstretched, aiming directly at your chest.

>Block with Ippon-Datara’s hammer
>Dodge to the side
>Parry
>Custom option.

>>41921388
>>Parry

>>41921388
>>Dodge to the side

>>41921388
>Parry

>>41921388
>>Custom option.
Swap to slime while dodging

>>41921388
>Dodge to the side
Best way to take a hit is to not be there in the first place.

>>41921388
>>Dodge to the side
I hope we have been playing dark souls.

>>41921388
>Block with Ippon-Datara’s hammer

>>41921388
>Dodge to the side

>>41921421
We don't have Slime. He's back in the Velvet Room. Right now we've got Pixi and Moh Shuvuu in addition to our permanently equipped Ippon-Datara.

>>41921388
>Dodge to the side
Now would have been a good time to interrupt with the weakness, but...

>>41921388
>>Parry

>>41921454
ah fuck

>>41920849
Switch to Moh Shuvuu and dodge

File: slice.jpg (21 KB, 800x600)

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>Dodge to the side

The blade is inches from stabbing you through the chest and spearing out your heart like a badly made chicken kebab. Celeste is shouting at you, her voice drowned out by the tension rushing through your brain. You prepare yourself to roll the fuck out of the way.

>Give me a 1d20
>Best out of three.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>41921724
Come on dice

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>41921724
DOOOOOODGE!!!!!!!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>41921724

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>41921724

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>41921724

>>41921741
It's ok.

File: lightning.jpg (81 KB, 1280x720)

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You succeed in rolling the fuck out of the way, but the Rampaging Knight’s lance slices you across the side. Your chest feels like its on fire, but nothing a quick Dia can’t fix up. The Rampaging Knight continues to charge forward and skids to a halt further up the road. The thing is pissed, judging from the way its shoulders are heaving and the horse is shaking. Celeste then strikes it across the back with another fireball, causing it to stumble.

“Are you okay?” She gasps.

“I’m fine!” You reply, preparing yourself once again. “Looks like fire isn’t doing as well as I expected…”

“Got any other ideas?” Celeste says. The Rampaging Knight has turned around once again.

“Maybe.” You crush the card of the Magician. Pixie twirls through the air and gathers sparks in her palms. Lightning is sent out and hits the Rampaging Knight directly on the torso. This proves to be effective. The electricity arcs across its armor and it screams and shrieks. The sound is reminiscent of a dozen cards being fed live into a food processor. You grunt and fire again, knocking the monster for a loop. It collapses against the ground, unmoving.

>ALL-OUT ATTACK
>Cast buffs
>Hit it with more electricity
>Custom option.

>>41922005
>>ALL-OUT ATTACK

I've been waiting for this!

>>41922005
>>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922005
>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922005
we need to wait out the rebellion
>Let Celeste crit
>zio
>Let Celeste crit
>zio
>Let Celeste crit


what does Elec Break do if they're ALREADY weak to it?

>>41922005
>>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922005
>>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922005
>>ALL-OUT ATTACK

File: 1439651444600.png (377 KB, 512x610)

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>>41922005
>>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922055
Nothing, unless they take double damage from electrical attacks.

>>41922005
>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922005
gunna go with
>Hit it with more electricity
in an
>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922005
>Custom option.
STEAL THAT LANCE.

>>41922005
>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922250
....that's a good idea.

>>41922250
I'd be up for that

>>41922250
I approve of this action.

>>41922250
Clever anon. Let's go for it.

>>41922250
I LIKE IT!

>>41922250
Am I the only one who thinks this could backfire?

>>41922548
yes

>>41922548
Not at all

>>41922005
>ALL-OUT ATTACK

>>41922548
We're gonna take the risk anyways. Where is your sense of fun, anon?

>>41922548
Much better than All-out attack which will only end with a retaliation because we don't have nearly enough dps to finish it in one go.

File: 1381288955992.png (42 KB, 244x263)

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>>41922613
>Where is your sense of fun, anon?
Strategically planned out attacks.

>>41922736
Planning every step is fine and dandy. But if we don't know what we can and can't do, we'll look back on it and wonder if it's even possible. So can we atleast try it, to sate our curiousty?

>>41922736
You call All out Attack strategic?

>>41922866
No

File: rush.jpg (117 KB, 800x600)

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“We can do this, Takashi-kun!” Celeste shouts.

>(X) Yes
>(O) No

>>Yes

“Awesome!”

The two of you rush forward and give an almighty ALL-OUT ATTACK on the immobile Rampaging Knight. It basically consists of punching, kicking, slashing and stabbing the Shadow while it is done. A load of dust is thrown up into the air, making the scene appear exactly like one of those tremendously ancient black and white cartoons. You jab and clash as Celeste swipes and slices. The Rampaging Knight bleeds inky darkness and moans, unable to prevent the assault.

>>Steal the lance.

Damn, that’s a fine looking piece of equipment the Shadow’s got there. You wonder if the Hephaestus Siblings would pay for it. The Macca would certainly assist in future operations within the Blackened Void. You attempt to grab it.

This proves to be a big mistake.

The Rampaging Knight cracks open an eye and roars. It is no ordinary shout; it is a cry of rage with the force to send the mightiest of beasts cowering for their dens. The sheer power of the shockwave sends you and Celeste stumbling back across the rocky ground. In an instant, the Shadow has regained its form and is barrelling down upon you, Rampaging across the area.

You summon Ippon-Datara and block. The hammer is grinding against the weapon, metal screeching and sparks flying. You are being pushed back! You shove forward, bending your knees and willing Ippon-Datara to counter with all your strength!

If you can just shove the lance aside…!

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>41922947

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>41922947

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41922947

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>41922947

>>41922936
When its down? Yes.

>>41922981
You be faster next time

File: 1439609037592.jpg (73 KB, 314x460)

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>>41922947
>This proves to be a big mistake.
If only some wise anon had warned us, surely we would have set aside our folly and listened!

>>41923017

I tried, is the captcha thing supposed to move around?

>>41922947
this is what happens when you mix votes.

>>41923056
Well, atleast we learned never to take a Shadow's weapon.

But really, stealing out of greed was a terrible idea. The point was to take away a gigantic weapon with leverage and reach and make it very difficult for the mounted unit to attack any other way than random trampling.

>>41923058
Gunna go with probably not

>>41923103
>Hey guys, don't kiss the stove!
>Fuck you, Ima kiss the stove, oh fuck!
>Told you.
>Well we learned not to do something a child should know not to do, but now we don't have lips.

>>41923189
I just wanted to use the weapon against the shadow, not sell for cash.

>>41922250
You. I blame you for this.

File: victory_achieved.jpg (48 KB, 600x300)

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Come on, Takashi! What the hell are you doing? Put that training to work! You have muscles; they aren’t there for show, so use them goddamnit! Make your mother and sister proud by fighting off a Shadow in a location where only your neighbor can see you!

Slowly, Ippon-Datara shoves forward, inch by inch. The lance is trembling. If Shadows could sweat in fear, the Rampaging Knight would be. You inhale and give one final push. The lance is knocked aside and drops out of the owner’s hands.

“Eat this, you bastard!”

You dash forward and slam a knuckleduster covered fist straight into the Rampaging Knight’s jaw. It flies backwards, skidding against the dirt. You switch to Pixie and blast lightning bolt after lightning bolt at it. Celeste joins in, pelting the Shadow with fireball after fireball.

The Rampaging Knight groans in defeat and collapses to the ground. The ‘body’ falls off the steed and decomposes into black particles. The armor, the weapon and the consciousness soon fade into nothingness. The battle is over. Only electricity and flame scarred terrain remain.

“We won.” Celeste mutters, numbly.

“Yeah.” You say. “Good work.”

“Ha. Ha ha ha.” Celeste giggles, as if not believing her eyes and ears. “Yeah, we did, Takashi-kun! That was amazing! Take that, stupid Shadows! That’ll teach you not to get in our way!”

"You feelin alright?"

"Sorry." Celeste says. "I'm just, y'know, happy that we won. I mean, the Knight was so intimidating and powerful but we defeated it! We beat it into the dust, the two of us. Isn't that amazing?"

>You earned 6000 Macca. Obtained 1 iron key.

What now?

>Press forward.
>Return home (skip to night)
>Train in the area.
>Custom option.

>>41923449
>Press forward.

>>41923449
>Press forward.
see if it was a boss or a mini-boss

>>41923209
>I wanted to squander a good opportunity because I am stupid not greedy.

File: a normal father takes on (...).jpg (33 KB, 640x426)

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>>41923449
>>Press forward.

>>41923449
>>Press forward.

>Press forward.

>>41923449
>>Train in the area.

>>41923449
>>Press forward.

>>41923449
yo he dropped the lance before he died right? pick that shit up

>>41923449
>Train in the area.

>>41923524
It faded into nothingness.

>>41923449
>>Train in the area.

>>41923524
>The armor, the weapon and the consciousness soon fade into nothingness. The battle is over. Only electricity and flame scarred terrain remain.

>>41923524
No, he didn't. Nor did I expect it to when I voted for it. READ.

>>41923467
you know, there's a much better counterargument to be fighting against up above.

File: pyre_ruin_plain2.jpg (41 KB, 600x450)

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>>Press forward.

“Takashi-kun, shall we continue?”

You shrug. “Why not?”

Part of you explains this may not be smartest of ideas, but you shove it aside.

>Give me a 1d20
>Best out of three.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>41923685

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>41923685

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>41923685

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>41923685

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>41923685

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>41923685

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>41923711
RIP

>>41923708
>>41923711
>>41923712
Well, shit.

>>41923711
Aw crap

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41923685

>>41923572
>>41923577
>>41923580
shiiieeeet

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>41923685

File: 1436458422542.jpg (814 KB, 1050x866)

814 KB JPG

>>41923711

>>41923711
Ahaha fuck

File: just remember....gif (1023 KB, 500x420)

1023 KB GIF

>>41923711

File: 111111111142.png (26 KB, 187x346)

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>>41923711
>>41923729
>>41923732
>>41923736
>>41923741
>>41923743

File: 1402437779409.jpg (41 KB, 534x532)

41 KB JPG

>>41923711

File: Staring.jpg (104 KB, 1920x1080)

104 KB JPG

>>41923711

File: The eternal suffering of Bort.png (512 KB, 630x628)

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Pretty sure it said best out of three.

Hey, Twilight, is there criticals in this quest?

>>41923884
Yes. 20 is critical hit and 1 is critical miss.

>>41923924
Turns out that knight was apart of the musketeers

>>41923924
we must encounter 2 knights now

File: raven.jpg (67 KB, 304x433)

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“CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW!”

OH GOD WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO YOURSELF.

“Run, Celeste!”

“CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW!”

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY RAVENS?

“They’re gaining on us!”

“I can see that, Tachibana!”

“CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW!”

WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY EVEN COMING FROM?

“Noooo! Not the headphones!”

“Throw them on the ground!”

“I’d rather die!”

“ARE YOU SERIOUS WOMAN.”

“CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW!”

“Into the bonfire!”

“It isn’t fucking working!”

“Then use the Trafuri Canister!”

Oh yeah. You forgot about that. You prevent yourself from mentioning this to Celeste, because there's a good chance she might stab you if she knew.

You and Celeste then fight off about thirty different Raven Shadows as you wait for the Trafuri Canister to activate. It takes about fifty million years, from your estimate.

A flash of light overcomes you and suddenly you and Celeste are back at the Pyre Ruin Valley train station. You turn to stare at your companion. Her hair is ragged and there are multiple scratches on her face from where the ravens have attacked her. As for her clothes...they've been cut up, especially her white shirt. It appears she isn't wearing much underneath. You are trying your hardest not to stare.

“All in favour of never speaking about this again?” You say.

Celeste raises her hand. “Aye.”

File: 1432873507058.jpg (115 KB, 625x725)

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>>41923980

File: i'm scared.gif (369 KB, 320x240)

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>>41923980
>we were almost murdered by a fuckhuge murder.

>>41924064
So what do you figure the odds are that our sister knows how to spot shadow wounds?

File: 1399506227665.png (304 KB, 540x660)

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[4:30 pm, 10-Apr-2129 (SUNDAY)]
You board the fuck out of the Hollow Express and return to the Forgotten City. You enter the hot springs with Celeste and thankfully Shizue-san doesn’t ask too many questions. Then you return home because exploration of the Blackened Void has gone on for far too long. After bidding farewell to Celeste, who looks ready to collapse into her bed, you punch in the code to your apartment door.

“Oh Takashi, you’re back!” Shizuka greets you with a smile. She’s in the kitchen, already carving up slabs of processed chicken for tonight’s dinner. “You were gone for quite a while. How was your day?”

…

>What do you say to your beloved nee-san?

>>41924112
Yes.

>>41923980
Best critfail ever.

>>41924125
>"I fuckin' hate crows."
And nothing else.

>>41924125

"I hate Crows"

>>41924125
Spent it with Celeste, shooting the shit and figuring out shit about our personas. WAs pretty cool for the most part. But I hate Crows, winged rats of the skies.

>>41924125
>"Just out of curiosity... what's your worst loss against Shadows?"

>>41923980
>WHY ARE THERE SO MANY RAVENS?

Yeah, the brochure said there was only one.

>>41924125
I was attacked by a murder.

Going to bed now Nee Nee

>>41924125

I hate Crows

>>41924161
Backing this.>>41924125

>>41924125
"It was okay. Do you want me to carve that chicken for you?"
And then we therapeutically stab the fuck out of that dead bird.

>>41924209
>And then we therapeutically stab the fuck out of that dead bird.
This san losses the Nee-san.

>>41924209
that's worrying. Extremely.

>>41924209
As funny as that sounds, let's not come off as Mitsuo.

>>41924125
i fought and killed a knight today.

>>41923980
Ravens are Hermit Shadows?
Does that mean we're cursed to encounter them whenever we critfail?

>>41924489
Alfred Hitchcock 's the Birbs every time we roll poorly.

>>41924489
>“CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW!”

is actually Crow for

"KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! KILL THE TRAITOR! ...."

File: Frog and Toad are shitposters.png (709 KB, 819x714)

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>>41924527
I noticed the birds in that movie all sounded like screeching cats.

File: shizuka_2.jpg (18 KB, 210x240)

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"Nee-san.”

“Yes?”

You look at your older sister square in the eye. This is a woman who could lift trucks with ease, arm with them explosives and toss the combination into Shadows. She once took on a Minotaur Shadow in one-on-one combat as a rookie operative—and won by a narrow margin. Her physical strength surpassed your mother. Yet, she moved through life with a carefree and relaxed attitude, going about at her own pace.

You wonder if she would have such trouble within the Blackened Void.

“I. Hate. Crows.” You growl out.

Then you leave your bewildered nee-san behind to head to your room, because there’s a change of clothes and a fresh shower with your name on it.

[5:30 pm, 10-Apr-2129 (SUNDAY)]

Dinner time. Shizuka has cooked fried chicken and Singapore styled noodles today. She turns on the television as you devour the food like a starving wolf.

“…signs of infiltration shown in Nanjo building. Numerous security guards killed. However, no footage of the culprits has been found. Purpose of infiltration is also unknown…”

“…Von Wittelsbach family organizes new charity...have not yet made statement of children attending…”

“…the Japanese android idol industry celebrates second anniversary of ceasefire…”

You shovel mouthful after mouthful of noodles and meat chunks into your mouth and wash it down with the miraculous liquid known as convenience store orange juice. Then you grab more food and do it all over again.

“Wow Takashi, you’re almost eating as much as Daisuke.” Shizuka marvels. “Is my cooking really that delicious?”

File: city_night.jpg (470 KB, 1280x720)

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“Mmph mmph nph.” You mutter. You meant to say something along the lines of ‘I’m starving, nee-san.’ But your sounds are obscured by mouthfuls of chicken, vegetables and yellowy noodles. Really nice noodles, mind. You grab even more, along with asparagus cooked in olive coil.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Shizuka smiles. “I’m glad.”

The meal continues.

“By the way, Takashi, do you know where all the beef jerky went?” Shizuka abruptly asks. “I was hankering for some after I woke up in the afternoon, but when I looked in the kitchen I couldn’t find any.”

You freeze, chopsticks full of chicken halfway to your lips. “Um…no idea, nee-san. Sorry.”

“Ah, it’s okay. I probably ate it all yesterday and forgot. Remind me to buy extra packets the next time we go shopping.”

“Y-yeah…”

[7:00 pm, 10-Apr-2129 (SUNDAY)]

It’s night time. What will you do before bed?

>Study in your room.
>Wander around outside.
>Browse for ebooks online.
>Practise unarmed/Persona augmentation.
>Custom option.

>>41924721
We got something for charisma?

>>41924721
>>Browse for ebooks online.

>101 ways to avoid Crows

>>41924721
>>Wander around outside.

>>41924721
>>Browse for ebooks online.

>>41924721
>Study in your room.
>Chat with Celeste

>the Japanese android idol industry celebrates second anniversary of ceasefire
When did we enter the world of cyberpunk idols?

>>41924721
>>Wander around outside.

>>41924721
>Wander around outside.
All work and no play.

>>41924721
>>Wander around outside.
buy Supplies for the game.

>>41924721
>Practise unarmed/Persona augmentation.

>>41924695
>“…signs of infiltration shown in Nanjo building. Numerous security guards killed. However, no footage of the culprits has been found. Purpose of infiltration is also unknown…”
Well that is terrifying.
>>41924721
>“Mmph mmph nph.”
Thumbs up works in this situation.
>Browse for ebooks online.

Some how to be more charismatic book.

>>41924721
>>Wander around outside.
>>41924820
>Well that is terrifying.
I initially thought something similar to Section 9, but then I remembered that they won't leave any evidence behind.

Holy shit, could you imagine the Major with a Persona?

>>41924778
Fun fact: Cyberpunk Idol Management Quest inspired me to take up questing. So if you want to blame someone for Harem Bro Quest and Persona 2129 Quest, point your fingers at Merc Command.

>>41924858
>the Major
???

Looks like we're going outside. Takashi must be ready to drop, poor guy...

>>41924903
>???
GitS

>>41924903
Honestly he's just buying supplies for next run.

>>41924721
>>Practise unarmed/Persona augmentation.
Gotta get as swole as possible to save our... guy we kinda know.

>>41924903
Major Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell.

>Merc Command.

How long until we get cinematic Persona air-to-air combat?

>>41924903
Well sometimes the nighttime chill can refresh a weary soul.

Merc got me to be a writer for quests too...

File: city_night_3.jpg (439 KB, 1280x720)

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Where would you like to go?

>Devil’s Hub: District 1. The center of the city where a lot of megacorp offices are located.
>Silver Town: District 2. This is where your school is. It’s a high-class area.
>Shakedown March: District 3. The shopping sector of the city.
>Synth Central: District 4. The entertainment area, like a miniature Akihabara. It was recently attacked by Shadows.
>R-2: District 6. A second residential area of the city. It stands for ‘Residential Area 2’. The name is kinda generic, which is sort of the point.
>Kurusu Shrines: District 7. The spiritual sector of the city. Religious people tend to gather here. Named after the Last Word, which is often contested.
>Spark Hill: District 8. A place where lots of scientific research goes down.
>[LOCKED] Grey Ward: District 9. The industrial area. Expect to see factories and plants here. (Average Willpower required)
>[LOCKED] Fallen Downtown: District 10. The slums of Akumachi City. You’ll encounter thugs, street gangs and homeless people. (Reliable Willpower required)
>Go back home and sleep.

>>41925019
>Shakedown March: District 3. The shopping sector of the city.
Supplies for next run.

>>41925019
>>Kurusu Shrines: District 7. The spiritual sector of the city. Religious people tend to gather here. Named after the Last Word, which is often contested.

>>41925019
>>Spark Hill: District 8. A place where lots of scientific research goes down.

>>41925019
>Go back home and sleep.

>>41925019
>Devil’s Hub: District 1. The center of the city where a lot of megacorp offices are located.

>>41925019
>Kurusu Shrines: District 7. The spiritual sector of the city. Religious people tend to gather here. Named after the Last Word, which is often contested.

>>41925019
Where's the Nanjo building at? District 1?

>Devil’s Hub: District 1. The center of the city where a lot of megacorp offices are located.

>>41925019
>>Synth Central: District 4. The entertainment area, like a miniature Akihabara. It was recently attacked by Shadows.

Rolled 5 (1d7)

>>41925019

>>41925019
>>Synth Central: District 4. The entertainment area, like a miniature Akihabara. It was recently attacked by Shadows.

>TFW we're short on supplies because the Mc did not bother to shop.

Imma seeing a tiebreaker here.

>District 1
>District 4
>District 7

>>41925203
>>District 4

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>41925203

>>41925203
>District 4

>>41925203
>My choice didn't win.

Convince me and you have my vote.

>>41925203
>>District 1
Captcha thinks beer is a street sign.

>>41925203
>District 4

>>41925203
>District 1

>>41925203
>District 4

>>41925238
>>41925302
>>41925317
You do realize there is jack shit we could do, and it's even more likely we'd get caught right?

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>41925203

>>41925336
I just want district 4 to lose.

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>>41925336
Caught doing what? I just want to go check out the police tape and conveniently overhear officers talking about case details.

>>41925361
Why? Other than district 3 for supplies to take into Aether, it'll be the one we're at most often.


>>41925379
Caught being where we aren't supposed to be. No way in hell we're going to be that lucky.

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>>Kaede Kurusu: Frown disapprovingly at the notion of your predecessor not visiting you.

Just kidding! Kaede is unable to do that. Dead girls can’t do anything, after all!

Writing...

>>41925439
>Dead girls can’t do anything, after all!

Uh huh. Takashi the fourth wall is awfully thin here.

>>41925439
>Implying anything as perfect as Kaede could die

File: 1419831145713.webm (1.25 MB, 1920x1080)

1.25 MB WEBM

>>41925439
>Kaede Kurusu: Frown disapprovingly at the notion of your predecessor not visiting you.
>Predecessor
You mean "successor," you silly girl.

>>41925439

My Little Anti-Christ Can't Be This Cute!!!

>>41925574
>Anti-Christ
More of a dictator than antichrist.

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>>Go to Synth Central

You take the train and decide to explore the fourth district for a while. Your legs hurt. You ignore them.

The place is lively as usual. You pause at an electronic billboard. It is screening the first episode of a new season of an anime. Ah, you recognize this one. It’s an adventure harem adaptation of a light novel, concerning the demonic invasion on a modern magical society. The plot involves the humans suddenly transforming into demons through the loss of their Humanity. An ordinary high school boy is caught up in the middle of it all and he sets out on an adventure with his hotblooded best friend and his delicate childhood female companion. Along the way, he fights demons, masters almighty pyromancy, gains new party members and uncovers a sinister plot to merge the Underworld and the Earth.

Then he finds out he has a dragon goddess living in his soul, which is around the point where you dropped the show. Because powerups like that are complete bullshit. Which is a shame, because the girls were rather nicely written. You do wonder why they kept fawning over the main character. Yeah, he saved them and all from their evil selves but the guy was as dense as an entire mountain of titanium. You never figured out why he acted so oblivious, unless he was secretly knew about the entire harem situation and was merely pretending the entire time. In which case, it was totally understandable because as beautiful as the girls were, they could get very violent in contests over the main character’s affection.

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It seems like the animation has improved, so perhaps you should check it out. Unfortunately, the new season has been stricken with the curse of an anime original ending due to the author’s mysterious disappearance half a year ago. The dude had written the defeat of the final boss and everyone was anticipating the long-awaited resolution. Then he vanished one day, apartment completely cleared out. Epilogue: gone, rage: enough generated to power Tokyo for a whole year. The fandom would never know which girl would win in the end—obviously the most important part of the ending.

If you had to give your two cents, it would totally be the white braided-haired, innocent mage childhood friend. It was the only pairing that made sense, dammit! She was the most attractive, the quickest to forgive and had been by the main character’s side the entire journey. The former lieutenant was probably a slut, the experiment was too cold, the little mistress was way too haughty and lastly the incestuous cousin…

Her habit of stalking and stabbing spoke for themselves.

Everyone agreed the main character’s best friend should hook up with the demon girl. Note the word 'should'. There was the threat of netorare from her more attractive older sister, that is. Judging by the writer’s tendencies, this was a thing that could actually happen.

Anyway, more harem antics are happening on the screen, consisting of the main character accidentally walking on the five girls in the hot springs. He promptly gets assaulted by wooden baskets. You can’t tear your eyes away. It’s so shitty and clichéd but you can’t stop watching! What the hell is wrong with you?

>>41925879
Don't taunt me like this. Thorn. I miss it.

>>41925831
Thorn I miss HBQ too.
>>41925879
>There was the threat of netorare from her more attractive older sister, that is. Judging by the writer’s tendencies, this was a thing that could actually happen.
Well this worries me.

>>41925879

Is it possible to form an Arcana bond with a fictional anime?

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You need a break and decide to take a pit stop at a nearby park. You slump down on the bench and rest. You plug in your headphones and switch on your favourite synthwave song. You sit there for a while and relax…

…

…?

You notice someone in the corner of your eye. It’s a young girl with blonde hair. She’s standing in front of a vending machine, a finger to her lips. Her eyes are scanning up and down the interface of the device. It’s clear she is contemplating something…

>[INTELLIGENCE] Hypothesize her thought process.
>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.
>[LOCKED] Ask her what’s wrong. (Ordinary Charisma required).
>Leave her alone.
>Watch her for a little longer.
>Custom option.

>>41925879
Am I the only one who likes HBQ more than perosna?

>>41926016
>>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.

>>41926016
>[INTELLIGENCE] Hypothesize her thought process.
>>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.

>>41926020
Bout the same for me.

>>41926016
>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.

>>41926016
>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.

>>41926016
>[INTELLIGENCE] Hypothesize her thought process.
>>41926020
No.
I mean, I like this, but i miss Kazuya nad the gang.

>>41926016
>>[INTELLIGENCE] Hypothesize her thought process.
Let our awkward hermit tendencies shine!

>>41926016
>[INTELLIGENCE] Hypothesize her thought process.

>>41926016
>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.

>>41926016
>[UNDERSTANDING] Buy her a drink.

>>41926016
>[INTELLIGENCE] Hypothesize her thought process.
TRUST NOONE

>>41926020
Yes.

>>41926016
>(Ordinary Charisma required).
Are we THAT autistic?