What is Next Thorn?

Why so serious?

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“Hey sensei, is he going to be alright?”

The voice is faint. Everything is still dark.

“He’s fine. I’m more concerned about Tachibana. That looked like a nasty blow to the head.”

Is that…Kanade?

“Pipe down, both of you.” A woman’s voice, robotic and harsh. “My Mediarahan is almost perfect. See, they’re waking up right now.”

Your eyelids open. Blinding light assults you. You instinctively move your hand to shield yourself from it. To your surprise, you see that all of your burns and lacerations are gone.

You squint and groan. People are standing over you. Takauji, Kanade, Kanami and Veleis-sensei. You’re back in the arena. The crowds have mostly dispersed.

“Takashi.” Kanade says, her voice full of concern. “Are you alright?”

“Urgh…yeah, I think.” You moan.

“Here, let me help you up.”

Your body feels stiff, so you’re grateful for the assistance. Kanade heaves you up until you’re in a sitting position, legs wide apart.

“What happened?” You ask. “Did I win?”

“You did, man!” Takauji shouts excitedly. “What a clutch match. I almost thought you were going to get your ass beaten by Tachibana, but what a comeback!”

"You made a lot of mistakes." Veleis-sensei scolds. She then gives a rare smile. "But overall, you did extremely well. Surpassed expectations, even."

“Oh…” You reply. Then your eye widens. “Celeste! Is she alright?”

“She’s over here. Don’t worry, she’s fine.” Kanami says. She grabs Celeste by the waist and hauls her. Slowly, Celeste opens her eyes. She grunts and takes in her surroundings.

“Takashi-kun…?” She mutters. “Wait, what happened?”

Kanade steps forward. “Well, Takashi here…”

Celeste realizes before the class president finishes her sentence. A conclusion is reached. She is resigned to it.

“So, I lost.” She whispers.

>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>“No hard feelings, right?”
>“I think you did your best.”
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”
>Custom option.

>>44258303
>>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

Probably best not to dwell on it.

>>44258303
>“No hard feelings, right?”

>>44258303
>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
Well, either Celeste burns out, or her competitive will to succeed burns even brighter.

>>44258303
>>“No hard feelings, right?”
>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”

>>44258303

Head pat

>Nice work soldier.

>>44258303
>>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”
>>Custom option.

"Go get me my Crapes"

>>44258303
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303

>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303
>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”

>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303
>>“No hard feelings, right?”
>>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303
>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>Custom option.
"It was less that I won and more that I was the last to lose. You were amazing."

>>44258303
>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303

>You know this means Akikazu is going to challange me next, right?

>>44258303
>>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”

>>44258303
>>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
"Ha ha I rolled a twenty and you got two ones."
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't know. I think I might have a concussion."

>>44258303
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303
>>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258303
>>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”
But next time, can we do it as a team?

I would have preferred if Celeste won, honestly. Oh, well.

>>44258303
>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

So how are we going to give Celeste's self confidence a boost? Play table tennis against her? Try to be a butler and fail miserably?

>>44258338
This.

>>44258456
And at the same time not appear to pity her nor appear to be rubbing her losses in.

>>44258303
>>“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.”
>>“It was really fun, Celeste. Let’s do that again sometime.”

>>44258456
Well we ARE the fool.

>>44258466
>>44258456
Let her make the final hit against a tough boss, after the rest of the party is down?

Inb4 "I am the Shadow, the True Self." from resentment.

>>44258456
doing that stuff will only lower her confidence. We won by being better than her.

We friends but we aren't going to sandbag for her.

This is something she has to deal with on her own, whenever it's grades or combat or anything else.
>>44258466
Don't pity her or rub her losses in, we won, she lost, let's move on.

>>44258456
We invite her to dinner at our house with Kaasan and Neesama.

>>44258478
A tough boss, you want to set up a scenario so that her self confidence would boost by putting our lives at risk?

jesus christ waifu fags.

>>44258498
Eh. not so soon. They will talk about the grades and duel. Wait a week or so and then invite her.

and Neesama is a far superior waifu than Celeste.

>>44258479
I hope not, she'd kill us then.

>>44258478
Yeah no, too much to risk. Not chancing our other friend falling for that.

>>44258498
An idea. She is our best friend, and we did beat the ever living shit out of each other.

>>44258507
Hey, just throwing ideas out. Don't want it to actually happen but if the dice go that way, so be it.

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“It was super close. I almost gave up at the end, Celeste.” You shuffle over to her. “It was less that I won and that I was the last to lose. You were amazing.”

She isn’t saying a word. You swallow whatever nerves you have and press on. “It was really fun, too! Let’s do that again, sometime!”

“I lost…” Celeste repeats, expression a grin. Then a grin breaks out on her face. “I see. It really was close, huh. Hahaha!”

Her sudden burst of laughter causes Takauji and Kanade to step back. Veleis-sensei remains where she is impassive.

“Um, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Celeste replies, smiling bright and wide. “If it was that close, then I have nothing to complain about. You were stronger than me by a margin, so I accept my defeat. The loss is mine, Takashi-kun.”

“Did you do your best?” Kanami asks.

Celeste places a hand over her heart. She seems to be at peace. “I did, Kanami. There are no regrets.”

“I am so glad you’re not pissed at me or anything.” You mumble. “Honestly, you fought better than me. That Hama trap…I never saw that one coming.”

“I’m not a petty girl. And don’t be so hard on yourself either, Takashi-kun.” Celeste smiles. “You were great, too. You wouldn’t have beaten me otherwise.”

“Heh, yeah…” You sigh.

“Besides, I’m not so weak as to have my will broken by only two losses.” She smirks and you see her fiery competitive spirit is back in full force. “I’ll get stronger and better and the next time we fight, I’ll definitely defeat you.”

>>44258537
>by only two losses.
Actually it's three losses if you count the swimming.

>>44258537
JUST FUCK ALREADY

>>44258555
Shhhhhhhh.

>>44258537
inb4 we break her will by winning all the time, the gap being further each time, thanks to the Fool insane development speed.

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>>44258537
>and the next time we fight, I’ll definitely defeat you.”

>>44258555
Haha, would be great if Takashi said that

>>44258559
That's not for another couple social ranks.

>>44258559
Working on it, need more charisma and understanding and 3-4 more SL levels at least.

>>44258555
>>44258537
We need to point that out, to get our fiery competitive spirit back up.

It be great if Takashi said that.

>>44258537
>initially numb with shock
>rebounds cheerfully
Seems to be a recurring thing for her. God knows if her rebound is real or not, though, and our Understanding probably isn't good enough to notice otherwise.

Harem end best end

>>44258559
WE WILL WIN AT FUCKING!

You know, all things considered, I sort of like this development. Cele is pretty bright, but she also gets cocky and tends get proud. Everytime she goes against Takashi though, she always just manages to lose.

Takashi, a pessimist who just recently got the ability of personas and the wild card on top of that. He's got a lot of luck both bad and good yet still manages to get through it, even if it's close.

If the score wasn't capped at 125% for english, she would have won in terms of score. If we rolled slightly worse, she would have won in the duel. But because of those, she relied on them, and we won. Perhaps these lessons will help her grow, perhaps covering weaknesses she had.

TLDR: Cele is suffering the Magician bro's curse, but perhaps with how things turned out she will improve and cover more of her bases.

>>44258597
shitty bait

>>44258594
Hopefully it's real. One of the traits of the Magician is pragmatism and an objective attitude towards your capabilities, not resenting failure but merely planning how to do better next time. So it very well could be genuine. And if it isn't...well, hopefully we'll have enough Understanding and Charisma to deal with it by the time it becomes a problem.

>>44258624
No anon you are bait.

>>44258597
>Threesome > Harem.

>>44258597
We must achieve harem end since we couldn't do that in harem bro quest.

>>44258613
That would make sense for her Arcana. One of the interpretations of the Reversed Magician is talents that are not being used to their full potential due to mental confusion. Sounds like she's playing pretty true to the archetype right now.

>>44258698
This guy has a point...

>>44258698
But we had Syoko, and Syoko was > Harem end, so it was worthy it.
I'll forever miss mushroom-tan.

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You stare at her. Then you smirk straight back. “I’ll be ready then, Celeste. You won’t get past this Hermit that easily.”

“That’s the spirit, children.” Veleis-sensei says. “Now, stand up, both of you. The duel is over. I don’t probably don’t have to tell you this, but you now have to shake hands.”

You do that. Celeste is the first to extend her hand. You take it and grip it firmly. The two of you perform a tight handshake, and it is good.

“Hey, didn’t Takashi win against Celeste three times?” Takauji points out. “There was that swimming competition, right?”

Kanade elbows him in the side. “Shhh! You’re ruining the mood!”

“So, Celeste…about those crepes…” You grin.

She lets out a playful chuckle. “Oh, right! I almost forgot about those. A promise is a promise. I know a good place near the school. Want to get them now?”

“May we come?” Kanami asks.

“Sure!” Celeste replies. “The more the merrier!”

“Then what are we waiting for?” You stand up and pat the dust off your trousers. “Let’s go!”

So, that is how the duel ends. 1 win for you, 1 loss for Celeste. Yet, the two of you have gained greater far important than mere set of numbers. Celeste guides you and the rest of Takauji’s group to a small place in a nearly shopping district. True to her word, she pays for you and does it with gusto. It's all so very delicious. You bite through your chocolate, cream and strawberry dessert as Takauji tries to order something too big and ends up getting scolded by Kanade and Kanami simultaneously.

Celeste giggles at the scene. You look her in the eyes and laugh at her.

This is how you spend your afternoon. Eating, chatting and joking with a spiky-haired martial arts nut, a no-nonsense class president, an albino serious-faced archer and last but not least…

…your very best friend.

For the first time you can remember, you feel glad to have come to Akumachi-Kirijo.

You are truly happy to have met her.

>>44258764
>This is how you spend your afternoon. Eating, chatting and joking with a spiky-haired martial arts nut, a no-nonsense class president, an albino serious-faced archer and last but not least…
>…your very best friend.
>For the first time you can remember, you feel glad to have come to Akumachi-Kirijo.
>You are truly happy to have met her.
Aww.

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>RANK UP!
>The Celeste Tachibana Social Link has reached Level 4!
>Jack Frost’s stats have increased! Magic Potential increased to D! Endurance increased to E+! Agility increased to E+! It is now a D- ranked Persona!
>Learned Bufula! Learned Regeneration 1!

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>>44258764
How many death flags did we just trip.

>>44258764
And afterwards Akikazu learns the real cost of being a lone wolf when he hears that he missed out delicious crepes.

>>44258813
Those are some nice gains for a single rank-up. I guess they get progressively better as you go up the ladder.

>>44258813
Wasn't it SL 8 to get her to wear the slutty armor? Meaning at 6-7 we can start a relationship prolly.

>>44258813
>Magic Potential increased to D
Does that mean we can do persona augments now?

>>44258829
>Hanged Man still Level 1
being Hanged Man is suffering

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>>44258898
I wonder what I takes to get Fumika in lewd armor.

>>44258921
No, we got it up to Rank 2. Barely.

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“Oh, and by the way, Takashi.” Takauji strikes up a conversation at the bus stop.

“What?”

“Word travels around the school fast. People are going to want to fight you soon. You probably won’t have any trouble finding an opponent.”

“Wait, people are going to want to fight me?”

“Yup! Have fun!”

>You can now fight randoms after school! Head to the Battlegrounds and win to gain C. EXP, WILLPOWER and reputation around the school!

You return your apartment, exhausted. Shizuka greets you the moment you step into the door. “Welcome back, Takashi! How was your day?”

“Tiring as hell.” You reply. “I’ll talk to you at dinner. I need a shower.”

You return to your room to change out of your sweaty uniform and put on a proper set of T-shirt and tracksuit pants. The moment you finish changing, your phone rings. Curious, you pick it up.

A video call. It’s from your mother.

“Hello, Takashi.” Rumi Wakui, dressed in a business suit in some hotel room, greets you. She’s smiling for once. This either means she’s very pleased or about to murder something horribly. You pray it’s the former. “I heard today was the day your exam results came out.”

You nod. “Yes, kaa-san.”

“So, how were they?”

>“Better than you expected, more like.”
>“I did very well.”
>“Failed English and Japanese.”
>“It was okay.”
>[Lie]“I bombed hard.”
>Custom option.

>>44258910
not on our main, but while using Jack Frost? Yes.


>>44258929
We'll find out, remember Future Takashi has max stats and has massive swag.

>>44258921
I thought we were at level 2.

>>44258939
>“I did very well.”
but
>“Failed English and Japanese.”

>>44258939
>>“Failed English and Japanese.”
Could you recommend a good tutor?

>>44258939
>“I did very well.”

>>44258939
>“I did very well.”

>>44258939
>“I did very well.”

>>44258939
>“I did very well.”
>>“Failed English and Japanese.”

>>44258929
Maxed out charisma to convince her, maxed out willpower to actually go through with asking her.

>>44258939
>“Better than you expected, more like.”
Hell, better than *I* expected.

>>44258939
>“Failed English and Japanese.”

>>44258939
>Custom option.
"I just barely failed English and Japanese, but in all other respects I did quite well. High 90s in Computer Science and over 100 in everything else. My average ranked me second in my class and fifteenth in my entire year. I need to work on my essay skills, clearly, but overall I feel proud of how I did."

>>44258939
>“I did very well.”
>“Failed English and Japanese.”
>Custom option.
"I also had my first duel today. I won."

>>44259011
This is good.

>>44258939
>>[Lie]“I bombed hard.”
Why is this even a choice?

No this is not a vote.

>>44258939
combine this>>44259011
and
>>44259029

add: got high distinction too

>>44258939
>"I did very well."
>>"Failed English and Japanese."
Be honest. We got +100s on 4 subjects and was number 15. We could have done better, but we did amazingly well for such an enviroment.

Then again, she is a asian parent. We have not killed a demonlord and achieved straight A++s everywhere so she might be disappointed.

>>44258939
>>“I did very well.”

>>44258939
I may have started a Mapo Tofu folk tale like your ice cream one.

>>44258939
High Distinction. 15th Place out of 150.

I also may or may not have started a fad of eating Mapo Tofu before exams.

>>44259105
>>44259117
Actually, it's curry.
But it's a good idea, so backing.

>>44258537
She could have won if she spent less time with agilao and more time with hamas. Not even a matter of "playing fair", it was just kinda crazy to use fire on a known fire resist.

>>44259105
>>44259117
It'll be a Wakui family tradition. Every generation will start their own bizarre brain food fad.

Also, just realized that the rumor mill recognized Wakui as being the name of an alumnus, and they were clearly talking about our mom and not our dad. Veleis-sensei knew her by that name, too. So either Akira took her name when they married, or we're the product of incest.

>>44259215
It could be that dad took her name if her family is much more distinguished.

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“I think I did very well.” You say. Rumi Wakui taught her children to be modest, but you can’t deny your feelings. “English and Japanese sucked, though. I need to work on my essay skills.”

Your mother nods back. “Yes, I know. I had an acquaintance send me your results the moment they went public. I have them here.” She lifts up her tablet. On it are rows and columns displaying the subjects and the marks you received for each of them.

“Uh, what do you think of them?” You shrug your shoulders.

“What you say matches.” She says. Then you shiver as you feel the premonition of a classic Rumi Wakui lecture taking place. You are right on the money. “Your English and Japanese marks are far below what you are capable of. It would be better if you sunk more time into them. Most of those marks, I hypothesize, were indeed lost on the essay writing components. There are also certain parts where you clearly have made foolish mistakes. You should work harder to avoid them in the future. Time management is also a factor in exams and can help you look over your mistakes. Attend a few study methodology lectures they give out for free.”

Your ahoge is wilting. It’s like a flower in the middle of the a heat wave. “Yes, kaa-san.” You mumble, morose.

“But.” She raises a finger and smiles wider. You blink. Kaa-san hasn’t looked this delighted in…well, as long you can remember in recent memory. “It must be said. When I saw your results for the first time, when I took a proper look at your ranking among your year level, I made to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. And when I did confirm it, my heart leapt out of my chest.”

She leans forward. “A high distinction. Receiving fifteenth place out of one hundred and fifty students. Four 100+’s. For a new arrival at Akumachi-Kirijo, one who has had little experience with the material, it is almost unheard of.”

>>44259215
Or it was a matrilineal marriage.

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>>44259249

>>44259245
>>44259264
Yes, obviously the "he took her name" scenario is more likely than them being related. I just said that because I know that if I didn't someone would point it out. It's likely that her family is just of higher social status, matrilineal name changes aren't unheard of in such cases in Japanese culture.

>>44259215
Or she married REALLY early.

>>44259249
We made mom proud!

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“I always believed you had the potential to be great, Takashi. Now I have no hesitation in calling your efforts stellar. My only regret is that I am unable to embrace you in person. I am very, very proud of you, my son.”

You do a double take. Kaa-san is wiping away something from the corner of her eye. Was she crying just then? No way.

“I hope you continue to maintain these standards in the future. Work hard, Takashi. The teachers should hand out your exams. Look over them and make note of your mistakes. But now is the time for celebration. This is your reward for doing so excellently.”

>Obtained 70,000 Macca.

“You have made this old woman extremely happy.” She concludes, still smiling. “I look forward to your hard work.”

You feel like crying, too.

“Thank you, kaa-san!”

>Your UNDERSTANDING has increased by 13 points!
>Your CHARISMA has increased by 13 points!
>Your WILLPOWER has increased by 13 points!
>Rank up! Congratulations! Your WILLPOWER is now Reliable!

>>44259337

yup

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>>44259340
HOLY SHIT

>>44259340
DEM GAINS

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>>44259340
WE GOT HUGE

>>44259340
Yes! We dun made momma proud boys.

>>44259340
Tell mom about our first duel!

>>44259340
Wow. I wonder how she'll react when we tell her we fought and won a duel today, too.

>>44259340
>70000 macca
curry all day, every day. FOR EVERYONE

>>44259340
Ohgod. We have to keep up expectations while warding off shitty rolls for future exams.

There is no greater power-up than a mothers love and pride in her son.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaNDIDQDHv4

[END OF EPISODE 5]

>>44259426
All our time spent min-maxing was worth it!

>>44259445
Best girl.

>>44259365
>>44259368
>>44259380
>>44259385
>>44259399
>>44259401
>>44259411
>>44259413
>>44259426
This is why we power leveled Intelligence, after we get Char and Und to 3 we should level Int to 4 asap.

Who is best non-thorn SMT girl and why is it Reset?

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You knew this would happen. Good karma is balanced out with bad karma. All coins have two sides. Black complements white. Your fate is inescapable. Not when the Blackened Void still churns in the dimensions, spreading its malicious and repugnant aura across your world.

It’s the Velvet Room again. You push open the door and step into its space. It’s brighter now. More candles illuminate the room, their flames flickering gently in the cold air. It’s still dusty and the walls are crumbled and worn, as usual.

The two twins are in their seats, empty cups and saucers on the table. The girl is clutching an old tome, leather-bound and thick. The boy is shuffling a deck of cards. Death, Temperance, Devil and Tower pass through his gloved hands.

This wouldn’t be the Velvet Room if both participants weren’t leering at you as they worked. So far, the two haven’t said a single word.

>“Why can I speak?”
>“Took long enough, you assholes.”
>“…”
>“What do you the two want now?”
>“I’m leaving. Goodbye.”
>Custom option.

"Congrats, son. You're not as worthless as you were a few months ago."

>>44259539
>“I’m leaving. Goodbye.”

>>44259539
>“Why can I speak?”

>>44259539
>>“Why can I speak?”

>>44259539
>"Took long enough, you assholes.”

>>44259539
>“Took long enough, you assholes.”

>>44259539
>>“…”

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>>44259537

>>44259539
>“Why can I speak?”
>Just what was I injected with?

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>>44259539
>Tower

>>44259539
>“What do you the two want now?”

>>44259539
>"Why can I speak?"
We are saving our best barbs for when the time comes.

>>44259539
Wait, is the reason we got stuck with these two assholes because we're an unexpected Wild Card?

>>44259539
>>“What do you the two want now?”

>>44259539
>>“Why can I speak?”

>The boy is shuffling a deck of cards. Death, Temperance, Devil and Tower pass through his gloved hands.
Holy shit we are fucked.

>>44259539
>“…”

Never ever think of the velvet room as an ally.Those two are an bunch of dicks. They aren't our friends and since this is SMT, we likely going to kill them.

>>44259539
>“What do you the two want now?”

>>44259539
>“Why can I speak?”

>>44259616
>this is SMT

But that's the thing, innit? This is SMT: Persona. Where the Velvet Room is still reliable for some things.

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>>44259610
>Temperance
>TFW temperance.

Why is that bad?

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>>44259616
>They aren't our friends and since this is SMT, we likely going to kill them.

You got that backwards. If they were our friends then we'd be more likely to kill them.

>>44259666
maybe it means we need to endure said Tower?

That said, the little girl might become a LOT more important very soon.

>>44259581
>>Just what was I injected with?
This is important.

>>44259539
>“Took long enough, you assholes.”
>“What do you the two want now?”

>>44259666
Temperance is the only positive card there. If it isn't reversed. Tower means disaster is incoming

>>44259693
No, I mean I get why tower death and devil are scary but temperance?

>>44259718
Well, Temperance is the Arcana of learning and long-term goals, so this might be a plot dump where we learn something important. Combine that with the others and there's probably going to be something unpleasant to learn.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcMz3aAZDv4
You glare at them. There are a lot of words you’d like to say to them. Spiked barbs on curled thorns dripping with acid and disease. Profanities, obscenities, blasphemies coated in disgust and hatred. In the end, all you can muster is a simple,

“Why can I speak?”

The boy’s grin widens at the edges. “So the kid asks. Isn’t it obvious? Think about all that you’ve accomplished so far.”

He gives you a minute to think. You fail to come up with a satisfactory response.

“You’re no longer hollow inside, are you?”

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>>44259753
>“You’re no longer hollow inside, are you?”
Well shit.

>>44259753
POST FASTER SO I CAN SLEEP

>>44259753
And all it took was an injection of PURE EGO.

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“He’s grown quite a bit, nii-san.” The girl says, her voice slithering up your spine like a poisonous viper. “He’s surpassed his predecessors at their beginnings, even. We might even have to adjust his title later on. Although, will be able to maintain this strength of his?”

“He’s been putting on an entertaining show, so far. It’s actually been somewhat enthralling to watch.”

“Do you think he has the capability to exceed the Last Word, nii-san?” The girl questions.

“If I was a betting man, I would say no. It would place all of Mammon’s treasures against him and nine thousand, nine-hundred and ninety-nine times out of them I would win.” He draws a card from his deck. A beast, a snake and a wheel. Round and round they go. “Of course, to bet on any human in this world of mine is…troubling, to say the least.”

“The Last Word was magnificent.” The girl recalls, a hint of fondness the size of an ant appearing on her features. “One only needs to look at history to see how accomplished she was.”

“What do the two of you want?” You growl. “If not, then I’m leaving.”

The girl smirks. “Don’t be so hasty, guest. We mean you no harm.”

“And I suppose that crushed heart was a friendly slap on the back?”

“If it offends you that much, why not improve yourself?” The boy laughs, scornful. “However, to insult you is not the reason why we called you today.”

“Then what?”

“Shall we partake in a little game?” The boy suggests, putting away the deck of cards. “One of our own design.”

“And if I say no?”

“Oh, I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.”

>>44259841
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKTtUpDfj4Q

>>44259855
Annoying cunts

>>44259855
The kids are talking about Mammon and used 'his' world. Fuck, these are either HIGH level demons, or it's Lucifer. or God. or both.

I miss Igor.

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“Take this as praise, guest.” The girl hisses. “We have become interested in you. Not as your story, but you as a person. It is comparable to a single grain of sand on a beach, but it exists nonetheless.”

“We wish to gain an insight to your personality.” The boy explains. “Thus, we will ask you questions. You may answer them however you see fit.”

“Escape is impossible. This is not something you can avoid.”

A chair has appeared on the floor in front of you. You blink. When did it get there?

“Now, take a seat and we’ll begin the game.”

Seeing no other choice, you follow as directed.

“Six questions, kid. Then it’ll be over.” The boy takes a deep breath. He smiles. “First question. What is the greatest threat to humanity at present?”

[Choose only one]
>“The Shadows.”
>“The Blackened Void.”
>“Humanity itself.”
>“Myself.”
>“Kaede Kurusu, the Last Word?”
>“I don’t know.”
>Say nothing.

>>44259905
>“The Blackened Void.”

>>44259905
>“The Shadows.”

>>44259905
>“Humanity itself.”

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>>44259905
>“Humanity itself.”

>>44259905
>>“Humanity itself.”

I mean shadows are a reflection of us and they are killing us

>>44259905
>“The Blackened Void.”

>>44259905
>>“The Shadows.”

>>44259905
>>“Humanity itself.”
never4get the great seal

>>44259905
>“I don’t know.”
After all, it's the truth.

>>44259905
>>“I don’t know.”

>The Unknown is always the greatest threat

>>44259905
>“Humanity itself.”
Obvious awnser here.

>>44259905
>“I don’t know.”

Not Shadows. The Blackened Void is only some people. Humanity is the second choice. Both fools can be a risk.

Honesty it is.

>>44259905
>>“Humanity itself.”
Aren't the Shadows born from the dark aspects of humanity?

>>44259905
>>“Humanity itself.”
Shadows are borne from humanity's subconscious, remember?

>>44259905
>“The Shadows.”

>>44259905
>>“Humanity itself.”
"Everything else, the shadows, Kaede Kuru, it's all just a byproduct. "

>>44259905
>"Myself."

If the world learned of our nature, wars would be fought over us.

>>44259905
>>“I don’t know.”

>>44259905
"I don't know."
It's not a matter of what we can see, but what we can't see. Shadows and humans are obvious and big, but that doesn't mean they are the biggest. The greatest hero can easily be the biggest villain. WE could even be the biggest threat.

But we don't know. Therefor, we can't tell. All we know it could be another party entirely. After all, what caused the massive awakening in the first place?

>>44259905
>“Humanity itself.”

>>44259905
>>“Humanity itself.”

>>44259905
>“Humanity itself.”

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“Humanity itself. Shadows come from our subconscious, so the answer is obvious.”

“Humanity threatens humanity. Then, why not end yourselves?” The boy smirks. “The answer to that is also obvious. You are all so very tenacious. To a fault, even. Or is certain human beings rather than the collective group as a whole?”

It’s the girl’s turn.

“In your world, those with Personas and those without are segregated. Do you believe natural talent is the means to all ends?”

[Choose only one]
>“Talent is everything.”
>“Hard work is everything.”
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”
>“Talent comes from hard work.”
>“Hard work comes from talent.”
>“I don’t know.”
>Say nothing.

>>44259905
>“Humanity itself.”
or maybe the demons. Or whoever made AETHER.

>>44260020
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>>“Talent comes from hard work.”

>>44260020
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>“Perspective is everything.”
but if it's OOC
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>>“Hard work comes from talent.”

>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

Talent cannot be denied. But without hard work, both Gate-kun and Brotagonist would not have gotten where they got.

>>44260020
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”
Without hard work, talent will go to waste, and without talent, hard work becomes harder.

Hard work without talent is useless

>>44260020
>“Both talent and hard work are important.”

>>44260020
>"The strong should fear the weak."

>>44260020
>“Hard work comes from talent.”
The determination to press on and shatter your limits is itself a talent. Some people just don't have it in them to try.

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“Talent and hard work are important.”

“Then what of those who work hard and yet have no talent? Those born without magic? What should they do in your world, then?”

It switches back to the boy.

“All Wild Cards are said to be chosen by fate. Do you believe yourself to be fortunate?”

>“In the end, I believe I am.”
>“No, this power has brought much grief into my life.”
>“There is bit of fortune and misfortune.”
>“Such concepts don’t matter.”
>“I don’t know.

>>44260093
>“Such concepts don’t matter.”

>>44260093
>“Such concepts don’t matter.

>>44260020
>"Both talent and hard work are important."

Wasted talent is practically a idiom and there are many scholars and the like who have fallen even with decades of hard work and experience.

Got to be determined in the end.

>>44260093
>“In the end, I believe I am.”

>>44260093

I have neesan and kaasan, I am very fortunate.

>>44260093
>“Such concepts don’t matter.”

Things like fate don't exist. Man have free will.

>>44260093
>>“I don’t know.

>>44260093
>“In the end, I believe I am.”
Things have gotten better, so yeah.

>>44260093
>There is both Fortune and Misfortune.
Shit is hard, but at the same time, we have made our family proud and made many friends and improved as a person.

>>44260118
>Man have free will
>laughing lawfags.png

>>44260093
>“Such concepts don’t matter.”
Deleted and revoted.

>>44260093
>"Fortunate? No, someone CHOSE me, MADE me a Wild Card. Something like fortune or misfortune doesn't apply to that."

>>44260093
>“There is bit of fortune and misfortune.”

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“Such concepts don’t matter.”

“So you believe that man has free will? A debatable sentence, to be sure. Will your fellow man agree with your sentiment? Should the time come for you to reveal your powers, will they strike you down out of envy?”

It’s the girl again.

“If you had the chance to grant all Persona-users the power of the Wild Card, would you take it?”

>“Yes, then I would no longer have to hide my true self.”
>“Yes, I want everyone else to feel the same way I do.”
>“No, they do not deserve it.”
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”
>“I don’t know.”
>Say nothing.

>>44260093
>>“Such concepts don't matter. "
"Fortunate in what sense? In becoming Wild Card, in being born to my family? Your dealt your hand and you have to live with it. "

>44260093
>“Such concepts don’t matter.”
To call it fate is to imply a guiding hand. Things are the way they must be.

>>44260159
>>“No, they do not deserve it.”

>>44260093
>“Such concepts don’t matter.”

>>44260159
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

>>44260159
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

>>44260159
>>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

>>44260159
>“I don’t know.”

>>44260159
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

>>44260159
>Custom Option
If I I could get rid of all the shadows by eliminating the ability to use a Persona from all of humanity I would.

>>44260159
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

Too much power. It would be best if no one ever has it again.

>>44260159
>“Yes, I want everyone else to feel the same way I do.”

>>44260159
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

We don't need another cahrayzee bitch or bastard. It will happen, some lucky person will nuke everything.

>>44260159
>“No, they do not deserve it.”

>>44260159
>“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”
We don't need several billion potential Kaede Kurusus.

>>44260118
>Man have free will.
Science says your wrong if you think that.

>>44260159
>"No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction."

Power corrupts. The Wild Card is the sort of power that could destroy cities because one guy plays dirty.

>>44260159
>No, because then EVERYONE would have to deal with you assholes. I can't do that to the world.

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“No, it would cause unnecessary chaos and destruction.”

“Very altruistic of you. There are billions of humans in your world. Can you claim to know them all? Do you truly understand their wishes and desires? The responsibility may be yours.”

The boy takes the mantle.

“You are in the midst of a difficult trial. Do you believe that you will succeed?”

>“Yes, I will lead my team to victory.”
>“No, I believe we will fail.”
>“It’s too early to say for sure.”
>“I don’t know.”
>Say nothing.

>>44260159
>>“No, they do not deserve it.”

>>44260159
>>“No, not everyone is prepared for it."

>>44260215
Science also says we can't summon ancient legends as punch ghosts. This world works differently.

>>44260226
>“I don’t know.”

>>44260226
>>“Yes, I will lead my team to victory.”
We'll show you cunts

>>44260226
>“Yes, I will lead my team to victory.”

>>44260226
>“I don’t know.”

>>44260226
>“Yes, I will lead my team to victory.”

As Wild Card, we will allow no less.

>>44260226
>“Yes, I will lead my team to victory.”

Thinking of failure is suboptimal, victory is all we need.

>>44260226
>“No, I believe we will fail.”

But say it sarcastically

>>44260226
>"I trust in my friends."

>>44260226
>“Yes, I will lead my team to victory.”

So theory time. I am willing to bet that Last World plots to give everyone the power of the Wild Card or something.

>>44260226

You don't know do you? Wild Cards can't fail.

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“Many others have said the exact same, whether it be at their origins, midway or at the very end of judgement day. They failed. What makes you special? Do you truly believe in yourself that much?”

The girl takes her turn.

“Last question. At present, who is the person closest to you?”

>Shizuka Wakui
>Celeste Tachibana
>Akikazu Osaragi
>Fumika Shibuya
>Takauji Koyoura
>Kaz Inaba
>Kozue Yusa
>Rumi Wakui
>Myself
>All my bonds are equally important.
>None of the above.

>>44260265
Bitch please. She just going to give JAPAN wild cards and try to conquer the world as empress.

>>44260277
>>Rumi Wakui

>>44260277
>Shizuka Wakui

>>44260277
>>Celeste Tachibana
Our social link rank confirms that.

>>44260270
The thousands of "Death is a hunter unbeknownst to its prey"s, and even that one screwup begs to differ.

>>44260277
>All my bonds are equally important.

Sappy, but at the end of the day, every bond is something that holds a great meaning.

>>44260277
>Myself

>>44260277
>Celeste Tachibana
Her Social Link is the highest.

>>44260277
>Shizuka Wakui

>>44260277
>All my bonds are equally important.

>>44260277
>Shizuka Wakui
>>44260277
>Rumi Wakui
family

>>44260277
>Celeste Tachibana
Objectively Celeste. We need to get on raising other links.

>>44260277
>Rumi Wakui

>>44260277
>All my bonds.
Everyone has helped us one way or another. Can't just shrug them off.

>>44260277
>All of them

I know you guys wanna waifu Celeste, but really, is there any other answer to this question?

>>44260349
Yes, by answering that our lifetime with neesan and kaasan is more important than the few weeks we've known everyone else on that list.

>>44260349
I don't wanna waifu Celeste but I voted her because it's the truth at the PRESENT.

>>44260277
>Shizuka Wakui

>>44260234
They used to think there was nothing smaller than the atom, and that traveling around the world was impossible.

I'll invent punch ghosts.

>>44260277
>Shizuka Wakui

>>44260364
Celeste's shown Takashi what it's like to be SEISHUN, but >>44260360 still tops that, and social links can't change that.

>>44260277
>Shizuka Wakui

>>44260277
>Myself

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“All my bonds are equally important.”

“Yet their ranks differ. The Magician is highest, the Hermit the lowest. You do not eveb possess the bond of the Empress. Can you truly say her bond is important to you?”

>>Game: End.

“With that, the game has ended. It was enjoyable.” The boy says. “Thank you for our participation.”

“Now, for your reward.” The girl smirks. “Are you curious as to our true forms? Come forward, guest. Look upon us.”

All the candles have been fully lit. When did that happen? You remain in your spot.

“Hesitating, are you?” The boy smirks.

You growl. You are not scared. You make a move to step forward, then…

Then…

…

You see them.

Your eyes widens in shock. You take a step back as an unearthly sensation crushes your heart. It makes your skin crawl. There’s a part of you that wants to burst out the door, flee for the hills and never return. You don’t understand it. You can’t understand it. The Velvet Room twins are dressed in innocuous enough clothes. They resemble your school uniform: blazer, shirt, tie and stiff pair of pants. The two stand straight, smirking. It’s familiar enough, so why are you shivering on the spot?

The twins are grey. There’s not a single color to be seen on their figures. Everything, from their lips to their clothes all the way down to their leather shoes, is monochrome. The exception is their eyes. They’re gold, like the treasure coveted by King Midas himself. There is something foul behind those eyes. They speak of everything that is wrong with you. Corruption, jealousy, misfortune, indolence, hypocrisy, irrationality and apathy…it is like staring into the worst recesses of your own soul.

>>44260277
>>All my bonds are equally important.

>>44260405
shit aliens

>>44260405
TWINS ARE ELDER OR OUTER GODS

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You take another step. You regret it.

Their bodies randomly flicker in and out of existence. It is as if a permanent graphical glitch in the universe has been cursed upon them. They move and the space around them bends and coils, like hissing static on a broken monitor.

Whatever these two are, they are most decidedly not human.

…

"Rrgh..."

No, what are you doing? Why is your body shaking? Why are you hugging yourself, so tight that your bones threaten to crack? You can’t let the pair see you like this! You’ll just be giving them exactly what they want. Don’t let it show! Put up a cool façade! You’ve gained the power to talk to them within the Velvet Room, so the mere act of looking at them shouldn’t be anything to you. You are not the weak, foolish boy from before!

You focus your WILLPOWER…

…

The tremors subside. Though your heart is still pounding like mad within your chest, you manage to straighten your body and glare back at the duo. They smirk again.

>>44260405
The personification of the worst traits of humankind. Not Ceberus, but rather... Angra Mainyu?

>>44260434
Erebus or Nyx, maybe.

>>44260434
Angry manjew

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“Nii-san, our guest doesn’t seem to enjoy looking at us.” the girl giggles.

“Indeed it is so, my dear little sister. It’s truly a shame that not every consciousness is capable of reaching our level. I’m afraid there’s not much we can do about it.” The boy lets out a dark chuckle. “Well then, as hosts we must accommodate for our precious guests’ tastes. Shall we begin rearranging ourselves?”

“Oh yes, nii-san!” The girl tilts her head. “But what to display to the guest here? We have so many faces, and yet he has so little time.”

“Then we will cycle between a number, enough to give the kid here a small sample.”

“Excellent idea, nii-san! Since you won our bet, I’ll let you have the honor of going first.”

“I appreciate it, my dear little sister.” The boy raises a hand to his face. His features instantly shift. Eyeballs, nose, lips, ears, mouth and even hair rearrange themselves, melting and blending into each other before drifting apart to form a completely new image. Throughout the process, his aggravating smirk refuses to fade.

A boy with a pierced earring. A tall, dark-skinned and haunted man with sunglasses. A slack-looking male in a baseball cap. A silver-haired warrior, who attempted to challenge a goddess and lost. A charming boy who appears to be empty inside. A murderer hiding in the skin of a gentle protector.

“My turn, now.”

The girl follows her brother. Her expression shifts and collapses. It resembles an abstract painting, all style and no sense. A frail, bed-ridden girl. A woman caught in a web of her own deceit. A jealous woman in pink, once determined to undo it all. A mechanical doll, the first of many. A child caught between the genders, scorned by her peers.

The girl’s smirk is the widest you’ve ever seen. “I know nii-san. How about this one?” Her face transforms one last time.
“A wonderful choice, my dear little sister. Our favourites. Allow me to conjure its counterpart.” His face shifts, too.

The process is now done. You stare at them.

>>44260442
definitely not. Erebus calls for the end(Nyx), but these fuckers just taunt and challenge you. They put you down because they want you to hate them.

>>44260453
So they're the NPCs?

>>44260434
I forget, what was Nyarly suppose to represent in the early games again?

>>44260486
>Headphones. XXII. Cloth armbands. Ribbons around neck. Chained and forced against the wall. A familiar reminder. Utter dread.

motherfucker

>>44260486
Fuck You faggot twins

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“Is this satisfactory, guest?” the boy asks. “Have we serviced you with our hospitality?”

You don’t recognize these people at all.

“Well, we shouldn’t expect the Weakest One to understand.” The girl shrugs her shoulders. “The male has been lost in history and it’s debatable whether the female even existed at all.”

“It is our own private little joke, after all.” The boy says.

“Indeed, nii-san.”

“It would be interesting to see how the Old Guard would react, if they were alive today. Seeing these faces would almost certainly shatter their hearts.” He turns around, his smile revealing his rows of teeth. “But since it’s you, Takashi Wakui, bearer of Wild Card and Kaede Kurusu’s successor…”

Headphones. XXII. Cloth armbands. Ribbons around neck. Chained and forced against the wall. A familiar reminder. Utter dread.

>>44260450
We must master the secrets of the mapo tofu, once that happens we can REJOICE!

>>44260453
I'm going to hazard a guess and call them Daeva.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daeva

>>44260499
Did they transform into 3's MC?

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“...it really doesn’t matter at all.”

>>44260499
You know, you could have just posted the picture instead of reposting the entire thing.

Male MC and Female MC from Persona 3. Whut?

>>44260499
>“The male has been lost in history and it’s debatable whether the female even existed at all.”
What?

>>44260453
>A slack-looking male in a baseball cap
Junpei?

I am going to take a dinner break. A FUCKING DINNER BREAK. A short thread, I said. I was going to get this done six hours ago. So I said yesterday.

Jesus Christ.

And you know what? It still isn't over. There's something else I need to post. It's even longer than this. There won't be any more choices, so if anyone is sleep deprived feel free to drop out.

See you in around thirty minutes.

can we get to the part that stops referencing the games?

>>44260531
No one remembers The Door and the Girl protag was an alternate gimmick.

>>44260531
The picture is of the male and female MCs in Persona 3. The male is canon, the female not, either way they've been forgotten by the world.

>>44260453
What the fuck? Protagonists and Social Link Characters from previous games?

>>44260542
See you in a bit then.

>>44260510
Is there a point to this?

Nyarlathotep came back somehow and won didn't he. That's what happened with Kaede's adventure to cause it go so crazy and these two are either him or his version of the Velvet Room residents.

>>44260499
>Old Guard
That means SEES right?
>>44260542
Going to sleep then the sun is already rising.

>>44260453
>Boy with pierced ear
Guessing that's P1's leading man.
>Slack-looking guy in a baseball cap
Junpei, probably
>Silver-haired warrior who attempted to oh come on, that's totally Yu
>Murderer hiding in the skin of a gentle protector
Adachi?
>Jealous woman in Pink
Probably Yukari
>Mechanical doll
Aigis, maybe?

Not sure who the rest are supposed to be.

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>>44260542
>There won't be any more choices
Choice is a lie.

>>44260573
>>44260453
>A child caught between the genders, scorned by her peers.
I think that's Naoto.
> A frail, bed-ridden girl.
I think that's a girl from P1

>>44260599
>Naoto
Goddammit, why didn't I realize that?

>What's-her-name from P1
Or maybe it's Rei from Q, now that I think about it

>>44260573
>A charming boy who appears to be empty inside.
Either P5 Protag or Ryoji Mochizuki
>A child caught between the genders, scorned by her peers.
Naoto

>>44260577
Apathy is death, Anon...

>>44260561
Well, depends on how much you like to guess.

One: Our host is the protag of P3 and his alternate version self. Apparently being stuck to a giant door has not helped his mood.

Two: The two are parts of Erebus, that giant dog that has been trying to break down the seal so Nyx can kill everyone dead because humanity called for it's own death.

Three: Unrelated and horrifying as fuck.

Either way, this is not a friendly being and is quite possibly a bad sign in of itself.

>>44260621
>A charming boy who appears to be empty inside.

It might be Teddie

>>44260635
The twins are the optional boss fight.

>>44260642
That may actually be better than my guess.

>>44260568
The old guard is probably referring to Igor, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Theodore.

>>44260635
I think it's just a sign of how the Twins are Nyarlathotep-things, like how Nyarly turned into Hitler.

>>44260673
That wasn't Hitler remember?

He was wearing aviators, so there is no real way to know.

>>44260673
Hence number 3. It's a tricky question that we won't get a answer to yet, but that grey and gold eyes also reminded me of shadows. So they could actually be the shadows of said protagonist.

After all, he's still alive.

>>44260673
I'm thinking these two might actually be Nyarly himself, considering how at the start of the game they said that the room's old owner lost a certain bet, and their reference to having many faces.

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>>44260712
>he's still alive.

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>>44260692
WRONG

>>44260715
Interesting.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfB1qVK0dLQ

A long time ago, the humans of the Earth were covered in sin. They committed much chaos and destruction across the world in pursuit of shallow wealth and fragile power. Their actions angered the Almighty Creator, the one who shaped everything and anything. As punishment, he smothered the Earth in darkness, so that the brilliant rays of His sun would no longer reach the eyes of humanity.

His judgement was just and the humans of the Earth suffered rightly so. Out of fear and anger, they cursed his name. Yet, a spark of hope still remained. When the darkness set, a group of ardent and the devoted began to pray towards Him. They asked for his forgiveness and swore they would do their utmost to cleanse the world of sin. With firm resolution in their souls, they promised they would lead the people of the Earth in the direction of virtue and redemption.

After three whole days and three whole nights, during which the eternal night cleansed the world of its sin, their prayers reached the Almighty Creator. He then took pity on his creations and made the decision to grant them mercy. And so, He lifted the great darkness and let light return to the world.

To those who endured His judgement while staying true to His faith, He bestowed upon them a holy power. It would allow them to alter the world according to his will; to shape it into one worthy of his presence. However, such a magnificent visage was not to be. The serpent of humanity, envious and prideful, stole His power and shared among the common masses. No longer would His chosen stand out from the rest of the humans. They would be on equal footing as the ones who sinned and forced His hand.

So, anyone else think we should hit up the Abyss next session? After recruiting Akikazu the penalty to dice rolls there dropped down to -2. Now that we've leveled up a few times and gotten a Spotter, there shouldn't be a a penalty at all. And since the reward for completing levels of the Abyss is information, and these chucklefucks are clearly never going to actually say anything when they still have the option to hint obliquely, I think we should go for it. We might even wind up increasing Fumika's SL while we're at it, since she wants knowledge about the Wild Card.

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The people of the Earth were initially delighted at His power, for they could shape the world around as they saw fit. However, they soon came to abuse it. They did not teach or create; rather they deceived and destroyed. Once again, the world was filled with chaos and suffering.

Their sin led to the creation of the earthbound devils. Formed out of sinfulness of humanity, they crawled out of the netherworld and gathered in vast armies. Cities fell and empires crumbled. Humanity resisted, but it became clear that they would perish if something was not done. In desperation, they prayed to Him for help. This time, He recognized the potential residing within the virtuous and the devoted. Instead of punishing his creations as before, he decided to bless them with a messenger.

And so, by His guidance, an angel flew down from the heavens and entered the world of the humans. Her figure could be only be described as miraculous, clothed in the purest white and bearing a beauty far greater than any human. She came bearer His mercy and granted it thoroughly. With her almighty power, she cleansed the world of the earthbound devils in a single day.

She then departed for a small island in the East. She landed atop its tallest mountain and sat in a cross-legged position. She rested there for a time, praying to Him and observing the movements of the people below.

Many humans found themselves enraptured by her magnificence. They climbed to the summit, seeking for an audience.

“Mighty angel, the land you reside in is a mere husk of its former self.” Said the ruler of the island, “Please lend us your holy spirit and return it to prosperity!”

>>44260746
Fucking YHVH.

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“Holy one, please accept this gift of gold.” Said a merchant. “In exchange, I ask of you to sweep away the bad fortune from my family.”

“Come, angel child!” Said a drunkard. “You saved our world, so let us be merry. Drink and feast with us until dusk falls and dawn arises!”

But the angel did not reply to any of the humans, for their intentions were not pure. Over time, the humans realized that their words could not sway her heart. Thus, they left her be.

One day, a human climbed to the summit. He was dressed in only the simplest of rags. The angel was surprised, for no humans had visited her in quite some time. “I know of your name. They have named you our Lady and Savior. But what is your true name, mighty angel?” He asked, breathless in her presence.

“For what reason shall I speak to you?” The angel asked.

“You do not have to answer.” The human said, earnestly. “No-one else has asked of you this, which I found curious.”

“Then my name is Kaede Kurusu, the Last Word and bearer of His will.” The angel said. “It is by his compassion that I was given a name. If you are satisfied, return to your fellows and spread His word.”